Innocence Read online

“It’s you and me, London. Together.”

  “Together.”

  Instead of going to the front door, Jaxson pulled out his phone. “Dwayne, I’m going to be about an hour late.”

  As he shut the phone off, I knew what was coming next and warmth spread through me as Jaxson took me to the bedroom.

  “LONDON, DEAR, WHAT DO YOU think?”

  I stood in front of the mirror in an all-white princess gown. Tulle flowed in layers upon layers and sparkled with the intermittent crystals reflecting in the light. The sweetheart bodice hugged my figure.

  “I think you look beautiful, punkin’.”

  “It’s gorgeous, bestie.”

  I turned around to see Pam, Dad, and Millie sitting on opposite ends of the couch. Dad was out of his element, but I loved him for being part of this process since Mom wasn’t able. Through all this, not having Mom by my side was the hardest part. Harder than I ever imagined. It helped having a short engagement.

  The wedding was in two days. Earlier in the week, I came with Pam to pick out the dress and get it altered. From the moment I tried it on, I knew it was the one.

  Everything sunk in. I was getting married. Really getting married.

  “London?” Dad’s voice had emotions spilling over.

  I walked to him and threw my arms around him. “Dad. Is this really my life? Did I really finally find happiness?”

  “Yes, punkin’. This is real. It’s yours and no one is taking it.”

  I took a deep breath. “It’s perfect.”

  Everyone broke out into excited chatter. Pam and Millie took over the entire wedding planning. Jaxson and I wanted to be surprised. The only thing we’d been involved with was the cake. It was an Italian crème flavor to die for. We were only doing one cake since our wedding consisted of about twenty people.

  Pam touched my shoulder. “It’s beautiful. I can’t wait for you to officially be my daughter.”

  “I can’t wait either. Thank you for all you did this last week.”

  We checked out and left the dress at the bridal shop to be steamed. Millie would pick it up tomorrow and keep it at Pam’s house. Jaxson was dying to see what I picked out and there was no reason to tempt him.

  Jaxson, Ty and Levi were at the ice cream parlor. The store was a block over. Pam refused to let them be on the same street in case Jaxson walked by the window and saw the dress.

  As we entered the ice cream parlor, the sweet dairy smell filled the air. Jaxson rose to greet me with a kiss on the cheek. “Is everything good with the dress?”

  Eagerly, I nodded. “Yes. It’s beautiful.”

  “Oh, Jaxson. It’s gorgeous. Simply stunning on London.” Pam had been wonderful through all of the planning. She documented every step to show Mom at some point. I knew it was more than likely pointless, but the memories were captured nonetheless.

  Ty’s chocolate face lit up. “So, you really are going to be with Dad and me forever?”

  “Forever and ever. In two days.”

  Grabbing a napkin, I wiped off his face. Ty craved motherly attention and let me always dote over him.

  An hour later, we were headed back to the ranch. Dad and Levi left to go on an afternoon fishing trip. Pam and Millie left to run a few errands, which left Jaxson, Ty, and me in the truck.

  There was nothing new to report from Millie’s investigations, which I was glad. By all means, I wanted the person behind this caught, but I wanted a drama-free wedding also. Millie’s mom received good news. The cancer was gone and now she’d be having a double mastectomy.

  The quiet hum of the radio filled the background while I filled Jaxson in about Dad’s invite. “Two weeks after the wedding, Dad has an awards dinner he’s presenting at. He asked if we’d be available to go, but understood if not. I think he wants to show off his new son-in-law.”

  Typically, kids weren’t able to attend events like this.

  Jaxson gave me a brilliant smile. “We’ll make it. I’ll take any opportunity to show off my wife. There was pride in his voice. “I’ll talk to Mom or Sydney to see if they can watch Ty.”

  The event was in Mobile, Alabama. After all the shame I brought on my family, or that I thought I had brought on my family, this was going to feel good to have something to be proud of to show everyone. “I’ll tell him. Our first event as husband and wife.”

  “We’ll have the McCole Classic a few weeks after that.” Over the past month, I’d been helping Pam prepare for it but there was a lot to do between caterers, cleanup crews, security, and more.

  I sighed contentedly. “I can’t wait.”

