Her Premarital Ex (The Alexanders Book 3)

by Tina Martin

  Gabrielle laughed.

  “You laugh, but I’m serious.”

  “And what do you know about Deuce Bigelow when all I’ve ever seen you watch on TV is soccer.”

  Dilvan looked at her, trying to determine how she knew that. Then he said, “It came on one night when there was no soccer on TV...captured my interest.”

  “Strange.”

  “Why’s that strange?”

  Gabrielle shook her head. “No reason, and you’re no saint yourself while you’re trying to throw Heshan under the bus.”

  He chuckled. “You’re right. I’m not.”

  “And Heshan is the oldest of you guys...you can learn a lot from him.”

  “Guess I’ll start with him and tell him you sent me.”

  “No, don’t tell him that.”

  “Why not?”

  “He won’t believe you and you need him to take you seriously, especially if you’re serious about settling down and getting married.”

  Dilvan nodded. He was serious about settling down. His only wish was that he could settle down with her.

  Chapter 21

  ~ * ~

  When Padma pulled in the driveway behind Tyson’s jeep to drop off Gabrielle, Tyson was standing in the driveway anxiously waiting.

  Gabrielle was giddy when she saw him. She jumped out of the car before Padma could come to a complete stop. She ran to Tyson, jumped in his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, her lips pressed against his.

  Tyson slid his hands up her blouse, placing them firmly against her back and kissed her while Padma and Lalita looked on.

  After he’d gotten his fill, just enough to take the edge off, he looked her in the eyes and said, “Hi.”

  “Hi.” She smiled. “I missed you.”

  “Missed you too, baby.”

  “Okay, lovebirds,” Padma said, getting out of the car. “I have to run.” She left Gabrielle’s suitcase next to where they stood. I have to take Lalita home.”

  “Thanks for taking care of my baby, Padma,” Tyson told her.

  “No problem.”

  “See you later, Padma,” Gabrielle said. Tyson lowered Gabrielle until her feet touched the ground, picked up her bag and they headed for the house.

  As soon as they were in the living room, he dropped her bag on the floor and kissed her again, walking forward while she took steps backwards to the bedroom where he’d been steering her, where he’d planned on making love to her.

  A while later, they rested and he said, “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “So you had a good trip?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do I need to break anyone’s bones?”

  Gabrielle grinned. “No. Dilvan was surprisingly on his best behavior.”

  “Bet he was...”

  “And you know what... I’m not afraid of him anymore.”

  “Good. You shouldn’t be because you know I’d put a bullet in his head if he ever touches you again.”

  “Tyson, stop it.”

  “I’m so serious right now, darling. That goes for him or anybody else. You’re my wife and I’ll protect you with my life.”

  “I know you will,” she said, turning to face him. She took a kiss from his lips and snuggled against his chest.

  “Um...while we’re on the subject of Dilvan, let me get your opinion on something.”

  “Okay.”

  “So Heshan and Prasad are meeting with Dilvan to try and work out their differences.”

  “Okay.”

  “Do you think I should join them?”

  “Ah...well they’re all your cousins and Heshan is your best friend.”

  “Yep.”

  “It may not be a bad thing.”

  “Yeah, I just don’t want to end up in another fight with Dilvan. I might actually break his nose this time.”

  Gabrielle kissed his chest and said, “Whatever you decide, I’ll support you one-hundred percent.”

  “I know you will, baby. That’s why I love you.”

  Gabrielle smiled, then closed her eyes, relaxed and satisfied in the arms of her man.

  Chapter 22

  ~ * ~

  Three Months Later

  Dilvan smiled. All was right with the world again – well partially. Over the past three months, he’d managed to get back on good terms with his brothers – especially with Heshan. They’d spent plenty of time repairing their relationship. They watched soccer together, something they hadn’t done in years and Heshan hung out more at Dilvan’s place than he did his own home.

  Whenever it was necessary, Tyson even tried to tolerate Dilvan as well.

  Gabrielle helped Carmen pack for college and settle into her dorm room at Elizabeth City State University. She was proud that her sister was going to college, studying computer science and she was grateful to Tyson for paying her tuition. It was the best high school graduation gift ever.

  Today, Dilvan was throwing a family cookout at his home. While he and his father manned the grill, Padma was busy giving Lalita and Gabrielle information about the fall restaurant expo.

  Tyson, Heshan and Prasad were busy playing poker.

  Lalita’s kids were running around playing.

  Ms. Beatrice was in the kitchen whipping up some sides, her famous clam chowder and some Sri Lankan cuisine. She was still elated that she was able to go and visit her brother three weeks ago.

  When the hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken and corn on the cob had been grilled, Beatrice brought her homemade sides out onto the deck. Everyone gathered while Colin prayed over the food then they sat at their respective tables.

  Gabrielle and Tyson shared a table with Lalita and Prasad. Dilvan sat at the table with his parents. Heshan sat with Beatrice.

