Redemption

  “You don’t think we were too loud, do you?” he breathed against my skin. I laughed and he pulled his head back to look at me. “What’s so funny?”

  I leaned forward and kissed him lightly. “It’s just you adapting to fatherhood. You’re worried about us waking Jeremy. It’s sweet.”

  Dean smiled. “Well, yeah. I don’t give a flying fuck if Jimmy and Tara heard us. In fact, if Jeremy wasn’t here, I’d be making you scream over and over again.” I rolled my eyes, and Dean nudged me. “Hey, what’s that for?” he asked with a smile.

  I shrugged. “Hell, I don’t know. Why don’t you beat your chest, grab my hair, and pull me into your cave while you’re at it?”

  Dean leaned in and nibbled my ear. “That does sound rather tempting, Tyler.”

  To me too, I thought.

  *****

  The next day, I took Jeremy to the hospital to visit all the children. It had been a while and I wanted to see everyone. Dean said he was staying home because he had to take care of something. When I asked him what, he smiled and just told me I would see once I got home.

  I was in the middle of reading Katie The Gruffalo, Jeremy sitting on my knee, wrapped up in the whole story. It was always a sure tale to gain any child’s attention.

  I had just finished the last line when I looked up and saw Katie looking at something above my head. I heard a throat clearing, so I looked behind me.

  “Evan!” Jeremy screamed as he got off my lap and ran up to him.

  Evan smiled and ruffled his hair. “Hey, buddy. How are you?”

  Jeremy smiled wider. “I’m doing great. Dean is looking after the house while Mommy reads Katie a story.”

  My stomach dropped. The problem with kids was that their innocence sometimes ran away with them. They said things without meaning to, but it affected people. I looked at Evan and saw the pain in his eyes. I felt like such a bitch. I never intended to hurt him. I knew he was falling for me and I let him because I was selfish. I was lonely, which was the only reason I allowed it to keep going. Evan masked my pain. He had never taken it away, but he eased it just by being there for me.

  He stared at me a moment, then averted his eyes back to Jeremy. He tried smiling at him, but I could tell it was forced. “That’s great. What story are you listening to?”

  “The Gruffalo,” both Jeremy and I said together. I think my nervousness showed.

  Evan looked up with a tight smile. “How have you been?”

  I smiled back, awkwardly. Suddenly, the room was caving in on me and I just wanted to escape. “I’ve been good, thanks. And you?” I inwardly rolled my eyes. I knew the answer to that already, but it was like an automatic reaction when someone asked.

  He cleared his throat and fidgeted a little. He was obviously just as nervous. “I’m doing okay. I’m here to see Bobby. He’s got surgery later today.”

  I looked across to the other side of the ward. Bobby was admitted a couple days ago because he had been having problems with his heart. He needed a transplant and had been on the list for months. A match had finally come in for him.

  I nodded. “I heard. It’s a real shame, but I know he’s in more than capable hands.” I smiled at him and Evan just stared for a moment. He looked at my lips, then back into my eyes before clearing his throat again.

  “Err…thanks. I better go. I’ve got things to…” He pointed behind him and I nodded as he backed up.

  “That’s fine, Evan. It’s good to see you. I’ll be thinking of you later in surgery. I’m sure everything will be fine.” I knew how nervous he got when he had to operate on a child and I just wanted to show him he still had my support. Just because we weren’t together didn’t mean I didn’t care.

  Evan nodded. “Thanks.” He saluted to Katie and Jeremy, and walked towards Bobby’s bed. I watched him, then turned back to Jeremy and Katie.

  “He loves you,” Katie observed. “He got all nervous, like how they get in books sometimes. He kept fidgeting and acting funny.”

  I shook my head with a smile. “I think I’ve been reading you too many stories, Katie.”

  She just shrugged. “I’m just telling you what I see.”

  I didn’t offer any more, despite knowing how right she was. It was a bit too difficult a conversation to have with Jeremy sitting on my knee.

  “I hear you could be going home soon?” I smiled and Katie smiled right back.

  “Yes, I can’t wait. I’m feeling so much better now. Doctor Kendal says I’m in remiss… remiss…”

  “Remission.”

