As her body relaxed and she fell back on the bed, sweat peppering her forehead, I pulled out slowly and laid down on my side next to her. I could barely get my breathing under control. I watched as she rubbed her hands over her face, smiling and laughing softly. As soon as I caught my breath, I leaned forward and kissed her beautiful face.
“Wow,” she said, turning her head toward me. “I mean WOW.”
“You’re telling me.” I laughed. “That was amazing.”
“Why did you want me to come here?” she asked, rolling toward me and propping her head on her hand. “Is this a seduction for you? Do you think this is the answer to getting into Seth’s life?”
“No.” I smiled. “I wanted to be with you. Ugh, it’s so complicated.” I rolled over on my back and stared at the ceiling.
“It’s not complicated,” she said. “You just have to speak what’s in your heart.”
I looked up, not knowing whether to spill my guts or hold onto it like I had been doing for years. I figured there was no way I was getting out of it and in reality, I couldn’t stand another day without Casey knowing just how much I loved her. She needed to be by my side and not just because of Seth. I wanted her with me because she was an amazing woman who I couldn’t help but fall madly in love with. That being said, I was absolutely terrified to tell her the truth. What if she rejected me? What if I had to go the rest of my life, being in Seth’s life, but wishing I was in his mother’s as well? It would be absolute torture and not at all how I had pictured our little family.
“You are the most amazing woman I have ever met,” I began. “I love you, Casey. Plain and simple, I have fallen madly and deeply in love with you. I don’t just want to be in Seth’s life, I want to be in yours too. I want us to be a family and I want to make every dream that you and Seth have come to life. I can’t imagine myself in any other scenario. This is it, you are it.”
“I want to believe you,” she whispered. “I want so much to believe that’s true but I’m terrified that as soon as I do, you will be gone again.”
I leaned forward, not wanting her to keep talking, not wanting her to feel even an ounce of doubt about my feelings for her. I kissed her lips softly and pulled back, looking deep in her eyes. She was conflicted, I could tell, and that broke my heart. I didn’t realize until that moment just how much damage I had really done to her with my selfish antics.
“I promise that I will never ever leave you again,” I said with my eyes locked on hers. “You and Seth are my world now. You will be for the rest of my life.”
She kissed me quickly and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I love you too,” she cried happily. “I’ve loved you since the first night we were ever together. There hasn’t been anyone since you and I don’t want anyone else in my life.”
“Casey,” I said, sighing. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Thank you for giving me the gift of you. Thank you for giving me your virginity. Thank you for creating the most amazing little life and nourishing and nurturing him when I wasn’t here. Thank you for loving me so much that you never gave up on me, and thank you for being the most amazing light in my life,” I said, wiping her tears away. “You have brought me through more than you know and I owe you a lifetime of gratitude for that. I can’t make you believe me but I can tell you. I promise to never leave again without telling you what is going on. I promise to treat Seth and you with the love and care that you guys both deserve so very much. I promise to spend my days creating a life and family for us that you always dreamed of. Seth is the most important person in my life now and I want him to have the best opportunities that are out there. I promise to teach him, guide him, and be the man my father was to me. At the same time, I promise to support you, push you, protect you, and treat you like the amazing woman you are.”
“I’ve waited a really long time to hear you say that,” she said, leaning forward and kissing my lips.
I finally could feel the weight of life lifting from my shoulders and evaporating above us. I stared at this beautiful woman in my bed and I swore to myself that I would never let her down again. Seth and Casey were my world now and I couldn’t wait to build our life together. Everything was so completely different but at the same time, it was so completely perfect. More perfect than I ever thought it could be.
Chapter 20: Casey
It felt good to be back at my mother’s house for the holidays. It had been a year since Dex came back into our lives and I couldn’t imagine anything turning out more perfect. Seth and I had moved into the penthouse shortly after Dex and I decided to be a family, and though it was beautiful and huge, we decided to keep with tradition and come stay at my mother’s house for Christmas Eve. Natalie and Brandon were going to come over too, so we could celebrate the holidays together. I had actually just seen Natalie a few weeks before when she came to the penthouse to help me pull all their old decorations down. I knew how much Dex loved it when his parents would decorate the house so Natalie and I surprised him by doing the same. I’ll never forget his face when he walked in the door to see the place looking like a winter wonderland. He even decided to throw a cocktail party for all our friends and his colleagues like his parents used to do. We sat around drinking wine, enjoying everyone’s company, and watching the kids run around the house with the new toys Dex bought for them. Seth was definitely having a ball and with so many people around, it forced him away from his usually shy behavior.
I pushed the last present underneath the already packed Christmas tree and stood back laughing at how crazy this Christmas was going to be. Last year was great because of all the thoughtful gifts Dex got Seth but this year I was actually able to get my mom some things I knew she would really love. She deserved it after spending years helping me take care of Seth. When we moved out, I really got the feeling that she missed taking care of him, so instead of hiring a nanny like Dex suggested, I would take Seth to my mom’s before work every day. She was thrilled to have the time with him. Dex didn’t want me to worry about working but I felt better knowing I was doing something. Dex’s fortune was his, not mine to use as I pleased and he was already doing so much to take care of this family. Besides, now that I wasn’t so worried and stressed, I actually found a way to enjoy my job.
