by DL Gallie
Kicking off my shoes, I join them in the fort and snuggle in. Completely content and sated with Lexi and Preston. I’m currently in my happy place with the two people I love the most.
There’s a knock at the door but no one wants to move so we ignore it, we stay in our fort watching DuckTales. The knocking stops and then my phone blows up with text message after text message. I shield them from Lexi but Preston being Preston, he glances at the screen. His jaw clenches and he growls low in his throat as he reads the messages.
CREED: Open your fucking door, bitch
CREED: Stop being a whore and answer me
CREED: Cressida fucking Bayliss, do not ignore me
CREED: Fuck you, bitch
CREED: I want to see Lexi tomorrow. Let me or else you will pay
CRESS: I’m working tomorrow, you can collect her from school
CREED: Maybe we can have some fun when I drop her home
CRESS: I told you, not going to happen
CREED: Just give in and fuck me already
CRESS: Good night, Creed
After texting with Creed, I’m on edge. I excuse myself from the fort and go to the kitchen. Grabbing a bottle of white from the fridge, I pour myself a glass.
“You okay?” Preston asks, as he wraps his arms around me from behind, pulling me into his chest. His embrace instantly calms me.
Placing my glass on the countertop, I place my arms on top of his and snuggle back into him. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Cress, I know that when a woman says fine, she is anything but fine.”
Spinning around, I drape my arms over his shoulders. “Seriously, I’m fine. Creed just doesn’t like being told no, if I let him spend time with Lexi, he’ll back off.”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding my head, I smile. “I’m sure.” But even as I say those two words, I have no idea. I don’t think Creed would hurt Lexi but then again, I have never seen him like this before. I really don’t know what to do.
Preston and I get Lexi off to bed and then we grab the bottle of wine and head out to the back deck since it's a lovely night. Preston and I drink our wine in silence. Each of us in our own heads. When the bottle is finished, I offer for him to stay, but he declines since he needs to be at the hospital early. He kisses me goodbye and I watch as he drives away.
With a sigh, I lock the screen and front door before I climb into bed. My last thought before I drift off to sleep is that I wish I’d met him first and he was Lexi’s dad.
The next afternoon when I get home from school, I decide to clean the house so that tomorrow I can spend the entire day with Lexi. I turn on Spotify and get to it. Two hours later, I’m on the last job, vacuuming. “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift comes on and I shake my booty around the living room as I finish the floor. I can feel eyes on me and when I look over to the door, I see Preston standing there, staring at me through the screen.
Jumping in fright, I rest my hand on my chest, “Dude, you scared the absolute shit out of me. Why didn’t you knock?”
“And miss out on seeing you shake your booty, hell to the no.”
Walking over to the door, I open the screen. As soon as I do, he slides his hand around my waist, pulls me to him, and presses his lips to mine. My leg lifts in that way they do in romantic movies. Our moment is interrupted when, Creed growls. “Are you finished tongue fucking my wife?”
Pushing away from Preston, I look to Creed. “I’m not your wife.”
“Whatever.” Creed looks to Preston. “Who the fuck are you?”
“Preston Knight,” he says, offering his hand to Creed. “Pleasure to formally meet you, Creed.”
My eyes widen at this, Preston has met Creed before? When? And why did he not tell me? Creed looks at Preston’s hand and refuses to shake it. “So you’re the asshole, she’s slutting it up with.”
“Excuse me,” Preston fumes. “You don’t speak to me, or Cress like that.”
“Pres, I’ve got this,” I say, resting my hand on his arm. He looks to me and nods. I can see the anguish in his face, he wants to protect me but he knows this is my fight. I smile up at him. Then I hear a little voice, “Mommy.”
Looking down, I see Lexi walk up the stairs behind Creed. “Hey, Munchkin,” I say, dropping down to my knees and opening my arms to her. She walks over and hugs me tight; she seems sad.
“Hi, Mommy.”
“Did you have fun with Daddy Creed?” He growls at that name and I can’t help but smirk at my slight win. She shrugs at me and my heart breaks for my little girl right now. She’s never returned from being with Creed sad like this. “Why don’t you go put your things away. I’ll be there in a moment.”
“Okay, Mommy,” she sadly says. She looks to Creed. “Bye, Daddy Creed.” Then she turns around and races inside.
“What happened? Why is she sad?”
“She wouldn’t stop talking about the fucker standing next to you. I told her that he’ll move on soon, no one hangs around a slut like you.” I can feel the anger radiating from Preston, I step between him and Creed, the last thing I need is a fight breaking out between the two of them.
“Creed,” I yell, “You cannot say shit like that to her. She’s a little girl for fuck’s sake.”
“Well, it’s the truth. If we arrived a few minutes later, you would have been fucking him right here in the doorway. I’m not sure this is a suitable environment for my daughter to be in anymore.”
“Fuck you, Creed,” I seethe through clenched teeth. “I’m the one who has been here for her ever since I found out I was pregnant. You pop in whenever you feel like it. You taunt me when you don’t get your way and now, you are referring to me as a slut to my daughter. Some father figure you are.”
“She’s my daughter too,” he snaps back.
“She might have your DNA but you certainly are no father.”
