by J. M. Madden
Monkey Joe’s had been one of the few places they’d gone to exclusively for Mercy. It ran along the lines of the Chucky Cheese franchise, with toys and games and food for kids. The noise and flashing lights wreaked havoc on both Lora and himself, though. Chad didn’t have the same amount of PTSD that a lot of the guys did who came back from Afghanistan, but when he’d first walked in it had definitely reminded him of being in the war. Probably not the effect the owners were hoping for.
And, after escaping her abusive marriage, Lora had lived her life so carefully for so long she had her own post-traumatic stress disorder. The further away she could be from noise and commotion the better, because she still expected her ex-husband to come around a corner to steal her daughter away. When Derek had tried to take Mercy months ago, she’d done what needed to be done to protect her daughter, but as with every other nightmare, sometimes it was hard to believe when it was finally over.
Mercy was staring at him expectantly.
“Um, we’ll ask your mom. Okay, bunny?” The classic answer he used so often.
“Bunny?!” she squealed. “I’m not a bunny!”
In spite of her words she jumped to her feet. He waved a hand at her. “Are you sure you’re not a bunny? You just jumped up like a bunny.”
Giggling, she circled the little wooden table they sat at and shoved a tiny fist into his shoulder. Chad pretended to be wounded, falling from the pint-sized chair to the floor, moaning in pain. Mercy did not live up to her name as she tackled him while he was down, tickling him in the sides at an especially sensitive spot she’d found weeks ago. It had been another wrestling session, but in her defense, she was only protecting herself from her own tickling attack.
Laughing hard, trying to get away from her sharp little fingers, Chad rolled across the room, being impaled by Mega-bloks in his back. He finally cried uncle and Mercy fell across him, her hands in the air in victory. “You’re going to give me a complex, little girl.”
“What’s a complex?” she asked.
Chad rolled his eyes, wondering how he got himself into these situations. “It’s when you make somebody worry about something.”
She blinked and her pretty green eyes turned sad. “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to have an ̓omplex. I love you.”
Chad stilled, all of the events swirling through the past nine months slowed to focus on this one second. “I love you too, bunny. Bunches. Think your mom has dinner ready yet? Maybe we should go down and cheer her on, you know, to make her cook faster.”
Once again, Mercy’s mood lightened. “Yes, let’s do that.”
Bouncing to her feet she darted for the door.
Chad followed her more slowly, stretching the spot that had gone over the speed bump. He kicked the offending blocks toward the toy box, but he didn’t bother putting them away. Seemed like Mercy couldn’t keep a clean room. Ever. As soon as they cleaned everything up, she had twenty new things on the floor.
Wandering down the hallway, he arrived in time to see Lora remove a casserole dish from the oven. Mercy was setting glasses out on the table, so Chad reached for the plates in the upper cupboard. “Mercy, can you get the silverware?”
She nodded, heading to the drawer. On his way to the table, Chad leaned down to press a kiss to the nape of Lora’s neck. With a quick smile she leaned up to give him a peck.
Out of the ashes of the past months, Lora had emerged as an incredible woman. She was a survivor, and she would teach her daughter to be as strong as she was. Chad felt so very grateful to be a part of her life. He got to see the process happen up close. And hopefully he could be a positive influence to help Mercy become a woman her mother could be proud of.
Rather than turning the day to day running of Malone Investments over to a business manager, she had hired a manager willing to teach her to take the reins herself. It was slow going, because finance had never been a passion, but she was determined to secure her daughter’s future.
Their lives had changed drastically in recent months. He’d moved into her house after everything had gone down, but Chad had quickly realized that Lora needed a change. Even after Derek was gone, he could tell the memories of what he’d done to her in the house haunted her. They’d changed everything in her bedroom, even down to the carpet, but she still felt the echoes of the attack. That’s when they started looking for houses.
Then she’d gotten a letter from the lawyers handling the Malone estate.
They informed her of the provisions of the will in effect when Derek had been killed six months ago and had sent her notification that she now had access to a maintenance stipend that had been set up to take care of Mercy. That stipend had been a devastating amount of money. When she’d contacted them to make sure she was seeing what she thought she was, they had assured her that the stipend was a normal amount for the size of the inheritance Mercy would eventually collect, and the amount itself had no bearing on the valuation of the company. When they assured her that the same amount would be deposited every month in an interest bearing account for her use for Mercy’s care and living expenses, Lora had almost fainted.
“It was the amount negotiated between Rosalind and her son, to take effect when he was granted custody,” Doug Samson told her.
That ‘when’ had pissed her off and totally changed the way she looked at the money. At first, she’d been reluctant to take their ‘blood’ money. But after she talked to Samson on the phone, he’d seen her spine go ramrod straight. “Thank you, Mr. Samson.”
They’d started looking for houses the next day and Mercy had been enrolled in an exclusive early education school. At first, Lora had cringed at the amount of money she’d been committing to, but she justified it by knowing it was for Mercy’s education.
Chad loved the strength she gained while dealing with these aspects of her life. Even if at night she was still the woman growing to love being a woman again. He made sure not to offer her unsolicited advice. If she wanted his input, she asked, but she’d begun to be the strong woman he’d always seen beneath the carefully shuttered exterior of a victim of domestic violence.
