Possess Me by Michelle Heard

Chapter 49

 

Alek

 

My heart is beating out of my chest as I stop the G-Wagon in front of Everleigh’s house.

“This house?” Mama asks, her eyes wide as she glances around the neighborhood.

“Yes. I’ve already installed a state-of-the-art security system, and you’ll have a guard with you twenty-four-seven.”

Mama pats my cheek. “You take such good care of me.”

“Let’s go.”

We climb out of the vehicle, and I wrap an arm around my mother’s shoulders as I walk her to the open front door, where Everleigh is already waiting.

My woman looks nervous as fuck, and there’s fear darkening her eyes.

I give her a comforting smile, and as we reach her, I switch from Russian to English. “Mama, this is Everleigh.”

My mother stares at the woman whose supposed death broke me.

“So beautiful,” Mama says. She glances Everleigh up and down. “And healthy.”

“Ahh…thank you.” Everleigh takes a cautious step closer. “It’s such a pleasure meeting you.”

Mama stares at Everleigh until my woman gives me a panicked look.

I move closer to Everleigh and take hold of her left hand. “We’re going to get married.”

“Daddy!” Vincent shouts from behind me.

I head into the house and catch my little man. With my son in my arms, I turn around so I can introduce him to his grandma.

Intense shock hits my mother, and I quickly move closer. Her eyes are transfixed on Vincent, and lifting a trembling hand, she touches his cheek. “He looks like…” A sob overwhelms her, but she holds her arms open, and I pass Vincent to her.

She gently bounces him the way she used to do with us when we were little.

“My vnushka,” she coos, and for the first time since my brother was killed, I see the cloud of sorrow lift from her shoulders.

“Who are you?” Vincent asks.

“I’m your babushka…your grandmama.”

His eyes flit to Everleigh and me. “I have a grandma!” He claps his hands. “I’m so lucky. Mommy! Daddy! I have a grandma.” He looks at her again. “Jonas’ grandma always gives him candy. Do you have candy?”

“We have cupcakes,” Everleigh says. “Let’s head inside. I’m sure your mother is tired from the long flight.”

“Come, Mama,” I say, waiting for her to enter the house before I shut the door behind us.

Mama doesn’t let go of Vincent as she sits down on the couch, where she starts to cry.

Vincent gives her a concerned look, and there’s panic in his voice when he asks, “Why is grandma crying?”

“Because I’m so happy,” she sobs, hugging him tightly. “My little Vincent.”

“Aww…don’t cry, Grandma.” He pats her back in an attempt to comfort her. “There-there. It’s all better now.”

“It is.” She looks at him with so much love my heart clenches. “How old are you?” she asks, her voice much gentler than I’ve ever heard.

“I’m a whole three years old. I’m turning four soon.”

Christ.

I look at Everleigh. “When’s his birthday?”

“September twenty-third.”

“When’s your birthday?” I feel like shit for only asking now.

Everleigh lets out a chuckle. “June tenth.” She lifts an eyebrow at me. “And yours?”

“October sixteenth,” I answer.

I wrap my arm around Everleigh, and she leans closer to whisper, “It doesn’t look like she likes me.”

“She does. If she didn’t like you, she would’ve told you straight to your face you’re not good enough for me.”

“You’re lying,” she gasps.

“My mother is old school and very direct. Trust me, she’d tell you if she didn’t like you.”

No, she wouldn’t. My mother is wired to obey the man of the house, which is me. She’ll do anything I say, and she knows I love Everleigh. By default, she’ll accept her into the family.

I watch as Mama bonds with her grandson. Everleigh pulls away from me and goes to the kitchen. I follow her and smile when I see the blue and pink mini cupcakes.

“You baked?” I ask.

“With Rosalie’s help,” she admits. “It’s going to take a while before I get the hang of it.” She grins at me. “Taste one.”

“One isn’t going to be enough,” I warn her. “You know I have a sweet tooth.”

“That’s why I made a dozen. You can have four.”

I pick up a cupcake, and pulling the paper off, I pop the whole thing into my mouth. The sweet goodness makes me groan, and I pull Everleigh closer to press a kiss to her lips. “They’re perfect. Just like you.”

“I’m glad you like them. I burned the first batch.”

I grab the tray while Everleigh makes coffee, and before I set the cupcakes down on the coffee table, I pop another one into my mouth.

I look at my mother. “I missed your honey cake.”

“I’ll make one as soon as I’ve unpacked.”

