J2 - An Unexpected Love - chapter 14/16 - Mpreg
Title : An Unexpected Love 14/16
Rating : NC17 for sex
Word Count : 9684/ 149,084
Disclaimer : Really if they belonged to me do you think I'd have time to be posting.
Warnings : Talk of past abuse, Mpreg
Author : angels3 aka Angela
Beta : munibunny
Art and Soundtrack : ldyghst
Additional Art : wincest_drarry
Characters : Jensen/Jared, Steve/Chris, there may be more pairings along the way I'm not sure at the moment.Mike, Tom, Chad, Sandy, Sophia and Joshua Jackson will all be in this fic. There may be others as I find myself needing more characters.
Summary : Grief stricken over the death of his brother, cynical movie maverick Jared Padalecki did the unthinkable - he sought comfort in the arms of his brother's fiancee. The morning after, they both realized their mistake and left for their separate lives. Only Jared can't forget Jensen's soft lips and beautiful eyes. Even as Jared was beginning to think he had to see him again, Jensen came to him.
Jensen was pregnant with his child. His - not his brother's. Jared knew he wanted Jensen more than he'd ever wanted any other woman or man.
First he had to marry him.
Then he had to make Jensen love him.
Author Notes : I am basing this story off a book I read fourteen years ago. I do actually have the book but I will not be using it to write this story. I will be going from my memory of what happened in it, there will be some things that run the way the book did and lots that will not as this is a J2 and mpreg on top of that. The only thing that will be word for word, and then not really, will be the summary since I couldn't do it justice any other way.
Based on the book Scandals by JoAnn Ross
Harlequin Temptation Sept.1994 #506
Chapters 1 2 3 4A 4B 5A 5B 5C 6A 6B 7A 7B 8A 8B 9A 9B 10 11A 11B 12A 12B 13A 13B 14 15A 15B 16
Art and Soundtrack
Additonal Art
Jensen's seventh month rolled around and the doctor put him on bed rest until his next visit two weeks later. Needless to say, he was not a happy camper. Jared was spending more and more time away with the movie in the last stages and his office was rolling along to being rebuilt so Jensen was lonely. He wasn't allowed to paint since, not only did he forget to eat, but he couldn't stand or sit upright for long periods of time. The doctor wasn't happy about his blood pressure, and his hands and feet had started swelling as well.
Cassandra came over every day now to cook, clean, and generally keep him company for a few hours. He'd had sporadic visits from Sophia, Chad, and Tom had made it over in place of Chris and Steve, who were juggling the center as well as the shooting fallout. Gabriel had been out of the hospital for a week, but he had daily therapy appointments, both physical and psychological. He talked to them on the phone though and when Gabriel found out he was just as confined as him, had started messaging him on the computer until one of them fell asleep in the middle. To date, it was Gabriel five times and Jensen three.
So he was a little surprised when Jared pushed open the door to the kitchen, catching him off the couch where he was supposed to be lying.
"I just went to the bathroom, and I wanted some orange juice," Jensen explained, hoping to stall Jared's protests.
"Cassandra just left. Why didn't you get her to grab you something or did you wait until she left on purpose?" Jared asked, watching his stubborn husband for signs of shifty behavior.
Jensen sighed. He'd been so good most of the time, but he couldn't take the laying down constantly. He only ever got up to go to the bathroom and every so often would make a detour to the kitchen on his way back. Jensen knew Jared was just worried about him and the baby, but seriously, he was going to go insane. He was surprised that Jared hadn't introduced him to a bed pan yet, but figured his husband had a feeling he'd be wearing it if he had.
Jensen scowled. "No, I didn't wait for Cass to leave, I just have to use the bathroom every ten minutes."
"Well, I'm home now. Why don't you go lay down and I'll get you the juice."
Jensen heaved a sigh, setting the cup on the counter. "Fine."
Jared grinned as Jensen shuffled out of the kitchen and headed for the living room, mumbling under his breath. He followed his grumpy husband a minute later, placing the glass on the table where Jensen could reach it. "How do you get away with calling her Cass by the way? I tried once and she threatened to take my head off."
Jensen finished taking the swallow of juice he'd been in the process of downing before he answered. "Maybe she likes me better?"
Jared rolled his eyes, "I think she's just buttering you up for something."
"You think so?" Jensen asked, curiosity piqued.
"Maybe."
"So why are you home early?" Jensen finished his orange juice while he was waiting for Jared to answer.
"Well, I've been thinking about something for awhile, and I'd typically ask you about such a large decision, but I wanted it to be a surprise. Now, though, I'm worried you might not like it." Jared's voice was a little nervous and he kept picking at invisible lint on his pants.
Jensen wasn't all to keen on surprises because he'd had too many unpleasant ones. He knew, though, that anything Jared had done wouldn't be hurtful and would undoubtedly be something to try and make him happy and more comfortable.
"Jared just tell me what it is. You're over thinking again."
"I think it'd be better if I showed you," Jared answered sheepishly.
"Okay, do I need to come with you?"
"No, I'll bring it to you."
Jensen relaxed into the cushion as Jared disappeared back the way he'd come. A couple of minutes later, Jensen heard the kitchen door shut again and Jared walking his way. He decided not to look until Jared had made his way into the living room. When he did finally glance up, Jared was toting a large basket that he could barely wrap his arms around. Jensen looked on in confusion as Jared gently sat the basket on the floor by the sofa and for the first time Jensen could actually see what was hiding in its depths.
Two small brown puppies were curled around each other, sleeping the sleep of oblivion. One had floppy ears and was a little bigger than the other puppy that had little pointed ears and was so cute there was no way you couldn't fall in love with it, with them both, really. Jensen reached out, running a finger over the top of one of the little guys heads, making sure to do the same with the other puppy.
