When the doctor said that they could go home, Paul was even happier. He knew that he would feel so much better when Kimber was with him.
He strapped Nathan into his car seat and drove them home, wondering what he had in the house to cook for dinner. Once inside he sat Nathan down at the table with one of his preschool activity books and dug through the cupboards, not coming up with anything that seemed suitable to feed five people.
He sighed. Nathan looked up at him.
"Are you sick too Daddy?"
"No buddy."
He kissed the top of his son's head. "I can't find anything to make for dinner."
"Can we have pizza?"
"Sure. I'll call Kimber to make sure we don't get anything the kids think is yucky on the pizza."
Nathan smiled. "Okay. And nothing I think is yucky either Daddy."
Paul smiled. "Right."
He dialed Kimber's number, but it was Alexis's voice that answered the phone.
"Hi Paul. Is Nathan feeling better?"
"Hi Alexis. He is feeling better honey. Thank you for asking. Is your mom busy?"
Alexis laughed. "She's in the bathroom getting ready. She said it was okay for me to answer the phone."
"I see. What do you like on your pizza?"
"We eat anything. Dad says we have to. Sometimes Mom doesn't make us, but Dad always does."
Paul laughed. "Okay. Well, if you would tell your mom that the pizza should be on the way by the time you get here I would appreciate it."
"I will. We helped Mom make cookies. I'm glad Nathan is feeling better. I don't like it when my brother feels bad and Nathan's my brother now too."
Paul smiled. "He is. I'm very glad he's feeling better too. We'll see you in a little while Alexis."
"Okay. Bye Paul."
"Bye Alexis."
Paul hung up the phone. Alexis was such a sweet, smart little girl. He knew that he would be proud to be her and Halden's stepfather.
He was glad that he had patched things up with Kimber, but he knew that they still had a lot to talk about.
He placed the order for the pizza and then sat down at the table with his son, helping him with the activity book until there was a knock at the door.
"Can I get the door Daddy?"
Paul held out his hand and his son took it. They walked to the door together. He let Nathan open it after he had peeked and verified that it was Kimber and the kids standing on the doorstep.
Nathan's eyes lit up when he saw the tray of cookies that Kimber was carrying.
She gave Paul a sheepish smile as he closed the door behind them.
"I think we went a little overboard."
He laughed, feeling lighter than he had all day.
"It's okay."
He gave Kimber a quick kiss since the kids had disappeared into the kitchen, Alexis carefully balancing the tray she had taken from her mother's hands.
"He seems to be doing okay," Kimber said softly.
"I was so scared Kimber. I wish you would have been here."
Kimber squeezed his hand. "I know baby. But you handled it just fine. You don't give yourself nearly enough credit as a father Paul."
"Maybe not. But going through that made me realize just how much I need you in my life Kimber. I can't do this alone."
"You could, but I don't want you to either. When I heard Nathan was in the hospital, it hit me hard too. It felt as if it were one of my children."
"Oh Kimber, can you forgive me for being such an ass?"
Kimber laughed. "I think I can probably manage."
"Good. I love you."
"I love you too."
They shared a brief kiss that was interrupted by a knock at the door, the signal that dinner had arrived.
Kimber
It took a weight off of Kimber's chest to see Nathan playing happily with Halden and Alexis. She'd realized not only how much she loved Paul, but how much she loved his son when he'd told her Nathan was in the hospital. She knew that she belonged in their lives as much as they belonged in hers, and she found herself looking forward to seeing Nathan grow up with her children.
They ate pizza and then curled up on the couch together like one big, happy family. Nathan got tired after one movie. Paul excused himself to put his son to bed, though he put him down not in his own upstairs room, but the downstairs guest room so he would be closer.
Halden fell asleep halfway through the second movie. It made Kimber smile that he had chosen Paul's lap to fall asleep on.
It was starting to get late, and Alexis had started to yawn. Kimber didn't want to leave Paul's side, but she knew that she needed to get her kids into bed too.
"I guess we should probably head home."
Alexis sighed. "Do we have to?"
Paul cleared his throat. "If you wouldn't mind Kimber, I would appreciate it if you stayed here tonight."
Kimber wanted to grin, but she held back, knowing that he was asking because he was still worried about his son.
"Of course. Nathan's pjs will fit Halden well enough. I guess we just need to figure something out for Alexis to wear to bed."
"Do I have to go now Mom?"
"No. You can finish your movie."
"Thanks Mom."
"You're welcome."
They finished the movie. Kimber stayed downstairs while Paul took Halden up to Nathan's room and found Alexis something to wear to bed.
Nathan woke up and came out of the bedroom, rubbing his eyes.
"Where's my daddy?"
"He's upstairs baby."
Kimber held her arms out and Nathan came to her. She touched his forehead, but he didn't seem to be even a little warm.
"Do you want to go up to your room? Halden's there."
"Yes. Will you carry me? I'm tired."
Kimber smiled. "Of course. Let's go little man."
She carried Nathan up the stairs. He had fallen asleep again. She handed him off to Paul who was coming out of Nathan's room. He put Nathan to bed and then returned to her.
He gave her an almost shy smile as he took her hand and led her to his bedroom.
"I guess we should find something for you to wear to bed too huh?"
Kimber shrugged as he shut the bedroom door. It was the first time that she had been in Paul's bedroom, but sex was the furthest thing from her mind.
"Will you please talk to me Paul?"
He sighed and turned toward his dresser. She was afraid for a moment that he was going to shut down again, especially after the day he had had.
He turned back to her and tossed her a t-shirt, though she had begun to think that he didn't own either t-shirts or jeans. She took her shirt off without bothering to turn away from him, even when she removed her bra.
He drank in the sight of her body, his cheeks bright red.
"Kimber."
Her heart started to beat fast, and sex was no longer far from her mind.
"Yes?"
"Not to sound like an ass, but would you mind turning around when I get undressed?"
Kimber hid a smile. "I would mind actually."
"I uh. . ."
"You have an erection. It's nothing to be embarrassed about Paul. I'm sorry I tried to seduce you last night."
"I'm sorry about the way I acted too. I'm scared of screwing everything up. It seems like that's all I do lately."
"Ahh baby. Everything is going to work out. Nathan is fine."
"I know. He loves you."
"I hope so. I love him too."
"It was weird for you to hear Halden tell Sierra that he loved her wasn't it?"
"A little. But I can't expect him not to love his stepmother, especially since she's so great with kids."
Paul laughed. "Sierra was always so funny about that. She teaches other people's little ones so well, and didn't think she was going to know what to do when she had a child of her own."
"But she did know, and you know too."
She squeezed Paul's hand. "Nathan is a very lucky little bo
y."
"He's even luckier to have you in his life."
"Thank you."
He tried to cover himself when he got undressed, but Kimber gave him an amused grin and he stopped trying to hide his erection.
"I'm sorry Kimber."
"There's nothing to be sorry about Paul. It makes me happy that you want me. I want you too, but we don't have to do anything you don't want to."
Kimber thought that he looked relieved.
"Okay."
Paul pulled back the covers and they climbed into bed together.
"Baby is it your job that's bothering you so much? Or is something else? Please talk to me."
"It's my job mostly, but I'm not thrilled that the old house hasn't sold either."
"There's more to life than money babe."
"I know, and believe me the importance of money has lessened for me a great deal lately. But I feel like I'm in over my head with almost everything."
"Have you talked to your boss about working less?"
Paul sighed. "I tried, but it was like everything I said was falling on deaf ears. It's frustrating."
"I know baby. It was frustrating not to feel like I had enough time with my kids even when I was the boss. But Nathan needs you. And I know you would feel so much better if you had more time with him."
"Definitely. But I have no idea what to do about my job or the house. I want to be able to help you more with the bookstore too."
"I really appreciate the help you've already given me babe, but you can't solve the world's problems, especially when you're not happy in your own life."
"I'm happy with you and the kids. It feels so right. Like we're a family."
"Luke and Sierra made the kids family, but I know what you mean. This is right Paul, and I want to help you. All you have to do is let me."
Paul laughed, though it sounded as if it held little humor. "Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll fire me when I tell him I'm not coming in tomorrow or Tuesday."
"Doubtful. Have you thought about looking for another job?"
"Not really. I guess I probably should huh?"
"If they won't work with you and give you enough time off to spend with your son, you probably should. Has there been any interest in the house at all?"
"Some, but no one seems to want to pay what I paid for it. Was it hard to sell your house?"
"I sold it to one of the women that worked at my bookstore. I'm taking payments actually. Have you thought about dropping your asking price or renting the house out?"
"I'm guessing I should look into that too."
Paul gave her a sheepish smile.
"You don't need to do it all alone. I hate seeing you so unhappy."
"I'm sorry Kimber."
"Stop apologizing for being human."
She smiled so that he knew she was teasing.
He smiled back. "I'll try. I guess we should try to get some sleep huh?"
"Yes, I suppose so."
He reached over and turned out the light. As Kimber settled back against him, she could feel that he was getting an erection again.
She wasn't sure whether drawing attention to his arousal was a good idea after her failed attempt at seducing him the night before, but she thought that maybe they might be able to compromise on the sex issue for a while at least.
Paul shifted his position. "I'm sorry Kimber."
"Baby I promise you that it's nothing to be sorry about. I know that you want to wait to make love, but I thought maybe we could compromise on the sex issue."
"Uh okay."
Kimber laughed. "I'm talking about oral sex Paul."
"Oh. I guess that would be okay."
"If you don't want to we don't have to."
Kimber heard him take a deep breath, then let it out. "I'm sorry Kimber, I'm just nervous. I'd like that."
"Good."
Not giving him time to change his mind, Kimber quickly stripped them both. Paul seemed a little embarrassed when she asked him what position he preferred, but they were soon involved in mutually pleasurable oral sex.
When they had finished, the air in the room seemed a lot less tense to Kimber. She was soon asleep in Paul's arms.
Paul
Paul wasn't sure if agreeing to oral sex was a good idea, but he did feel at least some relief afterwards, and he slept better that night than he had in what felt like entirely too many nights.
