Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection

by Gianna Gabriela

Hugging me tight, she buries her face in my neck and sighs.

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  Rocking her back and forth, I run a hand through her tangled hair, thanking God for making me the happiest man on earth. I haven’t a clue how I got this lucky, but I did, and I’ll be forever grateful.

  26

  EMERSON

  Tomorrow I go back to work. I’m still on leave of absence from school, but I’m ready to get back to work. I spent tonight with my parents, and Levi is still out with Lily, so I head inside the dark house, ready for bed and a good night’s sleep. I’m only working a five-hour shift and I don’t go in till noon, so I have plenty of time to be well rested, but I’m beat.

  It’s been a couple weeks since I finally told Levi everything, since the night I almost destroyed the only good thing in my life. I still hate myself for what I said to him, but I think in theory it was a good thing. It forced me to stop hiding and let everything out. And every day since then, we’ve only grown stronger.

  Locking the door behind me, I head upstairs to the shower. Letting it warm up, I step inside and quickly get washed, my long hair taking the most time. When I’m finished, I wrap myself and my hair in fluffy towels and head into the closet. Grabbing a long shirt and shorts, I get changed. I know I should dry my hair, but I’m not in the mood, so I towel-dry it the best I can and then toss it in a braid. It can be curly for work tomorrow.

  Climbing into bed, I grab my Kindle from the end table and turn to the book I’m reading, letting myself get lost in the pages.

  I must have fallen asleep at some point, because I’m startled awake by Levi climbing into bed next to me in just his boxer briefs.

  “Sorry, baby, didn’t mean to scare you,” he says, kissing my brow.

  “You didn’t. Are you just getting home?”

  “Yeah, it’s a little after nine. I did the dishes when I got back.”

  “Thank you,” I mumble, closing my eyes when his arms come around my waist, pulling me back against his solid chest.

  “You’re welcome. Love you, Em.”

  “Love you.”

  In seconds I’m asleep, not even remembering what it was I thanked him for.

  My first day back to work was amazing. It felt so good to get back to my normal daily routine. Stepping into the house, I shut the front door behind me and flip the lock.

  “Honey, I’m home!” I yell out with a laugh, tossing my purse on the table. Walking through the living room, I find my handsome man standing with his back to me, stirring something on the stove that smells heavenly.

  “Hey, baby.” The deep timbre of his voice sends tingles up my spine and I smile, walking over to him.

  “Hey. How was your final session?”

  “Good. Here, try this.” Levi holds out the spoon he’s using, and I hurry over to try it.

  “Holy hell, that’s so good. What is it?”

  “Hmm. Family recipe. Sworn to secrecy.”

  I pout and then laugh when he shrugs.

  “Oh, c’mon, I’m your girlfriend. I think I count as family. I mean, I’m sure I could persuade you.” I turn my back to him and stick my butt out, laughing when he groans.

  “Fine, you win. The secret? My momma cooked it. I reheated it.”

  “I figured. You burn ice cream.” Winking, I walk over to the fridge to pour myself a glass of wine. “It’s awfully quiet in here. Our sweet girl taking a nap?”

  “At my parents’ for the night. Lily wanted a sleepover with her nana.”

  “Aw, man. I was looking forward to hanging with my girl tonight.”

  Levi places the spoon in the pot and comes to stand in front of me, resting his hands at the small of my back.

  “Can I tell you a real secret, sweetheart?” His forehead drops to mine.

  “Of course.”

  “You calling my little girl ‘ours’? Best fucking thing ever.” Levi drops his lips to mine for a short yet passionate kiss that leaves my heart racing. It’s been so long since he’s kissed me like that and the emotions start bubbling, but I force them back.

  “I love her, Levi. I hope you know that. I’m gonna get changed. Is that almost finished? I’m starving.”

  “It’s ready when you are.”

  Leaning up on tiptoes, I kiss his stubbly cheek and turn to go upstairs. Grabbing a pair of sleep shorts and one of his work shirts, I change and throw my long hair up into a high bun. Rushing back downstairs, I find Levi setting the table, candles already lit in the center.

