Two Hearts And A Baby

CHAPTER TEN

Kincade was sleeping soundly it had taken him at least an hour to put the food away and make sure nothing that could spoil was left out.  It took him another hour to fall asleep, as he was plagued with thoughts of Faith plus Christina.  Faith was tossing in her room the dream had its grip on her, she couldn’t shake it. 

“Julie,” she screamed and shot straight up in bed.

Gabe let out a wail and continued to cry while Faith tried to gain her breath.  Down the hall, Kincade heard Faith scream then the wail of his son.  Jumping out of bed he almost fell on his face but managed to stay on his feet.  Swinging the door wide he ran down the hall flinging the door open to Faith’s room.  She sat on the bed crying and bouncing Gabe up and down trying to get him to quiet.

“He knows I’m upset so he won’t quiet down I’m sorry,” she continued to cry.

“Here let me take him,” Kincade reached for him, and he started to quiet down.

“I’m sorry I had a nightmare and when I screamed it startled him,” she was trying to stop crying.

Gabe was now quiet and falling asleep in his arms, “Faith, look at me.”

 Faith turned and stared at his concerned violet eyes, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right Faith,” he went over to the bassinet.

Laying Gabe back down making sure he was sleeping then went straight over to the bed where he sat down next to Faith.  Pulling her into his arms, he held her to his naked chest.

Rubbing her back, he let her cry, “It was a bad nightmare, but it’ll be alright I’m here.”

“Just hold me please,” she held tightly to him.

“Of course,” he gently lay them down on the bed and held her to his body.

Her crying finally subsided, and she just lay against him soaking in his warmth, “It seemed so real, she was standing before me saying I love you.  Then she began to fade I tried to grab her to stop her from leaving but grabbed only air and she was gone.”

“That’s why you cried out her name,” he was still rubbing her back.

“Yes,” she pressed her face into the side of his neck, “I wish she was still here.”

“I know you do and I’m sorry she’s gone,” he just held her.

She hadn’t realized he was in just his boxer shorts, and she was wearing her silk nightgown because she needed comfort.  Nothing else matter right now except the compassion he was offering.

“Will you hold me for the rest of the night.  I don’t want to be alone right now,” her voice was so soft afraid he would say no.

“I’ll stay here all night you’re not alone,” he whispered against her hair.

Soon the couple fell asleep along with Gabe who’d fallen back to sleep after being startled awake.  The rest of the night was uneventful as everyone slept peacefully together in Faith’s room.

Kincade woke disoriented because he wasn’t in his own room that’s when he felt the warm body against him.  Slowly taking his hand down a soft cheek making her sigh sleepily.  He gently placed his lips to hers coaxing them into a sweet kiss as his hand slowly made its way down to her shoulder.  Faith was slowly coming awake being kissed ever so sweetly feeling his warm hand on her shoulder then his fingers pulled the thin strap of her nightgown down.  He moved it down her shoulder trying to release the breast he craved to look at.  Finally, the silk material covering her right breast was off exposing it to his hot gaze.  God, it was a handful size with a soft pink areola and a perfect little pink n****e stood erect for him.  His lips became more urgent on her putting pressure on them she began to participate.  Her lips began to move of their own accord making him grown deep in his throat.  As he pressed his tongue to her lips, she opened for him, he slipped between them to taste her sweetness while his hand took her full breast.

Faith felt the heaviness settle between her legs where she wished he would be to ease the ache.  He took the hard n****e between his fingers pulled then pinched making her moan then arch up into him.  Wanting to feel more of her hot skin he began to pull the other side of her nightgown down when Gabe began to cry breaking the spell Faith was under.  Kincade groaned into her mouth but sat up reaching over he picked up his son then stood heading for the door.  He figured he’d give Faith some time to fully wake up then come downstairs. 

“You little rascal couldn’t you see I was in the middle of something,” he chuckled when Gabe cooed as if he understood.

