Emily's Daughter (24 page)

Jackson turned down the bed, locked the door and hurried out of slacks that had suddenly become too tight. Emily slipped into bed and he crawled in beside her, gathering her close against him. She felt his arousal and her heart pounded loudly in her ears. His lips began a thorough search of all the sensitive places he’d discovered in the tub. He kissed, caressed and stroked, and her hands were equally generous with him. Their lovemaking was slow and gentle, but it expressed an urgent need that left them gasping and wanting more.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Emily was drifting in a euphoric state, but she heard his words and looked into his green eyes. “I love you, too. I have always loved you and I will never stop loving you.”

Jackson buried his face in the warmth of her neck, their bodies still joined, still needing that contact. Slowly he eased to the side and she nestled into him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked with concern, his hand lightly rubbing her stomach.

She ran her hands through the hair on his chest. “Happy, lethargic and very loved.”

“Me, too,” he whispered. “But I was talking about the ribs.”

“What ribs?” She gave a bubbly laugh similar to Becca’s. “They’ve had the Talbert touch and now I don’t feel any pain.”

“Oh, God, Emily.” His arm tightened around her. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if anything had happened to you or Becca today.”

“It didn’t. We’re fine,” she assured him. “We’re so lucky you showed up when you did.” She raised her head to look at him. “By the way, how did you manage that?
When I called the condo, Mrs. Henry said you hadn’t arrived yet.”

“I called from the plane right after that, and Mrs. Henry told me where you were and what was going on. I was on a private plane owned by a friend. It was the quickest way to get here. Anyway, the pilot’s a bit of a daredevil and when I told him where I needed to be pronto, he landed in a field not far from the bar. We’ll probably be hearing from the Houston authorities, but I knew time was of the essence. Several cars stopped to see what the landing was about and a guy gave me a ride to the bar. I called the police from his cell phone.”

She rested her head on his chest. “It all worked out. That’s the main thing.”

“I still can’t understand why she’d put her life and yours in such danger.”

“Rebellion,” she told him simply. “You’ve had loving parents all your life, but once you lose that anchor you’re scared and you hit out at everything and hurt yourself and the people you love.”

“Even though I’ve had loving parents, I know what it’s like to lose that anchor.” He stroked her arm. “It’s not the same thing, but the emotions are similar to what you went through with your parents—the sense of betrayal, of the support you’ve always counted on being taken away from you.”

“Yeah, that’s why I was reluctant to discipline Becca or force her into anything. I thought all she needed was time, but when I came home and saw the house and was unable to find her, I knew I’d been wrong. What we needed was you and your stabilizing influence and guiding love.”

He kissed the top of her head. “If anything, I think she learned a valuable lesson tonight.”

“I do, too, and now she has us to help her through the weeks and years ahead.”

“She sure does and—”

The phone rang, interrupting them. Jackson answered it immediately, as he was closest. She could tell he was talking to the police.

When he hung up, he said, “The cops have been trying to put this guy away for a long time, and if you’re willing to testify, they think they can do it.”

“You bet I will.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she answered confidently. “It might save another girl from going through the same ordeal.”

He kissed her gently. “I’ll be right there with you.”

“I know,” she said, and moved to get out of bed.

“Where are you going?”

She reached for her pink silk robe lying across a chair and realized her ribs weren’t hurting as much anymore. Indeed, the Talbert touch was working. “I want to check on Becca—make sure she’s okay.”

“I’ll come with you.” Jackson found his slacks on the floor and hurried into them. “This is all the clothes I have. I didn’t have time to pack a bag.”

“I think we can find clothes for you in Houston,” she teased.

“We’d better, ’cause I’m not leaving you…ever again.”

They shared a lingering kiss, then walked down the hall to Becca’s room.

She lay sprawled on her stomach in an oversize T-shirt. She’d kicked the sheet off and her long hair flowed across the pillows. Her shining face was turned toward them.

“She’s about the most precious sight I’ve ever seen,” Jackson whispered.

“Yes, she is,” Emily agreed, and reached for the sheet
to cover her. She stared at her daughter for a moment, then stepped back into Jackson’s arms.

“We finally have our child,” she said in a trembling voice.

“Yes, we do,” Jackson said. “And I think she knows that now.”

T
HEY WERE MARRIED
three weeks later in Rockport. Emily stood in Becca’s old room at her parents’ house staring at herself in the mirror. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She’d mistakenly told Jackson that she’d always dreamed of walking down the aisle on her father’s arm, wearing a white wedding gown. She was only half serious; it was just a girlhood dream and she’d outgrown it. But Jackson had other ideas. He had a friend in New York whose wife worked in the fashion industry. He explained that he wanted a special dress as soon as possible. Emily reluctantly gave her measurements, thinking she could find something just as suitable in Houston. Looking at herself, she was glad Jackson hadn’t listened to her. The dress was one of a kind and it fit like the dream she’d always had.

