by L. P. Dover
“I want to hear everything about you and Lacey. She won’t mind me calling her Lacey instead of Dr. Easton, right?”
I shook my head incredulously. “She’s my wife, Mom. Of course, she won’t mind. Did the doctor come in with the discharge papers?”
“Not yet. Should be soon, though.” We both looked over at my father. Something told me he was probably awake, only pretending to be asleep.
“I guess we should probably meet her parents,” my mother added.
“I need to officially meet her parents,” I said, laughing. “I met them briefly at Callie and Dallas’s wedding. They don’t even know Lacey and I are married yet.”
“Oh dear God. Son, that’s not good at all. How long have you two been married?”
I still remembered the day like it was yesterday. It was March 23. “Almost three years,” I said.
Her mouth dropped and she froze. “How is that possible?”
“Remember when I went to Vegas for those two weeks?”
Pursing her lips, she shook her head. “Are you seriously trying to tell me you got married at a Vegas chapel?”
I shrugged. “What? It wasn’t bad at all. Elvis married us.”
“And you did it without me there, that’s what’s bad. I can’t believe you kept that a secret from me for so long.”
“It’s a little more complicated than that. Dallas is her brother and very protective of her. If he knew what we did, he’d have killed me. Luckily, he likes me now. Lacey told him the truth yesterday.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she turned to look at my father. “I don’t know what to say. My only son got married and I had no clue. Where has she been the past couple of years?”
“Finishing medical school. It was complicated back then. We’re together now and that’s all that matters.”
She turned to me and smiled. “She’s very beautiful and accomplished. I have to say you’re a lucky man.”
“That he is,” my father whispered, his voice raspy.
My mother gasped and jumped to her feet. I stood and hurried to my father’s other side. My mother clutched his hand and smiled. “How do you feel?”
He reached up and touched his head, wincing at the pain. “Like shit. It feels like my head is going to explode.”
“Not yet,” I said.
My father glanced up at me with a sad expression on his face. “I guess I deserve everything that happens to me. At least I’m not dead. Now I have the chance to tell you how sorry I am.”
“For what?” I asked. I didn’t want to be a dick, but I had to hear it.
He glanced over at my mother and then back to me. “For saying the things that I have in the past. I was too hard on you, and I know it pushed you away. I didn’t know how to stop being that way.”
“Nothing I did was ever good enough for you,” I cut in. “I became something I’m not and I hated myself for it. All I wanted was for you to be happy with what I’d accomplished. So what if I’m not captain of the team. I’m one of the best damn players in the whole league.”
A tear slid down my father’s cheek. “Yes, you are. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of that. You’ve turned into a better man than I could ever be.” He lifted his hand and I took it. “I love you, son. All I want is to be a part of your life again.”
For the first time in years, he actually appeared genuine. I could see the truth in his eyes. “I love you, too, Dad, and I want you to be involved in my life. Only now you have to be on your best behavior.”
A small smile lit up his face. “Yes, I know. You have a wife now. And a baby, from what I hear.”
My mother gasped. “Were you eavesdropping?”
He chuckled. “Kind of hard not to when you’re talking just a few feet away. I have to say, son…she’s a looker. Got a lot of fire, too.”
Brows furrowed, I sat down in the chair. “Why do you say that?”
His eyes closed and his smile broadened. “I didn’t know who was sitting by the bed at first. It was dark and my head was hurting,” he began, opening his eyes. “She thought I was asleep, and I guess I was, but I could hear everything going on around me. Your mom was passed out on the couch so she didn’t hear what Lacey said.”
“What did she say?” I asked.
He snorted. “Basically, that I was an ass. It wasn’t exactly great bedside manner, but I doubt that matters when you’re talking to your father-in-law.”
“I hate that I missed it,” my mother chimed in.
“Me, too,” I agreed.
My father sat up and winced. “She said that if I didn’t talk to you I was going to have her to deal with if I ever wronged you again. The woman almost had me pissing myself.”
I burst out laughing. “That’s why I love her.”
“When will we see her again?” he asked.
“Soon. She fell asleep as soon as I got her home. I’m moving her things into the house this weekend.”
My father stared at me and his eyes lit up. “She’s changed you. It’s almost like I’m staring at a completely different man.”
“Because you are. She makes me better.”
He glanced over at my mother. “That’s what happens when you find the one. I’m just sorry it took so long to realize my faults.”
I leaned over and carefully hugged him. “It’s okay. We all make mistakes. Lucky enough for me, I’ve learned from mine.”
“So have I, son. So have I.”
Chapter 36
Lacey
It was dark outside when I woke up. I could hear Maddox moving around in the kitchen. The scent of garlic and herbs wafted into the room and I breathed it in. I was still in my scrubs so I tore them off and took a quick shower. I’d texted Callie to see if she could stop by the pool house and pick up the present I had ordered for Maddox. When I walked downstairs, there were candles on the table along with a glass of wine.
Maddox glanced at me over his shoulder. He had on a white tank top and a pair of jeans that hung low on his hips. My whole body clenched with need. I’d missed him. “Hey,” he said.
