All For An Angel (8 page)

“
She refuses to call me
Daddy.”

“
I don’t know what to say to that. She
hardly knows you. Give her time.”

“
Oh, she knows me. She hates me. I
can’t get her to do anything for me. And Lord knows, I don’t know
how to be a father.”

A tear fell down her cheek. She wanted Angel
to have a father. Knew she needed one. Maybe Lou would finally step
up and take on his responsibility.

“
I had a nanny lined up.”

Or, maybe not. She had to stop hoping there
was a heart buried in there somewhere.

“
But she quit after two days of Angel
screaming.”

Tears fell freely thinking about how
terrified Angel must have been. “You’ll get the hang of it. She
lives with you now and needs you to take care of her.” She sobbed
the words through her tears.

“
Christ, Amy.” He wiped her eyes with
a tenderness she’d never seen in him before. “I won’t get the hang
of it. I can’t be a father to her. I have too many issues to deal
with right now.”

“
You’re not going to dump her on nanny
after nanny, are you? Lou, please.” She grabbed him by the arms.
“Don’t do this to your flesh and blood.”

“
Shh.” He tipped her chin. “I’m not
going to do that.”

“
Then what are you going to do?” She
held her breath and waited.

“
She’s not my daughter. She never has
been. Oh, I donated the sperm, but nothing else.”

“
Don’t talk like that. A girl needs
her father. Who’s going to teach her to dance, scare the boys away
or walk her down the aisle? All little girls need to feel like
they’re Daddy’s little girl.”

“
Amy.” He chuckled.

What was so funny? She didn’t find anything
funny at all.

“
Don’t you see? She has all of those
things already.”

“
Lou, you’re not making sense. I can’t
be those things to her.”

“
No. But Gabe can. Gabe
is.”

“
What are you saying?” Had she heard
him right? Was he giving Angel to her and…Gabe?

He took a deep breath. “I’m saying that Gabe
loves Angel and she loves him. Who do you think calmed her
down?”

“
Gabe was here?” Her heart leapt. She
wanted to see him, hold him and apologize for pushing him away over
the last week.

“
Yeah. Who do you think broke my
nose?” He pointed to his face and grimaced. “Amy, I’m sorry. I’m
sorry for everything. For tricking you, blaming Gabe, keeping the
two of you apart. I’m sorry I’ve deprived Angel of a safe place to
live and a warm bed to sleep in.” He cupped her face with one hand.
“But mostly, I’m sorry for being crude and violating you. I never
should have forced you to…God, I don’t even want to say what I
did…I raped you.”

There was no mistaking the tears glistening
on his cheeks. “Lou—”

“
Hit me, slap me, or yell at me.
Something. Anything. I deserve it.”

Stunned, she couldn’t believe her ears.
She’d waited five years to hear him say these things. Here it was,
happening and she didn’t know what to say. What to do. Or even how
she felt. Numb. Numb was a good word. Disbelieving was another.

“
I don’t expect you to forgive me.
But, I’m signing my rights to Angel away. If you want Gabe—and I
know you do—then I won’t stand in your way. You and Angel were
always his anyway.” He sighed. “Even though you won’t believe me, I
like you, Amy. Gabe couldn’t have found a better woman. I don’t
know why I held on to you so tight, but I know Jenna would hate me
for what I’ve done to her best friend.”

“
What will you do now?”

“
I think I’m going to talk to someone.
I need to find peace with myself.”

“
I think that’s a good plan.” She
placed her hand on his knee. “Thank you, Lou.” It didn’t excuse
what he’d done, but he was in pain. She didn’t have a lot in this
world, but she could show him some compassion. Bending over, she
kissed his cheek.

Just then, Dan and Gabe walked in.

Gabe stared at the two of them. She jumped
back, but he turned and bolted out the door.

Shit!

She rushed out after him. Finally, Lou was
stepping back and she’d hurt Gabe again with a simple act of
compassion. But Gabe wouldn’t have seen it that way. He’d never
believe that she didn’t want Lou. Her heart raced as her dreams
rushed away from her. She had to stop him, make him see she wanted
him. “Wait!”

