by Stacy Eaton
I wanted to run to her, pull her into my arms, and hold her, but she was rushing toward another part of the auditorium. I felt a hand on my arm and turned.
“Alex.” Patrick smiled wide. “It’s good to see you back.”
We shook hands. “It’s good to be back.”
“Nica is about to go on stage; you made it just in time. Come on, I’ll bring you up front to where we can see it better.”
I followed him, scanning the group of people. Most times, I was nervous about being in large groups, but this group emanated excitement and fun, helping me to relax a little bit.
Patrick and I made it to a roped-off area just as her group was called out on stage. My gaze was trained on her from the moment she came out from behind the curtain until she was done and disappeared again. I didn’t realize it until I felt a hand on my cheek that I had been crying.
I turned to Annie. “You’re home.”
“I’m home.”
“She’s going to be so excited to see you. Come on, they will come out on the other side.” She took my arm, and that’s when I finally glanced around. My eyes landed on Lexi, and everything else around me disappeared. She smiled softly at me, nodded, and then turned and went into the crowd.
That was it? That was all I would get from her? I don’t think so.
“Dad!” I heard Nica’s voice squeal, and I turned just in time to catch her in my arms. Thoughts of Lexi were put on the back burner as I held my daughter to me and fought not to break down in tears again as she cried against my chest.
I was home, right where I needed to be, and by damn, I was going to stay here.
Chapter Twenty-One
Lexi
Somehow, I’d cleaned myself up enough to get here to the competition. Thank god for good makeup to cover the circles under my eyes. The atmosphere was exciting, and it reminded me of being younger when things weren’t so complicated.
I wanted a simple life again.
I found Nica, and she introduced me to Annie and Patrick. Even though Nica was sad and cried a little as she hugged me, she was full of energy for her competition. Even Annie and Patrick seemed in good spirits. I guess since he was an ex-husband, she didn’t feel the pain of his loss like Nica and I did.
I made small talk with Annie and Patrick and spent most of my time watching the girls and the routines up on the stage. Maybe if I have a little girl, perhaps she would want to do tumbling and cheerleading too. The random thought passed through my mind shortly before Nica was set to perform.
I crowded into the family section to watch the routine, excited to be here to watch her, and sad that Alex hadn’t made it back. I cheered them on, yelled for them, clapped loudly when they finished, and then I turned to speak to Annie, who had been beside me.
I looked around, and my feet stuck to the floor. Alex. Alex was here, and Annie was caressing the side of his face. Had she known he would be here? Is that why she was in good spirits? How had I not heard that he had been rescued? Was he okay? Why hadn’t he called me?
Of course, I knew that answer. I had told Alex it was over, and he had respected my wishes. He probably had no idea that they had been keeping me updated, or that I was even here. I began to walk away, but something made me turn back, and our eyes locked over the distance. A distance so vast that I wasn’t sure anything would be able to bring us back together, not even a child.
I smiled at him to let him know I was glad he had made it, and then I turned and hurried into the crowd to hide my tears. I knew he would stay and see his daughter, and I would have time to get home. The entire way, I replayed the few moments I had seen him at the event.
He had a bandage on his head, and his face still looked a little discolored, but he was alive. Alex was alive. It was after I’d parked my car that I leaned my head against the steering wheel and began to cry in earnest.
I sucked up my emotions, wiped my nose on a napkin from the glove box, and got myself inside. Alex had said he would be home by Valentine’s Day, and he’d made it, but what had he endured over there? How badly had he been injured? Had he lost any more of the people in his party? Had he almost been killed?
I shivered as I let myself into my apartment and removed my coat. After I made myself a cup of tea to settle my stomach, I pulled out my laptop and searched for a story about them being rescued. There were a few reports about American hostages being freed two days ago. That was almost the time that I had stopped watching the news.
I picked up my phone and called Clare. “How did she do? I wish I could have gone with you. You know that was my plan.”
“Alex is alive.”
“What?”
“Alex is alive. He’s back, Clare.”
“Oh, my god! That’s good! In fact, that’s terrific!!”
“Is it?” I asked her.
“What are you talking about, Lex? The man you love is back. What did he say to you?”
“We didn’t speak. I saw him at the competition, but I left before we could speak.”
“Why the hell did you do that?”
“Because I didn’t want to fall apart in front of all those people. Jesus, Clare, he’s alive. I thought he was dead. I never expected him to come home.”
“But he did. You need to go talk to him. The two of you need to sit down and discuss this.”
“I know.” I rubbed my forehead. “I just didn’t want to ruin it for him and his daughter. I’m sure I’ll talk to him later.”