“What? And he is?” He flicks his finger toward Preston.
“He’s more of a father than you ever will be.”
“Don’t push me, bitch.” I feel Preston step forward at this, I block him but I don’t know how much longer I can hold him back. “If I want to, I can make your life a living hell, Cressida. Just you remember that.” His gaze roams over my body and I shudder at the lewdness in his gaze. “See you round, Dollface.”
He blows me a kiss and walks away. Leaving me fuming. “Cress,” Preston says from next to me, “are you okay?”
Nodding my head, I bite my thumbnail. “I need you to leave.”
“What?” he shouts. “Why?” Preston reaches for me and I pull back.
“I need you to go, Preston. I need to focus on Lexi right now.”
“Cress—”
“No,” I shout. “Preston, I need time to think. Please?” I plead, cupping his cheek in my palm, I stare at him. “Please, I need to focus on Lexi tonight.”
“I don’t like this but if you insist.”
“I do, I need some alone time with Lexi tonight. My little girl needs me.”
“I’ll give you tonight, Cress, but I’m not going anywhere. You, me, and Lexi, we belong together like Huey, Dewy, and Louie belong with Scrooge.”
He kisses me on the temple and walks out. Standing in the doorway, I watch him climb into his car and drive away. Closing the door, I lock it and engage the deadlock. Turning around, I slide down the wood and rest my head on my knees. Did I just push the best thing to ever happen to us away?
My phone pings with a text, without looking, I know it’s Creed. Pulling it out of my pocket, I open and read his messages, instantly regretting opening it.
CREED: I’m better than that doctor asshole, he will not take my place in Lexi’s life. You try and push me out and I will file for custody.
CREED: I know people and those people will ruin you.
CREED: Don’t push me
Tears well in my eyes as I read his texts over and over. “Mommy,” Lexi says from the hall. Looking up, I see her standing there staring at me.
&nb
sp; “What’s up Munchkin?” I say, as I stand up and wipe at my eyes.
“Where’s Prince Dr. Preston?”
“He had to go home.”
“Ohh,” she sadly says.
“How was your afternoon with Daddy Creed?”
“I didn’t have fun. He was kinda mean when I talked about Prince Dr. Preston and DuckTales.”
“Don’t let that worry you. How about we build another fort, watch DuckTales and eat mac ’n’ cheese in the fort?”
“Can we sleep in there too?”
“It’s a school night tonight, but maybe we can on the weekend?”
“Really?” Her eyes widen in delight.
“Of course, Munchkin.”
“Yesss,” she squeals, her little face lit up with joy.
“You get the pillows. I’ll get the blankets.” Before I’ve finished saying that, she’s racing away and just like that, my daughter is happy.
For the next few hours, I focus on Lexi and I forget all about Creed’s threats, but guilt from pushing Preston away begins to fester.
After watching a whole season of DuckTales and eating our weight in mac ’n’ cheese, I bathe Lexi and get her off to bed…leaving me alone with my thoughts and guilt.
Pouring myself a glass of wine, I curl up on the sofa. I grab my iPad to read but my mind keeps drifting to Preston, and specifically how I spoke to him. How I pushed him away. And how he said he’s not going anywhere. I feel like a total bitch and now, I need to apologize. Looking at the clock, I realize he’ll be sleeping but I text him anyway, this way he can wake up to an apology message.
CRESS: I’m so sorry, Preston. I acted like a total whorebag bitch. I took my fears and anger out on you, and I shouldn’t have done that.
I’m so sorry.
Please know that I love you with all my heart and soul. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. It's been Lexi and me for so long and I freaked out at the prospect of losing her. Until I met you, she was my everything. Now you both hold that spot in my heart.
CRESS: I’ll see you soon…Gotta go, buffalo Xo
CRESS: PS. I’ll leave the corny sign-offs to you…that was really bad
CRESS: PPS. Love you long-time
I hit send and I really do hope I see him again soon. I really hope Creed hasn’t ruined this for me.
25
Preston
Preston, I need time to think. Please?
Preston, I need time to think. Please?
Preston, I need time to think. Please?
Those seven words play on a loop in my head. The look of hurt on her face at Creed’s words gutted me. Her sending me away gutted me. I’ve fallen hard for this woman and even though she just pushed me away, I know I’ve finally found ‘the one.’ It’s fucking crazy to be talking like this after such a short period of time, and considering she sent me away tonight, but when you know, you know.
Cress is it for me.
Lexi too. I love that little girl as if she were my own.
My phone pings with a text, picking it up, I see it’s from Cress. As I read her words, a smile graces my face and I know we’ll be fine.
PRESTON: No need to apologize. It was a rough afternoon. I love you too. I’ll pop round after my shift tomorrow.
She texts me back immediately.
CRESS: I promise to make it up to you
PRESTON: Naked horizontal tango? **wink wink**
CRESS: That can be arranged. I’d do anything for you, Preston, anything!
CRESS: I love you unconditionally.
CRESS: Nite nite, Preston
PRESTON: I’d do anything for you and Lexi too. I hope you know that.
