The Harder I Fall (13 page)

“You okay over there?” He chuckled.

“Yeah, just forgot I was dating American royalty for a second.”

After he grabbed our bags, Levi led me up the steps to the front door. He fished his keys out and let us inside. “Mom? We’re here,” he called.

I was surprised that the inside of the house was warm and inviting. I had expected it to be one of those museum type homes where nothing was to be used, only looked at. The Kleins’ home, however, was well used. There was a fire in the huge brick fireplace in the sitting room off the entryway, surrounded by soft leather furniture.

Ruth appeared a moment later, an apron tied around her waist. “Get over here and hug me.” Levi swooped her up in his arms and hugged her tightly before kissing both of her cheeks.

“You too, Becca.” She held out her arms for me. I stepped into her embrace and it felt like coming home. She hugged me and patted my hair.

“How was the drive?” she asked. “Are you kids hungry? I’m making bread for one of the shelters, but I can whip you up some sandwiches if you want.”

Levi looked at me and I shook my head. “We’re good, Mom. Is Chad around?”

“No, today was his last day of school and he’s out with one of his classmates; they went to the movies. He should be home before dinner, though.” She turned to me. “You’ll be happy to know that he’s gotten almost all As this quarter. I’d worried he would be behind, but it was totally the opposite.”

“Chad’s really smart; I’ve always told him he could be whatever he wanted to be. I would have worked as hard as I could to make that happen.”

“Well, now you don’t have to. You can enjoy being a teenager for once.” She squeezed my hand. “I have you in the guest room across the hall from Levi. I thought that would work best for everyone.”

“Thank you again for having me.” I smiled.

“Oh, hush, you’re as good as family now. Besides, Chad would have killed us if you didn’t come. He’s been so excited to see you.”

“We’ll let you get back to your bread, Mom. I can show Becca where her room is.”

“I’m sure you can.” She kissed his cheek and went back down the hall toward the kitchen.

Levi gave me a quick tour of the first floor before he showed me my room. We saw the living room, game room, kitchen, dining room, and the library. The decor in the house was sort of a warm country chic. It all flowed from room to room. Lots of leather and warm colors with wood accents. I loved it. It was very unexpected.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“It’s not at all what I thought it would be. I really love it. It’s so warm and inviting.”

“My mom would be happy to hear that. She worked really hard to find all of the pieces.”

“I love that she did it herself and didn’t hire someone.”

“Me, too. She didn't want it to feel like a show house. She wanted it to be lived in.” He stopped in the middle of the hall, a door on either side of us.

“This one is mine,” he gestured to the left. He set his bag in front of his closed door and we walked across the hall to the room that was meant for me. The bed was huge, bigger than anything I had ever slept in outside of a hotel. All the furniture was white, and the walls were a pale gray.

“Can I see your room?” I asked.

“Yeah, it’s not anything fancy.”

“So, just naked lady posters then?”

“Shut up.” He laughed and pulled me back across the hall. His room wasn’t fancy; there was a bed as big as the one in my room, a desk, and a TV.

“I didn’t spend a ton of time in here.”

“Why would you? That game room is amazing.”

“Want to go explore a bit? We still have a few hours before dinner.”

“Did you even have to ask?” I bounced on my toes.

“Come on, then. Grab your jacket. We’re going to walk.” After yelling to Ruth that we were leaving, he led me back outside. “What do you want to see?”

“Anything? Everything? Take me somewhere you love.”

“I know just where to take you.”

As we walked, he pointed out places he used to go to a lot. “Over there, that’s the best pizza around. I used to go every chance I would get.” Holding Levi’s hand and walking through the snowy streets of New York was a present in its own right. I felt so normal, and loved.

“You’re taking me to a chocolate store?” I asked.

“Not just any chocolate store. Jacques Torres Chocolate is the best around.” He whisked me inside before I could tell him that sweets and leotards do not mix.

