Ben & Matilda- Infinite Promise

by Tania De Melo

  The Adair Series

  Ben & Matilda

  Infinite Promise

  Tania De Melo

  The Adair Series: Ben & Matilda – Infinite Promise is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2019 Tania De Melo

  All Rights Reserved.

  First Edition

  Chapter One

  -Matilda-

  Eight years. Eight long stressful years. Four years of undergrad, and another four of medical school. Yep, eight years. I’m now just a few months shy of twenty-seven, and can’t wait to start my adult life. Living nearly a decade as a college student was really starting to get old while my friends have moved on to starting families, acquiring mortgages and buying SUV’s to stow away their growing families. But, all in all, I guess it was a small price to pay to get where I am today—a doctor. Sure, I still have another few years to go with my residency as an OB/GYN. But now I can feel like an adult and maybe look to settling down myself, yet another task needing to be penciled into my daunting schedule—make time for human interaction with the opposite sex.

  Yes, I am that person. The one who meticulously plans every moment as though my life depended on it, because it does...well, at least my sanity anyway. I need to be organized with the minimal free time I have. After years with my nose in the books, I am now moving to have my time monopolized by working away in a hospital, hopefully under the tutelage of some of the best doctors in their field.

  My phone rings from on my nightstand, the ID flashing with five of the most mischievous little grins...my nephews. Five of them. Boys. And another one on the way...also a boy. My sister honestly needs to invest in cable, or take up a hobby outside of the house and away from a bedroom...not that it would make a difference. My brother-in-law, Liam, is not averse to PDA. If Gwen is near, you can count on her being lovingly wrapped in his arms, even after ten years.

  Definition of relationship goals: Liam and Gwen. Not that it’s been all roses and double rainbows. They have definitely had their share of down’s along with their up’s, but no matter what it may be, they tackle it together and come out even stronger because of it.

  “Hello,” I greet.

  “Auntie Ati, is this you?”

  I let out a chuckle. “Hi, Tommy. Yes, this is me. What’s going on?”

  There’s a little clutter on the other end, then the sound of chair legs being dragged on the floor. “Um, not much. What’cha doing?”

  “I’m just finishing up the packing. Getting ready to come home to my boys.”

  There’s muffled noise in the background, and Tommy yells out. “Cut it out. I’m on the phone.”

  “Wha, wha, wha,” I hear another little voice mock.

  “Ethan—” Tommy scolds, then the phone must fall from his hands, making a clunk as it hits what I am assuming is the floor.

  “Hello. Helloo,” I call out.

  A quiet shuffle, followed by a click of a door, then crunch, crunch, crunch.

  “Hello, who do I have now?” I ask with a chuckle.

  “Me!” Crunch, crunch, crunch.

  There’s no mistaking that soft rasp—it’s three-year-old Sammy. “Hello, Sammy. What are you doing?”

  “Eatin’ eerio’s.” Crunch, crunch, crunch.

  “Mmm, that sounds yummy.”

  “Yep.” Crunch, crunch, crunch.

  “Sammy, sweetie, is mommy there?”

  “Yep.” Crunch, crunch, crunch.

  “Can I talk to her?”

  “Nope.” Crunch, crunch, crunch.

  I let out a laugh. “Why not?”

  Crunch, crunch, crunch. Click, and the phone goes dead. Little bugger hung up on me. I let out another chuckle, and a smile crosses my face—I can’t wait to see them.

  I’ve finished packing my bags for my journey back home. Back to where my heart is. To my family. Back to the whole insane lot of them. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen most of them. After earning my Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon, I was accepted at Stanford Medical school, so, I packed up and moved to California. My sister, Gwen, her husband Liam, and their boys would visit a couple times a year. Thea and Grace, two of my closest friends, came here a couple of times for a girl’s getaway. But, I long to be there with them again, the way it used to be. I spent my whole life away from my family, the better part of which was in boarding schools until I moved to Emerson to be with my sister. Now, I want to go back. It’s time for me to go back. Back to the place where I left my heart that many years ago—with him.

