Chapter Twenty-Five
The snow was early this year. Mia remembered her grandmother always said that if snow came to Long Island before December, it was going to be a rough winter. It was the last day of November, and it made sense to Mia that the coming season was going to be a tough one.
For lots of reasons.
The parking lot was getting slippery, and she was happy she’d worn flats, not the heels she was originally planning to wear. For some reason, she thought some height would make her more intimidating; then she’d thought about Greg, at six-three, and realized not much was going to intimidate him. Now she smiled inwardly as she reflected on the fact that she didn’t have to worry about Ben. The adoption should go through without a hitch. When Fiona had taken a picture of her, Ben, and Adam three days ago at her birthday party, she’d joked that it was the perfect “family” portrait. When Adam leaned in and whispered that being a family was a dream come true for him, Mia believed that her life had really changed.
But now? Now everything was uncertain. Stopping at her car, Mia reached out and touched the door handle. She thought about Adam and how she’d destroyed what they had. Blinking back the tears, she unlocked the door and wondered if there was a chance to save it.
First, she’d go home and let everyone know she’d come to an agreement with Greg. Then, she’d go find Adam. She’d find him and apologize, beg for his forgiveness if she had to.
She’d doubted his motives, his willingness to stand by her, and that had hurt him. Thinking back to the way he looked when she left, she hoped he had it in his heart to take her back. If not, she didn’t know what she’d do.
The words about being a family, about being parents to Ben, echoed in her head and made her heart ache. God, what a mess.
*
Adam moved the couch in his grandmother’s parlor three times. After an hour of watching her ponder the perfect placement, it ended up right back where it started.
“Yes, that works,” she said.
“Grandma, you could have left everything where it was.”
“I know, dear, but I wanted to explore some options.”
“Options. Great.” He flopped on the sofa and stared at the snow falling outside.
Grandma sat next to him and patted his knee. “Want to tell me what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Adam?”
Seeing the determined look on her face, Adam realized she wasn’t going to let him go until he told her. So, he gave it up. “Mia and I had a fight.”
“That happens with couples sometimes. You’ll work it out.”
He breathed out and shook his head. This wasn’t going to be worked out easily.
“What? What happened, Adam?”
“Like I said, we had a fight. It was about Ben and his biological father. It went out of control. I don’t think she’ll be back.”
“Oh, no. Is there anything I can do?”
“No, and you have to stay out of it.”
“But…”
“No, Grandma. Stay out of it. Okay?”
She nodded, then reached out and took his hand.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.”
“Oh, darling, it will work out.”
He glanced down at her. “Are you saying I’ll get over her?”
“Absolutely not. You’ll never get over her, but I don’t think this fight is the end. You two are meant to be together.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Have you tried to talk to her?”
“I called. Sent texts. No answer.”
A chill settled around them. She didn’t utter a word, but Adam could sense her mood had changed. He discovered he was right when suddenly, his grandmother stood.
“Adam, get out.”
He looked up, blinked. “What?”
“Get out.”
He rose. “You want me to leave?”
“You’re sitting there telling me you called and sent texts… TEXTS? You want to put things right between you in a text message? Have you learned nothing?”
Adam looked away as his grandmother approached and laid a hand on his arm. Suddenly he felt like a coward. He’d done this before. He should have done something other than hide behind his cell phone.
“Go to her. Take in her in your arms. Get her to understand that you love her more than anyone or anything. That’s what she needs. Not a blasted text message!”
He nodded and felt his eyes start to burn. Jesus. What the hell had happened to him? “She’s everything to me, Gram.”
When her fingers brushed across his cheek, Adam almost lost it. “Oh, my sweet boy, tell her that.”
He drew a deep breath and understood what he had to do. “I’d better go.”
Leaning in, he gave his grandmother a kiss and went to his truck. The snow was picking up and all he could think about was Mia. In his head he ran through the words he wanted to say, what he wanted to do. If he could get her to listen, he had a chance.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Adam slipped the key into the ignition and stopped. Three months ago, he didn’t even know she existed. They meant nothing to each other. And now? Now she was everything. In his whole life, Adam never thought he’d feel this way about a woman, ever. Thinking about Mia, he knew he wouldn’t have any kind of life without her.
It was her or nothing. He had to get her back.
The cell phone vibrating in his pocket made him stop and hope, but then he looked at the screen and swallowed. Greg.
Adam considered letting it go to voice mail, but at the last second, he answered. “Yeah?”
“Hey. Got a sec?”
“What’s up?”
“I saw Mia today.”
Adam’s heart jumped into his throat. Damn. “Where?”
“She came to see me at my hotel. Had some news for me.”
“Shit.” Adam rubbed his fingers over his eyes. She went to see him. Alone.
“Did you know about the kid?”
“I found out a couple of days ago. What happened?” Please, God, he thought. Let this have played out the way I said it would.
“She told me, wanted to know about her sister and me. I couldn’t tell her anything.”
“Yeah?”
“She was pretty upset when she left. Dumped a drink in my lap.”
“You didn’t… wait… what about Ben?”
“Hell, I don’t want a kid. She can keep him.”
