Chapter 25
Jack
Stephanie’s car sits front and center in Dad’s driveway when I pull up on Thursday evening. I will myself to have some self-control, but I’m running on fumes. I’ve worked almost nonstop the last four days since Laine and I returned from the stag and hen party and Abdo had surgery to clear infection from the graft on his back Monday afternoon. She’s been at the hospital every day, working out of Abdo’s room in the ICU. She covers for the Biors while Faheen works and Amani manages the girls, and they’ve made sure someone is always with him.
I think Laine was taking some time for herself this evening, and the Biors are with Abdo because my father has requested my presence tonight. I’m prepared for him to tell me he and Stephanie are getting married, and I’m working hard to believe this is actually okay. Dad experienced such pain when Mom died. It wasn’t in his plan for her to die first. With Stephanie’s age, he won’t have to worry about that again. And if she makes him happy, that has to be what matters.
“Hello?” I call as I open the front door.
Stephanie waves as she walks upstairs. She’s wearing a positively tiny swimsuit. “Your father is in the solarium.”
“Thanks,” I tell her as I walk to the back of the house. This room is miserable for the two months a year that we have pounding hot days, but most of the time, it’s perfect for Mom’s orchids and a nice place to sit.
When I enter, Dad is spraying the plants.
“Does Stephanie know these were Mom’s?” I ask.
“I don’t know. Why would she care?” he asks as he turns.
I can think of several reasons, but I keep them to myself. I’m glad Dad still has this going. I know he misses Mom.
He asks me to take a seat, and we spend some time catching up. I tell him a little about Abdo’s latest surgeries.
“When are you leaving for your next Worldwide Medical Care trip?” he asks.
“Not until January. I have to figure out where I want to go.”
“Well, I hope it’s not back to Sudan.”
I bark a short laugh. “I don’t think they’re letting anyone into Sudan right now. It’s too dangerous. I need to figure out where WMC needs help. Roughly six months in advance, which should mean next month, I’ll decide what I’m going to do so we can start the visa requirements and any inoculations I might need.”
“Have you ever considered going into rural areas here in Canada?”
I shrug. “They rarely need a plastic surgeon in rural areas. I’m guessing I’ll be back on the African continent or maybe in Ukraine.”
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable with either of those options.”
“Dad, I’ve been doing this for years. And when things get hairy, they pull me out immediately. I’ll be safe wherever I go.”
Stephanie arrives in a gossamer sundress. She’s not wearing a bra, and my guess is she’s most likely not wearing panties. “Ellen has dinner ready,” she reports.
“Let’s eat,” Dad announces.
We follow Stephanie to the dining room, and Dad looks over at me and smiles. What a sly dog. Yep, as long as she continues to make him happy, I’m going to have to be good with Stephanie.
We sit around the table, and Ellen puts a bowl of soup in front of Stephanie, followed by a pork roast for Dad and me.
“Thank you,” I’m the only one to say.
We make some small talk about a recent trip they took down to Toronto, and Stephanie goes on and on about the things she bought—well, that my dad bought her.
“Are you attending the Martin wedding this weekend?” Dad asks.
I nod. “Of course. I just flew Phillip and his girlfriend out to Penticton for the stag last weekend.”
“Great. Stephanie has a friend you can go with.” He says this as if it’s a done deal.
I shake my head. “I already have a date.”
He looks over, his fork frozen on the way to his mouth. “Who?”
“Laine Seymour.”
He drops his fork with a loud clatter. “Why the hell are you going with her? Did she bribe you? Or is she blackmailing you? We can call the police if she is.”
“No, Dad. I asked her to go with me. I know this isn’t want you want to hear, but I’m in love with her.”
“Then why did you kick her out of your life?”
“Because I was stupid and immature.”
He shakes his head. “Getting back together with her is not a good idea. She’s only after your money.”
“I don’t know why you think that. I’ve never taken her on a shopping trip to any city.” I look over at Stephanie.
He slaps his hand on the table. “You can’t say that.”
I calmly put down my glass of water. “Dad, who I date is my business. Just like who you date is yours. We’re both adults who can make our own decisions.”
“Well, if you marry her, I will disinherit you.”
Stephanie stops slurping her soup and looks at me.
