Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (131 page)

Joe and I stay late into the night with Jared and Nathan along with our family. Kim, Brenda and Gwen were with us and constantly monitoring me to make sure the stress of the moment didn’t jeopardize my health. Thankfully, Joe was helping, reminding and assisting me with some of the tapping that worked rather quickly, even when some of my emotions were intense. Joe used a few tapping sequences himself and my love for him grew more than I could have imagined — knowing that he was as concerned for Jared as I was, just better at hiding it.

Wanting to ease my nerves, Joe takes Sadie, Jasper and me out for a relaxing getaway the next day. He rents a large house down in Coronado for a long weekend and we’re currently getting onto a smaller than usual sailboat for the afternoon. Aside from the past few days being emotional, Joe wanted to treat me to a little mini vacation since it’s only about a month away from Joe Jr. being due to arrive.

It’s the middle of September and the weather is perfect. Joe insists on bringing several different layers of clothing even though it’s been warm. He eases me down onto the bow of the boat area as he readies the vessel. I’m proud to say that I’ve remembered a bit of the sailing jargon.

As the ship journeys out to sea, I get up and join Joe at the helm, wanting to help steer while Sadie and Jasper play on the couch. Joes snuggles into me, letting me guide us out to open water before making his way to raise the sails. We don’t go out too far, but just far enough to be away from the hustle and bustle of the coastline. There’s only one other boat floating about a mile away and that’s the ship that has Anna and our bodyguards.

After we drop anchor, contentedness and peace settle within me as Joe, Sadie, Jasper and I lounge on the cushioned chair with our son sleeping in my belly. We don’t say much, but there have been many times where we don’t need to, only enjoying the comfort of being together. We play with the dogs and work on teaching Jasper a new trick. He’s been picking up on them rather quickly, especially when Sadie models the behavior too and then gets a treat. Jasper’s quick to learn and was potty trained in just two days with the help of Sadie and the easy access to a yard with the house. Having an already trained dog is making things a lot easier — Sadie’s taken on a mommy-like roll with him.

As we watch the sun start to set, Joe brings out some food for us and we toast to the day.

“Are we staying overnight on the boat?” I ask.

“If you want to, we could. There’s a full bedroom and bathroom below,” Joe states.

Shrugging my shoulders, I say, “I’m good with whatever you want to do.”

“Then, why don’t we play it by ear?” Joe suggests.

“Sure,” I agree.

The stars glisten across the water as the boat gently rocks to the music of the sea. There’s not a single sound other than the moaning of our ship and the gentle patter of waves.

“How’s our son?” Joe inquires, settling back down behind me after cleaning up from our dinner.

“Good,” I offer. “I think I ate him right to sleep.”

“Good,” Joe replies, sweeping his warm hands over my belly. “I was thinking it would be kind of nice to stay the night on the boat.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Joe returns. “We’ve been on a boat, but we’ve never officially stayed the night. It would be another first for us.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” I support.

“Good,” Joe agrees.

“Have you ever slept on a boat before?” I check.

With a soft chuckle, Joe says, “Yes. But, not with a woman in my bed.”

“Sounds like a double first, then,” I muse.

“Definitely one that will forever be a grand memory,” Joe replies.

“It’ll be tricky, but I think we can manage it,” I state.

“What’s that, beautiful?” Joe inspects.

“Having sex on a rocking boat while I’m this pregnant,” I tease.

“We’ve got options to work around it,” Joe chuckles.

“We do?” I return, lifting a brow.

“Yes,” Joe confirms.

Sometime later, I find myself being woken up by Joe. “Hmm,” I hum, trying to brush away the fuzziness in my head.

“Why don’t we go to bed, beautiful,” Joe suggests.

“Why?”

“Because you’re falling asleep,” Joe chuckles.

“No, I’m not,” I protest weakly.

“Come on,” he coaxes, standing and offering to help me up.

“Fine,” I mock complain.

Joe leads me down the stairs by one hand while Sadie and Jasper are right behind. I head into the bathroom area that is just before the bedroom to wash up and get ready, feeling the exhaustion starting to kick in. As I move into the bedroom, I stop dead in my tracks. The room is dark other than a bunch of fake candles flickering.

