And it scared me to even think that. But I wanted Macon near me.
I couldn’t believe I’d been shot. A bullet had pierced my flesh, had torn through my calf muscle, but at least it hadn’t damaged anything too vital. I would be left with a scar, and with physical therapy, hopefully, I’d be able to walk as if nothing had happened. But it would take time.
And I would use all of that time and more.
Because that meant I was here. I wasn’t gone. I hadn’t left my son. I hadn’t left Macon.
There was a tap at the door, and I looked up, my heart racing just a bit.
“Can we come in?” Macon asked, that deep voice going straight through me.
I nodded, tears pricking my eyes at just the sound of his voice. “Please,” I said, realizing afterward that he couldn’t see me nod.
He opened the door fully, and I knew who else was here.
Macon stood there, Joshua in his arms, my little boy leaning on him as if he had been doing it his entire life rather than just the short time we had known Macon.
It had been over a year of having the man in our lives, far longer than my brain even let me admit sometimes. Because Macon had healed since his gunshot wound and was perfectly fine fighting and acting as if nothing was wrong.
I knew he still had nightmares, like I probably would for the rest of my life.
But we were safe—all of us.
And Adam would never hurt us again.
“Baby,” I whispered.
“Mommy,” Joshua said, his voice small, sounding so much younger than usual.
I held out a hand and then patted the place next to me. I had already scooted over in anticipation of him coming into the room.
The doctors had told me that he was allowed to come in for a short while, but then he would have to go. I needed to sleep and heal. And they didn’t want to traumatize him. I was all for making sure my baby was as safe as possible.
Macon came forward and gently placed Joshua on the bed. Joshua didn’t touch me. Instead, he just looked down at the blankets and then up.
“Hey, baby. I’m happy you’re okay.” My voice broke, but I did my best not to cry. He had already seen me broken. I didn’t want to scare him today. He had seen me cry before. But I never wanted him to think that crying or weakness was bad. However, after so much in one day, I didn’t want to overwhelm him either.
“Are you really here, Mommy?” Joshua asked.
This time, the tears did fall, and there was no holding them back or hiding them. Macon pushed my hair back from my face, and I looked up at him over Joshua’s head.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Joshua, I think your mommy needs a hug. Gently, though.”
“I really do,” I said, looking down at my son.
He reached up and mimicked Macon’s move by brushing my hair back from my face and then wiped my tears with his little hand. I cried harder, and then he gently hugged me as if I were porcelain and then patted my shoulder.
“I love you, Mommy.”
“I love you, too, baby boy.”
“I’ll always be your baby.”
That got me. I cried harder and held him close while Macon ran his hands over my hair, and Joshua’s. After a few more minutes of tumultuous peace, I pulled back.
“You’re okay? I know the doctors told me you were fine. But talk to me, baby.”
“I’m okay. I was scared. But everybody’s been really nice, and they’re not going to let me be alone. I was really, really scared,” Joshua said, his little lip trembling.
He had pulled himself from the rope and had run towards his home. I had walked those trails with him in the forest before, and he had found his way back. He had saved himself in the end—my little boy, who was far too strong for his age. Had seen far too much.
And he would be very lucky if I ever let him out of my sight again once we got home.
Macon must’ve noticed my determination and gave me a tight nod. “Okay, now, Ms. Hazel and Cross are going to take you back to their place. They have the kittens there, too. And Momma Cat,” he added.
“I’m going to stay there?” Joshua asked.
“For now. Just for a bit. They’ll be with you all night. So will everybody else. It’s probably going to be very crowded, and there will likely be a lot of food. And cupcakes.”
“I like cupcakes,” Joshua said solemnly. He looked up at my face. “What about you, Mommy?”
“I need to stay here for the night, just so the doctors can keep an eye on me and make sure I’m okay.”
“I saw a lot of blood. I don’t like blood.”
I swallowed hard, my hand convulsing at my side. Thankfully, he couldn’t see. “I don’t like blood, either. But I’m going to be just fine. I might have to walk on crutches or use a cane for a little while, but that won’t be scary.”
“Mr. Peanut uses a cane.”
That made me snort. “He does. I didn’t realize you knew Mr. Peanut.”
“That’s what Macon and Nate were talking about. I don’t know. I just remember that I like peanuts.”
I held back a laugh, wondering how I could even laugh at a time like this. “Well, that’s good, baby. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mommy.” He kissed my cheek before giving Macon a careful look and then looking back at me. “And I love Macon, too. We already talked about being a family, so if you can make that happen, that would be great.” He scrambled off the bed as I blinked down at him. I saw Cross at the door, his eyes wide. He leaned down and picked Joshua up, giving Macon a nod.
“On that note, I’m going to leave the two of you alone.”
“Good night, Mommy. Good night, Macon.”
Cross closed the door at Joshua’s words, and I looked over at Macon, shaking my head.
“What was that about?”
Macon smiled, sticking his hands into his pockets. “Kid always has to steal my thunder.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, my heart racing.
“You better calm down, Dakota. If you don’t, the nurses are going to come in and think you’re in trouble.”
