A/N: Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! The next chapter was ready, so I figured what better day than today to post about my favorite couple? While this one isn't nearly as romantic as the last, I hope you'll enjoy it nonetheless! Thanks for the LOVE you shower me in every day aside from this one, xoxo

***

I'm feeding the baby her yogurt as Dakota and Dulcie converse with my parents over breakfast. It's such a natural scene, and I only wish we would've come sooner. My phone vibrates in my pocket, so I retrieve it to see Amelia's name. I take a deep breath.

"Pardon, I have to take this," I tell my family.

Dakota meets my gaze and I sense her worry. I offer a small smile as I escort myself outside, away from everyone's earshot.

"Hello."

"Is she there?" she asks.

"Ah, good morning to you too. The girls are fine."

"Cut the shit, Jamie. Answer me."

"Yes, she is. I want her here."

She starts laughing that evil villain laugh, and it makes my skin crawl. I have immediate flashbacks of our worst fights, throwing objects and screaming down the house.

"I knew you were trying to pull something."

"Okay, if you're so clever why did you let it happen?"

"Because you're always preaching about how your parents deserve to see them."

My blood pressure immediately sky rockets. "Because they fucking do! Your mum isn't their only family. I won't raise them thinking Daddy's family doesn't love them."

"No one wants that. You're so dramatic." I hear her scoff on the other end.

I'm going to slam this phone into the concrete at my feet any second. "What's the problem then? They're visiting with their grandparents who aren't getting any younger."

"She's not your family, Jamie. And I don't want her near mine."

"You don't get a say in that. She will be part of this family soon, and our daughters need to be comfortable with her so their transition is smooth."

"Oh, so you're going to marry her tomorrow?" She's laughing again.

I'm about to flip. "That's none of your business. We are divorced. You don't control my life any more than I control yours."

"The public doesn't know we are, should I tell them? How angelic would your side piece look then?"

"You do it and my lawyer will take everything you own, including the girls." I don't care how harsh or invalid my threat is, I'm boiling. She will not drag Dakota's name in front of me. "We have a goddamn contract, and I've given you every dime you've asked for but haven't deserved. Don't try me—I'm not playing your games anymore. You come after Dakota, you'll have to go through me and a legion of others first."

She sighs. "She's not their mum."

"No shit, Amelia. I know who their fucking mum is. She isn't trying to replace you. She's supporting and loving of them. You should want that for your children. I am not coming back no matter how hard you try to guilt trip me. We're done, and that doesn't work anymore. I encourage you to move on in your own life, and stop trying to interfere in a situation you can't change. Dakota isn't going anywhere. Ever."

I hear the door close behind me, and turn to see her standing there. She regards me carefully before approaching.

"You need to be upfront with me," Amelia says. "If you want me to get out of your way then you have to be honest. Don't try to sneak our girls around with her. They're not part of your secret."

"Fine, I'll give you that. I should've told you we would be here with them."

Amelia doesn't answer for a long second, but Dakota wraps her arms around my waist from behind. I feel her soft kisses between my shoulder blades. My anchor.

"Can I tell them good morning?" she asks.

Her bipolar attitude throws me for a loop every time. "They're eating breakfast right now with Dad and Samina. I'll have them call after."

"Does Dakota not eat breakfast?"

And we're back full-circle to her bullshit. "She's with me."

"Hmm," she says. "Is she your bodyguard in case the big bad ex-wife hurts your feelings?"

"Piss off, Amelia." I hang up the phone and toss it on the outdoor table. Dakota jumps when it hits the glass, and I won't be surprised if it shattered the screen.

"Fucking witch," I say. I toss Dakota's arms away so I don't smother her in the anger radiating from my body.

"Baby, calm down," she says quietly.

"Go inside. I don't want you to see me like this."

"I'm not leaving you out here." She crosses her arms over her chest for protection, and I don't blame her.

My defiant and strong woman. She's almost as stubborn as I am. I need to calm down before I go be with my kids again.

"Just give me a minute," I say.

She nods, so I turn away from her. I look up at the sky hoping for some salvation. The struggle to stay strong gets harder every day. How many blows can I take before I break?

I kick one of the kids' rubber balls as hard as I can and it goes flying through the garden. I pick up a nearby rock and practically throw my shoulder out as I toss it.

"Breathe," Dakota says. And her voice is so soft it's almost as if I imagined it as a mantra.

Then I realize I'm literally panting. She's standing in front of me, and I don't remember her stepping in the way.

