Page 67 of Vincent
He was propped up on the pillows and ready for bed when she finally came into the room.
"Is he asleep?"
"All tucked in and snoring." Removing the robe, she climbed in next to him. He reached for her immediately, hand wandering up and down her arm slowly. "He called me 'mommy,'" she whispered. "I got so emotional that I started to cry."
Vincent did not reveal to her that he had heard the entire thing.
"I never realized how much he was missing, not having a mother."
She turned her head to look at him. "Is it-" She shook her head. "Never mind."
Tipping her chin up, he examined her face. "We're never doing that again."
"Doing what again?"
"Hiding behind our thoughts. We spent years not communicating, and it cost us. Say whatever is on your mind without fear of offending me. I want transparency between us. I mean it, Thea."
She nodded, her hand splayed over his bare chest. "It's just that I hate talking about anything that hurts you."
"The only thing that hurts me right now is your hesitation to say what's on your mind." Bending his head, he kissed her gently. "Spill."
Taking a deep breath, she touched his cheek. "Can you talk about her? If not, I'll understand, and I promise never to bring it up again."
He hesitated briefly, contemplating where to start and how best to word what he was going to say.
"It's fine-"
His gaze focused on her lovely and very anxious face, and he smiled reassuringly, bending to kiss her lips. "No." He stopped her when she started to settle on his chest. He wanted her to see every nuance of his expression and to know that he was over the past and ready for the future with her.
"She was sweet and caring." He smiled whimsically. "If you recall, she was sheltered as well. Her parents treasured her, gave her everything. They had a son, yes, but it was Lizzie they carried the torch for, and the brother did not mind in the least. She was perfect." He frowned at that. "It was something that always bothered me. The fact that she was always so well-put-together and never seemed to get angry. She was the opposite of you." He shook his head when she blanched. "Which is a good thing. You were always so self-sufficient and so damn independent, it used to drive me crazy. She was needy."
"I wasn't."
"Never." He smiled at her. "I guess that fed my ego. She made me want to protect her, and she did not mind being protected. The only time she went against her parents' wishes was when she had sex before marriage." His eyes clouded. "She did not want to lose me. She confessed that to me when she told me she was pregnant." He used his thumb to caress her soft cheek. "She was so bloody insecure about you that she forced the issue to get pregnant. And I always said I wanted a son. Just in passing. Someone to carry on the McDermot's legacy. She took it to heart and assured me she was safe. We were young, and she was my first; I was hers. The love was gentle and uncomplicated."He tipped her face up and felt the familiar heat rising. "Not like us. We were always so combustible. Always arguing about something. I told myself that it was for the best, that not having you in my life was for the best." He shook his head. "She never rocked the boat. The only time she went up against me was to insist that I stopped seeing you." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "It was the most difficult thing I ever had to do, and I resented her for it. But oh Christ! I couldn't show it. She was so grateful, and you never gave me any indication. I'm sorry as hell."
"No." Lifting a hand, she touched his cheek. "It's in the past. We're together now, and nothing in this world will ever come between us again."
His eyes smoldered as he focused on her lips. "I love you," he whispered thickly. "I always have and always will."
"I know, darling."
He drew her on top of him, his arousal already raging out of control. "Let me show you."
"Show me," she whispered, a cry escaping her as he lifted her and settled her on his throbbing shaft.
*****
Her excitement vied with David's that early Christmas morning. A frost had settled over the entire area, leaving everything misty and mysterious. She had called her brother and explained everything to him and extended an invitation to dinner, but he told her he had made plans.
"I had hoped to have dinner with you, but I met the most adorable woman at a club two days ago, and I'm taking her out. I'm very happy for you, honey. Keep me posted."
Wrapped up in a soft cashmere robe, she watched eagerly as David ripped through the gift papers to reveal tons of presents. She had brought a tin of cookies she baked before she left her place, and they were munching on cookies and drinking hot chocolate. Vincent lounged back in one of the leather sofas, watching the tableau unfold. The fire was crackling inside the hearth, throwing shadows over the large living room, and he felt utter contentment. His lover and best friend and soon-to-be wife looked no older than David as she sat Indian style on the pale gold wood floor.
"There's something there for you as well," he told her softly when David finished unearthing his gifts.
"Oh, but I didn't get you anything," she protested.
Quirking his brows, he gave her a meaningful look before his gaze drifted to her stomach.
