by Lacey Wolfe
Abigail went down the hall to Hailey’s room and sat down on the bed. As she waited on Hailey, her thoughts went where they always did. Josh and his bed. She missed him more than she’d expected. If she had a time machine, she’d go back right now and accept his proposal and never leave his home again. She knew it was best that they were getting to know each other and she enjoyed their talks. Each night when she went to bed and lay alone, she knew her heart was opening more and more.
“All done!” Hailey plopped down on the bed.
“Blow.” Hailey leaned close and blew in Abigail’s face. The minty scent hit her and she nodded. “Good job. Now we can call daddy.”
Abigail clicked his name and handed the phone to Hailey. Her daughters face lit up when Josh answered. She chatted animatedly with him and told him all about her day at school and how she came home and made cupcakes with her mommy. Hailey giggled a lot before finally yawning and telling him goodnight.
Abigail took the phone. “Hold on a moment while I tuck her in.” She set the phone on the bed and leaned forward, kissing Hailey’s forehead. “Sweet dreams, my princess. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Love you, Mommy.”
“Love you too.” Abigail picked the receiver back up and dimmed the light before returning to her call. “Hi, Josh.”
“How are you?”
“Tired, but good. It’s not easy being home all day and night. I’m starting to go a bit stir-crazy without a job.”
“Return to school.”
She shook her head. “I can’t afford it at this moment.” Before she gave him the chance to offer the money, she added, “But I have contacted a college and discussed getting student loans.”
Josh cleared his throat. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“I figured you would be.”
There was a long silence before Josh broke it. “I miss you. I’m trying to be patient and take things slow. And I understand the timeframe of us being in one another’s life again is short, but I can’t be without you. It kills me that you and Hailey are so far away. I promise I won’t push and will take things at your pace.”
Abigail grinned, not being able to help it. “It’s getting harder on me as well.”
“Why are we doing this then?”
“I need you to know I’m independent and not going to rely on you for everything. Just like with schooling. You’re not paying for it. If I go back to school, I’m doing it on my own, even though it’s going to be difficult with no job.”
“If you come to New York, you can work and go to school and I’ll be around to help with our daughter. And don’t forget about Janet, the nanny. I’m sure we could hire her full-time.”
“I know.”
“Just think about it, that’s all I ask.”
Abigail yawned. “I’m going to turn in for the night. We’ll talk tomorrow?”
“You bet. Goodnight.”
“Night.” She pressed the end button and then held the phone close to her heart. As silly as it seemed, having the phone this close made her feel like he was there with her.
As she headed toward her room, she prepared herself for yet another sleepless night.
* * * *
Another week had passed and Abigail couldn’t take it anymore. She had to see Josh and she was almost surprised that he hadn’t yet shown up. She could hear the desperation in his voice when they spoke. It wouldn’t be long before one of them burst.
She was the one about to blow, in fact. She’d been in contact with her old law school in New York, and it looked like things might be lining up the way she wanted. But she couldn’t be certain yet.
She finished stuffing Hailey’s clothes in the suitcase. Now all she had to do was get her daughter and make it to the airport in time. While the flight might not be as nice as it had been on Josh’s jet, at least it would get her from point A to B. The best part was Hailey and Josh had no idea.
* * * *
Josh loosened his tie as he stepped into the kitchen. “What’s for dinner?” he asked the cook.
The older woman smiled. “Chicken fingers and French fries.”
He stared at her and wondered if he’d heard her right. Chicken fingers and French fries? Sure, he wasn’t picky, but he hadn’t had anything like that since Hailey had been here. He walked closer and noticed she was making a lot.
“I know I have a hefty appetite, but I don’t think I can eat that much.”
The woman giggled. “Don’t worry about what you can eat.”
Josh grinned, went to the fridge, and removed a coke. He noticed a few juice boxes had been added. He was about to mention it, but then decided against it. One of the house staff members probably had a child visiting or something.
“How long until dinner?” he asked from the doorway.
“About thirty minutes, I hope.”
“I’ll be back.” He left the kitchen and began the path toward his office. Just as he was about to enter it, he noticed a set of headlights out front. Who is here? He wasn’t expecting anyone.
Only one way to find out. Josh opened the door and as soon as he stepped out, a small child clung to his leg. “Daddy!”
“Hailey? What are you doing here?” His arms wrapped around her and he looked up and saw Abigail approaching, a grin across her face. “What are you two doing here?”
“We decided to come home,” Abigail said as she stopped in front of him, “if you’ll have us.”
With his free hand, he reached out and took Abigail’s. “You better believe I’ll have you. And how lucky you are tonight, Hailey. The cook is making your favorite.”
“I know. Mommy called her.”
He looked up, not believing Abigail had pulled this off without him knowing. Especially since it was his car and driver that had brought her here. She must have paid for her flight, because his jet hadn’t been used.
“Come in, please.” He let go of them and stepped back as they came in.
His family was finally home. He couldn’t be happier. Hailey excused herself to use the restroom. As soon as she was out of sight, he reached forward and pulled Abigail to him. Without any hesitation, he claimed her lips with hunger. She opened to him right away and his tongue slipped in, tasting mint.
Abigail’s arms wrapped around him, bringing herself close. She kissed him with such tenderness and yet it went straight though him, until the excitement settled between his thighs. He hoped she would share his bed tonight and every night from now on. He hadn’t washed her pillow since she left, preferring to shroud himself in her scent each night.
