An uncle for the sixth time. Seemed that two children was the magic number for his siblings. All that was left was his baby sister, Rose, and he had no doubt she would find someone nice, but he couldn’t picture anyone being good enough for her. Maybe Doug.
He brushed that thought out of his mind. Beckett didn’t play matchmaker. If I can’t figure out my own life, I have no business giving advice to anyone else.
As he made his way to the resort, he saw KJ walking Blossom. “I didn’t expect to see you today. Here to see that lovely little niece of yours?”
“Eventually.”
KJ smiled at him. “That leaves only one other reason for your unexpected visit. Danielle was about to take Jamie and Bethy to the park. Funny, I just had an idea; maybe those two little ones might want to come for a long walk with Blossom and me. What do you think, Beck?”
Alone time with Danielle was exactly what he needed right now. Little ears hearing what he had to say wasn’t the ideal situation. “Thanks. I owe you.”
KJ laughed. “Oh, that you do, but I know exactly how you can make it up to me.” She walked up to him and said clearly, “Treat her the way she deserves to be treated.”
She didn’t wait for him to respond before turning around, heading for the park. Beckett knew she was right. Danielle deserved to be treated better than he had treated her in the past. Hopefully, she would understand the distance he’d kept was partially for her own protection. Unfortunately, the other part was from the doubt and anger he had been battling since the bombing.
Although he knew he would never forget—in some ways he never wanted to—he had changed since meeting Danielle. Things he thought were impossible or not meant for him now seemed within his reach.
Was KJ right when she told him his life would change if he would open his heart and allow it? Would he end up where he was meant to be? And if so, was Danielle also ready for this?
She came alive when he touched her, but did she lie awake at night, thinking of him long after he had gone? Or was she happy and settled in her life, just her and Jamie?
He had said these words to himself over and over again the past week. “You have to really want it.” Each time the answer was the same. More than anything. For the first time in a long time, he felt he was back in the game. He was not the man he used to be, which was a good thing. He was far from a soft, gentle man, but there was a new yearning that hadn’t been there before. One that made him want what his father had. A family. Never thought I would ever think that was possible.
He made it to her villa before she did. The security risk was over, but the cameras had not been disabled. He leaned against the wall and waited. His phone chimed, announcing that someone had entered the walkway. This might be one of the things I don’t tell her about.
When she saw him standing there, she stopped dead in her tracks. It wasn’t a look of surprise or shock. Had KJ told her he was there? That ruined the element of surprise, but maybe it was better this way. At least, he knew she was willing to see him.
“What brings you here?” Her tone was pleasant, but far from warm.
“You,” he said, and went to stand beside her. “There are some things I want to talk to you about.”
She arched her brow and crossed her arms in front of her chest. He could tell Danielle was doing everything in her power to hide her desire to run into his arms. Beckett was fighting that same urge himself. Until they cleared the air, he would have to practice some patience.
“Talk? You could have done that over the phone. It’s a long way from West Virginia just to have a conversation.”
So this is not quite the way I pictured it, but it’s well-deserved. It seemed every time he showed up, they spent the day together with Jamie and the night alone, just the two of them. Why should she think things were any different today? “This is something we need to talk about face to face.”
“Okay. Talk.”
“Do you mind if we go inside?”
She huffed and said, “I have a lot to do, but we can go inside and talk for a few minutes.”
Beckett was about to drop a bunch of info on her, and she already was in a rare mood. He wasn’t sure the timing was right. But is there really a good time to tell her about her sister’s death? Probably not.
He followed her in and went to sit on the couch. “Come and sit by me. I have something very important to discuss with you.”
For the first time, he saw the concern on her face. “Is it about Jamie or Bethy?”
“It’s about your sister,” he blurted out. Dancing around for just the right words was not something he excelled at.
She sat by him, as he had requested. “What . . . what about her?” Danielle asked, her voice barely a whisper.
“I found the man who was responsible for her death.” He watched as her hands began to tremble. He reached out and held them steady. “You don’t have to wonder about it any longer.”
Her blue eyes looked into his for answers. “Who is he? How did you find him? Why did he do it?”
All the things I wish I didn’t have to say. “I can only tell you what I’ve been told, but I believe it is the truth, based on my investigations. He was strung-out on drugs and looking for money. It apparently was a random home invasion, looking for cash.”
“My sister didn’t have money.”
“I’m sure that’s what frustrated him. If he was strung-out on drugs, he might not have believed either of them at that time.”
“So how do you know this? The police have been looking for more than a year, and you got the information how exactly?” She peered at him, in doubt.
“I have different ways of getting what I want or need, Danielle. There are benefits sometimes when you don’t fall under the umbrella of the law.”
“What does that mean? Did you do something illegal?” she questioned.
He laughed. “There’s a fine line, and I know how to walk it. But what you should be concentrating on right now is: the search is over. He will never hurt anyone again.”
She pulled her hand from his and stood up, her eyes widened. “What do you mean? What did you do to him?”
He stood and took hold of her shoulders. “I did nothing. I am only delivering the message. Now sit and I will tell you everything I know, but only if you feel you are ready to hear it.”
She didn’t sit right away, and he understood why. Danielle had a slight taste of what was coming, and he couldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to hear anymore. Most people wouldn’t. He had spent most of his adult life living in that world, and it still made him sick thinking of what the kid must have gone through at the hands of his grandfather’s men. Life in prison would have been much more merciful.
When she finally sat, Beckett finished telling her what the grandfather had said. He left out the details of what he imagined happened back in their country, as it wouldn’t have helped her in any way. “We have a different justice system here, Danielle. There the families handle things personally. Honor and respect for the elders are most important. When he chose to bring disgrace to his grandfather, he knew he’d sealed his own fate.”
She covered her mouth as though she would be sick. He reached out and brushed a blond strand of hair that had fallen across her face.
“I thought . . .” She looked at him, her eyes filled with sadness.
“That I did something to him?” He knew by her expression that was what she meant. It was ugly to hear it or to even say it, but that wasn’t far from what he was capable of. He would have done anything to ensure no one ever hurt her. If that made him a monster, so be it. As long as she and Jamie were safe, he didn’t care.
Danielle nodded. “I should have known you couldn’t have hurt anyone.”
“Danielle, I have never taken pleasure in hurting anyone. And never has it been out of revenge.” He knew what his past was. He had been a Marine, MARSOC for years. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she knew what that entailed. It was something he never spoke about
and most likely never would. Some things belonged in sealed reports and buried forever.
“At least now I know what happened and who was responsible. No more wondering. And no more worrying that he could someday destroy another family’s life like this ours.” Danielle seemed to relax a bit, and then continued, “Is this why you kept disappearing?”
Beckett nodded. “I had to act while the leads were hot.”
She reached for his hand and touched it gently. “Thank you, Beckett. You don’t know what this means for us. Jamie is too young to understand, but someday when he’s older, I’ll tell him.”
“I would like to be the one to tell him when he’s ready,” Beckett replied.
She smiled. “Beckett, he’s only seven. That won’t be for many years to come.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her fingers before saying, “I know that. But I would still like to be the one to tell him, man to man. Or maybe father to son?”
For the second time, she pulled her hand from his and stood up. “Beckett Davis, I don’t think this is funny one bit. Jamie has been through so much, and I will not allow you to play with his feelings like you do mine.”
Beckett reached for her and pulled her onto his lap. “Danielle, I would never hurt Jamie. And I’m sorry if you think I’m playing with your feelings. That was not my intention at all.”
“What are your intentions, then, Beckett?” Danielle demanded.
He kissed her lightly on the lips before speaking. “To tell you how I feel.”
Danielle brought her arms up to rest on his shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “So, Mr. Davis, please tell me your feelings.”
This wasn’t as easy as he’d thought it would be. Just saying the words “I love you” seemed to be simple, yet he wasn’t a man of many words. He liked action, but she required something more tangible.
“You are an amazing woman, Danielle. From the moment I met you, you found a way under my skin and into my heart. I thought I could never feel this way.”
“What way?” she asked, her voice sweet and enticing.
“You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?” He smiled. She shook her head. “Danielle, I love you. More than I can express and more than you will ever know.” He adjusted her on his lap so he could slip a hand into his pocket. There he found the light blue box. Holding it out to her, he said, “So I was hoping maybe you and Jamie would like to join the Davis clan.” He shook his head. “What I mean is, will you marry me, Danielle? Make the three of us a family?”
He opened the box and watched her expression. Her eyes watered as she looked at the diamond, but she didn’t take it. Oh, God. She’s going to say no.
“Beckett, there’s something we need to talk about before I can answer that question,” she said seriously.
“You can tell me anything.” He wasn’t sure he was ready to hear anything but better now than later.
“While you’ve been out searching for my sister’s killer, I’ve been doing some searching myself. You remember Bethy, the little girl who comes and plays with Jamie?”
Beckett remembered. It was a sad and unfortunate story, but he had no idea what that had to do with Danielle and him. “Yes, how’s she doing?”
“Her treatments are almost over, and she’s doing wonderfully well. Bethy is such a sweet girl. A real joy to be around. She’s here all the time.” She looked away from him for a moment as if gathering her thoughts. When she spoke again, he understood why she was nervous to tell him. “When I mean all the time, I mean I have temporary custody of her. And I will be adopting her. So, Beckett this family package deal you were thinking about just grew by one.”
He went to speak, but she placed a finger across his lips. The answer was clear to him, but he would listen to whatever it was she needed to say. He’d had his time to speak and now he needed to give her the same opportunity.
“Before you say anything, Beckett, I want to tell you how I feel about you, too. The moment I met you, I wanted to strangle you. I have to admit you were the most arrogant, infuriating man I had ever met.”
Not the declaration of love I was expecting. Accurate, but not what I’d hoped for.
