Page 24 of Holiday Loss

“I hear you like brownies, Freddie. I have a fresh batch cooling in the kitchen.”

“Can we have some while they're still hot?” Freddie asked, bouncing about excitedly. “Mom always lets me have one while they’re still all warm and gooey.”

“Of course we can.”

“Mom said I had to ask if it’s okay if I go swimming after,” Freddie said in a tone that suggested the notion was a little silly, but he was going to indulge his mother anyway. “Donovan said you have a pool. One that’s inside so we can go swimming all the time.”

“Brownies and swimming, sounds like a fun afternoon,” his mom said, beaming at the child. “Then if you like, you can help me cook some dinner.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to entertain him. He brought books, andLego, and some video games, he’ll be quiet and keep out of your hair,” Jessica said.

“Nonsense,” his mom said again. “It’s been far too long since I’ve had a youngster to spend time with. I'm looking forward to getting to know young Freddie here, so you just rest and recover, dear, and don’t worry about a thing. Your boy is in good hands.”

While his mom ushered Freddie inside, with his stepdad following, an amused smile on his face, Donovan carried Jessica inside. “Do you want to have some brownies or go right up to bed first?” he asked.

Eyeing the hall his mom and her son had disappeared down, he could see in her face Jessica was having an internal debate. He knew it wasn't that she didn't trust his family to look after her son, it was that she wasn't used to having a support system like this. She had her partner, and he knew they’d helped each other out over the years, but she didn't have family, so this was new to her.

“I think I might take a nap first,” she finally said, resting her head against his shoulder and making his heart swell in his chest.

Not only was she there, safe and sound, snuggled in his arms, trusting him to take care of her, but she was trusting him and his family to take care of her child as well and that meant everything to him.

Carrying her upstairs, Donovan headed for the room his mom had prepared for her. It was right next to his, and the room beside that was where Freddie would be staying since he knew Jessica would want her son close by.

“This your room?” she asked on a yawn as he carried her into it and over toward the four-poster bed.

“I would have loved to have you in my bed, but no, my mom and I thought you might not be comfortable with that since Freddie is here too,” he told her as he balanced her in his arms and pulled back the covers.

“Thank you.” She caught his hand as he set her down and went to grab the blankets to tuck her in. “For inviting me to stay here, for wanting to take care of me. Not just me, but Freddie, too. For making him feel so welcome here.”

“You are both welcome here,” he told her, sitting on the edge of the bed and palming her cheek. “Whatever happens between us you willalways have a home and a family here. I hope one day we’ll fall in love, get married, and add more kids to our family. But even if that doesn’t happen my family will always be there to support you and Freddie.”

“That’s sweet,” Jessica said, her eyes fluttering closed. “I hope we get our happy ever after though.”

“Me too, beautiful,” he whispered as she drifted off to sleep. Leaning down he pressed a kiss to her forehead. As much as he wanted a happy ever after with this woman and her son, there was a pretty big obstacle standing in their way.

His stalker.

Chapter

Seventeen

December 20th

5:23 P.M.

Another Friday night, another date.

Only this one was a whole family affair.

More than that, it was inviting Donovan into a special tradition that she and her son shared.

Every Christmas they bought a bunch of little, cheap gifts, wrapped them up in the traditional bright and garish Christmas wrapping paper, and dropped them off on their neighbors’ doorsteps. Freddie always had so much fun doing it, and even though it meant losing a little bit of the budget she would have spent on gifts for her son, Jessica had always felt that the trade-off of him learning about giving was well worth it. Besides, she always managed to get him the things he wanted the most and he was young enough to not even know that he could have gotten a couple of extra toys if they didn't do this.

Better to give than receive.

That was an important motto, and she wanted her son to learn it. Wanted him to know that helping others and doing nice things for themwithout expecting anything in return, was the way to make the world a better place. She was pretty darn proud of her son for already knowing that when so many adults didn't. The joy and excitement he got each year when he got to put on his Santa hat and play at being the jolly gift giver reassured her that she was doing this whole parenting thing pretty alright.

“Are you sure you’re up to this?” Donovan whispered in her ear as he helped her into the car. He’d been so sweet these last couple of days, fussing around her like a mother hen, making sure she was okay, ensuring she took her pain pills on time, and ensuring she ate even if it was just a little soup. He helped her shower and get dressed, carrying her around so she didn't have to walk. He took care of Freddie, made sure he was entertained, took him to school yesterday and today, and helped him with his homework.

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