“Oh gosh, it smells like Heaven in here.”

Levi bought me a chocolate snowman and Christmas tree, a box of caramels, and a huge tin of hot chocolate.

“You do know that I have to fit into a leotard soon right? Are you trying to give me body issues?” I laughed.

“I can’t help it. I lose my head around you sometimes. Plus, you look damn good in a leotard, chocolate or not.” He carried the giant bag of yumminess and we walked for a while longer.

“Becca!” I turned and found Chad running towards us. I hugged him for longer than I should have, considering that he had a friend with him.

“Sorry, I just missed you,” I said.

He shrugged. “This is my buddy, James.”

“Hey.” I smiled at the guy standing next to Chad. He was taller than him by at least three inches and had rich mocha colored skin. It was his eyes that stood out the most, though; they were the most intense green I’d ever seen.

“It’s nice to meet you, Becca.” He shook my hand. “Look, man, I have to run. My mom’s expecting me for dinner. Catch you later?”

“Yeah, I’ll call you.”

We walked back home together. I peppered Chad with questions about school and how he was fitting in.

“I like the school a lot. It’s so different than what I’m used to back home.”

“Ruth told me you got a 4.0. That’s awesome!”

“It’s a lot easier now that I don't have to worry about taking care of Mom and making sure we have food.” My heart clenched; I had felt guilty all along for leaving him. “Stop it.” He looked angry. “I can see you beating yourself up about it. I would never have let you stay and you know it. So knock it off.”

“Tell me what else is new,” I said.

“I kind of have a girlfriend.”

“Oh yeah?” I grinned at him.

“Yeah, her name is Macie. She’s in a few of my classes. She’s really cool; I think you would like her.” Sometimes it was hard for me to believe he was a teenager. He felt more like my son than my brother.

Samuel was walking up the steps when we got back. “You guys made it.” He smiled warmly. “We’re so happy to have you both with us.”

Ruth was waiting at the door with a smile on her face as we all walked up the stairs.

C
HRISTMAS WITH THE
K
LEINS WAS
something to behold. The tree was amazing. I had expected a color coordinated tree, but Ruth had put up ornaments from when her boys were growing up as well as the traditional balls and garlands.

Both of Levi’s brothers had come the night before. Seth and his wife, Sienna, arrived right before dinner. I could see a lot of Ruth in Seth; he had the same green eyes and dark hair. He was probably one of the nicest guys I’d ever met aside from Levi. Sienna was gorgeous, and very British. Tall and leggy with almost white blonde hair and pale skin. It was her eyes that got me, though; they were an icy grey color that was mesmerizing.

Joseph had a house in New York, but Ruth liked having all of her boys at home for Christmas so he came as well. He was a lot more relaxed this time; he gave me an easy smile and a warm hug.

The morning brought the delicious aroma of baking cinnamon rolls and coffee wafting through my door with Levi. “You ready for the insanity that is Christmas with my family?” He pulled me out of the warm bed I was cocooned in. Instead of getting up, I pulled him down on the bed with me and rolled on top of him, covering us with the blanket.

“Merry Christmas,” I whispered before kissing him.

He moved his hands to my hips and held me firmly against him as he claimed my mouth. I fisted my hands in his hair and let myself feel the kiss. He took my breath away.

“Come on, she’ll come looking for us if we’re not downstairs soon.” He sighed and rolled me off of him.

“If we must.” I was surprised by the reluctance in my voice.

He was, too. The look he gave me spoke volumes, full of heat and longing. I could tell he would rather be in bed with me under the covers. “We’ll finish this later,” he said as he ran his fingers along my jaw. I shivered; he had a way of pushing my boundaries in the best way.

Chad was passing my door and poked his head in. “You guys coming?” He flushed when he saw the look Levi was giving me. “Erm, I’ll see you down there.”

“No, wait, we’re coming, too.” I slipped my robe on and rushed to catch up with Chad.