PRESTON: Love you xo
PRESTON: Nite, Queen Cress
Placing my phone on the side table, I lie back and finally relax. I love you unconditionally are the four new words now playing over in my mind as I drift off to sleep.
The next day, I’m called into Dr. Jenkins’ office. She’s sitting behind her desk, her shoulder-length dark hair straight as usual when I enter. She pushes up her glasses and smiles as I enter. “Preston, how are you?” she asks, as she walks around her desk and ushers me to the seating area in her office. Perks of being chief, a nice large office.
“Good, today was quiet so it was a good paperwork day.”
“You better not have jinxed it by saying the ‘Q’ word.” We both laugh. “You are probably wondering why I called you in here today.” I nod my head. “I’ve heard that Boston,” my eyes widen that she knows, “is interested in you leading their new pediatric wing. I want to know what I can do to entice you to stay.”
“How did you know? They only emailed the offer a few days ago, and I haven’t spoken to anyone about it yet.”
“It’s my job to know, Preston. I didn’t get to this position because I slept my way here. I got it because I’m the best, as are you. I don’t want to lose you. The hospital doesn’t want to lose you. So, what will it take for you to stay?”
“I…I—” I’m stumped, I have no idea what to say right now.
“Think it over and get back to me.”
Standing up, I shake her hand and walk out, thankful that my shift is over because I have a lot to think about but before I can think about work, I need, no want, to go see my girls.
Jumping into my car, I drive over to Cress’s. I pull up and there’s a gray sedan parked out front. Looking to the house, I see Cress talking with a guy in a suit. Climbing out of my car, I walk up to them. Cress looks pale. “Cress, Love,” I ask, “is everything okay?”
She looks at me blankly and nods. Then she looks back to the man, “As I said, Agent Cox, apart from handover with my daughter, I don’t know what Creed gets up to. Hell, I don’t even know where he lives.”
“Okay, thank you for your time.” He hands her a card. “If you think of anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”
“What have you gotten yourself into Creed?” she whispers to herself after I close the door. Escorting her to the sofa, I sit next to her.
“What was that all about?”
“He’s an agent with the DEA. Seems Creed is into some bad shit, he was questioning me about him.”
“Fuck, seriously?”
“Yep, just when I think it can’t get worse regarding him, this happens.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What can I do?”
“Maybe you need to speak to a lawyer?”
“I can’t afford that.”
“I’ll help you if you need,” I offer.
She shakes her head and takes my hand in hers. “Thanks, but I can’t take your money. I’ll figure this out.”
Her response doesn’t surprise me at all. “Well, my offer is there any time.”
“Thank you,” she says. She looks at me, my cock twitching at the heat in her eyes. “Now, where’s my hello kiss?”
“I’m so sorry.” Reaching over, I pull her onto my lap and press my lips to hers. Breaking the kiss I rest my forehead on hers. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she replies with a smile. “How was your day?”
“Crazy.”
“DEA crazy?”
“Not that crazy but still crazy. I got a job offer—”
“That’s amazing, Preston. Congrats.”
“It’s umm ahh, in Boston.”
“Ohh,” she says, no longer elated at my news. “So you’re moving?”
“I don’t know. My boss here offered me anything I want to stay here in Chicago.”
“Wow, that’s great. What are you going to do?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Leading a pediatric unit would be amazing, but my life is here…you and Lexi are here.”
She shakes her head. “No, don’t base your decision on us.” I go to interrupt but she places her finger on my lips. “You need to do what’s best for you and your career. I would never stop you from doing that, BUT in saying that, I really hope you stay cause I kinda like having you around.” She
grinds herself on me, my cock hardening beneath her.
“God, I love you,” I say, leaning over I press my lips to hers. Before she can process what’s happening, I flip her onto her back, cocooning her under me on the sofa. “What time is your mom dropping Lexi home?”
“Any minute now.”
“Dammit, I’ll just have to settle for this for now.” Pressing my lips to hers, I fuck her mouth with my tongue. She moans into my mouth, and my cock hardens further between us, painfully pressing against my zipper. She swivels her hips, pressing against my dick harder. “Cress,” I warn into the kiss. She giggles against my lips and continues to circle her hips. “You are a minx,” I say, nipping her bottom lip between my teeth. I slide my hand between us and up under her skirt. I cup her pussy, pressing my thumb into her clit. This is pretty steamy but I can’t stop what I’m doing. I need to be inside of her now.
“Yes,” she mewls, closing her eyes. Her head drops back elongating her neck, leaning down I lick from her shoulder to under her ear. “Fuck me, Preston,” she whispers, pulling her panties to the side, I’m about to push my finger inside when the front door swings open and Lexi yells, “Mooooommmy, I’m home.”
Cress freaks out and shoves me off her. I land on my back on the floor with a thud. “Uggh,” I groan. Looking up at her, her cheeks are flushed and she’s never looked more beautiful.
“Duck, I’m so sorry,” she says, her comment sets me off and I start to laugh. She laughs too.
“Mommy. Prince Dr. Knight. What’s so funny?” Lexi asks, this causes us both to laugh even harder.
“Come on, sweetheart,” Momma Cress says. “Let’s unpack your bag and then Mommy and Doc P. will get you that snack I promised.”