Time For Love Box Set

by Karen Deen

  “Fine,” I huff, “wait here and I will get my things.” I turn and walk to my office yelling over my shoulder. “If you take one step outside that door while I am gone, I will hunt you down and rip off the thing you probably think is your best asset! Got the picture?” I can’t help but smile as I grab my phone, bag and keys. There’s no way this man is going to intimidate me, no matter how sexy he is.

  “You would be surprised how much of an asset there is to pull off, Miss Zara,” he replies with sparkling eyes and a cheeky smile. It makes me want to smack him and kiss him all at the same time. Cocky bastard.

  “Uncle Grant, is Mommy okay? Can we go and see her now, please” Sophia looks unsure and worried about what’s going on. This snaps me out of the wicked thoughts of Grant’s asset and back to this sweet little girl.

  “Princess, mommy is doing just fine. It won’t be long, and we can see her, daddy, and your new brother or sister. We could get there a lot quicker if Miss Zara would hurry up.” Grant’s whole face changes when he looks down at Sophia. This little girl has his number and I think she could get him to do just about anything for her.

  Sophia looks up with so much love in her eyes, I know they have a very special relationship. It’s crazy to think Grant could ever be a threat to her, but I’ve taken my stand with him and there’s no way I’m backing down now.

  “Let’s get going so we can get over to the hospital and join in the excitement with your family, Sophia. How does that sound? I am sure they are more fun than your grumpy Uncle Grant.” This has Sophia giggling as Grant lets her down, takes her hand and leads her through the studio door I’m holding open for them.

  As they walk past, Grant leans in close and whispers, “You would be surprised how much fun I can be, Zara.” He doesn’t even hesitate, just keeps moving. I stand frozen in place with goose bumps covering my body, caused from the rumble of his voice and the feel of his breath on my skin.

  “Are you coming, Miss Zara?” he chuckles while I process what he said. Oh God, I could only hope, Grant. Keep flirting like that and it might just happen.

  We walk to Grant’s car in silence. Grant and Sophia both look comfortable in their world together, her little hand wrapped firmly in Grant’s big hand. I can’t help but smile at the scene of this tough man being brought to his knees by a very shy little girl. There is definitely more to Grant than he lets the world see.

  “Uncle Grant, I will wait. You can open the door for Miss Zara first,” Sophia’s little voice breaks the silence as we approach a silver Audi luxury car. It is the sort of car that speaks of class, style and power. Definitely power.

  “Thank you, princess, but I am sure Miss Zara can wait until I get you safely tucked in your seat. Especially since your safety seems to be so important to her. Isn’t that right, Miss Zara?” Grant mumbles the last part under his breath so only I can hear him.

  “You’re very kind, Sophia, but you hop in the car. I don’t need Grant to look after me, I can do that myself.”

  Grant stops dead in his tracks, staring me down. I’m not game enough to move. What this man can do with his eyes is indescribable.

  “My mother and father would tan my hide if I didn’t open the door for a lady. You may be able to do it yourself, but a gentleman always looks after any woman he is with. Isn’t that right, Soph? What would Gruffy say?”

  “He would get cranky at you, Uncle Grant. Miss Zara, we always let the boys open doors for us girls. Because it’s their job to look after their women.” I want to explain to this cute little ballerina that I’m never going to be anything close to Grant’s woman, but I can’t say a word to ruin her hero status.

  “Okay, I will wait here just for you, Sophia, no other reason.” Glaring at Grant so he gets the message that I don’t need any man in my life to help me with anything. I have coped this long on my own and I will continue that way. It’s just easier.

  Once in the car and heading to the hospital, the silence is deafening. I’m not used to the quiet. My studio is always so full of noise from the constant chatter of the students or the music. When I’m on my own, music fills my world. From the moment I wake in the morning to the last thing at night, there’s music of some sort always playing around me. It soothes my soul and my life revolves around the beat and rhythm.

  I can’t stand it any longer, so decide to break the spell.

  “Sophia, what are you wishing for? A new little brother or sister?” Glancing back to see her face in the back seat, I know before she speaks. Her fingers trail along her ballet skirt as she looks up to answer.

