Pulse (Collide)

by Gail McHugh

  Still appearing quite confused, the doctor nodded.

  As one of the beaming nurses carried a tightly swaddled Noah over, a once unruffled Gavin suddenly felt nervous. He didn’t know where this was coming from, considering he’d held Teresa and Timothy when they were infants. He licked his dry lips and tried to compose himself as the woman placed Noah into his arms. As if that nervousness never existed, Gavin instantly calmed as Emily’s reflection stared back at him when he looked into the dark blue eyes of his son. In complete awe, Gavin’s eyes traced Noah’s face, his mind imprinting every second into his memory. Gavin swallowed and gently brought his fingers to Noah’s tiny button of a nose, chuckling when his son yawned.

  “You think you’re tired, little guy?” Gavin asked, kissing his soft cheek. “Tell that to your mother. You made her turn a little psychotic there for a while. She scared me, and I’m a tough one to get going.”

  Emily’s heart swelled at Gavin’s easiness and instant love. She wasn’t surprised though. Smiling, she watched Gavin proudly dote over their son. With Noah cradled tightly in his arms, Gavin brought him over to Emily. Leaning over her exhausted body, he held Noah to her lips, allowing her to inch up and kiss his forehead. His satiny skin felt like heaven. No longer drowning in a nightmare, he was a waking dream for Emily. She sighed as contentment bloomed wildly in her soul.

  “He’s beautiful,” she whispered, tears creeping from her eyes. Aching to hold him, her fingertips tingled with the need to touch him. “My God. He’s so beautiful, Gavin.”

  Gavin placed a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. “Just like his mother.” He stared into her watery eyes, his breath stolen by the pure happiness smoothing across her face. “Thank you. You’ve given me the greatest gift a woman can ever give a man. Ever. Nothing trumps it.” Gavin kissed her again, his voice a sweet caress. “I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m more in love with you now than before. You’ve rocked my entire world, Emily Cooper.”

  With tears of happiness streaming down her face, Emily stared at the two men who’d stolen her breath, heart, and soul the second she laid eyes on them. Though good, bad, and ugly had plagued the path she and Gavin walked along the way, she’d never take any of it back because each step brought them closer to this beautiful moment. In those minutes, during the beautiful summer the year her life changed forever, the year her future began, Emily knew she was the one that’d been given the greatest gift ever.

  Now… she could finally breathe.

  The morning sunlight danced over Noah’s face as Emily stared into his sleepy eyes. After a feeding and a good hearty burping, he looked blissfully content. Lying on her side with him curled next to her in bed, Emily gently ran her fingertips across his cotton candy-soft hair. Giggling when he stirred lightly at her touch, warmth traveled up Emily’s spine and settled in her heart as she continued to visually inhale her precious angel.

  Lowering her face to his plump cheek, Emily breathed him in, wanting to burn his glorious scent into her memory. He smelled sweet like flowers but carried something uniquely his own. Emily smiled against his skin, cradling him closer. She held her pinky against his tiny hand, her soul blooming with amazement as he wrapped his fingers around hers. The first few days home with him were simultaneously the most exhausting and beautiful of her life. Needless to say, she fell head over heels in love with Noah, and she also fell fast into the role of a mother easier than expected. Not only had she not dropped him, and was pretty confident she never would, she hadn’t encountered any problems with ointment control, either. As Emily watched her first blessing drift off into a peaceful sleep, her second blessing strolled into the bedroom, his smile as bright as ever.

  “He’s out cold,” Gavin whispered. He slipped under the sheets with Noah and Emily, sandwiching their little man between them. Lifting a brow, Gavin’s smile widened. “He needs to get a job soon. I’m tired of his laziness.”

  Emily beamed and traced gentle circles along Noah’s tiny bow of a mouth. “I know, right? I figured he’d have a good work ethic. But this? This is just ridiculous.”

  Chuckling, Gavin brought his hand up to Emily’s cheek. “How are you feeling?”

  Emily leaned into his palm, her body soaking in his warmth. “Amazing.” And she did. Though still sore from the staples lining her belly, she hadn’t felt this good physically or emotionally in what seemed like forever. “How do you feel?”

  “Like a king,” Gavin whispered, cautiously leaning over Noah. He placed a soft kiss on Emily’s lips, his heart filled with joy beyond comprehension. “I’m in my castle with my queen and prince. I honestly have everything.” Gavin stared into her eyes, his breath hijacked as always. “Thank you.”

