Not much longer...

Something to Dye For Preorder Links

The countdown begins...

Here are the preorder links that so many have requested!

Amazon US:  www.amazon.com/Something-Dye-Curl-Up-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Dye-Curl-Up-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon CA: www.amazon.ca/Something-Dye-Curl-Up-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/d/Something-Dye-Curl-Up-Mysteries-ebook/B01NANPPWG

Amazon DE: www.amazon.de/Something-Dye-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon FR: www.amazon.fr/Something-Dye-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon NL: www.amazon.nl/Something-Dye-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon ES: www.amazon.es/Something-Dye-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon IT: www.amazon.it/Something-Dye-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon JP: www.amazon.co.jp/Something-Dye-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon IN: www.amazon.in/Something-Dye-Curl-Up-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon BR: www.amazon.com.br/Something-Dye-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Amazon MX: www.amazon.com.mx/Something-Dye-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01NANPPWG

Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm!

XOXO

Aimee

Final Something to Dye For Teaser

Hello everyone. Here is the final teaser for Something to Dye For. Thank you, Jay, for another beautiful graphic to make my words come to life. Love ya!

STDF gets formatted and uploaded to Amazon tomorrow for preorder. I will post those links once they become available. ARCs will go to bloggers who've requested them tomorrow evening or Thursday morning.

I hope you are as excited to read this book as I am to share it with you.

XOXO

Aimee

Something to Dye For Tueaday Teaser #5

Hello everyone. I'm back with another gorgous teaser from Jay Aheer. There are just two more weeks until Someething to Dye For goes live. I'm so excited to hear what you think.

I'll be back next week with the final teaser. As always, thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by and visit.

XOXO

Aimee

Surprise Release!!!

I am proud to announce that I have co-authored a book with the wonderful Nicholas Bella. We've been working on this since August and it's been the hardest secret to keep!

Here are the beautiful covers created by Jay Aheer using photos taken by Wander Aguiar. *sighs*

               

                There was once a time in my life where the only thing that mattered to me was fighting and winning. I’d step into that octagon with all the confidence in the world that I’d leave the victor. There was no challenge too great that I couldn’t handle. That was until I met a sassy and sexy reporter by the name of Aiden James and he flipped my world upside down.

            I didn’t do relationships because I had to keep that part of myself hidden, but I couldn’t seem to get Aiden out of my mind. Maybe if I could just have my way with him one time, I’d be able to get him out of my system. But if I couldn’t, would I be able to sacrifice everything I worked so hard for to have Aiden? Was the reward worth the risk or could I live my life without Aiden?

***

            I was thrilled when I landed an interview with MMA’s sexiest fighter, Anamacio De Niro. I had heard that he was a very private man, but nothing prepared me for his level of stubbornness. That didn’t stop me from soaking up every second that I was in the same room with my secret crush. I never expected to hear from him when our interview ended, so imagine my surprise when he contacted me out of the blue and asked to meet again.

            I quickly learned why Macio was so private when he revealed the secret he hid from the world. As excited as I was that he returned my attraction, I had promised myself that I’d never fall for another closeted guy. My vow shattered the second his lips touched mine and I let my guard down for one night of earth-scorching sex, knowing it was all I would ever have with him. Or was it? Did it have to be all or nothing or could we find a way to be together without either of us getting hurt?

***     

            Undisputed is the first collaboration between Amazon best-selling authors Nicholas Bella and Aimee Nicole Walker. It is the story of two men who learn that the most important fight of their life isn’t battled in an octagon or in the court of public opinion; it’s waged in the heart.

The release date is scheduled for December 23, 2016 and preorder will not be available this time. Instead, we'll upload to Amazon as soon as it's formatted. I hope you are as excited about reading this book as we are about releasing it!

I'll be back tomorrow with the next teaser for Something to Dye For!

XOXO

Aimee

            

Something to Dye For Teaser #4

I'm back with another lovely teaser created by the amazing Jay Aheer. Let's get to it!

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse at book 2. It'll be here in just 3 more weeks!! I'll be back for more next Tuesday!

XOXO

Aimee

Something to Dye For Teaser #3, Blurb, and Projected Release Schedule

Hello everyone. I must apologize for the lateness of this teaser. It clearly isn't Tuesday. Thank you, Sandra, for you gentle reminder that the teaser was missing this week. I was so wrapped up in finishing book 3 that I simply lost track of all time. Bad author! Bad!

I have for you teaser number 3, the blurb, and my projected release schedule because many have asked. We'll start with the pretty part first. Credit for this beautiful photo goes to Wander Aguiar and the graphics were provided by Jay Aheer.

Ahhhh, a dose of Josh and his evergrowing feelings for his detective. You can expect to see a lot of growth from him in book 2.

**Blurb**

A phone call in the middle of the night forces Detective Gabriel Wyatt out of his warm bed and into the frigid night to identify the body of a murdered man whose wallet contains Gabe’s business card instead of an ID. That night sets off a chain of events that chills Gabe to his bones when it appears that the killer has set his eyes on a new target – Josh Roman.

Josh comes face-to-face with a painful reminder of his past just when he’s ready to acknowledge that his feelings for Gabe go way beyond liking the man. How can he trust his feelings for Gabe are right when before he’d always been so wrong?

Will Josh and Gabe finally acknowledge that what they have is something to live for or will they allow danger and doubts to destroy their chance at something special?   

Something to Dye For is book 2 in the Curl Up and Dye Mysteries series. These books are written to be read in order. They contain sexually explicit material and are intended for adults 18 and older. 

**Release Dates**

Dyeing to be Loved - November 8, 2016

Something to Dye For - January 3, 2017

Dyed and Gone to Heaven - March 7, 2017

Book 4 (Title has spoilers so it's a secret right up until the cover reveal) May 2, 2017

Dr. Dimples and his love  - July 11, 2017

2 new characters introduced in book 3 - September 4, 2017 (target date)

Josh and Gabe Christmas book - December 5, 2017 (target date)

That's the most up-to-date information available for the guys. 

I also want to clarify some issues regarding cliffhangers. When I decided to write this series, I committed to not leaving my readers hanging when it came to Josh and Gabe's relationship. Although I strongly support authors who choose to do so, I understand that readers do not always like them. I know it's hard to wait months to see what happens between the two main characters. 

My goal has always been to leave the guys in a good place where you could see their relatiionship evolve through their growth. I feel very strongly that I've done that very well through the first three books. That being said, the main case that Gabriel is investigating does have cliffhangers because it's an ongoing case. It's complicated and rushing to solve the case in one or two books would not be doing it justice.

I decided this week to add a holiday book to the lineup. There will be NO cliffhangers of any kind between the final book for Josh and Gabe (book 4) and their holiday book. The holiday book is just an extra book for fun. 

Thank you for stopping by and reading my ramblings! I'll be back in a few days to give another teaser! Much love to you all and thank you so much for your patience.

XOXO

Aimee

Tuesday Teaser 1 & 2 for Somethng to Dye For

Hello everyone. I have two teasers to share with you! There are just 5 weeks until Something to Dye For goes live on 1/3/17. I am over the moon with excitement about this book.

