UP, UP, AND AWAY
With Farron, Kara, and the twins safely in Florida, Donovan began 'poking' around as he promised. It hadn't taken long to receive his answers. What information he couldn't find on his own, he received with assistance from Cody. He did this discreetly, of course, because Shoemaker was still an ass. Although Donovan had basically changed his mind about quitting, Shoemaker continued to be the same selfish bastard he always was.
Donovan stood in his office, staring out the window. It was late, probably after nine or ten, and he had no idea why he was still here instead of at home. He had called Loralei a few hours ago, promising to be home before ten, but he wasn't sure he was going to make it. Nothing either he or Cody had found indicated that any of Farron's enemies were still in operation. Most of the heavy hitters were in prison, including Alca Huete and Jesus Ortiz. Those were the only two Donovan was worried about at this time, because the rest of them were nothing more than gang members. However, he couldn't help but feel that he was missing something or someone. What is it? Where is it? He didn't want to fail his brother or his family, and he thought he had done as much as he could. It was almost time to call Farron with the all clear. Yet, he still couldn't shake away the thought that all was not good. Sighing heavily, he pulled himself away from the window. It was time to go home before his wife came after his ass.
As soon as Donovan made it home, he went directly upstairs and checked in on the kids. For the time being, both of them were knocked out. He placed gentle kisses on each of their foreheads, Tristan completely unaware of his presence, Rachel stirring only slightly. After a few moments, he moved away from their rooms and toward his own. Loralei hadn't yet gone to sleep. She was sitting up in bed, glancing at the newspaper, probably focusing on the classifieds. She wanted a job, but wasn't so hot on the idea of teaching again. Her experience at Mord had soured her. It was a shame, really, because she was so bright and sharp. He noticed that her laptop was beside her, but she had apparently shut it down for the night. She looked up when she sensed his presence. Loralei smiled up at him and folded the paper neatly before flinging it to the floor.
"You're late," she said, her voice tinged with light, but teasing, accusation.
"Sorry," he said, grinning broadly as he approached his side of the bed. He sat down and silently began the process of getting undressed.
Loralei stared at the back of his head for a moment. She was certain he knew she was looking at him. "Babe? Are you okay?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Really?"
He chuckled and shook his head. "You're not going to let this go, are you?" It was a dumb question. Of course, she wouldn't let it go. She never did, but that was why he loved her so damn much. "I'm going to call Farron and give him the all clear to come back home, but you know me, always suspicious. I just want to make sure I've covered all the bases."
"Come on, baby. Frank Donovan? Not thorough? Impossible."
"LD, you're biased."
She laughed. "Okay, maybe a little."
He stood and faced her while he removed his slacks. "No. I'd say a lot."
Loralei moved the laptop off the bed, thinking that Donovan was going to slide into bed beside her. Instead, he leaned directly over her, reaching for the phone. He didn't want to hesitate another moment. Silently, she watched as he settled beside her before his thumb began punching out a number. Curiously, she watched as he listened for the other party to pick up. There was something else, something he was uneasy about, but at the moment, he didn't want to share.
Donovan ran his tongue over his lips before speaking. "Hi, baby," he said. "Where's your mom?" In the background, he could hear his sister scolding his niece for getting out of bed. After a moment, he heard a tired 'hello.' "It's okay, Anya, it's just Frank. Is Farron around?"
Loralei watched curiously and listened to the one-sided conversation. She picked up the most important parts of the call, including 'it's okay…bring your family back.' She had known he was poking around on his brother's behalf, but she didn't quite understand his guarded cautiousness. He spoke to his brother for about fifteen or twenty minutes and then ended the call. Instead of reaching across her to replace the phone, he put it on the nightstand on his side of the bed. He made moves to get up, but she took hold of his arm.
"Wait a second," she said. "I don't want to nag, but something is going on. What is it?"
Donovan settled back on the bed again. "Nothing, I promise. It's just a nerve or two out of whack, that's all." He noticed the look on her face. He had seen it many, many times throughout the duration of their relationship, had even begun to notice it on the face of their daughter. It was that 'I don't believe you, I'm about to blow' thing. "Loralei, really. It's okay." She nodded, satisfied for the moment, and released his arm. A soft cry emitted from down the hall. At almost the same time, they locked eyes and said 'Tristan.' "I'll get him," he said, "I probably woke him up when I came in."
