Avenging Laura (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Four weeks after getting out of the hospital a second time, Laura was answering the knock that was sounding on her front door. When she opened it, Highlander was standing on the other side holding Aurora in his arms with Cody, Willie, and Ryleigh behind him.

Taking Aurora out of his arms and giving her a big squeeze as she breathed in that baby smell, she stepped back and opened the door wider for everyone to come into the house. She hugged Cody tightly as he walked into the house, fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall at any moment.

When Cody held her just as tight, she lost the battle. She let tears fall from her eyes. Once Cody let her go, she hugged Willie and Ryleigh the same. When it came to Highlander, all she could do was stare into his eyes for a few moments, getting lost in the vast blue.

When Highlander reached his hand up to cup her cheeks, all she could do was tilt her head to lean into his touch. It was then that she realized how much she missed this man’s touch. His nearness. His smell.

“Is that lasagna?”

“Yep! I made lasagna for dinner tonight. Is that ok?” Laura looked down at Ryleigh, smiling at her daughter.

“Totally! I love lasagna!” Ryleigh whooped as she ran to the kitchen.

“Need any help in the kitchen, lass?” Highlander offered softly, looking into her eyes.

“Want to help the kids set the table then you can help me make the salad? Dinner should be ready in about ten minutes.”

“Aye. I can do that. First, can I kiss ye?”

“Please,” Laura begged as she stepped into Highlander’s arms.

When Highlander softly placed his lips on hers, intending to be a soft, quick peck, Laura gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him back into her lips. Using her tongue to tease his lips, she waited until he parted his before she teased him by slipping her tongue between his lips.

When Highlander gripped her hips to steady himself, she moaned into his lips. When Aurora giggled and tried to push her way into the middle of them, they groaned at the same time, breaking away.

Highlander leaned his forehead down to hers for several seconds as if to collect himself before moving his lips to her forehead, placing a tender kiss and then walking away. Laura watched her husband walk away, her eyes going down to his ass and drooling.

When Aurora started patting her cheeks to get her attention, she couldn’t help but look down at her daughter and give her a mock growl. “Cock blocker, aren’t you? Maybe I should see if Angel wants to babysit and use you to go and ruin Uncle Dom’s dates.”

When Aurora giggled at her, she just kissed her cheek. Laura followed Highlander into the kitchen, placing Aurora in her highchair and went to the fridge to get the ingredients to make the salad.

She jumped slightly when Highlander came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her backwards into him. Once she’d realized it was just him, she relaxed and leaned back into his embrace, her head falling back onto his chest and closed her eyes. God, she missed this.

“What do ye need me to do with the salad?” Highlander kissed the side of her head.

“Why don’t you cut the cucumbers and the carrots. I’ll peel the eggs and cut the lettuce.” Laura turned her head to look up at him.

“How are ye doing, lass?” Highlander finally asked the question he’d been wanting to ask.

“I’m getting there. I’m doing the work as requested. I see the shrink three days a week. I’ve restarted physical therapy. I’ve hired a personal trainer.”

“Good. I’m glad that ye are facing the demons.” Highlander kissed the side of her head again before pulling away to start doing what she’d asked.

“I’m trying. She has me writing in a journal twice a day. Exercising. Running and walking depending on physical therapy that day. She even has me getting back into Krav Maga again.”

“I’m glad, lass.” Highlander smiled at his wife as he went back to work on the task before him.

“I-I, um, I do have one request though. Well, Dr. Hancock actually suggested it,” Laura stammered as she shrugged.

“What’s that?” Highlander stopped what he was doing and turned toward Laura, giving her his full attention.

“Would you come to the next session with me? I had one today so the next one wouldn’t be until Monday at four.”

Laura couldn’t look at him when she asked. She was afraid of getting her hopes up. Yes, he kissed her and hugged her, but part of her thought he was doing that so that the kids would think they were getting back together.

“Look at me, lass.”

Laura took a few moments to steel herself for what she was about to see in his eyes. Looking up, she about lost her balance.

“Yes, lass. I will come with you on Monday. I want ye happy and healthy. I want us to be happy and healthy together. I love ye, Laura. Whatever it takes for us to find our way back to each other, I’m there for it.”

Laura couldn’t help the tears that fell from her eyes. She didn’t look away from him when he reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumb.

When he leaned down and placed his lips on hers, she leaned into him. The kiss which started out sweet and simple, quickly turned heated, passionate, hungry.

“Ew!”

Laura and Highlander continued to nibble on each other’s lips aware that their daughter was fake gagging behind them. Finally, the two split apart, smirking at each other. Laura couldn’t help but laugh when Highlander winked at her before turning around and grabbing Ryleigh with a growl and showered her face with kisses as she squealed and giggled.