My Sweetheart (19 page)

             
Layla stood up and put her arms around his waist, grinning up at him. “And what would you have done if I’d had a big brother telling you to back off and give me time?”

             
Michael laughed and held her tightly. “Are you kidding? I would have married you anyways.”

             
Layla smiled. “I thought so.”

             
They surrounded Jane and ate pizza with her while Stella told them about her day in school. Jane listened happily, watching Layla and Michael and Stella together and knew she wanted that. She wanted her own family too. She closed her eyes for a moment and thought about a little girl or boy with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

             
No, she didn’t want to wait
.

             
Kit and Hunter showed up an hour later with a few Red Box movies and Ben and Jerry’s. Jane patted her still full stomach and grinned. Layla, Michael and Stella left shortly and she and Kit sat on the couch while Hunter laid on the floor with Kit’s pillow behind his head as they watched a movie about Jackie Robinson called 42. She cried her eyes out at some of the harder scenes, but at the end, she knew she’d be buying that one.

             
“Amazing,” she said out loud as Hunter turned the TV off. “
Amazing.
”

             
Hunter and Kit fully agreed and they discussed the movie while they ate their ice cream. Tate walked in a little after eight o’clock and smiled at the group.

             
“Did you save any for me?” he asked walking over to Jane and running his hand gently over her hair.

             
Jane grinned and lifted the spoon to his lips. “You get the last bite,” she said and gave him her last bite of New York Super Fudge Chunk. Tate licked his lips and grinned as Hunter smiled and handed him his own pint.

             
“I’ve got your back. I knew you’d be by later so I got you Cheesecake Brownie.”

             
Tate grinned and slapped Hunter on the back. “You’re a good man Hunter. Speaking of which, no one ever told me you knew kung Fu. I’ve been meaning to take some lessons. You’re going to have to teach me that move you did this morning.”

             
Hunter turned red and shook his head. “It was nothing.
Really
, I had no idea what I was doing. It was like my mind just turned off and I went into Kill mode.”

             
Tate laughed and Kit grinned at her fiancé. “They don’t call him Hunter for nothing you know.”

             
Jane grinned and Kit and Hunter left quickly leaving her and Tate by themselves. Tate walked over and sat his ice cream down and without any warning picked her up and sat down with her in his lap. Jane laughed a little and snuggled into his shoulder while he picked up his ice cream.

             
“Did everything go okay in Seattle? You’re a little late.”

             
Tate lifted an eyebrow and licked his spoon. “I had a hard time making my mind up. Sorry,” he said as he watched her expressions flit across her face.

             
Jane’s eyes got big and she grabbed his shirt. “
Tate Matafeo
. Did you go buy a ring for me?” she demanded, her voice going high and squeaky.

             
Tate grinned and took another bite before shrugging. “If I did, I probably wouldn’t want to tell you about it in case it ruined the surprise. I mean, if I did spend three hours picking out the most beautiful ring I could find, I’d probably want to plan a romantic way to formally ask you to marry me,” he said, laughing.

             
“
Pleeeease
Tate. Just informally show me the ring. You don’t have to give it to me, but just let me take a peek. Please?” she begged and then she saw it. There was a bulge in his shirt pocket. A small square bulge.

             
Jane’s mouth opened and she moved her hand up his chest and patted the bulge as Tate nonchalantly took another bite of ice cream.

             
“What’s the matter baby? You look shocked.”

             
Jane bit her lip and moved to grab it but she was stopped by a very large strong hand covering hers. “
Uh, uh, uh
. Sweetheart, you can’t go all grabby on me. I’m a trained police Officer. Sudden moves make me edgy. Don’t make me handcuff you,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her.

             
Jane laughed and then crossed her arms, glaring at him. “Give me that box or you’ll never see another cupcake from me again in this lifetime.”

             
Tate grinned. “Wow, you almost make me think you’re serious. Now why in the world do you want what’s in this box so badly?” he asked softly, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her on the jaw and then the side of her mouth and then finally kissing her fully.

             
Jane sighed and ran her hands through his thick dark hair and smiled up into his eyes. “Because if what’s in that box is mine, I need to have it. If it means that I get to be with you forever, then I’ll fight you for it.”             

             
Tate’s face softened and he ran his hand gently over her cheek. “A woman who would fight to be with me. You humble me Jane. You can have the box,” he said and grinned as she dove for it.

             
Jane grabbed the box out of his shirt pocket and opened it with shaking fingers. She lifted the lid and blinked with a frown.
This was not an engagement ring
. This was a huge cocktail ring with a brightly frosted pink cupcake on top.

