by Mia Ford
I tossed the idea around of buying a bigger house before the meds knocked me out for the night. I had time for this, but I wanted to make a good life for Soledad and Lindsay.
The next day came with the sounds of the hospital and the terrible food. Visitors started trickling in and I hugged Mom and Alli as they arrived first. They looked a bit better today and settled in the seats as I sipped my water. We chatted about the city and their room. Mom still seemed nervous, but everything felt better with the sun shining through the window.
Chapter Nineteen
Soledad
Brent brought me to the hotel and I stumbled to Mom’s room. Luckily, it had two king beds in it and I joined Lindsay in one of them after washing my face. I was exhausted, emotional, and just needed to hold my daughter.
We slept late the following day and Lindsay snuggled close to me after she woke up to find me in bed. “Mommy.”
“Hi, baby. Sleep good?” I asked as she pressed her face into my neck.
“I missed you. How is Alex, Mommy?” Her voice was serious, and my heart broke all over again.
“He’s good. He’s still at the hospital for a while but the doctors made him better,” I assured her as I met my mom’s gaze across the room. “I know he’d love to see you. Want to visit?”
“I need clothes. Everything is in my room.” I froze at the idea of going back there. Stan met my eyes and nodded.
“I can get some stuff for you, Lindsay. What is your favorite outfit there?” He jotted down some of the stuff she said, and I gave him the key as he kissed my head. Stan told me that he’d grab some stuff for me as well and I thanked him. Mom made me a cup of coffee as she turned the TV up a bit.
Once Stan got back and Lindsay and I changed into some clean clothing, we went down to the lobby for some breakfast. I nibbled at a waffle and some fruit while Mom encouraged Lindsay to try a little of everything. I laughed watching them and then sobered up when Stan came down to take us to the hospital.
I smiled when I saw his family. Lindsay shrank back a little and I stayed there for a second as they seemed to realize they were scaring her. My parents stepped forward and introduced themselves as Alex looked at Lindsay. She peered around me and then scurried across the room to him, smiling as Stan placed her on the bed near his good leg. She perked up, asking how he was feeling as I watched everyone around us melt. Even if I wasn’t front and center to their growing relationship, it was obvious that Lindsay loved him. I could see how much he cared for her as well.
We were free to be his. I moved forward, smiling as Brent offered me his seat beside Lindsay. It didn’t take long for the ice to be broken and everyone start talking to each other. Lindsay warmed up to his mom and sister quickly once she seemed to understand how important they were to Alex. She still sat with him the entire time, close to me on the other side of her as she told them all about her days.
Eventually, Alex showed signs of fatigue and we were invited to lunch with everyone. Alex joked that we should bring something back and I kissed him, whispering that I would. He was on no restrictions.
We decided to go to a nearby restaurant that would work for all of us. I asked for something on the louder side so Lindsay could be herself. She was happy with this group and I wouldn’t stifle that right now. We got a large table in the back and ordered drinks before looking at the menu.
I fell more in love with Alex spending time with his family. I hated meeting them this way, but we were all together when we needed to me. They loved him, and I could already see that they were falling in love with Lindsay as the afternoon wore on. We enjoyed a long lunch at the restaurant and I ordered a meal to go for Alex, so he could have something other than bad hospital food. He was awake and watching TV when we returned, and I smiled when everyone told me to go inside. They had Lindsay outside, so she could run around.
I walked into his room with the bag and smiled as he gazed at me. “All alone?”
“Lind is running around outside burning off steam. They offered to watch her and give us a moment.” I sat down, placing the bag on the tray beside the bed. “We haven’t been alone in a while. I miss it.”
“I’d be willing to have you sleep in this bed with me if only to feel your skin against mine,” Alex confessed as I smiled at him.
“It’s not very big.” I joked, knowing that he’d get no rest if we did that.
“We’d make it work. I’d sleep on rocks if it meant you’d be with me.” He kissed me before digging into the bag as I watched. “How was lunch?”
“Lindsay continued to charm everyone. She and I are officially in love with your family. You must keep us now.” I made my tone light but meant every word that I said. We went through a lot in a short time to be here together, not to mention the years I struggled alone. Alex was worth all of that.
“I wasn’t considering that. Not before all of this and certainly not now. You both complete me.” He grabbed his burger with a smile, biting into it.
“Same,” I murmured, placing my hand over the sheet covering him. “How do you feel?”
“Better. The meds are great, and they keep coming. I think it will be different when I leave but they might give me a good prescription. At least I don’t need physical therapy to get back to normal.” He was going to heal all on his own.
“I’m so relieved. That could have been a lot worse.” My mind started to race with the possibilities and he covered my hand with his.
“Stop. It wasn’t worse. We’re going to bounce back and get even stronger from this.” Alex reached for a fry and I nodded with watery eyes.
“I know. I just keep seeing it.” I confessed as he squeezed me.
“Will you stay home and take care of me when I go home?” Alex asked, and I imagined walking that hallway to the loft again. I knew that it would show no signs of what happened, and I needed to get over the incident, but I shivered at the thought.