"Do they have names?" Jensen asked, not taking his eyes off the gentle up and down motion of the puppies breathing.
"The boy is Harley and the little girl is Sadie."
Jensen finally tore his gaze away from the basket and its occupants. "Where did you get them?"
"The pet shop downtown. You know the one I went in while you were getting art supplies?"
"Oh." Jensen vaguely remembered the shop Jared was talking about.
"Why did you get them now?"
"I talked to the owner, he helps the shelter by putting a few puppies and kittens in the shop to try and adopt them. He also has a computer set up so folks can look through the shelter's pictures of animals looking for homes. I guess I've been wanting to get one for awhile, but I'd always been traveling and didn't think it was fair to an animal. Now that I'm going to be home the majority of the time I thought it'd be a great opportunity. I also thought they could keep you company during the day."
"Does this mean I get to walk them?" Jensen asked slyly.
"When the doctor lets you up. Until then, there's a kid down the street who's looking to do some work that doesn't require him to be sixteen."
"How old is he?"
"Alex is fourteen, and he loves animals so it won't even feel like a job to him."
"Did you bring home everything they need?"
"Yeah, I had them get it all together for me before I went to pick them up," Jared answered, looking at Jensen and trying to determine what his husband thought about the puppies. "You're not mad are you?" He finally asked when he couldn't figure it out.
"No, why would I be mad? They're adorable and you've already figured out what to do about walking them when I can't."
"Well, yeah, but it's still a pretty big responsibility, something I'd usually discuss with you. I just wasn't sure if it was something you'd welcome right now."
"We've got a couple of months before the baby comes. I'm sure we can get a routine rolling by then," Jensen assured him.
Jared breathed a sigh of relief. He'd thought Jensen would love the surprise but there had been that little bit of doubt. He was happy that it had gone well because there was no way he could give the puppies back, and from the look on Jensen's face, neither could he.
Jared left the puppies with Jensen and started bringing in all the supplies they needed. There were dishes, and puppy pads, blankets, another basket, treats, bones and toys galore. Jensen started laughing when he dragged the kennel in.
"What's that for?"
"Time out," Jared answered, out of breath.
"Puppies have time out?"
"They chew, and misbehave so they have to have a time out," Jared answered seriously.
Jensen started laughing, which woke the puppies. He got his first look at them, falling a little more in love at the big brown eyes staring back at him. The little girl crawled out of the basket and stood on her hind legs, bracing her front paws on the couch cushion waiting for Jensen to pick her up. When he did as she wished, she curled up on his lap and watched her brother trip his way out of the basket and in his excitement run into the table leg.
Jared rolled his eyes and picked up the dazed puppy. "You're such a goober. " He rubbed the sore spot on the puppy's head gently.
Jensen was trying not to laugh, but he lost the battle shortly after looking down to find Sadie with a paw over her nose as if she was embarrassed by her brother’s antics.
"Where are we going to keep them?" Jensen asked as he rubbed the soft fur along Sadie’s back.
"I was thinking down here in the kitchen. I got a gate, but I think they might be scared down here alone."
Jensen tried to bite back his grin at the worry in Jared's voice. "We could put them in my old room. You'd have to make sure there's nothing in there they could chew on, but that will put them a little closer," he suggested.
Jared thought about it for a minute and then handed Harley over so he could go take a look. He came back almost a half an hour later to grab both the baskets and tote them up the steps.
Jensen watched him bump his way up the stairs, amused at the absolute seriousness his husband was exuding over making sure the puppies had the perfect setup. He was pretty sure as long as they had full bellies and someone to play with they didn't really care, but Jared wasn't going to be satisfied until he had it the way he wanted it.
Jared made another trip up the stairs with the blankets and some of the toys before he finally settled on the couch with Jensen to pet the puppies as they snuggled up together.
Jared woke up to a stiff neck, numb arm and a suspicious wet spot soaking through his pants and onto his knee. He lifted his head, twisting his neck carefully and trying to relieve the pain. Glancing to the side explained why he couldn't feel his arm. Jensen had fallen asleep with Jared's arm trapped under his husband's head. He was also relieved to discover the wet spot was puppy drool and not something more disgusting. Jared slid his arm from under Jensen and settled his husband in a more comfortable position, careful not to wake him because he knew Jensen had been having more and more trouble sleeping at night and the effects were starting to show.
Jared moved the puppies back into their baskets and stood up, stretching cramped muscles, joints popping in protest at the movement. He quietly made his way to the kitchen to put one off Cassandra's premade meals in the oven, hoping to entice Jensen to eat a little more than he had been recently. The doctor didn't seem overly concerned about the change in Jensen's appetite, explaining there was becoming less and less room for the baby and a full stomach to occupy. He'd suggested instead of three regular size meals, Jensen try five small meals to keep him more comfortable after eating and still be able to get the required nutrients.
Jared trusted the doctor but he was still worried at how little of an appetite Jensen had. He set about getting plates and utensils while the meat and vegetable packets were cooking, trying to be quiet so as not to wake his husband any sooner than he had to. Jared was still humbled by Jensen's pregnancy, not only by the miracle of it, but that he was going to have a family of his own to love and cherish. He'd watched his husband at the center working with the painting class, the man was a natural teacher, offering help when needed, but instinctively knowing when help wasn't wanted and the need to figure it out alone was what would make the student feel accomplishment and pride.
