“I have more of you in me than you realize, Daddy.” She bit her lower lip. “I want to play softball in the spring.”
Nick kept his face neutral, even though he wanted to swing her in his arms. “Consider it done.”
“And art lessons and maybe jujitsu.”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “I think the art lessons are a great idea. Jujitsu?”
“I didn’t like not being able to defend myself from Dave, and I like how I felt after the training we had in school. Sean said he was going to take a couple trial classes, and I thought maybe I could, too.”
“You and Sean in the same class together? What happens when he flips you again?”
Gina lifted her chin. “Who says he will?”
Nick stifled a laugh. A little competition between siblings was fine.
“I’ll talk to your mom, okay?”
Her face lit up. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Things are good now between you and Sean?”
“They’re better. It’s still weird how smart he is, but he’s not bad for a boy and a brother. Besides, I figure he can help me with my homework.”
Nick tweaked a stray curl. “Your homework is your responsibility, not Sean’s. Got it?”
She laughed. “Yeah, whatever. I also told Mom I want to spend more time with you. Twice a month isn’t enough.”
“Aw, G. Come here.” He pulled her to him, pressing his face into her springy hair, grateful to have gotten his baby girl back. “I’m glad because I want that, too. I got the hockey tickets for us. In two weeks.”
“Woot! You’re awesome, Dad. Thanks.”
“We’ll work out revised visitation with Mom. I’ve been lonely without you and Joey around.”
“Now you won’t be as lonely with Sean and Ms. O’Neil.”
Nick pulled back and cocked a brow at her. “What do you mean?”
“You’re going to marry her, aren’t you?”
Nick coughed. “Why would think that?”
“Because anyone with two eyes can see you’re in love with each other.”
Anyone but Ashley.
“Even Sean sees it, and he’s a boy.”
Guess he and Ashley didn’t hide their feelings as well as they thought.
The doorbell rang, and Gina ran over to let Sean and Rob inside.
“Sean. I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.” Nick embraced him.
“Grandpa insisted.”
Nick held his hand out to Rob. “Everything okay?”
“I could use a little help with my stubborn daughter.”
“Stubborn daughters aren’t my specialty,” Nick said with a sidelong glance at Gina, who shook her head.
“Do you love my daughter?” Rob asked.
The rest of Nick’s family had joined them, and he caught the faint gasp and whispers among them.
“I do love her, sir.”
“Then what are you going to do about it?”
Nick held his hands palm up. “Not sure I can do anything at this point. She doesn’t want any part of me.”
“Oh, she most certainly does,” Rob replied. “We just need to get her to see it.”
Carmen stepped forward and rubbed her hands together. “Sounds like we need to have ourselves an intervention.”
****
“I don’t believe it. You look incredible.” Patty stood, mouth open, staring at Ashley.
Ashley smiled—the first genuine smile in twenty-four hours—and stroked her hair, now about eighteen inches shorter. She shook her head, watching the razored layers swing side to side before settling into a long bob that now skimmed her shoulders.
“What do you think?” Patty’s sister, Christy, asked.
“It’s fabulous. I feel free and light.”
“You should. It’s a wonder your neck didn’t hurt with so much hair.” Christy held up the golden locks. “Locks of Love is going to do wonderful things with this.”
“I’m glad you convinced me with the color. The dark blonde lowlights give me the contrast I needed not to look washed out.”
Christy flicked off the cape and brushed her shoulders with a nearby towel.
Ashley picked up her phone when it beeped with a text. She read the message and wrinkled her brow. “It’s my dad. He says I’m needed at home. I wonder what’s up.”
After firing off a response, she rose. “I’ll have to take a raincheck on the shopping spree,” she said to Patty.
“I’m holding you to that. It will be quicker if I take you home, and you can make sure everything’s all right. Later, we’ll go to my house and get your car.”
Ashley paid and dragged Patty out to the parking lot, anxious to get home.
When Patty turned onto her street, Ashley said, “You can pull in the driveway.”
“Um, no I can’t. Look.” Patty pointed to the string of cars lined up on both sides of the driveway.
“What’s going on? I don’t think I know enough people to fill all these cars,” Ashley said, stepping out of the car.
A weird feeling filled her as she made her way up the walkway.
Sean jumped off the porch swing and met her halfway. “It’s about time, Mom. We’ve been waiting for you.” He stopped short in front of her. “Wow. What happened to your hair?”
Ashley had forgotten, and it wasn’t until she felt the short strands that she remembered what she’d done. “I decided to try something new.”
“I like it.”
“What’s going on? Why all the cars?”
“Did I forget to mention when you get involved with an Italian you get his entire family?” Nick said, having followed Sean. “When they heard I was coming here, there was no stopping them.”
She drank in the sight of him, like it was weeks rather than a day since she last saw him. Shadows darkened the underside of his eyes, and she could tell by the tic in his right cheek that he held his jaw tightly.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
“To talk.”