  “Levi…,” I begin, the back of my throat burning.

  “Come eat, baby.” He ushers me to a chair, holding it out for me. When I take a seat, he kisses the top of my head and then sits down across from me.

  “What is this?” I ask, picking up my glass of wine from before.

  “This is a beautiful dinner for my beautiful girl. It’s us toasting to the start of forever.” Levi holds up his own glass of wine and we clink them together.

  “Thank you,” I whisper, taking a sip of my drink.

  “Anything for you. Now eat before it gets cold.”

  Dinner is quiet, and I find myself growing nervous. I feel as though Levi has something up his sleeve, though I have no idea what. I pour myself a second glass of wine as he begins clearing the table. I’m lost to my own thoughts when music starts playing from his surround sound.

  “Dance with me,” he whispers in my ear, his hands coming down on my shoulders.

  Setting my glass down, I stand from the table and am swept into his arms, laughing when he steps on my bare foot.

  “Never said I could dance well,” he jokes, spinning me in a circle and then pulling me back into his arms. I run one of my hands up his back to his shoulder, the other resting at the back of his neck, fingers running through his hair.

  “You’re a terrible dancer, but that’s not why I love you,” I say, closing my eyes and letting my head rest on his chest. The low sounds of “Mind Reader” by Dustin Lynch swirl around us, and we sway back and forth.

  “Why do you love me?”

  Looking up at Levi, I don’t even hesitate with my answer.

  “You’re the most amazing man I have ever met. The way you’ve raised Lily, I’m so proud of you. Every time I’m in your presence, it’s like being a child on Christmas. I know every day with you is a gift, Levi. I feel loved, cherished. I feel like the luckiest person alive to be loved by you.”

  Levi bends down and kisses me softly as we continue to dance to the music. His lips don’t leave mine even when the song ends and the next one begins. And when he does break the kiss, he rests his cheek against mine and his grip on me tightens.

  “Hey, Em?” he whispers, not moving his head.

  “Yeah?”

  “Can I make love to you?”

  My eyes pop open and I lift my head to look into his. I see no humor there, only love and respect. It takes me a second to react, but I slowly nod.

  “I need you to say the words, baby. I need to know that you’re ready for this. I’m content to hold you all night if need be, but I miss you.”

  My head drops to his chest and I feel him kiss my head.

  “Yes, I’m ready. I trust you, Levi. I need you to love me.”

  “I do, baby. More than anything in this world.”

  “Show me,” I whisper.

  He smiles and I’m in his arms, legs wrapping around his waist. He grips the back of my head with one hand, the other tight around my hips as he kisses me hard; only when I’m panting does he break away, lips skirting down my throat. Then he carries me upstairs to our room, dropping me onto the bed.

  “Levi.”

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “I’ve been waiting to talk to you, but now seems like the right time. They did bloodwork on me in the hospital and well, I’ve been on the pill since I was in college. I’m clean.”

  Levi raises an eyebrow as he looks down at me.

  “What are you saying, Em?”

  “I’m saying that I don’t w
ant anything between us anymore.”

  Climbing onto the bed, he rests on his hands above me and lowers himself until his face is mere inches away from mine.

  “I want nothing more than that.” Levi kisses me, and in seconds we’re pulling at each other’s clothes, frantic to get undressed. While I try undoing his jeans, his hands come over mine and he kneels on the bed. He’s barely gotten the button undone and zipper down before I’m reaching out to free him from his boxer briefs.

  “Em….”

  “Let me,” I whisper, pulling his pants and underwear down his hips. His breathing hitches when I wrap my hand around the thick base, grinning wickedly as I slowly pump up and down his shaft.

  “Baby… oh God.”

  Licking my lips, I take advantage and lean forward to take just the head into my mouth. I’ve barely covered an inch or two when I find myself flat on my back, Levi hovering over me.

  “This will be over if your wicked mouth does any more. This is about you.” Levi gets us out of the rest of our clothes, but then I take control again, flipping us around so I’m straddling his waist.

