by Hart, Lea
“How is the baby?”
Giving him a get real look, he waited to answer. “Her name is Isabella, and if you ever cared about her, you would’ve checked in eleven months ago when she was born. Or any time since then.” He started to walk away, but stopped and studied the man that stood between him and adopting Bella. “Sign the papers, Drew. It’s in everyone’s best interest.”
Walking toward his truck, he spotted David leaning up against it. Giving him a nod, he unlocked the doors, and they both climbed in. Turning the engine on, he leaned back and buckled his seatbelt. “Mission accomplished. I’ll bet that he signs the papers and sends them before the end of the week. The idea of everyone knowing what he did scared the shit out of him. Also, the fact that he would be paying child support didn’t make him real happy, either.”
Slapping his friend’s arm in congratulations, David let out a Hooyah. “Damn good day. Do you think the guy has any idea that Lexi is stinking rich because of Instagram?”
“No. I really don’t. I’m not sure if he ever took the time to ask her anything about herself. They were only together for a week, and I have a feeling that he never planned on staying in touch after he left.”
“That’s good luck all around. Let’s hope he remains the asshole that he is and signs and never thinks about them again.”
“Shit, that would be the best outcome to all of this.” Pulling away from the hangar, Laird drove off of North Island. “Thanks for your help, brother. Couldn’t have done it without you.”
Scoffing, David grinned at his friend. “That’s what we do.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
One week later
December
Lexi walked out to the mailbox and pulled out the letters. Going through them, she noticed a fat one from her attorney. She had received a message from him yesterday and hadn’t had a chance to call him back. Her heart started to beat wildly in her chest, and her hands shook as she tried to open the envelope. Pulling out a stack of papers, she sent a word up to God and hoped her prayers had been answered. Scanning the documents quickly, she let out a scream and crouched on the lawn in front of the house. Tears started falling down her face as she cried in relief. The front door flew open. Laird stood there with Bella in his arms. Waving the papers, she tried to form a sentence.
“Are those what I think they are?” Making a couple of big strides, he was at Lexi’s side instantly. Bella started to fuss, and looked like she was working up to a cry. It seemed that watching her mom be upset was unsettling her. “Shh, it’s okay, Bella. I think Mom just got some really good news and she’s happy. Those are tears of joy…I hope.”
Opening her arms, she took Bella and held her tightly against her and nodded her head. “Very good news. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to know that he can never come and make a claim.” Turning her head, she buried her face in Laird’s warm T-shirt and felt his big arm encircle them both. “Thank you, Laird. You became our hero when you helped me out on the road all those months ago, and it seems that you haven’t stopped. I’m not sure what we’ve done to deserve a man like you in our lives, but I’m grateful that we managed it.” Leaning up, she kissed him gently. “I love you, Laird, and I’m forever grateful that I forgot to renew my Triple A membership. Because if I had, we never would’ve met.”
Kissing her back, he felt his heart swell in his chest. “I would like to believe that we would’ve met one way or another. But I’m damn happy that it happened the way it did.”
“Me, too.” Looking down into her daughter’s beautiful face, she beamed. “Next week is Bella’s birthday, and we’ve made it through the first year successfully. There were a couple of tough moments, but we’ve survived and—dare I say it?—thrived.” Kissing her daughter’s head, she squeezed his hand. “We’ve managed to find ourselves a hero, Bella.”
Wrapping them a little tighter, he kissed Lexi on her head and then Bella. “Sweetie, I’m no hero. I’m just a guy who fell in love with you ladies. You do whatever is necessary to love and protect the women in your life. And that’s all I did.”
“I think this calls for a celebration. I’m going to plan a big birthday party for Bella, because we have a lot to celebrate.”
“We sure do. Let’s have it in Ocean Beach because you ladies are going to be moving in and I think it would be a great way to announce that we are now a family.”
“Are you sure that you want to take us on, Laird?”
“Absolutely.” Letting out a loud whoop, he hugged them both tightly.
CHAPTER EIGHT
One week later
Bella’s Party
Laird let out a loud whistle and everyone quieted down and turned in his direction. He stood in front of the table that held Bella’s huge castle birthday cake. “Everyone, gather around, because it’s time for a birthday song for our princess.” Searching the crowd for his girls, he saw Lexi making her way through the group of people gathered to celebrate her daughter’s birthday. “I want to thank everyone for coming and helping us celebrate Bella’s first birthday. Also, I’d like to announce that the girls have agreed to move in and we are going to become a family.” A large cheer from the crowd erupted as Laird held his hands up. “I know it’s hard to believe that I got them to agree to take me on, but somehow it happened.”
Lexi came to stand next to him and beamed up at him. Feeling his arm wrap around her shoulders, she felt like the luckiest woman in the world. She watched her daughter wave her hands and grin at the people nearest to her. Whispering in her ear, she said, “Bella, they came here to help you commemorate your birthday.”
