Earning Her Love (12 page)

“I’m sorry,” he said, and she choked on a sob. “I know what I’m about to say is no excuse, but I’m sorry.”

She felt her stomach sink. This was it. This was where he would shatter her heart into a million pieces.

“I’ve never really been in a relationship before. I’ve never felt the need, and truthfully, you’re the first woman who made me work for you to give me a chance, and now that I think about it, you only did because you got hurt.” He turned bright red. It was so cute. “I fell in love with Zane instantly. You though...” He stroked her cheek. Mia felt like her heart was going to beat right out of her chest. “You, I lusted over for weeks. You, I couldn’t stop thinking about until it drove me crazy. You, the more time I spent with you, I fell a little more in lust with everything I learned about you. That lust soon turned into something else I realized.” He kissed her forehead and lingered. “I am, was, having difficulty with our age difference, and with what others think. But I’ve learned that I’m an idiot and a huge arse, because I shouldn’t care what others think. The only people whose thoughts should matter are you and me. My own family doesn’t care. My mother and father love you, and my brothers and sister adore you. I’m sorry, Mia. I never meant, or wanted you to feel anything other than beautiful, smart, and appreciated in every way. Please forgive me.”

Mia fell even more in love with Alex. How could she not forgive him? “I forgive you,” she whispered.

He cupped her face, and his thumb glided over her bottom lip. “Promise me from now on that if anything like this happens, you won’t wait until it gets like this before you talk to me about it. Tell me what you want or what I’ve done wrong.” He winked. “I’ll do the same with you with all the things you do wrong.”

“Hey.” Mia shoved him and maneuvered out of his cage.

“So I’m going to shout from the rooftop that you’re my girlfriend. Are you going to move in with me?”

She should say no. They hadn’t been together for very long and there wasn’t just Mia to think about in their relationship. She had Zane. This affected him. So why did she find herself saying, “Yes. Yes, I’ll move in with you.”

* * * *

Mia spent her week packing up her apartment. She gave her two weeks’ notice to the real-estate and this morning Locklen, Owen, Chad, Alex, and their father Charles, had spent their Saturday morning moving her in to Alex’s. On Monday she got her cast off and intended to spend the rest of the week cleaning the apartment.

While the men had been hard at work moving her things in—most of her furniture was given to charity—she’d been cooking up a storm to say thank you.

“You do know if you keep cooking like this, this house will always be full,” Stephanie, Alex’s sister, said before shoving a Tim-Tam cupcake in her mouth. She moaned and grabbed another cupcake.

Mia liked that Stephanie, Steph, enjoyed her cooking, and Mia loved that Alex devoured everything she made. It made her feel useful.

“I don’t mind. I’m getting used to having a full house lately, and I like it.” Steph went for another cupcake. “If you eat that, you won’t want the roast chicken and lamb I’ve been cooking. It’s ready now. I’m just waiting for the guys to arrive and your mother with the kids and Lana.”

Steph moved away from the cupcakes. “The guys are back. They’re downstairs in the ‘man cave’.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll go tell them to wash up and get their arses up here. Mum should be here any minute.”

Mia nodded. “Thanks, Steph.”

Stephanie disappeared and Mia got the gravy ready and the meats out to rest. She grabbed a couple of the potatoes for the kids, so they’d be cool, and put the others back in the oven and turned it up to make them crispy.

Turning back to the stove, she smiled when she heard her son yell, “Daddy. Mummy. I’za home.”

Zane loved having a dad, and Alex was the best. If Mia was honest, this last week she’d become a little jealous. Zane didn’t want Mia to do anything anymore. Daddy had to do it, so all week when he hadn’t been working Alex had done morning wake up, breakfast, taking to daycare if it was his day to go, and he also did bath time, followed by reading and cuddles in bed. Mia still got cuddles and kisses before bed, but now Alex, or Daddy to Zane, had to do it too.

Zane came running into the kitchen and looked around. He came up and gave a quick hug to her then took off. “Daddy. Daddy, where ares yous?”

Lana came waddling in, holding Olivia’s hand. She was almost eight months pregnant.

“I’ve been replaced,” Mia moaned.

Lana laughed. “I’d like to say it will ease with time, but…” She nodded down to Olivia and shook her head.

“You can never be replaced.” Catharine came into the kitchen and started getting out bowls and dishes for the food to be put on. She placed them on the counter, then went over to Mia and hugged her. “This all looks wonderful and smells amazing. Thank you for doing this.”

