Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 35

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ak Mosmi Also and thomas

35 Meeting Alexia and Thomas

Alexia POV

My heart hammers against my chest as the plane starts to descend. Thomas squeezes my hand, offering support. I hate flying to begin with, but this feeling has nothing to do with the flight. I meant every word I said to Clarice. She is my daughter. Thomas and I could never have any more children after Trevor. Honestly, if the doctors were to be trusted, it was amazing I got pregnant with him. I always wanted a daughter. The minute he brought Clarice home, I knew she was meant

to be in our lives. She needed

s as much as we needed her.

I think that’s why it hurt so much when she didn’t answer my calls. I thought at first she was upset with me even though I knew it was irrational. So when she finally answered, I was relieved until she let us know what had happened. I love my son but hearing what he did was like a knife to my heart. I knew in my heart that Clarice would never forgive him. Despite my own wants, I wouldn’t encourage her to stay with him. Even if it meant I lost her, I would never use our relationship to force her to forgive my son. I still can’t believe him. What the hell was he thinking?

“Sweetheart, the plane stopped. We are safely on the ground,” Thomas says as he pats my hand. “I‘ m sorry, Thomas. You know how I hate to fly,” I say, releasing my tight grip on his hand. “I do, but I have a feeling you weren’t just thinking about landing,” he says. I smile that he knows me so well. “I just can’t believe our son did this, Thomas. What if we lose her completely?”

“Never going to happen. First, Clarice loves us and we love her. Our relationship with her no longer has anything to do with our a**hat of a son. She is our daughter. Second, she is going to have the id**t’s baby. She would never stop us from seeing our grandchild, which means she will always be

part of our lives,” he says.

He’s right about that. Clarice is the sweetest and kindest woman. She would never keep the baby from us. “Let’s go sweetheart. I don’t want to

keep her waiting,” he says as he pulls the bags from the overhead compartment. Ten minutes later and we are stepping out of the gate. I look around frantically needing to see Clarice is alright with my own eyes. My body relaxes the minute I see her walking toward us. In fact, at first I don’t notice the man that looks like a large lumberjack walking

next to her.

When she gets close enough, she launches herself at me. I hug her tightly, like she might disappear if I let her go. “I’ve missed you mom.” Hearing her call me mom brings tears to my eyes. “I’ve missed you too, Clarice.” After a few seconds, Thomas pulls her out of my arms and she giggles. The large man smiles. I can tell by the way he is looking at her, he cares about Clarice. I wonder if this is the man that answered the phone when Trevor called.

He is ruggedly handsome but has kind eyes. My son should definitely be worried if he is interested

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35 Mering Alexis at The S

in Clarice. Not that it matters because I know in my heart she won’t forgive him. After everything with her father, what the f**k was he thinking? And with her best friend la unforgivable, I shake the thoughts away and focus my attention back on Clarice. She has stepped out of Thomas’s arms and is smiling at us. “I’m glad you guys made it safely. Mom, dad, this is Nick. Nick, this is Alexia and Thomas, Trevor’s parents,” she says.

Nick reaches out his hand to me and I take it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alexia.” He does the same to Thomas, who looks more reserved but takes his hand. When he lets go, Thomas looks at me and a silent warning passes between us. I know Thomas is worried that Clarice is vulnerable after all the pain she has endured at our son’s hands, but I don’t think she is. I think she is stronger than he realizes. I’m not sure what I expected when we stepped off the plain, but she looks bright

and happy.

Coming home seems to have done her well. I wonder if she has seen her parents. “Nick’s truck is outside. Do we need to grab any more bags,” she asks, bringing me out of my thoughts. “No, we just brought a few days‘ worth of clothes. I’ll need to be back in the office on Monday, but if you’re alright with it, we would like to come back after Christmas for a longer visit,” Thomas says. “Of course, we can make sure we have room at the Inn for you,” she says, looking at Nick.

