Chapter Twenty-Two
Kyle
Kyle stood in the kitchen, cradling little Emmie in his arms as he watched Maddy and the guys sharing ice cream with Ellie, Jack, and James. He held Emmie close, breathing in the sweet scent of her skin and fine, baby-soft hair. His heart squeezed as he watched Maddy laughing with the guys, her eyes bright and cheeks flushed.
She was stunning.
As they dug in, the room was filled with laughter and jokes, the boys hanging on every word as the soldiers regaled them with tales of their SERE training and daring missions.
”Did you really jump out of a plane at night?” Jack asked wide-eyed, his spoonful of ice cream momentarily forgotten.
”More times than I can count,” replied Aiden with a proud grin. “Sometimes into the water too.”
“Is that when something happened to your legs?” James asked, frowning. “Did a shark get them?”
“James!” Maddy snapped, horrified.
“It’s okay,” Aiden said, holding up a hand. “No, I got hurt another time.”
“Oh,” James said, now more interested in his ice cream than what had happened to Aiden’s legs.
Meanwhile, Ellie engaged Neil in a surprisingly mature conversation about her favorite book. Kyle couldn”t help but be impressed by Neil”s hidden depths as he discussed the novel with genuine interest.
Kyle wouldn’t have taken him for a reader.
As he observed them all, he couldn”t help but slip into the past. His mind drifted back to the pain he”d experienced when Regina had left him, breaking his heart and leading to that last nearly-fatal deployment and the heartbreaking time after.
It was so different from the happiness surrounding him now. Back then, he never would have imagined he’d be where he was today.
Maddy noticed Kyle”s distant expression and moved toward him, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She held out a large bowl of ice cream, loaded with all his favorite toppings. The sight of it melted away his somber thoughts like hot fudge on vanilla ice cream.
”Made this just for you,” she teased, nudging him playfully.
”Trying to fatten me up, Lane?”
She snorted, scooping a bite of her own sundae. ”Please. Like a little ice cream would make a difference.”
He winced theatrically, balancing Emmie against his chest to dig into the ice cream.
”Thank you,” he murmured, his eyes flickering from the bowl to Emmie, who grinned up at him with a joy that made his heart ache.
Reluctantly, he handed the baby back to her mother so Maddy could breastfeed while he enjoyed his ice cream treat.
”Alright, everyone,” John announced, ”let”s move this party to the living room and watch a movie!”
“No war movies, please!” Maddy shouted. “The boys have enough dangerous ideas as it is.”
Kyle grinned.
The group dispersed, leaving Kyle alone in the kitchen with Maddy and Emmie. He savored each spoonful of ice cream, watching as Maddy fished out the cover and expertly nursed the child who bore such a striking resemblance to her.
The intimate sight stirred that same longing in him that he had before—a desire for the warmth and closeness of family and the love of a woman like Maddy. He watched Maddy cradle Emmie, a surge of protectiveness filling his chest. They”d only just started whatever this was between them, a fledgling thing as delicate as the baby in her arms, but he was all in.
”Is everything okay?” she asked softly, her eyes searching his for any sign of distress.
”Everything is perfect,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion. And for the first time in a long while, he believed it.
Maddy burped Emmie and then came to sit beside Kyle at the table, the baby cradled against her chest.
”Thank you again for everything you did to help me keep the kids,” she said softly. ”I don”t know what I would have done without you.”
Kyle set down his spoon, turning in his chair to face her fully. ”I meant what I said in court. You”re a damn good mom, Maddy. Those kids need you.”
She bit her lip. ”Still, I”m sorry I wasn”t fully honest with you from the start. I should have told you about the kids when I applied for the cook job.”
Kyle reached out and squeezed her hand. ”I understand why you didn”t. And it doesn”t change anything. You still make the best damn brisket in the county.”
She laughed, eyes shining, and Kyle”s heart swelled.
”In fact...” He took a deep breath, pulse racing. ”I was wondering if you”d like to go out tonight. On a real date.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, then her face softened into a smile. ”I”d love to. But it might be tough to get a sitter for all four.”
Kyle grinned. ”Oh, I think I can arrange something.”
He walked over to the intercom on the wall. ”Murdock, Connor, front and center. Need you in the kitchen for a minute.”
Maddy raised an eyebrow, amused. ”This ought to be good.”
