He's Captured My Soul (Captured Series Book 3) (18 page)

We stand in the middle of the bathroom floor, his arms still holding me and my arms around his neck, just gazing at the other. I pull his head toward me and kiss him. A long slow steady kiss, not rushed, but savoured by us both. I pull back slowly.

“I needed that,” I tell him.

“Me too. I missed you today. I thought about you all day. Then when I got your text, I just wanted to come to the hotel and steal you away.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because, I do know how happy the hotel makes you and I know I can be a selfish ass where you are concerned, but I couldn’t do it. If I’m honest I just wanted you away from the hotel before James got there. I might have been a lot of things the night of Connor’s engagement party, but blind wasn’t one of them. I saw how James looked at you most of the night. He’s attracted to you, and I can’t blame him for that. But he sees you as a challenge. I know James only too well, he doesn’t back down until he gets what he wants.” I try to interrupt him, he only silences me with a finger pressed lightly against my lips. “No, hear me out. I trust you completely. That’s why I didn’t rush over to the hotel, even though now I wish I had.”

“Alexander Mathews, I love you. I would never do anything to risk what we have. And I’m glad you trust me.”

“You are so perfect, my beautiful girl, soon to be Mrs. Mathews. Why are you so perfect?” A soft kiss is pressed on my head.

“I’m perfect for you.”

“More than perfect for me. You and those two babies are my whole world, nothing else matters to me. Here let me help you.” He gets shorts and a vest for me to put on.

“Alex I’m not going downstairs to eat dinner in my pjs.”

“You usually do.”

“Yes when it’s just the two of us.”

“Okay, one minute.” He rushes into the room and I hear him in the closet. I laugh thinking about, how some of his words are rubbing off on me. But the same has be said for Alex, although I always find myself laughing, when I hear him use some of my Scottish words. He comes back in with underwear, leggings and a shirt, and even a pair of slippers. He does manage to think of everything. We walk back downstairs, once I’m ready. I refused to let Alex carry me, although maybe that wasn’t the best idea, as with each step I take, well let’s just say it’s painful. I hold on to the banister and Alex, who has a firm grip on me. My steps are slow as we make our way into the kitchen.

Joan and Sarah are busy putting food on the plates while the men sit at the table talking. I offer to help, but I’m just told to sit down, because everything is ready. Alex was right about one thing, Joan will be in her element having everyone here to look after. I know she must get bored, not that much to do at mine. I even suggested to Alex before Christmas that maybe she could work at the hotel, his reply was to wait and see. Now I think he was playing his cards safe, wanting to make sure things were going to work out between us.

As the ladies finally join the rest of us, Alex brings over a bottle of red wine and some bottled water. I suppose that will be for me then. He pours the wine for everyone, leaving two glasses that in turn he fills with the water. One for me and one for him. Joan has done well, again. Dinner looks fantastic and I’m surprised I’m actually really hungry. Braised chicken with potatoes and vegetables. It’s no wonder I’ve grown so fond of this woman, she is one mighty fine cook.

Dinner is relaxed, even though Michael asked where Sophie was. That question earned him a glare from both Alex and Sarah, he knew he couldn’t push the subject.

“So Libby, does everyone know about the babies?” Michael asks.

“Considering I didn’t want anyone to know just yet, no. I have one more person I should tell tonight, to avoid hurting her feelings.”

“Who?” Both Alex and Michael ask at the same time.

“Kirsty.”

Michael has a sweet smile on his face at my mention of Kirsty. Well I suppose the two do share some history.

“Yeah baby, you should tell her tonight before someone else does.” Alex agrees with me.

Alex’s phone rings and to my surprise he answers it.

“James . . . Yeah she’s back home . . . Some muscle damage, but she should be fine in a few days . . . No. Thanks for taking care of her and calling me . . . It’s one I owe you . . . We will still meet at the same time . . . Okay see you tomorrow.”

“What did he want?” Michael asks.

