Love You Anyways (24 page)

“Jade!” Ava yelled and waved.

Jade was being escorted into the VIP section and behind her were Phoebe and Tessa.

Tessa, fuck she looked beautiful. Too beautiful. My cock plumped a bit seeing her walk up to us.

“Lucas, looking damn good.” Jade smacked my ass pretty hard.

Ava laughed. “See Dad?”

“Yeah I see Ava.”

“See what?” Phoebe asked.

“Nothing.” I gave Ava a warning look.

“Dad and I went shopping. Check him out. No go ahead, as much as he pretends to hate it I can assure you he doesn’t. Doesn’t his ass look incredible?” She looked right at Tessa.

Tessa laughed and walked by me and smacked my ass hard too and Ava laughed.

“Told you
, you had a great ass, Dad.”

Phoebe laughed and walked by and smacked it and giggled.

“Alright! That’s the end of the ass smacking ladies.” I scolded them and then looked at Ava. “It’s not okay.”

Tessa was between Phoebe and
Jade, which I suppose was perfect. Well, so our cover wasn’t blown.

“Tessa come sit by me,” Ava yelled down to her. “Slide down Dad.”

“Ava.”

“What?”

Tessa walked past me and yes, I breathed in her scent.

“You excited about the concert?” Tessa asked giving her a hug.

“Sure am. But I’m especially excited about seeing Harper’s belly. Has it gotten bigger?”

“Sure has.”

“You know I told her I should be the godmother. We are as close as two sisters you know.”

Tessa smiled and nodded.

Oh Ava please say no more
, I pleaded in my head.

“I’m moving home soon.”

“That’s great; I bet your Dad will be happy.”

“Oh he is. He’s lonely you know. Since Mom, well you know. I hope he finds someone to love him. He’s a catch you know.”

Tessa smiled. “He is.”

I was ready to crawl under the stadium seat.

“So are you and Zach Taylor, um, dating?”

“No he’s a friend.”

“So you’re not interested in him?”

“Just a friend.”

“That’s good.”

Ava looked behind Tessa and winked at me.

I glared at her and she laughed.

The lights dimmed just in time to shut my sweet little pushy girl up.

I looked over at Jade and she was doing her best not to laugh out loud. Phoebe giggled and I looked at the stage. Where my eyes would now be fixed until the end of the concert.

Scratch that. Tessa took her lightweight sweater off and the girls were shoved into a very tight concert tee shirt that said “The Brody Hines Band.”

She turned to set the sweater on the back of the chair and I glanced back.

“Hey.” A guy behind us said and winked at her.

She smiled and turned around.

“Did you see the tits on her? Fuck man.” He said to his buddy.

“Too busy checking out the ass on the schoolgirl in front of me.”

I leaned back making sure they saw me and glared at them. The bastards laughed.

The band took stage and I was forced to look away from them. Ava was shouting and jumping around.

“Hi.”
Tessa nudged me.

“Hi.” I winked at her.

The crowd screamed louder and I looked up.

“HELLO NEW JERSEY!” Maddox yelled to the screaming crowd. “This is one hell of a crowd to end our US tour with. Thanks for coming out tonight! Feels like déjà
vu; it was only a year ago I stood here on this very stage at Badger Field doing the same damn thing. Ending one hell of a summer concert series!” The crowd screamed and Maddox was loving it. “Did you miss me? Of course you did. I missed you too!”

“Holy shit is he the same kid I have met over the past four years?”
I leaned over and asked Tessa.

“I know. He is totally different up there. Amazing.” She smiled and then looked at my lips.

“Baby don’t do that.”

She giggled and looked away.

Three songs in and Ava had Tessa dancing to the music. The two of them were singing and laughing. Damn she looked happy. Jade and Phoebe were on the other side of me doing the same. It felt good being here. It felt like home.

Tessa backed up and bumped into me and I almost moved away when she looked back and winked and then rubbed her ass against me.

“I have to pee!” Ava turned around and Tessa said she’d go with her.

