Winning Her Love

by Hazel Gower

  The guy grabbed his arm and Chad shook him off, his anger rising. The man came at him, but Matt grabbed him this time. “I wouldn’t. Chad has been very nice from what I saw. That won’t last.”

  “Oh yeah?” The jerk staggered as he came for Chad.

  This time Chad let his temper out. His fist connected with the guy’s face, and the man stumbled and fell to the ground.

  Chad grabbed Lana, his sister, and Rebecca, pulling them away before he did more to the idiot getting off the ground and yelling at them. He pointed to Mary, Vanessa, and Haley who were huddling with a bouncer. “Come on, girls, let’s get out of here.”

  They all nodded eagerly.

  Matt hadn’t parked far from him. Chad was eager to leave. He knew that what had happened tonight would be in the paper, and if he was lucky that would be the only place. Chad was actually quite proud of himself, usually he would have fought the drunken guy, but with Lana and his sister around he wanted them to stay safe.

  The girls stumbled and swayed as they walked. They all looked thoroughly smashed. He hoped they’d had a good night before what just happened. He had a feeling that tomorrow some, if not all of the women, wouldn’t be feeling so crash hot. Haley tripped and giggled as she fell to the ground. The girls laughed, and Matt helped her up. She gave a loud sigh and snuggled into Matt. The girls all chuckled hysterically, the confrontation before forgotten.

  Lana swayed and gripped his sister as they came to his car. Opening his door, he helped his sister and Rebecca up into the car then helped Lana in. Chad went around to the driver’s side and saw Matt helping the three girls he had into his own SUV. Locking his car, he walked over to Matt and gave him the two addresses he remembered from dropping Steph and Lana off before at their friends.

  “Thanks for the help,” Chad said.

  Matt nodded. “No problem. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  He went back to the car, unlocked it, and got in to find the girls giggling and squealing. Chad had a feeling this car ride was going to feel like a very long one.

  Chapter 8

  Lana groaned as she forced one of her eyes open only to close it and clutch her head on a moan. Every part of her body ached, and not the good ache she usually got from being in Chad’s bed. “I’m dying,” she heard herself croak out.

  An ear-piercing loud chuckle sounded from beside her. “Not dying. Just a big hungover. Did you have fun last night?”

  “Mmm, stop screaming at me.”

  “Angel, I’m whispering.”

  She cracked her eye open as she stared in the direction the voice came from. “I had fun. Sorry for calling you so late.”

  Chad was sitting up in bed next to her, reading the paper. He put it down and stroked her cheek. “I’m glad you did call. It was a lot safer.”

  “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”

  “I’ll always come for you.” He got out of bed. “I’m going to go get you some water and some Panadol.”

  “I knew there was a reason why I loved you.”

  Chad chuckled and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be right back.”

  Lana spent most of the day in bed. Chad went to pick up Olivia, and when she heard him pull in she got up and laid on the sofa, waiting for them to come inside.

  “Mummy, I saw Mickey and Minnie, plus all the princesses.”

  Lana braced herself for impact as Olivia threw herself at her. “You are so lucky.”

  “Yeah, Grandma got me this teddy and some ears.” Olivia shoved both items in her face.

  “Wow, your grandma spoils you.”

  “Yeah. I tolded Daddy all abouts Disney. I’ll tells you now.”

  Smiling, she cuddled her daughter and listened to her talk.

  * * * *

  As Lana bathed Olivia Chad watched the news. He had hoped what happened with Lana last night wouldn’t make the news, but he should have known better.

  “Chad Douglas walks away from fight.”

  He sat surprised as he listened.

  “Chad Douglas has been known to get into brawls. But early Sunday morning he picked up girlfriend Lana Cage, his sister, and their friends from popular club Kickers, and as you can see from the footage, he walked away from a fight. Chad did hit the man who held onto Miss Cage, but otherwise he and team player Matt Grag walked away while the man yelled obscenities.”

  The footage was from someone’s phone, but it showed everything.

  The presenter glanced at the other. “I like that his priority was to get the woman home safely. What do you think of this new side of Chad?”

  “I think it’s nice to know where his priorities are. It’s good to see a man walk away from a fight. We are doing a phone in vote below, asking you, the viewers, what you think.”

  Chad turned off the TV, he didn’t need to hear any more. He was proud of himself that he’d walked away from that wanker. He turned to see Lana with Olivia wrapped in a towel on her hip.

  Lana came over to him and kissed him. “Thank you for last night. I’m sorry I got you on TV. I hope you don’t get in trouble.”

  Olivia put her arms up, and he took her from Lana, cuddling her. “No, it’s okay. I’m glad you called me. I’d rather know you’re safe than not.”

  “For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you. I know how badly you wanted to beat that guy up.”

