Intimacy (Rose Series Book 3)

by Eden Fortae

  Eden rocked back and forth, cradling her belly. Dizziness brought the floor closer. At the last second, her left hand broke her fall. A lightning bolt of sharp pain crawled up from her pelvis, squeezing her stomach until she was on her knees dry heaving. In an attempt to get through it, Eden counted to five, breathing between the numbers. On the fifth, she pushed up to the sofa. As she pulled her phone from her pocket, she counted to ten bracing for the next contraction. Once again, Eden cradled her stomach, rolling onto her side while groaning into the cushion. Vaguely she heard her name and imagined Donny holding her hand.

  A grip on her shoulder pulled her upright. When she opened her eyes, Donny and Chris were standing over her. Whether they were there or not, she clung to the security of their presence and the man in front of her.

  “I don’t want to do this! I’m not ready! I don’t know how to be a mother!”

  He was saying something. Soft brown eyes bore into Eden, trying to calm her and failing. Even as he cupped her cheeks, she found it hard to hear him over her own breathing and crying.

  “I’m scared, Donovan! I don’t know what I was thinking! I can’t do this! What if I can’t?”

  “Eden!” The depth and volume of his voice stilled her, but the labored breathing continued. “I’ve got you. I’m right here. I’m never going to leave your side. Ok?”

  She nodded, pulling away from him when the familiar pull in her stomach began. Despite the pain she was in, she tried not to groan. Instead, she gripped the pillow beside her, sighing heavily through her nose.

  “Chris, grab her bag, please. It’s in the baby’s room by the closet.”

  “Is that all you need?”

  “Yeah. Lock the bottom lock behind you and meet me downstairs.”

  Gently he helped Eden to her feet then carried her bridal style down to his truck. She buried her face in his chest, losing the battle to be strong.

  “I don’t know how to be a mom, Donovan. I’m scared. I don’t want to fail him.”

  “It’s ok. I don’t know how to be a dad.”

  “You’re going to be amazing, though.”

  “And you’re going to be a great mother.”

  “How do you know that? What if you’re wrong?”

  “I know because you’re already worried about being the best for him.” On the stairs, Donny kissed her forehead and nose. He set her on her feet long enough to open the passenger side door. As he buckled her in and another contraction came, he took her hand. When it was over, he kissed her fingers and whispered against them. “And you’re already amazing.”

  FORTY-ONE

  No questions about it. He had Donny’s nose and lips. What little time his eyes were opened, Eden saw traces of herself. The shock had yet to wear off. After six more hours of intense labor and twelve pushes, a nurse placed the screaming baby on her chest, and she couldn’t name the feeling.

  Donny, on the other hand, hadn’t stopped smiling since. When they weighed the baby and measured him, Donny beamed. When they were cleaning him up, Donny jumped at the chance to help. He asked the nurse to put their son’s footprint on his shirt, right over his heart and wore it like a badge of honor.

  With the baby in his arms, he sat beside Eden, kissing her cheek repeatedly whispering gratitude she didn’t fully understand until visiting hours. Each of his family members was greeted with tearful hugs. Fredo and Hae argued over which one of them their grandson resembled more, and that’s when it hit her. Before then, there was no one in the family Donny had a genetic link to. No one he could truly see himself in physically. Their son changed that. The decision to keep him made that possible.

  Disappointment washed away Eden’s smile as she watched the family fawn over her son. For no reason at all, they loved him. More than her own happiness, she wanted the baby to feel and grow within that love, but it pained her to think he’d get it from everyone but her.

  The first moment she was alone with her baby came with a midday shift change. Donny reluctantly left to grab fresh clothes while those who stayed waited in the cafeteria. The baby was sleeping peacefully in the bassinet beside her. Like a child sneaking a cookie, she glanced at the door before picking him up. Slowly, Eden unwrapped his blanket. As if he were still in her womb, she touched the bottom of his foot. When he moved, she giggled.

  “All this time, I was tickling you, huh?”