The beautiful teasers and paperback cover are courtesy of Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art. The photo used for the cover, and also the individual phots of the cover model in the teaser, are from Wander Aguiar. The half-nude dude is courtesy of Jay. These wonderfully talented people are my dynamic duo.

I also have the final paperback wrap to share with you as well.

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I'll be back next Tuesday with another teaser!

XOXO

Aimee

Something to Dye For Cover Reveal and Release Date!

It's time to reveal the next amazing cover created by Jay Aheer of Simply Definted Art. The photographer of this stunning picture is Wander Aguiar. They make a killer creative team!


Something to Dye For will be coming to a kindle near you on January 3, 2017!!

I'll start releasing the teasers as soon as they're finished! I hope you're as excited about the release of this book as I am. I love Blissville so damn much and it will kill me to say goodbye to these two men, but I am grateful to be with them for four books. Many of you have asked about Dr. Dimples and I can happily confirm that he will be getting his a book, which I hope to publish in July.

As always, thank you for stopping by my blog for updates.

XOXO

Aimee

Dyeing to be Loved pre-order links

Hello everyone. Below are the pre-order links for Dyeing to be Loved on all Amazon sites!

US: www.amazon.com/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Dye-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Dye-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

AU: www.amazon.com.au/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Dye-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

CA: www.amazon.ca/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Dye-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

NL: www.amazon.nl/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

DE: www.amazon.de/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

FR: www.amazon.fr/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

IT: www.amazon.it/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

ES: www.amazon.es/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

IN: www.amazon.in/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Dye-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

BR: www.amazon.com.br/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

MX: www.amazon.com.mx/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G

JP: www.amazon.co.jp/Dyeing-Loved-Curl-Mysteries-English-ebook/dp/B01MQCQE4G


They they all are! I hope you all enjoy the first book in Gabe and Josh's adventure!

XOXO

Aimee

Final Dyeing to be Loved Teaser!

One more week until Gabe and Josh go live! The preorder links should go live later today or tomorrow morning at the latest. I will post them once they're available on all Amazon sites.

I would like to take a moment to thank Wander Aguiar for this beautful image and Jay Aheer for another outstanding teaser.

Thank you all so much for the interest you've shown in the new series. I can't wait to hear what you think of  these two guys.

XOXO,

Aimee

Dyeing to be Loved Teaser #4

Hello everyone. Just two more weeks until Dyeing to be Loved goes live. I hate to repeat myself, but I just can't wait for you to meet Josh and Gabe. Those who read my short story Fatal Reaction in the Nut Case Love anthology already got to spend a little time with them and the feedback has been wonderful.

Once again, I must think Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art for all that she does for me. I feel that both her talent and professionalism are exemplary.

 Thank you for stopping by my blog. I'll be back next week with the final teaser.

XOXO

Aimee

Dyeing to be Loved Teaser #3

Just three more weeks until Dyeing to be Loved goes live! I cannot wait!

Thank you Jay Aheer for another incredible teaser! I'll be back next week with more!

XOXO

Aimee

Dyeing to be Loved Teaser #2

4 more weeks until Josh and Gabe go live. I can't wait to share them with you. If you haven't already, you can meet Josh and Gabe in my short story titled Fatal Reaction in the Nut Case Love anthology.

Thanks again to the amazing Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art for this sexy teaser!

Is it November 8th yet? I'll be back next week with another teaser. Until then, I'm hard at work writing the second book in the series, Something to Dye For that released on January 3, 2017. I'll be finishing that book this week.

XOXO

Aimee

Dyeing to be Loved Teaser #1

It's that time again! There are only 5 weeks until Dyeing to be Loved (Curl Up and Dye Mysteries, #1) goes live on November 8, 2016. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about this new mystery series. I will honestly say that Dyeing to be Loved is my absolute favorite thing I've ever written. This character Josh is just... I'll let you decided for yourself.

This sexy teaser was created by Jay Aheer using a photo taken by Wander Aguiar. They are like a dream team to work with!

I hoe you enjoyed today's teasers. I'll be back next Tuesday with another one.

XOXO

Aimee

Cover Reveal, Blurb and Release Date for Dyeing to be Loved

I am so excited to share my cover reveal and blurb for Dyeing to be Loved. This is the debut book in my brand new series called Curl Up and Dye Mysteries. I am so excited about this series and I can't wait to share it with all of you. 

Let me give a shout out to the amazing people who made this cover possible. 

Photographer: Wander Aguiar

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Models: Jacob and Matthew

**Coming November 8, 2016 to a kindle near you**

**Blurb**

Gabriel Wyatt is a big city Detective living in a small Ohio town. He expects a peaceful existence once he moves from Miami, Florida, but that’s the last thing he finds. Instead, Gabe discovers murder, mayhem, and one smart-mouthed stylist he can’t get out of his head. 

Josh “Jazz” Roman is a small town salon owner with big dreams and an attitude to match. He finds himself in the middle of a case that brings the dreamy detective to his front door. Josh learns that the biggest threat to him isn’t a killer; it’s a man who wants something from him that he vowed to never give again - his heart. 

Both men deny that there’s something between them, even though they’re drawn together like magnets. Can Gabe convince Josh to let down his guard or will Josh let past hurts destroy his chance at a happy future?

Although this is the first full book for Gabe and Josh, I have written a prequel that is included in the Nut Case Love Anthology that releases on September 25, 2016. I think you'll love their story!

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32176397-nut-case-love-anthology

 I'll be releasing teasers for Dyeing to be Loved soon. I hope you're as excited to read this book as I am to share it with you. 

XOXO,

Aimee

Any Means Necessary Pre-Order Links

Any Means Necessary Pre-order links are live on all Amazon sites!

US: https://www.amazon.com/Any-Means-Necessary-Fated-Hearts-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Any-Means-Necessary-Fated-Hearts-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Any-Means-Necessary-Fated-Hearts-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

DE: https://www.amazon.de/Any-Means-Necessary-Hearts-English-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Any-Means-Necessary-Fated-Hearts-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

FR: https://www.amazon.fr/Any-Means-Necessary-Hearts-English-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

IT:  https://www.amazon.it/Any-Means-Necessary-Hearts-English-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

NL: https://www.amazon.nl/Any-Means-Necessary-Hearts-English-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR 

ES: https://www.amazon.es/Any-Means-Necessary-Hearts-English-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

IN:  https://www.amazon.in/Any-Means-Necessary-Fated-Hearts-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

BR: https://www.amazon.com.br/Any-Means-Necessary-Hearts-English-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Any-Means-Necessary-Hearts-English-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

MX: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Any-Means-Necessary-Hearts-English-ebook/dp/B01M0G2FLR

XOXO

Aimee

Any Means Necessary Teaser #6

I can't believe we're only a week away from this release. I'm excited for you to read Mitch and Deacon's story. This is my favorite quote so I saved it for last. I want to thank Jay Aheer with Simply Defined Art for the incredible works she does for me and all the other lucky authors she works with. She's truly a rock star!