It was a French-influenced design of textured roses. The bodice was strapless and the skirt slim-fitting, flaring out slightly around her ankles. The veil was layered. The whole ensemble could only be described as spectacular. Jackson hadn’t seen the dress yet, but when he did she knew he was going to love it. The dress was as special as this day.

She took a picture of Becca from the dresser and smiled into the brown eyes of her little girl. She now had her daughter, and today she would marry the man she loved.
Her little girl’s father.
They would unite as a family, and Emily’s heart swelled with so much love and happiness.

“Oh. Oh, my.”

Emily turned at her mother’s voice. Rose stood in the doorway in a champagne-colored suit. Her hair was neatly done and she even wore makeup. She looked ten years younger. The stress and guilt over Becca was gone and she was experiencing a new lease on life. Already, the heart spells were fewer.

“Oh, Emily Ann, my baby, you’re so beautiful,” Rose murmured, walking over to kiss Emily’s cheek. As she did, she noticed the picture in her hand. “You know, she’s always been your daughter. Even when she was a toddler, she recognized the sound of your car, and whenever she heard it, she’d run to the front door screaming your name. I used to resent that closeness, but the therapist has helped me understand all that. I never dealt with the death of my daughter, and for a while I just…lost my mind.”

Emily hugged her mother, knowing that was true. She now understood the extent of Rose’s breakdown. Love had opened Emily’s heart and eyes, and she could honestly say she had forgiven her mother. The heartache from the past would probably always be with her, but it didn’t dominate her life or control her emotions anymore. She had too much to be grateful for.

“I know, Mom,” she whispered.

“Thank you, baby. Thank you for forgiving me.”

“Oh, Mom, don’t make me cry. Becca has very diligently worked on my makeup and I can’t mess it up.”

“The limo Jackson sent is here. Hurry,” Becca called from the hallway.

“I love you, Emily Ann.”

“I love you, too, Mom.” Emily said, fighting back tears. They embraced and neither seemed eager to let go.

“Hey, what’s the holdup?” Becca asked, walking into the room.

Emily released her mother and smiled at her daughter.
As maid of honor, Becca wore a long dress of pale pink, strapless and slim-skirted like her mother’s. Her dark hair was up, and pink roses adorned it.

“Nothing, angel,” Emily answered.

“Wow,” Becca mouthed. “Every time I see you in that dress, it just takes my breath away. When Jackson sees you, he’s going to fall in love with you all over again.”

And he did. Emily could see it in his eyes as she walked down the aisle. New love strengthened by the old. Love that bound their two hearts together for now and forever.

L
ATER THEY HAD A RECEPTION
and dinner at the country club, hosted by Rose and Owen. Everyone was happy and laughing and drinking champagne, even her mother. Her father was talking and smiling more than she’d ever seen him. Her wedding day couldn’t have been more perfect.

Jackson had rented a hotel suite in Corpus Christi for the night. It was the only honeymoon they wanted. They preferred not to spend time away from Becca. She’d be going off to college soon enough.

After the reception, Becca offered to show George and Maude the sights of Corpus Christi and Rockport. Colton, who’d been Jackson’s best man, asked to go along, and Becca made a scornful face that Emily didn’t understand. Becca didn’t like Colton and she wondered why.

A few hours later, Emily was soaking in the hotel’s big tub, sipping champagne by candlelight; she smiled at her husband.

He smiled back.

“Thanks for this wonderful day, the dress, everything,” she said softly.

“It was my pleasure, Mrs. Talbert.”

She cocked her head to one side. “Hmm, that sounds
nice, but I think I’ll keep Dr. Cooper as my professional name.”

“That’s fine with me—as long as you’re Mrs. Talbert in your heart.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I’ve always been Mrs. Talbert in my heart.”

“Have you?”

She twisted her glass. “Well, I’ve wished it on more than one occasion.”

“So have I.” He grinned. “Happy?”

“Very,” she whispered, and thought of their daughter. “Did you notice Becca’s reaction to Colton?”

“Like a deep freeze.”

“Yes, I can’t figure out why she doesn’t like him. He seems very nice.”

“He is, and all the ladies love Colton and his blond locks, so that’s one less worry for us.”

“What do you mean?”

“Becca won’t be falling for him.”

“I suppose, but she should at least be civil to him.”

Jackson laughed. “Right about now, Colton’s getting a good dose of Becca, Aunt Maude and Dad, and he’s probably wishing he’d hightailed it back to Dallas.”

“But—”

He cut in. “No more talk about family,” he said. “Let’s concentrate on us.” His foot slid between her legs.