He knew Jensen would be a wonderful father. There had never been a doubt in his mind but the day he found Jensen sitting at the little table surrounded by kids under the age of five coloring pictures with them as if he wasn't a rising star in the art community brought it home even more. Jensen had caught him staring, blushing and gracing him with a sheepish grin and a shrug before he went back to coloring, the little boy beside him offering up a bright blue crayon for his husband to use.
*********
Jensen had been dozing off and on, enjoying the warm feel of Jared's body next to his. The puppies were curled up across their laps and the gentle creaking of the ceiling fan had lulled them into sleep. He knew Jared was worried about him, the lack of sleep and appetite, well, it wasn't really the lack of appetite, he was hungry all the time, but he felt so bad after he ate it just didn't seem worth it. However, he'd taken the doctors advice and started eating less but more frequently, and it seemed to be helping. Jensen didn't know how to explain why he couldn't sleep, though, even when he could get comfortable, all his mind seem to do was swirl with 'what if' scenarios. He worried about the birth, the baby, if he would be a good dad, and way back in the deep recess of his brain where he'd tried to bury it, he worried that Joshua was going to haunt him forever, even if they could get him out of their lives.
He was relieved that the only thing he didn't seem to worry about were his painting classes at the center. Jensen had been showing a young boy how to mix his paints properly when he'd felt the uneasy sensation of someone watching him. He'd kept working with the boy until he was sure the teenager understood the technique. He straightened up, his hands going to his lower back out of habit to ease the strain in the burdened muscles. Jensen glanced around the room under the guise of making sure no one needed any help, and he found the source of his unease. Sitting on a chair in the corner was a young woman who abruptly looked down when their eyes met.
Jensen's stomach clenched and his heart ached. He knew that look all to well, the lowered eyes, hunched shoulders, trying to make yourself as small as possible to blend into the background so maybe this time you wouldn't get hit. Approaching the girl wasn't an option, not yet at least, her left arm was in a cast and the swelling in one eye was just starting to recede, there were bruises littering her arms and there was a matching necklace of fingerprints around her neck. Jensen knew it was too soon, she was still trying to come to grips with what her life had become and the terror that she had finally left her abuser.
Chris had told him her name was Natalie, that they'd picked her up after the E.R. doctor had called them. Jake was new to the hospital and was ready to show the boyfriend what would happen to him if he'd pick on someone his own size. Thankfully, one of the nurses had stepped in and given him the number to the center and while Natalie was getting her cast put on he'd made the call. Chris had told him Jake had been a little wary about letting him see the girl but the nurse that had given him the number assured him that it was the right thing to do.
It had taken Chris little more than an hour to convince Natalie that she deserved something much better than what she was living with. Jake had led them out another entrance and had called security to remove the boyfriend when he caused a huge scene after realizing his girlfriend had ditched him. Steve had gone to their apartment with a list of items and a police escort to pick up only to find that the boyfriend had torn, broken or burnt almost everything that had he'd been there to retrieve. The police had arrested him on attempted assault charges when the idiot had tried to throw a punch at Steve, and then tacked on destruction of personal property just for the fun of it.
Jensen had listened to the background sadly. He knew the story was the same for most everyone here, only the details changing, and it made him sick to his stomach that there were other people that had been through the same things he had. So he'd waited, and it had taken weeks. He had held each class as he usually did, watching as Natalie seemed to relax a little more each time. She would always leave just a few minutes before class was over so there wasn't an opportunity for her to be spoken with by him or anyone else in the class.
He would stay after class as he had been doing for the last two weeks, working on a painting to go in the foyer to replace the mirror that had shattered. Jensen sensed that Natalie had made a reappearance but he didn't want to scare her away so he continued with what he'd been doing. Jensen was just getting ready to call it a day when a whispered word caught his attention. He'd turned around slowly so as not to make her bolt.
"I'm using water based oils, and I've been working with water colors too." Jensen answered Natalie's question. "I used the other type of oils and paints with the strong chemical bases before," he offered as he waved a hand at his belly.
Jensen breathed a little sigh of relief when Natalie's lips quirked into a ghost of a smile. "When are you due?" she asked tentatively.
"September 27th."
Natalie nodded at the information, her eyes straying back to the painting. It was a perfect reproduction of what the field beside the house looked like during the spring. The wildflowers dotted the tall waving grass with splashes of colors and the trees cast dappled light along the edges of the field making you think of checked clothes and wicker picnic baskets. "You're really good," Natalie told him quietly.
"Thank you. Do you paint?" he asked, hoping it wouldn't send her running.
She nodded, not meeting his eyes. "I've got another year of school."
"Are you planning on going back?" Jensen asked, already sure of how her story had played out. It wouldn't be much different than his, other than he'd managed to finish school before Joshua had shown his true colors.
"I'm not sure I can. I was there on a scholarship, but since I missed the last two semesters, they pulled it."
Jensen knew not to offer staid platitudes and useless words. He simply nodded his head and turned back to the painting. He felt like there was something missing, but he couldn't figure out what it was as tired as he'd become. As he started cleaning up his brushes, Jensen knew Natalie was still hovering in the background, but he was waiting for her to take the next step.
"Are you finished with this one?" She asked, finally breaking the silence that had descended as Jensen cleaned up.
"No, there's a piece missing, but I'm too tired to see it right now," he answered, watching as she tilted her head and examined it for another minute.
"Will you be back this week?" Natalie asked, absently scratching at her arm above the cast.
"I'll be back on Wednesday, unless the doctor tells me otherwise," he rubbed a hand across his stomach.
"Okay," she acknowledged, slipping out the door quietly when Jensen turned to get his jacket.
