by Sam Destiny
“You remember that?”
She nodded. “Back then, I thought you were talking about us. I thought you’d be marrying me, so of course, I remembered.” She walked over to the stairs, clearly deciding that someone had to start going down, or it wouldn’t ever happen.
“I will marry you,” he called after her, and she threw him a look over her shoulder.
“Not without a pretty ring, you won’t,” she replied, her tone sassy as she made her way back to their friends. Mason grabbed the wallet and the photo from the ground where she had dropped it before kissing him. He followed her, smiling as if he owned the world. And, in his mind, he finally did.
“Tim, wake up!” Her brother turned, but then just grunted something incoherent. Taylor contemplated picking him up, but he’d be heavy, and she’d have to climb down the stairs. “Timmy, let’s go home,” she pleaded, but again, he just grunted in response. She lowered her head. While her body was energized, she just wanted to go to sleep. Somehow, somewhere, during this almost perfect night, she had started to worry that she’d wake up and everything would be a dream and nothing more.
“Just stay,” came a warm voice from the door, and she turned in the darkness, seeing Mason framed by light. “I want to wake up and finally know you’re mine.” His voice was hushed, almost pleading. It made her realize that he was just as disbelieving as she was. Hesitating before kissing Tim’s cheek, she got up from the bed and walked over to Mason, stepping out into the hall with him. She closed the door behind her back before leaning against it. She watched his face in the dimly lit hallway, and her heart ached. God, he was beautiful. His unruly dark curls beckoned her to touch them and his lips, shining from when he licked them out of nervousness, begged her to kiss them.
There, in the small space of the hallway, they were suddenly teenagers again. Taylor had hated all the insecurities back then, and even more the fact that Mason hadn’t been hers.
“So much wasted time,” he mumbled, his tone rough as he voiced the thought that had just sprung to her mind. He nodded her over, and she went willingly, letting him close her in his arms. It was strange how something so utterly familiar could suddenly be new and exciting.
She never wanted to be anywhere else again.
“Yeah, I was just your friend, remember?” She only half joked as jealousy burned its way through her body. She hadn’t forgotten the Halloween she’d been close to telling him what she felt. He instantly reacted by gently pinching her side, making her yelp.
“You little minx,” he accused, and then grabbed her as she tried to escape his arms. She stifled her laughter as her back hit his chest. The next second, he kissed her neck, making her want to purr.
“It’s our first real date, Mr. Stiles. This lady here should be going home to follow the proper Southern way,” she teased. She could hear him gasp, looking for words that clearly evaded him. It made her grin.
***
Mason should be doing exactly what she had said, but years had been wasted, and he wouldn’t ever get them back.
“Hey, Mase,” she called softly, getting him back from his wayward thoughts. “I was joking. Let’s go.” She took the initiative and walked to his room. Inside, he watched how she moved around his space, clearly feeling at home. He liked that more than he cared to admit. She opened drawers and got out sweatpants and a shirt for herself.
“You can always sleep in a bra and panties,” he offered graciously, biting his cheeks as she glowered at him before arching a brow.
“I could, you know, if I was wearing any.” With that, she vanished in his bathroom. He stared at the door for a few seconds, wondering if she’d been serious. He lit a few candles around the room before pulling his own sweatpants on. His hand hovered over a shirt, but then he decided against it. It wouldn’t hurt anyone if he teased Tay a …
His thought trailed off as she came out of the bathroom, holding the black sweats in her hand while his shirt barely reached over her butt. Clearly, she, too, had decided to tease him. He surely didn’t mind, especially not as her gaze settled on him, prompting her to lick her lips.
”Cowboy,” she whispered, and he laughed, realizing that being with Taylor was easy, albeit a little like a first ever relationship.
“Come here,” he instructed, and she dropped his pants on the floor before walking over. Her eyes never left his chest, her gaze following her fingertips as she let them wander over it without really touching him. It appeared as if she was afraid of coming too close.