She pressed a finger to his lips when he started to speak again. “Okay. Me first. I’m sorry for the horrible things I said to you yesterday. My entire life I’ve wanted the kind of family you have. The older I got, the more I blamed myself for my mom leaving and convinced myself I was unlovable. I vowed not to love because it hurt too much.” She took a step closer until her toes touched his. “I was wrong. Being on the outside hurts so much more.”
“You don’t need to be on the outside anymore,” Nick said. “There are a lot of people here who care about you…starting with me.”
The love in his eyes shone and filled her with hope…hope for the future. How could she ever have pushed this man away? Looking past him, she saw every member of the DiFrancesco family, plus her dad, Sean, and Carole, stretched across the length of the porch. All wearing wide smiles.
That they all were here to support Nick and her overwhelmed and humbled her.
She swallowed past the lump in her throat and reached for his hands. “I love you, Nick. You’re everything I wanted and didn’t think I deserved.”
“You deserve everything,” he said. “I’ll do my best to give it to you, starting with my promise to love you for the rest of our lives.” He reached into his front pocket and held up an antique diamond ring. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
She sobbed and nodded, the sounds of everyone cheering drowned out by Nick’s lips on hers.
Then Sean was beside her, and the three of them hugged.
“Are you okay with this?” she asked him.
“Okay with you marrying Dad? It’s awesome,” Sean said.
The rest of the family had moved off the porch and onto the walkway. Ashley caught Gina and Joey’s gaze and reached out her hand to pull them in. “Do you both have room in your heart for a step-mom?”
Joey threw his arm around her waist, and Gina nodded. In an instant, Ashley’s little family of two had expanded to five. Gone were the quiet nights, and Ashley couldn’t be happier.
Then everyone surrounded them, and there was more hugging and kissing than Ashley had ever experienced at once.
“Welcome to the family,” Vicky said and squeezed her tightly. “I love the hair.”
Kate waddled up next. “Thanks for giving him a chance.”
Carmen stepped forward. “We love you, my dear. Thanks for making our son happy.” She folded Ashley into her arms and hugged her while she cried.
Each person embraced her, even Vinnie whom she’d only met once.
Her dad pushed his way through and slung an arm around her shoulders. “Looks like we both got our happy ending, sweetheart.”
She pressed into his shoulder. “We did, Daddy. We sure did.”
Her dad clapped Nick on the shoulder. “Nicely done, son.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Carmen called out.
More cheers ensued followed by a stampede of footsteps while everyone charged up the stairs and into the house.
Nick pulled her onto the porch swing and into his lap. “At this moment, I’m regretting the largeness of my family. They’re going to be here for a while.”
She threaded her fingers through his hair. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” He kissed her ring finger.
“I’ve never been surer about anything. The ring is beautiful. It looks like an antique.”
“It’s my dad’s mother’s ring. He gave it to me today.”
Her eyes filled. “Wow. Why didn’t he give to you before…I mean with Franny?”
“He didn’t feel Franny would appreciate it, and he was right.”
“Your father’s a smart man.”
He touched his fingers to the ends of her hair. “I thought you didn’t like change.”
For the second time, she’d forgotten. Now, knowing how he loved her long hair, she started to doubt her decision but stopped herself. That’s something the old Ashley would have done.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“It’s very sexy.”
She gave him a wicked smile. “Wait until you see the other parts of me that also have a lot less hair.”
He groaned, and she felt his cock swell beneath her. “Now I really want my family to leave.” He slipped his hands under her top and ran them across her stomach. “Why don’t we go to my place? With this many people, they’ll never miss us.”
“Sean and my father will notice.” She caught her breath as his roughened hands pushed past her bra and grazed her nipples. “Besides, we’ll have the rest of our lives ahead. Let’s enjoy the time with our families.”
“We will. But first let’s take a moment for us.”
He pulled her in for a long and thorough kiss that held the promise of forever. And for the first time in her life, Ashley believed fairy tales could come true.
Epilogue
Nick moved through the trattoria, smiling at family and friends who were there to celebrate Vicky and Jamie’s wedding all the while looking for one woman in particular.
Ashley.
Where had she disappeared to? With the cake cut, he had plans that involved chocolate mousse, a bottle of champagne, and Ashley…naked.
The past week had proved a challenge to be alone, and they had only managed a handful of times when he could slip into her bedroom after Sean had gone to bed and make love.
“Hey, big brother. Aren’t you going to dance with the bride?” Vicky pulled Nick to the back of the restaurant in the area set-up for dancing.
Abandoning his search for Ashley, Nick slow-danced with his sister taking in her rosy glow from the champagne and excitement…and being married to the love of her life.
“It was a beautiful ceremony, Vick,” he said. “Ma’s gown suits you.” The plain satin had what looked like hand sewn roses in the bodice. Not to mention the long trail of buttons in the back that would have his brother-in-law cursing before the night was out.
“I was amazed it fit and can only hope Jamie and I will have at least as many years under our belt as Ma and Dad.”
“The key is to remember Ma’s cardinal rule.”
“Never go to bed angry,” Vicky said. “I remember.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“What?”