  The tip of her thumb trailed over each of his toes. Soon, she was taking inventory of his fingers. His hold on her finger revived that feeling directly after birth. Shock with a magnetic force behind it. Disbelief with an intense tightening in her chest.

  “Good Afternoon, sweetie.” A nurse with short salt and pepper hair knocked before entering the room. She did a routine check with many questions then gazed at the baby with a warm smile. “What’s his name?”

  “I haven’t decided yet. I was hoping his dad would since I did the hard part. He put down his last name but left the first and middle blank.”

  “That’s a blessing. My husband named our first son. I hate it so much till this very day I refuse to call that boy Wallace.”

  Eden grimaced. “Is your husband’s name Wallace?”

  “No, that was the name of his childhood best friend. He died when they were eleven. Hit by a car on the way to school. That’s the only reason I didn’t argue with it. I call him by his middle name. Are you nursing?”

  “Should I?”

  “It’s really up to you. Breast milk has many benefits for both of you and is great for bonding. It’s always the right temperature, and you don’t have to worry about questionable ingredients.”

  “Ok.”

  Nervously Eden lowered the top of her gown as the nurse loosed the baby’s blanket.

  “It’s going to hurt at first, but as time goes on, you won’t feel any discomfort. When he’s done, he should let go on his own. If he doesn’t, you can gently nudge his lips apart. Be sure to let your nipples air-dry to avoid soreness. If you feed him from the right breast this time, nurse from the opposite next time. This way, you ensure equal milk production.”

  It took a couple of minutes, but he latched on with ease. An odd sense of pride rushed through her. Something so simple felt like an accomplishment. Just as the nurse said, he let go on his own. At her instruction, she positioned him for burping. When he did, the sound caused her eyes to widen and the nurse to laugh.

  “Is it supposed to be that loud?”

  “Just wait. They get louder, and by then, he’ll probably think it’s funny.”

  Visions of that warmed her. She could see a little version of Donny laughing his heart out. Knowing his dad, if he weren’t looking on pridefully, he’d probably burp, too.

  “Alright, sweetie, I’ll be back to check on you shortly. If you need me, just hit the call button.”

  “Thank you.”

  Alone again, Eden kept the baby against her bare chest. Quickly writing out the name Xaiver Donovan, she signed what was left. Content with her decision, she held one of his tiny feet and rubbed the heel. Thankful for the window across the room, she was able to enjoy the sunshine while more visions of her baby boy smiling, laughing, and being a carefree child lulled her to sleep.

  Sometime later, lips pressed against hers. Instinctively Eden’s arms tightened around her baby. Donny looked down with a smirk then kissed the top of their son’s head.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. You’re so beautiful I couldn’t help myself.”

  “It’s alright. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

  “Why? I’m sure you’re tired. You want me to put him in the bassinet?”

  “No,” she replied plainly, to which he laughed. “Where’s everyone? Can you call Chace for me?”

  “I already did. I sent pictures, too. Everyone’s coming up. I asked them to hang back for a few because I wanted to give you a push present. My mom said she’d put her foot in my ass if I didn’t get you one. I hope you like it.” A pretty holographic gift bag sat on the bedside table. D
etermined not to let go of the baby, Eden pulled through the bag single-handedly. She frowned at the black folder and held her breath when she saw the first page inside.

  “I read your father’s letter after you went to bed that night. I’m sorry for invading your privacy. I desperately wanted to make it better.”

  “I have a middle name?” Barely making it beyond the first line, Eden was overcome with emotion. “It’s my mom’s first name? Eden Rosalie. Sounds like a spoiled valley girl with a purse puppy.” Watery laughter preceded tears. Seeing her mom’s age with the name of the hospital she was currently in, she began to cry harder. Donny reached out for the baby. Eden handed him over without a fight, pulling her gown up to wipe her face. In the process, she broke down. The gentle hand on her back became her strength. He moved closer to flip the page and continued rubbing her back.

