This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright©2017 Johnston Publishing LLC

Cover Design by JM Walker at Just Write Creations

Dedicated to my family…

Thank you to my husband for taking the time and reading my book. Then for giving me the encouragement to self-publish.

To my daughters, thank you for giving mommy time here and there to write.

All FOUR of you are my heart and soul. I love you!

This book has been a story in my head for many years before I finally sat down and let it flow from me to the computer.

You will notice there are two chapters for each number. That is because it will show you how the characters life is lived upon her telling the TRUTH verses her telling a LIE. You will also notice some characters are the same throughout, while others may only be in Truth or in Lies.

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Truth

Chapter 1 - Lies

Chapter 2 - Truth

Chapter 2 - Lies

Chapter 3 - Truth

Chapter 3 - Lies

Chapter 4 - Truth

Chapter 4 - Lies

Chapter 5 - Truth

Chapter 5 - Lies

Chapter 6 - Truth

Chapter 6 - Lies

Chapter 7 - Truth

Chapter 7 - Lies

Chapter 8 - Truth

Chapter 8 - Lies

Chapter 9 - Truth

Chapter 9 - Lies

Chapter 10 - Truth

Chapter 10 - Lies

Chapter 11 - Truth

Chapter 11 - Lies

Chapter 12 - Truth

Chapter 12 - Lies

Chapter 13 - Truth

Chapter 13 - Lies

Chapter 14 - Truth

Chapter 14 - Lies

Chapter 15 - Truth

Chapter 15 - Lies

Epilogue - Truth

DARREN BENNETT IS not a kind man.

He is charming, a smooth talker, a ladies’ man, a guy’s guy. He provides what is necessary for his wife and child. He has a secret that only his wife and child know.

Darren Bennett is an alcoholic.

Darren Bennett beats his wife.

Everyone has a story. Sometimes we think our story may have had a different outcome based on decisions that were made.

Amelia Bennett was five years old when she made her first “BIG” decision.

Thump! Amelia rolled off the couch and awoke. She had been napping on this rainy Sunday afternoon in Kingstown, Virginia.

Thump! Hmm… Amelia looked around, with obvious confusion. What made that sound?

Thump! Thump!

Amelia stood up and followed the sounds down the hallway. Standing outside her father’s office door, she could hear him yelling again.

Thump! Thump!

“You stupid, god damn bitch!”

Daddy was yelling. He always did at mommy. Sometimes mommy would be crying laying on the floor after daddy was finished yelling. Sometimes she had “ouchies”, but mommy said they would go away.

Daddy keeps yelling, but she doesn’t hear mommy. Mommy always yells back, when she tries to get daddy to stop.

Amelia is not supposed to go into daddy’s office, but she wants mommy. Slowly and very carefully, Amelia opens the door.

Daddy is sitting on top of mommy. His hands are balled into fists, and he keeps hitting mommy over and over on her face and her neck.

There’s red stuff all over her.

Mommy isn’t moving.

Amelia stood there, while shock consumed her little body. Helpless, she stood there listening and watching her father beat her mother.

Darren Bennett finally came out of his haze. He stood up and kicked his wife. “Get up!”

Courtney Amelia Bennett was beaten to her death by her husband.

When the police arrived, they found a broken window in Darren Bennett’s office. They found signs of a struggle, and they found a murder scene. A young officer took Amelia Bennett’s hand and brought her outside away from the ugly scene inside.

While detectives were inside talking to Mr. Bennett, two other detectives were sent outside to be with Amelia and the young officer. Amelia was sullenly quiet. The female detective sat down next to Amelia and asked her, “Are you alright Amelia?”

Amelia did not answer.

The female detective continued talking quietly to Amelia. Finally, she asked Amelia, “What did you see Amelia? When you walked into your daddy’s office, what did you see?”

Here is Amelia’s “BIG” decision. She can tell the detective what she saw, or she can tell them what her father told her to say when he discovered Amelia standing in the doorway.

Either choice will lead her down a different path in her life and alter the rest of her life.

Fifteen years later

“COME ON, MELS, let’s go out!” pleaded my best friend Dan. “It’s Friday night. No classes for two days, and no tests or papers to worry about. What do you say?”

This is the beginning of our second year at Cardinal College in Port Hampton, Virginia and we’ve only been back a week. This year we are sharing an apartment off campus. My grandmother, Grams, wasn’t excited about me sharing a place with Dan, but after he pleaded with her and cleaned the yard all summer, she gave her consent. Honestly, I think Grams was enjoying giving us a hard time just to see what she could get us to do around the house.

“Geez, shouldn’t you finish unpacking your things? It would help once assignments start dragging us down and we won’t have time to clean or eat.” I chuckled.

“Tomorrow.  I promise. But tonight, I want to go out and find ‘the one’.” Dan’s smile reaches his dark blue eyes.

“Why are you always searching for ‘the one’? God, you’ve got forever to find that!” I say mockingly with my hands on my hips.

“Not ‘the one’ forever, but for this year or month or week” Dan replied with a shit eating grin on his face. “Besides, we need to find someone for you. I don’t want you bringing my mojo down.”

“I don’t need anyone. And what mojo?” I question as I raise my eyebrows and absently run my fingers through my long reddish-brown hair pulling it into a messy bun, as I sit down on the couch.

“You always say that. Come on, you have never dated anyone. And you would know about my mojo if you had paid more attention to me last year.” Dan pouts sticking out his full bottom lip in exaggeration.

“I’m sorry. I was really nervous last year. I was scared to be on my own away from Grams. After what happened with David, I was scared to live with new people. I admit I freaked a bit. I’m sure everyone thought I was bi-polar or just plain crazy.” I shrug my shoulders and plop backwards on the couch.

“Crazy! Some thought you were crazy and some said sad. That’s why I wanted you to live with me off campus this year. To get you out of the funk you were in last year. That’s not going to happen again.” Dan’s eyebrows were raised and he wore a very serious expression. I laughed. He looks like the Klingon, Worf, from Star Trek: The Next Generation when he does that. He sits down next me, “You came out of that funk by the last semester and you were happy this summer being home with Grams on Garrett Island.” He picks up my hand and squeezes it, “So, now it’s time to have some fun! Come on Mels.”

“Okay. But if I go with you, how are you going to find ‘the one’? Won’t I mess up whatever your mojo is? Won’t the other girls think that I’m with you?” I asked.

“You, my friend, won’t mess up my mojo. You actually improve it. I don’t know how, but whenever we’re together, girls seem to flock around us. How do you think I met Emily last year?” he waggled his eyebrows in an exaggerated sort of way.

“Huh. I have no idea. I didn’t really pay attention to a lot of people last year. Unless I had to or you made me.” Girls find him attractive wherever we go. He has beach blonde hair, blue eyes, and a trim muscular build. “Besides, you don’t need me to pick up girls. You know this.”

“No more talking. Go put on your blue jeans and your white sleeveless button up shirt. Wear your sandaled heels…the black ones. You look ‘HOT’ in that outfit.”

“Okay, Okay, master. I shall do thy bidding.” I say in my “Igor” voice as I head towards my room to get ready.

Two hours later we’re sitting at our favorite bar, Shooters. There’s nine or ten of us gathered around three tables in the back of the bar. I know Susan and Jake from when we were at Semper Fidelis Academy in Kingstown. Some of Dan’s friends from last year are sitting with us also. They are friendly and love joking around.

Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” just started when I catch Dan’s eye. He smiles and winks at me, probably thinking I requested the song to be played. Last week, two days before we left Garrett Island to head back to Port Hampton for the new semester, Dan was rear-ended at a traffic light. While his car is being fixed, he is relying on me for transportation. This CD is stuck in my car player and he had to listen to it twice before he realized he couldn’t get it out.

My brief memory of Adele is interrupted when there’s a brush against my arm. I turn around and my eyes are instantly locked on the most beautiful pair of light blue eyes I have ever seen. A small smile is on his lips while he stares into my eyes.

“Hi, I’m Lucas.” His gaze is domineering, commanding my attention.

With his penetrating stare, his arm resting on the table touching mine and his woodsy scent, my senses have gone into overload. Has it gotten warmer in here? I uncross my legs and turn my body towards him. “Hi, I’m Amelia.” Dear god, I hope I don’t sound as breathless as I feel.

Lucas keeps smiling, “I know.”

“You know? And how do you know?” I ask as I tilt my head ever slightly.

“Dan. I asked him last year who you were. I’ve been wanting to be introduced to you for a long time.”

“And why did you want to be introduced to me, Lucas?”

“Well, I was in your public speaking class last year. You mesmerized me every time you got up to talk. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

Oh, my god. I didn’t think anyone noticed me last year. I know they noticed how quiet I was. I kept mostly to myself, except for Dan. He would drag me all over the place when I let him. If it weren’t for him, though, I wouldn’t have gone out at all, and I most definitely wouldn’t be sitting here talking to Lucas right now if he hadn’t dragged me out, yet again.

“And what is it that mesmerized you?” I ask with a simper of self-consciousness. He has not taken his eyes off of me.

“What didn’t mesmerize me? The way you talked, seemed effortless. It was also the way you presented yourself, you commanded attention without coming across demanding. Except for that one time.” He smiles at me and I can see he has dimples. “Also, the way the light reflects off your hair, you can see the red and brown. And I most definitely can not forget your freckles.”

“Hey Mels, you need another?” Dan askes holding up a beer, grabbing my attention briefly.

“Who’s Mels?” Lucas askes.

“No, I’m good Dan.” I turn back to Lucas, “I’m Mels. Dan has called me that since we were five years old.” I said smiling.

“Wow! You’ve known each other since you were five?” Lucas says astonished.

“Yes, probably longer, but that’s when I moved in with my grandmother, Dan’s family lives next door. He was the only one my age on our street.” I take a deep breath, “We did everything together, same school, same church, annoy his little sister. Don’t know what I would do without him.”

“I didn’t realize the two of you were that close.” Lucas says with a hint of disappointment in his tone.

“He’s my best friend. I would say like a brother, but I have no siblings. So, if a brother could be a best friend, then that’s us.” I shrug my shoulders as I say this.

“Oh.” Lucas’ smile returns.

“Dan and I are roommates this year.” I say shockingly. Trying to invoke some humor. I don’t want to scare him away. I really would like to get to know him. I wonder why that is? I’ve never wanted to get to know a guy in the way I’m thinking I want to get to know Lucas.

Lucas smiles and says, “How is that working out?”

“So far, it’s ok. But ask that again in a few months.” I say teasingly. “Dan can be a little intrusive and he is definitely not the best housekeeper.”

“I will.” Lucas takes a sip of beer from his bottle. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out to eat dinner one night with me?” he asks. “If that’s ok with your brother.” He says in a joking tone.

“I would like that.” I reply while biting my lower lip and my eyes a light with humor.

“How does Friday night sound? We could go for burgers?”

“Friday sounds good and so does the burgers.” I smile and try to tamper down my eagerness in seeing Lucas again. But it must show because his dimples have reappeared.

Dan and I finally leave around midnight. We’re walking back to our apartment and Dan is grinning at me. “I knew the two of you would hit it off!”

“This was a setup?” I said in a high-pitched voice.

“Yes.” Dan still grinning, “It was. I’ve already vetted Lucas. He’s a good guy Mels. I really think you guys will get along.”

“He’s two years older than us.” I say this but then question myself for voicing it out loud.

“I know. There’s nothing wrong with an age difference. Besides, it’s only a date. You don’t know where it will lead.” Dan slings his arm around my shoulders and tugs me closer to him. He is obviously proud of his little accomplishment.

“I know.” I sigh, “He really is nice and good looking.” I can’t help but feel like a silly high school girl thinking about Lucas. He’s around six-foot-two, brown hair, and has piercing light blue eyes. He has an athletic build to him, like he plays sports. Any girl would obviously be attracted to him. I liked the warm feeling I felt deep down inside when we were talking.

“I don’t know about the good-looking part, but he is nice.” He chuckled.

“Trust me, he’s good looking.” I grin.

Fifteen years later

HERE I AM, sitting beside Michael Burkas. He comes into town every other month for meetings, he works for a money management firm. As usual, he needs an escort for dinner meetings. So, he always asks Piper for me.

This is an easy job for me because all you have to do is stroke the men’s egos. So, I basically lie all night long with whomever I am escorting that evening. Michael is married, but his wife does not like to travel. I’ve actually talked to her on the phone before, so at least she knows he’s hired me. Thankfully, Michael never takes it further than business.

“Amelia, thank you again for joining me this evening”, Michael begins saying. “This is probably the last time I’ll see you. Grace, my wife wants to begin traveling with me.”

“Michael, that’s wonderful!” For them, but not me. I just lost one of my easiest customers. Crap!

“Our children are all grown and out of the house. Grace just sits at home, so the children convinced her that it’s her turn to enjoy life. I’m really excited, but feel bad for you. I know this is your job, surely you have enough customers to keep a healthy bank account?”

“Don’t worry about me, Michael. I’m fine. I’ll miss our conversations, but I truly am happy for you both.” He offers me his arm as we get up to walk out of the restaurant. “I’ve always wondered why you hired me to join you for these dinner meetings?”

He chuckles, “I’m always the fifth wheel at these dinners. When I asked my wife, Grace to come join me, we still had one of our children at home. We didn’t feel comfortable to leave him at home on his own, so she’s the one who suggested this. In fact, she chose you.”

“What?” I didn’t know that.

“Yup. She said you looked like you could be my daughter.” He smiles down at me.

I look up at him. Michael has fair skin, warm blue eyes, and red hair. I guess I could pass as his daughter. I laugh, “I had not thought of that. You never tried to pass me off as your daughter.”

“No. I don’t like to lie, it gets to complicated.” He walks me to the town car, Phillip is in the driver’s seat. “You’ve become a great friend Amelia. I hope for the best for you.” He places a kiss on the top of my head.

As I climb in, he closes the door. I watch him as he walks away with his hands in his pockets. I will miss the advice and guidance he gave me this past year. Michael works for Colquitt and Reed Investors, a money management company, with his help, I’ve grown my earnings.

I check in with Piper after Phillip, my driver/security guy drops me off. Piper began having drivers that doubled as security after a horrifying experience when she first began.

“I heard Michael’s wife will be joining him from now on. That’s good. It was always his plan. Now you can pick up another client, Amelia. I’ve had several requests for you from new clients. But you were always booked.” I don’t believe Piper even took a breath as she said that.

“I know. I’ve just gotten accustomed to my select few clientele.” I sigh, “I mean, I’ve been a paid escort for almost 2 years now. Some of my clients are still the same ones that I began with.”

“I know Amelia. A lot of them don’t pay you off the books for extras either. How many do anyway?” Piper asks.

“Three.”

“You know you don’t have to. That’s not what we advertise. It’s what some of my girls don’t mind doing, but I don’t encourage it.” Piper sounds exasperated. “If they were to get caught…”

She’s right. At first, I didn’t and just collected normal pay. But one night, one of my regular clients asked for a nightcap. I should have said no but was intrigued. That was a huge tip I got from that night. He’s one of my regulars. Now, I do say no to some clients that ask. I do have a preference on who I am going to have sex with.

“Piper, I know how you feel about it. But after it’s all said and done, it’s just SEX. There’s no attachment.” Which is something I don’t want in my life.

“I don’t like it. But I can’t say other escort services don’t actually offer sex. I just want my girl’s safe. I don’t want them to feel forced into having to offer sex.” She explains.

“Well, send me the new client’s profile. I’ll check it out in the morning.” I yawn as I say this. “Oh, does he know I’m only available on weekends? I’ve got to much during the week with classes.”

“Yes, he knows. Good night Amelia.”

I think of Piper as I doze off. She was around my age when she became an escort. Then she met Martin Black, a client. Apparently, he somehow became her only client, but I don’t know all the details of that story. After a couple of years, they married. She still wanted to work and since escorting was what she knew, she decided to run her own service. They’ve been married for over thirty years now. These thoughts cloud my mind as drowsiness takes over.

Finally, I have fallen into a restless sleep.

Fifteen years, One month

I STILL CAN’T believe how nervous I get when Lucas is on his way to pick me up. We’ve been dating for almost a month now.

“Mels, would you please stop. You’re driving me crazy.” Dan sighs and throws a pillow at me.

We’re sitting on the couch watching some reality show. I don’t even know which one, they all blur together. “Why are we watching this? We both don’t like reality shows.” I finally ask.

Dan groans, “I hate this crap. Seriously, if either one of us acted like this, you know my parents would lose their shit with both of us. Grams too!” He looks at me, “And with your nervous bouncing twitchy leg thing going on” he shakes his head. “I thought you liked Lucas?”

“I do! A lot!” I try to calm my legs and begin twisting my fingers together. “I just feel nervous around him.” I sigh, “Well, not him. Just when we’re, you know…alone.”

Now his full attention is on me. “Why? Has he done something?” Dan straightens up with a menacing look.

“No. Nothing that I haven’t told him not to.” I’m still twisting my fingers, “But…”

“But what Mels? Why does he make you nervous?” he’s eased up a bit.

“When we’re alone and we’re…” god, how do I say this to my best friend. It’s embarrassing. “kissing and touching. I get all hot and warm feeling throughout my whole body.” I look away from Dan. “I don’t know what to do, so I make him stop.”

“Mels.” He sighs, but I hear his relief. “Come here.” He scoots towards me and puts his arm around me. “I know why you never dated in high school. I never pushed you either.” He squeezes my shoulders, “So, that night when I found you with David it shocked the hell out of me and pissed me off. Especially when you told us that he followed you, then tried to…”

“Stop! Please, I remember full well what happened that night. I’ve moved passed it.” Haven’t I? I haven’t thought about it in months. My thoughts have been of school and Lucas.

“Have you told Lucas any of this? About David?” Dan says in a reasonable tone.

I lean my head back against his arm, “No. How do I tell him that I was attacked? Almost sexually assaulted until you showed up?” I close my eyes and rub my hands over my eyes, “How do I tell him that I’m a virgin?” I look at Dan, “Do I just open the door when he knocks and blurt it all out?”

Dan laughs and shakes his head. “That would be a definite no.”

“Then when? I’ve never done this before.” I throw my legs across him, “You have to help me. I don’t want to screw this up because I really like him. More than I thought that I would.”

“Well, don’t just throw it on him when you open the door.” He sighs and leans his head back against the couch. “Wait until after dinner or whatever you two are doing, but before you get physical.” He shrugs, “I’ve never had to have this conversation before with anyone, but I would think I would respond better if I’m told up front about how the person I was dating felt on things or had issues.” He takes my chin and has me look at him, “If he feels the same as you, he won’t have a problem Mels. I’m sure of it because I know that I wouldn’t.”

I lay my head on his shoulder, “It would make my life so much easier if I could just date you, Oliver Queen, but no, you have to feel more like a brother to me.”

“Uh, yeah.” He clears his throat. “Don’t you remember when I said that to you freshman year at the academy and we went on a date?” He shakes his head with a smile on his face, “Thank god we never told anyone.” He shivers, “That kiss was so weird.” He looks at me, “You haven’t called me that in a long time.”

“It was. It was gross.” I laugh. “Probably because we’ve known each other for so long and I know all the gross things about you.” I look at him, “What, call you Oliver Queen or should I call you Green Arrow?”

“You’ve promised to take those gross things to your grave with you.” He gets serious again. “Both. I miss you calling me that, sometimes.” He winks at me.

“I promise.” Smiling, “I wouldn’t want to deprive the future Mrs. Daniel Wagner of such enjoyment.” Sighing, “You’ll always be my Green Arrow, Dan.”

He throws my legs off him, “Whatever!” He laughs and stands just as there is a knock at the door. Dan opens the door to an awaiting Lucas. “Hey man!” they both say as they bump fists.

Lucas and I prepared dinner tonight together at his apartment. He doesn’t live that far from Dan and me, but he likes to walk over so we can walk together. His roommate decided to bail on him this year, so he has the whole place to himself. That’s why we hang out here together, a lot. It’s private. Besides Dan has another new interest right now.

I’m sitting on the couch listening to Lady Antebellum while absent mindedly twirling a piece of hair between my fingers. How do I tell Lucas about my past, or at least some of it? I don’t want to scare him off completely. “Woah! What’s with the Klingon look?” He says teasingly as he rubs two fingers and thumb across my forehead.

I stare at him with a smile, does he know what a Klingon is? I don’t know why that thought warms me, but it does. “Do you know what a Klingon is?” I ask teasingly.

“Of course, I love Star Trek! Lieutenant Worf.” He smiles at me with his perfect smile. “Are you a Star Trek fan?”

“Yes, Dan and I loved that show. Love the movies and older ones also.” I’m smiling huge, “How are you on the subject of superheroes?”

“Which ones? DC or Marvel?” he asks seriously.

“DC, but I know some of Marvel.” I smile back.

“Favorite superhero?”

“Ugh! There’s too many to choose from.” I throw my head back and close my eyes. “But if I have to choose, I’d say Superman.” I shrug and shake my head, “But not Superman Returns. That story line was good, but that superman was lacking something. Not quite sure what it was, but he was missing something.”

He laughs, “Ok, Marvel?”

“Hands down Wolverine!”

“You’re a Hugh Jackman fan?” He grins widely.

I groan and smile, “Yes.” I stare at him, “So, what about you, same questions.”

Still smiling, “DC would be Wonder Woman. Marvel, definitely Black Widow.”

Smiling teasingly at him, “Scarlett Johansson fan I see.”

“Yes.” He laughs with me as our eyes locked with one another’s. “So, what were you really thinking about?”

Here it goes. “When I was in high school at the academy there was this guy. He hung around our group. I knew he liked me, but I wasn’t interested in dating.” I stare at him trying to get a read on him, nothing so far. He’s listening and staring at me intently. “He was always around and waiting when I left work at the ice cream parlor.”

“Wait.” Lucas is shaking his head smiling, “You worked at an ice cream parlor? For real?”

“Yes.” I stare at him, “Why, where did you work when you were in high school?”

“I’ll tell you later. Finish your story first.”

I glare at him, “Okay. Well, he kept showing up at the end of my shift, wanting to take me home. I already had my own car, so I didn’t need him to bring me home. But he was persistent and made sure I knew he was interested. More than interested. He always made me uncomfortable. So, I tried to make sure I was never alone with him.”

“Finally, when the summer season ended, I got a night off. I was able to go to the football game with Dan and our group of friends. Afterwards we went to a diner.  I got up to use the restroom, and as I returned to the table, he grabbed me in the hallway and pulled me out back.”

“What?” Lucas takes a deep breath, and I see his throat move. He scoots closer to me and holds my hands, “Did he hurt you?”