"Baby, please calm down," she begs, gripping my biceps. I see the desperate look in her teary eyes and immediately come back to earth.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. "Please don't cry. I'm so sorry."

I collapse in her embrace, and she somehow manages to hold me up with her petite frame. I sob into her neck while she strokes my hair and quiets me.

"You're fine," she coos. "It's okay. Don't let her get to you, I'm here."

Her words are motherly, and the flashes of my own mum make me cry harder.

"I don't want you to see me like this," I repeat.

She grips my face to pull me back. Her gaze is intense. "I need to see you like this. I need to be here when you're falling apart. If there's anyone you can be yourself with it's me, Jamie. I want all of you, good, bad, ugly. I can love you harder if I know your struggles."

"I can't be this strong all the time," I confess.

"You don't have to be. You think it'll hurt me if you're weak, but it won't. It hurts me when you hide yourself. You can't build this shit up inside then explode. Talk to me, let me get you through it."

This is the healthiest conversation I've ever had with anyone. I wish I could've had her when my mum passed. When I flunked out of uni. All of those rejected auditions. I've needed this woman my entire life, and she has arrived. She's been here with open arms, and I've been hiding in plain sight.

"I wanted that baby," I mumble.

The subject change confuses her, but then I see the recognition on her face. "I know you did. I did too."

"And I tried to be the man you deserved during the aftermath, but it tore my heart in two. Even if it would've been poor timing, I wanted our baby."

She sniffles, being the strong one for me now. "It wasn't a baby, Jamie. It was a false positive. A mind game that was cruel to both of us. But there was no baby in there. We will have a family when we're meant to."

"The baby might not have been real, but the idea of it was."

She wipes away my tears as I finally calm myself. "And that's why it hurt so damn much. I imagined this beautiful life with you. Having our kids run around a huge property, learning to ride horses, you four-wheeling with them. It was all so easy to picture, and maybe I tortured myself by thinking about it. So when that was ripped from me it hurt. But I never wanted you to be strong for both of us. I want you to be strong when you can and weak when you need to be. There's nothing wrong with vulnerability. We can be vulnerable together, like we are every time we make love or talk about our future. That's the Jamie I know. Not this one who loses his cool because he hasn't been honest about his feelings."

"Which is why I told you to go inside." I smirk.

"And I will never leave you in a time like that, you understand? Feel those things with me. We can work it out in the moment."

I nod, her reassurance she won't abandon me gives me the strength I thought I'd lost. "I thank God every day that you found me."

"We found each other." She scratches at my beard.

I notice movement over her shoulder and my dad steps out. He gives me a somber look when he sees us.

"Are you two all right?" he asks.

Dakota turns to smile at him. "We are now, right?" Her gaze is back on mine.

"Yeah, we're good."

"The girls were worried you both left," he says.

My heart constricts. "Sorry, we're coming."

He smiles, relieved I think that we're not fighting, and he leads the way back inside. Dakota tugs me along by my hand. I stop her before we go in.

"I love you," I say. "Thank you."

"I'll always love you." She smirks before pecking my lips. I want to deepen the kiss, but we've been caught.

"Daddy, Kota," Dulcie says, running up to us. "Let's play castle!"

"Okay, sweetheart," I reply.

"Daddy can be the king and Kota can be the queen," she rattles off her rules and we both laugh.

"What does that make you?" Dakota asks.

"The princess, silly."

She snorts. "Should've guessed."

I follow them into the toy room and watch Dakota plop down on the floor with Dulcie. Zero hesitation. And Dulcie's right, they're the queen and princess of my heart.

***

My dad and I were able to pull some strings and rent out the pub that Dakota pointed to on our drive in. The owner was naturally an old friend of Dad's, and was more than happy to oblige with the monetary offer we gave him. We invited a group of friends and family we knew wouldn't rat on us to join.

"What's that?" Dulcie asks, watching Dakota.

We're in the bedroom getting ready for our night out. Samina and Jess are taking the girls to Jess's house for a sleepover with the cousins. While I hate to go somewhere without them while we're visiting, it's important they get to see family that loves and adores them.

"Lip stain," she answers.

"Ooh, pretty. I want some."

Dakota looks at me for approval.

"One small swipe," I say.

Dulcie claps then sits still for Dakota to paint a bit on her tiny mouth. She rubs her lips together and puckers. We laugh at her adorableness.

"Beautiful," Dakota tells her.

"You bootiful too."

"Aww, thank you, buttercup." Dakota's face lights up as she turns to finish getting ready.

"Where you going?" Dulcie asks me.

I tighten my watch. "We're going on a date."

