Resolution (A Golden Beach Novel)

by Kim Loraine

  “Can I see her?” The tremor in his voice would have made him embarrassed, but he couldn’t contain it.

  “She’s in recovery right now, but in an hour or two, we’ll put her in a postpartum care room and you all can be together as a family.”

  His heart gave a stutter at the word family. They were a family. Standing, he shook the doctor’s hand before she left and smiled over at the group of people waiting for news from him. His dad, Michael, Lena, Donovan, and even Sully sat in the ugly green chairs lining the walls.

  “She’s okay.” The ache in his chest eased as he uttered the words and they all smiled in response.

  Donovan stood and crossed the room, clapping him on the shoulder. “Congratulations, man. I’m so fucking happy for you. Tell Lauren congrats for me, will you?”

  “You’re not going to come see Madeline?”

  A sad look crossed Donovan’s face. “Not now. I’ll come by after you three get settled back at home. Bring you some dinner.” He gripped the back of his neck and stared down at his shoes. “I’ve got . . . something I have to do.”

  Nodding, Alex gave his friend a one-armed hug before turning to face the rest of the group. “I’m going to go be with Madeline. Why don’t you guys head home? I’ll call you when she’s up for visitors.”

  After hugs were exchanged, he said his goodbyes and walked toward the nurse’s station, getting Lauren’s room number.

  Although now wasn’t the time, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was never letting her go again. He’d do everything in his power to make her understand the depth of his devotion to her and to Madeline. There was one thing left to do, and as soon as he could, he’d make her his in every way possible.

  ~ ~ ~

  Lauren watched Alex walk along the beach outside of his parents’ house with Madeline strapped to his chest. He talked to her, pointing out at the waves as he dropped kisses on her dark hair. She was three months old, just starting to coo and maybe truly smile, though Lauren wasn’t sure if those grins were amusement or gas. She’d been right about Alex. He was such a fantastic father. He doted on both of them, never letting them go a day without hearing how much he loved them.

  “He’s never been this happy, you know.” Marianne sidled up next to Lauren on the driftwood log she’d chosen as a bench.

  “I don’t think I have either. Your son is an amazing man.”

  Smiling, Marianne took her hand. “I’m so glad he found an equally amazing woman to love him.”

  “I really do.”

  “I know, honey. And we all love you. He’s changed so much since you came into his life. I’m sure you’ve talked about Roxie, but I don’t think even he realized how different he was when he was with her. Their life was never easy, even when it was supposed to be. The work became too much for them both.”

  Tensing, Lauren stared after the man she loved. “It’s not like the movies.”

  “What?”

  “Love. It’s not like the movies. It’s hard, messy, and wonderful. I think I didn’t appreciate that until I met him. I used to think it should always be hearts and flowers, chivalry and happiness. Then I lost him. All of the bad stuff he went through, we went through, has made this so much sweeter.”

  With a gentle squeeze, Marianne let go of her hand and stood. “Good. I’m sure you know that my boy loves with everything he has. I’m glad to know you do, too.”

  Madeline let out a wail as Alex approached making Lauren feel the immediate need to feed her daughter. Standing, she brushed the sand off the back of her pants and met them halfway.

  “She’s hungry.”

  He nodded. “She’s awesome.” Placing his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her close. “Just like her mother.”

  They walked inside, getting the two of them settled as Lauren fed the baby.

  “You need anything?” he asked.

  Shaking her head, she smiled up at him as he leaned down to kiss her. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay. I’ve got to go talk to Michael for a minute, but I’ll be back soon.”

  Laughing, she waved him off. “Go on. I’m not going anywhere. Maddie and I will come find you when she’s all done.”

  She watched him walk away, loving what his fitted jeans did for his rear. They hadn’t been together in so long. She wanted him in the worst way. Truthfully, it went so far beyond the need for a physical connection. She wanted everything he could give her. Forever.

  After Maddie finished eating, Lauren changed her diaper and settled her in the portable crib they’d set up in the guest room. She needed a little alone time with Alex. Even if it was just a walk in the quiet, with only the waves as their soundtrack.

  As though Marianne could read her mind, she came over and took Lauren’s arm. “Why don’t you and Alex spend some time together outside? I’ll keep an eye on my new grand baby.”

