Hope for Us All: A Hope Series Christmas Novella Read online

  Hope for Us All

  A Hope Series Christmas Novella

  Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

  SAM & Associates, LLC

  Contents

  Copyright

  Free Download

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Free Download

  Books by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

  About the Author

  Copyright© Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 2016

  All rights reserved

  Published by SAM & Associates, LLC

  Editing by Jenny Sims

  Editing 4 Indies

  Cover design © Rebecca Berto

  Berto Designs

  No part of this publication may be reproduced or retransmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photography, recording or any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written consent from the publisher and author, except in the instance of quotes for reviews. No part of this book may be uploaded without the permission of the publisher and author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is originally published.

  This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to person, living or dead or places, actual events or locales are purely coincidental.

  The characters and names are products of the author's imagination and used fictitiously.

  The publisher and author acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book.

  Dedication

  To my readers …

  May your holiday be filled with HOPE & love.

  Sydney’s VIP Newsletter

  Chapter 1

  "Good morning."

  My heart skipped a beat as his baritone voice sang out from the front door, the same as the first moment we met. After so many years and so many missteps, I wondered if he knew how much I loved him and how happy he made me. We finally made it.

  "She's doing it again," Jack yelled back as he poured himself a bowl of cereal.

  I glared at my son.

  "Doing what?" Jackson asked as he kissed Jack on top of his head and smoothed out his unruly dirty blond curls.

  "Obsessing over the menu," Jack answered.

  I cringed and shook my head.

  I tapped the eraser of my pencil on my forehead.

  "You think we should have another meat?" I asked Jackson.

  He leaned over and kissed me. His lips lingered, and he kissed me again. He paused, his face inches from mine.

  I inhaled.

  He smelled like he just stepped out of the shower, clean and fresh. My heart skipped again.

  "What kind of meat would you like?" he whispered. I rolled my eyes and smirked.

  Even when he acted like a horny sixteen-year-old, I couldn't take my eyes off him.

  "I was thinking about adding pork to the dinner menu. We can pick one up a ham at Honey Bake. That way if everything else is inedible, we can have sandwiches for dinner." I laid my palms on the table.

  "See what I mean? Obsessing," Jack said; his words muffled by a mouth full of cereal.

  "Listen." I raised my voice but lowered it in response to Jackson’s pointed look. I took a deep breath. "We are seven days away from Christmas. In two days, our families will be here. I have to finish shopping, finish cleaning the house." I turned to Jackson. "Is your place clean?"

  Jackson's eyes grew wide, but he didn't answer.

  "In the meantime," I continued, "I have to plan the meal, make sure my son has clean clothes, and my fiancé is …" I had my own choice words, but I kept them to myself. "… taken care of, and to top it all off, I have to finish a brief and several reports before the end of the year, which if I spend twelve hours a day in my office, I just might have them done by Valentine's Day. So if we can take a few minutes this morning and get this done, I'll be happy for the rest of the day." I sighed. "I just want everything to be nice."

  Jackson and Jack looked at each other and back at me.

  "We should go out to dinner," Jack said.

  Jackson nodded.

  Their bond grew stronger every day. Most days, it warmed my heart, but today, it pissed me off, especially when they ganged up on me.

  "We can't have Christmas dinner,"—I handed him a napkin—"our first Christmas dinner, together in a restaurant. So ham?"

  Jackson and Jack both shrugged their shoulders.

  What kind of answer is that?

  "Or maybe I could figure out how to make a pot roast by next week." I bit my lip.

  "I could hire a chef?" Jackson added.

  "No. It needs to be a home-cooked meal," I answered. Although I wasn't sure how I was going to feed fifteen people in my tiny house.

  "If he cooks it at home, it will be," Jack said, offering his unsolicited two cents.

  I looked down at my list again. It would be so much easier. Cooking a whole holiday meal for our family would be a chore, especially considering I didn't actually cook. My mom and Mrs. Mitchell vowed to help. My dad offered to cook his infamous fried turkey.

  I can do this.

  "No. I've got it covered," I said with confidence.

  "Ugh." Jack placed his head in his hands.

  Where did he learn that move?

  I checked the time on my phone.

  "Go grab your stuff. Ms. Ella will be here in five minutes." School would save him from being sent to his room indefinitely.

  He pushed away from the table and stomped up the stairs.

  I turned to Jackson and watched his triceps flex as he stood at the stove. It was Tuesday: eggs, sausage, and toast. He cracked three eggs into a pan and scrambled them a little before adding the Turkey sausage and cheese. The whole-wheat toast popped out of the toaster. He had been so regimented about everything these last few weeks.

  The Cardinals’ record was twelve and three with one game left to play. They were already in the playoffs, but Sunday night's game was important. If they won, they would get a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. His routine was more important than ever.

