by Mia Ford
“Well, you’ll be with Rosie a lot now when we go back to work. She’ll take you to so many fun places and then we’ll do stuff on the weekends.” It was exciting to plan stuff without the fear of Keith being out there.
“Do you have to go to work?” Lindsay asked as my face fell. I knew this was coming.
“I am going to help Alex, Lind. He’s been gone for a long time and needs to catch up. We’ll see how it goes.” I promised her as she stabbed a grape. This was hard. I loved being home with her, but I also loved working. She’d also be going to school in just another year and be busy herself.
Things were changing so fast.
We headed home and got Lindsay ready for bed. We still had three days before we went back to work and I was going to make full use of it. Once she was asleep, we walked into our room and he closed the door. I walked into the bathroom to prepare for bed, shivering at the idea of him having full use of his leg. Alex was lucky that there was no permanent damage. I washed my face and brushed my teeth before slipping into a sheer black number that clung to my body. I didn’t have to wear this to make him want me, but I did a little shopping during my time home. I ran a hand through my waves and sucked in a breath as I turned around to look at myself.
I needed to get back to the gym. It was amazing how busy I felt staying at home. I knew Alex felt the same way.
I walked into the bedroom to see it lit by candles. Alex was standing by the closet in his fitted briefs and I felt my thighs grow slick at the sight. “You’re so fucking hot.” I murmured as he turned to me to raise a brow. His eyes locked on my body, visible through the lace.
“Me? Did you look at yourself?” Alex asked as he turned to walk towards me. He cupped my face, stroking my cheeks with his thumbs as he looked me over. “Beautiful. You’re gorgeous, Soledad. I’m so damn lucky to have you.” His eyes warmed as our gazes locked. “I love you.”
“I love you,” I told him as I felt my nipples pebble under the thin material and my sex ache deep inside. I leaned up to kiss him, tilting my head as our tongues moved together slowly. Alex lifted me and carried me to the bed, dropping over me as his kiss grew hungrier. He moved between my thighs, where I was bare, and he pressed his cock against my swollen clit. “Oh, God.” I cried out as I rocked against him, needed to come. Alex kissed my jaw, then my neck as he slipped his hand down between my legs. I was soaked, and he stroked me as I bit my lips to hold in a moan.
I felt Alex slip the material down as he sucked a nipple through the lace. He finished, baring me before he drew me between his teeth. I loved this man so much and craved him as his hands and mouth moved over me. He tugged the lace down and cupped my breasts as he kissed down my stomach, his chest damp with my juices. His thumbs stroked me, and I felt the pressure inside of me.
His mouth covered my pussy and I broke, moaning his name softly. The idea of a bigger place was so appealing in moments like this as my world went white. Alex sucked, prolonging my release as I gripped his hair tight and arched my back. I heard him move and then return to me, pressing his cock into me. He felt so good and I gripped the sheets as he moved. “Is your knee okay?” I asked as he told me he was. He’d been working hard here at home to get his strength back. I rocked with him, looking up into his stunning face as I realized again that he was mine. Alex drove himself deeper inside of me, groaning my name softly as I reached up to grip his shoulders. “Alex. Oh, God.”
“I’m going to come, Sol. Fuck. You feel so good.” His voice was guttural as he thrust harder, bringing me to another orgasm.
“I loved riding you the last few weeks but it’s so hot to have you doing me like this.” I told him as he pressed his face into my neck
“It’s hot feeling you like this.” Alex rolled away from me, dropping to his side beside me. He stroked my bare stomach and I thought about the many times I’d thought about having his baby since Keith died. Knowing that we could have lost each other that day made me fall even more in love with him and want a solid future. I kept that to myself though.
We went to sleep after that, ready for Lindsay to be up early. We had plans for a picnic and a trip to a museum the following day. It was going to be the big weekend before we returned to our normal responsibilities.