Any Means Necessary gets formatted and uploaded to Amazon this week for pre-order. I'll share the link when it becomes available.

Release date info and cover reveal for book one in my new series will be coming soon - hopefully next week.


XOXO

Aimee

Any Means Necessary Teaser #5

Two weeks until Any Means Necessary goes live. I am so excited and I hope you are too. Here is teaser #5 created by the amazing Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art.

I'll be back next week with the final teaser. I hope you all have a fabulous week !

XOXO

Aimee

Any Means Necessary Teasers 3 & 4

I'm back with two more teaser for you. I apologize for getting off track last week. Again, many thanks to Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art for her wonderful talent.

Three more weeks until Any Means Necessary goes live!

XOXO

Aimee

Any Means Necessary Teaser 1 & 2

Hello everyone. Here are the first two teasers for Any Means Necessary. Many thanks goes out to Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art for making my words look so good. 

Any Means Necessary will go live on September 20, 2016. It will be available to preorder around September 16th. I will be back with another teaser next Tuesday. I hope everyone has a great week!

XOXO,

Aimee

Cover and Blurb Reveal for Any Means Necessary

Hello, everyone! It's great to be back with news on my next release. Any Means Necessary is book 7 in the Fated Hearts Series. It will be the final book in series, although I can say there will be spinoff books in the future. I also plan to share free short stories on this blog with you so that we can keep up with your favorite Fated Hearts characters.

Coming September 20, 2016...

This sexy and stunning photo was taken by Wander Aguiar and this gorgeous cover was created by Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art. It just makes my heart a gooey mess when I look at it.

Now for the blurb...

Mitchell Heston…

I wasn’t proud of the man I’d become – selfish, spoiled, and cynical. Mark Bradley’s reappearance in my life made me want to be a better man. It had been more than two decades since we’d last seen each other and neither of us resembled the kids we used to be. Our lives went in completely different directions and I never thought I’d see him again, let alone hire him as the head of my security team.

The attraction and chemistry between us was immediate and intense, but Mark had built walls around him that I wasn’t able to penetrate. It wasn’t in my nature to accept that I would never have the person I wanted most in life, so I pushed. Mistrust and missteps nearly ruined us before we even had a chance to begin. Then there was the little problem of someone wanting me dead.

Mark “Deacon” Bradley…

Accepting a job working for Mitchell Heston was probably one of the biggest mistakes I’d ever made, but then why did it feel so right? We had nothing in common except a past that neither of us could change. What did I have to offer someone of Mitch’s caliber? He was a wealthy playboy and I was battle hardened soldier with demons that threatened to ruin any chance of happiness for me. That didn’t stop me from wanting him, regardless of the consequences.  

None of my doubts mattered once Mitch’s life was in danger. My sole focus became keeping him safe so that we could explore the feelings that were growing between us. To do that, I would sacrifice anything and protect him by any means necessary.

Any Means Necessary is book 7 in the Fated Hearts series and can be read alone or as part of the series. This book contains sexually explicit material and is intended for adults 18 and older. 

I am so looking forward to sharing the teasers with you. I'm planning on rolling them out starting on August 9, 2016. 

Until next time..,

XOXO,

Aimee

Only Us: A Sebastian and Adam Blake Short Story

I wanted to repost this short story that goes into detail about Sebastian's reconciliation with his mom, brother, and sister, as well as the expansion of his and Adam's family before Always You goes live. It's not at all required that this short story be read, but those who've read Only You will have some answers they've been wanting to know.

This unedited short story was first published in February 2015 as a thank you to those readers who fell in love with the Blakes and wanted more. Also, I knew that Wesley was getting his own book by that point and I needed to set up his story.

This story is meant for adults 18 and older.

Chapter One

 
Sebastian...

            “Fuck,” The caramel sauce I was stirring on the stove boiled, popped and exploded all over the front of my apron.

            “Language, Sebastian,” my mother said when she entered the kitchen.  “Did you not follow the recipe I gave you?”  She walked over to me and gave me a playful nudge aside. “Good God, is this supposed to be the caramel sauce for the cheesecake?” She removed the pot with the offensive substance from the stove and set it down inside my sink. 

            “Yes.”

            “We’ll just have to try it again.  This time make sure you don’t turn the heat up so high. Making caramel from scratch takes patience, which isn’t your virtue.” Many would say I have no virtues at all. “If I know you, you were plotting corporate takeovers and strategizing on how quickly you can get your husband upstairs once I take Hank for the night. 

            “Maybe.” 

            She knew me so well.  I looked into Mercedes King’s smiling, hazel eyes that were a slightly darker shade than mine. The journey to reconciliation was a long and painful one, but every day I was thankful that my mom was back in my life. Dr. Katherine worked with us individually and together so that we could reach that point in our lives. Dr. Katherine made me see that my mom was my father’s victim, also.  

            In a joint session, my mom told me how she had planned to take my siblings, Lilyana and Wesley, and leave my father to come find me. She told me she hid every penny she could spare for an emergency fund, but my dad found it hidden in her closet. He convinced her that a judge would give him custody of my younger brother and sister, because she had no way of supporting them. His proclamation was followed by a severe beating just in case she didn’t believe him. She already suspected that Wesley was gay and she wouldn’t risk leaving him with my dad. I asked her why she didn’t seek me out after the hateful bastard dropped dead of a stroke several years ago. Her answer was the turning point in our reconciliation. 

            “Too much time had passed by then and you’d already become a huge success.  I didn’t want you to think I only wanted you back in our lives because of your money, and I didn’t think I deserved your forgiveness. If I’m being honest, I don’t think I deserve it now.” 

            Her answer was honest and sincere and I knew at that moment I had to forgive her so she could forgive herself.  She was still the woman who nursed me through illnesses and encouraged me to dream and explore. She gave me complete, unconditional love up until that horrible night in the Hamptons. If I was honest with myself, I would allow myself to recall the anguish in her voice when she pleaded with my father before he struck her nearly unconscious. Yes, my mother was also his victim and it was past time we stopped letting George King control our lives, which he was still doing from the grave at that point.  

            “Love, stop in live in the moment, because this moment is all that we have. It’s great that you want to focus on the moments you will have alone with Adam tonight, but let’s first make sure you don’t send him to the ER with a case of food poisoning.”  As she was talking, the oven time went off. 

            “The pot roast,” I said nervously. I pulled open the oven door and a delicious aroma wafted out. “Jesus, this actually looks good,” I said, reaching for the pot holders. I pulled the pan out of the oven and placed it on top of the stove.           

            “It looks delicious. I’m very proud of you and I know Adam will love his romantic dinner for two. What time are Adam and Hank supposed to get home?”  

            “He took Hank to Toddler Tumbler class that ended at 5:00.”  I looked down at my watch and noticed the time. He was due home any minute and I didn’t have the table set. Fuck! 

            “Language!” 

            “I didn’t say anything,” I said defensively. 

            “You were thinking it!” 

            “Honey, I’m home.”  Adam’s sexy voice, which still gave me goose bumps, echoed throughout the first story of our home.  “Sebastian?” 