Where is this coming from? “Dad, I have a great job, and I have my trust. Your money is yours, and you can spend it however you want. You can give it to whomever you want. I’m okay with that.”
I watch the rage fill his face. That’s not what he wanted to hear. But he needs to realize I can make my own way in life, and I refuse to play games to compete for anything he has.
He gets up so quickly that his chair tips back and clatters to the floor. He storms out of the room.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen your father that angry before,” Stephanie says, looking after him.
“No, I suppose not. But he can’t manipulate me with his money, and he can’t control my choices. Just like I can’t control his.”
“You know, I love him for more than his money.”
I look at her, trying to decide if that’s true. “As long as you make him happy, that’s all I care about.” I take my last bite of the roast Ellen made and stand. “Thank you for dinner. And please tell my dad I’ll see him at Henry and Allison’s wedding.”
I walk into the kitchen.
“You really upset your father.” Ellen hands me a container of homemade Nanaimo bars, another of my favorites.
“Thank you. I will enjoy these.”
“Be kind to him. He’s only trying to look out for you.”
I shrug. “I’m in love with Laine. I want to marry her.”
Ellen pulls me into a hug. “I’m so glad!”
When I get back to my car, I punch up Laine’s number.
“Hello?” she singsongs.
“Where are you?” I ask. “I haven’t seen you outside the hospital all week, and I want to. I’m leaving my father’s.”
She’s quiet for a moment.
“Hello? Did you hear my question?”
“Yes. I’m assuming you told your father we were back together?”
“It did come up, but that’s not why I want to see you. We have spent no alone time together all week, and I need some of that.”
“Need?”
I chuckle. “Yes, need. I miss you, and I don’t sleep well without you. Much is happening in our lives, and I want to make sure we’re supporting each other. Even if it isn’t every night of the week, I want to spend as much time as possible with you. Can you give me that?”
“Hmmm…” she says, but I think I can hear a hint of playfulness in her voice. “What are we going to do when you’re on your next assignment with Worldwide Medical Care?”
“You can work from anywhere. Why can’t you come with me?”
There’s silence on the line for a moment. “I’m not sure they want me in the field like that…”
“We can ask,” I counter. “But we don’t have to figure that out now. Let’s focus. I need to see you. Are you with Trish or out with other friends?”
“I’m at home in my pajamas.”
“Great. I’m coming over.” Then I hesitate. “Is that okay?”
“Yes, that’s okay. You know the code to the garage.”
“I’ll be at your door in twenty minutes.”
“I guess I should get dressed.”
“You don’t have to.”
Her chuckle is sultry. “See you soon.”
I hang up the phone and hit the gas pedal. My heart races with anticipation as I drive toward her house. I can’t wait to hold her in my arms again, to feel her warmth and her love. As I pull into the garage, I take a deep breath, reminding myself to be patient and gentle with her.
I ride the elevator up to her apartment, my heart pounding with excitement. As I knock on the door, I can hear her footsteps coming toward me. The door opens, and there she is, dressed in a silky white robe with her long chestnut hair falling down her back in loose waves.
“Hey,” she whispers.
I take her hand in mine and pull her close, feeling the heat of her body against mine.
“I’ve missed you,” I murmur into her hair.
“I missed you too,” she whispers back, her lips brushing my ear.
I can’t resist her any longer. She feels like home to me, like comfort and safety and everything I need. I wrap my arms around her and carry her to the bedroom. Kissing her passionately, I lay her on the bed, my hands roaming over her body. “Laine,” I breathe, “I want you so much.”
She moans softly, her body arching toward mine. I can feel her desire, her need for me, and it only fuels my craving. I slowly undress her, taking in the sight of her curves and smooth skin.
We move together as if we were made for each other, two halves of the same whole. I feel myself growing even harder, speeding toward the edge. I moan, my hand tangled in her hair, and then I let go, calling her name. She tightens around me in response, her moans of pleasure filling the air.
I let out a heavy breath, and she curls in next to me, her head on my chest.
“I love you,” I tell her, my voice thick with emotion. It’s never been more clear or true.
“I love you too,” she whispers back, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest.
We lie together, our bodies entwined, still joined together, and I don’t want to think about anything else—not my father or Laine’s job or Abdo. I just want to experience the perfection of this moment, with my Laine in my arms. I hope this means there are many more of them ahead.