She glares at me. “Well how did that ass end up here for dinner?”
“I invited him, I invited them all for dinner. They have been so busy focused on trying to get Martin, to restore Synergy that most days they’ll go all day without eating. Today, I wanted them to have a day where they could relax and have something proper to eat.” Obviously that hasn’t happened with them listening to her bitch all day.
“Oh.”
“It won’t happen again. I’m sorry,” I tell her and turn back and fill the dishwasher.
“Please don’t apologize. I’m the one that should be sorry. I am truly sorry I hurt you, I never intended to. Whenever I’m around Harrison, all that anger I had resurfaces and it’s like verbal diarrhea, sometimes I don’t even know what I’m saying. I just spew everything in hopes of hurting him, so that he’ll feel a tenth of the hurt he caused me.”
I turn back to her, she looks so vulnerable. “I get that, I really do. If Hudson did to me what Harrison did to you, I’d be devastated. I’d cut off his balls.” She laughs at my words. “I don’t think Harrison meant to hurt you, he was being selfish and thinking of himself.”
She walks toward me, stopping just in front of me. “I didn’t really hate your mom, I was jealous of her more than anything. She was beautiful and confident, you remind me so much of her. As much as I hate to admit it, her and Harrison really did belong together. Whenever I saw them together, their happiness radiated off them.”
I smile. “Yeah it really did.”
She pulls me into a hug. “Just as you and Hudson do, your happiness is infectious. It’s clear to see how much love you both have for one and another. That baby of yours is going to be spoilt.”
“I know, if it’s a boy, Hudson’s men are going to take him under their wing and if it’s a girl. God help her, they’re going to make sure no one ever goes near her.”
Marline laughs. “Yep, that’s what they do, it’s what they’ve always done.” She releases me and the smile she has falls, “I need to apologize to Harrison.” I’m shocked, that’s something that I never thought would happen. “I really did go too far, what happened between us, is exactly that, between us and it shouldn’t be played out for everyone to see.” She kisses my cheek and leaves the kitchen, my heart goes out to her, it mustn’t be easy apologizing to the man that broke your heart and tore away everything you had worked hard for.
I continue cleaning up, not wanting to be present when Marline apologizes. Hands go around my waist and I instinctively lean back. “Whatever you said to her, worked Princess, for the first time in years they’re actually getting along.”
I smile. “Good, it’s time they put the past behind them.”
“Love you, Princess,” he whispers as he caresses my stomach.
Ten
Hudson
Two weeks later
Today’s the day that I finally get to see my baby. Mia’s sixteen weeks pregnant and her body has subtly changed. There’s a tiny bump, to everyone else it’s not noticeable, but to me, who knows her body intimately, I see it, I feel it, I fucking love it. Her breasts have also grown, as has her appetite.
Martin hasn’t surfaced yet. The fucker has gone to ground and I am certain someone is helping him, I’ve yet to find out who and thankfully Coby’s back in town and I have a meeting with him this evening. The good thing about Martin being in the wind is that fucker hasn’t been able to kill anyone else. Detective Lazarous has informed me that they found two sets of fingerprints in Wally and Molly’s house, neither are in the police database. Thankfully having Lazarous on my payroll means that he’s sent me an image of those fingerprints so that I can check them against my employees. Jagger should be getting those this morning, he and David have been instructed to see who those prints belong too.
Mom and dad both wanted to come today but I didn’t want them to. Call me selfish, I don’t give a shit. Not only do I not want to share this experience with them, I also don’t want Mia to feel excluded, both of her parents are dead, it would be a bigger reminder that they’re not here to share this life changing experience with her. Mom’s pissed but Dad understands, he’s seen Mia while she was grieving and he agrees that it should be the two of us at the scan. Mom hates being told no, so she’s acting like a petulant child, she’s moved out of our house and back home. I’ve got Rory on her making sure that she’s okay.