            “Dad,” Hank called out in his sweet voice that I loved so much. 

            “I’m in the kitchen with Grammy.”           

            “Grammmmy,” Hank yelled as he launched himself into my mother’s arms.  “I’m staying all night at your house.” 

            “I know, my darling, and I can’t wait to have you allllll to myself.”  My mom aimed that remark in my direction.  Okay, so I had a hard time letting Hank stay overnight places. It was something I needed to work on for all of our sakes. Adam and I could use more alone time together and Hank needed time with his grandparents. 

            “Hi, baby,” Adam said as he entered the kitchen behind Hank. “Mercedes, you didn’t have to cook us dinner before you took Hank with you.  We could have gone out or ordered in.” 

            “I didn’t make this gorgeous pot roast, handsome boy. Sebastian made it for you.” 

            “You made this dinner?  Baby, you can’t boil water.” 

            “My mom gave me her recipe and walked me through it.” I walked over and pulled my husband into my arms and gave him a quick kiss on his lips.  “This was my favorite childhood dinner and I wanted to surprise you for Valentine’s Day.”

            “Aw, that is so sweet of you, but totally unnecessary. You know how I feel about those made-up, card company holidays.” Adam hated Valentine’s Day and Sweetest Day with a passion. “You do wonderful and amazing things for me every day.” 

            “You deserve so much more.” 

            “Well, I can see that you no longer need my help tonight, so I’ll just take the Hankster and head home. You’ll call me if there are any updates on Operation Baby Watch.” 

            “You’ll be the first to know, Mercedes,” Adam told her. My mom stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Natasha swears it’s going to be any day now.”

            Natasha, our surrogate, was pregnant a second time and not due until the end of the month. Adam and I went with her to her weekly checkup yesterday and our doctor felt like the delivery might be sooner than the her due date. Natasha said the pressure was really intense and felt like it would be any day now.

            “I guess it’s really hard to know for sure. We had quite a few false alarms with the Hankster,” I answered, grinning at the memories.  

            “Well this is her second pregnancy and she will have a better understanding of what is going on with her body,” my mom told us. “Are you suspicious of that sweet woman’s motives for this pregnancy, too, Adam?” 

            Adam was a freaking basket case during Hank’s pregnancy.  He was convinced that Natasha, who’s Jazmyn’s cousin and someone we’d known for years, was setting us up so she could run off with my genius offspring – his words, not mine. He couldn’t make up his mind if she was going to extort millions of dollars or just keep him for herself.  Adam didn’t start out that crazy, but he saw some horrible cable movie about a similar situation and projected it onto us. 

            “What exactly is in this for her, Sebastian?”  He paced the floor in front of my desk. “She doesn’t want any monetary compensation beyond us paying for her medical expenses. Doesn’t that make you suspect? ‘I want to know what it feels like to have a child grow inside me, but I have no desire to be an actual mother.’ I’m not sure I believe her and I think Travers should assign a team to keep an eye on her,” he’d said.

            Adam turned bright red with embarrassment over the memory. “I’m much calmer this time around.” I raised an eyebrow at him. “At least about that.”

            “I wish you guys had found out if you are having boys or girls this time. I would have loved to buy pink or blue clothes, maybe even both!”         

            Adam and I looked at each other and huge grins broke out on our faces. “Twins,” be both said at the same time. 

            “Two babies,” Hank piped in. “Two sissers or two bruvers.” 

            “You could also have one sister and one brother,” I told our adorable son.  He scrunched his face in concentration. He easily understood that Natasha was having two babies, but having one of each gender stumped him for some reasons.  

            “Tasha said I did backfwips and pwayed kickbaw with her bwadder when I was in her tummy,” Hank said proudly. 

            “That you did, Sport.”   

            We welcomed Natasha into our lives so she could watch the life she helped create grow and flourish. In fact, it was at Hank’s second birthday party that Natasha asked if we were ready to do it again. Adam and I had discussed it and we were ready to have another child. It turned out that we were going to have two more children. 

            “Hank, are you ready to go to Grammy’s and stay the night?” 

            “Yes. Yes. Yes.”  He squirmed out of her arms and ran out of the kitchen and into the living room.  He returned to the kitchen dragging his backpack behind him. “Ready, Grammy.” 

            “Aren’t you going to kiss us goodbye, Sport,” I asked him.  He dropped his backpack and launched himself at me.  I squatted down and picked him up, loving the way he wrapped his arms tightly around my neck.           

            “Bye, Dad.  Love you.” 

            “I love you, baby.”  I kissed his cheeks several times and handed him to Adam. 

            “Love you, big guy. Give me kisses.”  Hank kissed Adam several times on the cheek.  

            “Love you, Daddy. See you amorrow.” My mom gave us both hugs and kisses before leaving with Hank, who was skipping beside her and talking a mile a minute. 

            “I still can’t believe we’re having twins,” Adam said. “It took longer with this second pregnancy and I began to worry that there was something wrong with my sperm.  I mean, your swimmers hit a homerun on their first trip to the plate. Mine struck out. Twice.” 

            “Third time is a charm, I guess. I never had any doubts and neither did the doctor.”  I backed him up against the kitchen island and pressed my body against his. “My swimmers produced a single, not a home run. Your sexy lil guys hit a double.”  We had the night to ourselves, and as excited as I was about the babies, I didn’t want to talk about them right then. I tipped Adam’s head back, exposing his throat. “I have a very sexy night planned for us.”  I kissed and nibbled his neck, loving the feel of his pulse beating wildly for me beneath his skin. 

            “Yeah?” 

            “Mmm hmm. We are going to eat dinner and then I’m taking you upstairs for a sexy surprise. Are you hungry enough to eat dinner now or do I put the roast back in the oven to keep it warm?” 

            “Sebastian, we have the house to ourselves for the first time in months. What I hunger for is a night of dirty, sweaty sex where we don’t have to worry about our kid hearing us down the hall. I want to moan and yell at the top of my lungs, then claw and bite you while you fuck me stupid.” 

            My dick perked up, more than willing to give Adam whatever he needed from me. Things have been tamer since we became fathers, which was pretty typical. We still enjoyed a lot of sex, sometimes more than once a day, but it was quicker and quieter than what we preferred. Lately, I’d been craving that wild and physical sex he just described. I grabbed his hand and we practically sprinted to our suite, so eager to be alone together. 

            “Oh my God. Sebastian,” Adam said when opened our door. He stood just inside the doorway and looked around the room. Vanilla and lavender scented candles were set on every hard surface, the glow and the aroma setting a romantic atmosphere. A trail of pink, red and white rose petals led a path to our bed. In the center of the bed sat a silver tray with gourmet chocolates, berries with creamy dipping sauce, an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne, and two flutes. “It’s so beautiful.” 

            “It’s not too cheesy?”  

            He turned to me and threw his arms around me. “It’s absolutely perfect and I love it.” 

            “I love you, Adam.” 

            “Would it kill the moment if I asked you to fuck me now?” His green eyes were lit up with mischief and lust.     

