Anna and Jackson

by Tigris Eden

  “Don’t you want to see our daughter?" he’d asked.

  To his response, she flipped her hair back and replied. "Jackson, Ava's fine. It’s me you should be concerned with. I need you. When are you coming home?”

  "Vivian, I don’t live here. Technically, neither do you." It was the house his father had left him, and the home his mother currently occupied. And only because he let her.

  Vivian dismissed his comment with a wave of her hand and a laugh.

  He didn’t like Vivian as a person, but he didn’t like what was happening to her either. He felt responsible somehow. When he spoke with his mother, her only response was that he “needed to put his family back together.” Now, he was seeing to the movers who had the last of his boxes at the house he’d bought closer to town and trying to figure out what to do about Vivian. He'd consulted with his lawyer, who told him to file for full custody of Ava. He and Anna both thought it to be the best thing. He had an appointment with the family court in two weeks.

  On top of the family drama, he was still technically working a case. Gaines had been in contact at least once a week. He was coming to see Jackson, and they were using the groom’s tux fitting as cover. Tracey thought she and the Perettis had won. Tonio had been found dead last week with his balls stuffed in his mouth. It was a message. The Perettis were letting all who felt it necessary to fuck with them know that they’d even kill family if they thought to talk.

  Things were quiet in Beauville. No one was looking for Jackson or trying to put a hit out on his family. Fabiano had gone to ground. But as long as Jackson and Gaines stuck to the plan, they'd all surface. Eventually. The For Sale sign in the yard looked strange, but it was for the best. He and Anna had already found a spot of land to break ground on. It sat on five acres, and Anna was ecstatic. They were adding a casita for Pearl. She'd been reluctant at first. The house she lived in now had been in their family for a long time. But Jackson told her they'd fix it up and she could stay until it was time for her to join them.

  Anna had eclectic tastes. She couldn’t decide what she wanted for a house, but she did know how she wanted her studio to look. It was still hard for her to take his money. When they argued, he’d kiss her soundly until she melted against him and agree. He wasn’t going to let her worry about the finances. That was his job. He was the man, and his father raised him to take care of what was his, and Anna was his. There was no way she could say otherwise. He’d promised her they’d share the load, and they would, but on his terms. She could work, save the money for family trips for all he cared, but at the end of the day, she was sleeping and breathing easy because he’d see to it that there were no obstacles in her way. Didn’t matter if it was money, or something else. He’d see to it, it would all be easy for her and his daughter. And he had to admit, he was having fun watching her spend what she deemed “his money.”

  "Sheriff, we're all set."

  "Great. Thanks for your help, Sid. Kiss that beautiful wife of yours for me."

  "Yeah, right." Sid grunted.

  Jackson got in his truck and made his way over to Joey and Treat’s. He needed to pick up Ava from daycare and then swing over to Event Pics and grab Anna. He was going with her to the doctors to see if she'd be given the all clear. Therapy on both fronts was progressing. Anna hadn’t had any more nightmares since leaving the house, and her injuries as well as her surgical wounds had healed nicely.

  Jackson turned on his radio and put on the sports channel. He turned to the baseball game. The Astros were playing the Tigers, and Verlander was on the mound. Just as Saltalamacchia hit a home run, Jackson's cell went off.

  "Fuck!"

  Right in the middle of a great game.

  "Storme," Jackson growled into the phone.

  "Is that any way to greet your old boss?"

  “Ex-boss. I’m retired, remember.”

  “Yeah, well, not because I said so.”

  He had to play it cool no matter what. Even though he knew she was dirty.

  “Sorry, game’s on."

  “You still a Tiger's fan?"

  “As long as Verlander’s on the team, yup."

  "Well, I won’t keep you long. Just wanted to check in on you. See how you're holding up."

  "I'm good. We're all good. Just prepping for the wedding.”

  "Yeah, I heard Gaines is in the wedding, even Morales got an invite."

  "Went to school with them, so yeah."

  “Do I get an invite?"

  Yeah, right. She'd be gone way before Jackson said, “I do.” Keep up appearances.