             
She turned and looked at Tate but he was smiling serenely. He lifted the ring out of the box and slipped it on her ring finger. He frowned when it wouldn’t slide all the way.

             
“Hmm, well it is adjustable,” he said, taking the ring back off and gently adjusting the ring. He slid it on again and this time it was perfect.

             
Jane swallowed her disappointment and tried to smile. “You got me a cocktail ring. How sweet,” she added as he looked at her quickly.

             
“Don’t you like it? If you don’t there was another one I was looking at that might suit you better,” he said looking worried.

             
Jane turned and leaned back against his chest, frowning now that he couldn’t see her face. She’d wanted to open that box and see an engagement ring.

             
“Honey, let me take that. I can see that I made a mistake,” Tate said and grabbed her hand, slipping the ring off quickly and putting it in his pocket.

             
Jane turned and looked at him with a frown. “You’re a tease, you know that? I can’t believe you had me going there,” she said, pouting.

             
Tate wrapped his arms around her and held her warmly against his chest. “Ah Jane, if I’m a tease it’s only for your own good. You need a man to keep you on your toes.”

             
Jane huffed out a breath of air in irritation and grabbed his ice cream taking a big bite. “I’m going to eat all your ice cream for being so cruel to me. You know how much I love you and want to be with you.”

             
Tate looked at her seriously for a moment before taking his ice cream back. “I still don’t know why though. What’s a girl like you doing with a man like me?”

             
Jane turned and stared at him, seeing that he was serious. “Do you really not see what I see? What
everyone
sees?” she asked gently.

             
Tate frowned and looked down, setting his ice cream down on the side table. “You’re so good and pure and beautiful. Untouched by this crazy horrible world. And here I am, I’ve been everywhere, done everything, seen it all. Who would ever believe someone like you would be with me?”

             
Jane closed her eyes and shook her head. “Honey, everything you just said is just so wrong. You’re right I haven’t chosen to do a lot of things that everyone else does but I was raised by a single mother because my father was
, is
a drug addict. I know what it’s like to be poor and to struggle for everything. I know your life was very different from mine, but it’s not so different that I can’t understand, or appreciate how much you had to overcome to become the good, amazing and strong man that you are today. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. That’s something to be proud of.
I’m proud of you
. I can’t wait to someday be your wife. No other man will do,” she said and kissed his cheek, pulling back to look into his eyes.

             
Tate licked his lips and nodded, but then shook his head and tightened his arms around her, leaning his head against hers as he clenched his eyes shut. “This morning just brought my past back hard. I lost control Jane. Seeing Alex hit you and watching you go down, it was like a switch was turned off and I reverted back to that wild kid whose life was ruled by violence and pain. If Kam hadn’t been there to pull me off, I don’t know . . .” he said, fading off into his thoughts.

             
Jane bit her lip and snuggled into his chest. “Never fear. Hunter would have done some Kung Fu move on you while Michael talked some sense into you. You’re human Tate. And besides, Alex deserved getting punched a few times,” she said dryly, thinking of the man who had taken her.

             
Tate laughed a little and relaxed, running his hand up and down her back. “I just want you to know that I would never lose control with you or our children.”

             
Jane sighed happily. “Of course not silly. You’re the gentlest man I know,” she said and frowned as Tate laughed out loud.

             
They spent the rest of the night talking and snacking, with Tate leaving around eleven. Kit helped her use her crutches to get to bed and she spent the night warm and grateful she was home. Safe and Sound.

             
The next week went by slow with visits to a physical therapist for her ankle and more interviews at the police station. Tate never left her side for any of the interviews and she always had one of her sisters with her for a doctor appointment, but she knew it was a strain on everyone. With only two weeks until Kit’s wedding, they didn’t have time to babysit her.

             
Hunter’s mom Julie gladly stepped in and was helping Kit with all of the last minute details of the wedding which was a lifesaver considering Layla was always throwing up now or exhausted or both. And with her still on crutches, she felt bad for Kit that they weren’t doing more to help.

             
On Saturday night after turning the sign to CLOSED, Kit turned around with a smile. “Just two weeks to go and I will be Mrs. Kit Hunter. It does have a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” she said as she grabbed a broom and began sweeping.

             
Jane grinned. “It sounds pretty nice. I actually like the sound of Jane Matafeo better myself.”

             
Layla laughed and began wiping down the glass cases. “I hate to break it to you girls but Layla Bender is the most beautiful, musical sounding, joy filled name in the world. I pity you both.”

             
Kit snorted and Jane laughed as she began doing the receipts. Layla walked over and grabbed a chair and pulled it up close to the register to take a little break.

             
“So, whatever happened to Tate asking you to marry him? The way you made it sound, he was going to make it official soon.”