“I’ll make sure we have a room. You just let me know how many days. You are welcome at our place anytime,” Nick says. Thomas looks at me, his eyebrows raised. I heard it too, our place. Nick turns and starts to walk ahead of us. Clarice grabs his hand and his body stiffens before he quickly relaxes. Thomas motions to me at their joined hands with panic in his eyes. I wave him off and grab his hand. When we reach the truck, Nick lifts Clarice inside and Thomas helps me. The ride to the Inn is in silence.

I can tell they are both worried that Thomas and I are going to be angry or upset, but all I want is Clarice to be happy. “Clarice, are you and Nick together?” Thomas groans at my question and Clarice giggles. Nick’s eyes meet mine in the rear view mirror and I wink at him. Something in his eyes puts any reservations I was having at ease. “Yes, mom, we are. Nick has been amazing. I know I would have gotten through this on my own, but having him with me has healed my heart far quicker. He cares for me deeply, and I feel the same,” she says.

“Clarice, you know how much we love you, and we will support your decisions, but are you sure you are ready for this? I mean you were with Trevor for ten years. I’m not suggesting you forgive him because I’m his father, and I’m struggling with what he has done, but I don’t want you getting hurt because you are rushing into something to ease the pain. I mean no offense to you Nick. I’m sure you are a fine young man,” Thomas says. “Thomas,” I say his name in warning. “What, she is our daughter, even if not by blood? I want to make sure she doesn’t end up hurt more after what our id**t son did.”

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85 Meeting Alexia and Thomas

“It’s alright, mom. I know dad is worried about me and I love him for that. I promise you dad that this isn’t me simply trying to bury my pain. The minute I realized what Trevor had done, the feelings I had for him dimmed. Meeting Nick was fate and as hard as it is to believe, everything happened for a reason. It took me time to love your son, and he chose to betray me, so I don’t think the amount of time we know a person means much,” she says.

I can feel the conviction in every word. Thomas goes to open his mouth, but I squeeze his hand. “Al I that matters to us is that you are happy. We would like a chance to get to know Nick. If he is important to you, then he is important to us, Clarice. You are our daughter and nothing will change that.” She reaches her hand back, and I place my hand in hers. She does the same for Thomas. “I love you both. I know this is a bit of a shock, but I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” she says. Thomas smiles and squeezes her hand. “Welcome to the family, Nick. You won’t be getting rid of us now,” Thomas says.

Clarice POV

I knew in my heart they would accept Nick. I know Thomas is worried I’m rushing this, but I can’t exactly offer him the reassurances of who Nick truly is. Hopefully, after they spend some time with him, they will realize that what we have is real. This isn’t a rebound or me trying to protect my heart from feeling after what Trevor did. The rest of the drive is in comfortable silence. Nick set up for us to have dinner in the same dining room that we did with my parents.

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Nick helps me out and Thomas and Alexia join us as we make our way into the Inn. “This is beautiful and so festive,” Alexia says when we step inside. “Thank you. It’s been in my family for a long time. My sister helps me run it. She will be here a little later with her boyfriend,” he says. “Chris sy is amazing. You are going to love her Alexia. She reminds me a lot of you. She is bubbly and kind, but she can be fierce.” “I’m sure I will love her,” she says with a wink.

“She is great but in small doses,” Nick says with a smirk. “Spoken like a brother. I love my sister, but she is a lot,” Thomas says. “I hope you guys like meatloaf. Lacey makes the best,” Nick says as we step into the private dining room. “I love it. It’s actually my favorite meal,” Alexia says. I look at Nick and he winks at me. “Why don’t you all have a seat, and I’ll let Lacey know we are ready to eat,” he says. He presses a kiss to my temple before he steps out of the room.

I look back at Alexia and Thomas, and they are both smiling at me. “Thank you,” I say, and they look at me confused. “I know this can’t be easy for either of you, but I know it’s right. I know Trevor is your son.” Thomas cuts me off. “Trevor made his bed, Clarice. Neither of us expect you to lie in it with him. We only want you to be happy,” he says. “I am. I’m happy with Nick. I’m happy that I have you both in my life even if I’m not Trevor’s wife anymore. I’m happy that my baby is going to have such amazing grandparents,” I say and slide the pictures across the table. Tears well in both their eyes before they stand and pull me into a hug.

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