He stopped; his back still to her.

“
Gabe.” She ran in front of him and
stopped, trying to catch her breath. “That wasn’t what you thought
it was. I swear to you.”

Anger flared in his eyes and nostrils, yet
he didn’t move. Nor did he say anything.

“
Please believe me.”

“
Tell me what it was. I’ll believe
anything you say. Even if you tell me your lips were not on his
cheek, I’ll believe it.”

“
Oh.” She let out a breath she didn’t
know she’d been holding. “It was a simple thank you for him giving
me Angel back.”

“
So he really is letting you have
her?” He ran his hand down her arm, but pulled away.

She wanted him to hold her, but she feared
she’d angered him over the last week by avoiding him. “Yes.”

“
I’m happy for you both.” He retrieved
his keys from his pocket and continued toward his car.

“
Gabe!”

In a split second he was back at her side.
“Yeah?”

“
Thank you.”

“
For what?” Pain had replaced the
anger in his eyes.

“
For calming Angel down.”

“
Oh… it was nothing. I couldn’t watch
her cry anymore.” He shifted his feet, but before he turned she
grabbed his arm.

“
But it was something. It was a little
girl being soothed by her daddy.”

“
What?” Confusion washed over his
face.

“
Lou’s giving up his rights to her and
he won’t stand in our way.” She bit her lip and gathered her
strength then continued. “That is…I mean…if you want
us.”

“
If? Oh, God, Amy!” He wrapped his
arms around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. “Of course I
want you. You and Angel. How could I not? I love you.”

Swinging her round, he held her so close she
became lightheaded. She grew dizzy and laughed with glee until he
sat her feet on the ground and thoroughly kissed her lips.

Chapter 15

Fluffing the heart shaped pillow for the
fourth time, Gabe stiffened when the doorbell rang. They’re here!
Taking one last look around the pink room, he took a deep breath
and rushed to the door.

His two beautiful girls stood on the
doorstep. They’d never looked prettier than they did standing there
with the midmorning sun glistening off their hair. He sighed in
relief. This would be the last time either one of them rang the
bell. They were home.

He picked up Angel, kissed her pudgy cheek
and tickled her tummy. She giggled and squirmed. “Come in, come
in.” Excitement raced through his veins.

“
I got some papers in the mail I need
to talk to you about.”

Shit! Not now. He’d been waiting since
before dawn for them to arrive so he could show them their
surprise. Sighing, he figured it could wait for a few moments, but
not long else he’d explode from the anticipation. “What is it?”

“
We got the DNA tests back.” Amy held
her face emotionless.

His muscles twitched, wondering if it had
been bad news. “And?”

“
And they can’t confirm which one of
you is the father.” She smiled and her radiance lit up the
room.

“
So even if Lou changes his mind, he
has no claim on her anyway. Oh, Amy, that’s perfect news.” He gave
her a quick peck on the lips, his heart soaring but itching to get
to his news. Grabbing her hand he led her down the
hallway.

“
Stop, there’s more.” She tugged on
his hand.

“
It can wait. I’m dying to show you
two something.” He stopped in front of the second bedroom and let
out a long breath. “Okay, here it is.”

Pushing the door open, Angel let out a
squeal and bucked to get down. He placed her on the floor and she
dashed inside. “Look Mommy!”

“
Oh, Gabe!” Amy grabbed his arm. “It’s
so beautiful, but it’s too much.”

“
Absolutely not. All little girls need
to feel like a princess in their bedroom.”

Amy stepped inside the small frilly space.
“How did you do all of this?”

“
I confess, after I found the perfect
canopy bed, Mom picked out the bedding, curtains and paint color.
Dad helped me paint the room while Mom worked her magic on
decorating. I didn’t have much time to pull it all together myself.
I hope that doesn’t lessen the effect.” He bit his lip and waited.
He wanted to please her so much, make all her dreams come
true.