“What are you doing?” I ask when I see Joe kneeling on the floor next to the dogs.

Joe doesn’t say anything, only reaching his right hand forward for me to take it. When I’m standing just in front of him, Joe speaks up. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a while . . .” Joe’s voice falters.

“Do what?” I inspect.

“Emma,” Joe begins. “I’ve struggled with this . . . not sure if it would be best before Joe Jr. arrives, or after.”

“What do you mean?” I ask as he takes a deep breath.

“Just let me talk, please,” Joe begs. “I need to say what I have to say.”

I smile and nod, realizing that something is weighing heavy on his mind.

“You’ve had my heart since that first day we met . . . and I’ve been waiting and hoping for you to feel the same. I know you have for awhile now . . . and now . . . now with what happened with Jared, it can’t wait any longer.”

My heart leaps in my chest. “Joe . . .”

“Don’t talk,” Joe directs, interrupting me. “I need to say this and I need you to just listen to me.”

I remain silent despite the fact that he continues talking again, not giving me a second to agree.

“I know we’ve had some challenges together . . . some with you not willing to talk about your feelings and emotions, but I know . . . I’ve seen it . . . how you feel. I know you love me . . . and I knew it before you even told me that day at your parents house.” Joe pauses temporarily like he’s gathering his thoughts. “I see it every day with the way you look at me. In the little things you do for me . . . for Joe Jr. as we get ready for his arrival. Emma . . . my love . . . my beautiful. You have added such great happiness to my life that I could never have imagined or believed was possible. You . . . Joe Jr. . . . and the family and friends we have . . . and the family and friends we will have in the future . . . having you in my life has given me so much. More than you can imagine.”

I swallow hard as the comprehension of the moment crystalizes. Tears threaten, stinging my eyes, as I notice Joe’s eyes spilling over.

“Emma . . . beautiful,” Joe continues. “You are the one who I want to spend the rest of my life with . . . build our family and expanding our happiness with everything we do together. Knowing how you are, I need you to just listen. Listen to what I have to say and you’ll understand why I can not wait any longer to ask you to marry me.” Joe takes a deep breath.

“Yes,” I answer on a breath out.

“Aside from the fact that we love each other . . . are already living together and have Joe Jr. joining us in just about a month.” Joe’s voice cracks as he fights to stay composed. “Aside from the fact that it just makes sense that we get married . . . there’s no reason not to. It’s not a matter that I or you need to get married to prove anything to ourselves or to anyone else . . . but only to celebrate what we have and what will be, together as we continue to grow as one.”

“Yes,” I repeat a little more confidently so he’ll hear me.

“I need you to marry me . . . for you, for me, for Joe Jr. and what we mean as a family. I know it’s just a piece of paper and just one day of many in our lives together, but I need you, Joe Jr. and those closest to us to know how important you are to me . . . .”

“Joseph,” I interrupt.

“Emma, please. Let me finish. I really need to . . . .”

“Yes, I’ll marry you,” I state more clearly.

“It doesn’t need to be a big wedding . . .,” Joe continues, “something small with just our immediate friends and family will do . . . wait. What?!”

“Yes,” I repeat.

Joe doesn’t say anything for what feels like a minute. “Yes?”

“Yes,” I say again.

Joe studies me for a second. “I had this whole thing . . . a whole speech. I even had pros and cons for a prenup and other things.”

“It isn’t necessary, but you can keep going if you want to,” I giggle as Joe stands and kisses me.

“You sure?” Joe checks.

“Joseph Michael Covelli,” I call sternly.

“Wow,” Joe chuckles. “You’ve never called me by my full name. Does that mean I’m in a lot of trouble?”

“No,” I laugh. “But, you better believe me.”

Joe presses his lips to mine again. “I do. I do. I do believe you.”

“Besides,” I say with his lips still stuck to mine. “Even if I was joking . . . or lying . . . there’s nowhere for me to go. We’re surrounded by water, remember?!”

“Yeah,” he confirms, kissing me again.

“You planned that, didn’t you?” I jokingly accuse.

