I smiled at her. “What look?”
She wagged her finger at me and I growled. “That look you give when you’re about to pounce on me. I’m still angry with you.”
“Rosey, wag that finger at me one more time. Just one more fucking excuse. Come on, baby. Just give me one more.”
She walked back further, but I kept on coming. “I’m warning you, Dean…”
“Fuck me, do you know how sexy you are?”
She pursed her lips. “Dean!” she growled.
I licked my own. “I’m waiting, Tyler. I’m waiting for that one thing I know you can give me. Just. One. More. Fucking. Excuse.”
“You touch me, Dean, and I’ll scream.” Her eyes widened as she backed into a tree.
I raised my eyebrow and closed in on her. “Right where I fucking want you.”
I captured her lips with mine, savoring her taste, inhaling her smell, consuming her very soul. I was like a starved animal that had gone without food for weeks. I needed her just like I needed food.
How could I ever let her go?
Tyler moaned, digging her nails into my back. I arched up, but that slight movement caused a pain in my chest. I winced and she abruptly stopped. “Sorry.” Her breathing was harsh as she searched my eyes for signs that she hurt me. She could never hurt me. Not like that.
I rested my forehead on hers and shook my head. “You don’t ever have to be sorry, Tyler. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry for everything.”
She placed her finger on my lips. “The only thing you have to be sorry for is leaving us behind. Did you really think you could become a part of our lives, then leave without a backward glance? Do you really think I would let you go…or Jeremy would, for that matter?”
I winced and looked around. “How is he? Where is he?”
“He’s in the park with Tara and Jimmy. He’s fine.”
I smiled. “Jimmy and Tara are with you?”
She nodded. “Louisa has her wedding tomorrow, so I had to come over for that. Tara wanted to see England, and Jimmy wanted to sort out his visa for the US. I guess he’s planning on sticking around a while…although he’s not exactly happy with you right now. Neither is Jeremy. I think several minutes on the naughty step is in order for you.” She smiled. “I’m quite happy for him to hand out that punishment.”
I bet she was. “Does he hate me?” I whispered.
Tyler looked sad, but she shook her head. “No, he doesn’t hate you, Dean, but he’s confused. He doesn’t understand why you left. He’s a little hurt, but the need to see you outweighed all that.”
I sighed, feeling like a piece of shit. Of course I hurt him. That was just what I did. “Can I see him?”
Tyler raised her eyebrow. “That depends. Are you going to run away from us again?”
“But how can you—”
She stroked my cheek, halting my next words. “Warts and all. Remember?”
She smiled and my heart raced. There was only one answer for her. “Then I’ll never leave your side again. I promise.”
Tyler smiled. I saw the hint of tears in her eyes, but she looked determined not to show them. “Then it’s settled. You’re a fucking wanker and will be punished accordingly. Until then, I think we shall make nice and you can go grovel to your son. I’ve been dying to see that.”
My dick immediately came to life. Feisty Tyler was sexy as hell. She saw right through me, though.
“Don’t look at me like that. You’re still in my bad books.”
I leaned in and nibbled her ear. “Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do to make it up to you?”
She trembled slightly. Her body always betrayed her. “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.”
I looked at her and raised my eyebrow. I had no doubt she would think about it. “Take all the time you need, Rosey. Think long and very, very hard about it.” She smacked me on the shoulder. “Hey, what was that for?”
She huffed. “You know.” She managed to duck under my arm and muttered, “Dirty bastard.”
“Hey, I heard that.”
She turned to face me. “Who said I was trying to hide it?” She reached into her bag and took her phone out. Pressing a button, she waited. “You can bring him around now.” She pressed a button again and stared at me.
“Are you bringing the mob to come finish me off?”
She raised her eyebrow. “Worse. Your son.”
“I think I would have preferred the mob,” I muttered.
Tyler stared me down. “Don’t tempt me.”
God, she was fucking getting to me. “Are you sure we don’t have time before he gets here?”
Her eyes widened. “Time for what?”
I laughed. “Do I have to spell it out? You, me, that tree… How about it?”
