Harmonizing Hearts (Darkest Symphony #1)

16. Chapter 16 Emma

A s we pull out of the hospital parking lot, my heart is heavy with a mix of relief and confusion. The sterile scent of the hospital lingers in my nostrils, reminding me of the emotional roller coaster I just experienced.

What the hell was I thinking? How on the fucking earth did it come to my mind? Jesus Christ, I want to kick my own ass. I’m a coward and was ready to do the dumbest thing ever before even let him know.

The moment I heard their heartbeats I burst into tears and the doctor asked me again if I’m sure but this time my answer was the right one. They’re a piece of me. Something precious that life gave me for finally having loved someone without any limits. And if we’re not enough for Jax, then that’s it. I’ll grow them alone. But when Jax busted into the room even the last stupid thought vanished from my mind. He’s here. Which means he talked to Trish and he knows. He came here to stop me showing me he’s braver than I am.

Jax’s presence beside me offers some comfort, but I can’t shake off those words that play over and over in my mind.

Jax reaches for my hand, his warm fingers gently entwining with mine. The touch soothes me, grounding me in the reality of our connection. I grip his hand tightly, needing that lifeline of reassurance as we drive through the dimly lit streets. Silence engulfs the car, a silence that becomes unbearable when I see his split knuckles and my thoughts swirl like a turbulent storm within me. I know I can’t keep my emotions bottled up any longer. I take a deep breath, mustering the courage to speak, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Jax," I start, my voice trembling with vulnerability. "Are you going to get in trouble because of me?"

Jax’s grip on my hand tightens, his gaze flickering momentarily away from the road to meet mine. I see a flicker of sadness and understanding in his eyes, and it both eases and heightens my anxiety.

“No, babygirl, I’m sorry you had to see that side of me. But I couldn’t stand his face anymore. I endured years of his bullying. Every time a family sent me back to foster care, he was there, mocking me and using me as a punching bag. But when he hurt you and ruined your life, that was the last straw. I couldn’t forgive him for that.”

Swallowing hard, I gather the fragments of my courage to reveal my deepest fears. “Is he alive?” my voice quivers.

Jax’s hand leaves the steering wheel, his fingers tenderly caressing the back of my hand. His touch sends shivers down my spine, momentarily distracting me from my anguish. "He is," he murmurs softly. "I called the cops before I even got to the cemetery. They arrested him. Carlos is on it, and we'll make sure he spends his life behind bars."

Tears well up in my eyes, a mix of relief and overwhelming emotion. Jax’s words wash over me, soothing my doubts and insecurities. "How did you know I was there?"

"Carlos tracked Blake's cell phone. When I saw you, I lost my mind." Jax brings our entwined hands to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against my skin. "I know facing this mess again won't be easy, but I'll be here."

"Thank you," I sob, not even sure why. Inside, I feel at peace.

His words wrap around me, enveloping me in a cocoon of love and security. In this moment, I realize that together, we can face any storm life throws our way. The car carries us forward, our fingers intertwined, and the weight of my fears begins to lift, replaced by a renewed trust in our bond.

As we step through the front door, Jax’s strong arms wrap around me, lifting me effortlessly off the ground. I gasp in surprise, my heart fluttering with a mixture of excitement and tenderness. Being carried like this makes me feel cherished, as if I’m the most delicate thing in the world.

“Are you hungry?” Jax’s voice resonates in my ear, his warm breath tickles my skin.

I shake my head, my fingers gently gripping the fabric of his shirt. “No, I just want to be with you.” Because I missed you.

He gently sets me down, his eyes filled with an affectionate glow that makes my heart swell. I feel safe in his embrace, surrounded by his love.

“All right,” his voice soft and caring. “Take your time, love. I’ll be waiting for you.”

I offer him a grateful smile before making my way toward the bathroom. Peering at the mirror, I shut my eyes while tears stream down my cheeks. I can’t believe I was so fucking stupid to get rid of one of the best thing that have happened in my life. He’d have hated me forever. Hell, I’d have done it too. Caressing my stomach, I can’t help but smile. Their heartbeats, so powerful, take me out of the numbness, realizing I was about to make the worst mistake ever.

I strip out my clothes and get inside the walk in shower. The hot water cascades over me, washing away the physical and emotional residue of the day. The rhythmic sound of the water soothes me, allowing me a moment of quiet reflection.

After my shower, I wrap myself in a plush towel and step into our bedroom. The scent of fresh fruits lingers in the air, capturing my attention. Jax appears with a tray in his hands, a smile playing on his lips.

