Be With Me by Jules Bennett (13)

Chapter Thirteen

Throw glitter in today’s face.

—Mel’s Motivational Blog

 

 

Tanner waited until the meal was over. He wasn’t quite sure when to tell his mother about the baby, but now seemed as good a time as any, considering she had threatened to pull out his baby books.

“I’d love to see them,” Melanie stated, giving Tanner a wide grin across the table.

“They’re in the front closet on the top shelf.” His mother pushed her seat back from the table and came to her feet. “Leave all of these dishes and I’ll get them later. Tanner, be a dear and reach up in the closet and grab the two leather-bound picture albums.”

He raked a hand across the back of his neck and blew out a sigh. “Actually, Mom, I need to tell you something.”

His stepfather stood as well. “You three go into the living room and I’ll get all the dishes into the kitchen.”

Tanner couldn’t have handpicked a better man for his mother than Patrick Bailey. He spoiled her and showed his mother she was worthy of being pampered and loved.

Melanie eyed him, her smile disappearing. Her jovial state now replaced by nerves and fear that he was judging her taut expression correctly. He offered her a grin, trying to ease her worry.

“C’mon, Mel. Let’s go in the living room.”

“Why don’t I help Patrick with the dishes?” she offered.

Tanner shook his head. “No way.”

“You most certainly will not,” his mother said at the same time. “No guest in my home will do dishes. Now, come in the living room. I want to hear what my son has to say, and then I have the most adorable baby photo to show you. Oh, and then there’s that one from your junior high dance. Do you remember, Tanner? The one where you were so nervous you went for a haircut—”

“Yes, Mom. I remember.”

He really didn’t want to take this stroll down memory lane. Beyond the embarrassment, he had more pressing matters to deal with.

Tanner rounded the table in the narrow dining room and eased Melanie’s chair out. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Relax.”

Placing a secure hand on the small of her back, he led her into the living room and onto the same floral sofa his mother had owned for the past twenty years. She claimed they didn’t make them sturdy like this anymore, so she refused to get new furniture. She also claimed she’d rather spend her money on cruises, which she and Patrick often took.

Teresa Bailey sank into her favorite tan rocker-recliner and crossed her legs. Resting one elbow on the arm of the puffy chair, she smiled. “So, what is it you want to tell me? Though I do have a pretty good idea.”

From the huge smile on his mother’s face, he truly feared he was about to burst that bubble his mother was floating in.

“I’m not sure how to say this other than to just come out and tell you.”

His mother practically beamed. “You’re getting married? Am I right? Oh, sorry. I shouldn’t have ruined the announcement, but I couldn’t wait.”

“We’re not getting married, Mom.”

Melanie shifted beside him and slid her arm around his. Her silent support meant a great deal to him. He’d opened up to her about his past hurt. He’d hated doing so on the drive here because he’d felt like maybe they couldn’t fully engage in what needed to be said, but he couldn’t have Melanie completely off guard.

“Melanie is pregnant.”

His mom’s smile faltered, her eyes widened as she darted her gaze to Melanie. “Pregnant?”

“I’m about six weeks along now.”

Silence settled in the room and Tanner wasn’t sure what his mom was thinking, but in the next second she jumped from her seat and squealed, throwing her arms wide.

“Oh, my word, honey. Come give me a hug.”

Tanner wasn’t sure who she was talking to, but Melanie came to her feet and was enveloped by his mom. The weight of what seemed like years of worry slid right off his shoulders. Patrick came rushing into the room.

“What happened?”

“We’re going to be grandparents,” his mom exclaimed, releasing Melanie.

“That’s great,” Patrick stated.

Tanner found himself enveloped in his mother’s tight embrace. The next second she sniffed and the slight sound pierced his heart. Tanner patted her back.

“Are those happy tears, I assume?” he asked.

His mom eased back and gripped his shoulders. “I’m so happy for you. Are you . . . is this okay? I mean, how are you dealing with everything?”

Tanner smiled and glanced at Melanie. “We’re over the shock for the most part.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

His mother’s eyes searched his and he gave her shoulder a slight squeeze. “I know what you meant, Mom. I’m okay.”