Tyler laughed. “In your dreams, Dean.”
I smiled. “Yes, you are. Always.”
We stared at each other for a little while. Again, it was one of those stares that said it all. Tyler and I rarely needed to say a word when we wanted to get our point across. Just one look was all it took.
“D.D!”
I looked away from Tyler and saw Tara in the distance. Jeremy was running towards me, so I knelt down and held my hands out to catch him.
“Grown-up!” I shouted back as his smile grew wider than ever. How could I have ever convinced myself that it was okay to live without this? My family. My son.
Jeremy bounced into my chest with so much force, it knocked the wind out of me. I felt him tense. “Sorry,” he breathed into my ear.
“You never have to be sorry with me, grown-up. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” I felt my walls breaking and the tears threatened to pool in my eyes. “I missed you so much.”
Jeremy broke free with a smile and started playing with the thick gold chain around my neck. “Mommy said you had to come to England to get better.”
My head snapped up to find Tyler smiling at me wickedly. I didn’t know whether to thank her for saving me from my son’s wrath, or spank her for making me believe he knew I had run away. Hmm…maybe both is in order later.
I winked at her and looked down at Jeremy in my arms. “I’m better now, Jeremy. I came back and the doctors here fixed me.”
Jeremy smiled. “Does that mean you can come home now?”
I looked up at Tyler and saw her glaring at me. I suddenly felt like saying I think I’d better because I have a feeling your mother’s going to shoot me in the balls if I don’t, but I held back. Instead, I nodded. “Yes, I can come home now.” His smile was wide and I felt my damaged heart begin to heal itself. “How do you like England so far?” No doubt this was his first time coming to his parents’ place of birth.
His eyes suddenly grew wide, as if he remembered something. Suddenly, he placed his hands in his pockets and pulled out a half-eaten bag of cheese and onion Hula Hoops crisps. “Mommy bought me these when we got off the big plane. I like the big plane, but I also really, really like these.”
I laughed, but looked up at Tyler with a knowing glance. Hula Hoops always did hold a special place in my heart.
“So, grown-up… How have things been at home?” If he told me Evan had been sniffing around, I’d personally go to his house and shoot his kneecaps off. My thoughts on Evan were so conflicted. He saved my life, which I was thankful for, but I wanted to hate him. I wanted to punch his fucking lights out, but what kind of monster would that make me?
“Mommy sits at home looking sad, and Jimmy and Tara just keep sucking face.”
My laughter rolled out naturally when I heard about Jimmy and Tara, but I didn’t like hearing about Tyler being sad. I looked up at her with a smile, then back to Jeremy. I placed my finger under his chin and looked into his eyes. The same eyes as mine.
“Well, I can’t do anything about Jimmy and Tara, but I hope I can maybe do something about your mum being sad. Would you like that?” I had a plan and the more I thought about it, the more my heart raced. It was like a beacon calling to me and I co
uldn’t ignore it. You couldn’t cheat fate, and nestling in Jeremy’s hands was my fate. My sign that I had to act now.
Jeremy nodded. “I want mommy to be happy again.”
I looked up at Tyler and saw she had tears in her eyes. I wanted her to be happy, and I knew I could make her that way. I knew I was it for her, so what was the point in hanging on any longer?
Deciding it was now or never, I leaned in to whisper in Jeremy’s ear. I didn’t want Tyler to hear this part of our conversation. This was between us. Father and son. “Jeremy, I would like to ask you a question.” I felt his head nod. “Remember when you told me I had to ask you permission to marry your mother?” He nodded again, and my nerves kicked up a notch. I couldn’t handle it if he said no. “Well, I really want to marry your mum. I have always wanted to marry her. Can you grant me the permission to ask her the question?”
I pulled my face away from his ear so I could gage his reaction. He was frowning a little, like he was deep in thought. He had a little crinkle at the top of his nose that was so cute, I wanted to kiss it. But not right now. Now, I was more frightened by his silence. Was he really going to say no?