“Maybe just a little,” he chuckles.

“I wouldn’t blame you,” I laugh. “Besides, even if it wasn’t water, I wouldn’t get far.”

“Here,” Joe says, pulling away from me slightly. “I know you . . . not wanting a typical type of wedding ring with your thoughts on the whole diamond industry . . . so, I had this created specifically for you with a raw rose quartz, clear quarts, solid gold . . . a a few small diamonds. He slips the ring over my finger easily.

“It’s perfect,” I reply sweetly, kissing him.

“I was thinking on having them create an official wedding band for both of us,” Joe mentions.

“Okay,” I agree, kissing him again.

“I love you, Emma,” Joe whispers against my lips.

“I love you, Joe,” I hum as we begin to undress each other.

Before Joe and I make it to the house where we’re staying in Coronado the next morning, I get a phone call from Maggie.

“Congratulations!” Maggie sings.

“For what?” I ask.

“I can’t believe you didn’t call me,” she accuses.

“Call you about what?” I check.

“That you’re engaged,” Maggie presents.

“How the hell do you know? Joe just asked me last night,” I comment.

“Who’s that?” Joe checks as his phone vibrates in his pocket.

“Maggie,” I inform.

“You’ve been on the news,” Maggie explains.

“What?” I gasp. “Are you kidding me?”

“What’s wrong, beautiful?” Joe questions with concern in his voice.

“Maggie just told me congratulations,” I share.

“About what?” Joe checks.

“About our engagement,” I state.

“I’m not surprised that she’s calling,” Joe comments.

“What? Why not?” I say.

“You texted her, didn’t you?” Joe says, lifting his phone to his ear.

“No,” I correct. “She saw us on the news.”

“What?” Joe questions, which I’m not sure is for me or the person on the other end of his phone.

My phone buzzes, indicating that Jared is calling when I check it. “Maggie, Jared’s calling. Can I call you right back?”

“Sure,” Maggie answers. “Congrats again. I’m so happy for you two! As soon as you’re back, we’ll have everyone over for dinner as a celebration at our place.”

“Okay,” I agree. “Thanks.”

“Love you,” she sings.

“Love you,” I return. Taking a deep breath, I hit the button to pick up Jared’s call. “Hey, Jared,” I greet tentatively as I hear Joe faintly talking in the background.

“Hey,
Kitten
,” Jared returns. “Is there something you want to tell Nathan and me?”

“Hi, Emma,” Nathan shouts excitedly on the other end of the phone.

“Why am I on speaker phone?” I inquire.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Pop-Pop’s voice rings through.

“Hi,” I greet, trying to hide my distaste at the fact that my friends and family found out about my engagement before I got the chance to tell them. “Let me guess, you saw Joe and me on the news.”

“Yep,” Jared and Nathan confirm.

“Congratulations,
Kitten
!” Nathan beams.

“We’re so very happy for you,” announces Pop-Pop.

“Thank you.”

“Is Joe there?” Nathan checks.

“Yes, why?” I reply.

“Can we talk to him?” Jared asks.

“Why?” I ask.

“To say congrats to him as well,” Nathan says sarcastically.

“Fine,” I huff, handing Joe the phone.

“Hold on a second,” Joe says, then moves his phone away from his ear. “What’s up?”

“Jared, Nathan and Pop-Pop want to congratulate you too,” I inform.

“Gee, don’t sound so happy,” Joe teases.

“I’m glad they’re excited, just not how they found out,” I share.

“What do you mean?” Joe searches.

“Talk,” I say, waving my hand at him as he takes my phone.

“Here,” Joe offers.

“What?”

“It’s my mother,” he returns with a pleased grin.

“Hi, Elaine,” I greet happily.

“Hello, sweetheart,” she returns. “How is your getaway going?”

“Well, thank you,” I answer with a sigh.

“How are Jared and Nathan? I hope the stress of what happened hasn’t gotten to them or you too much since the video,” Mrs. Covelli continues.

“They’re doing great,” I inform. “Joe’s on the phone with them right now.”

“Really?” Mrs. Covelli returns.

