Guarding Hearts (Living Again #3) (36 page)

He heard Sammi taking pictures, and he was grateful. This was a moment he knew he’d never forget, but having proof of every detail was something he would forever be thankful for. He knew Carl was in here somewhere, too, but he couldn’t focus on anything but the boy in his arms. Here in this room was everyone that mattered to him. His family.

He had no idea how much time had passed before he and Mason loosened their grip on each other, but at some point they stepped back and looked at one another again. He thought that this might be awkward, but it was anything but.

“Mason, this is my girlfriend…”

“Samantha Kerrigan,” Mason interrupted, his eyes big as saucers. He obviously hadn’t seen her when she walked in with him, but he certainly saw her now. Of course he was a fan. What wasn’t there to be a fan of?

Sammi walked up and hugged him. “Yes. I’m Samantha, though your dad likes to call me Sammi.”

Mason’s eyes darted to him, then back to her. “She’s your girlfriend?”

Ellis laughed, realizing the kid was totally star struck. “She is. I take it you’re a fan?”

Mason blushed, realizing he was still staring at her. “Yes, I’m sorry. I love your music.”

“Thanks, Mason. I’m glad to hear that. Don’t be sorry. Your dad has been waiting for this moment your entire life. It’s amazing to see you together, and you’re right. You do look just like him.”

Mason looked back at Ellis and looked him up and down. “We look like we could be brothers.”

Ellis nodded, knowing that was probably true. Since he had been so young when he had him, he didn’t seem like his dad. “Yes, we do. But I was there the day you were born, and many days after.” Ellis paused. “This is Carl Richards. He’s been the only father figure I’ve ever known. He took me in when I had no one.”

Carl stepped forward and shook Mason’s hand. “You had no one?” Mason asked.

Ellis shook his head. “I know you probably have so many questions, and I’m here to answer them, so don’t hold back. I made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I’m so glad to get the chance to start over with you, even if I did miss most of your life so far.”

A look crossed Mason’s face, and it hurt Ellis to see it. “My mom loved me,” he started. “But she was just sick. I still can’t believe she’s gone, but I had kind of prepared myself for that every day for the last few years. I wished so many times that you would find me and come help my mom. I can’t believe that you’re really here. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and be all alone.”

He felt like he was punched in the stomach. “I know, Mason. I wish I would’ve known where you were all these years, and I’m sorry for all you’ve had to deal with. But I can promise you one thing. I’m going to be here for every single thing, from here on out.”

They sat down in the chairs, all of them talking and getting to know each other. Ellis watched his son, his features and mannerisms so similar to his, and his heart felt repaired. The hole that had been in his heart since the day Mason was taken from him was patched, filled up with the unconditional love shown in his son’s eyes.

“Sam, do you need help getting your bags to the car?” Mason called, and she smiled. It had been two months since that fateful day in the courtroom that changed all of their lives forever. When they had gotten back to Nashville with Mason, the first thing Sam did was purchase her own house, a house they could all share as a family. They had moved in not long after, and they truly felt like a real family now.

Mason had done surprisingly well for everything he had been through. They had been to many counseling sessions since his arrival, and he was doing well with talking to them about things that bothered him. Since the transition had put him leaving New York before the school year was up, Ellis had been helping him catch up with the help of online classes.

Right now they were headed to Florida to celebrate all of their birthdays. Ellis had surprised her with clearing her schedule so they could relax in the sun for a week. She couldn’t wait to go and catch up with all of their friends. While they tried to keep in contact, it just wasn’t possible most of the time. Sam’s twenty-fourth birthday was this week, Ellis’ big 3-0 was next week, and Mason’s was a few weeks after, so Ellis had planned a huge shindig on the beach.

Mason appeared and grabbed one of her bags before she could even answer him. Ellis was coming home from meeting with Samuel about the security plan for her upcoming concert and then they would be on their way to the airport.

“I don’t remember living in Florida,” Mason said as they walked together through the house. “But I know I was born in Miami and we moved to New York.”

“I met your dad in Florida, so it will always be special to me,” Sam said. “But Sunset Beach is several hours away from Miami on the West Coast. It has the most beautiful beach. You’ll also get to meet your dad’s friends. I met them a few days after I met him, and they’re a lot of fun. They can’t wait to meet you.”

Ellis walked in just as they reached the living room. “Ready to go?” He looked edible in a pair of grey shorts, a black v-neck tee shirt, and sunglasses hanging from the v. His eyes shone in the sunlight, making her heart accelerate. While she appreciated every part of him, she loved to look into those unique eyes of his that he had so graciously passed on to his son. He smirked at her, as if reading her thoughts.