  The vehicle fell back into a comfortable silence.

  “So, Mom. Can we bake cookies this afternoon?”

  Mom, he called me Mom. A lump formed in my throat. Don’t overreact, London. Be natural. I wondered why out of all the times, Ty now decided to start using that name. The words came out filled with emotion. “I would love to.”

  As if reading my mind, Ty continued. “Since I know you’re not leaving us, I can call you mom now.”

  I glanced over to Jaxson who looked straight ahead. He took a deep breath. Needing the contact, I reached for his hands, which he gladly took. “I love that, Ty. Thank you.”

  “I like it too. I finally have a mom like the rest of my friends. They’re going to like you. Dad, can I tell them all?”

  “Yes, buddy. You can.”

  Jaxson squeezed my hand. This was one of the most cherished gifts a child could bestow upon me . . . their unconditional love, trust, and belief. The drive home was filled with emotion and elation combining into one. We were a family. A true family. Ty accepted me as his mother.

  As the truck parked in front of the barn, Jaxson looked over at me. “I need to check on a few things. Are you okay?”

  “More than okay. Check on Sparkles for me. I haven’t gotten by there yet today. We’ll get some lemonade from your mom’s and sit on the front porch.”

  Jaxson kissed me. “I will. I love you.”

  “Love you more.”

  “Not possible.”

  Ty and I left the vehicle and headed to the porch. After fixing our glasses we went to the swing. The lemonade was cool and refreshing as we swung, letting the birds chirping fill the silence until I spoke. “I used to sit on my porch at home with my mom and sip lemonade when it was warm. Hot chocolate when it was cold.”

  “Really?”

  I nodded. “Yep. Every day after school we would talk about what happened. Mom said it was our time to talk about whatever I wanted.”

  “When I start school, can I do that with you?”

  “Of course. We can start now.”

  Ty leaned his head against me as the creak from the swing echoed through the air. “I love you, Mom. Thanks for being my mommy.”

  From the hillside the sun reflected on something moving toward us. A car? It was fast. Too fast. Going through the pasture. There was something wrong as my instincts told me to get out of the situation.

  I pulled out my cell phone to speed dial Jaxson. Something was off. “Ty get in the house.”

  “Mom . . .”

  “Ty, please listen to me.”

  By the tone of my voice, Ty scurried through the front door and I followed. Jaxson picked up. “Hey, sweetheart. I’ll be just a few.”

  “There’s a car speeding toward the house through the field. Are you expecting someone?” I clicked the deadbolts into place.

  “You and Ty get in the house. I’m on my way.”

  The urgency wasn’t missed as I moved us to the couch.

  “We’re already in here and I’ve locked the door. Be careful, Jaxson.”

  I could hear him running. “I will. Stay on the phone with me until I get there. I need to make sure you guys are okay.”

  “Mommy, what’s going on?” Ty clutched my hand, worry evident in his tone.

  I kept an outer calm. “I’m not sure, buddy. Your dad is checking it out. Let’s wait in here together.”

  My
number one priority was to make sure Ty was okay. I contemplated going upstairs, but that left us trapped if we needed to leave out the back. A tightness seized my chest, but I forced myself to remain rational.

  Jaxson broke through my thoughts. “I’m out on the front porch. Stay on the couch. The car is almost here.”

  “Please be careful.”

  Tires screeched to a halt on the concrete section of the drive. Ty climbed on my lap. Muffled voices, one was Jaxson and one I wasn’t able to make out. “It’s okay, Ty. Your dad is fine.”

  A door slammed and then a woman screamed. “Tyler! Tyler! It’s your mommy! Come see me!”

  My defenses instantly kicked in. I was Ty’s mother. Was Crystal out there? No. No. No.

  “Get in your car, Crystal! There’s a restraining order!” The hatred in Jaxson’s voice was unlike anything I’d ever heard from him.

  Crystal, Ty’s biological mother, was here. She hadn’t seen him since the night she dropped him off. I remembered the stories from Jaxson of how Ty was left on the front porch. I’d seen the pictures one night as Jaxson showed me the restraining order in case I needed to know. She’d been gone for a long time, but Jaxson was cautious.

  Ty broke free and ran to the window.