The kiss ended and she stepped back. “I missed you. I couldn’t stay away any longer.”
“I’m glad. You have no idea how close I’ve been to getting on my plane and coming out there. But I knew you needed time.”
She kissed his cheek. “Thank you for giving me that. But I no longer want time or to take things slow.”
“Good, because if you leave here again, I’ll hunt you down and go all caveman, dragging you back here by your hair.”
She giggled. “I could think of a more enjoyable way for you to pull my hair.”
Josh groaned. “You just wait until tonight.”
“Believe me, I can’t wait.”
* * * *
The next day Hailey begged to have another picnic in the flower garden. Abigail agreed since it was a beautiful day. Her daughter had also requested Josh make BLTs again and this time she’d try the tomato.
In the kitchen, Abigail saw Josh filling the basket. “Need any help?” she asked.
He looked up. “Nope, I got it.”
Abigail stepped up to him to plant a kiss on his cheek that still held his morning stubble. “Any surprises in there today?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
Abigail smiled and traced her fingers down his face, staring into his eyes. “I love you.”
Josh set the knife down he’d been using for the mayonnaise and pulled her to him. “I love
you too. Now go get Hailey. As much as I want to eat you instead for lunch, we have a daughter waiting on us.”
Ten minutes later they were all seated in the garden again. Only this time they all seemed happier. Hailey now knew Josh was her father and Abigail was finally feeling like things were going to work out the way they were supposed to. She had a man she loved and he loved her in return.
“I could never tire of lunches out here.” Abigail took a sip of her water.
“It’s lovely out here. I need to make the time to enjoy this garden more,” Josh agreed.
“With Hailey here now, I think you will.”
He grinned. “Things feel complete,” he paused, “well, almost.”
Abigail watched as he pulled a black velvet box from his blazer. She giggled, knowing what was in it this time.
Josh looked at Hailey and said, “I hope this goes better this time.”
Hailey directed her gaze toward her mother. “I hope so too.”
Josh got on one knee and opened the box. “I love you more that words can express. I don’t ever want to be without you again. These past few weeks have been torture, that if I have to live my life without you, then I’d rather it be over. You complete me.” He looked at Hailey and then back at Abigail. “You and Hailey. Please do me the honor of saying yes and being my wife.”
Not only was this what she wanted, but she was certain this was where she and Hailey belonged. They would all finally be a family. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you, Josh.”
Josh removed the ring from the box and slid it on her finger. After he let go of her hand, she admired the diamond and glanced back at him.
“Kiss him, Mommy!”
Abigail did just that. She pulled Josh to her and kissed him, keeping it as conservative as possible with Hailey watching. The kiss ended and Abigail cupped her hands and wondered how she’d gotten so lucky.
Josh pulled another box from his blazer. This one was a little bigger. “I have something for you too, Hailey.” He opened it, revealing a silver heart necklace. “Do you like it?”
“Yes!” Hailey screeched.
“Is that real?” Abigail asked.
Josh laughed. “Of course.”
“Oh my God, be careful with that, Hailey, do you hear me?” She looked back at Josh. “Have you ever been around a four-year-old? That’s likely to end up in Play-Doh.”
Josh smiled. “It’ll make nice shapes, don’t you think?” He leaned next to her ear. “I hope we have another very soon.”
“You want more kids?”
“Hailey, do you want to be a big sister?” Josh asked.
“Are you having a baby too?”
Abigail giggled. “No, no baby—yet.”
Abigail snuggled up to Josh and placed her head on his shoulder. He wrapped both arms around her and placed a kiss on her forehead. She loved this man with all her heart. How did she get so lucky to have a man as compassionate as him to love her in return?
Epilogue
Abigail walked across the stage—one she was proud to be on—after her name had been called, not believing this day was finally here. She had graduated and now was about to get her degree. She was officially a lawyer!
As she took the diploma from the dean, she looked out at the crowd. Josh was there with Hailey and they clapped and hollered loudly. She waved and then the baby in her belly kicked hard. She laughed and rubbed her belly. Their son was just as excited as they were.
Once off the stage, she joined the others graduating. After everyone had their diploma, they tossed their hats into the air. Today was one of the best days of her life.
Abigail joined Josh and Hailey outside.
“I’m so proud of you!” Hailey hugged her.
“Me too.” Josh kissed her cheek and laid his hand on her growing stomach.
“I couldn’t have done this without you,” she said.
Life had been great and was only getting better. Hailey was thriving and enjoying the last few years. It was as though they’d always been there, and the first four years away from Josh hadn’t existed.
The End
About Lacey Wolfe
Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. From the time she was a child she would slip away to write short stories about people she knew and fantasies she wished would happen. It has always been her dream to be a published author and with her two children now of school age, she finally has the time to work on making her dream come true.
Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.
www.laceywolfe.com
[email protected]
Other Books by Lacey Wolfe
Erotic:
Amber’s Muse
Tempting The Manny
Bound By Pleasure
Letting Go
Hot Bods Series
Fool Me Once
More Than Useful
Accidental Love
Opposties Attract – Coming February 18 2013
Contemporaries:
Brookfield Series
Finding Home
Bare Necessities
The Brookfield Volume One