“Jade, Phoebe, bathroom?” Tessa asked.

“Hell yes.” Jade and Phoebe both answered.

“Do you have to go Tessa or did you just not want me to be alone
?”

“I don’t have to but I don’t mind.”

“Stay with Dad? If we all leave someone will try to take our seats.”

“Okay.”

When they were out of ear shot she came and stood close to me again. “My kid’s trying to pimp me out.”

“She wants you to be happy.”

“This makes me happy. Being here with you.”

“I’m glad you came.”

“Really?”

“I missed you.” She smiled shyly.

“Perfect.” I took a room key out of my back pocket and handed it to her. “Same hotel as you, if you want to see me come over.”

“Will Ava be there?”

“She plans on going to Ashley’s. Which is perfect, I want to be with you for some of your birthday.”

She stood closer and held my hand.

“I would kiss you but your son-in-law may see me.” She took a deep breath. “You look beautiful by the way. And I’m not just saying that because the girls seem to know I am here.”

“Maybe I’m cold.” She smirked.

“Maybe I am.” I took our hands and rubbed the back of hers against my erection.

She bit her lip to stop herself from smiling.

“I can’t wait to give you this tonight.”

I released her hand when I saw the girls approaching.

Chapter 25

Tessa

Four and a half hours
later and I was standing in the nursery holding a very tiny Piper Ann Hines. She was seven weeks early and weighed only six pounds but she was so strong. Her lungs were fully developed and she passed the APGAR tests with flying colors.

My little girl was a Mommy. Harper Ann was a Mommy and I was there when she gave birth. There couldn’t have been a better birthday gift than this little life. Her eyes were blue, her hair blonde, and she was beautiful.

They wanted her to stay the night in the neonatal nursery for the night and were working on my child now. My girl was amazing in the delivery room and her husband, Piper’s father, was as amazing.

“Your Grandpa in heaven loves you very much Piper.” I sat and rocked her enjoying the time I had her all to myself.  Her eyes finally looked into mine. “But I bet you already know that don’t you? You have his nose. Yes you do. It’s perfect. Just like he was. Just like you are. We haven’t had your baby shower yet but I have your Momma’s crib at home and it will be perfect. Happy birthday to us Piper, my happiest yet. You and I are going to be so close, yes we are.” I kissed her little nose and her eyes fluttered. “You are such a miracle in so many ways. Your Mommy and Daddy needed you so badly. I needed you too. There is nothing as precious as life, well nothing except for you.” I kissed her perfect little head and snuggled her against my shoulder.

“Mom?”

“Oh hey there. How are you?” I asked as I stood so Harper could have the rocking chair.

“Sore. Mom?” She held out her hands for Piper.

“Of course.” I handed my daughter her daughter. “They said she had to stay in here for the night.”

“I’ll stay too.”

“Thank you because they won’t let me.” Tears fell down her cheek.

“You need to rest and heal.” I wiped them as Maddox walked in holding the donut seat for her to sit on.

“Sweetness can you stand for just a second?” Maddox asked softly.

“I need to feed her. I want to feed her.” Harpers’ tears continued to fall and Maddox looked concerned.

“Then we will.” Maddox stepped up and took Piper. I handed them a pillow and Harper patiently waited for her child to latch on.

“You’re a natural.” I rubbed her shoulder.

“Maddox and I read a lot on boobs.” She tried to laugh but the result was short intakes of breaths as she held back her sobs.

Maddox looked at the nursery window and took a blanket shielding her breast.

“Look out that window Sweetness. Look at all the people who love you two.”

“Three, us three Maddox.”

She laughed when she saw Ava hold up a sign that said ‘Of Course I will be her
godmother. Baby coach bag, Tiffany Jewelry, nothing but the best for my Piper Ava Hines.’

I laughed and looked at Harper who was nodding at her and mouthing ‘Thank you.’

“She does know its Ann, doesn’t she?” Maddox asked.

