by Kristi Gold
When Kevin rubbed his eyes with his free hand, she said, “You look totally worn out. I’ll stay in the room with Carly tonight.”
“Since she’s going home in the morning, I’ll stay. I can tolerate this sorry excuse for a hide-a-bed one more night. You go home and sleep.”
Stubborn, sexy man. “You need the sleep more since you haven’t let me stay in here even one night.”
“No, you’ve stayed in the on-call room and made a trip in here every fifteen minutes. You’re the one who needs the rest because I’m not dealing with patients all day.”
“Maybe we should toss a coin,” she said.
“Maybe we should can the arguing and both stay. I’ll take the chair.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s ridiculous. You’re going home to sleep in a decent bed and I’m staying. That’s final.”
He grinned. “Not if I beat you to the sofa first, and I’m already here.”
Obviously he wasn’t going to bend in this instance. “Fine. I’ll sleep in the chair.”
“Neither of you will be sleeping in the chair or on that sofa,” came from the vicinity of the door, specifically from Kevin’s mother, Lucy, who walked in with her jubilant, hulking husband.
Dermot stopped in the middle of the room and saluted, his grin almost as wide as his belly. “O’Brien parents, reportin’ for duty.”
Lucy approached Kevin and held out her arms. “Let me have this precious little one.”
Kevin stood, handed the baby to his mother and patted his dad’s back. “I didn’t expect to see the two of you again today.”
“We never left,” Lucy said. “Jenna’s in labor in the maternity ward.”
Dermot checked his watch. “She should be poppin’ out another O’Brien within the hour.”
“Then why aren’t you there?” Kevin asked.
Leah was wondering the same thing. “I’m sure they would love for you to be present when the baby’s born.”
Dermot looked as if he’d eaten something sour. “I am a firm believer in keeping watch in a waiting room, lass.”
Lucy strolled around the room when Carly began to fuss. “He faints at the sight of a blister. Besides, Logan knows we’re here with you, and he’ll let us know when we have our new grandson. In the meantime, Dermot and I decided that the two of you need a break. That’s why we’re going to take a shift and watch Carly so you two can spend the night at home.”
“What do you mean a shift?” Kevin’s tone reflected the same confusion Leah was feeling.
Dermot put both pinkies in his mouth and whistled, earning a scowl from Lucy and a trembling lip from Carly. On cue, the O’Brien siblings filed in—Devin in scrubs and lab coat, Aidan in suit and tie, Kieran in T-shirt and workout pants and, bringing up the rear, Mallory wearing business casual. They lined the wall as if they were ready to pass inspection.
“I’ve invited the clan here to help out with the baby tonight, and they will each do their part.” Dermot faced the children and assumed the role of master drill sergeant. “Children, your ma and me will stay until nine since my bones are too old to be sleepin’ on a sofa. Who will be next?”
“I will,” Devin said. “I’m manning the E.R., but not until midnight. But I need someone to take my place fifteen minutes before that since I have to drive to my hospital.”
Mallory raised her hand. “I’ll come back then, but I promised Whit I wouldn’t be home much later than 2:00 a.m., like he’ll really be up then.”
Aidan chuckled. “Oh, he’ll be up, all right, since you’re baby-making.”
“Watch your mouth, young man,” Lucy scolded.
Kieran took a step forward. “I’ll be here at two. I’ll stay as long as I need to since I’m not sleeping much these days.”
“Pre-wedding jitters?” Kevin asked.
“Erica’s withholding sexual favors until the wedding,” Aidan said, earning a sneer from Kieran and a stern look from his mother. “If you can stay on until six, Kieran, I’ll stay until nine. Corri should be through throwing up by then.”
Mallory leaned forward and stared at Aidan. “Pregnant again?”
“Yeah.”
A round of mild congratulations followed, and Leah found it remarkable that the family treated pregnancy as an everyday occurrence. Obviously it was for them.
“Then I believe we’re set,” Lucy said. “We’ll be back in the morning so the two of you can sleep in a little later.”
