Love deserved, p.14
Love Deserved, page 14
When he eased away, I thought I was floating. My eyes opened to the sexiest smile I had ever seen. “That’s just a sample of what’s in store for you later.”
I bit my lower lip and glanced at him. “Promise?”
One affirmative nod from him had my body reacting. It tingled from head to toe. I couldn’t wait to be alone with him later. Hopefully, we would head to the apartment soon. I didn’t know how late his parents stayed awake on the weekends, but I suspected his aunt would be up for a while.
I heard voices in the dining room after we returned to the main floor. A few minutes later, everyone was laughing. Ayden hesitated a few feet shy of the doorway and shook his head. “My Uncle Johnny is here. That was his SUV in the driveway. He’s a handful.”
“What do you mean?”
Ayden chuckled. “Remember how my dad complimented you about being pretty and smart?” He waited until I nodded to continue. “My Uncle Johnny is twice as obnoxious. It’s all for fun, though. He’s a good guy.”
“He and your Aunt Jenny are twins, right?”
“Yup, and they’re both crazy as hell. I mean that in the nicest way possible.”
He winked at me, causing me to laugh, then we walked into the dining room. Both Kay and Holden were sitting closest to the kitchen. Jenny and who I assumed was Johnny sat closer to the window but facing the door. Both looked our way when we entered.
The resemblance between Jenny and Johnny was obvious. I’d never met a set of fraternal twins that looked so similar. Both had dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. I assumed Johnny was taller, but not by much. Then again, Jenny was above average height for a woman. Both were in their early thirties and in great shape. Johnny’s build reminded me of Ayden’s—toned and broad, but not bulky. He didn’t overdo it at the gym.
“Ayden. Damn, boy, it sure is awesome to see you.” Johnny stood and met Ayden halfway across the room. He gave him a big bear hug and slapped his back a few times.
“Likewise, Uncle Johnny.” When they broke their embrace, Ayden stepped back to me and grabbed my hand. Once he pulled me closer, I heard him say, “I have someone I want you to meet.”
Johnny’s eyes fixed on me as soon as I stood next to Ayden. He looked back and forth between us a few times before shaking his head. “Wow. How the hell did someone like you end up with someone this stunning?”
My cheeks warmed, but I refused to get embarrassed after Ayden gave me a fair warning about his uncle’s behavior. I laughed when he punched Johnny in the arm, then wrapped his arm around me. “Don’t be jealous. One day, you’ll meet someone who will tolerate you.”
Johnny smirked. “You were smart to put a ring on her finger, Ayden. If not, I would steal her from you.”
“Oh yeah? Well, respect the ring, and we’re good.”
They grinned at each other for a moment, then Johnny shook Ayden’s hand. “Seriously, man, congratulations on the engagement and the little one.” Johnny motioned to my belly. “I am jealous, nephew. Maybe one day I’ll get lucky enough to find a special someone.”
“Good luck with that,” Jenny piped up. “Most women want a man who doesn’t work twenty-four seven.”
“I’m getting better, thank you. I work because I’m bored.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Jenny stood and grabbed her empty glass from the table. “If I have to deal with you tonight, I need another drink.”
“Is that so? Well, grab me a beer on your way back through.”
Jenny mumbled something as she disappeared into the kitchen. A second later, she cursed loudly. She came to the archway between the dining room and kitchen, glancing at Kay. “The bottle we were drinking is empty. Do you have more in the basement?”
“Yes. I’ll get it.” Kay was about to stand, but Jenny motioned for her to remain seated.
“Stay here. I’ve got this. Be right back.”
Johnny glanced at Ayden as soon as Jenny was out of sight. Both pressed their lips into thin lines, but it was Ayden who shook his head. He motioned me to join him in the chairs across the table from Johnny.
“So when is Uncle Steve’s hearing?”
“Next week. Tuesday, I believe. His parents wouldn’t post bail for him this time, so he’ll be sitting in the county jail until then.”