Aaron is home now, he has to keep going back to the hospital for check-ups. He’s up and about, he’s pushing himself hard so that he’ll recover. He’s got third degree burns on the back of his body, thankfully, those on his leg aren’t as severe as those that are on his back. He’s had three surgeries on his back and his arms, the skin grafts seem to have worked and the skin is a pinkish color which the doctors wanted. He’ll never be the same, that’s for sure but I know Aaron, he’ll come out the other side of this stronger than ever before.
Today, I have a secret plan, one that will come into effect this afternoon. Everyone has been notified except Mia, I have no doubts that this is what I want and I’m certainly not going to stop it just because that asshole’s on the loose. My men have been told that I don’t care what they’re doing, they are to be in attendance. It’s time to relieve the stress and a celebration is the perfect way to achieve that.
“Hudson, are you ready?” Mia shouts and I smile, we’ve over an hour until our appointment but she wants to go now, she’s more excited than I am and she’s already seen the baby. She walks into the kitchen, a pair of denim shorts on, with a white tank top. She looks sexy as fuck, a bright smile on her face. “Earth to Hudson?” She waves her hand in front of my face as she walks up to me. “Are you even listening?”
I grab her hand and pull her toward me. “Yes, I am indeed listening. You look gorgeous.”
She rolls her eyes. “Flattery will get you everywhere. Are you ready?”
I kiss her lips, they’re soft and sticky, she’s put lip gloss on. “Yes, but you need to relax.”
She shakes her head. “You weren’t listening to me yesterday were you?”
I smirk. “I was.” I wasn’t.
Her eyes narrow. “Then where are we going?”
“You’re getting a scan.” Too easy, I may not have been listening, but I do know what we’re doing and where we’re going.
“And what will we find out?”
I frown, find out? “We’re going to see the baby.”
She pulls away from me and grabs the keys off the counter. “Yes Hudson, we’re going to see our baby, we’re also going to find out the gender.” She’s at the front door, ready to leave.
Wait, what? “We are?”
She nods. “Yes, we are, now move your ass.” She demands and laughs as I run toward her. “Put me down,” she yells as I sweep her into my arms.
“Nope,” I say popping the P. I carry her out to the car, she opens the door and I gently place her into the seat. “Strap in, Princess, we’re going to see our baby.” Her smile shines brightly, and it’s so fucking contagious.
We’re over forty minutes early for our appointment, I hate waiting, and this place is filled with kids and pregnant women. I’m the only man here, it pisses me off to see the heavily pregnant women sitting alone. I understand that they may have to work, but fuck, this is your kid, surely you can take a couple of hours off to be here for your wife and kid. The door behind us opens and a woman comes in, her stomach big and low, it’s a wonder she can even walk with it. Her husband holding her and walks her to a seat before going to check in, I didn’t realize just how big women can get while pregnant. I’m slightly worried that something will go wrong, Mia’s slim frame won’t be able to hold it.
“Will you do that for me?” Mia whispers, her focus on the couple that just walked in.
I look to see what she’s talking about and see that the man’s helping the woman up out of her seat. “Obviously.” I reply.
She smiles. “Good, would you shave my legs too? It’ll come to a point where I won�
�t be able to see my feet.”
I smirk. “Sure, I’ll shave whatever you need me to.”
She hits my shoulder, “You’re such a perv. God, Hudson, we’re around kids.”
Before I have a chance to answer, we’re called in. Mia grips my hand tightly as we follow the doctor, she’s nervous now, we both are. As much as I tell her that I want a boy, as long as both she and the baby are healthy, that’s all that matters.
Mia lies on the bed and I wait, the doctor is talking to her but I’m not really listening. Mia’s hand is still gripping mine. “It’s going to be okay,” I reassure her and she gives me a squeeze.
The doctor places some gel on Mia’s stomach and runs a wand thingy over it and the air is filled with a whooshing sound, followed by a whoomping.
“That’s the heartbeat,” Mia tells me, I look down at her and see the tears shining in her eyes. I know that they’re happy tears.
The doctor looks at the screen, she takes a while just looking over it, so much so that I’m starting to worry. “Is everything okay?”
