Where Love Lives

by Street, K.

  “Uh-huh.” I kissed him again and Emmy, too. Because how could I not?

  I started to walk out of the room when I remembered the other reason I had come to find him. “Fresh N’ Low does grocery delivery now. I thought about putting in an order so I don’t have to drag Emmy into the grocery store just yet. Do you need anything?”

  “Not that I know of. Grab my credit card out of my wallet. It’s on the dresser.”

  “All right.”

  I went into our bedroom and found Easton’s wallet on the dresser. I opened it up and realized I wasn’t sure which one he wanted me to use. He really needed to organize his wallet. I couldn’t figure out why people shoved all the cards in the same slot when there were multiple to choose from. I withdrew the stack and accidentally pulled out a business card along with them.

  A black card with Fisher Family Law embossed in gold script stared up at me. His wallet fell to the floor, as did the credit cards.

  My head roared with unanswered questions.

  What is this?

  Why does he need it?

  Is he taking her away from me?

  Somewhere in the deepest recesses of my mind, I heard one word.

  It shouted at me louder than any word ever had.

  Run.

  Forty-Three

  Easton

  I quietly closed Emmy’s bedroom door without pulling it all the way shut and went to find Molly. She wasn’t in the kitchen, so I headed to the master bedroom.

  I found her standing near the dresser. My wallet was at her feet along with a few credit cards. Eyes closed and body rigid. Like she was in the midst of a battle, fighting in a war only she could see.

  “Molly?”

  She visibly startled at the sound of her name.

  “What is this?”

  I closed our bedroom door so we didn’t wake Emmy, and I stepped closer.

  “What is what?”

  The skin beneath her unpainted thumbnail had gone white from the death grip she had on a business card.

  One I recognized. One I had completely forgotten I had.

  “I can explain.”

  “You were going to try to take her away from me, weren’t you?”

  “No.”

  “Really? You expect me to believe that?”

  “Yes. Because it’s the truth. I wasn’t going to take her away from you! I wasn’t going to let you take her from me.”

  Shock morphed Molly’s features. “Why would you think I would take her away from you?”

  I looked at her, completely flabbergasted. “How can you ask me that? You run, Molly!” I pointed an accusatory finger in her direction. “You run, and if you ran with Emmy, there wouldn’t be a fucking thing I could do about it because we aren’t married. So, I contacted an attorney months ago, right after I found out you were pregnant, to see what I needed to do to be a part of her life.”

  “You were fighting for her? To be a part of her life?” she asked the questions as though she didn’t quite believe them.

  In that moment, the anger rising inside me dissipated because she didn’t understand, but I finally did. Her mother hadn’t wanted her. She had no idea who her father was. Nobody had ever fought for her. No wonder it didn’t compute. To her, the concept of fighting to be a part of your child’s life was completely foreign.

  My tone softened. “Yes.”

  “You weren’t trying to take her from me?”

  “No. I just couldn’t let you take her away from me.”

  “I wouldn’t do that. Not ever.”

  * * *

  Molly

  I saw it in his eyes. Easton wanted to believe me, but uncertainty loomed in the shadows of his irises. I cupped his face. Stubble from his neatly trimmed beard tickled my palm.

  I was done running.

  For the first time in my life, I laid my heart on the line for a family and a place to call home. I took a deep breath and then said two words.

  Forty-Four

  Easton

  They said that a person’s eyes were the windows to their soul, and I swore, in this moment, I saw into the depths of hers.

  She held my face in her delicate palms. “Ask me.”

  Heart hammering in my chest, I asked, “What?”

  Molly pulled me to her, feathering a kiss over my lips before resting her forehead to mine. “Ask me,” she repeated.

  I didn’t have a speech prepared, and the ring was in my closet. None of that mattered. I dropped to my knees and gripped her hands in mine.

  “I love you with all that I am. We’re stronger because we’ve been broken, and we have come out on the other side. I’ll clean your scrapes, put on your bandages, and tell you I’m proud of you. I promise to hug you every single day and spend the rest of my life making you feel loved and cherished. Will you marry me?”

  Her frame blurred before me as she lowered herself to her knees. She threw her arms around my neck, and I crushed her against me.

  Her voice thick with emotion, she gave me the answer I had been desperate for. “Yes. Yes. A million times, yes.”

  Epilogue

  Molly - Christmas Morning

  Holiday music played low in the background. The lights from the tree cast a soft glow in the living room. Emmy was fast asleep in her little bassinet while I sat on the couch.

  Easton passed me a package from under the tree. “Here. I have something else for you, but it’s at my parents’. I needed my mom’s help.”

  “East, you didn’t need to get me anything. I already have everything I could ever want or need.”

  “Just open it.”

  I carefully opened the beautifully wrapped package and moved the tissue paper aside. Inside was a hardcover edition of Curious George Flies a Kite.

  I lifted it out of the box and ran my hand over the worn cover. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Let’s read it,” he suggested.

  I looked at Emmy. “But she’s sleeping. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?”