            “Are you ready for your sexy surprise?”  He nodded eagerly so I went to our walk-in closet to get it.  I returned holding two red cords. Lust flared in his green eyes when he saw what I had in my hands. 

            “Oh baby,” he said and started to get undressed. “It’s been a while since you’ve tied me up.” 

            “Wait,” I said firmly. Adam stopped suddenly and looked at me curiously. “I want you to tie me up and fuck me.”

Chapter Two

Adam…

            Nothing would have surprised more than what he said. There was nothing that frightened him more than being bound and vulnerable, except for losing me or Hank. Being tied down and fucked is something he hasn’t allowed since… 

            “Adam, look at me.”  I snapped my eyes away from the silky ropes and looked into his eyes.  I didn’t see any fear or hesitation in his eyes, only complete trust.  “I need this for my healing to be complete. I have faced every one of my demons, except for this last one.  Will you help me?” 

            “Of course, I will.”  I was so fucking scared, though.  What if I did or said the wrong thing and I caused him more harm than good?  Was this really something I should be doing for him? “I will do this for you if you are certain it’s what you want.” 

            “Need.” 

            “Okay, need.”   

            “One condition,” he stated solemnly.  “I don’t…I can’t be blindfolded,” he said after I nodded for him to continue.  “Not yet, anyway.” 

            “Whatever you need, baby. You’ll have to guide me, because I don’t know what I’m doing here.  I know nothing about bondage or even tying knots, really.”  I reached out and lightly stroked my hand over the cord of red, silky threads. My breathing and heartrate kicked up a notch in anticipation over an image of Sebastian tied down and spread wide for me. “Where do we start?”  

            “How about we start by taking off our clothes,” Sebastian replied with a devilish smile. He placed his hands on the bottom of my sweater and slowly lifted it over my head and tossed it aside.  His eyes immediately went to the tattoo I wore for him over my heart.  His fingers traced the words Only You and our wedding date that was inked below. “This is still my favorite gift I’ve ever received.” 

            “It’s true, Sebastian. I’m yours and only yours.”  We removed one another’s clothes in between soft kisses and lingering touches. “Now what?” He handed me the silky cords.  

            Sebastian removed the silver tray of goodies from our bed and placed it on our dresser. He climbed into the center of our bed, laid on his back, and then raised his arms above his head.  “Come closer,” he said huskily. By now my heart was racing and I had to remind myself to breathe. I walked on unsteady legs to the side of our bed. “Closer still.” I climbed on the bed and kneeled beside him. Sebastian demonstrated the proper knot tying technique.  My hands shook so bad it took me several tries before I got it right. Sebastian placed a calming hand on my bare thigh. “It’s alright, baby. Take your time.” 

            I secured one of his bound arms to the bed post, but stopped to assess him before I bound his other arm. “You still with me, love?”  He nodded and smiled at me, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Are you ready?”  Again he only nodded. I secured his other arm before I lost my courage. I kneeled back beside him and looked at his face.  His eyes were squeezed shut, his lips trembled, and I could see his throat working to swallow down his fear.  “Eyes on me, Sebastian.” I’m not sure where I got the insight to take firm command, but I was grateful that I did when his eyes opened and met mine. I saw panic and fear briefly in his beautiful hazel eyes, but then they receded. “Stay with me, baby. I will never, ever hurt you.” 

            “Kiss me, Adam.” He was the strongest man I’d ever known. He needed me to be strong for him and replace those horrible memories with good ones. He was trusting me to help him heal and I wasn’t going to let him down. 

            I eased my body on top of his and Sebastian spread his legs to make room for me. “You are the most amazing man and I love you so much.” I pressed my lips softly against his, then I kissed his nose and eyelids before returning to his lips. I made love to his mouth, slowly and completely before moving lower. I nipped that strong, stubborn chin and kissed a path down his neck, knowing that is such an erogenous zone for him. I could feel the tension fading slightly as my lips worshiped his flesh.            

            “Adam.” He cried softly when I sucked his tender skin between my lips just how he liked.  

            I kept my hands on his body, lovingly caressing him as I kissed my way down his chest and abdomen. I felt his muscles bunch when I stuck my tongue inside his navel. I glanced up at him and saw that lust was winning out over fear, so I continued downward until I was laying between his legs with my nose resting against pelvis. It was where his scent was the strongest and I loved to breathe him deep into my lungs. Sebastian’s natural scent was better than anything you could buy in a bottle. 

            Normally by this point, he’d have his hands tangled in my hair urging me to suck his cock, but not this time. I missed his hands in my hair, but I did like having control over how I worshiped him. I kept my eyes on his the entire time I nibbled a path to his erection. I skimmed my tongue across his hard flesh and continued to nibble the other side until I reached his hip bone. 

            “Adam.” His rough voice was a plea.  

            I grinned wickedly when I placed my tongue at the base of his cock and slowly licked upwards until I reached the crown. I swirled my tongue around the tip, capturing the clear drop of pre-cum on my tongue. “I love the taste of you on my tongue, Sebastian.”  His only response was a groan. The look in his eyes promised retribution and I couldn’t wait for his special brand of punishment.  

            Sebastian’s dick twitched and jumped beneath my lips when I kissed my way back down the hard length of his cock.  “Fuck,” he yelled when I sucked one of his smooth, firm balls into my mouth. I’d learned over the years just how much he loved it when I sucked on his balls and taint.  “God, you do that so well.” 

            “Thank you.” 

            “More, Adam.” He moved his hips in an attempt to get me where he wanted me. 

            “Hmm mmm.” I took my time licking and sucking the other firm globe before moving beneath to his taint. I placed my hands firmly on Sebastian’s hips, pinning him to the bed. I scrutinized him closely to see if I had pushed him too far, but all I saw staring back at me was raw need. The power and control he gave me went straight to my dick, urging me to mount him and claim him, but that wasn’t what he needed from me.  

            I stroked his steel-hard length, using his pre-cum as lubricant. It always drove him wild and I pressed my free hand hard against his pelvis to hold him still.  

            “Adam,” he growled.  

            “Relax, baby, because I’m just getting started on loving you.” I’ve topped Sebastian many times, but even then he was always in control. I wanted…needed for it to be about more than sex, or even healing old wounds.  I needed Sebastian to know that he didn’t always have to be in control, couldn’t possibly always be the one in control.  There were still times that he retreated inside himself when he felt his control slipping away and it wasn’t healthy. “I promise to make you feel so good.” 

            I decided to take a little pity on him and sucked his hard length into my mouth. He tried to drive his dick further in my mouth, so I placed my forearms against his thighs and held him down. I maintained eye contact with him and sucked him into my throat, swallowing around his dripping head. I watched as he yanked on his arm restraints and thrashed his head from side to side. Those sexy moans coming from his sweet lips were from intense pleasure, not distress.  

            “Please.” Sebastian never begged and I almost gave in. Almost. 

