AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I can see he is over-excited to have her here. I haven't really considered the impact she had on him as well, never mind on myself. He is beaming from ear to ear and will not stop talking.
We sit around the dinner table sampling all the different sushi pieces and flavors, enjoying each other's company. Laughing and feeling more relaxed than I have felt since - well since the last time I had the pleasure of having her near me like this.
Under the table, I reach over and squeeze her thigh gently. She smiles.
"Ok, Taylor. It's bedtime little guy." I am relieved when Marcus comes into the room to gather him up into his arms. I need to talk to Gianna, and it's not the sort of things you say in front of kids.
"Once I've tucked him in is there anything else you need from me?" He asks me.
"No, that's it for tonight, thank you, Marcus." I am sure I can handle the rest of the evening alone.
"It's late? Why is the nanny still here?" She asks me, confused. I don't normally have him here if I am home.
"It's been a difficult time these past few days. I kind of lost myself for a moment without realizing it. I had him move into the cottage at the back of the property so he could be around full time." I'm not ashamed of the fact I needed help.
"Well, that's handy. It's nice to have company and someone to help." She smiles and shifts in her chair.
"No Gianna, what's nice, more than nice, is to have you back here with me." I want her here, all the time.
She watches me closely, not saying anything. "I am really sorry for pushing you away like that. I guess I need to explain why. Because it is not just my overbearing mother or this custody battle --- it's actually something that happened long ago when I was much younger. I had a younger brother; his name was Jason." I am about to bare my soul to her when she stops me.
"It's ok Hudson. I know about Jason. You don't have to speak about him if you don't want to." I have no words in that moment.
I am shocked to the core. "You know about Jason? It's not what you think it is though. He did not do anything to that girl. I was with him the whole night. I just---"
"Hudson. I know. I know the whole story. I am so sorry for everything you went through." She reaches out and puts her hand on my leg. My whole body warms when she touches me, even just an innocent touch.
"How do you know?" I ask.
"It doesn't matter. It doesn't change anything. Nothing matters Hudson except that I want to be with you." I want that too; I want to put my irrational fears aside and start living my life.
I have been so nervous to tell her, assuming that she would think my family are monsters, especially after Daniel hurt her so badly, I thought she would have sided with that bitch who made up the story about Jason, but she didn't. Her eyes are soft and tender and full of care.
I reach out and pull her onto my lap, kissing her softly, smelling her vanilla and warm sandalwood scent. I hold her in my arms and then bury my face in her soft chocolate curls. Everything melts away and my heart feels happiness it has not felt in way too long.
She strokes her hands over my back and rests her head on my shoulder. "I know it won't be easy, Hudson. But I want to be with you." She is amazing, and I am so fucking lucky I moved in next door.
"Not being easy is sort of an understatement." I laugh, leaning back to look into her eyes. "Let me pour us another glass of wine and we can go sit in the living room where it's more comfortable."
* * *
She is curled up on the couch when I come through with a glass of wine in each hand. Her shoes kicked off and her beautiful legs tucked under. I look at her and feel like this is how it should be. This is the life I want. Her, here in my home.
"Hudson, I know there is a lot that complicates this. Your mother for one." She pulls a face; bless her heart my mother has a way of rubbing everyone the wrong way.
"Forget about my mother." I'm not going to listen to her bullshit, not this time.
"It's difficult when she makes herself so unforgettable." I chuckle, that's one word for her.
"I know. I know." I sit next to her and pull her into my arms. She fits perfectly against my chest. "It's my mother, it's my brother, it's my ex-wife, and this horrible custody battle that is getting nastier by the day. It's the media. It's basically the whole world against us." It's like we're losing before we even start.
"But do you think we can do it?" She asks me, making it my decision.
"I do," I say gently and kiss her forehead while she looks up at me.
"I think we can do it, Gi." I answer, "I want to do it, all of it, with you."
CHAPTER13
