by Davis, Alexa
It was intense, wonderful, and perfect.
Just like Alex.
“I love you, too,” I finally gasped breathlessly as our sticky bodies intertwined with one another. “So damn much.”
“Finally,” he chuckled as I gave him what he so clearly needed. “I thought you were never going to say it.”
“I’ve felt it for ages,” I reassured him. “I was just a bit overwhelmed by you saying it to me.”
He pulled back from me with his hands still in mine and gave me a truly loving look with those gorgeous green eyes of his. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? But wonderful.” I wanted to hug myself with glee – this was the best thing ever. “I’m so glad I found you.”
“Me, too.”
“I’m glad you said that.” He bit down on his lip and looked up through his eyelashes guiltily. “Because I’ve got some news that you might not like.”
“Oh God, what’s that?” Hadn’t I had enough bad news to last me a lifetime? “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“I have to take you away again,” he laughed. “I promised Ryan I’d take him to my resort in Mexico, and I’m not going anywhere without you. Especially not now, you gorgeous minx.”
I breathed a sigh of relief; my shoulder sagged happily. I wanted to laugh at the craziness of Alex’s statement; he’d really had me worried then. “Now that I can do.”
Chapter 39 – Alexander – (One Month Later) – Saturday
“Alright, I think that’s the last box,” I smiled at Elle brightly. “Thank goodness. I don’t know how you managed to fit so much stuff into a tiny apartment.”
My mom tutted at me. “You should never make comments about the things a woman has; didn’t I raise you better than that?” She folded her arms across her chest and gave me a grin, showing me that she was only teasing me. “Now, I think we’ve got Delaney’s bedroom done, but some things need moving around if that’s okay with you?”
I followed Mom into Delaney’s new room, feeling almost blinded by the pink. Not that I would have had it any other way. If Delaney wanted a princess room, then that was what she would have. After an incredible week in Mexico, I had realized that I didn’t want to be apart from Elle ever again. Maybe others would think that we were moving too fast, but we knew that it was going to be forever and that was all that mattered.
It was good that she was there in Mexico, actually. Ryan went on a bit of a bender. He hooked up with my staff members, even though I told him not to, he slept with guests, he was a nightmare... Maybe something was going on with him; maybe he just needed to blow off some steam. I would find out more the next time we were on the golf course. I was just glad not to have to be a part of it. I got to enjoy all the romance I needed with Elle, I got to play and have fun with Delaney, and he got to have his week of debauchery. It was perfect.
“Do you like it, Alex?” Delaney squealed with glee. “It’s awesome.” She bounced up and down on the bed looking happier than I’d ever seen her before. “Nana Katherine made the bed for me.”
“Full recovery you’ve made there, Mom,” I said with a smile. “I’m glad to see you’re doing so much better.”
“Yeah, I’m good. Still a bit stiff when it’s cold, but otherwise, I’m doing okay.” She smiled at me. “I miss having you around in the house, but at the same time, it’s good to have my own space back. I can get back to living my life just as I was before.”
Elle didn’t work for Mom anymore, there was absolutely no need to do so now that she was back to her usual self, but she still went to see her almost every day for a cup of coffee and a chat. It made my heart warm to know that they had such a good bond. I never thought that I would be so lucky to have such a wonderful woman in my life that would also get on with my mom. Everything had turned something so much better than expected.
“It looks great, Delaney. I’m glad you love your new room.”
“It’s amazing... Even bigger than my old house!”
I laughed and grabbed hold of the furniture that needed moving around. Elle smiled at me gratefully from across the room with her eyes sparkling happily. Things were going great between us, and they got better every single day.
“Shall we all go out to dinner tonight?” I asked as I heaved the wardrobe. “To celebrate, my treat. You, too, Mom?”
“That sounds great.” Everyone agreed with me. “Thanks.”
“Well, since you’re all in the way here,” I teased. “Why don’t you all get out from under my feet and start getting dressed? If you start now, you should all be done in...what, three hours?” The girls all laughed, none of them offended. “And by the time you’re ready, I should be done in here.”
As they scurried away, chatting away to each other at a million miles an hour, my heart swelled with joy. I’d always thought that it might be hard to open up my heart again after what happened last time. I assumed that I was stuck in my ways because I’d been single for too long, but as it turned out, I was just waiting for the right person – and now here she was.
***
“Wow.” I nodded with approval as Elle and Delaney came into the living room. “You both look gorgeous. You look like royalty.”
“I’m Princess Delaney,” she announced with a twirl. The pink dress swirled out around her as she danced. “Do you like it?”
“I do,” I answered, but my eyes were traveling up her mother’s body. She had a navy blue sparkly dress on that I’d brought for her. It was designer, made of the absolute best fabric, which meant it fit her body like a glove. I could see her curves perfectly, and it makes my mouth water with the thought of getting my hands on her later on. “You both look great.”
Elle shook out her hair and smiled brightly at me. She gave me an appreciative look, too – not that I could look anywhere near as good as her in that damn dress. She was absolutely stunning.
“Shall we go and pick up your mom?” she asked me softly. “She’s probably waiting for us. I said we’d be there in...” She checked her watch. “Ten minutes. We’re going to be late.”