  Smiling, Lauren nodded. “I just settled her in the guest room.”

  “Perfect. I need to get some snuggles in with that little angel. You two made the most beautiful child.”

  As Marianne headed down the hall toward Maddie, Lauren sought out Alex. He was standing with his back to her in the kitchen, in the midst of a conversation with Lena and Michael.

  “Can I steal him away from you two for a bit?” she asked.

  The answering smile on Alex’s face made her blush. He’d clearly missed her as much as she’d missed him.

  Wrapping an arm around her, he kissed her cheek and murmured, “Let’s go walk on the beach.”

  As they walked together, she noticed his jaw was clenched tightly, posture stiff as though something was on his mind.

  “You look a little lost in thought up there.” She craned her neck in an exaggerated jab at their height differences.

  Shaking his head, he stopped them in their tracks and turned her in his arms, placing her in front of him. The sun was just sinking below the horizon, bathing them in warm hues of copper and gold. Staring into his blue-green eyes, she found herself lost in his face which held such fierce intensity as he gazed at her.

  “Lauren, you’ve changed me. I don’t know who I would be if it weren’t for you. I don’t—” His voice broke and he sighed, emotion swirling in his eyes as he clearly struggled with the words he wanted to say. Pulling a piece of paper from his pocket, he handed it to her with shaking fingers. “I’m not sure I can get this all out without fucking it up.”

  Amusement tickled her lips, making them threaten to quirk up in a grin. She knew that was the last thing he needed at the moment. He had something serious he needed to say. Her gaze flicked to the folded paper in her hands.

  “Read it,” he whispered.

  Unfolding the letter, she gasped as she saw the familiar handwriting, this time addressed to her.

  Lauren,

  I’ve probably lost my words and handed this letter over to you by now. If not, then I’m more confident than I thought. There is so much I need to tell you but can’t find the right way to express. I wrote this letter over and over, trying to get it right, to make it somehow reach the depth of my love for you. I can’t. All I can do is show you. I want to do that. I want to show you how much I love you by being there every day, every minute, every second possible. I don’t want to spend any more time without you being mine in every sense of the word.

  You’ve given me a family.

  You’ve given me hope.

  But most of all, you’ve given me you.

  I never thought I’d be able to pick up my broken pieces and put them back together. And I was right. I couldn’t do it. You did. You put each shard back where it belonged and made it more by loving me.

  Marry me, Lauren. Spend your days writing our love story—one that never has an end.

  Always yours

 
Hot tears fell onto the paper, dotting the ink and distorting the words. Her heart was so full she could barely breathe. As she lowered the letter, she caught sight of him down on one knee, the waves crashing behind him.

  “Please say yes, baby? I don’t think I can take it if you don’t.”

  Breath hitching, she tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. All she could do was nod as she dropped to her knees and crushed her lips to his. His hands went to her hair, tangling in the wild mane as he cupped the back of her head and held her.

  Pulling away, he took her face in his hands and smiled. “So, that’s a yes?”

  “Yes, you crazy man. Did you really think I wouldn’t marry you?”

  He reached in his pocket and pulled out a delicate rose gold engagement ring. She watched as he slid it on her finger, the diamond in the center catching the last rays of sunlight and sparkling brilliantly.

  “I sure as hell hoped so. I love you and I never want to let you go. I want you to have the same name as our kids—as me.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “Kids? As in . . . more than one?”

  With a smirk, he stood, pulling her with him. “You were so fucking sexy with my baby growing inside you. I can’t wait to knock you up again.”

  His teasing glance assured her he was kidding, but the idea of having another baby with this man made her heart sing. She wanted it all; the big family, the laughter, the love, the story.

  Epilogue

  Nine months later

  Alex stood at the altar, hands folded in front of him, feigning composure. He hadn’t seen Lauren in over twenty-four hours at his mother’s insistence. For God’s sake, it’s not like they’d never slept together. They had a one-year-old. But he had to admit, the anticipation made this even sweeter as the music began to play.

  Two little girls, his niece Meg and his beautiful daughter made their way slowly down the aisle. Meg had the flower girl thing down pat as she tossed handfuls of rose petals with every step. Maddie, on the other hand wasn’t so convinced she should give up her flowers. She wobbled on her feet, her puffy white dress engulfing her little legs, and took one petal at a time out of the basket, carefully placing each one on the aisle runner.

