CHAPTER 36

Evangeline could not contain her joy as she kept pestering Jason to let them get to where the real surprise as he called it, is. He had gifted her another car. This time, a sports car; white and cute just as she loved them. She suspected this was because she had sighed at how cute the car was, ones while they drove past a sports car. He didn’t say anything but apparently had tucked the information for later use. And though she had been super excited about the car, she couldn’t stop the anxiety she felt about the yet unknown gift. Turning the car key in her hand, she had asked again that night, what the other key was for.

“The car will take you to the real surprise.” was Jason’s mysterious reply, “But that would be tomorrow” he added, leaving her in the room. That had been after she had excitedly driven the sports car around the compound about eight times, with him standing aside, watching her with bright eyes. “Dad got us a car.” she kept telling herself, and their son, who kicked excitedly. When she got down, he had picked her up effortlessly, and though he tried not to fold her up because of her pregnancy, she was worried. “Put me down.” she said in a dangerously low tone, “The baby.”

Putting her down, he stood scared at what he had done “I’m sorry, you okay?”

She nodded and darted inside. He followed behind meekly. She turned to see him look out of place and burst into laughter seeing how worried he was, “Relax, I’m okay.” she said, “But you have to stop picking me up, we’re growing big now” rubbing her stomach, she put his hand on the spot where their son is kicking vigorously.

“Doctor’s order?”

“I read it up online. You don’t carry pregnant women, even when I’m in labour, and weak” she stressed, “See how the women are placed on a stretcher in movies?” he nodded in rapid succession, “Good, that’s how it should be. It’s good for the baby”

“All right.” he said, leaving for his room, “Have a good night rest, you both”

“Thank you.” she smiled, “You too”

All through the night, she had kept turning, wondering what the surprise was. Could it be a house? That sounded too much even to her ears. Why would he get her a house anyway? Unless he wanted them staying in the same city because of their son. The thought made her depressed. She wanted more than shared custody. She wanted a family; a whole one. Not something complicated that she would be exchanging visit days with him. Sighing heavily, she had gone to bed telling herself tomorrow was the day she would know. They had said nothing about their son, and how they would manage their situation when she was put to bed. Would she still be shuffling between Miami and LA? Perhaps that was why he wanted her to get a house here. Did he want her away from his house, and out of his life right after their baby pops out?

“I don’t even know if it’s a house” she chastised herself. It could be a vacation home, or even another car, or a company. Her last thought before dozing off was tomorrow, she would know. And now, the day had finally come with a loving warmness, yet Jason continued to be evasive. The instant he stepped into the room for a shower, she asked when they would be leaving for the place. He sat by her bed, pecking her first, then rubbing her stomach lightly to check on the baby.

“How are my darlings?”

“We’re good. Morning” she replied, sitting up, “When are we leaving?”

“Chill, babe. I have some errands to run.” he said, stifling a yawn, “But I promise, by evening, we are both going there.” he assured, kissed her, and got off the bed. As always, they had slept in a separate bed. But last night, she had hugged him while thanking him for the car and may have kissed him too. Then he left for his room.

She waited eagerly for the evening. She had slept, checked in with doctor Tom, and now sat down to watch some movie. She wanted to call her PA, to ask how dinner with Logan had gone, but she felt too worked up to do anything. Now, she sat staring bored at the door, checking the time every second. It was getting late and Jason wasn’t home yet. The excitement about the whole surprise thing began to pave way for desperation, and irritation. Perhaps he had forgotten about her. Lunch had been almost untouched. As her stomach grumbled, she sighed, displeased with herself for getting her hopes up for nothing. Angrily, she stood from the couch, walking towards the kitchen to get some food. And then she heard his car drove in. Evangeline smiled despite her anger and ran to meet him by the door, the thought of food gone with her displeasure.

“All dressed?” he asked, looking so fancy in his polo on jeans. She hugged him excitedly.

“No”

“Then you better.” he said, walking her inside, “Let’s get this started now, shall we?”

