Chapter 18...Candy

I was absolutely over the moon that Daddy liked Dawson. I knew he would, I just didn't expect him to warm up to him so quickly. But more than anything I was thrilled that Daddy loved Hudson. He treated him like one of his own cubs.

The guys were cutting up and watching the game while Abby, the girls, and I made supper. I know it sounds like a southern cliche, and truth is it is. But I loved it because preparing meals with my sister reminded me of all the times we did with our mother. Holidays were just not the same without her no matter how many years had passed. That's why holiday gatherings were so important to my dad.

"Aunt Dani, Hudson is very cute," McKenna stated as she and her sister Maddison put ice in the cups.

"You think so?" I asked somewhat laughing as I took ham out of the oven.

"Yes he's completely adorable," Maddison replied. The two girls were identical and it was scary how they would often finish off each others sentences. But I guess that's just a multiples things.

"Well I'm glad you think so," I stated and just then Hudson and Bryson ran into the kitchen. They giggled like they were up to no good.

"Mommy!" He shouted. I leaned down to look at him.

"What is it Hudson?" I laughed.

"Pawpaw said, hurry up, we hungwy!" He replied lifting up his shirt and pointing to his belly. Bryson just followed Hudson's command and showed Abby his stomach. After showing their tails he and Bryson ran right back out of the kitchen. The girls just laughed at them.

"He only sent those two in here because he's afraid to step into the kitchen," Abby stated smirking. "Cause the kitchen's the woman's place."

"That's right!" My father yelled it was obvious he had been eavesdropping.

"If you don't behave yourself you won't get any of our cooking," Abby yelled back.

"Does his behavior effect our supper?" Matthew yelled. Matthew had always been real protective of his food.

"Yes!" I laughed.

"Alright Old Man, hush I want to eat!" Matthew stated.

"Boy I outta get up and whip you back in place!" My father bickered.

"I'd like to see you try," Matthew laughed. I walked from the kitchen to the den where I found the men. They all had there eyes glued to the TV. Dawson included. He fit right in. The sight just thrilled my soul. I just wish mom could have met him.

"Well you all can argue if you want," I said grabbing Hudson to make him a plate. "But supper's ready and we're going to go eat."

"Last one to the table says the blessing!" Mason yelled jumping from Matthews's lap.

Supper was great except for the constant glares Dawson was getting from Andrew. What was his problem? He was acting like Dawson killed his dog or something. I wonder if he had planned on begging me for a second chance. I mean he did make a sign and bring me flowers to the airport. Stealing a man's girl would make you hate a guy, but that's the thing. I'm not Andrew's girl! He screwed that up all on his own. 

"So Dawson what is your job?" Andrew spat.

"I just finished my residency training at Johns Hopkins," Dawson replied smiling.

Yeah that's right sucker! Sexy as hell, and a brilliant mind to match.

Andrew's face got a little red, I guess he was hoping Dawson was like some bartender or something.

"How did you and Dani meet?" Andrew persisted.

"I was working in the ER one night, and Danielle was there because she had hit herself in the head with a baseball bat. She was the cutest little disoriented thing I ever saw," Dawson stated smiling at me. "It was love at first sight. It truly was because after we were thru in the ER I walked her to her car, and asked her to be my fiancé." It was kinda sweet and weird hearing Dawson describing our first meeting. I forget that he actually had a side to our story all his own. 

"And you agreed?" Andrew asked looking at me in disbelief. "Shit it took me two years for you to even consider to date me."

"Like he said it was love at first sight," I stated. "But then again I did have a concussion."

"Are you calling me a lapse in judgement?" Dawson asked in a very flirty manner.

"No never!" I stated sarcastically. Then I kissed him right in front of Andrew. Dawson took my kiss to his advantage and deepened the kiss. I could tell Dawson wanted Andrew to know I was his. I was totally into it. 

"Daddy!" Hudson yelled running up to Dawson and I.

"What?" Dawson asked breaking the kiss.

"You don't kiss Mommy, onwy Hudson kiss Mommy," Hudson stated crossing his arms, showing his full disapproval.

"I think we all agree with Hudson," Matthew stated laughing. "I know you two are still in the honeymoon stage, but please get a room!"

"You're just mad because you can't get any," I teased Matthew.

"Oh trust me I get plenty, women love a guy in a uniform," Matthew stated cockily.

"Oh gross, I think I'm gonna throw up," I replied and then threw a couch pillow at Matthew. Dawson just shook his head.

"Daddy, what do you get?" Mason asked looking up from the floor where he had been playing with his trucks. I just burst out laughing at Matthews's "oh shit" facial expression.

"Yeah Matt what do you get plenty of?" Andrew teased him.

"Candy! I get plenty of Candy! And no you can't have any because it'll give you cavities," Matthew replied to Mason who just went back to playing with his trucks. I couldn't stop laughing.

"Screw you," Matthew mumbled at me as he left the room. I loved my family and I knew Dawson was going to fit in beautifully. 

I was getting ready for bed when Dawson came up behind me and grabbed my waist. Dawson, Hudson, and I were sleeping in my old room.

"You look beautiful," he whispered in my ear, his breath tickled my skin.

"Your not getting any candy tonight big boy," I laughed remembering my brother's rant. Dawson just laughed.

"Danielle I really love your family, your brother is a hoot, his kids are very cool, and I really respect your Dad," Dawson stated holding me closer to him. "Just promise me you'll stay away from Andrew."

"I had no intentions of being around Andrew," I stated laughing.

"Good, but even if you did, you wouldn't have gotten near him. I don't like that guy," Dawson stated angrily.

"Dawson are you jealous?" I asked teasingly.

"No, because I know your all mine, and we can have all the candy we want," Dawson chuckled.

"Candy?" Hudson asked jumping on the bed. I just laughed. I'm never going to look at candy the same way ever again.

"I'll go catch the little monkey before he falls off the bed and bumps his head," Dawson laughed and left the bathroom. I finished brushing my teeth and followed suit. On my way to my room I bump into something, no someone. Strong arms caught me before I fell.

"Sorry Dani, didn't see you there," Andrew stated. He was just wearing his pajama bottoms, and his eight pack was visible. I wasn't going to lie he looked very tempting. "You know if you'd take a picture it'd last longer."

He was closer to my face now, and I didn't like it. I tried to move aside to go to my room, Andrew blocked me. He just stared down at me , and lust filled his eyes. His looked scared me, and the worst thing in the world happened. He kissed me. It was gentle either, or loving like Dawson's kisses. It was hungry, and lustful. I tried to break the kiss but there was no use he was stronger than me.

"Mama," Hudson stated coming towards me. That didn't stop Andrew, but Dawson's fist to the face did. I heard Andrew's nose crack. It was broken that was sure, because there was blood falling from it. I grabbed Hudson and took him in the bedroom. I just curled up beside him, and started to cry. "Mama no cwying."

It wasn't until later when Hudson was fast asleep that Dawson came back to the bedroom. He was soaking wet.

"Dawson why are you soaking wet?" I whispered, he was stripping from his clothes and changing into a new pair of boxers.

"Well I broke his nose, then I set his nose back in place, and so I wouldn't beat the living shit out of him, I went for a jog," Dawson replied slipping in behind me and Hudson.

"I'm sorry, Dawson," I cried. Dawson let out a sigh. I couldn't tell if he was mad at me or not.

"Danielle can we please just forget about it, and not ever mention it again?" Dawson stated and then wrapped his arm around me and went to sleep.

So much for a good nights sleep.

There was so much running through my mind. I was so worried. At about three in the morning the twins started kicking. I guess they were worried just as much as I was.

Great stress just what I need.