“I thought you might be hungry after all,” he smiles. “I brought you some fruits and a sandwich.”

My heart warms at his thoughtfulness. I sit down on the edge of the bed, grateful for his caring gesture. Jax places the tray in front of me, the vibrant colors of the fruits tempting my taste buds. “You always know how to take care of me.”

He takes a seat beside me, his fingers gently brushing against mine. “It’s my privilege, Em.”

We eat in comfortable silence, the occasional exchange of glances and smiles speaking volumes. Jax’s presence fills me with a sense of contentment, as if everything is right in the world.

I notice his ripped jeans are dirty and I silently ask him what happened. Jax shrugs and kisses my forehead before going into the bathroom.

As I finish the last bite of the sandwich, Jax comes back bare chested with only his pajamas bottom, a sublime vision and he reaches out to take the tray away. He places it on the table near the window and comes closer, wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The same as our babies.

“I’m so grateful to have you,” I whisper.

His grip tightens around me, his voice filled with tenderness. “And I’m grateful to have you, baby. You are my everything.”

Surrounded by his love and the warmth of our shared connection, I realize that there’s no place I’d rather be than in his arms.

As I settle into bed, Jax moves beside me, sliding under the covers. My eyes wander over his exposed form, drawn to the contours of his body, familiar yet always captivating. Something catches my attention—an intricate new tattoo adorning his chest. Its unique design piques my curiosity, and I feel a rush of excitement mingled with a touch of apprehension.

Jax’s tiredness is evident in the weariness etched on his face. His eyes appear heavy, but there’s still a spark of warmth that flickers within them. He reaches out, his arm encircling my waist, and I’m instantly drawn closer to him. I feel the steady rise and fall of his chest against my cheek as I nuzzle against him, my lips pressing against his skin.

“Jax,” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath. “You mean everything to me. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you in my life. You’ve become my rock, the person who understands me in ways no one else ever has and it scares me.”

He stirs slightly, a faint smile gracing his lips, but he remains peacefully asleep. I continue, my words pouring forth with an urgency and sincerity that can’t be contained. “You bring out the best in me, Jax. With you, I feel seen, heard, and loved unconditionally. You’ve shown me a depth of love that I never thought was possible, and I am forever grateful for the way you’ve touched my heart.”

A soft snore escapes Jax’s lips, his arm holding me close. I can’t help but smile, a mix of amusement and adoration. “For real?” I say with a gentle laugh. “Gosh, even in your sleep, you’re sexy and mine.” I press a tender kiss to his chest, hoping that somehow, amidst his dreams, he can sense the depth of my emotions. With a contented sigh, I settle into the warmth of his embrace, finding solace in the rhythmic sound of his snoring. In this moment, I know that my love for Jax transcends words—it’s woven into the fabric of our connection, a silent symphony that plays between our hearts.

* * *

As I watch Jax flipping pancakes in the kitchen, a surge of warmth rushes through me, both from the tantalizing aroma of the breakfast he’s preparing and the sheer adoration I feel for him. My eyes linger on his strong, capable hands, the way he effortlessly maneuvers the spatula with precision. The thought of our shared joy fills my heart, and I can’t help but feel a renewed sense of excitement. I walk over to Jax, my body drawn to him like a magnet, unable to resist the urge to express my love. With a soft smile playing on my lips, I wrap my arms around him from behind, pressing a gentle kiss against his back.

Jax pauses mid-flip, surprised but pleased by my unexpected gesture. He turns around, his eyes meeting mine, a mixture of amusement and affection in his gaze. “Hey there, gorgeous,” he says, his voice filled with warmth. “What brought this on?”

I rest my head against his shoulder, relishing the closeness between us. “I just couldn’t resist showing you how much I love you,” I reply softly. “The happiness that fills my heart right now, it’s overwhelming.”

He places the spatula down, his hands gently caressing mine as he leans into my embrace. “You make me the happiest man alive, baby girl,” he brings me in front of him. His lips brushes over mine before deepening the kiss while stealing my breath away. I let my nails graze over his back. He picks me up and makes me sit on the counter. I spread my legs to make room for him as I hook my fingers in the waistband of his pajama bottoms. He detaches from my lips tasting my neck while his fingers lower the straps of my nightgown. Tilting my head to the side I notice the pan still on and I reach to move it. Feeling his erection between my thighs makes me pull him closer. It seems a lifetime since I had him and I’m craving being fucked as if tomorrow doesn’t exist.