  From something that’d started off so confusing, so tortuously wrong in countless ways, Emily couldn’t believe where she and Gavin were. Her stomach dipped, overflowing with love for the two men in her life. Her two saviors. “Thank you.” She kissed him again, drowning in the feel of the lips she’d forever love. “And thank you for breakfast. I’ll eventually master cooking something beyond burnt casseroles and frozen microwave dinners.”

  A wiseass smirk appeared across Gavin’s face, and Emily prepared herself for the wiseass remark she knew she’d opened herself up to. “No need. We’ll do fine surviving on nothing but sodium and crisped up meatloaf.” Emily rolled her eyes, and Gavin chuckled. “And how can I forget your specialty boxed mac and cheese?”

  “Watch, you’ll see,” she countered, playfully smacking his arm. “I’m going to take cooking lessons and knock your mother’s mediocre lasagna from your memory.”

  Gavin lifted an incredulous brow, his smirk turning full-blown megawatt. “Mediocre? I’d love to see you try to beat it.”

  Emily carefully slid from the bed. Hands on her hips, she tilted her head. “Is this a challenge, Blake?”

  “The biggest of your life, sweets.” Gavin picked up a stirring Noah, positioning him against his chest. He looked down at his little bundle. “Your mother’s seriously lost it, kid. She thinks she’s going to learn how to feed you and me better than your grandmother can.”

  Eyes wide, Emily huffed. “Oh my God. Just for that, all you’ll see is my mac and cheese.” Smiling, she wagged a finger at Gavin. “Noah will eat well, but you? Nope, not you. Burnt meatloaves for life. Hope you’re happy.” Gavin let out a full, throaty laugh as Emily flipped her wavy hair, spitefully puckered her lips, and blew him a less than loving kiss. Gavin was just happy she didn’t flip him the finger. “I need to get ready before everyone gets here. There’s cold, crisp, burnt meatloaf in the fridge if you get hungry.” On that note, she disappeared into the bathroom.

  “You know what an angry Emily does to me,” Gavin called out, laughing and patting Noah’s back.

  Though muffled from behind the closed door, her words rang loud as the doorbell chimed. “Good. I hope your stone turns blue.”

  “Ouch.” Holding a semi-awake Noah, Gavin stood and made his way down the hall. “She’s certifiable, buddy.” Before he opened the door, Gavin kissed his son. “But she has magical powers. Somehow, she’ll get you to act like a complete fool around her.”

  “Give him to me,” Olivia squeaked when Gavin opened the door. Arms held wide, the smile on her face showed her excitement.

  “What?” Gavin questioned. Grinning, he shook his head. “Am I no longer worth anything?”

  Trevor clapped Gavin’s shoulder. “You’ve officially turned into Al Bundy from Married with Children. Get used to it, bro.”

  Colton barked out a laugh and shuffled into the penthouse. “I have to agree with him.”

  With an equally excited expression melting across her face, Lillian popped a quick kiss on Gavin’s cheek and snatched Noah out of his arms. “Of course you’re still worth something, sweetie.” She cradled her grandson and dowsed him with kisses. Eyes filled with joy, she looked at Olivia. “Grandma gets first dibs, Livy. Sorry.”

  Gavin laughed as Olivia frowned, watching his m
other dance over to the couch. She continued to rain unrelenting, grandmotherly kisses over the family’s newest addition.

  Olivia sighed, but that didn’t stop her from reaching for Timothy and Teresa’s little hands and sinking onto the couch right next to Lillian. Under normal circumstances, Gavin figured his mother would’ve considered Olivia’s closeness an invasion of her personal space. However, both women were too busy fawning over Noah to complain.

  After setting a large silver tray of food down on the counter, Melanie pulled Gavin into her arms. “Aww. I still love you.”

  “Thanks, Mel,” Gavin replied as she joined the group of baby excited oohing and ahhing family members on the couch. With curiosity getting the better of him, Gavin peeled the lid away from the tray. His eyes took in his mother’s lasagna.

  There was no doubt Emily would get a kick out of that one.

  “Mom’s lasagna.” Chad sniffed thoughtfully, hovering over the tray. “She made it for me on our third date, and that’s when I fell in love with her.”

  Gavin chuckled, running his hand through his hair. “You’re kidding me?”