  The small crowd chuckled and the church filled with crooning people all charmed by his little girl. Finally, when Maddie was halfway down the aisle, Lena stepped in and scooped her niece up, carrying her the rest of the way. He watched half of his heart as she babbled and smiled at him from across the room, unable to fathom how he could be this happy.

  Then the congregation stood and turned to face the door, the music stopped and he let out a surprised laugh when, instead of the traditional “Here Comes the Bride”, Garrett Donalson walked in and began playing the guitar while singing a rendition of The Avett Brothers’ “If It’s the Beaches.”

  His chest swelled when Lauren appeared, looking like an angel with her dress glowing in the light that streamed through the windows behind her. Garrett sang about old love letters while Lauren walked down the aisle, and Alex couldn’t stop smiling, knowing why she’d chosen this song. When she finally reached him, his hands gripped hers and he knew he’d never have a love stronger than the one he had with her.

  Also by Kim Loraine and Soul Mate Publishing:

  RESTORATION

  After the tragic death of her fiancé, Grace McConnell turns to the only remaining constant in her life, her work. So when she’s offered the lead position for an international restoration project, she jumps at the chance to get away from her small town, full of John’s memories.

  Drew Tensley has always been a hard worker. Dedicated to his family and community, he put aside his own London career to take over the family business after his mother’s terminal diagnosis. Five years later, he’s ready to start living for himself when he literally runs into his hometown’s newest architect.

  Grace quickly discovers that traveling halfway across the world was the best decision she’s ever made. Until she meets Drew, a man whose personality and lifestyle are the exact opposite of John’s, but whose face is the spitting image. Struggling with her own motivations and feelings, research uncovers secrets she isn’t ready for; secrets that could ruin her second chance for true love.

  Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/nfxo38x

  RENOVATION

  Valerie Peters is done with bad boys and ready to start living for herself. She’s determined to settle for nothing less than a romantic, sweeps-you-off-your-feet, nice-guy. So when a sexy firefighter with the hottest reputation in town saves her from near-drowning, there’s no doubt he’s everything she shouldn't want.

  Donovan’s looks and image have kept his nights entertaining and his ring finger empty. One-night stands serve as a short-term distraction to the flashbacks of his past he increasingly struggles to ignore. But a chance encounter with his best friend’s sister makes him realize that one night is no longer enough.

  Together they discover that bad can actually be the best and forever is worth everything.

  Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/jqzgeh7

  RESONANCE

  Fame . . .

  It’s all Angela Peters has wanted for the last twelve years. Determined to keep their focus on their band, Panic Station, she and Garrett made a pact that they’d never sleep together. No relationships. No distractions. Now, on the brink of getting everything she wants, she wakes up in bed with her drummer the day before their big tour begins, a recipe for disaster.

  Love . . .

  Garrett Donalson has been in love with Angela since they were twelve years old. The moment she broke their pact, he thought he’d finally found his forever with her. Unfortunately, the road to success is paved with lies and deceit, leaving Garrett fighting to keep the girl he’s wanted for so long.

  Sometimes holding on to what you have is harder than getting what you want.

  Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/j3g4jgq

  FOUNDATION

  (A GOLDEN BEACH NOVELLA)

  Grace and Drew are finally married and ready to begin their happily ever after. Drew’s expanding his business; Grace finds out she’s pregnant. Life couldn’t be more perfect.

  But secrets, lies, and questions about the past get in the way. And before they know it, everything is on the line.

  Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/hdvzfbu

  REDEMPTION

  Sparks may fly in the bedroom, but fire always brings destruction.

  Golden Beach firefighter Lieutenant Michael Oliver has everything he wants: a beautiful wife, a job he loves, and a future that finally looks bright after years of darkness. Until one day a surprise from his past shows up, throwing everything he’d finally recovered from back in his face.

  Lena Shirakawa married the man of her dreams in an impulsive Vegas wedding. As a free-spirited and highly sought-after travel photographer, being the wife of a firefighter who wants her to settle down isn’t easy. Especially when her job takes her all over the world for months at a time.

  When Lena’s deep-rooted fears take hold, the damage is done and divorce seems the only option. But Michael won't give up, even if it means risking everything to keep her.

  Available on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/hxx8lej