On Steady Ground (The Walker Brother's Series) (12 page)

My head swimming with disbelief, my heart knew all along that there was more to the story. “You are sure?”

Laughing, “Do you think I like being here telling the woman that I would like to have for myself that you should be with my brother? No, hardly anything that I enjoy doing. I am sure.”

Shaking my head, “It doesn’t matter. I have already made a fool of myself.”

“Better to be a fool now and end up with the one you love, than be a fool forever.” He said, looking at me with compassion in his eyes.

“The flight is booked. I mean I wouldn’t even know what to say to him. How would I even begin to ask for forgiveness for jumping to conclusions?”

“It’s simple really, you just go to him. I have never seen my brother more heart broken.” Standing up, he looked down upon me. It’s your choice Lizzy, I would recommend you make it before your flight. Starting to walk to the door, I stopped him.

“I’m scared Grant.” Smiling and shaking his head, he walked out leaving me in a whole new misery.

How could I have been so stupid? I basically condemned him before he had a chance to explain. I jumped to conclusions, knowing the type of woman Tasha is and I humiliated myself. Ian was kind and the perfect gentlemen and I threw it all away because I had to keep my pride intact. When was I going to learn, this man wasn’t Craig. He was nothing like Craig. It’s to late Lizzy, you ruined it. Just get on the plane like you had planned. I told myself wondering how I could have been so blind.

Grant walked down the steps and it was one of the hardest things he has ever had to do. To give up on such a beautiful, strong woman was killing him. He knew who her heart belonged to, he could see it in her eyes. The same look he could see in his brothers eyes. He knew Lizzy, whether it be pride or fear she would get on that plane tomorrow. Sliding into his car and turning in the direction of his apartment, it was just as well, I did all that I could. He told himself trying to make right what his ex-booty call ruined.

Morning came and with a heavy heart, I pulled my bag to the door. Grabbing my purse, I shoved my ticket and passport inside and made my way downstairs. Calling the cab only seconds before, it was hard not to dial Ian’s number instead. Luckily when I got to the bottom of the stairs and out the door the cook was in the walk-in freezer and paid me no mind. Walking through the alley way I stood in the shadows as to not to be seen until the cab finally pulled up. The drive to the air port seemed to take forever and my flight would be taking off in a couple of hours.

“Come again?” Ian looked his brother directly in the eyes.

“She’s leaving. I went to talk to her last night about what really happened with you and Tasha and seen her passport.”

Running his fingers through his hair, he sat on the kitchen stool slipping on his boots. “Well when is she coming back?” Ian asked with apprehension.

Grant shaking his head, “I’m not sure she is. Her apartment was a wreck and she wouldn’t tell me any more.”

“So, why are you here Grant?” Ian asked, the torture in his eyes obvious.

“I’m here to tell you to go get your girl. She’s scared, but she wants you.” Grant said. Truly letting go of the thought of being with Lizzy forever. “If you don’t want to lose her, possibly forever you better get your ass to the airport soon.” Grant said walking out of the farm house where he grew up. Not looking forward to going back to his empty apartment. He would have given anything to trade places with his brother, and if he let her get on that flight, he was a bigger fool than he thought.

Watching his brother drive down the lane he pulled on his shirt in speculation. “Damn it.” He shouted kicking the stool across the kitchen.

Finding where my gate was, I sat down with my luggage and stared at the people walking by. I had plenty of time before I had to check in and I couldn’t help but feeling if I got on that plane I was going to lose Ian forever. Ten minutes ticked by and then half an hour and then almost an hour before I made my decision. I wasn’t getting on that plane. If I let the fear, or pride get to me I would never forgive myself for letting Ian Walker slip through my fingers. The pain of losing him forever was much worse than the humiliation I would have to endure in apologizing to him. Grant was right, I would rather be a fool for those couple of seconds, than be a fool for the rest of my life. Standing, I grabbed a hold of my luggage and made a path away from my gate. Concentrating on the floor I didn’t see him until I quite literally ran into him. It felt like I hit a brick wall and stumbled back, Ian’s arms wrapping around me to steady me. “Ian? What are you doing here?” I asked stunned, looking up into that handsome face that I missed so much.

“I’m here because I couldn’t let you go without telling you how I feel.”

“Ian, Grant told me. I already know nothing happened with Tasha. I’m so sorry.” Swallowing my pride and looking up into those brilliant blue eyes.

Smiling down at me his hands went to my shoulders, “I love you Lizzy. Please don’t leave. Give us a chance.” He said nervously, staring down at the woman he loved. The only woman he has ever loved.

My heart beaming, “You love me?” The words coming out in an unsteady tone. My mind having problems absorbing what was happening, what he had just said.

Smiling, “I love you. I know you’re not ready for anything serious. I know you’re vulnerable and you made no promises to me, but I can’t let you leave not knowing how I feel.”

Staring at him, my tongue was glued to the roof of my mouth again, it liked to do that when I was completely stunned.

Squeezing my shoulders with worry in his eyes, “Please say something. Anything.”

Shaking my head, “I’m not leaving. I was just on my way back.” Pointing to the gate that I had just walked away from. “I decided to stay.” Looking at me with torture in his eyes, I came to my senses and realized it was confession time for myself also. Taking a deep breath, “I stayed for you Ian.”

His hands coming to my face, “You did?” Trying not to be to hopeful.

“I did. I love you and I want you, and us again. I’d like to continue on…..together.” Tears starting to burn behind my eyes.

