Page 79 of Oscar
"You think I'm a monster." She remarked quietly. "I see no reason to visit the dead. How will they know and appreciate the effort?"
Anger simmered inside her and had Kiara wheeling towards the hearth. Her husband had given her carte blanche to make changes, and she had made cosmetic ones. A still life here and there, a piece of sculpture she had picked up in Kinsale.
Indian rugs on the teak wood floors. And of course, the nursery which had been her masterpiece. Eventually, she would be moving her daughter out and into her own room, but for now, they were keeping the twins together.
"I will be making it a regular habit to go and visit his grave and taking my babies with me. As they're growing, they will hear what a great man their grandfather was. How sweet, kind, andgenerous. If you have a problem with that, then I really don't care."
Her mother's shoulders stiffened. "I did not come here to argue."
"Then why did you come?"
"To see my grandbabies. I know you hate me."
"Hate you!" Kiara's tapered brows rose sharply. "There were times growing up when I wanted to. Do you have any idea what damage you did? How many times I wanted to just run away and lose myself? Countless."
"I did everything to try to get you to just love me, but you were so wrapped up in your bitterness and anger, you didn't see me." She blew out a breath and with it her own anger.
"But it doesn't matter as much. Ever since I met Oscar, and then his family, I finally know what it is to love and be loved in return." Her smile came. "I told myself that I would never allow myself to fall for a man or have children, but he changed all of it." She shook her head.
"I would never keep your grandchildren away from you, Mama. You're free to be with them whenever you want. I can see that for the first time in your life, you really love someone. I'm happy it's not too late for you."
She looked up as her husband walked into the room and went straight into his arms.
"Everything all right?" His winter green eyes went to Victoria as he gave her a hard glance before shifting to his wife.
With a pang, she noticed the change in expression, the softened features, the incredible tenderness and the protective demeanor. She had had that once, with Derek. He had loved her and she had pushed him away, constantly.
"You did not have to rush to her rescue." Her voice lacked the sting it usually had and sounded cracked and weary. "She's my daughter."
"One you've hurt constantly. So, yes, I will always come to her rescue."
"Baby, it's fine." Kiara placed a hand on his chest, a beatific smile on her exquisite face. "I was just telling my mother that youchanged my life for the better. And that we have no objections to her seeing the babies."
Oscar skimmed a finger over her bottom lip and all the love he had for her just poured out. "None whatsoever." He looked over at his mother in law, his expression cool. "You're family."
"Thank you. I think I'll just go and watch them sleep for a little bit."
"Go right ahead. I need some time with this husband of mine."
They watched as she walked slowly from the room, closing the door behind her.
Taking her hand, Oscar led her into their bedroom.
"I take it she's spending the night?"
"It's nasty out, so yes. You don't mind?"
"Not if you don't." Tugging her down onto his lap, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed both her cheeks. "You'resmiling." He eased back to study her face and felt the familiar jolt at how beautiful she was.
"I'm happy." Skimming her fingers through his thick unruly hair, she trailed them down his cheek. "And I feel sorry for her. I saw the look of regret on her face, but dammit to hell and back, it's too late."
"Daddy loved her and she would have been happy, but she didn't allow herself to be." Leaning forward, she brushed her lips over his, closing her eyes at the sharp intake of breath from him.
"I meant what I said." His voice had thickened. They had decided that the twins were enough and made the necessary arrangements to see to it that it remained that way for now.
"I will protect you with my life. You and my two children are my entire world, and nothing will change that."
"Aren't I the most fortunate woman in the world?" She wondered huskily. "Make love to me, darling. Right here, right now."
It was just what he wanted to hear.
The end… or not!
