Page 52 of Securing Jane

Storm nodded once.

“Can you stay for dinner?” Jane asked.

“If you want me to,” Rose said tentatively.

“Of course I do,” Jane answered.

“Are you cooking?” Rose teased. “Because if so, maybe I’ll reconsider.”

Jane chuckled. “Nope. You’re safe. Storm’s the cook in this house.”

Rose looked over at him. “Maybe I can get some lessons?”

“Of course,” Storm said immediately, then pushed off the wall to head for the kitchen.

“Hasn’t Robert taught you some things?” Jane asked.

Rose shrugged. “I left him. I’d had enough of his abuse.” She looked at Jane then. “I’m trying, Mom. I know I was awful to you, and to everyone around me. I took my hurt at Dad leaving out on you and did things I’m not proud of. I’m going to Narcotics Anonymous meetings every week now. Trying to get my shit together. I want to be someone you’re proud of instead of the daughter you’re ashamed of.”

Jane reached for her hand. “I’ve never been ashamed of you,” she told her. “Sad, afraid, worried about you…but never ashamed.”

Rose nodded. “Storm called me last week and offered to pay the rent in an apartment for a year…with the condition that I take classes at the community college…and pass them. He said he didn’t care what I studied, but that I had to learn some sort of trade. It feels like I’m accepting a handout I don’t deserve, but if I’m ever going to get my life back on track, I have to take it.”

Jane’s eyes filled with tears as she stared at the man she loved more with every passing day. “I’m glad,” she whispered. “I’ve only wanted you to be happy,” she told Rose.

“I’m not there yet, but I’m working on it.”

“Come on,” Storm said from the kitchen. “Dinner’s not going to cook itself. You can season the steaks.”

Jane watched as her daughter sauntered over to where Storm was standing in the kitchen and knew she’d never forget this moment. Storm loved her enough to do whatever he could to help her daughter, even though she wasn’t his favorite person.

* * * *

Later that night, Storm climbed into bed and took Jane into his arms.

She immediately turned and threw her leg over his hips to straddle him. They were both naked, as they’d found they loved sleeping skin to skin against each other. Even if they didn’t make love, he loved feeling her against him that way.

He gripped her hips and looked up at her as she smiled at him.

“Thank you,” she told him quietly.

Knowing what she was talking about, Storm simply said, “You’re welcome.”

“I can’t believe you’d do that for Rose.”

“I didn’t do it for her,” Storm told her, being honest. “I did it for you. She’s your flesh and blood, and she’s old enough to either take the help I offered her and thank her lucky stars for it, or ignore it and stay in the hole of a life she’s dug for herself…and kiss any chance of a relationship with her mother goodbye. Thankfully, she was smart enough to take the help.”

“You’re amazing,” Jane told him.

Storm shrugged. “I’m selfish,” he retorted.

“How so?” she asked.

“The happier you are, the more relaxed you are. And the happier I am. Helping Rose means you’re less stressed. I’d do anything for you, Jane. I hope you know that.”

“I do,” she reassured him. “Although I feel as if I’m not doing enough for you.”

Storm couldn’t help but snort and shake his head. “Baby, you do more for me just being here than you’ll ever know. I was only half living before you came along. Going through the motions of life. Everything seems brighter, more exciting now that you’re at my side. I wasn’t kidding when I told the vice admiral that I wasn’t going to be in the Navy forever. Not too long ago, I couldn’t think about retiring without having a panic attack. Now I can’t wait to spend every minute of every day with you. Laughing and simply enjoying life.”