“Good,” Adam said. His voice was hoarse as he thought of Mia dealing with Greg alone.
“I’m guessing he’ll be yours too.”
If I can get her back. “I’m on my way there now.”
For a minute there was nothing, and Adam thought the call had dropped when Greg finally broke the silence. “I’ll be flying back to Chi-town tomorrow. It was good seeing you.”
“Have a good trip.” I hope I never see you again, asshole.
Adam heard Greg take a deep breath. “If he ever needs anything…”
“I don’t think he will, but I’ll let you know if he does.”
More silence.
“Thanks. Take care, man.”
Before Adam could say anything, the connection was broken.
Thinking about Mia going to see Greg alone twisted Adam’s insides. Even after the fight they had, she’d taken his advice anyway. He was glad the air was clear, but hated he wasn’t beside her. The thought of her dumping a drink in Greg’s lap had him wondering, though. What the hell had gone on that Mia was that pissed?
Turning the key in the ignition, he was set to find out.
*
The buzz from the dining room told Mia the family was home, and as usual they were all trying to talk over one another. Nana, her aunt, uncle, cousins, and Ben. The headache she was fighting all day threatened to make an appearance, but the relief she felt over Ben’s adoption made the discomfort inconsequential. She’d check in with her family and then go find Adam.
If her luck kept running the way it had been, they’d be okay. They had to be okay.
A ball formed in the pit of her stomach. After hanging up her coat and bag on the hooks in the foyer, she stepped into the dining room.
Her entire family went quiet. Perfect.
Mia didn’t wait for the question, she just blurted it out. “Everything is fine. There was nothing to worry about.”
Ben bolted from his chair. He knew there was a question about the adoption, but nothing about Greg, and Mia planned on keeping it that way, at least for a little while. Since he knew Greg it would be strange, and at this point in Ben’s young life, he didn’t need any more questions about who didn’t want him.
“You can adopt me?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t need to hear anything else. Ben’s arms came around her waist, and if Mia ever questioned whether adopting Ben was the right thing, this settled it. He was her son and nothing would change that.
Looking at everyone there, Mia noticed the empty chair. “Where’s Mom?”
Her uncle folded his hands and considered them before answering. “She went back to Charleston. She felt, we all felt, it was best for her not to be here. Reg agreed.”
“She left?” Mia couldn’t believe she left before she knew the outcome of her meeting.
“We decided, all things considered, that it was best.”
Mia caught something in her uncle’s voice, something firm and final. “She won’t be back, will she?” she asked.
“No,” Nana said. “Not for a while.”
If that didn’t beat all. Her mother had finally managed to get herself banished from her own family.
Uncle Rob made his way to her and rubbed his big hand across her back; her uncle was such a good man. He reminded her of her father. “Ellen is my sister, but this has to end somewhere. You deserve better, Mia. Hopefully, she’ll get some help. Regina said she’d be in touch with us soon.”
“Your mother was never happy,” Nana said. “And I can’t understand it. She had everything.”
Mia shook her head. She didn’t want to be that way. Regretting her life and her choices was a horrible way to live.
There was a light tapping on the door, but everyone stayed frozen in place. It had been quite a day.
Ben looked up. “Should I get the door?”
“Yes.” Mia nodded, thankful someone was paying attention. “Check the side window to see who it is first.”
“I will.” He ran to the front of the big house, and that gave Mia the chance to adjust to the fact that she wasn’t going to see her mother for a very long time. The surprising thing was, Mia didn’t feel as badly about it as she thought she would. In a way, it was a relief.
“Mia.” Her grandmother stood. “Sit, eat something.”
“I’ll eat later. I have to go out again.”
Her grandmother’s face dropped. “The weather…”
“Nana.” Mia blinked hard as she spoke. “I have to see him.”
Now that the drama with the adoption was settled, nothing was more important in her mind than fixing things with Adam. She’d gotten his texts, but the sooner she saw him, the sooner she could take his hands in hers, the sooner she would know if he’d forgive her.
But then, the space around her warmed and her skin tingled, and like magic, her worries vanished.
He was already there.
Turning slowly, Mia’s eyes filled before she caught sight of Adam in the dining room archway.
He stood there looking at her with sadness his sea blue eyes, letting her know he was as lost as she was. There was desperation in his stance, and fear, but he was there. He was still her guy. Tall, handsome, dusted with snow, and obviously in love with her.
Not caring about self-control, Mia burst into tears. Every fear, every worry, every emotion surfaced at the sight of Adam. If he thought twice about what he was going to do, she couldn’t tell as he pulled her close.
“Shh, Mia, shhh. Don’t cry. I love you. Don’t cry.”
“I’m so glad you’re h—h—here.”
She could feel his breath leave his chest in relief. “Thank God.” He leaned back and his hands found her face. Pushing the hair back, he held her and kissed away her tears. “It’s okay now.”
Mia nodded and slipped her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry. You were right, about everything. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, that I blamed you…”
“We both made mistakes, but you have to know, I’m here for you and for Ben. You never have to worry about that.”
“I know. I know.”
He leaned into her, lowering his head to her ear. He spoke so softly, she was the only one who could hear him. “I love you,” he said. “Marry me?”