“Okay, well, how did they do in the competition?”
“They did great, but I don’t know what place they came in. I left as soon as I saw Alex there.”
“You are such a chicken.”
“I am not!” I heaved out a heavy breath. “Okay, I am.”
She laughed. “Well, you can talk to him now.”
“I will. I just need to figure out what to say.”
“How about I love you, and I’m carrying your child. That about says it all.”
I laughed. “Yeah, but I don’t know if he’s going to want to hear that. Not with how I broke it off with him before he left.”
“I think after all that he just went through, you should go to him. I have no doubt he is going to understand why you did what you did.”
“But will he forgive me?”
“You will never know unless you talk to him.”
“I know.”
We hung up the phone a few minutes later, and I decided to catch up on some work. Now that I knew Alex was alright, and home, my mind seemed to immediately untwist itself, and I was able to focus a bit better.
Well, it did for a little while, but then I ended up falling asleep. I woke a few hours later to a knock on the door, and my heart stuttered in my chest as I jumped to my feet and then put my hands out to steady myself. “Whoa.”
The apartment was dark, and I turned on a couple lights as I headed toward the door. When I got there, I peered out the peephole but didn’t see anyone. I slowly unlocked the door and pulled it open, noticing a small box on the ground.
I glanced down the hall, but it was empty. Slowly, I bent down to retrieve the package and then closed the door, taking the box to the sofa.
I unwrapped the red package with shaky hands. This had to be from Alex, but what was it going to be? I pulled the flaps back and found a velvet pouch, a note, and a passport. I frowned at the passport as I opened it and saw it was his.
Why was he giving me his passport? I set it to the side and opened the pouch, tipping it and watching the necklace fall out into my palm. Tears prickled my eyes as I stared at the charm. He was giving me back his heart. I turned to look at the passport. His heart and his passport—was he serious?
I lifted the note and began to read it.
Dearest Lexi, I know that you didn’t want to take my heart, and I’m glad that I had it with me while I was gone. That little heart and what it represented to me is what helped me get through all those nights without you. Even as I realized how right you were to call things
off, I held on to the hope that one day, you just might get to hold my heart again.
As for my passport. I am giving that to you to hold also. Never again will I leave you without your blessing. If I learned nothing else while I was gone, I learned that I love you, and I will do anything for you—for us—for a future together.
I love you—Alex
I blinked as the tears dripped off my chin, and I read the note three more times. Was he really saying what I think he was saying? I put the necklace back in the pouch and tucked it and the passport into the back pocket of my jeans. I hit the bathroom and stared in the mirror for a long minute. If he was saying what I think he was saying, then this was good.
I pulled out another one of the tests that Clare had bought me and used it, then slipped it into the box that he’d given me after washing my hands. I took a few steady breaths before I let myself out of my apartment and then slowly took the stairs. My heart was thudding against my chest bone as I stood in front of his door and knocked.
A moment later, the door opened, and I wanted to jump into his arms, but I held myself back.
“Lexi,” he said huskily, his gaze going to the box, and he winced. Did he think I was going to give it back to him?
“Do you mean it?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“You aren’t going to travel overseas anymore?”
He shook his head. “No, I already told Jake that he can fire me if he wants, but I refuse to go overseas anymore. All I want is here. All I need is here.”
I handed him the box, and he frowned. “I didn’t expect you to give this back to me, Lexi.”
“I’m not, but there is something in there for you.”
He looked even more confused. “Do you want to come in?”
I nodded slowly, and he stepped back to let me pass. I walked into his living room area, wiping my sweaty palms on my pants as I turned to watch him enter behind me.
He pulled open the box and stared down into it. “What’s this?”
“What do you think it is?”
He lifted his eyes to mine, the gray a little brighter, a look of hope on his features, and I nodded.
He pulled out the pregnancy test and stared at the little result window. “We’re having a baby?”
I nodded.
He tossed the box and the stick down, and in a moment I was in his arms. “We’re having a baby?”
“Yes, we are.”
His lips crashed into mine, and the last two weeks of pain and grief vanished as we kissed. I clung to him as he did me; neither of us willing to ease off at first, but then finally we did. He rested his forehead to mine. “I love you, Lexi. I love you so damn much.”
“I love you, too, Alex. I was so damn afraid that you wouldn’t come home.”
“I know, baby.” He stroked my hair, staring down into my eyes as I touched the bandage on his forehead. “I wasn’t sure I was going to make it home either, but I did. For you, for our family, for our future.”
“And you’re not going to travel anymore? You really mean that?”
“I might have to travel, but not overseas. I will not do that again, Alexandra. I’ve had enough. My life is here now, you and Nica, and our baby.”