We visited Alex’s mom Jane first and I loved her little house in the country. It was a month after we went back to work and our first long weekend. The weather was a bit dreary, but it was still beautiful. I could see the appeal of it, but she seemed a little on edge during our visit. She seemed sad that we would be leaving in three days the first night we were there.
We managed a trip to see my parents before the holiday as well. Again, it wasn’t ideal weather, but we wanted to keep a relationship with all of them. Lindsay loved being with her family for that time and I’d never take it away from her. It was another long weekend and we spent a lot of it inside, eating and playing games. The burned shell of the house to the left of their property made my heart hurt, knowing it could have been them. We never knew if Keith did it, but the fire was arson and the locations matched up.
I stopped thinking about it and enjoyed the time we had there, watching Lindsay with my parents on their turf. She loved being in a house with land and a part of me considered living in a house with Alex down the line. I know that he loved the loft and the location, but to have a backyard that Lindsay could play in would be so prefect. I glanced down, sipping my wine as I pushed the idea away. I was getting ahead of myself.
On the way home, I glanced back at Lindsay and smiled. We’d chosen to drive and enjoy the views from the car window. There was no rush other than work the following morning, but we’d left early enough to be okay.
Thanksgiving was just over a month away, but Rosie was already planning. It would be a tight fit in the loft and hotel rooms would need to be reserved, but we’d be together. I found myself looking forward to the first holiday season since Lindsay was born. I was always too worried about Keith. I was bubbling over with new ideas for the holiday and Rosie jumped right in with me.
It was here before we knew it. Work was great, and I was back to working half days with Alex and the other part with the team. We were creating some amazing ads and gaining a name for ourselves. The company was earning more, and Alex gave us all a raise just in time for the holidays. Everyone knew we were together and accepted it. His shooting scared the staff and even if they didn’t know the details, they were happy to still have him around.
It didn’t hurt that Lindsay came in a lot to visit. They were adorable together and Millie asked when I was going to be having babies with him. Had we really just been together for less than a year? It seemed like so much longer and I was ready for that in some ways. I loved him and wanted a future, but I just laughed at her. We weren’t there yet.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alexander
I had the plans laid out for Christmas. I’d been looking at houses and planned to take the families to the one I thought was perfect for us. I put a hold on it and we were going to take a drive, ending up there. It wouldn’t be the best weather, but the yard was still gorgeous with a generous view of the blue water.
I was also going to propose.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with a huge meal in the loft. There was love and laughter in the room, created by a bind that I never expected. Lindsay glowed having her favorite people around, staying in various rooms with them through the week. It gave us a great break and some alone time, since Rosie was visiting friends. Making Soledad scream my name was one of my finest accomplishments as I took her hard and deep.
I couldn’t wait to do it in a house. I wanted a big bedroom with a view and some privacy. I wanted it to be peaceful for Soledad as well as our own little space to enjoy each other thoroughly. It was so hard to look on my own but there was a whole plan around it and she had the final say. Most of the leg work was done online and I’d look with the excuse of having a meeting. Soledad was my assistant and I’d see the look on her face when I t
old her where I was going.
Everyone was in on it and I saw a lot of knowing smiles over the week we spent together. I hoped that Soledad didn’t notice, and she seemed to be busy with everyone, oblivious to what was going on right under her nose.
We were on our own for a bit after the week and I held Soledad in bed and listened to the quiet. Lindsay was passed out in her room and Soledad smiled at me. “It was a great week. I haven’t had a holiday like that in a long time.”
“I loved it. Christmas will be even better.” I had a shopping list for Lindsay that Soledad protested, telling me that we didn’t have enough room for it all. I came back with the fact that she was always watching money and never had the chance to go crazy. I won. We started shopping online as soon as Thanksgiving was over, so we could get everything wrapped.
I bought the diamond two weeks before Christmas. It was a delicate band with small stones around the finger and a square one carat solitaire. The ring was beautiful and had a similar band for the wedding. It would look amazing on Soledad’s hand and I tucked it back in my closet for later before she came in for bed.