“Yes, let’s do it.” We hurried towards the door and out to the driveway. The gravel crunched beneath our feet as we got to the car. I helped Delaney into her car seat before sliding into the driver’s seat myself. “All ready? Shall we go?”
Elle nodded as I knocked the car into drive. As we sped along the roads and the city whizzed past us, I realized that New York had become even more of a happy place than Florida ever was. I was disappointed to come back then because I was scared I was about to lose Elle. Now though, she was going to be with me every day. We’d found our happiness right here at home. Sure it was great to go away and leave the real world behind for a while, but now I didn’t mind coming back.
Once at Mom’s, I parked up the car and went to get her. Mom’s home was right by the restaurant so we could walk from there. The plan was for me to leave the car there so we could all have a celebratory drink or two – no more because we had Delaney in our care – and then I could get the car the following day.
“Mom?” I called up her stairs once I’d unlocked the door. “You ready to go?”
She arrived at the top of the stairs with a lovely dress on and a bright smile. As she walked down with seeming ease, I noticed that she looked healthier than I’d seen her look in a very long time. Even before her leg got injured, she had seemed to be struggling a lot. Now, she had a whole new lease on life.
It was Delaney and Elle; it had to be. Maybe if I’d realized how much my mom needed a family around her, including children, then maybe I would have made more effort to meet someone sooner.
Then again, it would never have been the right one, so it all worked out fine in the end.
“You look great, Mom.” I linked my arm through hers and led her outside. “I hope you’re hungry.”
She didn’t even answer me; her eyes were on Delaney. She hadn’t even asked to be called Nana by her. Delaney made that decision on her own, but it brought up Mom’s spirit’s no en
d.
As she slipped her arm from me and took Delaney’s hand instead, I turned to reach out to Elle instead. She slid her fingers through mine and linked her fingers into mine. Her small hand felt lovely in mine; I never wanted to let her go.
“I love you, you know,” I said while kissing her gently on the cheek. “I know I keep telling you that, but I do. You’re amazing.”
“I love you, too.” I would never tire of hearing those words, just as much as I like saying them. They secured everything and made it that much better. It was Elle and me now, us against the world.
***
“Are you sure, Mom?” I gasped as she offered to have Delaney at her house for a few hours so that Elle and I could go out for a couple of drinks. “It won’t be too much?”
“Too much?” she scoffed while looking at Delaney sprawled across my arms asleep. “She’s conked out. It’s late. I doubt she’ll wake up now. I’ll put her in the camp bed at the end of my bed so I can see her if she does stir. I know you won’t be getting wasted, so if I need you, I’ll call right away. It’s only for a little bit, anyway, isn’t it? You’ll be back soon, and you can stay in the room you were in when you stayed with me.”
I glanced towards Elle, who seemed agreeable to the idea. To be honest, it was tempting to grab a little bit of time alone. We’d both been so crazy recently; it wasn’t always easy.
“Alright then.”
We walked up the stairs, and I handed Delaney to Elle while I set up the camp bed. Mom got herself into her pajamas so by the time I lay the sleeping angel down; they were both set up for the night.
“Thanks for this, Mom,” I said gratefully. “I really appreciate it.”
“It’s my pleasure; I’m happy to do it.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Getting a bit of alone time is so important for any couple, especially for new couples. I like having Delaney around anyway; she makes me feel really young again.”
I smiled and nodded before backing out of the room to give them some rest. The idea of escaping made me almost child-like. I felt like a teenager about to escape to a party at my friend’s place. It was hilarious.
“Come on,” I hissed at Elle with a smirk. “Let’s go.”
Once outside, I span her around kissed her hard against the wall. My hands flew up into her hair, and I mussed up her beautiful style in the heat of the moment.
“What is going on?” she giggled as my mouth moved over her cheek. “You’re like a crazy, horny young guy.”
“That’s how you make me feel,” I muffled into her throat, my heart pounding wildly against my chest. “And since we aren’t about to spend our first night living together not in our own house, we have to act like teenagers.”
She giggled and allowed my hands all over her body, but I wasn’t about to let things get too far. We had plenty of time for that; we could even wait until we got back to Mom’s later on. I felt like I was in a rush, but it didn’t have to be that way anymore. We were in it for the long haul; we had each other forever.
“Come on.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her along the road. “Let’s get to the nearest bar and order a bottle of champagne. We have a lot to celebrate, don’t we?”
As we walked, I imagined a life with marriage and babies. Maybe it wouldn’t happen, but for the first time ever, I really wanted to at least consider it. The idea didn’t terrify me. Maybe it would be hard to be a businessman with so many resorts and a parent and husband, too, but for Elle, it would be worth it.
Epilogue – Elle – (2 Years Later)
I wasn’t sure why, but I still felt anxious as I called anyone from my old life. It just felt weird. After being disconnected from them all for such a long time, it was still sometimes had to accept that time had passed. My heart raced, I paced the room, and I almost hung up on more than one occasion just because of the nerves.
“Hello?”
Relief flooded me – her voice sounded friendly. “Hi, Mom, how are you?”