The doctor smiles. “Yes, I’m just checking on your baby’s organs, everything is developing as it should. You’re right on track Mia, your due date is March twenty third.”
Holy shit, that’s so far but yet so fucking close.
“Can you tell the gender?” Mia’s voice is soft but hopeful.
The doctor smiles wider. “Of course, would you both like to know?”
“Yes,” we say in unison, I didn’t think it bothered me about not knowing, but now that I’m here, I’m dying to know.
“Congratulations, you’re having a boy.” She moves the wand, her finger pointing at the screen, “See there, that’s the umbilical cord and that…” She points to the little line on the screen. She laughs. “He’s flashing us, he wants us to know that he’s definitely a boy.”
I kiss Mia’s lips, the wetness and saltiness makes me realize that her tears are falling. “Why are you crying?”
“I’m so happy.” She kisses me. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“Why are you thanking me? I’m not the one carrying our son.” God, son, it feels good to say that.
“Because you’ve given me everything,” she whispers, I watch on horrified as she bursts into heart wrenching sobs.
I glance at the doctor, to see her smiling. “It’s normal, her hormones are all over the place.” She hands me something. “Here’s something to show the families.”
I look down and see a scan picture. Fuck, I can’t wait to show my dad, he’ll be made up. “Thank you, Doc.” Mia moves her legs so that they’re dangling off the bed, she’s ready to leave now, her eyes on the scan picture. Thankfully, she’s stopped sobbing.
The doctor passes Mia some tissue to clean the gel off her stomach. “You’re welcome, take your time, and I’ll see you both soon.”
“Hungry?” I ask as we get into the car. We’ve got a few more hours until I can unveil the surprise.
“Yes. Starved.” That’s her usual response these days, she’s loving blueberry pancakes, I’m sick of them, she had them every day. If she’s not with me she’ll get one of the men to bring her some, she even brings Aaron them when she goes to visit him. He’s threatened to move if she keeps bringing them.
“IHOP?”
Her nose turns up, “Ugh, no, I want gumbo.”
I frown. “Gumbo? Princess, we’re in Cali not New Orleans.”
She shrugs. “There’s a soul food place not far from where Synergy is. Your dad got some food from there yesterday.”
Fucking dad. “He did?”
She nods. “Yes, he told me Aaron didn’t want pancakes and we stopped off to get him some food.”
She shrugs. “I didn’t realize I’d been making everyone hate pancakes.”
I look at her, wanting to see her reaction when I say this. I don’t want her to feel like she can’t have anything just because the guys are sick of it. “Princess, you want pancakes? We’ll get pancakes. I’ll eat them every day, five times a day if you want them.”
She smiles at me. “No, it’s okay, ever since Harrison got the food for Aaron, I’ve been wanting it.” Her cheeks flame. “It smelled so good.”
“Wait, you haven’t tried it yet?” She shakes her head, a cute little smile on her face. “Okay, let’s go get you some Gumbo.”
I put the car into drive and head towards the restaurant that sells gumbo funny I’ve never had any either so it’ll be a new thing for the two of us
My cell rings just as Mia and I enter the restaurant. “Go ahead and order, get two of whatever it is you’re getting. I’ll be there in a minute,” I tell her reaching into my pocket and taking out my wallet. I give her a fifty, she takes it and walks into the shop, her ass swaying as she does. Putting my wallet back into my pocket I pull out my phone and see that it’s Jagger that’s calling. “Yeah?” I answer it, my eyes on the inside of the restaurant, I keep an eye on Mia as she’s ordering.
“Everything is setup, boss. The caterers are ready, Sarah has gone all out on decorating the reception room, not to mention the church, she also has Mia’s dress waiting.” I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Good, what about that other thing we spoke about?” I glance at my watch, two hours remaining until everything falls into place.
“Yes, that’s done, it looks fucking amazing. Although I should punch you, it made Sarah cry.”
I smile, if Sarah cried, Mia’s going to cry. “Mia’s just getting some food.”
He makes a gagging sound. “God, she needs to lay off those pancakes.”
I smirk. “She’s getting gumbo.”
