A Family Divided (Dividing Line #3)

by Heather Atkinson

  Amber was shocked by the state he was in. “Mikey, are you okay?”

  “Rachel was in a car accident. She lost the baby.”

  Amber’s hand flew to her mouth and tears welled in her eyes. “What happened?”

  “A van ran into her.”

  “Oh my God. Come in.”

  He was grateful for the invitation and stepped inside, feeling a little better already.

  “Do you want a drink?”

  “Please. Do you have any beer?”

  “Sorry no, I’m not drinking.”

  “That’s alright. You’re being sensible.”

  “If you want I can get some in for you?”

  He smiled, touched by her sweetness. His world was so ugly and it was nice to have someone so soft and gentle in it. “I’ll bring some next time I come.”

  “I can get you a tea or coffee?”

  “Black coffee would be great thanks.”

  She fetched them a coffee each and took the armchair while he sat on the couch. Mikey was disappointed, he wanted her closer.

  “Poor Rachel,” she said sadly. “She was so excited about the baby.”

  “I know, she and Ryan love kids.”

  “I was so surprised when I met her. I expected her to be mean and scary but she was so nice.”

  “Rachel is nice. She’ll do anything to help anyone.” He wondered if that was why this had happened. “I didn’t show the scan picture to anyone, it didn’t seem right. Her baby was a boy too.”

  “You did the right thing, that wouldn’t have been very tactful. It can wait.” Amber had been pleased with his reaction at the scan, he’d been so excited. Mikey Maguire just kept on surprising her.

  “What happened to Rachel got me worrying about you,” he said.

  “I can’t drive.”

  “I know but be careful, won’t you?”

  “I am careful.”

  “If you want to go anywhere I can drive you.”

  “That’s very kind but the bus stop is just at the end of the road.”

  “There are weirdos on buses.”

  “Mikey, you can’t wrap me in cotton wool. There’s always a risk with pregnancy. Even if I do everything right, which I am, things could still go wrong.”

  “Rachel lost a baby a few years ago, when she was married to Danny. She was only three months gone then and that devastated her but this time she had to have a caesarean because she was in a coma when labour started.”

  “Coma?” she said, startled.

  “She’s awake now, it was severe concussion. He’s a proper little baby.”

  Amber was so tender-hearted, so empathic she started to cry. “That’s awful.”

  Mikey perched on the arm of the chair beside her and wrapped his arm around her.

  “She’ll get through it, she’s tough and her and Ryan are so solid.”

  She looked up at him and Mikey’s breath was stolen by how beautiful her green eyes were as they sparkled with tears.

  “I don’t know how you ever get over something like that.”

  He wiped away her tears with the tips of his thumbs. “Sorry, I didn’t come here to upset you.”

  “I’m glad you did come.”

  “I like being here with you.”

  “I thought you’d see me as a pest.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’ve been forced into this.”

  “Rachel told me things don’t always work out the way you plan, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I want to be a dad and I’m glad you’re the mum.”

  Her big eyes blinked with astonishment. “You are?”

  “You’ll be a great mum, you’re so soft and sweet.” He cupped her face, letting his thumbs move down to her neck, gently stroking. “My life is so dark and ugly and you’re like a shining light.”

  She stared at him with her mouth open. Once again he’d surprised her. She had no idea he was so poetic.

  Gently he kissed her and, just as he’d suspected, she tasted sweet and smelt of vanilla.

  When their lips parted her eyes slowly slid open. “What are you doing Mikey?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You don’t need to do this because of the baby.”

  “I’m not. I’m doing it because I want to. I like you Amber.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes,” he smiled before kissing her again.

  This time she didn’t hold back and kissed him enthusiastically. Mikey pulled her onto his lap and slid into the chair with her, holding her tight. She gasped when he started to kiss her neck, she’d never felt anything like it. She hadn’t had a lot of sexual experience, mainly uncomfortable fumblings. The first and only time they’d slept together he’d been drunk and it had been over very quickly and what he was making her feel now just by kissing her neck eclipsed that moment entirely. His big hands moved under her t-shirt, gently stroking, causing a wetness between her legs.

