“Tonya.” There was a time when I didn't know her by that name, when she was just Mom. That time ended when I found out what she had done to Kait's family. “She didn't file the lost child report because she wanted me back. She just didn't want me telling your family where she was, in case you came after her for all the money she'd stolen.
“When the cops dropped me off at her boyfriend's house she told me that if I ever returned to, or contacted anyone from Springfield she would never allow me to see Kyle again. Kyle was ten at the time.”
“And now he's eighteen...” Kait's voice sounded distant. She was finally starting to understand. Kait stepped behind me and gently wrapped her arms around my stomach. “You really couldn't come back.”
“I wanted to. More than anything. Every fucking day was a struggle, but I was all that kid had.” The memories put a hard edge into my tone. It was impossible not to get angry when I thought of how much time that bitch had stolen from me.
“Tonya was just using Kyle for sympathy,” I eventually continued. “To further whatever selfish goals she had at the time. When he was old enough to see through her lies, I went into the military. I needed money so I could afford to pay for his tutoring, after school sports and everything else I knew she wouldn't do for him.”
“Oh, Mal.” Sadness rimmed her voice. I could only imagine what must have been running through her head.
“Ancient history.” I pulled out my wallet and removed an old, worn picture. “I need you to know that I thought about you every day, Nessy.”
“Is that..?” Kait took the worn yearbook cutout. “How long have you had this?”
“I've always had it.” I turned to face her, taking her hand in mine. “Now please tell me what's been bothering you.”
“I'm— Fuck.” Kait stopped, swallowed then took a breath. Her upturned eyes watered, she was terrified. Whatever this was, it was huge. “I'm pregnant, Mal.”
Pregnant?
“Are you serious? How is that even possible? We used a condom.”
“It must have had a tiny hole in it or been defective, I don't know.” Kait closed her eyes, letting her hands slip from mine. Telling me had taken a toll on her, she obviously didn't know how I would take the news. “It's yours though, I'm positive.”
“Kait, that's, that's—” I nearly shouted, then swept her up into a very painful kiss. “That's fucking amazing!”
I was at a loss for words, but I was happy. Happier than I could ever remember being. It all just seemed to click. Reuniting with the girl I had always loved and now starting a real family, everything felt so right!
“I was so anxious that the news would scare you away.” Kait was crying, but it was finally the good kind of tears. The tears of relief and happiness.
“Scare me away? I've never had a real family before and now I get to start one with you. I love you, Ness.” I kissed her again. Not even the bitter, iron tang of blood on my lips could dull the perfection of that moment.
“I love you too,” Kait said between kisses and sobs.
I savored the taste of her tongue and the scent of the fragrance she wore. It was the same perfume from the wedding. It finally dawned on me; I knew that scent, it was the birthday present I'd bought for her when she turned seventeen.
I couldn't believe she still wore it!
It transported me back to the way I felt when I first began to fall for her. I pulled Kait even closer, despite the jagged pain in my ribs. It felt like I was breathing in broken glass, but I didn't care. Every sting made me want her more. Before I realized it I had her pinned to the fire pole in the middle of the empty truck bays.
“The mother of my child,” I whispered into Kait's ear. My hushed words rippled through her, causing her whole body to shiver. “I love the way that sounds.”
Kait's hand popped the button on my jeans and plunged in. Her velvet grip slid along my hardening length and slowly started stroking. Kait looked up, locking eyes with me, a wicked smile spreading across her lusciously full lips. “So does your cock, apparently.”
I was taken aback at her sudden boldness. Who was this girl? She was no longer the timid, yearning thing I'd fucked at the lake. Kait was fierce. She wasn't scared or worried any more. In fact, she glowed with confidence. Some part of her was finally free and that made me and my cock extremely happy.
“Not our fault,” I groaned against her firm grip; she felt fucking incredible. It was tough to think when she squeezed tighter, dragging her hand over my engorged tip. “We both missed the way you taste.”
“Well, that's not fair.” Kait feigned a whining voice, then switched to more of a coo that set me on fire. “I never had the chance to see how you taste.”