He lifted one hand to her cheek. “That makes perfect sense to me. I wish we had a chance to have this chat earlier.”
She lifted a tissue off the tray beside his bed and blew her nose. “If we had, you wouldn’t have married Angie, and she was good for you, Dec.”
“Yeah, she was.”
She played with the hem of her sweatshirt, avoiding his gaze, and he suspected it was because Angie had made an appearance.
He winced and leaned forward, pressing his thumb and forefinger against her chin and guided her to look at him again. “Look at me. Please?”
She bit her lip, looking for an instant like the girl who had lost her parents twenty years ago. The girl whose heart had still been in the process of breaking when he wanted to start binding it up. Her chin quivered, and that wave of emotion he’d been expecting at her parents’ funeral came gushing from her eyes. Only, it seemed to be for him. For the hopes and dreams their reunion had rekindled in her.
He wrapped her in his arms as his mind wandered back to his mother’s words. She’d been right. He’d given up the fight too soon.
“Declan?”
Marissa pulled away, and he glanced up at her. “Yes, Riss?”
She left her hand on his biceps before she looked into his eyes. “When I heard about the accident, I imagined the worst. Aiden, Luke, you—”
Her voice hitched as she squeezed his arm, reflexively.
“We’re fine. We’re safe.”
Marissa glanced down at his lips and ran a thumb over the tiny cut at the corner of them. Then she looked back at him. “I know this attraction between us is complicated with our kids, and with losing your wife last year, but I’m grateful I went to the reunion. I’m glad I saw you again.”
He raised his hand to the one she still had caressing his face. “Me, too.”
“I’m so relieved you’re okay. Going to be at least.”
He cocked his head to the side, reading something in her eyes that said something more than he’d expected, more than he’d dared hope. “Marissa, what are you saying?”
She let that hand drift back to his chest, to the spot just above his heart which she seemed to favor even back in high school. “I love you, Declan. I fought it because we had a history, and I didn’t want you to do to me, even accidentally, what I did to you twenty years ago.”
She breathed out as she looked back up into his face. “But it’s too late, Declan. Too late for me to get out without getting hurt.” She gulped. “Because—I love you, Declan, and I’ll give you all the time you need to figure out what your life looks like without Angie. If you need me to give you space, I’ll give you space because you mean the world to me, and I don’t know what I’d do if—”
“Marissa?”
She stopped speaking, turning hopeful eyes to him. “Yes?”
He let his hands caress her arms in a loose circle. “I love you, too.”
“You do?”
He nodded, the admission even clearing some of his brain fog. “You’re right. This life is complex, and I can’t promise I won’t have tough days. Or that my kids won’t have tough days. All I know is that I don’t want to make the same mistake I made twenty years ago either.”
Her brow furrowed. “What mistake was that?”
He lifted one side of his mouth in a crooked grin. “My mother kindly informed me last week that I let you go too easily back then.”
A tiny chuckle escaped Marissa’s lips as she ducked to hide it, and Declan’s heart warmed that he had broken through the worry and pain in her face.
“Marissa?”
She glanced back at him, and he let his fingers glide over her cheek on their way to caress the back of her neck, the way they had back when they were dating. She yielded to his embrace as her eyes drifted closed in anticipation.
He had a smile on his lips as he kissed her. Soft. Sweet. Slow.
It didn’t have the same spark as that kiss at the diner, but then these were different circumstances. All he knew was that he wanted—no, he needed—to kiss her as often as she’d let him.
When they pulled apart, he wiped away the last few tears glistening on her cheek. “Shall we try this thing again? I hear some things get better with age.”
She didn’t answer, just leaned in for another kiss.
EVERYTHING HURT. MOVING. Breathing. Thinking.
Whatever pain meds the doctors had administered had taken the edge off, but even eighteen hours after the accident, each step to his father-in-law’s car felt stiff and awkward.
