The Firsts Series Box Set

by M. J. Fields

  I have been in the house, yet never inside one of the bedrooms. It’s round and massive, and the walls are stone. The headboard of the king-sized bed sets against a wall that doesn’t meet the celling or touch either side of the room. It’s painted a pale pink and has white letters spelling out Keeka and Leddie hanging from it.

  “Brody thinks I went a little overboard.” Emma shrugs. “I just want her to know she has a place here, as well.”

  I nod as I continue looking around. At the foot of the bed is a round crib with a canopy over it.

  “This was Harper’s when she was a baby. Tessa thought she’d like it. The sheets are clean and”—she motions to it—“you can put her down if you’d like.”

  I nod and walk to it, laying her in the center. I watch as she moves a little, no doubt adjusting to the change in positioning. Then I step back and consider the size in comparison to the one bassinet she sleeps in at our place.

  “It’s big.”

  Brody chuckles softly. “Next time she’s in it, you’ll think it shrunk. They grow fast. Too damn fast.”

  I look back at him and nod.

  Emma clears her throat. “Behind the bed is the closet and bathroom. Lexington’s old changing table is in there. Would you like help putting her things away?”

  I swallow hard. “I can do it.”

  “Wow,” I hear Keeka whisper, and then Lexington laughs from behind her.

  “It’s the same as mine and London’s, and it’s yours!”

  “Shh...” Brody smiles at her. “You’ll wake your niece and scare your sister off at the same time.”

  “Sorry.” Lexington tries to whisper, but it’s much louder than the average whisper. She pushes between London and Keeka and stops when she sees the crib. “They brought it?”

  “Last night while we were up in Syracuse. Ryan and Jade set it up.”

  “You didn’t have to do that for just...” Keeka looks from the crib to the letters on the wall then quickly looks at me.

  I know the look; it’s fight or flight.

  “It’s Harper’s old crib. Tessa thought you’d be able to use it—”

  “I’m not moving here.” Keeka shakes her head adamantly.

  Emma puts her hand on her shoulder. “We just want you to feel at home; to know, like London and Lexington, this is your home, as well.”

  She looks at me again, and I nod.

  “So, you’re not kicking me out?”

  “Never, Keeks,” I assure her.

  “I’ll get a job soon. I’ll—”

  “Way to freak her out,” London scolds Emma and Brody.

  “That wasn’t our intention,” Brody tells her firmly.

  “Well, a little warning would have been great. She’s not used to all of you yet,” London huffs.

  “But it would have ruined the surprise,” Lexington says sadly. I look over at her to see her eyes filling with tears. “I made the letters for yours and Leddie’s names. You can take them with you if you want.”

  “No,” Keeka tries to soothe her. “Of course not. That would be silly. I mean, what if I got lost in this house and went in the wrong room? If they were gone, I would end up sleeping with you.”

  Lexington giggles. “A sleepover?”

  London smiles. “You wouldn’t get much sleep. She snores.”

  “Well, I may snore, but she snores louder,” Keeka jokes.

  “Wait until she toots in bed.” Lexington smirks then looks at me and quickly away.

  “What?” Emma laughs.

  “Yeah.” Lexi glances out of the corner of her eye and quickly away again. “London’s sleep toots are worse than Shakespeare’s and Bailey’s.”

  “Really, Lexington?” London laughs and grabs her.

  “Really,” Lexington squeals on a giggle.

  I watch London and Lexington’s interaction, and then I watch as Keeka smiles at them, looking longingly at them.

  Realization sets in, and I smile, looking down.

  Brody pats my shoulder then nods to the door. “Shall we let them get the room set up?”

  I nod then steal a glance at London. She’s hugging Lexington and looking at me with a smile.

  In the kitchen, I sit and look around at the stone backsplash, sleek black countertops, and the stainless-steel kitchen appliances.

  Brody opens the refrigerator and grabs two bottles of beer. He sets one in front of me and opens the other.

  “We’re not trying to sway her to stay with us,” he states before taking a drink of his beer.

  “She wouldn’t,” I tell him, twisting off the cap and taking a drink of mine, allowing him to let that sink in.

  His eyes lock with mine and he nods. “She may want a welcoming, safe place to crash for her and Leddie when you and London are busy, or she needs a break, or if she’d like to spend more time getting to know the rest of her family. Or maybe, Logan, when you and her sister would like to take a few days to go to, I don’t know, New York City for a date?” He takes a drink, eyes still locked with mine as he allows realization to settle in me.

  When he shakes his head, and I look away, he clears his throat. “You’re used to playing defense, Logan. I’m used to offense.” I look back at him. “We’re clearly playing on the same team here, so we should start supporting one another. London, Keeka, and Leddie deserve that. As do Maddox, Lexi, and you.”

  “Maddox tell you about the date?” I ask then take another drink.

  Brody laughs. “It seems the two top bids for the date with you were Maddox with your money, and Emma with ours.”

  I nod and can’t help smiling.

  “They trust you. I trust London. She says she loves you. I see you feel the same. I do not want my daughter to hurt.”

  Now’s as good a time as any.

  “I want to marry London.”

  He stiffens a bit, then takes a drink.