  “I want a little sister, so I can dance with her, sing with her and play dolls. But I really want the baby to be a girl for my daddy, so he isn’t sad about Faith anymore.” I hear Grant release a sigh and a sadness comes over his face. I don’t know what Sophia means but my guess is that Faith was someone very special in all their lives.

  “But my brother wants a boy, Miss Zara. They can play together and wrestle with my Uncle Luke and learn to ride horses with Daddy and look after the farm.”

  “If you get a new sister, Sophia, then she can still ride a horse and look after the farm. Little girls can do the same as little boys. Isn’t that right, Grant?” I deliberately bait him. I see him squirming in his seat wondering how he’s going to answer this in front of his niece. I’m sure he is the kind of man who’d give me a lecture about the fact there are certain things meant for men alone, but he isn’t game to say much with Sophia in the car. Again, he shocks me. There is a lot to learn about this man. The interior certainly doesn’t match the arrogant, hard exterior.

  “Absolutely, Soph, you can do whatever you want in life. Don’t ever let anyone ever try to stop you or tell you that you can’t do something just because you’re a girl. I have a feeling you’re going to grow up and do really special things.”

  Sitting there, I see Grant looking at Sophia in the mirror and he means every word he says to her. This little girl is lucky to grow up in this family. I know a little of her story from Emily. It’s lovely to see her being taken care of and loved by a family that has accepted her as their own.

  Pulling into the hospital carpark, I start to panic. What am I going to do now? I made such a commotion at the studio about needing permission to hand over Sophia to Grant. Emily could be in labor for hours and I’ll look like an idiot if I leave now without seeing her or Zach. Turning to look at Grant, I see a smirk across his face. Crap, he’s just realized my dilemma.

  The excitement is obviously getting too much for Sophia who’s out of her seat, her head popping in between us. “Hurry up, Uncle Grant, I want to see the baby. I don’t want Sammy to beat me.” I can’t help but laugh.

  “Sweetie, the baby might not have arrived yet. Sometimes they take a long while. How about we head up to the room and see what’s happening. Okay?” Grant’s so patient with her. “Ready to go, Miss Zara? I can’t take Sophia up there without your permission, now can I?”

  “Don’t be smart, Grant. Yes, let’s go. I don’t want to hold up Sophia from the baby. I suppose I need to wait for the door again.” This pisses off Grant. I won’t admit, I actually think the door thing is kind of cute. I can’t let Grant get the upper hand, however. He gets out the car with a huff and marches around to our side of the car, and I am certain he deliberately went to Sophia’s door first to make me wait. He might be the sexiest man I have met in a very long time, but he is also the most frustrating.

  Sophia looks excited but also unsure as we enter the lift for the maternity ward. It’s then I notice the same look on Grant’s face. There’s more to the story, I am guessing, and I think it has to do with Sophia’s mention of Faith. One day I might talk to Emily about it because Grant certainly isn’t the man to ask. I squeeze Sophia’s hand and give a smile to let her know it will be okay and not to worry. As the ding of the elevator sounds, the doors open to the maternity floor. A mild panic comes over me as to how I’m going to get out of this. Sophia takes off towards a large group of
people she’s familiar with.

  Great, this is going to be embarrassing.

  Chapter Three

  Grant

  “Me-me, Gruffy,” Sophia yells while running from the elevator towards my mom and dad. The names the kids have given them always make me smile whenever I hear them. “Where is the baby? Has it come yet? Can I see Mommy and Daddy?” Sophia’s scooped up by my dad and gets a big kiss from my mom.

  I stalk straight over to the family, desperate to know if everything is okay. I want to make sure the baby is all right, that Emily is safe. Waiting for the answer, I also need to know if Zach is okay. He’s my baby brother and I love him. I can’t see him fall down the same hole he was in years before he met Emily.