Still, no matter how slowly, Declan and Luke had walked away. That was cause for celebration in Declan’s book.
Though Miles chatted with him, keeping him apprised of how everything was at home, Declan’s mind was muddled enough that he didn’t catch it all.
“Hey, Declan?”
The fog in Declan’s mind cleared fractionally as he turned in the sound's direction. “Yeah?”
Miles pointed out Declan’s window. “We’re here.”
Declan followed his gaze and found his house. How screwed up did his brain have to be if he wasn’t even able to tell the car had parked? “Right.”
He moved to open the door, wincing as his bruised and broken ribs protested.
Miles said something about getting out to help him as the front door to the house opened, and his children spilled out of it with Helen following closely on their heels.
Declan got out of the car, leaning on Miles for support when the action winded him.
Helen comforted a whimpering Laney, bouncing the baby on her hip. “You’re home.”
Declan managed a tiny smile. “Apparently I’m more trouble than I’m worth.”
Miles put a hand on Helen’s shoulder and motioned back to the house. “Let’s get the boy inside before we interrogate him.”
Despite his cautioned steps, Declan chuckled. He pressed a hand to his side to placate the screaming nerves that demanded to know why he had dared laugh.
“Does it hurt badly, Daddy?”
Declan winked down at Tabitha, her face lined with worry. “It’s not as bad as it looks, princess. I’ll be fine.”
Doubt reigned over her features, but she fell silent as Luke stood on the steps, uncharacteristically still. “Dad!”
The boy’s eyes welled with tears as he walked over and hugged Declan’s legs ferociously. “You didn’t wake up. I thought you wouldn’t wake up.”
Pinned to where he stood, Declan let go of Tabitha’s hand so he could pat Luke’s back and offer some comfort to the small boy. “Hey, buddy, I’m fine. We’re fine.”
Helen carefully pried Luke from Declan’s legs as Miles and Tabitha helped him get into the living room and onto the couch. Immediately, his two ambulatory children took up positions on either side of him, little Laney reaching her arms to her father.
Declan waved for Helen to hand him the baby, which she did with a look that seemed to communicate her concern about the action.
Though his children hugging his sides was less than comfortable, he wouldn’t change anything for the world. They all needed the comfort of feeling one another’s warmth right now. After a moment had passed, he glanced up at the wall clock. It was just a little after four, and Marissa had texted to say that she was bringing dinner for the family in a little over an hour.
“Hey, guys, I need to talk to you about something, okay?”
Helen and Miles moved to leave, but Declan cleared his throat. “Actually, I’d like you here, too.”
The couple exchanged glances before they sat in armchairs near the couch.
Declan looked down at Tabitha and gently smoothed back her straight blond hair. “I don’t think it’s a secret that the last few weeks have been a little rough. Frankly, I think we have a few more days in the next few months and years that will be tough, too.”
Helen’s gaze dropped to her lap as Miles wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.
Declan smiled softly before he turned
to his kids. “What do you remember most about Mommy?”
Luke’s chubby face was somber as he looked up. “She was always happy.”
Declan squeezed his son closer. “Yeah. I remember that, too.”
“She wanted what was best for us.”
Declan turned a bright smile down to his daughter whose eyes shone with unshed tears. “Yeah. That was the one thing she wanted more than anything else in the world.”
Declan turned to Angie’s parents, giving them a space to speak.
Helen’s voice wobbled. “She was kind.”
Declan nodded, his throat seizing up with emotion. “Without question.”
Miles cleared his throat. “My girl could make everyone laugh like they’d never been sad before.”
Declan grinned. “That’s one thing I loved most about her.”
“Daddy?”
Declan turned to Tabitha, grateful that something more vulnerable and open had replaced the anger. “Yes, princess?”
“Why are we talking about Mommy?”
Declan took a deep breath, wincing when his ribs protested. “You know Marissa’s son, Aiden, was in the car with us in the accident.”
Luke’s eyes grew wide.
