“Oh, uh, I don’t know about that.”
“Why not?”
“I’m always so busy with Molly.”
“I think it would be good for you to get out. If it’s about finding a sitter, Eden has a fabulous woman who cares for Cruz from time to time.”
“No, I have a sitter.”
“Don’t you find Dane attractive?”
“Of course, who wouldn’t and I appreciate what you’re trying to do but…”
“Lacey, you are both single and I think that you two would make a great couple.”
“We have become friends but a couple…no, I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Look at me, Alex. Dane is the kind of man who can walk into any place and have his pick of women. I’m just a nerdy chick with a child.”
Miguel looked up from his desk. “Lacey, don’t take this the wrong way but I think that you are a very attractive woman and if I were Dane, I’d date you.”
Lacey’s face turned red. She got up from her seat. “Thank you and excuse me.” Then she ran out.
“I didn’t mean to upset her.”
Alex walked over to Miguel and kissed him. “I know and what you said was sweet.”
“I meant it. She is a good person and I saw her in that little black dress.” Miguel winked.
“Hmmm, should I be worried?” Alex smiled.
“Nope, never. I don’t ever want anyone else but you, Alex.” Miguel pulled Alex onto his lap and kissed her.
Eden was crawling around on the floor with Cruz while she pushed his little train. “Choo-Choo.”
“I like that caboose!” Miles laughed.
Eden turned and looked at Miles. “Oh you do, do you?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Cruz pulled at the train. Eden let go and Cruz picked it up and put it right into his mouth.
“He’s so cute. He thinks that everything belongs in his mouth these days.”
“I wouldn’t mind having some of you in my mouth.” Miles kissed Eden and then pushed her down and started to undress her.
Eden pulled away and pushed Miles off of her just as she started to vomit. Cruz started to cry and Miles didn’t know who to help first.
Miles grabbed Cruz and then rubbed Eden’s back. “Are you ok?”
Eden nodded. “Take care of Cruz.”
“I’m going to get boo boo bunny. He hit his lip with his train.”
“Ok.”
Miles wasn’t gone but a minute and he came back in pulling Cruz in his walker with a bag, some towels and a wet wash cloth for Eden. “You ok, Baby?”
Eden leaned up. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. It was so sudden.” Eden placed the wet cloth on her forehead. “I feel better now. Why don’t you go into the other room with Cruz and I’ll clean up this mess?”
“No, you take Cruz and I’ll clean up.”
“Miles…”
“GO!”
Eden got up and pulled Cruz out of the room. She laid down on her bed and then suddenly it hit her…could she be pregnant?
She pulled Cruz over to the bathroom doorway, opened the medicine cabinet and took out a pregnancy test. “Let’s see if you’re going to be a big brother?”
Cruz looked up at his mommy and smiled.
Faith sat with her parents having cocktails while they waited for Ryan to arrive.
“Does Ryan make a habit of being late?”
“Mom, he told me last night that he may be a few minutes late. He is usually early. I’m the one who is usually running late.”
“So Faith, how do you like your new job?”
“I like it, Dad. It’s very different but I feel like I’m making a difference.”
“I hope Ryan doesn’t expect you to work after you have a child.”
“Mother, Ryan would never expect anything from me. He’d support whatever decision I made.”
“If you say so.”
“I say so. Now please try and be nice when he gets here.”
“Faith, it’s no secret that I do not like him…”
“Marie! If that man makes our daughter happy then you had better not ruin this for her.”
“Oliver, do not take that tone with me.”
“Mom, Dad, please don’t fight.”
“I’m sorry dear.” Faith’s father placed his hand on Faith’s.
“Ryan makes me happier than I’ve ever been. When I thought he was dead part of me died too. We have a second chance now and I won’t lose him. Please don’t make me choose between him and you mother.”
“I’ll do my best but I won’t make any promises.” Faith’s mother picked up her drink and swallowed it down in one gulp. She bellowed to the bartender. “I’ll have another Scotch and keep them coming.”
Faith exhaled and shook her head. Now her mother wouldn’t just be rude, she’d be drunk.
“MILES! MILES!”
Miles came running into the bedroom. “ARE YOU ALRIGHT?”
Eden was jumping up and down waving the pregnancy test. “I’M PREGNANT!”
Miles smiled and then he grabbed Eden and spun her around. “Oh my God. We’re having another baby!”
“I knew once I got sick like that, that I was pregnant. Oh my God, I’m so happy.”
Miles put Eden down on the bed and then he picked up Cruz who was sitting in his walker sucking on his binky. “You’re going to be a big brother.”
Cruz just kept sucking on his binky. “Yup, he had the same reaction when I told him.” Eden smiled.
“I can’t imagine having another baby as perfect as Cruz.”
“We did make a perfect baby, didn’t we, Miles.” Eden smiled at Cruz.
“Maybe it will be a girl this time?”
“Boy, girl, I don’t care as long as it is healthy.”
“Eden, I didn’t think it was possible to love you more than I do but first you gave me Cruz and now this new child…my love for you just continues to grow. I don’t even know how to explain it.”
“You don’t have to Miles; I feel it too. I love you.”