Moments later, the two men shuffled into the kitchen, Murdock grumbling under his breath.
Kyle clapped them both on the shoulders. ”Congratulations, you two just volunteered for babysitting duty tonight.”
Murdock”s eyes narrowed. ”The hell I did.”
”Language,” Maddy chided, with a pointed glance at Emmie.
”It”s your civic duty, gentlemen,” Kyle said. ”Don”t worry, Ellie will keep you in line.”
”Seriously?” Murdock groaned, while John shook his head in amusement. ”Fine, but if I have to put up with tea parties and princess movies all night, you owe me big time.”
”Deal,” Kyle agreed, clapping Murdock on the back. ”Thanks, guys.”
Maddy grinned and shook her head as Murdock shuffled out.
”Well, I should go let the kids know the plan,” she said. ”Make sure they”re okay with it.”
Kyle nodded and followed her into the living room, pulse racing in anticipation.
Ellie sat primly on the couch next to Connor, while Jack and James rolled around wrestling on the floor. The TV played, forgotten in the background.
At their entrance, the kids looked up expectantly.
Maddy smiled. ”So, how would you guys feel about hanging out here tonight with Uncle Connor and Uncle Murdock while Kyle and I go out to dinner?”
Ellie nodded solemnly while Jack narrowed his eyes. ”Just make sure you have Madison home by ten, sir.”
The adults laughed while James furrowed his brow. ”Why can”t we come?”
Maddy opened her mouth but hesitated, not sure how to explain.
Kyle crouched down. ”Your mom deserves a nice night out, don”t you think? But we”ll do something fun with all of you soon.”
James considered this, then nodded. But his eyes were downcast and he crawled behind the couch.
Maddy shot Kyle an apologetic glance then joined James, patting his arm. ”What”s wrong, sweetie?”
”Is Kyle gonna be our new dad?” he heard James ask quietly.
Kyle’s heart ached for the boy. He couldn’t imagine the pain the kid must have gone through, must still be going through. It wasn’t right. He shifted so that he could see them huddled back there.
Maddy gathered him close. ”No one could ever replace your dad. But Kyle cares about us and wants to help. Is it okay if he”s our friend?”
James nodded slowly. Then his face lit up. ”Hey Kyle, will you teach me to shoot?”
The adults laughed again, the tension broken. ”When you”re older, bud,” Kyle said with a grin.
He met Maddy”s eyes over James” head, hope and affection shining between them.
∞∞∞
Kyle stood nervously by the mantelpiece.
He couldn”t help but admire the photographs carefully arranged on Maddy”s wall, each one telling a story of its own. His gaze lingered on the pictures of Maddy and Rob at their wedding, noting the similarities between Rob and the children— the same bright eyes, the same crooked smile.
Madison looked so blissful, her cheeks flushed with happiness, and it struck him that she hadn”t changed much since then.
A sudden pang in his heart caught him off guard as he found a picture of just Maddy in her wedding dress, looking radiant and ethereal. He tried to push away the thought that bubbled up within him – the desire to be the one standing beside her on a day as beautiful as that.
He swallowed hard, feeling an unfamiliar ache in his chest, as he continued scanning the rest of the pictures, letting the images of Elli, James, and Jack as babies and toddlers fill his mind.
”Kyle?”
Kyle spun around as Madison walked into the room, her heels clicking softly against the hardwood floor. Her dress hugged her curves, showing off her figure perfectly. He swallowed hard, feeling his heart race.
She smelled like flowers, vanilla, and sweetness, and he couldn”t help but breathe deeper to take it all in. His gaze traveled up and down her body, taking in the lace around her neckline, which concealed her ample cleavage, leaving just enough to hint at the luscious creamy skin underneath. His eyes fell to her long legs that disappeared under the knee length dress.
Her hair shone in the light, falling in perfect waves down her back. Kyle couldn”t believe how lucky he was to be here with her tonight. She looked like an angel.
”You look... stunning,” he whispered, his voice rough as he took a step forward.
He tentatively reached out and carded his fingers through a lock of her hair, feeling its silkiness between his fingertips. He couldn”t help but wonder what it would feel like to touch more of her.
His eyes locked onto hers as he trailed the strand down her arm, his fingers grazing her skin lightly. Her scent surrounded him, making it hard for him to focus on anything but how much he wanted this woman.