  “Ty!” I ran after him as he pulled back the curtain. A bone-thin woman with dirty-blonde hair waved her arms frantically at Jaxson while she spoke. I was unable to make out what she was saying as her words were rushed. Jaxson corralled her back to the driver’s side. My heart thudded in my chest as I saw the out of control female struggling against Jaxson.

  She looked dangerous.

  The movement caught her attention before I could remove Ty from her view. “Tyler! Tyler! Come with me! It’s your mommy!”

  Jaxson looked back our way, worry and anger etched on his face as he talked on the phone and restrained Crystal with one arm against the car. She thrashed against him.

  Gasping, Ty sunk to the floor. Crystal’s eyes caught mine. “Jaxson who is she? Who is that bitch? She can’t have my baby! They said she was taking my baby.”

  I picked up Ty. “Let’s go upstairs, okay?”

  He didn’t answer. We needed away from all the screaming. From Crystal.

  Sniffles came from him as I carried him, and my heart broke. At the second floor, I went to his room. He clung to me with a death grip. More sniffles. “Was that my mom?”

  “I don’t know. Let’s see what your dad says. You’re safe. I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Jaxson had sole custody. From the looks of Crystal, she wasn’t clean and sober. Ty only clutched me tighter as we waited for Jaxson. I picked up a few books and read to him, but he was lost in thought a million miles away.

  I lost track of time until my phone rang. It was Jaxson.

  “Jaxson?”

  “I’m coming inside and didn’t want to scare you guys. Where are you?”

  The door opened as the alarm chimed. “Upstairs. Ty’s room.”

  “How is he?

  “Upset.”

  Jaxson took an audible deep breath. “Okay. I’m on my way.”

  I kissed Ty on the head. “Your dad is on his way up.” No response.

  Footsteps came up the stairs. Jaxson had a weary look on his face. “Ty, everything is okay. I promise.”

  He clutched me tighter. “I don’t want to give London up. She’s my mommy. I don’t want that mean woman as my mom. I want London. Don’t make me give her up because that mean lady wants me now.”

  My eyes grew wide as Jaxson looked at me. “Buddy, you’re not giving up London. She’s not leaving. London is still your mom.”

  “Then who was that person? She said she was my mom. Dad and moms are supposed to get married. I don’t want you and London not to get married.”

  Jaxson sat next to me after pulling Ty to him. “That woman is sick, Ty. Sometimes . . . moms and dads don’t live together. I’ll never let her hurt you or take you away.”

  Ty raised his tear-streaked face. “I don’t want her to be my mom. I don’t want her to take me.”

  “She won’t. I promise she won’t. Ty, you are safe with London and me.”

  Ty looked at me. “Will you still marry my dad?”

  The quivering lip of Ty had me hugging him in Jaxson’s arms. Crystal would never get her hands on him. Never. “I love you and your dad. I’m not going anywhere. We’re still getting married.”

  Ty then looked at Jaxson. “Are you still going to marry London?”

  “Yes. Nothing is changing. I love London. She loves us.”

  A tired sigh escaped Ty. “Can we go home?”

  “Sure thing, buddy.”

  I CLOSED THE DOOR TO Ty’s bedroom. It had been a long day after Crystal’s visit. Jaxson called the cops and they arrested her.

  Apparently they were the voices in her head that talked to her last night saying I was going to steal her baby. When pressed how she knew about me, Crystal said she saw me in the window. Her ramblings were incoherent. Underneath the broken woman, I was sure at one time was a vibrant one. It saddened me she lost herself along the way. Lost it all. Like I had at one time.

  Rubbing my hand down my face, I let out a breath as I leaned against the wall, processing everything. Jaxson had kissed Ty goodnight, but Ty asked if I could lay in there awhile. Endless questions to ensure I married Jaxson and I would be his mom happened until he closed his eyes. He was concerned something would happen to us like it had with Jaxson and Crystal.

  I wanted to throttle Crystal and shake some sense into her. How could a mother cause a child so much harm?

  Hopefully, his young mind was able to process the difference between being sick versus love. It would take time.

  Voices came from down the hall in the study . . . probably Jaxson with the lawyer. Apparently Crystal drove through the fence in the south pasture and straight up to the house between the security rounds. More security patrols were being added to the expansive property. Levi and Pam were out checking the patch on the wooden fence the stable workers made.

