Her Love Lost (Love Shattered Series Book 1) (10 page)

Dexter

ROB AND I sat in the airport lounge waiting news of when we could be ready for takeoff when Courtney’s text came through. I felt the blood drain from my face when I read it.

Courtney: Dex.. Lillian and I are at the mall with the kids there is a tornado coming and we are taking cover in the east wing bathroom. I wanted to let you know incase anything was to happen. I love you Dexter Sonners. XO

I read it over and over making sure I was reading it correctly. Then I tried to respond back but the text wouldn’t go through. I called her phone over and over frantically but got a busy tone every single time. My chest hurt. My head was pounding and my heart was racing. I was starting to sweat.

I showed the text to Rob and I could see the color of his cheeks pale once he read what it said.

“Dude, they gotta be okay.” Rob cries out, “I was going to tell Lillian how I really felt this week she has to be okay. Oh god I hope I haven’t waited too long to tell her how I feel and now she is going to be gone from my life forever.”  Rob had tears streaming down his face.

“Rob man you gotta have faith. You have to hold on to that and pray that they will all be okay. That’s all we can do buddy.” I grabbed his shoulder tightly reassuring him that it was all going to be okay. I wasn’t going to lie I was scared to death of something happening to them.

We turned on the news so we could see the coverage of the storm and when we did what we saw brought us both to our knees. People stared at us but we didn’t care. We held on to each other for strength. I am sure seeing two grown men fall to their knees in the middle of a crowded airport clinging to each other and crying had people questioning what was going on but all I could think about was Courtney, Lillian, and the kids. I could care less about their questioning looks.

The mall was complete destruction. There was only a small maybe ten by ten section that remained standing. The rest of the area was leveled, debris everywhere. I prayed to God that the little bit still standing was the east wing bathroom Courtney had mentioned in the text.

Come on baby please be okay. You have to be. I have just found you. We have the rest of our lives to spend together.

Rob and I hung on to every word the news reporter had to say about the storm. Hoping for some semblance of hope that they were all okay, I prayed they were okay and then I prayed that the storms were over.

The camera zoomed in on some ambulances that had started to arrive on scene, and just then a small group of people emerged from within the rubble surrounding the little ten by ten area.

The news reporter said, “Looks like we have some survivors here, coming out of what used to be the east wing of mall. Everyone looks to be okay down there.” I had my eyes glued to the screen hoping to get a better glimpse of who had just come out of the building. She said the east wing that’s where they were. They had to be okay.

The camera zoomed in again and we had a clear image of Lillian being loaded into the back of one of the ambulances. She didn’t look good but she was alive. Then the camera shot over to the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. There stood Courtney looking as perfect as ever. She looked worried and her hair was all crazy flying every which way but she was alive and it was the most perfect sight I have ever seen. Beside her stood her children, they stood with their heads held high. You would never know they just survived a tornado. I fell in love with all three of the kids in that moment. This family has been through so much but they always manage to come out on the other side as strong as ever.

An hour later we were able to board the plan. Just before they closed the doors and asked for everyone to turn off all cellular devices I noticed a voicemail come through. It was Courtney letting me know that she was safe and that they were in the hospital, and that Lillian was okay but she was in labor. They were trying to stop it because she wasn’t far enough along yet to deliver.

She sounded exhausted and I couldn’t wait to get to her and hold her and let her know I was there for her.

I told Rob what news I had just gotten and he just sat there silently trying to hold it together. His Adams apple bobbed and I know he was trying not to cry. Poor guy he had no idea what we were headed into. I just hope he could keep it together the rest of the flight.

That was the longest flight of my life. I tried to rest because I knew once we arrived to town it would get crazy. I couldn’t sleep though, I had too much running through my mind.

Once our plane touched down in North Carolina we grabbed a taxi and headed straight for the hospital. We arrived in no time and we headed up to the maternity ward. They wouldn’t let us back to see Lillian, so Rob told the nurse he was her husband and we got let right back.

We reached Lillian’s door and it was slightly ajar so I knocked softly. When no one answered, I peeked my head in and saw Courtney curled up on the couch and Lillian lying asleep in the hospital bed.

Rob headed straight for Lillian and I headed over to Courtney and sat beside her on the couch and pulled her head into my lap. She snuggled in deep into my lap and I ran my hands softly through her hair while she slept.