“I’ll give you two a few minutes alone and go break the news to her.” I kissed all three of them and walked out into the hall.

I showed them the pictures I had taken on my phone.

“She looks exactly like your niece Sydney did when she was born.” Lucas laughed.

“How do you know?” Ava asked.

“I was there.” He answered giving her a look I suppose that was supposed to keep her quiet.

“Oh that’s right you two use to be lovers.” Ava said lovers in a husky tone.

“Ava,” Lucas scolded her.

Jade and Phoebe laughed, so did I.

“Okay focus time. I need clothes. I assume they will be here a few days. It’s a long drive home. Piper Ann…”

“Piper Ava,” Ava corrected me.

“Sorry it’s Ann, but you can pretend if you’d like.” I threw my arm over Ava’s shoulder. “Piper has to stay the night in the nursery so I am staying in with her so Harper and Maddox can get some sleep.”

“On it.” Jade and Phoebe both hugged and kissed me before they headed out.

“You should come back tomorrow and see her. The pictures do her no justice. She is absolutely beautiful.”

~

I called my parents and told them about Piper. They were so
excited; Piper was their first great-grandchild. To people like us, money wasn’t anything. Family was everything. I could have told my parents we had won a million dollars and they would have said ‘that was nice’ but tell them we are adding to the Ross family and it was as if electricity was invented.

“You sound good Tessa.”
Dad said and I could hear the smile in his voice.

“I am. I don’t miss him any less Dad but the show must go on right?”

“Absolutely. We miss him too you know.”

“I know.”

“Didn’t mean to make you sad.”

“It won’t last long. Piper deserves as happy and loving support system as I have.”

“You sure that’s it? Piper change the direction of the planet?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer that.

“If that’s all it took, you tell my new grandson to get busy and give that baby girl a sibling.”

“I think they have to wait awhile.” I laughed.

“How’s my little Harper?”

“Emotional.”

“Of course she is. Has she let you hold her child yet? I think the boys were three before you allowed me to hold them.”

“Ha ha ha.” I said in the pouty voice you reserve for you
r Dad.

Dad asked me to call him in the morning and I told him to spill it.

He was having surgery in two weeks and was selling the house. They had one that should be finished by the time he went under the knife.

“It’s nice Tessa
, Ryan and Alex have been working on it. Lucas helped as well.”

“What are you going to do with your house now?”

“You want it?”

“No!”

“Easy Tessa. Maybe Maddox and Harper or one of the boys would like it. Think about it. Okay birthday girl we’ll celebrate when you get home.”

“No need. I had the best birthday ever. We do need to plan a shower. I think coed would be best.”

“She need a crib?”

“I have the furniture she
used as a baby. It’s in the basement.”

“How about you let me make your brother Jake get his ass home and help me take care of that
?”

“That would be great. Dad?”

“What is it Tessa?”

“I want them to have my room. It’s bigger. The cradle will fit. The bathroom is right easier to access…”

“Of course. The bed?”

“Theirs. I’ll order new bedding and curtains.”

“You’re really ready for this aren’t you?”

“Yes I am.”

“Where would you like your things and Collins?”

“Just move my things in Harpers
’ room. I’ll take care of it.”

“Of course.”

~

I’m not sure where the weeks went
, it was crazy and wonderful. Harper was happy with the room switch. I was worried at first that it would be too much too soon but she and Maddox were very grateful.

I shipped all of Collin
’s clothes to South America. He didn’t collect anything. I suppose it was because things meant nothing to a man who only cared about people. I kept a few things. The Boston Red Sox sweatshirts, sacrilegious I know, but he loved them. And I loved to see that side of him once in a while. Care free Collin was not often seen. When we were out, he always looked around for any signs of danger. When we were home, he always spent a week constantly looking at his computer. He tried to lead me to believe it was work, but as the years passed, I realized it was him destressing and deprogramming himself. Love making with him was intense. And so good. He lost himself in me. He made me feel like I was adored and treasured every moment.

