Cash continued up the stairs, then ascended the next flight. There he found John, leaning against the bannister with a smirk.
“You knew they were up?” Cash asked.
“Just noticed. But it’s so much easier to let you get on their bad side.”
Cash rolled his eyes. “Did Pete know you were such a pushover when he agreed to the whole parenting thing?”
“Of course not. It’s my most closely-guarded secret.”
Cash chuckled as he left his friend behind, single-minded in his quest to reach Cooper. From the moment John had met his little girls, he’d become a soft, mushy pudding of a man.
But then again, Cash thought as he pushed open the door to his son’s room, John wasn’t the only one.
“Hey, little man,” Cash murmured, rushing forward to relieve his mother of her snotty, crying load. “What’s up with you?” He cradled the two-year-old in his arms, and the boy’s sobbing instantly slowed.
“I don’t know why I bother,” Karen griped. But there was a tender smile on her face.
Cash bent down to kiss her soft cheek. “Thanks, Mum.”
“Of course, my darling. Oh, I do love having you all here.” A tear slid down her face, and she wiped it away impatiently. “All the children. We’ve so many now! And George and Monroe, and John and Pete, and—“ Her voice cracked, but she soldiered on. “And you and Bailey! Oh, Cashew Nut, I’m so proud of you.”
His face heating up, Cash pulled his mother into a hug. Cooper, now babbling contentedly to himself, patted her head with his clumsy, chubby palm. “Ganma!” He beamed, snot still bubbling from his nose. “Love Ganma.”
She chuckled through her tears, kissing the toddler’s damp face. “I love you too, little muffin.”
And Cash pressed a kiss to his mother’s ginger head, and then to his son’s dark curls. Contentment washed over him, bright and pure as the moonlight. In this little room, silence reigned, and he allowed himself to enjoy it. There were no whispers to threaten his fulfilment; no uninvited thoughts taking up space inside his mind. Some days there would be, sure—but when those days came, he had someone to face them with. Someone to hold his hand and chase away his fear. Someone to love him anyway.
Cash held his mother and his son in his arms, filled with gratitude. Around them, the house sank into the quiet excitement of Christmas Eve like a baby sinks into a crib.
A house that was full of the very love he thought he’d never have.
∞∞∞
Downstairs, the woman who’d given it to him sat at the kitchen island, holding the baby monitor with a smile on her face. She pressed a palm to her swollen stomach—
And then, beneath her hand, their daughter kicked.
“Patience, sweetheart,” Bailey murmured. “Next year, you’ll be here to join in.”
The baby kicked again, as though expressing her eagerness. Bailey smiled as she felt tiny feet pressing against her, a firm declaration: I am here, and I won’t be ignored! This child took after her grandmother, it seemed.
Both grandmothers.
The thought of her mother no longer disturbed Bailey’s equilibrium. Instead of resentment, she thought only of fond memories; of Dorothy applying her own ruby-red lipstick to Bailey’s little face; of the two of them watching Disney films on a Sunday night, throwing popcorn at each other when the other wasn’t looking.
She rose from her seat and went back to the chopping board with a smile on her face. As she sliced up carrots and parsnips for the next day’s feast, Bailey reflected on the miracle Cash had brought into her life.
Peace.
The very best gift of all.
The End.
Author’s Note
Homelessness in Britain is on the rise, and certain groups are especially vulnerable. From LGBTQ+ youth to victims of domestic violence, the disadvantaged are often the first to suffer.
This Christmas, whether you choose to celebrate or not, I ask that you bear in mind the principles of love and kindness to all. Everyone is human; everyone deserves safety. No matter where you live, someone in your local community needs you—even if all you have to give is friendship.
And if you find yourself in need, remember that your circumstances do not diminish your humanity.
Merry Christmas, everyone. Thanks for reading <3
Don’t want to miss the next Dirty British Romance?
Sign up to Talia’s newsletter and be the first to hear about it!
About the Author
Talia Hibbert is a writer and educator from England, U.K., by way of both the West Indies and West Africa. She wrote her first romance aged 12, and was promptly scolded by her teacher because her story of love in the jungle wasn't 'proper'.
Since then, Talia's romances have improved in quality and hugely increased in heat. She now writes erotic, interracial romances about dirty Brits. They still aren't proper, but they are a lot of fun.
In her free time, she eats too much ice cream and watches K Drama on Netflix. She also spends a serious amount of time on social media, so make sure you stay connected.
Keep up with the world of Dirty British Romance on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
And, as Talia would say... that's all, folks. Love and biscuits!
Also by Talia Hibbert:
BAD FOR THE BOSS
What a way to fall from grace…
Theodore Chamberlain is notorious for his razor-sharp focus, his terrifying temper, and his anti-social tendencies. What most people don't know is that the powerful businessman is just as demanding in the bedroom as he is at the office.
So when model employee Jennifer Johnson stumbles into his life, Theo turns his infamous intensity towards a masterful seduction. The plus-sized knockout may be the office's angel, but only Theo sees the flames simmering beneath.
Will Jen remain a good girl with a rebel's heart... Or will she give in to her desire and be bad for the boss?
OUT NOW
ALWAYS WITH YOU
Can friendship survive desire?
Jack Woodborough was eighteen years old when he fell in lust with the girl next door. Seven years later, sweet, shy Cassidy Thomas is still in his life—but Jack accepted long ago that all they’d ever be is friends.
Until one red-hot, rainy night throws everything into question.
Cass didn’t mean to lose control, but she’s wanted Jack for seven long years. The attraction between them feels soul-deep, but with desire clouding her judgement, Cass doesn’t know what to do.
Until she's left to cope without the man she's always been able to count on…
When a relationship is thrown off-course, can it ever recover?
Or will always be over before it’s really begun?
OUT NOW
OPERATION ATONEMENT
Redemption ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The minute foul-mouthed Irishman Adam McLoughlin sees Dionne Pryce, he knows that he’s a goner. The ex-glamour model has curves for days and an attitude to match, and her ridiculous stilettos do funny things to his insides.
He makes it his mission to have her.
But Dionne isn’t interested in being had. She’s spent her whole life running from love, and now she’s busy cleaning up the messes left in her wake. In fact, Dionne has a mission of her own: Operation Atonement. And even the fiercely sexy Adam can’t distract her.
…Or can he?
OUT NOW
Copyright
MERRY INKMAS: Talia Hibbert
Copyright (c) 2017 by NIXON HOUSE
Credits: Cover by Cosmic Letterz
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or within the public domain. Any resemblance to actual events or actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
No portion of this book may be reprinted, including by any electronic or mechanical means, or in information storage and retrieval systems, w
ithout express written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a review.
Merry Inkmas: A BWWM Romance Page 16