She had asked him if he liked the house she’d found for them. It was stone and glass, and much larger than what they were moving out of. Chad had loved it, because there were delicate little artistic touches that gave it character, like stained glass accent windows and curved wooden doorways. There were several extra rooms, and when he’d remarked on it, she’d shrugged lightly, her cheeks pink. “If your family comes to visit they’ll have space. And we’ll have room if we decide to expand.”
That had made Chad’s throat close off with emotion. He hadn’t dared hope for anything more than the blessings he’d already been given, but if Lora were already thinking in that direction, he could bide his time.
“I think it’s glorious.”
Those little reinforcements bolstered her ego more than he’d ever have expected.
She’d turned that house into a light-filled, loving home, full of delicious scents and hugs that were shared all around. When Chad had been sent to Vail to cover for Diego for a week, it had been one of the hardest times he could remember. Mercy had become more dear to him than anything and Lora… Lora was his heart. But she’d assured him that she would be fine, that they would be fine.
Chad came home that last day to find her grinning. It was a remarkable expression, one he’d begun to see more and more, but it still made him stop and stare. “I love you.”
“I know you do, but I want you to follow me. Come on.”
She tugged on his hand, leading him down the hallway toward the kitchen. Then she’d veered to the basement steps. Chad was curious, but he was more excited to be with her, and see her. Her hair smelled of some exotic perfume and he wondered if Mercy would go play for a while so Lora could welcome him home properly. Then they’d reached the bottom of the steps, and he’d been floored.
Chad wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but it definitely wasn’t the man cave she led h
im into. When he’d left for Vail, the basement had been just a blank space, dry walled but not decorated or painted. From the plank floors to the beer signs decorating the walls, everything had been changed. There was a bar along one wall, stocked with several different kinds of beer, as well as every type of soda he’d ever seen. The other half of the massive room had been turned into a movie theater, with a huge flat screen television that took up most of the wall. A cupboard in one corner housed an updated version of the game console he owned, as well as a collection of games.
“I had to ask a couple of the guys what you liked. I hope we did okay. It took a lot of planning. We weren’t sure if you would leave us for a week or not. I had to pretend to be strong so you wouldn’t worry about us, but the guys came over and Rachel stayed with us for a few days.”
Chad looked at her, so impressed at everything she’d done to give him this. “I can’t believe you did this for me. You didn’t have to. Not by any means.”
She shrugged. “I know, but you’ve done so much for us that I had to show you somehow.”
He shook his head, humbled by her generosity and thoughtfulness. “You show me every day when you curl up in my arms and tell me you love me.”
Her luminous green eyes glinted with tears and she nodded. “I do love you. More than I ever expected to.”
He had wrapped her in his arms and swayed with her in his new hangout. “You know, I think I see room for a toy box and maybe a little art desk or something.”
She chuckled against his chest. “We’ll see what we can do.”
* * *
They headed back to the house in a dream state. John couldn’t think of anything to say to Shannon, other than I love you, babe. She seemed content with that though, because she was also dazed.
“I need to call my mom and dad,” she said finally. “They’re going to be over the moon.”
John glanced at her. “You didn’t tell your mom you were pregnant yet?”
She glanced at him, one brow raised. “Of course not. That’s personal, intimate information I needed to share with you first. You’re the most important person in my life, John. I love you.”
He knew that, honestly, but it was still a little shocking sometimes.
“I want to tell Duncan,” he admitted softly.
“Then let’s go tell him,” she said with a burgeoning smile. “We can see if Alex is still there, too.”
John wondered if Duncan would appreciate the invasion. Maybe, maybe not depending upon how their ‘visit’ was going. It was late afternoon now. Maybe they’d drive by his house and see if he was home.
Lights glowed inside the house and somebody moved across the window. John pulled his truck into the driveway, glad most of the snow had melted from the hard surfaces. Both the driveway and the ramp were clear, making it ten times easier for him.
John pressed the button to start the hydraulic lift down. Shannon circled the truck to him, tucking the ultrasound pictures into her coat pocket.
Duncan answered his door with a smile. “I thought I recognized the sound of your truck exhaust. Come in.”
Shannon hugged him as soon as she was inside the door, then turned to smile at a sleepy looking Alex.
John moved inside the foyer enough that Duncan could close the door, then held his hand out in greeting. Duncan shook, but John held on. Seeming to sense something, Duncan leaned down to give him a shoulder bump. “You okay, Gunny?”
John clenched his jaw and nodded, letting him go.
Duncan was Duncan, though, and he knew something was up.
“We were just heading to the kitchen to get some tea. Want to join us?”
Hell, yes. Although he could use something stronger than tea.
Shannon vibrated with excitement, but didn’t say anything until they were settled around the kitchen table, cups in hand. Then without a word, she handed the pictures over to Duncan. He grabbed a pair of reading glasses from the counter, then returned to look down at the pictures. “Looks like Palmer has some swimmers.”
John laughed, but Shannon sniffled. Duncan glanced at her. “What am I missing? Looks like you have a beautiful baby, here.”