  He kissed Olivia on the forehead and leaned down, brushing his lips over Lana’s. “You are more important to me. You and Olivia are my world.”

  “I love you, and Olivia and I are so lucky to have you.” Lana hugged him. Together they walked to Olivia’s room and got her ready for bed.

  * * * *

  His manager had loved the press coverage he’d gotten over the fight. The last week had been crazy with interviews and talk shows. He was even asked to do a drunk driving ad asking people to make sure they had a plan B if they drank. The league liked the positive light he’d shone on them.

  Lana made it with Olivia to a couple of his away games. He loved having them around. Chad was ready to take his relationship with Lana further. He wanted it all. He wanted her to have his last name. He wanted the certificate that said they were man and wife.

  He had a weekend coming up that he was free, and he intended to do something special and ask Lana if she would marry him. When he told Lana he had a free weekend she’d told him she was going to a work course and his parents were looking after Olivia. He’d been annoyed she hadn’t asked him to look after their daughter.

  “It’s not that I don’t trust you. I do. It’s just that you’ve never had Olivia all on your own. She is a bit of a handful.”

  “She is my daughter. I’m sure I can handle her for the weekend. Anyway, if worst comes to worst, I can call my mother.”

  He had to do a bit more niggling, but she finally gave in. So Lana had left him with their daughter. Tomorrow afternoon he was taking Olivia shopping with him to help pick out something very special for Lana. He was then going to get her to help him get everything ready for when Lana got home on Sunday.

  The next morning when he’d gone into practice, Lockie had taken Olivia. She adored Lockie, and Chad had been surprised when his brother offered to take her. Usually his parents took Olivia on Saturday, but his brother had wanted time with his niece, or so he said.

  Chad now sat waiting for them to get home. It wasn’t long before he heard Olivia giggling. Lockie strolled through his house and he swung Olivia around in his arms. He threw her high and she laughed as he caught her.

  “What the hell are you doing, Lockie?”

  “Ew, Daddy said a bad word.”

  Snatching his daughter from his brother’s paws, he glared at him.

  Lockie chuckled. “Yes. Daddy did. He’s naughty.”

  Chad growled and hugged Olivia. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

  She bounced in his arms. “Uncle Locks tooks me to the shops. He says I’m good. I gots him lots of pretty girls’ numbers.”

  Chad groaned. “You used my daughter to hel
p pick up women? You better hope Lana doesn’t find out you did that.”

  Lockie grinned. “My niece is just so cute. She’s a babe magnet.”

  Moaning, he shook his head. “Go, Lockie. Don’t use Olivia again.”

  Lockie chuckled and left.

  Chad looked at his daughter and smiled. She was super cute.

  * * * *

  Lana had given Chad instructions, but he was so sure he could do this he left them behind. He was exhausted. He had no idea how Lana had done this by herself. He’d taken Olivia to the shops and now regretted it, because she was running around crazy and it was after nine o’clock. Olivia had been great helping him choose what he needed for Lana’s surprise, but the other two hours they were shopping he found it hard to say no to her. So he bought her an ice cream, chocolate, and later an icy red drink along with potato chips and candy.

  He’d been chasing her around the house the last couple of hours. He had tried to bathe her but she was wild. He didn’t want to call Lana, because he knew she would worry and try to come home. He should be able to look after his own child. He thought about calling his mother, but decided to wait a little while longer in hopes Olivia would settle down. When she squealed and threw herself on him, tackling him, he caved and dialed his mum.

  “Help. Olivia won’t stop running around going crazy. She is still full of energy and her bedtime was three hours ago.”

  His mother chuckled. “Well, hello to you too, son. What have you done today? What have you fed her?”

  Chad gave her a shortcut version of what they’d done, but didn’t leave out anything she ate.

  “My God, Chad, no wonder she’s on a sugar high. You basically just have to wait it out. Try a glass of warm milk and a story in bed.”

  Following his mother’s instructions, he prayed it worked, otherwise he’d be the one to fall asleep.

  By the third book Olivia was asleep and Chad trudged to bed himself, exhausted and grateful for Lana.

  * * * *

  Lana missed her family. She had been gone two nights and that was two too many. She had no idea how Chad left for days at a time. She was missing Olivia and him like crazy. She sat in the airport shuttle bus and couldn’t wait to get home to her two favorite people.

  When she walked into the house half an hour later she found it odd that it was quiet. She placed her luggage in the bedroom and went in search of Chad and Olivia. When she opened the door outside Chad and Olivia yelled “surprise!”

  Lana stumbled back at the sight that greeted her. A huge sign was above Chad, who was on one knee with Olivia in his arm. The banner read Marry me, Lana (Mummy). She looked down to see Olivia holding an open box, and inside was a beautiful diamond and blue amethyst ring. It was huge.