Laird cleared his throat and looked out at the group of people that had come out to celebrate with them today. There were friends of Lexi’s and their families as well as his. “I want everyone here to know that our Bella has the heart of a SEAL. I remember when I was in BUD/S, I had an instructor tell us not to judge a person by the size of their flippers.” Hearing a laugh ripple through the crowd, he knew more than a few of the guys remembered hearing the same thing. “The guy was trying to tell us big guys not to get full of ourselves. Just because we were physically bigger than some of the other guys, it didn’t necessarily guarantee our success. There were more than a few guys who beat me to the shore who were half my size. The thing that I learned most from sixteen years on the Teams was that all that mattered was a person’s will to succeed and the size of their heart. So just remember that about Bella, she’s going to do things at her own pace in her own way and the size of her flippers won’t matter a bit. I also have a feeling that she’s going to need us all to help paddle the boat from time to time.” Staring down at the girls that he loved, he winked. “Take a look out at the crowd, Bella. This is your Team and they will always have your six.”
A large cheer erupted from the people gathered. “Happy Birthday, Bella.” Laird said loudly. Guiding Lexi to the other side of the table, he lit the single candle on top of the large cake. “Are you two ready?”
Lexi glanced up at the man who had come into their lives and given them everything they ever needed and reached up to kiss him. “More than ready. Thank you, Laird.”
“No, sweetie. Thank you for entrusting your and Bella’s happiness to me. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
The people gathered started singing “Happy Birthday” and Bella snuggled into her mom’s arms and considered all of the smiling faces. I guess for a Team they’re not bad. She thought. After all, they’re letting me have cake. Okay, Team, let’s do this.
THE END
Frank
&
Catalina
November 2015
Frank & Catalina
CHAPTER ONE
Frank drove into the parking lot of Catalina’s school, stopping in the space next to Travis’s truck. Climbing out, he called a greeting to his friend. “Are you here to pick up your family?”
“I am.” Walking around the bed of the truck with the family dog on his heels, Travis offered his han
d to Frank and bumped chests. “We just finished packing up the Thanksgiving decorations and Cary put up the Christmas nativity scene. I’m waiting for her to say her goodbyes, and then we’re heading out.”
“I’m here to help Cat with the same thing.” Grabbing a couple of plastic bins out of the back of the truck, he set them down and waved to Cary and baby Sofia as they walked up. “Hi, ladies. Are you ready to have a week of vacation?” He watched the baby clap and drool in response. Holding out his hands for the little girl, he grinned into her chubby face. Cradling the baby against his chest, he rocked back and forth. “Are you guys staying in town or are you heading out to the family ranch?”
Travis shook his head as he watched his daughter smile into Frank’s face. “We’re heading out next Wednesday and staying for a couple of days. We have to let my mom get her hands on the baby; otherwise, we’ll never hear the end of it.”
Kissing the baby’s head, he grinned. “I hope Cat wants to give me a baby next year.” Watching Travis and his family sent an arrow of envy through his chest. He wanted nothing more than to have what they had together. He’d spent the last year showing Cat he was a man worth taking a chance on, and he hoped that their time was coming.
“I think you should see if she wants to date you, first. That would be a good place to start,” Cary responded.
“I think she’s almost there. Who knows? Maybe she’ll feel sorry for me and agree to go out.” Sofia chewed on her hand as she looked up at him, and he wondered if she knew something that he didn’t. The baby seemed to be giving him a “get real” look. “I know that we’re meant for one another, but she doesn’t seem to see it yet.”
“I see you two together, and I think you’re perfect for each other,” Travis responded.
“Thanks, man.” Frank handed the baby back to Travis and picked up his plastic boxes. “I better go in and start helping Cat. I don’t like it when she plunks the chair on top of the desk to put up decorations. I caught her doing it at Halloween, and she promised not to do it again, but I don’t believe her. I like to be there when she changes the classroom around, because then I know she’s safe.”
Patting his shoulder, Cary studied him with a sympathetic smile. “Cat is lucky to have you.”
“Feel free to tell her that as often as you like.” Frank laughed. “Have a good Thanksgiving and I’ll see you guys next week. He picked up the boxes and headed to Cat’s classroom.
********
Catalina stood at the windows of her classroom and watched Frank approach, realizing the moment had come. She’d fought against it for long enough, and it was time to give in and give him a chance. His transformation from man-about-town to a good guy was as complete as it ever was going to be. The truth was that he was a bad boy who was also a good man. He had shown her a hundred times over the last year that he was serious about his intentions. The message her heart was giving her was to stop wasting time. The man had proved himself to be a hero during his many years of service, and it was time to take him seriously. They had established their friendship, and now it was time to see if they had an opportunity at creating something real. The door to her classroom opened, and she greeted him with a big friendly smile. “Thanks for bringing the boxes.”
Hesitating, he looked over his shoulder to see if there was someone behind him who she was beaming at. He’d never been on the receiving end of such a warm greeting from her, and he knew it wasn’t because of the boxes he had in his arms. “Hi. Are you feeling all right?”
“Of course.” Moving toward him, she took the boxes out of his hands and put them on her desk. “Why do you ask?”
“You gave me a big friendly smile, and I don’t think that has ever happened before. Usually, you give me a hard time.” Putting his hand on her forehead, he checked to see if she had a fever. No fever. She seemed to be okay.