"What's that?"

Dakota snickers, patting her cheeks with some blush. I smile at my daughter.

"It's when two people get dressed up really nice and go out somewhere together."

"Can I come?"

Shot through the heart. "You're going on a different kind of date," I say. "One with your cousins. It'll be more fun than ours."

"Can I put on a dress, Daddy?"

Dakota's wearing a simple flowered sundress, which means my daughter has to match. Dakota's hair is in soft waves, falling across her shoulder, and the colors in the flowers bring out her eyes.

"Sure, let's go see if you packed one."

"I did!" She crawls off the bed and heads out of our room toward hers.

I stop to kiss a line across Dakota's shoulders. "You look lovely."

"Thanks, babe. You look handsome yourself."

"I'm excited to take you out in my hometown. What an honor."

She smirks. "I'm ready to meet some of your mates, and hear all those embarrassing stories you refuse to tell me."

"You'll have to pay them. They won't tattle."

She narrows her gaze. "I can be quite convincing. Challenge accepted."

I laugh as I hear Dulcie call for me. I wink at our reflection before trailing off to help her get ready for her sleepover.

***

"He fell asleep on the lawn," Patrick tells Dakota.

"And y'all left him there?" She snorts.

"Y'all," he mocks, "James got him a southern belle."

We're seated at a high table in the middle of the pub. A bunch of guys I grew up with and played rugby with have turned out. It's great to see familiar faces. Plus, introducing them to my gorgeous girlfriend doesn't hurt the ego. My dad's laughing with some of our cousins at the table beside us. Good to see him out having some much needed fun.

"Leave my southern belle alone," I say, squeezing Dakota's hip.

She smiles over at me quickly before diving right back into an embarrassing story of me passing out drunk in someone's lawn. She was right, didn't take much sweet-talking for them to rat me out.

"Was he still there in the morning?" she asks.

"Right where we left him," Danny says. "I kicked him in the ass and mate shot up so hard, grass stains on his face."

She laughs her loud Dakota laugh and I shake my head. "Babe, I can't believe you didn't hear any cars passing and that no one noticed."

"Welcome to Belfast," I say. "Wild."

"He's much calmer now," Patrick says. "No need to worry about letting him outside at night."

She snorts. "I'll let Zepp out to pee one night and find him in the middle of the lawn."

"Let the dog piss right on his face, love." Patrick takes a swig of his beer.

"All right," I chime in. "I think we've had enough of you two. Why don't we switch tables for a bit?" I trail my fingers up Dakota's leg under the table and she squirms.

"I'm fine here," she says.

I furrow my eyebrows. "You haven't met everyone."

"The night is young, old man."

Danny and Patrick both choke on their drinks when they hear her comment. I lick my lips, leaning in so only she can hear me.

"This old man will fuck you in the bathroom if you push me."

Dakota rolls her eyes. "Hollow threats."

I skate my hand up her inner thigh, rubbing her clit through her panties. She clears her throat, trying to act unaffected in front of my friends.

"Try me."

"I'm enjoying my company," she says. "Go mingle, I'm fine."

I sigh, letting it go for now. "Do you need another drink?"

"Sure."

"Guinness?"

She nods.

"A real woman." I bite my lip, leaving them at the table to retrieve us another round.

The night takes off while I lose track of time. I'm a bit frustrated that I can't peel Dakota away from Danny and Patrick. She loves their attention and stories. I'm not loving the way the drunker Patrick gets the more he touches her. I've brought countless other friends and family members over to meet Dakota, but she doesn't leave the table. She carries a casual conversation with them then goes right into another story with the other two.

Maybe my jealousy is due in part to the shots of Jamison my mates keep passing my way. Dakota's having fun, and that's what counts. I have her out in Belfast and no one is posting our pictures on Twitter.

I grab another drink for both of us, heading toward their table. She's laughing again, but when I go to step up, Patrick squeezes her shoulder, letting his hand linger there. I clear my throat as I approach and he drops it immediately.

"Here, baby," I say, kissing her temple to stake my claim. I try to calm my adrenaline, because I will not fight one of my oldest friends in a pub in front of all these people. But if he touches Dakota again I might quietly break his hand.

"Thanks." She turns and captures my lips, kissing me in front of them both.

I smile, that's my girl. "Make this your last," I whisper.

"Why?"

"You know why." I wet my mouth.

"Dakota," Patrick says, resting his hand on top of hers, "you need to come around more often."

"I'd love that," she replies. "You guys are awesome."

"Can you excuse us for a second?" I ask.

