Dare to Dance: The Maxwell Series (26 page)

“Ms. Waters, can’t we keep Raven for the night?” Ruby asked in a wobbly voice.

She shoved her hands into her coat pockets. “I’m afraid not.”

My throat constricted. “Ma’am, how are we supposed to trust that Raven won’t get kidnapped again? It’s clear Mrs. Santos was distracted at the Boston Public Garden.”

“Mrs. Santos won’t be taking Raven to the Boston Public Garden anymore, and with the kidnapper in jail, Raven will be fine,” Ms. Waters said.

“Ms. Waters,” Ruby said. “I would never intentionally put my daughter in harm’s way. I hope you know that. I was trying to survive, and in the process, I screwed up. I’ll take whatever punishment you deem necessary.” Tears cascaded down Ruby’s cheeks.

Ms. Waters pressed her lips together as pity flashed in her eyes. “I’ve witnessed just how much you love Raven. If the tables were turned, I might’ve made the same choices you did. But it’s not up to me to decide how this case plays out. That’s for a judge to decide. For now, my recommendation to both of you is to find a suitable home for Raven. Do anything you can do to show the court you’re ready to be parents. I’m here to help.”

Then our next move was to go house hunting.

T
he cold and
sterile walls of the courtroom sent a chill down my spine. I found Kross’s hand and gripped it so hard, I would have sworn I was sucking all his muscled strength into me. His lawyer, or our lawyer, Mr. Davenport, was sitting on the other side of Kross, flipping through documents. I’d met the gray-haired man three weeks prior when he called Kross into his office to share the good news that the paternity test was a match. He was Raven’s father. Of course, I had already known that.

My nerves were quivering faster than a couple swing dancing, mainly because the judge could rule that Kross and I weren’t ready to be parents. Or Ms. Waters could give us a bad recommendation. I didn’t think she would. She seemed to be sympathetic to everything that I’d been through. Still, I’d put my little girl in a bad situation that could have cost her her life. I had to atone for my mistakes. If I didn’t, then I would be a bad example to my child. When Raven learned our story years down the road, I wanted her to see that I’d paid for my mistakes.

“My heart wants to fly out of my chest,” Kross said.

It was good to know I wasn’t the only one freaking out. I always had a hard time deciphering Kross’s moods except when we were about to make love. Then his blue eyes always seemed to darken with one long look that screamed, “I want to rip off your clothes.”

“We checked everything off our list.” I rubbed the back of his hand as I stifled a laugh at how the tables had turned. Normally, he would have been the one comforting me.

Lately though, I’d been the one to give advice to him and his brothers, especially Kelton. It had surprised the heck out of me that Kelton seemed worried. He’d said we were in good hands with Mr. Davenport. He’d also mentioned the same thing Ms. Waters had about how the family court system always returned a foster kid to her family as soon as they could, provided the family met the guidelines.

The door next to the judge’s bench squeaked opened. In walked a man wearing a black robe. He had thinning hair and a stony face. I heard rustling behind us. The entire Maxwell family was there to support us, minus Kade and Kelton’s girlfriends.

My heart sputtered as I began silently praying.

Kross squeezed my hand. “Here we go.”

Suddenly, I had that stomach churning feeling as if I was sitting at the top of a rollercoaster, looking straight down, and anticipating the car flying down the tracks. The difference was that I knew what would happen once the car coasted down. Glancing at the judge, I couldn’t gauge his decision or how he would rule.

“As I counseled,” Mr. Davenport whispered, “no outbursts. Let the judge talk.”

I wasn’t sure I could have even spoken.

The nameplate on the judge’s bench read Judge Garner. He opened a folder as he sat down then picked up reading glasses and set them on his nose.

We could have heard a pin drop. I held my breath and grasped the life out of Kross. Or maybe he was the one clutching me as though he was trying to crack open a walnut.

I tossed a look over my shoulder. Apprehension flashed in each member of the Maxwell family’s eyes as they focused on the judge.

Judge Garner cleared his throat, removed his glasses, and honed in on Kross and me. “I’ve gone through the case files for both Kross Maxwell and Ruby Lewis. I’ve had a chance to meet Raven Lewis. Before I make my ruling, I have some questions.”

I sat up straighter.

“Kross, your record indicates that you box for a living. Financially, will boxing support your family?” Judge Garner interlaced his fingers in front of him.

Kross held his chin high. “Yes, sir. I’ve recently signed a five-year contract with a boxing promoter. So I’ll have a steady stream of income.”