  He set two plates of food on the table as Jack returned with his backpack in one hand and his homework in the other.

  Jackson handed him his lunch and he shoved it in his bag.

  "Have a great day at school," I said. " I won't be home until late. Jackson's will be here when you get home."

  "Jackson, can you pick me up from school?" Jack asked.

  "I'll try, but if I'm not there, ride home with Ella, and I'll meet you here," Jackson answered.

  Jack placed his hands on my shoulders. "Mom, don't sweat it. The important thing is that we are all together."

  I blinked and hugged him. He was right.

  "Even if you do screw up."

  I didn't have a chance to react before he slipped out of my grasp and headed towards the door. Jackson's stifle a laugh as he followed Jack.

  "Bye, Mom. Bye, Jackson," Jack said.

  I laid my head down on the table and groaned.

  "Baby."

  I flinched.

  Jackson massaged the tension out of my shoulders and neck. "I really wish you wouldn't stress out. It's stressing me out."

  His mouth made it return. I pushed his hands away and
stood up from the table. I squared my shoulders and placed my hands on my hips.

  "I'm so sorry. I sincerely apologize if the brilliant football player can't handle any additional stress from his freaked-out girlfriend. I'll just go lock myself in my room and not speak until I'm in a state that will not stress you out." I took a step toward my bedroom.

  Jackson grabbed my arms and pulled me to him, my back flush with his chest. He ran his hand around my waist, up between my breasts, and around my neck. He laid a noisy, wet kiss on my neck, and my toes tingled. I leaned my head back against his chest as his other hand squeezed my breast.

  I reached behind me and grabbed him; his manhood grew hard in my hand. He groaned in my ear and guided me toward my room.

  He pushed me down on the bed, and I flipped over onto my back. I stared up at him. He was so beautiful with his shaggy blond hair and brilliant dark green eyes. He pulled off his t-shirt. I bit my lip to keep from reacting, but his body made me smile. I loved it. I loved everything about this man.

  Even when he pissed me off, I wanted him.

  I loved him even more at this moment because he always knew what I needed when I needed it.

  He removed the rest of his clothes and started on mine. He touched me with such care. He paid attention to what made me happy. He could be the selfish, obnoxious prick someone of his status might justify, but it wasn't the truth. He wasn't any of those things. He was kind and sweet and sexy as hell. He was rough and soft at the same time. I loved him for loving me in the same way.

  He kissed my stomach and trailed his tongue up my sternum. His hands kneaded my breasts, and I arched my back and moaned as he captured one in his mouth. His other hand came up and ran a finger over my lips. My tongue poked out and tasted him. Eggs and jelly would have made me nauseous, but mixed with a little bit of Jackson, the combination made my taste buds dance. My stomach growled. We forgot to eat, again.

  We were notorious for skipping meals to have sex. This morning would be no different.

  Chapter 2

  "Thank you." I lay with my head on his chest. "I needed to clear my head."

  "Well, that's what I'm here for." He laughed and pulled me close. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be an asshole. I just don't want you to freak out over this. If it's not perfect, it's okay."

  "I know, but I just feel like everyone's expecting perfection."

  "No one expects that." He kissed the top of my head. "If you're like this for a family dinner, then what are you going to be like when we start on the wedding."

  I squeezed my eyes shut and pushed the thought out of my mind.

  "Hey." He tugged on my hair.

  I lifted my head and place my chin on his chest.

  "We are having a wedding?" he asked.

  "Isn't there a way for us to be married without having a wedding?" I asked.

  "We can go to the justice of the peace," he answered.

  I nodded but didn't like the idea. It seemed too impersonal. I wanted to have my family around.

  I looked over at the clock, and it read 9:20.

  "Oh, shit." I pushed off Jackson.

  He grunted as my leg grazed his privates.

  "I'm sorry. I'm late."

  I ran into the bathroom and turned on the shower while I surveyed the after-sex damage. My hair was a mess. I brushed it back and put it in a ponytail. I pulled on my shower cap. My lips were swollen from Jackson's kisses. I brushed my teeth and stepped into the shower. As soon as I stepped out, Jackson stood near my vanity with my breakfast in a sandwich and my to-go coffee mug on the counter.

  I took a bite of the sandwich, kissed him, and continued to get ready for work.

  Ten minutes later, I headed toward the door.

  "Carrington?" Jackson followed me. "Whatever you need from me let me know. I'm here for you."

  "I know, and I love you for it. I'll be fine once we get through this week." I tried twice to put my arm in my jacket.

  Jackson helped. He smirked as he leaned in and pulled me in his arms.

  "I love you, too," he said as he nibbled on my ear.

  "Oh, there’s one thing you can do for me." He let go of me, and I leaned back. I patted his chest. "No pressure but can you go out and win the game on Sunday. That way, next week we can concentrate on Christmas, and I can stop stressing you out."

