Chapter Twenty – Nathan
Chapter Twenty
NATHAN
Haven walked out of the police station with her shoulders back, and her head held high, but I could see it in her eyes. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically. During her interview with the police, she told them of the history of abuse from her father. I also told them about the time I had walked in and stopped him before he raped her.
It turned out that her father had multiple arrest warrants, one of them being sexual assault where his DNA was matched through a database. After filing for a restraining order and agreeing to speak to the district attorney after the holidays, they assured Haven that her father wouldn’t get out of jail anytime soon.
“Hey, are you okay?” I asked as I held the truck door open for her to climb in.
She nodded. “I am. It’s just been an exhausting few hours.”
I held her hand as she climbed in. When I got in and started the truck, Haven dropped her head back against the headrest and covered her mouth.
“Hey, it’s okay, Haven. He’s not going to get near you ever again.”
She wiped her tears away and looked at me. “It’s not that. I’m not worried about him hurting me. What I’m upset about is if I had just gone to the police like you wanted to, maybe that other girl wouldn’t have gotten raped.”
Reaching for her hand, I brought it up to my lips and kissed it. “Haven, please don’t blame yourself for your father’s actions. You were young and scared and wanted to put it all behind you. You couldn’t have known he would do what he did.”
She sniffled and nodded.
“Hey, look at me, okay.”
Doing as I asked, I tried to give her a reassuring smile. “None of what your father did was your fault. I didn’t go to the police either. Your good-for-nothing father is going to rot in jail and never hurt another person again. I promise I will do whatever I need to do to ensure it.”
She gave me a half smile. “Thank you for that.”
“Haven, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. For your happiness, your safety, your love. You are my entire life, and now that you’re mine, I swear I will never let you hurt like that again.”
Wiping her cheeks once more, she nodded. “I know, and I love you so much.”
Drawing a breath, I asked, “What do you want to do? Head back to the house or your apartment?”
She exhaled. “I’d like to go to my apartment and get what I want to bring to your house. It’s not going to be much. I’m ready to start fresh and leave it all behind.”
“We can get as much or as little as you want. We’ll figure out what to do with everything after Christmas.”
“That sounds good.”
Pulling out of the police station parking lot, we returned to Haven’s apartment. She packed up a few things from her kitchen, the rest of her clothes, and everything for the dogs. The rest she was going todonate.
Once we returned to my house, we carried the boxes into the houseand left the dog boxesin the truck for later.
“How about you go take a hot shower, and I’ll make us up something to eat?”
She let out a small gasp. “We were supposed to have dinner at your parents’ tonight.”
“Don’t worry about that. I texted them and told them we’d be late.”
Her eyes went wide with shock. “I didn’t mention what happened.”
When her body visibly relaxed, she almost looked like she was about to collapse.
“I think you should take a bath instead of a shower.”
“That sounds lovely. You don’t need help with making something to eat?”
With a shake of my head, I took her hand and led her to our bathroom.
Our bathroom. I couldn’t help but smile, knowing this was no longer my house but ours .
As I helped her undress, I placed soft kisses on her bare skin. I started the bath water, put a towel on the counter, and helped her into the tub. She sank in the bubbles and let out a long exhale.
“You okay for a bit?”
She nodded. “This feels like heaven, thank you.”
Reaching over, I turned on the radio I had in the bathroom and tuned it to a station that played calming music. Haven closed her eyes and let out a long exhale. Shutting the door, I headed to the kitchen to make dinner. The doorbell rang as I was walking by. When I opened it, I saw my mother bundled up in a winter jacket, hat, and gloves. “It’s starting to come down! Looks like we’ll have a white Christmas! I was worried.”
“Mom, what are you doing here?”
She stepped in and stomped her feet to get the snow off. I glanced past her and said, “We just got home a bit ago, and it was barely coming down.”
Smiling, she took off her coat and hung it up, then stuffed her hat and gloves in the pocket.
“I’m here because we’ve been trying to call you since we hadn’t heard from you or Haven about dinner since you texted you would be late. I got worried, so I told your father I was coming over here to make sure you both were okay.”
I closed my eyes and cursed. “I’m so sorry, Mom. Things got a bit crazy, and I completely forgot to let you know we weren’t going to be able to make it.”
Her smile faded, and she studied me. “What’s going on, Nate?”
“Why do you think something is going on?”
“You look…tired.”
I laughed. “I am tired, Mom. Follow me while I make some dinner for me and Haven.”
“Do you not want to come over? We have plenty of leftovers.”
Pulling out a stock pot, I turned to her. “Haven’s had a pretty rough day. I don’t think she would be up for visiting,” I said.
“What happened?”
“Well, the day started amazing when I asked her to move in with me, and she agreed.”
Another smile broke out across her face. “That’s a wonderful thing!”