  The next documents were copies of a detailed report about her mother and adoption details. Every word felt like a discovery. She read them both overwhelmingly excited and saddened. It was like reading a biography. There were records attached with dates and bits of information, fascinating but confusing.

  “I don’t understand. This says her name is Rosalie Félix Flores, born in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico. My birth certificate says Rosalie Masterson, born in San Diego. She was seventeen and already married to someone else?”

  “No, baby,” Donny flipped the page to another confusing document. “Rosalie Félix Flores is your mother’s birth name. Your grandfather got caught up in some pretty nasty stuff. After his death, your grandmother fled from Mexico with your mother. She was caught at the border, but a young soldier saw your mother in her arms and risked everything to help. Eventually, your grandmother married him. To avoid discovery and being deported, they had fake documents drawn up, changing your mother’s last name to his. I only know this because she told me.”

  “She told you?” Eden burst into tears again. Behind her hands, she sobbed so hard her body shook.

  “You know how I am. I have to protect your heart before anything.”

  “What did she say? Is she ok? Why did she give me up?”

  “Your father’s letter made it seem like a one-time thing, but it wasn’t. Your mother was young and so in love that she confided in him and moved across the country to be closer, not knowing he was married until after she was pregnant. He knew about her past and threatened to expose her if she didn’t sign away her rights. After she turned you over to your father, she found out that her age could have been a loophole and began to fight for you. She got a little too close to home for your father’s wife, and she made the call. Your grandmother was still married and had given birth to three more children, so she was safe. Your mother wasn’t so lucky. Without legal rights to you, she no longer had citizenship.”

  Eden dropped her head again. Heartbroken didn’t begin to explain it. The anger she’d buried with the severed family ties came roaring back. It was as if her father and his family set out to hurt her from the start, and he died before he could answer for it.

  “It took years, but your mother became an American citizen, and she’s been praying you’d find her ever since.”

  “She wants to meet me?” Donny nodded and chuckled as Eden started sobbing again. “I’m already a mess, Donovan. Why would you do this to me?!”

  “I love you. You’ve heard me say that, and I know you felt it, but I wanted you to see it.”

  And she did. She tried to plug her ears and close her eyes, but the power that was this man found his way into her heart. Against her will, he took her by the hand and led her toward the light. He showed her how to fight back, and for the life she wanted. There’d be stormy days, but with Donny, she could face them. With him, she could handle anything.

  “Will you marry me?”

  That infamous half-smile made her heart flutter. She sat beside him, face drenched from tears with red eyes, yet, his expression mirrored what she felt inside. He began to speak, and she pressed her finger to his lips.

  “I’ve been trying to find ways to show you what I couldn’t say and make up for the hurt I caused. I realize that I’m still a work in progress. I can say I’m sorry today and again tomorrow, and it won’t be enough. But if you allow me this lifetime, I promise there will never be a day that you don’t see how sorry I am, and with all my heart, I love you. I don’t need a wedding. We can go to the courthouse as soon as I’m discharged if you want.”

  His smile faltered slightly. His gaze fell to their baby and came back glossed over. His hand slid from her back to cup her chin, “I’d give you this lifetime and every one after if I could. You have to let me propose to you the right way, though. I also want the pleasure of seeing you walk down the aisle.”

  “That’s a yes.” She beamed, leaning into him.

  “Sí, Hermosa. That’s a yes.”

  EPILOGUE

  Eight months later...

  Eden stilled at the top of the stairs. The noise coming from the room at the end of the hall, drawing her eyes there. Slipping out of her shoes, she quietly tiptoed toward the open door, carefully peering around the wall. What she saw constricted her throat and had her hand moving to her heart.

  Donny sat in the rocking chair with their son on his lap. Both were wearing shirts reading, “Dear Santa, I can explain,” matching black jeans, and Christmas slippers. It was bad enough their son looked more like his father. Dressed alike as they typically were, Donny was all she ever saw in her little boy’s face.

  Perched in front of the TV, colorful images bounced off the wall. Xavier babbled.

