The Mitchell Family Series BoxSet 1-4.5 (78 page)

“You got yourself a deal, Cuz.”

We played a game of five hundred rummy, keeping it close the whole time. It went faster with just two people and in no time we were neck and neck and on the determining last hand of the night. The kids had passed out upstairs in the playroom on the bean bag chairs after watching a movie. Savanna and Miranda were sound asleep on the couch, while Colt and I had the baby monitor in the kitchen, listening in case Christian woke up.

I decided I was going to change things up and hold all of my lay down cards in my hand until I could just go out at once. Colt took his time, collecting and laying down the cards as soon as he got them. I had four jacks and two queens in my hand. All I needed to do was pick up one more queen and I won the game. Lucky ass Colt picked up the card he needed first and threw down three aces. He didn’t have a discard, so he was floating until his next turn.

I closed my eyes and drew my last and final card. This had to be a good one or I was out of the game and lugging sleeping bodies back on one golf cart. My card was a queen. I threw down everything I had in my hand and discarded the remaining card.

Colt pounded his hands on the table. We had been drinking for a couple of hours and I could even tell we were being louder than normal. “You prick. That was cheatin’.”

“Bullshit! There is no rule saying you can’t do that.” I reached my hands up in the air and started to stretch, even adding a yawn to my appearance. “I guess I need to take my wife and get her tucked in. We’ll see you guys in the morning. Not too early though. We like to sleep in.” I winked as I stood up.

“Asshole! That shit shouldn’t have counted.”

“You lost, Colt. Get over it!”

“Whatever, I will see your cheatin’ ass in the mornin’.” He gave me a shake of the hand and a half hug as I walked out of the kitchen. I reached down and picked up Miranda and Colt got the door for me. While I was sitting Miranda down, he reached in the other golf cart and got the keys. I saw him holding them up to show me the kids wouldn’t be paying us another early visit. I waved as we pulled away from the house. I won fair and square. There was no doubt in my mind he was going to steal my play and use it on the family tomorrow after we left. I couldn’t help laugh about it as we made our way to the main house.

Miranda was half awake when we pulled up, but I insisted on carrying her anyway. She didn’t weigh that much, even being pregnant and sometimes it made me feel like her hero.

I would have liked to take advantage of having another night alone, but my wife was already back to sleep when her head hit her pillow. I took off her socks and her jogging pants and covered her up before climbing into bed beside her. I couldn’t help but sit there and watch her sleeping. Inside of that belly was my boys. I couldn’t wait to meet them and teach them how to live. I loved them so much already.

I found myself stroking her stomach with my fingertips. Within seconds they were moving all around in there. I fell asleep with my hand across her stomach, while my boys moved all around beneath it.

Chapter 7

Miranda

As much as Ty and I loved to visit, we hated having to leave more. After a very nice brunch, we said goodbye to our family and started our trip back home. Baby Christian’s christening was coming up and we knew we would be back in few weeks to see everyone again.

It was great that for holidays and family affairs, Ty and I always got to be with our whole family. We didn’t have to fight over which side to go to like other couples.

It also meant a lot to me that Bella could be with both my mother and Ty’s parents. Even John had become attached to my little girl after dating my mom for going on three years. I wasn’t really sure, but it seemed like somewhere down the road, they may even consider getting married.

Our ride back to North Carolina was uneventful. I made Ty stop three times so that Bella and I could use the bathroom. He never complained and wouldn’t even let me drive the whole way. Bella got restless after a couple of hours and finally went to sleep. She had finally stopped crying when we left the ranch. For two years she had cried every single time. I hated seeing her so sad to leave Noah.

She knew we were coming back in a couple of weeks, so this time she wasn’t as sad. We’d purposely left early so that we could arrive home before it was dark out. The deer were starting to rut and they liked to act all crazy at night. From living in the country my whole life, I knew it was safer to travel in the day where you could see all around you.

Since Conner lived with us, we knew he would be home when we arrived. Sure enough, he was sprawled out on the couch watching television. Bella went running over and jumped on his chest, knocking the air out of him.

“Uncle Conner, Daddy got floured.”

Conner sat up and stretched. He was still yawning when he began to speak. “Floured?”

“Aunt Van sprayed flour all over Daddy. He was all white.” She was rocking back and forth with her hips as she told him the story. It was the cutest thing.

Ty walked over and grabbed her up in his arms. “Time for you to get a bath.” She was kicking and giggling as he carried her back to the bathroom.

Conner sat there waiting for me to explain, so as the giggles continued in the other room, I explained Van’s best prank yet. Conner and Ty were becoming closer, but he thoroughly enjoyed hearing Ty got it this time.