“Sorry, didn’t think I’d be interrupting anything this early in the morning, and with the door open.” He gave me a look.

“You weren’t, and didn’t. And I can't kiss my boyfriend on Christmas morning in his parents’ house?” I giggled.

“I’m pretty sure there’s a law against that somewhere.”

I bumped my shoulder against his. “You're probably right.”

I gasped when I saw all of the presents piled around the tree in the family room. They extended so far into the room, I couldn’t get near the tree if I wanted to.

“Wow.” Chad looked at me.

“Wow is right. I’ve never in my wildest dreams imagined anything like this.” Levi came up behind me and put an arm around my waist. “Is this normal?” I looked at him incredulously.

“No. I think mom went a little nuts because you and Chad are here.”

“Levi, Becca, Chad! Breakfast,” Ruth hollered from the kitchen.

“What did I tell you?” he whispered. “Bet you’re glad we left when we did. Not that I would have minded getting caught.”

I gave him a quick kiss and we followed Chad into the kitchen. Everyone else was already seated around the table, heaping their plates full of the mounds of food on the table.

“Morning, kids; did you sleep well?” She dropped a kiss on Levi’s cheek as he walked past.

“Like the dead,” he responded as he pulled my chair out for me.

“How on earth did you find time to make all of this?” I asked.

“Oh honey, that’s simple. I don't sleep during the holidays. I survive on coffee and sugar.” She winked at me and took her place next to Samuel.

After breakfast, Ruth herded us all into the family room to open the mountain of presents. “Becca, these are yours.” She gestured off to the right.

“Which ones?”

“All of those, honey. This is your side of the tree. I have it all separated out.”

My jaw dropped. There had to be at least twenty presents in the area where she pointed. I tried to stop my eyes from filling up with tears but I wasn’t successful. I quickly excused myself to the restroom so I could compose myself. Ruth knocked on the door.

“Becca, honey, can I come in?” she asked gently.

I opened the door and let her in.

“Are you upset?” she asked.

“No.” I shook my head. “The opposite. Chad, my neighbor, and Levi are the only people who have ever given me a present before. I’m just overwhelmed with emotion right now.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. “Levi told me a bit about your past when we agreed to take Chad. Chad filled us in on the rest after he came with us. My heart breaks for you both, what you’ve had to endure. Sam and I only want you both to know love from here on out. No matter what happens with you and Levi in the future, I can promise you that we will be there for you and Chad.” She hugged me, smoothing my hair as I cried.

“You’ve already given us the best present possible. Chad is a different kid now. He’s happy. That means more to me than any present under the tree.”

“We really do love him. It’s been a month, but I honestly can't remember what it was like without him here. He’s brought youthful life back into the house.”

“Chad has a way of doing that. He’s always been that way. Even when things were at their worst, he always made me laugh.”

“Are you ready to go out with everyone else?” She wiped at her own tears.

“Yeah, I’ll be out in a second.” I splashed some water on my face after she closed the door.

Someone else knocked. I opened the door to find Levi. “You okay?”

“Yeah, totally okay. Just had a moment, that’s all. Your mom is pretty great; you know that, right?”

“I do. She’s something, isn’t she? Even at my douchiest, she was there for me. I don't know why she put up with me.”

“Because that’s what family does. They put up with us at our douchiest.” I smiled. “Come on, let’s go open some presents.”

We decided to let Chad open all of his presents first. I grinned as I watched him open the new Xbox console and a slew of games to go with it. He also got an iPad, a laptop, and everything else a teenage boy could dream of. He looked up at me, and the smile on his face made my heart clench. He deserved this, all of it and more. I would lay the world at his feet if I could.

After Chad was done, Ruth announced that we should all dig into our presents. I sat, cross-legged on the carpeted floor, watching a family love each other. I watched in wonder as Ruth and Samuel opened up a present from Seth and Sienna. They held up small white baby onesies that said Grandpa and Grandma on them.