Winning Her Love

by Hazel Gower

  The light in his eyes dimmed. “You mean give you more time. Olivia seems to be happy to have me here all the time now. I have a room for her at the house. I want to make it her room. I’d love to do a princess themed room with my daughter. I’ve missed out on so much. I don’t want to miss any more of her growing up.”

  Narrowing her eyes on him, she sighed. “That was a low blow.”

  “Will you at least leave clothes and your girlie products at my place? Have some of Olivia’s things there?”

  That she could do. “Yes, we’ll leave some of our things there. If you want to do a room at your place for Olivia, you can, but right now I think it’s best if I keep this place too.”

  “Awesome.”

  Lana laughed. She’d never heard a man so happy about a woman leaving her clothes and girlie products at his house, and wanting to do a princess room for his daughter. She kissed him, savoring his masculine taste. She loved Chad, but she was starting to fall in love with him.

  Chapter 5

  Wednesdays and Fridays Lana only worked half days as she worked Saturdays, but this Friday Lana was working a full day to make up for having Saturday off so she could go to Chad’s game. Olivia was happy that she was spending the day with her and Chad’s family. She was so excited to see her daddy at work. Lana still had to pay the weekend care group as she hadn’t given them the two weeks’ notice they required, but Chad had paid, arguing with her that Olivia was his child and he should be paying her child maintenance. Lana had stopped arguing and let Chad pay. After all, she was going to his Rugby League game.

  Lana thought she could do both as she only worked until midday on Saturday but Steph had told her that game days they had a routine. The family started at their parents’ house, getting ready together before they went in three cars to the game. Lana had pointed out that she didn’t feel right intruding on a ritual when Chad wouldn’t even be there as he would be at the ground early getting ready with his team. But Steph wouldn’t take no for an answer and Ann, her boss, didn’t mind as they had nothing booked.

  Her shift had just finished and Ann was packing up and told Lana to leave and have a wonderful weekend. Getting into her car, she drove the five minutes to Olivia’s daycare and picked her up and then drove the ten minutes to her house and parked in her driveway. She got out of the car and gathered a sleeping Olivia in her arms and jiggled her around as she let herself into her house just as the phone rang. Rushing to it, she leaned down, careful of Olivia, and pressed speaker. “Hello.”

  “Oh, you’re alive.”

  Lana rolled her eyes at her mother’s dramatic comment. “Hi, Mum.”

  “Lana, I’ve been calling you for the last couple of days. You never pick up your phone. Is everything all right? Olivia okay? Is there a reason you’re not calling me back, or has it got to do with you seeing someone?”

  Groaning, Lana mumbled, “Give me a minute, Mum. I just need to put Olivia in her bed. I’ll be right back.”

  “Fine, but be prepared to talk.”

  She walked down the hallway to Olivia’s room and gently placed her in bed before she went back and picked up the phone and went to her room. She toed off her high heels on a groan. “Mum, can I call you back? I just got home from work, and I’m dying for a shower.”

  “I’ll call you back in fifteen, honey. I got a good phone deal so I could talk to you and my grandbaby. I’ll make myself a coffee and a sandwich.”

  “Thanks.” She hung up and quickly got undressed and in the shower.

  She washed her hair and basked in the feeling of the hot water rushing over her exhausted body. When she was done she got out and dressed in baggy, comfortable clothes. The phone rang just as she started combing her hair.

  Getting on the bed she put the phone on speaker and sat it next to her as she got comfortable. “I’m sorry I haven’t called, Mum. You said you’ve been calling? I’ll have to check my message bank as I didn’t get your missed calls.”

  “Is there a reason why you haven’t called?”

  Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly, ready to tell her mum about Chad. Lana knew her mum wouldn’t be happy she was dating Chad, because she thought all of Steph’s brothers were rouges and Rugby League was a rough, and an unseemly, sport. “Yeah, I have started dating again.”

  “Oh, this is great, and who have you been seeing? What is he like with Olivia?”

  “Chad Douglas. You know him. He’s Steph’s brother, the one who plays Rugby League.”