  “That’s right!” she shouted, causing us all to giggle.

  “How have you been, Jeremy? I hear you have people staying over at your place?”

  Jeremy smiled. “I have Dean, Big Uncle Jimmy, and Auntie Tara staying over. It’s been fun. Dean and Jimmy keep throwing me in the pool. I like it when they throw me in the pool.”

  Well, Tara had now been upgraded. I knew it wouldn’t take long.

  “That’s sounds cool. I would love to get thrown around in a pool.”

  I placed my hand on hers. “Well, when you get better, you’re more than welcome to come over and splash about in our pool as much as you like. Isn’t she, Jeremy?”

  Jeremy beamed and nodded.

  “That sounds awesome. Thank you.”

  Her big smile warmed my heart. “You’re very welcome, Katie.”

  *****

  We left the hospital and took a trip to the mall. Jeremy was running out of new shoes and clothes. It seemed like he went through a pair of trainers a week. He would always get them scuffed within the first hour of wearing them, and I never knew how the hell he did it. He was growing fast, too. It seemed like the summer sun made him shoot up. He was going to be tall, just like his dad, which made me smile. Unfortunately, the store didn’t have Jeremy’s shoe size in stock. The gentleman there told me they would be getting another shipment in the next day. It looked like another trip to the mall in the morning.

  “Can we go get some ice cream, Mommy?”

  We had just come out of a clothing store after spending close to a hundred dollars in new outfits for Jeremy. He had been good the whole time we were there, so I guessed an ice cream should be his reward.

  “Yes,” I smiled. “Why not.”

  “Yay!” he beamed, taking my hand and practically dragging me to the escalators. Once we reached the first floor, we walked towards the ice cream parlor and ordered chocolate ice cream for Jeremy and frozen yogurt for me. We paid for them, then found a table to sit at. I dumped all the bags and sighed in relief. I enjoyed shopping like any other living, breathing female, but it did tire me.

  Jeremy scooped a huge dollop of ice cream into his mouth and got chocolate all around his lips. I laughed, pulled some tissues out, and wiped his mouth off.

  I shook my head. “I don’t know why I’m doing that! You’ll only get chocolate around your mouth again on the next scoop.” We both laughed and it was then that I looked up and noticed a man at the next table smiling at us. Well, more like a boy as it looked like he wasn’t out of diapers that long ago. He must have only been twenty-one at the most, but he looked very smart with his grey suit and tie. His presence screamed money, and his perfectly-styled blonde hair screamed it even more so.

  I nervously smiled back and averted my eyes. I saw him move out of the corner of my eye and looked back at him. His smile was even wider now.

  “Forgive my staring. It’s just nice to see such a loving mother and son moment.”

  I noticed his English accent and laughed. “Well, suck it in because you don’t get to see many of them.”

  The guy laughed and leaned forward. “My name’s Charlie.”

  I smiled. “Tyler.” I saw him look at Jeremy. “And this is Jeremy.”

  “How are you doing, Jeremy? Enjoying your ice cream?”

  Jeremy nodded and I laughed. “He’s eating. You won’t get much conversation whilst he eats ice cream. He loves the stuff.”

  Charli
e winked at Jeremy. “I do, too. It’s one of my weaknesses. I’ve just finished three scoops of Chunky Monkey myself.”

  I smiled, averted my eyes, and looked at Jeremy.

  “So, whereabouts in England are you from? I can immediately tell that we’re both not from around here.”

  I looked across at him again and smiled. “No. I moved here a few years back. I’m originally from London.”

  Charlie nodded his head. “No kidding. Me, too.”

  “So what brings you here?”

  He pulled up one side of his jacket. Unfortunately, I’m here on business. I landed a couple days ago and needed time out from the endless, boring meetings I’ve had to attend. Luckily, I only have one more important one, then I fly home.”

  “Well, at least it will be your last.”

  He nodded with a smile. “Yep.” He crossed his legs and looked at Jeremy. “So, Jeremy, you got a daddy waiting for you at home?”

  Did my ears just deceive me? Surely he wasn’t fishing to find out if I was single.

