Chapter 63 Beatrice
BEATRICE
Isink into Alison’s arms, and the most contented sigh spills from my lips.
I’ve only ever met this woman online, but already, I feel a connection to her.
One that’s been eluding me for years. Really, since the day Dad died.
I’m not sure anyone’s embrace has felt like this since the last one he gave me.
And the worst part of that is that I can’t even remember the last one.
Just this weird ghost of a feeling of what it used to be like.
I thought I’d made it up, built it up in my head to be something it wasn’t.
But this right here proves to me that none of it was a fantasy.
This really is how a hug from a loving parent feels.
“Oh, sweetie,” Alison breathes, clearly able to feel the way my body trembles against hers, hear my ragged breathing as I try my hardest to keep it together.
“I’m sorry,” I whimper, pulling back from her and trying to discreetly wipe my eyes.
The tears are flowing freely. I have no control over them.
“Bea,” Everett growls, concern thick in his voice.
“I’m okay. I’m just…” I wave my hand around as if that’ll help explain the sudden rush of emotions I’m failing to deal with, let alone name. “I’m going to the restroom,” I blurt before spinning on my heels and running from the room as fast as my legs will carry me.
I’m not aware that I’m being followed until someone catches the door behind me.
“I’m so sorry,” I repeat. “I didn’t mean to cry all over you.”
A soft, warm hand lands on my upper arm, kind, empathetic eyes gazing into mine.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Alison says with a smile.
“I remember what it was like. I was a mess throughout both of my pregnancies. The smallest thing would set me off. Clark had no idea how to deal with it,” she adds with a soft smile.
“All he wanted to do was make it better; he couldn’t comprehend that really, there was nothing to fix.
He just needed to be there and embrace the tears. ”
I let out an emotional chuckle because I know exactly what she’s talking about.
“I haven’t had a hug from a parent in a very long time,” I blurt, needing her to understand. “It just…I got a little overwhelmed.”
“I’m sorry you’ve missed out on that, Bea. I can’t imagine not holding my babies every chance I get—even now that Rett is a giant,” she adds with a smirk.
My hand absently rubs over my bump, and my heart aches with the hope that I’ll be able to hold this one for many, many years to come, even when they’re all grown up and independent and think they don’t need their momma’s embrace.
“He really is,” I muse, thinking about the way his hand engulfs my bump, and how small my own feels when he’s holding it.
“A gentle giant, though, I hope. How’s he been doing?” she asks with genuine concern in her eyes.
“He’s incredible. So kind and thoughtful. He’s clearly had good role models,” I praise, making Alison blush.
“We did our best. Most days, I think he listened to some of the things we tried instilling in him and Parker, and then there are the other days where I can’t help but wonder where his head is at.”
“He’s a good person,” I tell her.
She smiles. “I’m glad you think so. And I’m glad he’s found you. He’s different, you know? I saw the change in him before we were introduced. I knew something was going on. I just never could have imagined…” Her eyes drop to my belly before she hesitantly reaches out. “May I?”
“Of course,” I say, watching as she presses her hand against my belly.
“I’m not sure I’m old enough to be a grandmother,” she mutters to herself.
“Mom,” Parker cries as she races into the room.
Alison pulls her hand away and spins to hug her daughter. “Oh, I’ve missed you, baby girl.”
And of course, watching them reconnect starts the waterworks all over again.
We have the best evening. All of Everett’s friends are so lovely and welcoming, and of course, his parents are just the best. If I had to imagine the perfect mom and dad for myself, then I’m pretty sure they’re it.
Not only do they pay their children the attention they deserve, listening to everything they say with eagerness, but they also love each other so much.
I’m not sure there was a time when they were next to each other where they weren’t touching.
A simple handhold, a hand on a thigh or the small of the back.
They really are the epitome of the kind of relationship everyone aspires to have.
And the way Clark clearly adores Alison even after all these years…
well, if Everett still looks at me like that in a few months, I’ll be happy, let alone in a few decades.
As the night moves on, my exhaustion begins to make itself known. I don’t want to give in. Everyone else is still up dancing and enjoying themselves. But I’m not sure I’m going to make it.
My eyes dart around the room, watching Parker, Alison, Casey, Sutton and Freya on the dance floor with a few of the guys. Everett is with his dad, Killer and Hayden, and from the serious looks on their faces, I can only assume they’re talking hockey—and beside me sits a quiet Hailee.
Despite not really knowing her, I can’t help feeling like we have a connection. I guess we have our pasts to thank for that. We haven’t discussed it. I get the feeling the less she talks about her marriage, the better, but it’s clear we’ve been through similar things.
“You should go and join them,” I say when I notice that she’s watching the girls dancing.
“Oh, no. I’m not really a dancer,” she says, although there isn’t much conviction behind it.
