Page 52 of Grounds for Love

Chapter 17

Rod

FridaymorningasI’m working at my desk in the ferry office, I have an unexpected guest. Joy stops by to let me know that it’s Jenni’s birthday. After much scrambling and calling in a few favors, Blake and Hannah’s cookout is turned into a surprise birthday party.

I’m torn over what to get her. The gifts I gave Grace were jewelry or trips to Paris or Italy. Jenni doesn’t seem like the type to wear a diamond bracelet or pearls around her neck. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wear any jewelry. Not even earrings.

I settle on a t-shirt I find at a new clothing store in town while on my lunch break. The writing on it reads “little miracle on the way.” I figure it can be a multipurpose gift. Not only will it be a birthday present for Jenni, it will also be a way of breaking the news to everyone. I also set her and Joy up with a day of pampering at the new spa and I have a present for later when we get home.

I’ve never been to the new women’s lingerie shop in town, or any lingerie shop for that matter, and it was quite a learning experience. Note—they don’t have anything for pregnant women, but they did have a sexy red set that will look crazy hot on Jenni now. I’m not sure who that present is really for—Jenni or me.

It’s been almost three weeks since we’ve made love. I’m going out of my mind wanting her. There’s something extremely sexy about a woman that’s carrying my baby inside her body. I never knew that could be such a turn-on. I’m trying to be respectful and let Jenni call the shots, so I’ve backed off and it’s killing me.

I help Jenni from the truck and take her hand as we walk around to the back of my brother’s house. There’s supposed to be someone on lookout to let everyone know we’re coming. Hannah plans every event down to minute details.

Jenni leans in and lowers her voice. “Are you sure we should tell them tonight?”

She’s been nervous and sad all day. She must think her birthday is going to pass unnoticed. “Yes, sweetheart. Tonight will be even more special with our announcement.”

She nods, but I can tell she doesn’t really agree. I hope my family doesn’t let me down.

As we get closer to the party, her steps slow. “Are you absolutely positive we should tell everyone tonight? I mean all at the same time. Wouldn’t it be less traumatic in small doses?”

I grin and pull her into my arms. “I think this is the perfect time to announce our news. A family gathering is always special and now we’ll have that many more people excited about the baby.”

She frowns and reminds me, “Adan wasn’t.”

“Adan is an ass. I promise the rest of my family will be thrilled about our news.”

She doesn’t believe me, but I know my family. I hope. “They’ll be stunned and in shock,” she says.

I smile down and want to kiss her. “Maybe at first, but not in a negative way. Okay?”

She finally grins. “Okay.”

As we round the corner of the house, everyone on the back patio and deck are statue-like and staring straight at us with brightly colored cone-shaped birthday hats on their heads. Everyone yells, “Happy birthday!” as they blow on noisy horns. Blake pulls a rope and a banner unfurls that reads “Welcome Baby Murphy!”

“What…How…” Jenni starts to say, but then everyone shouts over each other. “Happy birthday! Congratulations! We can’t wait for a new baby in the family!”

Jenni jumps backward and right into my waiting arms. She looks up at me and asks, “You remembered my birthday?”

“With a little help from Joy and Hannah. Happy birthday, sweetheart.” I kiss her lips, not caring a fuck who’s watching.

“And you already told them about the baby?”

I shake my head, curious about how that happened too. “No. That I didn’t do. I haven’t said a word. Would Joy?”

“No. Never.”

“Does it really matter? Now you can enjoy your evening,” I say and kiss her temple.

Blake steps forward as the eldest Murphy and claps me on the back before turning to the rest of our family. “I just want to say congratulations on behalf of the Murphy family and friends. First, I’d like to wish the newest member of the clan a very happy birthday. Happy birthday, Jen, congratulations, and thank you for bringing a new Murphy into the world. This baby is a miracle and very long in coming, but no less precious.” He shakes my hand and gives Jenni a hug and kiss on the cheek, which I interrupt with an elbow to his ribs.

Jenni looks disappointed that we didn’t get to make the announcement like we’d planned. “How did you find out? Did Adan open his big fat mouth?”

“Hey,” Adan calls out from the back of the group. “I’m innocent. I didn’t say a word to anyone.”

Shyanne raises her hand and points. “Kimberly told me.”

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