by Lucy Clark
‘Just like that?’
‘Fifteen minutes until the food arrives at your house,’ he persisted, and took Edward’s bag from her. ‘Hey, Edward? Why don’t we take your new car home and show Jeffrey?’
‘Yeah,’ Edward replied, still hyped-up with excitement. Julia sighed. So much for getting him to bed at a reasonable hour. Nevertheless, she would have Zac at her place for dinner to compensate for it.
Before she knew it, she was driving to her house with a chattering three-year-old in the back of the car, with Zac following behind in his Jaguar. When she arrived, Jeffrey’s car was already parked at the kerb and Julia grimaced, knowing full well she’d left her house in a complete mess that morning.
No sooner had they gone inside and said hello to everyone than the doorbell rang with the delivery of their dinner. Julia glanced around the house and realised it was a lot tidier than when she’d left that morning. She looked at Mona, who was in the kitchen making a pot of tea. Yes, Mona’s magic had definitely swept through her house.
Dinner was a casual yet friendly affair as they all ate and talked animatedly. Edward went and found the car Jeffrey had given him the other week and together they all had fun, with Jeffrey and Zac having races up and down the hallway. Edward was laughing and enjoying himself immensely and she didn’t have the heart to put him to bed.
‘He’ll settle down next week,’ Cassandra said as she came over to where Julia was watching them race.
‘How was the physio today?’
Cassandra shrugged. ‘So-so. How was Theatre?’
Julia shrugged. ‘So-so. Patients are fine.’
‘How are you?’ her mother probed.
‘All right. How about another cup of tea? Anyone for tea?’ she asked, and received affirmative replies.
‘I’ll get it, dear,’ Mona said, but Julia cut her off.
‘No. Sit down and relax, Mona. You’ve already helped me far too much this week. Let me at least make you a cup of tea!’ Julia headed into the kitchen and switched the kettle on. She heard a shout of laughter from the other room and smiled. At least everyone was happy.
She yawned and stretched, then jumped in fright as she felt Edward’s car hit the back of her heel. ‘Ow,’ she said, but didn’t turn around. ‘Be careful, Edward. Mummy’s making tea. It’s hot. Out of the kitchen, please.’ The kettle had boiled so she poured the water into the pot. The car hit her heel again. ‘Edward!’ She turned around, her gaze going downward to where her son was supposed to be—but he wasn’t there. Instead, she was looking at Zac’s denim-clad legs. She raised her gaze and looked at him. ‘Sorry. I thought it was Edward.’
Zac butted the car against her heel once more and she shifted. ‘That hurts, Zac.’ She bent down to pick up the car and stopped in mid-bend and froze. There, secured to the top of the antenna of the car, was a diamond ring. She straightened and gasped, her hand over her mouth as her gaze met Zac’s.
He crossed to her side and removed her hand. ‘Marry me,’ he said, and bent his head to kiss her lips. Julia sighed into him, winding her arms about his neck, holding his head firmly in place. She closed her eyes, savouring the way he felt, the way he tasted and the way he made her feel.
Cherished. Adored. Loved.
The kiss turned slow and sensual, rocking her to the very core. His tongue gently traced the outline of her lips, lips that trembled slightly beneath his caress before he pressed his mouth back to hers.
She heard the door to the kitchen close but it was inconsequential when Zac was in her arms and her heart was filled with love.
‘Julia,’ he said when they finally broke apart, ‘your son is amazing. I’m so proud of the job you’ve done of raising him, but it’s only going to get harder and I want to be a part of it.’
Julia waited. Waited for him to say more.
‘Today, while I was playing with him, I realised how much fun I was having. Spending time with you, dating you, has made me feel alive—truly alive—for the first time since Cara and Zoe died. I want to be a part of your life. You and Edward. You make me happy, Julia. You make me think. You make me feel, full stop.’
Julia was amazed at what he was saying. Her emotions were moved and she was so desperately filled with love for him that she found herself speechless.
‘Julia Louise Bolton, I love you. I always have and I always will. The last time you left, it took me years to get over it, even though I kept telling myself it was what I’d wanted. I’m not going to make that same mistake again. I need you in my life. I need to be your husband and I need to be Edward’s father. I want paradise, Julia, and you’re the only person who can give it to me.’ He pressed his lips to hers as though to prove it.
He broke away momentarily and picked up the car, placing it on the bench. He took the ring off the antenna and slipped it onto the third finger of her left hand. ‘Marry me?’ he said again.
Tears filled Julia’s eyes and she bit her lower lip. Her throat was choked up with emotion so she nodded. ‘Yes,’ she finally whispered, only to have her mouth crushed against his in a powerfully possessive kiss.
‘You’re so beautiful,’ he murmured moments later as he kissed her neck before looking at her. ‘Marry me soon, Julia.’
‘As soon as you like.’ She smiled, with pure happiness in her heart.
‘We should tell the others,’ Zac whispered.
‘I think they already have a good idea of what’s going on in here. Someone’s shut the kitchen door to give us a bit of privacy.’
‘Oh. Well, then, we should call Vanessa.’
‘Soon.’ She kissed him again and he didn’t argue.
When they came back up for air, he said, ‘Let’s go show everyone the ring. Edward helped me choose it, you know.’
‘Really? Oh, Zac. I love you.’ Julia kissed him. ‘You’re the best. Thank you. That was really sweet of you. Even though I’m sure he doesn’t completely understand, thank you for including him.’
‘Hey, us males have to stick together.’
‘Can we come in yet?’ Jeffrey asked through the door.
‘Come on in,’ Zac said, kissing Julia quickly before everyone came rushing into the kitchen.
‘Well, it’s about time,’ Jeffrey said after Julia and Zac had declared their news. ‘I knew you two would be perfect for each other.’
Zac and Julia laughed as Zac picked up Edward, including him in their hug. They were going to be a family. At last! Zac kissed Julia—in front of everyone.
‘I knew it,’ Jeffrey said again.
‘And as you know…’ Mona laughed. ‘My Jeffrey is always right!’
Zac kissed Julia again, happier than he’d ever been, knowing that the woman beside him and her son were just as happy. ‘Now, how can we argue with that?’
ISBN: 978-1-4603-5700-2
THE FAMILY HE NEEDS
First North American Publication 2002
Copyright © 2002 by Lucy Clark
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nbsp; Lucy Clark, The Family He Needs