“Do we have any say in the matter?” Kevin asked. After they all responded with “No,” in perfect unison, he sent Leah an apologetic look. “Are you okay with this?”
How could she protest such a kind gesture? She couldn’t, even if it meant being alone with Kevin for the first time in a week. That concept made her both foolishly excited and extremely wary. “It’s fine, as long as it’s not going to be too much trouble for everyone.”
Dermot slid his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. “No trouble a’tall. But first, I have a story to tell you, Leah.” When all five offspring groaned simultaneously, he held up one hand and silenced them. “Kevin’s ma landed in my county in Ireland many a year ago, and when I set eyes on her, I knew I could never be without her again. That is why I traveled across the ocean to this great country, leaving my ma and da behind, to make her my bride. I can only imagine how sorry my life would be without her.”
“Is there a point to this, Dad?” Kevin asked, his voice laced with impatience.
“Yes, son. The point is, get your head out of your arse and don’t let this lass get away.” That prompted a few chuckles from the onlookers before he continued with his directive. “You take her home, talk to her and once you’re done foosterin’—”
“Leah, I know that sounds dirty,” Lucy interjected, “but it means wasting time.”
“As I was sayin’,” Dermot continued. “If you haven’t convinced her to be your bonnie bride with talk, then do the rest of your talkin’ in bed.”
Lucy scowled at him. “You could have gone all day without saying that, old man.”
Aidan laughed. “Looks like you’re going to sleep on the sofa anyway, Dad.”
Dermot wrapped his arm around Lucy’s shoulder. “My love, when we’ve had our spats in the past, the makin’ up between the sheets was the best part, even if each time we made one of these ruffians.”
She sent him an affectionate smile. “If that were true, Dermot, then we would have at least six hundred children, not six.”
“Too much information, Mom,” Mallory muttered. “May we be dismissed now before we’re subjected to any more disturbing commentary on yours and Dad’s love life?”
“Not so fast.” Logan rushed into the room, camera in hand and a proud look on his face. “I want you all to see Patrick Avery O’Brien. Eight pounds, five ounces, and the best-looking kid in the universe.”
Everyone gathered round to see the newest O’Brien on the digital screen, except for Leah and Kevin. She was still reeling from the shock of the stories and the offer, and the hint of regret in Kevin’s eyes indicated what was holding him back. When he took the baby from his mother and held Carly close, he confirmed Leah’s conjecture. He needed to have his own child in his arms to remind him of what he already had, not what might never be. She sensed he was hurting more than he would ever let on, and that was still a problem. If only he would let her in, then maybe there could be a chance for them. But following Carly’s surgery, he’d established his determination to deal with his feelings on his own when he’d left the hospital without any explanation.
Realizing she’d forgotten her manners, Leah crossed the room and held out her open palm. “Can I take a look?”
Logan grinned and handed her the camera. “My pleasure.”
Leah studied the digital image of the sweet, dark-haired, round-cheeked baby boy who looked none too happy about being thrust from the safety of his mother’s womb into a brightly lit and foreign world. “He’s beautiful, Logan,” she said as she returned th
e camera to him. “Tell Jenna congratulations.”
“He looks a little like our former mailman, Mr. Finklestein,” Kieran said.
Logan gave his brother a look that could wither a wash pot. “Just wait until you have your first, Kieran. If he inherits your ego, his head will be twice as big as his body.”
Lucy flapped both hands and shooed them all toward the door. “Go and leave us all in peace, but be back on time. Logan, we’ll be down to see the baby before we go.”
Following their goodbyes, the kids quickly exited, exchanging barbs and banter on their way out.
Lucy made her way back to Kevin and held her arms out. “Now it’s time for the two of you to run along so I can give our granddaughter her bottle and put her to bed.”
But before she could retrieve Carly, Dermot took the baby into his beefy arms and turned her around. “You both must remember, this wee one is a gift. She brought the two of you back together twice now, first with her birth and then through a wretched sickness that should teach you both how fast life can turn like a spindle right before our eyes. She will suffer more if the two of you cannot grant each other grace and honor her with your love for each other.”