She had picked her outfit earlier. It was a simple gown with a cape behind, and free from underneath her breast down. Though a maternity gown, it was designed beautifully around the neck, and the result was elegant. She dressed up hurriedly.

“No.” Jason said, stepping into the room. He had showered but still dripping. He had only his towel tied around his waist. “Put this on instead”

She had totally forgotten he was in the shower. Though he was dripping wet and sexy, Jason looked disapproving of her dress. She knew it was so plain, but with that neck beautifully adorned, who cares? Compared to the dress he held up, this looked too plain she realized. It would be a perfect fit for her budging stomach, yet she didn’t remember ever picking it. “You got this for me?”

He nodded, “Yes.” smiling, he said, “Common” and left to get dressed. He laid out the dress on the bed for her.

Running her hands through the sleek material, she sighed at the smoothness. She loved the dress. Then turning around, she tried to unzip her clothe. Was it zipped earlier? In her eagerness to be getting dressed, she must have hooked the zip with her hair or something. The zip refused to move. She stretched and clawed but it was in vain. Taking the dress up, “Jase” she said walking into his room. And she stood rooted to the door at the sight that greeted her.

He was stark naked. For a tensed second she stared at his enticing body. Her eyes ran through his wet body as he roughly rubbed his hair vigorously, trying to dry the hair. Perhaps the hungry way with which she stared at him made him stop rubbing. He watched as she ogled him, and his hardened manhood stood erect. It continued to get hard by the second. Her eyes were wide at that. She looked at him, questioningly.

“That’s what you do to me, babe” he shrugged, “Need something?”

She found her voice then, “My zip.” she walked towards him, stopping a safe distance away from his poking prick, and turned around so he could help her. Jason’s hand lingered at her back, and for a second she wanted to turn around. The image of him luring her to do just that. She felt tempted to. But, she couldn’t. You can do this, she said to herself. It’s just the hormone making you so horny. She held it in.

His fingers gently brushed her bare skin, and she jerked. Behind her, his hardened length pricked at her back. She was as affected as he was, he smiled, and slowly turned her to face him. And they stood staring at each other. The tension between them was so strong she could touch it. She lifted her hand to pull down his head to herself while leaning up to meet him halfway. Their lips touched lightly and then locked. And she wondered if she wanted to do this. He pulled her to himself, groaning as their bodies touched. He had unzipped her gown which had now fallen off her body.

Pulling away from him, she stepped out of the cloth, standing almost naked before him. His hand reached for her neck, patting it. His gaze was hooded with emotion. But he didn’t kiss her. Instead, his lustful smile spread all over his face. If he had any doubt about tonight, he had his answer now. She was his, body and soul. He just had to let her know just how much she meant to him too. “We are running late.” he told her.

And though she wanted to protest, she nodded, “Running late? Do we have guests?”

“Dress up, will you?” was all he said before letting her go. He turned to get his outfit while she excused herself to get dressed in the other room.

After dressing up, he came out looking spectacular himself. He was all suited up in a deep blue suit. She told herself he didn’t need to be so slammed up just to show her the surprise. With a shrug, she went over to him, to help fix his tie. And when he bent down to kiss her, she didn’t pull away. He adjusted her lipstick, and holding hands, they stepped out. “We’re going in your car.” he said, handing her the car. “The car’s destination has been typed in, just drive.”

Rolling her eyes, Evangeline muttered, “Such mystery,.” She started the car, and the car’s android read out the location. She smiled, the location was somewhere between her parents’ home, and Adriana’s. It wasn’t so far. She tried imagining what could be waiting for her there. Too excited to say anything as the car navigated them to the place, she turned on the music. If Jason was bothered by her silence, he said nothing.

“We’re here.” he said, soon as they got to a big building. It was painted pink, and she smiled at the childish colour. But to her chagrin, he got down, went inside to open the gate, and beaconed that she drives in. Scoffing, yet amused, she drove in. He came to help her down. Then linking her hand in his, walked them through the door. At the entrance, he paused. A pink ribbon stopped them from entering. “Here?” he brought out a small scissor, “Cut” he nodded at the ribbon. When she cut it, he smiled “Now you can open your gift”

She started to cry. “You got me this huge house?” she asked, walking back to check the place. It was a huge building; a penthouse, but smaller in size to the one they had travelled to.