I didn’t care how long Lillian was expected to be in the hospital, I knew we would not be heading back to Alabama any time soon. Not even in two weeks when we were due back.

I looked up to Rob, and he must have read my mind because he whispered, “I am not leaving her man. I don’t care what they say about filming I am not leaving her side.”

I nodded my head in agreement. They could cancel my contract with the show for all I cared I wasn’t leaving either.

Courtney woke up some time later and was surprised to see me here. I think the excited squeal and her straddling my lap on the hospital couch gave her excitement away. She kissed me long and hard until we were both breathless.

“I am so glad you are here Dexter. Everything feels so much better now that you are here.” She kissed me again. I really liked this side of her.

“I am so glad you are all okay. I was so worried when I got your text and then Rob and I saw you all on the news from the airport. I couldn’t believe my eyes when they zoomed in and it was you all coming out of the wreckage like warriors who had just won a long hard battle. You amaze me Courtney. I envy your strength and courage.” She had tears in her eyes and I wiped them away as they fell. I continued to just hold her in my arms where I knew she was safe.

Lillian’s contractions had stopped by the next morning, and the doctors had high hopes for her and the baby. As long as they could keep the baby in for 2 more weeks then they would deliver by C-section. She had to stay in the hospital on bed rest until then.

Rob and I decided we would head to my parents’ house to drop off our luggage and get cleaned up from our flight. Courtney shared a taxi with us since her car was destroyed in the storm. We dropped her off at home then headed home ourselves. We would pick Courtney up to take her back to the hospital on our way back through.

It was going to be a long couple of weeks but I looked forward to spending as much time with Courtney as possible. I am glad Rob and I have decided to stay. I never wanted to leave her again.

Courtney

Dexter and I spent every second together over the next several weeks. Since Lillian was still in the hospital the guys decided to stay until the foreseeable future. They had put filming on hold for now. The producer seemed to be okay with that so far. It’s not like they had much choice. The main vampires were here in North Carolina determined to stay and they couldn’t exactly film anything without them. I think they were filming every possible seen that they could that didn’t include the guys, so all they had to do was fly out a few days at a time and do a few scenes, but they always came right back when they were done.

That made me fall even more in love with Dex. He wanted to be with me and I couldn’t be happier. I had given it a lot of thought and I think I am ready to take this to the next level with him. In more ways than one.

He hasn’t met the kids yet so tonight I am having him over to dinner to meet them. My parents and my sisters are also coming. We will miss Lillian, but I know that Rob is keeping her company tonight while we all get together. After dinner my parents are taking the kids home with them and I am going to tell Dexter that I am ready to take our physical relationship to the next level.

Everyone arrives around seven and dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes. I introduce Dexter to my mom, Julie and my dad, John and then to Sarah and Becky who are in total fan girl mode when they meet him. I smack each of them in the back of the head to shake them out of their star struck stupor.

Next I need to introduce Dexter to the kids. Mom, Dad, and my sisters head into the kitchen to give us some privacy. I call all the kids into the living room and have them sit down on the couch, so I can explain my relationship with Dexter to them.

“Okay guys, I have something very important to talk to you about. This is Dexter. He is the guy who sent us all the pizzas while we were at Auntie Lils. Remember?” Dexter waves and says hello to them all.

“Hi. Nice to meet you Sir, thanks for those pizzas that was awesome of you.” Jason said hello sounding a little grown up for a twelve year old.

Caleb just gave him a shy wave and tried to hide behind a pillow.

“Hi Dester,” Miley said in her small baby voice.

Okay so far so good, now on to the hard part of the conversation.

“Dexter is Mommy’s dearest friend and Mommy is in love with him. He is going to be staying here with us for a while until he has to head back to his home in Alabama.” I have no idea how to word this conversation in a way a bunch of kid can understand. Miley could care less she has no clue what’s going on. Caleb stares at us confused and Jason looks a little mad.

“So are you here to take the place of our Dad?” Jason asks, just about in tears

I begin to respond when Dexter motions for me to let him handle this one.

“I would never try to replace your Dad Jason. I love your mom very much and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. But I will never replace your father. We can be friends though if that would be okay? I would really like to get to know you, your brother, and your sister. I could never replace your dad and you won’t have to call me dad. You can just call me Dex”

That seems to have pacified Jason. He just shrugged and said, “Cool.” I am sure we will have lots of ups and downs while we try to adjust to this new life, but if anyone can pull through we can.