  It’s going to get a lot worse, but fuck it.

  “I plan to ask her to marry me tomorrow.”

  He nearly spits his drink out.

  “Before you threaten me, understand I’m not afraid. Also understand I’m not talking tomorrow, next week, next year, or hell, maybe I’ll wait until she graduates, which she will. And after we’re married, I’ll support every dream she has.”

  After he collects himself, he nods. “So, a long engagement?”

  I nod. “As long as she needs.”

  “Then, why the rush?”

  “I love her,” I tell him simply.

  He takes a deep breath. “I know that.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “Are you waiting for my blessing?” he asks.

  “I suppose I am.”

  I see him ball his fists, and then he looks down at them and relaxes. He then smiles a tight-lipped smile as he says, “You have it.”

  “Thank you, Brody.”

  He picks up his drink and tosses the rest of it back before starting with, “Just remember—”

  “I’d kill myself before I ever hurt her again.”

  “What?” I hear London say then laugh as she walks into the room.

  Fuck, did she hear everything? I ask myself.

  “I threatened him again,” Brody answers her.

  I look at him, and he shrugs.

  “You both need to get a grip,” she mumbles as she walks past him and toward me. She stops just out of my reach. “I never want to hear that again.”

  I nod then shrug. “Got it.”

  She turns and looks at Brody. “I want him to spend the night.”

  He lifts his hands in the air in defeat, then shakes his head as he walks away. “Couldn’t you just sneak him in so I can pretend I haven’t a damn clue?”

  She laughs. “He’ll be out before Lexington wakes.”

  He simply shakes his head and keeps walking.

  §

  Last night, she nearly begged me to “just get it over with already.” I had to grab her hand as she was trying to shove it down my damn jeans. I left those fucker
s on all damn night, too. In the end, she got off again. Then, like a satisfied little kitten, she curled up around me and fell asleep. I made damn sure I was out the door before anyone woke up.

  She has always had the ability to out shit talk me and give it back when I dish it out, and honestly, I fucking love that I am making her wait. I know when and where we will be when it happens. It’s already been fucking planned.

  Dad and I hit the gym, eat breakfast out, and then we hit the jewelers. Something about him not knowing before Brody fucked with me. I wanted him here. Would have loved Mom to be, too, but she had made her bed.

  When I open the box for the twentieth time, Dad laughs.

  “You sure that’s the one?”

  “Knew it when I saw it. Just trying to picture what it will look like on her hand.”

  “You know your sister is gonna be full of I told you so’s.” Dad chuckles.

  “I always knew it. Just didn’t want to hurt her. Never thought I could do this, you know.” I close the box. “Always thought second loves were the ones people actually fucking worked at.”

  He nods. “That’s on me.”

  “No, Dad, it’s on me. I shouldn’t have been so fucking afraid of fucking this up.”

  He chuckles again. “That’s on me, too.”

  I shake my head. “You raised a better man than that.”

  He smirks. “You bet your fucking ass I did.”

  It’s Super Bowl Sunday and the Hines’ house is full of London’s family, my family, and some friends when we walk in.

  I wink when she looks at me, and she blushes. I haven’t a clue why, but it’s cute as hell.

  London, Tessa, Emma, Lexington, and Keeka are in the kitchen where they have obviously been the entire day, cooking. The family room has enough food sitting on tables to feed an entire NFL team. Trays of vegetables and various dips, fruit platters, chicken wings in crockpots, those little cocktail wieners, nachos, chips, and so much more. And they are still cooking, laughing, and talking.

  I force myself to stay the hell out of there, because I have a feeling that blush had something to do with me pulling her hand away from the goods. And now, well, now my cock is getting its revenge on me for not letting her have what is and always will be hers from before cuddle season on out.

  I see Dad walking around with Leddie, singing to her and doing so very off-key whenever he’s around Maddox, who laughs at him.

  I look at Brody and see he’s already looking at me. He smiles, shakes his head, and then he chuckles.

  I don’t need his approval, but I’m certainly glad he seems to be giving it.

  “Almost time,” Dad yells, and within minutes, everyone is in the living room, settling in before the players take the field.

  I should be fucking nervous, but I’m not. I actually feel calmer than I ever have at one of these get togethers. I mean, London Fields was the reason I was always in a defensive stance, just waiting for her to say some shit that would make me crazy.

  When the volume of the TV goes down, everyone looks at Dad, expecting him to flip shit, scramble around, and try to figure out why the damn thing’s not working. Yes, it’s happened before.

  I stand and turn around, holding my hand out to London. She looks at me oddly, yet she still gives me her hand.

  I nod to Dad, and then the song starts.

  “Dance with me?”

  She looks at me, eyes wide, and nods her head nervously as Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” begins. She’s speechless, which is far from normal for her, and an incredible turn on at not such an opportune time.

  I take her hands, placing them on my shoulders. Then I place mine on her waist and begin slowly moving to the beat.

  “Oh. My. God,” I hear Ava whisper.

  “It’s obvious that you and I immediately connected when we were kids.” I smile, and she blushes. “I winked at you, you stuck your tongue out at me, and then your cousins instantly threatened to kick my ass if I pulled that shit again.”