Before the kids could worry about his safety, Declan continued. “He’ll be okay. He’s a little banged up, but he’ll heal.”
“Good.”
Declan turned an interested eyebrow toward his eldest. She offered him a shy smile as if to tell him she was trying to be supportive. He squeezed her a little tighter, hoping she could feel how proud he was of her.
“Well, after the accident, Marissa and I talked. She and I were friends a long time ago. In fact, we almost got married back then.”
Tabitha’s eyes widened.
“You mean, Marissa was almost our mommy?”
Declan chuckled. “That’s not really how it works, Luke, but she was almost my wife.”
“Oh.”
Declan glanced over at Angie’s parents, hoping that he wasn’t causing any undue pain in them. “Anyway, after the accident, Marissa and I talked a lot about how much we’ve enjoyed seeing each other. How much we enjoyed spending time with you kids.”
“Is she your girlfriend, Daddy?”
Declan looked down at Tabitha with a lump in his throat. “Yes, sweetheart. She is.”
“Is she going to be our new mommy?”
Declan looked over at Luke, now on his knees as he looked up at his father. “Nobody is going to replace your mommy, Luke. Marissa and Aiden just want to be part of our family for a little while. Maybe a long time. We don’t know for sure.”
“But you love her?”
The question was quiet, but he looked down at Tabitha and nodded. “Yes, sweetheart. I do, and I think your mom would be happy that I’m happy again.”
The seven-year-old chewed on this for a while, and Declan turned his attention to Laney who was crawling off his lap so she could play with something she’d seen on the floor.
Declan looked over at his in-laws. “I want to make sure everyone knows that even though some things are changing, our family’s just growing. You’ll still see Grandma and Grandpa while I’m at work. We’ll just have some movie nights and we’ll go bowling, and once in a while, Marissa and I will go on a date. Sound good?”
Helen took a deep breath, intermingling her fingers with her husband’s before she looked up at Declan. “If it’s okay with you and Marissa, I’d love to watch Aiden with the rest of the kids when you’re on those dates.”
Declan smiled, acknowledging the gesture for the olive branch it was. “I’ll talk it over with Marissa, but I don’t think that would be a problem. Marissa’s parents died when she was young, so Aiden’s never really had grandparents before.”
Luke popped up, regaining some minor piece of his exuberance. “Can we have a movie night with Aiden soon, Daddy?”
Declan winked down at his son. “Tonight soon enough, buddy?”
Luke’s eyes grew wider than Declan had ever seen them before. “Tonight? I gotta put on my running costume.”
As the boy zoomed up the stairs, Declan thanked God again that his son had been spared in the accident. Though Luke was probably sore in a few places, he would have no visible scars from the crash.
Declan's gaze turned to his in-laws. “I hear you met Marissa at the emergency room.”
Helen nodded. “She seems very sweet.”
“I hope you’ll stay a minute longer and let me introduce you properly.”
Helen looked at Miles, who seemed to squeeze her hand in reassurance. “We’d love to, son. Angie trusted your judgment, so we’re sure she’ll be wonderful.”
Declan swallowed down his emotion. “Thanks. I always respected your opinions. Both of you.”
Helen picked Laney up, murmuring something about the toddler’s nap time. Miles also stepped out so he could check on Luke.
Declan turned to Tabitha. “You’re awfully quiet, Tabs. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
The girl just got onto her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m glad you’re safe, Daddy.”
He hugged her back, kissing her cheek. “Are you going to be okay with me dating again?”
His daughter grew thoughtful. “I’m not sure.”
Declan inhaled, his ribs protesting as he held the breath for a moment.
Tabitha offered him a grim smile. “But I’ll try to be respectful.”
Declan released the breath he’d been holding and rubbed the girl’s back. “Glad to hear it.”
FRENZIED FOOTSTEPS woke Declan a moment before the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.”
Declan grunted, a hand to his side, as he sat up and tried to stand. “It’s Marissa.”