“Sweet Lizzy, you have me. You never stopped having me.” His arms wrapping around me securely, his lips came down on mine and all that time apart slipped away.

 A year later

 “Are you sure all my clothes are going to fit?” I asked as I sat on the end of Ian’s bed, blissfully happy.

Smiling back at me, “It’ll fit.” He said shoving the last of my clothes into his closet, that was now mine also. Slowly walking towards me like I was his next meal he shed his shirt off, “Besides you look better without them.” Forcing me back onto the bed, fixing his mouth on mine.

“Well I don’t think Mrs. Taylor would appreciate me coming to work naked Ian.” Laughing as his hands went up my sides.

“Just as well, I don’t want any other man seeing your beautiful body.”

My shirt going up and over my head, “Ian, you know my parents will be here at any moment.” Doing my best to be as firm as possible, failing miserably.

Leaving a path of kisses down my neck, “Maybe the flight will be late. Besides they said they would call when they landed.”

Laughing, “Besides that, we have a million things to do before I make you my husband.”

His lips now on mine turning gentle, “Finally I get to make you Elizabeth Walker. Doesn’t get any better than this.” He looked at me with that same intensity in his eyes that I have seen everyday since I walked out of the airport with him.

“Do you think your brother will be there?” Worried that we hadn’t seen Grant around very much after the news of our pending nuptials came to light.

“He’ll be there.” Ian’s mood wavering a bit.

“I love you Ian. I thank my lucky stars everyday that I got brought back here and to you.”

“I love you to Lizzy. More than anything.”

Looking into those eyes, I was going to wait until our honeymoon to tell him that there was a tiny little baby baking inside of me. One made of love and laughter. The child I have been waiting on for so many years, now being made with the perfect man. The information that I was harboring was starting to kill me with excitement so I decided to go make a quick purchase this morning. “I think you forgot one more piece of clothing.” I said trying to wiggle free, I settled for resting myself up on my elbows instead.

“Where? I thought I got everything.” He asked looking around.

“Um, in my purse.” Pointing to my purse laying on the nightstand next to us.

Climbing off the bed he walked over to my purse, “Why would you put clothes in your purse? Do you have so much that you ran out of room in your suitcases?” He asked, as I admired that muscular body move across the room.

Opening up my purse, he looked down into it and pulled out a small piece of clothing skeptically. Opening it up and revealing a onesie that said “I love daddy” on it he looked at it in stunned winding his fist around it. Smiling up at him as those beautiful blue eyes, gazed back at me.

“Are you?” Unable to get any of the words he was thinking out.

Sitting up and smiling at him, “It seems as though you are going to be a father.” I said rubbing my stomach that was yet to protrude out.

Smiling, he was over to my side in an instant. Sliding my way to the edge of the bed he crouched down in front of me, his hand on my stomach.

“I’m going to be a father?” Asking in wonderment.

Laughing, “Yes.”

Smiling he kissed my stomach and carefully pushed me back onto the bed, “Just when I think you couldn’t make me any happier Lizzy. I love you so much.” He said as he crawled up my body, his lips coming down on mine.

Those moments was the start of our new lives together. The wedding was beautiful, everything I wanted and more. Ian already the dutiful husband and worried father hardly lets me lift a finger in his vicinity. If he wasn’t so darn caring and sweet I would let him know that pregnant didn’t mean I was breakable. His excitement contagious, he started working on the nursery immediately. At the time of the start of construction we didn’t know what to expect so he started on the crib and changing tables with a matching dresser. Soon after we found out that an Ian junior was coming along, he started with the colors. Smiling as I watched him from the doorway, he was hard at work as I was nearly eight months along now.

The look on his face when we found out that another Walker boy was coming into this world was one that I will lock in my memory and heart forever. This man changed my life and showed me what love really was about, and for that I am thankful everyday.

“I didn’t know you were home.” He said smiling as he knelt over a paint can, sweat dripping down his bare chest. Blue paint smeared across his arms from all of his hard work.

Smiling, “I was just admiring my handsome husband.” Standing up, he walked over and put both hands on my belly and leaned over to kiss me deeply. Pulling away as the baby kicked, he smiled and laughed. “Looks like the little slugger is going to take after his daddy.” I smiled up at the love of my life.

“Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world.” He said turning serious as the gravity of the situation was now hitting him fully.

Putting my hand to his cheek, “I love you Ian Walker. You will forever have my heart.”

Grant was happy for his little brother, he truly was. Looking down at the picture taken of him and his brother at his wedding day, he smiled in pain. He could hardly believe he was married with baby on the way. Shaking his head in disbelief that he was soon to be an uncle. Even though he was happy, his happiness was eclipsed by the jealousy that his little brother had everything he secretly wanted.

When Lizzy came back into town he thought maybe that he had a real chance of settling down and having a family to care for. A woman that was strong and beautiful enough that could forever put to rest his playboy reputation. She was perfect, but unfortunately she was perfect for his brother. Ending the arrangement he had with Tasha was easy enough, although I’m sure she wasn’t to happy about being rejected twice in such a short amount of time. He knew that one day he would find that woman that challenges him in every way. The woman who makes him want more, who will compel him to be a better man. The woman that will make him as happy as Lizzy has made his brother. Envious, he sat the picture down and hoped that one of a kind woman would find him someday. When she did, he just hoped he would be ready.

 
Watch for the story of Grant Walker coming soon!