They nod as Dakota wrinkles her forehead.

"A moment, please." I try to convey my message through my eyes.

She stands from the barstool, and I grab her hand to lead her through the crowd toward one of the bathrooms.

"Jamie, that's disgusting," she says, trying to tug herself away.

"We're not going to fuck, I just want privacy."

She sighs, allowing me to pull her inside before someone notices. I lock the door behind her.

"Are you uncomfortable?" I ask.

"What? No. I'm having fun."

"Patrick is getting handsy."

"Patrick is drunk. He's not being inappropriate."

"So you're fine with him touching you like that?"

She nods. "He isn't being a creep."

"Well, I don't like it, and I don't understand why you don't want to talk to anyone else."

"I've talked to every person you've introduced me to."

"But you won't leave that table."

"Because they make me comfortable!" she raises her voice. "They're nice guys, and I'm nervous to impress all these people. They're chill, it's not that deep."

"Oh, so they're not making you uncomfortable, but everyone else is?" I roll my eyes.

"You're being immature."

"I'm trying to show off my girlfriend who doesn't want to meet the people I love."

"That's bullshit, Jamie, and you know it. I'm having a blast. You're just jealous two of your male friends are getting all my attention."

"You're doing it on purpose?"

"Of course not! You're making it an issue on purpose."

"Patrick touches you one more time and we're leaving. Quit flirting."

She laughs. "I'm not flirting, have you lost your mind?"

"You seem to like their company a lot."

"Oh my God, you're so stubborn. Like I'd flirt with two of your friends right in front of you in hopes I can take them home and we can all have a foursome. Get a grip."

"Don't be crude."

"Don't let your ego get in your way." She crosses her arms.

"My ego is in place, baby, thanks."

"Seems you're a bit worried that Patrick's cock is bigger than yours, and I'll leave you for it."

"Dakota, don't."

"Don't what? You drag me into a bathroom to scold me over doing something your jealous mind created. You want me to get on my knees and worship your cock instead? Suck you dry to prove my loyalty?"

"Baby, you can suck me all the livelong day, but I'll break his fingers if he touches you again."

She scoffs. "You're still mad about your conversation with Amelia, I get that. And the alcohol isn't helping your insecurities. Don't you dare say I'm flirting with your friends when you brought me all the way here to show me your hometown. Is this how you act when you're home? Will I have to worry when we're married if I'm away for work and you come back here that you'll act like a jackass?"

"I'm a jackass for protecting what's mine?"

"What are you protecting me from? You think I'd willingly leave with someone else in front of everyone you love?"

I stare at her. "I don't fucking know, but I'm the only one who gets to touch you. If you won't let him know then I will."

"Touch me then, Jamie. Christ you want to claim me so bad, what are you waiting for?"

I push her up against the wall and she gasps. "Thought this was disgusting?"

She glares at me. "Apparently a quick fuck is the only way to calm you down."

"We can leave, and I can lay you out on the bed and take you six ways from Sunday. Whichever you prefer."

"Why are you being an asshole?" she asks.

"I've had a bad fucking day, okay? And I thought tonight would help, but it's not."

She's panting, turned on by our argument and my body pressed against hers. "What do you want? A blowjob? A fast fuck? A slap in the face?"

I smirk. "All of the above. Last one deserved."

"Take me home then. I'm not doing any of those things in a two hundred year old bathroom."

"Deal." I unlock the door and leave her standing there. I waltz up to where my dad's standing, conversing with one of his colleagues.

"Think Dakota and I need to go home," I say.

He checks his watch. "This early?"

"Not feeling well," I lie.

He nods. "Sure, take the car. I'll get a ride from someone."

"Thanks, Dad. Sorry to bail."

Dakota is behind me, and her hand slides into my back pocket. I clear my throat when she grips my ass.

"Let's go."

"It was wonderful to meet all of you," she says to my dad's friends.

I wave my hand at Patrick and Danny who are equally confused by our sudden departure with two full beers on the table. I lost my ability to care a few hours ago.

Dakota and I walk out with her hand still in my pocket for everyone to see. I unlock the car, helping her in before joining.

"How well do you know these roads?" she asks.

"I'm buzzed not drunk. We live two minutes from here."

"Not why I asked," she says, reaching across the gears. She undoes my belt and I swallow hard.

"Wait," I plead.

She already has the button undone and zipper tugged down before I can stop her. "I owe you road head."

I chuckle, remembering her wanting to in her Porsche. Fuck it, I'm buzzed and aggravated enough that I want it.

