by LeAnn Ashers
She walks over to him and touches his arm. Nurse mode is kicking in. “Are you okay?” she asks Daniel, and he gets another jolt. I look away, letting them have their privacy. Am I a good matchmaker, or what? Michelle almost knocked Daniel on his butt, but she is gorgeous.
“I have to go pick up Dane from the babysitter’s.” Michelle stands up and starts to pick up her plate.
“I will do that.”
She smiles at me sweetly. “It’s weird not doing this myself,” she confesses.
“It was nice seeing you.” She gives me a small hug and then Dave.
She grabs her purse off the couch and walks out the front door. Daniel stares after her. “I’ve got to go too.” He runs out of the room and out the front door.
I push my seat back and go peek out the window that looks out into the front yard. Daniel is standing in front of Michelle. She is looking at him then takes out her cell phone and hands it to him.
Mission accomplished.
Michelle gets in her car and drives away with Daniel following right behind her.
“Baby.”
I look at Dave. He is standing behind me with his arms acrossed over his chest. “Are you spying?”
I gasp in shock. “Me? Never.” I let the curtain fall back and walk over to him. When he grabs me, my hips arch into his and I put my hands on his chest. I smile up at him. His eyes soften as he looks down at me. I love that man so much.
“I love you, Evelyn.”
“I love you too,” I tell him and raise up on my tip-toes for a kiss. Dave grabs my thighs and lifts me off the ground, so I lock my legs around his waist. His lips are fused to mine, kissing softly, lovingly. Then my back hits a wall.
We kiss and kiss. It could be hours, minutes, seconds. All that matters is me being in his arms.
If you had told me six months ago I would have this, I would have told you, you were crazy. I thought I would be alone forever. But Dave came into my life and changed everything for me. This man made me feel for him, and I love him so much it’s crazy.
I am fully and completely happy for the first time in my life. I was happy before, but there was always a void inside of me. Dave filled that.
I break the kiss so I can look at him. I cup his cheek, feeling emotional. “Thank you.”
His face changes to confusion. “What for?”
“For loving me.” I rub my thumb over his cheek, feeling the deep ache in my heart. Nobody should be able to love someone this much.
“Baby, me loving you was the easiest thing I have ever done. It was as easy as breathing. The moment I met you, my world stopped. You became everything. All I see is you. You are my every thought. Loving you was the best thing that ever happened to me.” His eyes tell me everything and more.
“Dave,” I choke out, because what do you say to that? I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on for dear life. The thought of being away from him is excructiating.
He walks with me up the stairs, and I just hug him. I don’t know what to say or do. This man again shcoked me.
My back hits the bed, and I let him go. He lifts me so my head hits the pillow and moves between my legs. He rests his head in the crook of my neck. I drag my hand through his short hair.
We lie together like this for a few minutes, enjoying each other’s company. “Marry me soon,” Dave mutters and then rises up to look at me.
“Justice of the peace is good enough for me.” I want to be married to him just as bad.
“No, you are going to get a wedding, because this will be the first and only time you will ever get married.” He winks and smirks at me.
“Cocky much?”
“Yeah, you seem to like my cock an awful much.”
I gasp and hit him on the shoulder. “I think you will be sleeping on the couch tonight.” I cross my arms over my chest, pretending to be mad.
“Aww.” He sticks his bottom lip out, pouting. Then he moves my crossed arms away from my chest, grabs the bottom of my shirt, and starts to pull it up, but I stop him by holding it to my stomach.
He scoots down my body so he is at face level with my belly, then he pulls my shirt up again and nips at my sides. I laugh and try to push his head away, but he moves to the other side. I laugh louder. His teeth nip there then up to my ribs.
“You give in?” He stops and moves back up my body until his lips are hovering above mine.
“Never.” I bring my lips closer.
Dave flips us over so I am straddling him. I bend down and kiss him fully on the lips. Dave grabs my butt and squeezes.