“You know, you won’t feel anything unless you get skin to skin,” he pointed out, realizing that she was trembling. He grabbed her hand and then kissed her fingertips.
“I … this is unreal. I’ve longed to get my hands on your chest for years, and now, I’m suddenly worried it won’t be as good as I always imagined.” Mason stared at her in outrage. For a second, he expected her to start laughing, but she kept a straight face.
“You … I … what?” he stuttered, and finally, she broke into a round of giggles. She wanted to walk away from him, but he just pulled her toward him again, kissing the back of her neck while she laughed softly. His heart did flip-flops, and it probably was the best thing he’d ever felt.
“Jesus, Collins, I love you,” he whispered, and she stilled, leaning her head to the side to give him better access to her neck. He rubbed his nose along her skin, before letting his lips follow. Her sweet scent clouded his senses, and he’d never tire of that feeling.
Slowly, she shifted in his arms, and he loved the way she looked in the soft light of the candles. “Oh my, Mister Stiles, you look at me as if it’s something serious.” She grinned. He brushed a stray blonde strand out of her face, wondering how in the world it couldn’t be serious when for more than a decade he had longed for this.
Framing her face, he drew her in. He met her lips in a gentle, unhurried kiss, slipping his tongue inside her mouth the moment she went onto her tiptoes to silently demand more. He picked her up and then put her down on the mattress without breaking the kiss. She placed her hand directly above his heart, and it made him smile. Eventually, he broke the kiss, pressing his lips to her forehead before pulling the blanket up to cover her.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” she wanted to know, wearing the cutest pout on her face.
“Just gonna blow out the candles,” he promised, smiling as she touched her fingertips to his lips.
“Okay,” she slowly agreed, and Mason moved around the room, extinguishing the few candles before padding back to the bed and crawling in by her side. Feeling her so close was maddening, yet he was set on just enjoying her by his side. After all, it was more than he had imagined that morning. Additionally, they had all the time in the world to get intimate since he wouldn’t ever let her go again.
***
Taylor woke from the sounds of little feet hurrying across the cold wooden floor. Mason’s left arm was draped over her middle while his right one pillowed her head.
“Daddy?” Becca asked; the words barely loud enough to cross the distance between her and the bed.
“Bec?” Tay replied just as quietly.
“Tay!” Becca squealed as hushed as possible, and finally, Taylor’s eyes had gotten used to the darkness, making it possible to see the girl’s outline where she stood. Wordlessly, Taylor lifted the blanket, prompting Becca to join her. Mason’s daughter sure didn’t hesitate, snuggling close while pressing her ice-cold feet against Taylor’s warms thighs. She shivered, pulling Becca even closer.
“Missed you,” the child whispered, and Taylor felt her breath tickle her lips. She, too, had missed the little girl something fierce.
“Missed you, too, babe,” she answered and then kissed Becca’s forehead, breathing in the mix of chocolate and baby powder that always seemed to surround Becca.
“Can I stay?”
Taylor had no doubt that Mason forbid it usually, but nothing was usual about this night.
“Of course.” Taylor laughed
quietly. “I absolutely want to cuddle with you.”
The child sighed in contentment and then yawned. Taylor listened until Becca’s breathing evened out, then she reached out to kiss Mason’s palm after taking his hand.
“This is an exception,” Mason mumbled sleepily, and Taylor melted at the huskiness of his voice.
“Of course,” she gave back, biting her cheeks. She already knew that she wouldn’t turn away the girl half as often as Mason probably hoped.
“You’re incorrigible,” he fussed gently.
“Incredible, you mean,” she teased. “Incredibly happy.”