Once we got Bella to bed and Conner went back in his room, Ty joined me in our bedroom. I loved seeing him in only a pair of boxer shorts. His Mitchell tattoo was sexy, but not as hot as Izzy on his heart. He didn’t even tell me he was getting it. He said he had a surprise for me, but wouldn’t tell me what it was. One night he pulled off his shirt and there it was. Of course, Ty was all smiles over it. He loved our little girl to the moon and back.

“What are you thinking about?”

I sat up and leaned on my elbow. “Just how sexy you are and how much I love you.”

He crawled into bed next to me. “I know I’m not perfect, and I probably don’t deserve this life with you. Sometimes I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”

He reached up and turned on the ceiling fan before pulling my body into his. I loved how the cool air made me want to get even closer to him. “You’re perfect for me.”

“When the boys come I want to take turns getting up with them. I know you are going to breast feed, but it would mean a lot to me. Do you think you could pump like Van does for Colt?” He rolled me over on my back and placed his hand across my belly right before he leaned his head over the other part. “I love feeling them in there, knowing they are ours.”

They were starting to really move more and every time Ty talked against my belly, they seemed to respond to his voice. “I think they already know you are their daddy.”

He laughed and kissed my belly. “Baby, I can’t wait to hold them. I can’t wait for Izzy to hold them. I keep picturing it in my mind. The closer it gets the more I lose focus on everything else and daydream about them.”

I had to laugh. “Last week I was cuttin’ Mrs. Emerson’s hair and I started thinkin’ about the kids, imaginin’ them runnin’ around the farm. The next thing I knew, I was done cuttin’ her whole head. I don’t even remember doin’ it.”

He leaned his chin on my stomach and looked up at me. I ran my hand through his hair. “That would have been hilarious if you fucked up that old woman’s hair.”

“For you maybe. I felt sick over it.”

“Remember when I let you cut my hair for the first time?”

I would never forget that night.

I was still learning and needed a guinea pig. Ty’s mother let me dye her hair, which I did a good job. His father let me give him a good buzz cut, but Ty was scared shitless. His hair was still longer and I wasn’t sure if he was more afraid of his new look or me jacking up his head. He kept making me stop and running to the mirror.

We both started laughing. “I did a good job. You loved it, besides, I think it made you look even hotter.”

“I am pretty fucking hot.” His perfect white teeth were displayed as he gave me the biggest smile. I loved his brown eyes and his long dark eyelashes. His sarcasm was easy for me to appreciate since I’d known him my whole life. It was harder for other people to get his sense of humor.

“You’re alright,” I teased.

“Whatever! I can make your panties wet by just looking your way.” His hand slowly started to slide the t-shirt I was wearing up over my breasts. His face came up to one of them and he drug his lips lightly over a nipple, but never kissed it. I bit my lip and refused to agree with his comment.

“You aren’t that good.”
Think about something not Ty related. Think about dirty socks and peeing your pants…

His bottom lip circled my nipple again. When he spoke, I could feel his hot breath against it. “I know you’re lying. In fact, I know exactly what to do to make you beg.”

I rolled my eyes and focused on those dirty socks. My face curled up and I shook my head. “In your dreams, Mr. Mitchell.”

He used his chin to make my nipple even harder. “Mmm, I love how hard they get. I bet you want it in my mouth.”

“I bet you’re wrong.
“Oh God, you are so right…

“I bet you want me right now. In fact, I can tell you are trying so hard to fight it.”

I closed my eyes for a second and looked down at him. “I have a headache. I think I need some water.” Without any warning, I scooted myself out of bed and walked out of the bedroom. I was so hot and bothered that I stopped once I got into the kitchen to catch my breath. I grabbed a bottle of water and took my time walking back into the room.

Sure enough, Ty was laying there with his arms behind his back. “I call bullshit!”

I stood at the foot of the bed and put my hands on my hips. “This ain’t a game of cards.”

“It’s definitely a game. Are you going to climb up here and straddle me or do I have to come and get you?” He never moved his position. I wanted to smack him, but I knew he would like it, and so would I.

“You’re the one beggin’. I am fine just goin’ to sleep right now.”
I am such a liar. I wanted to pounce right on him, belly and all.

His disposition never changed. “Goodnight, baby.” Before I climbed into bed he had closed his eyes.

On one hand, I wanted him so badly that I wanted to scream, but on the other, I knew he would hold it against me and feel like he had won. Ty liked to be in control and so did I. To protect my own ego, I pulled the covers over my body and tried my best to fall asleep.

A good ten minutes went by in a very quiet house. I was sure that Ty had fallen asleep, so I rolled over and nestled myself close to him. As soon as my hands touched his warm chest, I felt him grabbing my hand. He guided it down and sat it right on top of his hard penis.