When I was done straightening the tree, I took a sip of the eggnog my mom made for us and tiptoed down the hall. I could hear Dex’s voice coming from Seth’s room, which was twinkling with Christmas lights. I peeked around the corner and leaned against the wall, watching as Dex tucked Seth into bed and then sat down next to him to read The Night Before Christmas. Seth pulled the covers up to his chin and laid his hand on Dex’s leg as he read to him.
“‘This was the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there,” he read.
“That’s Santa,” Seth said, yawning.
“That’s right buddy,” Dex said before he continued. “The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. Ma in her kerchief and I in my cap had just settled down for a long winter's nap.”
Dex looked up at me as Seth’s eyes began to close. He smiled that dazzling and charming smile I knew and loved. Immediately, my heart melted into a hundred pieces and I backed away, hearing him continue as I walked out into the living room. I sat down and took in a deep breath, thinking about how lucky I was to have these people in my life. My mother had just finished baking cookies and ran down to the Mission, my son was falling into a magical Christmas Eve slumber, and my boyfriend was spending time with his son, loving him and nurturing him. And I, well I was relaxing for the first time in a long time, thinking about how lucky I was to have ended up here. Just six years before, this couch was the backdrop to what would become one of the most amazing but difficult events in my life.
I couldn’t believe how much everythi
ng had changed since then. Just thinking about who Dex was six years ago and comparing him to the man he was now, I could barely recognize the young guy seducing the young girl on Christmas Eve night so many years ago. I laughed to myself as Dex appeared around the corner, closing the book and setting it back on the shelf. He stretched his arms up over his head and I stood, walking over and wrapping mine around his waist. He was so warm and comforting. It was definitely nice to be in this place, standing together in my childhood home. I hugged him tightly before walking us back over to the couch. He pulled me gently into his arms. We snuggled under the glow of the Christmas tree, smelling the cookies warm out of the oven.
“Seth is out.” Dex chuckled. “I think he had too much pie and crashed hard.”
“Good.” I sighed. “Maybe he won’t wake us at three in the morning.”
“Yeah, right.” Dex laughed. “Not with those presents under the tree.”
“I was just thinking about our first Christmas Eve here in this house,” I said.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Mmhmm,” I replied, drinking my eggnog. “The night that started all of this.”
“The best night of my life, even if I didn’t realize it then,” he replied, kissing the top of my head. “That Hazelnut liqueur though, I’ll never be able to drink it again.”
“Oh, god.” I cringed. “I think I just vomited in my mouth a little.”
We both laughed at the thought of that night and sipped our drinks, sitting comfortably next to each other. I couldn’t help but feel extremely happy for the time I was getting to spend with Dex. I knew he could have made another choice and be somewhere across the world right now. Instead, he chose us, he chose to stay here and build a life with Seth and me, something that I would never ever take for granted. Things were so perfect it was hard to remember all the lonely nights I spent in this house, pining for Dex and feeling completely heartbroken. Everything was so familiar but at the same time felt completely different with the bask of love that now covered our lives. Dex pulled me in and squeezed me harder, kissing my head and obviously thinking about the same thing as me.
The sounds of Christmas music played lightly in the background and though we sat silently, we did it together, feeling how close we had grown. Dex went from the man I couldn’t keep my hands off, to the man I loved, and ultimately to my best friend, though I’d never tell Natalie that. I finally had a real family like I dreamed of long before Seth ever came into the picture. It was more than I could have hoped for and I never, not even for a moment, took it for granted. I knew, with my father’s death, Dex’s parent’s deaths, and everything I went through over the last six years that you should be happy and really cherish the people you love because you never know when it could be gone in the blink of an eye.
“You know,” Dex said, leaning his head down toward me. “Your mom is still at the Mission, we could do a little fooling around, maybe rekindle that old flame from six years ago here on this couch of love.”
I laughed loudly at the thought of us being so brazen and bold, not to mention drunk as hell, six years ago on this very couch. I laid my head against Dex’s chest, feeling his breath and his heartbeat against my ear. I had never felt more comfortable with anyone in my life than I did right then in Dex’s arms. He set his glass down and pulled me into his lap, squeezing me tightly and gently kissing my lips. We stared into each other’s eyes for several moments until something popped into his head. He smiled coyly and moved me back next to him before standing up and walking toward the tree.
“I have a gift for you,” he said excitedly.
“But it’s not Christmas.” I laughed.
“You get to open one early,” he said, tossing a small wrapped box at me.