  "Invite is already in the mail, Tracey."

  “Glad to hear it, Jackson."

  “Yup. Later, Tracey, I have to pick up my family."

  Jackson disconnected the call before she could say anything else. She'd called for information. Wanted to know if Gaines was really coming for a fitting or just to talk about the case they were no longer assigned to. He'd have to let Gaines know when he came down for his visit.

  Until Her: Chapter 11

  They were sitting in the doctor's office. Ava was playing in the area for children. There were other kids, and Jackson’s little lady had no problem directing traffic. Anna sat next to him, a bundle of nerves. He could feel her energy pinging all over the place. Her left knee kept bouncing, and she chewed on her bottom lip. Both acts were adorable. Jackson leaned over and whispered into the shell of her ear.

  “Stop fidgeting.”

  “I’m not.”

  He placed his hand on her knee as she turned his direction, glaring.

  “You are, baby.”

  “Well, sorry if my nervous ticks are bothering you.”

  They weren’t bothering him, but watching her was making it darn uncomfortable, he only had so much room in his jeans.

  “It doesn’t bother me, but you’re making things happen,” he growled against her ear. Her eyes grew large, and the sound of her breathing stopped before she swallowed. His Anna wanted in his pants in a bad way. He was more than willing to oblige her. They'd been getting each other off in the most creative ways of late. He was starting to feel like a teenager.

  "Baby, it’s gonna be all good. We’ll get the all clear." Jackson grabbed her hand and tried to convey with his eyes that everything he said was true. She’d been seeing the transplant doctor once a week. Last week, they’d said she was fit to travel to their destination wedding. When India had gotten wind of the news, she’d ramped up her planning. She went from cute wedding planner, to wedding planner on steroids. She may or may not have been PMSing the entire time, but he wasn’t about to say that shit out loud so he kept it to himself. India was great to shoot the shit with, but now she was a pain in the ass. All she talked about was Jamaica and all that needed to be done before the day of his and Anna’s wedding.

  “I know it will be fine. I just hate waiting.”

  God. So did he.

  Jackson leaned over and kissed her forehead. He found he couldn’t stop touching her when she was near. It wasn’t so much for her as for his peace of mind. Anna tied him in knots. He was constantly on guard, and it was starting to wear on his psyche. Maybe this was what women called butterflies, but no self-respecting man would ever admit that a woman gave him butterflies. To Jackson, they were knots. Lots of intricate knots that were getting tighter and tighter.

  The door to the doctor’s office opened, and a nurse came out and called Anna’s name. They both stood and made their way to the back, taking Ava with them. The nurse took Anna’s vitals before placing Jackson, Anna, and Ava in a room.

  “Daddy, who’s sick?”

  “No one, Ladybug.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yup, Daddy’s sure. We’re just making sure Honey is good to go back to her normal activities.”

  Ava looked between the two of them. Her five-year-old face scrunched up with concentration.

  “Honey is normal,” she said with all the confidence a girl her age should have, but a whole lot more. His daughter wa
s extremely observant.

  “That’s right, darlin’. Now we just need the doctor to say that, too.”

  “If you say so, Daddy. I think its’s silly,” Ava reported.

  “Ladybug, I couldn’t agree with you more,” Anna said, smiling.

  The doctor walked in just as Anna and Ava were about to start a round of Miss Mary. Of all the places to run into someone he’d bedded in the past, Jackson was not prepared to see Lois Everdeen. She wasn’t Anna’s regular doctor. The regular doctor had been called to Houston to consult. So it looked like they were stuck with Lois. Anna was all smiles when Lois stepped in. Jackson, however, was not. Lois Everdeen used to be sweet. Had been for the duration of their three-day encounter, but the moment Jackson stepped away, she’d turned vicious. Made things very difficult for him, and almost cost him his spot on the football team.

  “As I live and breathe. Jackson Storme.”

  “Lois.”