“I’ve decided not to resist you anymore.” Glancing up, she felt a shiver of nerves run down her back as the impact of her statement hit her. It was surprising to discover that saying it out loud made her feel anxious. They’d danced around it for the last six months, and finally surrendering to it was overwhelming. Her resistance had become familiar, so giving it up cold-turkey might be harder than she thought. Shaking the nerves off, she squared her shoulders and faced the man who had wanted her for so long. Wouldn’t it be a kicker if he decided he was no longer interested?
Standing there mute was his only response to finally getting the green light from Cat. Everything that he had worked for over the last eight months was within his reach, and he couldn’t get his mind to function. She was fidgeting and he realized that he better come up with something fast because she could change her mind. She looked slightly horrified at finally admitting to how she felt, and he didn’t want to give her the opportunity to take it back. Lunging toward her, he picked her up and twirled her around and yelled, “It’s about damn time.” Her arms circled his neck, and she gazed down at him affectionately. It sure was a welcome change from the way she usually looked at him.
“Let me down.” She laughed.
“Now that I have you in my arms, I don’t think that I’m going to let you go.” He released her slowly and let her slide down. Keeping her within the circle of his arms, he studied her face and smiled like an idiot. “I’ve been stealing sweet kisses from you for the last six months, and if you are sincere about wanting to give us a chance, then I would like you to kiss me.” Pointing to his lips, he grinned and waited. “No more friendly pecks. I want a real kiss from a girl who likes me.”
Tipping her head back, she took a moment to admire his hard, handsome face. Individually, his features were not remarkable, but together, they were devastating. He had sharp cheekbones with a broad forehead and sparkling gray eyes. His short beard and longish hair added to his roguish good looks. For the first time since they met, she had the luxury of running her hand over his face, and when she laid her fingers against his cheek, she felt him rest his face against her hand. “So you want me to give you a kiss?”
“More than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. When I met you a year ago at your sister’s house, I knew that we could have something spectacular together. And I’m damned please to see that you finally agree with me.”
“I had to wait until you gave up your wicked ways. If I recall correctly, you were sleeping with a different woman each night back then. What is it your friends called you? Oh, yeah…man-whore.” Watching his face scrunch up in denial made her laugh. “I’m not going to bring it up again, because you have shown me that you’ve reformed. But let me say that you’re lucky that it only took several months for me to change my mind about you.”
Watching a confident smile grace his mouth, she realized that he’d always called to her senses, and it was a relief to admit it finally. Pressing her lips against his, she felt her stomach drop as her mouth sealed against his and her heart soared. It was better than she’d imagined, and having imagined it a couple of thousand times, she was pleased to see that reality finally outshined her dreams.
His hands gripped her hips and drew her closer against his frame, and he deepened the kiss as he ate at her mouth. The attraction she felt for him was never in question, but whether she could survive it was. Now she didn’t care if she did or not. They snapped together like a lock, fitting perfectly together. Parts lined up, muscles against curves, hard against soft…completion. Lifting her lips from his, she felt him pull her back as he opened her mouth with his and increased the pressure. It felt like it was partly for pleasure, but more of a warning. Like he was letting her know it was about to get hotter and now was her chance to say no. There wasn’t a no left in her, so she kissed him back and angled her head for a closer fit.
Threading his hands through her silky hair as he ravaged her, he let his desire off the chain that had restrained it for the last six months. His mouth sealed against hers as he rubbed his lips over hers and sparks flew. The person that he’d been waiting for had finally let him in, and it b
eat any fantasy he’d ever had about what it would be like between them. Though he’d kissed her sweetly many times over the last several months, this was their first real kiss because she was into it as much as he was. As she opened to him, he pressed in, because that’s what he did. What he was trained to do. Take any small opening and exploit it to his benefit. Before he had time to worry about taking advantage of her, he felt her respond to his touch and his kiss. Fucking heaven on earth. Then she moaned as he ran his hand along the back of her shirt.
The intensity of the kiss quickly raged out of control as she clutched at him. He ate at her madly, and without restraint. The door creaking open was the only thing that saved them from going at it on the floor of her classroom. A loud cough brought them both out of the lust filled haze that they were wrapped up in. Pulling away from one another, they both blinked simultaneously and tipped their heads, waiting for a heartbeat before they released one another. Cat peeked around Frank’s massive shoulders to see the principal of her school standing in the doorway. Holy mother of impropriety. “Hello, Father Finley. You remember Frank Loria, don’t you?”
“Why, of course, my dear. He was a huge help during the fall festival. I think it was his participation in the dunk tank that allowed us to reach our fundraising goals. Those mothers sure enjoyed the opportunity to see your young man in a wet T-shirt.”
“Hello, Father,” Frank finally responded. When he turned around, he made sure that Cat was standing in front of him. He casually let his hand rest on her hip as he smiled at the man. It was the same smile that he had been using for most of his life when he was about to get in trouble for something he’d done. He wasn’t sure why this particular situation was going to cause him trouble, but he was pretty sure that it was in one way or another. “It’s nice to see you again. We were just getting Catalina’s room ready for the holidays.”
