Chapter 19

chapter nineteen

S he had been home from the hospital for less than two hours when Jensen came into her room with a smile on his face.

“What are you up to now?”

His smile dimmed a little. “What the bloody hell does that mean?”

“Well, you spring your brother and your mother on me. Thank goodness they had something to do today. Do you know how many times I have heard them tell me what a great catch you are?”

“Well, I am a great catch.”

“No, you are not.”

He opened his mouth to argue with her, but the doorbell rang. Then she heard voices—one robust and the other faint but unmistakable.

She felt tears burn the backs of her eyes.

“You brought my parents over?”

“Of course I did. They were adamant about coming, and I couldn’t let them fly commercial,” he said with such Wulf disdain she laughed, but it ended on a sob.

“I thought you would be happy.”

She blinked and was, once again, horrified as tears slipped down her cheeks.

“I am. I’m sorry.”

The noise grew as she listened to her parents coming up the stairs with Marta.

Jensen went to the door to greet them. “Mr. and Mrs. McCann. I trust your trip over was comfortable?”

“Sure was,” her father boomed out. Nicola’s father had always been loud, but he had started getting worse as the years went by. She didn’t care. It was music to her ears. And he was the first one to step through the doorway.

“Nicola,” her mother said as she followed him. Jensen stepped out of the way and her mother gasped.

“What happened to your face?” her father asked.

She glared at Jensen. “You told me it was getting better.”

“It is.” He looked at her parents. “It was much worse yesterday.”

Her mother rushed to the side of her bed and her father to the other. “Oh, my baby, what did he do to you?”

“You should see the other guy,” Jensen said, which earned him a glare from her mother. “Sorry, but she did beat Alfie up.”

“That’s because I taught her how to defend herself,” her father said. He smiled, but she could see tears shimmering in his eyes. It almost broke her then and there. A lump rose in her throat. She’d never witnessed her father get choked up, let alone cry.

“I’m going to check with Marta about some coffee and snacks and leave you all alone,” Jensen said.

“Jensen,” she called out before he could run away. “Thank you for bringing my parents over.”

“You are most welcome,” he said before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind him.

“I was so surprised when he called us and said we just had to be here. We were already booking a flight, but it’s hard to buy at the last minute,” her mother said.

“And very expensive,” her father commented.

Her mother waved that away as she sat on the bed next to Nicola. “Either way, we are here, but we got here a lot faster than if we had to fly commercial. And I’m sure much more comfortably.”

“I’m just so happy that you’re here.”

Then, again, the tears started to flow as relief set in. No matter what had happened on the ice, Nicola had known her parents would always be there. She was over the age where she should need her parents; but having them there was a comfort. Jensen had known that. She knew he had come up with the idea on his own. Knowing him, he hadn’t even told his mother or sister that her parents were there.

The fact that Jensen had been so sweet and thoughtful brought on a fresh wave of tears. They only had a couple more days here and she would be able to travel, and their time together would end. What the hell had she been thinking getting involved with him? Where would their relationship go afterwards? And why didn’t she kill Alfie for taking away this precious time?

Her mother pulled her into a hug, being careful of her injured shoulder. The warmth of her arms, the familiar feeling of her mother’s unconditional love filled her with twin emotions of joy and pain. She was losing something she didn’t know she needed; but being here with her mother and father gave her some measure of comfort.

“Aw, baby, it’s all right. We’re here to take care of you.”

And for that she would always be thankful. These two were always there for her.

“We would have been here faster but Denver International was closed down for twelve hours thanks to a freak blizzard,” her father said.

She glanced at her side table. “I think it’s time for another pill.”

“Are you sure?” Her mother asked.

“Is Felicia here?”

“Who is that?”

“A nurse that Jensen hired.”

Jensen opened the door. “Who did I hire?”

“Felicia? Is she here?”

“No. She’s not here right now. She’ll be back tonight. What do you need?”

It was then she noticed the fresh glass of water he was holding.

“I thought it was time for my pill.”

“It is. Nadia, it’s there on the table on your side. She needs just one.”