Judge Garner turned to me. “Ruby, you haven’t exactly shown that you’re a responsible mother. Your file has a list of infractions that lead me to believe you can’t take care of a child.”

I opened my mouth then closed it.
Don’t rock the boat.

“What I want to hear from you is what makes you believe you won’t be homeless again next week or two months from now?”

I glanced at Kross then Mr. Davenport. They both gave me a cursory glance. I couldn’t exactly blame the judge for his question. After all, in a matter of hours, my life had gone from cushy to harsh when my mom had been carted off to jail.

“Ruby, I’m the one asking. Mr. Davenport and Kross can’t help you with this question,” Judge Garner said, his voice commanding.

I licked the dryness from my lips, struggling to find an answer because there wasn’t a definitive one. Could I be homeless again? It was possible. Kross could leave us for some reason or another, then it would be Raven and me again. “Sir, the possibility does exist for any one of us to be homeless. For me though, I’ve set goals for myself to make sure that Raven and me never live on the streets again. I have a job, working at Rumors Night Club two nights a week.” After Kross and I had thanked and apologized to Pete at Firefly, he’d said he would put in a good word for me with Tommy. But I’d declined. My days at Firefly were over. “I’ve signed up to get my GED, and my long-term plan is to teach ballet.” Even though I could have been good at boxing, my heart was in ballet. “I don’t ever want my daughter to see me as someone who relies on others or can’t take care of herself.” Tingles pricked my hand that Kross was holding.

Someone was sniffling behind us. I would have put money on Mrs. Maxwell. She’d shed tears when she met me two weeks ago. I still couldn’t get over how nice she and Mr. Maxwell were. More importantly, I had been speechless when I laid eyes on Mrs. Maxwell. The resemblance between her and Raven was uncanny. I couldn’t wait for Raven to meet them. When the paternity test had revealed that Kross was in fact the father, Mrs. Maxwell insisted on meeting her granddaughter. But the timing hadn’t worked out yet. Actually, Kross and I had only had two scheduled visits within the last three weeks due to Ms. Waters’s schedule.

Nevertheless, Kross had mentioned that his mom was quite emotional. I understood. She was a mother after all. I couldn’t fault her for her sadness or pity. Part of me welcomed her sorrow. I wasn’t sure why. But right now, everyone had to know that I would give my life before I ended up on the streets again.

“What about living arrangements?” Judge Garner asked.

“Kross and I are living in a nice two-bedroom apartment in Boston, where Raven will have her own room.” We’d found a place in the same building that Kross had been living in with Kade, Kelton, and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell had offered their house, but Ashford was too far for Kross and me to commute.

As Judge Garner jotted down some notes, I prayed that today would be the day Raven would meet her paternal grandparents. That also would mean we could live together in our new home.

A giddy feeling zipped through me. It felt weird to say home. I hadn’t had a home complete with family in years. I often thought of my parents. I wanted both of them with me. I wanted to be able to sit in a kitchen while Mom cooked Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and just talk. I wanted to hug on my dad like I used to as a little girl and tell him I loved him. I wanted them to watch Raven grow up and open presents on Christmas and her birthday. Most of all, I wanted Raven to love them as much as I did despite where they lived and what they’d done.

For now, I had to take things one step at a time, although I had to pinch myself several times per day to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. My life had changed so drastically. Instead of dumpster-diving, I was eating at a table. The soft mattress that I curled up on at night with the sexiest guy on the planet was a far cry from the wet, cold, hard ground of the dark and dirty alleys I’d grown accustomed to. We were safe from the likes of Trent Baker, who was in jail. Even his high-powered lawyer hadn’t been able to get him out of the kidnapping charge, not with Alex’s, Tommy’s, Pete’s, Kross’s, and my testimony. When it came to Alex, as nice as her intentions had been to return Raven unharmed, she had to pay for what she’d done. Like Trent, she too would be seeing the four walls of a prison for quite some time. In all, I felt as though I’d won the lottery. I couldn’t wait to tuck Raven into her own bed at night and read her a bedtime story.

“Kross,” Judge Garner said. “I’d like to hear how you feel about being a dad. You haven’t been part of Raven’s life for four years. So tell me what makes you think you can be an instant father.”

Kross briefly eyed his own father. “I’m not going to lie. When I first found out that I could be a dad, I about passed out. Actually, I puked.” Kross glanced at Kody then back.