“You know too, don’t you?” I inspect.

“Know what, sweetheart?” she says, trying to deny the excitement that has been resonating through her voice the whole time.

I take a deep breath and say, “You saw us on the news and called Joe to confirm, didn’t you?”

“No,” she denies.

“Elaine,” I call, trying to suppress a giggle. “You can’t hide that level of excitement. You were practically jumping through the phone when you greeted me. You were the same way when you found out about Joe Jr..”

“I’m always happy to talk to you, Emma,” Elaine downplays it.

“Nice try,” I tease her.

“Okay, you got me,” she returns with a sigh. “Jimmy said he saw photos of you and Joe this morning online and so . . . well, of course, I’d rather hear it directly from the two of you, which Joseph did just confirm, but what matters most is that it’s happening and you two are happy.”

“Thank you,” I reply with a smile.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” she says. “John doesn’t know yet . . . well, not that I’m aware of. He’s on the phone. As soon as he’s finished, I know that he’ll want to hear it from you and Joseph.”

“Of course,” I agree.

“Welcome to the family,” Elaine boasts. “Not that you weren’t already, but you know what I mean.”

“Thank you,” I accept graciously, getting a little riled by her excitement.

“Don’t be afraid to call me mom,” she reminds. “When you’re ready.”

“Thanks,” I return with a smile.

Joe and I swap phones and I disconnect with Jared and the rest of them so Joe and I can share the news with his father. Unfortunately, as soon as John gets on the phone, Joe and I realize that John knows from the sound of his voice.

The next few hours consist of Joe and I talking with our friends and family, even well past having breakfast at the house where we are staying. Anna has the news playing in the background with the volume almost all the way down. The press has been on Joe and me since the official baby bump grew to be unavoidable. The anchors have been in a heated debate about why Joe and I haven’t been engaged the whole time, inventing wide varieties of reasons for the delay, and their thoughts about the entire escapade.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I blurt when I see the headlines of our engagement accusing that I purposefully got pregnant just to get his money or speculating that the child isn’t even Joe’s — that I cheated on him and he’s deciding on whether or not to forgive me.

“Emma,” Gwen calls sweetly. “Why don’t we turn this off?” She takes the remote carefully from my hands.

“No!” I snap. “Can you freakin’ believe them?”

“Emma,” Brenda calls. “I don’t think this is the best time to be watching television.”

“I do,” I protest, taking the remote back.

Anna snatches the device from me and turns off the television. “No more,” she insists sternly.

“But . . . .”

“No,” Anna pushes back, eyeing me. “You’ve heard enough. Besides, you aren’t the type of woman who cares what other people think of you.”

“Yes, I am,” I challenge. “I’ve cared since my hormones have been all messed up.”

“Even more of a reason to turn it off,” Anna states.

“Emma,” Joe calls sweetly. “Come here, beautiful.”

“Don’t,” I reply.

“What?” Joe feigns.

“I see what you’re trying to do,” I counter.

“What am I trying to do, beautiful?” Joe says, trying hard not to laugh.

“Don’t start with me,” I press. “I’ll make sure you can’t be in the room when your son is born.”

“You and I both know that that is an empty threat,” Joe laughs.

“Is it?” I push heatedly.

“Yes,” he confirms, pulling me into him and kissing me on the temple. “Relax, beautiful. All that matters is us.” Joe’s hand spreads across my belly. “See,” he adds. “Joe Jr. agrees with me.”

Joe Jr. kicks again.

I take a deep breath and let it out. “Okay. Fine.”

“There you are,” Joe comments as he continues to kiss my cheek repeatedly. “Would you feel better if we go home?”

“I don’t know,” I confess. “Do they know
where
we are?”

“They know we’re down in the area, but I don’t think they know where as in here at this house,” Joe presents. “Not from what Hunter and Taylor have said.”

“Okay,” I reply.

“Okay, what?” Joe checks. “Okay as in you want to stay or okay as in you want to go home?”

“Okay to stay . . . for now,” I return.

“Sounds good, beautiful,” Joe says. “How about a bath and a foot rub?”

“You had me at foot rub,” I say with a grin.