I didn’t care what the nurses thought. I only wanted to know more about the man standing in front of me. The one who had saved my life. “Macon.”
He sat down in the chair next to me and took my hand, tracing my palm with his finger. I wanted to reach out and run my hands over his face, over his day-old beard, and just hold him.
“First. If you ever jump in front of a fucking bullet for me again, I’m going to spank that ass of yours so hard, you won’t sit for a week.”
“First,” I said, my cheeks heating, “we already discussed this kink. We don’t need the nurses in here. Second, I’ll do whatever I have to in order to protect you, just as you would with me.”
“I don’t agree,” he growled.
“Deal with it.”
He looked at me then, his eyes full of something I couldn’t decipher before he nodded tightly. “Second, Joshua and I came to an understanding.”
Humor and happiness filled me, along with a little trepidation. “Oh?” I asked, cautious.
“He wants us to be a family. And I told him I would do everything I could to make that happen.” He looked up at me and squeezed my hand. “And he promised it wasn’t because he wants the cats in his life.” He paused. “Okay, he promised that wasn’t the only reason.”
I laughed, actually laughed aloud. I hadn’t thought it was possible to do that today, if ever again.
But he made me laugh.
“Are you serious?”
“I am. He wants me to be part of your family. And I’m just fine with that. Because I love you, Dakota. I didn’t realize I could feel like this. Ever. You’re it for me. You are the family I want. You and Joshua. And I’m going to do everything that I can to let you know that you’re it for me. I know it might be too soon, but with everything that happened? I don’t know if it’s soon enough. I want you and Joshua in my life forever.
I don’t want you out of my sight ever again. I know that going back to your house might be too much right now, so you can come to mine. Both of you. And the cats. I’ll make it work. Or I’ll stick with you. I don’t know exactly what works or is best for us, but I know I want you in my life. Because I love you, and I never want to spend another night without you.”
The tears fell again, and I swallowed hard, looking at him. “I was going to try to find a way to make sure that you knew that I didn’t want you to leave. I hoped that this wouldn’t scare you away.”
He just shook his head. “What the hell could ever scare me away from you? I fucking love you, Dakota. You’re my family.”
“I love you, too. Of course, I love you.”
“You just have to promise to never stand in front of a fucking gun for me again,” Macon growled out once more.
“I honestly can’t make that promise,” I said, my hands shaking. “But let’s promise each other we won’t get into that kind of situation again. How about that? Because you saved my life. You saved my baby’s life. If you hadn’t used what you learned in the ring to protect us, Adam may have taken everything.”
He shook his head. “That doesn’t excuse the fact that I was fighting in some fights I shouldn’t have been.”
“Maybe not, but I’m not going to ever speak poorly about it again because it brought you to me, and it kept you in my life. And us in yours. So, yes, to whatever you’re saying. Yes. I want to be your family. You, me, and Joshua. And the cats. We’re a package deal.”
“That’s what I want, too.”
And then he leaned down and took my lips. The nurses came in soon after, the sounds of the alarms on my heart rate monitor echoing throughout the room.
I hadn’t meant to fall for Macon Brady, but when I allowed myself to feel again, allowed myself to believe, he’d been right there, ready to catch me as I fell.
I’d promised myself that I’d face the world alone, I’d be the best mother I could be without letting myself become the shambled soul I once was. But I’d been wrong.
Macon had found me, had fought with me, had fought for me.
And now, I would spend my days fighting for him, fighting for us…and fighting for our future.
He was my destiny.
And I thanked God I’d finally seen the truth.
Chapter 21
Macon
* * *
“This is seriously the best smoker,” Prior began again, and I groaned, shaking my head at my brother’s antics. Every time we came to Liam’s cabin, Prior went on and on about the smoker. Well, if I were honest with myself, all of us did. Liam had a great setup up here, and I was a little jealous. However, Liam was generous with the keys, and any of his family and most of the Montgomery cousins for that matter, were always welcome. And since Liam was married to Arden, I got to come up and visit, too.
Today was Arden’s birthday, and we were celebrating in style. Many of Liam’s family members were here. I couldn’t keep all of their names straight, even though I had tried, and there was a flowchart.
There were just too many of them.
However, the entire Brady family was here, even my parents. I had a feeling they might be moving back any day now, considering how our family kept growing. They already had a new grandson in Joshua.
The boys were out in the back now, my father playing catch with Joshua as he giggled and ran around the bases. The bases were old pillows that we had found and Liam wasn’t too ecstatic about us using, but it worked.
Dakota was talking with Hazel and Paris in hushed tones, and I had a feeling it had to do with a certain pact sister who was not here.
Myra hadn’t been pulled into the pact yet, but any day now, she would be forced on her blind date.
She was the last of them, and for that, I was kind of nostalgic.
Their blind date pact had brought the women into our lives, most especially, Dakota into mine.
“You have that cheesy grin on your face again,” Cross whispered.
I did my best to wipe it off, but I couldn’t.
“I can’t help it. I’m happy.”
“Now that is the best thing you have ever said.” Prior leaned against the railing.
“Seriously, man, that makes me happy, too,” Liam added, turning the steaks on the grill.
