Key To My Heart (Love Conquers All) (17 page)

“Why is that? Because we don’t want to see you hurt our girl again?” That was Starr who slung that accusation.

Langston took a deep breath before laying his cards on the table. He had to make somebody, anybody believe he would never hurt Ava again. If he could get these two on his side, maybe he’d get Ava to come around quicker. “Listen, I love Ava. I’ve never stopped loving her. I know I did her wrong, and believe me, every day I look at my daughter is a reminder of just how badly I messed up, how badly I hurt Ava.” Langston paused for a second as he ran a large hand down his face before continuing. “You have no idea how badly I want to make this all right, how much I want to give Ava everything she deserves, and then some.”

“Are you talking about marriage?” Summer blurted out. If he wasn’t talking it, then he’d better get to stepping right on out of her life. If he thought for one minute he was going to play games and trample all over their friend’s feelings, he had another think coming.

Langston nodded. “That’s what I’m talking about. I want me, Ava, and Zoe to be a family. I want to give my baby’s momma my name,” he proudly boasted, a smile brightening his dark features.

Starr jumped out of her chair and loudly clapped her hands. “Hot damn! Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”

The three of them roared with laughter at Starr’s excitement.

After the laugher died down, Langston threw caution to the wind and did what he’d never done since he was an adult—ask someone for help.

“Summer, Starr, I know you are like sisters to Ava.”

They both nodded at his assessment of their relationship.

“So I’m going to need your help with winning her over.”

Both women quickly shared a look, then turned twinkling eyes on Langston. With a big cheesy grin, Summer said, “Just tell us what you want us to do, and it’s done.”

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Stepping onto the Metro to head back to the car, Starr said, “You know, if Ava ever finds out we came down here to see Langston, she’s never going to speak to us again.”

Summer chuckled. “I know. So keep your big mouth shut and don’t tell NOBODY.”

Starr gasped, feigning offense. “I know you’re not talking!”

“Oh, yes, I am!”

“Whatever, Summer.”

Starr and Summer were so optimistic with how things would turn out between Ava and Langston that they discussed every detail of the wedding from what kind of gown Ava would wear, to their bridesmaid gowns, how they would wear their hair, and on and on.

“Daddy, I want to do it.” Zoe excitedly bounced on the tall kitchen stool at the center kitchen island. This was the best day ever for the seven-year-old. Today would be her very first Mother’s Day with her mommy.

Langston chortled. “All right, Love Bug, hold your horses.”

As Zoe reached for the carton of eggs, Langston gently tapped the back of the child’s hand. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “Did you wash your hands?”

Tilting her head to the side and putting her index finger against her bottom lip, Zoe sighed. “I don’t even remember, Daddy.”

Helping her down from the stool, Langston pointed in the direction of the powder room off the hallway. “Go!”

“OK, Daddy!” And with that Zoe took off running to the powder room.

Zoe wasn’t the only one bubbling over with excitement. This was a first for him too, and he wanted to get it right. Getting up extra early this morning, he’d come down to the kitchen and began to prep the food for breakfast. After chopping the fresh spinach and slicing the mushrooms for the omelets, Langston threw some oranges and fresh pineapples into the juicer. Next he took turkey bacon out of the refrigerator and started to fry it up.

After the breakfast meat was finished, he tiptoed upstairs, past the guestroom where Ava was sleeping, and into Zoe’s bedroom. Gently kissing her forehead, he whispered, “Love Bug, wake up.”

Stretching and then yawning, the child said, “Good morning, Daddy.”

“You ready to help me make Mommy’s breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day?”

That was all he had to say to get Zoe up and moving. Langston’s intention had been to let her put the crescent rolls in the pan before baking them. However, the child had plans of her own as she eagerly watched him move around the kitchen.

Running back into the room, Zoe climbed back up onto the stool. Holding her hands up in the air, she said, “All clean. See, Daddy.”

Bending down, Langston squinted at the tiny hands, and then leaned in closer to sniff them. “OK, they pass the booga-boo germ free test.”