             
Jane frowned and sniffed in annoyance. “I know! And then he teased me and brought over a ring box and it was a stinkin cupcake ring with an adjustable band. I could have killed him,” she muttered, emptying the cash register.

             
Kit laughed and walked over, leaning on her broom. “Tate is such a tease. He’s just torturing you. But honestly Jane, are you going to be able to handle being married to him?”

             
Jane looked up in surprise. “What do you mean,
handle it
? What’s to handle?”

             
Layla shared a glance with Kit so she knew automatically they’d talked about it. Kit cleared her throat and leaned on the counter. “Well, Tate’s just so gorgeous. He probably has women throwing themselves at him all the time.”

             
Layla grinned at Jane’s face and held up her hand. “It’s true, there’s no denying it. Now Hunter and Michael are beautiful men, but Tate has this wild charisma. That plus a police uniform? Come on.”

             
Jane rolled her eyes. “You two are such brats,” she said as her sisters burst out laughing. “Of course I’m aware Tate is hot. What, am I blind? But I have perfect faith in his ability to handle lust crazed women. Geez, he kept
me
at arm’s length forever. Honestly you guys are ridiculous.”

             
Kit grinned and then turned around as the bell over the door chimed. “Crap, I forgot to lock the door,” she muttered.

             
Jane shut the cash register slowly as Alea walked in, wearing a long white flared skirt and a striped t-shirt. She looked amazing with her long, black wavy hair and dramatic dark eyes.

             
Kit stepped forward frowning. “Sorry, but we’re closed,” she said motioning for the door.

             
Alea ignored her and walked over to stand in front of Jane. “Toa and Pika told Tate last night that they would disown him if he went through with marrying you. How could you do that to him? Don’t you know that Toa and Pika are all he has? You’re going to ruin his life. If you really loved him, you’d let him go,” she said, her dark eyes snapping angrily.

             
Layla stood up and went to stand next to Jane while Kit walked forward to stand on the other side. Layla began to speak but Jane held up her hand. “It’s okay Layla, I can handle this,” she said and then turned to stare at Alea.

             
“My relationship with Tate is
none
of your business. I want you to leave,” she said coldly, standing up as straight as she could.

             
Alea sneered at her, looking her up and down with derision. “Oh, it’s my business all right. Our parents have been planning our wedding ever since Toa and Pika took Tate into their home.”

             
Kit laughed. “That’s just a little old fashioned isn’t it? Parents don’t arrange marriages anymore in America. We’re free to bear arms, vote and fall in love with whoever we want to.”

             
Alea glanced at her with a cold glare. “You don’t know anything about our culture or the importance of families. Tate knows that family is first in our culture. He needs stability and he needs the support of his relatives. If he’s disowned, what kind of life will that be for him? He’ll be miserable and you two will end up divorced. You’re ruining his life. Stop being so selfish,” she spit out.

             
Layla shook her head and stepped in front of Jane, shushing her with a look. “You don’t know anything about my sister or her relationship with Tate. If you did you’d know that he loves her more than his own life. And Jane adores him. They’re going to start their own family and if Toa and Pika don’t want to be a part of it then that’s their own choice. But I can promise you this. Even if Jane didn’t marry Tate, he would never marry you. That man needs to be loved and adored and appreciated. Being with you just because it would make a few relatives happy would make him miserable. Move on Alea and let him go. He’s right where he needs to be. With us,” she said, her blue eyes glowing with anger.

             
Alea gritted her teeth and began speaking but stopped when everyone turned at the sound of the bell. Jane’s eyes went huge as Tate walked through the door looking furious. He walked up to Alea with his hands on his waist.

             
“I told you to never come here Alea. I told you to never speak to Jane. What are you trying to accomplish here?” he demanded, his eyes so cold and hard Jane winced. “I told you we were through and I meant it.”

             
Alea shrugged and reached out to put a hand on Tate’s chest, smiling up at him provocatively. “I just wanted to make sure Jane knew what a good man she was getting. If she doesn’t treat you right, you know who will,” she said and walked out of the bakery, swishing her hips.

             
Tate watched her go, his face grim. He sighed before turning around to face the three sisters.

             
“I’m guessing that’s not what really happened,” he said watching Jane’s face carefully.

             
Kit snorted and whacked the counter with a rag. “That girl is a witch and I’m betting the next person who gets kidnapped is you,” she said, staring after Alea angrily.

             
Layla nodded, her eyes troubled. “Ashley was just after Michael’s money and Kit didn’t have to fight anyone for Hunter. But you two seem to have a lot of people who want to get in the way of your relationship.”

             
Jane frowned and looked down at her hands remembering everything Alea had said. Tate hadn’t told her that he’d been officially disowned.