“This is nothing. It’s the least I can do for everyone’s help.”

“Food. Ohh, heaven. Mia’s cooking.” Locklen came in and got a knife and tried to get some of the meat.

Catharine smacked her son’s hand. “Go wash your hands and make yourself useful by setting the table.”

Locklen groaned but did as Catharine told him. Stephanie stirred the gravy while Mia got the roast potatoes out.

Alex came into the kitchen with Zane in one arm. His other arm wrapped around her waist, and he leaned down, pressing his lips to her head. “Hey, sweetheart, want me to carve?”

Closing her eyes for a moment, she leaned back against his hard chest and basked in support. She opened her eyes, twisted, and gazed up at him. “Yes, please.”

“Come here, little guy.” Steph grabbed Zane from Alex and hugged him, kissing both his cheeks before settling him on her hip. “Let’s go wash up, and then show me your special table. I wish I got to eat at the special table with you and Olivia.”

Mia started putting the plates filled with corn on the cob and other veggies on the table. Locklen was sitting at the table, and Owen was across from him. Catharine come out with two lots of potatoes, ones cooked in the meat juices and another without. Mia was sure she saw drool slip from the guys’ mouth as the bowls were sat in the middle. Mia went and gathered the rest with Catharine’s help.

The table was full with the Douglas family sitting around it. Mia had always wanted a big family. She’d been an only child, and it could be lonely. She loved how big Alex’s family was and how close they all were. They’d insisted she sit at the head of the table as she’d been the one to make all the food.

The men didn’t talk much, mostly just grunted and moaned while they were eating. Mia didn’t mind the quiet. She was surprised when Catharine spoke. “Now that you have the help are you going to enroll in university? I know mid-semester starts in a couple of weeks, but I’m sure you could still get into open foundation.”

Shocked by her question, Mia didn’t respond right away. She’d always wanted to go to uni, but she’d never thought it possible, not with her income and having no help or many people to fall back on to help with Zane. She had Beth, but she couldn’t ask too much of her friend. Going to university would be a lot of time and focus she would need away from Zane and a job. She’d hoped she would be able to go to university once Zane started primary school. Now that she had Alex and his family, could she go to uni? She shook her head. No. Alex and the Douglases had already done so much for her, she couldn’t, and wouldn’t, ask for more of them.

“No. Next week I’m going to go into work and see if they can start rostering me back on.”

The whole table fell quiet. The only noise that could be heard was Olivia and Zane chatting to each other at the kids’ table.

“Why?” It was Steph who broke the silence.

“Why what?” Mia wondered what Steph meant.

Stephanie shrugged. “Why are you going back to work?”

“So I can contribute to the bills and buy Zane the things he needs.”

“You contribute now. I’d be happy if you went back to university. I can help out more with Zane, and I’m sure Mum and Dad would love to help.” Alex smiled at her and reached over and squeezed her thigh.

“You already do enough, and I’m sure Catharine and Charles want to enjoy retirement and not have to look after my son.”

“Our son,” Alex corrected.

Mia nodded. It was taking some getting used to remembering Alex was Zane’s father now.

Charles chuckled. “I’ve been retired for over ten years. We had nine years of pre-grandkids time. We traveled a lot then. I don’t want to travel anymore. I want to spend time with grandbabies, and enjoy them.”

“I’ve been waiting for grandbabies a long time,” Alex’s mother added.

Mia looked around the table for help but found none.

“They have your kids, they’re off my back about finding a man and settling down. Barf.” Steph made a gagging noise.

“I say go to uni. Pop out some more kids in between. The more grandkids you and Lana have, the more we’re left alone.” Locklen winked at Mia.

“Hear, hear.” Owen raised his glass in agreeance with Locklen.

Mia felt hot. She was probably as red as a tomato. She and Alex hadn’t even been dating a year and more children was being discussed. She may have gotten knocked up as a teen, but she’d learned her lesson and was on the pill. “I have already put you all out so much. I couldn’t ask more from you all.”

“Why not?” Locklen asked.

“Yeah, you can,” Chad piped in.

“I love the little guy, he’s no problem,” Owen added.

“We love having our grandbaby. Zane is an angel,” Catharine said.

“I shouldn’t even have to add to this, you know I love Zane.” Steph raised her brow.

Mia looked at Alex to see him watching her. “Sweetheart, he’s my son. I’d do anything for him.”