“I thought you’d love to have yours too.” he chuckled, “Since that one didn’t particularly leave us with a good memory”

She nodded, feeling bad now. He wanted her out of his life. It was the only explanation for this. He had his penthouse, and now so did she. Why own two penthouses? Jason sensed the change in her mood.

“Don’t you like it?”

“I love it.” she responded quickly with a shaky smile. “Let’s get in, so we can see the interiors.”

“Ready for this?” he asked, and she wondered if there was another surprise inside. “Use your key”

Evangeline inserted the key and turned it. As she stepped in, she was welcomed with a loud shout. “Surprise” everyone shouted, and she screamed. They were all here, every one of her family; the twins, Noah, Adriana, her parents. Even Logan, Audrey, Sloane, Sam, James, and a few of his staff and her were present including Zoe. They all held their drinks up in greeting. There were balloons everywhere. But a larger number of them formed a semi-circle in the centre of the room with tags on them. She didn’t need to move closer to read the words: BABY VALDEZ SHOWER. IT’S A BOY. I CANNOT WAIT TO POP.

Turning back to Jason, she smiled at him, “When did you plan all this?”

“When I knew I wanted you in my life” he kissed her senseless. Making her forget he had said he wanted her in his life. He wasn’t about to ruin the highlight of the day just yet. Planning this had taken a toll on himself and his staff, he wasn’t going to ruin it now. James popped the champagne, and everyone cheered. As the music blasted from the DJ mix someone had fixed in the corner of the room, she was dragged to the centre of the room, and Jason was behind her. Everyone came to present their gifts to the baby.

“Linne.” Elizabeth called, “Mom says you’re having a boy.” said the little girl, sounding as if her aunt had committed a big crime. “I was hoping you’d have a girl like me.” handing over her wrapped present, she sighed, “I’ve nobody to play with”

“Linne?” Jason said, “I like that. Linne”

“That’s what she calls me”

“Yeah, you did tell me that, kinda just sinking in now, funny” Smiling, he pecked her then excused himself.

Evangeline hugged the little girl, “You have me to play with.” she consoled her, “You can weave my hair, and we can play dress-up”

“But you’re too big for that.” she said pouting.

“What about Ethan? You can both play dress up, and weave his hair. He’s got long hair”

“No way, I’m a boy.” Ethan said, walking towards them with a limp.

Evangeline noticed it and asked what was wrong with him “That’s how he walks now. Calls it the matured walk or something” Elizabeth hissed, shaking her head at her twin Their aunt couldn’t stop laughing. The kids were growing too fast, and so amusing still. From the corner of her eyes, she caught their parents in deep conversation. Her sister was giggling so brightly; it was a good sight. Besides them, she saw Logan whispering in Audrey’s ear. Dinner must have gone so well then, she mused. She turned away from them and caught Adriana looking in their direction, so she signalled that her sister joins her. “Easy Ethan.” she cautioned him as he stepped forward to present his present.

Elizabeth gestured, “See? He doesn’t play with me anymore. Says he’s a man now”

Evangeline laughed as her little nephew flexed his muscles. She smiled thankfully as their mother walked towards them, “You’d better get Elizabeth a girl to play with. Ethan’s a man now”

Both ladies laughed as the twins argued, and chased each other away. They ran to their grandparents, obviously dragging out who’s a boy and not yet the man. Collecting the gift, she thanked her sister. “How’s therapy with you and Noah going?”

“Finally, he’s getting off the drinks. He got them all out” she smiled, “It’s a good start. And he’s moody lately. But at least, he’s facing the trauma”

“Compared to when he wouldn’t talk about it” Audrey walked past them with a tray, “I’m parched.” she said, reaching for a glass of water. Adriana got a glass of wine, and the PA curtsied and left.