She'd come to the next class, watching as he finished the painting and placed his signature hidden among the wildflowers. Jensen had noticed over the last few days that a pillow had appeared in his chair, and that there was always a glass of cold milk or juice sitting on the small table beside his easel. Natalie still slipped out the vast majority of the time before classes were over, but sometimes she'd stay and watch as he worked on a piece. He’d confided in her that he was worried about his next doctor's appointment because the fatigue was starting to wear on him, and he'd been having more and more headaches of late.
Jensen had been pleased and a little surprised when Natalie offered to fill in if he needed her to. He thought he might have to ask, and he worried that it was something she wasn't ready to do at this stage of her recovery, both physical and emotional. He was brought out of his musing by the beeping of the oven going off. He heard muttered cursing coming from the kitchen followed by the thump and clatter of the oven and pan being set on the counter.
He was just uncurling from the couch when Jared stuck his head into the room, cringing at the realization that the buzzer had woken Jensen.
"Sorry, I thought I could get it before it went off, but I was getting the dishes down."
"It's okay, I was already awake. I really need to pee though," Jensen grumbled, trying to wiggle his way off the couch.
Jared waited a couple of seconds before he crossed the room and offered his hand for Jensen to use. He'd learned to wait for a beat or two before trying to help because a pregnant Jensen could be a very cranky Jensen. Jared figured his husband actually tolerated everyone's hovering pretty well since he was sure if he'd been the one carrying their child someone would have been researching tranquilizer usage on pregnant people to keep him nice and pliant.
Jensen accepted the help and Jared watched him make his way to the downstairs bathroom. His husband had developed a sort of swaying to his gait, not really what he'd heard classified as the pregnant waddle but more an enhanced roll to his hips. Jared had a hard time trying to decide if it was adorable or just fucking hot and was happy he didn't have to come up with an answer any time soon. He shook himself out of he reverie and went back to the kitchen to finish getting their supper together.
He had just finished putting everything onto a tray when he heard the distinct sound of furniture being shifted.
"I know you're not moving the table." Jared raised his voice to be heard from the kitchen.
"Fine," Jensen's put upon huff reaching all the way into the kitchen.
Jared rolled his eyes as he picked up the tray and walked into the living room, pinning Jensen with glare. "You know you're not supposed to do anything, which means no rearranging the furniture."
"I was sliding the table over, not slinging it over my shoulder," Jensen grouched.
"Yet you're not supposed to be doing that either," Jared responded as he set the tray down and pushed the table Jensen had been moving closer to the couch so they could both reach their food. "Now stop misbehaving or I'm going to tell the doctor you've not been following his orders."
Jensen decided to do what all mature adults did when they didn't get their way. He stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry.
Jared raised an eyebrow in his best Vulcan impersonation. "Have you talked to Sophia today?"
"For a few minutes this afternoon, but she had a meeting to go to."
"What kind of meeting?"
"I think it's another bank, she didn't really say."
"A bank?"
"Yeah, she's been trying to find one that will do a small business loan," Jensen answered, taking a sip of drink.
"What exactly does she want to open? Something with food I'm guessing," Jared asked.
"She wants to do a kind of bakery/sandwich shop. You know, someplace you can sit and relax and have lunch or order a cupcake to eat and a cake to go."
"She's not having any luck?"
"No, not really. Every bank she's gone to tells her she doesn't have enough business experience. I mean, I realize she didn't get a degree in finance, but she's not stupid, she's done her research," Jensen grumbled, feeling the need to defend his friend.
"I'm sure she has, but most banks aren't really big on taking leaps of faith," Jared pointed out.
"Stupid stuffed shirts, bet they can't even start their day unless they kick a puppy and drown a cat," Jensen muttered.
Jared almost choked on the forkful of carrots he'd just shoveled into his mouth. The ensuing coughing spell managed to wake both puppies and had Jensen patting him rather hard on the back. When he caught his breath, he was able to hear the stifled laughter coming from his husband.
"So not funny," he rasped.
"I'm sorry," Jensen snorted, trying to stop laughing.
Jared watched him balefully as he tried to regain his composure. He glanced down to find Harley trying to find a way onto the couch, his nose twitching at the smell of their food while Sadie looked on with a decidedly disgusted expression aimed at the other puppy.
Jared moved the puppy back onto all four paws. "No you can't have table food. It's not good for you."
Harley let out a pathetic little whine that had Jensen reaching for a small piece of beef.
"Don't even think about it," Jared fussed reaching out and gently popping Jensen's hand.
"But look at him, he's all sad and pitiful looking," Jensen pouted, his lip poked out.
Jared rolled his eyes. "There's nothing wrong with him except he's already got you wrapped around his little paw."
"No, he doesn't."
"Oh, he so does and she does too." Jared nodded at Sadie whom Jensen had picked up and was scratching behind her ears.
Jensen ignored him, continuing to rub Sadie. Jared finished eating and moved the table away from the couch before placing Harley beside his husband and taking their dishes back to the kitchen, much to the forlorn expression on the displeased puppy's face.
Once the puppies had been fed and taken for their walk, they took them up to Jensen's old room, leaving them to explore before settling down for the night. They had both been asleep when the outside alarm jerked them awake. Jared didn't think twice before going to the closet and removing the gun that he kept on the top shelf.
"You stay here," Jared told a wide eyed Jensen.
"The hell I am!"
"The hell you will," Jared growled. "The doctor has you on bed rest and you’re seven months pregnant. You. Are. Not. Going down those steps."
He was gone before Jensen could even form a reply. He knew Jared was right but it didn't make him any happier about the situation. He grabbed his cell and made his way down the hall and into his old room where the puppies were standing by the door whining and yipping. Fifteen tense minutes later his cell rang, Jared told him he was on his way back to the house, and Jensen told him he was with the puppies.