  I’m not naive. I’m fully aware that he has probably moved on. The, he, being Ben Adair. My first love. My first heartbreak. My first reality check that real life is not a romance novel with a happily ever after. But he had an impact on my life. One that I can now appreciate. When we ended things, it wasn’t on the best of terms, and I regret that. Even though it ended, and for reasons, I only over the past couple of years came to understand. I still wish we had been able to remain friends. In each other’s lives. It’s my one regret, not having him in my life over these years. Our love taught me so much, and for that, I am grateful.

  My phone sounds again with the same beautiful picture from before. “Hello!”

  “Hey, Ati.” Gwen’s sweet voice chimes from the other end. I can hear the exhaustion idly hanging there, but seven months pregnant and mothering five growing boys, who wouldn’t be tired.

  “I see Sammy gave you the phone.”

  She sighs. “No, I found it ringing under a heap of cheerios in the pantry when Liam called.” I can’t hold it in, no matter how hard I bite my lip to stop the laughter. “Laugh now, little sister. You will soon be joining this house of madness, and once they suck you in... there’s no way to escape them.”

  “Oh, come on. They can’t be that bad?” I say.

  “Pfft...you’ll see,” she replies.

  I smile to myself. “Yeah, but you wouldn’t change it.”

  “Not in a million years...these boys are my life—” She covers the phone. “Thomas Aldric Adair, you let your brother out of that headlock right now,” There’s a pause, then Gwen removes her hand. “Yep, wouldn’t change it for the world.”

  “Tommy and Ethan?” I ask.

  “Who else? Those two are always roughhousing. I blame it on their genes—no way around it. Anyway, while I have you on the phone. Kai will be picking you up from the airport. Liam has to work, and me alone with the boys in a car for over four hours will not end up well.”

  “I can take a cab, Gwen.”

  “No way. Besides, Kai offered. Ginny is away with the boys for a few days looking after things with the company, so he’s kind of bored with the house being so quiet,” Gwen mentions.

  My eyes open wide. Gwen may have her hands full with her five, but Kai and Ginny’s three boys make Gwen and Liam’s, seem like perfect little angels—chaos on wheels, those three are. “She’s a brave woman that one.”

  “Yeah, but it was either take them along or leave them with Kai. She wanted a house that was still standing when she returned, so she opted for the former.”

  I snicker. “I’m surprised she left Kai unattended. He may be worse than the boys.”

  “Oh no, she’s got her bases covered. Maia’s going over every day to check on things and to make sure Kai isn’t trying to rig up another zipline in the backyard, or something else he considers to be an essential part of the boys ‘emergent learning’”

  Locking up the last of my bags, I smile knowing that soon I will be there amids
t all this havoc...with my family.

  ***

  When I exit the gates at the baggage claim, I am greeted by Kai donning a toothy grin, a chauffeur hat, and holding a sign covered in glitter letters reading, Welcome home, Ati.

  I walk toward this insanely large bearded man and can’t help but laugh at the sight of him. “Where on earth did you get that hat?”

  His smile grows wider. “I stole it out of the boy’s toy box. The sign, if you’re wondering, is compliments of the craft hour my mother planned to keep me out of trouble.”

  “Smart woman,” I reply.

  He shrugs. “Not too sure about that. She was left with a shitload of glitter all over her kitchen that’s going to take her weeks to get cleaned.” He drops the sign to one hand, wrapping his other arm around my shoulder, bringing me in for a hug. “It’s good to see you, kid. We’ve missed you.”

  I give him a squeeze. “I’ve missed you all too, and Kai, in case you missed it, I’m not a kid anymore.”

  He lets out a chuckle. “Yeah, no, I didn’t miss it. But to me, you will always be the little googly-eyed teenager that was sneaking into my brother’s room when no one was around.”

  A pinch of nostalgia hits my stomach as a quick flash of the memory of that time runs through my head. A time when Ben and I would lay innocently in his bed just talking about our future together. Okay, there may have been some kissing involved, but it was all very PG.

