Never Giving Up (Never #3)(37)
“Well, I kind of hijacked the nursery. I don’t want you to feel left out or like I went over your head. I just wanted to give you something beautiful.”
“Porter, this is perfect and so much more beautiful than anything I could have come up with. It’s spectacular, really. And I still have so much to do in here like decorate and pick out furniture. You didn’t hijack the nursery, you just gave it a jump start. I love it.” I turned to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, trying to pull him close but found my belly always to be in the way. I felt him bend his knees slightly and lower himself to me, making it easier to reach around his neck. His hands came to rest on my lower back, gently rubbing circles where I always asked to be massaged.
“You are a remarkable husband, Porter. And you’re already a phenomenal dad. Our baby is so lucky to have you.”
He was quiet for a moment, still rubbing my back, making my eyes flutter closed with the wonderful feeling of the tension leaving my body.
“Are you hoping for a girl or a boy?” He asked quietly. I thought about his question. It wasn’t as if we hadn’t had this conversation before, but usually the common answer came out of my mouth—that I would be happy with either sex as long as the baby was healthy. That was still true, I wanted a healthy baby beyond anything else, but I also wanted a baby that had his wonderful traits.
“I really don’t care. There are days I think I want a little girl and then the next day I think I want a boy. But in reality, I just want the baby that’s already in here,” I said, placing my hands on my belly. “This baby was made out of the best love I’ve ever experienced and is going to be the luckiest baby ever. I don’t care, either way, but I won’t complain if he or she has your gorgeous brown eyes and dark hair.” I tilted my head back up to smile at him and found him looking at me with wonder.
“You’re going to be the best mother, Ella.” His hands came up to frame my face. “I’m so honored that you wanted to have my children. The best gift I’ll ever give our kids is you.”
He kissed me and I simply melted. I would never grow accustomed to Porter and his beautifully woven words that instantly and easily liquefied me, leaving me a puddle of emotions. I loved his words and what they did to me.
“I want to take you home and feed you brownies in bed,” he said huskily against my neck, running his nose along the curve from my shoulder to my ear, sending goose bumps all down my arms. “And then I want to do other things to you in that bed.”
All the parts of me that had melted just moments before were suddenly afire, and growing warmer by the second.
“I think after all your efforts here today, I’m willing to let you do just about anything you’d like to me.”
“And I thought the look on your face when you saw the nursery would be my payoff.” He nuzzled in further, his tongue darting out to taste the skin behind my ear, making my knees wobble. “Looks like the real payoff is going to be the look on your face when I slide inside of you.”
I gasped as his tender licks and kisses turned into bites and nibbles.
“Those are some pretty big promises,” I managed to rasp, my fingers threading through his hair.
I shrieked as he slapped my ass and then pulled away to look me in the eyes.
“Let’s go, Baby. I plan on delivering.”
“If you make me trip and fall at my own baby shower, you’ll officially win the prize for worst sister ever.” Megan led me through my parent’s house, insisting on covering my eyes. She wanted a big reveal moment when I saw the shower decorations, and her enthusiasm convinced me to trust her enough to lead me blind.
“Oh, hush. You’re fine.” We took a few more slow and hesitant steps and then we stopped. “Ok, just keep your eyes covered for one more minute.” I sighed and kept my hands over my eyes. I heard her moving around the room and then she said, with much excitement, “Ok! Open your eyes!”
I blinked away the darkness and my eyes roamed around the room. The first thing I noticed were the hundreds of tiny, sparkling stars hanging from the ceiling throughout the great room. My eyes landed on the banquet table pressed against the far wall and I was taken aback by the three tiered cake sitting in the middle. Each layer was made to look like clouds against a dark sky with more stars adorning it. On top of the cake was a bigger star wrapped in a blanket, laying on a pillow, sleeping on a cloud.
Hanging above the table was a banner that read, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, We Can’t Wait to Find Out Who You Are.” The theme was obviously stars and clouds, and it was so beautiful.
“Megs, this is incredible,” I said quietly, still trying to take it all in.
“Your sister worked very hard on this for you,” my mom said from behind me. I turned and smiled at her.
“I can tell.” I walked to Megan and wrapped her in a hug. “Thanks, Megan.”
“Anything for you, Fella, and my future niece or nephew,” she said, gently rubbing my belly, which was, honestly, getting a little out of control. She pulled away and ran off to put some finishing touches on something. I pulled out my cell phone to send a picture to Porter. Within half a minute he replied.
Wow. Looks like Megan missed her calling as a party planner.
Right? It’s so beautiful. It’ll all be torn apart by the time you guys are done golfing, so you won’t get to see it in all its glory.