  Jeremy shook his head. “My daddy’s lost.”

  Charlie frowned and I nearly buried my head in my hands. He looked at my left hand. Now it was obvious he was fishing about whether or not I was single. I didn’t know whether to feel flattered or annoyed.

  “That’s a shame.”

  I was glad he didn’t push the daddy issue any further. It was awkward enough as it was. No doubt the conversation needed to come soon enough, but I was too busy enjoying my time with Dean.

  “Mommy, can I get some toppings now?”

  I looked back at Jeremy. “I thought you didn’t want any?”

  He shrugged. “I changed my mind.”

  I went to get up. “Okay then.”

  Jeremy stopped me. “I’m a big boy. I can choose myself.” Jeremy frowned and I sat back down again.

  In mock surrender, I held up my hands. “Okay. You go up and choose.”

  I watched as Jeremy got up and walked towards the counter.

  “Looks like he has quite an independent streak.”

  I looked back towards Charlie and rolled my eyes. “Tell me about it.”

  He leaned forward. “What about his mother? Does she have an independent streak?”

  Great! Now he was flirting with me. I could tell by the way his eyebrow arched as he leaned towards me.

  “I suppose so.”

  Charlie gave me a cheeky grin. “So, no Mr. Tyler waiting at home then?”

  I shook my head. “Well, no, but—”

  “That’s good because I rather like Jeremy’s mother. I would love to take her out before I fly home.”

  Well, that definitely confirmed it for me. “Why are you interested? I’m a mother who is definitely much older than you. In fact, I could probably be your mother.”

  “You’re beautiful. Why wouldn’t I want to take you out? The fact that you’re a little older than me shouldn’t even be a factor. Age is just a number.” He winked at me and I couldn’t help but smile back. “You have such a captivating smile, and your cheeks go red when someone compliments you. How could anyone resist that?”

  I could feel myself getting all flustered. Not because I liked him, but because he was paying me compliments and asking me out, and doing it knowing I was an older woman with a son.

  “I may not be married, Charlie, but I’m very much taken.”

  He placed a hand over his heart and pretended to be in pain. “Oh god. That hurts more than I thought it would. How could someone like you not be taken? I certainly wouldn’t let you go if I had you.”

  I smiled and looked across at Jeremy, now walking back with his toppings. “Well, that’s very kind of you to say.”

  Jeremy sat down and beamed. “Look what I got, Mommy.”

  I looked at everything he had. He must have ordered the whole lot. “Hmmm…,’ I pondered. “Maybe I should have come up there with you, Jeremy. You’re going to make yourself sick with all of that.”

  Jeremy smiled and all I saw was chocolate covering his perfectly white teeth. “Very nice.” Jeremy giggled and went back to eating his ice cream.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Charlie getting up. “Well, I’d better go. It was nice meeting you both.” I nodded and Jeremy waved. “If you ever change your mind, here’s my card. I’m here for the next couple days.”

  I looked at the card in front of me and took it from him with a smile. I didn’t want to seem rude. “Thanks.”

  Charlie nodded and walked away. “I hope to see you soon. ‘Bye.” He waved and walked into the crowd.

  “What’s that he’s given you, Mommy?”

  I looked down to the card and read it. His name was Charlie Wilkins and he was a stock broker. No wonder all his meetings were boring.

  I shook my head. “It’s nothing, Jeremy. Just a card.”

  Chapter 17

  Dean

  People find meaning and redemption

  In the most unusual human connections.

  Khaled Hosseini

  Everything was all finished. I had that stupid wooden fence taken down and replaced it with a steel one. The minute it was put in, I felt better. Knowing that Tyler and Jeremy were safer in their home was all that mattered to me. There was still so much to do, including the fact that the alarm was a little outdated. That was my next priority. No expense was going to be spared when it came to the safety of my family.

  I inhaled a deep, euphoric breath. I now had a ready-made family and it filled me with a new sense of hope. I was even glad Tyler had moved abroad because it made leaving my past behind a lot easier. I had spoken to Humphrey this morning and told him of my plans. He called me pussy-whipped, but then said he was happy for me. I knew I had to go home at some point as there was so much to sort out, but I was reluctant to leave Tyler now that I had found her. I wanted to ask her to come with me, but I didn’t know how she would feel about that.

