The Art Of Listening

Chapter 15

Laying in Jax's arms, I was wide awake. The events of the last couple of months rolling around in my head. Father was gone, Brad would never come back, I had a bunch of new friends that I considered my family, I had my own home, a good job, and a man that I loved more than life itself and I know without a doubt, that he loved me just as much. I felt like I was just starting to live, like the last twenty-one years were nothing. 

"What has your mind spinning, Angel?" Jax's deep voice cut through my thoughts. I propped up on my elbow and looked into his beautiful blue eyes and smiled, "Just how much you mean to me." He cupped my cheek and brought his lips to mine in a searing kiss. He pulled me on top of him without breaking the kiss. He planted soft kisses all over my face, "I love you, so much." He whispered between kisses. I lightly ground my hips on him and felt him growing excited.  

"Angel, you drive me absolutely crazy." He moaned as his hips bucked up to meet mine. I kissed him hard, letting him know just how much I needed him. 

*************Steamy scene in private chapter book*************************

The morning sun peeked through the curtains and I stretched, yawned. I looked around to see that I was all alone. I pouted until I smelled breakfast cooking and I jumped up and ran to the bathroom. After dressing in yoga pants and a tank top, I headed to the kitchen. The sight was wonderful, Jax was shirtless in pajama pants, standing at the stove, flipping pancakes. 

"Good morning, Angel. How did you feel this morning?" He asked wiggling his eyebrows. I grinned, "Fantastic, you?" I asked, kissing his lips and stealing a piece of bacon. "Thief!" he said in mock outrage. I giggled, dancing out of his reach. He pointed at me with his spatula and furrowed his eyebrows, "Listen to me, young lady. You will sit your ass down and wait for me to serve your breakfast." I nodded and pouted, "Yes, sir." I plopped in the chair. 

He set down plates of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Then turned and grabbed two glasses of orange juice and two cups of coffee, setting it all on the table before sitting down across from me with a wink, "Eat up, Angel." I smiled at him, "This looks and smells wonderful. Thank you, Love." We ate in a comfortable silence, exchanging glances and winks. This man means so much to me. After we were finished, I cleaned up the kitchen. 

"Angel, I need to go talk to the council. This mess needs to be straightened. I will be back this afternoon. I love you." He kissed me deeply. "I love you, too. Be careful." With one more kiss, he was gone. I spent most of the day cleaning the house. By midafternoon, the house was spotless, but Jax was still gone. As the sun was setting, I was just putting the finishing touches on dinner and the guys bust through the door, laughing and joking. "ARTIE!" they all called out. I chuckled at them, "Dinner will be done in ten." I looked at them and sighed as I turned to set the table.

Ian threw an arm across my shoulders, "What's wrong, kid?" I looked at him and smiled, "Jax said he had to visit the council but that he would be back by this afternoon, I am just worried about him. I mean after you all being taken and all." He smiled, "Don't worry, Lorilee is with him too. They both were summoned due to this mess with the Fae King. He will be ok, I promise." 

We all ate dinner and laughed and talked until late into the night. I was still worried as they said their goodbyes. I tossed and turned all night, but when I woke in the morning, I found myself still alone. I focused on work, but I was worried.

It has been three weeks since Jax and Lorilee left and I haven't gotten so much as a phone call or a text message letting me know that they are ok. I am close to going to see that council myself, but the guys tell me that you can't find it unless you are summoned. I haven't felt well lately, but I think it is all the worrying I have been doing. I am wondering aimlessly around the store in town when I come across tampons. Then, my world stops. I missed my period, I am two weeks late. I rub my forehead and let out a harsh breath before reaching for a pregnancy test. 

I am staring at the offending pink and white stick that is sitting on my bathroom sink and I am scared to look at the results. I jump up and pace my room, almost walking back into the bathroom three times before I mentally slap myself and march up to the stick, plus sign. "Well, fuck me running." I breathe before running to the toilet to empty my stomach. Well, that was fun.

That evening, the guys come in for dinner and I am a nervous wreck. "Artie, you ok? You look pale, are you sick?" I meet Trevor's eyes and tears begin to stream down my face. I am instantly crushed to his chest. He rubs my back, cooing softly. "He will come back, I promise. It has to be important for him to be away from you so long. I know the bond makes it hurt, but we are here for you." I look up at him through watery eyes, "But I'm pregnant." 

Shock flashes across his face, "Oh dear Goddess, Artie. Don't worry, we are here and we are going to help you." The look on each face is pure shock. Then, Justin squeals, "I'M GONNA BE AN UNCLE!!!!!!" I can't help but laugh, my silly wolves. For the next few months it's a flurry of doctor's visits, worried werewolves,  and nursery preperations. My stomach has reached epic proportions and I am due any time. I wanted to know if it was a boy or girl, but they baby decides to hide at each doctor's visit. Ian and Justin take turns staying with me overnight, now. They don't want me to be alone in case something happens. 

All I can think about is Jax. He is still gone and my heart is broken. I haven't heard a word from him and the guys tried to ask the council, but all they would say is that he is on an assignment. There is a knock at the door and I see a smiling Elora waiting. "Oh, Dear, you look ready to pop!" She laughs as she helps me to sit on the couch, she has been a constant visitor, along with Aden. "How are you?" She asks, squeezing my hand. I give her a watery smile, "He's been gone eight months. I know to someone who lives forever, that doesn't seem long, but to me, it is an eternity." She sighs, "Child, you will live forever too. Nymphs are immortal, that and being half God, you will live a long time. You are not human, at all. Don't fret. He will come back to you." She hugs me and I get up, "I have to pee, again." I groan and she laughs. I waddle three steps before my water breaks. 

There is a whirlwind of activity after that, wolves running wild, a rush to the hospital, preping for birth, pushing out not one, but two perfect babies, now can I sleep? The nurse hands me a tiny bundle and I slide my finger down his soft cheek, "Elliot Jaxon." She smiles and hands me the second bundle, "Elizabeth Leto." I sigh as a group of rowdy wolves bust through the door. They all stop and stare. "Twins?" Justin chokes out and I nod. "Boys, Meet Elliot Jaxon and Elizabeth Leto, Babies meet your uncles." 

The boys pass the babies around and I smile at the love flowing through the room, my heart cracks knowing Jax has missed all. Three days later, the boys take me home. Trevor brought another crib and set it up in the nursery. The house is quiet, the babies are sleeping, the boys have gone home and I am sitting on the couch, nursing a cup of hot tea when the door flies open and I see those blue eyes I have missed so much. He stands there, staring at me for a moment before I launch myself into his arms. He kisses me passionately, then a cry breaks through the silence. 

He looks at me with wide eyes and I smile at him, "You have missed a lot, Jax."