“Ready,” she and Mason both said at the same time.

Sammi buckled her seatbelt, pulling out her kindle from her purse. It wasn’t often she had several hours of free time, so she planned to read while they were flying. Ellis and Mason were talking sports and football, so she didn’t feel too guilty.

They were taking a private flight again to Florida. She felt silly every time she did it, but with the attention she got on a regular flight, Ellis insisted on it for her safety, after the disaster this past year, she wasn’t taking any chances. It was very nice to not have to worry about sitting on top of anyone else.

“You can’t leave without the par-tay!” Lacey bounded onto the plane, and Sammi’s mouth dropped open.

“Lacey!” She jumped up and hugged her friend, both of them squealing loudly. When she stopped freaking out, she turned to Ellis. “You did this?”

Ellis stood and hugged Lacey briefly, then winked at her. “Of course I did, my love. It’s your birthday! You can’t celebrate without your best friend.”

“Thank you, Ellis! That’s the best birthday surprise! I’m so glad you could escape this week, Lace.”

“Me too,” she sighed, flopping into the seat next to Sammi. “I’m so ready to sit on a beach and drink pina colada’s rather than study the reproductive systems of cows.”

Sammi wrinkled her nose. “The reproductive systems of cows? That sounds… interesting, Lacey.” They all laughed, settling back to prepare for leaving.

Sam and Lacey spent the two hour flight catching up, the first uninterrupted time they had had for as long as either of them could remember. Lacey enjoyed teasing Mason, and he gave it right back.

When the door opened and they walked out on the tarmac of the private airport they flew into, Sam turned her face to the warm sun and sighed. She was so happy to be here, where she could spend time relaxing with the people she loved.

“Hey cabana boy, where did you go?” Sam sing-songed, holding her empty glass out. Lacey giggled from the chair next to her, holding hers out as well.

Ellis feigned impatience as he came over to refill their drinks. They were laying on the private beach of the house they rented for the week. It was a necessity at this point to have everything be as secluded as possible for her safety and sanity. He leaned over and brushed her lips with his. He smelled of suntan lotion, tasted of alcohol, and looked as hot as the sun. And he was all hers.

“Hmm,” she murmured. He winked at her and took a sip of her drink, then leaned over and kissed her again, this time opening his mouth to share what he had just drank with her. As the cool liquid came into her mouth, followed by his tongue, she had to force herself not to take it any further.

“Okay, okay, you two,” Lacey groaned. “It’s getting hot over here. Take that to the room for the sake of the single people around here.”

Ellis pulled away and smiled, filling up Lacey’s drink as well. “Would you like a kiss, too?” They all laughed when Lacey smacked his chest. Sam watched as he walked back to the house with the pitcher.

“Damn, girl,” Lacey said. “That man is
fine
.”

Sammi lowered her sunglasses, giving her friend the eye. “Why, yes he is. But he’s all mine.”

“Oh don’t I know that,” Lacey joked. “His eyes don’t move away from you any time you’re near. That boy has it
bad
.” The friends lay in the Florida sun, enjoying the freedom that came with not having to worry about anything.

The beach party was tonight. He was busy making sure all the preparations were taken care of. She didn’t even know what in the world he had planned, since he wouldn’t tell her, but she sure did love watching him walk around in just his board shorts all day.

Sam stood in the master bathroom, checking her reflection in the mirror before heading down to the party. She had been relegated to the master bedroom for the last two hours so Ellis could do whatever he needed to do that he didn’t want her to see. She knew that their friends were arriving, as she could hear kids’ voices down on the beach, even over the music that was pumping from speakers placed on the sand.

She was wearing a strapless yellow sundress, which showed off her tan from the last few days sunbathing. She had pinned her hair up with a few tendrils framing her face. She would be barefoot, since they would be in the sand the whole night. Her stomach fluttered with nerves, but she didn’t know why.

She heard a knock on the bedroom door, and she rushed to open it. “Rachel!” Sammi hugged her tightly. “I missed you so much!” Rachel followed her in and shut the door.

“Me too, Sam! Look at you! You look beautiful. Oh, and Happy Birthday!”

“Thanks. How are your precious babies?”

“Crawling,” Rachel sighed. “Each in different directions, it seems. But we love them so much. How are things with you guys? Still as hot as ever?”