  “No,” I tell him, sliding back down his body. His hard cock is straining toward his belly button, and I take him in my hand. “This isn’t about just me. It’s about us taking back what we could have lost. I want this, Levi. I want to do this for you.”

  “Fuck,” he chokes out, head dropping back onto the pillows. I know this is his way of admitting defeat, so I return to his pleasure. Leaning forward, I lick the pearly drops of precum falling from the tip, and his hips buck forward. My hands on his hips, I slowly take him deep into my mouth, moaning at the musky taste of him.

  “Emmy… Jesus, that’s good.” He drops one hand to my head, but doesn’t force me to take more than I can handle. With every upward pull, I hollow out my cheeks and his moans grow louder. The salty taste of him grows stronger and I know he’s close to coming.

  Releasing him with a wet pop, I look up his gorgeous body to see him staring right at me, pupils blown in pleasure, chest heaving.

  “Get your ass up here now.”

  Giggling, I crawl up his body, but once again take him by surprise when I straddle his waist.

  “Fuck.” I chuckle at his curse when I grip his hard shaft and begin rubbing him where I need him the most. “Shit, you’re so fucking wet. Get up here so I can fill my mouth with that sweetness.”

  “No,” I breathe, placing him at my entrance and lowering myself onto his cock.

  Levi sits straight up, arms coming around my waist as I take him fully into me. Squeezing my eyes shut tight, I dig my teeth into my bottom lip and force away the tears that come.

  “Baby, open your eyes. Look at me.”

  I do as he says, and a tear betrays me as it falls down my cheek.

  “Em, if you aren’t—”

  “I love you,” I say quietly, hiccupping on a quiet sob as I begin to move up and down slowly. “I love you so much, Levi.” My arms band around his shoulders and I hang on tightly as he helps us move together.

  “God damn,” he moans, forcing me down harder on his cock. Every time he does, he rubs against my swollen clit. I’m not going to last long. “Emmy.”

  “Yes,” I mumble against his lips, licking and nipping at his soft skin.

  “You look like a fucking angel. My angel. You are everything.” He brushes the hair off my face and I finally dare to make eye contact with him, not shocked to find tears sparkling in his own eyes.

  “Levi….”

  “Come, baby. I’m not nearly finished with you.”

  Burying my face in his neck, I find my release quietly, body shaking in his arms as his thick shaft continues rubbing that spot deep inside me. When I lift my head, he gathers me up and turns us so he’s on top of me, my legs around his waist.

  Levi moves his hips slowly, but he’s already working my body toward a second orgasm. My nails dig into his sweaty back and he groans into my neck.

  “You feel so good, Em. It’s incredible to be inside you bare.”

  “I love feeling you too. I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I’m right here, baby. Never going anywhere.”

  His thrusts speed up and I swear I feel wetness sliding down my neck.

  “Levi?”

  He lifts his head and it’s then I see the tears on his cheeks.

  “Could have lost this. Could have lost you,” he mumbles, never once slowing his movements. His lips graze down my neck, not stopping until he’s taking one of my pebbled nipples into his mouth, causing my back to arch in pleasure.

  “I love you,” I sigh, gripping the hair on the back of his head.

  “I love you, baby. Best fucking thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  I let more of my own tears go, and I know in this moment that we’re finally healed.

  No more monsters.

  Just us.

  “Levi, I’m so close,” I groan. Pushing up onto his elbows, he moves a hand down to my clit and begins rubbing, my orgasm coming out of nowhere. It’s so powerful I almost sob with relief at the pleasure swimming through me.

  “So fucking good, baby.” I feel his body stiffen and then he’s grunting through his own release, sealing my body from the inside out with his love, marking me forever his.

  I close my eyes when he pulls out and I lay across his chest. His eyes are shut and he smiles when I lean forward to place a kiss to the pink lily across his heart.

  “Love you.”

  “Love you, my Emmy.”

  We fall asleep together after getting cleaned up, my head on his chest. The steady thrum of his heartbeat lulls me to sleep, and I’m filled with dreams of happiness.