“Absolutely. I think everyone will want to help us.” He took another bite and nodded as I relaxed my shoulders. We’d sent Rosie to a friend’s house during this time after she came to visit Alex, crying as she hugged him. It was too chaotic, and we had a lot of people to take care of Lindsay if needed.
“How do you feel about going back there?” Alex asked as I sighed.
“A part of me wants to move but it is such a beautiful place. I have to get past that incident, at least for now.” I looked at him as he nodded somberly. “Nobody is out to get me anymore. We’re safe.”
“I’ll make sure of that.” Alex promised. He finished his food and we had a little time to kiss, whispering to each other in between. It felt a little like before and I was in the bed cuddling with him when people started trickling in. Maybe I could sleep here. Lindsay led the pack and gaped at me.
“Mommy. That bed is too small for you.” I laughed along with Alex as she ran over and sat in the chair closest to us. “Did you eat your food, Alex?”
“I did, and it was delicious. Thanks everyone.” He smiled around the room and everyone murmured back. I realized that Stan wasn’t here and when I opened my mouth to ask why not, he strode into the room with a smile.
“I just spoke to the detective and we’re clear. It was self-defense.” I pressed my face into Alex’s neck, wanting to cry. This was over. I took a glance at my daughter and she was frowning around at us and hugs and happy tears were exchanged.
“I’ll tell you later,” I whispered to her as she nodded. I wrapped an arm around her while I pressed against Alex, slightly uncomfortable but gloriously happy.
I stayed at the hotel with my parents most of the nights when he was in the hospital. I even took Lindsay to the room the Alex’s family shared for a sleepover, complete with snacks and movies. It wasn’t just a room but a suite with two bedrooms. Lindsay fell asleep on the luxurious couch and I locked everything up and went to bed in the empty room with the door open.
It was a bonding time built around the circumstances and I felt more welcomed by them with ea
ch day. When the week was up, and we returned to the loft, I was right about the help. Everyone chipped in with cooking and helping in other ways, allowing me some down time with the love of my life.
We still couldn’t wait until he was better, and we were completely alone. We needed to make up for the lost time.
Chapter Twenty
Alexander
I went back home after a week in the hospital. Of course, Soledad and Lindsay were there to help me, but we had family helping us as well. Alli left after the second week to get back to school but Mom stayed, and I sensed her getting comfortable.
I knew that Soledad was uncomfortable the first time she walked down the hall into the loft. She was focused on helping me on my crutches, but I watched as her eyes darted to the place where Keith died. It was clean, and you could never tell it happened, but it would forever play in her memory. Her parents and my mom kept her distracted by helping around the house. They cooked, cleaned, and played with Lindsay so Soledad could rest. I was off work for a few weeks and she joined me, still working part-time with the team. We settled into a nice routine and I started to walk around as soon as I started healing.
We also took the time alone to make love in our room. We couldn’t be as flexible as before and she had to ride me most of the time, but I loved watching her. Her body was sexy, and her tits rocked with the movement as she’d move slow or fast, depending on who was home with us. We conveniently got a lot of alone time and used that time wisely, fucking as hard as she was comfortable with. I couldn’t wait to put weight on my leg and feel her in every position again and I held her every night, trying to reassure her that everything was going to be okay.
The word got back to the office that I’d been shot thanks to the news. I was relatively well-known in the city with my business success and my name was everywhere. It was Keith that was the unknown and Millie asked what happened when she spoke to Soledad. “I don’t know what to tell her, Alex. It’s my past that put your name out there.”
“It isn’t a past that you created. It is one that you escaped, and he was the crazy one. Knowing the staff and how stunned they were seeing me with you and Lindsay, they’re probably speculating about your side piece or something.” I watched her wince. “I hate that image as much as you do but we know how it works. Try to come up with something that will appease them without revealing too much if you can. If not, I’ll work on something.” I kissed her hair as she smiled at me in the moonlight.
“I haven’t talked about it with too many people. I have always tried to keep it vague.” Her voice was soft, and I played back the various times that she looked hesitant or scared. It made so much sense now.
“I know, honey. I wish that this wasn’t out there like it is but I’m also glad that he’s gone. I’m glad that you can walk the city and not look over your shoulder.” I looked at her, shifting on my leg. “Now we get our new start.”
“You still tell me to be careful,” she teased me, reminding me how I was when she took Lindsay to the park alone.
“I have two gorgeous girls. Of course, I do.” I kissed her lips gently and pulled her against me.
Mom came over the next morning to make breakfast with Rosie. She came home when we returned, taking back her room and new duties. The women all got on well and Stan would sit with me to escape it when it was too much. They were all compassionate and generous with it, but I missed living alone sometimes.
Mom started talking about going home after the first month. I was still putting her up in a hotel room in the same place as Soledad’s mom and dad. She sat with me over dinner one night at the loft as Soledad took Lindsay out with Rosie. They were missing their time together and I encouraged them to enjoy it. They spent far too much time with Daniel in the past. “Are you ready to get back to the house?” I asked Mom as she sipped her wine slowly.
