The Choice (30 page)

The rest of our Saturday is a huge contrast to the way it began. Once Sophie and Lucy complete the paperwork to ensure JT would be cared for when the time came, JT comes bounding into the kitchen wearing the Spiderman costume Sophie had gotten him to wear at his superhero themed birthday party. Instantly, I watch all the stress leave her face, a love so pure it cemented what I already knew to be true. It was like the anxiety of the past twelve hours had never existed.

When I look up, I can’t contain to look of amusement that crosses over my face. In front of me stands a very unenthusiastic Drake and Ana, both decked out from head to toe, Drake being Superman and Ana
dressed as Supergirl. I’m about to laugh when Sophie comes around the corner wearing a wide grin.

“Oh! My God, you guys look so cute!” she squeals. “I mean, I did say Marvel, but this will work
. You ready to change, Babe?”

“Wait, what?” I say when I realize she’s talking to me.

“Into your costume,” she replies. “I hung it up in JT’s room. Didn’t you see it?”

“We’re all dressing up?”

“Yes,” she laughs, smiling excitedly over at Lucy who has just joined us, dressed as Spider-Woman. “Did I forget to mention that?”

The guilty grin on her face makes me laugh before I stand slowly and release a deep breath.

“Come on,” I say, following her into JT’s room to change while the others laugh behind us. “Are you going to make me wear tights? Drake looks like a super-douche.”

“
No, he doesn’t,” she laughs, playfully smacking me on the arm. “Don’t worry. I picked someone really good for you.”

Pulling the bag from the closet, she grins and hands it over before sending me into the bathroom to get ready. When I open the bag and find the elaborate Thor costume, I’m relieved. Fifteen minutes later, I walk out to find Sophie waiting for me in what looks like a Viking warrior costume. After gaping at her for a moment, I remind myself where we are and bend at the waist to compose myself.

“Son of a Bitch, Sophie,” I groan, raking my eyes over her. “I don’t even know who you’re supposed to be, Baby, but this is going to be the longest birthday party ever.”

“I’m
Sif,” she laughs before walking over to whisper huskily into my ear. “If the god of thunder behaves himself, I may let him show me his hammer later.”

“You’re completely evil,” I chuckle.

“Well, you don’t become the goddess of war by playing nice, Baby,” she winks as her eyes take me in appreciatively. “Come on. Spidey’s getting restless in there.”

Within the next hour, it looked like Comic-Con in the front yard.
The party went off without a hitch. Sophie hadn’t been kidding when she said she went crazy when she was shopping. Of the close to fifty gifts he’d gotten, nearly half of them donned the same Avengers gift wrap.

By the time the night is over, we were all exhausted from the emotional day we’d just had. Climbing out of the truck once we make it back to the hotel at midnight, Sophie keeps her fingers entwined with mine, resting her other hand in the crook of my elbow. Stepping into the elevator, she leans her head against my shoulder and lets out a long yawn as I kiss her hair.

“It really sucks that Matty got stuck in Austin this morning,” she says sleepily. “I know he’ll be here tomorrow, but JT asked me about him all day today.”

“Yeah,” I agree
as we step off the elevator, making our way to our room. “Well, at least he’ll be able to make it out for a few hours. I know you’re looking forward to seeing him.” 

“Plus, he’ll be there when we actually tell everyone the good news,” she says happily before biting me on the bicep and making me smile.

“Yep,” I beam, looking down at my girl. “Are you nervous?”   

“Not really,” she says with a giggle. “My Aunt Debbie’s right, this ring is freaking massive. I’m sure everyone noticed it today, I just couldn’t bring myself to take it off.”

“Is it too much?” I ask. “Would you like something a little less extravagant?”

“No,
I love it!” she says, shaking her head. “Wait… your mom is okay with me wearing it, right?”

“Are you kidding me?” I laugh
at her question, loving the way the blush heats her cheeks before she flashes her dimples at me. “She all but hurled the box at me when I asked her for it! She’s freaking stoked!”

“Good,” she laughs
as she wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head on my chest.

“I’m just glad that you’re happy, Baby,” I say softly, kissing her head as I run my hand over her back.

“You could have tied a piece of string around my finger and I would have been happy, Chase,” she answers, warming my heart. “I’m not going to lie though, Baby. This is some sick ass bling!”