Faith lay there on the bed with her one breast exposed wishing the sweetness hadn’t stopped but grateful it had.  She couldn’t keep letting herself get more sexually involved with him.  It was hard enough with her own jumbled emotions but with him showing her more of his sweet torture, she wouldn’t be able to stop the next time.  Finally deciding to get out of bed, she fixed her nightgown then went into the bathroom.  Staring at herself in the mirror, she saw the shadows under her eyes from the rough night, but she still felt the tenderness he’d given.  Getting into the shower Faith let the hot water sooth out the nightmare but still felt his touch on her.  God why couldn’t she get control over herself but damn she really wanted to forget everything and jump into his bed.  Forget he’d one time belonged to Julie and forget he was currently involved with another woman.  Why couldn’t she just have this one thing to outweigh all the terrible things which recently happened.  Gabe was a blessing in the darkness but God she wanted so much more.  She could picture herself with Kincade and Gabe but also pictured herself with more children one’s belonging to him.

Kincade took Gabe downstairs where he changed him them feed him once completed, he took him back upstairs to Faith’s room.  She wasn’t there but he could hear the shower going in the bathroom.  Laying Gabe down in his bassinet Kincade left to go to his own room where he showered then began to pack for the trip to his parents.  Faith finished getting herself ready she also packed for the trip to his parent’s house then packed things for Gabe, clothes, bottles, diapers, plus his bouncer.  Thinking she’d better see if he wanted to take Gabe’s bassinet just in case.  They meet downstairs with her carrying Gabe and him carrying his bags.

“I’ll go upstairs and get your and Gabe’s things,” he smiled at her.

“Should we take his bassinet,” she asked, as he started back upstairs.

“Yes, I’m sure they won’t have anything for him to use there,” she watched him bound up the stairs and turn toward her room.

She looked down at Gabe and he was staring at her with eyes that were going to look just like Kincade’s, “What am I going to do,” she asked him not really expecting an answer.

Gabe just cooed at her, but it made her smile then Kincade came back downstairs with some of their things.  It took a couple of trips for him before he got everything from upstairs then begin to place it in the car.  Once all the stuff was in the car together, they cleaned up from last night after that he secured Gabe into his seat, they both got into the car.  It would only take them an hour and a half to get to his parent’s house and the weather was a warm spring day but was hinting at the sweltering summer coming.

Christina entered her office the same time she did every day and saw Kincade hadn’t yet arrived.  It was starting to become a habit for him one she was not liking at all especially with this new woman around.  More time went by in the morning and still Kincade wasn’t there so finally she went to ask Megan.  Knocking on the boss’s door, she waited for Megan to grant her access.

Megan heard the knock and knew who it was even before she stepped into the office, “Enter.”

Christina came into the office and looked at Megan who was an attractive woman and smart.  If she’d known one day, Megan would end up being her boss she wouldn’t have done what she did to her.

“Christina what can I do for you,” Megan smiled but the smile wasn’t welcoming.

“I was wondering if you knew where Kincade was this morning,” she smiled also but it never reached her eyes.

Megan’s smile broadened as she was going to enjoy telling Christina where Cade was, “He took several days off to spend at his parent’s house.”

Christina was shocked but recovered quickly to hide it, “I saw him last night he didn’t say anything to me about this.”

Megan was even more delighted to tell her more, “You know of the Charity Ball right.”

“Yes, on Sunday,” Christina replied.

            “Well, Kincade decided to take the extra time before Sunday so he could take his son to meet his parents,” Megan wanted to laugh at the look on her face it was priceless.

            Christina couldn’t believe he hadn’t said anything to her about this and the look of dismay and shock showed clearly on her face.  At least one thing she was grateful for was he’d be several days without Faith.

“I see,” she replied.

“Yes, he came in yesterday and asked me if he could have a few more days off.  Apparently, he wanted to have some time to get more acquainted with his son,” and probably with the nanny, but she didn’t say that.

