“Amy…” He reached up and ran a finger down her cheek.
She stiffened. Was he going to take her right there on his mother’s sofa? Oh God! Could she allow him to touch her whenever he wanted too? Her stomach twisted and churned at the sickening thought.
She waited for him to make a move, but he pulled his hand away. Relief washed over her. Maybe he wasn’t so crude as to chance his parents walking in on them.
“Amy, that’s not what I want.”
“Please think about it before you say no. I—” He placed a finger to her lips.
Hanging his head, he wrung his hands. “Having Angel this week has taught me so much. She’s a person, Amy. A living breathing, innocent person.” He looked into her eyes.
Was that a hint of a tear she saw in the corner?
“She refuses to call me Daddy.”
“I don’t know what to say to that. She hardly knows you. Give her time.”
“Oh, she knows me. She hates me. I can’t get her to do anything for me. And Lord knows, I don’t know how to be a father.”
A tear fell down her cheek. She wanted Angel to have a father. Knew she needed one. Maybe Lou would finally step up and take on his responsibility.
“I had a nanny lined up.”
Or, maybe not. She had to stop hoping there was a heart buried in there somewhere.
“But she quit after two days of Angel screaming.”
Tears fell freely thinking about how terrified Angel must have been. “You’ll get the hang of it. She lives with you now and needs you to take care of her.” She sobbed the words through her tears.
“Christ, Amy.” He wiped her eyes with a tenderness she’d never seen in him before. “I won’t get the hang of it. I can’t be a father to her. I have too many issues to deal with right now.”
“You’re not going to dump her on nanny after nanny, are you? Lou, please.” She grabbed him by the arms. “Don’t do this to your flesh and blood.”
“Shh.” He tipped her chin. “I’m not going to do that.”
“Then what are you going to do?” She held her breath and waited.
“She’s not my daughter. She never has been. Oh, I donated the sperm, but nothing else.”
“Don’t talk like that. A girl needs her father. Who’s going to teach her to dance, scare the boys away or walk her down the aisle? All little girls need to feel like they’re Daddy’s little girl.”
“Amy.” He chuckled.
What was so funny? She didn’t find anything funny at all.
“Don’t you see? She has all of those things already.”
“Lou, you’re not making sense. I can’t be those things to her.”
“No. But Gabe can. Gabe is.”
“What are you saying?” Had she heard him right? Was he giving Angel to her and…Gabe?
He took a deep breath. “I’m saying that Gabe loves Angel and she loves him. Who do you think calmed her down?”
“Gabe was here?” Her heart leapt. She wanted to see him, hold him and apologize for pushing him away over the last week.
“Yeah. Who do you think broke my nose?” He pointed to his face and grimaced. “Amy, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything. For tricking you, blaming Gabe, keeping the two of you apart. I’m sorry I’ve deprived Angel of a safe place to live and a warm bed to sleep in.” He cupped her face with one hand. “But mostly, I’m sorry for being crude and violating you. I never should have forced you to…God, I don’t even want to say what I did…I raped you.”
There was no mistaking the tears glistening on his cheeks. “Lou—”
“Hit me, slap me, or yell at me. Something. Anything. I deserve it.”
Stunned, she couldn’t believe her ears. She’d waited five years to hear him say these things. Here it was, happening and she didn’t know what to say. What to do. Or even how she felt. Numb. Numb was a good word. Disbelieving was another.
“I don’t expect you to forgive me. But, I’m signing my rights to Angel away. If you want Gabe—and I know you do—then I won’t stand in your way. You and Angel were always his anyway.” He sighed. “Even though you won’t believe me, I like you, Amy. Gabe couldn’t have found a better woman. I don’t know why I held on to you so tight, but I know Jenna would hate me for what I’ve done to her best friend.”
“What will you do now?”
“I think I’m going to talk to someone. I need to find peace with myself.”
“I think that’s a good plan.” She placed her hand on his knee. “Thank you, Lou.” It didn’t excuse what he’d done, but he was in pain. She didn’t have a lot in this world, but she could show him some compassion. Bending over, she kissed his cheek.
Just then, Dan and Gabe walked in.