“No. But he tried, I managed to hold him off long enough for Dan and the others to find me.” I close my eyes then open them again, “He’s not the reason I’ve never had a boyfriend, I just never was interested in being in a relationship. But after that night, I avoided more than guys. I avoided everyone that I possibly could. I didn’t want anyone to get close to me.”

“What changed?” He whispers.

I open my eyes and look into his blue eyes. “You.” I take a swallow, “You’ve changed how I feel about relationships. But, I’m scared.”

“Scared? Of me?” his brows furrow.

“Not of you. Scared of how I feel around you and how you make me feel.” I take a deep breath, “Lucas, I’m a virgin.” I wait and try to read his face.

“Amelia,” he scoots towards me, “we don’t have to. I’m not pressuring you.” He shakes his head, “Do you feel pressured?”

“No. I don’t feel pressured.” How do I say this, “I want to be with you. But I’ve never…” I shake my head, “I don’t know what to do.”

“And you’re afraid?”

“Yes and no. I’m afraid that you won’t like me afterwards and then ask me to leave.” I say and tuck my head down, hands covering my face while squeezing my eyes shut.

“Hey, look at me.” He removes my hands and touches my chin. “There’s no way that I would never not like you, even afterwards.” He sighs, “I won’t take advantage of you. If you say no, we won’t.”

“But for how long?” I shake my head. “I want to be with you.” I straddle him and wrap my arms around his shoulders. He brings his arms around my waist. “I guess I’m asking you to be gentle and teach me. Teach me so I can be what you like.”

“I already like you, Amelia.” He squeezes me closer to his body. “Really like you.” He says before he takes my lips with his. I let his tongue dart past my lips and it entwines with mine. My body heats up and I feel as if my insides are melting. Our kiss deepens, as Lucas’ hands roam up and down my back, through my hair. “Are you sure?” Lucas mumbles into our mouths.

“Yes.” Before I finish uttering that word, Lucas stands with me in his arms and brings me into his bedroom. Ironically, the song ‘Just A Kiss’ is playing in the background. He places me on the edge of the bed then kneels in front of me, my legs resting against his sides. Lucas is rubbing his hands up and down my thighs, he looks into my eyes; “Do you trust me?”

Fifteen years, One month

WHAT’S THAT NOISE? I look at the clock beside my bed. It’s six-thirty in the morning. There it is again. Who the hell is calling me at this hour? I roll over and grab for my phone in the dark.

“Hello?” I say groggily.

“Amelia? Did I wake you?” she chuckles.

“I should kill you. What the hell are you calling me for this friggin’ early, Piper?” I say angrily.

“Well, remember the info I sent to you a month ago, about a new client?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s back in town. He would like to meet you.” Piper sounds exasperated.

“Now? It’s 6:30 AM. I only just got home at one am. I was with Peter last night.” I yawn, again.

“I know Amelia. I told him it would be later. Say around eleven?” Piper says questionably.

“God! Eleven, FINE! But I can’t promise I’ll be all smiles and sunshine.” I’m grouchy!

“Just be you. That’s what I always say. This client can walk away; YOU are the one that’s important.” She says in the sincerest way.

“Ugh! Where?”

“I’ll send a car to pick you up at ten-thirty. Wear something frilly.” She says.

Frilly?! WHAT THE HELL!! Do I even own anything frilly? It’s not summer anymore either. 11:30 is brunch, right?

At exactly ten-thirty, Phillip arrives with the car. I did find a casual navy-blue t-shirt dress that tapers my waist and flows loosely a couple of inches above my knee. I wear a low heel gladiator style sandal.

“You look refreshing Amelia.” Phillip smiles at me as he opens the car door.

“Thank you. I know it’s not my usual, but I was asked to wear this.” I smile back at him as I enter the car.

We’re meeting at a tiny café. I’ve already seen Alexander Bishop’s photo, so I know who I am looking for. But, he finds me first.

“Amelia!” He whispers in my ear. He’s behind me, very close, almost touching.

I am ready to turn around to see him, but he puts his hand on my waist to stop me. “Yes.” I say.

He takes a deep breath near my hair. “Come. I have a table ready.”

He takes my hand and leads me towards a table by the windows. Who the hell is this guy?

Alexander pulls my chair out and I sit. He sits facing me and grins. I smile as politely as I can. I have a list of things that just tick me off, and he’s already unknowingly done a lot of them. The biggest one is touching me without asking.

“I’m glad to finally meet you in person, Amelia. I saw your photo over a year ago, but you were too busy to meet apparently.” He says sarcastically.

“Well, I have other engagements that are otherwise more important than to meet a new client.”

“Hmm…sarcastic, are we?”

“How am I sarcastic?”

“Your responses towards me.”

Who the hell does he think he is. Seriously?! Yes, he’s good looking, and his warm brown eyes are very domineering. He must have money to afford an escort service. But really, what the hell?

“What should my response be then?” I again say sarcastically.

“Not that I mind you.”

“Tell me, Alexander, what is it exactly that you need me for?” I sneer at him.

“Amelia, I need you for a lot of things. But firstly, I need you to accompany me to business functions and the like.”

“Okay. What type of functions?”

“Does that matter?”

“Yes. I will need to know how to dress and how to act.”

“I’ll let you know beforehand.”

“Okay.”

“We may leave these functions early as I deem so.”

“What does that mean?”

“I want more than just a beautiful woman on my arm, Amelia. I want so much more of you.” He says with a gleam in his eye as he scans my body.

“What is it that you want, Alexander?” I ask as I squint my eyes.

“You. After every function, you attend with me, I want you to do exactly everything I say. I want to FUCK you, Amelia. On my terms.”

“What are your terms exactly besides doing exactly everything you say?”

He smiles, “Well, for one, you will not ask questions, you will just do what I say.”

“What if I don’t like what you say?”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“No.”

“No?”

“I can’t possibly not have choice, Alexander. I may have a problem with whatever you want to do.”

“Amelia, I promise you that you won’t have a problem with what I want to do with you. But when the time arises, I will let you tell me if you want me to stop. I will not force you. You will enjoy it.” He smiles.

“We’ll see Alexander. We’ll see.”

Fifteen years, three months

I’M LYING HERE beside Lucas. The sun is just now rising and I’m staring at him, taking in each of his features. His dark brown hair has some wave to it, and there’s a little stubble on his face. Lucas runs and plays football, and it shows. He has defined muscles in his arms, back, legs, abdomen, and chest. These last two months I have gotten to know his body just as much as he’s gotten to know mine. To think that it all started with one question; “Do you trust me?”

“Yes.” I whispered looking into his blue eyes.

Lucas reaches up and slowly unbuttons my shirt. His fingers linger on each button, as two fingers glide underneath, touching my skin. My breath quickens in anticipation. Slowly, he slides my shirt off my shoulders, gliding his hands down my arms. His eyes are full of desire and his mouth twitches as my skin becomes covered in goose bumps.

“If I do something you don’t like, stop me.” He says in a husky tone. All I can do is nod my head. Lucas reaches around and unclasps my bra, again, his hands caress my arms as the straps slide down my arms. He tugs me closer to him, then takes my lips in a kiss once again.

The kiss leaves my mouth and descends down my neck, over my shoulder. My arms come up, and I run my fingers up his neck. His mouth is on my breast, the warm wetness of his tongue licks my nipple before he sucks it into his mouth, teasing it to a taught peak. My body tingles and feels warmer at this new sensation.

Lucas leans me back on the bed as he kisses and licks his way down my torso, lingering at my belly button. His hands unbutton my jeans, then slides under the waist band, sliding them down over my hips. Past my thighs, he pulls them off. His breath is warm against my inner thigh as he kisses his way back up, stopping at my panties, where he inhales.

“Oh, my god.” I say in a heavy breathy tone.

“Are you okay Amelia?” Lucas asks in a hushed sexy tone.

“Yes.” I moan as he licks the outside of my panties. The fabric cools against me as he leans back and grips my panties by the sides. As he slides them down my legs, he gives an erotic moan as he stares at me. No one has ever seen me naked, nor touched me in this way. I want to cover myself up, and yet, I don’t.

His breath is upon me again. He places a kiss above my mound, leaning in. To me, it seems as if he’s taking in my scent like an animal would. Is this what sex does, turn you into an animal?

Suddenly, I feel his tongue exploring my folds. My body is on fire as my legs tremble. I grab a handful of his hair and wrap my legs around his head, as a tremor courses through my body. “I can’t breathe if you do that.” Lucas stops and looks at me with a heated gaze.

Lucas stands and walks to his dresser. He opens a drawer and looks over at me, “do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

He walks back towards me with something in his hands. “Move to the center of the bed, grab the headboard.” I move as gracefully as I can, quick as possible. “I want to explore you and your body.” He crawls up my body and straddles me. He shows me the belt that is in his hand. “I’m going to use this to keep your hands up here.”

After securing me to the headboard, he kisses his way down my body. “I can’t have you suffocating me with these incredibly sexy legs Amelia.” His hungry gaze is locked with mine. “If I use rope, will it scare you?”

Will it scare me? Right now, I don’t think anything would. In a breathless heated whisper, “No.”

Lucas grins and jumps off his bed. He walks back from his closet with a corded-up rope. “This is a dynamic rope, my former room-mate left it. It stretches some. I won’t tie it tight. Just enough to keep your legs apart.” He’s already securing my ankles with the rope.

He steps back from the bed looking down at me. He moans as he rubs his hand across his crotch. “You have no idea how damn hot you look right now.” He reaches up and grabs his shirt up over his head. I take in every detail as his muscles move. The way his arms flex as he pops his jean button, then he slides them down and kicks them off. Up until now, I’ve only felt him through our clothes, but now, I can see him. All of him!

I bite my lip as I look at how large he is. My body shifts on the bed as I think of what he is going to do to me. The warmth between my legs is spreading in anticipation. Lucas leans down and begins kissing my thighs again, making his way to my core.

“Oh, my god!” He licks me. There. I don’t know why, but oh it felt so good. My hips gyrate up as he continues licking, sucking, exploring my folds. His strong hands are cupping my hips, but he brings one hand down, then I feel it. “What is that?” I try to look down at what he’s doing.

“My fingers.” He mumbles, not taking his mouth off me. Lucas is now exploring inside me with his fingers. I didn’t know you were able to do that. This is not what my doctor does. His fingers are pumping in and out of me. Faster and faster as his tongue plays with my pleasure button, my clit. “Oh shit!”

An explosion has occurred through my body, my hips are twitching up off the bed, I try to pull my arms down, but instead I feel the bite of the leather holding them in place. I try to bring my legs up, but they have resistance which enables me from bringing them up to wrap around Lucas' head. “OH, MY LUCAS!” I shout as my breath leaves me and I’m in a cloudy starry dream as my chest is being beaten by my rapid heartbeat.

I feel my legs being lifted and rubbed as I open my eyes. Lucas is staring at me with an intense hunger. He leans down placing a kiss on my belly, working his way to my breasts, where he lingers. Lavishing each nipple to a wet tormented peak.

He leans up and opens a wrapper. I watch as he slides a condom down his length, which looks even bigger now. God, I want that in my mouth. Where did that come from? I’ve never…

“Amelia, I can’t wait any longer.” Lucas whispers in my ear. I feel him pressing at my entrance. “I’ll go slow, tell me if it’s too much.” He groans, as do I when he enters me.

“Oh wow! WOW!” I stammered as he fills me with a slight pinch. Lucas unhooks the belt from my wrists.

“Are you okay?” He asks in a hushed concerned tone.

All I can do is nod my head as I bring my arms around his neck. Slowly he begins to move inside me.  My eyes roll as an immense heat courses through me from my core. I’m trying to process all these new feelings as Lucas lightly bites the side of my neck. My hips begin to move in rhythm with his, I run my hands through his hair and grab a handful with a slight tug.

Lucas moans. Damn, it sounded so sexy! He speeds his pace and places his hands under my shoulders, grabbing them, pushing them down with each of his thrusts. Our breathing is heavy, our hearts racing when I feel it. What is that? An explosion in my core has sent my body tingling and clenching around him. Warmth is gliding down my thighs as Lucas thrusts one, two, but three times before he roars, “AMELIA!”

I could keep looking at him, but I’ve gotten myself all worked up. I feel the heat and moisture between my legs. His chest hair is beckoning to be touched by my fingers.

Just as I run my fingers through his hair, a small smile appears on his face.

“Mmmm!” he moans.

“Wakey-wakey!” I giggle.

“Wakey-wakey you say? Shouldn’t there be more to that saying?” he groans and grabs me, he moves to be on top of me.

Giggling I say, “like what?”

“How about: wakey-wakey, eggs and bakey!” he chuckles.

“Bakey, hmmm! I’ll think about that.” I say teasingly.

Lucas is laying above me. He has his hands in my hair, my hands are on his shoulders. He leans in and whispers, “how is it that you are full of energy this morning? Hmm, didn’t you get worn out last night?”

Oh my, yes, I am worn out. I’ve been worn out for a couple of weeks now. But there’s something about him that gets me excited. I suppose it’s because I keep remembering our first night together.

“Well, I had this amazing night, then the most amazing dreams all night long. I dreamt of you all night long and then when I awoke, you were lying beside me looking very appetizing.”  

“Appetizing? Should I take that as a compliment or are you wanting me to feed you?”

“Both. I want you to feed me, but not food.” I say while biting my lip. I’ve never been this bold before. Seriously, how do you just say these things, but here I am saying them to Lucas.

“Oh God!” he moans while rubbing his nose up and down my own nose. “I never would have thought words like those would be coming out of your mouth. I’m not complaining! I’m just wondering what else is waiting to come from those sweet lips.”

“Well, you better stick around to find out.”

“I plan on it. I’m never leaving your side.” He sits back a little and looks into my eyes very seriously, “I mean it, Amelia. I never want to be without you. Whenever I think of my future plans or talk about them, you’re in them. I know it’s only been 3 months, but I’ve never felt a connection like this.”

As I stare into his blue eyes, I’m at a loss for words. I don’t want to mess up and say the wrong thing. Well maybe not the wrong thing, but I want it to be just as romantic. I am in love with him, but he hasn’t said it yet. And this is NOT the time to say it.

“I know what you mean. The first time you held my hand on our date, there was something. I didn’t want you to stop holding it. The more we talk and laugh with one another, I never want that to end. I want this always. The way I feel when I’m with you, I never want this to end.” I finally say, but I want to shout, ‘I LOVE YOU!’. But I don’t because it’s too soon.

Lucas’ smile broadens. There’s a gleam in his eyes and he’s positioned between my legs. He runs his fingers through my hair and positions my head to not move.

“This is always, my Amelia.” He whispers as he slowly enters me. He kisses me tenderly. “I want this always.”

Fifteen years, three months

I’VE BEEN BUSY these last two months. Between classes and working, I never have any down time. Today, though, I have to try. Finally, I have a weekend off. No school work, no clients. Just myself and I’m trying to enjoy this.

So, what did I do? Coffee. I went and got coffee, and now I’m wandering around the bookstore. Not sure why. I don’t have time to read, at least not recreationally. Everything I read is for school. I want to finish sooner rather than later.

I glance at some of the titles, and nothing appeals to my senses. Fifty Shades of Grey, I snicker. Read it, but I’ve been there and done that now. All I can say is the book did not encompass all that I have so far with Alexander Bishop.

“I like undressing you.” Alex utters in my ear behind me. “I know there’s a book out, which wants her waiting for him, kneeling and naked.” He sucks my earlobe between his teeth and applies pressure. “But for me,” he unzips my dress at the back, glides his hands through the fabric of the dress up to my shoulders, sliding it down my body, “this gives me control. Watching your body react to my touch, in anticipation of my next move.” He slowly caresses my body upwards as he reaches my breasts, where he squeezes my nipples into taut peaks. Standing behind me, his six-foot-two frame towers above me.

Breathing heavily into my ear. “Watching the rise and fall of your breasts against the palm of my hands.” He cups my breasts and bites my neck in several places. His hand glides down my torso to my mound. Fingering my folds, “You’re wet from the buildup of anticipation. But you don’t know if you’ll get a release.” He painfully bites my shoulder, “Only I decide if you get that.”

“Now, go get on the bench.” He growls in my ear. He must be in a mood tonight if I’m on the bench. This is no ordinary bench, it’s a pillory. Once my knees are adjusted on the platform, I lower my head and wrists as comfortably as I can before Alex lowers and locks the other board. Next, he shackles my ankles to the platform.

He’s now standing in front of me. “Look at me.” He says in a demanding tone, “Open.” I look into his eyes and see a ferocious hunger I’ve not seen in him before. Slowly I open my mouth, he places the ball gag then secures the straps behind my head.

Looking at me in this position, you would think I have submitted. But for me, this is an act. I am not here; this body is just a shell for my tormented soul. Then, he places the blindfold on me, sending me into the depths in which I live. Alone in darkness.

Alex’s hand traces my body, starting at my head, down my back, across my bottom, down my legs. My body reacts to his rough touch as it elicits goosebumps across my skin. My body shudders as he says; “This is a perfect canvas for the paddle.” His hand stills on my lower back, “And the cat of nine.”

My mind and body quiver as I wonder which he will use first. Or will he choose a different instrument? “I wonder. Your number is five, what if we do, five whacks with five instruments.” His fingers are resting between my butt cheeks, teasing my back hole. A cold liquid is squirted and running down, lubricating my back and front entrance.

“First, we need some added pressure points addressed.” He muttered to himself, I can tell he’s lost. His tone has changed, hushed and full, as if in a memory. I’ve heard this tone before with him. I wonder who or what caused him to become this way, or was he already like this, dark and seething?

Alex pushes an extremely cold plug into my anus. Crap! It’s cold, it feels like an ice pick has been shoved up inside me, but the warmth of my body is attacking it. My senses are focused on that area of my body when all of a sudden, I feel the whack of the wooden paddle just below my cheeks. It must have been the paddle with holes, it stung. I receive five whacks total, the second across both cheeks, the third on the right cheek and the fourth on the left. The last was across the plug, pushing it in further. My bottom retracts inward only igniting the sensation further through my body.

My breathing is heavy, eyes closed. Against my cheek, I feel what seems like thick blades, twirling back and forth from ear-to-ear. He pulls it back and releases a light smack onto the front of my face. He glides it over and down my head before it lands back down with force in the middle of my spine, it’s the cat of nine landing and marking me. The third strike is across my thighs, the fourth landing between my legs, cinching my legs as close together as I can get them. The fifth blow, much more forceful than the first, is again, across the front of my face.

I hear Alex somewhere in the room, slowly selecting his next torture device. He’s already addressed three. The ice anal probe to stab me in the heart, the paddle for uttering the lie the first time it left my lips. Then the third, for not being able to look at anyone when I told the lie. What will he use as the fourth?

My mind is beginning to unwind when I feel the bite of his belt across my buttocks, immediately followed by thighs, calves, lower back, then the buttocks again. Everything is done in an expedited advance. The bite of the lies flowing from my father’s lips, into mine.

I have not recovered from the belt when I hear the swish of another paddle, and feel the sting of nails across my ass. SHIT! Tears have been soaked into the blindfold, but now I feel them flowing down my cheeks. The bite of spikes caressing my thighs, left cheek, right cheek, both cheeks twice.

The spikes crushing my soul.

I see her eyes. My mother’s beautiful brown eyes looking at me, empty, laying on the floor, covered in her own blood.

I am immune to Alex as he unshackles me and carries me to his bed. Using me, the way I used him, to be punished for my sin, my lie.

“Can I help you find something?” a girl snickers beside me. I snap back from my thoughts and realize I am still in the bookstore. Holding a copy of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’.

As I look at this girl, who’s probably my age, I wonder if I could have been her. Could my life have turned out differently, if my mother was still alive?

“No.” I say hastily while feeling a tiny bit embarrassed. I put the book down then turn and walk out of the store.

Seventeen years later

FINALLY, I GRADUATED! I don’t know where these four-years have gone. Four years ago, I was afraid to leave Grams, afraid of being away from our home on Garrett Island.

After that first year away, my life changed. My best friend, Dan and I got an apartment off campus. Then I met Lucas, which apparently was a set up by Dan.

Lucas is two years older than us, so he graduated during our first year of dating. Lucas took over running his father’s company upon graduating. He managed to make it back to Port Hampton once to twice a month to see me.

It’s funny looking back now. We grew up sixty miles away from one another. Lucas in Queens Port, Dan and myself on Garrett Island, but we all attended the same private school, Semper Fidelis Academy in Kingstown.

Now, Dan and I will be leaving Port Hampton and Cardinal College. We graduated!

 I can’t contain my excitement. I’m practically bouncing my way into our tiny kitchen that we’ve shared these last three years. Today is our last day in our apartment. Dan is standing at the counter, his back towards me. He’s staring at the coffee pot, mug in hand, surrounded by half-packed boxes.

“Calm down! You’re going to have, I don’t know, an excitement attack!” Dan laughs glancing at me over his shoulder.

“A what?” I laugh hysterically.

“What is wrong with you, Mels? I don’t think I’ve seen you like this ever.” He pours coffee into his mug, then turns to face me.

“Oh, Dan! Oh, Dan! Lucas! He, he…”

“He what? What’s going on Mel?” Dan asks before he takes a sip of coffee.

“He proposed to me last night. I said YES!” I squeal as I bring my hands up to my mouth and bounce.

“No shit. Sorry. I don’t know what to say. God, I’m so happy for you. And him too. You mostly.” He scoops me into his arms.

“Oh, Dan!” I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze as hard as I can.

“When the hell did he propose? We were together almost the whole day.” He asks as he loosens his hold on me. His arms are still wrapped around my waist and my hands resting on his shoulders as I look up at him.

“It was after dinner. He said he wanted to do it then, but decided he wanted it to be just us. He brought me to Barrington Gardens. As we were walking over Dogwood Bridge, he suddenly stopped.”  I giggle. “He got down on one knee.”

I begin bouncing again and tearing up. Dan’s face is lit up with a smile. “I said yes!”

“Ah, Mels. I’m happy for you. You know that.” He hugs me in his arms.

“I know. And this doesn’t change anything. You are still my BFF. I just need to know one thing?”

“What’s that?”

“Are you going to help me plan my wedding?” Dan releases his embrace and takes a step back.

“Dear God, are you serious? I’m a guy! A STRAIGHT guy! Why do you want me to plan a wedding with you?”

“Dan, you know me better than anyone, other than Grams. Lucas knows me, but not as long as you. You’ve been there with me through everything. I can’t go through this without you.”

“Damn it, Mels.” He pauses; “Okay, but; we have to include my sister. You know how Sam feels about you. You’re like her older sister. Besides, that at least gives a girl’s perspective, and not just mine.” He smirks.

