Body and soul.
Forever.
I chuckle dryly as I pocket my new favorite handkerchief, settling myself down on the couch, listening to them talk in low voices outside.
Sonya gasps a few times, I can hear Martin telling Karen to pipe down and let him tell his own damned story for once.
The truth is out, and it’s not a bad truth, only that Martin was an orphan as his daughter Sonya was, as I was. And despite his best intentions being a full-time dad to an only daughter just never came easy for him.
It doesn’t mean he doesn’t love her, it just means… well. That’s not up for me to decide. That’s between a man and his daughter, adopted or not.
I catch snippets of what Martin tells Sonya. It’s close enough to my own version of our youth, our shared upbringing. It made him who he is today and helped me to become who I am, but I couldn’t say it made one of us any better or worse than the other.
I’ve said my piece on the matter and Sonya knows I’m inside, waiting for her.
My adrenalin subsided to the point where my nose hurts like hell and I’m too scared to touch my face, which I can feel swelling up, but at the same time, I can’t help but poke and fuss over it, shaking my head at god damned Martin Basset.
He finally got me a decent one. Right on the nose.
Not bad for a girly punch, I have to concede.
But I’d never tell him that to his face.
After a long silence, I think they might have all gone. I groan in pain getting up, hoping to hell Sonya hasn’t gone anywhere with them.
Outside, near the front driveway, there’s Martin Basset, holding his daughter. My Sonya, who holds her arm out, inviting me over to join the little group hug.
“Where’s Karen?” I ask Martin, wanting to punch his ribs but thinking better of it.
“She’s gone home, I just wanted a talk, alone with my daughter… seems like she’s got quite a thing for you… Fox Silverman.”
I can tell he’s not happy about it, but he knows me well enough, and I can only nod in agreement.
“And I’ve got quite a thing for her, Martin.”
“Shall we go inside? It’s getting cold,” Sonya asks, and we three all file in, suddenly looking and even acting like real grown ups for once.
I motion towards the sofa, and Martin whistles through his teeth as he looks around, choosing to stand.
“You never told me you were an orphan,” Sonya says softly to me, leaning in close as we sit down. I can tell she’s hurt by that, after all she spelled out for me about her own feelings about being an orphan.
I can only squeeze her hand, try to relay to her that I never meant to hurt her. I just never mentioned it.
“We’ve got the rest of our lives to talk about it,” I remind her and catching a bit of that. Martin’s ears prick up.
“You must be worth a fortune, Fox.” He exclaims, sounding more like the old hound I used to know.
“I do alright,” I say dryly, more concerned with how Sonya’s feeling right now, wanting to be alone with her more than ever.
Wondering if it really matters if Martin is here or not. What I want to ask her next will involve him at some point too, whether I like it or not.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Sonya
I’m not mad with dad, not really. I know he’s always done his best but I do have to tell him I feel like he’s ditched me over Karen since they got married. Something he says he wasn’t aware of, that he didn’t mean to do intentionally.
“It’s just… since you got all grown up, college and stuff… I figured you’d leave me… go away like everyone else has in my life,” he says with tears in his eyes.
I’ve never seen dad cry until today, and boy, is it coming out today.
“I met Karen, and she’s so stuck on me, like nobody else could be. I know you two don’t get along, but I’m glad you’ve hung in there, for me,” he says. And he’s right.
That’s what I’ve always done. Hung in there, for myself and for other people, never wanting to take anything for myself, never feeling I deserve it and sometimes getting walked over by other people in the process.
That was before Fox.
Once we’re all back inside, I can see dad’s taking more of a shine to the idea of me being with Fox, letting whatever issues he might have had with him stay in the past.
I’m surprised at Fox, even hurt he didn’t tell me he was an orphan too, but it’s not something he has to broadcast either. Like he said, we have our whole lives to…
Oh. My. God.
Is he going to?
No way… He’s dropped some pretty big hints so far, the whole baby rooms thing… but no… he couldn’t. He wouldn’t…
I hope he does.
“So, what interest do you really have in my daughter, Fox?” my Dad asks him, making me scowl.
“I only did what you told me to, Dad. I went out looking for work. Thinking of doing what I’m best at, like you told me to… so I went out and asked the new neighbor if he needed a babysitter or any cleaning done,” I blurt out, and regret my outburst straight away.
I can read his thoughts easy enough.
Cleaning?
Alright already, I’m taking cleaning and cooking off my resume, but I was a good sitter in my day. I know that much.
“My interest,” Fox says, speaking over us both suddenly, “Is bigger than both of us… It’s much more than just Sonya and me, Martin.”
My Dad scowls now, not liking it when Fox gets to be so sure of himself, so damned right all the time.
“What the hell does that even mean?” he asks, not even trying to hide his scorn.
“It means that Sonya and I can have a real family… we will have a real family. I love her Martin, and I’m going to marry her.”
Holy…
If it was anyone else, I’d be racing for popcorn right now, but this is me he’s talking about.
Me!
Fox Silverman wants to marry me?