She was going to protest, but before she could say a word, he was in his robe and out the door. His cries grew softer and then softer still before he quieted completely. Loralei came out of bed and padded softly down the hall. She peeked in at Rachel, the lightest of sleepers, but she hadn't moved. She stopped at Tristan's door and watched for a moment. Donovan had cradled the boy in his arms and carried him to a nearby recliner. Tristan had fallen asleep against his father's chest, his fist full of Donovan's robe. This wasn't an unusual scene. It occurred almost nightly. However, Loralei felt as if she was witnessing this for the first time, and she could have sworn there were tears in her husband's eyes.
* * *
Farron pressed the call button near his comfortable seat in the First Class section of Flight 1208 headed for Chicago. He and Kara were returning from vacationing in Florida. They had a wonderful three-week visit with Farron's sister, Anya, who absolutely doted on the twins the entire time they were there. He didn't mind that so much, it gave Kara a chance to rest.
A secretive smile touched his lips as he thought back over the last three weeks. The extra time Kara had to spend with him while Anya fawned over Bryce and Brittany was a welcome side effect of the vacation. No, he didn't mind that at all.
He loved his children more than life itself, but there were times when he had missed his wife's attention during the first couple months after the twins' arrival. That situation was improving as the months passed, and these past couple of weeks had only given them that much more time to be together.
He knew it was selfish, something that spilled over from his former lifestyle, but he couldn't help it. Kara had done something to him, changed him, messed up his whole mindset to where she was what he needed the most in the world. His Shel, along with their precious babies, had become the main focus of his life, and he was rather selfish when it came to the time he was able to have with them.
His gaze fell upon Kara as she repositioned Brittany in her arms. The babies were about to get fussy, and not quietly either. It was time for their feeding. He noticed the little pinched look on Kara's brow. It had lessened over the months, but every once in awhile he caught its reappearance. Doctor Berger had informed her that her breast milk didn't contain enough vitamins and nutrients for the infants and they would have to be bottle-fed. Her hormones had taken over at that point and she cried for days, feeling as if she were less than a woman. He switched Bryce to his other arm and leaned over and pressed a tender kiss to his wife's brow.
Kara released a saddened sigh. How does he do that, she wondered silently. "I'm okay, baby." No, she wasn't, but it was getting better. After all, many women couldn't, or choose not to, breast-feed. Not a big deal. She slid a tender finger along Brittany's soft cheek and listened to her contented coo. She smiled up at Farron with an amused look on her face. "Such a prelude to the noisy squalls that are about to be issued forth from those lungs."
"Don't I know it, querida," he replied, winking.
"Is there something I can do for you?"
Looking up, Farron saw one of the First Class flight attendants standing before them. He had glanced at her nametag when they first boarded. It was a rule he learned many years ago. People respond in a more genial manner when their names are used. He offered the semi-attractive brunette a friendly smile. "Yes, Carrie. When we boarded, I had asked you about heating the babies' formula?"
Carrie leaned her tall frame town a smidge when she saw Mrs. Donovan pull two bottles from the diaper bag at her feet. Her eyes wandered to the infants and she found a smile touching her lips. The twins were completely adorable and Carrie was immediately taken with them from the time the family boarded the plane. More than once she had caught herself just watching them while their parents lavished attention on them. Her co-worker admonished her a time or two because she really should have been attending to the other patrons. She accepted the bottles from Mrs. Donovan and stood upright. "I'll be back in a moment," she assured them.
Kara leaned toward Farron and rested her head on his shoulder. She tenderly bounced Brittany in one arm as she reached over and smoothed the dark silky hair on Bryce's little head. His rich brown eyes focused on his mother's face and he smiled happily. She turned her head slightly and pressed a soft kiss to Farron's neck. "Did I ever tell you that you make beautiful babies?" His deep chuckle warmed her soul and sent shivers over her entire body.
"I couldn't do it without you, love," he answered adoringly. "When we get home, I think we should talk about hiring someone to help around the house. Taking care of the twins is a lot of work for you." He shook his head when she began to protest. "I'm just saying, we're moving from the apartment into your family home. It's a hell of a lot larger than the apartment and too much for you to handle and take care of the children."
Kara sat back in her seat as she thought over his suggestion. He was very sweet to want to ease the burden, not just for her, but also for them both. He had taken on as much of the child rearing and household chores as she did, and it wasn't as if they couldn't afford to hire help.