“You’re right about Sam. And your perspective is probably just like mine.”

“That’s why we need Sam.” He smirks.

I laugh, he is so right.

We turn as we hear the front door close shut and Lucas joins us in the kitchen.

Dan is beaming at him. “Congrats man. I can’t believe you got her to say yes.”

“To be honest, I didn’t know if she was going to.” He chuckles as he embraces me from behind.

“Hey!” I elbow Lucas.

“I’m joking.” He smiles. “I know how you feel for me because I feel the same for you.” He kisses me on my lips.

“Okay folks! I feel like the third wheel here. But, I live here, so, hum...?” Dan mumbles embarrassingly.

“Dan, I don’t think you and Amelia will be living together that much longer. I can’t let another day go by without her by my side. Besides, she’s coming to work for me.”

“What?” Dan says in a shocked questionable tone.

“Dan,” I begin.

“Dan, “Lucas interrupts, “I want you to come work for me also. Amelia will be working with our legal team. I’m branching out further and looking at some computer gaming companies. So, I do need someone to help me with projects and development.”

“You want me? Really? Are you serious?” Dan asks.

“Yes, you! You are Daniel Brian Wagner, correct?” Lucas asks teasingly.

“Damn it, Lucas, yes. Yes, to the job. Shit, did I even give you a resume?” Dan is so flustered.

“No need. You are exactly what my team needs.” Lucas shrugs his shoulders, “Your degree is in Engineering Technology, you’ve done two internships at LARBB with great feedback. So, what do you say, Amelia’s said yes to be my side, now Dan, will you be part of my team?”

“Yes, I will be part of your team. When do we start?” Dan is grinning at us.

We’re all smiling now. Lucas replies, “two weeks.” He grins at me, “vacation first, then you’re all mine.” His arm is wrapped around me and I have the biggest grin on my face. I can’t believe I am going to be Amelia Cierra Bishop!

Seventeen years later

I AWAKE ABRUPTLY. Where am I? Crap! No, NO, NO! Why did I fall asleep? Why didn’t he wake me? I don’t spend the night. Ever. He knows this. Crap! I get up from the bed to find my clothes, which are on the chair by the door. I quickly dress. Now to get out of here. I don’t know where Alex is, but I want to get out of here quick.

“Where are, you rushing off to?” I hear Alex sigh as I walk towards the front door of his condo.

“Home. I’ve got a lot of things to do today. And why did you not wake me up last night? You know I don’t like spending the night.” I say exasperatedly.

“You were tired Amelia; I didn’t want to wake you. You seem like you needed it.” He sounds exasperated.

“Listen, Alex, thank you, but you should have woke me. I can’t spend the night here. You know this.” I try to sound grateful, but I’m not.

Alexander stands up and walks towards me. He’s wearing pajama bottoms and nothing else. I take this moment to admire this man. He’s six-foot-two, dark brown hair and eyes. At forty-seven-years-old, he has nice muscle tone, and damn that V is so sexy. He also has a splattering of chest hair. Honestly, I thought men his age would be frumpy. Just looking at him makes me tingle. The things he does to me when we’re together… well let’s just say I’ve never had an orgasm like that until him.

“Amelia, just be thankful for once. I won’t do it again. You were upset last night and you won’t tell me why. I thought disciplining you last night would get it out of you, but again, you don’t share what’s going on with you.” His piercing brown eyes show concern, but I don’t want that. He’s just a customer.

“Be sure it doesn’t Alex.” I turn away from him. “Have a nice day!” I say as the door closes behind me.

Once I get home after leaving Alex’s, it’s a marathon race to get ready.

I’m meeting my father and grandparents for lunch. They didn’t arrive yesterday for my graduation, only Grams did. I was so happy to see her. I never spend time with her, so last night I let her take me to dinner. There’s such sadness in her eyes, and whenever I am with her, I remember. I remember my lie. It hurts to be around her, but I love her so much. She reminds me so much of my mom.

After I left Grams last night, I went to the bar to get a drink. After my third extra dirty martini, Alex sat down beside me. He wasn’t sure if I was meeting a customer or not. Against my better judgment, I went home with him. I wanted to be punished for my lie. I wanted to hurt, the way that I see the hurt of loss in Grams' eyes.

I make it to the restaurant five minutes early. Which amazes me since it was a two-hour drive back to Port Hampton from Queensport where Alex lives. I feel a bit relieved knowing that I am here before my father, but for some reason I still feel on edge.  God knows I mustn’t let my father and his parents, my grandparents, wait. I’m seated at the table waiting. I feel a hand squeeze my shoulder, and I look up into those damn dark brown eyes that I left over an hour ago.

“What are you doing here?” I ask Alex in an exasperated surprised tone. Is he following me? Stalking me?

“Having lunch. What are you doing here? Or should I ask?” he smirks.

“None of your business. Please go before my guests arrive.” As I say this, my father approaches. Alex’s grip on my shoulder tightens.

“Amelia! You’re on time and not late.” My father says smiling at me.

“Hello, dad.” I get up and kiss him on the cheek. “Where are grandmother and grandfather?”

“On their way. They had to stop by somewhere else first.” He says and turns towards Alex. “And who might you be?”

“Just a friend of Amelia’s. I stopped at her table to say hello when I saw her sitting here alone.” Alex has an intense stare and tone with his response.

“Ah! That was nice of you. But as you can see, she’s not alone now, so you can move along.” My father says briskly. “Waiter, we need another chair here, we’re a party of five.”

“Five? Who else is coming?”

My father smiles at me and says, “You’ll see.”

My father pulls out a chair for himself and sits down. Alex turns and walks away. I can feel him staring at us. Just when I am about to talk, my grandparents show up and they’re not alone. What the hell is he doing here?

“Amelia, sweetheart!” My grandmother approaches with her arms spread wide grinning happily at me.

“Grandmother.” I grunt as I kiss her cheek. “Grandfather.”

I turn and face David Sawyer, my former boyfriend in high school. “What are you doing here, David?”

“Now Amelia, is that how you say hello to your boyfriend?” my grandmother says.

“Ex, ex-boyfriend.” I exclaim with much distaste.

“It’s ok Mrs. Bennett. Amelia always had an upfront attitude. Especially with unexpected situations.” He smirks arrogantly while scanning me head to toe. My blood is boiling as I recall the last time we saw one another.

“Don’t think of cheating on me while I’m not with you.” David says in a harsh tone while digging his fingers into my arms.

“You’re hurting me!” I try to wiggle free of his hold. But it’s useless. He forces me down on the lounge chair that’s by the pool, but far enough away from the house that no one will see him, us. Not that they would care. I feel as if my father thinks more of David than he does me.

“Let’s sit down and order.” Grandfather says sternly. “Amelia, you look beautiful. How was graduation?”

I swear he has no emotion.  Neither does my father. They are very austere men. I wonder if I am like them?

“It was just great. You should have been there.” I say with a hint of sarcasm.

“We already had something on the calendar.” He replies.

“Grandfather, you’ve known for a year that I was graduating yesterday. A year!”

“Amelia that’s no way to talk to your grandfather. We’re here now for god’s sake!” My father says sternly.

“It’s ok son, she’s a Bennett. She gets straight to the point.” My grandfather scoffs.

Grandmother looks at my father and grandfather. I can’t decide what her expression is. Is it fear? Loathing? She’s always been hard to read.

“So, Amelia, what is your degree in?” David asks.

“Business.”

“What are your plans?” David asks in a condescending tone.

“Well,” I begin.

“Her plans are to be married. Then, she can stay home and begin a family.” Grandfather cuts me off.

What the hell is he talking about? I look at him in disbelief.

“What? I’m not going to do that!” I squeal angrily.

“Yes, you are.” My father says. “This is what was planned. You go to college, then you settle down and start a family. Your husband works for the family business.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Husband? Kids? I’m not dating anyone.” My voice is becoming high-pitched and filled with anger.

“Oh, we know. We’ve already chosen for you.” Grandfather says.

Holy Hell! You’ve got to be kidding me. I look over at David. Who is grinning, then he looks at me and stops.

“Him! You want me to marry David fucking Sawyer!” I exclaim loudly.

“Amelia, language!” grandmother says embarrassingly. “David dear, I am so sorry you are having to hear these words from her mouth.”

“Stop apologizing! I’m not marrying him or anybody, EVER!” I yell.

“You will young lady!” My father says sternly.

“You will or you will be cut out of everything, Bennett. You will get no more allowances and no inheritance.” Grandfather states.

“FINE!” I yell. “You can have it. I don’t need it. I’ll support myself.”

“What will you do?” my father interjects. “Who will provide for you? Take care of you? I’ve been doing it for your entire life.”

“I will! I can do all that by myself. I don’t need you. I don’t need HIM or anybody.” I’m so enraged at them. I stand up.

“What are you doing? SIT DOWN AMELIA!” grandfather says sternly. “You will do as you’re told, young lady.”

I just stare at him. I then look to my father who is wearing the same expression as my grandfather. They are both a carbon copy of one another. Finally, I look at my grandmother. For once I can read it. She’s begging me to do as I’m told.

They don’t know. Or do they? I’ve already done that once. I am NOT going to this time. I just can’t.

“No.” I state calmly. My body begins to calm as that one word leaves my lips. “I will not do as I’m told. I am not going to marry David and start a family.”

“We’ll find someone else then. Another suitable match perhaps?” grandmother suggests.

“I don’t care who you find, my answer is still no.” I inhale a deep cleansing breath.

“Amelia, think this through.” My father says strongly.

“I’ve made my choice.” I cut him off and stare at him. “No, I will not do this.” I state in a forceful tone.

“You’ve made your choice. We’ll see how long it takes for you to come crawling back and apologize.” Grandfather looks at me with squinting eyes. “You will Amelia. You won’t make it on your own. You’ve been spoiled.”

I can’t stand here any longer. I can’t be around them. My stomach is in knots. I look at all their faces. I’m sick of them. I bend slightly towards my chair and pick up my purse placing the strap around my left shoulder.

“What are you doing?” grandmother asks in a trembling tone.

“I’m leaving.” I stand up straighter. “I’m not going to come crawling back. I am NEVER coming back.” I state strongly. I take one last look at them all. Finally, I focus on my father, “Goodbye”.

I walk out of that restaurant. I’m free of them.

Seventeen years, one week later

WE’VE BEEN ON this tiny island, Avalon Isles, for almost a week. I don’t want it to end. Lucas hasn’t looked this relaxed in two years. He’s been so busy taking over his father’s company. Thanks to Lucas, the company has grown and I’m excited that I will be working with him.

The sun beats down as I sit in my oversized beach chair with my toes in the sand. I have my sunglasses on and a huge hat! It looks a bit ridiculous, but Lucas insisted I wear the hat. The first summer we spend together as a couple, he discovered how easily I burn.

The waiter has just brought me another margarita. Lucas is in the water with a paddleboard. I love watching him. I can see his muscles flex as he extends the paddle through the water. My mind has wandered off thinking about our future when suddenly there’s someone sitting in the chair beside me.

“Hello” he says.

“Hello.” I respond. “This chair is occupied.” I state waving a hand at where he just sat.

“I don’t see anyone in it. I don’t see anyone around who it seems to belong to.” He grins at me.

Oh, my god! He’s hitting on me. Seriously? Did it look like I wanted to be hit on?

“My fiancé is in the water. He’ll be back in a bit.”

“I’ll just keep you company until this so-called fiancé shows up.” He’s still grinning. He thinks I’m lying.

“My name’s Alex.”

I just glare at him.

“It’s only polite when someone offers their name, you should reciprocate. So, we’ll try again. My name’s Alex.” He says more sternly, but this time he extends his hand towards me.

I look at him and then his hand. A large part of me wants to laugh at his ridiculous attempt at flirting. He removes his sunglasses; his brown eyes focus on my blue eyes. His stare is intense, yet familiar. I’m still trying to think of a response when I hear…

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Lucas sounds pissed.

Alex looks up and sees Lucas walking towards us, dripping wet. He breaks into a huge smile looking at him.

“This beautiful woman was sitting here all by herself. She seemed lonely. I thought I would rescue her from boredom. Maybe I still should be rescuing her from you?” Alex has slipped his sunglasses back on and has a huge grin on his face.

“You ass!” Lucas laughs.

What?! Did I miss something? Why is he laughing with this guy?

All of sudden, Alex stands up and embraces Lucas. Lucas reciprocates. Now I’m really confused. I’m just staring at them. Finally, Lucas turns to me and says...

“Uncle Alex, this is my Amelia.” He’s grinning. “Amelia, this is my Uncle Alex.”

Crap! His uncle was hitting on me, or was he? Did he know who I was? “Hi Alex, it’s nice to meet you.” I stand and offer my hand.

“Finally, I get her name!” Alex grins and takes my hand. “She would barely talk to me. How the hell did you manage to get her?” he asks Lucas while still holding my hand.

Lucas just grins and pulls me towards him. Alex lets go of my hand. Lucas looks into my eyes and says “She was sitting at a bar and I sat down next to her. I looked into her eyes and said ‘hello’.”

That magical night was two years ago, but it feels like we’ve known each other longer.

Lucas turns back to his uncle. “Were you really going to try to pick up my girl?”

“I didn’t know she was your girl. When she interned for you last year, is when I finally took a long overdue vacation.” He turns his attention back to me, “I just saw a beautiful woman sitting here alone.” He’s staring at me, his right eyebrow raised. I see his head slightly move down. Shit! Lucas’ uncle is checking me out. That’s just creepy!

“Stop!” Lucas warns.

Alex throws his hands up in surrender. Lucas asks, “When did you get here?”

“About three hours ago.” Alex’s attention is still on me.

“Amelia and I have to go get ready for dinner.” Lucas takes my hand in his. “We’ll try to get together before we leave in a few days.”

Alex smiles at me, “I look forward to it”.

As we walk back to our room I tell Lucas that his uncle is creepy. He bursts out laughing. He says, “if you only knew.”

At dinner that evening, we begin discussing wedding ideas again. I keep telling him I don’t want a big wedding. To be honest, I didn’t know until this afternoon what kind of a wedding I wanted. I finally do.

 “I would like to get married here.” I state. “Just us, Grams, Dan and his family.” I smile. “Oh, and of course your mother, Grace.” I sigh, “and your uncle. I should also have my father’s parents, grandmother, and grandfather. Is there anyone else you would want?”

Lucas is grinning ear-to-ear. “So, just family and some friends?”

“Yes, just family and close friends.”

“That’s all my family. I would like Adam to be there, and his family. So, that would be it on my side.” He’s smiling into my eyes.

“Do you think I’ll finally meet Adam before we get married. I’ve heard all about him for years, yet have never met him.”

Lucas laughs, “you’ve met him.” He looks at me; “haven’t you?” I shake my head no. “How the hell have I not introduced my girl to my best friend?” He shakes his head laughing. Then he looks at me, and all I see is love and something else I can’t put my finger on. Mischief, perhaps. “So, now we just need to settle a date.” He states as he picks up his drink.

I sigh. I bite my lower lip and blurt out “I wish it was now. I know that sounds crazy.”

Lucas laughs and almost chokes on his drink. “It’s not crazy, I wish it was too.” He smiles, “How about we come back in six months?”

I groan, “Six months. I have to wait that long?”

“We could get married just the two of us now or back home.” He calmly says to me. “But if you want our families, then it will probably be six months.”

“Six months.” I say. Lucas grins ear-to-ear again showing his dimples beneath his scruff. God, I love his smile.

Seventeen years, one week later

IT’S BEEN OVER a week, and I haven’t heard a word from my father. My grandmother tried to call and talk with me. I just can’t find it in myself to talk to her. It’s not her fault, but she’s pushing grandfather’s views on me. I’m not like her.

After graduating and walking out on my family, I decided not to return to Kingstown. Instead, I moved to Queensport, into a secure apartment building. I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought of moving here sooner. Far enough away from my father, but closer to Executive Service’s office.

Kelly and Theresa stopped by earlier with a basket of goodies. They want to meet for drinks later. Honestly, I need to unwind with my girls. They are going to be in for a shock when they learn that they are literally are going to be “my” girls. I wonder what their reaction is going to be when I tell them of Piper’s offer.

When I left my father and grandparents at the restaurant that day I came home and changed. I went down to the waterfront to run. I was still replaying lunch with my father and grandparents. And David. Did he seriously think I would marry him? I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn’t see him. All of a sudden, I felt like I ran into a wall and I am flat on my ass.

“Shit!” I sit up, someone squats down in front of me. I look up into gorgeous, I mean gorgeous hazel eyes.

“Are you alright?” He asks.

“Sorry. Yes, I’m fine.” I wipe my hands together and rest my elbows on my knees. “I’m sorry I just ran right into you. I wasn’t paying attention.”

He grins at me. Oh, dear god, his grin shows off his perfect white teeth. “Well, if I knew you were going to run into me, I would have at least tried to catch you before you fell.”

That’s a cheesy line, and I like it. I match his grin. “I’m Amelia Bennett.”

“Hello Amelia Bennett, I’m Adam Hunter.”

I accept his hand as he offers it to me. His firm grip takes me by surprise and before I realize it, we’re just staring at each other. I clear my throat and say, “I need to get going. Maybe I’ll run into you again someday.”

 “I look forward to it.” He replies with a wink and a nod.

I’m smiling all the way back to my apartment. What the hell was that? I think I attempted to flirt with him. I don’t want to do that. I can’t do that.

My phone begins ringing just as I enter my apartment. “Hello!” I’m out of breath.

“Amelia, are you ok?” Piper sounds concerned.

“Yes, I just got back from running.”

“Who got you in a bad mood?” she asks.

“Family.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” her voice is filled with concern.

“Actually, yes. But not on the phone. Can we meet say… in an hour?” I ask.

“Yes. Come over to my place. I’ll cook.”

“You’re the best, Piper! See you in a few.” I hang up and head to the shower to get ready.

Piper has dinner ready once I get there. I fill her in on my family luncheon. She’s appalled. I’ve never shared much about my family with anyone, until now. “I’m proud of you for walking out and standing up for yourself. Let me ask you, what are your plans now?”

“I hope you’re not getting rid of me. My plans were to stay working for you. I make awesome money.” I smile and take a sip of my wine.

Piper smiles back. “I guess it was fate that I called you when I did. I have a business proposition for you. Would you like to hear it?” she asks.

“Business proposition? I’m not sure about taking more clients Piper.” But maybe I should? I moved, and now I am paying the rent myself. I begin calculating my savings when Piper answers.

“No, no more clients. My proposition is ‘Executive Services’.”

What? She can’t be serious. “Piper. What? Your business? Why?”

“Amelia, I love my girls & guys” she smiles. “But, Jerry is retiring next year, and we want to spend more time together as a family.” She pauses, “I’m going to be a grandmother.” She beams.

“Oh, my god! You are going to be an awesome grandma!” I jump up from my seat and hug her. I’m so happy for her and Jerry. They are wonderful loving people. I never thought I would say that about someone running an escort service.

“That’s why I want to begin the process of not running this business anymore.”

“Piper, I don’t know…” I say.

“Listen, it will be a transition. I wouldn’t just dump this on you. If you’re interested, we would get everything transferred in your name. I’ll stay on retainer for one year, no more.”

“One year. Would I be able to learn how you handle all this?”

She smiles, “Yes, Amelia, you can. You are the only one I would offer this to.”

“What if I don’t accept your offer?” Could I do this? Could I be responsible for…I don’t even know how many are employed by Executive Services.

“If you don’t, I’ll be closing ‘Executive Services’. All of the girls and guys will have to go find other employment.”

“You really think I can do it?” I ask in a shaky voice.

“I know you can. You’ve been working this business for more than 3 years. Besides, you just graduated with a business degree.” She smiles and sits back sipping from her wine glass.

“Piper, you have a deal.” I smile. I don’t need my father or grandfather. I only need myself.

Seventeen years, one week later

I COULD KILL him. We are on vacation and Lucas has set the alarm. Why the hell did he do that? He turns it off, rolls over and pulls me into his arms.

“We need to get up.” He yawns.

“No. We’re on vacation. There’s not supposed to be alarms on vacation.”

“I’ve booked a lot of things for us to do today. So, we need to get started.” His arms give me a squeeze, and I snuggle into him.

“What did you book?” I ask, groggily.

“First, a couple’s massage. Then a full-service spa day for you. They are going to do a mani/pedi, hair, and makeup.” He groans into my ear.

“What are you doing when I’m at the spa?”

“I’m going to the spa too, but I’m getting a shave.” He states.

I roll over and look at him. He hasn’t shaved since we got here. I love this look on him. Just a little bit of beard. “Why are you getting shaved?” I run my hand over his short stubble.

“I didn’t pack my razor, that’s why I haven’t shaved all week.” He squeezes my side.

“I like this look on you.” I scratch my fingers around his scruff, “I love the way this feels on my skin.” I grin.

He looks at me with sleepy sexy eyes and a smirk, “You do. Where exactly on your skin do, you like it best?”

“Everywhere.” I bite my lower lip. “Especially my legs. My neck. My arms.”

Now he’s biting his lips. “God Amelia, I love you! As much as I want to explore all those areas right now. We’ve got to get up. We have to be at the spa in thirty minutes.”

“Seriously!? The spa is more important?” I remove my hand from his face and lay it down the side of my body.

“We’re only here a couple of more days. I’ve had this day planned since before we got here.” He sighs, “Besides, I need to get more condoms. We’ve used all that I brought.”

“Fine.” I get up out of the bed. I’m completely naked, I purposely add a little more sway to my hips as I make my way to the bathroom.

“Wench!” He calls out.

I laugh, then pause in the entryway. “Lucas. When we get married, will we still use condoms?”

He’s up out of the bed in a flash and is standing before me. “We haven’t discussed it. What do you want to do?”

Biting my lips together, I look into his sleepy eyes. “I don’t want a barrier between me and my husband.”

Smiling, Lucas pulls me towards him. “No more barrier, once we’re married.” He places a tender kiss on my lips. “Now, quickly shower.” He turns me and lightly smacks my buttocks.

I’m sitting here drinking a mimosa while the girl is doing my toes. I haven’t seen Lucas since the massage. I am completely relaxed, hair and makeup complete. Manicure is done, now my pedicure is wrapping up.

The concierge comes into the spa and approaches me. He’s holding a garment bag. “Ms. Bennett, Mr. Bishop has asked that you join him down at the beach once you are ready. He left this for you to change into.” He smiles at me.

One of the spa attendants takes the bag and brings it into the dressing area. Lucas truly does spoil me. Not just materialistic, but with his attention to everything. This whole week has been nothing but us spending time together. I know once we get home, we’ll be working. I giggle, I just realized that I’ll be sleeping with the boss. Which, I guess I did that when I was an intern for him last summer.