  We make our way to the parking garage where Kai’s truck is parked. He throws my luggage in the back, and then we hop in and head out. As we make our way to the highway, I turn to Kai. “So, how is Ben?”

  He doesn’t look directly toward me, but I don’t miss the slight shift of his eyes in my direction. “He’s good. Busy with taking over the business from our dad, but good.”

  “Good,” I reply.

  “Mmmhmm.”

  I sit quietly, biting my lip, trying to ask the one question I really want to, but Kai seems to be a mind reader. “I don’t know,” he lets out.

  “Don’t know what?” I ask with feigned innocence, not fooling him at all.

  He looks to me, brow raised. “I don’t know if he’s seeing anyone.”

  A flash of heat surges through me, most definitely turning my face a pretty shade of crimson. “Why would you think I wanted to know that?”

  “You can try and get one by me, but it’s not going to work. It’s written all over your face.” He lets out a laugh. “Shit, my little brother must have some magic touch to have you still pining over him.”

  “I am not pining over him...I’m just curious.”

  “Mmmhmm.”

  I let out a huff and turn to look out the window. I’m not curious...not really. I think this whole move back home is bringing up a lot of old feelings...unresolved feelings. Ones I could never seem to get out of my system, for the one man, I could never get out of my mind.

  After another couple of hours and some light conversation, we pull up to the Adair home. The home that Maia and Aldric built to raise their family, and now where Gwen and Liam are raising theirs. This home holds so many good memories for me, as well as some I would rather forget. Especially the one where my eighteen-year-old self had her heart shattered by someone who promised to love her forever.

  “Let’s rock ‘n’ roll! The troops have been rallied and are patiently awaiting your arrival,” Kai says as he turns the engine off.

  A snicker escapes my lips. “Patiently?”

  He lets out a belly-filled laugh. “Well, my kids aren’t here to fuel the fire, so it's a possibility.”

  His laugh continues as I look to him with a smile. There’s no missing the sparkle in his eyes as he mentions his boys. He’s proud, and rightfully so. They may be a handful, but the times I have been with those kids, I couldn't help but laugh. The never-ending hugs and kisses were also a bonus.

  Kai grabs my bags out of the back of the truck, and we make our way in through the backyard. It’s been a while since I’ve entered this back door, and as I step over the threshold, a calmness falls over me...even with the echo of hoots and hollers that seem to be getting closer.

  “She’s here! She’s here!” The jovial cries are called out in harmony from three little blurs flying toward me, and another, dutifully sauntering behind.

  Then Gwen appears in the doorway, very pregnant holding the fifth little one and beaming with a smile from ear to ear. “Welcome Home,” she greets, making her way toward me, strategically maneuvering herself around the cluster at my legs. “Boys, stop pawing at your Aunt...give her a minute.”

  She wraps her free arm around me, leaving a soft peck on my cheek. “How was the flight?”

  “It was good. I spent more time checking in and getting through the line here, then the flight actually took.”

  Gwen steps back, almost tripping over Sammy, who is standing there with his eyes locked on me, chomping away on a cookie. I set my purse down and bend to swoop him up into my arms. “Hey, little guy.” He only grunts in reply while he locks his eyes with mine continuing to devour the little soggy parcel in his hand. “That good, eh?” I let out a chuckle, cover him with a couple quick kisses, then lower him back to the ground. He wastes no time to turn and head in the direction his three older brothers had jetted off to.

  “I saved you a plate from dinner, it’s in the microwave.” She turns to Kai, “There’s a plate for you as well.”

  Kai smiles. “You are the best. I could eat a horse.”

  “Yeah, well, I don’t know how much is left. Sammy got into it in the five seconds it took me to grab the cellophane wrap to cover it.”

  “That kid’s going to be a beast when he gets older,” Kai comments with a snicker.

  “Oh, I know. He’s already catching up to Cal.” Gwen turns back to me. “You probably want to freshen up a little first.”

  “Yes, that would be great,” I reply.

