“My daughter is beautiful as you know. She could have her pick of suitors, but she has paused her life for you. She could be content, but she waits for you. She could be with a man who treats her with respect, but she delays choosing because she wants you to grow up and be a man that is worthy of her. Choose carefully now, Mr. Keenan, if you return with her breakfast I will expect you to make her happy. If you do not, then it will crush her, but she can finally move on. Show up here with her food only to crush her later and I will kill you. Continue violating my daughter without gaining my consent and taking vows and I will ensure no one ever sees you again.”
“I don’t take well to threats,” I sneered and a smile crossed Nikolas’s scarred face.
“You speak to me with no fear,” he observed.
“There is no point in feeling apprehensive about you ending my life when time is fleeting.”
He nodded, and before I could say anything else, London opened the door to her apartment wearing nothing but the white sheet from the bed looking freshly fucked. Her swollen lips still showed my abrasive penetration of her mouth in the early morning hours. My cock woke up ready to play just looking at her like that.
“What’s going on?” she asked as she ran a hand through her hair, and then blocked the door from shutting. I watched as she took the Hulk sitting on her steps. She looked to her dad and something transpired between them, but there was nothing except silence. It truly felt like two countries getting ready to go to war, both just waiting on one to launch,
“I was just going to get you breakfast,” I explained, as I looked at Nikolas. I hated Nikolas and everything he stood for, but no matter what he was or what he did to me it would be worth every second to see her confidently standing in the doorway like this - looking at me as if I’m what makes her happy.
“We have delivery services,” she smiled as she waved me over. The enormous man moved out of my way as I climbed up and took my hand in hers. “Good morning, dad. What did you need?”
“Just coming to ask you to breakfast,” he was definitely hiding something from her, and I was sure he and I would have many more talks where he would threaten me and I would act as though I was invincible. Didn’t matter what he said because when I heard my name roll off her lips I knew I was with my family. I knew she was home.
“I have all I can handle right now. Call in advance next time,” she quietly laughed as we walked into the apartment and shut the door on her blood-lined security.
“What do you want for breakfast,” I asked, as the door shut and we were alone once again.
“A whole barrel of apples.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” She questioned, as I dipped her under the moonlight. Her new silver dress and curled hair reminded me of our first date.
“I’m not a good flyer,” she admitted, and I had to smile as I pulled her back to me. We were chest to chest and even though she let me have her anyway I wanted her sexually I felt like she was holding back mentally. I wanted to believe she wasn’t, but I could almost feel it. I knew she was afraid to get hurt again - hell, so was I- but this was something else.
“This I did know about you,” I laughed as she joined in.
“I might take your bathroom hostage,” she smirked.
“Passengers will have to pee in cups,” I made her laugh and my brain tried to memorize her giggle as it had changed some since we were kids. “Do we really have to spend Saturday night apart?”
“Yes, I have to do something, then we will meet at six Sunday morning. It’s only a few hours apart.” I wanted to give her a memory to tell her friends or our kids about. The story about the man waiting for her on the tarmac with an apple.
Her smile seemed to light up the entire night sky. She was gorgeous. We danced some more and then we walked over to a park. I led her to the swing and pushed her high in the air. Then I climbed in the swing beside hers and quickly caught up to her.
“Race you?” I asked and she laughed out loud as she laid back and enjoyed the swing carrying her through the air.
“You’re on,” she challenged.
“Ready?” I asked and she smiled. “Three… Two… One,” as soon as we got to one we swung as hard as we could, as fast as we could. At the end of five seconds we had to jump. I saw her go higher than me and looked out to see if she leapt now she would land on a wooden railroad tie that separated the area. My stomach clenched.
“Londi,” I yelled, but she let go and so did I we sailed for a split second and then gravity took us down. We both landed on the sand that was once below our feet. I laid on my back staring up at the stars feeling less than young at the moment, but then she crawled over and curled up on my chest and I was a teenager again.
“What did you name her?” I asked as we looked at the stars.
“Bramley Nicole,” she replied and I turned to look at her.
“Where did you find that name?” I asked because I was sure I had never heard it before.
“I came to the school once when Father Ryan passed away. I had come to tell you I was pregnant. I stood outside across the field and watched you looked out over the water from the tree line and before my aunt hauled me away I saw this one little tiny tree. That little tree wasn’t as big as the others, but she did her best to shield you from the sun anyway.
“I later learned that little tree was a Malus Domestica. In Latin, it means familiar apple - personal apple. They called it the Bramley Seedling, the perfect offspring apple that makes the best cider. I thought of our little apple baby and knew that was the perfect name for her. Our own little Bramley.”
“I don’t think she would be watching over us,” I tiptoed around what I was saying so I didn’t offend her. “I think she would be too busy with your mom and mine playing. I don’t think she would spend all her time watching us, I think she would be spending time with the family she has up there.”