Christina was all right with this because the woman Faith wasn’t around, “That makes sense I guess I’ll see him Saturday.”

“Why,” Megan asked.

It was Christina’s turn to drop a bomb, “I’m going with him to the Charity Ball.”

Megan should have guessed because why shouldn’t the one night of fun be ruined by this woman just like everything else, “Aww, right well I guess you should get back to work,” and just like that Christina was dismissed without a second glance.

“Right,” she left the room.

Megan just shook her head as the woman left her office then went right back to work, but thoughts invaded her mind.  She couldn’t believe she ended up having to work with the very woman who destroyed her entire world.  If it weren’t for her, she would be happily married and have her baby but guess things happen for a reason.

The hour and a half went by fast and before too long they were pulling into his parent’s driveway.  She was in awe of the house as they drove the winding driveway their lawns perfectly manicured while the gardens with all kinds of colorful flowers were immaculate.  Seeing purple, pink, blue, and even white flowers along with several trees that speckled the lawns, but the house was what caught her eye.  A large Victorian style whitewashed mansion was all Faith could conjure up about the house.  She saw four white pillars which held up a huge balcony on the second floor while dark green shutters framed the windows.  Clinging ivy climbed around some of the ironwork and on other pillars which held up an overhang on the balcony upstairs.  Kincade finally looked over at her as he parked the car in front of the house and saw panic on her face.

“Hey, it’s all right, my sister will be here she’s very down to earth.  You’ll be fine I promise besides remember your family now,” he rubbed his knuckles down her soft cheek.

Faith felt the immediate warmth of his touch causing her body to heat up, but she smiled shyly.  Turning her face away from his warm touch she said, “I hope you’re right.’

He wanted to go back to touching her but knew he couldn’t instead he got out of the car into the cool air.  Just then, the door opened to the house and a young woman with auburn hair came out carrying a little girl with almost the same color hair.

“Cade you’re finally here.  Everyone is waiting to find out what is going on with you and you know how curiosity makes Mother prickly.”

Kincade snickered, “You would think Father was still in politics the way she still worries over scandals.”

Susan laughed, “She’ll always worry about scandals when it comes to the family.  Well, come in everyone is assembled in the study waiting.”

Kincade opened the door and helped Faith out before handing her the cane.  Next, he opened the back door to pull out Gabe then turned toward the two women, “Shall we,” he said.

While carrying Gabe’s car seat he put his hand on the small of Faith’s back to keep pace with her slower movements.  Susan walked ahead of them but kept taking glances back to catch a look at the woman with her brother.  The aunt of her brother’s baby, she was an attractive woman taller than Susan by about two inches and four inches shorter than her brother.  Slim girl with great curves but had a distinguished limp, which she accommodated with the help of a cane.

It took her a few minutes to climb the steps up to the door but once inside the entryway amazed Faith.  Cold white marble lay under her feet and a long winding staircase ascended to the second floor.  It was carpeted in an ivory color the railing was maple wood while a huge glass chandelier hung above her head.  On the left wall was a large mirror, which showed complete shock on her face.  To her right were doors that opened to a huge sitting room down the hall toward the back were three more closed doors each on the left side.  Faith heard a little girl giggle from the last door she assumed it had to be the study Susan mentioned.

Faith paused, “What about the luggage.”

Kincade smiled, “Miles will get it don’t be afraid I’ll be right here with you.”

She only nodded then followed them down the corridor to the last door where she could hear voices.  By the time, they reached the door Faith was physically trembling and Kincade could see her shaking.

“Susan, could you take Gabe in to meet everyone I need a few minutes alone with Faith,” he smiled at his sister.

Susan smiled back, “Sure Cade, come along Gabe you have a whole room waiting to see you.”

She put the little girl down taking the car seat from him then looked inside, “Oh Cade he’s such a doll,” she disappeared into the noisy room.