Lucy slipped her arm around Dermot’s waist. “Your father’s right, Kevin. She deserves that much.”
Dermot handed Carly back to Lucy, his expression still somber. “Leah, although he was a bit of a hellcat when he was a boy, Kevin has grown into a good man. And though he’s a slow starter, he loves you, lass. If you have any feelings for him, then it would be my greatest wish that you tell him so that he will stop mopin’ like a wolfhound.” Dermot then pointed at Kevin. “You must eat your pride like it is an All Saints’ Day feast, boyo. And do not come back in the morn and tell me you’ve settled nothing.”
ONCE THEY ARRIVED at the house, Kevin wasn’t sure where to begin, but an apology for the coercion by committee seemed like a good place to start. “Sorry for the familial ambush.”
Leah toed out of her shoes, dropped onto the den’s sofa and crossed her legs on the cushions. “It’s okay. I found your parents’ story interesting. I don’t remember you telling me about how they met.”
Kevin took a chance and opted to sit beside her, keeping a decent space between them. “I’ve never thought much about it.” Until this evening, when the message hit home. “But I can relate to what my dad was saying.”
She grabbed a throw pillow and hugged it tightly. “How so?”
“I felt the same way about you the first time I saw you. I just didn’t realize it until recently. And that’s why I’d be willing to forget Atlanta and move to Mississippi if you just say the word.”
Her expression showed her surprise. “But what about your family, Kevin?”
“You and Carly are my family, Leah. And I love you both more than any job offer.”
“I love you, too, but I wonder if that’s enough. We still have other issues to deal with.”
“It’s a start.” Time to address those other issues. “The other day, after I saw Carly in recovery, I couldn’t get out of that place fast enough. That’s why I went outside and cried like a baby. I can’t even remember the last time I did that.”
She rested her palm on his arm that he’d draped over the back of the sofa. “Oh, Kevin, that’s what I’m referring to. You should have let me be there for you like you’ve been there for me during this ordeal.”
“I know, Leah. I’d never felt so alone as I felt in those moments. I never knew how much I needed you until then.”
She went back to the pillow and began twisting the corner. “Macy mentioned something to me the other day, and I realize she’s right. I’ve been so afraid of losing you again that I’ve set up a self-fulfilling prophecy. If I continued to believe you’re going to leave me eventually, then I would never have to face that loss. So I’m not exactly blameless in this situation, either.”
He took her hand and when she didn’t wrench it out of his grasp, Kevin considered that a small victory. “I promise you this. I’m going to spend every hour of every day until you’re through with your fellowship proving to you that I’m serious about not giving up on us. And if that doesn’t convince you, I’ll be in Mississippi every weekend, maybe even during the week, until you know for sure that I’m in this for the long haul.”
When she fell silent, Kevin held his breath until she met his gaze. “I’m still scared.”
“Honestly, so am I, Leah. But not scared enough not to fight for you.”
He witnessed the moment that her resistance faded when she smiled. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
She moved into his lap, framed his face in her palms and kissed him. Kevin couldn’t recall feeling so satisfied, so ready to take on the world.
After they parted, she said, “You’re going to love Mississippi.”
His joy came out in a grin. “Are you tired?”
“Not in the least.”
“Are you hungry?”
“Not for food.”
“Then I suggest we take my dad’s advice and do the rest of our talking in bed.”
She pressed a series of kisses along his jaw. “I agree. No matter what went wrong with our relationship before, and what problems we might encounter in the future, we’ve always gotten lovemaking right and we probably always will.”
Kevin couldn’t argue with that. “We’ve done something else right, too.”
Together they smiled and at the same time said, “Carly.”
LEAH TOOK Kevin by the hand and led him into the room that housed the bed where they’d first made love. A fitting place to begin again, she decided. A merging of the best moments from their past and the promise of more in the future.
Kevin didn’t bother to turn down the lights before he began to undress her, and she honestly didn’t care. She wanted to see his face, to see every beautiful inch of him when she returned the favor. But instead of dispensing of their clothes, they remained in the center of the room for a long while, simply holding each other until Kevin released her, sat on the edge of the mattress and lowered his head.
