“Thanks again, Mrs. James.”
“My pleasure.”
I walked into the hall to find Dee and Raoul looking around in awe.
When Dee turned around at the sound of my shoes on the marble floor, Timmy started to babble in excitement overseeing one of his favorite people.
“Look who’s here Timmy? Aunty Dee and Uncle Raoul.”
“Oh my God,” Dee marveled as we stopped in front of her. “You look well,” she said to me, giving me a half hug. “And you.” She stole Timmy from my arms and hugged him tightly. “You look like the little man you are.”
I hugged Raoul.
He pinched my cheek. “Country life suits you, m’hija. I like this look on you.”
Dee grinned up at me. “He is a dashing little boy.”
“He’s got good genes,” I said. His uncle looked like a gift from the gods.
“Uh-huh.” Dee looked behind me and I didn’t even need to turn around to know who was there. I could feel his eyes on my skin. “And how are things?” she asked. I knew what she meant. She hadn’t been convinced I was making the right choice when I’d decided to give him another chance.
“Better than I could have ever hoped for.”
Dean came to stand behind me, resting his hands on my shoulders, making me shiver.
“Dee, Raoul - I’ve heard so much about you. I’m so pleased to meet Amber’s family. Thank you for coming.”
Raoul nodded with a smile. He was a man of little words, but that was perfect as Dee probably talked enough for both of them.
“Yes, likewise.” Dee arched a brow. “You seem to be good for my girl.”
“I’m certainly endeavoring to.” He quickly kissed the top of my head.
“Please, let’s go to the sunroom; my sister just texted to say she’ll be here in the next few minutes.”
Raoul extended a small bag to me. “A present for the little prince.”
I gave him another hug, feeling emotional. Dean had been right; they were my family.
We’d just sat down at the table when Lea, Susan, and Jeremy walked in.
Lea and Susan gushed over the star of the day. Jeremy waved at me before sitting next to Dee, who was treating him like a star for what he’d done for Timmy.
I looked at Dean who was standing beside the gift table and looking at us all with a small smile.
I waited for him to meet my eyes before gesturing to the seat beside me.
He beamed and the fact that I could so easily bring him joy, made me happy.
After sitting down, he leaned toward me. “If you only knew what this dress does for me,” he whispered, his hot breath making me shiver.
“I do know,” I admitted, meeting his eyes with a flirty smile of my own.
He reared back; his eyebrows arched in surprise.
“Oh, Ms. Collins, I think we need to discuss this,” he added with a small smirk.
It was at that moment that Lea came over and rested her hands on Dean’s shoulders. She leaned down to whisper in his ear, but just loud enough for me to hear as well.
“How does it feel, brother, to let yourself be happy, to let yourself love?” she asked.
He glanced my way. “Better than I could have ever imagined.”
Lea nodded and winked at me. “It’s so cathartic with the right woman.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said, keeping his eyes on me and making me blush. “Talking about the right woman, I’m happy Susan is here.”
Lea let go of her brother and straightened. “She likes you better now,” she admitted. “She thinks you’re less of an ass.”
Dean laughed. “I’ll take it.”
The party was pleasant. It was so good to have Dee and Raoul here with Lea, Dean, and Susan. It was like two families meeting for the first time, and it was lovely and warm.
Dean caressed my knee under the table every so often. It was not a sexual gesture, it was a loving one, and I loved it.
Just as we finished our dessert, Timmy started to get fussy.
“I think the birthday boy needs his nappy nap,” I said.
“Who doesn't?” Raoul added in jest.
I was about to stand up when Dean rested his hand on top of mine.
"No, please, stay here.” He smiled at Dee. “You don't see your friends often. Just let me deal with the birthday boy.”
I nodded, once more pleasantly surprised by his thoughtful side.
He picked up Timmy from his high chair. “Come on, big boy. Let's go take a nap.” He turned toward the table. “In case I don't see you before you leave, thanks again for coming. It means a lot to us.”
We watched him leave in silence, each of us with different degrees of surprise on our face.
“He’s changed a lot,” Susan commented once he’d exited the room.
I shrugged, I didn’t think he’d changed, I was sure he’d always had that gentleness in him.
“Love will do that to a man,” Dee confirmed. “The right person will warm even the coldest heart.”
“I like you,” Lea told Dee, pointing at her with a fork full of cake. “I’m guessing you were the voice who kept our Amber sane in this crazy world.”
Dee beamed at her. “And I’m happy my sweet girl has found a good and loving family and a sister as wise as you.”
They both smiled at each other and I could see forming, right before my eyes, one of the most unlikely friendships possible.
Jeremy had surgery early the next morning so because he had come with Lea and Susan, the three of them left as soon as Lea finished her second piece of cake under Susan’s amused eyes.
“You look happy.” Dee nodded her approval as soon as it was only the three of us.
“I am.”
“The man’s smitten,” she continued, her all-seeing eyes on me.
“He is not the only one.”
She reached for my face and cupped my cheek. “I am so happy it is working out, my sweet girl. You deserve the best.”
I could only nod, a lump of tears forming in my throat at all the love she gave me.
After Dee and Raoul left, I started to worry about Dean’s failure to return.
I went to the nursery and the scene before me, made the last of my reticence melt away.
My two boys were asleep - Timmy in his crib and Dean in the rocking chair with a copy of ‘Where is Mr. Duck’ on his lap.
“Thanks for today,” I said softly, removing the book from his lap and putting it back on the bookshelf.
He sighed, turning his head toward me.
“It was normal. This is teamwork,” He replied, rocking gently in the chair.
“How am I supposed to resist you?” I whispered, running my hand across his cheek.
“Don't,” he said, his voice still a bit rough from sleep. “Be mine.”
I smiled with a shake of my head before disappearing into my own room. If only he knew the truth. I was already his.
As I finished writing my last email, I leaned back on my seat. I just couldn't wait to get out of this office and join Amber in the small library or the kitchen or wherever she was in the house. I didn’t care as long as she was with me.
Ah, what has that woman changed me into? A lovesick fool, and I was horrified to notice that I didn't even care.