Kincade took Faith by the elbow and slowly moved her down the hall through a swinging door into a large kitchen.  She now looked around the kitchen seeing it had two large stoves, two refrigerators, and two islands in the middle of the room.  Faith looked at him with a look of loss with the discovery of yet another fancy room.  Everything here seemed so overwhelming, the cupboards where pure oak while the floor was blue tile, which matched the granite counter tops.

“My Mother holds quite a few dinner parties and social gatherings,” he replied with a large smile.

Faith had an alarmed look on her face, ‘Kincade, I don’t think I can do this.  My family was just average people I don’t think I’ll fit in with sophistication and wealth.”

Kincade didn’t even hesitate to pull her into his embrace allowing the warmth of him to engulf her, “Faith all you have to do is be yourself and everyone can’t help but love you.  Don’t worry the only one in my family who’s difficult is my Mother but she’s like that with everyone.”

She just wanted to burrow into his safe embrace and never come out but knew that was being a coward.  He felt her exhale before speaking, “All right I trust you.”

Kincade quickly kissed her forehead then stepped away taking his warmth with him she wished he’d kissed her but knew it would be a mistake.  Together they moved out of the kitchen back to the door where Susan had taken Gabe.  Taking a deep breath as he pushed open the door they stepped inside.  Four pair of eyes turned toward them as they entered the room the first person to speak was an older man with salt and pepper hair.  His eyes were the same color as Kincade’s, Faith deduced this had to be William Jordan ex-senator and Kincade’s Father.

“Cade, my grandson is wonderful, and he looks like you except for the hair,” William smiled then looked at Faith, “He must get that from you.”

Faith didn’t know why but she just burst into tears and as quickly as possible left the room.  She managed to make it all the way out back not really knowing how then looked up to find herself in a wonderful garden.  The same flowers in the front were also present all over but several lilac bushes were lining a stairway.  Right in front of them was a bench shaded by a huge willow tree Faith limped over to the bench then sat.  She loved the smell of the lilac bushes they filled her senses completely.

Kincade smiled at everyone then turned to follow but Susan stopped him before he could leave, “Cade let me go instead.”

“All right,” he moved back out of the way.

Susan left the room while Howard her husband brought Kincade a scotch then William spoke, “I’m terribly sorry to have upset her Cade.”

Kincade took a swallow of his drink before answering, “It’s all right Dad you didn’t know.”

“Know what my dear,” his Mother asked.

“Faith isn’t Gabe’s Mother she’s his aunt,” he reluctantly replied but deep in his gut, he wished she’d been.

William looked sheepish, “Now I feel bad, but Son why isn’t the Mother here instead.”

Kincade wondered over to the windows where he could see Susan and Faith sitting on the bench underneath the old willow tree, “Gabe’s Mother died in a car accident the same one

Faith was in.  A drunk driver struck them head on, which caused Julie, Gabe’s Mother to go into labor.  They were able to save Gabe but not her.”

“Oh my, this must be hard for her since she survived,” William sighed heavily with the weight of this news.

Kincade further explained, “The worse thing is Julie was the last of her family, Faith has no one except Gabe.”

“She has no parents, grandparents, not even an aunt or uncle,” Howard spoke.

“None, they’re all gone her parents were only children, Gabe is all she has left.  Expect for me of course,” he solemnly whispered.

“My Kincade you’ve gotten yourself in a real predicament this time.  What about Christina hasn’t she expressed her desire not to have children,” his Mother’s disapproval was evident.

Kincade felt his ire pop up, “Yes, but I’ll keep my son, so she’ll just have to accept it or leave.”

Emily was shocked, “But Kincade she is of the right family and would be a perfect addition.”

Kincade was going to get angry when his Father spoke, “What if Christina doesn’t want to be with you because of Gabe.”