  Lana could feel the tears running down her face. She let them fall freely. Helping her man up, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him before easing away and kissing her daughter’s cheek. “Yes. Yes. I’ll marry you a million times over.”

  Olivia cheered and from inside the house Chad’s family poured out. Chad’s father picked up Olivia and snuggled her to him.

  Chad took the ring and placed it on her finger. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Chad kissed her, and she sank into him, happy and eager to continue their life together.

  Epilogue

  Lana waddled down to the gym. Her husband and his friends were laughing and making so much noise she couldn’t sleep. Lana paused at the entry and watched. Olivia sat on Matt’s back as he did push-ups, squealing with joy, she then moved to Bob’s before lastly hopping on her father’s, and this time she demanded a ride.

  Chad obeyed and even made horsey noises. Lana shook her head at the sight of her loved and very spoiled daughter. “You all spoil her rotten.”

  Chad grabbed their daughter and sat up, placing her on the ground. She went straight to Bob and jumped on him then did the same to Matt.

  Chad went over to her, concern in his big green eyes. He kissed her and then gently rubbed her tummy. Not long after he’d proposed they found out she was pregnant. They had organized a small family wedding two months later.

  “How are you feeling? Is that boy of mine giving you trouble?”

  Chad was so proud of their son. When they had seen the ultrasound there was no denying they were having a boy. Their son had his legs spread and was glad to show everyone what he was. The ultrasound technician had laughed as she measured everything and asked, “Would you like to know what you’re having?”

  Chad had looked at the screen and a massive grin had spread across his face. “I don’t think you need to tell us. You can’t miss that.”

  The woman had nodded and chuckled. She’d even taken a photo for them. Chad carried that around with him and showed everyone who wanted to see.

  “Your son is fine,” Lana assured him. “I wish he would come out already. He’s a week late.”

  “If he’s not ready in a couple of days, they’ll induce you.” Chad was worried, and she tried to tell him everything was okay, but she knew he would worry until their son was safely delivered.

  Lana nodded. She was ready to have this baby. Her back was killing her. Since yesterday she felt like it was broken. Her backaches were almost unbearable, but today, if possible, they were even worse. This pregnancy was so different from Olivia’s.

  “Everything will be fine. It has to be.”

  As soon as Chad said that she groaned and peed her pants. As she looked down at the floor she couldn’t believe what she was seeing—she hadn’t peed herself, her water had broken. Chad looked at her in horror.

  “My water just broke.”

  Chad’s eyes widened, and he stared at her for a moment before he freaked out, turning to his friends and shouting, “Stay and look after Olivia.”

  He leaned down and scooped her up in his arms and ran toward the garage. He grabbed his keys and his phone and went out to the car, gently placing her inside.

  Once they were at the hospital he didn’t leave her side. He called to check on Olivia and called his family. He did everything she asked and didn’t cave when she yelled obscenities at him as she squeezed a big nine pound baby out.

  When they placed Jr in her arms she gazed down at him and saw he looked just like Chad. Kissing his forehead, Lana gave a contented sigh and mumbled, “My two children are the spitting image of their father. At least he’s hot.”

  Chad chuckled and kissed her. “You are amazing. If you want, we can keep trying until we get one that looks like you.”

  Lana glared at him. “That isn’t even funny. You are so lucky I love you, because after what I’ve just been through I should kill you for even suggesting that.”

  “I love you too, angel. Thanks for my beautiful daughter and my handsome son. Most of all, thanks for being mine. I love you more every day.”

  Closing her eyes, she basked in the love she had. “I love you too, Chad, more than you’ll ever know. Thanks for never giving up and loving me.”

  “Always. I will always love you. I fought hard to win your love.”

  “There was no fight, you always had my heart.”

  The rest of the family came in one by one. When Olivia came in and saw her brother she loved him on sight. Lana was the luckiest woman on earth. She got herself a winner.

  About Hazel Gower

  I’m a mother of four terrors between the ages of four and nine. In my spare time, the little I have, I write and take off into my own worlds. I started writing down my story ideas in high school, and never really stopped. Writing, I have to say, is my salvation. After I’ve gotten all the kids in bed and have cleaned up, I sit at my computer, or sometimes a notebook with a pencil, and relax, write, and escape. I decided to finally submit my work after a friend said I should stop being a coward and submit something, live the dream. So here I am.

  I am a member Romance Writers of Australia and Romance Novel Center.

  I love to hear from any of my readers, s
o feel free to send me an email and ‘like’ me on Facebook.

  Hazel’s Website:

  www.hazelgower.com

  Reader eMail:

  hazel.gower@yahoo.com.au

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue