Mildred was turning when I caught her by the arm and made eye contact with Chris. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the one to tell you guys about Gabe. You deserved to know.”
She brushed some escaped red tendrils out of her face. “Oh nonsense, sweetheart. You’ve had enough to worry with. I was relieved we hadn’t misjudged Gabe in the beginning.” She looked to Gabe. “The resemblance is uncanny.”
She reached out her hand and Gabe took it. “Take care of our Willow.”
“I have every intention of doing that.”
Smiling back at me, she said, “You did good with this one.”
“I think so, too.”
I glanced at Gabe. It was obvious he was relieved. Coming home felt more right than it had in a long time because of the man with me. So much had changed since I had been here last. Gabe was alive, I was pregnant with twins, and Alex was alive.
Inside I felt different in some way, but the house welcomed me regardless. When we had to leave, it would be too soon.
“I hope this young man has been feeding you good. I made lasagna for lunch.”
Lasagna was my favorite. “It’s so good to be home.”
Chris gave me one last hug. “I hate to run, but my granddaughter has a recital.”
“Tell her I said congratulations. Hopefully she can come to the house and show me sometime.”
Chris beamed. “I will. She’ll love it.” Hesitantly, he put his hand out for Gabe who took it firmly. “Take care of her. She’s like a daughter to me.”
“I promise, sir. I hate what my brother did. I had no idea he was still alive.”
“I know, son.”
From the welcoming smiles on their faces everything would be okay.
In the bedroom, down the hall from mine, I stood surveying the room. Currently, it was a guest room. Dad’s paintings of the willow tree were leaning against the wall. They used to hang above my crib after I was born. The tree was colorful as the weeping willows incorporated all the colors. As a child, it was the first thing I saw in the morning when I woke up and the last thing before I fell asleep.
I checked the time. We were going to have to leave here shortly and I wasn’t ready to go. Lunch had taken longer than expected as I filled Mildred in on Carson. For now, I wasn’t telling her or Chris about the pregnancy. The fewer who knew, the better.
Mildred had left for the day to catch up with her sister, who was staying the night. Security was definitely tighter, but necessary. I had seen men circulating a few times while we ate lunch.
This morning on the way to the doctor I called Apple Blossom to inquire about volunteering art lessons for a day. The director had been hoping I would call to schedule something since she’d received the okay on my background checks. She loved my assistant “Joe.”
Gabe came up behind me and kissed me on the neck, only teasing my already frustrated libido. I leaned back into him. “Is this where you want the babies’ room?”
“It is.”
I pointed to the corner. “I thought I could paint a mural over there for a play area. Something cute.” Feeling a new wave of energy, I stepped from Gabe’s arms and walked across the room. “And over here, I could paint something else that went along with reading. A rocking chair would be nice. Something comfortable.” I walked across the room to the windows and waved my hands. “This would make a good place for the changing area. I know eventually the kids will want their own rooms. But I think it’ll be easier to keep them in the same room for now.” I pointed to the wall with the bed. “I figured two cribs could go over here. I wanted to put the paintings Dad did for me as a kid between their beds.” I stopped when I realized Gabe hadn’t said a word.
He was watching me with a huge grin on his face.
“What? Why are you staring at me?”
“Because right here. Right now. I have everything I ever wanted. You’re going to be a wonderful mother. Thank you for having my babies.”
My heart melted. “Our children are lucky to have a dad like you. They’re going to be loved.”
“Always.” Gabe wrapped his arms around my middle and I leaned back. Things were good between us.
In a little less than eight months, this room would be filled with love and screaming babies. I wondered if Mom and Dad had planned my baby room similarly. I chuckled to myself. Dad probably had. Mom was more laid-back. Dad had always been the worrier. He had fretted for days, wondering if Mom would agree to marry him. Thinking of them reminded me of something he knew as I broke free of Gabe’s embrace.
