We sat in the booth and waited for Shay to show up for our lunch date. I looked at my watch. Half an hour late. She was never one to be on- "Mathis, darling!"
I smiled and turned to the voice of Shay Starlight approaching us. The blonde wig she was wearing made her caramel skin glow. She sported a pink pant suit with long red fake nails. She pulled Jennifer out of the booth and placed her hands on her shoulders. "This is the wife. I don't know if I should bow at your feet, or kiss you."
Jennifer looked at me, her eyes wide with shock.
I chuckled and watched the interaction.
"How about a hug?" Jennifer asked, staring up at the tall woman.
"That I can do, sweet pea." Shay embraced her.
Jennifer returned the hug. "You smell good."
Shay laughed. "It's all Shay, baby."
"Stop hitting on my wife and join me," I said, grinning.
They giggled like long lost friends and sat across from me.
"So how did you two meet? You're married? I never thought I'd see the day. Tell me everything," Shay exclaimed, her voice full of excitement.
I laughed as Jennifer tried to follow the rapid fire questions being thrown at her. That was Shay Starlight. Robert Renson was a quiet, timid man and then when he transformed into Shay, it was like a layer of armor was put on. He could be anyone he wanted. Unfortunately, he was still human, but being abused just made him stronger.
I respected Shay. She was honest and forthright. Never holding back who she truly was, and for that, I always envied her. Until now. Now I was happy. I was myself. Jennifer loved me for me and saw through my hard exterior, and for that, I loved her more and more each day.
I caught Jennifer and Shay staring at me. "What?"
Shay placed a hand on her chest and sighed. "So in love."
"I am."
Jennifer grinned. "We are."
"Good. Stay that way or else I'm going to kick both of your asses." Shay turned to Jennifer. "Do you wanna grab lunch some time? Just us girls? Maybe a spa day too?" She rubbed my wife's lower belly. "Before the baby comes?"
Jennifer looked between Shay and I. "How did you know?"
Shay winked. "Intuition. So what do you say?"
"I'd love to."
The day had arrived that we were finding out the sex of our baby. Jennifer was now around five months along and the bump on her was absolutely gorgeous. So petite, and perfectly round. Each night I would rub her belly with the expensive stretch mark cream she insisted on buying, praying she wouldn't end up with any marks. I didn't care either way, stretch marks or not she was beautiful, and always would be.
I didn't know what it was, but every time I saw her, knowing she was carrying my baby, it got me hard. Now I understood the pregnant women fetish, except with me it was over my own wife. I couldn't get enough of her. I needed her every chance I got. If I could live inside of her, I would.
After gently making love to her for the third time that morning, I ushered her into the bath much to her and my own dismay. If I could spend the rest of my life with her wrapped around me, I would be a very happy man.
I called Dean as I headed into the nursery. "Everything ready?" I asked him as I opened the door.
"Yup. She has no idea, does she?"
I smiled. "Nope. None at all. I haven't let her into the nursery once since she told me she wanted the walls a light mint green."
Dean chuckled. "Sneaky."
"That's what husbands do."
"No. That's what you do."
Touché. Finalizing the details with Dean, I had him deliver the final pieces of furniture to the nursery. Couldn't have a baby's room without furniture, could we?
Luckily Dean was two minutes away, so we were able to get everything set up and finished before Jennifer came out of the bathroom.
I said goodbye to Dean as my wife came down the hall.
"Who was here?" she asked as I shut the door.
"No one important," I said, trying to fight back my smile. My nerves were jumping. I felt like a kid at Christmas and it wasn't even my surprise.
Jennifer raised an eyebrow and stepped into my outstretched arms. I kissed her head, inhaling deep the sweet scent of strawberries. "How are you feeling?"
"Mmm … relaxed."
"Good." I grabbed her hand. "I have a surprise for you before our appointment."
She leaned back. "Really?"
I placed a soft kiss on her lips and swatted her ass. "Close your eyes."
She giggled and did as I said.
