Page 56 of Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 42

Jackie

I held Elisa in my arms while I watched my gorgeous husband greet the guests that came for the grand opening. I was in awe of him. My heart fluttered as I watched him smile and shake hands. I felt like the luckiest woman on Earth. I never would have guessed I could be this happy after what Landon put me through.

Nikki and I took the kids into Jeff’s office and were sitting on the couch in the room with the television while the kids played on the floor.

“I have a secret,” I whispered. Nikki’s head popped up like a little gopher.

“What? Tell me.”

“You have to promise not to say anything.”

“I promise. I swear I won’t say a word.” I didn’t believe her, but I couldn’t keep the news to myself any longer. I felt like I was going to die if I held it in for one more second. To hell with superstition.

“I’m pregnant,” I said. My smile widened with each passing millisecond. “I’m going to have a baby!”

“Oh. My. God.” Nikki wrapped me so tight in her embrace, she knocked the wind from my lungs.

We were laughing so hard, and squealing our words when Hunter walked in.

“You must have told her,” Hunter said. He winked at me. He looked amazing in his black suit.

“I had to. I couldn’t keep it in anymore. Please, don’t be mad.”

“I can’t be mad at you. I told Jeff, too, just before the grand opening began.”

“This is so awesome! I’m so happy for both of you. You’ve had so much good news in the last few weeks,” Nikki said.

“Well, ladies, I have to get back out there before this brute named Jeff comes to find me. I’ll let you get back to talking.” Hunter blew me a kiss, then turned to go back out front.

Jeff’s office was perfect for his family. We resumed our conversation and talked about the baby while we watched the kids.

It had only been a few short days since Elisa joined our family, and she was already acting like she’d been with us for years. She didn’t have any hesitation around the Carrington A Team, as we liked to call them. Abby was pretty quick to remind us she wasn’t a Carrington, so we were careful not to use our nickname for them around her.

Nikki was in the middle of telling me her labor stories when Jeff and Hunter walked in. I looked at the clock and was surprised to see it was five o’clock already. Since it was the grand opening day, they were officially closed now. The long days would begin from here on out.

Chapter 43

Seven months later …

Hunter

“Breathe, baby. You’re doing great.” I rubbed her arm and tried like hell to comfort her.

“Fuck you, Hunter! I’m never having another baby!”

“You don’t mean that.”

“You don’t know what I mean!” Jackie was forcing words out through her gritted teeth as the contractions caused her muscles to go rigid. By the time we got to the hospital, she was dilated too far to get any medications for pain. She was even denied Tylenol.

“Maybe it won’t be so bad when it’s all over.”

“Go to hell, Hunter. I swear to God and everything holy, I’ll never give birth again.”

I rubbed my hands on her like I was taught during the Lamaze classes.

“Get your hands off of me!” she screamed.

---