“Oh.” She giggled delightedly, and set her glass on the edge of the tub. She moved through the water and onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You want to play, do you?” As she said the words, she moved her hips against his arousal.

“Ah,” he groaned, and placed his glass out of reach. “Oh, yes.” His mouth covered hers in a heated, explosive
kiss that welded them together. “I love you,” he breathed in a tortured voice.

As their bodies sank into the water, she knew he did—for now and always—and nothing would ever get any better than this.

Four years later

“P
LEASE. STOP. COME BACK
.”

Two-year-old George Owen Scott Talbert paid no attention to his mother. He kept running, but Emily caught him at the top of the stairs.

She cradled him in her arms and he buried his face in the warmth of her neck. All her motherly instincts kicked in. She never tired of this feeling—loving, caring and nurturing her child. She didn’t have to wonder what his face looked like. She knew every precious detail by heart. This baby she had nourished from the day he was conceived, and no one could ever take that away from her.

“Why are you running from Mama?” Emily asked gently. She’d been trying to get him to bed when he’d slipped out the door.

Scotty raised his head and stared at her with Jackson’s gorgeous green eyes. “No sleep, Mama. No sleep.”

Emily was baffled. Scotty was never hard to put down for the night. She smoothed his blond hair. “What’s the matter with Mama’s boy?”

His eyes grew big. “Part-ee, Mama. Part-ee.”

She now knew what all the fuss was about. Becca’s birthday was tomorrow and they were having a party. Scotty was excited about it. They’d come home to Rock
port because that was what Becca wanted to do. She wanted to spend her birthday with old friends and family. Jackson and Emily had built a beach house the first year they were married and they spent a lot of weekends in Rockport.

The last four years had been the happiest of Emily’s life. Becca had settled down and put all her energies into college. She’d made new friends and life was better than Emily had ever hoped. When they wanted another child, Jackson decided to stay home to take care of the baby. Up until that time, he was flying back and forth and doing a lot of work from Houston. They didn’t want to be apart any more than necessary. Finally, he sold the controlling interest in his company to Colton. He maintained a small interest and his seat on the board. Emily had agreed at first, but when Scotty was born she never wanted to leave him. They had missed so much with Becca, and neither one of them wanted to miss a moment of Scotty’s life. Eventually she went back to work, though, but only half days and no weekends. She enjoyed her work, but not as much as she did her family.

They bought a house in the Bellaire area of Houston and remodeled it to accommodate their growing family. It was close to the clinic, which meant Emily didn’t have far to travel.

The beach house was their weekend retreat. Becca loved it here, and so did George. But Emily worried about Becca at times. It had been her own decision to go to med school. That pleased Emily, but she wanted what was best for Becca. Her daughter seemed so tired lately. Emily hated that her life was so busy, but she tried to remember what those days as a medical student were like; hard though they were, she knew Becca would manage. She also wor
ried about the new baby and how he’d affect Becca, but Becca loved Scotty. That was plain to everyone.

Emily kissed Scotty’s soft cheek. “The party is tomorrow. Tonight we have to sleep.”

“No, no, Mama,” Scotty shouted again. “No sleep.”

Emily was debating what to do next when Jackson appeared at the top of the stairs. He’d been in his study talking to Colton on the phone. Her heart beat faster at the sight of him. They were now a family, and Jackson was the perfect father, just as she’d known he would be.

“Scotty Talbert, what are you doing still up?” Jackson teased. “You should have been in bed an hour ago.”

Scotty made a dive for Jackson, who gathered him close. “Daddy, Daddy, no sleep,” Scotty wailed.

Jackson lifted an eyebrow at Emily, and Emily tried to explain. “He’s excited about Becca’s birthday party and doesn’t want to go to bed.”

“Now, son…” Jackson started, but Scotty quickly interrupted him.

“Part-ee, Daddy, part-ee. Sissy.”

Jackson’s arm tightened around his son. “Sissy’s tired. She’s been working all day and now she’s sleeping like you should be.”

Scotty’s bottom lip began to tremble and it took everything in Emily not to snatch him out of Jackson’s arms.

“Sissy, sissy,” Scotty cried.

Becca’s door opened and she walked out, wearing one of her big T-shirts. Her dark hair, now tousled from bed, had been cut and it hung just past her shoulders. She frowned mischievously. “Who’s interrupting my beauty sleep?”

Emily’s heart filled with love at the sight of her daughter. “I’m sorry, angel, but we can’t get Scotty down. He’s worked up about your party.”

Scotty wiggled out of Jackson’s arms and ran down the hall to Becca. “Sissy, sissy,” he called.

Becca swung him into the air, and giggles and screams erupted.

Jackson slid his arm around Emily as they watched their two children.

“Whenever I thought of having kids, I never really wanted them twenty years apart,” he whispered in her ear. “But it’s pretty damn good.”