            I continued my sensual torture of long, slow licks followed by sucking him into my throat. I kept changing the tempo from fast and hard to soft and slow, keeping him on edge. I loved every sound he made, the way his excitement burst onto my tongue, and the way his eyes lost their focus from the sexual high I was giving him. He was ready to come, he was one more lick or deep pull of my mouth away, so I pulled back.  

            “Adam,” My name was growled between those sexy lips. His eyes were on fire for me and his body trembled with need.  

            I left him long enough to get the lubricant out of the bedside table then I crawled up and laid on top of his splayed body, loving the feel of skin on skin contact. Of all the small sacrifices we made when we became parents, sleeping in the nude was the one I missed the most. My emotions were too strong for words, so I showed Sebastian how I felt with my kiss. Every breath I took was mingled with his, every sigh and moan was given right back to me. The lust and need we were feeling was so tangible I could taste it.  

            I made quick work of lubricating my dick, but took my sweet time opening Sebastian to receive me. I teased him with one finger before adding a second, and then gently crooked them up to hit that sweet spot. I felt sweat popping out all over my body as I stretched his tight, hot channel and tested both of our patience. When I knew neither of us could stand it any longer, I placed the head of my dick at his tight entrance. 

            “Adam.” He looked unsure and I had to be certain he was okay before I would take this any further. “I need you.” I had my answer. 

            “You were my first, Sebastian, and you will forever be my only.” My emotions bubbled over and I felt tears sliding down my cheeks as I slowly entered his body. The need to spill my feelings for him overcame me and was stronger than the need to release inside his hot body. “I need you and want you more and more every day.”  I held myself deep inside him, allowing his body to adjust. “I am so proud to be your husband.” I lowered my forehead until it rested against his and began to slowly rock my hips. Sebastian wrapped his long, muscular legs around me and dug his heels in my ass. 

            “God, you feel so good, Adam.” 

            Our gazes held as I lazily made love to my husband. Every nerve ending in my body came alive, threatening to short circuit my brain from the pleasure. Needing a closer connection, I placed my hands over his bound ones and laced our fingers together. I’d rather have his arms wrapped around me, but that wasn’t what he asked me to do for him. Sebastian moved his legs from my hips to my waist, raising his ass in the air a little to change the angle of my penetration.  

            “More,” he pleaded with me. “Harder.” He raised his hips to meet my downward thrusts, urging me to unleash myself on him. I loved to fuck him wildly, but not that night.           

            “Not, yet.”  

            Sebastian raised his head off his pillow and bit my bottom lip hard. “Fuck me, Adam.”  

            I wouldn’t let him goad me. I kissed his face, nibbled his ear, and whispered dirty words into his ear. I kept my pace slow and torturous, loving the feel of his tight ass squeezing every hard inch of my dick. My body shook with the need to drive into him over and over, chasing my orgasm, but I paid no heed.  

            “You’re shaking all over, baby.  You want to fuck me so hard, don’t you? I can feel it vibrating through your body. Fuck me, Adam. Own me.” And then the hunter became the prey, or so he thought. I reminded myself that I was in control. I set the pace and was solely responsible for both of our pleasure. It was an intoxicating feeling to be given this much power over his pleasure.  

            I pulled back until just the head of my dick remained inside him. I hit him with a diabolical smile right before I slammed into him as hard as I could. His back arched off the bed and his arms pulled at his restraints. He yelled my name so loud it echoed throughout our bedroom. “You can be as loud as you want tonight, love,” I reminded him. The evil grin remained on my face as I pulled my hips back one slow inch at a time.  

            “Evil,” Sebastian said. “You can’t keep me tied to this bed forever.” 

            “Hmmm. We’ll see,” I replied right before I pounded into him, nailing his happy button perfectly.  

            “Fuck, Adam.”   

            I nailed that spot several more times, fast and hard, before I switched back to a gentle pace. My orgasm was right there, simmering below the surface and waiting to explode through me. I didn’t want to come without him, though. I untangled my hands from Sebastian’s, braced myself above him with one hand and began to jack his cock with the other. Sebastian’s eyes rolled back in his hands. He was so excited and wet with pre-cum that I didn’t need to add any lubricant to aid me. 

            “Go hard, Adam.” He raised his knees up until they were almost touching his chest.  I looked between our bodies and watched my cock glide in and out of his ass. “Do you like what you see, baby? Are you going to fill me up?” 

            “Damn you, Sebastian.” I snapped my hips hard against his ass, nearly out of my mind with the need to come so bad.  

            “So close, Adam.  Don’t stop.” I powered into him, giving Sebastian what he wanted. He arched his head back into his pillow. “Adam.”  Sebastian’s ass tightened almost painfully around my cock, signaling he was coming just seconds before his hot release splashed all over his stomach.  His orgasm was so intense that his mouth opened, but no sound came out. I watched the orgasm convulse through him and then I untied his hands. 

            “I want your hands on me when I lose myself inside you, Sebastian.”  He wrapped his arms around me and held tight while I fucked him furiously.  

            “That’s it, babe. Come for me.” 

            And I did.  It felt like someone placed a live wire against my sac, shooting electricity though my body as I exploded into a billion pieces. I felt like I would have floated away if not for Sebastian’s strong arms anchoring me to him. “That was…” 

            “Amazing, Adam. You’re so sexy when you’re in charge.” 

            I had collapsed against him like a weak kitten after my orgasm finally faded. “I probably looked like I was being electrocuted, because it felt like someone hit my balls with stun gun.” 

            “It was beautiful.” Sebastian stroked his hands up and down my back in a soothing manner. I was on the verge of falling asleep when a sound penetrated my foggy brain. 

            “Holy fuck,” I said and rose above him.  

            “It was pretty inspirational, babe, but I’m not sure I’d call it a holy fuck.” I pulled my dick slowly out of Sebastian, careful not to hurt him.  The sound got louder and louder, just as I programmed it. “Is that the theme song from Mission Impossible?  Where the hell is it coming from?” 

            I untangled myself from my confused husband and hopped off my bed.  Too bad, I was still love drunk from the feel of Sebastian’s tight ass. I tripped over my feet and face-planted on the floor. 

            “Adam?”  Sebastian’s voice held concern for me, but mostly he wanted to laugh his ass off at my clumsiness.  

            My jeans were in reach, so I fished my cellphone out of my pocket and answered it before it could go to voice mail.  “Natasha,” I panted into the phone, “is it time?”

Chapter Three

Sebastian… 

            “Her water broke,” Adam said to me and quickly turned back to Natasha. “Are you having any contractions?”  He jumped up off the floor and started to pick up his clothes. 

            My heart was pounding in my chest as I hauled ass to the bathroom to clean up so I could get dressed. Witnessing the birth of our child was the most exciting, but nerve-wracking experience.  I felt so scared and helpless when Hank was born. We coached and supported Natasha the best we could, but it was terrible to see her in so much pain and not being able to help in any way.  

            “We’re on our way, sweetie,” Adam said soothingly before hanging up the phone. “The babies are coming. The babies are coming,” he said to me. I had hoped that Adam would be calmer this time around, but nope.  He had that panicked, unfocused look in his eyes just like the first time.  