  “Nope.”

  “Okay.” I decided to humor him.

  I opened the book to the inside cover and let out a gasp. I blinked, knowing there was no way I was seeing what I thought I was.

  “Is this—how? I don’t understand.”

  I didn’t realize I had been crying until he wiped away a tear.

  “I was on one of those auction sites, and I searched for first editions of the book. One of the sellers posted pictures. I figured the chances were slim that someone else had written the same inscription.”

  For Molly. Love, Gran.

  “Thank you. I just … I can’t—thank you. I love it.” I kissed him through my tears. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, baby.”

  I was amazed at the treasure I held in my hands. I ran my finger over Gran’s handwriting, relishing the connection I felt to her, before I hugged the book to my chest and bawled like a baby.

  * * *

  “Merry Christmas, Molly.” Brent’s voice came from beside me.

  “Merry Christmas. Thank goodness for backup. Can you tell your son he’s being ridiculous?”

  “No can do, sweetheart. I’m just here for my granddaughter.”

  I heard the sound of Emmy’s infant carrier being lifted from the base.

  “Is that too tight?” Easton asked from behind me as he adjusted the blindfold.

  “No. It’s fine, but is this really necessary?”

  “Yep. Don’t move. I need to get the diaper bag.”

  “It’s not like I can see. It’s a safe bet I’m not going anywhere.” I laughed.

  Once we were inside, Easton walked me to the front of his parents’ Christmas tree. I knew this because I’d bumped the tree branch with my leg and made the ornaments jingle.

  There was a rustling sound and people shifting about.

  “All right. On three, take off your blindfold,” Easton instructed. “One … two … three.”

  I lifted the blindfold.

  “Merry
Christmas, Molls!” Paige shrieked.

  “What? Oh my God! You’re here!” I threw myself into her arms.

  My and Paige’s excitement scared my poor daughter, who started crying. I felt bad, but her papa was already calming her down.

  Then, I threw myself into Easton’s arms. “I love you. Thank you so much. You make me so happy.”

  “I love you, baby. You are everything,” he whispered in my ear.

  Then, he gave me a slow, sensual kiss in front of everyone, and I didn’t mind one bit.

  Someone made gagging noises—Saylor.

  Someone else told us to get a room—Paige.

  After the commotion died down, the women headed into the kitchen while the guys remained in the living room.

  “Let me see. Let me see.” Paige grabbed my left hand, inspecting my ring.

  The round aquamarine stone was encircled by smaller diamonds, and additional diamonds lined the platinum band.

  “It’s beautiful, and so are you.”

  “Thank you. I love it.”

  “Caroline, can I help with anything?” I asked.

  Saylor stood behind her mom, holding a finger to her lips. She lifted a no-bake cookie to her mouth.

  “Saylor Rayne, I’m going to tan your hide if you don’t quit eating the cookies.”

  “Mom”—her tone was appalled—“how could you deny your child her one true happiness?”

  She rolled her eyes at her daughter.

  “Ladies”—Saylor held up the tray of cookies—“would you like one?”

  “Yes, please,” Paige and I said in unison.

  “Me, too.” Gram held out her hand.

  “Fine, but when there aren’t any left, I’m going to tell your brother you ate them all, young lady.”

  “You know what East used to tell me when we were kids, Mama?” Saylor put her arm around her mom.

  Caroline looked at her daughter. “What?”

  “Snitches get stitches.”

  We all busted out laughing, even Caroline.

  * * *

  Hours later, after the food was eaten, gifts opened, and leftovers divvied up, we all piled into the family room to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

  Paige and I stood together in the corner of the large room while I swayed with Emmy in my arms, who finally settled after being fussy.

  I glanced at my best friend, surprised to find her glassy stare fixed on me.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Then, why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

  “I’m just so happy for you. If there was ever anyone in the world who deserved a happy ending, it’s you.”

  Happy.

  So, this is what happiness feels like.

  Easton ambled up to my side and wrapped his arms around me from behind. Peering over my shoulder, he asked, “Is she okay?”

  “Yeah. I think it was just a little too much excitement.”

  He moved my hair to the side, kissing my neck and causing goose bumps to dance across my skin.

  “Ugh.” Paige groaned from beside me. “Get a room.” She reached for the baby.

  Easton chuckled.

  I glanced at Paige. “What are you doing?”

  “Kidnapping my niece. What does it look like I’m doing?” She lowered her voice. “If you two don’t stop eye-fucking each other, she’s going to need therapy.”

  I passed my daughter into her arms. “We’ll be right back. If she starts to fuss, come find me.” I could tell by the fullness of my breasts it wouldn’t be long before she needed to nurse again.

  “I got this.” She waved us off.

  Easton took me by the hand and led me to his childhood bedroom. Once inside he closed the door, pressing me against it.

  One of his hands went to my nape while he used the other to angle my head before capturing my lips. Each swipe of his tongue against mine was hot and hungry.

  I wrapped my arms around him.