Jax grazes his teeth over my flesh. My sensitive nipples begs for attention as his hand cups my breast and brushes his thumbs over them before taking in his mouth one at a time. “You know we have little time, right?” I murmur while he bites in my flesh. “Fuck,” I moan, as the pleasure zaps through me.

“They’ll wait, I have something more important to do now,” his hand reaches my panties, a smile appears on his face at the heat between my thighs.

“I swear God I’ll masturbate if you don’t stop playing around, Jax.”

He chuckles, moving backward. “Show me,” he demands.

Reaching between my legs I let my fingers slip under the panties fabric, pass over the clit and then inside my pussy. I pump my fingers faster, riding the wave of pleasure while his eyes burn into me. Why am I feeling I should have stayed put? Bringing my glistening fingers toward my mouth he grabs my wrist and licks them while his cock rubs my opening pushing in just the tip. This is a torture and he knows it. The bastard! With my legs I try to draw him closer.

His hand grips my neck, “Tell me, baby girl, you want it slow?” He pushes forward so slowly that I want to scream in frustration. Then he pulls out, “Or faster?” he slams into me, deep and powerful.

“Faster, Daddy,” I plead, our eyes locked. But while I wait to finally have what I want; he works his hips in slow motion while looking at his cock disappear into my cunt. “Please, please, Daddy.” The words sound like a whine and Jax finally starts to fuck me for good. Each thrust takes me closer to that blinding light.

He rocks his hips holding me in place while kissing me, consuming my soul. “You can’t come.” He grunts in my ear. I grip on the counter with one hand while the other squeezes onto his forearm.

“I can’t,” I pant while the first waves make me convulse.

“You.” Slam. “Can.” Slam. “And.” Slam. “You’ll.” Slam. “Hold it.” His voice is rough and demanding. My pussy clamps against his cock and he tightens his grip around my neck.

My body tenses, my nails dig in his skin, “So fucking perfect, look at you.”

I’m desperate for a release and I find it difficult to hold back. His lunges reach my spot, hitting it in a sequence that makes me scream his name. He leans closer, “Come for, Daddy.” His demand is like a switch and I do. Convulsing under his intense gaze as I roll my eyes in abandon at the pleasure that envelops me. “Such a good girl,” he praises, pulling me in a hug, caressing my back until my breath comes out steady.

Jax feeds me in his protective arms. I’m on cloud nine even if my body still feels like Jell-O. “You okay, baby?”

I nod while eating a grape, “I'm happy.” I smile, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

He leans over, brushing his nose with mine. “And speaking of happiness, we should start thinking about when we want to announce the pregnancy to the others.”

The mention of our impending announcement fills me with a mix of excitement and nerves. I take a step back, looking into Jax’s eyes, my heart pounding with anticipation. “You’re right,” I sigh, “I’m just a little nervous about it.”

Jax’s hands find mine, his grip providing a comforting reassurance. “There’s no rush, M ommy .” Gosh that word makes me feel a wave of emotions that can’t be contained.

As I stand there, enveloped in Jax’s arms, a thought begins to form in my mind—an idea that feels both exciting but intimate at the same time. I pull back slightly, looking up at him with a glimmer of anticipation in my eyes. “What if we organize a barbecue and use that opportunity to share our pregnancy news?”

“That sounds perfect,” A smile spreads across Jax’s face, mirroring my own excitement. “A barbecue would be a great way to bring everyone together and make the announcement special.”

I nod, feeling a surge of joy building within me. “Yes, exactly. We can create a warm and relaxed atmosphere, where our loved ones can gather and celebrate with us. It would be the perfect setting to share this beautiful news.”

Jax’s fingers intertwine with mine, his touch grounding me in the reality of our shared journey. “But we should wait until you reach the second trimester before announcing it publicly. It’s important to ensure everything is progressing smoothly and nothing will stress you.”

I understand his concern, appreciating his thoughtfulness and desire to prioritize our well-being. “That’s so sweet, baby.”

He presses a gentle kiss on my forehead, his affectionate gesture providing reassurance. “We’ll take all the necessary precautions and ensure we’re ready to share our joy when the time is right. And when that day comes, I’ll be right there beside you, supporting you every step of the way.”

I lean into him, feeling a renewed sense of gratitude for his love and devotion. “Thank you. I feel incredibly lucky to have you in my life.”

He holds me tighter, our connection strengthening with each passing moment. “And I feel blessed to have you, Em. Together, I’ll cherish every milestone along the way just trust me, baby. Because you’re the only woman on this planet for me.”

“I’m sorry,” I choke out the words before bursting into tears. Fuck the hormones!