“How did you know about Dad and me going to the spot every year where he proposed to Mom?”
When Gabe had been Tack, he had initially received my trust because he knew about my tradition with Dad. No one else knew. No one. Every year, we went to the spot behind our estate in Italy where Dad proposed to Mom. We laid flowers and stayed there for hours sharing memories. It was painful but healing at the same time. Since I lost Mom when I was younger, it helped cement those memories firmly in my mind.
“I came here before I left to go back to base.”
He had? Dad never mentioned anything. My eyes darted back and forth.
Gabe walked to me. “I came here to declare my intentions to your dad. I wanted him to know how madly in love I was with you. It was important to me for him to know since I was leaving for an undetermined amount of time. I imagined how I would feel if it had been my daughter.”
If there was ever a moment for me to fall more in love with Gabe, this was it. “Wh-when did you do this?”
“The day I took you to the park to carve our initials in the tree. I came by here first thing in the morning instead of going on my run while you slept. Your dad took me down to the ocean and we drank espresso. I was a nervous fucking wreck. Then he pumped more caffeine into me. It’s amazing I kept it together.”
I chuckled. Dad always started deep conversations with espresso. “That sounds like Dad.”
“It was a tough conversation. Alfonso began by saying you had a pure love. There were no hidden agendas to your love. It was a gift to have a woman like that. He asked me why I thought I deserved you over anyone else.”
Wow. What had he said?
Gabe moved me to a chair and knelt before me. My voice caught in my throat. “I told your dad I didn’t deserve you.” I started to protest, but he held up his hand. “It’s true, sweetheart. I don’t deserve you. But, I told him I would never stop loving you and proving I did. I told him I would protect you until my dying breath.”
Tears slipped free. “You do deserve me, Gabe. We deserve each other. Love isn’t who is better. It makes us better and fuses us together.”
“It does.”
His hands grabbed mine. “I told your dad that I planned on making you my wife when you were ready and that I wasn’t going to rush you. I swore to him I would protect you always.”
That was the promise Tack spoke of when we talked. His words were beautiful. I was speechless. He caressed the side of my face.
“Alfonso then told me of your tradition. I asked him why he told me. All I got in response was a reference to the ocean. He said, ‘the tide recedes and comes back again every day regardless of the weather. Love should be like the tide and always return even when things are difficult.’”
It was Dad’s way of telling me he approved of Gabe. I threw my arms around him and knocked us to the floor. Gabe protected me so I was barely jostled. “I meant what I said earlier. My entire world is in this room. But it will be complete when you agree to be my wife.”
I wanted nothing more than to be his. Forever. Fingers came to my lips. “I’m going to give you a proposal you deserve, but I don’t want you to wonder what my intentions are.”
“Gabe, I love you.”
“You’re my life, sweetheart.”
The cleaning smell was strong as I entered the waiting room. I had crossed paths with the janitor near the door. It was some sort of bleach with pine lemon smell. It was a welcome smell over burnt co
ffee.
Marissa and Rosie were talking to Marie in the waiting room. Only approved family were allowed in Carson’s room. It seemed like Marie was filling in my friends.
For a moment I froze, wondering how I would explain everything. They knew I was married to Alex. Overall, the marriage had been kept low key due to Alex’s supposed undercover cop job. He’d only met them once, maybe twice, in person. What a fool I had been. All lies.
At Martha’s Vineyard I’d reconnected with my friends. They welcomed me back with open arms. In a little over five months, Marissa would marry her longtime boyfriend, Clay.
Rosie was in a league of her own. For years she had obsessed over Carson, or whoever was unattached in our circle of friends. I was still unable to get the image out of my head of Rosie in teal feathered nightie when she wanted to seduce Carson at Martha’s Vineyard. The horror of the visual lingered. But, that same weekend, Rosie had hooked up with Mitchell. Things were going strong between them.
Their eyes bugged out when they saw the man walking behind me.