This dress is beautiful. It’s a white strapless bustier dress that stops a couple of inches above my knee. Empire daisy lace waistline. He even bought white sandals that strap around my ankle. No heels, I’m assuming it’s because we’ll be on the sand.

As I make my way to the lobby, the concierge sees me and beams. He approaches and takes my hand. “You look absolutely beautiful Ms. Bennett.” He bows in the direction of the back doors. “I believe Mr. Bishop is waiting.” “Thank you” I reply while a small smile tugs at my lips.

I walk through the back doors, I look around, but I don’t see Lucas. Instead, I see Grace Bishop, Lucas’ mother. She spots me and smiles. She kisses both my cheeks and says, “Lucas is waiting.” Turns and leaves towards the beach. What is she doing here? I get goosebumps.

I head towards the path that will bring me to the beach. Then I see her. Grams. What is going on? She’s smiling at me and enfolds me into an embrace. “What are you doing here?” I whisper into her ear.

“I have something for you.” She holds up a beautiful silver necklace with a simple silver floating heart through it. “This was given to me by my mother on my wedding day.” She looks into my eyes and there are tears. “If your mother was still alive, she would be the one placing this around your neck.” She clasps it around my neck and kisses my cheek.

“Grams”, I’m all choked up, “our wedding is…”

She cuts off my sentence. “Is now. We need to go; Lucas is waiting.” She gives me a warm smile as tears puddle in her eyes.

Then it hits me. How could I have been so blind? She wraps her arm around mine and we begin down the path. There, we are stopped by Dan who’s holding a bouquet of colored daisies. “These are for you Mels. You look beautiful.”

Dan enfolds me in a warm embrace.  “Did you know?” I whisper against his chest.

He’s grinning as he pulls away and looks down at me. “Who do you think helped him plan this?” He adds a wink, “I’ve known you forever Mels. When Lucas told me his plans, I asked if he wanted my opinion.”

“So, when you were giving me a hard time last week when I asked if you would help me plan my wedding…” I didn’t get to finish.

“It was already planned.” He squeezes my shoulders before releasing them. “Now, here’s your flowers. I have to get down there.” He kisses my cheek, “I’m the man-of-honor.” He chuckles and shows off his teeth.

Once we clear the path, I see him. Lucas is wearing light linen pants and white short-sleeved dress shirt. He spots me and grins. There’s so much love I see in his eyes. Once we get to the pergola, Grams places one last kiss on my cheek, takes my hand and places it in Lucas’.  Holding her hand on top of ours, she says, “I am entrusting you with a very precious gift, Lucas. My granddaughter.”

Lucas leans down and kisses her on the cheek. “I promise to cherish this gift for the rest of my life.” He whispers to Grams. Grams pats his cheek and then turns with tears in her eyes to stand with the others.

“You didn’t shave.” I noticed.

He grins, “I have it on good authority that you love the way it feels.”

I’m grinning and I can’t stop. “You planned this?”

“I had a lot of help.”

The minister clears his throat, “Are we ready to begin?”

“Yes.” We both say looking into one another’s glistening eyes.

Back on the veranda of the hotel after we exchanged our vows, we are surrounded by everyone that we wanted there. The two of us danced to Lady Antebellum, ‘Just A Kiss’. We share a meal with everyone, drink and danced more.

Later that afternoon, Lucas carries me across the threshold of our room. I don’t think I’ve stopped giggling all afternoon. We are now Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Bishop. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up.

We plop down on the bed, laying side by side. “So, who helped you?” I finally ask. “I would ask if your friend Adam helped, but he obviously was not here to be your best man.” I shake my head remembering Lucas’ Uncle Alex standing beside him, “And here I thought it was a coincidence that your Uncle was on the same island as us.”

Lucas chuckles, “Adam is traveling, so he couldn’t make it.” He sighs. “His parents and brother already had a vacation booked.” He turns on his side to look at me, “I couldn’t have done this without Dan. Oh and his sister, Sam.” He laughs. “Is she ok?”

I laugh, “Let me guess, she never stopped talking or sat still. And didn’t take no for an answer.”

He laughs, “Yup. Is she always like that?”

“Yes, she’s a little ball of energy.” I reply, smiling at all the memories I have of Sam.

“Yes, she is.” He pushes himself up and leans over me. He takes a strand of my hair between his fingers. “You’ve made me the happiest man on earth today. I’m going to be honest, I knew once I asked you to marry me, I would not be able to wait to marry you. It was hard enough waiting a week.” He leans down and begins kissing my neck.

“Wait…how long has this been planned?” My hand is pressed against his shoulder, above his heart.

“Three weeks.” He groans into my neck.  “I went and asked Grams for your hand in marriage. Dan just happened to be at his parents that day and saw me there. He came over and found out. Then when I told them I wanted to whisk you away immediately, he stepped in.” He pauses, “It took him twenty-four hours to come up with this.” He groans into my neck, “those were the longest twenty-four hours.”

I laugh. “You did all this. Why couldn’t you wait?”

“I don’t really know.” He stops talking, he’s thinking carefully, “We’ve been together for two years. This past year and a half I’ve taken over my father’s company with the help of my uncle. It’s growing more with the changes I’ve made and I guess I just wanted to be sure that we got married. That we didn’t get caught up doing other things and never plan a wedding.”

“Lucas, trust me, I would have planned a wedding. I would have planned exactly this.” I smile and place my hand on his cheek. “Thank you. You’ve made me the happiest I’ve ever been in a very long time.”

We’re staring into each other’s eyes with longing, “I love you, Amelia Cierra Bishop”. He annunciates BISHOP slowly.

“I love you, Lucas Andrew Bishop.” He kisses me gently on the lips then stands. He takes my hands and brings me to a standing position.

“I have a very special night planned.” He says as he walks behind me. He gently unzips my dress. Slowly his hands come around the front of my dress, he then glides his hands up my breasts, to the top of the plunging bustier, where he gently tugs it down and my dress falls to the floor. I’ve gotten goosebumps from the way his hands easily glide against my skin. He reaches up and unclips my hair. Using his hands, he caresses them through my hair, down the sides of my neck, over my shoulders and down my arms. There he claps his hands with mine.

Lucas kisses my neck and shoulder. He whispers in my ear, “I want you to lay down in the middle of the bed, arms up towards the headboard.”

My breath hitches. I bite my lower lip and take a deep breath. My insides are already burning with desire and he’s hardly touched me. I move slowly towards the center of the bed. He hasn’t told me to remove my shoes or panties, so I don’t. I smile, I know he loves undressing me.

Once I am in position, Lucas is beside the bed. In his hands are 4 white scarves. Where did those come from? He has a slight warm smile upon his lips, but his eyes are full of desire. He takes my right arm and ties my wrist to the corner bedpost, then he moves to my left side of the bed and does the same.

I’m beginning to squirm with so many thoughts of what he is going to do to me. He runs his fingers down my left side, across my stomach. “Lift your hips” he says softly as his fingers tug on my lace panties. He slowly brings them down my legs. He pauses to remove my sandals. Now I lay before him, completely bare.

His eyes are caressing my body. He lifts my left foot by the ankle. He brings his mouth to the sole of my foot and begins to kiss it. Slowly he moves to my toes and kisses each toe. Then, slowly, gently, he takes each toe into his mouth.  I feel his tongue caress each toe. Once he finishes caressing each toe with his tongue, he gently sucks and nibbles each toe. I feel a burning deep inside me.  “OH, MY GOD!” I moan. I feel his lips twitch.

He ties my left ankle to the bedpost. Then he repeats his ministrations to my right foot. He’s slowly killing me. My sexual desire for him has increased. It’s a good thing he’s tied me down, if he hadn’t, I would have surely taken over right now.

Lucas beams down at me and removes a white fabric from his pocket. He’s wickedly grinning at me. He crawls from the foot of the bed up my body and lays his weight upon me. He kisses me gently. “I’ve restrained you. Now I’m going to blindfold you.” He kisses me again. In a soft voice, he says; “Tonight, I want to hear every gasp, every moan,” he kisses me once more; “and all the incoherent words you scream when I pleasure you for the first time as my wife.”

He places the blindfold around my eyes. I feel his lips slowly tormenting my neck. I feel his scruff slightly scratch my skin. My breathing thickens. He takes my right nipple into his mouth. I feel his tongue caress then suck it in. Before he removes his mouth, he lightly nips the tip. Slowly, he repeats this process on my left nipple.

My body is yearning for him. For more of him.

Lucas works his way down my body. I feel his breath and scruff on my most intimate part. Then, he’s gone. Where is he? I don’t feel his weight upon me or the bed. I don’t hear him either. I know not to call for him. What is he doing?

Then I feel him. He begins to lightly bite the top of my left foot. He alternates between light bites, light sucks, and licking. He does this up the left side of my body. “MMmm….” I moan.

It’s almost as if he’s savoring every morsel of my body. The burning sensation I felt earlier, has intensified. I finally feel him at my right foot. Slowly he begins the same ministrations on my right side. Then, he’s gone again. I exhale loudly.

He keeps building me up, then slowly I slide down. The burning has faded to embers; they just need to be fanned a bit more.

All of a sudden, I feel something come down across my face. Down my neck. What is this? A feather? No, it’s not soft enough. Down my neck, then breasts. I still cannot make out what this is. Slowly it stills on my stomach. I feel it being lifted off my body. Whack! A slight smack on my intimate area. “Ahhh!” I moan louder. A flogger!

Lucas lightly flogs me. I squirm. I wrap my hands around the ties. I wait for the next whack. Nothing. Oh, dear god, I groan. This slow torture is driving my desire higher.

I feel the bed shift from his weight. He straddles me. Both of his hands are on both of mine. Slowly, he begins his decent. His light touch works its way down my body. He lightly grazes my intimate area, down my legs, to my toes.

He begins to kiss the inside of my leg at my ankle. Moving slowly towards my center. “Please.” I whisper.

“Please what?”

“Please, I want to feel your tongue.” I moan.

“Where do you want to feel my tongue?” he whispers. “I’ve had my tongue all over your body. Where is it that you want to feel it at?”

“On my clit!” I moan. “In me!”

I can feel his grin on my sex. “Oh god!” His tongue glides over my clit. Back and forth, back and forth. He slides his tongue and thrusts it into my hole. “Oh, Lucas!”

He’s back on my clit, back and forth, sucking. He keeps alternating. I don’t know how much more I can take. All of a sudden, I feel his fingers enter me. “Oh!”

My breathing increases. Heartbeat is faster. My insides are burning. Lucas increases the pressure of his fingers and tongue. “Oh! Oh! LUCAS!” I’m groaning my release. “OH, MY GOD!” “Oh GOD!” “Lucas, Lucas!” He doesn’t let up.

He moans. I feel the vibration through my body. That’s it, I’m gone. I see stars. I can hardly breathe. My body stiffens in my release. My hands and ankles are pulling hard on my restraints. All my thoughts are Lucas. “Ohmyfuckinggodlucas!” I mumble.

He slowly releases himself from me. Gently and slowly his hand goes down my left leg and he unties it. He repeats this on the right. He glides up the front of my body. He slowly lifts my blindfold. I look into his eyes. If a look could set you on fire, his is. There is so much concupiscence, passion, and love in his eyes. He wants to consume me. And, I want him too!

He leans forwards and devours my mouth. His hands go to each one of my hands. I’m untied. Freed. I can hardly move my arms. Lucas rubs my arms while he’s still devouring my mouth. His hands move down my sides towards my knees. He lifts my knees and slightly leans up.

Looking into my eyes he enters me in one swift thrust. No barrier between us. “Ahhh...!” He increases his rhythm. His hands are gripping my shoulders from underneath. My arms are wrapped up around his neck, my hands in his hair. My legs are wrapped and locked around his torso. I’m lifting my hips and meeting his every thrust. I can feel him, skin to skin and it feels so different, yet it feels MORE! So much more.

“Amelia!” Lucas shouts.

“Oh god, Lucas!” I shout as we find our release together.

Lucas is still on top of me. In me. His heart and mine are beating in unison. Our breathing, heavy. He’s nuzzled into my neck. I slowly make circles on his neck with my fingers. “I love you, Lucas” I say in a breathless whisper.

He nuzzles into my neck, just below my ear and places a kiss, “I love you, Amelia.”

Seventeen years, one week later

IT’S SIX IN the morning, and I’m up getting ready. My mind is still running a thousand miles an hour. After I left Piper last night, I met up with Kelly and Theresa for drinks. I haven’t told them yet, and it was hard not to. But Piper and I decided we needed to wait for all the paperwork to be in order. I’m beyond excited. I just hope I can fill Piper’s shoes.

“Shoot!” I look at the clock. I’ve been going over last night’s events while getting ready and I haven’t looked at the time. I need to be at the restaurant at seven-fifteen, to meet Alex. He had booked a client meeting for breakfast. I barely make it to the restaurant on time and as I’m exiting the car, Alex approaches. He’s just arrived too, I’m assuming.

“Good morning.” He says as he extends his hand for me to take. This is part of his contract. When in public, we act as a couple that’s been together for a long while. Since he’s been a client of mine for over a year now, this part is easy, familiar. He places a kiss upon my cheek.

These are the things that get to me the most. I hate acting like a couple. I don’t mind escorting men to events. I don’t mind fucking them. But this, I hate. I hate showing endearment when I’ve never felt it for anyone. And, even though this part of his contract has gotten easier, it still gets to me.

I haven’t felt endearment towards anyone, but once. Even that is a distant memory that I barely remember.

“Good morning Alex.”

“Let’s go inside. It’s already hot and muggy out here.” He exclaims.

Once we are seated, Alex says; “After this business meeting here, I need to go into the office. But I do need to discuss some things with you. Could you possibly meet me in my office at ten am?”

I check my schedule, which I already knew was free this morning. “Yes, I can” I agree. “What is it that you wish to discuss?”

Just as I asked this question, Alex stands “Benjamin Hunter, how are you this morning?” He asks in an amiable tone. I guess my question will wait. Alex turns towards me and does introductions before sitting down to discuss business.

I’m sitting here listening to them. To be honest, I have a business degree, but I don’t know much about the computer industry. But they say a name that brings recognition, Adam Hunter. Why is that name familiar? Ah, yes, the runner I ran into yesterday.

“We’ll schedule another meeting. Something came up and he had to bail out of breakfast this morning.” Benjamin says.

“I hope it’s nothing serious.” Alex replies.

“Honestly, I don’t know.” Benjamin replies shaking his head slightly.

Breakfast concludes and we depart for Alex’s office. We enter the LARBB building. “How do you pronounce that?” I ask.

“You don’t.” He states.

Okay. I look at him. He’s not saying anything. “Well, what does it mean?”

Alex exasperates; “It’s an acronym.”

“For?”

“This is my nephew’s business. He took over his father’s business during his last year in college.” We get into the elevator; he pushes the button for the 26th floor.

“What does the acronym represent?” He’s being rather difficult in answering questions.

“His name, Lucas Andrew Bishop.”

LAB, okay; “What’s the R and extra B for?”

He sighs, “His father, Robert Bryce Bishop.”

“Oh, they’re partners?” I ask.

“No.” He stares at me. “Robert passed away just before Lucas started college.” He places his hands in his pants pockets, “They were close. This was their dream when Lucas graduated. The business was planned and implemented just before Robert died.” He pauses. “Lucas held onto the plan, and it is continuing to grow.”

Wow! I’m impressed. I look at Alex, that means, “You’re Robert’s brother?”

“Yes.” He’s still staring. “I took it upon myself to mentor Lucas in Robert’s place.”

“That’s very gratuitous of you.” I say politely. This exchange has surprised me. I’ve never seen this side of Alex. Then again, I am not getting paid for that.

He smiles and nods his head at me. Once we exit the elevator, we head towards his office. It’s time I own up to my mistake the other night.  

I sit down in the chair opposite his desk. Before he even sits I say, “The other night should not have happened. I should not have gone home with you. That was not a scheduled night with you. It was my night off.” Why did I just say that? He didn’t need to know that.

He sits down and glares at me. He taps his left finger against his lip. “Why was it a mistake? You seem to have needed… let me think, not a release, but you wanted to be punished.” He’s still staring at me. “I think you wanted what I could offer, so you did not have to think of the encumbrance you’re under.”

Here we go. Does he think we have this kind of a relationship? He’s a client. My client! Damn the other night. But he is right. I can’t let him know that.

“I’m assuming that was your family yesterday morning. You looked very upset. Did it not go well?” He is still glaring at me.

“That’s none of your concern.” I reply smartly.

“No, it’s not. But I would like for it to be.” He finally says it.

“Alex.” I pause. “You’re just another client to me.” Yes, I’ve had the best sex with him. My thoughts go to my past when David forced himself on me, over and over. I never thought sex could or would be satisfying. As these thoughts linger, Alex interrupts…

“Why Amelia?” He asks. “Is it your family?”

“No.” Why is he being like this? “Alex, some things are going to be changing with ‘Executive Services’. I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you right now.” I pause and look at him. “Things are going to be changing.”

He looks pissed. He’s not saying anything. Finally, I say, “I’m sorry about the other night. I made it seem that I wanted more from our client relationship. I don’t Alex.” I state, “Honestly, I don’t want anybody in my life in that way.”

“Why did you need me to use you in that way the other night?” He demands.

I cannot show him my feelings. I’ve buried those. They very rarely surface, and that’s only been when they’ve been triggered. Grams is my trigger.

“That’s for me to deal with.” I stare at him. “I need to get going. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?”

“No.” He still doesn’t sound like himself. “Am I still a client at ‘Executive Services’?” he asks.

“Yes, that hasn’t changed.” I stand and walk to the door. He doesn’t get up. This is not like him. “Goodbye Alex.”

“Goodbye Amelia”. I make my way down the hall and step into the elevator. I know I’ve hurt him, his ego. He’s been a client for two years now. I just can’t give him something that I don’t want. My god, the sex is incredible.

I begin to remember the night before I woke up in Alex’s condo. It was just last week, the day I graduated college. My father and grandparents did not attend. But, my mother’s mother did, Grams. I haven’t seen her in a long while. She and I use to be close until my father had me sent off to boarding school. Then my relationship with her became strained.

After having dinner with her that night, I stayed behind at the bar, drinking. I wanted to lose myself and not feel the way I was feeling after having spent time with her. Guilt!

Then, Alex showed up…

My third extra dirty martini has just been placed on the bar in front of me when I feel someone sit beside me. I look over and see that it’s Alex. Of all nights that I wanted to be alone, I run into someone who knows me. Or at least they think they know me.

“What are you doing in a bar on a Thursday night?” I ask him.

“The question should be addressed to you.” He stares at me.

“I’m celebrating! I graduated today.” I gleam a smile at him.

“Shouldn’t you be celebrating with family, friends?”

“I had dinner with my Grams. She’s the only one to show up. My father and my grandparents couldn’t make the effort.” I snort. Damn, I’ve had a lot to drink.

“How much have you had to drink?” he points to my drink.

“Not enough!” I take a big gulp.

“She’s had three.” The bartender tells Alex. “Are you her ride? She said she wasn’t driving.”

Alex is staring at me; “Yes”.

“Let’s go, Amelia.” Alex takes my hand and leads me from the bar to his car. Damn it’s a nice car.

“What type of car is this?” I ask in a drunken tone.

“A two thousand fourteen Dodge Viper SRT.” He replies as he opens the car door for me. I lay my head against the window once I fasten the seatbelt, Alex asks me something, but he sounded far away. I close my eyes.

When I open them again, we’re at his apartment? How did I get here? He’s carrying me. “Alex. Where are, you taking me?”

“Where do you want me to take you, Amelia?”

I look around and I answer, surprising myself “To your room.”

Alex puts me down once we enter. “Are you sure?” He asks staring into my eyes.

“Yes.” I say breathlessly. “I need to be punished. I’ve been a bad little girl for a very long time. And she doesn’t know.”

“What?” His brows furrow in question.

“Please help me to forget. Please, Alex.”

Alex places a blindfold over my eyes. “As much as I love undressing you, tonight you will undress yourself.” He runs his fingers down my arm. “Do as your told and take your dress off Amelia.” I do as I’m told. Having consumed so many drinks and having my sight taken from me by this blindfold, I am still able to do as he commands. “Now your shoes and underwear.” I didn’t have a bra on, so it’s made undressing easier.

Alex leads me to another part of the room. He puts his hands on my shoulder and pushes slightly for me to go down on my knees. He leans me forward with a gentle push on my back. I’m at the bench, I know once my skin touches the leather. I feel my left hand brought across and down as far as it will go, then I feel the clasp of the cuff. He repeats this for my right hand.

Next, I hear his buckle. I hear the leather of his belt pull through the loops of his pants. I hear the snap it makes as he folds the belt in half with his hands. I feel the belt slide across the spine of my back, down, down. Over my buttocks. I hear the swoosh of the belt in the air before the ‘smack’ across my skin bites the back of my upper thighs.

“One.” I whisper. I shouldn’t have walked into daddy’s office that day.

‘smack’, this one lands a bit higher

“Two.” I should have run away when daddy saw me standing there.

‘smack’

“Three.” I shouldn’t have listened to the lies that daddy was saying.

‘smack’, straight across my bottom

“Four.” I shouldn’t have talked to the police officers.

‘smack’

“Five.” I was five years old the day daddy killed mommy. The day I lied.

Tears are streaming down my face…I’m sorry mommy.

Alex uncuffs me, tends to the marks he’s left. Carries me to his bed, places me in the middle. This time, he doesn’t restrain me, I let him have me.

This is all a lie too!

I hadn’t realized that I walked down the hall to the elevator. I’ve been so wrapped up in thoughts of the other night, that when I entered the elevator I walked right into him.

His arms wrapped around my waist as I looked up into his blue eyes. Oh my! I place my hands on his chest to push away from him, but he holds me firmly. “Amelia?” he looks at me questioning.

“Yes.” I lean my head back some, but I don’t know him, yet he does seem familiar. “Do I know you?”

“Public Speaking with Dr. Menzel. You always sat in the second row, third seat in.” He states with a smile and his hand squeezes my side.

Now I’m really looking at him. Yes, I think I remember him, but I cannot place his name. “Yes, but you’ll have to forgive me, I can’t place your name.” I bite my lower lip. His eyes are very captivating, his arms feel strong and sure around me.

His eyes light up and the grin on his face gets a little wider, “That’s ok, not sure we ever introduced ourselves then.” He releases me from his embrace, I already miss his arms, “I’m Lucas Bishop.” He says as he extends his hand.

