Hourglass Squared (22 page)

To my sweet sweet baby—

You are due to arrive in just six short weeks. I cannot believe how fast the time has flown by, and I thank God for the blessing He has given to your father and me. About halfway through my pregnancy, mommy found out she was sick. It terrified me and made me worry about you endlessly. My main concern always would be that you are okay. As we near the end, the doctors have all told me repeatedly that you are beautiful and perfect. Don't tell your daddy or Aunt Savannah, but I even found out that you are a girl at my last appointment.

I am so sorry that I wasn't strong enough. Know that I gave it my all, tried my hardest, and fought my best. I wanted so badly to be here for you, to watch you take your first steps, meet your first teacher, help you get ready for your first date, kiss you on your wedding day, and see you become a mother. But that just wasn't in the cards for us, it would seem. God had different plans, and we must always have faith in His plan.

I pray that you will have faith and not be sad or mad that I am gone. I know there will be times those emotions go through you, but know that I am with you always. In your heart and soul.

I pray that you will find an amazing best friend like I did. Make sure she is just as fearless and protective as your Aunt Savannah. I was so lucky to meet her in elementary school, and that our friendship withstood the test of time. Whenever you need a woman's guidance, go to her; she will help you. She loves you so much, and while there are days her ideas seem crazy, know that she always has your best interest at heart. She will always be your shoulder to cry on and your rock to stand on.

Take it easy on your daddy. He will have trouble through all of this, but know that he loves you so much. I hope you have his beautiful eyes and wide smile. Each day you are in my belly, he kisses you and talks to you. I know he is so excited for you to make your big appearance. Try to not get too spoiled with all of his pampering. Let him drive you to the front of the school and kiss you goodbye, even when you are a teen. He may one day find a new person to bring into your lives, and that's okay. I want your daddy to be happy so as long as she is good to him, and you try to understand she isn't replacing me. She is just extra love for you to enjoy.

Do well in school, mind your manners, love unconditionally, and treat others how you want to be treated. When you go on a date with a young man, make sure he respects you, listens to you, and cares for you. Be picky! Trust your instincts. When the day comes that you are walking down the aisle in a white dress, know that I am with you and so proud of the woman you have become. Enjoy life. Live it to the fullest because you only get one go around, and, before you know it, God will be calling you up to heaven, where I will be waiting for you and Daddy.

Love always,

Mommy

A few tears slipped out and fell to the paper, magnifying the words I had just poured onto the page. The sound of the heavy wood door shutting dragged me from my depression.

"Brooke?" Josh called from the front of the house.

After rolling the chair back, I stood to my feet, a sudden wave of nausea taking over me. I felt my legs sway as they gave to the weight they were now trying to support. I took a staggering step forward, trying to get to Josh, hearing the whooshing of my blood as it rushed through my veins. My skin moistened as I got clammy. "Josh," I weakly cried out, forcing my body to take another step forward. I could feel my body giving out, quitting, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Stretching my hand out for the door frame, my vision blurred, and there were three doors to now pick from before the world went black, and there were none. I felt my body hit the ground in slow motion as Josh yelled. He was right there beside me, and I couldn't even open my eyes to see him, to tell him I was okay.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Savannah

J
AKE WAS ANXIOUS
as he drove through town, and I couldn't help but smile at this perfect man that was all mine. I leaned over the best I could and kissed his cheek then reached for his hand. "Where are we going?" I begged, never one to like surprises.

His head shook. "Stop asking questions. You'll see when we get there." He paused and looked at me, and I could see the excitement and fear in his eyes, which only made my stomach even more nervous.

"Babe, tell me, please! I can't take it one second longer." Resting his hand on my belly, I tried to use our babies to my advantage. "It's not good for the squatters when I get anxious."

His head flew back, and a loud laugh rumbled through him. "Don't even use our unborn babies against me right now. Just let me get us there, and you'll be able to see what I did. Shit, Sav, I just pray to God that you don't kill me."

Oh great, that just makes it a million times worse.

Watching the streets pass by, it seemed as if we were on our way toward Brooke and Josh's house, but when we passed their street, I knew we were headed somewhere else. Less than a mile away from their house, Jake pulled up to an ornate wrought-iron gate that was connected to beautiful red brick pillars. I shifted my stare toward him and watched as he lifted his hand up to his sun visor then clicked a button that I hadn't noticed before. The gate began to open inward, and Jake's smile grew bigger as he pressed on the gas, taking us down the long drive.

He opened the car door for me and helped me out before fanning his hand out in front of the red-brick colonial-style house with huge white pillars. "Welcome home."

His words ran through my head at warp speed, and I suddenly felt lightheaded.

Oh, Jake, please tell me you didn't buy this house without asking me first. I am going to kill you. What on earth were you thinking?
Thoughts were going crazy inside of me, but as I stared up at my husband and saw the excitement in his face, I knew that I had to push my controlling ways aside and be grateful that he was doing what was best for our family. There was no way that he, I, and our two babies could live in the condo, and I was getting closer and closer to delivering with each passing day.

"Is it really ours?" I asked, doing my best to hide the hesitation in my voice.

Jake's smile was out of this world. I could see all of his brilliantly white teeth as he nodded his head up and down. "Yes, come on. Let me give you a tour."