“He’s speaking about his past now.” Adriana heaved, “They’ve all been through a lot. Losing your parents and sibling the same day in a horrible way is no way to live. And they all never dealt with it”

“That’s disturbing”

She downed her drink in a gulp, “It is. Sometimes I blank out when he gives sordid images. It was a massacre. He watched his uncle die. Evan.”

“You’re sure all these isn’t affecting you too?” asked Evangeline, worried her sister. She looked disturbed “I try not to think our parents played a big role in all these.” she confided in her sis. “Most times, the images in my head are messed up. I keep seeing dad shooting them, but we know he wouldn’t do that”

“You should discuss this in therapy” she suggested, “And stop feeling guilty about it all.” holding her sister’s hand, “Actually, you need to talk about it with your husband, absolve yourself. It’s not healthy”

Adriana nodded and hugged her. “This is huge.” she said, looking around the big house.

“Yeah”

“What’s with the forlorn face?”

She looked around before whispering to her sister, “I think he got me the house so I can stay in Miami, probably because of the baby”

“Is that bad?”

Evangeline looked pained, “I was… I want him.” she said, looking totally frustrated. “I want him, not as a baby daddy”

“As what then?” her sister didn’t say the words, but she knew just what she wanted. With a sweet smile, she told her, “Perhaps you can have both” she stopped talking as Logan walked towards them, and Adriana excused herself.

Whatever that meant, she mused to herself as her sister walked away. With a smile, she greeted Logan. “Hey you”

“I realized I didn’t officially congratulate you, wobbly” he teased.

“I don’t wobble”

“Well, you have”

She lightly punched him. He hugged her, then gave her his present. It was so big; she gave him a questioning look.

“Oh, please. Don’t make me spill it. Check later.” he laughed, “Congratulations”

“Thank you”

“One more thing.” he started to say “You and Audrey?”

He nodded, “Has she spoken to you about us already?”

“No. but I’ve seen how you’ve been following her with those eyes”

He grinned, “That obvious?”

“That obvious” she repeated.

“We’re a couple now”

“Good for you.” she smiled at him, “Guess congratulations are in order too”

He smiled, as Audrey walked towards them. She noticed they were in deep conversation, and turned to leave but Evangeline called her back. “You don’t get to bail on me” she teased. Logan got dragged away by his security detail, who told him he had an important call. “Excuse me.” he pecked Evangeline, and said in her ears, “Can’t believe you dumped me for Jason, my rival”

“And you for my PA” she fired back in a hushed tone so her PA wouldn’t be offended, and they both laughed.

Audrey stood awkwardly, watching the exchange. With a wink at her, he left with his man.

“He’s a good man” was all Evangeline said to her PA

“Mary?”

“They’re just friends.” seeing the worried look on Audrey’s face, she said “Relax. I think he likes you, and that’s good” she patted her lightly, “He wouldn’t date Mary.” she said wondering why she didn’t figure this out when the internet drama started “If he wanted to, he would have”

“That’s reassuring”

“I’ll bet you don’t let your guard down though. Mary isn’t going to back down easily. You’ve got yourself a solid competition”

“No, boss. I’m not in love yet.” her smile was a forced one. “I could leave when the drama gets too tough”

“Would you now?” she asked, “He’s a good man” she repeated, then looking around, she asked, “Where’s Jase?” Since the twins came, he had made himself scarce. And she couldn’t find him anywhere in the room. Audrey gave her a mysterious smile and left. She started to tour the place. If this was hers anyway, she should see everywhere. That was when she noticed the other living room. It was smoky, sort of. She started towards the place to see what was going on there. By the entrance James, Sloane and Sam stood, blocking her from entering the place.

“Congratulations ma’am.” James said with a broad grin. Beside him, the other two men curtsied and congratulate her. Stepping aside, James said, “Enjoy the show”

Evangeline shrugged as she stepped into the smoked room. The smoke wasn’t real. It was an effect used at most parties lately, and the effect was amazing. She tried to adjust to the unusual cloudiness of the room. But she didn’t want to fall, so she stood on a spot while waiting for the room to clear. As if on cue, a light flickered. Evangeline turned around, wondering what was going on. A sound behind her made her squeak, she was blasted with a spray of flashy colours forming some words in the air. She read it out, “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” her joyful scream rent the air, as Jason went on a bent knee.