Jared pushed the door open and smiled at the scene in front of him. Jensen was laying on the bed with both puppies vying for his attention Sadie was licking his cheek, and Harley was trying to beat him to death with his tail.
Jensen knew Jared was watching, but he was still a little put out by their disagreement, so he kept playing with the puppies for a few more minutes before acknowledging his husband’s presence.
"What was it?" Jensen asked as he put his hand up to keep Sadie from licking him in the mouth.
"A tree branch fell across one of the sensors, I think," Jared answered as he sat on the edge of the bed where he was immediately accosted by a wriggling ball of fur.
"Doesn't Martino check for things like that?" Jensen knew Martino was beyond awesome at what he did so for tree limbs to just start falling seemed odd.
"Yeah, but we had that storm a couple of days ago, and he hasn't had chance to come by yet so...." Jared trailed off. He didn't think it was caused by the storm either, but he wanted Martino's opinion first and he didn't want Jensen worrying about it until then.
"Did you call the security service and let them know it was a false alarm?"
"Yep, but the police were already at the front gate by the time I found out what had caused it."
"What did they say?"
"Just told me if I had any problems to give them a call and to make sure the service came and checked the sensor the branch hit. I told them I'd already talked to them, and they were going to send someone out tomorrow afternoon."
"Jared?"
"Yeah."
"Do you usually keep your gun on the top shelf of your closet?" Jensen asked worried about what could happen when the baby was old enough to explore.
"No, I usually keep it in the safe, but we're the only two people in the house right now and with all the issues we've been having lately I wanted to be able to get to it quick."
Jensen nodded his head in understanding and gently moved Sadie to the floor so he could sit up. Jared set Harley down with his sister, standing up so Jensen could swing his feet over the side of the bed then he waited for his husband to stand and tiredly make his way from the room and down the hall to their bedroom. He trailed behind, trying to decide how to start the conversation he knew they needed to have, it turned out he didn't have to Jensen started for him.
"I didn't like you going outside by yourself," Jensen said quietly as he pulled his clothes off and slid back into bed, resting his back against the headboard as he watched Jared put the gun away.
Jared pulled his shirt off but stopped and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I know you didn't and I'm sorry, but I'm not going to stand by and let you do something that could hurt you or the baby."
Jensen realized Jared didn't think he'd intentionally hurt the baby, but it still bothered him that he would think he'd do it unintentionally either. "I would have stopped before I got outside, it was just a shock when the alarm went off and you grabbed the gun."
Jared slid up the bed until he was in front of his husband. "And it's an automatic reaction to want to keep you both safe, so as much as this makes me sound like a Neanderthal if I have to fucking lock you in the house to do that then I will."
Jensen studied him, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth, "You do have the five-head for it."
Jared scowled and pinched the closest piece of flesh, which happened to be a thigh. "Should I remind you of how things turned out the last time you and Jeff thought that was funny?"
"No," Jensen squeaked, remembering the campaign of attacks Jared had aimed at them when they were least expecting it. They'd been dyed the colors of the rainbow before Mrs. Padalecki had halted his reign of terror. He still couldn't figure out how Jared had found his stash of lube, shuddering when he remembered trying to hide the fact that his dick was purple. Gym showers for two weeks had been humiliating. Jeff hadn't faired any better, although Jensen had thought bright blue hair was by far better than the indignity he'd suffered.
"Then you best behave or I'm going to find those pictures. I'm sure Chris and Steve would appreciate the true art form a human body can be."
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would," Jared smirked at Jensen's horrified expression. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Jensen's nose before he stood up to finish undressing.
Jensen watched his husband disappear into the bathroom, the strong line of Jared's back tapering into a slim waist and down into an ass that would make anybody want to reach out and grab it made him whimper. Jared reappeared and slid into the bed. Noticing Jensen's flushed face, he started to worry until he glanced down and realized Jensen was a little more than turned on. Jensen's color deepened as he watched Jared discover his dilemma.
"You know what the doctor said," Jared whispered as he slid further down the bed, looking up to see Jensen watching his every move.
"I know," Jensen whispered back, swallowing thickly. He'd already been upset at the thought of bed rest when the doctor told them no sex as well.
His next appointment wasn't for another two days, and he felt like he was going to explode. Jensen's breath hitched when Jared slid between his legs, his husband was laying on his stomach propped up on his elbows watching him with dark eyes. His cock throbbed at the hot breath filtering through the thin sheet that covered him.
Jared watched as his husband's eyes dilated further and were swallowed up by a black void except for a thin ring of green. Jensen's long lashes fell to cover them when Jared breathed a long slow exhale over the heated flesh pressing outward against the sheet. He reached up and slowly slid the sheet over the swell of their child, letting the sheet pool around Jensen's hips and over the turgid shaft hiding beneath.
"I think I can help you with this," Jared rasped, the vibrations of speech in his chest massaging the base of Jensen's cock. "If you promise to stay still and let me do all the work."
He took Jensen's moan as acceptance and lowered his head over the sheet. His mouth had been watering with anticipation since he'd slid between Jensen's legs. He took the head gently between his teeth, soaking the sheet with saliva and tonguing over and around the ridge, the sheet adding an extra layer of sensation. Jensen's hands came to rest on his head, his fingers clenching into fistfuls of hair, making Jared groan at the sharp little spikes of pain that went straight to his dick and making it leak against the sheets.
Jared smiled as a whine escaped Jensen when he pulled off. He slowly pulled the sheet down, the soaked material cooling and slithering along heated flesh. Jensen shivered under him, goose bumps rising along his skin.
"Jared.... please," Jensen begged, arching up trying to find some relief.