  "I'll do my best." He gave me his NFL quarterback million-dollar smile, mixed with a humble smirk perfected for occasions when he needed to placate a rabid fan.

  I laughed as he kissed me goodbye. I turned to leave, but he grabbed me, again.

  "What? Babe, I’ve got to go."

  "Okay, but can you do something for me?" He pulled me into his arms and kissed the back of my neck.

  Anything.

  "Stop calling yourself my girlfriend," he said.

  "What do you prefer?" I asked.

  "Fiancée, future wife. My queen." He flexed his fingers on my forearm.

  My heart thudded in my chest. I turned to face him and give him a little curtsey.

  "Yes, my king," I said.

  He laughed, patted me on my smart ass, and kissed me again.

  I pushed him away. If I didn't leave now, I would never get out the door.

  I barely had time to set my stuff down before Cassie poked her head in my office.

  "Adam wants to see you like an hour ago." She peered down the hall.

  "What's up? He could have called me."

  "I told him that, but he said he'd wait until you decided to grace us with your presence," she said with her hands extended. "He said it kind of snotty like that, too."

  "I don't doubt it." I cracked open my laptop and stared out the window while it booted up.

  The Cardinals’ practice facility was a hundred yards outside my window. Staffed scurried across the practice field. I spotted a few players, too, guys putting in extra work due to the importance of the upcoming game.

  I needed to lay off Jackson. His job was to keep keep his mind on the game and not worry about me.

  "You okay?" Cassie asked as she plopped herself down in the nearest chair.

  "Yeah, I'm okay. Just a lot going on." I frowned. Before she could ask another question, I grabbed a legal pad and headed off to find Adam.

  I knocked even though his office door was open.

  "Hey, Carrington. Come in. Come in,” he said with his head down. His gray suit jacket draped across the chair across from his messy desk. I picked it up and hung it on the coat rack two feet away.

  I gathered a few stray pens near the edge of the desk.

  "You don't have to clean up after me," Adam said but didn't look up from the file in his hand.

  "It's a mom thing. Can't help it." I dropped the pens in the holder.

  He nodded, but he still hadn't looked at me. He slapped the folder shut and tossed it on his desk. He looked out the window, and I followed his eyes. His view of the practice facility was from another angle.

  Finally, he faced me.

  "I need to discuss something with you." He leaned with his arms crossed on the desk and his chin to his chest. "I've decided to move back to Florida."

  My eyes grew wide, and my mouth hung open.

  "I want you to come with me." He lifted his head and held my gaze. "But I have a feeling it's not going to happen."

  "What? Why?" I asked, not sure what answer I wanted first.

  "Well, my kids are a little older now. AC is starting football this year. He wants me at his games." He shook his head. "I thought it would get easier when they got older, but it's not. Michael is acting out. I need to be around more."Adam bit his lip and sighed. This decision weighed on him.

  "What about the firm?" I stared down at my heels.

  "They asked me to open an office in Orlando." Adam stood up. "We don't really have a presence in the Southeast."

  "I don't know what to say." I avoided the urge to stand up.

  "I could make you partner. You'd be the fastest associate to make partner in the history of th
e firm." He walked to my side of the desk and sat next to me. "I'd need your help with generating business. Maybe head your own practice area in sports while I manage the whole firm. Whatever you want?"

  "Adam." I gripped the armrest. "I've got Jack and Jackson. I'm getting married in a few months."

  "That's the great part. The off-season starts soon. Players live in two places all the time. It's where he's from, so I doubt he would object when he sees what a great opportunity this is for you. The salary would be substantial, and next season, we can work something out. Like maybe you spend weekends here, make sure you have access to the jet for games." Adam reached out to touch my arm. "I'll figure it out. Anything you need. Just don't say no."

  I looked down at his hand gripping the armrest. I slowly lifted my head and stared into his sad eyes.

  "I'll think about it," I said even though my brain screamed a definitive no. I couldn't do that to him.

  "Good. That's good." Adam smiled, but his eyes cut away.

  He patted my arm, stood, and returned to his side of the desk.

  Adam sat down and then shot back up.

  "Shit," he said as he gathered a few papers and shoved them into his messenger bag. "I have an apppointment with Jerry at eleven. Jot some things down about what you need, what you want, and let's have lunch on Friday and discuss further, okay?"

  I nodded, but Adam was already out the door.

  I slumped back and squeezed my eyes shut. My heart raced, and I held my chest to keep it inside my ribcage.

  That no stress idea Jackson and I had discussed wasn't working.

  Time for a new plan.

  Chapter 3

  My day flew by, but I accomplished nothing.

  My brain and my heart ached as I played Adam's request over and over in my head. Everything about it felt wrong, but a person in my position only dreamed about this kind of opportunity.

  Partner after five years—running my own practice group in a place where I already knew all the players.