  I heard Jaxson’s voice rise for a second, so I pushed off the wall. The last thing we needed was Ty waking up again. He needed the rest. In the dim lit study, Jaxson scrubbed a hand down his face. “Larry, I understand.” I held a finger to my lips when Jaxson saw me. He nodded and continued in a lower voice. “But, I need to make sure there’s no fucking way Crystal will get any type of visitation with Ty. She was still strung out on something today. She threatened coming after him.”

  Motioning for me to come closer, I walked up and sat on the desk. Jaxson nestled himself between my legs as he cracked his neck. “I’m not sure except what she mentioned about the money. Okay. We’ll touch base tomorrow.”

  Crystal also said she would take ten-thousand dollars and leave. Of course, if Jaxson went down that avenue she would always be coming around when the money ran out.

  Tossing the phone on the desk, it clattered. “Jaxson, we’ll get through this.”

  Face stricken, he stared at me. “There is no way in hell I will ever let that woman near my son. No way.”

  “She won’t. It’s obvious she’s barely coherent.” I paused. “Do we need to move back the wedding? I don’t want to cause you extra stress.”

  “London, no fucking way. That bitch is not getting in the way of my future.” His hand crept along my thigh, eliciting the electrical charge within me. “We’ll talk to the lawyer tomorrow. Right now I want to get lost in you.”

  My hands went down to Jaxson’s pants and I released the button. “I want you too.”

  He tore the panties from me and I moaned at the sound of fabric tearing. There was no foreplay. Jaxson needed a release. Now. His erection sprung free and pressed the tip to my core. Nibbling my ear, he said, “We need a condom.”

  “No, we don’t. You know I’m on the pill. We’re getting married in less than two days.”

  Pushing in slightly, our gazes locked. “Fuck, you feel good.”

>   “Please.”

  He thrust in and picked me up. “I’m taking you to bed.” I ground down on him, needing the friction. “SIow down, sweetheart. I’m going to enjoy you bare.”

  “Yes.”

  Nothing felt better than when Jaxson was inside me.

  Lying in bed, legs entwined, Jaxson trailed his finger along my hip. He’d woke me up as dawn approached to make love to me. We’d stayed up relishing the touch of each other. “I’ll never tire of having you.”

  “I’m glad, since you’re about to have me for the rest of our lives tomorrow. I’ll be Mrs. Jaxson McCole.” I giggled.

  He kissed me hard and whispered against my lips. “Music to my ears.”

  The stress in Jaxson’s voice was still apparent. I touched his taut stomach. “We’ll get through this. She won’t get Ty.”

  “I know. I never wanted him to be affected by my poor decisions. Now he’s afraid of losing you.” He sighed. “I want him to feel safe and secure.”

  Lips teased my nipple followed by his breath blowing as he moved between my legs. “Jaxson . . .”

  The doorknob turned and I froze, Jaxson’s tip touching my clit. “Dad? Mom?”

  I became stiff, but Jaxson didn’t move.

  “Coming, buddy. Give me just a second.” Jaxson gave me a devilish grin showcasing his dimples while he nipped my ear and pushed in farther. “We’ll have to pick this up later.” Pulling out, I felt the loss. I was worked up, beyond worked up. Quickly, Jaxson put on lounge pants and a T-shirt. He tossed me my pajamas. I needed a release.

  After I was dressed, Ty opened the door and came running in as he threw his arms around my neck. “You stayed. You didn’t leave.”

  I stroked his back as Jaxson’s face contorted in pain. “I’m not leaving. I promise, Ty. I don’t break my promises.”

  His body relaxed. Jaxson sat beside us. “Ty, I’m sorry about what happened yesterday.”

  Ty went to Jaxson. “You promise I don’t have to ever go with that lady?”

  “I promise.” The words were a solemn vow spoken from Jaxson’s lips.

  The brows on his forehead scrunched for a minute. Then relaxed. “Okay. Can I have some breakfast before Grama comes and picks me up?” The conversation was a large swing, but children were resilient. I knew we weren’t through all the insecurities, but the worst of the storm seemed to be behind us.