She glared at him, her hands on her hips once more. Then she flounced down the hallway, heading towards the kitchen. Gabe grinned and followed her. He paused for a second in the doorway, surveying the scene before him.
His beautiful wife was standing at the stove. Her hair was tied back, and her brows were drawn together as she tasted the food. Cooking wasn’t her forte, but he loved the fact that she tried.
She hadn’t heard him come in, so he put a finger to his lips, encouraging Sophia to be quiet. She mimicked him, lifting her own finger to her lips. He tiptoed across the kitchen, slipped his arms around his gorgeous woman’s waist, and kissed her neck.
She startled and swiped at him. “Jesus, Gabe. I could have burned myself, you crazy man.”
He chuckled and turned her around in his arms. His hands curved around her face, and he bent his head and kissed her.
She briefly kissed him back before pulling away. “Gabe,” she said. “Sophia…” She nodded towards the breakfast bar, where their daughter had clambered up onto one of the stools.
Gabe rolled his eyes. “She doesn’t mind seeing her mommy and daddy canoodling. Do you, Sophia?”
Sophia shook her head. “Nope.”
“See,” he said. “Now come here, Liv.” He grabbed her again, and his mouth closed over hers. Six years on, and his desire for her grew with each passing day. As he drew back, he slapped her on the ass, making her yelp. “Now get on with dinner, woman. Your husband and daughter are wasting away here.”
Sophia giggled as Livvy shot Gabe a withering look. “Carry on like that, and you won’t be getting any food.”
“Wouldn’t be a bad thing.” He winked at Sophia. “We both know Mommy can’t cook.”
Sophia’s giggles grew. “Daddy, you’re very brave. Mommy’s cooking isn’t so bad.”
“Smells better than it tastes, usually,” he said, bringing more giggles from Sophia.
Livvy rolled her eyes and turned back to the stove, but Gabe caught her soft smile. He could hardly believe his luck. Since the doctors had brought her back from the brink of death, he’d treated every day as a miracle. But as the years passed, the horror of that time began to fade.
“Can you set the table please, Sophia?” Livvy pointed at the cutlery drawer. Sophia immediately jumped down from the stool, eager to help.
Once her attention was diverted, Livvy turned to him. “How was it?”
“Hard,” he replied. “I miss Mom so much, Liv. I can’t believe it’s been six months already. And the more Sophia grows, the more I realize how much she’s missing out on not having her grandmother here.”
Liv nodded. “I miss her too. Every day. I’m sorry I couldn’t come today, but I think Sophia is too young to go to a cemetery. If Bea hadn’t been on vacation…”
“It’s fine, Liv. I agree with you. One day, we’ll take her to see Mom, but not yet.”
As they ate dinner, Sophia’s constant chatter made his heart sing. They’d begun to clear the table when the baby monitor came to life. Their son made his feelings known by yelling at the top of his lungs.
Livvy set the plates on the side. “Back in a sec. Your son is obviously unhappy he’s missing out on the family gathering.”
“Hmm, funny that he’s always my son when he’s crying and yours when he’s smiling.”
“You know it,” Livvy said with a grin before she disappeared.
Livvy jogged upstairs, anxious to get to her little man. After the chemotherapy, the doctors weren’t sure that she would ever be able to conceive again, but her luck had turned, and they’d been blessed with a beautiful baby boy. When she reached the nursery, Oliver was standing up in his crib, his face flushed from sleep, his fingers holding tightly to the bars.
As he spotted her, he held his arms out. “Mama.”
A thrill ran through her. Ever since he’d uttered his first word over a week ago—which of course was “Dada”—she’d been dying for him to say her name.
She lifted him in the air and covered his face in kisses. “Hello, my big boy. Ready to join the family?”
He gave her the biggest grin, showing off his latest additions—two front teeth. Her heart constricted as memories flooded her mind of how she’d missed Sophia cutting her first tooth. But that was all in the past, and Livvy refused to let it be a part of her present or her future.
She propped Oliver on her hip and set off downstairs. The moment her little man feasted his eyes on Gabe, he struggled to be out of her arms.
“Dada.” His voice demanded attention. Gabe rose from his chair and lifted Oliver out of Livvy’s arms. He threw him in the air before catching him and repeated the whole process once more. Livvy swallowed down panic each time Gabe played this game, even though she knew he would never drop their son. Oliver’s giggles were her reward, something she would never tire of hearing.