I was sitting on my bed when the phone rang.

“Hey Lucas.”

“How are you Baby?”

“I’m good. I’m sitting in my new room.”

“Wait what?”

“I am now a resident of Harpers’ room. She and Maddox have our old room.”

“How are you feeling about that?”

“Good actually. They needed the room with Piper now. The bathroom is there. Everything is fine. It’s better. It’s…”

“Baby
its okay.” His voice was soft and gentle.

“I sent all his clothes to South America, I kept some sweatshirts, of course pictures and awards, and all that stuff.” I stopped talking because I knew I was rambling.

“Did you keep underwear?”

“What?” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yeah, underwear and a pillow case are must keeps. I lost this girl once. Not the same as you, but I kept three pair of these little boy shorts she use to prance around in. I would put her pillow case on a pillow and lay back and fall asleep with her panties on my face.”

“You are such a jerk you know.”

“I’m telling you it helped.”

“Collin wasn’t big on material things.”

“Is that code for he liked to go commando?”

“Not liked.”

“So Collin didn’t wear underwear?”

“Lucas this conversation is weird.”

“Not to me.”

“Okay but don’t ask anything else about Collin or underwear.”

“Okay.”

“How’s it going with the lawyer?”

“It’s going…nowhere. I finally have a sit down with my father tomorrow. Both of us have been too damn busy.”

“I think I’m ready to go on a date.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes.”

“Wow. So should I worry about this?”

“I don’t know
. I’m kind of desperate.”

“Desperate huh?”

“Yes. I’m probably going to say yes to the first guy who asks me.”

He laughed. “If I come home this weekend Tess
a, would you go on a date with me?”

“Wow that was unexpected.”

“I know I’ve wanted to ask you for months now.”

“Can I pick you up in Jades
’ driveway Friday at seven?”

“No I think you can pick me up here.”

Lucas gasped, “Are you serious?”

“I am.”

“Okay like midnight. Meet you at the old tree in the back forty? Help me out here Baby because I think you’re asking me to make this legit.”

“I think I am too.”

“Damn.”

“Okay. I have to go. I am going to tell Harper I am going on a date with Lucas Links Friday night.”

“Are you gonna need my social security card?”

“Why?” I laughed.

“Baby, I think Lucas works. No need for the Links. She knows who I am.”

“Maybe I like saying your name.”

“You don’t call me Lucas Links Baby; you call me, Oh God Lucas…”

“You’re such an arrogant ass!”

“Who is an arrogant ass Mom?”

Harper walked in the room carrying Piper.

“Uh oh, you are so busted.”

“Shut up Lucas.”

“Is that Lucas Links?” Harper asked and Lucas must have heard her because he laughed.

“Be brave Baby.”

“He asked me on a date.” I covered the phone, I don’t know why but I did.

“Baby tell her you begged me.”

“Oh, wow. Weird. Are you up for it?” Harper asked as she walked in the room.

“Actually it’ll be a second date Harper.”

“Oh Baby, you’re going rouge here.” Lucas whispered. “With no back up or nothing.”

“When? I mean
… well yes, I mean when,” Harper laughed.

“In New Jersey. He stopped by the hospital and took me out to dinner. I
t was nice.”

“Mom are you still on the phone with him?”

“Yes, I think. Lucas, are you still there?”

“Yep, making popcorn and settling in to wait to hear how this goes for you.”

“He’s still here.”

“Tell him thank you for the gifts and ask him if he wants to meet Piper.”

“Yes, I want to meet Piper.”

“He heard you and said yes he wants to meet Piper.”

“Cool. Okay.” She sat, watching me.

“Lucas
, I will see you Friday night.”

I hung up and looked at Harper. “Are you upset about this?”

“No. No of course not. It’s just weird you know.”

“If he were here I would never…”

“He wants you to be happy, Mom. So do I. It’s just weird that it’s Lucas Links.”

I laughed and nodded. “He’s been a friend for a long time.”

“He’s going through a hard time too.”