Tears slid down her face. Mia’s heart was so full of love she thought it might burst. “I just feel like all I ever do is take from you.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about thinking we’re doing too much for you, you’re going to pay us back tenfold when Alex is eighty and you’re only in your sixties.” Everyone groaned around Mia. “I mean my brother did good. He looks after you now, gives you the good life, and then when he’s old and decrypted you’re the one that’s wiping his arse and–”

“Locklen Douglas. You quit that talk now.”

“Oh shit. Mum used his full name,” whispered Chad.

Alex growled and gave a death glare to Locklen.

Mia couldn’t help herself. She burst out in fits of laughter. Of course Locklen defused the situation. Mia loved this family.

Alex slipped his hand into hers and intertwined his fingers, bringing them up to kiss her hand. Closing her eyes, she savored his touch. Warmth seeped through her, and she opened her eyes to stare at dark blue ones.

“You going to go to uni?”

Mia nodded. “Only if it’s okay with you.”

Alex leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. “Yes. I’m happy for you to go to university. I want you to do whatever you want. All I want is you to be happy.”

God, she loved this man. She was going to tell him too. She just wanted the perfect time.

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, brother, I’ve just eaten.” Locklen moaned. Mia glanced over to see him holding his stomach. “All that mushy shit is going to m—”

“Locklen, don’t make me give you another warning.” Catharine’s stern voice telling off Locklen had Mia giggling.

She beamed at Alex. “Looks like I’m going to university.”

* * * *

Alex was exhausted. The last couple of weeks had been crazy. Being a dad was demanding, but worth it. He had been so busy he hadn’t shaved his head in weeks. Mia didn’t seem to mind though. She had gotten her cast off and spent her days getting ready for university, making sure all the forms were filled out and her finance was ready to pay for tuition. Gary, her old mechanic, had helped her find a new car...well, it was a twenty-year-old car, but it was in good condition. Mia wouldn’t let Alex buy her a car no matter how much he argued.

He’d just finished a double shift and was so tired and disturbed by one of his last confrontations tonight he didn’t even shower before changing out of his uniform. He came straight home. He needed to see his woman and baby boy. Going to Zane’s room, Alex opened the door and walked in, just standing there watching the rise and fall of his little chest. He couldn’t believe that this little miracle was his. All children were special.

Alex didn’t know how long he stood there staring at the perfect little man before him, but he was sure it was a good hour. How could anyone hurt something, someone, so little, so innocent and reliant on them? His stomach churned as the scene from work flashed before him. He inched closer to the bed and tucked the covers more securely over Zane.

“I love you, buddy,” he whispered.

Suddenly two arms wrapped around his waist, and he jumped out of them ready to defend his kid with his life. He turned to find Mia standing there. He’d been so focused on Zane that he hadn’t even heard her come in.

Mia slowly raised her hands in the air. Her brows furrowed, and her lips turned down. “You okay?”

He shook his head and gathered his woman against him before leaning down and nuzzling her neck. “I love you. I love you so God damn much.”

She gasped and eased back to gaze up at him. Her hand came up, and she gently stroked his cheek. “What happened?”

Alex moved his face and kissed her hand.

She sighed. “Let’s get out of here, and you can tell me what happened.”

Alex didn’t say anything. He picked her up and carried her to their bedroom, sitting her down before the bed. He stripped her clothes and then his own and, still without saying a word, he gathered her up and gently laid her on the bed then lay beside her. Holding her, he stroked her smooth, warm skin and breathed in her scent. He needed her, more than he’d ever needed anyone. She calmed him.

When he felt calm enough to talk he let out his breath slowly and told her what he could. “I went to a domestic disturbance.” He shivered as images of what the assailant had done to the victims flashed through his mind. The shaking worsened at images of the boy who laid on the floor beaten so badly he was unconscious. They didn’t know if he’d wake again. The blood from the woman and child was everywhere. “It was… It wasn’t the worst I’ve been to, but I kept seeing you and Zane, and I almost shot the fucking assailant.” Alex tipped Mia’s chin up and kissed her slowly, gently, savoring it. “Three of us surrounded them, and I, having the highest rank, was charged with trying to talk the attacker down, but for the first time in many years I couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t threatening, like ‘if you don’t stop, I’ll shoot you’ or ‘I’m going to count to two, and if by one you don’t stop, I’ll fucking shoot you’. Derick could see I was struggling, the anger was clear on my face, and he took over.” Alex sighed. “Once the man was cuffed, I may have hit his head and face a couple of times on the door and the roof of the car as I was putting him inside it.” He scrubbed his face.