We were set to celebrate with everybody. Our tree was large and decorated with colorful lights and vibrant colored ornaments. We bought it all this year, but I looked forward to the ornaments that Lindsay would make us in school. I looked forward to the memories we’d create. For now, we had presents piled underneath for family and an exciting Christmas morning for Lindsay. Rosie had a lot hidden in her room for us since Lindsay went in there the least. I never knew how stressful it was having a child on Christmas until now and Soledad did everything she could to distract me. She had no idea what she was in store for, but I stared at my closet every time we were together in our room.
I walked into the apartment the night before everyone was set to arrive, smiling at the lights and decorations. It was a combination of the tastes of Soledad and Lindsay, but I could admit it looked beautiful. I’d never decorated before, choosing to visit my mom and sister every year in the past. I took the least time off that I could, so I could rush back to the office. I never knew what I was missing until now. I gave the staff two weeks paid holiday leave so everyone could enjoy time with their families, shocking Brent. He went as far as to feel my forehead, asking if I was feeling okay.
I told him to fuck off and have a good Christmas.
Lindsay and Rosie were making cookies as I walked in with Soledad. She laughed and walked in to see what all the fuss was about as I loosened my tie with one hand, dropping the keys on the table with the other. It smelled sweet in here and I stepped to the entrance of the room to see flour everywhere. “Alex!” Lindsay cried out as I looked at her.
“You are a mess, little Lind.” I laughed as she came to hug me. I knew that I would now be a mess but didn’t care. This was my world now.
We got the cookies baked and stored before having some homemade turkey noodle soup for dinner. Everyone was flying in tomorrow and checking into their rooms before coming over. Christmas was in a week, but we had plans around the city before then, one of them being the proposal.
Rosie cleaned up after dinner and we went to watch a Christmas movie in the living room. I grew up watching a few and wanted to introduce them to Lindsay. We all fell asleep on the couch and I woke up with a blanket over me, knowing that Rosie did it. That was the reason that she was going to be living in an apartment on the lower level of the house. We loved her and quite frankly, we needed her.
Everything was going to be perfect.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Soledad
Everything was crazy once the families arrived. More presents were piled around our tree and I felt like we ate every five minutes. We did a lot of holiday events in the city for Lindsay and she beamed through all of them. God, I loved making her happy this way
Alex suggested a drive one evening and I looked at him across the bedroom. “Where?”
“We could grab some dinner and have a relaxing night. Maybe go and see some lights.” He shrugged, and I pulled my hair up. We hadn’t done too much today and that could be fun.
“Have you run this idea by anyone else?” I asked as he told me he’d do that now. I was wearing worn jeans and a pink cashmere sweater after a lazy day and stretched, thinking how great a nap sounded. I’d been tired lately. Working so much and Lindsay was exhausting enough in itself but I had news for Alex.
“They’re in, baby. Let’s take the big SUV,” he said from the door as I glanced at him.
“I’ll get my boots on.” I smiled and sat down to pull the soft, warm shoes over my jeans. I was happy now beyond my wildest dreams. I had almost everything I wanted and wanted to tell him everything as a Christmas gift in addition to the ones under the tree. I walked out to see everyone slipping on jackets, hats, and scarves as Alex held my thick gray coat up. He’d already suited Lindsay up and she took my hand as we walked down to the garage. I got into the front as Mom got Lindsay in before slipping into the back with Stan. Alli and Jane took the seats beside my daughter and I smiled back at them as Alex started the car.
Christmas music played as we drove. Lindsay sang along, and I chuckled as I gazed back, melting at seeing her so happy. Was she amped up more tonight? It was probably just the excitement and I reached for Alex as I turned back around. He drove through the city and seemed to ease into a neighborhood that overlooked the water. There were a lot of lights out here all over the houses and I smiled as I pointed them out to Lindsay. I imagined how pretty it was when the sun was out as I looked at the settling sun on the horizon. “It’s gorgeous out here,” I murmured as Alex squeezed my hand.