“You’ve made me a happy man against all odds. I am one of the luckiest to have found love.” he smiled at her, then said “Twice” in a whisper, for only her ears. “I don’t want you to just be our son’s surrogate mother. I want you as his mother and my lover. I want you like family, now, and forever” he smiled, “Please, do me the honours” reaching for her hand, he popped the question “Will you marry me?”

She started crying, knowing they would still talk privately about this. “Yes.” she said, nodding and crying as everyone applauded. He slipped the ring, a shiny diamond ring, on her finger, and stood up, kissing her.

They all took turns to congratulate them. Evangeline hugged everyone, flashing her shiny stone. Her parents stepped in line. “Mom, dad” she hugged her mother “I’m so happy everything worked out fine eventually.” said Mrs. Swiss hugging her daughter, who pulled away at that statement.

“How fancy of you mother.” Evangeline said, ignoring her to hug her dad. “Thanks, Dad.” she responded to his congratulatory hug. He whispered ‘easy’ before going his merry way leaving the women to themselves “I meant no harm.” said her mother, hands raised in surrender “You just never approved” her daughter challenged heatedly, “Would it have been so bad if he didn’t propose and I’m just what I am to him? A surrogate mother.”

“You’d have to forgive your mother.” Mrs. Swiss said, “I’m archaic at heart.” she explained, “I’ll never understand the terms used these days. But in my days, you’re just called an unmarried pregnant woman”

“Mom!” Adriana said, walking up to them. Her father had walked up to her just now, nudging her to go to the rescue. He had known the conversation was going to be too heated. And rightfully so. Her sister was already getting agitated. “That won’t happen. He proposed mom”

“He didn’t marry her yet”, she moved away, “You better do that before the baby…” She stopped, searching for the perfect word with a sarcastic grin.” What you call it these days? Pop?” she laughed, “Yes, get him to tie the knot before you pop”

“You’ll not be invited, mother.” she blurted out, “So you won’t feel archaic at the heart of we do it right after I pop”

There was a tense silence as mother and daughter stared at each other angrily. “You don’t mean that.” Adriana said, “She doesn’t mean that”

“Oh, I do. She isn’t invited, and I’m not having a wedding looking this big either” she stormed off before she would give her mother the pleasure of seeing her cry. Their mother stormed off too in the opposite direction.

Adriana looked at both of them in opposite direction and went after her sister. She made her sit.

“Why does she say mean things?” she sighed in frustration, “We’ve always been at logger’s head but it doesn’t give her the right”

“You know how she is”

“It’s annoying”

With a smile, she said, “I know right.” Holding her hand, she admired her ring. “Lovely, huh.” Adriana said, hugging her sister, who started to cry. “Hush, now” “I love him so much” Evangeline breathe out, “And to think I assumed he didn’t feel the same way about me” then she remembered what her sister had said earlier. “You knew!” she gasped.

“Yes, of course, I knew”

Both ladies laughed and Adriana launched into how she had been napping yesterday when Jase called asking for her help.

*****

The party ended and everyone started to take their leave. He told James they would be spending the night here. After speaking with him, he locked the door and went inside. Finally, when they had the home to themselves, Evangeline went to sit astride his laps. “Thank you.” she said, kissing him, “For all these. I love my gifts”

“And here I was thinking you’d refuse it, especially the house”

“I did feel bad about the house.” she sighed “Why?”