A soft blush spread across Maddy”s cheeks, her eyes darting down to her feet. Kyle couldn”t help but smile at her vulnerability—it was endearing and only made him more drawn to her.
”Hey,” he said gently, slipping a finger under her chin and lifting her gaze to meet his own. ”I mean it, Maddy. You”re the most stunning woman I”ve ever seen.”
Her breath hitched, and she turned away from him, clearly affected by his words. Kyle”s chest tightened with concern, and he stepped closer, coming up behind her.
He pulled her back against his chest.
The warmth of their bodies pressed together sent a shiver down his spine, but he fought to keep focused on her emotions.
”Talk to me,” he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her skin as he rested his face alongside her head. ”What”s wrong?”
As Maddy leaned against him, trying to regain her composure, Kyle reveled in the feeling of her body pressed against his. It took every ounce of self-control not to let his physical desires take over, especially when he realized that she was struggling with some strong emotions.
”Kyle,” she murmured, her voice trembling. ”It”s just...nobody”s said anything like that to me in a very long time. I”m not used to it.”
Her vulnerability tugged at his heartstrings, and Kyle tightened his hold around her. This beautiful, strong woman had been through so much, and yet she still managed to put others first. He admired her resilience and knew he would do anything to protect her.
”Please believe me, Maddy,” he said softly, pressing his lips to her temple. ”You deserve all the love and happiness in the world.”
Maddy took a deep breath and pulled away slightly, turning in his arms to face him. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears, but there was a softness in her expression that gave Kyle hope.
”There”s something else I need to tell you,” she said quietly. ”About Rob”s death...”
Kyle”s chest tightened at the mention of her late husband, but he pushed the feeling aside. Whatever she needed to share with him, he would listen without judgment.
”The car accident that killed Rob...” Maddy swallowed hard. ”He had been drinking. A lot. And he wasn”t alone in the car. There was a…woman with him.”
It took a moment for the implication of her words to sink in. ”You mean he was with his… mistress.”
Maddy nodded, a tear sliding down her cheek. ”He”d been seeing her for months. Years, maybe. I didn”t want to believe it at first, but looking back now, all the signs were there. He left me when I was pregnant with Em.”
A surge of anger rose in Kyle at this revelation. How could any man treat this woman, the mother of his children, with such blatant disrespect?
If Rob were still alive, Kyle wasn”t sure he could stop himself from confronting the bastard.
”I”m so sorry, Maddy,” he said, cupping her face in his hands and wiping away her tears with his thumbs. ”You deserved so much better than that.”
”You don”t know the half of it,” she said with a hollow laugh. ”After the accident, her family sued Rob”s estate. I had to give them almost everything to settle it. There wasn’t much left. I had to find work. That’s a large part of the reason I lied to you. I needed that job so badly.”
Rage bubbled in Kyle”s chest, rage at the injustice of it all, at how much Maddy had suffered because of that bastard. But more than anything, he felt a fierce protectiveness wash over him, a need to shield Maddy and the kids from any more pain.
He pulled her close again, cradling her against him. ”I”m here now,” he murmured, hoping his words could ease her sorrow, even if just a little. ”And I promise you, Maddy, I will do everything in my power to make sure you and your kids never have to go through something like this again.”
“I’m so sorry, Kyle…for all of it.”
”Maddy, you have nothing to apologize for,” he said firmly. ”Look at everything you”ve been through,” Kyle continued, his eyes never leaving hers. ”You”re strong, courageous, and tenacious. And you don”t have to do it alone anymore.” He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch sending shivers down her spine. ”You have me now, and I”ll stand by you. The guys won”t let you struggle alone either. Each one of them considers you a friend and an ally. I”ll be here for you, no matter what.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks, and Kyle could see the relief mixed with lingering doubt. He pulled her into a gentle embrace, letting her feel his solid presence.
”Now,” Kyle added, breaking the tension with a playful grin, ”we should get going to the restaurant before Murdock calls and complains about having to have tea parties with Ellie and Emma.”
Maddy laughed through her tears, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
He took her hands, leaning in to press tender kisses to the back of each one as he stared into her eyes.
”Come on,” he whispered, his voice low and enticing. ”Let”s go enjoy ourselves tonight.”