  Just as I was mulling it over in my head, I heard her car pull into the garage and Jeremy’s squealing, happy voice. He was such a happy child and it was infectious. Proud didn’t even begin to explain how I felt about them both.

  “We got a new fence, Mommy!” he shouted when he came through the door.

  Tyler looked up at me and I smiled. “Yes, it looks like we have.” She frowned. “What was wrong with the last one?”

  Did she even need to ask? “It wasn’t safe, Tyler, and you know how I feel about—”

  “I get it. I get it.” She waved her hand on front of me. “Precious cargo, right?” She smiled at me and, by fuck, it made me want her right then.

  I gave her a cheeky smile. “That’s right.”

  Jeremy ran up to me with his arms out and I got myself ready to catch him. “D.D!” he screamed and it made my heart melt. We had only been away from each other for a few hours, so knowing he was pleased to see me made my heart swell.

  Jeremy wrapped his legs around my waist and I nuzzled into his neck, making him giggle. I kissed his head, then looked at Tyler. She had tears in her eyes. All I wanted to do was rush to her, but I knew it would only make things worse.

  Turning to Jeremy, I smiled. “So, how’s your day been, grown-up?”

  Jeremy played with the gold chain around my neck. “It was good. We went to the hospital and read to Katie. Then Evan showed up to say hi. Afterwards, we went to get ice cream, and a man named Charlie gave Mommy a card.”

  My whole body went rigid as I looked at Tyler. She looked embarrassed and bit her lip. All I felt was pure and utter rage that the stupid khaki fuck had spoken to my Tyler. I didn’t want him anywhere near her now, let alone speak with her. And who the fuck was this Charlie chump?

  “So… You saw Evan?”

  Tyler could sense the undertone of my words. She knew I was pissed. She bit her lip for a moment. “Yes, I was reading and he came up to say hi.”

  Jeremy yanked on my chain a little. “Katie says he still loves her.”

  Tyler sighed. “Jeremy, please, that’s n
ot helping.”

  I, on the other hand, had other thoughts. “Jeremy, you can tell me anything.”

  “He was visiting a little boy named Bobby. He’s having his heart cut out. Eww.” He shuddered beneath me, but I held him tight.

  I suddenly felt sick. I hated Evan with a vengeance because he wanted what was mine, but I couldn’t hate him because, at the end of the day, he saved lives. It was such a fucking twisted feeling with which to be dealing.

  “And what about this Charlie chump… I mean, the man with the card?”

  Tyler sighed. “It was nothing. Jeremy and I sat down to eat ice cream and this guy was sitting at the other table. He noticed our mother and son talk and thought it was nice. After a while of talking—”

  I put my hand up to interrupt her. “Excuse me. After a while of talking?” Why did I have this sudden urge to go to that mall, find the fucker, and rip his heart out? Maybe then, khaki guy would be so busy sewing it back together that he would have no fucking time to try to steal my girl.

  Tyler sighed again just as Jeremy decided to wriggle from my grip. I let him down and he ran towards the stairs.

  “Where are you going, Jeremy?” Tyler looked a little frightened all of a sudden.

  “I’m going to play with my action man.” He ran up and out of sight.

  “Not for long, though, Jeremy. We’ll go for a dip in the pool in a bit!”

  He shouted “Okay!” Then he slammed his door.

  Tyler jumped and looked back at me just as Jimmy came into the room. He was about to say something when I put my hand up. “Not now, Jimmy.”

  He shrugged, looked at Tyler with a smile, and walked away. I took the opportunity and closed the distance between us. Pretty soon, Tyler was backed up against the living room wall. Petty jealously. That was all it was. I had this sudden urge to mark her as much as possible to let the world know she was mine and no one else’s.

  “You were saying?” I trailed a finger down the side of her face, making her tremble. I knew Tyler would never betray me, but it still didn’t dampen down the rage I had knowing that other men wanted her, craved her, longed to be inside of her. It drove me wild. It was something I felt ever since I was a kid and it had never disappeared.