  “You’re so soft all over,” he said. “You’re skin’s like cream.” She blushed, making him smile. “Can I see more of you?” he said, indicating the t-shirt.

  She hesitated before nodding and raised her arms so he could pull the t-shirt off. Mikey went instantly hard at the sight of her creamy breasts spilling out of a lacy white bra. Amber felt the movement of him beneath her and gasped with surprise.

  “You’ve not had much experience with men, have you?”

  “No,” she replied in a small voice.

  Mikey was furious at her father for using her the way he had. Amber was no avaricious slag, she was sweet and timid and deserved better. He ran his fingers over the swell of her breasts and she released a sigh of pleasure that made him dizzy with lust.

  “You’re so beautiful Amber.”

  “You must have beautiful women throwing themselves at you every day.”

  “I do but it doesn’t mean I’m interested in them.”

  He started to kiss her breasts, sliding down the straps of her bra. When he took one of her nipples between his lips she cried out, her hands going into his hair, keeping him there. She squirmed with excitement on his lap, causing him to moan loudly. He unhooked it entirely and cast it aside, giving him full access to her big pale breasts. His other hand pressed between her legs and she gripped onto him tightly, letting her head fall back as she pressed her hips harder against his hand.

  “Does that feel good?” he said.

  “Yes,” she groaned.

  “I suppose I wasn’t very impressive when we slept together?”

  Although his grin was self-deprecating, she had no wish to hurt him. “I wouldn’t say that. You have a beautiful body.”

  “But I didn’t put it to its best use.” His hand pressed a little harder and she moaned louder, her fingers digging into his shoulders. “Let me show you what I can do.”

  She was sorely tempted, she’d never felt so excited in her life, her body screaming for satisfaction, which she was certain he could give. “I’d like that but…”

  “But what?”

  “I don’t want you to think you can come here when you feel like sex and go again.” It took her a lot to say this to him, but she was determined to stick up for herself.

  “I wouldn’t do that to you. I can get sex easily if I want but I’m tired of that way of life. I want it to be with someone who means something to me.”

  “Do I mean something to you?”

  “Yes, you do,” he smiled, letting his fingers run over her little cupid’s bow mouth. “We’re going to have a baby together and I like you. Right now, you’re the only good thing in my life and I want to be with you.”

  “Okay,” she smiled.

  “Really?”

  She nodded, exhaling nervously. “Just be gentle, because of this one,” she said, indicating her stomach.

  He covered her abdomen with one large hand. “I will.”

  He scooped her up, carried her into the bedroom and lay her back on the bed, which was as soft and sweet smelling as her. She
gazed up at him nervously as he slid her maternity pants down her slender legs, laughing when he removed her socks one by one and cast them over his shoulder with a grin. Her instinct was to wrap her arms around her nakedness, but he wouldn’t let her.

  “Don’t be ashamed of yourself, you’re gorgeous.”

  She smiled up at him. “It’s not fair if I’m the only one naked. Wait, can I do it?” she said when he started to unbutton his shirt.

  “If you want.”

  She pushed herself upright and knelt before him while he sat back on his haunches and watched her unbutton his shirt. With his girlfriends in the past it had always been passionate and furious, tearing off each other’s clothes and shagging in a variety of different positions, but this was so tender, so warm the difference astounded him. When her eyes flicked up to his, bright with passion and full of uncertainty, something deep inside him raised its head and smiled. Had he finally found someone he could fall in love with?

  Amber slid the shirt off his shoulders and he cast it to the floor. She hesitated before raising her hands to touch him, making him groan.