“I think you might be right,” she returned the sentiment and I breathed relief. The way she talked about our daughter was as if she was right there with us, and I realized in London’s mind she was. London had kept her faith whereas I never had any, but I didn’t want to cost her any of her beliefs so I was careful in what I said about those who were gone before us.
“I love the name Bramley,” I admitted to her and I felt her cheeks tighten from her smile. “In fact I love everything about you,” I flirted as she turned and rested her chin on my chest. “I love your oceanic eyes, and your dark hair that makes your eyes stand out. I love the way you feel in my arms, and the fact that you are always cold. I even love the way you fart.”
“I do not fart!” She scolded as I laughed and she rolled off me. It didn’t take long till we were unsuccessfully throwing sand balls at each other that fell apart in the air. Then like the night before I took her home and we made love on the roof of her building under the stars she claimed were angels. I made a joke about giving them a show, she returned it by covering my ass with her hands when I was deep inside her and telling me we shouldn’t moon them.
Saturday started off amazing, we walked through Central Park and fed the ducks. Her sister told her it was something she had to do to be a true NewYorker. Then we went to lunch with Brooklyn and Mark. I got both of their blessings. Brooklyn was a little harder to convince that I wasn’t going to hurt London, but after I got London to fess up about the apartment it seemed like she warmed to me. Brooklyn liked that I wanted to be transparent. I didn’t want secrets or lies in the way ever again. Both Brooklyn and Mark threatened to kill me if I did hurt her, so I added them to the ever-growing list of people who would maim me if I screwed up.
“Do you believe in fate?” London asked me when we finally boarded the ferry.
“I believe in you,” I answered as I moved in behind her and we watched as the island grew smaller and smaller.
“Do you think we were meant to be?” She asked as she turned and smiled up at me. Her arms wrapped around me as she shivered from the wind.
“You want to know what I believe?” I asked and she nodded. “I believe we each get multiple lives. The first one you meet all the people you are supposed to, but you do it by making all the mistakes possible in a single lifetime. Then you get to come back and you do the same only this time its right choices and wrong people. Kind of like learning. You have experienced both so when you get to this life you know the difference between what you want and who you want. During this life our souls seek out those that were bonded with us in Heaven, and we get to make choices from the heart. I truly believe that you have been mine in every life, and that is why we met so early this time. This time was the right life to make decisions from the heart. The same beating muscle that we gave to each other so many lives before.”
She seemed appeased with my answer as she pulled me in and hugged me, but her arms tensed.
“I can come up with something better,” I joked, but when I pulled back her face was flushed. “Are you okay?”
“Can we go home?” She asked and I turned to look behind me, but no one was there. “I think that whole fear of boats applies to ferries as well.”
She ran off toward the bathroom. I gave her a couple minutes but when she didn’t come back I went looking for her only to find Alec, her dad’s right hand man arguing with her. I started to walk toward them, but she turned away from him and nearly pommeled me to the ground.
“Are you okay?”
“I want to go somewhere else,” she rasped out as if she had been crying. “My dad will never trust me to be an adult,” she mumbled under her breath.
“We can take the ferry back and go wherever you want.”
I spent the early morning hours picking fresh apples in the dark from a friend’s orchard that London and I spent the afternoon at the day before. I had tried talking to London to find out what was wrong, but she didn’t say. She was her normal loving self, but when she wasn’t smiling at me I could see her rehashing whatever fight they had. Her father had made it clear he didn’t want me with his daughter, and we both told him it was our choice - not his.
When I got back to my place I took the apples and put them on wooden skewers, making a bouquet. Ada even came over giving me a lecture on why I was going to go to jail because I was taking weapons to work by using wooden skewers, but I would also be safe from vampires since I already had stakes.
I listened to her ramble on as the sun rose and I wrapped the apples and put a bow on them. I was turning into a romantic, but I couldn’t help myself. I would do anything to put a smile on London’s face.
“I can’t wait to run away with you,” I texted to London as Lisa came over with fresh coffee for me.
“I’m happy for you Logan,” Lisa spoke softly. I knew things were hard for her in the dating department. She hadn’t really had anyone since her husband died, and I was glad I could be a friend. Now that London was fully in my life Lisa and I both ignored the fact that she had developed feelings for me.
“Now who is going to take care of Orchard?” I asked and Ada ran over to a tank where a turtle swam around. London had found him wrapped in garbage and was determined to save him. Thankfully, he had made it through the night.
“Why did you name your turtle Orchard?” Ada asked and I smiled remembering yesterday and how attentive London was with the little guy.
“That’s where we found him,” I explained.
“My mom found me in her vagina, so is my name vagina?” Ada asked and I turned to look at Lisa as her face turned a darkened shade of crimson I had never seen before and she tried not to laugh.
“No, Ada,” was the only thing Lisa could get out before she had to turn around and hide the chuckle.
“Your name is Ada because you are Always Delightfully Awesome,” I lied, but it put a smile on her face.
“Are you ready?” Lisa asked and I looked at the clock. It was time. I don’t know why I was so nervous. This was London, and everything had been great.