I kissed him again, long and passionately, and then he picked me up and carried me to his room. “I hope you don’t have any plans for the next couple days because I’m not going to let you leave my side.”
“I’m yours as long as you want me.”
“Forever, Lex. I want you forever.”
He set me on my feet, staring down at me as if I were the most precious woman in the world, and I felt my broken heart finally heal completely.
“Forever, Alex.”
THE END
Unexpected Arrivals, The Unexpected Series, Book 2
At thirty-nine, Trevor Vaughn, never expected to find a woman to love, nor had he expected to have kids. Not with his busy traveling schedule and playboy tendencies. All that might change when Trevor returns from an overseas trip to find Davina Daniels in his office lobby with a baby in her arms. Problem is, he’s never met Davina before, and she claims the baby is his.
After leaving the baby with him, he’s at a total loss, and reaches out to her, begging for her help. Davina and Trevor begin to form a friendship that will bring them together in time for their friend’s wedding and a single night of steamy romance.
It’s after their moments of bliss that words are misspoken, strangers show up, and Devon is raced to the hospital that their newfound romance is put to the test. Will Trevor and Davina find a way back to each other, or will the storms continued to crash down over them?
Get Unexpected Arrivals Here
About the Author
Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Bestselling author who began her writing career in October of 2010 and, published her first book in April of 2011. Stacy took an early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service, with her last three in investigations and crime scene investigation in 2016.
Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement, and her teen daughter .She also has a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy and two grandchildren.
Stacy is very involved in Domestic Violence Awareness and served on the Board of Directors for her local Domestic Violence Center for three years. She continues to volunteer with them when she has time.
Be sure to visit www.stacyeaton.com for updates and more information on her books.
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Also by Stacy Eaton
Paranormal Romance:
My Blood Runs Blue, Book 1
The Pulse of Blue Blood, Book 2 (Short Story)
Blue Blood for Life, Book 3
Mixing the Blue Blood, Book 4
Blue Bloods Final Destiny, Book 5 (March 2020)
Garda ~ Welcome to the Realm
Domestic Violence – Crime - Suspense:
Whether I’ll Live or Die**
Barbara’s Plea
You’re Not Alone**
Romantic Suspense:
Liveon ~ No Evil
Second Shield
Distorted Loyalty**
Six Days of Memories
Second Shield II: The Return
Contemporary Romance:
Tempt Me Too**
Finding the Strength
Finding Love on Christmas Vacation
Heart of the Family Series
Mistletoe & Cocoa Kisses, Book 1 ***
Roses & Champagne Kisses, Book 2
Orchids & Hurricane Kisses, Book 3
Carnations & Hot Toddy Kisses, Book 4
Heal Me Series
Cured, Book 1
Revived, Book 2
Mended, Book 3
Rescued, Book 4
The Celebration Series
Tangled in Tinsel, Book 1
Tears to Cheers, Book 2
Heathens to Hearts, Book 3
Rainbows Bring Riches, Book 4
Sweet as Sugar, Book 5
Making Mom Mad, Book 6
Sparklers or Spankings, Book 7
Raffles to Rattles, Book 8
Flirting with Fireworks, Book 9
Working under Wheels, Book 10
Masquerading at Midnight, Book 11
Blessings & Beans, Book 12
Velvet & Vows, Book 13
The Celebration Series Box Sets:
Part One: Books 1-5
Part Two: Books 6-9
Part Three: Books 10-13
The Sometimes Series:
Sometimes You Win, Book 1**
Sometimes You Lose, Book 2**
Sometimes You Play The Game, Book 3**
The Sometimes Series: Win, Lose & Play Set **
Pleasure Your Fantasies Series
Mistletoe Fantasies, Book 1 ***
Whispered Fantasies, Book 2 ***
Secret Fantasies, Book 3 ***
The Twisted L
ove Series
with Amy Manemann Co-Author
Love Lorn, Book 1 (Manemann)**
Love Torn, Book 2 (Eaton)**
Love Inked, Book 3
Love Drowned, Book 4
Love Carved, Book 5 (2020)
Love Trapped, Book 6 (2020)
Love Crossed, Book 7 (2020)
Love Twisted, Book 8 (2020)
Love Lies, Book 9 (2021)
Rise Again Warrior Series
Mission: Believe, Book 1 ***
Book 2 (May 2020)
Loving a Young Series
Wesley, Book 1
Henley, Book
The Unexpected Series
Unexpected Packages
Unexpected Arrivals
** These books are also available on Audio
*** These books are coming to Audio soon
List Updated 1-4-20