“Daddy, you’re so silly.” This time when she reached for the carton of eggs, Langston didn’t stop her. Taking an egg in her tiny hand she looked at her father. “Show me how to do it.”

Taking the egg from her tiny hand, Langston’s cracked the egg on the rim of the glass mixing bowl.”You do it like this, Love Bug.” Handing her another egg, he instructed the child how to repeat his action.

Langston smiled as she accepted the egg and repeated what he’d just done. “I did it, Daddy!” Zoe was so happy to be helping her daddy make her mommy breakfast. Daddy said once they finished cooking, they were going to put it on the new tray he’d bought and take it upstairs to Mommy. She couldn’t wait! She wanted to get in bed with Mommy and eat breakfast too!

“Yes, you did, Love Bug. Here, crack another one.” Langston allowed Zoe to crack all the eggs. As she cracked them, releasing their contents into the bowl, he scooped out any shells that fell in.

Langston and Zoe worked side by side, preparing Ava’s Mother’s Day breakfast with love.

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Rolling over, the smell of breakfast cooking tickled Ava’s nostrils. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Ava went into the adjoining bathroom to take care of her morning needs. Her growling stomach prompted her to pick up the pace as she brushed her teeth and washed her face.

“Mmmm, that food smells so good. And I’m ready to tear it up,” Ava mused as she came out of the bathroom, not really caring what it was that was cooking. Grabbing her robe, she quickly put it on and padded over to the door. Pulling open the door, she nearly collided into Zoe and Langston.

“Whoa!” They all sang in unison, coming to a complete stop in their tracks. Ava glanced from Langston, then down to Zoe. Langston was holding a tray loaded with her favorites—a spinach mushroom omelet, turkey bacon, crescent rolls, and a tall glass of freshly squeezed juice. Zoe held a beautiful crystal vase with pink roses from the rosebush out front in one hand, and a card she’d made in school in the other.

Just as she was about to question why she was getting the royal treatment this fine Sunday morning, realization dawned on her. Today was Mother’s Day.

“Happy Mother’s Day, Ava,” Langston whispered, his voice as smooth as silk. The flash of awareness in her eyes told him all he needed to know. Ava still had feelings for him. Feelings, he surmised, she was terrified to give in to. Langston wanted more than anything to pull her into his arms and hold her there, loving her until she believed he would never hurt her again.

Ava’s eyelids fluttered to the same rhythm as the butterflies in her lower belly. Oh, man, her baby’s daddy was standing here, holding breakfast he had to get up extra early to prepare for her with their baby girl by his side. When she gazed at the pair all she could see was care and love. How in the world was she supposed to keep him at bay? To keep her heart protected? Swallowing the lump forming in her throat, Ava whispered back, “Thank you.”

“Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy! I picked these flowers for you and made this card!” Zoe excitedly exclaimed, dissipating the sensual fog as her tiny hands thrust the vase and card to her mother.

Stooping down and accepting the gifts, Ava hugged Zoe. “Thank you, my Zoe. I love the flowers and my card. They’re so pretty, just like you.”

Zoe beamed at the compliment and tugged on Ava’s hand. “Come on, Mommy, you have to get back in bed. Daddy said we’re supposed to be serving you breakfast in bed.” Zoe turned, looking to her father for confirmation. “Right, Daddy?”

Ava’s heart melted when he tenderly smiled at their daughter. “Yes, that’s right, Love Bug.”

“See, I told you, Mommy.”

Ava giggled at Zoe’s persistence to get her back in bed. “OK, honey. Let me just put these flowers and the card on the dresser.”

Langston swallowed hard and counted
one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi
in his head in an attempt to control his nature as Ava untied the belt of her robe, removed it, and carefully draped it across the foot of the queen-sized bed. The lavender satin gown she wore beneath had thin spaghetti straps and hugged every curve of her body before stopping just above her knees. He had to stifle a groan when she climbed back onto the bed. The satiny fabric rose up, showing off a smooth, velvety vanilla with a hint of brown sugar thigh. For goodness’ sake, his seven-year-old daughter was in the room. He had to pull himself together.

