Letting go of Grace (18 page)

“I love you, Hannah.”

“I love you, too, Grant” I whisper before kissing him again. We kiss like we will never kiss again. After God only knows how long, we are still kissing and I feel Grant start to move inside me again. We get lost in each for a second time that night only to fall asleep in each other’s arms. Feeling sated, with nothing, but love for each other.

WHEN I WAKE UP I’M
totally thrown off. I sit up in my bed and look around. I could have sworn last night I was in the office with Grant. I go to get up and feel that wonderful soreness between my legs. Yes, I was definitely with Grant last night. I catch a glimpse of my nightstand and see a note with my name on it. I open it and smile once I see Grant’s handwriting.

I hop out of bed and make my way down the stairs. The coffee aroma hits me once I get halfway down. I round the corner to the kitchen to find Grant sitting at the kitchen table with Ella. She is eating scrambled eggs and they both get quiet when I enter.

“I didn’t hear you get up, Ella,” I say as I kiss the top of her head then walk over to the stove to fill the kettle. I pick it up and I can tell it’s full and hot. I turn and smile at Grant and he winks at me.

“Mommy, we made breakfast. Grant let me crack the eggs,” Ella announces with the sweetest smile on her face. I never let her crack the eggs. It makes too much of a mess and in the morning we are normally on the run.

“That was nice of him,” I respond as I pour the hot water into my mug. I watch as the water starts to change color from the tea bag and smile at the caffeine steeping. I glance up at Grant and Ella and it looks like they are sharing a secret.

“What are you two up to?” I ask looking at Grant then at Ella. Grant winks at Ella and she giggles.

“Nothing, Mommy. I’m going to watch TV.” She gets up from her chair grabbing her plate. She quickly places it in the sink then runs into the living room. I settle in her chair next to Grant.

“What time did she get up?” I ask him quietly.

“About two hours ago,” he answers, stretching in his chair. I look at the clock and it’s only seven. Why didn’t she come to me?

“What?”

“She came down and knocked on my door. I thought it was you when I opened it, but it was her. She told me she had a nightmare and didn’t know where you were because she woke up earlier in the night and you weren’t in your room. She thought you left or something.” Grant leans in closer to me.

“I brought her upstairs and showed her you were sleeping in your room and that there was nothing to worry about, then she suckered me into watching TV with her and letting her help make breakfast. She told me she always cracks eggs.” I watch him laugh.

“We need to get more eggs. I think after the eighth egg she realized how to do it. She can be very persuasive, you know? How can you say no to that baby face?” I lean over and give him a kiss. He presses into my lips and I soak him up.

“Thank you, you didn’t have to.” I say as I pull away from him.

“I wanted to. It was nice spending time with her and getting to know her. I want this, Hannah, I will do anything for them and you.” I kiss him once more then get up and make myself a plate of eggs. Hunter makes his way down the stairs and he walks right up to Grant and steals my seat.

“Morning, buddy” Grant says playfully, ruffling the top of Hunter’s head.

“Good morning,” Hunter mumbles. I place down the plate I just made myself in front of Hunter. Grant gets up and sits me down in his seat.

“I’ll make more eggs,” he offers. Ella must have heard because she comes running into the room.

“Can I crack the eggs?” I can see Grant getting sucked in.

“Of course, you’re the official egg cracker.”

“Mom you have to watch, I’m really good at this,” she says, her voice full of excitement. She grabs a chair and drags it over to the counter while Grant grabs the last of the eggs out of the fridge. He gets a bowl out and places everything in front of Ella. She picks up an egg and looks up at Grant with a smile.

“Just like we did before,” he says, encouraging her. She cracks the egg on the edge of the bowl and it breaks the egg in half, spilling the runny egg all over the side of the bowl and counter. Ella looks like she is going to cry but Grant quickly intervenes.

“You got this, El, that was just a warm up.” He hands her another egg not bothering to clean up the mess of the first egg. She looks at Grant again and he gives her an encouraging smile. She cracks the egg on the bowl softer this time and pulls the shell apart dumping the egg into the bowl. You can tell she is feeling victorious. She claps her hands together after she puts down the shell.

“I did it, Mom! Look, no shells.” Grant puts his hand out and she slaps him five, then he hands her another egg. Five more get cracked with no shells and she gets down from the chair and does a victory dance. Grant picks her up and spins her and she is laughing the deep belly laugh that she used to do when Chase would spin her. Sadness and happiness creep over me. I have to take a deep breath in to keep the tears at bay. Hunter watches them and I’m not sure if he is jealous or happy for his sister. Grant places her down and starts to scramble the eggs.

“So, what do you guys want to do today?” Grant asks looking over at Hunter.

“Grandma is coming over. She is going to teach me to swim underwater.” Hunter replies pushing the eggs around on his plate.

“I have off today, can I come hang out and go swimming with you?” He looks at Hunter then looks at me quickly with a look to see if I’m OK with this. I nod at him so he continues.

“I can help, if you want. Do you know how to do a cannonball? They are my specialty!” Hunter perks up in his chair and smiles at him.

“You think once I learn how to swim underwater I can do one in the deep end?” he questions.

“Sure. I’ll stay in the deep end in case you need help. I’m sure you will be great at cannonballs.” Grant gives him a reassuring smile and turns back to the eggs he is making.

