This is the beginning of the third book. Again, this will veer from the "erotica" to just writing and going with the flow of what feels right. This next chapter has no sex in it, it's not marked but it doesn't. I guess the best description I can give concerning the sex from here on out will be, it's the salt and pepper of the meal. There and noticeable but only as an improvement.
Ok, enough with the hate mail! LOL I knew the last chapter would evoke some rebukes. I did so carefully and after much deliberation. Know that Livy's death was well planned out and served a purpose. I didn't write it to just see if I could make you angry or cry. After I am done with this novel, you will understand. Then if you still feel the same way, then the hate mail can start again. Of all the deaths that I have included in my novels, Livy's was the one that made me rethink if it was necessary. I believe it was.
CJT
Chapter 51
Alex was slowly and carefully going through the few possessions Livy had in her apartment. It looked like a first time home should look. It was sparsely furnished, there was little in the way of creature comforts, curtains were almost non-existent leaving only the blinds that came with the semi-furnished apartment.
Most of the furniture was old and dirty but it had the basic needs. A sofa, a chair, and a small dining room set. Her bed was the bottom half of Nora's bunk beds from the old house, the top portion was in Nora's room. Most of the possessions Livy had were Nora's, showing that Livy's priority was her daughter. Going so far as to having only Nora's room fully furnished with all that a little girl would need.
Brightly colored curtains in this room, a vanity to play dress up. A full size dresser to put her clothes and a small table for tea time. Posters of cats and butterflies decorated the walls, along with posters from both the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, a trip that Gavin took her on and spoiled her rotten.
Gavin was with Nora in her room helping her pack. He kissed her head and stood up when the doorbell rang. As he made his way out, he passed Livy's room and looked in and found Alex just standing there, a picture of her and Livy in her hands. The tears running down her face told of the pain and loss she was feeling. He hadn't felt this helpless since Carla. A feeling he promised himself he would never feel again. But here he was, trying to deal with something impossible to deal with.
Gavin opened the door and looked out at a man who did a double take of him.
"Can I help you?" Gavin asked.
"Yes, you must be Gavin," the man said extending his hand. "My name is Don, I'm Nora's dad."
Gavin looked at his hand for a second before taking it and shaking it apprehensively.
"What can I do for you?" Gavin asked not moving from the doorway.
"I'm here for Nora," Don told him bluntly. Gavin lifted his eyebrows. "I'm here to take her home."
Gavin dropped his head back and looked to the ceiling of the apartment, his anger bubbling suddenly like a pot of chili. He figured something like this was going to happen, he also knew how Alex would respond. He was hoping it wouldn't but here it was, unfolding.
"Yeah, Don, probably not a good idea," Gavin warned him.
"Look, I've been patient and understanding," Don said to him. "I know Alex is partial to Nora and I wanted them together so they could comfort each other." Gavin saw Don start laying the groundwork for his excuse of not attending Livy's funeral. With the one statement Gavin was in full hate mode.
Gavin looked at him blankly, he was trying his best to control his temper which was suddenly crawling out of the box he so carefully kept closed. So carefully kept it from exploding. His temper was something that always destroyed when it was out. Something he took great strides in trying to keep from happening.
Perhaps it was all the emotion over the past few days. Perhaps it was the fact he hadn't slept since the night before Al had his heart attack nearly a week ago. Instead of sleep he spent the nights comforting either Alex or Nora. It seemed when one was asleep, the other was in a fit of tears. He would take turns comforting the one in tears. He was only sleeping in fifteen minute naps.
The emotion. The fatigue. The worry. All combined made his temper so much easier to bring out. So much more volatile. So much more in control of him. Something that took years to learn how to control. Something that he feared would be released in this tumultuous time.
"Don," Gavin strained through gritted teeth. He blew out a laugh, but it was humorless as he sorted through the words he wanted to use. Discarding most because they were either obscenities or threats. Finally, he just let it out, the first thing that locked into his head.
"There is no way in hell I'm letting you take Nora, not in this lifetime, not in this universe, not a chance!" Gavin said forcefully.
Don stared at him blankly, shocked at what was just said.
"I'm her father," Don pointed out, his own temper rising.
"A daughter you gave up for a fucking house!" Gavin reminded, his temper making the words harsher, harder. His face turning to stone, his eyes sharpening.
"I'm all she has left," Don said sharply.
"Bullshit," Gavin growled. "That girl stays with Alex...she stays with us!"
"You can't do that!" Don protested.
"Fucking try me bitch!" Gavin said stepping out onto the stoop forcing Don to take a step back. The more Don stood there, the more Gavin's temper won out. It had been years since he was physical with another person. And it wasn't since Carla's disappearing into drug houses that he beat a man, but now his temper was gaining the upper hand and it seems Gavin was going down that road.
"You want her, come and get her!" Gavin snarled, daring Don to try.
Gavin was done, he was no longer in control. His temper had won out and he was powerless to stop the animal now that it was out of the box. If Don tried any manner of ill-fated attempt to take Nora by force he would be met with a trip to the hospital. Gavin was powerless to stop the temper any more than he could control the wolf.