Farron continued to work steadily, although she had stopped working completely. He hated when they used her money for anything, insisting that he should be the one to provide for her, but there were times he would relent and allow her to dip into her Trust and spend frivolously. It was something she didn't make a habit of because she never wanted to injure his pride. He worked hard to overcome his former lifestyle and the last thing he wanted was to be labeled as a kept man. No, she would never do that to him.
* * *
"What ya got there?"
Carrie started the microwave and turned to see the woman she shared First Class duties with. Sienna Morgan, a looks-to-die-for leggy blonde, eyed her curiously. "Just warming the formula for the Donovan twins."
Sienna pursed her lips and moved to the curtain and pulled it back slightly. "The couple in the first row on the right side of the cabin?"
Carrie nodded and busied herself filling the drink cart. "Yes. Aren't those twins beautiful?"
"I guess so," she replied uncaringly. "Who asked you to do this?"
"Mr. Donovan...when they boarded," Carrie answered.
"Hmm…catch his accent? So thick and sexy...he could ask me to do anything and I'd willingly comply."
"He has a nice voice," Carrie agreed. "They're a nice couple, don't you think?"
Sienna frowned. Was Carrie insane? The last thing she wanted to think about was the couple. Now, ask her what she thought about the man, and Sienna would be more than willing to talk. Tall, dark, and handsome barely summed him up. He was dressed smartly in navy slacks and a white button down shirt that sensually emphasized his dark toned skin. "Who can see past the guy's devastating looks to think about the wife? And, oh God, don't get me started on his hair. It looks like long waves of silk. And, ohmigawd, those full lips and the beard and mustache? Jesus, to feel that between your legs...hell, Carrie, sometimes I wonder if you have eyes in your head."
Carrie blushed at Sienna's lewd comments about Mr. Donovan and shrugged away the ones directed at her lack of taste. "Come on, Sienna. I'm not stupid. He's gorgeous, but anyone can easily see he's crazy about his wife."
"Looks can be deceiving," Sienna snipped lightly before stepping through the curtain to take dinner orders. She glanced back at Carrie who was removing the bottles of formula from the microwave and shook her head. Carrie was a sweet girl who was more than a little on the naïve side. She, on the other hand, couldn't get the image of that man's head between her legs out of her mind.
* * *
Kara continued to toss around Farron's suggestion. She didn't want to go the route of a nanny, as she and John had been raised that way. If nothing else, she wanted her children to know that they were first and foremost in the lives of their parents. "To help with cleaning only," Kara insisted firmly, turning her gaze back onto Farron.
"Agreed," he responded, leaning over to kiss her lightly. "Love you," he whispered before deepening the kiss.
Carrie approached the Donovans and cleared her throat softly. She smiled warmly as they broke their kiss and looked up at her. Sienna is so wrong. You can't fake these emotions. "Here you go," she said simply, handing over the bottles of formula.
Kara thanked her as she took the bottles that Carrie had so thoughtfully wrapped in a cloth. She handed one to Farron. The twins' appetites were growing and soon formula wouldn't satisfy them. Brittany finished her bottle first and Kara tossed a small towel over her shoulder to protect her linen suit as she burped the baby. While she patted Brittany's back softly, she watched as Farron dropped the empty bottle he held into the diaper bag and shifted Bryce toward his shoulder. Just as he pulled a cloth from the bag, Bryce emitted a liquid sounding burp, and to Daddy's dismay, he now had a shoulder full of baby spit-up.
Farron wrinkled his nose at Bryce as he wiped the baby's chin. "Thanks so much, niño." His laughter mingled along with Kara's. "Guess someone's not all that fond of flying."
"Guess not," Kara agreed, amused. "Pass him over..."
"I'll take him."
Kara looked up at Carrie. "Thank you."
Carrie nodded and took the infant as he was passed to her. She was about to suggest Mr. Donovan go into the galley to clean up when Sienna approached.
"Come with me, Mr. Donovan, and you can clean that mess from your shirt," Sienna offered, motioning toward the galley.
Farron nodded as he rose from his aisle seat. "Thank you."
"Do you mind?" Carrie asked, pointing at the seat.
"Not at all," Kara answered, shifting in her seat and repositioning Brittany on her lap.
"The babies are just beautiful, Mrs. Donovan."
Kara smiled warmly. "Thank you. I think so, too, but I'm a bit biased."