  “Really, Lana, that boy is always in the papers or on the news, getting in trouble, and he seems to have a different woman clinging off him every time.” She made a tsking sound. “He isn’t boyfriend material. Don’t you want one of those? Richard doesn’t count because he likes men. Think of Olivia. You don’t want her around a man like him. I thought Olivia had made you grow up some but hearing this I’m worried. I think you should come home. I can have a ticket for you and Olivia on the next flight back to England.”

  “Mum! Mum, stop. You need to stop and listen. First off, you don’t get the Australian paper anymore to know if Chad is in it. Secondly, I’m young. If this doesn’t work out with Chad, I have plenty of time to have a proper boyfriend. But to tell you the truth, I think you’re being a bit harsh. Chad has been great to me since I’ve known him…all the Douglases have. I know you’re worried about me and want me back in England, close to you, but I think you need to hear me out before you judge.”

  Her mother was quiet for a moment before she said, “You’re right.”

  “Mum, I really didn’t want to tell you this over the phone, but I suppose there is no other way as England is too far to travel for just a short visit.” Taking a deep breath, Lana slowly let it out. “I found out who Olivia’s father is.” Lana closed her eyes and searched within for the courage to tell her mum. She didn’t think her mum would be angry about who Olivia’s father was, she’d probably feel the same as Lana, embarrassed she hadn’t figured it out sooner, especially with Olivia being the spitting image of Chad, but a female version. Opening her eyes, she stared at the vanity with pictures of her and Olivia. “Chad...Chad Douglas is Olivia’s father.”

  Her mother was quiet on the other end of the line for what felt like an eternity. “I should have known. Now that you’ve told me I can’t believe I didn’t see it before. I mean, I shouldn’t even be surprised—he was always with you and Steph. I just thought he was a really good big brother, but now it makes sense why a ten years older male would happily chauffeur his sister and her friends around. Why he would take the place of your missing dates to take you to your prom and formal.”

  Yep, it should have been obvious, but Lana hadn’t realized it either. Now that her mother had stated things it really should have been a big neon sign saying Chad Douglas was into her and he was Olivia’s father. “I know, Mum. I feel so stupid for not seeing the resemblance.”

  Her mother sighed. “I’m sorry, Lana. I feel like the worst mother for not noticing. I knew you had a thing for him, but I thought it was just a silly crush. I never thought anything would come of it. You told me how Steph felt about her friends going out with her brothers. Steph...how does she feel about all this?”

  Lana relaxed back into the bed, she hadn’t realized how tense she was. She was so happy her mother wasn’t upset with her or disappointed. It was times like this when she needed to talk and get advice that she missed her mother and hated living so far away. “Steph is actually good. I’m a bit angry at her. She knew how her brother felt, and I know she knew how I felt, and she didn’t say anything. Mum, I’ve kept Olivia away from her father. I’ve kept her away from her other family. They have missed so much, and I feel so guilty.” Lana couldn’t stop the tears as they fell and her body shook.

  “Oh, honey, why didn’t you call me sooner?”

  A hiccup escaped. “I don’t know. Everything has happened so fast, and things are changing and I barely have time to catch my breath. Chad wants to be with me, but I feel s
o guilty. His whole family is being fantastic, and it just makes me feel worse. Then I feel angry because if someone had told me that Chad felt the same way I did, Olivia wouldn’t have gone close to three years without a father or her other grandparents. I thought I was over Chad, but now that I see him and am with him, I don’t know if I am, if I ever will be. That’s just to start off with. I’m trying to be grown up and deal with my issues on my own, but now that I’m talking to you I feel like a child who has no idea what she’s doing or going to do.”

  “Lana, I’m your mother. You can call me anytime. I may not like your actions, but I will always support you when you need it and give you advice, even when you don’t want it.”

  Lana chuckled. She wondered why she hadn’t spoken to her mother sooner. “Thanks, Mum. I love you.”

  “I love you too, sweetheart. So do you want to hear about what your sister Alisa has been up to?”