Lucas Bishop, Alex’s nephew. Yes, I see some similarity between them. I smile at him, “Amelia Bennett, but then, you already knew that.” I say placing my hand in his.

“Yes, obviously, I remember you.” He shrugs his shoulders while smiling at me. His hands go casually into his dress pant pockets, “What are you doing here if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I had a meeting, and now I’m leaving.” I’m not sure if I should say with who. I’m not sure how much Lucas knows about me.

“I hope it went well.” He looks at me with concerned eyes and furrowed eyebrows.

“It did, but I really must be going. It was nice to see you…again.” I smile at him. I need to leave. I’m standing in the elevator and he’s blocking the doors from closing, his embrace felt so comfortable that I want to be back in his arms. I want to place my head against his chest and breathe in his scent. What is wrong with me? Leave Amelia, leave!

He looks concerned but takes a step back out of the elevator. “It was nice to see you too.”

The doors close. What the hell is with me lately? First the runner. Adam, and now Lucas.

Seventeen years, one month

WE’VE BEEN MARRIED for one month. I’m still on cloud nine. Once we left the island and returned home, we’ve been going nonstop. Lucas had another surprise for me when we returned. We moved into a house, not his apartment.

I am planning a special dinner tonight for the both of us. We’ve been so busy since we got back. Moving, unpacking, and I started working at LARBB with Lucas. You would think we were sick of one another, but it’s been the opposite. We seem to not be able to get enough.

Lucas had a meeting out of the office this afternoon, so I left a little early to get dinner prepared. The table is set, wine is chilled, and I just took the roast out of the oven. I hear him enter our home from the garage. “I’m in the kitchen.” I say loudly. When he enters the kitchen, I notice that he looks angry and upset.

“What’s wrong?” I go to him and wrap my arms around his neck.

Lucas wraps his arms around my waist, “I don’t know where to begin.” He says as he places an affectionate kiss on my forehead.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“After dinner.” He looks into my eyes, “I am going to enjoy our meal, it smells delicious.” He smiles lightly.

“You’re home just in time. It’s ready. I hope you’re hungry.” I smile back reassuringly.

After we eat, Lucas helps me clean up. We go sit in the living room after he pours us a second glass of wine. Just as we settle down, the doorbell rings. Lucas goes to answer the door with a huff and walks back in with his Uncle Alex.

“Good evening Amelia.” He says, “I just wanted to stop by and see how Lucas’ meeting went.” He looks at me longingly, “You must have made dinner, it smells delicious in here.” He smirks at me.

“You just missed it. And yes, it was delicious.” I smirk back.

“I’m just curious, is it the food or you?” He says with a dark look in his eyes.

Lucas clears his throat when he returns from the kitchen with another glass of wine for Alex. “Will you please stop flirting with my wife.” He glares at him.

“I can’t help it, Lucas, your wife is too beautiful.” He winks at me.

I swear Alex likes to make me uncomfortable in his presence. The first time I met him I blew off his flirting since he didn’t know who I was. But he still flirts, sometimes.

“How did the meeting go with Mr. Bennett?” He asks.

“Mr. Bennett? My grandfather?” I ask focusing on Lucas.

Lucas looks at me apprehensively. “Yes, your grandfather.” He pauses. “I didn’t tell you because I honestly didn’t know what he wanted. I thought it was going to be some sort of a getting to know me.” He’s pacing the floor in front of me. “He never said anything to me on the island before or after the wedding.”

“What did he talk to you about?” I ask hesitantly.

He stops and stares at me. “Your grandfather. He gave me advice on how a married man needs to handle his wife. Or I should say, how he handles his wife. How your father handled your mother. How he expects a Bennett woman to be handled. How he expects them to behave.”

“What exactly did he say?” I gulp.

He exhales and glances at Alex. Alex looks at him with raised eyebrows, then looks at me warily.

“He said that a Bennett woman should know her place is at home, not working. That she is to be bred and handled with a very firm hand.” Lucas looks at me anxiously, “I am expected to be part of Bennett Corporation since no female can be the heir. Only a male.”

As I’m listening to Lucas recant the details of my grandfather’s conversation, my mind is reeling. Thoughts of my mother and father are surfacing. Repressed memories are crashing to the forefront of my mind. Tears begin spilling down my face.

“Courtney!” My father is yelling from the kitchen. “What the hell have you done all day? This kitchen is a mess.”

“Amelia and I made a cake earlier. I went to get her cleaned up first, then I was coming back down here to clean up the kitchen.” She says in a timid voice. “I didn’t expect you home this early. Dinner isn’t ready.”

“You should always anticipate my arrival at any time.” He sneers. I’m sitting at the table coloring. I look up and see daddy approaching mommy. She’s walking backward while holding his gaze. “Well, since dinner isn’t ready we have time for you to attend to my needs.”

My mother glances in my direction, then back to my father, “But Amelia…”

Smack!

He slaps her across the face. My mother holds her hand to where he slapped her and I come flying out of my chair running towards them. My father looks down at me loveless, “Why weren’t you a boy?” He turns and walks out.

“Amelia! Amelia!” I hear Lucas saying my name. I look into his eyes; he’s looking at me worryingly. “Where did you go?”

My throat feels tight. I close my eyes and shake my head. Lucas is holding me close to him and Alex has moved sitting beside me rubbing my back. “Just a very bad memory.” I finally manage to say in a sobbing voice.

“What was it? You can tell me.” He says lovingly.

I shake my head yes. I look at Alex as he gets up and sits across from us. Lucas holds me still. “I was just remembering something from my childhood. When you said only an heir can be a male, it triggered something my father said to me once.”

Lucas is rubbing my hand and his other hand is rubbing my back; Alex is being very watchful. “What did he say?” Lucas asks.

“He looked at me and asked why wasn’t I a boy.”

“That shouldn’t have you shaking and crying like this Amelia.” Alex says quietly.

I look at Alex; he doesn’t know about my childhood. At least I don’t think he does. “He said that after he yelled and slapped my mother for not cleaning up the kitchen mess before he got home.”

Lucas pulls me closer to him. “What?” Alex asks angrily. “Did your father do that often?” Lucas tenses beside me. He hasn’t told Alex then.

“My father is in jail.” I try to say calmly, but it comes out shaky. “He beat my mother.” I take a gulp of air, in an uneasy voice; “He beat her to her death.”

Alex looks jolted. He looks crushed. He looks to Lucas; “Why didn’t you tell me?” He looks back at me tenderly, “I didn’t know Amelia. If there’s anything that I can do for you, please let me know. But right now,” he pauses and glances a Lucas, “you need Lucas.” Alex leaves us. I hear him mumble as he leaves, it sounds something like “Cort.”

“Is that all you remember?” Lucas asks.

“We made a cake for him that day. That’s why the kitchen was a mess. My mother let me help. I wanted to make a cake for him, it was Valentine’s day.” I say tearfully. “I wanted my daddy to be my Valentine.”

Lucas holds me tighter and closer as I sob uncontrollably into his chest. I’m not sure how long we are there when I finally manage to ask; “What did you say to my grandfather?”

Lucas drops his head against the side of mine. “I told him that I respectfully decline his invitation to his company. That I am far too busy with my own.”

“I am going to guess that he didn’t like that answer.” I state in a shaky voice.

“No, he didn’t like it. He also didn’t like it when I told him that I like my women strong like you. One that can hold their own in the workplace while making a house a home.” He ends softly. “Then he looked at me and said that our marriage needed to be annulled. That he would find the man that would treat you the way you should and would be treated.”

Now I’m the one who tenses. “Our marriage is not going to be annulled,” Lucas assures me. “I told him to stay away from us. To stay away from you. That we didn’t need anything from the Bennett’s.” He turns me to face him. “I didn’t mean to speak for you, but he had me so angry Amelia. I wanted to hit him. I wanted to kill him. That’s how he raised your father. That’s why your mother…” He doesn’t finish his sentence. His eyes are red.

“Lucas, I’m not mad.” I kiss him. “I’m glad that you told him that. I don’t want to see him, ever again.” I say sullenly. “I’m just afraid that he may not stop there.”

I’m not sure how long we sit there. Eventually, we made it to our bed. We both sleep restlessly that night.

Seventeen years, one month

I’VE BEEN WORKING alongside Piper for a month now. Seeing the business from this side is different than I expected. I’m a little leery now too. If you solicit sex with a client, then we can be charged with prostitution. Well, I know I’ve never solicited my clients. I usually just let it happen. My clients tipped generously when I slept with them.

I don’t know how many of the girls are sleeping with clients or even if they solicit them. If they get caught, we all do. Especially me, now that my name is on the business license.

I’ve kept my clients for now. If it gets to be too much to handle, then I’ll have to let them know. I only have six clients on contract with me personally. I have sex with three of them, well it may be two clients, not sure what I would say I do with John. He’s different. Now I’m wondering if maybe it’s one, I haven’t heard from Alex in a month.  

After I left Piper’s, I decided to stop at the coffee shop for a Frappuccino. I turn from the counter with a drink in hand and bump into something hard. An arm goes around my waist and a warm voice says, “You didn’t run into me this time, but I still don’t want you to fall and waste a perfectly good drink.”

I look up and see familiar gorgeous hazel eyes. He’s smiling down at me with his arm around my waist still, the runner from the park, Adam Hunter. “Thank you for saving me and my drink.” I smile at him as I look up at him.

“It’s my pleasure.” He’s still smiling. “I honestly didn’t know if I would ever see you again. I went back to the waterfront the next day after meeting you hoping to see you again.”

“You mean run into you?” I say lightly.

“Yes, run into me.” He chuckles. He removes his arm from my waist. He sticks his hand out, “I’m Adam Hunter.” He smiles.

“I remember, Adam Hunter. I’m Amelia Bennett.” I smile back.

“I remember, Amelia Bennett. Would you like to sit at a table with me?” he asks while gesturing with his hand towards an empty table.

“I’d like that.” I honestly would like to. There’s something about his eyes and the way his hand felt in mine. Warm, that’s the word I’m looking for. He makes me feel warm inside. I’ve never had that feeling and yet it seems familiar.

We sit looking at one another. Finally, he says, “I’ve had all these thoughts of what I would talk to you about if I ever met you again, and they’ve just left me.” He laughs. “I don’t think that has ever happened to me.”

“Well, that makes two of us.” I say. “I usually don’t even sit down and have coffee with someone I just met.”

“Technically, this is our second meeting.” He grins at me.

“Yes, it is.” I stare into his eyes. “Tell me, Adam, what do you do besides rescuing women from falling?” I ask smartly.

He chuckles. “I buy floundering businesses and revive them.”

I smile, “You must be superman. You save women and businesses. You’re wearing a suit, but no glasses.  Do you have a leotard and cape on underneath?” I say jokingly.

That earns me a bigger laugh. “Would you like for me to be superman?” He says with a twinkle in his eye. “I can assure you, there is no leotard or cape under my suit.” He studies me, “But if you would like to get to know me better, why don’t you have dinner with me tonight?” he asks.

Dinner? I bite my lower lip, I smile, “Yes, I’d like that.”

He grins widely, “Now I just need to know where to pick you up at?”

After much deliberating with myself, I give him my address. We talk some more, then leave the shop together.

Adam turns to me, “I’ll see you at 6:30.” He’s smiling and I am too.

“Looking forward to it.”

I’m a nervous wreck. What the hell is wrong with me? Why did I agree to this date? I am Amelia Cierra Bennett. I don’t do nervous. I don’t date. Then I remember Adam, his eyes, his voice. Damn, even thinking of him I get this warm feeling deep inside me. What the hell is this feeling?

I finally decide on an outfit and begin getting ready. While we were having coffee, I managed to not answer questions on what I do for a living. But will I be able to do that all night? Will I be able to deflect question after question that I don’t want to answer? Here come my nerves again. DAMN!

At exactly 6:30 the doorman calls up to let me know that Adam is here. I don’t want him to come into my apartment, so I head down to the lobby. He’s standing there with his back turned away from me. He’s about six-foot-two, broad shoulders, dark brown hair, a little bit of gray is beginning to show by his temples. If he turns around and has a pair of Clark Kent eyeglasses on, I’m going to faint.

He turns when I approach. No glasses! Oh well. He’s still hot as hell and his hazel eyes hold my gaze. We’re lightly smiling at one another.

“You didn’t want to invite me up?” He asks.

“I let you know where I live, but I need to get to know you better before you see the inside of my apartment.” I’m still smiling and suck in my lower lip a little.

“Okay. That goes both ways. We get to know one another better before we invite one another to our homes.” He smirks.

Damn. “Okay. I agree.” I smirk back.

As we’re talking and eating dinner at The Salted Pier, a beautiful restaurant that’s overlooking the waterfront. I feel as if someone is staring at me. I look around, but I do not see anyone that I know.

“So, Amelia, what is it that you do for a living? You live in a really nice apartment building.” He asks.

And here it is. I was wondering how much longer he was going to put off asking. I don’t know how many more times I can deflect this question, so I go with a simple truth. “Well, if you must know, I just finished college. So, I am looking into a career that suits me.” Okay, I have a career, but I don’t know how he will handle if I tell him I’m an escort getting ready to run her own escorting business.

“Really?! What area is your degree in?” He asks curiously.

“Business.” I smile.

“A beautiful woman like you wanting to get into the business field.  Any specific type of business interest you?”

How to answer, let’s see, I run an escort agency. I don’t think that will go over well. “Right now, I’m interested in the business of getting to know you.” Cheesy, I know. “I’m sure my career path will come along in the not too distant future.” God, I hope that was enough of a deflection.

Adam is smiling, “I like that business choice. And it seems that I am interested in the same business choice.”

We continue talking. So far, I have learned that he’s 35 and is a Business Entrepreneur. He buys failing/struggling businesses to improve them or he cuts his losses, but he also invests in businesses that are thriving. He has a younger brother who works with him, both parents are doctors.

I tell him I’m an only child who was raised mostly by my father and grandparents after my mother’s death.

“I am so sorry. I don’t know what it would be like to not have my mother around.” He states.

“I had my grandmother. Honestly, I don’t remember a whole lot about my mother.” I lie. I remember my mother. She was beautiful, kind and so loving. She loved me, I know this because of the warm feeling I got whenever she hugged me. The same way I feel around Grams and …

 “Do you remember what she looked like?” his question cuts off my thought.

“Well, people say I look a lot like her. We both have reddish brown hair, but her eyes were brown. Mine are blue, so I didn’t get that from her.”

“Maybe you got them from your father.” He smiles.

My father has hazel eyes, like his. Nope, I didn’t get them from him either. “No, I think from my Pops, my mother’s father. He died not long after my mother. So, I really don’t know.” I put my napkin down, “Can you excuse me for a moment? I need to go to the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

Adam stands when I do, “I’ll be here waiting.”

What am I doing?  I’m giving him too much of me. “Pull yourself together Amelia.” I say out loud while looking at myself in the bathroom mirror. “This evening has to end now. Go back out there and nicely explain about ending the evening.” I sigh, “But I don’t want to.” I look at myself in the mirror. “But I really need to. I am not somebody to love.”

As I exit the restroom I walk right into Alex. What is he doing here? I look up at him, “Hello Alex. How are you this evening?”

“Hello, Amelia. I’m fine, I would ask how you are, but you’re obviously…hmmm, what’s wrong?” He asks. “It’s obvious to me that you are not with a client, so it must be a date. Has he done something to you?” He looks angered.

I sigh, “Alex it’s really none of your business if I am with a client or date. So, if you will excuse me.” I try to make my way past him.

Alex grabs my arm as I try to pass, “You didn’t answer my question.”

I yank my arm from his grasp, “I don’t know what gives you the right to grab me or question me.” We are both glaring at one another.

“Uncle?”  We both turn to see Lucas standing a few feet from us. He walks closer to us. He looks at Alex, then turns his gaze to me, “Everything alright, Amelia?”

“Yes, everything’s fine.” I say rather forcefully. I sigh, this has nothing to do with Lucas. I look up at him, “I need to go.” I turn and face Alex, “Goodnight!” I say rather harshly. Then walk away from them both.

Adam stands as I approach, “Are you feeling okay? You look pale.”

“Oh Adam, this is not how I saw this evening.” I feel so overwhelmed with too many emotions, I’m not even certain how I feel at the moment.

“I hope it wasn’t my company that made you feel this way. I thought we were getting along just fine.” He looks at me questionably.

“No! Please don’t think that. I am having a really good time or I was until a moment ago. But that’s not on you.” I say sincerely.

He smiles. “Come on then. I already paid, maybe the fresh air will help. We could walk back to your apartment if you’d like, it’s not that far?”

“I think that might be good.” I take a deep cleansing breathe, “As long as Superman is beside me in case I fall.” I smile at him.

His grin broadens, “I think that can be arranged.” He takes my hand in his and we leave the restaurant. Our quiet walk along the waterfront ends as we enter my building. At the elevator Adam stops me, grasping both my hands in a warm embrace.

“I had a wonderful time tonight Amelia. Would I be assuming too much that you did also?” He asks.

“I had a wonderful time too. I hope there will be a next time that’s just as wonderful or more.” I say with a slight smile. Where did that come from?

“That’s a date.” He smiles back at me and comes closer. “Amelia, I very much would like to kiss you.”

“You would?” I take a shallow breath.

“Yes.”

“Okay.” I reply in a soft whisper.

He puts his left arm around my waist and his right hand upon my cheek towards my ear. He leans down, his lips lightly brush mine. Then he lightly licks my lower lip. I gasp at his invitation. Our tongues are entwining, his full lips fit perfectly with mine. He pulls me closer, his hand moves towards the back of my head, lightly pulling my hair.  It’s getting hotter in here. The kiss starts slow, then quickly speeds up. Now, we are slowing down again. Our lips lightly peck one another’s. He pulls his lips away, but his hands remain where they are.

“Goodnight Amelia. Go get some rest. The next time, I may not want to bring you home if you don’t feel well.”

Oh. No words come to mind. I just stare into his eyes, my mouth slightly open, I bite my lower lip, “Okay”. That’s all I can think of to say. I wish I had the nerve to ask him up and finish our kiss the way it should be.

Adam smiles at me. “You better get in this elevator before I won’t let you go.” He finally releases me from his embrace.

I don’t say anything. I continue to look at him and back up into the elevator. I push the button for my floor, “Goodnight Adam.” I say breathlessly. He just smiles at me as the doors close.

What am I going to do? I bite my lower lip hard. I put my hands to my lips. Damn, he can kiss. His scent is lingering against me; I grin; “Old Spice.”

Seventeen years, three months

I’M ON CLOUD nine! Lucas and I have a secret that we’ve been keeping the last month. I bite my lip thinking about this morning at the Doctors’ office.

“Good morning Mr. & Mrs. Bishop. How are you this morning?” Dr. Pfaffenbach asks as he comes into the room and sits down in the chair at my feet.

“Good. Excited!” I say smiling.

Dr. Pfaffenbach reads over my chart. My bloodwork came back excellent. We talked about morning sickness and how that should be easing some. This is the first time we’ve been able to see him, up to now, it’s just been, nurses.

“Well, let’s see if this little one will let us take his/her first picture.” He grins at us.

I’m positioned on my back. “We’ll go along the top of your belly since you should be around 12 weeks. If we don’t see anything, then we’ll go vaginally.” Dr. Pfaffenbach says.

Once the jelly is on my stomach, Dr. Pfaffenbach begins. He’s quiet and focused on the screen in front of him. It’s not positioned for us to see. This is frustrating trying to read his face. He’s not giving anything away. Then he blinks and moves his hand again over my abdomen.

Dr. Pfaffenbach clears his throat, “Well, everything is measuring very good.” He grins at us; his other hand is on the top of the monitor. As he turns the monitor toward us, he says; “twelve weeks, three days for Baby A and twelve weeks, two days for Baby B. You’re pregnant with twins Amelia.”

Lucas left while I was making my follow up appointment. There’s a meeting he wanted to get ready for. Honestly, I know he was telling me about it, but I wasn’t focusing on it. My mind is elsewhere.

I entered the LARBB building headed towards the elevators. My mind was still on this morning news as I approached the elevators, “Hold the doors please.” I quickly say when I notice the doors getting ready to close. A hand sticks out and holds open the door as I enter. I trip over my own two feet. I put my hands out and close my eyes waiting for the impact of my fall.

It doesn’t come. Instead, my hands are on a chest, a man’s chest. He wraps his arms around my waist. I open my eyes staring at this man’s chest. He’s wearing a white shirt, yellow and blue check tie, black suit. I look up. Hazel eyes are staring at me. Gorgeous hazel eyes. He smiles at me. Damn, he has a gorgeous smile as well.

“Are you okay?” he asks in a modulated tone.

It’s awfully warm in this elevator. I open my mouth, but no words come out. I clear my throat and shake my head slightly trying to clear it. Wow, I can’t believe the affect this man is having on me. I’m feeling warm. “I’m fine. Thank you.” I finally say, very softly.

He’s still holding me; I’m still leaning against his chest looking into his eyes. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to let you go if you’re going to fall again.” He’s smiling down at me.

I’ve been focusing on his mouth as he talks to me, he has full lips. I wonder how he kisses? “I’m okay, really. And if not, you’re still here to catch me.” I say breathlessly.  

He beams, “Yes, I am and I will.”

Someone clears their throat beside us. Another gentleman is on the elevator with us. I look at him, “What floor Miss?” he asks.

“Twenty-three.” I say. He pushes the button. I notice that twenty-six is already lit up. Lucas’ floor. Lucas, my husband. The man I love. I finally come to my senses and push myself off of the hazel eyed man. “Thank you again.” I say.

“My pleasure. It’s not often that a beautiful woman falls into my arms.” He winks at me while his hands slowly graze my forearms.

I blush. It’s getting even warmer on this elevator. I bite my lower lip trying to think of something to say when the doors open for my floor. My assistant it waiting in front of me; “Thank god you’re here. I can’t find the paperwork for the contract.” Chloe says frantically looking at me. “I’ve searched your desk. I can’t find it.”

“Calm down” I say as I approach her. “I filed it yesterday so it wouldn’t get lost.” I remind her. I turn in time, “Have a good day.” I smile to the hazel eyed man and his companion. “You too!” They both say in unison as the doors close.

I enter my office, put my purse down, and sit down behind my desk to breathe. What the hell was that? Why did I just flirt with another man? Why the hell am I all hot and bothered now? Shit! My elbows are on my desk; my hands are cradling my head. Breathe!

What’s that smell? I take another breath.

Old Spice, I realize and smile. He wears Old Spice.

I don’t know who he is, I don’t know who they were, they don’t know who I am. Everything is fine, it was temporary insanity. Maybe there is something to “baby brain” that I’ve read somewhere.