Dinner is over before we know it. Mom and Dad grill Dexter left and right. It seems after thorough questioning he has passed whatever kind of test my parents were trying to give. After hugs and kisses goodbye the kids are off to my parents’ house, and then just Dexter and I are left alone for the first time since we met several weeks ago.

“I wanted to talk to you about something, Dexter.” I feel myself blush with those words.

“Sure babe come sit.” He pats the seat beside and I snuggle up next to him.

“So I have been thinking ever since the storm that I needed to start living my life to the fullest. That got me thinking about our sexual relationship and I think I am ready to move forward with it if you are. You are all I think about. I know how much I love you and I can feel how much love you have pouring off of you for me. I trust you with my heart, body, and soul, Dex. I am ready for you to make love to me.” I straddle his lap and kiss him deeply.

“Courtney baby, as much as I have waited to hear those words I am kicking myself in the ass right now because I don’t have any protection on me. Please tell me you’re on the pill baby, please.” I look up disappointed.

“No I am not on the pill, Dex. I haven’t been sexually active for over two and a half years. I haven’t had a need to be on anything. I am so sorry I didn’t even think about it baby.”

I start to move off his lap but he holds me tight. I hang my head embarrassed that I brought this up without even thinking about protection. I am definitely not ready for another baby right now.

He crooks his finger under my chin and lifts my head up to meet his eyes.

“Shh..Shh, Courtney, baby it’s okay. I am happy to just be here with you, holding you like this and touching you. We don’t have to go all the way to make me happy babe. The kids are at your moms the rest of the weekend. Let me make tomorrow special for you. I want our first time to be remarkable and special. I have a special plan for us, please say yes.”

‘Okay Dexter. I trust you. Let’s make the best that we can out of tonight. It will be like a preview for tomorrow night.” I gave him a sexy smile.

“I am all for that baby, let the previews begin.”

Before I knew it my shirt was flying off my body and over my head and Dexter proceeded to give me a preview of what I was to expect tomorrow night. We ravished each other’s bodies until the early rays of the sun started to rise.

Dexter

The next morning, I woke up with my girl wrapped in my arms. Her head was on my chest and her long hair wild and sticking out every which way. I could smell her apple scent that still lingered on her skin. It was intoxicating. I couldn’t ask for anything better. It just felt right. We hadn’t made love the night before, but yet it was one of the greatest nights of my life.

Courtney sighed with contentment. Yeah, I was pretty content myself. I didn’t want to leave this bed today, but I had an idea pop into my mind when I woke up that I wanted to share with Courtney. It felt like we just went to sleep. We had only gotten about three hours of sleep this morning.

I ran my fingers through her hair with one hand and with the other I ran it up and down her spine until she started to stir awake. She let out a sleepy yawn and stretched her arms and legs out. She looked like a cat stretching like that.

“Good Morning Handsome,” She looked up at me with sleepy eyes.

“Morning Gorgeous.” I bent my head forward and gave her a kiss on the tip of her nose.

She always scrunched up her face with the cutest expression when I did this, so I would kiss her nose just to see it. It was adorable. Her nose would wrinkle and her eyes would squint and she would get the most brilliant smile on her lips. I loved it.

“So, I had an idea pop into my mind while I was watching you sleep this morning. How about we go pick up the kids and take them to the aquarium this morning, and then I thought we could head down to the beach and have a nice picnic lunch, and let the kids play in the water and sand for a bit before we take them back to your parents tonight. That way we can spend some time with them before we head out to enjoy ourselves tonight.” I suggested to Courtney.

“Ooooo, I love picnics and the aquarium.” She jumped up onto her knees and placed both hands in front of her and wiggled her fingers together in a gleeful gesture. She looked just like a little kid awaiting a gift on Christmas morning.

“So I take that as a yes then?” I ask with one eyebrow raised.

“Yes, of course and the kids will love it but first I need some coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Someone kept me up all night long with their sexual antics.”

“Hey there now. Don’t act like you weren’t a willing participant.” I smacked her on the ass and she yelped in surprise then walked off to the bathroom and wiggled her ass before shutting the door.

I heard the shower turn on so I headed to the kitchen and started the pot of coffee and cooked us some eggs and bacon to tide us over until lunch time.