“Hi.”
He set down the spatula and held out his arms. “Did you sleep okay?”
I practically fell in his arms. He squeezed me tight and I didn’t want to let him go. “I did. I feel much better now.”
“The food is almost done. I figured you’d be hungry. You haven’t eaten since you’ve been home. If you could feel the baby right now, he’d probably be kicking you to feed him.” I watched him scoop a piece of chicken onto my plate along with mashed potatoes and green beans.
I giggled. “He? Who says it’s going to be a boy?”
Maddox pointed at himself. “Me. We need to have a boy so that when we have our daughter, he can protect her.”
“I’m sure she’ll have her father doing the majority of that,” I said, laughing.
“Got that right.” He nodded toward the table and I sat down, then he placed my food in front of me.
“This all looks delicious.” I cut a piece of the chicken and chewed it slowly. It was heaven. The doorbell rang and Maddox turned toward the door.
“Expecting someone?” he asked me.
Excitement bubbled in my chest and I shot up out of the chair. “I am.” He walked to the door and when he opened it, Callie stood there with a present in her hands. “Perfect timing,” I told her.
Her face brightened and she handed me the gift. “Have fun tonight, you two.”
I winked. “Oh, we will. Thanks for dropping it off.”
“You’re welcome.” She waved and headed back to her car.
Maddox shut the door and looked down at the gift. “What’s that?”
Grinning wide, I handed it to him. “It’s for you. I was planning on giving it to you earlier, but I never got the chance.” He walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, staring at the present. “Open it,” I laughed.
He untied the ribbon and slowly undid the wrapper. Once the box was open, he mov
ed the tissue paper aside and pulled out the black-and-blue onesie with CHARLOTTE STRIKERS printed on the front and his number on the back with his name, only it was slightly different. It said Maddox Jr.
Maddox stared at the outfit and turned it around, his eyes glued on the name. His chest rose and fell with his rapid breaths and all I could do was sit there. When he finally looked at me, there were tears in his eyes.
He clutched the onesie in his hand and held it to his chest. “I never thought it’d hit me like this. I mean, I know you’re pregnant, but it’s a different story when you see things like this. In a few months, our baby, girl or boy, will be actually wearing this.”
“I know,” I murmured.
His gaze landed on my stomach. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Lacey. I don’t think there’s anything else in this world I need.”
Tears fell down my cheeks. “I’m sure you’ll think of a few things.”
Maddox stepped back and smiled, his eyes wet with tears. “Yeah, you’re right. But hey, my parents love you already. My dad even said he heard what you’d told him in the middle of the night.”
My mouth gaped in shock. “Seriously?”
He burst out laughing. “Yep. He said he almost pissed himself.”
“That would’ve been a sight.”
Maddox knelt down and kissed my stomach, resting his forehead against me. “I’m going to be good dad, Lacey. I promise I am.”
I knelt down with him. “I know you are. I’m not worried in the least.” He kissed me softly, but then his hands gripped the back of my shirt as the kisses grew deeper, harder. Picking me up in his arms, he carried me to the bedroom. “What are you doing? Our food is getting cold.”
He set me on the bed. “I don’t care. Making love to you will only make it better. We can start off with dessert.”
Giggling, I lifted my arms so he could take off my shirt. “I’m down for that…and I have just the thing.” Sliding off the bed, I hurried into the kitchen and grabbed the can of whipped cream from the refrigerator along with a couple of cherries. I took off my clothes and sprayed it all over my breasts and the sweet spot below. It was silly, but I figured Maddox would find the humor in it.
Slowly I walked back to the bedroom, careful not to let the whipped cream slide off my body. When I opened the door, Maddox’s eyes turned raw with need.
“Holy fuck,” he growled, hopping off the bed.
“You like?”
He slid off his shirt and unbuttoned his jeans, letting them and his boxers slide to the floor. “You look so unbelievably sexy right now,” he murmured. He grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the bed so I could lie down. Up on his knees, he stared down at my whipped-cream-covered body, his cock growing harder. “What made you decide to do this?”
“I can be adventurous,” I teased, setting the cherries on my breasts. “Soon I’m going to start getting bigger and not feeling so sexy. Figured it was now or never.”
“You will always be sexy to me, sunshine. Nothing is going to change that. Being big and pregnant is only going to make me want you more.” He swiped his tongue across the tip of my breast around one of the cherries. “You sure do taste good.”
I reached for a cherry and held it up. “Are you hungry for more?”
His lips tilted up in a smirk. “Famished.”
He opened his mouth and I placed the cherry inside, watching him bite it off the stem. A speck of cream was on his lips so I leaned forward and licked it off before biting his lip. He groaned and pushed me back onto the bed, spreading me wide. His warm breath blew across my clit as he licked the cream from between my legs. I was so close to an orgasm, but he chuckled and stopped before I could climax.
“You are such a tease,” I moaned.
“I like watching you squirm.” Then he trailed his tongue up my stomach to my breasts, licking them clean and sucking my nipples. When his mouth closed over mine, I could taste myself on his lips, along with the sweetness of the whipped cream. With his eyes on mine, he settled his body between my legs and thrust inside as far as he could go. “I love the way you feel around me,” he murmured.