For a few weeks, everything was chaotic between two farms, a tiny girl, and Taylor’s brother, but eventually, Mason and Tay settled into a routine that allowed them to spend as much time together as they could without neglecting anyone else. Tim actually loved the big brother role, and therefore, never minded when Becca was around. The girl followed him everywhere and looked at him as if he’d hung the moon. So some days, they stayed at the Collins’ farm, and sometimes, they spent their evenings at the Stiles’ home. To Mason, it didn’t matter. He loved knowing that Taylor brought his baby girl to school, and he could pick her up.
It was a nice routine. He didn’t mind knowing that his mother finally had time for her own life, and – surprise, surprise – she was busier than ever, catching up with friends and looking for a job she could do a few hours a week, something like working in a café or diner. Mason’s guilt about having taken up her time for so long finally eased.
Pulling up in front of the pre-school, he was ready to collect his little girl and head home. He knew she had a lot to tell him since it was the day before Halloween and they’d dressed up for school. As it was, he hadn’t seen Becca in costume yet since Taylor had taken care of it, and now, he was curious.
It took him a moment, but then he noticed that Miss Lavera, Becca’s teacher, actually stood by the door, clearly waiting for him. It made his stomach churn. Usually, she’d just wave at him and he’d find his daughter.
“Mr. Stiles,” she greeted him, and he paused next to her, all hope of simply slipping by being gone.
“Miss Lavera,” he replied, deciding to go for another attempt at leaving, but she ever so softly touched his arm, commanding his attention. Her face didn’t look promising, so he sighed. “What did she do now?”
Becca’s teacher laughed softly, before sobering considerably. “You know how kids are, right? Rebecca is still so young. She doesn’t know about relationships and rights and wrongs, or what the difference is between a biological parent and new partner in one parent’s life,” she started, and Mason forced his hands into his pockets so he wouldn’t reach for the first child he could and just get away.
“Okay?”
“When your girlfriend drops Becca off, she hugs her, kisses her, and tells her she loves her.”
Mason smiled as he could all but see that in his mind. He saw how Taylor would bend down just so she’d be at eye-level with Becca. It warmed his heart. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see anything wrong with that. “So?”
“You know how kids are. We teachers know that Miss Collins is just your girlfriend …” She was so much more to Mason, but people who hadn’t grown up with Tay and him couldn’t know that. “… and not Becca’s mother, but Rebecca was repeatedly told that everything Miss Collins does is what moms do. To make a long story short, children don’t see the difference. All they see is the treatment and not the role that person is playing. All I want is to warn you that Becca now refers to Miss Collins as her mom. She explicitly told everyone her mom would take her trick or treating. We tried to tell her otherwise, but she refuses to listen. “
Mason nodded slowly. Taylor indeed had promised to take Becca and Tim trick or treating before her sister would watch the two while Mason and Taylor would take part in something Ash called ‘Halloween Friends Revival.’ “Okay, you are saying that basically it’s likely that Becca will call Taylor ‘Mom’? Did I get that right?” he wanted to know.
Miss Lavera nodded. “They are young, and really aren’t to blame. It wouldn’t be the first time that this breaks up a couple. We’ve had everything, from guys being called ‘Dad’ too early to women having the same problem. It’s something about them not being ready to take on the responsibilities. May I be frank?”
He just nodded.
“With the way Miss Collins treats Becca, it’s hard not to call her a mother. You know, mothers aren’t necessarily created with a blood bond.”
Mason felt pride swell in his chest. “She’s amazing, no doubt.”
“Many partners run,” the teacher added.
“Thank you for the warning.” He meant it, even though there was no way to say how Taylor would react. Or he, for that matter.
“Daddy! Tomorrow is Halloween!” A cloud of glitter, white fairy wings, and a tulle dress came running forward, and he caught Becca in his arms. Taylor had gone all out. Becca’s hair was braided like a crown around her head, and she was covered in glitter hairspray. His daughter’s eyes were sparkling, being no competition to the fake glitter stones that adorned her cheek. She was beautiful and clearly happy. Mason’s throat clogged with emotions.