“Just to see how Libby was.” Michael sighs, shaking his head.

As we all finish dinner, Alex helps me into the living room, where I get settled on the couch. I decide to call Kirsty while everyone else is in the kitchen.

“Libby, I was just thinking about you,” she says.

“All good I hope?”

“Of course. Now what you calling for?”

“Well I thought I had better tell you, seeing as you’re my best friend. I’m not long home from hospital.”

“Shit, what happened?”

“Had a bit of a fall at the hotel. But I have news for you.”

“Are you okay? What news?”

“I’m pregnant.”

All I get from the phone is a stunned silence. A first I think for Kirsty.

“Kirsty are you still there?”

“Yeah, sorry just taking in what you said. So when are you due?”

“August.”

“If you’re happy, I’m happy. Congratulations. A wee baby.”

“Erm, not just one baby. I’m having twins.”

“Well holy fuck! Shit how are you going to cope?”

I spend the next ten minutes trying to tell her I’m fine and that I really will cope with the babies once they’re born. She in return tells me she’s coming to see me tomorrow. Tomorrow is looking like a day full of visitors, I should warn Joan, because I have a feeling my parents will end up popping over as well. Maybe I should just organise dinner for everyone and get it over and done with. Have them all here at the same time. Although I have some reservations about that with, Kirsty and Michael and now Ethan and Sophie.

The rest of the night is relaxed, Michael sits with us for a bit, but is tired from his travelling earlier in the day. I’m tired too, but I just cuddle into Alex on the couch. I learn Alex, Michael and Richard have a few things to sort out at the casino. They plan on going over after lunch. James is also meeting them, so the last of the paperwork for Alex’s hotel can be signed. Then the hotel in New York belongs to James. I know Alex had hoped I would give in, and ask him to keep it. But I think my hands are going to be full, with my own hotel and now the babies. I have no idea, how I’m going to manage both, but in all fairness I have a few months to work it out.

As we sit watching some TV, with Sarah and Richard, Alex looks lost in thought, well I suppose we have got a lot to think about.

“Libby!” Alex says turning me toward him. “You are aware we are going to have to look for somewhere else to stay.” Sarah and Richard both turn to face Alex as well. This conversation has come from nowhere.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because there is no way, when I’m not here you will be able to manage those stairs, with both babies. And I for one won’t be happy with one being left at the bottom, while you bring one up.” He does have a point, but we have time to think about it. I now think I shouldn’t have sold my house next door to Ethan. It was after all, a perfect family home.

“Alex I think we should think about one thing at a time. And if you’re dead set on getting married in five weeks, then that should be our priority.”

“My priorities are changing by the minute.”

“How about we discuss this after the wedding. We have eight months before the babies are here so we have plenty of time.”

“Libby does have a point, son.” Sarah’s voice carries softly over to us. “There’s a lot to organise for the wedding and not a lot of time to do it.”

“So let’s make a list for the wedding, I will see to it all. The only thing I can’t do for you is your dress, that’s your department.” I smile at my man wanting to take control, it’s so like him. “Everything else I’m more than happy to organise. I’ve told you, keeping you stress-free and happy is now my main priority. Because if you are stress-free, our babies are safe.”

I can’t contain the smile that must be on my face.

“Libby, I have one question. If you could stay anywhere, where would it be?” Alex asks.

“If you know me, at all, you will already know the answer to that,” I tell him. I’ve never spoke about staying by the loch to Alex but he does know how much I love it.

“That’s all I needed to hear.” He smiles back knowing my unanswered words.

We spend the next few hours making lists for the wedding, including the guest list. So much for an intimate wedding. Alex tells me he will make a start on the arrangements tomorrow, by phoning Father O’Connor first thing in the morning. I need to speak with Kirsty and Sophie tomorrow, that’s a must. So I can plan a day or two, for looking for dresses for the three of us, and this need to happen sooner rather than later.

I rest in his arms, after his parents go to bed and I know I will need to move before I fall asleep here, on the couch.

