Two Hearts And A Baby

CHAPTER THREE

Time was going by too fast for Julie and Faith before they knew it Christmas had arrived.  Faith realized she forgot to get the gag gift for Sam and went running off to Nordstrom’s.  She rushed up to the woman section in the hopes of finding something perfect and hideous.  Instead, she stopped at this rack because a beautiful burgundy blouse caught her attention.  This may be a perfect gift for her boss, which she hadn’t gotten her anything yet.  While holding the blouse, she turned and saw him.

            Kincade walked past several racks of clothing to the very back wall.  Once again, he was doing last minute shopping this time a Christmas present for his sister.  Every year he bought her something she disliked but this time he hoped to do well.  Maybe here in the women’s department of Nordstrom’s he’d find a woman who would take pity on him and help.  He stopped at some sweaters and picked one up to look at it.  Just then, he felt as if someone was watching him turning, he look around.

            Faith was staring at him; he was tall with broad shoulders and black hair as dark as a raven.  He was well dressed and groomed not a single hair out of place then he turned locking eyes with her.  She lost her breath as his unusual violet eyes zeroed in on her then he smiled.  His lips were sensual around those white teeth making her think of how it would be to have those lips kiss her.  He couldn’t believe what he saw when he finally found the person watching him.  She was a tall woman with the most wonderful indigo eyes that held a wealth of energy.  She was slender with sienna colored hair, which she had clipped up, so you could see her elegant neck.  Lips that were full smiled around perfect white teeth then he noticed the burgundy blouse she was holding.

            Faith saw the hideous sweater he was holding, “Are you going to buy that ugly sweater.”

            Her voice was sultry, and it wrapped around him like liquid gold, “It is pretty hideous isn’t it.”

            His voice was deep and rich it sent tingles all down her body, yet it sounded vaguely familiar, “Yes and it’s exactly what I’m looking for.”

            He seemed stunned, “For what.”

            “A gag gift for my friend,” she laughed.

            He felt her laugh all the way to his gut and it seemed familiar to him, but he couldn’t place from where, “Well here you go,” he handed it to her when she walked toward him.

            “Have we ever met before,” he asked as she took the sweater.

            “I was just thinking the same thing,” she still held the burgundy blouse.

            “That blouse would be perfect for my sister but not in that color.”

            “What color is her hair?”

            “Auburn,’ he replied.

            “Hmmm, let’s see,” she walked back to the rack and pulled out an emerald green one, “This is a perfect color for her.”

            He looked at the blouse and smiled, “Its perfect thank you so much.”

            “You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure anything to save a fellow woman from a horrible gift.”

            They both laughed, “I’d like to show my appreciation maybe we could have dinner sometime.”

            “It’s okay there’s no need,” she looked down at the awful sweater.

            “I see your married,” he remarked.

            “Heavens no,” Faith laughed.

            “Then why not,” he asked.

            “I have some things going on in my life right now,” she smiled again at him.

            “That’s alright it’s just dinner,” he stated.

            “Well,” she started to say yes but then his cell phone rang interrupting them.

            “Sorry I have to answer it,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone.

            He frowned at the phone because he really didn’t want to answer it, he’d rather talk to the woman standing next to him.  He knew it wouldn’t stop ringing even if he didn’t answer it because she was persistent.

            “Hello,” he finally answered.

            Faith tried not to listen to the conversation on the phone, but it was hard, “Yes I know and I’m sorry, but you know what I said earlier.  I’m just not ready for that yet.”

            She knew from the conversation he was dating someone already.  Kincade was trying to get Christina off the phone so he could set up his date with the woman who helped him.

            “I will, all right goodbye,” he hung up then began saying, “Sorry about that,” but he trailed off when he realized she was gone.

            Figures he would find a woman who intrigued him, and Christina would ruin it.  He wasn’t quite sure whether he was ready to be serious with her or not.  She was nice enough and they had a lot in common but there was something lacking.  He couldn’t quite put his finger on it maybe he never would.  He sighed when he looked down at the green blouse in his hands.  Susan was going to love this present, and he had a woman with indigo eyes to thank, unfortunately a woman’s name he would never know yet she seemed so familiar.

            Faith bought the sweater then realized every time she looked at it, it would remind her of a man she would never get a chance to know.  Thinking to herself life could sometimes suck she’d been dumped by her boyfriend right after Julie found out she was pregnant not that it was the worst thing he turned out to be a creep.  Now she meets a man who could have been tons of fun too only miss out because he has a girlfriend life could be cruel, she bought the sweater and returned home to wrap it.  Sam was coming over tonight for their annual gift giving and he arrived just as Faith had finished wrapping his gag gift.  They all sat down for a nice dinner then went into the front room where they sat by the tree and listened to Christmas carols.  Julie sat in a chair while Sam and Faith sat on the floor.