Laughing
as I take her hand in mine, I walk us to the bathroom and start the shower. After watching Sophie remove everything but the topic of discussion, I climb in behind her. Lathering my hands up as she wets her hair, I smile down at her as she pulls me closer.

“You know,” I start
with a proud smile as I work the shampoo in to her golden locks. “You’ll be the fourth Mitchell to wear that ring.”

The stunned look on her face quickly changes to one of giddiness.

“Chase, I didn’t even think of that,” she admits, covering the wide grin that’s overtaken her features with her hands.

Tilting her head slightly, I stare into the eyes that steal my breath every second of the day, taking her in.

“Sophia Paige Mitchell,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion as I see her eyes well up with tears. “It sounds pretty amazing, Baby.”

“Mrs. Chase Mitchell,” she says quietly, biting her lip and holding my gaze. “I love it.”

“I love
you
, soon to be Sophie Mitchell,” I smile, hovering over her lips before pressing them to mine.

As she runs her tongue against my lips
, she rests one hand on my waist and grips the hair at the back of my neck. I can’t stop the groan that leaves my chest. Pressing her against the tile, I deepen the kiss, unable to get enough of her. Moments later, I reluctantly pull away just slightly when I feel her laughing against me.

“Sophie m
otherfucking Mitchell!” she smiles against my mouth, causing me to chuckle.

“Damn straight,
Baby,” I say, pressing my lips to her neck as I lift her into my arms.

As I slide my length into her, she lets out a sigh and the rest of the world just falls away.

***

“Did you bring the car chargers, Lovebug?” I ask Chase as I dig through my purse.

“Yeah,” he says. “Yours is still in the truck.”

“Good,” I answer, relieved as I set my phone on the bed. “I’m pretty sure I left my other one at the house and my phone is completely dead.”

Walking toward the closet, I grab a v-neck sweater with wide navy and white stripes and a pair of jeans. As I pull the sweater over my head, I giggle as I hear Chase let out a sad sigh.

“Stupid sweater,” he feigns pouting.

“I know, Baby,” I smile, moving to pick up my jeans and slide them on.

“Stupid jeans,” he chuckles, making my smile widen.

“You poor thing,” I tease as I put my shoes on and look over at where he’s sprawled across the bed, fully clothed. “Are you ready?”

“Yep,” he says, sitting up. Handing me my jacket from the chair, he grabs our coffees as I slip it on, pick up my purse and take his proffered hand. “Give me some loving,” he says, leaning down to kiss me chastely. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Sexy Pants,” I answer, biting his chin and causing him to grin.

After getting settled into his truck, I plug my phone in and we head over to Lucy’s. Everyone is meeting for an early lunch to see Matty and visit with JT before we leave. I’m looking forward to a low-key day with my adopted family and am eager to see JT’s reaction to the finished swing set I’d gotten him.

Not surprisingly, we’re the last to arrive with the exception of Matt who’s driving from Austin. Ana and Drake had been there for two hours already and were busy playing on the floor with JT and his new presents.

“Hey,” I greet them with a smile after walking straight in without knocking. “Well, don’t you kids just look adorable?”

“Hey,”
Drake answers, grinning at my words.

“Did
Matty get a hold of you?” Ana asks.

“No,” I answer. “My phone is completely dead, though. Is he okay?”

“Yeah, as far as I know. He called and left me a voicemail this morning and was asking about you. He sounded weird, like he was stressed out or something, but I think he was driving.”

“Oh,” I shrug. “Well, I’m sure he’s alright. He would have called back or tried the house or something otherwise.”
 

Less than ten minutes later, Ana’s phone sounds off again.

“Hello?” she answers. The way she rolls her eyes before facing me tells me it’s not Matty. “Yes, Mrs. Ryan, just a second.”

As Ana stretches her hand out, I throw a silent temper tantrum in the middle of the living room before reluctantly taking the phone, cringing as I put it to my ear.

“Hi Mom,” I say with fake enthusiasm. “How are-”

“Sophie Paige, I’ve been calling you all morning! Why are you ignoring my phone calls?”

Looking up at the ceiling in exhaustion at the impending conversation, I take a deep breath.