“Thank fuck. I thought she’d give birth to a damn pancake the way she was inhaling them.”
“Jagger,” I warn. He’s right though, she was consuming a hell of a lot of them, I’m just grateful that she’s getting something different.
“Right. I’ve got shit to do, see you later.” He ends the call just as Mia exits the restaurant.
“Everything okay?” she asks softly. Every time my phone rings she tenses, she’s waiting for Martin to hit, for us to find out what he’s done next. We all are, it’s fucking weird that the asshole has gone silent. It’s not sitting right. Tonight, Coby and I are having a meeting, we’re going to find that fucker and end him.
“Yeah, Princess, everything’s fine. Just Jagger, I had him in a job and that was him checking in.”
Relief washes through her, happiness shines so brightly in her eyes. “Did you tell him that we’re having a boy?”
I shake my head. “No, Princess, I didn’t. I thought we’d do it together.” I wink as I take her hand. We walk back to the car and I help her in, “I’ve a surprise planned. Once you’ve finished eating, I’ll show you it.”
She smiles. “What sort of surprise?” I close the door on her and walk around to the drivers side. “Hudson, what is the surprise?” she asks, but I don’t answer her as I slide into the car. “Hudson?”
I start the car and put it into drive. “Mia, it’s a surprise. That means that you don’t get to find out until I’m ready. So just wait, okay?”
She glares at me but nods. “Okay, I’ll wait. Do you think we’ll be able to go to visit mom and dad tomorrow?” she asks softly, she’s not been to the cemetery since Tina was buried.
Thankfully there’s not a lot of traffic, we’ll be home in no time. “Yeah, Princess, we’ll go and see your mom and dad.”
She takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. “My dad would have loved you.”
I laugh. “I doubt that very much.”
Her giggle is like a little bell, I love that fucking sound. “He may not have liked what you do for a living, but he would definitely love you for the way that you love me. The way you treat me. It’s all any father could ever want, if we had a daughter, wouldn’t you want someone to love her the way that you love me?”
“Yes princess I would, although she won’t be dating until she’s at least thirty.”
&nbs
p; She splutters. “Thirty? Hudson, that’s unreasonable.”
I shrug. “I don’t give a shit if that’s unreasonable. I know what men think, and there’s no way my daughter is going to be doing anything until she’s married.”
Mia laughs. “Oh God, you’re insane!” She cries. “What about Hudson Junior? Will he have to wait until he’s thirty?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, why would he? He can date whenever he wants.”
“You’re crazy. Like certifiable. Hudson, that’s sexist!” She tells me like I have no idea, “I found the love of my life at eighteen. I wouldn’t change that for the world.”
“Yes, and if you hadn’t have managed to somehow sneak into my club then we wouldn’t have gotten together and that would have been a fucking travesty. Having said that, you shouldn’t have been in my club, you damn well shouldn’t have gone home with someone you didn’t know.”
She gasps. “I went home with you. We’re not having a girl so the point is moot. I’m not arguing with you.” She turns to look out the window and I know that I’ve put my foot in it. I’ve upset her.
“Mia…”
She shakes her head. “Leave it. It’s okay.” Her voice is small and I’m pretty sure I hear tears in her voice. I’ve definitely fucked up.
Eleven
Mia
I’m in absolute shock, I can’t believe this is happening. “How?” I ask Sarah as she pulls me into a room off the side of the church entrance.
“He’s had it planned for a few weeks, everyone has been under strict instructions not to say anything. I swear he’d have killed anyone who would have spilled the beans.” Her smile is so wide, I can’t help but follow suit. “Mia, he has gone all out. He’s not spared a cent in making this everything you could have ever wanted.” She reaches for the dress bag that’s hanging up and begins to unzip it.
When I see it I gasp. “Oh my God, Sarah how did he know?” I can’t believe he actually bought me the dress I had wanted since I was a little girl. From the way it’s strapless, to the diamantes, all the way to the fishtail skirt, everything about it is exactly as I had dreamed.
Forever Love (Kingpin Book 3) Page 9