"I'm here, let me take care of you," Jared murmured, looking up at the flushed and needy face of his husband.
Jensen nodded, flexing his hands in Jared's hair. Jared returned his attention to the hard column of flesh weeping for attention. He licked over the head, collecting the pre-come with his tongue, rolling it into his mouth and reveling at the taste. He lingered over the head for a minute more, paying attention to the slit, dipping his tongue in and teasing the edges with his teeth. Jared moved back, pulling Jensen down a little so he had better access to his objective.
He rubbed his cheek across the satiny skin, the musky scent of arousal inflaming him further. He slid his mouth down to the base, and slowly licked his way back up, tongue twisting around the cock buried in his mouth and what felt like halfway down his throat. Jared couldn't stop, the feel of hard hot flesh sliding over his lips, past his teeth, and along the roof of his mouth had his throat convulsing around the head lodged deep in the back of his throat.
He made use of the angle, running his hand up Jensen's stomach and chest until he found the plump swell of his lower lip. Jensen's tongue ran along his finger, slicking it with spit and nibbling on the tip. Jared moaned, pulling his hand away and pushing it back past Jensen's balls and over the tight ring of muscle. He rubbed across the tender flesh, mesmerized by the way it seemed to grab at his finger and used his other hand to gently roll the heavy balls filled with the need to release, loving how Jensen jerked and swore as he tried not to get too worked up.
Jared could hear Jensen chanting his name and please, the sounds driving him to fulfill the need both he and Jensen were being driven by. He sunk all the way down, his nose buried in strawberry blonde curls, and sealed his mouth around the base as he slid the tip of his finger into the hot, clenching hole, crooking his finger to add a little sting to every other sensation that was cascading through the taught muscles under him. He felt the tremors start in Jensen's body at the same time his husband screamed, his come pouring out and almost choking Jared. He pulled back, catching the last few spurt with his tongue, making sure Jensen saw him lick his lips clean.
Jensen threw his arm over his eyes even as his cock twitched. "You're going to kill me."
Jared grinned before going up on his knees and grabbing his neglected dick. Jensen's arm came down at the little grunts and pants that Jared couldn't keep in. He stared intranced as Jared stripped his cock, rolling the precome down his shaft and working himself hard and fast. Jared didn't think he could get any more turned on, but watching Jensen watch him fuck his fist proved him wrong. Jensen slid a finger through the puddle that had dripped off Jared's cock and onto the round bump of his belly, pushing his finger over his lips and into his mouth was Jared's undoing. He came with a howl, come spilling over the Jensen's stomach and sliding down to pool along the crease made between leg and belly. He fell forward, catching himself with one hand even as he tightened his fingers and worked himself through the aftershocks.
Jensen moaned around the finger he was still sucking on. Jared's hot release bathing his stomach and trailing down the sides of his hypersensitive flesh was enough to make his exhausted body twitch with want. Jared obviously knew what was going through his mind because his husband groaned and grabbed the finger he was sucking on, removing it from his mouth and bringing it to his own to kiss the tip.
"You're supposed to be all relaxed and sleepy," Jared fussed.
"I am." Jensen assured, "doesn't mean I'm not still thinking about it."
"Well stop. The doctor would probably have my balls if he knew we cheated."
"Sorry, he can't have those. He'll have to play with his own," Jensen giggled at Jared's exaggerated eye roll.
Jared pulled himself to his feet and went to grab a towel to cleanup with. He returned with a warm cloth and another towel for Jensen. He couldn't help the smile that broke across his face when he was confronted with the blissed out picture his husband presented. Jensen was laying where he'd left him, his hair was sticking up in fifty different directions, his legs were splayed and his arms were flopped by his side like the muscles had just stopped working and there was no moving them from their position. His eyes were closed but he obviously could feel himself being watched because Jensen’s nose crinkled and his eyes fluttered open.
"This is getting a little bit icky," he complained, jutting his chin towards the cooling come on his stomach.
Jared held up the warmth cloth, advancing on his sleepy husband. He took his time wiping off the remnants of his release, not sure why the thought of marking Jensen this way would be as damn powerful as it seemed to be to him. He looked up to a small smirk on Jensen's face and blushed. Obviously, his husband knew exactly what he was thinking. Once he had Jensen washed and dried, he placed a gently kiss on the belly button that was no longer an inny or an outy.
Jared tossed the towel and cloth into the bathroom, he gave Jensen's stomach one more kiss before he turned the lamp off and slid between the sheet. Jensen had gotten his body pillow situated and was wiggling his way into a comfortable position, so Jared waited until his husband sighed with contentment, shifting closer until he could wrap himself around his warm body. He placed his palm over their child and smiled when the baby kicked his hand followed swiftly by a knee. Jared rubbed the spot, waiting for the baby to shift, knowing it hurt Jensen when sharp little elbows and knees poked at him.
"I love you," Jared whispered, smiling when Jensen's garbled 'love you' reached him.
**********************************************
The next morning brought Martino and the security company to their door. Jared met them downstairs hoping Jensen would be able to get a few more hours of sleep. He'd called Chad sometime around six when Jensen had gotten up to go to the bathroom, letting him know he'd be working from home today and the reason why. Chad had wanted to come out himself but Jared promised to call him when he knew something. Chad relented only because he'd be more helpful taking over some of the projects they'd had planned for the day.
Martino confirmed what he'd suspected. The limb had been cut, sawed to be exact. The security consultant was clearly concerned as the front panel of the security system both in the front and in the back had been pried open. Jared could see where someone had tried to figure out which wire went to the main alert system and which ones were decoys.
"It looks like he gave up when he couldn't decide between the red or the black wire," the security tech mumbled as he tapped in an order on his computer.