Suddenly, his frown turned into a smile as he giggled and nodded. “Yes,” he whispered and I felt my heart explode with love for this boy. With a huge smile, I looked up at Tyler and saw her frowning. She was oblivious to our little conversation, but that was okay. I wanted the element of surprise.
Turning my attention back to Jeremy, I pointed to his crisps. “Do you mind if I borrow one of your crisps, Jeremy?”
Jeremy shook his head and opened the bag. With his little hand, he reached inside the bag and pulled out one of the round Hula Hoops. He handed it to me with a smile and, at that moment, I had never been more sure of anything in my life. I didn’t know if Tyler would have me, but I had to do this. I had to see if she would make that journey with me. I had to make her believe I was never leaving her side again. Dean and Tyler together…always.
I grabbed the Hula Hoop from Jeremy, and gently placed him on the ground. “If you’ll excuse me, Jeremy. I have something to ask your mother,” I whispered. I gave him a wink and he tried to wink back. It would have been hilarious to see at any other time, but now? Now I was about to ask the most important question of my life, and if she didn’t give me the answer I wanted, I was done for.
I got up and faced Tyler with the Hula Hoop in my hands. Her eyes fixed to me, then the Hula Hoop. As soon as she saw it, her eyes grew wider. She already knew what was going to happen.
I knelt down on one knee in front of her and held out my hand. Tyler immediately placed her hand over her mouth, trying to capture the little sob that escaped her lips. For a moment, I thought she wasn’t going to give me her hand, but she slowly placed it in mine.
I let out a sigh I’d been holding and looked into her eyes. Those beautiful green eyes that captured me when I was just a little boy. Those same eyes that I saw in my dreams.
“Tyler,” I began, “I think you always knew this day would come. I think we both thought we would never get there, but how could we have ever avoided the inevitable? I have loved you with a passion for the last twenty-eight years. It has never waned. In fact, it just grows stronger and stronger with each passing day. I can’t imagine how that is possible, but it’s true. You are it for me, Tyler. You have always been it for me. I don’t know how I could possibly show you, but I think this is a start.” I held up the Hula Hoop and Tyler stared down at it as a tear slid down her face.
“On your twelfth birthday, I promised to get you a real ring one day but, for now, I have to make do with one of these again. I know this isn’t the most romantic gesture, but I can’t wait any longer, Tyler. I’ve waited too long for this.” I saw another tear roll down her face, and I couldn’t help but stare at how beautiful her eyes looked. I could get lost in those eyes.
Picking up her ring finger, I gently placed the Hula Hoop at the end and sighed. I felt my insides burning with nerves. “Tyler, when I’m with you, I feel like I can breathe again. You have never escaped here.” I placed my hand on my head. “Or here.” I moved the same hand to my heart. “You belong to me, just as much as I belong to you, and I want to prove that to you by asking you a question. A question which, if you give me right answer, will make me the happiest man in the universe because it’s you who makes me happy, Tyler. It always was and always will be.” I took a deep breath. “Will you marry me?”
Tyler smiled as the tears rolled down her face. I saw her briefly look over towards Jeremy before she turned her attention back to me. “Yes,” she whispered, and my heart burst with happiness.
I didn’t hesitate with the fake ring. I pushed it on her finger as far as I could. She wasn’t twelve anymore, but it had to do until I could get home and put on the real one. The one I had been saving for her since I was eighteen.
I shot up and pulled Tyler into my arms. “I promise I will never leave you. I promise to love you with everything I have. I promise you the world, Tyler. Do you believe me?” She nodded and I captured her mouth with mine.
For a moment, we were lost in each other, forgetting we had an audience. “Ugh, sucky face. I don’t like sucky face.”
Tyler and I pulled away and started laughing. Both of us turned our attention back to our son and smiled as we gathered him in our arms.
“So, how about it, grown-up? Do you mind me sticking around…at least forever?”
Jeremy smiled and shook his head. “I want my D.D. back.”
“Well, you got him now, grown-up. Now that we’ve found each other, I’m never letting you go.” Jeremy nodded with a smile just as Jimmy and Tara appeared.
“So, we have made up now?” Tara asked.
Tyler held up her finger. “You could say that.”
