Free Earning Her Love by Hazel Gower

blessing, and you are a welcome new member to our family. There is no need to thank us.” Catharine walked further into the lounge room and came over, leaned down, and hugged Mia tight. After a good couple minutes or so Catharine patted her back and eased away, standing. “Enough crying now, love. Let’s go into the kitchen to eat some of these cookies your son helped me make, and then he can show you his room.” Catharine winked at her. “I wouldn’t worry about the room too much. It’s Alex’s old room. He wasn’t using it.”
    “You’re amazing. Thank you so much.” Mia smiled at Catharine and fell instantly in love with her.
    Alex shuffled to the edge of the couch, and Mia reached over for her crutches only to squeal when Alex’s arms hooked under her and he grunted and stood, cradling her in his arms.
    “Hey, put me down.” Mia whacked his chest. Catharine laughed. “You’re going to hurt yourself. Put me down, Alex.”
    His arms gripped her tighter, and he shook his head. “No. Never.”
    * * * *
    They’d spent the rest of the day at his parents’ house, and even ended up having dinner there. Zane slept in his car seat, and Mia sat with her head resting against the window of the car with her eyes closed as he drove into his garage. He parked and wasn’t surprised when he stopped the car that Mia didn’t wake. She’d had a big couple of days, and what they’d done last night and this morning had probably worn her out too.
    Slipping out of the car, he shut the door and went over and unlocked the door to the house, getting the doorstop and wedging it in to keep it open. He then went to the back passenger door to get Zane out. He carefully undid the seat belt and gently lifted the sleeping child into his arms. He took Zane straight to his room, placing him on his bed, taking his shoes off and tucking him in under the covers.
    “Goodnight, little buddy. Sweet dreams, my boy.” He kissed his forehead and left to fetch his mother.
    Mia was still in the same position as when he’d left. Slowly, he opened her passenger door, careful of her leaning on it, and gathered her against him so he could carry her inside. As he hooked his arms under her she moaned and turned in toward him. Smiling, he held her close as he eased away, mindful of her cast leg.
    Alex took her up the steps to the bedrooms, pausing at the top step and debating about where he should put her. He wanted her in his bed with him, like she’d been last night, but Alex knew with her son now there she might not agree. Going to the guest room, he paused at the threshold and gazed down at the beautiful woman in his arms. She looked so content, so peaceful. A small smile graced her lips and she sighed, snuggling her head against him. Damn, so much for good intentions; he couldn’t sleep without her. They were together now. Zane would have to get used to them together. Alex wanted Mia with him. They were both adults, she could sleep with him.
    Backing out of the guest room, he went to his bedroom and laid Mia gently on the bed. He undid her shoe and she groaned and mumbled nonsense about not wanting to move and to let her sleep just a little more as he undressed her and put one of his shirts on her. She didn’t wake, and when they were done she burrowed under the covers.
    Alex chuckled as he stripped himself down to his boxers. Mia was a deep sleeper. He bet a bomb could go off and she wouldn’t wake. Slipping into bed, he smiled as Mia inched closer to him, her arms snaking out to hold onto him. Happy, he closed his eyes, content in knowing he’d made the right choice in not only being with her, but bringing her into his bed. They would deal with Zane if he had any questions, because there was no way he was giving this up.
    * * * *
    Mia could hear whispering near her.
    “I know you want to wake Mummy, but your mum needs sleep. Remember I told you about her needing rest so she can get better again and play with you?”
    “Aha, I so