Chapter 12
Ronnie
Jimmy is undaunted seeming at home as he hugs Dasher in his arms. The focus of all the people in the kitchen turns to them with all kinds of words about how cute they are together.
The first thing that comes to my mind as I scan all the smiling faces of the women and the crowd of boisterous men in the family room shouting and arguing as they watch football, is that the cake I made for desert is definitely not big enough.
“Everyone, this is Ronnie MacNamarra, my girl,” Sean says, without missing a beat, “and her son Jimmy, my new best friend and official big brother to Dasher.”
I pinch his arm and he grins, but pulls me forward as he introduces me to his mother and sister and sister in laws and one niece who looks about Jimmy’s age.
The welcoming smiles warm me almost as much as Sean’s hand on the small of my back.
The melting of my defences starts deep down in my heart and soul and reaches my toes as I smile back at everyone, accepting that this is what I want.
This is the man worth taking a chance on, a man with a family who loves him and who is loving and kind.
Later he pulls me into his room and I squeak my protest.
“Sean, your parents are right in the family room. We can’t—“
He silences me with a kiss and it takes less than a blink of my eyes to forget about the world outside our embrace and his strong solid body holding me, supporting me.
“You are worth whatever shit my family gives me for my dereliction of duties as host.”
“I am? I mean, of course I am.” I wrap my arms around his neck and stare into his kind mischevious eyes, a rare and beautiful combination that I can feel myself getting lost in.
Then I realize, hell—I’m already gone.
“You are so beautiful, so sweet and perfect,” he says.
My heart hammers and I can’t stop the words from tumbling from my open heart, the heart he’s pried open with his generous words, so open to sharing his heart, and giving his soul.
“I think I’m falling head over heels for you, Sean. And it’s making me dizzy and giddy and a little scared.”
His face beams and softens and he touches his mouth to mine lightly, breathes into me as he speaks.
“Maybe it’ll be a little less scary if you know that I’ve already fallen madly for you.
” He nibbles my lips and I taste him and take in his words, letting them fill me as they drown the last of my reluctance.
At least for the moment. “The only thing better is that I adore your son Jimmy. That kid is always going to be part of my life. I’ll always be there for him. ”
I laugh and can’t believe the tears that pop from my eyes. It’s no surprise that he’s fond of Jimmy. Maybe what has me so out of control weepy is that I know he means what he says. I know for certain without a doubt that he’ll be there for Jimmy.
“You okay, Ronnie?” He whispers as he kisses my tears with ridiculous tenderness, the kind I’ve only imagined in my dreams, or experienced with him.
“I’m better than okay, you crazy guy.” I sniff and get myself together, taking a step back from him because I can hear Dasher in the hallway and wherever he is I know Jimmy isn’t far behind.
“I want you to know Mr. Perfect, that Jimmy and I will both be there for you. Always.”
His eyes turn dark and intense and he takes me into a crushing hug as he kisses me as if to seal the promise.
I feel the impact of that promise in a burst of warmth and rightness, a sense of giddy well-being banishing any doubt flooding through me.
I deepen the kiss and curl my fingers through his hair to let him know I understand the depth of my promise.
When the door bursts open and Jimmy and Dasher crash inside all I can do is laugh as they tangle around our legs.
Sean lets me go and we share a brief gaze that speaks of patience and all those beautiful things to come that I’ve only ever dreamed about.
# THE END #