Alex drew the small pictures toward her, then looked at Shannon with dawning joy in her eyes. “Twins?”
Shannon nodded, then burst into tears.
The kitchen erupted into movement. Duncan reached for a box of tissues and Alex got up to circle the table to her side, giving her a huge hug. John rubbed her back, wondering yet again how in the hell they were going to manage two babies.
Duncan pounded him on the back. “Congratulations, Palmer. What a nice surprise.”
John glanced at him, wondering if it was a nice surprise. He was still too dazed to decide. Then he found himself grinning in spite of all the worry cluttering his head. “Not what I expected to hear today.”
Alex stood and moved the few feet to give him a hug as well, and John was surprised into responding. Then she sat back down. “You two will be amazing parents. Heartfelt congratulations to you.”
“Thank you,” he rumbled, throat tight.
“Twins are so special.”
The women leaned toward each other to have a conversation and Duncan gave him a look. “You okay, Gunny?”
John nodded and drew in a deep breath. “Just a lot to think about. One kid was crazy enough, but I can’t wrap my head around two.”
Duncan grinned at him. “Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”
“Fuck you, Wilde.”
They laughed together and John felt a little of the tension of the day ease. Duncan Wilde was not his father by any means, but he had the type of personality that could calm him down. He considered Duncan his best friend in the world.
Clearing his throat, he shifted topics. “How did Harmony House, go?”
Duncan waved a hand. “It was fine. Bunch of guys there, like we expected. When we were leaving though, Alex thought she saw Aiden.”
John sat back in his chair, surprised. “Really? Why did she think that?”
He shrugged. “She thought he looked like him.”
“He did,” Alex inserted. “I’d put money on it.”
John scowled, wondering if the doctor had seen what she wanted to see. “Last place you saw him was in Kansas City though, right? Months ago.”
Alex nodded. “I know it seems crazy,” she admitted.
“I’ve heard crazier,” he told her, not wanting to dash her hopes.
“He hasn’t contacted you though?” Shannon asked Duncan.
He shook his head. “Not a peep. Although, honestly, I didn’t expect him to.”
They settled into silence, broken only by the sound of the TV in the other room.
“Do you have a picture of him,” John asked. “I’ve never actually seen the man.”
Alex nodded, climbing to her feet. “Just a minute. Let me get my computer.”
Shannon leaned across the table toward Duncan. “You two look like you’re getting along great,” she whispered.
Duncan grinned with an enthusiasm John hadn’t seen on his friend’s face in a long time. “We are. She’s truly a remarkable woman.”
“It would be great if you fell in love and she’d move out here. Then your kids and ours could grow up together.”
Duncan barked out a laugh. “I’m not having kids,” he said firmly. “There’s no way in hell.”
* * *
Alex felt like a dagger had just been thrust into her heart. Her steps faltered and she almost dropped her computer on the table. Shannon looked up at her, guilt and sadness shining in her kind eyes. Alex knew she hadn’t meant to create a hurtful situation.
She avoided looking at Duncan, because if she did make eye contact there was a very strong possibility she would cry. Instead, she tapped keys on her computer, forcing herself to focus on something else.
When she found what she wanted, she turned the screen to John. “This is his patient photo.”
The small color p
hoto didn’t provide a lot of detail, but John frowned. “I think I’ve seen this guy.”
Exhilaration leapt in her chest. “Really?”
He shook his head. “Not sure where or when, but he seems familiar to me. Something about him tugs at me. Mind if I blow it up?”
He tapped a couple of keys and enlarged the picture. Then he scraped a hand over the stubble on his jaw. “I’m not sure,” he said finally.
Alex tried not to let her disappointment show. Damn. She was striking out all the way around tonight.
Though she could feel Duncan’s gaze on her, she refused to look at him.
The definitive way he’d shot down Shannon was disheartening to say the least. They hadn’t talked about their feelings yet, or plans to change their lifestyles, but she felt like he’d just closed the door on any possibility of more happening. Why was she even staying here?
John was staring at her expectantly. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Can I email myself a copy of this picture?”
“Yes, of course.”
Then, finally, she glanced at Duncan. There was a heavy frown on his handsome face, and he watched her closely. Alex felt exposed and raw, and needed to remove herself from the situation for a while. She turned to Shannon. “I am so thrilled for you two. This will be the most exciting adventure of your lives. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go lie down. I fell on the ice earlier and I feel like I’ve been run over by a Mack truck.”
Shannon stood with her to give her a hug, and when they parted there was understanding in her eyes. She knew what a blow Duncan’s words had been.
Moving quickly, Alex gave John’s strong shoulder a squeeze and walked out of the kitchen without looking at Duncan.
As soon as the bedroom door closed behind her, tears started in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. It was her own fault she was feeling like this. Duncan had said just the other night at the party that he didn’t want kids. Alex knew that her mistake though, was not believing his words. Men always said they didn’t want kids, it was like a reflex reaction to the idea of change in their lives. Then a few months or a couple of years later they were pushing a stroller down the street. She’d hoped her time with him might have softened that stance, but it definitely had not. She’d underestimated his feelings.