He drove around the corner, pulling into a driveway as I frowned. This house didn’t have Christmas lights on the outside, but it was lit up inside. I looked around and then in the back, seeing a lot of curious looks. “What are we doing here?” I asked as I looked at Alex. He was serious as he gazed back at me.
“Come inside.” He got out and took my hand as he pulled me from the SUV. I glanced back to see everyone else slowly doing the same as he walked me towards the door. There was a large white light hanging above the large stained-glass door and he pushed it open as I stared at him.
“Alex?” I let him take me inside and looked around. The lights were dim, but I could see the beautiful sunken living room lit with several candles. It was an open room with a big kitchen and my mouth dropped open as I turned to face him. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Do you like it?” He asked as I cupped his face.
“It’s gorgeous. I can only imagine what it must look like during the day.” Like the loft, it had several windows that looked over the water and the orange and pink of the sunset.
“I was thinking of buying it.” I looked at him with wide eyes. “It has five bedrooms and an apartment in the basement for Rosie to live in.”
“Oh my God.” I started crying as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Alex. I love it.”
“I love you,” he breathed into my ear as he held me. “I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone before, you and Lindsay. I want us to build a future of memories and happiness.”
I stared as he pulled back and dropped to the floor. A little hand touched my leg and I glanced down at Lindsay as she smiled at me. “Lindsay.” I breathed as I realized that everyone was walking inside now. I didn’t look but assumed that phones were out. I touched Lindsay’s hand and looked back at Alex with blurry eyes.
“Meeting you changed my life, Soledad. I have never felt that way so fast with anybody and I knew that I was taking a lot on. I didn’t care, and I’d go to the ends of the Earth for you.” I dropped down with him, hugging Lindsay to me as I stared at him.
“You did,” I sobbed as he smiled.
“We have surpassed a lot. Now it is our time, Soledad. Will you do me the honors of marrying me?” I rested my face in my hands as Lindsay walked over to him. “I want both of you forever making memories in this house if you want it. If not, we can get an
other one. Anything for you, Sol.”
“I love the house. I love you. I’ll marry you,” I cried as I threw myself into his arms. We kissed slowly as he held me in his arms before everyone started clapping and cheering. Eventually, he slipped a beautiful ring on my finger and I fussed over it before I remembered my own intentions. It wasn’t Christmas yet, but this was the right time. “Can I see the rest of the house?”
He turned lights on, so we could see, taking me to the downstairs rooms as we all looked around. They were perfect for guests and I smiled as we walked up the wide stairs. Everyone followed, and Lindsay held our hands as the ring pressed into my skin, making me want to hyperventilate. I saw the master that overlooked the water though all I could see was the reflection of the moon on the choppy surface. There were two more rooms, both big and with views of the water as well. This house was more than I could have ever imagined.
I watched as Lindsay claimed her room and walked slowly to the other one. Alex followed me as Lindsay chattered about her room, wrapping his arms around my waist. “What do you want for this room? An office?”
“I was thinking that it would make a great nursery.” I spoke softly, and he tightened his arms before he rubbed my stomach.
“Nursery?” Alex confirmed as I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“I found out after the shooting. There was so much going on and I… focused on that. I wasn’t sure if this would even happen for me with everything going on. It is though. I am close to the three-month mark and we can tell everyone.”
“You’re pregnant.” He said as I smiled and turned in his arms.
“I am.” I confirmed as he kissed me.
“Figures you would up the ante,” Alex told me before he kissed me. He pulled me close and I laughed against his mouth as people came in to see what was happening. “She’s having a baby.” He told them as he held me close. There were gasps and tears as everyone hugged me. I picked Lindsay up and gazed into her eyes as she stared at me.