  “I don’t know, my guy.” Donny’s voice induced more babbles as if there were an actual conversation. “Right. Spongebob and Patrick seem like fun to me, too. I don’t know what’s wrong with Squidward.” The baby cooed, and Donny chuckled. “Yeah, he reminds me of Uncle Jay, too. That clarinet and gross sounding canned bread are Aunt Julie and Anthony. With them is the only time he’s happy.” The baby made a sound like he was about to cry. Donny leaned forward to see what was wrong, then went back to rocking. “Yeah, you’re right. He does love all of us. I’m just saying I see a difference. Tonito could be Squidward, too. Or Larry the Lobster. Meathead ass.”

  Eden snickered and covered her mouth a second too late. Donny turned to the door and grinned. “Look, Xai, there’s mommy.” He turned the baby toward the door and pointed at her. Too busy trying to eat his bib, Xavier didn’t seem to care until she picked him up. Seeing the smile on her face, he smiled back and cooed but didn’t let go of his bib.

  “Why are you up here while everyone else is downstairs getting ready for brunch?”

  “Father-son time. We usually watch TV and talk before the day starts but with it being Christmas, we’ve been moving around since dawn.”

  Like his father, Xavier was an early riser. When he was up, he was up, and without fail, Donny was, too. What they did four in the morning was a mystery until now.

  “You traded in running for cartoons and baby talk. When I think you can’t make me love you more, you prove me wrong.”

  “Oh yeah? Do you love me enough to give me another one of these?”

  Eden’s eyes widened, and she smirked, pulling out of his arms.

  “Would you look at the time? We have to get downstairs.” She laughed again, feeling him lightly smack her butt when she turned to walk away.

  At the bottom of the stairs, Donny took Xavier and placed him on the floor where Amara and Cj played with Anthony. Being the first holiday they were hosting in their new home, Donny tried to make himself useful in the kitchen only to be put out by his mother and aunt. He joined the rest of the guys watching football in the living room, and it was no surprise that Xavier was back in his arms when Eden finished setting the tables with Karrina.

  “Is it normal to be jealous of your child?”

  “Yes,” Kya and Karrina said in unison.

  “I don’t know what it is about those clowns that these kids love so much.”

  “Careful
, baby. You sound like a hater.”

  “I don’t give a shit what I sound like.”

  “Ohh, Aunt Rina! That’s a dollar!” Beside him, Cj and Amara mimicked him with an “ohh” and hysterical laughter.

  Kya chuckled and bumped Karrina’s shoulder. “You know he’s going to have them running your pockets, too.”

  “I’ll be damned if he turns my son against me. I’m not above fighting a kid.”

  “She’s coming for your stepson. Handle that, Jay.” Donny pushed, causing everyone to grin except Antonio. He still hadn’t fully accepted Julie and Jermaine’s seeing each other, but he no longer reacted to it. Jermaine, on the other hand, had begun to smile more. Although it was faint, the change when Julie and Anthony were around was noticeable.

  “You’re always instigating. Mind your business, puto.”

  “I’m trying to, but you’re talking over the game, la chica loca.”

  “Kiss my ass, pendejo. I’ll unplug the TV and take the damn cord!”

  “Ohh! Three dollars.”

  Laughter drifted from the kitchen, and Karrina rolled her eyes. The arguments became one of Eden’s favorite parts of their gatherings. To her, it was just another example of how much they loved each other. There were many among the entire group, but nothing was more apparent than what they did for her.

  While in the hospital, the news reported that Kenneth was arrested after he was found on the precinct steps, smelling of alcohol. In his possession was a handwritten confession and permission to go through his phone. A week later, the news played a portion of the conversation Eden recorded. Unfortunately, that came with a lot of unwanted attention. Suddenly, she’d gone from the safety of her bubble to being in the spotlight again. Everything from the leaked documents to her father’s Will was on full display. Questions and speculation flooded her world. This time with many people behind her and Madison in mind, Eden stood her ground. Support poured in with the occasional pointed finger. Most importantly, Kenneth’s other victims were empowered to speak up.