His brothers chuckled. As for me, I loved that Kross could admit his emotions despite how strong and powerful he was on the outside. In fact, two weeks ago, when he’d told Raven he was her daddy, he’d cried as she hugged him.

“I also worried that I wouldn’t know what to do. But my parents have taught me the importance of family. Not to mention, my dad is one of the best fathers a boy could have and learn from. I might not know how to handle a sick child or what to do when Raven cries. But what I do know is that blood comes first, and for that, my love for Raven will guide me to be the best father she will ever have.”

Tears streamed down my face as I absorbed the feeling spilling from Kross’s words. I didn’t think I could have loved the man any harder or deeper, but I’d been so freaking wrong.

“Based on Ms. Waters’s recommendation and what I’ve heard, it is my ruling that Raven Lewis be remanded to Ruby Lewis and Kross Maxwell immediately.”

Kross and I glanced at each other as though we hadn’t heard the judge correctly.

A hand landed on Kross’s shoulder. “Congratulations, son,” Mr. Maxwell said.

It was then that all the air left me, followed by tears of joy. Kross pushed to his feet before he helped me to mine.

As though the courtroom was our stage, he spun me around then pulled me to him before holding my face delicately in his hands. He lowered his lips to within a hair from mine. “Marry me.”

A weird sound escaped me, or maybe it came from Mrs. Maxwell. I wasn’t sure, and didn’t care. My heart was racing like a galloping horse through the Wild West. I wanted forever with this man. I wanted to spend every waking minute with him and the child we had created and make more babies.

“I love you,” he breathed. “Let’s show our daughter how much we love each other.”

“Say something,” the Maxwell family said in unison.

I would if I had been able to speak. The only thing happening was that salty tears were sliding into my mouth.

Kross brought his lips to my ear. “I’ll properly propose later when we’re naked if that’s what you want.” I could feel his grin against my ear along with a slew of tingles from head to toe.

“Yes,” I said, sure and strong. Then I couldn’t stop saying yes until I heard Raven giggling.

Kross and I turned. Raven was walking in through the door the judge had come through earlier, holding Ms. Waters’s hand.

“Mommy. Daddy.” Her little legs ate up the courtroom floor as she smiled, her pigtails flopping as she approached.

I didn’t know she was even there.

Kross and I squatted down. Instead of running into my arms like she normally did, she stuck her hands on her hips. Then she twirled around in her soft yellow and white dress that brought out her jet-black hair. “I have a new outfit. Mrs. Santos wanted me to have one. She said I should look extra special today for my mommy and daddy.”

“It’s beautiful, bumblebee,” Kross said.

She giggled, showing that lone dimple that matched Kross’s. “I’m not a bumblebee. I like bumblebees.”

“What?” Kross touched his lips with his fingers. “Turn around. Let me see if you have wings.”

She twirled again like the little ham that she was.

“Yep. Your wings are right there.” He tickled her then swept her up in his arms.

She giggled again.

Kross carried her over to his parents. “Mom, Dad, this is Raven.”

Mrs. Maxwell’s mascara was running. “She’s precious.”

“Raven, this is your grandma and grandpa.”

She stuck her finger in her mouth as she appraised the elder Maxwells. “Did you know Kody, Kelton, and my daddy are triplets?” she asked so innocently.

Everyone laughed, even Mr. Davenport, who I’d forgotten was standing next to Kelton.

I blew out a long, much-needed breath as I hooked my arm through Kross’s free one. We were a family, and I was getting married to the man of my dreams.

W
ith my hands
in my pockets, I stared out over the lake as my stomach swirled with nerves. Wild flowers bloomed, the warm breeze caused the trees around the lake to sing, and the water glistened beneath the May sunshine. Five months had passed since Ruby and I brought Raven home. Since then, life had been a whirlwind of bliss. We settled in as a family with no awkwardness at all, which was surprising to me. Being a daddy came super easy to me for some reason. Before our court hearing, I’d lost countless hours of sleep, worrying if I would know what to do as a father. Surprisingly, I had slipped right into a routine easily, reading bedtime stories, wiping Raven’s nose when she’d gotten a cold, eating cereal with her in the morning, and watching cartoons. The only part of being a father I didn’t like was traveling. Several times in the last three months, I’d had boxing matches that had taken me to Vegas, LA, and Houston. The best part was coming home and walking into the arms of Ruby and Raven.

“Are you ready, Bro?” Kade asked as he sidled up on my right.

“Yeah, man,” Kody said on my left.

“We need to get this show on the road.” Kelton walked up and settled in front of me.