Gabe stared at the two of them. She jumped back, but he turned and bolted out the door.
Shit!
She rushed out after him. Finally, Lou was stepping back and she’d hurt Gabe again with a simple act of compassion. But Gabe wouldn’t have seen it that way. He’d never believe that she didn’t want Lou. Her heart raced as her dreams rushed away from her. She had to stop him, make him see she wanted him. “Wait!”
He stopped; his back still to her.
“Gabe.” She ran in front of him and stopped, trying to catch her breath. “That wasn’t what you thought it was. I swear to you.”
Anger flared in his eyes and nostrils, yet he didn’t move. Nor did he say anything.
“Please believe me.”
“Tell me what it was. I’ll believe anything you say. Even if you tell me your lips were not on his cheek, I’ll believe it.”
“Oh.” She let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. “It was a simple thank you for him giving me Angel back.”
“So he really is letting you have her?” He ran his hand down her arm, but pulled away.
She wanted him to hold her, but she feared she’d angered him over the last week by avoiding him. “Yes.”
“I’m happy for you both.” He retrieved his keys from his pocket and continued toward his car.
“Gabe!”
In a split second he was back at her side. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” Pain had replaced the anger in his eyes.
“For calming Angel down.”
“Oh… it was nothing. I couldn’t watch her cry anymore.” He shifted his feet, but before he turned she grabbed his arm.
“But it was something. It was a little girl being soothed by her daddy.”
“What?” Confusion washed over his face.
“Lou’s giving up his rights to her and he won’t stand in our way.” She bit her lip and gathered her strength then continued. “That is…I mean…if you want us.”
“If? Oh, God, Amy!” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. “Of course I want you. You and Angel. How could I not? I love you.”
Swinging her round, he held her so close she became lightheaded. She grew dizzy and laughed with glee until he sat her feet on the ground and thoroughly kissed her lips.
Chapter 15
Fluffing the heart shaped pillow for the fourth time, Gabe stiffened when the doorbell rang. They’re here! Taking one last look around the pink room, he took a deep breath and rushed to the door.
His two beautiful girls stood on the doorstep. They’d never looked prettier than they did standing there with the midmorning sun glistening off their hair. He sighed in relief. This would be the last time either one of them rang the bell. They were home.
He picked up Angel, kissed her pudgy cheek and tickled her tummy. She giggled and squirmed. “Come in, come in.” Excitement raced through his veins.
“I got some papers in the mail I need to talk to you about.”
Shit! Not now. He’d been waiting since before dawn for them to arrive so he could show them their surprise. Sighing, he figured it could wait for a few moments, but not long else he’d explode from the anticipation. “What is it?”
/> “We got the DNA tests back.” Amy held her face emotionless.
His muscles twitched, wondering if it had been bad news. “And?”
“And they can’t confirm which one of you is the father.” She smiled and her radiance lit up the room.
“So even if Lou changes his mind, he has no claim on her anyway. Oh, Amy, that’s perfect news.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips, his heart soaring but itching to get to his news. Grabbing her hand he led her down the hallway.
“Stop, there’s more.” She tugged on his hand.
“It can wait. I’m dying to show you two something.” He stopped in front of the second bedroom and let out a long breath. “Okay, here it is.”
Pushing the door open, Angel let out a squeal and bucked to get down. He placed her on the floor and she dashed inside. “Look Mommy!”
“Oh, Gabe!” Amy grabbed his arm. “It’s so beautiful, but it’s too much.”
“Absolutely not. All little girls need to feel like a princess in their bedroom.”
Amy stepped inside the small frilly space. “How did you do all of this?”
“I confess, after I found the perfect canopy bed, Mom picked out the bedding, curtains and paint color. Dad helped me paint the room while Mom worked her magic on decorating. I didn’t have much time to pull it all together myself. I hope that doesn’t lessen the effect.” He bit his lip and waited. He wanted to please her so much, make all her dreams come true.
“No, it doesn’t. It came from your heart, and the rocking horse is gorgeous. Everything’s wonderful. I’m so glad your parents are okay with me living here.”
“Of course they are. You’ve done nothing wrong and they’re thrilled they’ll get to see Angel a lot more.”