  The friction of our bodies made my breasts tingle.

  Easton broke the seal of our lips. “Two more weeks.” He panted. “How am I going to survive two more weeks without being inside you?”

  “To my knowledge no man has ever died from a case of blue balls.” My hand drifted low. I cupped his massive erection through his jeans.

  Easton sucked in a breath.

  “Jesus. You’re going to be the death of me.”

  “Only if you’re lucky.”

  If we weren’t on borrowed time, I would’ve dropped to my knees and sucked him off, instead I changed the subject.

  I peered up at him. “What would you say to a summer wedding?”

  He pulled back to look at me. “Are you serious?”

  I nodded.

  His face lit with a smile that nearly knocked me breathless. “As in this coming summer? Six months from now?”

  I nodded again.

  “Fuck, yeah,” he yelled.

  Lifting me into his arms, he spun us around and around in a circle before crashing his lips to mine and lowering my feet back to the floor.

  “I love you, Firefly.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Seconds ticked by as we held on to each other.

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  I pulled away just enough to peer up at him. “For giving me a family and a place to call home.”

  He reached for my hand and placed it over his heart. “Your home is right here, baby. This is where love lives.”

  Acknowledgments

  To God—The first portion.

  Mr. Street, you are more than I deserve. I would be lost without you. Literally. My sense of direction sucks. There is nobody else I’d rather share this journey with, and I’d be hard pressed to find someone else to put up with me. At least all my personalities keep you busy. Being married to me is like sleeping with a different woman every night. If you think about it, you basically won the wife lottery. You are my home; my happily ever after. I will love you until I breathe my last breath, and even then, I’ll love you still. My cup runneth over. P.S. Still Arby’s. Stop arguing with me. You know I’m right.

  Sunshine Girl, you are my favorite human. One day, years from now, and I do mean YEARS, I hope you have a little girl who is just like you, because you’re incredible. Being your mom is a gift. You make me laugh every single day and even when your jokes are at my expense, I can’t be mad because your comedic timing and sarcastic wit are always on point. You are my heart. I love you, Baby Bear, to the moon and back again, plus all the stars in the sky.

  Street Squad, thank you for being the best reader group in the history of the world. You all mean so much to me. I love sharing pieces of my life with you. Thank you for reading my words and patiently waiting for every book. Your excitement makes me giddy.

  My ARC team, Street Elite, thank you so much for taking the time to read and write an honest review. Your passion hits me right in the feels.

  Marni, our friendship is one of my favorite things. I will never be able to thank you for believing in me. It changed my life. You. You changed my life. I love you more than you love chocolate cake.

  Crystal, thank you for your friendship. Having you in my corner has been such an amazing gift. Thank you for always pushing me to dig deeper. I love you more than you hate driving through really bad weather in the wee hours of the morning.

  M & C, thank you for being my family. Thank you for the laughter, the tears, and for always sharing your food. We’ve shared so many moments I’ll always hold close to my heart. Your friendship is everything and I love you both tons.

  Jovana Shirley, you’re a wonderful human and a remarkable editor. I would be lost without you. I’m so grateful for all you do for me. Thank you for taking my words and making them into something I can be proud of.

  Letitia Hasser of Romantic Book Affairs, this cover is amazing. Thank you for dealing with my constant need to tweak all the things.

  Judy Zweif
el, thank you for being such an amazing proofreader. I appreciate you and your mad skills so much.

  Give Me Books Promotions, thank you ladies for all your hard work. You’re a pleasure to work with and I appreciate your attention to detail so much.

  My betas—Crystal, Dani, and Shayne—thank you so much, and I appreciate your time more than you know. You ladies are such a vital part of this journey. Thank you for all that you do for me.

  The rest of the Quad Squad—Brittany, Hazel, and Marisol, thank you for your friendship. I’m so blessed to have you in my life. I love you girls. Thank you for being a sounding board, a safe space, a swift kick in the ass, a voice of reason, and a constant source of support. You ladies are the real deal and I’m blessed to call you my friends.

  To all the bloggers, thank you so much for working tirelessly to support authors. Thank you for the endless hours you spend reading, writing reviews, running your blogs, hosting giveaway, and for promoting authors like me. Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. I see you. I appreciate you.

  To my readers, you are a huge part of why I get to live my dream. When I started this journey, I had serious doubts anyone I didn’t share DNA with would read my words. Y’all, grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. Time is precious and I can’t thank you enough for giving up some of yours to get lost in a story I’ve written. Chase your dreams, y’all. We get one life. Do the thing.

  About the Author

  K. Street has been making up stories since she was old enough to talk and began writing at the tender age of eleven. She resides in central Florida with her husband and daughter, as well as a tiny menagerie of pets; including a dog, a cat, and a bearded dragon. K is a foodie with an affinity for coffee, peach Moscato, and dark chocolate. When she isn’t plotting her next story K enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, chatting with her readers, and cheering on her favorite hockey team, the Chicago Blackhawks.