“I’m glad to hear his parents are no longer enabling him,” Ayden scoffed. “It’s a shame it took their granddaughter getting her arm broken before they acknowledged the problem.”
“Agreed.” Johnny lifted his beer as if he were cheering Ayden. “Trust me. I’ll do everything in my power to get that asshole locked up. He won’t hurt any more women or children.”
“So, who wants to play darts?” Holden asked as he and Kay stood from the chairs.
“You know I will.” Johnny stood, too. “Ayden beat me last time. I’m getting my redemption.”
Ayden shook his head. “Is the board still in the basement?”
“Yes. Will you go tell your aunt to stay put?”
“Sure thing.” Before Ayden left the room, he glanced at me. “You’re coming, aren’t you?”
“As soon as I use the restroom. The baby is on my bladder tonight.” I cupped my belly as his eyes lowered to it.
“Okay. Be careful coming down the steps.”
“I’ll make sure she gets down safely.” Johnny patted his chest. It was enough to satisfy Ayden. He sprinted toward the door that led to the basement.
Kay and Holden walked to the kitchen to grab drinks and snacks. Once I finished up in the bathroom, I walked into the hall and spotted Johnny standing by the basement door.
“Ready to head downstairs?”
“I sure am.” As I joined him by the door, he didn’t move away. Instead, he glanced down the steps, then back to me.
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that my nephew is an honorable guy. He’s never been one to tolerate a man hitting a woman.”
“Believe me, I know. Ayden came to my aid not long after he arrived in Arizona. My ex ended up hitting me, and Ayden punched him for it.”
Johnny nodded his head as if he knew what I was talking about. Maybe Ayden had spoken to him after the incident with Wesley. Or perhaps Kay or Holden had told him. Either way, Johnny knew how passionate Ayden was.
“He’s a hell of a guy, but I worry about him. As a law enforcement officer, I’ve seen good guys like Ayden get taken down because of assholes like my brother-in-law. Do you think you can promise me something, Mia?”
“I will do my best.”
Johnny glanced down the staircase again. While Ayden and his aunt stood near the bottom, talking about something I couldn’t discern, Johnny looked back at me. “I don’t know you well, Mia. I hope to change that in the future, but I know one thing. The way you look at my nephew says a lot about you. You love him, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Then promise me you’ll be a voice of reason. Promise you’ll always be there to pull him back.”
“I promise.” After we shook hands, Johnny was about to head downstairs, but I tugged on his arm until he stopped and turned toward me. “Can you promise me something, too?”
His brows drew together. I wasn’t sure if it was from confusion or curiosity, but he nodded his head in response to my question. “Can you promise that if Steve doesn’t go to jail that you’ll make sure Jenny and Toni visit us in Arizona?”
Johnny appeared as though he were contemplating what to say. A second later, his lips curled up, and he nodded. “That’s one promise I will definitely keep.”
His answer pleased me. I didn’t doubt he would keep his word. And if I got my way, I would make sure Jenny’s husband never laid a finger on her or Toni again.
Chapter 15
~Ayden~
The lights on the Christmas tree held my attention as I dreaded the thought of leaving today. At least I’d had a week at home with my family. It meant a lot to see everyone, but it meant just as much to have my family meet Mia.
I glanced in her direction and couldn’t help but chuckle to myself. The sofa cradled her body as both my Grandma Hannah and Great Aunt Lilly sat on either side of her. They were touching her belly, asking her questions about her pregnancy. Mia seemed at ease chatting with them.
“She fits right in, doesn’t she?”
I found Aunt Jenny standing beside me, near the kitchen. “Yeah, she does. Mia said she wants to visit as much as possible, and she’s hoping she can get everyone out to Arizona for a visit.”
“I can’t speak for anyone else, but I would like that. I’m pretty sure your parents would too, and Uncle Johnny. You know he’s down for anything.”
“Good to hear.” We both grew silent as I gazed at Mia again.
“Listen, I, uh… I have something I want to get your opinion on. It involves Mia, Christmas, and her present. Do you care to help?”