Everleigh comes into the living room and places the tray down beside the cupcakes. “Help yourselves. I didn’t add sugar and cream.”

Mama pats the cushion beside her. “Come sit.”

Everleigh quickly takes a seat.

Emotion washes over Mama’s features as she looks at the woman I love. “Alek loves you a lot.”

Everleigh nods. “I know. I love him too.”

“My grandson is healthy and strong.” She stares at Vincent again. “You did a good job.”

“Thank you.” My woman takes a deep breath then says, “I’m so happy you’re here. If you need anything or you’d just like to go out for coffee, just let me know. I take Vincent to the playground once a week. You can join us. I can show you around the neighborhood and town so you can see where everything is.” She glances around the room. “And feel free to change anything in the house.”

Mama smiles at Everleigh and pats her cheek. “Such a good girl. Alek chose right.”

Everleigh beams, and I watch as her nervousness falls away.

I sit on the other couch and take a cup of coffee and another cupcake.

Vincent wriggles off Mama’s lap, and picking up a cupcake, he hands it to her. “This will make you feel better. Mommy always lets me have ice cream to make me feel better.”

“Thank you, my grandbaby.”

He grabs one for himself and comes to sit next to me. Leaning into my side, he starts to lick the icing off.

Mama turns her attention to Everleigh and asks, “Do you stay home to look after Vincent?”

“No, I have a bookstore in town. I take Vincent to work with me.”

“Oh.” Mama’s eyes widen. “He can stay with me during the day.”

“We’ll talk about that another time,” I say to save Everleigh from answering.

“Do you want me to show you the house?” Everleigh asks.

“Yes.” Mama climbs to her feet, and as the women disappear down the hallway, I swipe another cupcake from the plate.

“Leave some for me, Daddy,” Vincent mutters as he slides off the couch to grab two.

I let out a chuckle and help Vincent peel the paper off so he can enjoy them.

I try to catch the crumbs as he eats and give up after a while.

Everleigh and Mama return to the living room, and Mama looks all emotional again. “The house is beautiful. I’m going to be so happy here.”

“That’s all I want,” I say.

She gives me a kiss on the forehead before she picks Vincent up again. “Come sit by your grandmama. I want to hear what you like to eat.”

I get up from the couch, and heading outside, I bring in Mama’s luggage and place everything in the main bedroom.

I go back to the living room and lean my shoulder against the doorjamb. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stare at my family as they get to know each other.

My heart is finally at peace. I have everything I want.

My mother. My son.

And the woman I love with all my soul.

Fuck, I didn’t know life could be this good.

 

 

Everleigh

 

I follow Alek as he carries Vincent to his bedroom. This time I had a change of pajamas in his bag, so we didn’t have to struggle changing his clothes while he’s asleep.

Alek lays our boy down on his bed, and I pull the covers over him. We take turns to give him a good night kiss before we leave the room.

I leave the door slightly open, then Alek takes my hand and tugs me toward his bedroom.

I’ve already unpacked everything, and when Alek sees my belongings in his room, a satisfied smile spreads over his face.

I point to the framed photo next to the bed. “When did you take it?”

“The first night after, I carried you to bed.”

“Hmmm…” I give him a playful look. “We don’t have any photos of you and Vincent.”

“We’ll have family photos taken soon,” he promises.

We get ready for bed, and I drool over my man when he puts on a pair of sweatpants. When we climb under the covers, I snuggle against his side and let out a happy sigh.

“Are you happy?” I ask.

“Incredibly happy,” he murmurs. He kisses the top of my head and tightens his arms around me. “Who would’ve thought when I grabbed you off the street, we’d end up like this.”

“Right?” I place my hand over his heart and feel it beating steady. “All because I swapped clothes with Svetlana.”

We fall silent, and I wonder whether I’d do it all again for Alek and Vincent.

All the torture. The fear. The agony.

For my son and fiancè, I’d go to hell and back.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks, already sounding sleepy.

“About you and Vincent. The loves of my life.”

“We should give him a brother or sister.” I’m pushed onto my back and let out a chuckle.

“I’m on the pill,” I remind him.

“Stop the pill so we can have another baby.”

I smile up at Alek. “Okay.”

He undresses me before he settles his body on top of mine and enters me slowly. His arms wrap tightly around me again, and keeping our bodies pressed together, he makes love to me.

Our gazes are locked as we connect, our bubble forming around us.

“You’re my sanity,” he murmurs, all his love for me shining from his eyes.

“You’re my forever and always.”

 

The End.