From Roses To Thorns - Sequel To "From Nanny To Wife" (13 page)

"I love you," Zoe muttered.

"How much longer are you going to be?" Hope asked Ryan.

"I'm almost done," he said, releasing Zoe. "Give me fifteen minutes."

Hope tapped her watch with a fingertip. "I'm going to be keeping track of time. If you're not done when the fifteen minutes are up, I'm coming back."

Ryan grinned. "Yes, ma'am."

"Let's leave Daddy to his work," Hope said to Zoe.

"Okay."

Hope led the way to the bedroom where she pulled back the covers on the bed. "In you go."

"I didn't say goodnight to Sammy," Zoe said, lying down.

"He won't mind if you miss one night. I'll give him a kiss for you." Hope tucked the little girl in and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you," Zoe repeated.

"I'll see you in the morning." Hope switched on the night light and then headed for the door. "Good night."

"Good night," Zoe mumbled.

Hope left the room, leaving the door open slightly, and moved on down the hallway. She stepped into the nursery and crossed the room to the crib in the corner. Leaning over the railing, she gazed down at the baby. Her heart melted at the sight of him. Samuel Robert was his name. Hope named him after her father. As long as she lived, she would never forget the phone call from the agency, telling her that they had a one-month-old baby boy for her and Ryan to adopt. That had been over a year ago.

"You're Mommy's little angel," she whispered, caressing his head. "I love you, so much. Daddy loves you and so does Zoe. You're going to grow up surrounded by people who love you. I promise you." She bent down and brushed her lips against his forehead.

Hope slipped quietly from the nursery and went next door to the bedroom. There she grabbed her nightclothes and walked into the adjoining bathroom. She turned on the shower and removed her clothes. Standing in front of the mirror, putting her hair up so it wouldn't get wet, her eyes strayed to the "R" shaped scar on her belly. There was a time when the sight of that scar would have made her cringe, but not anymore. She had considered having it removed and quickly gave up on the idea once the doctor told her it would take multiple surgeries and there was a chance it might never completely disappear.

Ryan told her it didn't matter that she had the scar; she would always be beautiful to him, so she kept it. It was a reminder of how courageous and strong she was. From time to time, she would look at it and remember Seth and what happened. He was in prison serving a forty-year sentence for the crimes he committed. Hope would never forget what he did, but she forgave him, something Ryan swore he would never do.

Hope emerged from the bathroom, ten minutes later, to find Ryan sitting on the side of the bed, taking off his shoes. "Hello, love."

"Sweetheart," Ryan said. "Who's driving Zoe to school in the morning?"

Hope smiled. "It's your turn. I did it this morning."

Ryan sighed heavily. "She's growing up too damn fast, Hope. It seems like only yesterday she was in diapers and crawling. Now she's six and going to school. Next thing you know she's going to want to start dating."

Her eyes twinkling Hope placed her hands on Ryan's shoulders. "When that day comes we'll deal with it together, but it won't come anytime soon. Right now all boys have cooties."

"If I have any say in the matter boys will always have cooties," Ryan said.

Hope laughed softly. "You're going to be a handful."

Ryan snatched Hope around the waist, tossed her on the bed, and covered her with his body. "You're a tough cookie, Hope Kendall. You can handle me."

"I'm going to enjoy every minute of it." Hope pulled his head down and captured his mouth.

At that moment, Sammy's cries came through the baby monitor.

Ryan lifted his head. "I swear that little stinker has the worst timing."

"I'll go," Hope said.

"No, it's my turn." Ryan gave her a quick kiss and got up from the bed. "You stay. I won't be long."

Hope slid off the bed and turned back the covers. She thought about calling to check on Pam, while she waited for Ryan to return, and changed her mind after glancing at the clock radio. It was growing late and she knew Pam, at eight months pregnant, was all ready in bed. An image of her very pregnant friend filled Hope's head and she smiled.

"He was wet," Ryan said, coming back several minutes later.

"Damn," Hope murmured. "It seems like I'm the one who always gets the stinky diapers."

"What can I say?" Ryan smirked. "Sorry."

"No, you're not." Hope threw a pillow at him. "Go take a shower."

"I will." Ryan looked into her eyes as he reached for her and brought her close. "Eventually."

Hope's breath caught in her throat. She wrapped an arm around Ryan and brought a hand up to touch his cheek. "Thank you."

"For what?" Ryan asked huskily, nuzzling her ear.

Her ear sensitive Hope shivered. "For making my dreams comes true."

"Hope," Ryan breathed. He pressed his forehead to hers. "It was you who made my dreams come true."

Hope didn't argue with Ryan, nor did she suggest they agree to disagree. Instead, she lost herself in his embrace and found paradise.

The End

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