            “It’s time for presents,” Faith happily announced.

            “Gag gifts first,” Sam eagerly said.

            Faith handed him hers first and watched eagerly as he opened it, “Oh my God you’re such a bitch.”

            They both started laughing as Sam held up the hideous sweater, she had bought for him, “That’s the ugliest sweater I’ve ever seen,” Julie made a face.

            “Open yours now Faith,” Sam was so excited like a little kid.

            Faith tore into her present, “You’re such an asshole.”

            Julie looked at what she held up, “Oh my God what kind of person would wear those.”

            It was a pair of pants with giant silver dots all over the fabric, which was a glittering gold color, “I would say a blind go-go dancer.”

            They all started laughing and it was so heartwarming for Faith to see her sister laughing.  She hadn’t had much to laugh about lately and so this was nice, “Why do you guys buy each other these ugly gifts for.”

            Sam looked at her, “There just stupid gifts to make each other laugh.  To see who can get the worst gift.”

            “Yeah, you should see the stash of awful stuff this ass has bought me over the years,” they began to laugh again.

            “Alright well let’s open the real gifts.  Oh, by the way don’t let me forget to tell you how I came to buy that sweater.”

            They both looked interested in the story, “No tell us know I can’t wait until after we open presents,” Sam got up and got himself another glass of wine before coming back to sit next to Faith.

            “Now I’m ready lets here it.”

            Faith giggled a little before starting, “I was in Nordstrom’s looking for a gift for my boss.  I was looking at this lovely burgundy silk blouse then I glanced up and there he was.”

            Sam scooted closer to her while Julie looked mildly interested, “Well don’t leave me in suspense who was he.  What did he look like?”

            Faith again giggled, which surprised Julie because it sounded so much like a younger Faith, “Oh Sam he was stunning, tall, broad shoulders, and hair the color of a raven’s feather.  When he turned, and our eyes locked on to each other it left me breathless.”

            “What color were his eyes,” Sam urged her on.

            “His eyes were the color of deep violets,” Faith sighed while Julie turned pale.

            “What was his name,” Sam nudged her.

            Faith however was looking at Julie when she absently answered him, “I don’t know we never got that far.  Julie are you all right.”

            She looked at her sister, “Yes I’m just a little tired go on with your story.”

            Faith wasn’t quite convinced, “Are you sure?”

            Julie chuckled before answering, “Yes now how does this man connect to the ugly sweater.”

            Faith smiled, “He was going to buy it for his sister.”

            They all burst into laughter, but Sam was the first to recover, “I hope you saved that poor woman.”

            “I could do nothing less, so I told him he should buy the silk blouse instead.  Therefore, we picked out a distinct color because he said burgundy wouldn’t work for her.  He gave me the sweater end of story.”

            “Wow you should have gotten his name,” Sam complained.

            “I was going to, but he got a call on his cell,” Faith sighed disappointingly.

            Julie couldn’t help thinking Faith had run into Kincade and she seemed to like him what if it had been.  What would have happened if Faith had gone out with this man not knowing he was her baby’s Father?  She had to put this out of her mind for now and enjoy the rest of the evening.  Sam gave the gift he had bought for Faith to her, and she began opening it.

            “Oh, Sam they’re beautiful,” she hugged him then showed Julie the pair of emerald stud earrings that he got her.

            Sam opened the one she got him, “Thanks babe it’s perfect.”

            “Your welcome stud,” Faith kissed him on the cheek then they showed Julie.

            It was a stunning framed mural of James Dean she had thought immediately of him.  It would go perfect with his one of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis, she had gotten him a few Christmases ago.

            “It’s time for the baby’s gifts,” Sam handed Julie two presents from him.

            “Sam, you didn’t have too,” Julie began to tear up.

            “You’re like a sister to me just like Faith,” Sam hugged her.

            Julie opened the presents and gasped, “Oh there beautiful.”

            She held up a baby blanket it was dark blue with little moons and stars sprinkled all around it then in the center was a large sleeping moon.  The next gift was a matching outfit the shirt had a large moon on the front while the pants had moons and stars just like the blanket. 

            Sam smiled, “My sister makes blankets and baby clothes, so she made these especially for me.”

            “Sam,” Julie couldn’t hold the tears back.

            Faith hugged her sister, “Now you have to open mine.”

            She handed her the gifts the first set was a baby bag that had the same moon as the blanket and outfit, “Sam’s sister made this too.”

