Thirty
1676 Words
Ambrosia groaned as she got ready for her date with Callum. What she overheard in the auditorium had her wondering if she could continue to keep him at arms length. When they got back to the flat, he had pulled her aside to ask her to go to dinner with him to talk things out. She’d reluctantly agreed after looking at the little boy silently standing with a pleading look on his face.
The longer she watched, the more it seemed that being a father was the most natural thing in the world to him. Especially after he snatched Nix up after his audition to hug and praise the child’s bravery. She noticed the way her baby’s eyes sparkled as he revelled in the fatherly attention he was getting.
Hans was surprisingly pleasant to her despite everything that happened in the last nine years. She hadn't been sure of him at first because of the way he oozed power and strength was slightly more intimidating than she was used to. Now, as she sat at the lacquered vanity Hans purchased for her, trying to focus on her make-up, she thought back to the day they arrived.
A small smile played on her lips when she recalled being outraged when she walked into her room and saw the upscale Cherry bedroom set. She shunned splurging because she believed that material objects were inferior to familial connections, and that money was worth less than the time spent together. Hans, however, flat-out refused to return the things to the store, never backing down even when she was close to tears and on her knees as she begged him not to spoil her. Yet, he only smiled tenderly, pulling her off the floor and into his arms as he told her that this was his thanks for the gift she’d given him. Inquiring about his reasoning, she reluctantly accepted when he said that his grandson was the greatest gift he’d received since his son was born.
Her brother scowled as he walked in and sat on the bed. “You look nice, but that makeup has got to go.”
She huffed, "What’s wrong with my makeup?”
“You're far more beautiful without it, Am,” he said gently. He knew she didn’t normally wear anything except lip gloss, and it bothered him to think that she was also trying to hard.
“If you weren’t my twin, I would assume you’re flirting with me,” Ambrosia said.
He laughed briefly before until he turning serious. “Well, we both know that would be an absolute disaster. He wasn’t lying today.”
She wanted to pretend she didn’t know what he was talking about. Instead, she asked, “How do you know?”
He glared at her, “I know you're hurting, but so is Cal. I get it, Amber. You’re not quite used to being around built-like-brick-shithouse guys toting guns. He’s the man of the hour around here, the Prince of the Veiðimenn. I’ve been around him a lot since we got here, and I can honestly say he’s just like you said – a good man with a good heart.”
“I know that. He’s also a good father to Phoenix. It's just that I’m...” her voice trailed off.
“You’re what, Ambrosia? Say it. I know what it is, but it needs to be voiced and you know it,” Declan’s voice broke through the haze of her thoughts, pushing her for an answer.
She stopped, her train of thought grinding to a sudden halt. Taking a deep breath, she summoned her courage as she said, “I’m scared.”
He watched the tears start to fall, scowling deeply. “You think he isn’t? Callum’s terrified that you’re going to take Nix and leave.”
He wasn't yelling, but she knew he was angry. His voice was controlled, steady, and his body rigid. Crossly, he muttered, “Dig deep, and recognize that your son is also caught in the crossfire.”
What he wasn’t about to tell her was that even Ross was looking for ways to make sure she didn’t run off. Yet, despite it all, only Declan understood something everyone else seemed to overlook: it wasn’t her, but the resurfacing trauma of their original separation and the impact it had on her mentally.
This had to be done, he thought sadly as he hid a pain-filled wince. He hated seeing the way her walls seemed to crumble under the weight of his words.
“He’s trying. I know he’s been pushing a little hard for it, but the man wants to have you in his life, Ambrosia,” his voice was soft as he continued, taking a wipe from the container on the vanity and handing it to her. He watched her rub the make-up off her face.
She looked up at him, “Declan, what can I do? Where do I even begin?”
He barked a laugh, “Just give him a chance. That’s all he wants, Ambrosia. You bit the bullet when we came here, knowing that these people were mobsters. You named your child because of the new beginning he represented in your life, right? So stop being a bona fide b***h about this.”
He watched her blink back more tears. His knew that his sister was fighting with her fear while trying to come to terms with the information he’d just shoved down her throat. He didn't want to hurt her, but she needed to know that he would drop her on her ass if she didn’t snap out of it.
“I’ll do it. I'll give him a chance,” She finally murmured in a voice fraught with emotion.
“It’s about damn time,” Declan replied. “Stop trying so hard to hide behind a lie, sis. That’s not who you are. Look, you loved him enough that you fought against Mom, braved the odds stacked against you, and kept your head held high for eight long, lonely years, sis. Don’t you think you deserve a break? A little slice of happiness after the hell you walked through?”
Ambrosia turned to the mirror to look at her reflection. Every ounce of her make-up attempt was gone, replaced with her natural beauty. It was annoying how easily her brother was able to bring her to her senses. However, she knew that, were their roles reversed, she’d do the same for him.
******
At the main entrance to Everett Towers, Callum was waiting for Ambrosia. He really wanted tonight to work out in more ways than one as he gingerly touched the ring box hidden in his pocket.
His jaw clenched in frustration when he spotted a woman who tried to get with him in the past. Though they met during one of the many Gala events he attended over the years, he’d never given her the time of day. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you, silly,” the woman replied. She reached out to touch him, seemingly ticked off with the lack of attention from him.
Callum's fury bubbled under the surface of his calm exterior. He disliked her fakeness, knowing that, like all the others who had ever come onto him, this shrew was only after his money.
She reached out to touch him, but he backed away. His jaw clenched again, "Destiny, I’m warning you. Stop coming after me. My girlfriend will be here shortly, and this is the only time I’m going to warn you that she can be a very possessive woman."
The elevator dinged, and he turned his now hope-filled eyes to it.
He breathed her name like a prayer Ambrosia stepped out looking like a true Goddess. Casually dressed a dark blue pleated skirt, a shimmering silver blouse with a sweetheart neckline, and, instead of heels, she wore a reasonable pair of low-heeled boots. All-in-all, she was the perfect vision of a living, breathing angel.”
Come on, baby. Just one taste, he thought as he licked his lips hungrily.
The woman beside him looked at the unknown woman with a sneer. “He’s mine. Now scram.”
He watched as a surge of jealousy went through Amber’s narrowed glare. Without warning, Ambrosia gave the other woman a light shove making Destiny stumble back.
“Is he?” Ambrosia asked hotly.
Watching in horrified embarrassment as the auburn-haired woman pulled Callum in for a fiery kiss, Destiny stomped out of the building in tears.
Ambrosia tried to pull away, but Callum's hold was firm. His hand slid into her hair as he pulled her closer, growling with desire. Groaning, he pushed her up against the wall as he savagely kissed her senseless.
Breaking away, he pressed his head to hers. “Sorry, baby, but you are such a turn-on when you’re being possessive.”
Wordlessly, she raised her eyes to meet his. Her heart skipped a beat as she met his eyes. They were the same twin pools of dark chocolate set in an unforgettable caramel face she remembered so well from their teenage years.
“Cal,” she whispered in breathless anticipation. “Our date”
“Right,” he exhaled a laugh, “We should get going.”
“I forgot to check on Nix,” she said as she tried to pull from his grasp to run to the elevator.
Callum laughed as he dragged her back into his arms, “Our son is fine. David was warned not to give him anything sweet, and I told them he is to be in bed for no later than nine. Declan will be there in half an hour to make sure everything goes smoothly for everyone tonight. It’s taken care of, just like I promised.”
Ambrosia let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you.”
“No,” he murmured. “Thank you, Amber. After years without you, I finally feel alive again. My precious angel.”
- Writer
