Legacy by M.A. Foster

_____________________________

Katie

“Good morning,” Dylan’s sleepy voice says from behind me.

I pick up my phone from the nightstand to check the time. “It’s almost five.” I snicker.

We got back from Vegas this morning and crashed. The time difference is a killer.

“Vegas was awesome. We should plan a weekend and go back.”

“We should,” I agree. “We could time it just right and go before Legacy is finished.”

Dylan presses a kiss to my shoulder. “So…. Kennedy is fun.”

I turn my face into the pillow and laugh. We all got pretty drunk last night at the club. Except for Vanessa and Liam. Kennedy is always fun when we’re out but last night she was wild. I believe it had a lot to do with her breakup from Adam. I’m still sad about that. She and Logan were all over each other on the dance floor, then of course because we were sharing a suite, Dylan and I heard them going at it all night. Hence the reason for a long nap.

“I think that might have been Kennedy’s first hook-up,” I tell him.

“Sounded like she needed it,” he says with a chuckle, and I crack up.

“Logan hooked up with Gabbi first.”

“I heard.” He drags his lips across my shoulder and presses a kiss to my neck. “But to be honest, I think Kennedy is more his type.”

“Probably. Gabbi is…. special.” I snicker as he pushes his hard-on against the crack of my ass. “Mmm. Someone’s awake.”

“He is, and he needs attention.”

Dylan runs a hand over my hip and down my thigh, leaving a trail of goose bumps in his wake. Lifting my leg, he hooks it over his, opening me up. He reaches between us and lines himself up at my opening, filling me in one push. His hand moves down my stomach and circles my clit.

Our collective moans echo through the room as he thrusts into me with deep strokes. I gasp at the sharp sting of pain as he sinks his teeth into my shoulder.

“I’m trying to be gentle, but your sexy noises are making me want to roll you over and pound into your perfect pussy.”

Yes, please.

“Yes,” I pant as I reach behind us and grip his firm ass. “Harder.”

“Fuck.”

Dylan pulls out and I roll to my stomach with my face in the pillow. He jerks my hips back and a sharp slap echoes through the room as I register the sting on my ass.

“Mmm.” My moans are muffled by the pillow.

“Jesus Christ. How did I get so lucky?” he growls as he lines himself up and slams back inside me. With one hand on my hip, he wraps the other in my hair, gripping it tightly as he powers into me, hard and fast.

“You’re gonna come so hard,” he says as he slows his thrusts and rolls his hips. “Whose pussy is this?”

Holy shit.I love his dirty mouth. “It’s yours,” I breathe.

“That’s right, baby. This is my pussy.” He continues to circle his hips, sinking so deep and hitting that sweet spot. “And this is all yours, my beautiful fucking warrior.” He moves a hand between us, pinches my clit and with one last powerful thrust, I fall. My mouth opens with a soundless cry as wave after wave of euphoria crashes over me until I’m drowning in ecstasy, bliss, and love.

I don’t even realize I’m crying until Dylan has me in his arms. “I love you so much, Katie.”

“I love you, too.” I sniff as silence stretches between us. “Dylan?”

“Hmm?”

“I think I’m ready to talk to Danny.”

He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Do you want me to go with you?"

“As much as I’d like that, I think I need to see him alone so we can both get our closure.”

“Okay. Would you like me to call him?”

I tilt my head back to look up at him. “Would you?”

“Of course. He was my friend, Katie. I care about him, too, and I think you both need this. I’ll give him a call and go check on Rocky.”

“Thank you.”

* * *

“Hey.”

I look over my shoulder to see Danny approaching. “Hey.”

He shoves his hands into the front pockets of his shorts. “Thanks for calling.”

“I’m sorry I waited so long. It was more about me than you.”

He nods once. “I understand.”

“Have a seat.” I pat the empty spot on the blanket beside me.

“Um….” He scratches his jaw. “Okay.”

He lowers himself to the blanket and pulls his knees up, draping his arms over the top. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I tried to be.” He turns his head and meets my eyes. “You have to know that.”

“I do.” I smile sadly. “You were grieving, too.”

