Charlotte never imagined that her wedding day will be happy and dreadfully sad at the same time. She missed her mom to the bones, it ached painfully when her dad hugged her. "Charlotte sweety you look beautiful, all grown up," Her dad wiped her tears away, smiling warmly, telling her that her mom would be happy for her.Charlotte nodded though her mind wandered to the serene and elegant ambiance of her wedding arrangements, that she knew her mom would love. She imagined how her mom would cry watching her walk down the aisle. Charlotte's tears fall knowing her mom was not there for the most important day of her life."I missed her," Charlotte confessed to her dad. It was time for her dad to walk her down the aisle, but Charlotte was crumbling."I know, but sweety, she's watching you and she would want you to be happy. This is your day... your future, it's the beginning of your happiness. The love of your life is waiting." Cormac took her hands on his and kissed her forehead after wipi
A couple of weeks ago Lexie didn't think that her new life would be compromised, not in the near future. She thought she'd have time at least until Harley finishes kindergarten. She thought they were safe. Well, she felt like they were safe. He was not supposed to be out yet. She imagined she'd have years before she needed to start watching her back.Lexie planned that they were going to pack up and move before the new school year started. She was thinking three towns over. Being a runaway, she learns not to get attached to her environment. Still aiming for big cities where she and her son Harley can blend in perfectly. The homeschooling system can be easier to manage in bigger cities. The key was knowing someone that can fake their paperwork. No one would think twice about finding out that their neighbor has a school-age kid who wasn't at school during weekdays. Harley still needs to play with kids his age, she wouldn't dream of keeping him hidden all day."Can I be Cody again when we
Keegan didn't understand what was happening. He was suddenly faced with Lexie who he recognized as Mara, the beautiful young woman that took months for him to forget. She was too young for him back then, he had told her so. Hell, if he was to be honest with himself, he would still compare other women to his sweet innocent Mara, had been since he could remember.Years ago, Mara had told him about her family issues. He knew it was bad, but he was young and stupid. Driven by his need to prove himself to his parents, he left her with her problems. He decided to focus on his study and football scholarship. He knew that she was special, and some nights he allowed himself to fantasize about what could've been between them. But now he was regretting his decision."Tell me everything," Keegan demanded when he got her into his car and she told him where her son was. "You don't have to do anything, just get me to Harley's school." She gave him the address. It was more of a house than an actual
Lexie felt safe, she hadn't had that sense of security in a very long time. Not since her mom married her stepdad. Having Keegan in her space felt good, she could see the proof in Harley's calm demeanor showing her that her little brother likes him too. Keegan did stay for dinner if only to convince her more to move into his place tonight. "Pack your bags and Harley's too. Come on, it'll be safer than staying here, don't you think? I really don't want to leave you two alone tonight and running away to another city in the dark won't be a wise choice when you have a kid with you." Keegan made her think, and naturally, she thought that he was right though she considered the offer to stay at his place nonetheless. "I'll help Harley get his coat and shoes. Go, get his blankie or stuffed animal anything he needs to sleep for the night. I'll get the rest tomorrow, send in a crew to pack the rest of your stuff. Listen, Mara," Keegan called her by her real name and took her hand in his, he
"The best coffee I've had in a while." "Right?" Keegan grinned, proudly patting his coffee machine before sipping his coffee. He was happy, settled, and his insides never felt so right in so long. Not since the day he left her behind and went back to college.Keegan was twenty-one and was finishing off college at that time. He had his future in front of him, while she was sixteen and way too young for him. But when he did leave to finish his study he got injured while training. The incident terminated his spot in college football and at the same time shut down his chance to play professionally. His parents helped him finish college, but then they passed away in a tragic car accident which somehow directed him to work for Braddock Senior. Since then he never looked back. But tonight everything was falling back into place and he intended to tell her exactly that. "I felt like I've been given a second chance with you." His words were careful, not wanting to sound as if he wanted to ta
The next morning Harley woke up all excited to explore Keegan's place. He had been sitting on the leather sofa, practically bouncing while he waited for Keegan to get out of his room. Until the man finally did, when the smell of bacon being fried entered his room."Okay, this is totally my new favorite way to wake up. Lexie, I am going to keep you forever if you put bacon on the menu for our breakfast. Everyday." He went to her side and instinctively kissed her forehead. He couldn't help himself when he saw her in his kitchen, cooking in her cute pajama attire with pink bunny prints and her hair up in a messy bun.She laughed nervously, but then got sidetracked when her little brother ran up to him with the biggest smile on his face. "Can I please watch cartoons on your humongous tv?" That got Keegan to ruffle Harley's hair and picked him up by his waist and carried him sideways. "Humongous, huh?" Her little brother giggled all the way to the living room sofa where Keegan picked up
Lexie looked nervous when Keegan said that he was going to leave her alone with Harley at his place when he's going to go to work. Keegan noticed that she didn't want to be a burden for him, he knew that she was masking her feelings telling him that she was going to have a movie marathon with Harley. Keegan had no choice but to trust that she was going to do just that."Harley, I'm going to work today," Keegan knelt before her little brother and took his hand in his. "I'm counting on you to be the man of the house and take care of your sister," He smiled and her little brother who then puffed his chest and grinned at Keegan telling him that he'd keep her safe. "I know you will, and to do so I have a new watch for you." Keegan reached out for a little box that arrived along with the booster seats. He had the watch programmed and the GPS activated, he listed his number, Lexie's, and emergency number for the hospital and police. Keegan didn't want to give Harley a phone, he needed a dev
When the doc finally finished stitching up his wounded shoulder, Keegan called the pizza place to order their pizza and a side of bruschetta for Lexie, hoping that she still likes them. And the moment he arrived, Keegan popped the pain pill and the antibiotic before he entered the house with pizza in his hand. He had to take a deep breath, taking in the pain before he continued to walk to the front door. Harley's face lit up when he saw Keegan and the little kid ran towards him trying to help him with the small bag of food while he greeted Lexie with a kiss on the lips, after setting their pizza on the kitchen counter. She blushed a deep shade of red and Harley giggled teasing his sister and then telling Keegan that Lexie never blushed. "There was this one guy, she even pushed him away. I think Lexie likeeeees you." Harley teased after he was settled into his seat. Keegan laughed at his cheekiness, he liked that Harley was loosening up around him. He wanted the kid to be comfortable,