“He’s alive?” Marissa’s eyes grew even wider. “I mean… I… I thought he was killed.” She covered her mouth with her hand as she muttered, “Oh shit. I need to shut up now.”
Rosie stood there frozen, too.
“Um…” Great, Willow. Perfect answer. I had no explanation. What was I allowed to say? They stared at me, waiting for a reason why my dead husband was alive.
Gabe gave my waist a squeeze just before he said, “Hey, Marissa. Hello, Rosie. It’s been a while. Let’s talk in a side room.”
Robotically, they turned to me and I nodded. Gabe led us into a small office our security team had used to make phone calls. One of the security men left after Gabe gave him a nod. Honestly, I tried to keep track of their names, but it was difficult.
Marissa closed the door but kept a hand on the doorknob with Rosie holding her arm, ready to flee. The air was thick with discord.
Beside me, Gabe remained calm and at ease with a gentile smile. A hand went into his pocket and the girls relaxed minutely with his demeanor. “I’m not Alex, I’m Gabe. My twin brother impersonated me while I was deployed. He was an undercover cop and had used Willow without her knowledge to create a cover life.”
I thought back to the conversations with them. I hadn’t told them Alex had lied about being an undercover cop.
That was an interesting take on what happened and completely doable. Why not use the lie Alex had created to keep people in the dark about the black truth?
Marissa’s chocolate eyes darted to me. I confirmed Gabe’s statement. “It’s true. This is the man I fell in love with. Not the man who tricked me into marrying him.”
“Fuck a duck.” Marissa’s mouth still hung open on her last word.
“Yes, basically,” Rosie concluded and patted her red sleek bob and straightened her spine. She cocked her head to the side. It was odd, but Rosie was like that. It was as if she were trying to work something out in her head but staring rather uncomfortably. Gabe had witnessed her ass-grabbing sessions with Carson once when we met at a club.
Stepping forward, Marissa switched into concern mode as her brows drew together. “Are you safe? Did they find the killer? Do they think the accident is connected?”
I was not prepared for all this. Mentally, I took a deep breath and then answered, “So far nothing else has been found. We’re taking precautions just in case.”
Rosie’s look changed from skepticism to leery as she eyed Gabe. “You’re not him?”
“No, I’m not. Because Alex was an undercover cop, I didn’t share it with people. Willow and I had dated for such a short period of time, I hadn’t disclosed it to her either.”
Wow, Gabe had obviously thought ahead for this sort of scenario. Of course he had with him being some black ops man.
They relaxed a little. Marissa continued her inquisition. “Marie mentioned you were staying at the Whitmore. Do you think him being undercover is why someone is after you? Is that why you’re staying at the hotel?”
Gabe leaned against the desk more at ease, which caused Marissa and Rosie to relax, too. It was amazing how he was able to control the atmosphere with body language.
“We’re closer to Carson this way. With the accident, it’s best if we keep travel to a minimum for her to keep healing.” Gabe gave them part of the truth. If only they knew Alex lived.
“I hope to go home in the next day or so. With any luck, Carson will be awake by then. His vitals continue to improve,” I added.
Rosie gave me a sweet smile. “We heard. That is wonderful news. Francesca must be ecstatic.”
“She is. Extremely. She’s waiting to hear the baby’s heartbeat with Carson.”
“That is special.” Rosie glanced at her watch.
I was anxious to get out of this situation too.
Marissa gave me a hug. “I know you’re probably ready to see Carson. Let us know if you need anything. Can we bring you dinner?”
“No, we’ll order in. I’m going to take Francesca back with me for a bit so she can shower and maybe eat. Thank you, though.” The hospital had accommodations, but she needed to take a break away from here.
“Of course. We’re here for you. Everyone is thinking of you guys.”
“Thanks, Marissa.”
We exchanged good-byes, and they walked from the room.
I leaned against the wall. “I was not prepared for that. Thank goodness you were.”