“But I could not stop thinking of you. When you were here, I wondered why, and when you weren’t, I wondered why again. It was as though all I could do was think of you. It really was driving me crazy.”
And apparently it still is.
“But that’s only because I care so much about you. I knew I loved you, but I thought you didn’t love me. You would come and go but not tell me what I needed to hear.”
“I’m telling you now, Danielle. I love you. I want you to be my wife. I want you and Jamie and even Bethy to be my family.” Kissing her forehead, he said, “Please don’t tell me it’s too late.”
The tears that had threatened to flow earlier now streamed down her cheeks. “Yes, Beckett. I’ll marry you. God, yes, I’ll marry you.”
Becket took the ring out of the box and took her left hand in his. Slowly he slipped the ring onto her finger. Pulling her close, he kissed her on the lips. “Did KJ say how long they were going to be out for that walk?”
Danielle smiled. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll be able to tell by one of your supposedly hidden cameras in the hallway when they’re coming.”
Oh yeah. We are so meant for each other. He pulled out his cell and said, “Good call. Now let’s make the best use of this time before the kids get home.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Her heart was pounding. She didn’t know why. Everything was perfect. Maybe it was standing in front of the mirror in her white lace mermaid gown, knowing she would be walking down the path to where her soon-to-be-husband was waiting for her.
“Is everything okay?” Victor asked from behind her.
Danielle turned to him, smiling. “Just last-minute jitters I guess, Victor.”
He reached out and took her small hand in his large one. “First of all, you are about to become my daughter-in-law. Nothing would make me happier than having you call me ‘Dad.’ Secondly, if you weren’t nervous at all, then I would worry. I know my son. He can be rough around the edges. But I’ll tell you another thing about him. That man loves you very much. Today you will promise yourselves to each other, but tomorrow when you wake up, you will find you’re a family. There’s no other feeling like it.”
Family. What a beautiful thought. She could see the pride in his eyes as he said the word. Here he stood in his Marine dress uniform, standing strong and powerful, but his eyes were so soft and gentle as he spoke about the ones he loved. Danielle was lucky to have found not only Beckett but his entire family. Soon she was going to be part of that special group of people.
She went up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Dad. I think I hear our music playing.”
He put out an arm and she tucked her hand into the bend of it. Victor opened the door, and slowly they made their way down the short dock, toward the seated guests. Family.
Beckett stood in his Marine dress uniform, watching Jamie come down the dock, carrying the white pillow with the rings. Then Bethy followed, dressed in a sweet light pink dress that she had picked out herself. She was followed by KJ, who chose not to wear her uniform, instead going with a more traditional maid-of-honor dress. Drew blew her a kiss as she approached. Normally he would’ve laughed at a man for such public display, showing weakness, but no longer. He was praying he wouldn’t cry when Danielle came down that aisle.
The music changed and everyone stood, turned, and watched, waiting. When she turned the corner and he saw her for the first time, all he could do was hold his breath. My God, she’s beautiful.
His heart was pounding and his hands trembled slightly. Beckett had seen so much sadness and joy in his life, but nothing compared to this. The closer she came, the faster his heart beat. It was as though the rest of the world had vanished, and they were alone.
“I love you,” Beckett mouthed silen
tly to her.
Her eyes glistened as she repeated the words back to him.
Beckett watched his father kiss her on the cheek before moving to take his seat next to his mother.
As they stood facing each other, he only half-heard what the minister was saying. They had not said anything about writing their own vows. Beckett really wasn’t one for public speeches, especially at a time like this, but he repeated the vows as he was directed to, and he didn’t stop when the minister was done.
“Danielle, the moment I saw you, you shook my life in a way nothing had before. When I retired from the Corps, I thought my life was over, that everything I loved was gone. I never dreamed what I would love most hadn’t yet come. I know now where I am truly meant to be. And that is with you. Always.”
He bent and kissed her lightly on the lips. The minister cleared his throat. “We’re not done yet.”
Beckett stood, closing his eyes tightly, trying to maintain some control. When he opened them, he saw Danielle had tears coming down her cheeks. He brushed them away with the back of his hand and looked at the others sitting there. His mother was crying, as were KJ, Lynn, Rose, and all the other women.
He looked at his father, who only nodded to him as though he understood exactly how he was feeling. Beckett couldn’t look at them any longer. He turned to Jamie and asked for the rings, giving them to the minister. Not that he wanted to rush this, but he needed to hear those final words.
Danielle placed the ring on his finger and he, in turn, did the same. He was mesmerized as he waited, looking into her deep blue eyes. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Beckett didn’t need to be told to kiss his bride. He picked her up off the ground and pulled her against him, kissing her like he was coming home for the very first time.
Their embraced ended, and only then did he hear the sound of cheering. Marines celebrated nothing quietly.
Normally a bride and groom walked up the aisle, but not today. This union was not yet complete. Beckett nodded to the judge, who was sitting with his parents. There were benefits to having Trent Davis as a brother. He and Elaine were able to make things happen.
All Bets Off: Betting On You Series: Book Five Page 17