He handed her father the water, then she took the pill from her mother. After she swallowed the medication, Jensen said, “Brett, I want to show you around a bit.”

Her father nodded, then he leaned down to kiss her forehead. Jensen held the door open for him, and then gave her a warning look before he left the room.

“What was that look for?” her mother asked.

“That’s his ‘you better get rest’ look. It’s rather annoying.”

Her mother chuckled. “You do need rest. A lot of it from what I gather. You were shot, Nicky.”

Her mother hadn’t used the nickname in years and it brought tears to Nicola’s eyes. Once she’d hit her teenage years, she had insisted on Nicola or Nic, but the familiar endearment warmed her from the inside out.

“Oh, Ma ma. I’m so happy you are here.”

“I am too. Your father was being stubborn and trying to insist that we take a regular flight, but everything was backed up for another two days. Jensen insisted that we come on the plane.”

“He can be just as stubborn.”

“Do you need me to leave you alone?”

“No, unless you want to.”

“Of course not.” She sat in the chair next to the bed. “Now tell me what is going on with Serenity.”

Happy to have the focus off her and her injuries, Nicola smiled and told her mother of all the plans for the baby and Serenity’s plans for a second book.

* * *

Jensen was just pouring himself another cup of coffee when Nicola’s father made his way downstairs. At first look, most people would look at Brett McCann and think that he looked nothing like Nicola. That all of her features came from her mother, but that wasn’t true. Her incredible height was one thing, but also her nose. It wasn’t small and delicate like her mother’s. No, it was slender, and slightly turned up. When she spent a little too much time in the sun, she would get freckles just like her father had.

“I think it’s time we had a talk, son.”

He knew this was coming, and he had planned on making a stop on their trip back to England. That was before the shooting.

“Certainly. Do you want a cup of coffee?”

He shook his head. “I’ve already had too much of that evil brew. I need to sleep tonight.”

“Let’s go outside. Your daughter has amazing hearing and tends to eavesdrop.”

“Got that from her mother,” he said as he followed Jensen out the door. They continued walking until they were close to the beach. Neither of them had shoes on, so Jensen led him to the sand.

“Damn that feels good. Nadia and I have never been over here before.”

“This house is open to both of you for whenever you want.”

He glanced at Jensen. “I won’t be bought off by pretty things.”

Jensen laughed. “God, everyone thinks she’s like her mother, but I think there is a fair amount of you in her.”

Her father smiled at that, then it faded. Jensen knew the last seventy-two hours had been hard on them.

“I can’t believe we almost lost her.”

“I know and I’m sorry about that.”

“You shot her?”

“No, but Alfie was my friend.”

“You just never know. When I met Nadia, then married her, I lost a fair number of friends.”

“What? Why?”

“She was from one of those Soviet countries, which meant she had to be a spy.” Brett rolled his eyes. “Can you imagine? Like Nadia could ever hide anything from anyone. But what I’m getting at is that I thought all of those friends would accept her with open arms. Some of them I had known my whole life. So, you can’t be blamed for that asshole’s actions.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now, I have a feeling you wanted to talk to me about something.”

“Yes. I would like to marry Nicola.”

“I had a feeling. What did she say?”

“I didn’t ask yet. I was waiting for you to get here.”

Brett’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, Nicola isn’t going to like that.”

“I don’t care,” he bit out. “Sorry. A friend said the same thing. There were other circumstances.”

“What? What are you waiting for?”

“I wanted to make sure she wasn’t feeling vulnerable.” Then he stared at her father. “Wait, how did you know about all of this? How did you know I wanted to marry her?”

“It was in your voice on the phone. You sounded as if you were losing your entire world. I knew then you were in love with her. Because I would sound the same way if anything like this had happened to Nadia.”

“I have your blessing?”

“Keep her safe and happy, then yes. I couldn’t deny you, Jensen. You love her too much. Of course, I’m not the one you have to convince. And you better do it soon because I can’t keep a secret from her mother. She’ll figure it out and blab to Nicola.”