  Alisa was the baby of the family at seventeen, and had a big mouth that didn’t know how to stay quiet. She was in her last year at school and was Little Miss Popular. Alisa was the opposite of Lana, into sports and always moving. She wasn’t the book type, and she didn’t have the concentration to work on a flower bouquet for an hour or so. No, Alisa was full of life, always on the go.

  “Sure. What has she done now?”

  * * * *

  Chad knew he shouldn’t be listening to Lana and her mother, but he couldn’t help himself. When he’d heard his name he’d frozen and listened.

  He’d been on his way home and had promised Olivia he would pick up her lion from the house. Lana and Olivia were supposed to be coming straight to his house, so he was surprised to see her car in the driveway. When he let himself in he checked on his daughter to find her sleeping and walked down to the main bedroom and heard talking.

  He stared at the gap in the slightly open door as he tried to process everything he heard. Lana was reeling from how fast everything was happening, but for him things weren’t happening fast enough. He wanted his woman and his child with him for good. He wanted Lana with his ring on her finger and the same last name. He wanted his daughter to have his last name. He wanted the whole world to know they were his.

  Chad didn’t want Lana to feel guilty. It was equally both their faults that this whole thing turned out like it had. He should have told her how he felt, but he was unsure of himself. Lana was the only woman who could do that to him. He regretted not going after her. If he had, he would have known his daughter sooner. Olivia was a surprise, but any time with her was a blessing. He was mad at first that he’d missed out on nearly three years of his daughter’s life, but after he’d thought about it he realized she was a gift and if he kept getting angry at what he missed he might miss out on being with her now.

  Chad hoped Lana never got over him, because he’d never get over her. He didn’t want to give Lana up. He had an easiness with Lana that he’d never had with anyone else. He had been with many women, but he’d never had what he had with Lana.

  Straightening his shoulders, he walked into the room. Lana smiled as soon as she saw him and her arms came out for him to come to her. His worries that she might not want to be with him vanished, and he went to her, sitting beside her, and gathered her into his embrace. Breathing in her fresh flowers scent, he kissed her neck and whispered, “Hey, angel.”

  Lana snuggled back against him, and he listened as she said her goodbyes to her mother, promising to call back in a couple of days, at a time when Olivia was awake.

  When Lana hung up he basked in the silence for a moment and the feel of her in his arms. “Sooo… I thought we were staying at my house. I have a game tomorrow, remember?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m tired and on auto-pilot, so I just came home.”

  Chad could see the dark circles under Lana’s eyes and he felt terrible. Was he why she was tired and not sleeping? Maybe he was being too demanding. Every time he was with her he wanted her, but he thought she wanted him and was keeping up. “Angel, why didn’t you say something?”

  She snuggled into his embrace. “It’s not you. I’ve just been going nonstop since I came back to Australia.”

  “Tonight you can relax. I’ll order take-out and I’ll bathe and sort Olivia. You can sit back and read.”

  Lana sat up and gazed at him. “You need rest. You have the first game tomorrow. I can’t let you do all that.”

  “Yes, you can. Olivia is my daughter, I should be helping more. I can do this. Please. Promise you’ll let me do this all by myself.”

  Lana studied him, and he tried to portray a face that showed he was up to doing what he said. Slowly, she nodded. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

  “I can do it. How hard is it to order dinner and bathe and be with my daughter?”

  A huge grin came over Lana’s face.

  * * * *

  Lana tried to feel guilty as she watched Olivia run wet around the house, hiding from her father. Lana had offered to help several times, especially since Olivia seemed full of energy and excited that her father was there, but Chad had insisted time and again he could do it.

  A naked, giggling little girl ran back toward the bathroom as a soaking wet Chad chased after her. Lana bit her cheek to stop from breaking into a fit of laughter.

  “Got you.” Chad growled.

  Olivia squealed. “Daddy. Daddy, yous all wet.” And she giggled some more.

  “I know. A little princess thought she was a fish and splashed everywhere.”

  “Not a fish, a mermaid.”

  Lana listened as Olivia told her father about The Little Mermaid, and that she had PJs with Ariel on them.