“I should ask if you guys are ready?” All three of them had gotten certified to marry Ruby and me. Ruby and I didn’t want a church wedding. When she’d first gotten a glimpse of the lake, she’d immediately gushed about how the area would be a perfect spot for a wedding. I couldn’t have agreed with her more.

The lake symbolized so much for our family. From the small, carved-out area across the lake, which honored my late sister, to parties, bonfires, the boathouse turned man-cave, turned funhouse, then back into Kody’s apartment, and finally to a place that brought our family together.

Kelton whipped out a small piece of paper from his black pants. The attire for the wedding was simple—no tuxedos or elegant dresses. For the men, black pants and a white button-down shirt. The women had decided on sundresses, although I had no idea what Ruby would be wearing. She’d mentioned that she didn’t want an elaborate wedding dress, but she did want something pretty.

“You didn’t memorize your lines?” I asked Kelton with a smirk.

“I did, but I just thought of something I wanted to add,” he said.

After our vows, we’d planned on a small dinner with everyone, then Ruby and I were off to spend two weeks in Turks and Caicos. I couldn’t wait to get her all to myself for two long weeks. Alone time with her was hard to come by with our schedules. But living in the same building as Kelton, Kade, and Lizzie meant that we practically had live-in babysitters. Lizzie always jumped at the chance to take Raven for the night.

I tossed a look over my shoulder. “Is Dillon here yet?” Since my brothers were marrying us, I’d asked Dillon to be my best man. Just as I was turning my head back, Dillon appeared from around the garage, decked out in the same style of clothes as the rest of us.

His hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and for once, he’d shaven the scruff from his jaw. He smiled as he came over to join us. “Man, wait until you see your bride. You’re one lucky bastard.”

Mom, Lacey, Lizzie, and Norma had kicked me out of the house, which was cool with me. I’d wanted some alone time anyway, mainly to quell the butterflies I had. Regardless, when Dillon said “bride,” those butterflies fluttered wildly inside of me.

Voices peppered the air as Lizzie, Lacey, and Norma made their way down to the lake. The ladies were dressed in sleeveless yellow sundresses. Yellow was Raven’s favorite color. I smirked when my gaze landed on their feet. They were all wearing flip-flops.

“Do you like our shoes?” Norma asked as her shoulder-length blond hair blew in the breeze. In the last five months, she’d grown out her pixie style and had gained about ten pounds, making her look curvier and healthier.

All of us men laughed.

Lizzie lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed me on the cheek before she pinned me with her gray eyes. “Make sure you don’t drool.”

I pinched my eyebrows together.

“Don’t listen to her,” Lacey said. “Your mouth better be hanging open when you see your bride.” She giggled, her green eyes sparkling in the afternoon sun. “I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am for you. I always thought Kade and I would be the first ones to tie the knot, but I’m glad we’re not.”

Kade reached out to grab her hand.

I swung my gaze from Kade to Lacey. “Why is that?”

“Too much pressure,” Kade and Lacey said in unison then laughed.

“Bro,” Kade said. “I’ve been the older brother with the spotlight seemingly on me to do everything first. Marriage, grandbabies, blah, blah, blah. But with Raven, and now your nuptials, Lacey and I can breathe. We are so fucking happy for you.”

“You know that won’t last long,” Kody piped in. “Mom will be asking when you two will be tying the knot. Or even Kelton and Lizzie.”

“Let’s talk about you, man,” I said to Kody. “Mom and Dad will be on your back, asking when you’re going to find a steady girlfriend.” He’d only taken out our former teacher, Ms. Sharp, a couple of times, but it wasn’t serious.

He grinned like an ass. “When I’m ready.”

“Oh, yeah. How’s the older women pool looking?” I teased.

Everyone quieted before Dillon spoke. “Older women know what they want.”

Norma lightly punched him. “Hey, don’t judge. Us younger gals are just as good.”

Norma had a thing for Dillon, and although I hadn’t seen him with any women for as long as I’d known him, I knew Norma was definitely his type, especially with her blond hair.

Liam came running down. His brown hair was slicked back, almost sticking to his head. He’d accompanied me on some of my boxing matches when he could. Behind him, Jay strutted leisurely down.

“It’s time,” Liam said. “Your mom said to get into positions.”

Mom stood near the garage, holding Raven’s hand. Mom’s hair was tied up into an up-do of sorts, and she was wearing a light-blue sundress. Raven had the same hairstyle and wore a yellow and white polka dot sundress. They both had flip-flops on too, sporting smiles.

