Riverside: Kitchen Promises Part 12

I wasnt raised wealthy. I was raised to know that money didnt grow on trees, but rather hard work and determination. I would never forget that either. I still had a hard time accepting that Drake has money"lots and lots of money.

And then I decided. This would be my charity. This is what I wanted to do"help kids and their parents reunite. For free. Id make it an online charity, people could donate for the cause to help with expenses, but itd be primarily funded by me"Molly Woods-Stagliano. Well, future Stagliano.

Parents who gave their children up for adoption could sign up as well as those who knew that they were adopted. It would have to be an extensive application and background information, but knowing Drakes resources, it could be done. Id have to get him on board of course, but with pleading eyes and a few forbidden kisses, I was sure I could talk him into it.

After Michael and I had lunch together, I got busy making a website. The only reason I knew how to do any of this in the first place was Liam. While he was studying psychology in college, he had to take computer cla.s.ses. In one cla.s.s, he had to build a website for a pretend business. We both stayed up til 4am finis.h.i.+ng it, making sure each detail was perfect. Liam was a perfectionist when it came to his schoolwork, which made me even more proud of him. He wanted the best for our family.

I realized I needed a domain name. s.h.i.+t, I hadnt thought of that. I started thinking of words that might work. Hope came to mind. Yet, it just didnt fit right for me. Nervously, I ran my palms up and down my thighs, willing my brain to think of something creative.

And then I looked down. There it was the entire time. Perfect.

So Project Anchor was born.

Dual meanings"hope and unsinkable"just like my tattoo. It was meant for both Liam and Drake, two very important men in my life and two very important aspects in what the anchor symbol meant for me.

Project Anchor meant that by remaining hopeful in finding your birth parents, your dreams are unsinkable. Project Anchor would help families reunite, find their ident.i.ties, and hopefully, remain hopeful in their decision to choose adoption when they did.

Dont let your past hold you down Reconnecting adopted children with their birth parents.

I could never imagine giving Stella up for adoption. It wasnt the right choice for us, but sometimes, wanting the best for your unborn child and giving them the best, arent the same thing. Sometimes you have to make a decision, that decision to give your child up for adoption in order to give them the best possible outcome for a better life.

Perhaps it was just the thought of parents having to make such a hard choice or the hormones, but I began crying uncontrollably. The tears flooded out, damping my s.h.i.+rt along the way. I rubbed my belly, guarding my babies for my life. The sadness that overcame me could only be explained as pregnancy emotions.

Mom! Stellas loud squeal broke me out of my crying funk. She ran into my room and jumped on the bed. Guess what?

I quickly dried my face and smiled. What, baby?

We had a subst.i.tute teacher today. His name was Mr. Hott. She giggled. And mom, he was hot.

My eyes must have bulged out of my face because they were suddenly dry. Did she just say he was hot?

Umwell, thats quite the coincidence, huh? I tried to play it cool, but inside I was ready to swipe her up in a hug and rock her to sleep like I did when she was a baby. However, she wasnt a baby anymore. Apparently, she knew what hot was.

Yeah, Mackenzie said she saw him wink at me! Now all the girls are totally jealous. Her smile was contagious, because although I felt like jumping off a bridge, I couldnt help the smile that appeared on my face. She was just sohappy.

Wowthats a pretty crazy day you had! I joined in on the excitement that she was having.

Yup. She jumped off the bed and walked out, smiling.

Well that was interesting. When the h.e.l.l did my five-year-old start calling boys hot? Or rathermen?

I decided to take a short walk downstairs to the kitchen. As long as I wasnt feeling any discomfort, I was allowed to walk around the house a little. But if Drake and Michael had their ways, Id never get out of bed except to pee.

You sure looked busy up there, Michael announced. He was in the kitchen, digging through the cupboards.

Were you spying on me?

I prefer to call it checking up on you. But spying works, too. He smirked and grabbed a jar of peanut b.u.t.ter.

Im sure you would. I laughed. And yes, as a matter-of-fact, I did find myself a new hobby.

Thank G.o.d. You were getting on my last nerve, he teased.

Likewise, I quipped.

Welltell me about this hobby.

I explained everything to him as he made himself three PB&J sandwiches. For a lean man, he sure could eat.

Woware you sure you want to do something so intense? I mean, I just figured youd find a pregnancy community to chat with or something. Or perhaps a knitting group online.

I curled my lip up. Knitting group? When have you ever seen me knitting? I sat at the table, crossing my arms.

Wellnever, I guess. But you know what I mean. I just dont want you getting yourself too involved, and then have to choose once the babies arrive.

Oh, you know the babies will have first priority. That doesnt mean I cant have a project on the side. I need to do something, Michael. I cant just sit around on my now fat a.s.s every day. And I cant just be a mother, or trophy wife. I rolled my eyes. I hated that term, but Michael had been teasing me with it ever since Drake proposed.

Hey, dont diss the trophy wives. Theyre hot as h.e.l.l.

For a gay man, you sure check out women a lot.

I appreciate all G.o.ds beauty, thank you very much. He grinned. Didnt surprise me.

By the time Michael finished his three sandwiches, Drake walked in.