  “You’re hands are so hot. Oh God,” he moaned when she started to kiss his chest, running his fingers through her long curly hair, not surprised by how soft it was. His hand moved inside her panties and he was delighted by how wet she was. She whimpered into his chest as he started to caress her and her lips moved up his neck to his mouth, kissing him hard, eagerly sucking on his tongue.

  “You’re going to come, aren’t you?” he said when the room filled with her breathy moans.

  “Yes,” she cried before her body shook and shuddered. When the orgasm left her she slumped forwards onto him. With one hand he’d given her the most pleasure she’d ever had in her life.

  Mikey lay her back on the bed and propped himself up on one elbow beside her. “Are you okay?”

  “Fine,” she smiled languidly. “Sorry, I didn’t hold out very long.”

  “It’s alright. Have a rest because we’re not done yet.”

  “We’re not?”

  “Oh no, not by a long way.”

  She looked down the length of his body to the large bulge in his jeans and bit her lip at the prospect of what he could make her feel. She unzipped his jeans and slid her hand inside. Mikey closed his eyes and let himself enjoy the feel of that hot little hand. He removed her panties, positioned his face between her legs and slid his tongue inside her.

  “Mikey,” she yelled. This was a first for her. “That’s so good.”

  “Every part of you tastes sweet,” he said, raising his head and sliding himself up her body to her mouth. She found the taste of herself on his lips highly erotic and kissed him hard. He pushed inside her gently, determined to go slow because of the baby.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” she replied shakily, smiling up at him, loving how hard and strong his body was.

  For the first time in his life, Mikey made slow gentle love to someone, his gaze fixated on hers, feeling a connection with a woman he didn’t think possible.

  They came together, Mikey mesmerised by her green eyes that changed colour according to how she was feeling. They glittered up at him like emeralds as her body convulsed, pushing her breasts up to him, her cries filling his ears as he went rigid over her.

  When it was over Amber half expected him to dress and leave but instead he lay beside her and pulled her into his arms.

  “I hope I’ve proved myself?” he said into her hair.

  Amber heard the doubt in his voice and wondered how such a powerful, impressive man could be so unsure of himself. “Oh yes, more than once. That was amazing.”

  “Do you think we should give it a go?”

  She looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean us. We’ve done things in the wrong order so I thought we could start by going out on a date.”

  “A date?”

  “How about I take you out for dinner tomorrow night?”

  “Okay.”

  “You don’t sound very sure.”

  “I’m just surprised.”

  “Why?”

  “I thought you’d see me as a nuisance, set me up in this flat then forget about me and the baby.”

  “I couldn’t do that, I could never turn my back on a child of mine,” he said, thinking of his own past. “And there’s something you don’t know about the night we first slept together. I remember looking across the room and seeing you in the crowd and thinking you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Unfortunately I was really pissed but if I’d been more myself that night I would have asked you out for dinner anyway. In typical me style I’ve done things arse about face but that’s no reason why we can’t date, is it?”

  “I suppose not.”

  “So, will you let me take you to dinner?”

  “Okay then,” she smiled.

  “Where do you want to go?” he said, raising her hand to his lips and kissing it.

  “I don’t know, I’ve not eaten at many restaurants.”

  “You should be spoilt.”

  “I don’t want you to keep giving me things Mikey. I’ve not had much in my life so I know I don’t need trinkets. My dad wants your money, but I don’t.”

  “You’ll at least let me take you out for a meal?”

  “Yes,” she smiled coyly.

  “What do you like?”

  “Chinese.”

  “I know a great place. Seven thirty tomorrow okay?”

  “Fine.”

  “I don’t have to be anywhere for an hour or so. What shall we do to pass the time?” he said with a wicked grin, making her giggle.

  CHAPTER 15

  Rachel was released from hospital two days later. As she slowly limped through the doors she kept looking back over her shoulder.

  “I don’t want to leave Thomas in there, all alone,” she said.

  “He’s not alone, he’s got the nurses to look after him,” replied Ryan.

  She planted her feet and refused to budge. “I can’t leave him.”