“It is,” I agreed with a grin. “We decided to head over today to pack up some things since her lease renews in January. We stopped at Home Depot to pick up some boxes before they closed and then headed to her apartment.”
She sat down on the stool.
“Wine?”
“No, thank you, but I will take some water.”
“Haven made lemonade if you’d like that. It’s homemade.”
“Yes! I’ll take that.”
I poured her a glass, and she waited patiently for me to go on.
“While I was getting the boxes, Haven went on up. Turns out her good-for-nothing father had been waiting for her in her apartment…with a gun.”
My mother gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “What? Is Grace okay?”
I nodded. “She’s fine. He had also been waiting for her, but she had been staying with Doug forthe last couple of days. I think he was going between Grace’s house and Haven’s apartment.”
My mother’s eyes went wide. “She is!”
I chuckled. “Yeah, Haven was surprised as well. Happy, but surprised.”
“I am as well. She deserves someone good like Doug. But anyway, what happened?”
“When I was heading up the steps to Haven’s apartment, I heard her scream. When I stepped into her apartment, I heard her father talking. I quietly stepped back out and called 911. Then, I made my way back in and waited for the right time to overtake him. He was pointing the gun at Haven, and I can’t even begin to tell you how scared I was.”
She slowly shook her head. “I’m sure you were. I’m so glad neither of you were hurt. Haven is okay, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, she’s fine. Just shook up.”
“How did you overtake him?”
“Hit him over the head and knocked him out. The police arrived seconds after it happened. Haven had to go to the police station and file a report. She also filed for a restraining order against the bastard.”
“What in the world made him come back to Hamilton now of all times?” she asked.
“I guess he saw a news article about Haven and the dog park. He was looking for money.”
She sipped her drink and watched as I opened a can of corn and diced tomatoes and added it to the water heating up in the stock pot. I pulled out some chicken and added it, then a packet of spices for chicken tortilla soup.
“That poor girl. Like her father hasn’t done enough in that girl’s life, now he has to show up and try to take money from her and threaten her with a gun. Did anyone tell Grace?”
“Haven did. What do you mean about what her father did to her?” I asked.
My mother shrugged and glanced behind her.
“She’s taking a hot bath.”
Focusing back on me, my mother lowered her voice. “I don’t have any proof, and to be honest, I never thought it was my business to ask Grace, but I always suspected that David was abusive to both Haven and her mother.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. My mother tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Was he?”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I said, “It’s not really my story to tell.”
She gave a single head nod. “I never liked that man. I hope he rots in jail.”
“So do I. I do know that he will never get near Haven again.”
Smiling, she asked, “Does she need to speak to anyone?”
“She has a therapist.”
“That’s good. Do you need any help making the soup?”
“Nah, I’ve got it.”
She stood. “I should get back home.”
I followed her to the front hall and took her coat off the hook. “Be careful driving home.”
Leaning up to kiss me, she replied, “I will. Tell Haven I’m sorry I missed her.”
“I will. She’ll be sorry she missed you.”
Slipping on her gloves, she said, “Don’t forget—we’re having a Christmas brunch at your grandmother’s this year.”
“We won’t. Haven is making something to bring.”
She smiled and placed her hand on the side of my face. “I love seeing you so happy, Nathan. I’ve always adored Haven.”
“I’ve never been so happy, Mom. I feel like my life is complete with her in it. I’m just mad it took me so long to open my eyes.”
With a soft laugh, she replied, “I think it is in the Shaw blood.”
I laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, Mom. Merry Christmas Eve.”
“Merry Christmas Eve, sweetheart. I’ll text you when I get home.”
Walking her out, I shivered as the cold wind blew. The snow had slowed down, but there was a white dusting everywhere. “There is your white Christmas.”
She looked back at me and winked. “Enjoy your evening.”
“You too. Tell Dad I’m sorry we missed dinner.”
With a wave, she climbed up into my father’s truck. I watched until she made her way down the driveway before I turned back and headed into the house.
Once I returned tothe kitchen and the soup, I heard Haven.
“Was that your mom I heard?”
“Yeah, she had been trying to reach me since we didn’t show up for dinner, and she was worried.”
Haven was dressed in baggy sweats and one of my long-sleeve shirts. Her hair was pulled into a loose bun on the top of her head. She looked so fucking adorable. All I wanted to do was pull her into my arms and kiss her.
“Something smells good.”
“Tortilla soup. Shouldn’t take too long.”
“Anything you need me to do?”
“It would be great if you could grab the rolls out of the freezer and heat them up.”
“On it.”
We worked silently for a few minutes before I asked, “How are you feeling now?”
She smiled at me. “I’m so much better. Thank you for suggesting the bath. I’m sorry I missed your mom, though.”
“That’s okay, she understood. I gave her a short rundown of what happened. Told her your dad showed up and was waiting in your apartment with a gun demanding money.”
Haven nodded and put the rolls into the oven.
“She said something to me, though.”