Well, evening sweetheart. Didnt expect you down here.

I do live here, you know? He kissed my cheek as he set his work papers down. Michael let me out of my cage. Dont worry, hes been babysitting me.

Youre humorous, you know?

I have a lot of time on my hands these days.

Well, soon enough, youll have two babies in your hands. So enjoy it while you can.

Dammit, he had a point.

So how was your day? I asked, changing the subject.

Interesting. How was yours?

Same, actually. I decided to establish a new project. I think youd be interested in it, too. Least I hoped he would, Id need some of his resources.

Really? Do I even want to know? he asked, chuckling. He turned his eyes to Michael for support.

Trophy wives gone bad! Michael chimed in. They both laughed, while I sat back annoyed.

Okay, well obviously none of you take me seriously anymore. Im just a big fat penguin to you, arent I?

A very cute penguin, Michael quipped.

Of course not, sweetheart. Its not my fault. Everything Michael says makes me laugh. I could tell he was being genuine. It was never boring anytime when he and Michael got together.

Well, Ill tell you after dinner. What are you making? I smiled, hoping he knew because I was starving now.

He walked into the hallway and came back out with two brown bags.

He set the bags on the kitchen table. Hope you like Italian!

Did you steal that from the restaurant? I scowled.

Its not stealing when I own it, love, he mused.

Right. I rolled my eyes.

Oh, Blakely and Colin both say hi, he said as he unpacked the bags of food. Michael went to grab Stella for dinner and to make sure she washed up.

Oh G.o.d, I miss her. I cant believe I just said that. I actually miss Blakely.

Shes your friend, isnt she?

Yeah, I guess. But its Blakely. Loud, obnoxious, Blakely.

Drake laughed. And is that bad?

Nah, it really isnt, I guess.

I thought about her as we ate. Stella came down and joined us, giving Drake a full update on her day. He and Michael both spit out their food as soon as she told them about Mr. Hott.

I shrugged as they both turned their eyes to me. Well, what could I do about it anyway? Crus.h.i.+ng on her teachercould be worse, I guess.

As the weeks went by, Drake and I discussed Project Anchor, and I was glad when he said he was on board. I needed him, but also, I was happy to be apart of something together.

I had my check up early that morning. The doctor came to the house as usual, doing her normal checks on me"blood pressure, urine test, weight check. She also listened for the babies heartbeats. She pressed her hands into my stomach, feeling around for them. She always smiled so brightly when she dug around in my uterus, making it not only uncomfortable, but also extremely awkward.

After a positive check up, I was dying for Drake to get home. I wanted him bad. I needed him bad. Itd been weeks since he let us get physical. Hed always torture me just enough to get off, but never let us go all the way. However, tonight, I was changing that.

Not feeling s.e.xy at all with the weight gain and swollen belly, I decided to put something s.e.xy on. I figured itd at least get me into the mood without feeling self-conscious.

I begged Michael to go shopping for me. After a lot of pleading and promising to name one of the babies after him, he agreed. Of course, my fingers were crossed, and I had no plans to name our child after him.

Alright, sista, this is all I got for you.

He pulled out a tiny white, lacy string. At least thats what it looked like to me. He then continued pulling out stockings and a garter.

Oh my G.o.d, Michael! I asked for something s.e.xy and fitting. What is this?

To be honest, I have on idea. I dont normally do the whole lingerie shopping thing.

I dont even know which direction this goes on. I held it in my hand, twirling it around to find a sizable opening. This thing is never going to fit me.

Sure it will. Ill help. He smiled devilishly.

You did this on purpose.

He didnt respond, but his smile told me everything.

After an hour of squeezing and barely breathing, Michael got it on me. It was tight as h.e.l.l, but even I had to admit that it looked really hot on me, pregnant and all.

Thanks for keeping Stella in your room tonight.

SureIll just pop in a dirty movie and she wont know the difference when she hears all the moaning and screaming.

Youre such a b.u.t.thead sometimes.

b.u.t.thead? Oh no, dont use the big words. He laughed.

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

Oh my G.o.d! Dont make me laugh, Ill bust out of this thing.

Hmm He took a step back and looked me over.

What? Whats wrong? I defeated.

Its missing something, he pondered aloud.

Yeahabout three feet of fabric.

Ah, I got it. He quickly dodged into my closet and came back out. Heels.

You have got to be kidding.

Not in the least. Put these babies on, Drake wont say a d.a.m.n thing tonight except yes. Over and over.

Okay, its freaky when you talk about our s.e.x life.

Yeah? Its freakier when I have to hear your s.e.x life, he fired back.

Ugh. Okay, out now. I pointed my finger toward the door. Drake would be home any minute. He had a late night dinner meeting; however, I was hoping to be his dessert. Dont forget your headphones! I called out as Michael darted out the door.

Less than a half hour later, I heard Drake come upstairs. I adjusted myself on the bed, so I was the first thing he saw when he walked in. I turned the bedroom lights off, allowing the city lights to s.h.i.+ne in.

He probably thought I was asleep, so he quietly opened the door and shut it behind him. He tiptoed to the closet and just as he was walking out toward the bed, I spoke up.

Ive been waiting for you.