“I’m ready. How about steaks on the grill when I get back?”
Ada cheered and Lisa helped me into my jacket. Then I walked out the door with an engagement ring in my pocket. I knew it was soon. I knew it was rushed, but I just got her back. I wasn’t going to let her get away. I knew if I lost her again it would kill me. I woke up every morning for her. I breathed deeply because she wanted me to. She had become my everything at such a young age and that never went away. It never dissipated.
“You’re early,” Caroline pointed out when I passed her as I walked toward my gate.
“I am,” I smiled for her.
“You look good in love,” she returned and I gave her a nod. I knew she didn’t like London, but she had put aside all of that because I was finally happy. I had finally allowed the blow torch that was London to warm my icy heart.
I placed my things in the cabin and then walked out and waited at the gate for her. The seconds turned to minutes and my stomach knotted. The minutes turned into a flight delay, but there was still no London.
“Sir,” the flight attendant address me. “We need to go or I have to report another delay.”
“Give me five more minutes,” I asked and she smiled with a wink reminding me I had already visited her garden on a trip last year.
Not the time or place for that.
Maybe London didn’t want me like I wanted her. Maybe she was disgusted by my long list of who I had fucked. Maybe we truly weren’t meant to be, but I didn’t believe that. I tried to call, but her phone went to voicemail right away. I was crushed. I had finally been made whole and now I was nothing. There wasn’t even a basket left to hold the apples.
“You ready to go?” Caroline asked as she walked up behind me and I threw the apples in the trash. I had forgiven London instantly for the past, but this would be something I couldn’t ever forgive or forget.
“Sure, let’s go try not to kill people.”
Chapter Twenty Six
London
“I’m flying in two hours,” I blushed as Brooklyn helped me pack.
“I should really be headed to the airport to hide in the bushes and take pictures, but your jollity is infectious,” Brooklyn laughed as she helped me pack up all the things she thought I might need. “You may need another bag.”
“Here’s the one I have,” I handed her dad’s old bag. She opened it up and pulled out the toilet paper and sprinkles I had forgotten to take out from my flight home weeks ago. We both chuckled about how I ended up here. I had finally told her the truth about dad and Sister Katherine and their drugs. I had told her about the apartment and why I kept it a secret. I had confessed to everything except my job.
“What did you do about dad?” She asked referring to the fact that he and Alec had been camping outside my door since he returned from London. If it wasn’t them then they had some lackey whose name I could never remember watching me. It had become a problem. When he paid my neighbors to move so I was the only rented apartment on the block and started moving his men in I had drawn my line in the proverbial sand.
“I told him that if he continued I would move in with Logan, and we would have kinky sex on the porch steps for every one to see,” I laughed.
“Ballsy, but I like it,” Brooklyn chuckled at the thought that I might actually say that.
“I just told him to stop. He was so sure someone was trying to take me from my life that he was stopping me from living it. It took some powers of persuasion from Sister Katherine and I, but he agreed to only watch when I am here. Since I was leaving I told him I left on a plane last night so I could have some peace and quiet tonight with you.”
Brooklyn smiled at my words. The problem in our family was that we trusted each other even when we knew the other was lying. We took each other at our word no matter what. Brooklyn actually believed some story my dad had made up about Michael wanting me for banking codes to steal money from Chase. He claimed that I was some form of person of authority who would have access where no one else would. He told this fictitious story so we
ll even I let my mind go and wondered if it was true for a second.
“What is this?” Brooklyn asked with all cheerfulness gone as she held up my ear bud.
“I don’t know,” I tried to act like I was impervious to that scowl she wore.
“Don’t you dare fucking lie to me,” she screeched, and I was taken aback. “I know what this is, and you know what this is. Now tell me why the hell you have one.”
“You’re not supposed to know,” I softly spoke as I tried to figure out what to say. “You can’t know.”
At that moment a knock sounded on my door and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. God must have been listening to my prayers because I was pleading for an interruption.
“Who is that?” Brooklyn demanded to know because there was no way she was going to let me go without an explanation.
“I’m sure its the cab I called for,” I spoke as softly as I could grateful for a reprieve.
“You called for a cab,” a man asked when I answered the door. I looked past him at the cab with the trunk open and gave him a nod. Brooklyn and I took what was packed and placed it in the cab. I grabbed the earpiece from her hand hopeful she would forget - yeah right.
“Want me to ride with you to the airport?” Brooklyn offered and I shook my head. There was no way I was going to be grilled on my way to meet Logan. I nodded behind her and she looked to see Mark waiting in his SUV for her. “Since he’s already here why not let us take you?”
“No, I’ll go with the cab. You need to catch a couple hours of sleep before court. I would hate to see what’s left of the public defender if you haven’t had sleep and you are anti-caffeine.”
“You know he’s going to ask you to marry him?” Brooklyn never stopped being a prosecutor. The questions were endless, and the way she carried herself as if you had no choice except to answer them made her the amazing prosecutor she was.
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