Leaning against the counter, she asked, “What did she say?”
“She said she always had a feeling that your father abused you and your mother.”
Her brows shot up. “What?”
I nodded. “I told her that was your story to tell, not mine. She, of course, didn’t press on the issue; just said she hoped your father rotted in jail.”
“So do I.” Lifting onto her toes, she brushed a soft kiss across my lips. “Thank you for being there for me today.”
I slipped a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “I’ll always be there for you, Haven. Always.”
Wrapping her arms around my neck, she smiled at me. “I’m suddenly hungry for dessert.”
“Dessert, huh?”
She nodded. “I think I can manage that.”
“I need it fast and hard, Nate.”
“That I know I can manage.”
Dropping to my knees, I slipped the sweats and her panties down. Haven stepped out of them, and I tossed them to the side.
“Fast and hard, you said?”
She nodded.
“Turn around and hold onto the counter.”
Her tongue dashed out, and shelicked her lips. “Okay.”
I undid my pants and took myself in my hand while I whispered, “Spread your legs, princess.”
She did, and I could hear her breathing pick up.
Slipping my hand between her legs, I pushed my fingers inside her and moaned when I felt how wet she was.
“Nate, please.”
“I’ve got you.”
“No, if you had me, you would be inside me already.”
I laughed. “Impatient little thing.”
She pushed her ass toward me, and I lined myself up with her hot entrance. One push, and I was seated completely.
“Oh, God! Move, Nate! Move!”
I gripped her hips and did precisely what she asked for. Hard and fast.
“Yes! Oh, God, yes, that feels so good,” Haven cried out as she pushed back against me. It wasn’t going to take me long to come, and I could feel Haven’s body squeezing around me.
“Baby, I’m not going to last long.”
“Harder, Nate.”
Bringing my hand back around to her front, I found her clit, and it only took a few swipes of my fingers and Haven was crying out my name as I came with her. I dropped my head to her back as I tried to catch my breath.
“That was so good,” Haven said between deep breaths.
“Beyond good.”
Kissing her on the back, I pulled out of her and grabbed a hand towel to clean us both up.
“Did that help?” I asked as I helped her put her sweats back on.
“I think I found a favorite new dessert.”
Laughing, I zipped my pants and took the towel into the laundry room. When I returned, Haven was moving about the kitchen with a smile and a glow on her cheeks. I paused for a moment to take in the sight before me. I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I could love someone as much as I loved Haven Larson. She was more precious to me than the air I breathed.
“Rolls are done!” she said as I walked up to the stove and stirred the soup.
“Soup is done as well. You get the bowls, and I’ll cut up an avocado.”
After eating, we went to the family room, where I pouredtwo beers while Haven looked for a movie.
“How about The Polar Express ?” Haven asked as she snuggled under a blanket.
“I haven’t seen that in years.”
She grinned. “So yes?”
“Sounds good to me. Do you want popcorn?”
“Do we have any Milk Duds?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “I’m afraid you’ve eaten them all.”
She frowned. “I’ll pass then.”
I handed her the beer, and she took a drink and set it on the table beside her.
Once we settled in and the movie started, I noticed Haven struggling to stay awake. She had to be exhausted after the shit day she had. I turned off the movie, picked her up, and carried her upstairs to our bedroom.
Our bedroom.
“Nate,” she whispered as I gently set her on the bed and covered her up.
“Shh, go to sleep, princess.”
She sank into the pillow and mumbled, “The movie.”
“Can wait until tomorrow night. Get some sleep.”
It didn’t take long for her to fall back asleep. I pulled the chair in the corner of the room closer to the bed and sat down. I was mesmerized by watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful and content. I wanted her to feel that way for the rest of her life. I wasn’t sure how much time passed before I got up and walked into my closet. Bending down, I pulled the small safe out and opened it. The first thing I saw was the blue jewelry box.
Reaching for it, I sat down on the floor and opened it. Twelve mine-cut diamonds surrounded the oval sapphire set in a platinum band. Itwas one of the most beautiful rings I had ever seen. I took it out of the box and held it up. My mother had given me the ring a year ago and told me to hang onto it for when I finally met the one woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Truth be told, the first person I thought of when she showed it to me was Haven. Her favorite color was blue, and I couldn’t help but think how stunning the ring would look on her finger. I had taken the ring without arguing with my mother. It had been her grandmother’s ring. Her father had given it to her, and she held onto it for me to give to the woman I wanted to marry.
I stood, the ring in my hand, and walked back into the bedroom. Sitting back in the chair, I watched as Haven slept. This woman had wrecked me in the most beautiful way. She was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my lifewith, and I knew that down to the depths of my soul.
Closing my hand around the ring, I stood and walked over to the side of the bed. Leaning down, I gently kissed her on the forehead.
“I’m going to marry you someday, Haven Larson. And I promise to love you with my entire heart, forever. Merry Christmas.”