Page 105 of Sweet Temptation (Men of Honor 2)
Stepping back, I notice the room has fallen silent again. When I turn around I see everyone lookin’ at the massive picture of Mama and me. As I approach them, Catherine makes room for me between her and Julia. She puts an arm around my shoulders and Julia grabs my hand.
Sawyer comes to stand behind me and puts his hands on my hips. His warm body bringing me extra comfort. We all stare at the picture silently for a moment, my mother’s beautiful smile lighting up the room.
“She was real beautiful, Grace,” Jesse says softly.
“Thanks. I wish she was here to see this… to see all of ya,” I whisper sadly.
“She is honey,” Catherine replies, giving my shoulder a light squeeze.
Another minute passes before Kayla clears her throat. “We should eat before the food gets too cold.”
Looking over, I see her wipin’ her eyes inconspicuously. Then I notice all the girls wipin’ their eyes, which has my own wellin’ up again.
Everyone starts walking into the back to get things set up. Not being quite ready to move yet, I stay where I am for another minute. Sawyer’s arms come around my waist before he leans down to press a kiss to the side of my neck. “She will live on forever, baby. Through you and through our kids.”
His words has some of the sadness lifting from my heart and warmth spreads through me, as I think about us havin’ babies of our own one day. Turning in his arms, I wind mine around his neck and smile up at him. “Are you sayin’ you wanna have babies with me one day, Sexy Sawyer?”
He pulls me closer, a smirk spreading across his handsome face. “Fuck yeah. Can you imagine how damn good looking our kids are going to be, Cupcake?”
I burst out laughing. I should have seen that one comin’. Rising up on my tiptoes I try to plant a kiss on his sexy mouth. When I still can’t reach, his arms tighten around me and he lifts me off my feet before planting a big, hard kiss on my lips.
“I love you, Sexy Sawyer. Thank you for makin’ this the best day of my life,” I whisper against his lips.
He rests his forehead against mine. “I love you too, Cupcake. I promise to try and make every day the best day of your life.”
My heart melting, I give him a couple more kisses, knowing I will never tire of this… of him.
Slapping my butt, he puts me down. “Come on, baby, let’s eat.” He pulls me to follow behind him into the kitchen but I stop when we reach the door.
“I’ll be there in a sec.”
He looks at me for a second, with uncertainty. “All right, Cupcake.” He presses one more kiss to my lips before disappearing into the back.
Walking over to the picture I stare at my Mother’s beautiful, happy face. Instead of feeling sad I feel at peace, knowing that she will see me happy and living our dream, a dream I thought was lost forever.
Kissing two of my fingers I press them to her lips. “I love ya, Mama… forever.”
Four months later…
Looking around the gym I feel proud of the guys for what they have accomplished. The place looks amazing. All new, top of the line, exercise equipment is off to the right, the weights are in the far back corner to the left and the new sparring ring sits in the center. The front counter holds many all-natural supplements that they brought in for the steady stream of fighters that have been comin’ in from Columbia. The all-natural juice bar that will be opening next week is going to be a real hit.
Seal Extreme has somethin’ for everyone. Whether you want to work out, take a self-defense class or spar…
“Julia, I am serious. How the hell do you go from having a baby in your belly only a month ago to having some supermodel fucking body again?” Kayla asks, staring at Julia in disbelief.
“Oh stop. I do not. I’m just good at hiding it,” she replies, her cheeks turning pink from being called out in front of us all.
Katelyn rolls her eyes. “How can you hide it? You’re wearing yoga shorts and a tank that molds to your body like second skin.”
Shaking her head, Julia laughs. “Trust me, I am hiding it, but thank you ladies for the compliment.”
“Katelyn showed me pictures of your daughter. She’s very cute,” Katelyn’s cousin, Faith, says with a kind smile.
Katelyn was right, this girl is so darn sweet. The five of us are all sitting on the gym floor, in front of the sparring ring, waiting for Jaxson, Sawyer and Cade to come out and teach their first self-defense class. They wanted to run a trial on us girls. Katelyn had asked to bring her cousin along since she had just moved here only a few weeks ago. I only met the girl fifteen minutes ago and I already know she’s going to fit in great with us.
“Thank you,” Julia replies with a smile of her own. “She means the world to me.”
“And Jaxson,” Kayla adds with a scoff. “That guy hogs her way too much. I mean he gets to live with her, and when company comes over he still never shares her.”
“Kayla,” Julia laughs, “you don’t really count since you’re over everyday for hours at a time.”
“I am not,” she replies affronted. “Just the other day I was at the bakery helping Grace. And even when you’re there, helping with Annabelle, if he’s around no one else ever gets a turn… Right, Grace?”
I hold my hands up, not wanting to get in the middle of this one. Even though I kind of agree with Kayla, Jaxson does hog her.
“Whatever. Next weekend Coop and I get her for the whole evening. You promised,” she adds, pointing her finger at Julia.
“Yes, you do, I promise. Jax and I are not bringing her on our date.”
“Damn straight,” she mumbles, but has a smile of her own.
