Holiday Second Chance Romance

1 What's Perfect

Clarice POV

Excitement bubbles up inside me as I make my way downstairs. I tamper it down, not wanting to ruin the surprise I have planned for later. I smile when I step into the kitchen and see my handsome husband standing at the stove cooking breakfast. The smell of the bacon, which would normally make my mouth water, has a wave of nausea washing over me. I quickly grab my glass of orange juice off the table and practically down it in one go. "Thirsty babe," Trevor asks.

"I am. What are your plans today?" Something flashes in his eyes, but it's gone as quickly as it came. He moves until he is standing in front of me. He wraps his arm around me pulling my body flushed against his. "I have a meeting with a new client, but I promise I'll be home on time," he says. He has been working a lot the last few months, but I know how important his job is to him. Him working so hard has afforded me the luxury of pursuing my writing dream, so I would never complain.

"I'm glad you'll be home because I have a surprise for you tonight." "I really am sorry about the crazy hours I've been working, Clarice. You know how much I love you, don't you," he asks. "Of course, I do. I would never complain about you working, Trevor. That's not to say I don't miss you, but I know how important making partner is to you." His hold on me tightens, and he leans down, pressing his lips to mine. The kiss quickly becomes heated.

I always want my husband but right now I don't know if it's the hormones, but I need him. He spins me and bends me over our table. Thank god I chose a sundress today. He quickly rids me of my panties and places his c**k at my entrance. As soon as he sinks inside me, I feel him everywhere. It doesn't take long for him to push me over the edge twice before he empties deep inside me. I smile when I think about the fact that if I wasn't already pregnant I probably would be now.

We decided to start trying for a baby six months ago, so we stopped using condoms. He turns me around after cleaning me up and presses another kiss on my lips. "What are your plans today," he asks. "I have a meeting with Judy and I thought I would spend some time with Loretta. I feel like we haven't seen each other in weeks. She has been working on a new project." I swear I feel him stiffen, but why would he?

"What if she is still busy? What will you do after you're done meeting with Judy," he asks. "I'll probably just go to the café I like and spend a few hours writing. My new book is a change for me, and I'm excited to get started." "I hadn't realized you finished the last one," he says. "That's because you aren't really interested in my books, Trevor." "That's not true," he says. I give him a knowing look. "How many books have I written?" He looks at me, confused at first, before sadness and guilt flash in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Clarice. I've been a pretty sh**ty husband lately. I'll do better, I promise," he says.

"Trevor, you are the farthest thing from a sh**ty husband. I'm not uspet. I know you support my writing. You were the one that encouraged me to quit and pursue writing full-time." "I do support you, Clarice. You are amazing and I'm sorry I don't tell you enough. I should know how many books my wife has written. How many," he asks, and I smile. "Ten have been published."

I giggle at the shock on his face. "You have written ten books in two years. That's amazing Clarice. I'm so proud of you," he says. "That means everything to me, Trevor. I love you." I press a kiss on his lips, and he tightens his hold on me. "I love you so much, Clarice. Please don't ever leave me" he says. "Why the hell would I ever leave you? You are my husband. You couldn't get rid of me if you tried."

He smiles but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Are you alright, love?" "I'm fine, sweetheart. I just know I've not been showing you how important you are. I can't lose you" he says. "That will never happen, Trevor. Now, as much as I hate the thought of stepping out of your arms that feel amazing wrapped around me, I need to get going. I don't want to be late for my meeting with Judy."

He presses one more kiss on my lips before I head out to my car. As soon as I'm in the car, I call Loretta. It rings three times before she finally picks up. "Hey Clarie, how are you," she asks. We have been best friends since high school. We went to the same college, which is where I met Trevor. I swear it was love at first sight. We have been inseparable since. "I'm good, but I miss my best friend." "I miss you too. This project is pulling me in ten different directions," she says.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't be guilting you. I know how important your job is to you. It's funny I was just having this conversation with Trevor before I left. The two of you are so much alike in your career focus." I look at the phone wondering if the call dropped before she speaks again. "That doesn't mean you aren't important, Clarice. You know I love you. As soon as I've got this project wrapped up, maybe we can go away on a girls' trip," she says. "That would be amazing. Besides, I have something important to tell you, but I need to tell Trevor first. Can we have lunch tomorrow?"

Again, there is a long pause before she finally answers me. "I'll make time. You are important to me, Clarice. I hope you know that," she says. "I know and you are important to me. I love you, Loretta." "I love you too. I'm pulling up to work, but I'll talk to you soon," she says and cuts the call. I park my car and head into the publishing company. When I reach the front desk, Margaret smiles. "Clarice, it's always nice to see you. Judy will be with you in a few minutes if you want to take a seat," she says.

"It good to see you too, Margaret." I smile when she pulls my last book out of her drawer and gives it to me with a sheepish grin. It's a small town love story that is centered around the holiday. I've signed every one of my books for her since I started writing. I sign with my pen name like I always do and add a Merry Christmas. It's only two weeks away and for sure my favorite holiday. Most of my best memories are of spending Christmas with my grandmother.

"She'll see you now, Clarice," Margaret says, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Thank you," I say and make my way to her office. As soon as I step inside, I'm engulfed in a hug. "There is my favorite number one author," she says and I giggle. "You're my favorite editor." "I'm your only editor, but I'll take it. Come sit down," she says, ushering me over to her couch. "So how are you feeling," she asks. "Great actually. I've already started on a new book. It's only a couple of chapters, but I'm excited. I'm going to try my hand at the werewolf romance we talked about."

"I thought we talked about you taking a break after this book," she says. "Aren't you supposed to be pushing me to write?" "You know that you aren't just my writer, Clarice. I consider you a friend. I don't want you overdoing it. You have put out more books than my other writers combined," she says. "I promise I'm fine. Besides the story wants out of my brain," I say with a chuckle. "Alright, just promise me that you'll take sometime to enjoy the holiday," she says."I promise I will."

An hour later I'm walking out of Judy's office and heading to the bakery. I got Trevor's favorite cupcakes that will spell out the word daddy. I'm also going to make his favorite dinner. Once I have everything I need, I make my way back to our home. We bought the house we live in now right after we got married. It's a beautiful two-story home in a gated community. It has a large backyard. It was one of the things we both agreed on. We wanted a big yard for our children. We still haven't agreed on the number of kids, but I know once we have our first he will be on board with three instead of two. I've always wanted three kids.

I make the turn onto our street and smile when I notice my husband's car. He must have forgotten something. My smile fades when I notice Loretta's car parked next to his. I push the feeling of dread away that instantly washes over me. There has to be a perfectly rational reason for my husband and best friend to be at our home when they both said they had to work. Maybe they are planning something that I can't know about. I trust them both with my life. I know they would never hurt me, but I can't stop my stomach from flip-flopping as I park the car on the street.

I take a deep breath before grabbing the bags and cupcakes from the backseat. My steps are slow as I walk down the path that leads to our front door. I push open the door and feel my shoulders sag when I realize they are in the living room talking. Guilt bubbles up inside me for thinking they would ever betray me. That is until Loretta speaks again. "We can't keep doing this without talking to her, Trev." Bile rises in my throat as I stand frozen.