His boss was not happy when he called him the next morning and told him he wouldn't be coming in the next two days, even after he explained what had happened with Nathan. Paul knew that he couldn't continue working at his present job much longer. His son mattered more than any title or amount of money ever would, and so did Kimber and her children.
They went to the zoo after Alexis got out of school. The kids enjoyed themselves greatly. It was easier and easier for Paul to think of himself as being not only a father, but a stepfather as well.
Sierra
Sierra didn't think she'd ever been happier to see her son than she was when they picked him up from Kimber's house Wednesday afternoon.
He of course was happy to see her as well and threw himself at her immediately after she and Luke walked in.
"I missed you Mommy."
Sierra smiled. "I missed you too baby. Did you have fun at the zoo?"
Nathan chattered to her about all the animals he had seen, telling her that the monkeys had been his favorite. Halden wanted a hug when they left, and she obliged her adorable stepson after thanking Kimber for helping with Nathan.
You wouldn't have been able to tell by looking at Nathan that he'd had a seizure a few days before, and Sierra was very grateful that her son was his bright cheerful self on the ride home.
Paul
When he got off of work Wednesday Paul made a trip to a local jewelry store. He had decided that he was going to ask Kimber to marry him, though he was definitely going to make sure that his life was more in order before he asked her to spend the rest of her life with him.
It took him what seemed like forever to pick out the ring. But he finally decided on a ring even more traditional than Sierra's engagement ring had been with the help of a pretty sales girl. He thought that it would fit Kimber well, and he hoped that she would be as proud to wear it as he would be to give it to her.
Sierra
Seven weeks after her honeymoon, Sierra realized that her period was late. It wasn't just a couple days late either. She had been so busy with work and shuttling the kids around that her period had been the last thing on her mind.
On the day she told Luke that they needed to buy a pregnancy test, her period was eight days late. He looked so happy when she told him that she couldn't help but smile herself. And she was happy that the possibility existed that she carried Luke's child, she just wasn't quite sure how she felt about the reality of it.
Nathan was the best thing that had ever happened in her life, and she loved him more than she'd ever thought it was possible to love someone. But the timing for having a baby didn't seem to be the best with her job still being relatively new. She almost felt a sense of deja vu, and was reminded all too much of when she'd been pregnant with Nathan.
Well, she mused as she wandered down the drug store aisle with Luke, at least I won't have to worry about Luke not wanting to make love to me while I'm pregnant.
Luke
Luke already felt like the happiest man in the world. Sierra was his wife, the kids were happy and his career was going well. He had everything he'd ever dreamed of. When Sierra told him they needed to buy a pregnancy test, he thought he'd never quit smiling. He knew that she had reservations about a pregnancy so soon after she'd started her job, but she was even more of a favorite than she'd been when she was teaching at Alexis's school, and Luke had a feeling they would hold the job for her.
He wanted to take his time choosing a pregnancy test, but Sierra grabbed one off of the shelf as soon as they reached the aisle that housed the pregnancy tests. She had a strange look on her fa
ce, and reminded him a little of a teenager who was embarrassed to be buying a pregnancy test. He put a gentle hand on her arm before she could turn to leave the aisle.
"Are you okay baby?"
"Yes. No. I don't know. It's not that I don't want another child Luke. It just doesn't seem like the best timing."
Luke chuckled. "Baby doll, babies have a tendency to be born when it's their time, not when the parents think it's a good time."
"Yeah. I guess."
She sighed. "I'm worried about my job."
Luke squeezed her hand. "You're the best teacher they've got and they know it. You can help little kids understand things in ways that I have no comprehension of. Nathan is going to be light years ahead of the other kids when he starts kindergarten."
"I love you Luke."
"I love you too Sie. Never forget that."
She gave him a half-hearted smile. "I'll try not to."
Luke took her hand and they walked together out of the aisle. "Hey, Alexis will be excited. Maybe she'll finally have a sister."
Sierra's smile looked a little more real then. "Maybe. If we have a girl though, she probably won't be the angel yours is."
"She's not always an angel. We have three great kids though, and I'm sure we'll have another one, girl or boy."
"They are pretty amazing. And it's not like I don't want a baby."
"It will be good either way beautiful. And I'm sure your job will be waiting for you."
"I hope so. You always did know how to make me feel better."
Luke smiled. "That's my job baby, even more so now that you're my wife."
They paid for the pregnancy test and left the store. When they returned home and took the test, it was positive. Sierra cried when they got the results, but she was smiling through her tears, and Luke knew that everything would work out for them.
Kimber
Luke seemed so happy when he told her that Sierra was pregnant that she couldn't help but be happy for him. She was happy in her life too, but she wondered how Paul would take the news.
Things seemed better for him at work, but she knew that he was still working more hours than he wanted to be. She had been able to help him get rid of his old house. He had been very thankful to have that weight off of his shoulders, though she knew he hadn't been happy about the fact that Sierra refused to accept her half of the proceeds from the sale. They had finally agreed that Paul would put the money into Nathan's college fund, which seemed logical to Kimber.
Misty Reigenborn Romance Boxed Set Page 36