Daddy by Christmas (15 page)

I
T
was January.

A new year, a new beginning, but not before he closed one last chapter of his life. Today Jarrett returned to court and Judge Gillard. He hoped it was for the last time. He glanced at his soon-to-be bride next to him. In three days, she would be his wife, and soon after that, he hoped BJ would be his son.

“It's going to be okay,” she whispered. “The judge will be happy with the way things turned out.”

He thought so too, but he loved having her positive reinforcement.

Suddenly the court was called to order by the deputy, and Judge Gillard walked up behind the bench and sat in her chair. She glanced over her first file, then looked at Jarrett.

“Case number 4731,” the deputy began, “Mountain View Apartment tenants vs. Jarrett McKane.”

“Here, your honor,” Jarrett said.

“We're here, too, your honor,” Mia said and glanced back at Nola, Joe and Sylvia who'd come today, too. Trace and Kira were there too, holding BJ. Sometimes, Jarrett found it hard to believe they were rooting him on.

“Your honor,” Mia began. “We'd like to drop the charges against Mr. McKane.”

The judge looked over her glasses at Mia. “It's too late for that. I gave Mr. McKane a job to do, and for his sake, I hope it's been completed.”

“It has been, your honor,” Jarrett said. “I have the sign-off from code enforcement, saying everything was completed as asked.”

The judge glanced over the sheet, then looked at Mia. “Are the tenants happy with the results?”

Mia smiled. “Very much so. Right now, Mr. McKane is in the process of remodeling the property.”

The judge frowned as she turned to Jarrett. “I thought the building was going to be torn down.”

“There's been a change,” he told her. “With a slight modification to the building plans, the apartments are no longer interfering with the factory construction. So I've decided to keep it as an investment.”

Judge Gillard leaned back in her chair and studied him for a moment. Then she turned to Mia. “Is everyone happy about the situation?”

Nola stood up. “May I speak, your honor?”

“It's Mrs. Madison, isn't it?,” the judge asked, then, at Nola's nod, she waved her up to the front. “Please, tell us how you feel.”

Nola came up next to Jarrett. “It's been wonderful. We're all getting new apartments and Jarrett isn't even going to raise our rent. We're getting a new neighbor, too. Fulton Industries is opening their business office in the other building, and Mr. Fulton said that maybe some of us can work there part-time.” She smiled. “This is all thanks to Jarrett McKane, your honor. He gave us a home when no one else cared. Now he's our friend and he's going to marry Mia and be a father to her baby.”

The judge looked overwhelmed. “Well, that's more in
formation than I needed,” she said. “But I'm glad it all has worked out for everyone.”

She looked at Jarrett. “When is the wedding?”

“Excuse me?”

“The wedding?”

Jarrett caught Mia's attention. “This Saturday at the First Community Church, one o'clock. The reception afterward is in the Mountain View's community room. You're welcome to come, your honor. You did play a big part in getting us together.”

She gave him a half smile. “Glad I could help. I might surprise you and show up. I wouldn't mind checking out an apartment for my mother. I like how everyone at Mountain View watches out for each other.”

“We do,” Jarrett assured her. “And there's a full-time handyman and around-the-clock security on the premises. We'll have some vacancies in another month. Joe and Sylvia Carson are going to be the managers.”

Joe stood and waved to the judge.

“I'll have to look into it,” she said and glanced over the paper again. “Well, it looks like everything is in order.”

Barbara Gillard eyed the couple. “I wish all my cases ended like this. Congratulations,” she said and smiled. “I guess there's nothing more to say. “Case dismissed.”

 

The following Saturday evening, Mia sat beside Jarrett in the SUV as they left the wedding reception that had been filled with friends and family. Now they drove toward their home. She couldn't believe it, just a few hours ago they'd got married.

“Have I told you how beautiful you looked today?”

“Yes, but I like hearing it.”

“You look beautiful.” He kissed her.

She still wore the strapless, ivory satin tea-length dress,
with a fitted bodice covered in tiny crystals. Her bare shoulders were covered with a short matching jacket. Her new sister-in-law had taken her shopping in Denver.

She felt beautiful, too. “Yes, but I like hearing it.”

He raised her hand and kissed it. “Then I'll have to say it more often.”

Her husband looked incredible in his black Western-cut tuxedo. “You look mighty handsome, yourself. I saw a few women eyeing you too.”

“The only woman I care about is you.” He took his eyes off the highway and glanced at her. “I'm going to show you how much you mean to me tonight.”

She took a shuddering breath. They'd decided to delay any honeymoon, not wanting to leave BJ. But Nola and Sylvia were going to watch BJ for this night, giving her and Jarrett time to be alone. Even though she'd gotten the all clear from Dr. Drake last week, they'd decided to wait until they were married to make love.

He went up the drive, then into the garage and pressed the button to shut out the rest of the world.

Silently, Jarrett got out of the car and walked around. Hell, he was as nervous as a teenager. He'd been wanting Mia so much the past few months, and now he wanted this night to be perfect.

He opened her door and surprised her by scooping her into his arms and carrying her into the house. He didn't stop until they were inside the dimly lit great room. He stood her in front of the French doors, but didn't let go, just leaned down and kissed her.

A kiss that soon had them breathless when he eased his mouth away.

“I love you, Mia. I can't seem to tell you enough how much I want you, tonight, and every night to come.”

“I love you, too, Jarrett.” She couldn't believe everything they'd gone through to get here.

How Jarrett stepped in to help her with her father. She had decided to sign over part of the company stock, but to her mother. Whatever Abigail wanted to do with it was her business. Maybe it would give her mother the courage to stand up to her husband. Even to rebuild a relationship with her daughter.

“Any regrets that I rushed you?” he asked.

“No. Have you?”

He shook his head. “Not me, but I didn't give you much chance. I've known from the beginning you were special.”

“I was attracted to you, but I blamed it on hormones.”

He cupped her face and kissed her again. “Oh, yeah, mine are definitely working overtime. But there's one last thing I want to give you.” He went to the desk and returned with a piece of paper. “I've contacted my lawyer, Matt Holliston. I introduced you to him earlier today.”

“And I remember him from when we took you to court.”

Jarrett nodded. “Well, I've asked him to start proceedings to adopt BJ.”

Tears welled in her eyes. She found it hard to speak.

“If you think it's too soon—”

She touched her finger to his lips. “I can't see any reason not to give my son—our son a loving father as soon as possible.”

Jarrett seemed to be the one at a loss. She loved the man who'd trusted her enough to reveal the bad memories of his childhood. Despite all that, or maybe because of it, he was going to make a wonderful father for BJ.

“I love the little guy, Mia, and I love you. I can never tell you how much.”

She raised up and kissed him. “Then show me.”

There wasn't any hesitation as he swung her up into his arms again and headed down the hall. Mia knew that with Jarrett she didn't need to run away anymore. She had him to ground her. They'd found what they needed in each other's arms.

They were home.