  “Well, I should say it sealed the deal.” Chad smiled proudly. “I’m going to go do the grandpop thing with my lasagna-making lover.”

  Gavin grinned and watched his father take off toward the couch. Arms crossed, Gavin leaned against the island, admiring everyone drooling over Noah. With warmth spiraling through him, Gavin soaked it in. His father was right. Family was what it was all about.

  “Where’s your other half?” Colton probed, pulling up a stool with Trevor. “And how’s she feeling?”

  “She’s in the shower,” Gavin answered. “She seems to be doing well.”

  “So how do you feel about her making me go with you today?” Trevor popped a smirk and yanked his glasses from his face. Staring at Gavin, he cleaned them with the hem of his shirt. “I’m kind of your bodyguard in case shit goes down.”

  Gavin drew up a brow, finding the situation comical. “Don’t get high on yourself, bro. I’m taking you because Emily insisted. I don’t need you there. If anything, Dillon’s lucky you’re coming with me.” Gavin moved to the refrigerator and plucked out a bottle of water. After taking a sip, he shook his head. “If he gets out of line, neither you nor anyone else will be able to stop me from finishing what I started months ago.”

  “Be careful, little man,” Colton warned, jerking his head toward Noah. “Keep him in mind if Asshole pushes the wrong buttons. Dillon will never be worth going to jail over.”

  Gavin’s gaze fell on Noah. There was no denying Colton’s statement was correct. Gavin began to think Emily’s desire to have their lawyers send a letter on their behalf, notifying Dillon that Gavin was the father, was a good idea. He’d originally planned on a simple phone call. Although he did call Dillon, it was only to lie about Emily’s next doctor’s appointment. But something deep inside Gavin wanted, no, needed to see Dillon’s face when he heard the news. It screamed out in revenge for all Dillon had put them through. It was payback time, and Gavin wanted to cut the fucking check.

  With that, he headed for the bedroom to see if Emily was finished. When he entered, he found her in the bathroom blow drying her hair. He stared at her a long moment, almost regretting his decision to go against her wishes, but it only lasted a second. Visions of the hell she’d suffered with Dillon hit Gavin’s thoughts, relinquishing him of every bit of guilt he felt about doing things his way.

  On a deep breath, Gavin stepped into the bathroom and came up behind Emily. Staring at her beautiful reflection, he slid his hands around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. “I’m getting ready to go,” Gavin whispered, hating the look in her eyes. Emily stared back at him in the mirror, her unspoken words ripping him apart, but he couldn’t stop himself if he wanted. “Everything’s going to be fine, Emily. I have to do this. For me. As a man. I have to.”

  Emily wasn’t about to argue the issue any further. She’d spent the last several days trying to convince him that seeing Dillon in the flesh to deliver the news wouldn’t do anything but make an already insane situation worse. Though she’d never fully understand his reasoning, Emily knew she had to stand by Gavin’s decision. She nodded, closing her eyes when Gavin buried his face in the crook of her neck. Without another word, she watched him walk out of the bathroom. Now Emily just needed to convince herself what she was allowing him to do was going to be okay.

  “How come I feel like this is the calm before the storm?”

  Gavin flicked his gaze from the red glowing numbers on the elevator display to Trevor. “What makes you say that?”

  Trevor shrugged. “You’re too calm. It’s kind of freaking me the fuck out. I’ve never seen you like this.”

  “I can’t be relaxed?” Gavin asked, lifting a brow. “Is this a new rule?”

  “Not this relaxed, dude.” Trevor rushed a hand through his hair. “Look at yourself.”

  With his hands tucked in his pockets, leaning casually against the wall, Gavin smirked. He found Trevor’s nervousness amusing. “You think I’m going to hurt him?”

  “I think you’re going to do some kind of number on him, yeah.”

  “Right,” Gavin chuckled. “It’s called the ‘Dillon, go fuck yourself. I’m the father’ number.”

  Before Trevor could blink, the elevator doors slid open. Smirk holding steady, Gavin strolled out, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene of brokers pacing. Not only did Gavin ignore the stares from Dillon’s coworkers, he ignored Dillon’s secretary. When her jaw dropped open, Gavin found himself amused for the second time in less than two minutes.

  “Gavin!” she yelped, shooting up from her chair. Fumbling in her mountainous stiletto heels, her breath was a ragged mess when she caught up with him. “You can’t go in there.”

  Gavin placed his hand on her shoulder, a grin softening his face. “Hi, Kimberly. How’ve you been?”