“I’m not ignoring your phone calls, Mom. My phone went dead and I didn’t know you’d been trying to reach me,” I explain.
“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, thank God!” she says dramatically. “Good thing, too, since I couldn’t reach you.”

“I’m sorry,” I lie, biting my thumbnail nervously. “I’m here now.”

“I needed to speak to you immediately, Sophie, because I have wonderful news,” she says.

I seriously doubt it
, I think to myself. My mother never calls, so the fact that she’s on the phone with me now doesn’t leave me with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

“Really? What great news do you have?”

“Well, I tried emailing you a few weeks ago,” she says in an irritated tone. “I suppose your computer and internet died as well.”

“No, ma’am,” I say, returning Ana’s sympathetic look with a death glare
before taking a seat on the couch. “I’ve been very busy, Mom. I must have missed it, I’m sorry.”

“Well, anyway,” she sighs. “I wanted to tell you I’ll be in Camden for Christmas this year. If you can spare a couple hours from your busy schedule,” she says sarcastically. “You’ll come to church with me.”

“Of course,” I say, faking enthusiasm once more. “That would be lovely. Thank you for the invitation.”

“I’ll be staying with Debbie,” she says, ignoring my words. “I’ve heard you’ve shacked up with some man
since I spoke with you last.”

“We’re not shacking up, Mother,” I defend and feel Chase’s large hand on my thigh in reassurance.

“Have you taken your vows?”

“No, ma’am,” I answer with a groan of irritation. Before I can explain our plans, she cuts me off. “Not yet…”

“Well then, in my eyes and more importantly, in the eyes of the Lord, you’re living in sin, Sophia Paige. It’s as simple as that,” she says. “I can only pray you’ve learned from your past mistakes and are saving intimacy for your wedding night this time,” she questions. “Your soul isn’t something you should take lightly, you know.”

“Yes ma’am,” I answer, tears stinging. “I know it’s very important.”

“Do you remember the scripture of Matthew 4:17?”

“Yes ma’am,” I reply. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

“That’s right, Sophia Paige,” she says, a semblance of pride evident as I feel Chase’s grip tighten on my leg. “You remember that if you’re led into temptation. I’ll continue praying for your strength.”

“Thank you,” I sniff, hating the
heavy feeling in my chest. “When can I expect you?”

“I’ll be in Camden on the twenty third,” she says. “I will see you then. I love you.”

“Yes ma’am, I love you, too,” I reply before ending the call.

Leaning my head back against
the sofa, I let out a stifled scream and cover my face with my hands. Stomping my feet on the floor in front of me childishly, I open my eyes to take in the sympathetic faces surrounding mine, grateful that JT’s left the room before my tangent.

“
So, my mom’s coming for Christmas,” Ana joins me in a groan.

“Oh! My God! S
he’s going to ruin Jesus’ birthday!” she wails dramatically.

The comment catches me completely off guard. Combined with the shocked looks on Chase and Drake’s faces, I can’t stop the laughter from erupting through my lips. Gripping my stomach, I double over, laughing even harder when they look at me like I’ve finally lost my mind.

“Can you believe the irony?” I laugh until tears stream down my face. “Shakespeare would have a freaking field day!”

While I’m recovering from my
fit of laughter, JT runs into the living room with his shoes in excitement.

“Aunt Sophie!” he squeals. “Can we go swing yet?”

“I don’t know, Baby,” I say with a smile. “Is it all done?”

“Yeah,” Lucy answers. “They finished up with it this morning not long before you two came over. He wanted to wait until you got here to try it out.”

“Let’s get your shoes on and clean up your toys and we’ll go out, okay?”

“Yay!” he shouts, causing us to laugh at his enthusiasm
as he rushes to pick up the living room.

Once he’s finished, I help him get his shoes and jacket in place and take his hand in mine. Pulling me outside impatiently, I laugh as I jog to keep up. When the huge, custom made wooden swing set comes into view, he stops in his tracks.

“Wow!” he says in awe before facing me with a wide grin. “This is mine?”

“Yep,” I smile down at him, crouching to meet his eyes. “Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea,” I say softly. “I love you.”

“I love you,” he says, hugging me for a moment before growing antsy when I’m not ready to let go. “Aunt Sophie, I wanna go play now.”

“Okay, go have fun,” I laugh, releasing him before I stand
to watch him run with animation toward the elaborate, miniature playground.

***