            “Babe, we’ve been through this with Hank.  Take a few cleansing breaths and then we can get ready to leave.  I will call Hanson and have him get the car ready to take us to the hospital.  You grab the baby bag and we’ll be all set.” 

            “Fuck, I haven’t packed the bag, yet.  I’m a shitty father.” 

            I pulled Adam tight against my chest and wrapped my arms around him. This man, who had always been the voice of reason, totally lost it during childbirth.  The nurse actually hooked him up to the oxygen mask that was situated above Natasha’s bed in case she needed it. Adam hyperventilated so badly that his face became numb and his hands began to tingle. The patient nurse kindly set him in the chair and hooked the mask to his face.  She talked him through his near panic attack and got him to calm down. 

            “You’re an amazing father who is raising one child, while trying to redecorate the nursery for two new babies and give Hank a wonderful big brother room.”  I kissed him softly and then pulled back. “The babies don’t need you to pack much, babe. Just put a few things together for them and I will call our folks and send a group text to our friends.  Okay?” 

            “Yeah, sure.”  He looked slightly calmer.   

            We quickly got dressed then went our separate ways to complete our tasks.  I got done first and Adam still wasn’t downstairs, so I went up to the nursery to find him.  I hadn’t been inside the nursery for a few weeks and was stunned to find how much Adam was able to accomplish in that timespan, then it occurred to me that I was seeing a whole lot of pink in the room. 

            “Why is our nursery pink?”  Adam gasped and spun around from the dresser where he was placing tiny pink outfits in brown and pink striped diaper bag. “We’re having little girls?”  My heart squeezed in my chest and I suddenly found it hard to breathe. Wait, how did he know? 

            “One of the nurses let it slip during one of the office visits,” he said, reading my mind. “It was when you were in Japan last month.  The nurse referred to them as girls after looking in Natasha’s chart.” 

            “You didn’t tell me?”  Ouch, that hurt. 

            “Baby, you said you didn’t want to know.  I didn’t want to ruin the surprise for you.”  He looked around the obviously feminine space.  “Okay, so I gambled you wouldn’t come in here until they were born.”  He came to me and wrapped his arms around my waist.  “Please don’t be mad at me for not telling you.  I thought it was what you wanted.”  He was right, I didn’t want to know their gender until they were born. “It wasn’t deliberate and I’d never willing hurt your feelings.” 

            “Ssh.”  I kissed his lips to quiet him. “I’m not mad at you.  I’m just surprised.” I swatted him on his ass. “Let’s get going, babe.”  I helped Adam finish packing the bag, my heart swelling up with every tiny, pink item I touched until I feared it would explode. “Ambrosia and Abigail,” I said their names out loud. “We’ll be bringing home two little girls in just a few days.” 

            “It’s amazing, right?”  He nearly blinded me with his megawatt smile. “Ready?” He reached out and took my hand and we calmly made our way to the parking garage where Hanson was waiting for us. “I’m not going to spaz this time,” Adam said with a sweet smile.  

            “Yes you will, but I find it completely adorable.” 

            We rode in silence to the hospital, holding hands and silently praying for an easy labor for Natasha and the safe arrival of Ambrosia and Abigail. I could see Adam’s demeanor change the second we walked through the hospital’s automatic doors. Natasha had sent me a text to let me know the room number and we headed straight to labor and delivery. 

            “Natasha, how are you feeling,” Adam said as he burst through the door, startling Natasha and her nurse. “Have your contractions started, yet?  Are you in any pain?” 

            “You must be Adam,” the nurse said with an ornery smile on her face.  “I’ve already been warned about you.”  She held two fingers up to her eyes and then pointed them at Adam.  “I’ll have my eyes on you.” 

            “Yes ma’am,” Adam said sweetly.  He calmly walked to the side of Natasha’s bed. She was hooked up to the fetal monitor and we could hear Ambrosia and Abigail’s hearts beating steadily. “Music to my ears,” Adam said to Natasha. “Seriously, are you feeling okay?” 

            “You’re so sweet,” she told Adam, ruffling his hair. “You,” she said to me, “might have to get tough and use your badass CEO voice when it comes time to push.” 

            “I’m on it.”  I crossed my heart, which made her smile. “Is there anything we can do for you?” 

            “Not really,” she said shrugging.  “My water broke, but labor hasn’t started, yet.  The nurse did a quick exam and said I’m only at two centimeters.  I think these girls are going to be more stubborn than Hank.”  She slapped her hands over her mouth as soon as she realized what she let slip. Her bulging eyes reminded me of a cartoon character. “Oops,” came her muffled cry behind her hand. 

            “He knows,” Adam said and patted her on the leg.  “He came into the nursery and saw the pink explosion.”  He grinned sheepishly. 

            “It looks beautiful,” I told him and kissed his temple. “You did an amazing job.” 

            “I forgot to introduce myself to you gents earlier,” said the nurse as she returned to the room.  “My name is Marcy and I will be your labor and delivery nurse.”  She turned to Natasha and said, “I’ve spoken with Dr. Halpin and updated him.  He said he would like to wait a little bit to see if you progress into labor on your own, and if not, we will start inducing labor. For now, I think it’s really important that you get some rest.”  She looked back at us and smiled kindly.  “I know you are both so excited about the birth of your babies, but right now Natasha needs to turn down the lights and rest as long as she can.” 

            I could tell that Adam didn’t like that idea one bit, but I thought Marcy was right. I remembered from last time that Natasha was going to need her strength for that final phase of labor.  She wasn’t in any pain just then and there wasn’t anything Adam or I could do for her, unless she wanted us to stay and keep her company. 

            “I’ll be fine,” she told us.  “I’m going to turn down the lights and just rest while I can. Marcy will come get you if something changes, won’t you?” 

            “Absolutely,” she assured us. 

            “Come on, love,” I said to Adam.  I wrapped my arm around his elbow and guided him from the room. “Everything will be fine.  Let’s go watch some crappy television and drink motor oil disguised as coffee.”  Adam wrapped his arm around my waist and we walked to the L&D family waiting room, where we found our mothers already waiting.  

            “Hank is with Edward and Lilyana,” Adam’s mother, Beatrice, said when she saw us.  “He’s in very good hands.” I knew that Adam’s father and my sister were the perfect pair to keep Hank company while we waited for his sisters to arrive. 

            “Thanks for being here,” I said to my mom. No matter how many years passed without her in my life, no matter how bitter I was toward her once, I couldn’t imagine going through this without her support. She used to read me the most amazing bed time stories of adventure and exploration when I was a child, and it’s because of her that I went on to develop software and technology.  

            “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, my beautiful boy.”  She reached up and stroked my hair off my forehead like she used to when I was a little boy.  

            “I can’t wait for you and Bea to meet Ambrosia and Abigail,” I said casually. 

            “What?”          

            “Girls?” 

            “When did you find out?” 

            “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us!”

            They both talked on top of each other, making it impossible to know who asked which question. Adam interjected and explained to them what had happened and why he kept it to himself, which seemed to appease them a little. 