Tara gasped. “You’re getting married?”
I shrugged and smiled. “Well, Jeremy said it was okay.”
Tyler gasped. “That’s what all the whispering was about.”
I nodded and pulled her to me tightly. I had everything I needed in my arms, and I was the happiest man alive.
Tara gave us both a hug, and Jimmy gave me a nice hard slap on the back. Fucking arsehole.
Tara looked at us all, then looked at Jeremy. “Jeremy, why don’t we go play on the swings?” She held out her hand and I felt him struggle out of my arms. Reluctantly, I let him go and watched as he ran towards Tara, taking her hand. She was soon out of earshot.
“So,” Jimmy began. “You finally came to your senses, you knob?”
Tyler rolled her eyes as I smiled at Jimmy. I knew he’d find his own way of calling me a fucking dick. I agreed with him, but certainly wasn’t going to let him get away with it.
“I suppose I did, tosser.”
Jimmy smiled. “Muppet.”
I smiled back. “Cheesedick.”
“Cockhole.”
“Fuckwit.”
“Shit for brains.”
Tyler started waving her hands about. “Okay, that’s enough!” She placed her hands on her hips which, in my presence, was like waving a red flag to a bull.
I raised my eyebrow at her and she scowled at me. Oh, the things I’d do if Jimmy wasn’t here.
“Why can’t you two just hug and make up?”
I laughed and looked at Jimmy for a moment. “We are hugging and making up. This is how we do it.”
Tyler shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Men!” She threw her hands up for good measure.
“I love you, too, Rosey.” I winked at her and she scowled at me. She was desperately trying to hide her smile, but was failing miserably.
“Oh, shut up!” She stormed off and, briefly, I saw the huge smile on her face.
I turned to Jimmy. “Yep. She loves me.”
Jimmy shook his head. “And they say romance is dead.”
I watched as Tyler walked further and further away from us, her sexy hips moving as she went. I couldn’t help the sigh. “Not in a fucking million years, Jimmy.” r />
“So, this is the start of the rest of your life?”
I smiled. I was so fucking happy right now. “Yep,” I answered. “And I can’t fucking wait.”
Epilogue
Dean
Five years later
“Dean!” I heard her scream. “I’m going to kill you!”
I turned to Jeremy and yanked on his sleeve. He was getting really big for a boy of only nine. “I think we’re in trouble, Jeremy. Maybe we should split?”
Jeremy smiled at me. “Yeah. Mom gets scary when she’s pregnant.”
I winked at him and we both made a move to run, but it was too late.
“Where do you think you two are going?” By her side, little Isabella was giggling as she clutched onto Tyler’s dress. She was my little ray of sunshine. At only four-years-old, Isabella was just as feisty and beautiful as Tyler. She had Tyler’s hair and Tyler’s eyes. Over time, Jeremy’s hair had grown darker, but I hoped Isabella never lost hers. She was adorable with her tight blonde waves cascading down her little rosy cheeks.
Isabella giggled harder. “Mommy found the toilet roll.” She looked at me and pointed. “You’re in big trouble, Daddy.” She giggled again.
“And you find that funny? Isabella, I’m disappointed in you. Have a little heart for your father.”
She giggled again and Tyler huffed. Man, she looked pissed…and sexy. She was five months pregnant with our third child. A boy. I wanted to try for another girl after this one was born, but Tyler threatened to chop my dick off. I kind of relented after that.
“Isabella knows you’ve been naughty, Dean. Don’t start twisting it, or I’ll twist something of yours.” She glared at me. I almost reached for my crotch.
I bent down and whispered into Jeremy’s ear, “What shall I do?”
Jeremy quickly turned his head to me, his eyes wide. “Say you’re sorry. Say you’re sorry…quick.”
I straightened and looked at Tyler. “I’m so sorry, Rosey. Can you ever forgive me?” I gave her my best apologetic face and nudged Jeremy. “How was that?” I whispered.
“Great, Dad.” He smiled.
“Don’t think I can’t hear you.” Tyler smiled and placed her hands on her hips.