Lunch time finally arrives; I’ve been so engrossed in re-reading this contract and making notes that I hadn’t realized the time. As I stand on my toes, stretching my arms over my head with my eyes closed, I feel the stretch in my legs. I focus on my breathing when I’m interrupted.

 “Damn! Is this how you greet guests into your office?” I look to see Alex looking at me.

I quickly lower my arms and tug my blouse down. “I wasn’t expecting anyone. And if I was, I wouldn’t be stretching in front of them.”

“Such a pity. You really look quite delectable in that pose.” He pauses, his smile falters. What is wrong with him?

“Are you okay, Alex?” He honestly doesn’t look well.

Alex looks taken back. He opens his mouth to say something, then closes his mouth again.

“You looked uncomfortable when I was standing there.” He takes a step inside my office. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” He looks confused. “What did…”

“Alex, please stop.” I cut him off, I look down and close my eyes, take a deep breath. I look up into his eyes; “Yes, you make me feel uncomfortable. The things you say and the way you look at me.” I sigh, “I’m tired of it, and Lucas is tired of it.” I stare at him contemplating my next words.

He opens and closes his mouth. “He seems to handle it.” He sits down on the chair opposite my desk. He looks at me and watches me shake my head.

I sit down in my chair and look at Alex. “Think about the last time he caught you flirting with me. His response to you, his clipped tone. He’s had enough of it also, but you’re his uncle. He loves you. And he loves me.”

He leans his head forward and holds it in his hands.

Alex looks up at me. “I love him more than anything. Lucas and Grace, are all I have left.”

“I know. You need to open your eyes and see how your constant flirting is affecting those you love.”

Alex takes a deep sigh; “I think I’ve known for a while how my flirting made you feel.” He looks down, “And yet, I continued even though I willed myself not to.” He’s looking at me with warmth, not desire, which is very different. “I promise you, my behavior towards you will not be how it’s been. I do love you, as my nephew’s wife.” He stretches his arm across my desk, he takes my hand. “Is it too late? Too late to ask for forgiveness and to fix my behavior towards you.” He looks up with a hopeful expression.

“What is it you need forgiveness for, Uncle?” Lucas says in a clipped tone from the doorway.

We both turn our heads to look at him. Lucas is focusing in on his Uncle. His arms are crossed, feet spread apart.

“I’m asking Amelia for forgiveness on my behavior towards her. But I am also going to ask you to forgive me, I should never have continued to flirt with your wife.” Alex states.

Lucas looks at his uncle, then at his hand holding mine. Finally, he meets my eyes. There’s so much admiration and love that I see; “It’s about damn time!” he states as he brings his arms down to his side.

Lucas walks up to his Uncle as Alex stands. They embrace one another. “Don’t fall back on that promise, Uncle.”

“I won’t. The two of you mean the world to me.” Alex says looking at Lucas with so much love.

“Good. I love you, but I love Amelia a whole lot more. She’s my wife and the mother of my children. So, they’ll come first.” Lucas says.

“I know. Wait! What? Children?” Alex sounds so confused. He’s looking at Lucas then me questionably.

Lucas looks at me smiling. I return his smile and nod my head. “Amelia and I are going to be parents.”

Alex is silent. He’s shocked. Just the way we were. I clear my throat. “We’re pregnant with twins, Alex.”

Alex is now looking at me as if I have two heads. “Pregnant. Twins.” Still questioning; “What? How? When?”

Lucas and I are chuckling. Finally, my husband walks towards me and wraps his arms around me. “It’s about time you finally put him in his place.” Lucas is smiling down at me. He kisses my forehead. “I don’t know how much longer I was going to hold out for you to handle it.”

“What? For me?” I just stare at my husband. “You’ve been waiting on me all this time and I’ve been waiting for you to handle your uncle.”

“It wouldn’t have meant anything to you or him if I was the one who said anything.” He still has his arms wrapped around me. “There’s something about you, Amelia. Everyone who meets you falls in love with you. So, you see, it had to be you to speak up and put Uncle Alex in his place.”

We both finally turn out attention to Uncle Alex who’s beaming at us. “Babies.” He looks at me; “I guess I really do need to clean up my behavior.”

“Yes, you do.” I say in the authoritative tone.

Now they both chuckle at me. “Come on you two, let’s go to lunch. My treat.” Alex says. “Then you can tell me all about the babies.”

“Oh! You can not and I mean CAN NOT tell anyone.” I look at him very seriously. I’ll murder him if he tells another soul. “No one else knows. You are the first to know. We’re going to let everyone else know tonight.”

“I promise to not tell anyone.” He says honestly towards the both of us. He has a huge grin and smiling eyes on me. “I’m still invited to dinner tonight, though, right?” He grins widely, “I promise to not give anything away.”

Seventeen years, three months

THESE PAST TWO months have been a blessing and a curse. I am enjoying running the business after I finally decided to not have any customers for myself. It was too much to focus on them when I was focusing in on the girls and guys.

Financially, I’m great. The money I have saved and invested since I began working for Piper is really paying off.

But my personal life… I’m not certain about Adam. I finally told him about my running an escort service. He listened to how I began as an employee then moved into a soon to be owner. He was very quiet, asked questions, but then turned to me and said; “I need time.” He walked away that night without a kiss or a goodbye.

That’s been two weeks ago.

Since I haven’t heard from him, I’ve had time to reflect on him and my feelings. I’m falling in love or am already in love with Adam Hunter. I’m not completely certain since he hasn’t been around. But I finally realized that the warm feeling I have, whenever I am with him, is love. It’s the way my mother made me feel and Grams. Pops too, when he was alive.

I’ve called him and left him messages, but still no response from him. So, it’s been a week now since I left my last message, “I am assuming since there has been no communication from you since I last saw you, that your goodbye truly was ‘goodbye’.” I pause and sigh. “I wish you the best Adam.” My voice cracks as I say that. “Goodbye.”

Tonight, I’m going out with two of my new employees, Rory Clark and Stephanie Adams. I like trying to mix personalities with clients because it makes for better repeats. So, here I am listening to Stephanie’s southern drawl and Rory’s sexy Scottish accent.

“Where are you from, Rory? I can barely understand you.” Stephanie asks.

“Yoo can’t teel whaur i’m frae? Serioosly, wi' a burst shaw oan tv that’s bein' filmed in th' coontry 'at Ah am frae, ye ask me 'at?” He says with humor and a twinkle in his eye.

Now, I am the one staring at him with my mouth wide open; “What the hell?” I’ve never heard him talk like that, yes, he’s got a Scottish accent, but not like that.

Now he’s laughing. And you just can’t help but laugh along with him.

“I got you both! No, my accent isn’t that thick, I’ve been in the United States for many a year now. But to answer you, Stephanie, I am from Scotland, Glenrothes to be exact.” He adds with a smile and another wink. My god, he is a huge flirt. I think that’s what made me think he’d be good at being an escort. He’s also funny and charming.

“What TV show?” Stephanie says.

Now I’m staring at Stephanie. I’m ready to tell her when Rory says, “Outlander” of course. Are you going to tell me you haven’t watched it?”

“Um, no, I haven’t.” Stephanie responds. “I don’t have a TV. Well, I do, but no cable. So, I just watch free local channels and rent movies.” She looks down.

“Hey, there’s nothin’ wrong with tha’. I’ve done that plenty of times.” Rory says as he takes Stephanie’s hand. “I tell you what, I’ll loan you the first season on DVD.” He smiles at her.

“You would? Thank you!” Stephanie smiles at him.

“I’m sure you’ll fall in love with Jamie Frasier just as much as all the other lassies.” He jokes.

“I love the show, but the books are way better.” I finally add. “Now, if you want to read the books, I have all eight at home on my bookshelf.”

“You read?” Stephanie says looking at me.

Rory says at the same time; “I haven’t read the books. But that’s what I’ve heard from my sisters.”

“Yes, I read.” I chuckle at that, “When I have the time to. And as far as Jamie Frasier goes, yes, you will fall in love with him. I’m more in love with the book, though. Don’t get me wrong, the guy who plays him is hot, but there’s something about the way Diana Gabaldon wrote him.” I pause and sigh, “He’s just so, so…I can’t think of the word.” I bite my lower lip while trying to think of the right word.

“Manly?” Rory asks with a laugh.

“No.” I smirk at him.  “I’m not sure that there is one word to describe him. He’s passionate in many ways, he’s strong, hard headed, a leader. There’s more, so not just one word.” I’m still in thought when Rory laughs.

“Are you looking for a Jamie Frasier?”

I glare at him. “As a matter of fact, no I am not.” I stand after having signed the receipt. “Phillip is waiting out front, come on you two.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you, Amelia.” Rory states in a concerned tone as we walk.

“I’m not upset Rory. I was just thinking, lost in my thoughts.” As I say this my eyes turn towards the door as it opens and in walks a beautiful brunette. Right behind her, with his hand on her lower back, is Adam. I’m frozen in my spot.

I cannot take my eyes off of them. Adam is looking down at her when she says something and he’s smiling at her. He responds to whatever she said, then looks up. His eyes meet mine. His smile fades.

I can not believe what I am seeing. I guess I know what his answer is now. There’s no us, no future us. He could have at least said something to me. But there’s been no communication from him. This would have been easier. No, it wouldn’t have made it easier even if I had known we were completely through. My eyes are beginning to water as I look at Adam and his date.

“Amelia, are you alright?” Rory asks as he touches my elbow. Stephanie’s on the other side of me.

I look at him, “Yes, let’s go.” I move past him and walk a wide path away from Adam towards the door. I make it to the car with Rory and Stephanie behind me when I hear; “Amelia wait!”

I scamper into the car as fast as I can. I tell Phillip to go as soon as Rory closes the door and I force myself not to look back. I can’t look into those hazel eyes ever again. Tears begin to wet my face. Stephanie places a tissue in my hand, “What’s wrong, Amelia?”

I can not form any words. Tears just continue to envelop me. I am not sure how long we’ve driven or where we’ve gone. But when Phillip opens the door, I am the only one in the car. He doesn’t offer me his hand, instead, he sits beside me and closes the door.

“I’ve never seen you cry, Amelia. What’s happened?” He asks gently as he pulls me into his arms. I cry into Phillip’s shoulder while he pats my head. I’ve known Phillip since I was eighteen, and he’s always been with me since I’ve worked for Piper. He continues to hold and rock me until I finally begin to calm down.

Phillip looks at my face and wipes it with another tissue. “Now, tell me why you’re crying, is it Adam? I saw him come out of the restaurant behind you.”

“Yes.” I quiver. Phillip is waiting patiently for me to continue. I take a deep breath, “He was with someone else.” I begin to cry again, but try to stop. “He never even called to say that he couldn’t handle my career choice. He told me he would call me once he had time to think about everything I told him.” I take another deep breath, “Tonight he walked in with another woman.”

“That doesn’t mean he was with her Amelia.” Phillip states.

“His hand was on her lower back, and they were laughing and smiling at one another.” I gulp in a huge amount of air.

“Maybe, but he ran out of that restaurant calling your name. There was no woman with him when he did that.” Phillip still is holding me in his arms. “If a man runs after you, I take that to mean you misunderstood something.”

“How do you misunderstand that.” I ask in a hurtful tone. “Are you on his side?” I state more than question in an accusatory tone.

“Amelia, I am on no one’s side here. I don’t even know what’s going on tonight.” He looks me in the eye, “All I know is, you are like a daughter to me. A boy you’re in love with, hurt you. But he came running after you and you didn’t respond.”

“But…” I didn’t get to finish because Phillips cuts me off.

“I’m not done.” He states. “I understand he hasn’t called, I’m not even going to try an explanation for that. But I saw his face as he came running out of that restaurant. It was a face of a man running to someone he loves that he just realized he hurt.” He places a finger under my chin, “Now, if he didn’t run after you, I would tell you to have nothing more to do with him. But he did, and he’s followed us all night long.”

“What?” I say tearfully as I look into his pale gray eyes.

“He’s standing right outside this door and I can tell he’s shed some tears as well.” Phillip wipes my tears one last time. He takes all the dirty tissues and places a box of tissues in my lap. “Now, I am going to open this door and step out. Adam is going to sit beside you. The two of you need to talk. I won’t go far, I’ll be inside the lobby, watching.”

I’m staring at Phillip. “You’ll watch?” I gulp, “You’ll wait?”

Phillip smiles, “Of course I will. I always have. Now, you and Adam talk.” He places a kiss on my forehead. With that, he opens the door and steps out. Adam slides into the spot that Phillip just vacated.

“Hey.” He whispers. He scoots towards me and places a finger under my chin, “why didn’t you stop when I called you?”

Looking into his hazel eyes, I begin to cry all over again. It’s more like bawling, and then Adam has his arms around me as he lifts me onto his lap. I begin to push against his chest, to get away.

“Amelia, talk to me. What’s going on?”

“What’s going on? You tell me.” I finally manage to squeal out while crying. “It’s been two weeks and nothing. Nothing from you. Then tonight…” I take a deep breath and hiccup, “I see you with another woman.” I begin to cry again, “You were both smiling and laughing at one another, and your arm was around her.” I feel like I am hyperventilating. I’m shaking, hiccuping and crying.

Adam pulls me closer and is gripping me tighter as I am struggling with him. “Amelia, please stop and let me explain.”

“Explain! What’s there to explain. You’ve moved on and you didn’t even bother to tell me.” I yell.

Adam clasps his right hand over my mouth, “Can you please calm down and I will tell you.” I don’t, instead, I bite his hand.

“Shit! Amelia!” He shouts

I make my way to the door; my hand is on the handle when Adam pulls me by the waist and lays me down on the seat. He’s lying on top of me. Again, he places his hand over my mouth. “Now, can you please be quiet long enough for me to tell you that was my Aunt.” He says in a deep hurt rushed tone, while I’m still struggling beneath him.

His aunt. I still. Adam keeps his hand over my mouth. “She’s been out of the country for years. She just got into town the other day and today I’ve been with her all day looking at places for her to live.”

“I haven’t called because I haven’t been in town.” He sighs. “I’ve been in Idaho for a week in meetings. I only just got back the same day as my Aunt showed up.” He hasn’t broken eye contact this entire time. “I was getting ready to come see you when I got the call about a deal in Idaho. I didn’t want to call you on the phone. I wanted to be face to face.” He pauses again. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Amelia. I don’t want to lose what we’ve started. I’m not ecstatic that you’re an escort, but I don’t want to lose you.”

“Mmm mot man mescort.” I mumble beneath his hand.

“What?” he says. I shake my head and he realizes his hand is still across my mouth. “Oh.” He looks down, “Are you going to yell again?” He asks as he looks at me.

I shake my head no. He removes his hand. “I said, I’m not an escort. I was in college, then for a while after. But since I met you, I haven’t gone with any of my clients. In fact, I no longer have my own clients. I run the escort business.”

“But you did…” I cut him off.

“I did. Past tense. Not anymore.”

“But you slept with…” again, I cut him off.

“Adam, I’m sure you’ve slept with other women. You probably dated them. Whereas, I did not date my clients. And I did not have sex with all of my clients.”

“But you got paid.”

“Did you bring your dates gifts? Flowers, meals, chocolates?” I ask.

“That’s not the same.”

“Not exactly, you’re right. But I never told the men I was with an amount. I never advertised that I would sleep with them.” I sigh. I can’t believe I am having this conversation with him lying on top of me. “Can we sit up, please?”

Adam sits up and holds his hand out for me. He pulls me up, we are facing one another and he’s holding both of my hands. “The clients that I did have sex with, would tip me. Generously. I had seven clients and only had sex with two of them. The other one, I wouldn’t even call it sex. I’m not sure what you would call it.”

I place a finger against his lips, “And before you ask, it was always protected sex. Every six months I would go and get tested. I just had my last test the other week.”

“And?”

“I’ve always tested clean, and still have on this last one.” I look deeply into his eyes, “Did you mean what you said?”

“That I’ve fallen in love with you?” He asks as he tucks my hair behind an ear.

I nod my head.

“Yes, Amelia, I’m in love with you.” He smiles.

“Oh, Adam.” I begin to tear up again. Adam cups my face with his hands and brings my face closer to his.

“Don’t cry.” He kisses the tip of my nose. I can’t control the tears now. Adam picks up the tissues and wipes my face. “We have a lot to talk about. But right now, I think we need a break from talking. But I don’t want to leave you right now.”

“I don’t want you to leave either.” I glance to the lobby from the car, I see Phillip leaning against the security desk talking to the guard, but his eyes are on the car. “Will you come up with me? And stay?”

“Yes.” He takes my hand as he opens the door. I step out right after him. As we enter the lobby Phillip looks to me. I smile as best as I can, I walk over to him and give him a hug; “thank you” I whisper. “You’re welcome” I hear Phillip’s whispered reply.

Seventeen years, four months

I FINALLY MANAGED to sneak out of work early the other day and buy some maternity clothes. Not a lot, but a couple of outfits. My own clothes were just too tight. Then Lucas said we were going out to dinner to celebrate Adam’s birthday.

“I’m going to meet Adam?” I question. “Honestly, I think he’s a figment of your imagination.” I smirk at Lucas as we are getting ready.

“What? Why would you say that?” He looks at me with a puzzled expression.

“You do realize that we have been together for over two years and I have never met him.” I state as I step into my shoes.

Lucas laughs, “I haven’t realized.” He looks like he’s thinking. “He’s very busy with his business, and he couldn’t attend the wedding because he was traveling.” He chuckles, “I talk about you a lot, I guess I had not realized that you two haven’t been introduced.”

“I still say he isn’t real.” I chuckle. “Can’t wait to meet your imaginary friend named Adam.” I grin at Lucas. “I really thought you would have grown out of that stage by now.”

“Ha ha ha!” He pulls me into his arms and kisses me. I match his kiss and run my fingers through his hair. Our tongues are intertwining, Lucas slides his hands down to my ass and squeezes. I moan into his mouth. He’s pressing against me as close as he can when all of a sudden.

“What was that?” He asks and looks down.

I’ve been feeling the babies move some, but that was a big thump. I place my hand on my stomach, then I take Lucas’ and place it there. “That was one of your children.” I smile at him.

“Really?” He’s holding my stomach and his other hand is on my waist. There’s no more movement. “Is that all?”

“Right now, I’m sure the bigger they get; I’ll be feeling more kicks.”

“I love you. Thank you for this.” Lucas says to me while looking into my eyes.

“I love you too, and I should be thanking you. Without you,” I squeeze his hand that is still on my stomach, “this wouldn’t have been.”

We arrive at the restaurant and I tell Lucas to head to the table, while I make a stop in the restroom. As I slowly approach the table, I see Alex seated beside Lucas, who has an empty seat on the opposite side of him. Then there are two other men at the table, whom I can’t see, only their backs.

Lucas stands up when I approach; “Here she is!” he exclaims.

The rest of the men stand and turn towards me once I get there. Lucas places his arm around my waist, “Amelia, this is my friend Adam Hunter and his brother Ben Hunter. This is my Amelia.” He smiles.

I look up and oh shit! I’m looking into the gorgeous hazel eyes that belong to the man in the elevator. Ben takes my hand first and smiles at me. “Nice to meet you, Amelia.” I extend my hand towards Adam, damn its hot in here! “Very nice to meet you, Amelia.” Adam says in a deep voice, his eyes showing a bit of despondency.

“Likewise, I thought you were a figment of my husband’s imagination.” I say in an amused tone. He releases my hand. As we sit, I say “Thank you by the way.” He looks at me and quirks his right eyebrow, “For saving me from my fall in the elevator.”

“That, was you?” Lucas asks with a chuckle.

Now I’m looking at him and around the table as the other men are chuckling. I’m confused, and it must show because Alex begins.

“Adam was just telling us that story and then asked us if we know who the woman is that works on the twenty-fourth floor.” He grins, “All he got out was how gorgeous she was, then you walked up.”

I’m blushing I know. I can feel the heat on my face. “Well, he definitely got the gorgeous part down. But as you can see Adam, she’s taken.” Lucas grins over at him and takes my hand in his.

“I did not know it was Amelia.” Adam says while looking at me. “Also, I didn’t look for a ring. I was too busy looking into her eyes and holding her in my arms.” He winks at me.

Oh shit! I turn towards Lucas, “I tripped when I entered the elevator. I braced myself for the fall, which didn’t happen. Instead, I landed in his arms.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about it?” Lucas questions with humor in his voice.

“Honestly, I forgot about it.” They all look at me now. “That was the morning of our first ultrasound. My mind was elsewhere, like telling our family.” I sigh, “I really didn’t think about it for long. I felt stupid for even tripping.” I grimace, while Lucas is grinning at me.

 “I’m hurt that you didn’t think about me for long.” Adam states jokingly.

I laugh it off when the waiter comes to the table to take our orders.

The rest of the evening flows smoothly. I learn a lot about Adam and his business. Ben is a couple of years younger than his brother, Adam. Also, they are working together.

“I’m curious.” I say. “How did the two of you meet and become friends?” Adam is obviously older than Lucas.

Adam takes that question. “When I was a junior in college, I got an internship with Lucas’ father, Robert, that summer. I was able to keep that internship through my final year.” He pauses and looks at Lucas’ with amusement, “Lucas was a gawky geeky teenager who would always show up alongside his father when he wasn’t in school.”

“Very funny!” Lucas says. “I was geeky, but not gawky.”

Alex chuckles, “keep telling yourself that.”

I smile in amusement at my husband and suck my lips in, shaking my head. I lean towards him, “I’ve seen your teen year pictures, you were not gawky.” I kiss his cheek.

“I love you.” He says looking longingly into my eyes.

“I think we should call it a night on that note.” Adam says hastily.

Lucas and I are climbing into bed when he says; “Were you attracted to Adam when he caught you from your fall in the elevator?”

“What?” I stare at him. “I can’t believe you just asked me that!” He’s on his side of the bed, his body is turned towards me, staring at me with an amused look on his face.

 “Yes. For about two minutes when we were in the elevator. He caught me by surprise.” I sigh. “Honestly, once I got to my office, I didn’t think about him again. I didn’t even know who he was.” I lean back on my pillows with a huff.

Lucas is grinning at me. “You don’t need to be offensive. Adam’s a good-looking guy.” He’s on his knees making his ways towards me on my side of the bed. “I love you. I’m teasing you.” He traps me beneath his arms. “I love making you flustered. And I’m sure that’s the way you looked in the elevator.” He rubs his nose against mine, “I completely understand why he was taken with you.” He stares into my eyes, “That’s how I felt the first time I saw you in class.”

“Are we honestly going to talk about Adam while we’re in bed?” I ask.

Lucas chuckles, “No.”