Don looked at the man advancing on him and feared for his safety. The man had transformed before his very eyes. What started off as a cordial conversation was now in the midst of veil threats and possible actual harm.
"My lawyer will be in touch!" Don warned as he turned and high tailed it back to his car.
Gavin stopped his advance on the scurrying rodent of a father and let him escape. Using every coping technique he could come up with. Using every ounce of available energy to reign himself in. Using all he had, to keep Alex and Nora from seeing the worst of him.
When he turned he saw Alex standing in the doorway, her expression a mixture of fear and confusion forcing him to drop his head. He stood there in the yard as Don barked his tires in leaving. Gavin closed his eyes and tried putting the monster back in the box. Hoping Alex was so horrified she wouldn't demand he explain the temper until he could rationally explain it.
Once Gavin had the temper in the box, and even though the lid wasn't closed, meaning any argument would cause a sudden explosion of fury that would appall him and possibly frighten her, he walked up to her and stood in front of her, his anger ebbing. His embarrassment rising. The look of fear on Alex was crushing. Was it fear of the animal or fear of what Don wanted?
"Can he take her?" Alex asked carefully gaging the man in front of her.
She had never seen this out of Gavin. He was always so in control. So calm and reserved. She just watched the man she had fallen in love with intimidate another human being. Actually took menacing steps towards a man with the intention to harm, something every doctor swears an oath to never do. Not since Royce, on the night of her awakening to the world of BDSM at her first party, had she seen this. It was almost forgotten in the placid loving months of their relationship.
When she heard Don's voice her first instinct was to run to Nora and sneak away from the apartment, then she heard Gavin tell Don he wasn't about to let him take Nora. He did what she wanted. Again, he knew what she wanted without being said. She realized this particular decision wasn't so hard to figure out, but still it didn't have to be verbalized. With so many of her past boyfriends, even the simplest of decisions would have been needed to be said aloud.
"I don't know," Gavin frowned. "He is the biological father...I have a call into Judith...you need to brace yourself."
"Gavin," Alex said firmly. "You know there is no way I let that man have Nora! There is no way Livy would have wanted that!"
"I'm not sure we can keep her!" Gavin warned. "I mean, the biological father has custody rights if the mother..." He didn't finish. Alex turned and left him in the doorway. Gavin inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly.
His phone ringing brought him from his anger. He looked and saw Madelyn's number.
"Hey baby," she said motherly.
"Hey Maddy," he said sitting down on the stoop.
"I'm just checking in with you to see if you need anything," Madelyn told him.
"Yes, I do," Gavin blew out a breath. "I need a lawyer, and I don't mean just any lawyer...I need an O.J. Simpson type team of lawyers that can do the impossible!"
"Oh my God, what is going on?" Madelyn gasped.
"Don is asking to take custody of Nora," Gavin said softly. "There is no fucking way I can let that happen...Alex would be crushed!"
"Ok, baby," Madelyn told him. "I'll call my lawyer, he will know who is the best person to handle this will be."
"I've got a call in Judith, but she hasn't called me back yet. She is on vacation somewhere," he told her.
"I'm on it," Madelyn assured him. "There is one other thing...I hate to even bring it up."
"What?" Gavin asked her rubbing his face with his hand.
"The wedding?" Madelyn asked carefully.
"The wedding," Gavin sighed. "Yeah, look, Al has to be a part of it and it will be at least six months before he is even physically able to do that. He also may need another surgery so it may be even longer. It could take up to a year to fully recover. And I don't think Alex's head is in the right spot right now."
"I know you have put a lot of effort and a shit load of money...," Gavin continued.
"Don't worry about the money, it's nothing compared to yours and Alex's happiness," Madelyn said firmly. "I will put everything on hold, for the time being."
"Thanks, Maddy," Gavin said softly.
"Just one little thing baby," Madelyn began carefully. She knew Gavin would have at least thought about it, but she wanted to make sure. "Are you sure Nora going back to Don is such a bad thing?"
Gavin sat there for a few moments as he thought about that.
"I know it would be a bad thing for Alex," Gavin sighed.
"Are you ready for a child in your home?" Madelyn asked. "Children are such a big responsibility, they are life changers! The life you have envisioned with Alex will change drastically when you add Nora to the mix." Madelyn warned carefully, her love pouring out letting Gavin know this was just motherly advice. The silence on the phone was deafening. Even Madelyn was unsure what to expect from Gavin.
"I love Alex," Gavin said firmly. "This is all about her, if she has to have Nora, and she does, she is getting Nora. She will guide me the rest of the way with a child, as I don't have the first damn clue on kids! I trust her. While I'm sure I don't know what to expect, Alex will guide me and keep me from fucking this up."
"It makes my heart sing to hear you say that," Madelyn said, choking up on the phone. "Then Nora stays...You and Alex will never lose her...I will call in every favor...move every mountain and leave no stone unturned until Nora is safely within your new family...son."