“I still hate that she’s standing on her crutches and not sitting down like she should be,” I called over my shoulder.
“It’s been two minutes. I’m allowed to stand,” Dakota singsonged and then went back to whispering with the other women.
I snorted, and the men just rolled their eyes.
“Women,” they all said at the same time and then ducked as random chips started flying.
“We heard that,” a few women called from the other side of the porch.
“Was that my woman, or no?” Liam asked.
“No, I think that was either your sibling or cousin. I have no idea how many there are of you,” I said, shaking my head.
“It’s okay. Sometimes we even wear nametags at family reunions. It’s the only reason I can ever figure out who my brother is,” Liam added deadpan.
I snorted and took a sip of my beer. “And I thought it was bad with the five of us.”
“What are you saying, bud?” Arden said, pinching my side. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of my baby sister’s head.
“That you are the best. Everyone else sucks.”
“You know we’re standing right here,” Prior huffed.
“I like this side of you,” Arden chimed in. “My big brother, all nice and happy. Dakota and Joshua are sure making you all smiley.”
“It’s rather disturbing,” Prior replied, shaking his head.
“Hey, don’t harp on Macon’s happiness.” Paris came up on my other side to wrap her arms around Prior. Arden moved to do the same with Liam, and then Hazel was there, hugging Cross. I moved back and gently picked up Dakota so she was sitting on the stool in front of me.
She let me do that, and Prior took the crutches. I was grateful that there were other people around. Usually, she bit my head off.
Dakota did not like being on crutches or asking for help. That much I had known even before they handed her the damn things.
But Pop and Jason were filling her shoes nicely. Dakota was on a fancy little rolling stool in the front now while taking orders, or in the back, dealing with things she could do from a seated position. We did not let her walk around the place on her crutches, and she just had to deal with that.
Later, she’d be in a different position. But for now, everybody was a little overprotective, and for that, I was happy.
“When do you get the final move-in?” Liam asked.
“Next week. We’re putting the house on the market and everything,” Dakota said, and I heard the wistfulness in her tone.
“I told you we could change that,” I added quickly.
She glared up at me. “You have the bigger house, and it fits the five cats that we now have,” she said dryly.
“And the puppy that you’re probably going to get soon.” Cross sipped his beer. I narrowed my eyes at him.
Dakota growled. “Oh, we’ll be getting a puppy. Never.”
“You know I’m a vet. Sometimes, puppies just show up,” I said.
“You are as bad as our kid,” Dakota replied, and I grinned at that.
We were getting good at calling Joshua ours. The second that I had seen Joshua outside of the hospital, he’d called me Dad. I had nearly gone to my knees and wept in front of him, but I did my best to act stoic and fucking ecstatic.
Joshua hadn’t wasted any time making sure we were a family.
I was going to get a ring on Dakota’s finger soon, and we’d finalize adoption because Joshua was mine, and Dakota wanted no part of Adam anywhere near him. I was just fine with that. But for now, Joshua was ours, and I was theirs.
“Anyway, we’re not staying in my house. You know why.”
I ran my hand down her hair and kissed her temple. “I’m sorry.”
“I know,” she whispered.
“You said you were sorry pretty quick.” Prior grinned. “It’s like a whole new side of you.” He let out an oomph as Paris elbowed him in the gut, and then he rubbed his stomach. “Those elbows are pointy.”
“I will end you, Prior Brady. This is a nice happy family moment. Don’t mess it up.”
“Ah, you guys are so sweet,” Hazel said with a laugh.
Dakota laughed before she continued. “Anyway, we’re moving in next week. And, thankfully, we’re still in the same school district, although I’m glad we’re not going to be at that school next year anyway when Joshua ages out.”
None of us needed to say why. That was where he’d been abducted. Joshua was doing just fine, but he was still a little scared. We were going to therapy as a family, plus all of us individually. And mother and son were going together as a duo, too. Somehow, we were making it work. I had never been one to talk about my feelings, but I learned that I needed to when I was first hurt. Now, I was doing it even more.
“Well, this just makes me happy,” Paris said, grinning. “You guys are too cute. And the fact that your parents are in love with that kid there? I’m pretty sure they’re going to start asking for grandbabies soon.”
“They never ask for grandbabies.” Arden shook her head. “They’re always very polite about it, but I think they’re ready,” she said.
“Well, they’re welcome to be the most amazing grandparents to Joshua there is. I, for one, am thrilled that they’ve connected so well,” Dakota guaranteed, and I kissed the top of her head.
“Look at us, growing up and having families,” I said. “Who would have thought?”
Cross narrowed his eyes and looked around. “You know, there is one set of people who are not in this circle right now. And they haven’t settled down.”
“I was hoping nobody would notice that.” Dakota winced. “Does anyone know where they are?” she asked, and I pulled her closer, hugging the love of my life as I kissed the top of her head once more.
“I have no idea, but soon, we’re probably going to hear the shouting. That’s how it always starts.” I shook my head, putting Nate and Myra out of my mind because I knew they’d figure their problems out. Our group was too solid for them not to.
Far From Destined: A Promise Me Novel Page 18