Mia looked into Adam’s eyes and found herself drowning in them. He was smiling, but in in his expression there was a seriousness, a sense of purpose, that told her how much she meant to him. Looking over at Ben, who was picking at his dessert, it was crystal clear they were the two most important people in Adam’s life.
God, how did she get so lucky?
“You want your ring?” His whisper was now was a tease, and his smile was wide and playful.
“You have a ring!” Mia covered her mouth, but it was too late. Everyone heard her and she didn’t care. Nana was up and over to them in a split second. Who knew she could move so fast.
“Ring?” Nana said. “What ring?”
Adam reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a little blue box. “This ring.”
Unable to speak, Nana pressed her fingers into her lips. Mia glanced over and saw the rest of her family respond. Ben was standing by the table, stunned. Her aunt, uncle, and cousins were beaming. It was perfect.
Uncle Rob cleared his throat. And both Mia and Adam looked over. “Adam, seems to me you need to have a conversation with someone before that becomes official.”
Stumbling, Adam looked at her uncle. “Sir, uh…”
“Not me,” he said. Then he pointed at Ben.
Mia felt her eyes well up. And Ben’s face was… she saw he was trying hard to be the man, and fighting back his own tears.
Adam stepped away and approached him. “What do you think, bud? Think we can be a family?”
Ben at a loss for words was a rarity. Especially around Adam. The two would talk endlessly, and for her little guy to be speechless told her how much being a family meant to him.
Finally, Ben gathered his thoughts and looked up at Adam. “Would you adopt me, too?
Adam nodded. “I want to, if that’s okay with you.”
Ben nodded again. “This is so cool.”
Watching Ben and Adam, Mia thought of everything it took for her to get to this point, and how for so long she thought she never would. But Ben had gained even more.
Mia took a few steps and slipped in next to Adam. Her hand found his and for once she didn’t question it, didn’t wonder if something was going to go wrong. This was right, and she knew it.
True North.
Her heart had found the way.
*
Adam stepped onto the front porch holding two mugs of hot chocolate and enjoyed watching Mia admire her ring.
“I’m glad it fits.” He handed her a mug and sat on the porch swing. They were both bundled against the falling snow, but Mia had wanted to come outside to watch it, alone, with him.
“It’s so beautiful. I can’t believe we’re getting married.”
He smiled. “Who’d have thought you’d end up with a jock?”
She smiled. “I know. Not me.”
Not her mother.
“I need to tell you something.” Her eyes locked on his. “Greg called me.”
“He did?”
“He said if Ben ever needs anything to let him know.”
“Let’s hope he never does.”
He took her hand, which was tiny and warm, in his. “Why did you go see him?”
Glancing down at her ring and then at him, Mia thought. “I couldn’t keep looking over my shoulder. I had to know Ben was mine. I had to know about Sara.” Pausing, Mia looked up and laid a hand on his cheek. “You were right.”
“So, about Ben—”
“You were right.”
“And your sister?” He took her hand in his, holding tight.
She sniffled, and then her head bobbed up and down. “You were right about her, too.”
Looping an arm around her, Adam pulled her close. “I’m sorry about that.”
“I hate that she was so alone.”
Adam knew there was no easy way for Mia to deal with this new knowledge, but he didn’t want her to feel guilty. She’d martyred herself enough. It was time to look forward.
“I have something else for you.”
When Mia lifted her eyes to his, he pulled a small box from Liam Jennings’ shop out of his other pocket.
“What’s that?”
“Open it.”
Her fingers fumbled with the lid, and when she opened it, Mia drew a breath. In the box, lying on fine red satin, was a small brass Jennings compass. Mia held it in her hand and stared at the face. The needle shivered slightly, moved a little, and then pointed north, exactly as it was supposed to do.
“Look at the back.”
Turning the instrument over, Mia saw the engraving.
“To Mia, With you my heart has found home. All my love, Adam”
Her eyes filled up and finally, truly happy tears glistened in her eyes. Holding her tight, Adam thought about the years he went in circles, the years he couldn’t find anything worthwhile to cling to. Finally, Mia found him and gave him the life he’d been missing.
“Look at me,” he said. When her gaze found his, Adam’s heart skipped a beat. This was his beautiful girl and he’d never let her down. “We are going to have a great life. And we’ll make a great life for Ben.”
“I know we will, but…” She smiled, hesitated. “I was thinking. We’ve never talked about kids…”
“What about kids?”
“Well, uh…” She blushed. She still blushed. “If you want more.”
Adam warmed to the core at the thought of seeing Mia pregnant with their child. He grew hot thinking about all the fun they’d have getting her that way. “We’ll have as many babies as you want.”
They settled into a comfortable quiet, and he wondered if they were both thinking about the same thing, about babies and their future. Then, without a word, Mia set down her mug, stood and extended her hand to him.
“Where are we going?” Adam asked.
“Home.”
He loved hearing that. Loved that she was going to turn his house into a home. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I think it’s time to start that life I’ve had on hold.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he gently kissed the tip of her nose. “Let’s get to it, then.”
The End