Finding My Forever (Beaumont 3)

“Do you really think she’s going to say no?” I ask, trying to stifle a laugh.

“No about what?”

We both turn to find Josie walking towards us. She’s carrying a tray of food and right on cue my stomach growls.

“I figured as much, Jimmy. So what am I not saying no to?”

I take a sandwich off the tray and offer a smile in thanks. “I’m taking Jenna on a holiday to take her mind off things.”

“Really, you two on a vacation together?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“Oh I don’t know. You’re not exactly each other’s type.”

I shrug. “So, I’ll change for a week.”

Josie and Jenna both look at me. The room is silent. I can’t help that I like my ladies’ man persona. Chelsea made me this way. Loving someone who does that much damage totally fucks with your mind and your sense of being.

“Have fun on vacation,” Josie says, leaving us to plan.

“So, Sweet Lips, where do you fancy going?” Her eyes light up and her lips turn into a huge smile spreading from ear to ear. I know I said I’d keep it in my pants where other women are concerned, but if I’m going to get to stare at Jenna and her fit body in a bikini for a week, she and I may need to come to a friends’ with benefits understanding.

No, that can’t happen.

I look out the window and sigh. It’s been raining for three days straight with no sign of letting up. I suppose if we were going to have a weather element, I’d take rain over a hurricane or tornado. Not sure how I’d deal with a tornado warning.

I’m depressed. Not in the I’m going to go do something drastic to myself sense, but more in the I’m bored out of my mind from being locked up. I’m supposed to be sitting on a warm beach someplace in the south, but Officer Paul Baker had to burst my fantasy bubble. When Jimmy announced that he was taking me on a holiday, Paul put his foot down… literally. He said that I couldn’t leave, not in the middle of an active investigation, which confused me because I hadn’t pressed charges. But he said I need to stay and Liam agreed.

Jimmy didn’t say anything. In fact, he left that night and hasn’t been around since. That was almost two weeks ago. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I thought that maybe we’d be friends. I know that is far-fetched considering his history and his need to be free all the time. I mean why would he want to babysit me, when he can be out doing who knows what and not suffer the consequences?

I did that. I took that step and look where it got me. My palm finds my stomach and rubs along the outside of my sweatshirt. I’m lucky that the cold weather is allowing me to wear layers because right now my oversized sweatshirt is hiding an even bigger bump. I’m not going to be able to hide it much longer. The truth is going to come out sooner or later. I just hope that they don’t freak out on me. I know Josie is going to want to know who the father is, but I need to keep that to myself out of respect for him. I keep thinking I’m going to tell him, but then I imagine the look on his face when I tell him that our one moment produced a child and I can’t bring myself to say those words. Watching him walk out on me will break my heart.

Liam’s car pulls into the driveway, shaking me from my reverie. I focus harder through the rain sheeted window when I hear four car doors slam individually. From the time that it takes me to leave the living room and walk into the foyer the door is open. Liam walks in first, his arms and hair dripping with water. Josie’s next, but under the cover of Liam’s jacket. My heart aches, knowing I won’t have that kind of love. The next person to walk in is my mom, but the fact that she’s standing there, staring at me, is not registering. I look at her hard, questioningly. She smiles, her eyes sad. My dad steps in and shuts the door. He looks at me, smiling widely.

I run the five or so steps it takes me to get to my parents. I collapse into them, one on each side of me, and don’t even try to stop the tears from coming. My parents are here in Beaumont. I haven’t seen them in so long and they’re here, standing in Liam’s house, dripping water all over the floor, but that doesn’t matter because I’m holding them now.

“Let me take your coats,” Liam says, moving around us, trying not to bother our reunion.

I pull back and look at my parents. My mom, she’s aged, but is just as beautiful as the last time I saw her. My dad, he’s graying more and has earned himself a bit of a belly.

“I must be dreaming,” I say.

“You’re not dreaming. Your friend, Liam, arranged this for us.”

I look over their shoulders at Liam, who is looking shy, like he doesn’t like to be the center of attention. If he weren’t the lead singer of a successful band, I’d almost believe that he’s shy. Liam looks at me and offers me a half smile and a shrug.

“He’s pretty great,” I say, downplaying the situation for him. “Come on, you must be so cold in those wet clothes. I’ll take you upstairs and you can change.”

“I’ll go get their things,” Liam says, slipping into his coat.

“I’ll go with you, Son,” my dad says. Liam freezes, his hand on the doorknob. I see Liam’s jaw clench, but he nods, accepting my dad’s help. I’ll have to find a time, privately, to tell my dad that Liam and his father have a rough relationship.

“I’m so happy to see you Jenna.” My mom takes my hands in her. Her eyes water as do mine. The last time she saw me I had a bruised cheek that even make-up couldn’t hide.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” I pull her into my arms and hug her tightly. I mouth thank you to Josie, who is standing there watching us. She looks like she’s about to cry. She shakes her head, telling me everything I need to know. Liam set this up. He did this for me.

The men walk back in with luggage in their hands. Liam nods to the stairs and my dad follows. I’ll gladly take the couch if it means my parents are going to be here for a while.