Leah moved beside him and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Kevin, what’s wrong?”
“I was about to get a condom, then I realized we don’t really need one, and that’s still killing me inside. Seeing the picture of Logan’s son this evening only reinforced how inadequate I feel.”
She pressed a kiss against his cheek. “Kevin, being able to biologically create children makes you a sperm donor, not necessarily a good man. Being an incredible father does, and you are an incredible father. Besides, I saw the lab results. There’s still hope. After all, I never thought we’d be together again, and look what happened.”
“But I want to give you everything, sweetheart. And that’s why this is so tough.”
Never in her wildest imagination had she believed she would ever see this side of him. Or that she could ever love him more. Yet, in that moment, she did. “You’ve already given me a beautiful baby, Kevin. And if I’ve somehow made you doubt yourself, then I’m so sorry.” She lay back on the bed and held out her arms to him. “Come here and forget the condom. I don’t want anything between us.”
He joined her on the bed, and, in very short order, they undressed each other. As always, Kevin used his hands and mouth on her like fine satin, with all the sureness of a man who knew everything about her body. But when she was ready to plead with him to hurry, he moved over her, braced on straight arms and studied her eyes. “Marry me, Leah.”
He had her exactly where he wanted her, and he knew it. “You’re wicked, Kevin, and you don’t always play fair.”
“But this time, I’m playing for keeps. I promise I’ll always love you, babe.”
Leah sensed there was no falseness in that promise. He’d grown in character, but she’d seen glimpses of that from the moment they’d met. And that’s why she’d so easily fallen in love with him. Why she loved him so much now. Why she was going to take that final leap of faith. “Y
es, I’ll marry you, but only if you finish making love to me immediately.”
“I’m definitely your man,” he said as he eased inside her.
Yes, he was her man. All hers. And he knew her better than any man. He could do things to her that no man ever had.
Their lovemaking was still as passionate, but she noted subtle differences. Kevin held on a little longer, held her a little tighter, both before and after they were totally spent and struggling for air. They stayed tangled together for a long time until he finally rolled to his back and settled her against his chest. For the next few hours, they dozed on and off, but when Leah inadvertently moved even an inch, he brought her back to him. Yet she didn’t feel suffocated or stifled in any form or fashion. She felt loved.
Shortly after dawn, Leah opened her eyes to find Kevin watching her. “I thought you’d never wake up,” he said.
She stretched and circled her arms around his neck. “Why? Do you have something in mind?”
“I’ve decided I want to do it before we leave Houston,” he said abruptly.
She grinned. “Unlike your brother’s fiancée, I don’t plan to withhold sexual favors at any point in time.”
He frowned. “I meant I want to get married before we leave town. I’d like to have the whole family there.”
Leah could think of several reasons why that might be a problem. “That’s three weeks away, Kevin. How can we plan a wedding when I’m finishing up my fellowship and you’re working as well as taking care of our daughter?”
“Trust me. I already have that figured out.”
“THANKS for letting us share in your big day, bud.”
Kieran shook Kevin’s offered hand and grinned. “Not a problem. My wedding is your wedding.”
Said wedding had taken place at the estate belonging to Avery Fordyce, Logan’s extremely wealthy father-in-law. Kevin had never seen such extensive gardens, not to mention the mansion attached to them. Aside from a rare August rainfall that morning, all had gone as planned with the sunset ceremony. Their dad had served as official best man and the brothers, along with Whit, had filled in as groomsmen. The bridesmaids consisted of Mallory and the sisters-in-law and Erica’s daughter, Stormy. Assuming the role of flower girls, Mallory’s twins had had a great time hurling rose petals at their male cousins who were seated in the audience. And that audience had been made up of in-laws and outlaws in the form of old college buddies and even a couple of old girlfriends who were still family friends. Nothing unusual there. For as long as Kevin could remember, their house had been a haven for kids. Once you got caught up in the O’Brien family web, it was difficult, if not impossible, to break away, even though he’d tried, fortunately without success.