            “What’s with all the squealing and carrying on,” said a voice from behind me. “Are the babies here already?” I turned and found my brother, Wesley, standing behind me. “Did I miss it?” It was fucking scary how much he looked like me. It was like I was looking at a younger version of myself. 

            I crooked my arm around his neck and pulled him in for a quick hug. “Nah, the party is just getting started.” 

            “Cool.”  

            Wesley had missed Hank’s birth, because things were still strained between us at the time. I always thought that being thrown out of a family was the worst thing that could happen to a child, but looking at what Wesley endured made me re-evaluate my feelings. Wesley grew up in a house where his oldest brother was discarded like yesterday’s trash due to his sexuality. He had to listen to my father rage about my immoral lifestyle and my certain path to hell, all the while knowing that he was gay, too.  

            When our family reconnected, he was resentful and belligerent towards me. He’d already started to self-medicate himself with drugs and alcohol and my reappearance only made things worse. His careless ways nearly killed him when he overdosed at a party a few years ago. My family is thankful every day that Becca Mason showed up when she did and found him seizing on the floor. If not for her, I never would’ve gotten to rediscover my wonderful kid brother. Becca and Wes formed a tightly bound friendship afterward, similar to the one Adam shares with Caroline. 

            “They just learned that they’re getting two granddaughters and they’re a little excited.” 

            “Girls? That’s so awesome.” 

            “Ambrosia and Abigail after their great grandmothers,” Adam added.  He gave Wes a tight hug.  “I’m glad you came, but you realize it’s going to be a very long night, right?” 

            Truer words were never spoken. Natasha’s labor was induced and things were moving along at a fair pace and then suddenly came to a halt. She was in extreme pain, not even the epidural helped. Thankfully, Natasha and the girls’ vitals stayed strong throughout the ordeal. Dr. Halpin did an exam and then brought in the ultrasound equipment.  

            “Well, it looks like we are going to have to deliver by C-section,” he informed us. “The girls are not positioning themselves for delivery. It looks like they’re both trying to come out first.” 

            “Oh great, they’re already fighting and they’re not even born, yet,” Adam said. He was trying to cover up his fear with jokes.  I hugged him tightly and told him everything would be okay.  

            While Natasha was being prepped for surgery, Adam and I let our families know what was going on. When we got back to Natasha’s room, Adam and I had to put on scrubs, booties, and hairnets so we could be with her when the babies were born. 

            Adam and I took our positions by Natasha’s head, sitting on either side of her bed. We both held her hands to offer her comfort when her lips started to tremble and tears slid down her face. God, I hated feeling helpless. 

            “It’s going to be okay,” I told her soothingly. “You’re going to be just fine and so will the little ladies. 

            “I know” she said in a tearful voice. “It’s just that…I think I want to keep one of the girls after all this trouble and now a scar.” 

            “What?”  Adam’s eyes were bulging out of his head. He turned white as a ghost and I feared he might faint from shock. It’s not that I wasn’t scared too, but… 

            “I mean, you already have the Hankster and it’s kind of greedy of you to want both of the girls.”  I saw her lips twitch into an impish smile.  

            “You can’t be serious,” Adam demanded.  He looked at me. “What did I tell you, Sebastian?” 

            At this point, Natasha burst into laughter.  “Gotcha,” she said to Adam.”  She giggled for several seconds while Adam finally registered that she was winding him up. “Oh my God,” she said between laughs, “you should…you should see your face.” 

            “Hardy har har,” Adam replied snappily.  “That was not funny, brat.” He looked at me then. “Did you tell her I was a freak during Hank’s pregnancy?” 

            “No,” Natasha interjected before I could answer, “he didn’t have to.  You kept watching me like I was going to snatch the baby and run. Oh Adam, you’re a trip.”  She giggled again and then gasped loudly. “Oh my.”   

            “You’re going to feel a lot of pressure,” Dr. Halpin told her. 

            “Yeah, no fucking kidding,” she snapped at him. The good-natured doctor only chuckled.  

            “Here comes baby girl number one,” he said. We couldn’t see anything around that curtain thing they set up over Natasha’s belly. Seconds later we heard the faint sound of our daughter’s cry. 

            “Ambrosia,” Adam said. Tears were running down his face. 

            “Ten finger, ten toes, and a head full of dark hair,” Marcy said. My hands twitched with the need to hold our daughter, but I knew they had to examine her.           

            “And, baby girl number two,” the doctor said, which was followed by another soft cry. 

            “Abigail,” I said, knowing I was crying just as hard as Adam. 

            “Ten fingers, ten toes, and a head full of blonde hair,” said the other nurse who was assisting. 

            It felt like eternity before the nurses placed a pink bundle in each of our arms. We held the babies up for Natasha to see. We cooed and fussed over their hair, their toes, and their tiny little fingers. I was so in love with our daughters and I knew I was seriously screwed now. It was hard enough to say no to Adam and Hank, but I had a feeling these two beauties would have me wrapped around their fingers in no time at all, especially if they end up with their daddy’s green eyes. 

            I looked over at my husband, who sat staring down at his little miracle and kissing her tiny fist. He looked up at me and gave me the smile that made everything better. There were no more dark days and cold, lonely nights. Instead, my world was filled with laughter, happiness, and a love so pure it never failed to amaze me. I had no more bitterness in my heart, only joy and love for my family and friends.  Moments like these with Adam restored my faith and gave me hope. 

            “Thank you, Adam.” He knew I meant more than just our beautiful daughters. 

            “Excuse me,” Marcy said. “I’m sorry to intrude at such a beautiful moment, but your mothers are creating quite a ruckus out in the waiting room. We’re having a hard time holding them back. We better get those babies to the nursery so they can see them before the grandmas come looking for them.” 

            Natasha, who had drifted to sleep, woke up when the nurse spoke. She started laughing softly.  “You think I should tell them I want to keep one of the babies?” 

            “No,” Adam and I said in unison.  

            “You guys come with me,” Marcy said.  “We’ll wheel the babies over to the nursery in their bassinettes.” Adam and I kissed Natasha on her forehead and told her we’d see her after she had a chance to rest.   

            We placed our babies in the plastic bassinettes and pushed them down the hallway behind Marcy. Once we got inside the nursery, we could hear the grandmas sobbing and carrying on through the glass. I looked up and saw that almost everyone we love was present to share this moment with us. We picked up our daughters and carried them over to the window so they could get a better look. 

            Caroline and Jaz smiled and gave us a thumbs up. Wesley grinned from ear to ear when he saw his tiny nieces. Lilyana was holding our beautiful Hank, who was clapping his little hands. Edward had his arms around Bea and they looked at their newest grandbabies with tears of love running down their faces. Finally, I looked into my mom’s eyes and saw such radiant joy. She blew me a kiss as tears streamed down her lovely face. 

            “We are so lucky,” I told my husband.           

            “Yes we are, babe. Yes we are.” 

The End

© Aimee Nicole Walker 2015

I hope you enjoyed this short story and are looking forward to the release of Always You on June 14, 2016. Preorder links are live on all Amazon sites.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

XOXO

Aimee