  Anna looked between the two of them, and Jackson knew by her facial expression that she was not happy. She had to have known about Lois, she was around in school then. Anna’s eyes narrowed slightly and she grunted. The look was one she wore well. At least she’s being civil, he thought.

  “Anna, you didn’t say this was your tall drink of water.”

  Like she didn’t know, Jackson thought. Everyone knew. There was no way not to have known. He wouldn’t be surprised if she’d purposely made sure to be the physician who ended up with Anna’s file when the other doctor had to go to Houston.

  “My daddy is no tall drink of water,” Ava informed Lois. “He’s the sheriff.”

  Lois looked down to Ava and smiled, then she looked between Jackson and Anna.

  “Your little girl is beautiful.”

  “Thanks,” Jackson said, standing and picking up Ava. Lois was a wildcard, and even though they were in a place of business, he wasn’t sure if the woman would keep her shit. She’d done all sorts of crazy things when he’d ended their fling. She’d flattened his tires in his old Jeep, she’d even shown at his mother’s garden party once, banging on the door and demanding entrance. She’d gotten in and went on to explain she was pregnant. He’d been nineteen at the time, and like a fool, he’d fallen for it. Promised to take care of her and the baby, but only after she provided proof. Proof that never came because she was never pregnant. But according to her, she’d had a miscarriage. Jackson had her investigated, and when all her lies had been brought to light, she then tried to say he’d had sex with her against her will. Lois Everdeen was way out there. Are you starting to see a pattern? There was a pattern, he realized belatedly. He went for women who were wild and considered hard to handle and welcomed drama with open arms. Anna wasn’t like that, thankfully, not unless she was pushed into a corner.

  “Doctor Everdeen, I don’t mean to sound pushy, but Jackson and I need to get Ava home and ready for her playdate,” Anna inserted.

  “Yes, I get to see my new friend, Madison Bixby. She’s a pony, and I love her.” Ava beamed. Bixby was a pony, and although Anna was against getting Ava a horse of her own, she wasn’t against her riding one or taking lessons.

  “Well, aren’t you the luckiest girl alive.”

  “I’m the luckiest princess alive. Madison will be my handsome steed when she grows up.”

  Jackson grinned at his daughter as he kissed her on the nose.

  “Only boys can be steeds.”

  “Oh. Sorry, Daddy.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about, Ladybug.”

  Anna cleared her throat. Gaining Lois’s attention.

  “All right, Anna. I’ve talked with my associates, and your doctor left notes. Your new kidney is adjusting nicely, and you seem to be healing at a very progressive rate. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”

  “So, what you’re saying is…” Anna’s voice trailed off, and Jackson knew it was because Ava was in the room. “I’m good to go?” she finished when she found the right words.

  “Yes, you’re good to go, but you still need to come in to ensure your body is adjusting properly. Getting a new organ, and a major one at that, is a long healing process. You can resume your regular activities. You’re fit, but don’t overextend yourself. Take breaks.”

  The smile on Anna’s face was one he wouldn’t forget. It started off as a grin, but as her face turned toward him, she full-on cheesed. She was happy. She wasn’t upset or scared. He hadn’t realized until now, but with all the shit going down with the case, them having to move, Ava, and the hell with Vivian, things had been rough on her. It was everything she could do to keep herself together and not have a meltdown. And she’d done most of it on her own. She had the support of family, and maybe even a few friends, but what she didn’t have was his physical support. Even though it hurt him to know she’d done this mostly without his help, it also helped him to see just how strong of a person she was. His Anna could accomplish anything.

  She could have complained. Made the case difficult by begging him to stay, and had she, he most likely would have come home. Even knowing he had to get out there and get the case closed. If she’d asked him, he would have done it. She’d been holding it down for both of them because if all that happened to her had broken her, he’d be just as fucked. But Anna was determined to get back to being her. Now that she’d been given the all clear, he knew she was going to be asserting herself with a vengeance, and he was looking forward to it.

  Today was her day one. Her win.

  “Honey, you have a pretty smile,” Ava yelled, infected by Anna’s happiness.

  “Thanks, Ladybug. You do, too.”