  Levi.

  The only thing worth dreaming about.

  EPILOGUE

  SIX MONTHS LATER - EMERSON

  Life can change in a heartbeat. Everything you once knew can change, and you’re left drowning, with only a leaf as a life preserver. If you had told me a year ago that not only was I about to meet the man who would change everything, but that only months later our worlds would be rocked with such a horrific tragedy, I wouldn’t have believed it.

  It’s hard to imagine Levi Jackson not being in my life. Not being mine. So many things could’ve steered us both in such different paths, but I thank God every day that he crossed mine. That I get to have this amazing man and his beautiful little girl.

  We got the call a few days ago that Mark and Dana will be going on trial next month. It’s been this long, drawn-out process, and I’m not looking forward to it. Levi and I had a long talk after Detective Warren called us, and we’re on the same page. I need to testify, I need to put this behind me. Not only are they both facing various drug-related charges, but Dana is charged with attempted kidnapping in the case of Lily, and Mark is facing kidnapping, assault, and attempted murder charges. They’re both looking at many long years in prison, and I’m going to do everything I can to help send them there.

  Today we’re heading into the city to visit the American Girl doll store and have dinner for our one-year anniversary. Levi had originally toyed with the idea of Lily staying with his parents and us going alone, but I want her with us. She’s as much a part of our story as the two of us are. Lily is so freaking excited, and I have to admit I am too. I mean, I was a young girl once, and I remember when the dolls first came out. I’m jealous of a five-year-old. Sue me.

  Lily turned five three months ago and we had a huge birthday party for her. She starts kindergarten in only a few months, and as much as I look forward to her going and learning new things, I’m also a little sad. I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by. It’s bittersweet.

  Standing in front of the mirror, I brush my long hair and grab my curling iron, tossing in a few waves. When I’m satisfied, I fluff it and grab my darkest red lipstick, painting it on. I’m just blotting my lips when my gorgeous man comes walking in, rolling up the sleeves on his navy button-up. Levi has left his hair longer than usual, and he�
��s mostly clean-shaven, with only a hint of scruff. He looks gorgeous, and thanks to the Polo cologne I got him this past Christmas, he smells friggen delicious.

  “Fuck, baby,” he groans, bending over to run his nose along my neck.

  “What?”

  “You look so damn beautiful. Are you sure we can’t leave Lily behind?” he jokes, pulling away to spin me around, taking in every angle of my new black wrap dress.

  “Yes, goofball. I want her with us, you know that.”

  “I do too. Okay, the truck is running. You ready to go?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Watch it, Em. Don’t make me take you over my knee.”

  “Please do, Jackson.” Winking, I waltz out of the bathroom, only stopping to grab my black ballet flats next to the closet door. Lily is waiting for us in the living room, getting her American Girl doll ready to go, chattering about all the new outfits she’s going to get for her.

  “Let’s go, sweetie pie. We’re all ready to go.”

  “Ready, Freddie!”

  “Weirdo,” I laugh, pulling the front door open. Levi is right behind us, closing the door once we’re all out.

  As we pile into his truck, I keep finding him staring at me, this goofy smile on his face. Ignoring it, I get buckled up and we head out, Lily still going on in the back. The whole drive there, I can’t stop thinking about the surprise I have for Levi. It’s completely unplanned, and I have no idea how he’s going to react.

  The stomach flu ripped through our house a couple months back, and my birth control must have gone wonky when we were all taking antibiotics. Now we’re gonna have an addition to our family in about seven months. I have a little Levi and me in my belly, and I’ve never felt this complete.

  This store is straight insanity. Lily is going to have a complete meltdown. This was a dumb idea. There are clothes, accessories, almost anything you can imagine everywhere. Levi is just walking hand in hand with Lily, exclaiming along with her, pointing out the newest things on the shelves. We told her she could pick out three new outfits for Penny, her doll, and one other accessory pack. She’s bouncing from one thing to another, and I’m starting to worry we’ll miss our dinner reservation.