The bedroom door flies open and bangs against the wall. I scream. Then I still and look at Marcus, then to Dave, who reaches behind him into the headboard. A door opens, and a shotgun hits his hand. I fall to Dave’s side when he cocks the gun, pointing it.
I follow the line of sight of his gun. Marcus is standing at the foot of the bed with a pistol. I gasp and scramble up to my knees, scared. He broke into our house and is standing in the bedroom. Dave moves off the bed and uses his free hand to pull me with him.
“Baby, get behind me and push the button on the wall beside me.”
Dave has his shotgun pointed at Marcus, while Marcus has his pistol on Dave. I push the button on the wall next to the light switch, then I press myself to Dave’s back, clutching his shirt. My body is starting to shake.
“Put the gun down and I won’t fucking blow your brains out right now.”
“You put the gun down.” Marcus laughs evilly, his voice showing no emotion. He has finally gone off the handle.
“Why are you here?” Dave asks in a calm voice. I am not sure how he can manage it right now.
“I am here to take Evelyn home with me. She should be with me.” His voice breaks, and he waves his gun at me. Dave pushes me harder into the wall, out of the line of sight.
“Come on, baby, I need you,” Marcus cries to me, his face crumbling.
“Shh,” Dave whispers to me, so that only I can here. He wants me to stay quiet.
“I would have come sooner, but I just now found out where he lives.” He laughs slightly like it’s a big joke. He scratches his forehead with his gun, reckless. I wouldn’t be surprised if he shot himself.
“Put the gun fucking down!” Sloan and Jonah charge into the room, pointing guns at Marcus.
Marcus looks at the men and then back at me.
“If I can’t have you, no one will.” He points the gun at me and then a shot goes off. Marcus hits the ground, and I see smoke coming out of Dave’s gun. He shot him. I fall down to the floor in complete and utter shock.
Did that just happen?
I hear police sirens outside the house and look over at Marcus, who is lying on the ground. His chest is still moving, but blood is starting to pool around him. Dave is standing beside me. The guys are standing next to the door.
I thought for sure he had backed off. He came out of nowhere. He was going to kill me, but Dave protected me. I push myself up to my feet and wrap my arms around Dave’s waist. He sets the gun down against the wall and wraps his arms tightly around me.
“It’s over, baby,” he soothes me, while police come into the room, guns drawn.
Chapter Ten
The night Marcus was going to kill me changed everything. Dave became overbearingly protective. The guys have amped up all of the security. The shotgun hidden in the compartment without a doubt saved our lives.
The guys are building a fence all around the property, and if someones steps foot over that fence, everyone will know.
“Baby, I want to adopt.”
“You do?” I look over at Dave, shocked. I set the pot I was rinsing down.
“Yeah. So many kids have nothing, and we have so much to give them.”
My heart melts into a pile of goo.
“Okay.” I smile and walk over to him. He grabs my hips and pulls me into him.
~*~
A year later
Dave and I got married at the justice of the peace a we
ek after we decided to adopt. I wanted a ceremony with the kids there.
We have adopted a ten-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl. They will be here any minute. I am pacing in front of the door anxiously.
A beep sounds in the house. I hurry to push the button to open the gate. It opens and a minute later, the car comes to a stop.
“DAVE! They are here!” I scream and open the door. Dave wraps a hand around mine and we walk outside together. The little boy, Caleb, steps out, and the little girl, Brooklyn, steps out beside him.
My kids.
I step off the porch and notice Brooklyn’s eyes lighting up when she notices us.
“Welcome home,” Dave says, and both of their mouths drop in shock. Caleb’s eyes fill with tears, and I open my arms. He runs to me, hugging me tightly, his little body shaking. Brooklyn runs over to Dave, and he picks her up off the ground.
I told them we were adopting them, but I can see on their faces that they didn’t actually believe me. They have been in the system since Brook was a baby. Going from foster home to foster home, wards to the state. Their mom signed her rights over.
“Come on. I have dinner on the table.” I grab Caleb’s hand, and we walk inside, completely forgetting about the social worker.
“I will grab their bags,” Dave says, and Brook takes my free hand.
I push the door open and lead them to the dining room. “You guys sit here. I will bring your food.”
I take the food off the stove and carry it to the dining room table. Once everything is in place, I fill their plates as high as I can. They are too skinny, but won’t be for long if I have anything to do with it. I know they didn’t get to eat as much as they wanted in foster care. Most of the foster care families just take kids in for the money.
I place the plates in front of them, and they both stare at the food like they can’t believe it. Caleb looks up at me. “All of that is ours?”
I smile softly at him and push the hair off his forehead. “Yes, it’s all yours. You can even have seconds. Whatever food is in the kitchen is yours. If you are hungry, tell me and I will make you something.”
“I want some cake,” Brook pipes in, and I grin at my beautiful girl.
“You can have cake.” Dave walks into the room.
“Food’s ready.” He sits down beside Brook, and I sit down beside Caleb.
I reach under the table and grab Daves knee. He looks up at me, and I smile. My heart is full.
“I love you,” I mouth to him.
“I love you too, darlin’.”
Epilogue
Nine years later
“I love you, mom.” Caleb hugs me. I squeeze him as hard as I can. My baby boy is leaving me for college. He should stay home with me always.
“I love you too, Caleb.” I sob against his large shoulder.
“Don’t cry. I will be home on weekends,” he promises. I nod, and he lets me go to move to Dave. Dave is trying to not show emotion. These past few years have been spent with each other and our kids.
“I love you, Dad. You made me the man I am today.” Caleb pulls him into a hug. Dave hugs him tightly with his eyes shut.
“I am proud of you, son.”
Brooklyn walks up beside me and grabs my hand. Even at fourteen years old, my baby girl is a knockout, and I have to say I wish she weren’t. Boys are already staring at her. It’s driving Dave crazy. There are too many overprotective guys surrounding her for them to even get close, but I want her to stay little forever.
Once we met them, we instantly fell in love and no questions were asked. We knew they would be our kids. Sydney and Ethan are grown with kids of their own. Sydney has a son named Carter, who they adopted after they took in Arabella, who is the same age as my Brooklyn. They are best friends.
“Come home on the weekends, Caleb, or I will be down there embarassing you in front of all the ladies,” I tell him sternly, but Caleb smirks at me. He couldn’t care less if I embarrassed him. He is good-looking and knows it.
“I love you, Caleb!” I yell after him as he gets in the truck with Michelle’s son. They are staying in a dorm together.
“Love you too, Mom.” He smiles and slams the door shut. Then he is gone, Dane’s truck thundering down the driveway and out of the gate.
The tears unleash, and I cover my eyes with my hands. I feel Dave wrap his arms around me and hear Brook crying beside me. I reach out and pull her into a hug.
I dread the day when she leaves because Dave may go crazy.
Five Years Later
“Mom, I am home!” Brook calls, and the door slams shut.
I walk out into the living room from the kitchen. I see Brooklyn first and then a guy. Please tell me she didn’t just bring a guy home. Dave is going to flip his shit.
“Hi, baby.” I pretend everything is okay. I walk over to her and then look at the guy. He is wearing pink shorts, a light green shirt, and mocassins. A blue sweater over his shirt is tied at the sleeves. The boyfriend’s eyes look me up and down, his nose sticking up in the air.
This will end horribly.
My baby girl has never dated guys like this. I don’t know why she is starting now.
“Did I hear my baby was here?” I hear Dave, then the kitchen door shuts.
Here we go.
I watch as Dave enters the living room then stops dead in his tracks. He looks to Brook, the guy, and their joined hands. Dave stiffens his shoulders and his eyes narrow and darken. I shake my head no at him, because he is about to loose his top. Did I mention he is a bit overprotective?