"Which wire is it?" Jared asked, curious himself.
The tech looked up grinning. "It's none of them. The actual wire is embedded in the back part of the panel, and if you don't know what you're looking for, you're not going to be able to open it much less find it."
"That's why you pay them the big bucks." Martino clapped him on the back as he walked past.
Jared sighed, pulling out his phone and dialing Detective Riley's number. He left a message when it went to voice mail and followed the tech to the back panel to see if it was in the same shape.
"See, here it looks like he got a little braver. No one to really see him except the fish since the beach is private." The tech motioned to the wires where the red one was snipped on the side. "He either changed his mind or something scared him away."
"Does the wire need replacing?"
"Technically no, but we don't want the guy who did this to think it's unimportant, so I'm going to take care of that now. I'm also going to put a stronger case around the unit, see if that'll slow him down if he tries it again. I'll write you a report before I leave, the police typically like to have it in their files."
Jared thanked the man and made his way back to the house. He did not look forward to telling Jensen that someone, and by someone he meant Joshua, had tried to breach their security. Jensen would worry and that would make his blood pressure even higher, and then he would worry about him and the baby. Jared ran a hand through his hair and let out a tired sigh, not telling Jensen was not an option. He wasn't going to keep secrets from his husband, and Jensen needed to be prepared in case Joshua made another attempt, not that he wouldn't do everything in his power to keep the bastard away from them, but if there was even the smallest chance, Jensen needed to be ready.
He reached for the door, knowing that putting it off wasn't going to make it any easier. The puppies came skidding around the corner when they heard him shut the door, and he had to weave and dodge to keep from stepping on them or tripping over the two fur balls.
"Hey guys," he stooped down to scratch behind their ears. "We're going to have to talk about ya'll getting under foot. Daddy can't be tripping over you and breaking his neck."
"Jared," Jensen called from the living room.
"Yeah, I'll be right in."
"Can you grab me some water when you come."
"Sure, let me wash my hands first."
"Okay."
Jared dried his hands off and grabbed a bottle of water out of the refrigerator, opting to bring the container of grapes with him too. Jensen's appetite was doing a little better as long as he kept to small amounts. He handed the water over, taking a seat and pulling Jensen's feet into his lap.
"I brought the grapes. Thought you might be a little hungry."
"The seedless ones?" Jensen asked hopefully.
"Yes, the seedless ones." Jared rolled his eyes. "You do know the seeds won't hurt you, right?"
"I don't like them. They get in the way and they taste yucky," Jensen pouted.
"Yucky?"
"Yes yucky," Jensen stated firmly.
"How old are you anyway... two?" Jared asked, grinning as Jensen made a face at him.
"If I was, you'd be in jail right now getting nice and close with Bubba," Jensen answered, laughing when Jared choked on a grape.
"That's just dirty, bad wrong on so many levels and none of them good," Jared grumbled.
Jensen snickered, putting another grape in his mouth.
"The security company got here about an hour ago."
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You needed the sleep, and it's not like you can go traipsing around anyway."
"Not the point," Jensen argued back.
"Yes, it is the point," Jared said, gently taking the container and setting it on the table. He shifted a little closer and rested his hands on Jensen's ankles, massaging the sore muscles. "I'm not going to keep anything from you, but it's my job to look out for you even if it means you don't like me so much sometimes."
Jensen bit his lip. He knew Jared wouldn't lie to him either purposely or by omission. "It's just frustrating. I feel like I'm not contributing to something that's so important."
Jared's hands stopped moving, his disbelief a physical presence in the room. "Jensen you're having our baby. How's that not contributing? It's one of the most important things you could ever do."
"Yeah, but I can't help feel like you're having to keep us safe from my mess. I realize how hypocritical that sounds since the driving factor of me changing my mind about marrying you in the beginning was to keep the baby safe from just what's happening. I really hate that we're all suffering for my stupidity," Jensen finished tiredly.
"Firstly, I didn't care then, and I don't care now why you changed your mind because it gave me the chance to have something I didn't even know I wanted. Secondly, as for this being your mess or feeling like it's happened because you were stupid is ridiculous. You trusted someone and that trust was betrayed. That's neither your fault, nor does it have anything to do with being stupid. I know for a fact that you're not by any stretch of the imagination, stupid."
Jensen shrugged, picking at the afghan hanging on the back of the couch. He'd never known how to take compliments, preferring to shrug them off or default to his 'humor the crazy' smile.
Jared reached out and gently forced Jensen's chin up, "I know you don't like hearing it. You never did like it when people paid you a compliment.
"I never know what to say." Jensen shrugged helplessly.
"You say thank you, and more importantly you believe what they're saying," Jared said, leaning forward to place a kiss on Jensen's forehead.
"Okay." Jensen agreed softly.
They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Jared cleared his throat. Jensen shifted so he was facing Jared, wanting to meet whatever his husband was going to tell him head on.
"Martino said the tree branch was cut, and the tech guy showed me where both the front and back systems had their panels pried off. The back one had a wire that was nicked, so he either was interrupted or changed his mind," Jared said, watching for Jensen's reaction.
Jensen's shoulders slumped at the news. "So we know he's still trying then."
"We didn't think he'd give up did we?" Jared asked quietly.
"No, but there was always hope. Did you call Detective Lloyd?"
"Yeah, I left him a message, still waiting to hear back from him."
"What time are you leaving to go to the studio?" Jensen tried to keep his voice steady.
"I'm not. I've already called Chad and he's going to take care of most of the things on our list today. What he can't, we'll deal with later. I'm not going to leave you here alone right now, and we have to wait for the Detective anyway."