            The next one was two outfits one with Winnie the Pooh and the other had Tigger on it.  Julie was crying even more, “There’s more under there for the baby but it can wait until tomorrow.”

            “You two are the best,” Julie wiped at the tears.

            “There is two more for you,” Sam handed them to her.

            The one from Sam was an elegant nightgown with a matching robe the color of the summer sky, “Sam, why.”

            “Every woman should have something nice to wear after she has a baby,” he smiled at her.

            “If you weren’t gay, I’d marry you right now,” Julie smiled.

            “Honey if I wasn’t gay, I’d marry you right now,” Sam laughed.

            “Now open mine,” Faith said.

            Julie looked at Faith, “I don’t know if I can handle much more.”

            She opened the box, and it was a beautiful emerald cross hanging on a small silver chain.  Then the other one was a set of baths works for after she has the baby when she can take baths again. 

            “Thank you both but I think I’m going to go to bed I’m really tired.”

            “But we haven’t opened your gifts to us yet,” Sam announced.

            “It’s all right, go ahead and thank me later,” Julie struggled to get up she was working on six months and her belly was getting big.

            They both watched her walk out of the room then Faith handed Sam the gift Julie got him.  As he was opening it Faith sighed, “What’s wrong honey.”

            “I don’t know but ever since Thanksgiving she just hasn’t seemed right,” she looked at her friend.  They have known each other since high school it was instant friendship with them.  Now they both work for the same magazine and hung out regularly whenever they could.

            “I’m sure it’s just pregnancy stuff and not having the baby’s Father to help with everything,” Sam then looked down at the gift he just opened.

            Faith started laughing when she saw the look of pure joy come across his face, “She said she was going to buy those for you, but I didn’t believe her.”

            “I think they are wonderful,” he held up the set of glasses that had old movie time characters on them.

            Faith opened hers and began to cry, “What did she get you,” Sam came over to hug her.  She held up a set of gold clips with emerald stones that would go in her hair.  She couldn’t wait until morning to thank her, so she jumped up and snuck into the room.  Julie was sleeping peacefully on her side with her hand under her cheek.  Faith tiptoed to the bed and gently kissed her sister on the forehead then whispered, “Thank you.”

            Kincade pulled into his family’s estate just in time for dinner.  It was always a tradition to have dinner and open presents on Christmas Eve.  As children on Christmas Eve Kincade and Susan only opened one present because that was all they were allowed.  Now they are older and not home, they get to open them all.  He turned off his car exited then made his way up the stairs to the door.  His arms were full of presents and he was grateful when his sister opened the door.

            “Merry Christmas Cade,” she kissed him on the cheek.

            “Merry Christmas Susan,” he handed her the presents, so he could take off his coat.

            After hanging it up, he took the presents from her, and they both walked to the parlor.  Everyone had gathered on the sofa talking while the two grandchildren were sitting in front of the Christmas tree.  They kept trying to reach out and touch the presents, so Howard had to remind them not to touch. 

His Mother finally looked up to smile at him, “Kincade it’s about time you arrived,” she greeted him.

            “Sorry Mom but I had to pick up Susan’s present.  She’s always so hard to buy for and it takes me till the last second to find something.”

            Susan piped up, “It’s true and the gifts are always so awful.  Sorry Cade I don’t mean to be rude.”

            Kincade laughed, “It’s all right because your right but this year I think I’ll surprise you.”

            “I hope so,” Susan laughed back.

            “Great, let’s get on with dinner, so we can open our presents,” William said.

            They all moved into the dining room except for the children as the nanny had taken them to the children’s dining room where they would eat.  After dinner and conversation everyone gathered into the parlor again where they began opening presents.  Everyone opened the presents, but Kincade made Susan wait till the end to open his last.  He was so excited to see her reaction when she opened it.

            She tore into it and gasped, “Oh Cade it’s beautiful.  How did you find this?  I mean what happened to the awful gift I’m used to.”

            “Susan,” her Mother scolded.

            “Sorry Mom thank you so much Cade it’s wonderful,” she looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

            “I’ll have to tell you the story later,” he hugged her.

            “I’m expecting you to,” she chuckled, which caused him to laugh also.

            The evening round to a close, after Kincade opened his presents from his parents he received season tickets to Broadway.  Susan and Howard gave him new sheets to go with the gift certificate for a new bed.  Finally, from his nieces he was surprised with some pajamas.  After that, William and Emily retired to bed while Howard gathered up the girl’s nanny to get them ready to leave.  Susan detained Kincade in the parlor after everyone left.

            “Now tell me the story about the silk blouse,” she demanded.