“It’s got to be more fun than sitting here with me, the pregnant girl who can barely keep her eyes open.”
She chuckles before sipping her wine.
“I should go, really. I’m not sure why I agreed to—” She slams her lips shut. “Ignore me. It’s been a long week.”
“And here I was thinking your life had been made significantly less stressful recently,” I tease.
She turns to me with a small smile. “Honestly, you have no idea how many hours of work you’ve saved me. Rest assured, Baby Donnelly will be getting a generous gift as a thank you.”
“There’s no need for that, but I appreciate it.”
She places her half-empty glass on the table before us and turns to me.
There’s sadness in her eyes despite all the love and happiness we’re surrounded by, and I wish I were in a position to do something about it.
But Hailee doesn’t seem to be in a place where she wants someone poking their nose into her life, so I lock my instincts down and follow her lead.
“I’m really glad everything is working out for you and Rett,” she says sincerely.
“While he might be a pain in the ass to work with, he’s got a heart of gold, and I’m glad he’s finally showing it to someone.
Enjoy the rest of your night,” she adds before I get a chance to respond and quickly walks away.
“Was it something you said?” Everett’s deep voice rumbles a few seconds later.
“I…uh…I don’t know,” I mutter, keeping my true thoughts to myself.
Hailee might appear to be one of them. She’s a part of the Viper organization, after all, but I’m not sure she feels like she really belongs. Or at least, that’s the impression I got just now.
“As long as she’s leaving me in peace, I’m happy.”
I smile up at him. “Funny, she said the same about you.”
“Aw, I knew she loved me really,” he mocks as he holds his hand out for me. “Come on, sweetheart. It’s time to get you home.”
“I’m okay. We can stay longer if you want,” I offer despite the exhaustion tugging at my muscles.
He smiles at me before reaching out to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear. “Bedtime,” he insists before taking my hand and tugging me in the direction of the happy couple. Despite knowing better, flutters instantly erupt in my lower belly, and my thighs clench.
Our hot-and-heavy make out on the couch earlier comes back to me, and fire licks through my veins.
Lock it down, Bea. He just wants to tuck you in and put you to sleep.
After a quick goodbye to Parker, Linc, Alison and Clark, Everett leads me out of the hotel and to a waiting Uber.
The second we’re inside. I snuggle up beside him and rest my head against his shoulder.
“Tonight was a good night,” I murmur, my eyelids already falling closed.
“Yeah,” he says, his hand gently rubbing up and down my back as the car takes off. “It was. I love seeing my sister that happy.”
I think she’d say the same about you. A smile pulls at my lips, but I can’t voice the words in my head because I’m already drifting off.
“Sweetheart. Bea. We’re home, baby,” Everett’s deep voice rumbles what feels like only seconds later.
I blink, and when my vision clears, I find his building on the other side of the window.
“Shit,” I hiss. “Sorry, I fell asleep.”
Everett chuckles, but he doesn’t say anything as he untangles himself from me and pushes the door open.
Once he’s out, he reaches back in and thanks the driver as he tugs me free and pulls me into his side.
“Everyone loved you tonight,” he tells me as we ride the elevator up to the top floor.
“That’s because they’re all scared I could beat them in a real gun fight,” I explain, making him laugh.
“Yeah, that probably has something to do with it. But I think it’s got more to do with how awesome you are,” he says, turning into my body, stepping so close I end up pinned between him and the railing behind me.
“Is that right?”
His lips drop, pressing a simple kiss to the corner of mine.
“Yep,” he confirms as he kisses a trail across my jaw until he hits my ear.
“Oh God,” I moan when he sucks on that sensitive bit of skin that drives me wild.
Any lingering tiredness is wiped away as his hands slide from my hips, over my waist until they rest on my ribs, his thumbs grazing across the undersides of my breasts, making my nipples pebble painfully against the fabric of my bra.
“Donnelly, sweetheart. There’s fuck all God can do for you right now.”
His words are delivered as arrogantly as all those he spoke that first night, and they hit their target just as effectively.
My hands twist in the soft fabric of his shirt as he works his way down my neck and to my chest.
One of my feet leaves the floor, my leg hitching around his hip in the hope of finding the friction I need.
His hand finds my ass and he pins us tighter together, allowing me to feel just how much he needs this too.
I groan as I roll my hips, sparks shooting through my body, but all too soon, the elevator dings.
I want to cling to him, force him to carry me into the apartment so we don’t have to stop, but I get a hold of myself, lower my foot, and take a deep, calming breath.
The second I open my eyes and find his burning gaze pinned right on me, I realize it was pointless.
With his hand resting teasingly on the small of my back, he guides me toward the front door, toward the privacy that could grant me everything I’ve needed for months now. Another round with Everett Donnelly.