“Yeah.” She nestled into him.

As Becca settled Scotty on her hip, she asked, “What’s the matter, tiger? How come you can’t go to sleep?”

Scotty clapped his hands. “Part-ee, Sissy. Cake. Boons. Pop. Pop.”

“Right now Sissy’s head can’t take too much popping.” Becca grimaced. “Want to sleep with Sissy? And when Sissy’s had enough rest, we’ll party all day. Okay?”

“Okay,” Scotty said.

“So simple.” Jackson smiled at Emily.

It was very clear that Becca and Scotty adored each other, and for that Emily was grateful. It was also clear how exhausted Becca was.

“Becca, angel, you don’t have to do that. You’re tired and you need a peaceful night’s sleep. With Scotty, it’ll be like a boxing match.”

“It’s all right, Mama,” Becca said. “We’ll be fine.” She walked into her room, still carrying Scotty.

A lump formed in Emily’s throat. It happened every time Becca called her
Mama.
At first the word had been awkward, for both of them, but now it was so natural. There was nothing more precious than that sound and she treasured the relationship she had with her daughter.

She turned to Jackson. “This is Becca’s only weekend off for ages and she needs to rest, not baby-sit.”

“Don’t worry,” Jackson said. “She seems fine.”

“I can’t help it. It’s a mother thing.”

He kissed her lightly. “I know. Let’s check on them to make sure Scotty’s not jumping on the bed and being a terrible two-year-old.”

They stopped at Becca’s door when they heard her voice. “You’re so lucky, Scotty. Do you know that? You’ve had them for parents from the day you were born. It was different for me. I could be jealous if I didn’t love you so much.”

“Luv ya,” Scotty interjected.

“Since I’m your big sister, I’m gonna give you some advice about this family and how to handle them.”

“Sissy,” Scotty said, and Emily could imagine him poking his little finger into Becca’s chest. He loved to identify people.

“Yes, I’m Sissy, so listen.” Becca laughed. “Grandpa George, he’s a pushover. You probably already know that. And he’ll love you no matter what, just like Mama and Daddy.”

“Mama,” Scotty whimpered, and Jackson had to hold Emily to keep her from dashing into the room.

“Yeah, your Mama and Daddy and mine. It used to sound strange, but it sounds right to me now.”

“Daddy,” Scotty said, and Jackson had to force himself to stand still.

“Now, about Grandpa Owen. He’s rather quiet. You have to give him a nudge sometimes, but he’ll always help you and be there for you. And Grandma Rose. That’s a hard one. I hated her at times, but through it all, I’ve loved her and that wasn’t always easy. But love is a funny thing. Once given, it never dies. It suffers through bad times, but it always survives.”

“Luv ya,” Scotty said again.

“I love you, too, and if I don’t get you to sleep, I’m going to be in big trouble.”

Scotty giggled at Becca’s exaggerated tone.

Jackson led Emily away from the door and to their room. Emily brushed away a tear. “I feel as if I had a glimpse into Becca’s heart.”

“We did.” He held her close. “
Now
do you think you can stop worrying?”

“I don’t think mothers ever do that.”

“Fathers, either, and I’m so proud of her.”

“Oh, Jackson.” She snuggled against his chest. “Life is so good and sometimes I’m afraid. I’m afraid I’ll wake up in that nightmare again.”

He reached for her face and held it. “That’s never going to happen. We’ve suffered enough for a lifetime and now all we have to do is enjoy what we have.”

“Yes,” she said, knowing she could face anything with Jackson.

“And speaking of enjoying—” he smiled wickedly “—let’s think about making
us
feel good.”

She arched an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?”

He unbuttoned her blouse. “I’m thinking of taking you to bed and showing you how much I love you.”

“I already know that.”

“It bears repeating,” he said with a grin, marching her backward to the bed.

“Over and over.” She laughed as he urged her down.

A long time later, Jackson slipped out of bed. “Come on,” he said, grabbing his robe.

“What?” she asked, puzzled.

“You’re not going to get any sleep until Scotty’s in his bed and Becca’s resting.”

“You know me so well,” she said with a smile.

“And don’t you forget it,” he returned, and handed her a robe.

Arm in arm, they walked to Becca’s room. Scotty was sound asleep in her arms. For a moment they stared at the two faces, then Emily gently eased Scotty away.

“Scotty.” Becca sat up, alert to any movement Scotty might make.

“It’s all right, angel,” Emily said. “I’m going to put him in his bed.”

“Okay.” She laid her head back on the pillow. “Love you, Mama, Daddy.”

Jackson kissed Becca’s check and pulled the sheet over her. “We love you, too, angel.”

Emily bit back tears and knew that love had eclipsed the shadows from the past and the future was destined to be as bright as the stars in their eyes.