“I have the ring and planned on it.”

“Now, I think we need to clean up. Our bags aren’t here though.”

“I wanted to have you stay here, but my mother and brother came, and I have Felicia the nurse staying overnight. So, I booked you a suite at the Hilton.”

“I can pay my own way.”

This was just like the stupid argument over the plane. “I know you can, but you’re going to be my father-in-law so get used to it.”

Brett let out one of his booming laughs. “Yeah, I think you and Nicola will figure it out.” He held out his hand. Jensen took it. “Welcome to the family, son.”

* * *

Nicola dozed for a few hours and woke to silence. The room was dark, but she could see light from the hallway. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness as she looked around the room. It was then that she saw Jensen. He was sitting in the chair beside her bed. From his even breathing, she knew he was sleeping.

She watched him for a long time knowing that she wouldn’t see him in this way for much longer. They only had a few days left in Hawaii and that would be the end of everything.

“Do you know how creepy it is to have you staring at me like that?” he asked.

She smiled. “What time is it?”

He opened his eyes and leaned forward to grab his phone off her bedside table. “Nine.”

She frowned. “Where is everyone?”

“I sent them out. They were so loud I was afraid they would wake you, so your parents and my mother and brother went out to a Luau. I insisted they go and John drove them, so they could have all the Mai Tai’s and Lava Flows they want.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

He rose from the chair and sat down on the mattress next to her and took hold of her hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Good, I guess. Even though I’ve spent most of the last few days in bed, I’m still tired.”

“The doctor said you needed time to heal.”

Then, neither of them said anything. The silence stretched out to awkwardness.

“Well, I guess I need to start making arrangements for us to head back to England.”

“I told Mother we’re staying an extra week. The doctor doesn’t want you to travel too soon.”

“Ah.”

“There was something I wanted to talk to you about. Well, a couple of things.”

His serious tone worried her.

“Okay.”

He turned on the bedside table lamp. She blinked at the sudden brightness in the room. When her eyes finally focused, she saw things she hadn’t seen before. Jensen had dark smudges beneath his eyes, telling her he hadn’t caught up on his sleep. In fact, he looked a little haggard thanks to the two day’s growth of beard on his face. Why did that man look yummy even when he looked like a mess?

“First, when were you planning on telling me that Micah was your first Dom?”

Shock came first, then irritation. If Micah told him, she would smack him. “How did you find that out?”

“Serenity told me. Not on purpose, she just thought I knew and you are evading the question.”

She slipped her hand from his and struggled trying to sit up, but it was difficult with her shoulder injury. Jensen helped her up and made sure she had enough pillows to support her.

“I don’t know if I would have ever told you.”

He frowned. “Why not? Don’t you think I have a right to know?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t think it was any of your business.”

“Not any of my business,” he blustered. “What the bloody hell does that mean?”

She sighed. “I don’t know your first sub, now do I?”

“No, but?—”

“So why do you think you have a right to know about my first Dom?”

“Because it’s different.”

“That makes no sense.”

“What makes no sense is this stupid arrangement.”

“Oh?” Her heart sank to her stomach. She had thought they could at least keep the relationship going for the duration of their time in Hawaii. There wouldn’t be a lot of play thanks to her injury, but they could at least have some time together.

“We can’t go on like this. It’s too much to ask.”

She nodded and prayed she would be able to hold back the tears. She wasn’t one for crying, although she seemed to be doing a lot of that since her altercation with Alfie.

“Of course,” Nicola agreed as she smoothed out her bedsheet. She kept her eyes averted so he didn’t see her disappointment. Why did he have to turn the light on? This would have been better in the dark.

“That’s why I think we need a change.”

“What kind of change?”

“Are you going to just keep staring at the sheet or actually have the nerve to look at me?”

She drew in a deep breath and hoped the tears she felt in her eyes weren’t easy to see. The humiliation would be too much. She raised her head and made eye contact. His gaze softened.

“Why do you look so sad?”

“It’s the pain medication.”

His mouth curved. “Is that a fact?”