  Anna looked to Lois, still beaming.

  “Jackson and I are anxious to provide Ava with some brothers and sisters. We clear to get started on that?”

  Jackson’s heart faltered at Anna’s words. They hadn’t officially talked about kids. It was on his list of things to bring up.

  Marry her.

  See her growing with their child.

  Do it again.

  Then twice more while living out the rest of his life as the happiest man on the planet surrounded by his wife and family. That she was excited to get started on their family now meant something.

  It meant everything.

  “Baby,” Jackson said, wrapping his free arm around her. She placed her head on his chest and gave him more of the everything he was feeling.

  “I’m ready, Jackson. I can do this. If this didn’t beat me, nothing will. Life’s too short. Ava needs brothers and sisters.”

  To which Ava clapped excitedly and hugged them both.

  “We’re getting married, and I don’t care if our baby comes before or after, but I want to start filling our house with us. And maybe a dog or cat.”

  Filling our house with us.

  Those were her words, and they were perfect.

  “Anything you want; it’s yours, baby.”

  Lois cleared her throat, and Jackson gave her a scathing look over the top of Anna’s head. If she so much as stepped out of line, he was handing her ass over to Lola.

  “You should have no problem conceiving, Anna,” Lois said with a tight smile on her lips.

  “Excellent.”

  They were going to get right on that as soon as fucking possible.

  They were headed out of the office when Lois decided she wanted to share her brand of crazy.

  “Congrats to you both, and I sincerely hope you have a blessed life. Had Jackson and I stayed the course, our son would have been nine.”

  That got Anna’s attention.

  Crazy bitch. If she were a man, Jackson would have punched her in the mouth.

  Jackson turned and said low, so only the adults could hear, “Lois, I warned you.”

  The woman smirked.

  “Anna has a right to know.”

  “What? That you’re whacked? Yeah, definitely. That you’re full of shit? Most assuredly. You were never pregnant, Lois, and my dad’s investigator found that out.”

  Anna sighed
loudly and dramatically. She turned and told Ava to go and wait for them by the play area, then turned her attention to Lois.

  “Seriously, even if what you said were true, it doesn’t matter now. I remember you, Lois Everdeen, and I remember the lies you spread about you and Jackson having a baby. It’s really sad when women try and hold on to something that doesn’t want to be held. How many years has it been now? Almost ten, right? Still, you haven’t moved on? I know my man gives good dick, but seriously, there’s more out there. He’s not the only one that can get the job done.”

  Jackson wanted to laugh but didn’t. Anna looked up at him, completely ignoring a put out Lois, and said, “Can we go, please? We have babies to make.”

  “We sure as shit do, gorgeous, and I hope to Christ, they all look like you.”

  “I vote for you, but then with genes like yours, I’m gonna need a shotgun and a lifetime supply of condoms if my sons are like their daddy.”

  Ignoring Lois’s outraged look, Jackson tugged Anna out into the waiting room, laughing and grabbing Ava as they made their way out of the building. He wasn’t sure if she said those things to Lois on purpose, and he really didn’t care. He was happy either way. Anna wanted to start a family with him. Life was starting to look better and better every day. Now, he just needed to close out the case and put the bad guys behind bars where they belonged.

  “Call up Lola. She needs to pay Lois Everdeen a visit.”

  “Seriously?” Anna laughed.

  “Yes. Seriously.”

  Now it was Anna’s laughter filling the cab of the truck as they made their way home and she pulled out her cell to contact her cousin.

  I can tell by the look in Jackson's eyes that something has changed. Something significant. I just have no clue what it is. But it happened back when we left the doctor’s, and it settles uncomfortably between us while driving Ava to her pony lessons.

  Mixed in with the sudden change is the heavy undercurrent of lust so potent, I'm positive my clothes are going to go up in flames the moment he touches me. The unfiltered desire burns wildly inside the truck, and I start to sweat. Jackson looks over at me, and it’s like he can tell what I’m thinking. He’s wearing a cocky grin to outdo all cocky grins.