How are you? Such a simple question, but one that used to be so damn hard. Calling her up and admitting that I’d been foolish, telling her that she had been right about Mark all along and that I should never have distanced myself from the family because of him wasn’t the easiest call that I’d ever had to make, but it was the right thing to do. It had led to some great things.
Mostly, Delaney having her grandparents back in her life. She might have lost her biological father – not that he was much of a loss – but her family had grown so much.
“I’m good thank you, sweetheart; just watching your father make a fool of himself with the lawnmower.” I chuckled, but tears filled my eyes at the same time. I’d spent so long not thinking about my hometown that it was hard to think of it again. “He doesn’t seem to realize that he can’t use it anymore. Anyway, more importantly, how are you?”
I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and ran my hand over my ever expanding bump with a smile. Mine and Alex’s baby boy growing in there always made me happy. “Baby and I are great... It shouldn’t be too much longer now. Are you still coming to visit when he’s born?”
“Oh yes, I was just speaking to Katherine yesterday, she’s happy for us to come and stay with her. With all those spare rooms, I think it’s going to be great.”
It was safe to say that the combining of our families had gone well. Katherine loved my mother, and they had a really good friendship now. It made Christmases that much more awesome. I’d gone from the quietest times ever too loud and full of fun.
“Good, good. I’m glad.”
“How’s Delaney? And that wonderful man of yours?”
“They’re good.” I peered behind me, wondering where they were. “I think they’re out in the backyard at the moment; I don’t know. They have so much fun together.”
“That’s nice; you’re very lucky.” I knew exactly what was coming when her tone changed. Unfortunately, I had to just just to suck it up and listen. She had years of ranting to get off her chest. Maybe if I’d listened in the first place, I wouldn’t have gotten myself into such a mess. “Not like that rat of a father.”
“He doesn’t exist anymore, Mom,” I told her seriously. “He’s gone. I don’t even know where he is, and I don’t want to. Delaney doesn’t ever ask about him, and I don’t think she ever will. In her mind, Alex is the only father she’s ever needed.”
“Yes, I know.” Mom didn’t need to know about the payoff or the recorded evidence we had of Mark if he ever decided to come back. Mom could know a lot about me, but she didn’t need that information. Things were finally good – I didn’t want to rock the boat. “I’m just happy for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I cradled the phone close to my ear and smiled. “I look forward to seeing you soon. It’s going to be great to have you here.”
“Can’t wait!” She sounded just as excited as I felt. “See you then.”
I let out a deep, satisfied sigh once I hung up the phone. My life had changed so much over the last two years. I couldn’t believe what a turnaround it had been. It was like something out of a movie. When I was with Mark, I dreamed of something, anything , better than being with him, but I never thought it would be this good.
“What’s that?” I muttered to myself as music drifted up the stairs. Whatever Delaney was doing with Alex, it was now getting very loud and intriguing. I needed to find out more.
I pushed myself upwards and stepped outside the bedroom, just to see a rose petal on the floor. I furrowed my brow, but couldn’t lean forward to pick it up. I liked to save my leaning forwards over my baby bump for when I really needed to because it took me ages to get back up again. But then I saw that it was pointless anyway because there seemed to be a trail of them leading down the stairs.
“What the...”
I followed them until I spotted a note with my name written across it on the banister. With curious fingers, I reached forward, and I peeled it open.
Elle, I love you because you are kind...
That
didn’t seem finished, so I had to assume that there were more. My heart raced as my eyes flickered everywhere to locate the next one.
Elle, I love you because you make me laugh...
I moved further down the stairs as quickly as I could until I saw the next one. It had different handwriting, that of Delaney. Now that she was eight years old, her handwriting was wonderfully clear. My eyes filled with tears as I realized that she was a part of this; Alex always included her in everything. He truly was the best guy for the both of us.
Mommy, I love your pretty hair.
As I moved through the house, I got notes with lots of compliments along the line of rose petals. I clutched them all to my chest knowing that I would keep them forever more. Alex told me that he loved me because of my beauty, my generous nature, the way that I cared for everyone. Delaney told me that I was the best mom, she loved playing with me, I was her best friend...
Delaney even wrote a note about how glad she was that I had a baby growing in my tummy. I’d feared she would be jealous when I first found out that I was having a baby, but she’d been nothing but supportive.
I didn’t know if that would still be the same once the bundle of joy made his arrival into the world, only time would tell. I wasn’t worried about it now; I would just wait to see what happened. At least this time I wouldn’t be doing it alone. I would have Alex to help. I’d also have Katherine and my parents. With baby number two, everything was going to be so different.
“Where are you guys?” I yelled, my voice thick with emotion. “Come on; you can’t leave a pregnant woman all alone like this, it’s cruel.”
They didn’t answer me, which only made me chuckle. I didn’t know what the end result was going to be, but I was enjoying it as it happened. Who didn’t love getting a string of compliments?
More notes came, giving me the brightest smile ever as I moved from room to room. This was the most thoughtful thing that anyone had ever done for me. Alex was a very romantic guy, always doing sweet things for me, but this was on another scale.