His throat bobs as he swallows. “It was just so fucking hard. I felt so sick with guilt, and I couldn’t look at you knowing I’d taken our child away from you.”

I shake my head. “You didn’t take him away from me.”

“I know that now, but back then, I felt like I failed you. I failed my son. I started drinking a lot. But even the alcohol wasn’t enough to numb the pain. The only thing that helped was the pills the doctor had given me for my back after the accident. They were the only thing that helped me get through my days. I wanted to die, Katie.” His voice breaks.

My eyes well up with tears. “Danny, I never once blamed you for what happened. I was mad at you for leaving me the way you did. After all we’d been through, you left me with a note. I deserved more than that.”

“You did, and I’m sorry. I couldn’t face you. I couldn’t look you in the eyes because I was afraid I would see the same disgust and hatred that I saw in myself. I had to get away from you.”

“Where did you go? I called your parents, and they said you were okay. That’s all they would tell me.”

“I went to stay with my parents at first. I was pretty fucked up, so I went to rehab to try and get clean. When I got out, I fell off the wagon and it just became a vicious cycle. So I went to stay with my brother in Oregon.” He drops his gaze briefly before meeting my eyes. “I’m sorry it took me so long, but I needed to heal before I could face you. I couldn’t look at…. I just couldn’t—” He shakes his head, averting his watering eyes.

I shove my hands through my hair. “God, Danny, I feel so horrible for yelling at you like that.”

“Katie,” he warns. “Don’t. I’m in a good place now. I’m clean and healthy. I’m in love.”

“Really?” I smile.

He nods, flashing me that boyish grin I always adored. “That’s another reason why I needed to see you. I met an amazing woman while I was in living in Oregon. Her name is Christine. We’re engaged. She knows our story and she understands that in order for me to move forward, I need closure from my past.”

“Dylan said the same thing. If it’s forgiveness you need, you have it.”

He turns his attention to the headstone. “Do you think Bennett will forgive me for not coming to visit him?”

“That’s the thing about children. Their love is unconditional.”

“I’m going to do better.”

I pick up the box from my other side and set it in my lap.

“Have you opened it?” Danny asks.

I shake my head and meet his gaze. “I figured when the time was right, we should do it together. Do you think you’re ready?”

“I am. Are you?”

I take a deep cleansing breath and answer, “Yes,” before lifting the lid. The box from the hospital holds several envelopes containing a hair clipping, a card with feet and handprints, a medical bracelet, and a photo.

“Did you hold him?” My voice cracks.

He nods. “I did. Your friends did, too.”

“What?” I choke out. “They did?”

“Yes. I told the nurses you would want your friends to know your son.”

“They never told me.”

“Maybe because they knew you weren’t ready.”

He’s right. I wasn’t. “Who did he look like?”

He nods to the envelope. “I’ll let you decide.”

I slip my finger through the edges of the envelope and pull out the photo. A sense of comfort settles in my chest. He looks just like I’d imagined. Dark hair, long lashes, and a cherub face. He looks like an angel. My sweet angel.

“I’m convinced he would’ve had your eyes,” Danny says.

“Me too.” I sigh as I fix the lid back over the box. “I know people say everything happens for a reason, and I believe that to be true in pivotal moments of our lives. Losing Bennett didn’t make me stronger. It showed me what true heartbreak feels like. It showed me that life is precious, and it can be taken from us at any moment.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Danny gets to his feet and offers me his hand. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”

Taking his hand, I get to my feet before gathering my blanket and baby box.

Stopping beside my car, he says, “So, you and Dylan Mackenzie?”

“Yeah.” I can’t help the dopey smile on my face. “I’m madly in love with him. He’s it for me.”

“Dylan’s a good guy. I’m happy he found someone who will make him happy.”

“Do you think if things were different, we could’ve made each other happy?” I ask.

Danny shrugs. “I think we would’ve tried for the sake of our son. I think we had love for each other, but not that kind of everlasting love. Not the love I have with Christine or you have with Dylan.”

“I think you’re right.” I throw my free arm around his neck and kiss him on the cheek. “You’re a good man, Danny Cross. I wish you nothing but happiness. I think you deserve it as much as I do.”