“I am going to miss you, all of you. It’s been nice staying here in Seattle with you.” Her voice was sad, and I eyed her. “Now that Alli is in school and she will end up on her own, the house seems a little lonely.” My mind raced with possibilities as I reached for my beer.
“You would stay here?” I queried as she looked thoughtfully out of the window.
“I think so. You have a family now, Alex. It isn’t like it was before now and seeing you all together has been so nice. Even though the situation started off bad, it brought us all together.”
“Mom, I have an idea. I’ve been thinking about this for the last few weeks, but I might move out of the loft.” Her eyes widened as she looked at me. “It’s paid off since I paid cash for it. I got a great deal and it’s nice. It just holds too many memories for Sol now. I know she always sees that scene when we walk up to the door. It’s in her face and her eyes.”
“I’ve seen that as well,” Mom noted as she looked around. “This is a big place. Wouldn’t you rather sell it to buy another home?”
“I could but you could also move in. It’s a great location to tour the city and there’s room for Alli to stay here. She could even move when she’s done with school and get a job at one of the local papers. You could also set up an office and a craft room if you want, start painting again. You have the room here.” I looked around at the place where my life began here in Seattle as a single man, transitioning into that of a family man. “I was thinking about a house with a yard.”
“That would be lovely.” Mom’s eyes shimmered as I chuckled.
“Keep it quiet, Mom. I need to make some plans but feel free to stay in the hotel if you want to. I have that covered.” She shook her head and took a longer look around. “What about Rosie?”
“It is up to her. She’d welcome to stay with us and help with Lindsay. She’s kind of like a third grandma.” I made sure to look at her, but Mom laughed.
“That she is.” I wondered what would happen if we got a house and Mom moved here. Would Rosie want to stay? Would she feel like she was intruding on my mom’s time with Lindsay? I should ask Soledad about this, but I wanted it to be a surprise.
Fuck. I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Don’t start worrying, Alex. This will all work out.” Mom was laughing at me as I drew a long drink of the beer. “I have never seen you like this over a woman.”
We both heard the door and smiled secretly to each other. Lindsay walked in first and she was carrying a white bag. “We brought you dessert.”
“What is it?” Mom asked as she patted the chair beside her.
“We went to the cupcake place after sushi. There’s a bunch of different kinds.” Rosie and Soledad walked in and I took in the sight of my beautiful girlfriend. She was smiling and looked happier than she had in a while walking into the loft. Maybe she was over the past, but I doubted it.
“Are you hungry? I had a Groupon to use and she begged.” Soledad grinned as she moved to the table. Mom stood and grabbed some glasses to pour more wine, sitting down as Lindsay opened the bag. She handed out the small cakes and we ate them as we talked about going to the outdoor market tomorrow.
I imagined doing it in a house with a view of the water. I could grill outside while Lindsay played, and everyone relaxed at a large outdoor table and chatted while they watched her. We could have drinks in the evening after Lindsay was in bed, making love later with the window open so the fresh air could blow through the room.
Chapter Twenty-One
Soledad
Our families returned home a month and a half after Alex got shot. We had plans to have Thanksgiving and Christmas here in the city all together. I also told them we’d bring Lindsay to visit them, hugging them at the airport before they boarded their flights. I watched as they walked away and turned to Alex with watery eyes. “I am so glad to be back to normal, but I will miss them.”
“I feel the same way,” He told me, hugging me as Lindsay waved goodbye. We were going back to work the following week, both full-time to see how it went. I was admittedly suffering from cabin fever and the lack of control I had on the daily of
fice duties. I had a great staff and trusted them, but I missed the feeling of being in the building. Soledad was a bit torn about leaving Lindsay all day again. We had a great time with her. We just both loved our jobs.
We went out to dinner on the way back home. I picked Soledad’s favorite place and she looked out over the city lights as we ate, Lindsay chatting her way through dinner. She was quiet, and I suspected that she was worried about the reaction at work to our return.
I’d put the fire out by telling Brent to say it was a stalker situation. It wasn’t a lie, but no one needed to know about the past. That was for Soledad to tell. It just got out of hand, but everyone was fine, and I was going back to work. “Are you okay?” I asked her as she sipped her ice water.
“Yeah. I just need to adjust to our new life. It’s been so crazy lately with everyone here and… I don’t know. I’ll sort it out.” Soledad smiled at me as she glanced at Lindsay, who was eating her macaroni and cheese as she stared outside. I was pretty sure that she was sad as well.
“I’m going to miss my grandmas and grandpa.” Her voice was low, and I shared a look with Soledad. “They were here for so long.”
“It’s because Alex got hurt. They were helping out,” Soledad told her as she ruffled her hair. We’d told her about what happened, keeping the details vague. She didn’t know the personal connection to the person that shot him. I’d tell her much later when she was older and able to handle it. As far as I was concerned, Alex was her father. “We’re going to visit them, and they’ll be here for the holidays.”
I looked at Alex, who was smiling at us. It was brighter than it should be, but I brushed that off. I knew how hard he worked to make her happy. “I know, Mommy. I just miss them.”