I stare into his eyes. “But he has nothing on you.” I run my hand up and down his chest. “You are way more attractive.” I state seductively.

Lucas smiles down at me, as if I’m his prey and pulls me into a kiss. My hands run up over his shoulders through his hair. His right-hand glides down my back, over my hip. “I really want to restrain you tonight and have my way with you.” He moans into my mouth.

“Okay.” I say breathlessly as he kisses my neck.

“Are you sure? The babies?” He hesitates and looks in my eyes.

“The babies are fine.” I assure him. He pulls me up into a sitting position.

“You’re not comfortable laying completely flat…”, he pauses and is staring at me. I can tell he’s thinking about how to make this comfortable. Suddenly he gets up, pulls me up and leaves me standing by the side of the bed. He arranges my pillows and some of his, not in the middle of the bed but yet not at the foot of the bed.

He walks into our closet and appears with five purple silk scarves. Where does he keep these things? I’m in the same closet every day, I never see the stuff he walks out of there with.

He walks me to the foot of the bed. “Sit as close to the edge as you can comfortably get.” He commands in a longing tone. I get comfortable; “lie back” he says as he kneels on the bed beside the pillows. He helps me get adjusted with the pillows behind me, so I am not completely flat on the bed. “Comfortable?” He asks.

“Yes.”

He stands in front of me with one of the silk ties. “Lift your head a little bit.” He leans down over me and ties the scarf around my eyes. He cups my cheeks and kisses me until my head is against the pillows once more. His beard scratches the surface of my skin as he continues to kiss down my neck, down my chest to my left breast. There he sucks the nipple into his mouth.

I gasp. My nipples are becoming a lot more sensitive. Both his hands are squeezing my breasts as his mouth makes its way to my right breast. “Your breasts are getting bigger.” He says as he releases my nipple and I can feel goosebumps emerging over my body.

His hand glides down my right arm, he ties a scarf to my wrist. I feel my arm tug upwards, to the right. Next, I feel him do the same to my left arm. My hands are strung up and out above me. He’s paused. “I don’t think I am going to be able to restrain your legs in this position. But, this will do.”

I feel the bed strain behind me. I feel his breath upon my head. His hands softly glide over my shoulders, up my arms, then down. He repeats this with a crisscross motion of his hands along my chest.

Now his hands are kneading my tender breasts. He pinches my nipples into stiff peaks. I moan loudly. “Oh, Lucas.” His hands move down over my stomach. He gently caresses my growing belly. He moves his hands back up and cups my breasts one last time. He leans over me and takes my left nipple into his mouth while his other hand tugs my right nipple.

My breath hitches and I pull on my restraints as my legs lift a little. “Keep your legs down Amelia”, Lucas demandingly whispers. He rubs his scruff across my chest as he makes his way to my right breast. Again, he sucks my nipple into his mouth with a moan.

I feel the bed spring back as Lucas gets off the bed. I feel my right leg being lifted and my foot placed on his left shoulder. Then my left leg is placed on his right shoulder. He places kisses up the left side of my thigh, then up my right. Lucas’ hands are up by my hips, kneading me.

My breathing is becoming harsher. There’s a warm feeling deep inside me and a longing between my legs as I anticipate his next move. His tongue licks me from bottom to top, then he sucks my clit into his mouth with a moan. “You taste so good.” He mumbles. He continues to suck and lick while using two fingers to stretch me inside. The warm feeling is now ablaze with want; I push my feet against his shoulders. I pull harder on my restraints. My breathing is deeper; I can feel my release building. Lucas sucks my clit one last time and my climax releases! I can feel fluid running down my ass.

“Damn!” Lucas exclaims when he releases his mouth. “You’ve never done that before.”

“What? What did I do?” I say gravelly.

I feel Lucas stand, he leans over me and removes the scarf from my eyes. He slowly comes into focus as I stare at him. “What?” He’s grinning ear-to-ear and he’s drenched.

“You squirted.” He’s beaming. “You’ve never done that.” He’s rubbing my legs, “I can’t wait any longer Amelia. Damn that was so hot!” He’s holding his erection and places it at my entrance. He enters me as fast as he can.

“Oh GOD!” I shout. He’s moving so fast; my climax is building again. I’m on the edge, my desire for release is burning and climbing faster and faster with each thrust. He uses his thumb and rubs my clitoris. “Oh shit!” I squeeze my legs around him.

“Come on Amelia, give it to me again.” He demands with a fire in his eyes.

“Lucas!” I scream my release, my breath hitches, I pull my restraints as my eyes roll in the back of my head. I see stars and feel as if I’m floating. I close my eyes. My breathing heavy. What the hell was that?

“Amelia. Fuck!” I hear Lucas yell as he stills inside me, filling me with his release. His hands rub the top of my thighs and he slowly moves inside me.

I slowly begin to open my eyes, only to find Lucas staring at me in amazement. “That was the hottest thing ever!” he says lovingly. He reaches over and unties each wrist while still inside me. He’s leaning over me resting his elbows on either side of my head. “Are you ok?” He kisses me.

“I don’t know what you did, but I am more than ok.” I’m still out of breath. He chuckles against my neck.

Seventeen years, four months

I WAKE UP wrapped in Adams’ arms. The warmth of his front against my back makes me feel safe, loved. I haven’t felt this in so long, that I forgot what it feels like. His right hand is resting between my breasts, so I place my hand on top of his and trace his knuckles. My left-hand goes in search under the pillow for his left hand. He must be awake because he grasps my hand, the palm of his hand on the top of my hand. We entwine our fingers.

“Good morning” he moans in my ear and pulls me closer to him.

I rub my bottom against his morning erection. “Good morning.” I say heavily.

He groans, “How long have you been awake?”

“Not that long” I squeeze his hand. “I enjoy waking up like this, with you, in your arms.” He squeezes me tighter and nuzzles into my hair. He places a kiss just behind my ear.

“I enjoy this too.” Now he’s kissing my neck and grinding his erection against me. His right-hand moves to my breast, he squeezes it and begins to pinch my nipple.

“Mmmm…” I moan. I slide my hand down my stomach, between my legs and begin to stroke my clit.

“Are you touching yourself?” He asks huskily.

“Yes.” I whisper, as his kisses glide over my shoulder and his hand guides the way. I move slightly, but he stops me, “No, stay just like this.”

He removes my hand and replaces it with his. “God, you’re so wet.” He slides his index finger into me, pumping it in and out. He alternates pumping his finger and flicking my clit. “I need you.”

He removes his hand and takes my leg and places it on top of his, so now I am open wider. We’re still on our sides, him behind me, as he places his erection at my entrance. “I love you” he whispers as he enters me.

“Oh Adam” I manage to get out when he enters me. He begins to pump in me and I move with him. He brings his hand back towards my clit and rubs. I moan.

Faster and faster he thrusts. Our breathing is heavier. I can feel my orgasm building fast. “I can’t hold back much longer Amelia.” I squeeze his left hand as my release overtakes me and scream into the pillow.

Adam’s release follows right after mine. He gives one last thrust and holds it, squeezing me closer to him. He moans into my neck. We lay there, still embraced catching our breath. I don’t know how long we remain this way, I lean my head back and he places a kiss just below my ear.

“As much as I really enjoy morning sex, I don’t like how quick it is.” I sigh. “I also miss kissing you first thing.”

Adam chuckles. I can feel his chest vibrate with laughter against my back. “I don’t like how quick it is either,” he brings our hands together between my breasts, “as far as kissing you, I thought you didn’t like morning breath?”

“I don’t like morning breath. It would ruin the mood and the sex.” I say.

After we finally manage to get out of bed and shower, I brush my teeth. I enter the bedroom, just as Adam pulls up his pants. I grin and walk towards him. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. His arms come around my waist and pulls me towards him as our kiss deepens. We finally finish our kiss and we look into one another’s eyes. “Good morning.” We both say at the same time and laugh.

“How late are you working today?” I ask as my hand glides down his torso.

“Not that late, we’re having dinner with my brother, Lucas, and Alex” he says. “You didn’t forget, did you?”

“No. Are you sure you’re ready for me to meet your friends?” I don’t know what he’s told them about me.

Adam wraps his arms around me again. “Yes. You’ve already met my parents. My brother will be there tonight and my friends. Why wouldn’t I want you to meet them?”

“What have you told them about me?” I whisper my question.

“If you’re asking about the escort company, no. You were honest with my parents and told them. I’m sure Ben knows now.” He puts his finger under my chin and tilts my head up. “I want you to be yourself. The woman that has captured my heart.” His eyes are smiling.

I bite my lower lip. “Okay.” I smile up at him.

Adam and I are the first to arrive at the restaurant. We are seated, talking about our day while we wait for the others. I hear some men approaching, “There he is!” I hear a deep voice say.

Adam stands and turns around, locking the man in a friendly embrace. I stand and turn around, he looks familiar. “Ben, this is Amelia. Amelia, my brother Ben.”

I extend my hand towards Ben, which he looks at and shakes his head. “Anyone able to put up with this guy deserves a hug.” He wraps his arms around my shoulder and squeezes. My hands on his waist.

I laugh, “um, thank you.” I grin. What am I supposed to say to that?

“Okay, hands off her Ben.” Adams says in a light tone. “Lucas, Alex, this is Amelia.” Ben steps out of the way and oh shit! You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Amelia?” Lucas says questioning. “Nice to see you again.”

“Hi, Lucas.” I say

“You two know each other?” Adam asks, looking at me.

“Amelia and I had a class together in college, Public Speaking to be exact.” Lucas grins.

Adam grins and shakes his head. “Alex…” he motions his hand towards me.

I extend my hand toward Alex, “Hello Alex, how are you?”

“Very good Amelia. You look very well too.” Alex adds.

“You two know each other?” Lucas asks looking between the two of us.

Crap! I’m about to speak when Ben cuts me off; “Now I remember. You were with Alex at the meeting a couple of months ago.”

“What meeting?” Adam questions looking at me, again.

“Amelia needed to meet with me over an important matter and I had the one with you and Ben; which you did not attend I may add. So, I thought it was easier just for her to attend that one, then go directly into what she and I needed to discuss.” Alex states.

I’m staring into Adam's eyes. Please don’t ask anymore. You promised you did not want to know who my clients were if we ever met any. Please, please, don’t ask any more questions.

“Is that the day I ran into you in the elevator?” Lucas asks.

“Yes.” Is all that I can manage to say.

We all take our seats and order drinks. Adam’s hand grazes the top of my thigh and squeezes it. I look at him and he smiles at me. I place my hand on top of his and we entwine our fingers. Thank god! He’s not going to ask any more questions.

“So, Amelia, what do you do for a living that you would need to discuss business with my Uncle?” Lucas asks.

I take a deep breath and squeeze Adam’s hand under the table. “I run an escort service.”

I believe I’ve stunned them. They’re all silent and staring at me with wide eyes. Ben clears his throat; “You’re an escort?” he questions me then looks at Adam.

“No, I’m not an escort. I run an escort company.” I say, tightening my grip on Adam.

“Is that how you met Adam?” Lucas asks in a serious tone.

“No.” I chuckle and look at Adam, who also chuckles. “I ran into Adam at the park.”

Shaking his head, Adam laughs; “She ran right into me and fell backward.” He’s looking at me smiling. “We introduced ourselves, but then she ran off. I didn’t see her again for another month when she walked into me.” He beams.

“Getting coffee.” I grin up at Adam.

“How do you know Alex then?” Ben questions breaking the spell Adam and I are under.

I look to Alex. I cannot say that he’s a client. He knows this and he’s just staring at me. “You’re a client?!” Lucas states questionably towards Alex.

Alex turns his attention to Lucas, “Yes, I am.” He sighs. He looks towards me, “I had some concerns over one of her employees and wanted to bring it to her attention.”

I’m relieved. I had no idea what Alex was going to say. I’m not sure how Adam would handle Alex having been one of my clients.

Crisis adverted and thankfully the conversation has changed topic. This was a very strange evening to be sitting across from Alex, while I’m holding my boyfriend’s hand.

As we get up to leave, Lucas asks if I have a business card. “Did you just ask for a business card to an escort service?” Ben asks jokingly.

“Yes, I did.” Lucas sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “I’m busy a lot, so I don’t get to date as much as I would like. Then functions come up and I have no date. I bring my mother or secretary.” He shakes his head.

I pull a card out of my purse and hand it to him. Ben gestures his hand for one as well. This has been a very unusual night, and I’m ready to go home.

We walk into Adam’s condo when he says; “Alex.”

I turn and look at him; “Alex, what?”

He walks towards me slowly, hands in pockets; “was he your client?”

“Adam, I thought we agreed that you did not want to know who my clients were?”

“I don’t know, it’s just…” he sighs.

“I can’t tell you anyway. As an employee, we sign non-disclosure agreements.” I place my arms around his mid-section, “does it really matter?” I look up into his eyes. “I don’t want to know all your ex-girlfriends.”

He’s staring down at me; his hands are still in his pockets. He sighs and pulls his hands out and places them on either side of my head. “You’re right. I don’t want or need to know.” He places a kiss on my forehead. “You’re mine.” His hands find their way into my hair and he pulls me in for a long deep kiss. Our tongues are entwining, he’s pulling my hair, we’re moaning, and my hands are roaming up the top of his chest, toying with his shirt buttons. When all of a sudden, RING! RING!

“Ignore it!” Adam moans and pulls me in tighter. Moving his hands from my hair down my back, across my ass... RING! RING!

I stop the kiss, Adam groans. I push off him and grab my phone from my purse. “Hello.” The voice on the other end sends all the dirty thoughts I was having of Adam out of my mind.

“Amelia, it’s Phillip, there’s a problem.”

Seventeen years, four months

LUCAS AND I are walking hand in hand towards the elevators, “Hold the door” he calls out. We step inside and there’s Alex, Adam, Ben and Dan. Dan is holding a drink carrier filled with coffee. I walk over towards him and sniff the air above the carrier. “Mmmm…”

“Um, Mels.” Dan chuckles.

I look up at him and growl. “Whoa! Who woke you up?” Dan looks at Lucas with a smirk.

“Not me.” Lucas holds up his hands smiling.

“Is that pumpkin lattes I smell?” I ask with a euphoric groan. I really miss coffee!

“Yes, but I thought you don’t like the taste of coffee right now?” he asks grinning.

“I don’t, but I like the smell.” I sniff the aroma again. “You’re coming to my office with me, and this coffee too.”

Everyone on the elevator is chuckling at me. “What?” I look up them. No one says anything, but they just shake their heads.

“Before I forget, Sam will probably be calling you soon.” Dan states. I growl at him again. “Whoa! Now I know who woke you up.” He laughs, “what time did she wake you?”

“Five thirty this morning.” Lucas yawns.

“I am so glad I am not my sister.” Dan says with a whistle, then he looks down at me, “please remember that she loves you just as much as I do, so please go gentle on her.” I just groan at him.

The elevator doors open on my floor; “Let’s go.” I pull Dan’s arm as everyone chuckles. Lucas stops me, “Love you!” he whispers with a kiss on my lips. “Love you too!”

By the time we enter my office, Dan has only 1 cup of coffee left. “Am I allowed to drink this or do you want to keep this to sniff?” he grins at me as he sits down.

“Drink it.” I say grumpily. I really miss coffee, but it all tastes horrible after the first sip. I sit down and Chloe brings me a mug of decaffeinated Irish Breakfast Tea. “Thank you, Chloe.” I take a sip, “Has Reynolds picked up the contracts for his meeting today?”

“Yes, you just missed him. He told me to tell you that he would bring them back by this afternoon. The meeting was rescheduled for eleven.”

“Okay. File them in the top drawer for me to check over. Lucas and I have a doctor’s appointment at one.”

Chloe is smiling, “Are you going to find out?”

“Yes, we are. Hopefully, they’ll be able to see.” I smile and bite my bottom lip. “I just want them to be healthy.” I say as I look down and rub my belly. It feels so strange when they move and my stomach looks huge.

“I think that is what Sam is calling you about.” Dan smiles at me then takes a sip of his coffee. “She wants to talk about a ‘gender reveal party’ or something like that.”

“What is that?” I ask. I’ve never heard of such a thing.

“Oh, that’s the new thing.” Chloe says. “You can get a cake or cupcakes and when you cut into them the filling reveals the baby’s gender. Blue for boy, pink for girl.” She stares at me, “Guess if you have one of each, you could do two types.” She shrugs her shoulders, but I notice that as she was talking, she moved closer to Dan and her hand is now resting on his shoulder.

I’m staring at her with my mouth open wide. “That just sounds gross. Blue filling, pink filling.” It really does. “I’m not going to eat something like that. Cake is disgusting.”

Dan is laughing, “Since when?” his eyes are glazing with his laughter. “You love cake!” He leans forward and as he does, Chloe’s retracts her hand down to her side.

I grumble my reply, “My taste has changed.” I sigh and sit down, forgetting to question what I just witnessed between Dan and Chloe. “Everything has changed. There’s food that I love that now tastes funny or disgusts me just looking at it. There’s food I don’t like and am now craving.” I lean back in my chair and close my eyes, “Same thing goes with drinks and smells.” I run my hands up my face, “Lucas read that it’s normal. But I don’t feel normal.” I whine into my hands.

I hear the office door close and open my eyes. Chloe is no longer with us. “Are you ok Mels?” Dan asks with much concern.

I look at my best friend and tears begin to stream down my face. Dan jumps up from his chair and kneels down in front of me. “What’s going on?” he takes my hands.

“I don’t know.” Tears are spilling down my cheek. My hands begin shaking and I begin taking deep breaths to stop. “Last week I had a panic attack.” More deep breaths, “Lucas wasn’t home, and I didn’t tell him.” I look into Dan’s blue eyes, “I never told him about them.”

Dan is rubbing his thumbs across the back of my hands. “Deep breaths Mels.” Dan continues rubbing my hands and taking deep breaths with me. I think back to the first panic attack I had. Dan was with me and ran to get Grams. My therapist told Grams that it had to do with the trauma of watching my mother die. I was too young to be put on medication, so he taught me this technique.

Deep cleansing breaths, let go of the fear, love those who I have with me. Then he said if someone was with me whom I had a deep connection to, for them to touch me, soothingly. But not to smother, just small touches.

Dan is drying my eyes with tissues. “There you are.” He smiles gently at me. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

He looks at me expectantly.  “We need some fresh air. How about we go for a walk in the park?” He pulls me up and we walk towards the door. I let Chloe know where we’re going.

Dan holds my hand as we walk along the path, “I’m listening when you’re ready to talk.”

We walked down to the waterfront. There’s a wide paved path that runs along the five-mile front. There are many who come here to walk, jog, or to simply talk. It’s a very calming place with the ocean sounds and the beauty of the cherry blossoms when they are in bloom. But it’s fall, so there are no cherry blossoms. There are some joggers and mothers pushing strollers.

“I know.” I sigh, it’s stupid really, to keep this in. “We went out to dinner with Adam, Ben, and Alex.” I stop and look at Dan, “I find Adam attractive!” I blurt out.

Dan chuckles. “Um, okay. But, how does that cause a panic attack?”

“I don’t know. I feel guilty. I feel like I’m cheating on Lucas.” I squeeze my eyes shut, “What if Lucas leaves me?”

Dan is still chuckling. “Mel…” he pauses because he’s chuckling so bad.

“It’s not funny!”

“Yes, it actually is.” He adds. “You find him attractive, and you’re probably not the only female to think so.” He shakes his head, “Tell me, did you kiss him? Fantasize about him? Get yourself off on thoughts of him?” he’s grinning.

“OH, MY GOD! NO! To all of that.” Why would he think that?

“Then you should not feel guilty. You did not cheat on Lucas.” Dan is still grinning, but he stops and looks down at me. “You never wanted to date and fall in love. You were scared and I understand why.” He sighs, “So does Lucas.” He’s ready to say something else, but I say…

“I tripped and fell into Adam’s arms as I was entering the elevator.” I close my eyes and look up, “About a month ago, I didn’t know who he was. He smelled good and made me feel tingly.” I feel so ashamed, but I might as well tell Dan, I don’t think I could tell Lucas this.

Dan laughs out loud this time. “He smelled good? Oh god!” He’s laughing hard. He rubs his hands up and down my arms, he’s trying to get his laughter under control, but it’s pissing me off. “What is it with you and smells lately?”

“Dan…”

“Listen, Mels, you had a physical reaction to someone other than your husband. Do you not think men have the same reaction to women?”

“I don’t think about that.”

“You had a panic attack because you found someone other than your husband attractive.” He kisses my head, “I love you Mels, don’t ever change.” He picks up my hand and we begin walking back.

“Lucas already knows that I found Adam attractive. He asked me the other night, after dinner.” I sigh.

“And?”

“And he laughed it off once I said yes. But then the other day, for some reason, I thought, what if he hadn’t, what if he left me.” I sigh with a hint of worry. “I know it’s irrational. My emotions are all over the place.”

Dan chuckles, “That they are. But we still love you.” He squeezes my hand when he says this.

Since my emotional state is wacky, I cry for random things. I cried at lunch because I told the waiter my food was wrong. Lucas just smiles and says everything’s fine, that once the babies are born, I’ll return to my usual self. I highly doubt that. I have a feeling deep inside that my whole world is going to change. But I am trying not to dwell on that at the moment because I don’t want another panic attack. We’re headed to the doctor’s office for another ultrasound today. We should be able to find out the gender of the babies.

I’m lying on the table with legs covered by a blanket. The technician has placed a lot of lube on my belly and has been taking measurements for what seems like an hour. She’s been telling us what she’s measuring and what it reads. But so far, she hasn’t told us their genders.

She just pressed on my abdomen, the babies must not have liked it because there was a huge flip flop. “There we go.” She says smiling. She’s moving all around when she looks at us and says “Baby A is a boy.” She keeps moving, “There it is…baby B is a girl.” She’s smiling at us. “Congratulations Mom and Dad! Both babies look healthy and measuring at 18 weeks 3 days.”

After the ultrasound, we see the doctor. Everything has been testing well and on my next visit, I should expect a sugar test.

Wow! My mind is spinning with so many things running in circles that I don’t realize we’re home.

“You’ve been quiet the entire ride home. Are you okay?” Lucas holds me by sides after he closes the front door.

“Yeah.” I look up into his eyes. “I don’t know. This is real, it’s really happening.” I’m unsure of what my exact feelings are. “I’m happy, excited and scared out of my mind.” I feel my eyes getting wet.

“I’m scared too.” he says while rubbing my belly and looking into my eyes. “We’ll figure it out together, and I know we’ll have a lot of help.” He places a kiss on my lips, “My mother and Grams are already deciding who’s staying here with us the first and second week.” He says with wide eyes.