“Well.” I hear myself saying petulantly, “This is the first I’ve heard of it…”
Fox grins, taking my hand and patting the back of it with his.
“I have to ask you, purely for traditions sake, Martin… If I can have your daughter’s hand in marriage? I’m taking it anyway, I’m not really asking, but it’s just nicer if…”
My Dad’s eyes go wide, then wild with anger, he shakes his head, not wanting to believe what he’s hearing.
“I thought a mistake… a one off fling was bad enough… but don’t you… don’t you dare try and tell me you’re going to marry my daughter as well!” he yells, his voice like acid as he nurses his hand and wrist, suddenly wincing from the pain as he tries to make a fist.
“You should really get that checked out Martin,” Fox says, and I wince too, looking at his nose, thinking the same thing.
“Think about it, Martin. Not that it’s your decision to make, the decision is Sonya’s,” he says, glancing at me only long enough to catch my eye.
“We’ll have a family. A big, real family and you’ll be a part of it, Martin… even Karen.” I consider kicking Fox at this point, but the way he’s pitching the idea to Dad, even having Karen in the background isn’t such a terrible idea.
“You’ll be well looked after,” Dad says aloud, looking at me, tears starting to form in his eyes again, but I’m not sure if he’s overcome with joy, grief or pain from his hand or all three.
“You could visit… sometimes.” Fox adds, and I feel his hand in mine, which I squeeze so tight it’s the only thing that stops me from squealing out loud.
“I could… I could be a grandpa!” Dad exclaims, his misty eyes staring off into the distance.
I can feel the cogs turning in Fox’s mind.
“I could set you and Karen up someplace…”
Far away…
“Will you promise me just one thing?” Dad asks, looking at Fox intently.
“Name it.” Fox encourages him, soundi
ng very much like the genie of the lamp at this stage, not that I need any convincing or encouragement.
Just friggin’ ask me already!
“Just don’t ever leave her. Don’t ever break my little girl’s heart,” he says, his voice breaking and I know that’s a solemn promise that Fox could make in a heartbeat.
And he does.
Right in front of my dad, he gets down on one knee, taking my hand in his as he swears his promise not only to my Dad, but most importantly, to me.
To us.
“I love you more than I can even put into words, Sonya. And even though it’s only been one day, it’s all I need to show me how every day, for the rest of both our lives can be, will be… if you’ll only say the one word that can quell my heart. To still this ache for good… and I promise you. I’ll never break the one thing I treasure above only you, your heart.”
I’m speechless, I can feel my head trying to nod, but there’s no sound, my mouth a hollow ‘o’ shape.
“Just say yes, darling,” Fox murmurs.
“Yes…” I eventually manage to squeak.
And then a firmer, “Yes. With all my heart, I’ll be yours forever, Fox Silverman. Yesterday, today and for every day afterwards.”
Dad cheers, then yelps in pain as his hands shoot up in the air, but all as I can see is the light in my man’s eyes.
Fox’s eyes on mine.
“I love you Sonya,” he growls.
“And I love you, Fox,” I whisper, his mouth on mine sealing our pact and feeling just like our first kiss, and every other to come after it.
EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER
Fox
Living in the burbs, the limo traded for an SUV and my working life shifting south from a hundred hours a week at the office, to wearing holes in my robe as I work from home.
Working hardest, most days at the easiest thing in the whole world, pleasing my woman. Keeping her satisfied.
She has clothes, lots. And shoes and everything else she could need and want, but these robes. We just can’t seem to shake them off. Except when we slip them off so we can feel each other, skin on skin.
I knew our first time, that magical day I claimed Sonya as mine, the day she became my woman. I knew something else happened, but since then, even after our wedding night I haven’t asked.
I haven’t pressed her.
It’s the closest thing to the front of my mind, but I won’t ask.
I can’t.
When it’s time, it’ll be time, I tell myself.
I’ve left subtle hints in all the bathrooms. Those pregnancy test kits, but they’ve all stayed unwrapped.
I don’t want to pressure Sonya, but it’s a little confusing, we were both so sure something wonderful had happened after our first time.
Maybe it was just because she’s so fucking perfect, it was, and still is like that with us both, every single day. Each time with her is like the first time, and I thank her and god for it, every single day we have together.
But the urge to share our love with a family, it’s gotta come soon.
No pressure though.
“It’s not a baby bump,” she scowled at me one day not long ago, for even suggesting it. But not for hoping it might be the case.
“It’s from sitting on my ass all day,” she assured me. “Having you pay for everything while I turn into a freakin’ walrus.”
She gave a curt little smile, but it was her who brought it up. I never think Sonya’s looking any bigger or smaller, she’s always just my Sonya.
Always perfect whenever I look at her.
Hmmm. She has been a little moody too, lately.
But I won’t press her for it.
I won’t.
“I’m going out.” She announces, right after coming out of the shower, after we’ve made love for the second time today.
I sit up, not pleased whenever she comes out with things like this, without warning.
“Where are you going?” I ask, trying to sound as non-possessive as I can and failing.
I can practically hear my own teeth grating at the idea of her alone, out there. Without me to protect her.