Once we were all caffeinated, fed, and showered we packed our lunches for the picnic up in the cooler. When we were finally prepared for the day we headed out the door to pick up the kids. When we showed up at Courtney’s parents’ house and told the kids what we had planned for the day they were ecstatic.

Within minutes we were all loaded up in the car and headed to the aquarium. The excited chatter in the car put a smile on my face. Who would have ever thought I would enjoy something so domestic this much. Just a few months ago I had a different girl in my bed every week, and now here I am out with my beautiful girl and her kids. I was more excited about this little outing than I had been about anything in years.

When we got to the aquarium I parked the car and got Miley’s stroller out the trunk and set it up while Courtney got Miley out of the car. When she was strapped securely in the stroller we all headed over to the ticket booth in front of the building. I paid for everyone’s tickets and we headed inside. We stopped to get our picture taken in front of a breath taking waterfall that was right at the entrance.

Caleb wanted to head for the sharks first, so that is what we did. While we were standing in front of the shark tanks watching the sharks swim around so peacefully, Caleb grabbed my hand to hold it and my heart swelled. It meant so much to me that the kids were slowly coming around to the idea of me being in their lives now.

We had been at the shark exhibit for about five minutes when Miley started chanting nemo fish, nemo fish, nemo fish, over and over. So we decided it was a good time to move on to a different exhibit, and we set off to find a nemo fish which I later found out actually meant a clown fish. Apparently it was a Disney movie. Who knew? Guess I had a lot to learn.

Jason was a little bit of a harder shell to crack. He was in the mindset that he was too old for aquariums. I think it had more to do with the fact that I was with them. I just hoped that with time he would come around. I am sure that it was hardest on him, he probably remembers his dad more than the other two kids. He also understood what it meant for me to be a part of their lives where the others didn’t quite grasp the concept.

We got to the area where you could pet the stingrays and we all took a chance touching one and of course we each had to have our picture taken while touching it. After a few minutes the kids got bored with it. I swear kids have the shortest attention spans. That’s something I am going to have to get used to for sure.

After spending two hours looking at thousands of different types of marine life we were all starving so we headed to the beach. It was only a 5 minute ride from the aquarium so we got there in no time.

We picked the perfect spot for the picnic and I set up the blanket on the sand and went back to the car to grab the cooler and the umbrella. I also grabbed the dozens of beach toys that we packed up. I was glad my Dad was letting me borrow his SUV while I was in town. Kids require a lot of crap when it comes to an outing.

When we had everything set up Courtney opened up the cooler and passed out everyone’s food and drinks. We chatted about the different things we saw at the aquarium and who liked which exhibits the best. So far it was panning out to be a wonderful day.

After everyone ate we all applied a layer of sunscreen, and I was starting to see it was no easy task taking three children to the beach. No wonder Courtney hardly ever went out to do things like this anymore. It had to be difficult doing them all on her own.

“Mommy can we build a sandcastle.” Miley asks. It was still hard for me to understand what she was saying half the time but I got what she said that time.

“No I want to shell hunt. Shell hunt. Shell Hunt.” Caleb started up.

“We have time to build a sandcastle and shell hunt too guys. It’s no big deal. We can build the sandcastle first and then we can go look for shells.” Courtney tried to calm Caleb down but he just wasn’t having it. He was getting really mad and kicking sand around. Courtney looked over to me with an expression that said she was so terribly sorry and she looked embarrassed that her child was behaving that way. I jumped in to try and help out some to show her that it didn’t bother me in the slightest.

“It’s okay little buddy. How about I take you shell hunting and Mommy can build a sandcastle with Miley?” I try and calm him down, he looks at me like he doesn’t believe I am going to take him to look for shells. Little does he know that is one of my favorite things to do at the beach.

“You really want to look for shells with me?”  Caleb looked up at me and took my hand in his. There went my heart again. It has never felt so full of love.

“Of Course little dude. I love to look for shells, it is my favorite thing to do on the beach. I have a whole collection of shells at my house. I will have to show you one day.” He looks up at me with eyes beaming. Me and this guy, we’re going to get along just fine.

I look over to Courtney and ask if it’s okay to take him, she nods her head yes and gives me a brilliant smile and mouths
thank you
. I blow her a kiss in return.

Caleb starts to tug on my hand and I tell him to wait just one minute while I grab something out of my bag. I come back with a shell bag for myself and one for Caleb and I hand it to him and he snatches it up with excitement. He hugs it to his chest.