             
Tate walked up to the counter and lifted her chin with his finger. “Hey,” he said softly.

             
Jane looked up and met his worried eyes. “Maybe we should go somewhere and talk?” she said quietly.

             
Tate frowned but nodded. “Are you needed here? I can wait if you need to help close up.”

             
Kit and Layla immediately shook their heads. “No, you two go on. We’re fine,” Layla said firmly with Kit untying Jane’s apron for her and handing her the crutches.

             
Tate moved around the counter and picked her up in his arms while Layla moved quickly to open the door for him. Jane waved at her sisters and relaxed against Tate’s strong shoulder. He slipped her into his car before walking around to his side.

             
They drove in silence for a while until Tate came to a stop at a look out over the water. “This is where I’d come as a kid to get away from all the bad stuff,” he said and got out of the car.

             
Tate opened the door and picked her up and carried her to a lone bench surrounded by fir trees. He set her down and she stared out over the choppy water of the Puget Sound and relaxed immediately. Tate sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close to his side.

             
“Did Alea upset you,” he asked gently, pushing a stray lock of hair over her ear.

             
Jane shrugged and looked up at him. “I don’t care about her anger and jealousy. What I care about is that you were disowned last night by your family and you didn’t say one word to me.”

             
Tate’s face closed up and he looked away. “You were so happy last night. I didn’t want to make you sad. I can carry that sadness for the both of us.”

             
Jane frowned and put her arms around his waist, leaning her head against his shoulder. “That’s not how it works honey. We share the love. We share the happiness and we share the pain. Together, as a partnership. That’s the only way it works.”

             
Tate sighed and leaned his head back against the bench, staring at the sky. “They don’t even know you. If they even met you and talked to you for fifteen minutes, they’d know you’re an angel. I’m so angry at them right now. Kam is furious. He yelled at his parents last night and they threatened to disown him too. He dared them to do it,” he said with a faint smile.

             
Jane closed her eyes, feeling horrible for coming between Tate and his family. “Are you sure you love me Tate? One hundred percent, all the way, from now until forever, through good times and bad times? Because if you even have one doubt I want you to walk away from me. I can’t stand knowing that you’re disowned because of me,” she said, her voice shaky with unspent tears.

             
Tate sat up and turned to look at her, taking both of her hands in his. “Sweetheart, you know I love you with all my heart. Don’t let my family put doubts into your head. Don’t let Alea ruin what we have. I’m disowned now but I won’t be forever. Someday they’ll soften and will come to me and want to meet you and our children. Please Jane, don’t ever doubt that I love you with everything that I am,” he said, his voice rising in volume and his eyes bright and pleading.

             
Jane bit her lip and nodded, wiping a tear from her eye. “I don’t doubt you, I just want you to be sure. You’re sacrificing everything to be with me. And what am I sacrificing for you?” she asked, touching his face, running her thumb over his cheekbone.

             
Tate took her hand and kissed her palm. “You’re sacrificing an easy life. You’ll be married to a police officer and that right there isn’t easy. I’ll be a detective soon so my hours will be better, but you’ll have many dinners alone without me. You’ll have to deal with my stubborn and pigheaded relatives and you’re going to have so many children you’re going to wish me dead some days,” he said, his eyes twinkling at her.

             
Jane laughed and kissed him lightly. “That sounds like heaven to me,” she whispered and put her arms around his neck holding him tightly. “I love you Tate. So much.”

             
Tate pulled away from her and stood up in front of her. He took a small black velvet box out of his pocket and kneeled down in front of her. Jane’s eyes went huge and she felt her heart begin to race inside her chest. “
Tate?
”

             
Tate smiled at her and opened the box for her to see inside. This time there was no cupcake cocktail ring. This ring was a magnificent pear-shaped diamond, framed with twin rows of round diamonds in white gold. Jane opened her mouth to say something, but she couldn’t.

             
Tate shook his head and took her hand in his, kissing her knuckles gently. “The cupcake ring was to check your finger size. I did pick out your ring that day and ever since I’ve been trying to think of some romantic way to ask you, but I can’t stand waiting even one more minute. Sweetheart, my love, my life and my happiness. Will you be my bride?”

             
Jane nodded her head quickly, as a grin took over her face. “
Yes!
Yes I will marry you. Yes, yes
yes
!” she yelled wishing her ankle wasn’t hurt so she could get up and jump around.

             
Tate laughed happily and slipped the ring on her finger and leaned forward for a kiss. Jane stared into his brown eyes and leaned forward to meet him. Tate was gentle, covering her mouth with light little kisses that began right after the last one ended. When he finally pulled away, she had tears in her eyes.