  “Zach was out here a few minutes ago and said Emily is doing just fine and the baby is okay, at the moment. They think we should have a baby here in the next thirty minutes the way things are progressing. So, little Sophia, very soon you won’t be the youngest baby anymore.” My dad tickles her and then lets her down to play with Sammy who’s sitting with my sisters Alesha and Lilly. They look like they’re drawing pictures to pass the time and occupy the energetic Samuel.

  “Hey, Mom.” I lean over to kiss her, and Dad wraps his arm around my shoulder for a man hug.

  “Hi, Son. Who’s your friend?” Dad looks over his shoulder towards the elevator where Zara’s standing. Shit, I totally forgot she’s here. I just first needed to know everything was fine. Standing fidgeting with her hands and looking down at her feet, all the confidence from before is gone.

  “Oh, she’s not my friend. She’s Sophia’s dance teacher. It’s a long story why she’s here.” Looking her up and down, I realize her nervousness and how her passion for her students has put her in this room with my family. “Zach and Emily picked the best teacher in the city, I think.” Dad frowns at my lack of explanation. “I’ll explain later. You better come and meet her.” Confused, Mom and Dad follow me across to where a nervous Zara is waiting.

  “Zara, this is Sophia, my mom, and Mitch, my dad. Little Sophia and Samuel’s grandparents. Mom, Dad, this is Miss Zara, Sophia’s dance teacher.” Zara smiles nervously while Dad shakes her hand, and then Mom, as always, reaches out and hugs her.

  “Zara, I can’t thank you enough for what you are teaching Sophia. She talks about you all the time and shows me her dancing every chance she gets. It has done wonders for her self-confidence.” Mom releases Zara who’s starting to blush. Obviously, she doesn’t take praise easily.

  The pink shade on her is beautiful and one I’d like to put there myself. Now, as she speaks with my parents, I have time to really look at her. Zara’s a stunning woman with natural brown hair she pulls up in a similar bun to Sophia’s. Her eyes are round, and a warm brown color that matches perfectly with her hair. I haven’t noticed her figure before, but as I run my eyes down the length of her body, I see she’s toned and works hard to keep in shape. Normally, I’m not a fan of yoga pants but on Zara, they’re perfect, showing me amazing legs that seem to go forever.

  Dad nudges me from my ogling. Shit. I hear my name, but don’t know why. Dad, having seen me lost in thought, whispers in my ear what Mom’s said. I answer Mom and look back to Zara. Shit, now what? What’s she going to do while we wait for the baby? As much as she pushes my buttons, I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

  “Zara, would you like me to get you a coffee while you wait to see Emily and Zach?” Again, that soft sensual shade of pink spreads across her cheeks. I have a terrible urge to reach out, place my hands on those cheeks and smooth that flush away.

  “Thank you, Grant, but I should really go. I am intruding on a very important family moment and I can see that Sophia is safe with you all, so I will just take off. Please congratulate Emily and Zach, and I can’t wait to meet the new member of the family when he or she arrives. Sorry about this afternoon, and it was lovely to meet you all.” With that, she turns and races to an open elevator. She’s inside, the doors closing, before I have a chance to stop her. What the hell just happened? Where was the snarky, fiery woman I’d met earlier? The one who had me discreetly adjusting myself more than once. I want to chase after her, but my place is here with the family. Zach needs me and so does the rest of the family.

  Standing staring at the elevator doors, I feel Mom slide her arm around my waist and tuck herself in. “Well, wasn’t she a lovely girl, Grant? Beautiful looks and very sweet, with the confidence of a lion. Perfect for you, Son. I think you should tie her down and marry her now.” I nearly choke on my own spit. Where the hell did that come from? This is not what you want to have visions of while hugging your own mother. Picturing a beautiful woman who’s sent my body to high alert today, tied up naked on my bed while bringing her to the point of screaming my name.

  Think about Brussel sprouts, sweaty guys in a gym, needles, or anything that you can’t stand, to clear that vision. Otherwise, I will be embarrassing myself in front of my mother and the rest of my family. I will be sporting a serious pants issue. Dad just looks at me and bursts out with a deep, hearty laugh.

  “You know how she is, Grant, God help you. She won’t give up until she has you walking down the aisle with Zara on your arm. You may as well give in now.”