My brothers scrambled into position with their backs to the lake. Dillon sidled up to me on one side, and Norma stood on my other side since she was the maid of honor. Coach, Liam, Lizzie, and Lacey all found spots behind me.

Dillon tapped me on the arm. “Turn this way.”

I did and found my mom slowly walking down while Raven plucked flower petals from the small wicker basket she was holding and sprinkled them in front of her. Liam began filming the ceremony with my cell phone. Lizzie and Lacey were snapping pictures with theirs.

My heartbeat rammed and pounded against my chest as I kept switching my gaze between my mom and my little girl to the garage, where at any moment, my beautiful bride would emerge. Dad was giving her away. Ruby had cried last night, sad that her mom and dad couldn’t be there. At least we would be able to send the video and pictures to her parents in jail.

When Mom and Raven were halfway between the garage and me, Dad and Ruby made their entrance. I faltered where I stood.

“Easy, dude,” Dillon said as he grasped my elbow.

“I can’t breathe, man,” I whispered. I couldn’t get enough oxygen in my lungs.

Ruby wore a strapless, cream-colored dress that hugged her body and draped to her toes. Her auburn hair was pulled up in a messy style with wisps of hair framing her delicate features. She smiled, and my chest clenched. That fucking smile was what had snagged me back in high school. Only now, it did more than snag me. My entire body was on fire.

As Ruby glided down like the angel she was, Raven tugged on my hand, breaking my concentration. It was probably a good thing since my groin had a mind of its own.

I met her dark-blue eyes. “Yes, bumblebee?”

“I love you, Daddy.”

I swayed then smiled at the beautiful girl I’d created. It was still mind-blowing that I was actually a father.

“As big as the universe?” I asked.

“Bigger,” she cooed then stepped behind me to hold my mom’s hand.

Ruby and Dad then settled in front of me. Dad hugged me. “I’m so fucking proud of you,” he said in my ear. “Treat her with the utmost respect.”

Tears stung my eyes. I wasn’t going to make it through this ceremony.

He joined my mom as Ruby hooked her arm with mine.

I ogled my stunning bride as she flashed her big blue-green eyes at me. We turned to Kade, Kody, and Kelton, both of us trembling.

Kade began. “Marriage may be the union of two people, but in my book, it is the union of family, growth, happiness, and a deep sense of love for each other, no matter the circumstances. Never forget that family is the most important thing in life.”

Ruby and I squeezed hands as Kelton spoke. “Love grabs your heart. Love tickles your soul. Love is family. Love is friends. Most of all”—he glanced past us to no doubt Lizzie then back to us—“love is never-ending. Embrace life with love and respect, and never, ever lose sight of family.”

A tear slid down Ruby’s cheek.

Kody took over. “Today, my heart is filled with more love than I knew possible. I never imagined any of us getting married. Heck, it felt like yesterday when we were ten years old and causing trouble with girls. Now my brother has a family. I echo what Kade and Kelton said with one addition. Go and make more babies.”

Okay, I wasn’t expecting that. I figured Kody would’ve written us a song. But his sentiment was so much better. Regardless, Ruby and I weren’t ready for another just yet. Our plan was to wait a year before we tried for another kid. We wanted Raven to have a sibling or two. Hell, I wouldn’t mind having a boy.

Everyone laughed.

“Now your vows,” Kade said.

Ruby and I turned to face each other.

She peered up at me with so much love in her eyes. “Kross Maxwell, thank you for being persistent in your pursuit to find me. I’ve never stopped thinking about you since the day we met at the academy. While I’m sad that we lost four years, I’m also beyond happy that we did. I believe we’re that much stronger as a couple and as a family. I want lots of babies with you. I want to grow old with you. More than anything, I love you as big as the universe.” She gave me one of her shy looks.

Yep, the blood was flowing heavily south.

I licked my lips as I searched her face. I didn’t agonize over my vows. I knew exactly what I wanted to say. Nevertheless, I took in a deep breath of fresh air. “Star light. Star bright. You’re the only star I see tonight. I wish I may. I wish I might. You’re the only one I wish tonight. You’re my angel, and I want to dance under the stars with you until death do us part.” I leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Naked that is.”

She shivered.

When I retreated, my brothers spoke in unison. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

They had barely said “wife” when Ruby grabbed my face, plunged her tongue into mouth, and kissed me as though I was her last breath. I knew she was mine. Fireworks went off in my chest, my heart, and everywhere else in me. Our lives had just begun.