“Just out,” she says, almost huffing.
“I’ll get changed,” I announce casually, but it’s not gonna work.
“Alone,” she says softly, and I feel my heart doing somersaults. I hate it when she goes out by herself, which isn’t often at all.
It’s happened like three times and every time I swear I turn gray.
Knowing she’s not felt herself lately, I decide to let it go. But not her.
I’ll follow her.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you when you get home,” I say, and she leans in to kiss me goodbye.
“Everything alright, baby?” I ask her, meaning it.
“I just need some time to myself… just an hour or so…” she says, giving me a smile and I give her one back, pretending not to be hurt.
I hear her car pull out, and as soon as it does, I race to the bathroom, hurrying to get changed so I can follow her.
I leap from the house to the garage in three steps and in less than a minute, I’m tailing my wife.
I swear she looks right at me at one point. It wouldn’t take Sherlock Holmes to deduce I’m following her.
A coy smile plays on her lips at a set of lights. I’m two cars back, but can see her face in the rear view.
Downtown.
Parking’s a bitch but I manage one right opposite the building she goes into.
Dodging traffic, I race across the street, catching sight of the elevator doors closing as she goes up.
I take the stairs, there's only three floors, and only one of those where she could be going.
My heart flutters as I come up onto the second floor.
“Dr. Rosen” is stenciled in bold black font on two large frosted glass doors.
My heart’s pounding now.
Is she alright? Is my Sonya sick? Why wouldn’t she say…?
I announce myself at the desk, the waiting rooms empty, Dr. Rosen’s door closing just as I walk in.
“She’s my wife…” I explain to the receptionist, who smiles knowingly.
I know it’s useless, she’s not gonna tell me anything. But I can wait?
No problem.
It takes all my strength not to go open Dr. Rosen’s door, to ask them both just exactly what all this is about… it feels like I’ll need a doctor in a minute… the suspense is killing me.
After what feels like a year, Dr. Rosen’s door opens, and Sonya steps out, smiling.
I breathe a sigh of relief, darting over to her, startling her, but only for a second before she kisses me tenderly.
“Darling… I thought you would’ve kicked in the door by now.”
“Just tell me you’re alright,” I gasp, clutching at her, pulling her closer until she tells me to be careful.
“Easy, easy Fox. We’re doing just fine,” she says. Her glowing skin, her bright eyes shining. It tells me everything I’ve waited for in a split second.
“We’re fine…?” I ask, and feel my lips tremble when she takes my hand, rubbing it across her belly with hers.
“We’re all gonna be just fine… daddy Fox.”
“You mean?” I tremble. “You? A mommy Fox?”
“A whole Fox family,” she assures me and I kiss her, both of us crying tears of joy. The happiest day, the happiest moment of our life together so far.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS LATER
Sonya
“Mommy! Bradley’s making faces at me again when I’m trying to concentrate.”
I can ignore it once, just for a few minutes then they’ll stop, I tell myself.
“Mommy! Bradley… don’t!”
“Fooooxxxx!!! Can you deal with your children please? I’m working!” I call out, reminding him they’re only ever his children when I’m right in the middle of something, or when it’s just too juvenile for me to get in
volved.
Now they’ve done it.
His study door swings open, and I hear Bradley and Jennifer go quiet instantly. As soon as their father’s summoned, they’re both suddenly on their best behavior.
Until one of them gives out. The building suspense, hearing their father coming down the hall to their room, to the play area this time, to ‘sort things out’ it’s too much.
Before Fox even gets there, I’m covering my own mouth, trying not to laugh.
Without even making a sound or saying a word, he knows how to build up the suspense, his huge presence looming through the house like a giant.
I start to creep out of my chair slowly, stifling giggles as I go, catching sight of the monster as he rounds the corner to the kids play area, suddenly raising both his arms up, roaring like a tiger, making all three of us squeal and jump up and down on the spot.
I can’t contain myself, his energy’s infectious, and tossing my pencil down, my hair falls out of its bun as I run, race to join in on the fun.
A giant, roaring, wrestling tickle with daddy. Our favorite giant and friendliest, most best tickler that ever was.
He’s so patient with the kids, no matter how trying they get, he’ll stop whatever he’s doing, even put the phone down on conference calls and go see what’s happening.
Today, it’s the usual crisis. Bradley’s showing his gummy tooth gap to Jennifer again when she’s trying to do her homework.
I’ve been interrupted, again. But it’s the best kind of break in my day and when it happens, all of us end up together in a heap, it’s what makes the days so special. Working from home, living from home.
Being a family, full-time. Everything else is secondary.
I’m working on my second History text book for publication, and Fox is working out his next land conservation project.
In between, we get to spend all day with our precious kids, watching them live. Love and even fight together… Learning about each other, and learning about ourselves.
Once Bradly and Jenifer look like they might expire from tickling and shouting, I call a timeout, suggesting lunch and a proper break, followed by some quiet time.
Possessive Neighbor: An Instalove Possessive Alpha Romance (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 174) Page 8