Helen turned a worried eye in his direction. “We’ll get the door, Declan. You need your rest.”
He wanted to protest, but his body apparently agreed with her.
There was a tense moment as the door opened, and Declan wished he’d been able to run interference. It was bad enough that Marissa was meeting his kids again so soon after his daughter’s little stunt at the donut shop. Not to mention that she’d met Helen in the emergency room after the accident yesterday. The least he could have done was make sure his was the first face she saw as she entered his house.
“Marissa, it’s good to see you. Please come in.”
To his surprise, Marissa wrapped one arm around Helen’s neck like they were long-lost friends.
What exactly had happened in that hospital lobby?
Luke shuffled and looked at the ground as Aiden followed his mom into the house.
The eight-year-old redhead looked down at the four-year-old, now dressed in his Scarlet Speedster pajamas, and raised a hand. “Hey, buddy, how about a high five until my arm gets better?”
With uncharacteristic caution, Luke raised his hand and clapped it against the older boy’s uninjured one. “Does it hurt bad?”
Aiden managed a brave face. “Nah. Just a little itchy sometimes.”
Marissa looked down at the two family-size bake-at-home pizzas in her hands. “I brought dinner. I hope everyone likes pizza.”
Tabitha glanced over at Declan and then back at Marissa. “I do.”
Marissa turned a maternal smile to the girl. “Then, why don’t you show me where you keep your oven?”
Though the girl was amenable to the idea, Helen took the pizzas from Marissa. “Why don’t you let me do that, dear?”
His mother-in-law gestured toward Declan, and Marissa’s gaze followed. She lit up as she saw him, and his heart flip-flopped. Just like it had when they’d been seventeen.
Miles took her coat and her purse and walked them into the home office on the other side of the house as she made her way to him.
Her knees bumped against his as she sat down in the space between him and the arm of the couch, her eyes scanning his injuries. “How’s the eye?”
He winced. “Why don’t you tell me?”
&nb
sp; She moved to touch the swollen bruise which felt like it covered half his face, even restricting how far he could open his eyelid. Before she actually felt his skin, she thought better of it and pulled away. “It wasn’t quite that purple in the hospital.”
He faked an air of bravado. “You should see the other guy.”
She rested her hand on his chest, attempting to look amused for his sake, before she leaned in and gave him a peck on the lips. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
As much as he appreciated the kiss, he had to admit it felt a little strange getting it in the same house he’d shared with Angie for so many years.
Declan raised an arm so she could sit closer to him, tucked into his side. His nerves screamed at him, and he groaned.
“How long has it been since you had your last dose of pain medication?”
“I don’t know. A couple hours, maybe.”
“And your prescription?”
Declan glanced up to find Miles walking an orange bottle over to him. “Sorry. I had to find a pharmacy with Sunday hours.”
Marissa took the bottle from him and studied the label. She kissed Declan’s cheek. “I’m gonna get you some water, then I want you to take one of these, okay?”
He squeezed her fingers as she stood. “Yes, ma’am.”
Declan turned his attention to Aiden, whose own face held a grimace he was trying to soldier through. “Welcome to the club, kid.”
Aiden glanced up at Declan. “What club?”
“The broken arm club. It’s not one I’d recommend joining, but if you have to—”
Aiden hesitated, looking down at his sling. “Oh, I joined that club a long time ago. Before Marissa was my mom.”
The way he said it made Declan realize it hadn’t just been childhood hijinks, more like it was the reason the kid had been put in the foster system to begin with.
Showing Aiden that he was worthy of the love and belonging Declan associated with family felt more important than ever.
“Luke, you want to show Aiden where we keep our movies? You guys can pick three, and we’ll let Tabitha choose which one she wants to watch out of those three.”
It was the only way he’d got movie nights somewhat fair in his house, and he hoped the system would work with Aiden in the mix.
Sweethearts Old Page 17