  I just shake my head at my mom and start walking over to the rest of the family.

  “We will see, Grant Stevenson, we will see.” Mom sits down next to the kids and turns her concentration to entertaining them while we wait. Dad and I make our way over to the windows, both needing a few seconds just to settle and focus

  Luke makes his way over to where Dad and I are standing. We settle in to discuss the problem with the Branch Street electricity. Luke claims he has things sorted and has just received a message stating all is okay and the problem has been repaired. This calms me. Taking a seat, I try to pass the time, waiting until we hear word from Zach. The longer it takes the more nervous I become. I know one of my biggest faults is hating not being in control. I’m not sure I will ever settle down and have children. I know this situation of childbirth would do my head in.

  Sammy and Sophia start to get restless and mom does her best to keep them settled. Dad’s gone downstairs to the cafeteria and returns with hot chips for the kids and coffee for the adults. If one thing’s for certain, food keeps Sammy happy. Checking my cell for emails, I hear the doors open to the labor ward. We all jump up at the sight of Zach coming through the doors with a deliriously happy look on his face and relief runs through my body. His look tells me everything will be okay. Now to meet the newest member for me to look after.

  Zach was trying to talk when the twins rush to his side. He crouches down and hugs them with all his strength, tears down his face.

  “Mommy had the baby and it’s all fine. You now have a beautiful little brother, Thomas Mitchell Stevenson.”

  The kids are bouncing with excitement and as I look around, my dad wraps Mom in a loving hug. They both have tears of joy running down their cheeks. Alesha and Lilly are crying, hugging each other, and trying to get a hold of Zach to smother him, too. Luke’s trying to get the kids under control, so Zach can stand up to embrace them.

  Standing there, I can’t help myself. “Zach, are Thomas and Emily both physically all right, with him being early and you know, the other issue?” I just need to know so I can finally settle. Zach stands, takes two steps toward me and falls into my arms.

  “They’re both perfect, man. Just perfect.” I wrap my arms around him and my shoulders sag down as the relief washes through me.

  “Thank God, Zach. You both deserve all the happiness in the world. Now go take care of your family.” I step away to give the rest of the family a chance to celebrate.

  Zach settles everyone down at least to the point of not too many tears. Good luck to him with the twins. They are so excited, I’m not sure it’ll be possible to keep them calm. Dad steps in to help and take control of the family.

  “Samuel and Sophia, come to Gruffy for a minute, please.”
He sits down on a chair and puts each of them on his knees. “Now let’s just have a little talk before you go in to see Mommy and Thomas. I know you’re excited, but Mommy is very tired, and Thomas is not used to loud noises yet. When you go in to Mommy’s room, you need to be very quiet and gentle with her and baby Thomas. Can you do that for me?” He has their complete attention and their two little heads bob up and down. When Dad speaks we all listen, there is no other option.

  “Mommy will be excited to see you but just be nice and gentle with her and give her nice big cuddles and kisses. Daddy will take you in to see them now so give baby Thomas a kiss from Me-Me and Gruffy, and tell Mommy we love her and will see her soon. Okay?” The heads bob up and down once more. “One more thing before you go.” They both look up into his big, warm eyes. “Always remember that Me-Me and Gruffy love you very much and we always will. You are our special grandkids just like baby Thomas.” Dad struggles to keep his emotions at bay but looking around, there isn’t a dry eye in the room. “Now go and give Me-Me a big cuddle and kiss so Daddy can take you in.” Sammy and Soph jump down from his lap and run over to Me-Me where they’re swallowed up in a loving embrace.

  “I’ll take the kids in for a while and come back out, so you can all come and meet …my…son.” Struggling with the emotion of the day, Zach turns and walks through the door with the kids. I couldn’t be prouder of my brother tonight.

  Sitting quietly in the waiting room, I have time to reflect back over the whirlwind that was the last few hours. Firstly, realizing how rude I was to Zara. I need to apologize for my behavior. The stress and worry for Zach, Emily and baby Thomas made me act in a way that isn’t right. Something about Zara was stirring feelings. Why, I don’t know.