“
No, it doesn’t. It came from your
heart, and the rocking horse is gorgeous. Everything’s wonderful.
I’m so glad your parents are okay with me living here.”

“
Of course they are. You’ve done
nothing wrong and they’re thrilled they’ll get to see Angel a lot
more.”

“
Mommy, look a tea set. And it’s ready
for a party.”

“
What?” Amy looked a bit
confused.

He tried to contain his grin as he rushed to
Angel and pulled her tiny seat out at the small wrought iron table.
“For you, m’lady.” She giggled as she sat down and reached for a
small covered dish. “Not yet.” He stopped her hand then ushered Amy
to a small bench on the other side.

“
Gabe, what are you doing?”

He winked at Angel. “I’m giving my girls a
tea party in their new home.” Taking the top covers off the small
dishes placed in front of them, sweat ran down his back.

“
A pink cupcake, Mommy.”

Amy gasped as he took the diamond ring off
the top and washed and dried it. He knelt on one knee. “Amy.” He
took her shaking left hand as his chest tightened, making it hard
for him to breathe. “You’re the light of my world. The very air I
breathe. Without you, I’m an empty shell of a man. I love you more
with each day. I promise to cherish, protect and honor you. Will
you marry me?”

As if she couldn’t talk, she nodded her head
while he slipped the golden two carat diamond ring on her delicate
finger. She hugged his neck and Angel clapped her hands. After a
heated kiss, he turned to Angel; his lips still tingling. He took
the small pink heart shaped silver ring and washed and dried it.
“Angel, my darling, you’re full of life and you make me smile. I
promise to protect and love you. I promise to do all the things a
daddy is supposed to do. That is if you will let me. Can I be your
daddy?”

“
Yes, you may.” She smiled and held
out her hand just like Amy had done as he slipped the tiny ring on
her right hand. “Can I eat my cupcake now?”

“
Angel,” Amy scolded, but he
laughed.

“
Yes, sweetie, you can have your
cupcake.”

Amy took his hand and stood. He followed her
to the center of the room.

“
That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever
experienced. You’ll be a terrific father.”

Not caring if Angel saw, he pulled her in
his arms and kissed her beautiful lips. The lips of his
bride-to-be. Finally, she’d be living in the home he’d bought and
furnished with her in mind. They’d share a bed, wake up next to
each other, share breakfast and their whole lives. She dug her
hands in the unruly curls he hadn’t had time to get cut off. Their
tongues lightly brushed. Fire stirred deep inside his core, but he
couldn’t strip her down like he wanted, not just yet. They wouldn’t
have the newlywed years to where the house was all theirs and he
knew he’d be fine with that, but it would take a while before his
libido understood.

“
Gabe.”

“
Yeah, baby.” His voice deep and husky
to his ears. He nibbled on her neck.

She pushed against his chest and stared into
his eyes. “I still have something to tell you.”

Taking a few deep breaths, he steadied
himself for whatever she had to say. “What is it?”

“
You did such a wonderful job with
Angel’s room, but…”

“
But what?” Was she not pleased
fifteen minutes ago? Women could be so fickle.

“
But…I’m not sure you’re done
redecorating.”

He let out a breath and chuckled. “Is that
all? Baby, you can redecorate any room you want. This is our house
now.”

“
Good, because I want to fix up the
third bedroom.”

“
Sure, but can I ask what you want to
do with it?” If he didn’t watch it, the whole house might be pink
and fluffy. He grimaced at the thought and then pushed it out of
his mind. As long as Amy was his, he didn’t care what she
changed.

“
I want to make it a
nursery.”

“
Why do you want to…?” Nursery! The
realization that she didn’t want to fill the room with plants hit
him square in the gut. “Are you…?”

She grinned and bit her bottom lip. “Uh,
huh. I’m pregnant, and I’m sure it’s yours.”

“
Yes! Oh, God, yes!” His heart swelled
with pride as he picked her up and swung her around. He placed her
feet on the floor and kissed her. Love radiated off the both of
them so that the room grew stifling hot. Gasping for breath, he
murmured, “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”