  She grins. “Really?”

  “Yeah, really.” I nod. “From that point on, I wondered what the hell it was about you that they all felt the need to protect you against me. Then I realized they were probably protecting me against you.”

  Everyone laughs, including her.

  “Not really, but for some reason, it made me feel...protective over you.”

  She pushes her forehead against my chest and sighs.

  Ava coughs out, “Possessive.”

  Everyone laughs again.

  “Tomayto, tomahto.” I shrug, and then London looks back up at me as I continue. “Your prom date wasn’t good enough for you. Your senior dinner dance date didn’t show up.” London laughs, and I shrug. “Then college came, and with it, the reality that no one was good enough for you because you were always supposed to be mine, and I was supposed to be yours.”

  I hear the women in the room, “Ahhh...”

  “I spent way too much time pushing you away, trying to act like I knew more than you, and I should have been showing you that you are perfect for me.”

  Ava coughs again, “Jail bait.”

  I laugh, and so does London.

  “I don’t want to wait anymore,” I tell her, and her eyes grow bigger than ever. “You okay?”

  She leans in and whispers, “I don’t think this is the appropriate time to tell me to be prepared.”

  I can’t help laughing. She thinks this is about us having sex. Then I can’t help fucking with her a little more.

  “I think it’s the perfect time to ask you to be—”

  She kisses me hard then steps back. “I would love to be your girlfriend.” She steps back and looks around the room. “Logan and I are officially dating.”

  They all start laughing.

  London turns back to look at me, having to look down.

  I am on one knee, holding a black velvet box.

  “We’re perfect for each other, London Fields. Marry me.”

  She looks at me like I cracked, and I just smile. Then she looks around and finds Brody, who gives her a soft smile.

  “Is he being serious?”

  They all laugh again.

  “He is,” I tell her, and she looks back at me.

  “Did you really just ask me to marry you?” she gasps out.

  I nod.

  “And Dad—”

  “No, just you,” I interrupt.

  Tears immediately start falling as she smiles. “Ask me again?”

  “London Fields, marry me.”

  She nods, batting away tears.

  “May I?” I ask, pointing to her hand. Then I open the box, and she covers her mouth.

  “Holy crap! You’re being serious.”

  “Yeah, pretty, I am.”

  I laugh as she thrusts her hand in my face.

  “Yes, yes, yes!” London chants as she laughs, tears falling, as I push the ring onto her finger. Then I stand up, and she grabs my face. “Yes!”

  I wrap my arm around her and lift her up to kiss her.

  “I love you, London.”

  “I love you more. So, so, so much more.”

  §

  I lie in bed, my bed, at my old house, looking at the ceiling and realizing I paid no fucking attention to the damn Super Bowl.

  I laugh when my phone goes off, knowing it’s London.

  I can’t believe you’re not staying here tonight...

  I reply with:

  Two words.

  I watch the bubbles jump before her reply appears.

  What two words? What are you talking about?

  Blue. Balls.

  Her immediate response is:

  Your fault.

  I laugh as I run my fucking hand over my hair because, fuck yes, I want her, but no fucking way is it going to be when Brody is under the same roof.

  I love you. See you in a couple days.

  Bubbles and then the message:

  Oh no, just no. I’m not waiting for the rigged date in New York City
to see you.

  Yes, you are.

  My phone rings immediately, and I hit accept.

  “You don’t get to call all the shots here,” she fucking growls at me.

  “London,” I sigh out.

  “Lord Logan,” she hisses.

  “I want it to be perfect, like the song, you know?”

  She groans out, “Good night.”

  “I love you, pretty.”

  “Yeah, well...same.”

  Father / Son

  Logan

  London has been back to school for three days, and I have been home, keeping my fucking distance and going through all Dad’s properties with him. He managed to keep several, four of them much like the one I have taken over. Old warehouses and apartment buildings that he hasn’t done anything with. He’s enjoying his retirement.

  “I’m willing to do all this with you,” he offers for the hundredth time.

  “I know, and I will take you up on it when I need it. But let me give it a shot on my own first.”

  “Not really an issue, Logan. I actually kind of miss it. These past couple months reminded me of that.” He smiles.

  “I think you’d rather play Pop-Pop to Piper, Reed, Chance, Hope, and Leddie. Maybe you should run a daycare.” I laugh.

  He doesn’t, but Tessa does.

  He whips his head around and scowls at her.

  “He’s right, you know.”

  He stands up and starts toward her when my phone rings. It’s Mitch.

  I step, outside knowing when he catches her, things will get loud.

  “What’s up?” I ask.

  “It’s Downs, man. You should come up.”

  “Is he...?” I pause, knowing damn well I can’t handle another death. And London, it will push her back a fucking month.

  “Not yet, but they’re taking him off the ventilators, so we’re all going in one by one to tell him to fucking fight. You need to be here.”

  “Does Jamie know?”

  “No one knows,” he tells me.

  “Let’s keep it that way. I’ll be there in a couple hours.”

  Once I let Dad know what’s going on, he and Tessa grab their coats.

  “You don’t have to go,” I tell them, yet I’m glad they are.