“Don’t you dare mock me,” she said, trying to sound stern, but her sentence ended on a sob.

“Oh, love, don’t cry. Please.” When the comment just made her cry more, his voice turned panic. “I don’t like it one bit. Stop it.”

“I don’t care,” she said, the tears flowing down her cheeks. “If you’re going to break it off, then I’m going to cry. Just deal with it.”

He shook his head. “That isn’t what I’m doing.”

“Then what would you call it?”

“I would call it a bloody proposal, but you have ruined it by trying to control everything. I swear to God you don’t take direction well unless there’s a promise of a spanking.”

“Well…wait, what?”

“I’m trying to propose.”

“Like in marriage?”

“Yes, like in marriage.”

“You don’t want to get married.”

He nodded. “I do. To you.”

“No.”

He blinked. “What?”

“I said no.” She would not take his pity. That would be worse than indifference.

“Why not?” he asked, his voice in a near shout.

“Because you are doing this because you feel sorry for me.”

He studied her for a long moment. “That’s the biggest load of rubbish I’ve ever heard, and that’s saying a lot.”

“It isn’t. You never wanted to marry.”

“I did, once upon a time. I didn’t have anyone in mind, but I always wanted to marry, before I fell down the hole with a needle in my arm.”

“Why did that change your mind?”

“I didn’t think any woman would take a chance on me. I could hardly blame her. I’m a drug addict who has already had one relapse.”

“ Three years ago.”

“And you were the one who pulled me out of that.”

She shook her head. “I helped, but you did it yourself.”

“See, it’s that faith you had in me. You never doubted me.”

“I gave you a choice. I did offer to kill you.”

He chuckled. “That’s true.”

“But the real work was by you.”

“This isn’t an act? You really don’t know, do you?”

“What?”

He took her hand again. “Nicola, you are the center of my universe. I can’t think of losing you to anyone whether it’s that bastard Alfie or two gay wankers who want to have a baby.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. That’s why I made sure Mother had this with her.” He dropped his hand, then pulled something out of his pocket. It was a small jewelry box. “It’s not new. It was left to me by my grandmother.”

He opened the box and turned it so she could see it. Set against the ruby background sat one of the most beautiful rings she had ever seen. The diamond was round cut, but smaller diamonds created a square frame. The band split slightly, each side of it also had diamonds.

“I know platinum isn’t the first choice these days.”

“It’s beautiful,” she said. She lifted her gaze to his. “I love it.”

“So, will you wear it? Be my wife?” he asked, sincerity ringing in his tone, but she still needed to know.

“Why do you want to marry me?”

Nicola held her breath. He didn’t lose his temper this time.

“Because I can’t think of another woman I want in my bed or at my mercy more than you. Because these last four years have taught me that I need you in my life to feel complete.” She opened her mouth, but he stopped her with his next sentence. “I love you, Nicola McCann.”

“Oh,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes once again. “I love you, too.”

“Is that a yes?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

He took her hand and slipped the ring on. “A little loose but we can fix that.”

He leaned forward and brushed his mouth against hers. “Thank you.”

“For saying yes?”

“For saving me four years ago and for not walking away a year later when I lost it again. And, for always accepting me for who I am. With your history, I’m amazed you even wanted to get involved with me.”

“It’s different. You always wanted to be better. Oliver didn’t. It’s easy to believe in someone when they tell you they want to recover.”

He raised her hand to his lips. “You will always be the one person in the world I need by my side, in my business, and in my bed.”

“Thank you.”

“I really want to celebrate, but you can’t right now.”

She crooked her finger. “We can at least do a little necking,”

He smiled as he rose off the bed and then slipped beneath the sheets with her.

“One thing Wulf men do know how to do is please the women they love.”

She slipped her one good arm over his shoulder. “I can attest that you are very good at that.”

“Yes, but I think I have to prove myself after my botched proposal.”

“I think it was beautiful.”

Jensen was smiling when he bent his head as her heart filled with joy. She had the only Dom she could ever want all to herself. A woman couldn’t ask for anything more.