I put the car in drive and speed off as her hands pull me free from my pants. "Christ," I whisper.

"I don't get it," she giggles, stroking me tight.

"Get what?" I pant.

"Why you think I'd want anyone's cock more than yours. Look at this thing."

I groan when she drops her lips to sink down on me. I swerve, but correct myself fast.

"Dakota," I beg.

"Seriously, baby. I'd never trade this in." Her tongue swirls around the head before lowering her lips again.

This is how we'll die. They'll find the car on the side of the road with my dick in her mouth.

I laugh at the mental image I gave myself despite it not being a laughing matter. "Fuck, you're so good at this."

"What's that?" she asks, pumping me with her fist. "I know what I'm doing, is that what you meant to say?"

"Stop."

"No, I think you like it. Look how hard you are for me."

"Dakota, please. I'm sorry."

"Are you? Or you're just sorry now because you know I'm the only woman who could ever give you what you need, and you accused me of finding something better with your best friend?"

"You're right," I say as she continues her torture. "You're the only woman who can fuck me the way I need."

We're at my parents' house in an instant. I toss the car in park and our eyes meet.

"You finishing the job here or in there?" I ask.

She leaves my dick hard and standing at attention as she gets out of the car. I curse under my breath, trying to wrangle myself back in my pants. I follow her to the entryway, unlocking the door beside her hip.

The moment we enter I have her pinned to the wall. "Here?"

"Now."

I reach up under her dress, thumbing both sides of the lace and stretching until the thong shreds.

She giggles. "You're gonna fuck me against your parents' wall, really?"

"Yep, and I might leave your panties here as evidence."

She cries out when I drop to my knees. I go under her dress, my tongue finding her slit without guidance. She loses her footing, so I keep her upright with my grip.

"No one knows my body like you," she says. Her ego stroking only spurs me on.

I suck her clit, rolling my tongue around the sensitive nerves there. She's weak, her legs quivering, so I stop.

I stand, freeing myself again. I lift her, and without hesitation she wraps herself around me like a vine.

"Fuck me, Jamie," she says. "Claim what's yours."

I growl, slamming into her. "I'm going to fuck you so hard you won't remember another man's name."

She throws her head back as I am relentless. I thrust into her deep and fast, never giving her a chance to breathe.

"You want this?" I ask.

"Harder."

She's a vixen getting her fix. I move my hands to hold her hips against the wall and I slam into her over and over. She'll be in pain tomorrow, but she isn't stopping me.

"This is what I want," she says, "for the rest of my life."

"Mmm," I hum, kissing her neck, "you like it soft too."

"No one makes me come like you do."

And without further assistance I explode. I grunt and moan as I fill her tight core. She throbs against me, finding her release with mine. She screams out my name and I almost drop us both.

"Jamie, oh fuck." She's breathless and sweaty.

The instant I release her she slides to the floor.

"Come on, baby." I reach for her hand and pull her back up.

She's weak as I toss her over my shoulder. "I can't move."

I chuckle. "Our best apologies are given in orgasms."

"You owe me more than one, so get to work."

I carry her to our room and throw her down on the bed. "I live to hear my name leave your lips like it just did."

"Are you done being grumpy?" she asks.

I sigh. "I'm sorry, baby. I'm all over the map today. Thanks for putting up with my shit."

"I love you, good, bad or ugly." She winks, reiterating her earlier point.

"I couldn't be luckier."

"You say you aren't like Christian, but I beg to differ."

I chuckle. "Because I protect what's mine?"

"You overprotect it, yes. I don't notice other men, Jamie. You are the only person on earth I feel this way about. So even if I'm laughing and having fun with a guy it's because I'm confident in myself, knowing I'm coming home to a man that was made for me. Your insecurities are misplaced. No one could ever be better for me than you. In any department."

"I know, darlin'. I was already in a mood, and the alcohol and Patrick touching you amplified all that shit. It was stupid. But the hot sex was a nice payoff." I lick my lips.

She giggles. "Where are my panties? Please tell me you didn't leave them by the door!"

I retrieve them from my pocket where I'd stuffed them after I helped her up. We share a laugh.

"Might want to bury them in your bag until we get home."

"Can we make love now?" She drags her dress slowly up her thighs. "I do like it slow."

I grin. "You needn't ask twice. Let me." So I set her free from her dress and bra, making her body sing for half of the night.

***

Little drama never killed anybody, right? They can work it out, even when situations and people get in their way. Hope you liked it! Enjoy your romantic evening no matter how you choose to spend it! Netflix has some amazing rom-coms to watch ;)