  “The nursery is in a shambles right now, so I’ve moved Sammy in with Isaac; you can have his room. There are fresh towels in the en suite.”

  I shake my head. “No, I don’t want to put the boys out. I can stay in the garage apartment if it’s available.”

  Gwen’s eyes flicker with hesitation. “Um, actually, it’s kind of occupied at the moment.”

  “Oh, you rented it out?”

  She looks to Kai, the whole while, he has a sly grin plastered across his face. He offers her a shrug, then turns back to his plate. Gwen looks to me. “Uh, not really rented.”

  “Okay, but someone’s living there?”

  “Mmmhmm,” she hums with a nod.

  She’s acting strangely. I turn to Kai, and he’s just driving food into his mouth and snickering. I let out a sigh and look my sister right in the eye. “Is there something I should know that you don’t want to tell me.”

  Gwen clears her throat and straightens her shoulders as though she’s preparing for battle. “Ben’s living in the garage apartment.”

  The words flew out of her mouth so fast I barely made them out...barely! “He’s living here?”

  “Yeah. He moved in when he took over the business, but just until he finishes building the house.”

  My brows turn up in surprise. “He’s building a house?”

  Gwen shrugs. “Well, he is a building contractor. It would be silly for him not to.” She lets out a sigh. “Look, I would have told you before, but I didn’t want you staying in a hotel somewhere until you found an apartment in Gary. Besides, he’s never here. Between the build and what he has going on with work, he’s gone early in the morning and returning late at night. Between your schedule and his, you most likely won’t ever run into each other.”

  I plaster on a broad smile across my lips, one I know is not fooling my sister. “It’s fine, really. I hope I do get a chance to say hello sometime, it’s been so long.” I clear my throat and try to swallow past the lump that has inconveniently lodge itself there. “Well, I’m just going to head up. I shouldn’t take long.” I turn
and grab the smaller of my bags I know is carrying my toiletries and a comfy change of clothes and head to the stairs.

  When I reach the bedroom that used to once belong to Thea, I softly shut the door behind me, releasing the breath I had been holding since downstairs—He lives here!

  That’s okay. Like Gwen said, with our schedules, the chance of us crossing paths will be unlikely. And, if by chance we should, we’re both adults now, I’m sure we will be cordial. Ugh, who am I kidding, Kai was right, I have been pining over Ben.

  Question is...am I pining over the man or the memory of who he used to be?

  Chapter Two

  -Ben-

  It’s midnight when I pull up to the house. All the lights are off other than the one shining over the top doorway to the garage apartment—my living quarters for the next while until my house is done being built. It would have been done by now, should have been done, but I keep stalling on that last bit of detail. Kitchen cabinets, flooring, countertops...paint color. My mother had given me suggestions, all of which were great, but I still can’t seem to make a choice. I have to do something soon though, I can’t take much more of leaving at four in the morning and returning late hours just so I can juggle it all, along with all the work currently underway at the new Jobsite.

  I make my way through the back gate, heading along the pathway that leads to the apartment stairs. When I reach the bottom, I notice the light to the kitchen is on. I take a couple steps toward the window, and instantly my breath is taken away.

  It can’t be.

  I really need to get to bed. My eyes are starting to play tricks on me. But I don’t move, because even if this is an illusion, it’s one I don’t want to walk away from just yet. Before me, sitting by the counter, golden hair draped around her shoulders, is the vision that has been filling my dreams for as long as I can remember.

  No matter how much I try to stop the dreams, they still come to me every night. They act as a constant reminder of a decision I made—a decision to let her go. It’s been eight years since I pushed her out of my life, and eight years that no matter how often I wine and dine other women, or bring them home to share my bed, the longing for her remains. I know she has moved on, yet I can’t help but wonder if she feels the same void I do. An emptiness that pains me every day when I remember what used to fill it. I guess she was never truly mine; the endless obstacles we had to navigate around making sure of that. But still, I hold onto the hope that one day, I will have this angel with me once again…My Angel. That the promise I made to love her forever will reunite us...The infinite promise that she will always have my heart, my love, and my soul.