Stolen Moments (And Then Came Love Book 2) (29 page)

Arianna stared down at her hands. “I was mad at Trevor over the job thing and all the stress going on. It should have never come to this.”

“Then talk to him. He’s obviously still in love with you.” Greta put her hand on her shoulder. “You do realize, he’s been taking care of Mina every night since Austin’s been born? He comes over cooks her dinner, makes sure she does her homework, sits and talks to her.”

“He does?”

Greta nodded. “That man loves both you and your daughter. He’s in it for the long haul, Ari.”

She blew out a breath. How was she going to apologize for her outburst? “I guess I need to talk to him.”

“I’ll let him know you’re ready.”

“This is hard.” Arianna stared at her hands. “How can I get through this?”

“Remember the conversation we had before you came home? Stolen moments?”

“His note this morning.”

Greta nodded and placed her hand on her shoulder. “You’ll get through this. Just like you got through raising a baby at fifteen. And if you need help, for heaven’s sakes ask for it.”

Arianna nodded and looked over at Greta. “Thank you.”

Greta reached across the console and gave her a hug.

“You’re more of a mother to me then my mother ever dared to be.”

“You can call me anytime. And even if the only thing I can do is listen, I’ll be there for you.” Greta hugged her tighter.

Arianna let her body relax for the first time since they arrived home from Minnesota. She need this. She needed someone she could count on. She needed a mother. And she’d finally found one.

*****

Trevor leaned against the door frame of the hospital room.

Arianna sat in the rocking chair, baby Austin asleep on her chest. She softly sung to him.

He tiptoed across the room and knelt beside her. His hand closed over hers.

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “I’m sorry.” She whispered.

“Every day that passes, I only love you more.” He changed the lyrics to their song slightly.

She twisted her wrist so she could squeeze his hand. “I shouldn’t have said what I did the other day. I was super stressed and just got some news that didn’t sit well with me.”

“You mean about your mother suing for custody?” He pulled up a chair and sat down next to her.

She glanced over at him. “How did you know about that?”

“I came to the hospital later that day and was in the elevator with the social worker. She gave me some paperwork about the case.”

“She was supposed to give it to me. I guess that’s why I never got it.” Arianna shook her head. “I’ve been so out of it, I didn’t even realize it. So what are we going to do?”

“Nothing.” Trevor grinned. “The case has been dropped.”

“What? How?” She sat up a bit, disturbing the baby. He gave out a brief cry and then settled back in against her chest.

“Keegan’s Dad is the district attorney. Did you really think it would take that much to get the case dropped?”

Arianna raised an eyebrow. “Did money exchange hands?”

Trevor shrugged. “I honestly don’t know and I’m not going to ask. I called Trust and the next thing I knew the case was dropped. We’re the official guardians of Candace and temporary guardians of Austin. As soon as he’s ready to go home, he’ll go home with us.”

“I can’t believe you got that all figured out.”

“Sometimes family isn’t that bad.”

Arianna laughed. “I’m glad to hear you say that.” She stared down at Austin. “What are we going to do when we take him home? I don’t have enough rooms at my house for everyone and your apartment wouldn’t hold us all either.”

“Well, right now, he can stay in the room with Candace. After that, there’s two options. One, we buy a bigger house. Two, we add on to your house. We could build a second story, even make it a second apartment where Candace and Keegan could stay when they’re there and taking care of the baby.”

“Wouldn’t that take a long time?”

“You’re talking about the Vitalli family getting things done. It never takes that long when we’re involved.” Trevor laughed.

Arianna chuckled. “I like that idea. If I didn’t have a loan out on the place, I’d say let’s get a new one, but my loan is only five months old, they’re not going to refinance for me.”

“If you want a new house, I’d get you out of your loan and gladly pay for a new place.” Trevor took her hand. “You’re worth it. Our family is worth it.”

Arianna smiled. She finally had a mother and finally found a man who cared about her and her family.

Chapter Twenty-Four

June 1st

Arianna pulled up in front of Everett and Jackie’s house and glanced over at Mina. “Why are we here on a weeknight?”

Mina shrugged. “Trevor said we needed to come over.”

Arianna reached over and took her daughter’s hand. “I’m sorry, Mina.”

“About what?” Mina quirked an eyebrow.

“About how I’ve been treating you lately. I’m not going to abandon you, it wasn’t what I was trying to do. I should have been there for you.”

Mina looked down at her hands. “Trevor was.” She lowered her voice and spoke slowly, “He’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a father.”

Arianna pulled her daughter into a hug across the console of the car. “He loves you and wants to be your father.”

Mina mumbled something into her shoulder.

Arianna moved back and held her by the shoulders. “What did you say?”

“Do you think he’d mind,” she lowered her voice even further.

Arianna had to strain to hear.

“If I called him Dad?” Mina pursed her lips and looked away.

She hugged her daughter in a warm hug again. “I think he’d be honored.” She fought back the tears. Not only had she found a man she loved, but her daughter actually wanted him in her life.

Mina pushed her mother off of her and turned to the door. “How’s the baby doing?”

Arianna chuckled. “Ginni said he’d be able to come home within a week and a half.”

“Oh boy.” Mina shook her head. “Poopy diapers and all night crying.”

“And you thought you were ready for sex.” Arianna stepped out of the car and waited for her daughter before they walked toward the door.

Mina rolled her eyes.

The door opened and Greta stepped out. “Get in here, honey. We’re all waiting for you.”

“Waiting for me? Why?” Arianna glanced at Mina.

Mina smiled.

“You know something, don’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mom.” Mina grinned and pushed into the house.

Greta gave her quick hug and then pushed her gently into the house.

She’s Everything played softly in the background.

Trevor stood in the middle of the room.

His family and hers mingled in the background.

The room got quiet once she walked in.

Trevor smiled at her.

“What’s going on?” She stopped in front of him.

“I’m bad with the grand romantic gestures, so here goes nothing.” He lowered himself to one knee.

Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hands.

He pulled out a small robin egg blue box, opened it, and held it up to her. “Ari, will you marry me.”

She stared down at the diamond solitaire, the band had a leaf pattern on it. Was this really happening? She nodded and held out her trembling hand.

Trevor stood and slipped the ring on her finger. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She stared at the ring and then threw her arms around him.

“I take it that’s a yes?”

“Yes, of course it is.” She grinned.

“Sounds like our songs almost over.”

“Well play it again.”

ABOUT THE AUtHOR

Ellen Wilder is a happily married mother of three who loves to read and write romance novels. She is a full-time author. Creates Custom Book Covers and Swag and does book formatting.

Thanks to a lovely friend and reading a lot of writing books she is much better at the writing game than when she started. She loves to help people with their writing journey and meeting new friends in the writing field.