  “We’ve no choice,” he said, desperate to get out of there.

  “I can’t.”

  He took her arm and tried to lead her away. “Come on.”

  She shook him off. “No. I don’t want to go without my baby.”

  “Rachel, get in the car,” he yelled at her in frustration.

  She gazed up at him, stunned, eyes filled with hurt.

  “God I’m sorry,” he said, pulling her into his chest and hugging her, relieved when she hugged him back. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

  “Me neither.”

  He tilted her face up to his. “I understand how hard this if for you, believe me, but we have to leave him. There’s nothing else we can do.”

  She nodded, wiping away her tears. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Come on.”

  He took her hand and she followed him across the car park to his waiting Range Rover. Because of her injuries he had to help her up into it and gently fastened the seatbelt around her. She kept her gaze fixed on the hospital until it receded from view then drifted into melancholy silence. Ryan was grateful he was driving because it meant he could think about something mundane for a while, it stopped him thinking about everything else. That was how he was getting through it, concentrating on the everyday, living moment by moment, praying that at some point in the future the agony would let up.

  They were both dismayed when they walked into the house to find the entire Maguire clan present, including the children running about and shouting. Gill and Rick gave them a helpless look.

  “Oh God, this is the last thing I want,” sighed Rachel.

  Gill hurried up to them. “I’m so sorry, they just barged in,” she said, looking stricken.

  “It’s okay Mum. I know what they’re like.” Rachel was getting sick of the sight of the Maguires.

  Alfie raced about the room, chasing his younger cousins, almost running into Rachel.
r />   “That’s it, the lot of you, out,” roared Ryan.

  Silence descended on the room, Ethan’s lower lip wobbling. It wasn’t often he heard his daddy shout.

  “We’ve come to help,” said Alex.

  “You think this is helping, coming home to this mad house?” Ryan’s eyes were flinty, his face like granite. “Please leave.”

  “He’s right,” said Martina. “We should have known you’d want some peace and quiet. Sorry but Maguires band together in times of trouble.”

  “We’re not Maguires, we’re Laws,” hissed Ryan.

  There was another embarrassed silence before Beth rounded up her kids and led them out, pausing to kiss Rachel on the cheek.

  “Call me when you’re ready.”

  “I will. Thanks,” said Rachel, torn between relief that they were leaving and mortification at Ryan’s reaction.

  They all quietly filed out, Mikey pausing to give Rachel a hug. He had so much to tell her but it would have to wait, he could hardly thrust his happiness in her face after the loss she’d just suffered. She clung onto him for a moment, enjoying his comforting presence before releasing him. Martina patted her on the cheek and Alex gave her arm a gentle squeeze. They all thought it best to give Ryan a wide berth, who glared at them as they passed.

  “I didn’t mean you two,” said Ryan when Gill and Rick went for their coats. “Just that shower. You’re always welcome here. You’re not Maguires.”

  Gill smiled with relief and replaced her coat on its hook. “I’m glad about that.”

  Leah approached Ryan reluctantly. “Daddy, are you alright?”

  Tears prickled his eyes. “Yes Cupcake, I am.”

  She ran at him and threw her arms around his waist. He hugged her tightly and bent over to kiss the top of her head. Aaron wanted Rachel to pick him up but she lacked the strength, still feeling very tender, the stitches in her stomach aching, so Gill picked him up instead.

  “Sit yourself down Love, I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

  Rachel slowly lowered herself onto the couch, wincing. Ryan sat beside her, Leah curling up into a ball beside him and nestling into the crook of his arm. Ethan, not really understanding what was going on, went to play with his little brother in the corner. Rachel took Ryan’s hand and - although he grasped it tightly - he didn’t look at her, contenting himself with staring into space instead. She almost burst into tears when her dad sat beside her and gave her a hug. She nuzzled into him, just like Leah was cuddling into Ryan, feeling like a scared little girl again.