Livvy finished putting the plates away as Gabe placed Oliver in his high chair. She heated some baby food and handed it over to Gabe as Oliver started to bang his fists.
“Someone’s hungry,” Gabe said. “Ready, Olly?” He lifted the spoon high in the air, building Oliver’s anticipation before popping the food in his mouth. A little dribbled down his chin, and Gabe expertly scooped it up. After their son had been fed, Gabe burped and changed him while Livvy watched. She cherished these moments, never taking them for granted.
“Why don’t you take the kids to the upstairs living room, and I’ll clear up in here?” Livvy began collecting the plates. “I’ll be up in five.”
Gabe nodded. He held Olly on one hip, hoisted Sophia up on the other, and scampered upstairs with both kids giggling in delight.
Livvy loaded the dishwasher, wiped down the counters, and headed upstairs to her family. As she neared the top floor, she could hear Sophia making her feelings known.
“No, Daddy. I’ve told you. I want to watch Angelina Ballerina.”
Livvy grinned at the attitude. Sophia’s personality had firmly asserted itself. Her daughter had bags of confidence, wasn’t afraid to voice her opinion, and was extremely difficult to sway from a course once she’d made up her mind. She couldn’t hear Gabe’s murmured reply but didn’t doubt that he’d given in. Gabe doted on Sophia. Their closeness was something Livvy had actively encouraged in case her cancer returned.
As she reached the living room, she paused by the doorway and watched the happy family scene. Sophia was lying on her stomach in front of the TV, and of course, her favorite program was playing. Gabe had Oliver cradled in his arms, the two of them relaxing on the sofa.
He glanced over his shoulder and held out his free arm, beckoning her over. “Come here, gorgeous.”
Livvy settled down on the sofa and tucked herself into his side. His arm came around her, and Livvy sighed in contentment. They remained in the same position for a while until Oliver began to stir.
Gabe glanced at his watch. “Come on, Sophia. Time for bed.”
“Oh, Daddy, ten more minutes. Please,” she begged.
“No, Sophia,” Livvy interjected before Gabe could give in to his daughter’s demands. “Do as Daddy says. Bed.”
Sophia hit Livvy with a glare. She stifled a giggle and schooled her face into a firm expression. With a pout, Sophia climbed to her feet and stomped out of the room.
Livvy grinned. “She’s her mother’s daughter, all right,” she whispered in Gabe’s ear, grazing his lobe with her teeth as she did so.
Gabe hissed and clutched her waist. “Hurry up,” he said. The look in his eyes made Livvy’s stomach clench with need.
She lifted Oliver from Gabe’s arms and headed off towards the kids’ bedrooms. After changing Oliver, she settled him down in his crib. She tucked the covers around him and brushed a lock of hair from his face. He was the most beautiful baby. He had his father’s handsome features. For sure, he would break hearts when he was older.
“Night, baby boy.” She gave him a kiss and cradled his head. As his breathing deepened, she backed out of the room an
d quietly closed the door.
By the time she reached Sophia’s room, her daughter had already changed into her pajamas, her brief temper tantrum over.
Livvy read her a story before tucking her in. “Goodnight, my gorgeous girl. Daddy and I love you very much.” She leaned over to kiss Sophia’s soft cheek.
Her daughter gave her a sweet, angelic smile. “Night, Mommy. I love you so much.”
Livvy’s heart tightened in her chest, as it always did when Sophia uttered those precious words.
“Leave the light on, Mommy.” Sophia’s voice held a tinge of panic. She was at the age where darkness was something to be feared.
“Okay, baby. I’ll leave the hallway light on and your door open. All right?”
Sophia nodded in agreement, and as Livvy turned her bedroom light off, Sophia snuggled beneath the covers, her auburn hair splayed out over the pillow.
As Livvy headed back to the living room, she counted her blessings for her happy, healthy children and her amazing husband. She found Gabe lounging on the couch. The TV was turned off, and soft music was playing. He held his arms out to her, and she willingly went to him.
“They okay?”
“Yeah. Sophia’s strop didn’t last long.”
“Like her mother,” he said with a grin.
Livvy rested her chin on his shoulder. “Gabe?”
“Yeah, darlin’?”
“Take me to bed.”