“The baby and I are both healthy,” Melanie was quick to add. “I’m sure this is scary for you, Mrs. Bailey.”

“Oh, please. Call me Teresa. We’re family now.”

Tanner caught Melanie’s slight cringe. That word terrified her, and knowing what she’d come from, he couldn’t blame her for being overly cautious. This entire pregnancy had thrust them both into a territory neither of them had been ready for, but they were going to get through it together.

“This is the best Thanksgiving ever,” his mother said, beaming. “I can’t think of anything to be more thankful for than family and the promise of new life.”

The chime of a cell went off, penetrating the moment. Melanie’s eyes darted toward her purse on the accent table by the front door.

“Go ahead, dear,” his mom said.

Melanie shook her head. “It’s fine. I’ll get it later.”

This was the second time it had gone off and she wasn’t concerned. Or maybe she was and that’s why she wasn’t answering. Was she worried her ex or one of his minions was calling again? Every part of Tanner wanted to get ahold of her phone and check, but he wouldn’t disrespect her that way. She wanted to handle things, and that was fine, but if there was even an inkling of danger or any stress for her, he’d step in without hesitation.

Tanner’s cell vibrated in his pocket and he groaned. “Sorry,” he said, pulling out his phone. “I actually do have to get this.”

“I guess I can’t complain,” his mom stated. “I had you over for dinner and you’re making me a grandma. Go ahead and work.”

No doubt it was work. The extraction going down this evening had been on his mind all day. This was the first one he’d requested to sit out on.

Tanner stepped outside on the front porch and answered. “Roark.”

“I know you’re at your mother’s, but is there any chance you can come back?”

Considering his captain was calling, there must be a damn good reason. Tanner glanced at his watch and sighed as he watched a couple kids running down the opposite side of the street. Their laughter carried through the tiny neighborhood. This is what he wanted for his life. Something simple, something pure. Which is why he had to be the one to consistently keep the evil away.

“I can be there in just over an hour.” He needed to get Melanie home and get back to his house to change. “Text me the details.”

“I appreciate it,” his captain said. “You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t an emergency. We’ve just received some intel that this is also a drug house. We are looking at a full bust.”

Damn. There was no way he would sit this one out.

“I’m leaving now.”

He disconnected the call and turned toward the house. The image through the wide window was one that would stay forever in his memory bank. His mother and Melanie were on the sofa flipping through what was no doubt his embarrassing youth pictures. Right now, though, Tanner didn’t care. These two women held a place in his heart. Melanie had come to be so much more than a quick hookup or even the mother of his child. She was a remarkably strong woman and his mother had been through hell, coming out on top. These two shared a parallel history and Tanner wondered just how strong their bond would grow over the years.

Yes, years. Tanner knew he wanted Melanie to be part of his life, and now he just had to mold this relationship so she could see the same future together.

He was used to saving abused women from their homes and abusers, but that had been the extent of his involvement with them. He recalled what his mother had gone through to rebuild her life, but being involved with Melanie was completely different. No matter what it took, he’d make sure she knew he cared and that he wasn’t going anywhere.

Tanner let himself back in and both women looked up at him; they both had the same expression on their faces.

“Can’t be helped,” he stated with a shrug. “There’s an emergency.”

“I understand.” His mother closed the album and smiled. “I’m glad we at least got to enjoy dinner together. Why don’t I package some things for you to take?”

“Already done.” Patrick came from the kitchen with a large basket no doubt full of plates of food. “When he got the call I had a feeling he’d have to go.”

“Thanks.” He took the basket then shifted his attention to Melanie. “Ready?”

“I was just getting to the good parts of your childhood,” she joked with a crooked grin. “That school play where you were the back end of the donkey was priceless.”

Tanner rolled his eyes. “The ass end of the ass was not my finest moment.”

His mom laughed. “That was your first school play and I was very proud.”

Tanner figured whenever his kid was in school he’d be proud, too. Must be a parent thing.

“We’ll save the rest of that memory lane for the next visit,” Tanner promised.

