Chances (Mystic Nights #1)(50)

Her answer was a simple smile. “I love you too, Jonathan. For always.” She sniffled once more before she pushed herself towards him. And then his lips found hers, and he knew he was where he had always been meant to be. With her. In his arms.

“I am yours,” she repeated breathlessly when the kiss broke.

“Forever,” he added before he captured her lips once more.





Chapter 24




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A week later, Jonathan was once again explaining to his mother what had happened. She’d been home only two days, but as soon as she stepped off the plane, he knew she had heard. Her grim face spoke volumes.

“You should have called me,” she chastised. “I was so angry when I saw the paper at the airport in Honolulu.” She was shaking her head. Her family meant everything to her, and not to be here when they had all been in danger because of her, she felt ashamed. She always knew Peter would one day do something stupid. But she had never expected this.

“Mom, I told you. There was nothing you could have done.” Jonathan stood before her. Strong. Smiling. He was different. She could tell. He was in love.

She made that disappointed clicking sound with her tongue. “Family sticks together. And if I knew any one of you were in trouble I would have hopped the first plane back.”

Jonathan stepped closer to her. His mother was as tough as they came. She’d stood her ground many a time. In the courtroom. In the boardroom. Heck even in the state and country’s capital. But he hadn’t needed her this time. He would have worried about her too. He took her hands and pulled her towards him. He saw her eyes glittering with emotion. “Mom, Aliya is on her way up, and so I’m excited for you to finally meet.”

“I don’t know why I couldn’t have seen her yesterday.” Again the disappointed click. Aliya had been kept in the hospital over night. Then her mother had insisted she spend at least one day at home recovering with her. But she had wanted to go with Jonathan yesterday to see her.

“You were jet lagged and she still needed time to recover.”

Excuses she thought. She rolled her eyes. When did her children grow up and not need her? When did they stop confiding in her? She didn’t like it. Not one bit.

Her mother’s eye roll did not phase him. He’d seen it too many times. He gave her a laugh and quick hug before pulling back.

She made a small snorting sound, but smiled at her eldest son. “I would have come home.” She repeated it one more time for good measure.

He sighed. “I know you would have. But you work so hard. So hard. You are tireless. Fearless. This vacation you take every year, well, it renews you. I didn’t want to take that away from you. You always come back ready to face anything.” He kissed his mother gently on the top of her head. “And I’m sure there will be plenty of things going on soon enough to keep you busy.” He was waiting for Aliya to arrive before he told her about the baby. But he couldn’t resist dropping just one little hint. She was going to be beyond ecstatic.

“Don’t patronize.” It was his mother who broke the embrace. “But, next time call. If any of my kids are in danger, or if there is anything serious happening at the casino, I want to know.”

“Understood,” he replied with equal strength in his own voice.

Just then there was a soft tap at the door. Both of them turned as Glenna opened it and Aliya, looking lovely in a plum silk dress, entered the room.

“Aliya Chance,” Tawny greeted her soon to be daughter-in-law. “Welcome to the family,” she offered the words sincerely. She was thrilled one of her children was finally settling down even if it was under such crazy circumstances. Jonathan had confessed his love for the girl, and had told her yesterday about it. She had been thrilled when he told her he loved her, wanted to marry her, and had used the words, the one.

Aliya heard the genuineness in Tawny’s voice, and it helped to soothe her frayed nerves. The gorgeous woman, just forty-eight, looked remarkable. She knew her in passing, but had never done more than exchange polite words of greeting. She had been just a tad worried about meeting the matriarch of this powerful family. And they had yet to inform her of the pregnancy. She wanted to be there when that announcement was made. It was one of the reasons they hadn’t told her sooner. They wanted to be sure everything was okay at the hospital. And then Aliya’s mother wanted to do some of her own coddling.

Aliya hoped Tawny was still as welcoming once their news was revealed.

“I love her, Mom,” Jonathan confessed once more. “I’m so pleased that you approve.”

Tawny clucked her tongue. “Why wouldn’t I? That’s all I’ve ever wanted was for my children to settle down here in Lantern Hill. Make babies and watch my family grow.”

Both Aliya and Jonathan exchanged a shy look.

Tawny saw it. She saw everything. “What?” she exclaimed her hand instinctively coming up to her mouth. Her heart beat picked up a notch. She knew that smile.

Jonathan nodded. And he saw the tears forming in Tawny’s eyes as she looked from one to the other. A grandchild? “She’s pregnant, Mom. You’re going to be a Grandmother.” Jonathan then pressed a kiss to Aliya’s cheek as he also watched his mother’s reaction go from one of shock and surprise to joy in the blink of an eye.