“I don’t mind, but hang on a second.” Aunt Jenny pointed to my mother, who was grabbing a present from under the tree. Once she had the package in her grasp, she walked over to Mia, who gazed at her in confusion.
“What do you have, Kay?”
“Just a little something for you.”
Mia pointed to herself, still gawking at the present. “But we already opened the gifts you got us.”
“I had planned to give you this later, but I changed my mind.” Mom set the present on Mia’s knees and held it while she opened it. Once Mia removed the wrapping paper, she opened the long brown box and pulled out the contents. I didn’t miss the way her mouth gaped as she stared at what appeared to be a picture frame.
“Oh my God.” Mia covered her mouth as her eyes watered. “This is so pretty. How did you get these pictures of Ayden and me?”
Mom’s eyes shifted toward me. “All those pictures you and my son take together, he sends me quite a few of them. I had them printed so Holden and I could make this photo collage.”
“You made it?” Mia’s confusion rang in her voice.
“Yes. Holden has woodworking tools, and I’m the crafty one. We team up for some wonderful creations, like this one.”
I wasn’t expecting Mia to burst into tears. Neither was anyone else.
“Great job, Kay.” Grandma Hannah huffed. “You’ve made the poor girl cry.”
“No, it’s okay.” Mia waved off my grandmother’s comment and wiped the tears from her eyes. “My emotions are running high.”
Great Aunt Lilly scooted onto the other cushion as my mom sat beside Mia. She patted her shoulder and offered Mia a tissue with her other hand. “You’re pregnant, sweetie. Being emotional comes along with the territory.”
Sniffling as she nodded, Mia blew her nose into the tissue and folded it. “I adore this, Kay.”
“It tells a story, too.” My mother touched the top of the frame and pointed to various spots on it. “The plus sign connects the first collage and the second collage. The equal sign is the sum of those collages in one last picture.”
“It’s blank.” Mia’s brows folded as she touched the frame. She peered at my Mom, who was nodding. “Is this for…?”
“Yes. It’s for the baby’s picture.”
More tears filled Mia’s eyes. My mother pulled her into an embrace. She whispered something in her ear that made my fiancée chuckle. Whatever it was, I was content that my mother approved of her. Both of my parents did, as did the rest of my family.
As I watched Mia wipe her tears and hug my grandmother next, I glanced toward the picture frame again. I wasn’t sure why my mother gave Mia this gift tonight. She mentioned a similar gift she had for the bridal shower, even though Mia and Andi hadn’t scheduled a date yet. At no point during our stay did she say anything about giving it to Mia now. I took it as a sign.
Over the last few days, I’d given serious thought to the future Mia and I were building together. Being at home with my family made me think. No matter what happened, Mia and I were in this together. Still, I wanted to show her how much she meant to me.
I couldn’t waste any time. Christmas was just around the corner. To pull this off, I needed help.
When I looked toward Aunt Jenny again, I reminded her of our previous conversation. “Remember that opinion I needed from you?”
Once she nodded, I took a deep breath and prepared to tell Aunt Jenny my plan. If she approved, Mia would find out soon enough.
~Mia~
* * *
A sense of familiarity washed over me the moment Ayden and I stepped inside my family’s cabin. I gazed around the family room, studying the window that faced the driveway. It was the spot where we always placed the Christmas tree whenever we celebrated the holidays here. It had been years since that happened. Last time, it was my father and Andi who joined me. None of us were in relationships, but we enjoyed the trip all the same.
Ayden’s arms wrapped around me, bringing my thoughts back to the present. “Hey. Why are you staring so hard at the window? Do you see something outside?”
“No, it’s nothing like that. The spot in front of the window is where my family and I always put our Christmas tree. When I was younger, my grandfather and father would find a tree somewhere on the property and chop it down. After my mom passed, my grandfather would take me into town and buy the biggest tree.”
“Why didn’t he chop one down?”