I caught it and smiled at the terrible wrapping. Dex made sure to get all the presents wrapped professionally, telling me how bad of a wrapper he was. I didn’t really believe him until looking down at this small box that had been wrapped tightly in too much red paper, taped up like a mummy, and had a crooked bow on top. It had to be my favorite thing to unwrap and I didn’t even know what it was yet. I shook my head, giggling as I pulled the bow off and fought the tape wrapped around it. I ripped the paper off and pulled the top off, looking down at another small box, this one a little more familiar. It was velvet and square and opened just like a ring box.
I slowly cracked it open, my hands beginning to shake, gasping as I looked down at the largest diamond ring I had ever seen. It sparkled in the light of the tree and I looked over to find Dex kneeled on the floor in front of me. Immediately, tears filled my eyes, not fully comprehending what was happening at that moment. There was a huge diamond ring shaking in my hand and the love of my life was down on one knee, it was all too real.
“Casey Nelson,” he said, reaching out and taking my hand. “You have given me a life that I never expected. You have filled my world with love, laughter, friendship, and the most amazing little life I could have ever imagined. Moving you into the penthouse was not enough. I want to know every day that I am waking up to my wife, the woman I vowed to spend my life with forever. I want to know that Seth can look at his mom and dad and see pure love, pure bond, and a strong unbreakable family. So, as I kneel here in front of you, I am asking you to please say yes. Say yes to spending the rest of your life in my arms, as my wife, and I as your husband. Casey Nelson, will you marry me?”
I clasped my hand over my mouth as tears rolled steadily down my cheeks. I nodded my head yes and smiled, laughing and crying at the same time. Dex took the ring from the box and slid it on my finger, pulling me to my feet and wrapping his arms around me. I could feel his heart beating fast in his chest and I could not even start to control my own. He pulled back and kissed me deeply as the sound of clapping came from the front door. We finished our kiss and looked over to find Andrea, Natalie, and Brandon standing in the doorway, holding a bottle of champagne and a dozen roses.
“Congratulations,” they all said in harmony.
I smiled big and looked back at Dex.
“What? You didn’t think I could ask you to be my wife without everyone did you?”
I laughed and pulled myself into him, feeling his warmth surround me. This was the best Christmas I had ever had and couldn’t wait to spend my life as Mrs. Dexter Canton, the happiest woman in the world.
Chapter 21: Dex
Standing at the front of the church, I couldn’t help but look around at everyone and wonder what they were thinking. I knew no one ever thought they would see the day when I settled down with a wife and family. Hell, I never thought I would see the day when I settled down with a wife and family but here I was, standing at the front of a church, holding my son’s hand and waiting for his mother to walk down the aisle. At first, Casey wanted to have Seth give her away but he said he wanted to be the best man, so her mom decided to walk her down the aisle. I couldn’t wait to see Casey in her gorgeous wedding gown. She had been so excited since the day it was delivered. She hid it in her walk-in closet until my sister could pick it up to keep at her house. One of the local designers offered to design and create the dress of Casey’s dreams and though she was shy about the attention at first, she quickly found herself excited by the opportunity.
The music began to play and I watched as the bridesmaids walked toward us, smiling and cooing at Seth in his little tuxedo. He looked like a little man standing beside me with his shiny shoes and perfectly done hair. As the music changed, the crowd in the church stood and turned toward the doors. The attendants pulled open the wooden double doors and I stared out at Casey, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her dress fit tightly on the top, draping over the edges of her shoulders like cloth blowing in the breeze. It then moved down to her waist where it shot out in a skirt of large billowing fabrics. She looked like a princess marrying into a royal family. Her veil was pinned gingerly in her hair which was piled high on her head in a mountain of delicate curls. She was looking down at her mother nervously as they took a ste
p onto the red carpet lining the walkway. I watched her hands shake as she looked at the staring crowd. Finally, as her eyes moved forward, she met my gaze and all the nerves in my chest just fluttered away.
From the smile that quickly developed on her lips, her nerves were cured as well. I grabbed Seth’s hand and looked down as he giggled at his mom walking up the aisle. I couldn’t believe just how lucky I was to be able to marry this gorgeous woman. She was the sweetest, kindest, sexiest, and most loving woman I had ever met, and I was going to get to call her my wife. She didn’t care about money or my name, she only cared about our family, our connection, our love, and our eternal bond. Her desire to grow our family was strong and determined. Just when I think I couldn’t be any more attached to this family, I find myself gazing down at them, my heart filled with love and admiration.
As Casey reached the front of the church, Andrea handed her over, kissing me on the cheek and lifting Casey’s veil. The two exchanged quiet words and I could see the emotion on Andrea’s face, thinking about her late husband. The ceremony was short and we opted for traditional vows since Casey was too shy to speak in front of such a large crowd. Everyone laughed as Seth pulled our rings from his little tux pocket and handed them to Natalie, who was the maid of honor. As I slipped the small diamond encrusted band over Casey’s fragile small finger, I looked up into her eyes to let her know how serious I really was. I would love this woman and our son more than they could stand. I would ensure they had everything in life that they needed and wanted. I would make sure that the things of the past stayed in the past, never disrupting our lives ever again.
Broken: A Mountain Man's Romance Page 51