  Twenty-five minutes later a ragged looking Chad came out with Olivia dragging him. When Olivia saw Lana she let go of Chad and ran to her. Lana gathered her daughter into her embrace and hugged her tight.

  “Looks, Mummy. Daddy bathed me and dressed me. He even did my hair.”

  A chuckled escaped as she looked at her daughter’s hair, an attempt at what Lana thought was a plait had been made. Lana grinned at Chad as he turned a shade of pink under her gaze and mumbled, “She said I had to do a plait.”

  Lana raised her eyebrow at the had, Olivia already had her father wrapped around her little finger. Kissing her daughter’s head, she lingered, breathing in her baby smell. “Why don’t you go and get your special cup ready for your glass of milk while I get a towel to dry Daddy.”

  Olivia jumped off her lap and ran to the kitchen.

  “Oh God, she’s still running. All she has done since she woke up is run and be a ball of energy.” Chad plonked himself on the sofa.

  “This is what she’s like every afternoon and night.” Lana walked down the hall and got a towel from the closet. Walking back to an exhausted Chad, she handed him the towel.

  Chad slowly sat up, groaning. “You make it look so easy.”

  This time Lana couldn’t hold in her laughter. “I’ve had practice.” Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and sat down. “You’re doing great. Olivia is a lot more hyper because you’re doing this all by yourself tonight. I haven’t helped. Besides your parents, my mother, and my sister, no one else but me has done the nightly ritual before.”

  Olivia came in with a cup in one hand and struggling to hold the milk with the other. “I help. I brought the milk.”

  Lana jumped up and grabbed the milk before Olivia dropped it. “Thank you, baby girl. You’re such a big helper. Right, Daddy?”

  Chad looked startled for a moment until he realized she was talking to him. “Yeah, that’s right, um…Mummy.”

  Olivia beamed at them both and held her cup out. Lana opened the milk and poured a small amount in. She walked to the kitchen and put the milk away, coming back to find Olivia on Chad’s lap and her babbling on about what they were going to do to the room at Chad’s house.

  Lana watched as Chad focused all his attention on their daughter. He didn’t tell her no when she said she wanted a princess tower or when she said she wanted eve
rything pink. He asked her about the bedding, and of course, that was going to be pink with princesses on it. Chad listened to Olivia like she was the center of his world, and Lana’s heart soared. Chad was making it very hard to not fall utterly in love with him. If she hadn’t already.

  Later that night Lana sighed in contentment as Chad snuggled her in bed, kissing her, and before he fell asleep, exhausted, he whispered, “Thank you. Olivia is perfect. You have done an amazing job.”

  She knew her daughter was perfect, but to hear Chad tell her she had done a great job filled her with pride and love. She hugged Chad and knew she’d never leave him.

  * * * *

  Lana arrived at Chad’s parents’ house late. His mother answered the door in Chad’s team colors and accessories. She picked Olivia up and guided Lana out back where she found everyone in the team’s colors. Steph and her brothers all had beers in their hands. Chad’s dad offered her one, but she wasn’t a beer fan.

  Lockie and Alex grabbed little shirts and hats they had on the table and went straight to Olivia, telling her that they were her daddy’s colors. Olivia bounced around with her excitement as she put on all the gear.

  “You got here just in time. We were about to drive over to the stadium, we like to get there early. Steph and Alex said they’d wait for you,” Mr. Douglas said in his usual gruff voice.

  “Sorry I’m late. Olivia wouldn’t leave withou—”

  “No problem.” Chad’s mother, Catharine, never looked away from Olivia. “Let’s go. Grab the esky, boys, so your beers will be cold. This is the first game, so it’ll be busy.” Catharine nodded to her sons and turned to smile at Lana. “You can ride with Steph, Alex, and Owen. Lockie, you’re with your father, Olivia, and I.” Catharine was a drill sergeant as she directed them. Lana knew that Chad’s parents had bought a car seat for the car so Olivia could be with them. Lana didn’t question the seating arrangements.

  They walked out the side gate and to Alex’s car. Lana started to get in the backseat but Owen pushed her to the front. “Sit in the front. I’m fine in the back.”