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “Grandfather didn’t want to do it without my dad. The whole reason my dad did it was because of my mom. Each year, he brought back a tree that was bigger than the year before. When she died, it all ended.”
He leaned his head against mine and squeezed me tighter. “I’ll chop down any tree you want to keep the tradition. Just say the word.”
Cupping his cheek, I smiled at him. “You would do that for me?”
“Of course.” He smiled. “What about decorations? Do we have them?”
“We keep them stored in a closet.”
“Okay then. The biggest and best Christmas tree will be inside this room tomorrow. We’ll spend the day decorating it.”
Gazing up at him, I stared in awe, disbelieving I almost let him slip away. The time we’d spent together since we reunited had been incredible. Each day, our relationship grew stronger. I wanted to know everything about him. He fascinated me.
“So let’s talk about dinner. What sounds good for tonight?”
“It doesn’t matter to me. I can fix anything you want.”
“No, no, no.” He kissed the end of my nose and eased back. “I’m on dinner duty this evening. You, my beautiful fiancée, are going to waltz your sweet little ass into the bedroom and take a nap.” He touched his hand to my cheek. “I know you’re tired and jet-lagged. Let me take care of you this evening.”
“I want to take care of you.”
My body jostled when he laughed. “You do, all the time. Don’t worry. You can make it up to me tonight.” This time, when he kissed me, it was rougher. My lips tingled when he pulled away. “Deal?”
His big brown eyes pleaded with me. It was difficult to say no. He looked like a puppy begging for attention. I couldn’t refuse him.
“It’s definitely a deal, Mr. McAllister.”
I could feel him smiling when he kissed me once more. His lips were taut, but their effect on me was the same. They made me weak in the knees.
“Come on. Let me help you upstairs. I’ll even tuck you in if you’re a good girl.”
As he led me to the back of the cabin, I gave him a devious grin. “What if I’m a naughty girl? Will you still tuck me in?”
“No, but I will spank you.”
“Promise?”
He laughed as he urged me up the staircase. When we reached the bedroom, he turned down the covers and fluffed the pillows for me as I removed my coat and shoes. Once I crawled into bed, Ayden leaned in, pulling the covers closer. Then he kissed me again. “Looks like the good girl won out.”
“No, the sleepy girl did. Being pregnant is exhausting.”
“Well, you’re providing energy for you and our child. You’re going to tire more than usual. That’s where I come in. I’m here to take care of you.”
Lacing my fingers through his, I smiled up at him. “I’m glad you’re here to take care of me. This past week has been amazing. I absolutely loved visiting your family and getting to know them.”
“I don’t think I have to convince you they like you a lot. Everyone is excited for you to become the next McAllister.”
“No one’s more excited than me.”
He nodded and leaned in to kiss me again. “Get some sleep, beautiful. I’ll wake you when it’s time for dinner.”
“Okay.” I got the word out before I broke into a yawn. Once he closed the door behind him, I stared at it for a moment. The central air unit kicked on as heat blew out of the vent on the floor. I snuggled further under the blanket, fighting the heaviness in my eyes, when I noticed the ring on my finger.
Touching the diamond, I thought back to our last few hours at Ayden’s family’s house in Tennessee. Just days after meeting his aunt and uncle, I finally got to meet his Grandma Hannah. From the moment Ayden introduced us, I became her sole focus.
It wasn’t until we were alone later that day that she saw the ring on my finger. She explained how it once belonged to her and how she’d given it to Ayden. She wanted him to have the same type of love that she and her husband shared.
I grew teary-eyed when she talked about her husband and how they met at a beauty pageant she had won. Their life together had a bumpy start, much like Ayden’s and mine. In the end, everything worked out.
When I told her about the problems Ayden and I had faced, she listened to every word with no judgment. When I explained to her how Ayden said the ring gave him hope we would work things out, she hugged me. I didn’t understand why until she told me how she and her husband almost broke up, too. Like their grandson, when he noticed she hadn’t removed the ring, it gave him hope. Once we learned our stories were similar, it was as though we formed an instant bond.