"Jared, you have too much to do to stay home and baby sit me," Jensen argued even as Jared's answer buoyed his spirits.
"I've already told you several times, but I'm going to say it again since those pregnancy sites say you forget things more when you're having a baby. There is nothing, and I mean nothing that's more important than you or our baby," Jared stated firmly.
"I didn't forget, but if the Detective is coming over then I think I'll be safe."
"Yes, but he can't stay until I get back, and I don't want you alone."
Jensen knew when to give up so he nodded, snuggling deeper into the corner of the sofa. The buzzer went off signifying someone was at the front gate and Jared went to investigate. He returned several minutes later, Detective Lloyd following in his wake.
Jensen struggled to get up, hating not being able to meet the man on his feet.
"Don't get up, I hear you're supposed to be on bed rest," Riley stated firmly, leaning down so he could shake Jensen's hand without him continuing to try and stand.
Jensen scowled up at Jared, who looked entirely unrepentant. "It's a conspiracy."
"I'm sure it is. People who love you will do that sort of thing," Riley agreed, smiling at Jensen's blush.
Jared cleared his throat knowing that Jensen needed a moment to not be the center of attention. "Did you talk with the security tech?"
"Yeah, I met him on his way out. He gave me a copy of the report, said to tell you to give yours to the insurance company."
"Do you know where Joshua is?" Jensen asked hopefully.
Riley hated to dash that hope, but he wasn't in the habit of sugar coating things. "No, unfortunately he has completely dropped off the radar. His parole office has contacted the local authorities, and they've issued a BOLO for him. They included his vehicle even though it's parked at his condo. The detective I spoke with said they didn't want to take the chance he'd pick it up later, and no one would know to look for it."
Jared shifted closer to his husband, pulling him into his side trying to absorb some of the disappointment and fear rolling off Jensen in waves. He relaxed when Jensen gave a tired sigh and slumped into him, allowing him to take his weight if not metaphorically at least literally.
"So what should we do while he's on the loose?" Jared asked, focusing his attention back on the detective.
"For starters, neither one of you needs to be off on your own. The more people around you the better. I asked a friend to do a profile on him, and while it's not always perfect, it gives us another tool to try and predict what he might do. We think he'll wait until he can get Jensen alone. That's not to say he won't try to get you out of the way, Jared, so don't think that you shouldn't be on your toes. Overall, he's just like any other abuser, he's a bully and coward, and like most of them, he wants the situation to be where he can control everything without interference."
"Should we look into getting a bodyguard?" Jared asked even as Jensen made a noise of disapproval.
"I think you might want to employ one for the times you go out. At home, I think you'll be fine as long as you continue to keep security in the forefront of your minds. You have a top of the line system but it only works well if you set it and continue to practice vigilance.
Jared nodded. He knew Jensen wasn't happy about the thought of a bodyguard, but he was going to have to compromise. He was willing not to have one at their home, but out in public they were going to follow the detective’s advice. Jared made a mental note to call Cliff as soon as Detective Lloyd left.
They talked about the direction in which the case was heading and what they would be in store for if they did indeed find Joshua, and for the sake of legal argument, if they could prove he'd been the one doing the stalking and vandalism they had been experiencing. Riley felt it was just a matter of time. Jared was just concerned it would be the timing that was the problem and Jensen, well, he just wanted the nut case out of their lives for good and he had a feeling Joshua's death was going to be the only way they got peace.
************************************************************
Joshua sat in a small camouflaged tent hidden in the patch of woods that sat in the middle of the gated community. He'd spent weeks sneaking in behind vehicles to saw at the limb of a tree he thought would take out one of the main sensors. He'd already pried the panels off the security boxes trying to decide which wire to cut, even going so far as to snip the side of one, only to decide he wanted to try another way. He'd followed Jared and Jensen on several occasions, staking out the locations they spent time at, a bakery downtown, a large house that he later found out was a center for victims of abuse and, of course, the temporary office that the bastard who had stolen his husband was using in the wake of Joshua torching his.
He felt rage pour through him again as he remembered each and every time Jensen would come into view, his stomach heavy with that bastard's brat. Joshua seethed thinking about how many times he'd hoped Jensen would get pregnant from the thrust of his dick. It would have been another way to tie Jensen to him. And Jared, he spat the name in his mind, for the man to do it on the first try had him seeing red, and plotting ways in which to rid himself of the brat and ensure that the next time Jensen was pregnant it would be with his baby.
Joshua raised the binoculars back to his face and watched as the unmarked car pulled away and the gate swung shut. It was going to be impossible to circumvent the security system without having someone familiar with it doing it for him, and he couldn't afford for anyone to know what he was doing or where he was. His parents had left him several messages, each angrier than the last, but he didn't care that there was a warrant for his arrest, didn't care what his parents thought. The only thing they were good for was getting him out of trouble in the first place.
He continued to scan the yard for any sign of his husband, disgust coiling in his stomach when Jared came into view with the mutts he'd obviously brought home last night since this was the first time he'd seen them. Joshua watched as Jared walked to the end of the drive and followed the path that meandered in and out of the property. He hadn't seen Jensen in over a week and a half and he wondered fleetingly if Jared had finally figured out that Jensen needed someone with a firm hand. Joshua could just imagine the new bruises blooming on pale skin the vivid blues and dark blacks surrounded by the mottled greens, but squelched the idea when it had him moving towards the road intent on taking back what was his and making sure he was the one that put those lovely shades of colors on Jensen.
No, he would wait and when he finally had Jensen free of the filth Jared had filled him with, he'd make Jensen pay. His prick filled and hardened. He reached to undo his pants, closing his eyes and picturing what he'd do once Jensen was his again.
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