Miles kissed Eden and then baby Cruz.
“Sorry to keep everyone waiting.”
Faith jumped up and kissed Ryan. “Hey, Baby.”
“Sorry, I’m late.” Ryan extended his hand to Faith’s father. “Mr. Nichols.” Then he looked at Faith’s mother and smiled. “Mrs. Nichols.”
“It’s nice to see you again Ryan.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“So, what can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll just have a soda water, Mr. Nichols.”
“Ryan, since we’re going to be family I think it’s about time that you call me Oliver.”
“Thank you, Oliver.”
Faith’s mother just sat there sipping her drink and rolling her eyes. Faith wanted to smack her. “Mother, could you at least try to look like you care.”
“If I didn’t care then I wouldn’t be so upset that you’re marrying a man who is not good enough for you.” Marie slammed her glass down onto the bar.
Ryan looked at Faith who had tears in her eyes. It was one thing to have her mother dislike him but when he saw how upset Faith was it broke his heart. Ryan extended his hand and laced his fingers through Faith’s. “Mrs. Nichols, I know that you have never liked me. Why, I’m not sure since I’ve never done anything to you personally. I own a home, I have a decent size bank account and I am a partner in one this city’s most prestigious law firms. Faith and our children will never want for anything. I love your daughter more than life itself and I plan to spend every day for the rest of my life loving her and making sure that she is happy. Now, it’s up to you to decide if you want to remain in Faith’s life. If you choose to do so, you will have to accept that I am, and from here on will be, a part of it.”
Faith had tears rolling down her cheeks. She squeezed Ryan’s hand and he kissed her forehead.
“Oliver, are you going to let him talk to me that way?”
&nbs
p; “Let him, Marie? The boy has already spoken and he delivered a speech that warrants a handshake.” Oliver extended his hand to Ryan. “If I had any doubts that you were the perfect man for my daughter, you just rid me of them.”
“I can’t believe that you are taking his side!”
“Mom, it isn’t about sides, it’s about right and wrong. Ryan, is a good man and I love him. Can’t you just give him a chance?”
“Faith Marie, I worry about you. You have made some poor choices in your life. How can I trust that he isn’t one of them?”
“You’re right I have made some poor choices in the past but Ryan, he is the best choice I have ever made. Mommy, I’ve never been so happy. Please, please don’t ruin my happiness. I love you both and I don’t want to have to choose between you. If you really love me then you will give him a chance.”
Marie hugged Faith and then she stood up. Faith thought that she was going to leave but instead Marie walked over to Ryan and extended her hand. “I don’t apologize often as I am usually correct but perhaps I misjudged you. Should that be the case then I apologize.”
Ryan shook Marie’s hand. “I apologize if my speech offended you. I love Faith so much and seeing her cry tore at my heart. I may have misspoken.”
Faith wrapped one arm around her mother’s waist and the other around Ryan’s. “Thank you. I love you both so very much.”
Oliver grabbed them all and pulled them into a group hug. “Now that that’s over, let’s eat. I’m starved.”
Alex and Miguel knocked twice before Miles finally opened the door. “Hey!”
“Miles, don’t tell me that you and my sister were having sex and that’s what took so long to open the door?”
Alex laughed. “Oh, Miguel.”
“Indirectly it did.” Miles laughed.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Miguel pushed his way inside and headed to the kitchen to put down the pizzas he was carrying.
Alex kissed Miles hello and then dropped down to the floor to play with Cruz. “Hello, Cruz.”
Cruz tried to hand his piggy to Alex but it was so covered with drool that he dropped it.
“Cruz, let mommy have that.” Eden picked up the piggy. “Eww, it’s so gross. I’ll be right back this needs a rinse.”
Miguel was on his way out of the kitchen when Eden came walking in. “Hey, Sis.”
Eden kissed Miguel. “Mmmm, pizza.”
“Nice to see you too.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m hungrier than I thought.”
“What’s going on?”
Eden rinsed off piggy and grabbed a towel to dry it. “What do you mean?”
“Miles has this look on his face and you have pretty much the same look on yours.”
“Oh, we’re just happy that you’re here.” Eden slipped by Miguel and practically ran to the living room where Miles was. She didn’t want to tell Miguel without Miles there.
Miguel followed Eden into the room. “Ok, Miles, are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
Miles smiled and looked at Eden who was smiling.
Alex looked between the two and smiled. “Oh my God!”
“Oh my God, what?” Miguel was now looking between all three of them.
Eden nodded and Alex peeled herself up from the floor and hugged Eden.
Miguel gave Miles a frustrated look as he demanded an answer. “Miles?”
Miles walked over to Miguel. “Well, Migs, you see Eden and I had sex again and we made another baby.”
Miguel broke out in a huge smile and grabbed Miles and hugged him. “I’m going to be an uncle again!”
Alex came over and hugged Miles. “Congratulations, Daddy!”
Miguel hugged Eden. “I’m so happy for you, Sis.”
“Thank you.”
“So when is the baby expected?”
“We just found out a few hours ago when I started puking up my guts.”
Miguel stepped back. “Ewww.”
Miles leaned down and picked up Cruz. “Stinky baby, you need a diaper.”