Gabe straightened and came to me. “It was on the list to go over our story to make sure you agreed. Looks like it’s out now. I was hoping we would have time to change anything you didn’t like.”
“It’s a good cover. Sticks to the truth they know.” I closed my eyes. “I hate lying.” Then something occurred to me. “Gabe, I don’t want them to think our children are Alex’s. I can’t… I won’t…”
He kissed me, instantly soothing my worry. “Don’t worry. With twins we’ll have the ability to manipulate the dates a little. We’ll figure it out.”
“You already thought of that.”
“Willow, there is no chance I am going to allow there to be a question about whose children are growing inside you. They’re mine. You’re mine. No questions.”
“No questions.” I loved it when Gabe was possessive. He tried to let me have my freedoms, but he also made sure everyone knew I was his.
“Let’s go see Carson.” We walked out the door. The warmth of Gabe’s hand pressed against my back. “I wanted to let you know that if he wakes up while we are here, I’m going to slip from the room until he’s told.”
That made sense since Carson had no idea about Gabe. If I had woken up to Gabe in my room, it wouldn’t have been good. Gabe was thorough.
One hurdle down. Only a million to go.
This morning we had gone to the hospital to bring Francesca back. Last night she had decided to stay. Today, she needed a change of scenery if only for a few hours while Carson underwent testing. I understood it made her anxious to leave Carson for very long. No doubt I would feel the same way.
Currently, we were in her room and had ordered room service for lunch. Hopefully, a shower and meal rejuvenated her.
This morning there was no change in Carson’s responsiveness, but the doctors were optimistic.
The room was similar to mine except a little larger. The shower went off as the door to the room opened. Gabe wheeled in our room service cart. “This arrived. I told Andre I would bring it down to you guys. How is she?”
My stomach growled as I smelled the food. “Tired and on edge though she’s better now that Carson is off life support.”
Gabe’s phone buzzed. “It’s Bennett. Let me take this.”
“Okay.”
I took the covers off the food. It was enough to feed an army. When we ordered, I think Francesca and I got carried away as we handed the phone to each other and talked to the waiter.
I was about to nab one of the nachos when Francesca called,
“Hey, Willow, would you mind coming in here?”
“Sure.” Food would have to wait. I walked into the room as Francesca wound her semi-wet brown hair into a French twist.
“I have something for you.” There was a small present on the bed with a pink and blue bow. “Open it.”
I touched the ribbon, moved by the gesture, and tore into it. It was a scrapbook that looked like a canvas with the words How My Mom Came To Be written in paint strokes. I brushed my hands across it. “This is amazing.”
“Look inside.”
There was an inscription on the cover page.
I turned the page. The picture was of Mom holding me the day I was born.
Tears pooled as my chest tightened. I flipped the page. In the top right corner was a picture of Carson and me in the tomato bath from when we had decided to wrangle skunks. Opposite was a picture of us looking dejected in the front of the exterminator truck after we decided to start an ant farm.
The next page was a picture of me at my most recent art gallery event. I was laughing at something. It was candid. I ran my fingers over the picture; it was hard to believe that was me.
The gift was breathtakingly beautiful. “Thank you. This is one of the most special things I have ever received. When did you do this?”
Francesca came to sit beside me. “I’ve had a lot of free time. Marie helped me. I made one for Carson, too. The bond you two share is so special.” She blinked back the tears and mine puddled even more. “You have been there for me in a way I never expected. You love with your whole heart, Willow. It’s unbelievable. You have had so much to deal with, but you’ve been my rock. When I wanted to give up, I saw your strength and perseverance. I wanted to capture those emotions in a book for your baby.”
“Thank you. I will treasure this forever.” We hugged.
Gabe called from the front. “Willow. Francesca. Get your things together. Bennett believes Carson is about to wake up. During testing he moved a little bit.”
Black Truth (A Twisted Fate Series Book 2) Page 10