Dave stalks over to them, wraps Brook in a hug, and the guy raises his hand for Dave to shake, which he ignores while he pulls Brook away. I put my hand over my mouth.
“Come on, baby, let’s go eat.” He tucks her into his side and walks her into the dining room. I follow behind them, the guy following behind me silently. I pull out a chair and sit down. Dave sits down beside me, and Brook sits down by the guy. I don’t even know his name.
He looks so out of place beside her. Brook is in short shorts and wearing a black Metallica t-shirt.
Everyone fills their plate. I nervously bite my lip. I reach under the table and grab Dave’s crotch, hoping he will get out of his bad mood. He jumps and glares at me. I laugh but smother it quickly.
“So, guy, where do you work?” Dave asks and looks over at him.
“His name is Dante,” Brook pipes in, but I see the amusement all over her face. She didn’t do this to aggravate her dad, did she? I widen my eyes at her, and she winks.
Oh my god.
My mom has created a monster. She has always put my children up to be little hellions.
“Where do you work?” Dave is ready to give him the third degree.
“I am unemployed.” He shrugs and bends down, sniffing at the food. I see Brook narrow her eyes at him.
“How long have you guys been dating?” Dave asks next.
“Just a week,” he answers, and Dave snaps his gaze to Brooklyn. He caught on. Because she wouldn’t bring a guy home like this if they’ve been dating for just a week. She smiles sweetly at him. Dave returns that smile, shaking his head. Anger gone.
Brooklyn slouches over the table so she won’t get food on her, to which Dante puts a hand on her chest, stopping her. Well, more on her breasts. “Don’t slouch. It doesn’t become you.”
“Too bad,” Brooklyn spits at him and does it again. That’s my girl.
I peek at Dave out of the corner of my eye and see him glaring at Dante.
The rest of dinner is spend in silence. All of us are finished but Brooklyn. She reaches forward, grabbing another roll. Since she is short, she has to stand up and bend over.
“Are you asking for it?” Dante says and pinches her butt. Right. In. Front. Of. Us.
My mouth hits the floor.
Dave jumps up, his chair hitting the floor.
Brooklyn’s eyes shoot open wider, and she spins around, punching Dante square on the nose. I hear that god
awful sound of a bone breaking.
“You will never speak to me in such a way again,” she snarls at him and grabs him by the hair, pulling him out of the chair. All 5’2 of her drag him to the front door. I follow after her, with Dave right on our tail.
She throws open the door and pushes him outside. I see him scramble down the steps. Then she walks back inside the house, grabs the cell phone sitting on the arm of the chair, and walks back over to the door, throwing it at him.
“Walk your ass home!” she yells at him and pushes the button on her keychain for the gate.
She walks back inside the house and slams the door. Then she looks at me and Dave. She smoothes her hair down before smiling innocently again. “Mom, what do we have for dessert?”
Unable to help myself, I burst out laughing. Only Brooklyn could go from angry to happy and smiling the next second. Dave joins along. I walk over to him and wrap an arm around his side.
“There is some cake in the kitchen.” She breezes past us. I walk with Dave over to the window and see Caleb outside of the gate in his truck, Dante climbing inside. Poor Dante.
A second later, I watch as Caleb’s door opens and he charges over to the passenger side. He throws the door open and grabs Dante by the shirt, throwing him out of the truck. Then he points down the road, yelling at him.
I feel Dave shaking and look up at him. He is laughing, and I join in. We raised some badass kids.
I wipe my eyes and open the front so I can hug my baby boy.
I love my life, every single second of it. Meeting Dave was the best thing that ever happened to me.
The End
Connect With Me
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Leannashers
Twitter: @LeannAshers
Email: [email protected]
Other Books from LeAnn Ashers
Letting Go (Michelle and Daniel’s book) Coming January 2017
Protecting His Forever: Http://tinyurl.com/jbypqvq
Loving His Forever: Http://tinyurl.com/jmaqhjq