“Mommy, look a tea set. And it’s ready for a party.”
“What?” Amy looked a bit confused.
He tried to contain his grin as he rushed to Angel and pulled her tiny seat out at the small wrought iron table. “For you, m’lady.” She giggled as she sat down and reached for a small covered dish. “Not yet.” He stopped her hand then ushered Amy to a small bench on the other side.
“Gabe, what are you doing?”
He winked at Angel. “I’m giving my girls a tea party in their new home.” Taking the top covers off the small dishes placed in front of them, sweat ran down his back.
“A pink cupcake, Mommy.”
Amy gasped as he took the diamond ring off the top and washed and dried it. He knelt on one knee. “Amy.” He took her shaking left hand as his chest tightened, making it hard for him to breathe. “You’re the light of my world. The very air I breathe. Without you, I’m an empty shell of a man. I love you more with each day. I promise to cherish, protect and honor you. Will you marry me?”
As if she couldn’t talk, she nodded her head while he slipped the golden two carat diamond ring on her delicate finger. She hugged his neck and Angel clapped her hands. After a heated kiss, he turned to Angel; his lips still tingling. He took the small pink heart shaped silver ring and washed and dried it. “Angel, my darling, you’re full of life and you make me smile. I promise to protect and love you. I promise to do all the things a daddy is supposed to do. That is if you will let me. Can I be your daddy?”
“Yes, you may.” She smiled and held out her hand just like Amy had done as he slipped the tiny ring on her right hand. “Can I eat my cupcake now?”
“Angel,” Amy scolded, but he laughed.
“Yes, sweetie, you can have your cupcake.”
Amy took his hand and stood. He followed her to the center of the room.
“That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever experienced. You’ll be a terrific father.”
Not caring if Angel saw, he pulled her in his arms and kissed her beautiful lips. The lips of his bride-to-be. Finally, she’d be living in the home he’d bought and furnished with her in mind. They’d share a bed, wake up next to each other, share breakfast and their whole lives. She dug her hands in the unruly curls he hadn’t had time to get cut off. Their tongues lightly brushed. Fire stirred deep inside his core, but he couldn’t strip her down like he wanted, not just yet. They wouldn’t have the newlywed years to where the house was all theirs and he knew he’d be fine with that, but it would take a while before his libido understood.
“Gabe.”
“Yeah, baby.” His voice deep and husky to his ears. He nibbled on her neck.
She pushed against his chest and stared into his eyes. “I still have something to tell you.”
Taking a few deep breaths, he steadied himself for whatever she had to say. “What is it?”
“You did such a wonderful job with Angel’s room, but…”
“But what?” Was she not pleased fifteen minutes ago? Women could be so fickle.
“But…I’m not sure you’re done redecorating.”
He let out a breath and chuckled. “Is that all? Baby, you can redecorate any room you want. This is our house now.”
“Good, because I want to fix up the third bedroom.”
“Sure, but can I ask what you want to do with it?” If he didn’t watch it, the whole house might be pink and fluffy. He grimaced at the thought and then pushed it out of his mind. As long as Amy was his, he didn’t care what she changed.
“I want to make it a nursery.”
“Why do you want to…?” Nursery! The realization that she didn’t want to fill the room with plants hit him square in the gut. “Are you…?”
She grinned and bit her bottom lip. “Uh, huh. I’m pregnant, and I’m sure it’s yours.”
“Yes! Oh, God, yes!” His heart swelled with pride as he picked her up and swung her around. He placed her feet on the floor and kissed her. Love radiated off the both of them so that the room grew stifling hot. Gasping for breath, he murmured, “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
“Then you’re pleased and you aren’t just saying that to make me feel better about not letting you wear a condom?”
“Oh, Amy. My Amy. I’ve prayed you’d have my baby.” He kissed her lips to reassure her. “I told you I’d never regret anything I did with you.” A scary thought hit him. “How do you feel about it?”
“Wonderful. Excited. Overjoyed.” She blushed a light pink.
“It’s okay to be happy. We’re free to be happy. Free to love each other openly and honestly until death do us part.” And he planned to do just that.
All For An Angel Page 6