I giggled and heard him let out a little cackle. “You suck!”

He pulled my hand up to his mouth and kissed my wedding ring. “No I don’t, but you do it better than anyone on the planet, baby.”

I smacked him on the chest. “Sometimes you really piss me off.”

“That’s only because our makeup sex is the best.” He pulled me close to his body and positioned my hand over his chest. “But the sex isn’t at all why I love you so much. Your trust and friendship is the most important. Get some sleep, baby. We can make love tomorrow and every other day for the rest of our lives. I know you’re tired and have to work in the morning.”

As much as I wanted to make love, Ty was right. I needed to get some sleep. I started working part time in the morning, but it was still getting hard to stand for even an hour at a time.

The next morning was as hectic as ever. Ty refused to wake me up on time and although he and Bella were at the door waiting, I still had to get myself ready. I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off looking for something to wear, while trying to do something professional looking to my hair. I worked in a salon so having bad hair was a definite no no.

My worries were relieved when we pulled up to the Salon five minutes early. I leaned over and kissed my sexy husband before heading inside. Ty and Bella usually stopped by for doughnuts before he dropped her off at school and went into the shop.

I got my station all ready to start working and grabbed a bottle of water for me to drink. Amy was getting the register together when the door bell rang. Ty came walking in with a cup in one hand and a bag in the other.

He handed me the hot drink. “Decaf coffee with extra cream and one sugar for my beautiful wife.” He opened the bag and let me peek inside. “Two chocolate éclairs for my growing boys.” He leaned over and kissed me. “Gotta run. See ya at lunch, baby.”

He went flying out of the door before I could thank him. I grabbed my phone as I watched our car pulling out of the lot.

I love you Ty. Thank you.

A few minutes passed and I knew he was rushing to punch in on time at the shop. As the first customer walked in, I heard my phone vibrate.

Anytime. Love u 2.

The smile on my face couldn’t be contained. Amy shook her head and started walking toward me. “You two make me jealous.”

“Sorry, Ames. Another bad weekend?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “He never came home on Friday night. Showed up Saturday morning completely shit faced. I took the kid out and grocery shopped. When we got home he was passed out. I guess it could have been worse.”

It wasn’t that cold out, but Amy was wearing a long sleeve jacket. I know I was pregnant and drinking coffee, but it was too hot to be wearing a jacket. I reached for her arm and she pulled away. “Don’t! Please just don’t, Miranda.”

I pulled her in for a hug. “Our offer stills stands. You can stay at Ty’s parents whenever you need to.”

“I’m saving up my money. I can handle him until then.” She started walking toward the customer at the front of the shop. “Good morning Agnes. How can I help you today?”

I watched Amy put on her best fake smile as she began working on her first customer’s hair. After ten minutes my first client showed up and the place filled with voices. At noon two more stylists came in and worked until six at night. I felt bad, but I never got a chance to talk to Amy any more.

Since I’d known what it was like to be physically abused, my heart ached for her situation.

Ty showed up at lunch time and after we ate, I stopped at the school and picked up Bella, before taking the car home. I knew I’d have to pick Ty up later, but it was nice to go home and relax for a while. If it was up to Ty, I would just be a stay at home mother. Between the farm and his full time job, we didn’t need the money. I just liked getting out and doing something. Of course, once the twins were born, it was going to get a lot harder.

As long as I got to cut Ty’s hair I think I would be satisfied. He had the thickest, sexiest brown hair. I loved playing with it.

Bella and I spent my first half day watching kid shows and pigging out. Conner was nice enough to run out and grab Ty when he headed into town to pick up something he needed. By the time they both came in, I had dinner ready and on the table for them. We all sat down together and said grace like we tried to do every night. Bella liked to say it herself and we liked how she still messed up some of the words.

Ty got Bella started in the bath tub, while Conner loaded the dishwasher for me. He came down and sat next to me, throwing my legs over his. “How’s my little sister feelin’?”

“Good. How are you doin’?”

Conner shrugged and tossed his hat on the table. “It’s different here. Brina’s been tryin’ to get me go out more. I just need to stay focused on work. I know this is my chance to make things right.”

“Well, you seem to be doin’ a lot better.”

“Randa, I’m a little worried about goin’ to Kentucky for the Christening.” Conner looked down at his hands and fidgeted. He’d done so well being away from all of his friends. His first week had been the worst, in fact we found out a lot more than we had wanted to. Conner had been using drugs. He tried to detox cold turkey and got really sick. He ended up spending the night in the hospital and having a very sick first week.

Ty and I did everything we could to make him comfortable, we even kept the worst of it from the family. Conner was trying so hard and he didn’t need extra eyes judging him. Besides, Ty wanted to do it for Conner. He wanted him to be able to trust us.