            Kincade chuckled, “I was in Nordstrom’s looking at this really awful sweater.”

            “That’s more like your style,” she laughed.

            “Ha, ha, now do you want to hear the story or not,” he looked at her sternly.

            Susan looked hurt then answered, “Of course.”

            “Anyway, I looked over and she was watching me she smiled and my God, Susan she was beautiful.  We started talking she needed a gag gift for her friend she asked if she could have the sweater.  I said sure but then asked if she could help me pick out a gift for my sister.  We agreed the silk blouses she was holding would be perfect, but the color wasn’t right.  The one she held was burgundy, so we went back to the rack where she picked out the emerald green one.”

            Susan looked aghast, “Why would anyone give someone such an awful sweater even as a gag gift.”

            “I was hoping to find out at dinner.”

            “Did she agree to go?”

            He frowned, “I don’t know as we were discussing it my phone rang.”

            “Let me guess Christina,” she sighed.

            “Yes, and when I hung up the mystery woman was gone.”

            “Guess it wasn’t meant to be,” she announced.

            “I guess anyway you have a very Merry Christmas tomorrow,” he hugged her.

            She hugged him back, “You to Cade.”

With that, she left, and he made his way back to his own home where he would spend a quiet Christmas alone.  Somehow, this thought made him sad watching his sister with her family suddenly made him wish for a family of his own.  This was strange because he’s always been on the grounds of never wanting children.  If he continued with Christina, there will never be children since this was the agreement at the beginning of their relationship.  Kincade finally entered his townhouse, and the same lonely feeling came over him again.

New Years was finally here, and Faith planned to go out to a party with Sam at the same friend’s house that held the Halloween party they enjoyed.  It was always an awesome party especially since you had to wear a cool mask because the hosts prided themselves it was a secret at the end of the night who you had kissed.  She decided on a black outfit with a black mask made of lace and small feathers.  Sam always went with a mask made of colorful tissue paper glued all over it.  The party was in full swing when the two of them walked in and instantly they became engulfed into the crowd of people dancing.  Faith was into several drinks when he suddenly appeared in front of her.  Kincade came with Slade again to this party at the same place as the Halloween one.  He couldn’t believe how crazy this party seemed compared to that one.  He chose to wear a black mask like the one he wore when he was Zorro.  He saw her dancing and he remembered that sway of hips from the Halloween party. 

            Before he knew it, he was standing before her, “Would you like to dance.”

            Faith was stunned the voice seemed so familiar, “Sure.”

            They began to dance and then she remembered from the Halloween party he was Zorro, “You were Zorro,” she suddenly blurted.

            “You were Cat Woman,” he pulled her closer.

            The dance turned more s****l as he grabbed her hips pulling them against his already hardened maleness.  She could feel it making her excited wanting more contact, she pressed her breast against his hard chest.  They fit perfectly against each other at the right height enabling Faith to place her mouth against his neck.  It felt as if they were having s*x right there on the dance floor. 

Pulling away she suddenly said, “Let’s get a drink.”

            “Sure,” he followed her to the bar they set up for drinks even though he wanted to keep dancing.

            “Wine please,” she said to the man behind the counter.

            “Same,” Kincade said.

            “I never caught your name at the last party,” he said after a couple of sips of his wine.

            “Sorry I had to leave so abruptly,” she also took a few sips of her wine.

            “It’s all right.”

            The music began to slow down a bit, “Must be getting close to midnight.”

            She smiled at him and somehow it seemed even more familiar, “Care to dance this final dance before the count down.”

            “Of course,” they moved back out to the floor, and he pulled her into his arms.

            The dance and wine left her wanting more than just the final kiss they would share at midnight, “Before we leave, I’d like to get your name and number.”

            “Yes,” she breathlessly whispered.

            The crowd began to count down, “10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2,1…Happy New Year.”

            In that moment, Kincade leaned down, and their lips touched for the first time.  Faith was instantly shocked it wasn’t what she’d expected.  His lips were like fire on her system as he expertly teased and molded her mouth to his.  Kincade was stunned never has a kiss from any woman not even Christina invoked such a response from his body.  Her lips parted, and their tongues meet with each other’s.  Faith moaned while Kincade groaned and pulled her closer. 

This kiss went on forever it seemed when suddenly Sam grabbed Faith and shouted, “Happy New Year,” then planted a sloppy kiss on her mouth.

            After Sam released her, she turned back to the man in the black mask and found other women giving him sloppy kisses then they carried him off.  She made her rounds in the hopes they would return to each other, but fate was cruel.  The night ended she left with Sam knowing her mystery man would forever be the one that got away.