Livvy lay sprawled across Gabe’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
“Will it always be like this?” she mused, not expecting a real answer.
He briefly lifted his head and gazed at her with those amazing green eyes that had captivated her all those years ago.
“Well, darlin’,” he said in his southern drawl, “it’s been like this for six years. I can’t imagine it changing anytime soon.”
She grinned and kissed his chest. Now seemed like a good time to tell him her news. She sat up in bed, legs crossed in front of her. The scars from her mastectomy had long since turned to silvery lines, barely visible at a quick glance. She had no embarrassment sitting naked in front of Gabe, and he’d never shown her anything but love and support.
“I went to the hospital today,” she said.
His eyes widened, and fear crossed his face. He sat up too. “Why?”
“A checkup.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You had more than enough on your plate today.”
He shook his head. “I could have gone to Mom’s grave tomorrow or the next day. You’re what’s important, Liv. You and the kids.”
She ignored his reprimand. “Anyway, do you want to know what they said?”
“Of course I do.” He tried to hide the tinge of anxiety in his voice.
Livvy took a breath. “I’m officially in remission. The cancer has gone.”
Gabe inhaled sharply, and his arms came around her. He pulled her onto his lap. The tightness of his hold relayed his relief. “Oh, Liv.” He kissed her hair. “Oh God, I’m so relieved.” He frowned then. “But you shouldn’t have been alone.”
“I wasn’t alone. I took the kids with me.”
Gabe rolled his eyes. “That’s hardly the same. Don’t do that to me again, okay?”
“That’s not all.”
Another twinge of fear tightened his mouth, but as he saw the happiness on her face, he relaxed. “Okay, hit me with it.”
She reached into the drawer of her nightstand to grab the white stick, then she dropped it into his outstretched palm.
As he glanced down, he spotted the telltale blue lines. His head snapped up. “Are you sure?” he whispered.
She nodded, a broad grin spreading across her face. “I’m going to need an extra pair of hands.”
Thank you so much for reading My Gift To You. This was such a hard book for me to put out in the public domain, and I went two and fro on it for quite a while, but in the end, I decided Livvy’s story, as difficult as it was, deserved to be told.
As part of the publication of this novel, I’d like to give a shout out to Breast Cancer Awareness. I’m sure most of us know someone who has been touched by this dreadful disease, the consequences of which are far reaching. Ladies, please check your boobs!
And now a plea for reviews!
Would you please, please consider leaving a short review on Amazon? You don’t have to say much. A sentence giving your thoughts is more than enough. I know some folks are worried about leaving reviews, but you really don’t need to be—and you’d be helping others discover books they may enjoy.
Next from me is a brand new series—The Brook Brothers, which centers around four…yep you guess it… brothers.
First up is The Blame Game which release in July 2018. Look out for a preorder soon.
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Acknowledgments
Writing a novel is a little like raising a child - it takes a whole town! Therefore, at this point, I’d like to say thank you to a whole bunch of people who are a key part of my team.
To my editor, Neila Forssberg. This was our first time working together, but I’m sure it won’t be our last. Thank you for your wisdom, and for making my words sing.
Delphine Noble-Fox and Incy Black - thank you so so much for reading an early version and providing your razor-sharp and inciteful feedback.
To Allison Irwin for your honesty, for giving up your valuable time to help me with those “Britishisms”, and for the giggles you provided along the way!
To Pam Gonzales (Love2ReadRomance) for proofreading and catching those little niggles and making my work as clean as it can possibly be.
To my street team… I love you guys. You’re the absolute best.
To my ARC team… the fact you voluntarily give up your time to read and review my books humbles me. Really, you’re the bomb!! Each and every single one of you.
But the most important thank you is for YOU - the readers. Without you taking a chance on me and reading my books, well, this would be a whole lot less fun. Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
About the Author
Tracie Delaney writes contemporary romance novels that centre around strong characters and real life problem with, of course, a perfect Happy Ever After ending (even if she does sometimes make her characters wait a little while!)
My Gift to You is her fifth full length novel.
When she isn’t writing or sitting around with her head stuck in a book, she can often be found watching The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones or any tennis match involving Roger Federer. Her greatest fear is running out of coffee.
Tracie lives in the North West of England with her amazingly supportive husband and her two crazy Westies, Cooper and Murphy who bring smiles and laughter every day.
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