“Sorry. It’s just I never thought I’d be married to the man I’ve always loved and getting ready to start our life together. I’m afraid it’s not real, and I’ll wake up to find out it’s only a dream.”
“Should I pinch your arm?”
She shook her head. “Don’t you dare.” She fiddled with the collar of his tux. “Seriously, Nick. Thanks for being a great big brother.” She stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.
“Even though because of me this almost didn’t happen?”
“Everything happens for a reason. Maybe Jamie and I never would have gotten married if he hadn’t gone into the service. Those nine years apart were hard, but they made us into the people we are now. We’re together now, and the past is behind us. The future is what I think about now.”
And Nick was thinking about his future, too. If only he could find Ashley.
Jamie approached. “Can I steal my bride?”
Nick kissed Vicky before handing her over to Jamie. “She’s all yours.”
“Hold on a sec. I almost forgot.” Jamie pulled an envelope out of his dark blue army dress jacket. “Ashley asked me to give this to you. She said you’d understand.”
Nick took the envelope. “Thanks, bro.”
Stepping away, Nick opened the flap and pulled out a sheet of paper.
You know the room number. I’ll be waiting. Hurry.
Love,
Ashley
Inside the envelope, Nick saw a hotel key card and smiled.
Nick ducked out through the kitchen before he could get waylaid by any more family.
It was close enough to walk and would give him a moment to get his body under control—especially the throbbing part.
He pushed through the spinning circular doors and headed for the elevator. He’d never returned to the hotel and while the interior had gone through refurbishment, it essentially looked the same.
He stepped into the elevator, smiling at the memory of making Ashley come during the long ride up to the room. Thoughts of that brought all the blood rushing to his cock.
So much for the walk.
The bell dinged when the car arrived at the twenty-first floor. Nick exited and headed right. He stopped outside room twenty-one eighteen and paused for only a second to acknowledge the importance of this moment.
The moment they never finished.
Well, it sure as hell was more than time for a do-over.
He held up the key but opted to knock.
Ashley answered, and Nick found he was speechless. She’d curled her short cap of hair, and it hung loosely around her face and shoulders. She’d changed out of the black cocktail dress she’d worn to Vicky and Jamie’s wedding and into a dark green dress that looked like the one she’d worn over a decade ago. The gown hugged her trim hips and had a long slit that revealed slender and toned legs. The bodice was covered with beads and cupped her lovely breasts.
She kept the dress.
“It’s about time. I thought I was going to have to put out a BOLO on you.”
Police talk had never sounded as sexy as it did when it came from her lips.
“Jamie just gave me the note.”
She took his hand and pulled him in. Before closing the door, she took the Do Not Disturb sign and hung it on the outside knob.
“Is this a kidnapping, ma’am?”
“Damn straight. You’re mine for the next twenty-four hours.”
“Are there any demands?”
She smiled and crooked a finger at him. When he stepped closer, she ran her hands up the lapel of his jacket and untied his bow tie, slinging it around her neck. “We’ll need this for later.”
His lips curved in a smile. Thank God for second chances.
“Anyt
hing else?” he asked.
She pushed his jacket off his shoulders and made quick work of the buttons of his shirt. He shivered when she slipped her hands along his rib cage.
She leaned forward, her mouth grazing his cheek and slid down to his neck. “So sexy. I imagined you like this all day. I had to remove my panties after dinner, I was so hot for you.”
He hissed out a breath. She was killing him.
She threaded her hands through his shorter hair—cut at the request of Vicky for the wedding—and pulled his head lower until their mouths almost touched.
“We can’t change the events of that night, but we can make new memories for what comes next,” she whispered against his lips.
Her hands were at his belt buckle, and his cock strained against the zipper. Then her hands grazed the outside, and he nearly came from the pleasure of her touch.
“What’s going to come next is me if you keep this up, honey.”
“I’m counting on it, baby.” Then her mouth was on him, and the last scrap of his control slipped when she cupped him.
With a growl, he slid the straps off her shoulders, watching as the fabric slithered down her lithe body. He picked her up and dropped her on the bed, toeing off his shoes along the way. He was naked seconds later and hovered over her.
“Impatient, are you?”
In response, he filled her in one long and steady thrust, gasping at the widening of her eyes and the slick feel of her against him.
He stilled and memorized the beauty of her face beneath him. “I love you, Ashley. I promise tomorrow morning will come, and we’ll be together forever.”
“I love you…forever.”
She raised her hips, and he drove deep, slowly building and offering her all he had and giving her the promise of many tomorrows to come.
If you enjoyed Awaken My Heart, you might like Maria K. Alexander’s first two books in this series, Untangle My Heart and Forever in My Heart.
Untangle
My Heart
by
Maria K. Alexander
Tangled Hearts Series, Book 1
When her marriage ended in tragedy, Kate DiFrancesco rebuilt her life but has never gotten over the pain of what she lost. Seeking the help of an ex-lover ignites feelings she's promised never to have again. She'll need to untangle herself from dangers in her past in order to break the hard shell around her heart.
Awaken My Heart Page 29