“And I love the way you feel inside me.”
He picked up his pace but only a little. It was enough to drive me insane. I liked that he could be gentle but rough at the same time. “I love you,” he whispered, holding me tight.
His hips thrust harder against mine, making me lose control. I screamed out his name as I milked him, his hot release pouring inside. Breathing hard, he rested his forehead on mine and kissed my lips.
I smiled up at him. “And I love you, too.”
Chapter 37
Lacey
TWO MONTHS LATER
I thought I wouldn’t get to see snow at Christmas, since we were in North Carolina, where it was sometimes in the seventies in December, but I woke up to a shock this morning. Although there was only about an inch on the ground it was definitely better than nothing.
“Hey, babe?” Maddox called.
“Yeah?”
“Everyone’s pulling into the driveway. You okay up there?”
With a huge smile on my face, I shut the door to the nursery. My brother and Braeden had worked for the past couple of weeks in there, getting it ready for Maddox’s Christmas present. I was glad to see that Braeden and Maddox were getting along. Some would even call them friends. It was a slow process at the beginning, but Sophia had helped. It helped appease Maddox to know that Braeden was spending his time with someone else.
Dallas and Braeden were the only two people besides me who knew the sex of the baby. Maddox had strict orders not to peek inside the nursery. Our Christmas party was also going to be a gender-reveal party. I couldn’t wait for everyone to see.
I hurried downstairs just as everyone walked in. My mother squealed and rushed to rub my belly. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
I hugged her tight. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”
My father walked in with a smile on his face and shook Maddox’s hand. We flew up to Maine and spent a couple of days with my parents so they could officially meet Maddox. My mother wanted me to have another wedding, but I didn’t see the point in it. I was happy the way things were.
Sophia strolled in with Braeden and she rushed over. “You are positively glowing,” she gushed. “You look amazing.”
I glanced down at the red sweater hugging my stomach. “I look like Mrs. Claus.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re gorgeous. Your hubby can’t seem to stop staring at you.” Maddox was talking with our fathers and he winked at me. “I take it things are going great with you guys.”
I smiled at her. “More than great. He’s been amazing. So much has changed. What about you and Braeden?”
We both looked over at Braeden, who stood with Dallas and Callie. “We’re getting closer every day.” She winked and I held in my gasp. I knew what that meant.
“I told you he’d open up to you. I’m glad he finally came around. You two make an amazing couple.”
She stood straighter. “I think so, too. Now that the media knows you and Maddox are together and expecting a baby, it’s all I ever see in the tabloids. You’re like a super couple. Everyone’s dying to see what your baby’s going to look like.”
“So am I,” I said, giggling.
Maddox walked over and put his arm around me. “I think our parents are getting along pretty well, don’t you? Our fathers are talking about hockey and our mothers are talking about what they want to buy for the baby. They’re just waiting to find out what it is…just like me.”
I patted his hand. “Soon, babe. I think you should show everyone what you did in the backyard. Your dad will be impressed.” For the past couple of months, they’d gotten along great. Never once had his father talked down to him about anything. Raising my hands, I waved them around. “Hey!” Everyone focused on me. “Do you all want to see our new backyard, designed by none other than the infamous Maddox Ledger?”
Royce’s ey
es widened and he turned to the back door. Maddox bent down and whispered in my ear. “Turn on the lights when we get outside.”
I winked. “Will do.”
The snow kept falling as he led everyone outside. Once they were on the back deck, I flipped the switch. The backyard came to life with lights all around the wooden fence and the deck. It was like a winter wonderland. All the trees had twinkling white lights in celebration of Christmas. Once spring came, there’d be flowers all around the gazebo and the water fountain. Maddox had asked me what I wanted and I told him I’d always wanted a secret garden type of theme. The Secret Garden was one of my favorite movies as a child. He even had an old wooden door hidden on one side of the fence so I could unlock it with my golden antique key. The rose garden around the fountain was going to be my favorite place.
Royce put his arm around Maddox’s shoulder. “Son, this is amazing. You did this all yourself?”
Maddox beamed. “Lacey helped with the lights. Those are coming down once winter’s over.”
“We’ll see about that,” I chimed in. “I happen to like them. You’ll have to come over when everything is in bloom. It’s going to be beautiful.”
Everyone congratulated Maddox, even my brother, who now wants upgrades on his renovations. We all hurried back inside to get out of the chilly air. Callie came over and rubbed my stomach. “Think we can skip the food and go right to the presents? I’m so jealous Dallas knows what the baby’s going to be.”
Maddox nodded in agreement. “It’s messed up, isn’t it?”
“All right, if you want to skip to the presents, then let’s do it.” Maddox grinned mischievously, but I shook my head. “Your present is going to be last, Mr. Ledger.”
Everyone laughed as we gathered around the Christmas tree. Maddox separated out the gifts and the baby had more presents than anyone. My mother took pictures as I opened everything. We had enough diapers to last us months.