“I want to learn, too!” Ella says coming back into the kitchen.

“Sure, we can have a contest to see who can make the biggest splash,” he says as Shane walks in.

“I want in on that one. I always win that contest,” Shane teases.

“I don’t know, Shane, you haven’t seen Hunter yet. I think you might have some competition.”

“I’m sure I do,” Shane says with a smile sitting next to Hunter.

“I have to get ready for work. I’ll be back down in a little bit.” I turn on my heels and head back upstairs to get dressed.

When I get back downstairs I see my home has come alive again and everyone is lounging in the living room watching cartoons. My mom spots me first.

“Hey Banana, you look nice today.” I laugh at the nickname she still uses.

“Thank you, um, Grant will be around today, if that’s OK with you?” I stare at her giving her the “it’s OK to tell me if it’s not” look.

“No, it will be nice. I can run to the grocery store and get some things to make for dinner. I heard you ran out of eggs.” She smiles looking over at Ella.

“Thanks Mom,” I beam, then give her a kiss on the cheek. I walk into the back room and kiss the kids on the top of their heads good bye. When I get to Grant I do the same. The smile that comes across his face is beautiful.

“Have a good day at work, dear.” He smirks trying to hide his laugh. I start to walk out of the room when Shane starts with me.

“What am I, chop liver?” I walk over to him and kiss his head as well.

“Bye Mom,” he says to me and that makes the kids look up.

“Bye Mommy, I love you” they sing in unison.

Shane and Grant look at each other and repeat, “Bye Mommy, I love you.” I laugh at them, but I know Grant wanted to tell me he loves me. This was his only way to do it and not make me or the kids feel uncomfortable.

“I love you guys, too.” I add before I walk out of the room.

“Mom, call me if you need anything, OK?” I shout when I get into the kitchen and I catch her walking in from the dining room.

“Sure, but I doubt I will. I have Grant and Shane today to entertain the kids.” I hug her then get out the door before I’m late. I really want to stay home today and have fun with everyone, but I know I have to go to work because I have off all next week.

I plan to run through my usual routine as soon as I walk into the hospital. I left early enough that I can check on Aiden before I have to start my day. When I walk into his room I see he is not in his bed. I look around the room when I hear a door close. I turn to see Aiden walking out of the bathroom.

“Good morning” I say to him obnoxiously.

“Good morning” He replies in the same tone.

“How did you sleep last night?” I ask as I straighten his blankets back in order.

“Horrible, I feel like every time I’m about to go into a deep sleep I get woken up by someone.” He rolls his eyes as he settles himself into bed.

“I’m getting out tomorrow,” he adds, smiling at me.

“Oh good, we need to talk and decide where you are going.” I stand in front of him and place my hands on my hips ready to argue with him.

“What have you decided, Hannah?” He looks up at me partially amused by me and partially annoyed.

“Well, since your brothers are already at my house, I figured you would come home with me till everything gets figured out.” I smile at him thinking it might help.

“Fine, I’ll go.” I gaze at him in shock. That was easier than I thought it would be.

“On one condition,” he states. I roll my eyes at him. Of course there’s a condition.

“And what would that be?” I ask trying to hide my irritation.

“I don’t sleep on a couch.”

“You won’t be sleeping on a couch, Aiden, you will be sleeping in Hunter’s room. He has a queen-sized bed that is very comfortable, I promise.” I pull his blankets up covering his body as he leans back into the bed.

“I don’t want to kick Hunter out of his room, I’ll sleep on a couch.”

“No you won’t. I already talked to Hunter. At first he was excited when he thought you were having a sleepover in his room, but I let him know he gets to sleep with me for a few days.”

“Well, you know, he can stay in his bed and I could always sleep in bed with you.” I roll my eyes at him, but laugh because it’s such an Aiden thing to say.

“Stand in line, your brother has first dibs.” I respond, not even thinking. Shit, that was a mean thing to say to him.

“I’m sorry,” I say quickly.

“Hannah you have nothing to be sorry about, I know you are with Grant. I’m happy for you guys, really.” He takes my hand and gives it a squeeze.

“Thanks Aiden.” I smile at him and he flashes his sexy grin in return.

“But I’ll tell you one thing, if he fucks anything up, I’m gonna kick his ass.”

“I’m counting on it,” I laugh. He leans back into his pillow, happy with my response.

“I have to get to work, but have me paged if you need anything.” I rub his leg then leave his room and head up to my office.

While I’m eating my lunch I hear my phone chime. I slide the screen to unlock it and I see I have a video message. I open it up and watch Hunter run and do a cannonball into the pool. Then I get to watch him swim up to the surface and say “Did you get that?” I hear Grant say, “Yes, say hi to Mommy,” then Hunter waves to the phone and says “Mommy, did you see what I did? Grant showed me and I beat Shane in a contest.” He looks so happy. I hear Grant say “I love you babe, can’t wait till you get home,” then it ends. I watch it a few more times and the smile on my face is a mile wide. I feel my cheeks start to burn. I want to run out of here and go home right now. The kids are falling in love with Grant and I couldn’t be happier. I think that this time we are going to make it. Everything is going to work out. The knot that has been sitting deep in my stomach loosens. We are all going to be all right. I start to feel relaxed as I lean back into my chair. My phone rings and I pop up and grab it.