“I’ll change him.” Alex put out her arms and took Cruz.
“Ok then, I will get the plates out so that we can eat.” Miles turned toward the kitchen.
“Good because your wife is starving.” Miguel kissed Eden on top of her head. “Come on let’s go feed you.”
RYAN FELT BAD THAT Faith had spent the last three nights working late so he decided tonight he would surprise her and take her out for dinner. When he arrived at her office he lifted his hand to knock but the door was ajar so he pushed it open. He stood there watching as Cliff held Faith in his arms while he smoothed out her hair.
Faith stepped back and it was then that she caught a glimpse of Ryan as he turned away and began walking down the hallway. Faith took off after him. “Ryan! Ryan, wait. I can explain.”
Ryan stopped but he didn’t turn around. “Explain what, Faith? I saw you in his arms.”
Faith reached out to touch Ryan but he pulled his arm away. “Yes, I was in his arms but he was just comforting me.”
Ryan spun around. “Comforting you?”
Faith looked up and Ryan could see her red eyes and her tear stained face. “Yes, we lost a client today.”
“Lost?”
“We tried to get a restraining order but the judge denied it. Now a young mother is dead.”
“Oh, Faith, I’m so sorry.” Ryan pulled Faith into his arms. “I’m sorry for even thinking…”
“I understand, I do. Will you take me home now?”
“Of course.” Ryan wiped Faith’s tears and kissed her forehead. “I’ll go and grab your things, stay here.”
Ryan walked back to Faith’s office. Cliff was still inside waiting for Faith. “I’m going to take Faith home now.”
“Nothing happened. I swear.”
“I know and Cliff, I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok. I know how it must have looked.”
“It looked like I was being a jealous idiot.”
“I’m sure if I found my girlfriend in your arms that I would have behaved the same way.”
Ryan extended his hand. “Thanks, Man.”
“Tell Faith I will see her tomorrow.”
“Sure thing.” Ryan grabbed Faith’s cell phone, jacket and briefcase and headed out the door.
“I don’t understand how that could have happened. I don’t care if you have to work day and night but you had better have that dress ready in time for the wedding.” Alex hung up the phone and threw it at the couch.
“Baby, what’s going on?”
“Apparently Faith’s dress had an unforeseen accident and ended up with a huge tear in the train.”
“Yikes.” Miguel ran his hand through his hair.
“Faith will flip out if she finds out about this.”
Miguel placed his arm around Alex. “Can I do anything to help?”
“Pray that Faith doesn’t decide to go for her final fitting before they repair her dress.”
“Jeez, she’d go all kinds of Bridezilla on them.”
“Hey, the dress is the most important part of the wedding.”
“The dress…what about the groom?”
Alex laughed. “Of course the groom is the most important.”
“Right answer.” Miguel kissed Alex.
“Do I win a prize for the right answer?” Alex winked.
Miguel scooped her up in his arms. “Oh, do you ever.”
Alex kissed Miguel.
“Is this seat taken?”
Lacey looked up and Dane was smiling down at her. “Welcome back.”
“May I?”
“Yes, sit.”
“I think I’m finally back for good.”
“That’s great.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Well, I mean, Miguel will be happy to have you back.”
“And you’re not?”
“I am.”
Dane reached his hand across the table and placed it on to
p of Lacey’s hand. “Hey, I don’t bite. Well, I do, but never on Tuesdays.” Dane winked.
Lacey’s eyes opened wide. “I, uh…”
“Lacey, I was joking.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why is it that every time I go away and come back it’s like we have to start over?”
“Start over?”
“When you’re finally starting to relax around me I get sent away and then when I come back it’s like we’re strangers again.”
“I’m so socially awkward. I guess I always have been.”
“I think it’s kind of a turn on that you’re so shy.”
“Oh, that’s not my intention.”
“I’m sure it’s not. All I meant was your innocence is attractive.”
Lacey wasn’t sure if she felt or looked more horrified. “Uhhh.”
“I think that Dane should shut up now because everything that I say seems to come out the wrong way and I just seem to be making you feel worse.”
“Men intimidate me and since you’re a man…”
“But I don’t want to intimidate you. I want you to feel comfortable around me. We’ve had dinner and talked and it was nice. Women never want to just hang out and eat and talk with me, they only want to drink and have sex.”
Lacey thought about that statement and she too was guilty of wanting to have sex with Dane. “I’ll try to be less intimidated.”
Dane sat back and smiled. “Good. So what can you recommend for dinner?”
“Everything is good here.”
“I think I’ll have the manicotti.”
“One of my favorites.”
“Mine too.” Dane smiled.
Lacey couldn’t help but smile back.
Ryan stepped into the tub and wrapped his arms around Faith. “Feeling better?”
“I am now that you’re here.” Faith wiggled her ass back against Ryan’s cock.
Ryan kissed Faith’s neck as he reached his hands up and massaged her breasts. “Lean up, Baby.”
Faith leaned up and Ryan grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down onto his cock. “Ohhh, Ryan.”
“Faith, I wish I could hold you like this all night.”
Sex & Lies (Undercover Love Series Book 3) Page 13