Fairytale Come Alive (Ghosts and Reincarnation #4)(132)

Bella snuggled into Mikey’s body, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder as she looked at Prentice. At her cuddle, Mikey looked like Fiona reckoned anyone would look before they dropped dead of a heart attack. Then his face grew soft.

Bella didn’t notice.

“I think he either made a deal with the devil or he’s the bastard love child of Father Time,” Bella remarked with a radiant grin thrown in for good measure.

Mikey burst out laughing but Fiona looked at Prentice and saw him gazing at Bella with that expression he got before Fiona was popped back to her tent by the stream.

“Mister Mikey!” Jason shouted as he also ran down the stairs.

“Jason, be careful on the stairs,” Bella cautioned as she moved out of Mikey’s embrace.

Jason ignored Bella, ran up to Mikey and then her son gave him a quick hug.

Jason stepped back and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Surprise inspection,” Mikey muttered, his eyes on Bella.

“What?” Jason asked, his voice filled with humor.

“Nothing, bucko,” Mikey answered. “I just was sitting around, thinking, ‘What am I going to do for Christmas?’ and it came to me that Bella said the guest suite in your house was magnificent so I figured I just had to spend time there and, therefore, invite myself to Christmas with all of you, so here I am!”

Jason grinned and declared, “You’re mental.”

“Yes, indeed I am,” Mikey replied, sounding proud of Jason’s assessment.

“Oh my God! School!” Bella shouted. “Kids, car! Mikey, I’ll be back in twenty minutes, tops.”

“Elle, I’ll take them this morning,” Prentice offered.

“No, it’s out of your way and you have that meeting. I’m good, Mikey’s good.” She was hustling the kids to the door then she suddenly changed directions, dashed forward, threw herself in Prentice’s arms, pressed a quick kiss on his mouth and dashed back, going back to her babbling. “Mikey, coffee, toast, get your stuff settled in the guest suite, twenty minutes.”

“Bye Mister Mikey! Bye, bye, bye!” Sally jumped up and down as Bella hustled her forward at the same time shoving on a pair of shoes.

Jason waved behind him and they all hurried out the door.

The minute it closed, Mikey turned to Prentice.

“I’d give you a hug if I didn’t think you’d punch me. Or I’d offer you a million dollars if I didn’t know you’d turned down fifty-four or if I actually had a million dollars.” His voice lowered and his eyes grew bright when he finished, “So, Prentice Cameron, the only thing I can do is say thank you.”

Prentice tilted his chin up slightly and gave Mikey a moment to compose himself before he commented, “I’m guessing we passed inspection.”

“You all get gold stars,” Mikey replied and Prentice grinned.

Then Prentice’s eyes went to the door and he asked, “Have you ever seen her like that?”

Mikey looked behind him toward the door and answered, “Yes, often, at school.” He turned back around. “After she lost you, when she was vulnerable and he could beat her down, rarely.”

Prentice’s jaw grew tight.

“Prentice,” Mikey said softly, “that was then, this is now. Let it go.”

Prentice tilted his chin again but this time it was more of a jerk.

Mikey’s voice was still gentle when he stated, “Annie tells me she’s not self-harming anymore.”

Prentice’s eyes narrowed. “You knew about that?”

Mikey nodded. “Both Annie and I talked to her. She was seeing a doctor.”

The color went out of Prentice’s face. “She’s not seeing a doctor now.”

“She’s also living thousands of miles away from her abusive father with whom she used to live in the same city and, regardless of her age, he was unrelenting in his attention. And she doesn’t have photographers breathing down her neck because she’s not attending all the soirees and high-brow events her detestable ex-husband and then her despicable father demanded she appear at which, by the way, she loathed. Instead, she’s living in a beautiful house with the only man she’s ever loved, helping him raise his children. So,” Mikey threw out his hand absently, “I’m no psychologist, but I’m guessing she doesn’t need a doctor anymore.”

Prentice wasn’t convinced. “Life has a way of twisting and turning.”

“Yes,” Mikey agreed. “It does. And usually one can go with the flow. But when one finds they can’t, they need a strong, solid anchor.” He nodded to Prentice. “You aren’t made of iron but I think you’ll do.”

Prentice didn’t reply then again, he didn’t need to. He was Bella’s anchor and they both knew it.

That was why Mikey smiled before he clapped and exclaimed, “All right! I need coffee and you need to get to a meeting.”

“I’ll bring in your bags,” Prentice offered.

“I’m g*y, not disabled.” Mikey smiled through his refusal. “Go to your meeting.” When Prentice didn’t move, Mikey started waving at the door, saying, “Shoo, shoo.”

Prentice shook his head but slapped Mikey on the shoulder.