  “I’ve been good, Gavin.” She sighed, her tone nothing short of begging. “Please don’t do this to me. I was told to call the cops if you ever show up here.”

  It was Trevor’s turn to place his hand on her shoulder. “Hi, Kimberly. How’ve you been?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Hi, Trevor. I’m fine.”

  “You’re not going to call the cops on Gavin.” She rolled her eyes again, and Trevor smiled. “You know how I know you’re not going to do that?”

  She dug her hands into her hips. “How do you know I’m not going to call the cops on Gavin, Trevor?”

  “Because a little birdie from this very office called me the other day and let me know that not only is Dillon… sweetening you up in his bed, but he’s also sweetening up Pricilla Harry from Sheller Investments on the seventeenth floor. They also mentioned he really isn’t digging the little mermaid outfit you wear for him as much as he makes you think he is. “ As Kimberly’s eyes narrowed, lighting up like searing coals, Trevor gave a leisurely shrug. “Am I wrong when I say you probably want Gavin to go into Dillon’s office right about now?”

  Kimberly whipped her head in Gavin’s direction, her voice seething. “You have five minutes.”

  “Not a minute longer,” Gavin replied as smooth as silk, feeling somewhat bad for the girl. He swung his blue eyes in Trevor’s direction. “Why don’t you keep Kimberly busy while I tend to business? She looks like she needs some comforting.”

  Trevor nodded and Gavin turned, heading right for Dillon’s office. Not even bothering to see where the asshole was positioned, Gavin reached for the handle and swung open the door. There was one thing he did the same as last time. Yeah. He made sure to lock the door.

  Let the second motherfucking game begin.

  With widened eyes, Dillon surged to his feet.

  The shock and nervousness on his face forced a barking laugh from Gavin. “Whoa, whoa.” Gavin held up his hands in mock surrender. “Caught you a little off guard, I see.”

  “Fuck off, Blake. You can’t just walk in here like that,” Dill
on pointed out, his body language showing he was braced for a fight. “You were supposed to call with Emily’s next doctor’s appointment. That was the fucking agreement when you left the message saying she wouldn’t make her last one.”

  Slight tension crackled through Gavin’s nerves as he stepped toward Dillon. “Calm the fuck down.” Gavin held up a small, blue envelope and tossed it onto Dillon’s desk. With a slow grin twisting his lips, Gavin stared at Dillon’s hand resting on the phone. No doubt he was getting ready to pick it up. “I didn’t come here to physically hurt you, Dillon,” Gavin continued, attempting to hold in a chuckle. “Today, I’m the bearer of… good news. Emily no longer has any more doctors’ appointments.” Gavin paused, his grin widening. “Well, not prenatal appointments.”

  Still appearing as if he was about to yell for help, Dillon’s eyes piqued with curiosity as he reached for and tore open the birth announcement. Gavin wasn’t sure how long Dillon took to scan over the teddy bear-riddled card highlighting Noah’s July 5th entrance into his life, but somehow, Gavin wasn’t filled with the joy at witnessing any of this the way he thought he’d be.

  “Emily had the baby?” Dillon questioned, his face bleeding confusion. “This was over a fucking week ago. How come I’m just finding out?” After crumpling up the announcement, Dillon chucked it into the garbage pail. With a smirk, he rounded the corner of his desk and walked up to Gavin. Their bodies were less than a foot apart when Dillon spoke up again, his voice as cold as a snowy winter morning. “It’s all good. Just tell me where I have to go and what I have to do to prove I’m this kid’s father.”

  Remaining silent, Gavin didn’t know how long he stared into Dillon’s lifeless, dark eyes. The eyes of a man he’d once considered a friend, a buddy. The eyes of a man who hit the woman Gavin loved, adored, and couldn’t live without. The other half of his soul. It was then Gavin realized not only was he wasting oxygen, he was also wasting precious time away from two people that no piece of shit in the world should ever come before. The battle was over, and Gavin knew he’d won in more ways than Dillon would ever be lucky enough to experience. Sword down, no longer needing to see Dillon’s reaction and feeling like an asshole for leaving Emily and Noah, Gavin handed him the envelope holding the paternity test results. Dillon’s confused expression was the last thing Gavin saw before he turned and walked out of the office. The sound of Dillon opening the envelope was the last thing Gavin heard as he walked out of Dillon’s life for good.