Kincade turned to look at him with surprise written all over his face, “I don’t know I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”

His Mother didn’t look pleased because Christina came from an excellent family with a background that would make a perfect match.  Susan had done well with Howard even though he could be slightly unorthodox for her liking.  Emily contributed that to Susan and the girls most of the time she overlooked it because of his family name.

“Well, I hope you don’t mess this all up Kincade,” Emily said in her I’m not pleased voice just before standing, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go tell Maria to start lunch now that you’ve arrived.”

Kincade frowned at his Mother’s back as she left the room before turning back to the window.  He continued to stare at Faith and Susan who seemed in deep conversation.

Faith was so absorbed in her own thoughts she didn’t hear the young woman sit down until she spoke, “Hello I’m Cade’s sister Susan and I know you aren’t Gabe’s mother because Cade told me she’d been killed.”

She studied bright blue eyes that held a world of compassion, “That’s right I’m sorry I didn’t mean to react the way I did it just surprised me.”

“It’s understandable but you’ll probably get that a lot,” Susan smiled sadly at the woman.

“I figured that out while sitting here but it’s just so new after losing the only person I had left in the world.”

Susan grabbed Faith’s hand, “No you have Gabe and Cade plus you can count me as family.”

“That’s what Kincade said, thank you so much for understanding,” Faith wanted to cry again.

She waved her hand in the air making a phish posh noise, “Oh don’t mention it, there is one thing though don’t let my Mother intimidate you.”

Before Faith could ask Susan, what she meant by this a deep voice spoke behind them, “Are you all right Faith.”

Both women turned to look at Kincade, Susan smiled before standing up.  She walked over to him reached up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, “I’ll talk to you later Faith,” she walked back toward the house.

“Thanks Susan,” she hollered.

Kincade moved to sit down Faith felt her body react to his nearness but knew she couldn’t continue to sit next to him.  They kept finding themselves together in intimate situations if it continued to happen nothing would stop them from ending up in bed.  Standing she moved away from him, and he watched her go toward the trunk of the willow tree reaching out she touched the tree’s bark.

“Faith you never answered me,” he didn’t move yet because he was sure, she was thinking about this morning.  If it hadn’t been for Gabe, he was positive, they would’ve finished what started.

“I’m fine really, it just took me by surprise when your Father remarked Gabe looked like me,” she turned and leaned back against the tree trunk.

Finally, he got up moving toward the tree standing in front of her, so she couldn’t get away, “I know but it’s because they didn’t know what happened.”

Faith closed her eyes and breathed deeply hoping to prevent more tears from beginning again, “Oh Kincade it wasn’t that Gabe’s hair is starting to look like mine.  It’s the fact many people are going to make the same assumption.  Right now, it’s just too soon after losing her once some time goes by it won’t be so hurtful.”

Kincade eliminated the space between them and put his hands on the tree trunk right by Faith’s head then leaned his face close to her.  Faith’s eyes popped open to stare into his violet eyes, “Faith there is so much that needs to be sorted out, but I’m just as confused about all of this as you are,” he whispered, and his breath brushed her lips.

Her body began to tremble as his breath fanned across her check and into her ear, “I know I’m just as confused but we have to think about everyone involved.  We can’t go with our carnal needs it’s not fair to Gabe.”

“I don’t think I agree maybe we should think about ourselves for now and forget everyone else.”

Faith whispered faintly before his mouth pressed down on hers, “I don’t know.”

Her lips parted under the sweet pressure of his mouth as he exerted a possessive energy that Faith’s body immediately responded too.  She couldn’t think past the fog developing around her brain and he was feeling his control snapping but then a soft voice spoke.

“Mr. Jordan lunch is ready, and your Mother is looking for you.”

Faith blushed with embarrassment while he groaned, “Tell her we’re on our way Maria.”

“Yes sir,” she softly replied.

“Kincade we can’t keep letting this happen there are too many people to consider.  Let’s go into lunch now,” Faith moved around him with a flutter of skirt.