“My very own shell bag.” He declares with glee. He jumps into the air waving the bag over his head. It’s the most adorable thing I have ever seen. I seem to be thinking that a lot lately. Everything is adorable when you’re in love apparently.

Caleb and I head down the beach collecting shells along the way. I am impressed at how well Caleb is at this. He must have learned his technique from his momma. He is finding the littlest shells. I am not quite sure how he even notices them.

“My Daddy never liked to shell hunt with me he told me it was for girls.” Caleb tells me and I am shocked to hear that his dad would have said something like that to him. It’s not like shell hunting isn’t something guys do.

“Well, I like to shell hunt and I am not a girl.” He laughs at me. I tell him that I will shell hunt with him any time he wants.

He seems to accept that response and he bends down to pick up another shell. This one a little bit bigger than the previous ones. He even finds a shark tooth, the lucky little turkey. I am jealous.

We don’t speak anymore after that, we just walk along the shoreline collecting our treasure. We walk down the beach a little ways before we decide to head back towards where Courtney and Miley are building their sandcastle.

I notice Jason is out using his boogie board and riding some waves so I go and grab my board and head out to join him. To my surprise he welcomes my presence. We have a good time racing each other on the waves and even chat a bit about random things just floating around on our boards. We stay out there for a good while just hanging out. I feel like I have made really good progress with Jason after that.

I leave Jason in the water and head up to the shore where there sits a magnificent sandcastle that Miley and Courtney made. Courtney is sitting in a beach chair by the blanket, and on the blanket there is a sound asleep little Miley snoozing away under the shade of the umbrella we had set up.

“You have really great kids Court. I have really enjoyed spending the day with them and with you. It’s been an incredible day. Caleb must get his shelling skills from you though man. I think he found more shells than I did.” I laugh and sit down next to Courtney on top of the cooler.

“Yea they are pretty great. I always say Caleb finds the best shells because he is closer to the ground so he has that advantage working in his favor. It looked like you and Jason were getting along well. How was that going?” She shields her eyes from the sun and looks out at the kids.

Jason is still riding in the waves and Caleb is playing along where the shore breaks. I take Courtney’s other hand in mine and link our fingers together and gently run my thumb back and forth over her knuckles. She smiles over at me.

“I think I broke through Jason’s walls that he had built up to keep me out. We were just hanging out and chatting about anything and everything. I think I definitely made some progress where he is concerned. I think with time he will completely come around.”

“I hope so. You mean a lot to me Dexter and I think Jason can see that, I just think he has a hard time with it because you are the first guy I have dated since Dave died, and it has to be hard on him to see me with someone else.” I nod my head in agreement.

“Well, as much fun as I am having out here today with all of you. I think it’s about time we get everything packed up so we can get the kids back to your parents’ house. We have us a little fun night planned babe.” I kiss her on the lips and stand up to start packing the cooler back up.

I leave Courtney on the beach while I carry everything to the car and then come back down to the beach and grab Miley so I can carry her to the car and strap her into her car seat. That was like trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together but somehow I managed to figure it out and got her buckled in safely.

On the drive back to her parents’ house Caleb and Jason fell asleep. Miley stayed asleep the whole time. They must be worn out. I hope that is a sign that they had a good time. I know I sure did. I can’t wait until the next time we can have a day like this together again.

When we arrive, I carry Miley into the house first and then go back to the car and grab a sleeping Caleb and carry him in as well. I kiss them both on the forehead since I won’t get to tell them goodbye before I leave.

A sleepy Jason walked into the living room to tell us goodbye. He even came up to me and gave me a hug and told me thanks for treating them to the aquarium and planning such a great day for them. He then went on to tell me he hasn’t seen his mom this happy in a while, and that he was happy I was in her life now. It felt great to get Jason’s acceptance. I told him thank you for sharing that with me, that it meant a lot to me to hear it.

After we left the kids I dropped Courtney off at her house and told her I had some errands to run and that I would be back to get ready in a little bit.

After a kiss goodbye that got a little heated and turned into more than a kiss, I finally found the will power to pull myself away from her so I could head out to take care of some things that I had planned for tonight.

I got through all of that as quickly as I could so I could get back to my girl. Now that I had her in my life I never wanted to be way from her. Tonight was going to be amazing and I couldn’t wait.