“She is beautiful. And today, she even was on time.” Miss Lavera winked. Taylor had a tendency to run late with Becca, but she clearly had enough charm that no one was ever mad at her. “She really is incredible, that woman of yours.”
Mason already knew that, and he definitely couldn’t agree more. Thanking the teacher, he grabbed Becca’s backpack and then strapped the little girl into her seat in the backseat of his truck. She instantly reached for a doll, occupying herself with the toy while Mason started the truck, homeward bound.
He waited for Becca’s usual chatter, but instead, the girl was humming quietly, not keeping his thoughts as occupied as he wished.
Ashley’s truck sat parked in his driveway when they pulled up, and suddenly, he was presented with a totally new problem.
“We’re home, babe,” he announced, and the doll dropped from her lap, lying forgotten on the seat. She unbuckled herself and then waited until Mason helped her out of the truck. She hurried up the porch steps, and Mason followed, not caring that the truck doors stayed open since he feared what she’d say once she met …
“Ashy!” Becca hadn’t been able to pronounce the name right since the first time she had heard it.
“Hey, fairy.” Ashley grinned.
“Where’s Mom?” Becca asked, and Mason’s heart dropped. Ash’s eyes flew up to him, a smirk playing over her lips.
“Let’s go and find out.” She winked, taking Becca’s hand to lead her to the kitchen.
“Mom! I won!” The little girl scrambled over the moment she spotted Taylor. If Tay was surprised, she didn’t let on. Instead, she picked Becca up to set her down on the counter before resuming her task of cutting vegetables.
“You did? Did you get a certificate?”
“Yes because you made my hair pretty! Thank you, Mom!”
“You’re very welcome, baby.” Taylor laughed, leaning in to kiss Becca’s nose. Afterward, she brushed the cut pieces of vegetables in a pan.
“Everyone wanted to be me. The other girls liked my hair …”
Mason tuned them out, just watching. It was impossible for him to say a word. His heart was simply too full.
“It’s okay to tear up. I wanna tear up. This is …” Ashley shook her head next to him, and Mason cleared his throat.
“Her teacher warned me that Becca might call her that. It’s something that the kids –”
“Mason, does it matter why she calls her that? Honestly? No, because fate has finally righted all the wrongs. Anyway, I’m out. Tomorrow at the bonfire?”
Having Ashley constantly around was weird, but Mason was okay with ignoring the feeling as long as Taylor was happy, and that definitely was the case whenever her best friend was there.
“Tomorrow at the bonfire,” he confirmed.
&
nbsp; “Bye, Mom,” Ash called, winking at Taylor. Tay blew her a kiss, and Becca waved at her, then the two focused on each other again.
As much as Mason had to do, or should organize, he couldn’t get his feet to move, so instead, he just stayed back and watched.
***
Taylor couldn’t ignore the shadow in the door. In fact, she was more than conscious of his eyes on her, and her skin prickled with awareness, but since she had no idea how he’d react to the fact that Becca had started calling her mom, she wasn’t ready to face or deal with him.
“... and everyone wanted to touch my wings,” the little girl went on, making Taylor smile. She cut the chicken and then placed it with the vegetables in the pan. Her heart was racing in her throat, tying it close with worry.
Things had been finally going smooth for her and Mason, and she was more than glad that they spent as much time together as they did. Now, though, she feared dark clouds on the horizon. It was crazy that one tiny girl was all the protection she needed.
“Timmy?” Becca suddenly called, listening intently.
“Living room,” her brother called back. He was bent over his homework, Taylor knew that, but he’d most likely let Becca join him. The two were like siblings - only they didn’t share the same blood.
“Coming!” Becca answered, wiggling her feet until Taylor swept her off the counter and set her down on the ground. Instantly, Mason’s daughter hurried away, taking away all excuses Taylor had not to look at Mason.
She reached for another tomato even though she already had enough in the pan. All she wanted was another reason not to look up.