  Halfway through their meals, Dilvan stood up and in true Dilvan fashion, he tapped his wine glass and said, “I have a small announcement to make.”

  Once he got everyone’s attention, he said, “I want to take this opportunity to say how proud I am that we’re able to meet as a family. I know we’ve been through a lot of tough times, mostly because of me, but I’ve been working hard to be a better brother, a better son, a better cousin, a better man. Thank you for working with me. I love and appreciate you all.”

  Padma pinched the corner of her eyes trying to hold in tears. Then, as a loving, forgiving mother would, she said, “We love you too, Dilvan.”

  “Well that’s all right now ain’t it,” Beatrice said.

  Colin nodded.

  Tyson cleared his throat, stood up and said, “I also have something to say.”

  “What is this...the day for announcements?” Heshan quipped.

  “Apparently so, Shan,” Prasad said.

  “At any rate, I want to thank you all for treating my sweet Gabrielle so well. She’s truly the love of my life. Thank you for welcoming her into The Alexander Family.”

  Gabrielle blushed.

  Dilvan frowned. Over the months, he tried to forget about her...tried telling himself he could move on, but every time he thought about going on a date with another woman, his heart would pull him back to Gabrielle.

  “And there’s something else,” Tyson said. “The Alexander Family will be welcoming a new member very soon because we’re having a baby.”

  “A baby!” Beatrice shouted.

  Padma placed her hand over her heart.

  “I already told mom and pop and Gabrielle’s family knows. Now you all know.”

  Heshan stood up, walked over to Tyson’s table and slapped hands with his cousin, patting him on the back. “Congrats man.”

  “Thanks.”

  Heshan gave Gabrielle a kiss on the cheek. “Congrats, sweetie.”

  “Thanks Heshan.”

  Prasad also congratulated them.

  “How far along are you, Gabrielle?” Ms. Beatrice asked.

  “Three months.”

  Dilvan turned up a glass of wine to his mouth. A baby...the woman he lov
ed was happy with his cousin and pregnant. He couldn’t fake a smile even if he wanted to, even after three months of trying to forget her.

  Lalita excused herself without offering any congratulations. She was visibly upset, which was so out of order for her and for the occasion at hand. She should’ve been happy that another child was being added to the family.

  Gabrielle watched Lalita walk away. She got up from her seat and followed her to the kitchen. “Lalita, is everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” she responded.

  “Are you sure? You look upset.”

  “Just not feeling well,” she said.

  Gabrielle walked closer to her and touched her arm. “That’s all? Seems like, since our Chicago trip, you’ve been acting kinda weird.”

  Lalita looked at Gabrielle, wanting to tell her about what happened in Chicago – how she’d found her passed out on the bed and Dilvan sneaking out of their hotel room. She couldn’t get the words to leave her mouth. Instead, she said, “I gotta go. Tell Prasad I had to run.” She walked away, upset and torn, having to carry the burden of this secret. She couldn’t even tell her husband.

  As she walked to the car, all kind of thoughts were swirling around in her head. If Dilvan had drugged Gabrielle and took advantage of her, what if that was his baby she was carrying instead of Tyson’s? Just the thought of it made tears fall from her eyes. The frustration of it all was too much, because she couldn’t prove that Dilvan had done anything to Gabrielle, and maybe he hadn’t. After all, when she stepped in the room, Gabrielle had been fully clothed.

  Gabrielle returned to the celebration out on the deck. Beatrice had embraced her warmly and congratulated her. So did Padma and Colin.

  Dilvan drew in a deep breath and, while Tyson was busy talking to Heshan, he made his way over to Gabrielle.

  “Congratulations,” Dilvan told her, watching her hair sway in the breeze. “I know you’re excited.”

  “Yes. Tyson and I are equally excited.”

  “So you’re three months, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  Dilvan looked at her stomach. “Your stomach is so flat. It doesn’t look like there’s a baby in there.”

  “I know, but there is.”

  Tyson glanced over at Dilvan talking to his wife and instantly felt a jealous streak hit him. He had accepted Dilvan’s steps toward change but even still, he didn’t trust him and he never would.

  “Excuse me, Heshan,” Tyson said, and made a beeline to where Gabrielle and Dilvan were standing. He threw an arm around Gabrielle and said, “Is everything all right, sweetie?”

  “Yes. Everything’s fine.”

  “I was just congratulating you guys,” Dilvan said.

  “Thanks,” Tyson replied but he was no fool. There was something there, something in the depths of Dilvan’s eyes that angered him – something that made it clear as day that Dilvan Alexander was still obsessed with his wife. “Are you ready to go, sweetheart?”

  “Yes. I’m ready.”

  Tyson took Gabrielle’s hand into his and walked away from Dilvan.

  Dilvan watched them as they headed for the door. A smile came to his lips as he thought about how it would feel to someday be a father, imagining that the baby Gabrielle was carrying was his instead of Tyson’s.

  To Be Continued...

  Start reading Book 4, The Object of His Obsession now.