I slipped my hand into his and decided that I'd love this house, no matter what, because Jake would never buy something like this without certainty that I'd absolutely love it.

Jake tugged me toward the front door and rustled through his pocket before he revealed the key. I looked on and couldn't help but smile as he slid the key into the lock and twisted, a clicking sound opening up our new home.

Jake's arms slipped around me, and he lifted me up in one quick swoop. "I've got to carry you over the threshold."

Laughing at his old-school ways, I threw my arms around his neck, pulling myself up to kiss him. "Of course you do."

Once in the house, he set me down onto the marble floor, not letting go of me. I teetered on my heels before gripping his arms. As I held on to him, I looked around the entryway and couldn't help but smile. Not saying a word, I walked from room to room, Jake in tow the entire time, just following me, completely silent.

Each room was perfect. Jake had obviously hired a designer to come in and fill the house in its entirety before finally letting me in on the surprise. Walking up the stairs to the second floor, Jake finally spoke up. Jumping in front of the first door, his massive frame blocked it like a bouncer at a night club, crossing his massive arms to further prove his point. "You don't get to go in there just yet."

I grinned up at him and began tapping my foot on the floor. "And why not?"

"That's our room, and I want to save the
best
for last." He winked and then took my hand, leading me further down the hall.

I looked on as pictures of our life hung in the hallway, our wedding day with both of our families, pictures of us with Brooke and Josh, and finally a sonogram of our twins. I ran my fingers over the delicate frame and then rested them on my belly. "I'm glad we did this. I know I was totally freaked out at first, but I'm not anymore."

Jake leaned in and kissed me. "I'm glad you're finally glad." He winked and then turned the handle to a bedroom. Pushing the door open, he ushered me inside, and I could feel my breath catch. It was the nursery, and, much like Josh and I had surprised Brooke, Jake had taken the time to surprise me.

Everything about it was beyond what I could have ever imagined. The room was the perfect size, and I beamed with excitement when I saw the matching cribs, side by side. Cream and tan colors filled the room for the perfect blend. Boys and girls would both look great in here, hopefully one of each. I kicked off my heels and stepped onto the rug, which was perfectly placed underneath both cribs, and wiggled my toes around.

"This is absolutely gorgeous, Jake. Our babies are going to love it." I continued to rub my belly as I took in every intricate detail. I couldn't have designed the room any better had I done it myself.

My body sank back onto Jake's as he slipped his arms around my waist, molding my body to his. "Now for the best part, our room."

As he led me down the hallway, back toward our room, I could feel the butterflies begin to dance around. I had a plan and I couldn't wait to run with it.

My body began to tingle as I watched his big hand reach for the handle. He opened up the room that I was about to christen with my husband, unbeknownst to him.

Not paying the slightest attention to the enormous bedroom that I'd pushed Jake into, I went straight for his lips, devouring them as if they were water in the middle of a scorching hot desert. My hands gripped his muscular arms as I clung to his body for dear life. In between breaths, I begged him to take me in our new bedroom. "I. Need. You. Inside. Me. Now." Each word came out as if it was my very last breath.

The sudden ringing of Jake's cell phone distracted the two of us for a slight moment before we ignored it. Jake hoisted my body up and onto the bed and lifted my dress right over my head.

I lay back, allowing Jake the full viewing pleasure of what was underneath my dress. His eyes were hungry for what I was offering, and his tongue slipped out and wet his lips like he was about to have the best dessert of his life.

"Damn, babe, you certainly don't disappoint."

The bed sank as he climbed over me, hovering there like a lion about to pounce on his prey. Suddenly my phone began to ring, "Should I get that?" I asked, doing my best not to lose the momentum that was building.

Jake shook his head and dove in, nipping at the tip of my satin bra with his teeth, causing goose bumps to prick my smooth skin. "They'll leave a message."

Agreeing with him, I tilted my head back, enjoying the moment to the fullest. Jake was about to take me for the very first time in our new home, and there was nothing that could stop me from relishing in this perfect moment.

As soon as the phone stopped ringing, it began again. This time it was Jake's phone. I watched as his eyes rolled.

"Shit. What if it's important?" he asked, obviously pissed that we were being interrupted.

"Just see who it is. If it's not important,
turn them off
," I mouthed through gritted teeth.

Jake hopped off the bed and pulled his cell phone from the pocket of his pants. "It's Josh. He can wait."

The minute Josh's name came out of Jake's mouth, my stomach knotted, and the first thing I thought of was Brooke. I leapt up and tore across the room in search of my purse for my phone, seeing that my missed call was from him as well. "Brooke," I said, my tone terrified.

Jake's eyes grew wide as he began dialing his brother, and I wasted no time running back toward the bed to retrieve my dress, then down the hallway for my shoes. Before I could make it back to our bedroom, Jake was already dressed and waiting for me at the stairs.

"Let's go. Brooke passed out earlier, and Josh rushed her to the hospital, but now she's in labor."

My heart clenched tightly as Jake flew down the stairs, pulling me behind him.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Brooke

M
Y HEAD FELT
like a ton of bricks had been dropped on it. I couldn't focus my thoughts, as fleeting memories or ideas ran though like wisps. I tried to grasp onto one of them and hold on, anchoring myself to it like a lifeline. As I opened my eyes, my vision was blurred and cloudy. Blinking a few times, I tried to clear my vision so I could get my bearings.