I pulled her along and stopped before the door of the nursery. My heart raced. I didn't know why I was so nervous, but I was absolutely fucking terrified she wouldn't like it.
Opening the door, I pushed her in front of me and turned on the light. "Open your eyes, love."
She did and gasped. Tears filled her eyes as they searched around the room. As time went by and she didn't say anything, I started getting concerned that maybe I overstepped my bounds. Was she not happy? Didn't she like-
She threw herself into my arms, squeezing me with everything in her.
A breath of relief left my lips and I hugged her back. "Do you like it, love?"
Jennifer pulled back and shook her head. "No."
My stomach sunk.
A slow grin spread on her face. "I fucking love it."
I sighed. "Holy shit, don't do that to me."
She laughed and wiped under eyes. "I … wow. Mathis, I can't believe you did this for me. For us."
I smiled, feeling mighty proud of myself. I watched Jennifer walk around the room, stroking a hand over the dark cherry wood crib with the matching dresser and changing table. I had everything handmade by the best carpenter in Vegas. None of this plastic or plywood bullshit.
"This is real wood," she said in awe.
I nodded. "Only the best for our baby. Once we find out the gender, you can finish decorating how you want. But, I wanted to get the big stuff done for you." She met my gaze.
"Thank you." She stopped when she reached the middle of the crib, her eyes narrowing. She pulled out a small box and looked between me and the tiny item in her hand.
"Open it."
She pulled the red ribbon off the white cardboard box and gasped … again. I grinned and stepped up behind her.
She pulled out a delicate gold necklace with a #1 mom pendant attached. At that point tears streamed down her face. "God, I hate crying." She laughed, wiping the tears away.
"I take it you like your second surprise?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her shoulders.
"Yes. Thank you for everything, my husband."
I kissed the side of her neck before putting the necklace on her. It fit perfectly, the pendant resting between her breasts. "Anything for you, my wife."
Jennifer
Damn it and damn Mathis. Now I had to go and fix my makeup before we made our way to our doctor's appointment. Today was supposed to be the ultrasound. You know the one when women fawn over whether or not they are going to have a girl or boy? Honestly, I was hoping for a boy. After spending time with Alexander, I now knew how to deal with baby boys. Everyone had told us they were easier and in my dreams I had a little boy who looked just like Mathis only with my bright blue eyes.
He hadn't been vocal about what he wanted, but at the end of the day as long as our baby was healthy that was all we could ask for. All of the other details didn't matter.
The nursery he put together for the baby was over the top. But the fact that he did it all on his own warmed my heart. Not only that, but it took that whole thing off my to-do list. I know, women were supposed to want to do all that stuff. Me? It sent me into a panic. I just didn't have the time with work.
Lori had come on as my personal assistant, alongside Harper. No longer being one of my working girls. She had also become a kept woman with Jude. He was trying and I guess that was more than all of us could ask for. I honestly wanted them to work and had put in my two cents more than I probably should have.
My phone ringing snapped me out of my head.
"Lori," I answered.
"I know you are off for the rest of the day, but we have a problem with Summer."
I knew she would be trouble, but she was beautiful and more desperate than most.
"Call Nora, she can handle it. I will try and catch up this afternoon after my appointment."
I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed and fixed my face before we had to head out.
Lying on the exam table in the ultrasound room, the lights dim, my shirt pushed snuggly under my growing boobs and Mathis holding my hand tightly was surreal. The ultrasound technician squirted the ice cold gel onto my petite bump. Normally women complained about it being cold, but damn did it feel good. Being pregnant in Vegas during the summer was like torture. I felt like a sweating cow daily. And ice cold showers had become frequent.
"We are finding out the gender today, correct?" she asked with a sweet smile. Her short auburn hair reminded me of my aunt Cassie back in Kansas. She was the free spirit of my mother's family. Not many people stayed in contact with her, especially dearest Eloise. But I always made it a point to catch up with her. That simple reminder of my aunt helped me to feel more comfortable under this strange woman's touch.