"What are their names?" Carrie asked, genuinely curious.
"You're holding Bryce Everett Donovan and this," she said, tapping Brittany's cheek lightly, "is Brittany Kathryn Donovan."
* * *
Sienna turned on the water in the galley's sink and soaked a small towel with warm water. She dropped a bit of soap onto the cloth before running it over the saturated part of Farron Donovan's shirt. Oh yes, she had checked on his name. Even his name exuded a sexual quality. It was a damn shame he was tied down to one woman. Or was he? That was a question she planned to get an answer to. She licked her bottom lip as more of his shirt became wet from the towel and soon his darkened skin was showing through the soaked material.
Farron became increasingly uncomfortable under the beautiful woman's gaze. He wasn't stupid. At that moment, he knew her attention was fixed on his nipple, which she stroked repeatedly through his shirt with the water soaked towel. "Excuse me," he drawled irritably. "I really don't need help with this."
"Nonsense," she insisted, glad the sickening smell of baby puke had dissipated. "You're a passenger under my care," she said seductively. "And care for you, I will."
She had inched closer to him as she spoke. Farron felt himself rooted to the spot, unsure of his next move. The towel had been forgotten as it was dropped carelessly into the sink and her hand rested over the wet material of his shirt. Sure, he was flattered. He'd been in this position many times over the years. Taking women had never been a difficult chore for him. One look, one word, one touch, and he was in their panties faster than they could bat an eyelash. Advances such as the ones he was now experiencing had never bothered him before. In most cases, he would have responded readily to their desire and made it quite clear that he just used them to release a little sexual tension.
Sienna took his lack of reaction as a go. She pushed forward, planting her lips firmly against his, her tongue diligently attempting to gain entrance into his mouth. She was unprepared for the forceful shove she received in response to her kiss.
Appalled, Farron could barely contain the need to spit out the vile taste of her as he angrily ran the back of his hand over his lips. He hadn't asked for or wanted her advances. He was certainly not expecting his violent reaction when her lips fell upon his. It had been quite some time since he had kissed anyone other than Kara, not that he had wanted to. He didn't. His reaction only further proved that point. His wife was the only woman he wanted to touch; the only woman he wanted touching him.
Sienna physically balked at his reaction. "What the hell?"
Farron shook his head and grabbed up a fresh towel. He tossed it over his shoulder, covering the damp area of his shirt. As he brushed past the brazen flight attendant, he murmured a harsh, "Thanks, but no thanks."
Sienna stared after him, incredulous that her advances had been rebuffed. No one had ever turned her down. "Jerk," she spat hatefully. She watched him take the infant from Carrie and silently wished every horrible affliction she could think of onto the shamefully gorgeous creature who had refused her.
* * *
Kara spied his irritated scowl the moment he sat down. "Farron? Is something wrong?"
Farron glanced across the cabin and his eyes fell upon Sienna. She boldly stared at him as if daring him to say a word. He turned his attention back to Kara and leaned over the seat. "Can you believe that flight attendant over there came on to me while we were in the galley," he whispered into her ear.
Kara sought out the woman to whom Farron referred. When her eyes locked onto Sienna's, Kara smiled knowingly. She easily read the jealousy in the other woman's eyes. "Of course I can believe it, my darling Farron," she whispered in return. "You are a delicious morsel, after all." She winked at Sienna before her lips found Farron's, swallowing his chuckle as she kissed him deeply. When they broke the kiss, breathless, she added, "I'm afraid you'll haunt her dreams for weeks to come, you sexy bastard."
"Shel, you're wicked," he responded, laughing. His laughter faded when he noted the sober look pass over Kara's face. "What?"
"Well...did you enjoy her...attention?" She hadn't wanted to ask, hadn't wanted to feel that jealousy herself, but as she had said, he was a delicious morsel.
He shook his head and pressed his forehead to hers. "Not in the least. You know you're the only woman for me, querida."
Kara sighed contentedly. "I love you, Farron Donovan."
"Love you, too, Kara Donovan."
* * *
Sienna silently seethed as she watched the couple. She had never been so happy to hear the demanding wails of infants in her life. At least while they paid attention to the brats, they wouldn't be sucking face. She rolled her eyes and headed back to the galley. The stray thought of putting something into his dinner entered her mind, but when she entered the galley, she found Carrie had already set up the cart and the Donovans were on Carrie's side of the cabin. Damn the luck.
--To be continued…