“Then you better hurry back. I don’t want so much time to pass between visits.”

“When is your next trip?” he asked.

“We’ll be home through the first of the year. Plenty of time for you to come for dinner.”

Melanie gave his mother a hug. “I’ll make sure he comes back soon. Thank you so much for having me.”

They all said their goodbyes and Tanner rushed Melanie out to his truck. He needed to get back soon and his mind was already racing to the night ahead.

“Just take me to your house,” Melanie told him, breaking into his thoughts.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive,” she assured him. “I can wait for you to get back.”

“I may not be back until late again.”

Melanie slid her hand over his on the console. “Then maybe I should just stay tonight.”

Tanner couldn’t believe she’d thrown that out, but he wasn’t going to let this moment go. He turned his hand over in hers to lace their fingers together.

“You should stay the night. And every night after.”

“Let’s focus on tonight,” she murmured as she stared out the window.

Tanner wasn’t about to argue. This was the second night she was staying. Little by little he was wearing her down—not mentally or trying to break her strength, he was wearing her down in a way that she was learning more and more to trust.

“Tonight,” he repeated with a smile on his face.

* * *

“When can I get my own plane?”

Jax laughed as he filled out his flight log for the day. “When you can pay for one.”

Piper stomped her foot and turned to Tanner. “Will you buy me one for Christmas, Uncle Tanner?”

Tanner tucked his aviator glasses in the V of his T-shirt and patted Piper on the back. “I can’t save money that fast, Pip.”

“I have sixteen dollars and twenty-three cents in my plane bank.” Those bright blue eyes peered up at him, practically begging him. “Will that help?”

“Darlin’, if that’s all it took, I’d have several planes. Why don’t I take you for a ride later today? You can pretend to be my flight coach.”

“I actually do have lessons later,” Jax stated. “Livie is busy with Jade and Melanie. They went to some place this side of Atlanta to look for flooring. Apparently there was some discount outlet where Livie thought she could get a good deal for the restaurant.”

For the past four nights Melanie had stayed at his house. He hadn’t spoken about or questioned the obvious. If she was content staying, he was more than eager to share his space with her. He hadn’t known where she was going this morning when he’d gotten dressed and left. She’d just been waking up and he’d made her a cup of coffee and some toast. He’d discovered she had a little queasiness in the mornings, so he tried to make things as simple as possible for her.

He also wasn’t going to ask about her plans or try to keep tabs on her. That she felt safe at his place was more than he’d hoped for at this stage. Even though he’d known her for several months, this past eight weeks had snowballed into a relationship he hadn’t been ready for. But he was damn glad they were at this point.

And so far, she was healthy. The nausea was normal, though he hated that she felt bad. But he’d take normal, because that meant things were progressing as they should. Now if he could just keep his anxiety at bay during the duration of this pregnancy.

“Dude.” Jax snapped his fingers. “You with me?”

Tanner nodded. “Yeah. I’ll take Piper. We can do something this afternoon.”

“You got any DIY projects?” she asked.

Jax laughed. “She’s been watching HGTV like it’s her job.”

Tanner instantly thought about the rocker in his garage. Would Melanie even like something old and refurbished? She’d never indicated otherwise, but part of him knew she’d probably gotten used to that high-society lifestyle. Even though she’d hated her marriage, had she enjoyed the finer things that her money could buy?

Perhaps not. She did, after all, trade out her stylish SUV for a very well-used car.

“I actually do have something we can work on,” Tanner stated, earning him a wide smile from his favorite five-year-old. “You’ll need old clothes.”

“What she’s wearing is fine.” Jax flipped the log and jotted down more information for the upcoming flights. “I should be done around eight this evening, but as soon as Livie is back, I’ll have her stop by your house and pick Piper up. She mentioned running one more errand once the flooring trip was done. My student needs to get in a couple hours of dusk-to-dark flying.”

“I can keep her busy that long.” Tanner yanked on one curly blond ponytail. “You ready to go now?”

“Grab the booster out of the back of my truck,” Jax told him.