“I thought getting me a house meant you wanted no future with me” her smile was too pained as she imagined it, “I thought you did it because you wanted shared custody”

He dropped his drink, and held her cheeks, “I want you in my life, babe”

“Now I know that.” she laughed, her eyes very watery. “Imagine getting a house when you have enough”

“We” he corrected. She didn’t get it, so he explained, “Whatever I own is yours now too” he pulled her down to himself, kissing her softly at first. When he stopped, asking for permission to go on, she nodded. He bent down again, kissing her this time with all the love he felt for her. He stopped, brushing off her hair, “I love you, my surrogate wife”

She laughed at that, “How complicated”

“We sure have a lot of stories to fill our babies’ ears with”

Babies? Her heart jumped, “I like the sound of that” she kissed him lightly, “How did you pull all these together?” when he smiled, she continued, “Although Adriana told me quite the shopping spree you went for” then she added, “Even getting Logan down here wow”

He laughed, “I’m happy you were impressed.” he teased, pulling her down on him. He was rock hard, “Can’t we do the talking some other time?” taking her hand, he let her feel his growing hard-on.

“Tempting” she teased, stroking him, “But you’ve been torturing me with this…”

He took the words right off her mouth with a kiss. Before pulling away, he slipped his hand through the opening in her back, “I wasn’t teasing. You started pulling away from me. And I was worried I had lost you”

“You didn’t lose me, Jase.”

“I know.” he grinned, “After the memorial, you became distant. And I didn’t know what to think”

“I wanted more.” she confessed, “More than sex. I wanted you, in my life, as my man. I didn’t want you anymore as my baby’s daddy. It was losing its lustre already”

He laughed, “I’m still your baby’s daddy” he teased, rubbing her naked back. She sighed contentedly. He was priming her up just as his hard-on kept growing. “I knew I wanted you when you left me at the penthouse. The thought that I had pushed you away scared me”

“You didn’t come to get me” she accused.

“I needed time to walk through my feelings. With Ellen just…” he stopped talking, watching her intently. She waited. He could see she wanted him to complete the sentence. “With Ellen barely gown, I couldn’t understand my feelings. I thought we all get a chance at love. I couldn’t explain how I could love you right after the love of my life died”

Love, she felt deliriously happy “Oh, I know how it must have made you feel”

“Surely, you can forgive me” he smiled at her “I had other issues to work through also. My parents”

She nodded, “I was worried I’d be demanding too much by asking for more considering Ellen”

“But she’s late. And she did bring us together. Knowing my late wife, she would have been happy I found someone” he said with a bright smile now, “I love you, Evangeline Swiss.” he kissed her this time so hard. “And I want you so much.” He let the gown slip through her shoulder, showing the folds of her breast. Sighing contentedly, he bent down to nub at her neck.

Evangeline began to panic. He had told her he loves her, and she didn’t respond to that. As he nibbled at her neck, she became worried. If he goes a bit down, she would lose the strength to stop him. “Stop.” she said He stopped. “Something wrong?”

“No.” she smiled, “I love you Jase, I love you so much”

“I know that. you’ve said it in so many ways”

“Oh.” she said, a bit disappointed. Was she that readable?

“Kidding, babe.” He laughed. When she laughed, he stopped, and smile, “I love you.” he said.

“I love you” she repeated after him “Don’t ever get tired of telling me just how much?” he said, and bent down to take her lips in hers. She whined, rocked her bum around his hard-on. He unzipped his pant and made her sit on his brief. This way, they were kept apart only by the sheer material of her panties and his brief. He sighed contentedly when she rocked her body on him. “I’ve missed you so much” he gasped before taking her mouth in his.

Evangeline didn’t understand why they were taking it so slow. He was rock hard, and she was dripping wet for him. She kissed him passionately, telling him in so little a word how much she wanted him inside her. “I want you, inside me Jase.” she said, lifting her body off him.

Shaking his head, “No.” he said, “I’ve missed you so much to let this end. And we have all night, and so many years after”

She couldn’t disagree with that. But she could tease him endlessly, while he took his time. She stood up, pushed him gently so he could lie down. His prick poked up from his brief. With a wicked chuckle, she sat astride him, looking for a comfortable position. Then she rubbed him through his brief. When she slipped her hand in, he gasped. Smiling at the effect she had on him, she brought out his naked hardened length and sighed at the hardness. She bent down and took him in her mouth.