“Alex take me to bed, it’s been a long day.”

“Okay, come on sleepyhead and I’ll even treat you to breakfast in bed, when you awaken.”

“Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

“LIBBY! LIBBY. ARE YOU OKAY?”
Alex shouts through the bathroom door.

“I’m fine. Christ. I just needed to pee.” I wash my hands and walk back into the bedroom, where I find him pacing the floor. “What did you think was wrong?”

“I don’t know. I came into the room and you weren’t in bed.”

“I’m not going to stay in bed all day, I’m not ill.”

“You might not be ill, but you did have an accident last night and I don’t want you over doing it at all. My mom will be here with you today and you have Joan as well, when I go. Speaking of which I should go, I had wanted to spend some time with you. But thought I should let you rest.”

“You should’ve woken me. I thought we would have breakfast together. I really wanted to spend time with just you. The flat is going to be full for the next few weeks and with making arrangements for the wedding, we won’t get much time for just us.” I almost sound like a whining child.

“I will try to be back as quickly as possible.” He sighs against me. “If it’s any consolation I would much rather be here with you sorting out a few things for the wedding. But I have got the most important job of the day done, I’ve spoken with Father O’Connor. You and I get married at one o’clock on the thirtieth of January.” I kiss him before he has the chance to say anything else. If I’m to be apart from him all day, I at least need this. “What was that for?”

“Do I need a reason?”

“No baby, you don’t. How are you feeling today?”

“I feel great. The pain in my stomach isn’t so bad today. No sickness, but I will admit to the fact my boobs ache.” He narrows his eyes at me, probably not understanding what I mean. “They are one of the first parts of my body to change, this I remember from Lindsay’s pregnancy. A good supporting bra and I will be fine.”

“So boobs are off limits?”

“Eh no. Nothing is off limits, mister. Nothing will be changing between us.”

“Just checking.” He smirks at me. He knows I need what we share intimately, just as much as he does.

“I was thinking of speaking with Joan I wanted to have dinner here for everyone tonight. What do you think? I know Kirsty is coming over at some point, and I’m sure my parents will as well.”

“Dinner sounds fine. I presume you are going to ask Kirsty and Sophie today about being bridesmaids?”

“Yes. Who are you asking?”

“Michael and I’ve already asked him.”

Now not convinced about throwing Kirsty and Michael together so much, not sure she has the willpower to fight him. I hope for Jay’s sake she does.

“If you’re going, go, before I keep you here and tie you to the bed.”

“You can tie me to that bed any day of the week.” He kisses me before leaving me with the last sentence running through my mind. Now what would I do to him if he were tied to the bed? I’m sure I could think, of one or two things.

Once I’ve had a shower and I’m dressed, I head downstairs feeling a lot better than I did last night. I find both Sarah and Joan in the kitchen, both ladies sitting at the table drinking tea.

“Afternoon, Miss Stewart,” Joan says with a warm smile. “Can I get you anything just now?”

“Afternoon ladies, and I’ll just have some tea.”

“Elizabeth, you need to eat. You’re eating for all three of you now.”

“I know, I will. I’m just thirsty at the moment,” I tell Sarah. “Joan are you busy today?”

“Not really. What can I do for you?”

“I was thinking about having everyone over for dinner. I can help seeing as it’s short notice.”

“You will do no such thing. I’m more than capable of rustling up dinner for what, ten or eleven. I could do a roast and maybe soup to start. How does that sound?”

“It sounds perfect, Joan. Thank you.”

“You are more than welcome. Now how about some sandwiches for lunch, for both of you.”

After a lovely light lunch I call everyone about dinner tonight. Kirsty can make it, but Jay already had plans with some friends. Kirsty sounds a little, not down but out of sorts, as she speaks of Jay. Ethan assures me, he and Sophie will be over before dinner, he still wants to talk to me. When I call my mother she’s at a loose end, turns out my dad is with Alex, and decides to come over.