Ava didn’t miss Langston’s eyes traveling up the length of her thigh, nor the passionate heat they held. If she were honest with herself, she’d admit that the attention felt awesome. It made her feel beautiful and desired. However, Ava wasn’t quite ready to admit such a thing, not when she was so unclear about her feelings for Langston.

Pulling the crisp cotton sheet up, Ava tucked her legs beneath it before adjusting two pillows behind her back. “All right, I’m ready now for my royal treatment,” she teased, smiling.

Ava tucked her bottom lip between her teeth. Langston had moved in real close as he settled the serving tray loaded with goodies over her lap. He smelled so good—a mixture of soap and his own unique masculine scent.

Simultaneously, Ava and Langston reached for the silverware wrapped in the pink linen napkin. When their hands connected, Ava looked away. Her face burned a tinge of pink the same shade of the napkin as heat shot through her. “Sorry.”

“No need for an apology,” Langston assured her, removing the silverware from the napkin and setting it on the tray. Ava’s heartbeat kicked up a notch when he leaned in lovingly spread the linen napkin over her lap. She thought she would die when he reached over, sliding the thin strap of her gown back onto her shoulder.

Why did he do that? Why did he torture himself by touching her? Her skin felt soft and silky, just like he remembered. It certainly didn’t help that Ava shivered from the contact, which was not meant to be so intimate. Nevertheless, it had become a lover’s touch as long, strong fingers caressed her skin. That simple touch was the spark to ignite a longing that lay dormant and simmering for years. Sure, Langston had other women since Ava. But none of them sparked Langston the way Ava had. And he doubted any other woman would be able to accomplish such a feat.

Ava cleared her throat. Her fingers slightly trembled as she reached for the silverware. “Thanks, Langston and my Zoe. This looks so good.” Cutting into the omelet, Ava put a piece in her mouth and slowly chewed. “Mmm, this is good.”

“Mommy, can I have some?” Zoe asked, climbing onto the bed.

“Zoe, let your mother—”

Before he could finish, Ava cut him off. “It’s OK, Langston. I’ll share with my Zoe.” Patting the bed next to her, Ava smiled. “Come on, baby.”

The small child eagerly hopped onto the bed next to her mother. Ave cut a smaller piece of the omelet. “Open up.” Ava giggled when Zoe opened her tiny mouth. She looked like a little bird.

“What’s so funny, Mommy?”

“You are. You look like a little bird waiting for momma bird to give you a worm.”

“Ewwww! A worm!” Zoe squealed.

“Hmm-hmm, a worm. That’s what momma birds feed their little baby birds.”

“I’m glad I’m not a baby bird! Yuk!”

Langston and Ava both laughed at Zoe’s disgust over eating worms. “Well, I guess I better get back downstairs,” Langston said.

Ava watched him turn to leave as she handed Zoe a slice of turkey bacon. “Hey, Lang, why don’t you go get your breakfast and bring it back up here to eat with me and Zoe.” It was more of an invitation, not so much a question.

Langston smiled. “I’d like that. I’ll be right back.”

After they’d all but gorged themselves on the Mother’s Day breakfast Langston and Zoe had prepared, the trio lay in bed stuffed like Thanksgiving Day turkeys. It wasn’t long before a nap claimed them as their lids grew heavy from the early morning meal.

Forty-five minutes later, Langston was the first to wake, surprised that he’d fallen asleep. He wasn’t accustomed to taking naps. However, neither was he accustomed to getting up at six in the morning to cook breakfast, nor pigging out like there was no tomorrow.

Opening his eyes, the most beautiful vision greeted him. Zoe had climbed beneath the covers and snuggled closer to her mother’s body. Ava’s arm was curved around the small body in a tender embrace. Without much thought, Langston positioned himself on his side, gingerly placing a muscular arm protectively around his family. Softly kissing Zoe’s forehead, a content smile danced across his lips.
Love Bug, I’ve got you your mommy, and I’m never letting her go.
With that thought, Langston rejoined his family in dream world.

“Lang?” Ava softly whispered over Zoe’s sleeping head.