Piper bobbed her head and grabbed her little blue purse from the counter. “Ready!”

When she slid her hand in his, Tanner’s heart lurched. Oh, he’d held her hand and carried her plenty of times over the course of her five years, but knowing he was going to be doing this with his own child had him realizing just how precious these moments were.

“Do you like my new purse?” Piper asked as they headed toward his truck. “Mom bought it for me the other day. She said it matched my eyes.”

Mom. He absolutely loved that Jax had found someone to love him and Piper so much that she flawlessly fit right into their little family. Piper had never known her birth mother. Jax’s ex took off so soon after Piper was born. The woman was selfish, but in hindsight it was the best move, because Jax and Piper deserved so much better.

Tanner grabbed her purple booster seat and carried it to his truck. Once he had it in place, he lifted her up and settled her in. “Buckle up, Pip. We’re going for ice cream first.”

“You’re my favorite uncle ever!”

Tanner kissed her on the nose. “Make sure to tell that to your Uncle Cash.”

She only giggled as he closed the door. Tanner headed toward town, listening to Piper chatter about school and her friends. Then she went into how her teacher had yellow hair and wore black glasses and cool shoes.

“You like kindergarten, then?”

“It’s the best grade I’ve ever been in,” she declared.

Considering she’d only done one year of preschool, she hadn’t much experience. But her eagerness was adorable. Tanner actually had hated school. He and Cash and Jax had been too eager to get out and join the air force. Jax and Cash had been in love with their girlfriends at the time of graduation, which nearly stopped them from enlisting, but Tanner had been ready.

When he’d been home on leave he’d fallen in love, and his life had spiraled into heartache he’d barely recovered from. Throwing himself into the military had been his only way of coping at the time.

“Can I call Melanie Aunt Mel?”

Piper’s question completely pulled him from his thoughts. “Well, I guess that’s up to her.”

“Are you excited to be a daddy? I think you’ll be a great dad.”

“I appreciate that, squirt. I am excited.”

“Is Aunt Mel having a boy or a girl?”

Tanner glanced in his rearview mirror and spotted those little eyes on him. “We’re not sure yet. But as soon as we know, I’ll tell you.”

“I want a baby boy cousin. Boys are more fun than girls.”

Poor kid. Before Livie came around, Piper had only been around men. They’d had to clean up their language real quick when the toddler started dropping F-bombs. The guys realized raising a kid wasn’t going to be as simple as they’d thought.

“You know, you’ll kind of be like a big sister,” Tanner told her. Her brows raised, her eyes widened, and she let out another one of those squeals.

“You know what would be really cool?” she asked. “If you could tell Mom and Dad to have a baby. Then I could be a big sister for real.”

Yeah, that was not an area he was going to venture into with his cousin and Livie. Tanner pulled into the Scoops parking lot just as his cell went off in his pocket.

“Give me one second, Piper.”

When he eyed the screen, he was surprised to see a message from Jade.

Rage bubbled within him. He sent a quick reply of thanks and deleted the message. What the hell did her ex want? And why was Jade telling him? If he knew Melanie like he thought, she probably brushed aside the call like it was no big deal. But this definitely was a big deal.

“You okay, Uncle Tanner?”

He pulled himself from the anger boiling inside him and nodded. “I’m good. Are you ready for a scoop of double chocolate chunk?”

“I want two scoops,” she stated.

Tanner eyed her in the mirror. “If I give you two scoops then you won’t eat your dinner.”

“This is my dinner.”

With a shrug, he smiled. “Fine by me. Let’s go.”

Tanner kept the call in the back of his mind. He hoped Melanie opened up to him about it because there was no way for him to ask without giving up Jade. But Jade must be concerned or she wouldn’t have just texted him like that.

First things first, he had to get ice cream and get Piper back to his place so they could start sanding and painting the rocker. Later tonight, he would focus on Melanie. Because nothing was going to threaten his family. He didn’t care how powerful Neville Prescott was. Tanner was more powerful in ways Neville couldn’t imagine.

When it came to protecting Mel and the baby, Tanner had no limits.