I smile. I know we are surrounded by a lot of helping hands. “I know, but sometimes, I wish it was just us.” I look into his eyes. “Can we keep this to ourselves for a while; our baby girl and boy?”

He smiles down at me; “Definitely!”

Seventeen years, four months

WHO THE HELL would break into my office? Why would they? I don’t keep cash in here. Whoever it was, left a huge mess. They turned things over, broke anything they could, computers, pictures, chairs, etc...

“Do you know if anything is missing?”

Seriously, in this mess! I’ve finally have been allowed into my office, but all I can see is the destruction. “I don’t know.” Is all I can manage.

Adam, Phillip, and some of the office staff have shown up. “I’m not sure how much help I’ll be in looking, but tell me what I can do?” Adam says.

I’m standing in this mess just shaking my head. I’m not even sure where to begin. “Amelia, let’s start in your office.” Phillip suggests.

It’s not been touched! What?! Why?! I walk around my office, I’m trying to take everything in, but I cannot comprehend why outside my office it looks like a bomb went off. I’m lost in my train of thought when Piper enters.

“What on earth?” she questions.

I’m at a loss too. “Amelia, can you tell if anything is missing or has been touched or moved in here?”

Focus. Focus. Looking around my desk, nothing. The walls, nothing. “Can I open my desk drawers?”

I begin searching the contents of my desk. So far, I see nothing, except. “Adam, didn’t you give me a picture of our hike the other week?”

“Yes, but I didn’t put it in a frame. I printed it off from my phone.”

“I placed it in my drawer, here. But I don’t see it.”

“Are you sure?”

Yes, I’m damned well sure. “I look at it every day, I know this is where I keep it.” I shake my head.

We’re back at Adam’s condo. “Why would someone want to break into the office? It makes no sense.” I flop down onto the couch and slide my shoes off.

“Are you sure our picture is missing?” Adam sits beside me and puts his arm around my shoulders.

I lean my head into him, “Yes. I hadn’t found a frame yet either, but I kept that picture of us in the top drawer. I open it constantly throughout the day to look at you. At us.” I sigh.

Adam’s head is leaned into mine and I feel him press a kiss to the side of my head. He slides his phone from his pocket to his hand and is looking at it. “Look.” He shows me his locked screen, it’s our picture. “Unlock it.” He says.

“I don’t know…” but he cuts me off.

“Yes, you do.” He kisses my head again.

I stare at the phone, “four numbers”, he whispers. Our first encounter? Our first date? Those would be too long. I wonder, could he have used ages? I type in eight, one, nine, two. It unlocks.

“Our birth years?” I look up at him in a sideways stare with a smirk. “You always tease me how much younger I am compared to you.” He just chuckles.

His background screen is one of just me. I don’t remember him taking it, but I know where it was taken, on his balcony. It’s my profile, looking out at the sunrise holding my mug against my lips. My hair is piled up loosely on top of my head, I’m wearing Adam’s shirt. “When?”

“This is the first morning that you woke up in my arms, in my bed. The first time you came to my condo, the first time we did not go out to eat or eat for that matter.” He turns me so I can see him, he looks into my eyes; “Our first time together.”

I feel the moisture pooling in the back of my eyes. I try to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill down my face. I bite my lower lip as I remember that night.

We had been dating for a month when I finally told Adam what my profession was and he left. Two weeks of no communication, then to find him out that night with another woman who turned out to be his aunt. Our fight in the car. He stayed with me that night, but we still have not had sex. I don’t want just sex with Adam. I want more, that is why I’ve kept holding it off with him. The next morning, he gave me his address and asked me to be there at six pm.

I knock on the door and wait. I hear the lock click and the sound of knob turning. The door opens to reveal Adam standing there with no shoes, worn jeans, and a ‘Superman’ t-shirt. I smile and giggle at this.

He smiles, not just any smile. This one reaches his eyes and it reveals a faint glimpse of laugh lines. As quickly as the door opened, he pulls me into his arms and twirls me inside.

He kicks the door closed and his lips find mine. Our tongues mingle together while his hands grab my bottom and pulls me closer. My hands have found their way into his hair. He moves from my lips to my neck as he pushes me against the wall. His hands cup me below my cheeks, “up” he says. I wrap my legs around his waist.

I feel his erection pressed against me. Oh, my god, it feels so good! I slide my hands down his neck and push my pelvis forward. We both moan. Adams’ lips find mine again before we begin to slow the kiss. He’s still holding me, my hands still around his neck and his hair. With our foreheads pressed together he looks into my eyes; “Hi” we both say and laugh.

I slowly unwrap my legs around him as he places me on the floor. I bite my lip while smiling up at him and suppress my giggle. My fingers find the bottom of his shirt and I give a slight tug; “So, you are superman?”

Adam chuckles and takes my hands into his. He brings them up to his mouth and kisses them; “Only for you.” He entwines his left hand into my right as we walk further into his condo. He gives me a tour.

It’s about the same size as my apartment. “I thought it would be bigger.” I say out loud. I stare up at him with wide eyes, oh crap, I didn’t mean to say that.

Adam laughs. “I travel a lot and it’s just me.” He shrugs, “It’s not where I want to be forever.” He states while looking at me in a very warm tender way that makes me warm and tingly inside.

I squeeze his hand. “I love it.”

He pulls me towards the end of the hall and we enter the last room. His bedroom. My heart speeds up. The bed is a metal bedframe, styled like a sleigh bed. He has white bedding, a white quilt with accent pillows.

“White?” is all I manage to say, more like a question. I’ve never been in another man’s bedroom, except for Alex and his was all dark. So, this… surprises me.

I can tell when he’s talking that he’s smiling standing behind me, “My mother picked the bedding out. I had a black blanket, which apparently is not a correct way to sleep according to her.” He shrugged his shoulders as he came to stand beside me. “So, I gave her the keys to my place and told her to have at it. But I told her that I liked all my furniture and not to add any more pieces. She painted, added appropriate bedding” he says while adding quotation marks in the air. Smiling, “she made it feel homier.” He looks around, “Honestly if she hadn’t done this, I probably would be spending more time at the office or away.”

“Do you think she did this to keep you home more?” I ask teasingly.

“Probably” he replies grinning. “It worked too! The last year, I’ve been home more.”

“Then I am very glad she decorated.” I take his hand. “It doesn’t look feminine.” I add.

“Ah, no it doesn’t. That was another one of my stipulations, I didn’t want it to look like a woman lived here.”

“Why?”

“To be honest, I don’t know. I just wanted simple, nothing complicated.” He looks down at our joined hands, “But if you don’t like it, I can change it.”

I’m shocked by that. I can change it if I don’t like it. “Complicated?” Am I complicated?

“That’s how I’ve always wanted to live, without complications.” He looks into my eyes, “But I’ve discovered recently that there is one complication that I really like. It took me a few hours to realize it.” He squeezes my hand and takes my other hand into his. We are now facing each other.

“That day when you told me you were an escort or former escort.” He states and shakes his head, “I didn’t handle that well. I didn’t want to think about all the men you’ve been with, what you did or did not do with them.” He sighs, “I came home and thought about my past relationships. I’ve never committed to just one woman, so I was no better in not telling you how many women I’ve been with.” He looks remorseful, but continues talking; “I don’t want to know everyone or everything, just as I know you wouldn’t want to know. I just don’t want to share you with anyone else.”

“You wouldn’t share me; I do not have any more clients. I had already made that decision by our first date. Which honestly, was not even because of you.” I shrug my shoulders, “I was feeling as if some of my clients felt that I was more to them.” Alex. “I never wanted to be in a relationship.”

“And yet, we are.” Adam says softly.

“Yes, we are. I’m scared about this. I didn’t have the best role models for relationships. What I saw growing up,” I shake my head, “I don’t want that. That’s why being an escort I was able to pretend to be in a relationship but not be in it.” I’m not sure if that made sense. “The way I feel around you Adam, I like it. A lot!”

He pulls me closer to me, “I like it a lot too!”

He leans his head down and kisses me. His hands slide down my side as I run my hands up his arms, over his shoulders. His hands are on my lower back, he breaks the kiss briefly, “I want you, Amelia.” He says softly.

God, I want him too. I can already feel the warmth of desire building inside me. “And I want you, Adam.”

I feel the back of my shirt slide up my body. I reluctantly remove my arms from around Adam, as he takes my shirt off. Once my shirt is removed I rest my hands on his chest. I slowly glide them down the front of his shirt while staring into his eyes. Once I get to the hemline, I slide my hands under, while his shirt rides up my forearms. This is the first time I’m feeling his bare chest. Adam raises his arms and pulls his shirt from the back, completely off. My god, this is the first time I’m seeing him without his shirt. My hands are roaming his lean muscular torso and chest. I run my fingers up and through his chest hair. I slide my hands over his shoulders slowly descending his muscular arms.

His hands are resting on my arms. He slowly glides his hands behind my back as he pulls me into him. I feel him unclasp my bra as he kisses me. His kiss glides down my neck as he brings the straps of my bra down my arms, then it lands at our feet when he leans his torso back a little, never breaking his kiss on my neck. He bends his body towards mine, leaning me back, as his kisses descend over my shoulder down my chest to my breasts.

He takes my right breast into the palm of his hand as his mouth encases my nipple. He lightly sucks and runs his tongue around my nipple bringing it to a stiff peak. I run my fingers through the top of his hair and rest my hand on the back of his head. He releases my nipple, then begins his exploration to my left nipple as he repeats his ministration to my left breast.

He un-cups my breast and slides his hand down my stomach. He slips two fingers under the waist of my jeans and slides his fingers over to the button. He unfastens it easily and unzips me. He slides his hand down into my pants when he reaches my mound, he stills. “You’re not wearing underwear.” He states after releasing my nipple and looking into my eyes.

“Not with pants, I don’t.” I answer breathlessly.

He groans as he reclaims my mouth and slides a finger through my slit. I feel a tremor of heat spread through my body and a throbbing where he now has his hand, rubbing slowly. He removes his hand and now has both of his hands on either side of my waistband. He gently slides my jeans down, as his kisses descend the front of me.

With my jeans around my knees, Adam on his knees, he’s eye level with my navel. He looks up into my eyes as his hands caress my buttocks and hips. He places soft small kisses low on my navel, moving down, down, down. I watch as he closes his eyes and inhales my scent, then I feel his tongue. His hands are now holding me open so he can taste me. “I need more Amelia.” He states as he suddenly stands and picks me up.

Adam lays me down sideways on the bed. He glides his hands down the back of my thighs, to the heel of my boots, where he easily removes both at the same time. With a smile, he reaches up and pulls my jeans off. Here I am, on full display in front of him. His eyes are taking in every inch of my body. “You are so beautiful.” He says as he falls to his knees in front of my legs.

He pulls my legs by the knees so I am closer to the edge of the bed. He spreads my legs open and places each leg over his shoulder. Again, he leans in and inhales, then his hands are there spreading me open for him. His mouth is on my clit, I feel his tongue making circles over and over, back and forth.

My body is tremoring with heat and tingles. I feel like a circuit board coming to life as his tongue and fingers are exploring and igniting dormant sensors. I’ve never felt so much warmth radiating through my body, and it keeps getting warmer, hotter. I run my fingers through the top of his hair and thrust my mound up, he moans. I feel the moan go through me and it ignites!

All my nerves in my body are bursting. I feel my body burning as I detonate; “OH MY GOD ADAM!” My hips thrust upwards not just once, but several times. Adam continues making a meal out of me, as I feel the burning desire tamper down but not fade.

Adam places soft kisses to the inside of my thighs before he slowly stands. He’s staring at me with hunger in his eyes. Apparently, he didn’t satisfy his hunger. I watch as he unfastens his jeans and slides them down. Standing in his black boxers he says, “I don’t want anything between us.”

I know what he means, “I’m clean.”

He quickly slides off his boxers and moves towards me on the bed. With one knee on the bed, he nods for me to move up. I slide up as I watch him stroke his length. Oh, my! How to describe how sexy it is to watch him do this while he’s looking at me as if he wants to devour me. Once I’m settled, he’s between my legs and lowering himself. He aligns himself at my entrance and thrusts slowly, in and out a little at a time.

Once he’s completely in, he stills. He’s huge! I feel so full. Never, have I felt anything like this. I lock my arms around his neck and take a deep breath. “Are you alright?” He asks.

“Yes.” He looks into my eyes and begins to move again as he claims my mouth in a kiss. I lift my legs up and wrap around his waist, his thrusts are faster. Faster and faster, then he pushes himself up onto his arms. With one hand, he lifts my left thigh up a bit and slams into me again.

This opens me up a bit more and I feel him hit my cervix as he begins thrusting again. Our breathing is becoming faster; I feel the heat spreading through my body again. Igniting! Releasing! We both yell out each other names, “ADAM” “AMELIA”

“I didn’t know you took this picture.” I say looking into his eyes. I’m falling in love with him. No. I am in love with him. He’s already told me, but I haven’t told him, and I don’t know why I can’t say what I am feeling for him.

Adam just smiles at me and holds me; “I love looking at this picture of you. I often wonder what you were thinking about that morning.”

“I’m not sure I was thinking anything. I was very content after having been feasted upon more than once.” I smile, remembering that night very well. The hunger we both have for one another is all consuming.

Adam leans in and nips my earlobe; “I’m in the mood for more feasting.” He grins.

I answer him with a kiss.

Seventeen years, five months

I AM 21 weeks pregnant. I already feel gigantic; I can’t imagine how much bigger I am going to get. I’ve been feeling them moving around a lot more this past week. Especially at night. Lucas and I lay here with our hands on my stomach. Weeks ago, Lucas began rubbing my belly with lotion at night. It’s become our nightly ritual along with him talking to them.

Last night we discussed names. We just cannot seem to agree. “I think we should really consider Amelia being her first or middle name.” Lucas rubs the lotion in as I smell the cocoa butter scent.

“That’s my first name and my mother’s middle name.” I’m thinking, “My mother’s name was Courtney Amelia, Grams is Eileen Amelia.” I look at Lucas’ face, taking in his strong features. “That’s a lot of Amelia’s.” I try to joke.

“It is, that’s why I think we should keep it going. I love your name, and obviously so does your family.” He smiles at me. “What’s your other grandmother’s name?”

“Helen Cierra Bennett, that’s where my middle name came from. I was named after both my grandmothers.” I sigh. “I don’t want either of those names for our little girl.” Now I am looking down at my stomach watching Lucas caress the lotion into it.

Lucas takes my hand in his. “Hey, we get to choose. Why don’t you want to use Amelia or Courtney?”

“I’m not against Courtney.” I shrug my shoulder; “And Amelia, it’s just been used for three of us. I love Grams and my mother. I would love to honor both of them, Eileen Courtney or Courtney Eileen. But it just doesn’t do anything for me. Then I think about your mother, how would she feel if I give names from just my family.” I sigh.

“You’re over thinking. Besides, my mother’s name is Grace Maureen.” He makes a face.

I chuckle, “Definitely not Maureen. I love your mom, but that name does nothing for me.” I’m smiling at the thought of that name when I whisper, “Courtney Grace.” Once those two names are said I feel a big kick against my hand. My eyes go wide as I look into Lucas’ mirroring eyes.

“I think she has a name.” Lucas says in a wobbly voice. “Courtney Grace Bishop, do you like your name?” he whispers close to my stomach. Another kick is felt. Lucas kisses my stomach, then sits up and kisses me. “One name down, another to go.”

“I’m not sure I can think of names the rest of the night.” I kiss him, Lucas’ hand roams over my stomach, gently brushing his fingertips across, then back. I close my eyes letting the sensation consume me. I feel so relaxed that I barely feel Lucas kiss me goodnight.

I am not sure how I am showered and dressed before Lucas awakes in the morning. I stand beside our bed looking down at him. How many times have I done this?  

He’s lying on his back with his left arm spread under my pillow beside him. The sheet is down around his waist, and his right calf is on top of the sheet. His right hand is resting on his abdomen.

I love the way his brown hair compliments his warm skin tone. His hair has grown some since the wedding, making his waves more pronounced. I am so glad I convinced him not to shave.

It’s hard to resist running my hand through his chest hair down past his abs below his navel where there’s a tiny trail of hair leading under the sheet. I’m biting my lip as my hand roams his torso.

“Mmm...” he moans as he begins to stretch his body, awakening his muscles. He brings both his arms up which just outlines and defines the muscles in his arms and chest. “What are you doing up already?” he asks in a half-awake tone.

“I couldn’t sleep any longer. I wasn’t comfortable. I had to use the bathroom.” I lightly smile looking at him, “Take your pick.”

“All of the above.” He grins, then yawns. “Did you not sleep well? You went out pretty quickly.”

“I did, on and off.” I shrug, “I guess I am getting used to it.” I still have a small smile while I’m looking down at him when he picks my hand up and kisses it.

“As much as I like where your hand was ready to explore, we won’t have time…” he doesn’t finish what he was saying when the doorbell rings. “And that’s why we won’t have time.” He finishes.

“Who’s here this early?”

“Adam. He’s come over to help me put the cribs together.” He sits up. “Do you mind sitting with him for a bit while I jump in the shower?” He looks at me with those blue sleepy eyes, messy hair, and wraps his arms around me. He places a kiss on my stomach.

“I suppose.” I smile at him and run my fingers through the top of his hair. “I’ll go make some breakfast and coffee.” I run my hands over his shoulders down his strong arms.

The doorbell rings once more before I open it. Adam is standing there with flowers in his hand, he smiles at me. “Good Morning.” He states as he hands me the flowers.

“What are these for?” I grin and bring the bouquet up to my nose and inhale, they smell divine. It’s a beautiful colorful mix with lilies, mini carnations, coral roses and lavender. I don’t know why he bought these, but I think my face is going to break with how huge my smile must be.

“Well, to be honest, since I was coming over here early, I didn’t want you to be mad if I woke you up, so it’s a peace offering.” He beams. “Which it looks like I have.”

“You have what?” I ask confusingly.

“Woke you up.” He points towards me. I look down and laugh.

I bite my lips together and shake my head. Grinning stupidly, I say, “Come in.” I step aside and let him in. “I haven’t bought many maternity clothes yet. So, I wear a lot of Lucas’ shirts at home.” He noticed what I wear? I do notice that he’s wearing black sweatpants, a loose-fitting gray t-shirt, and sneakers. His hair looks like he just ran his fingers through it. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes.” He follows me through the house towards the kitchen. “So, this is the house.” He looks around as we walk. “Wow! How big is this place?” He’s looking up at the open floor plan from the living room to the kitchen. Above is the upstairs walkway.

“A little over four thousand square feet.” I say shaking my head. I still can’t believe Lucas surprised me with this house. It’s huge for the two us, but who knew we would get pregnant right away.

Adam whistles. “This was your wedding present from him. What did you get him?” He smiles and his eyes seem to twinkle when they look at me.

“I didn’t know about this.” I say lifting my arms up waving around the room as I walk towards the kitchen. “His present is this.” I say and rub my stomach after I put the flowers down on the counter.

“This kitchen is amazing.”

“It is.” I love the kitchen. It’s not too big, but big enough to move around and entertain in if I have to. I walk over to turn on the coffee pot, then I walk out of the kitchen area down the small hallway into the pantry to get a vase. When I turn around, I walk right into Adam.

“I’m beginning to think you like being in my arms.” He says in a husky tone as he holds me steady with one arm around my lower back, his other hand is on top of mine, holding the vase. I can feel the heat coming off of his body, his chest is moving up and down as he breathes. I can feel his breath and smell his cologne. Old Spice.

“I didn’t know you followed me.” I say softly. I clear my throat. “I was getting a vase for my flowers.” I stutter. Why does he have this affect on me? “Thank you, for the flowers.” I take a deep breath after I say this. I don’t know why I did, all it does is make his scent that much stronger. I close my eyes and shake my head slightly. He releases his arm from my lower back and takes the vase completely from my hands.

“I’ve got this.” Adam takes the vase from my hands and walks out of the pantry.

He places the vase on the counter after we enter the kitchen and takes a seat on the stool. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” I ask.

“Yes, thank you.” I place his mug in front of him along with cream and sugar, I don’t know what he uses. “Just black.” He grins. “Thought you didn’t like coffee?” He asks.

“I like coffee. Just not right now.” I sigh. “I need to stop doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Sighing. There’s a lot of food and drinks that I love, but” I say as I rub my belly; “these two don’t want me to have it.” I look at him, “Right now I hate drinking coffee and hate eating chicken.” I look at him with wide eyes.

He laughs at me. “Is that all?”

“God no, there’s a long list. Then there’s the craving I’ve been having for lemonade. I can’t get enough of it!”

He just laughs. “I’m glad Lucas asked me to help today, I like getting to know you, Amelia.” He smiles. “Hate that it took so long to meet you. But these past two years have been busy.”

I chuckle; “I thought Lucas made you up, an imaginary friend.”

Adam is laughing with me when Lucas comes down the stairs. “What are you two laughing about?”

“Amelia was just telling me that she thought I was your imaginary friend.”

“Ha-ha!” Lucas says mockingly as he walks over to pour himself some coffee. He casually leans against the counter, wearing his gray jogging pants and Captain America t-shirt I gave him long ago. His hair is still damp, “What time are you going shopping?” He asks me.

“You’re leaving?” Adam asks.

“Yes, clothes shopping. I don’t want to be mistaken of just being woken up.” I glare at him amusingly. Lucas just looks at us confused. “Dan is bringing Grams over in an hour.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come along?” Lucas just stares at me with a twinkle in his eye. He’s up to something.

I stare at him trying to figure out, “What are you up to?”

“Who? Me?” Lucas smiles, with his hands and coffee cup up the air. “Nothing.”

“You just asked if I wanted you to come along clothes shopping. That is something you despise. So, you’re trying to throw me off on something.” My hands are on my hips and I am glaring at him.

Lucas places his mug down on the granite counter and walks over to me. He places his hands on either side of my waist. “I am not up to anything. Just having some guy time.” He places a soft quick kiss against my lips.

“I still think you are up to something.” I give him a knowing look. He just shakes his head at me, I’m ready to say more, but he’s saved when the doorbell rings again.

“I’ll get it.” He walks off towards the front door.

I turn around and glare at Adam, “What are the two of you up to?”

He throws his hands up, “Nothing!”

“The two of you are really terrible liars.” I shake my head at him and turn when I hear Grams come into the living room. My heart bursts with warmth and love as I tenderly smile at her.

“Is my girl ready?” she’s smiling as she enters the kitchen.

“I am.” Grams looks over at Adam and smiles as she introduces herself.

“I forgot you two haven’t met yet.” I feel an arm come around my shoulder, a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Morning Mels! Got Grams here just like I said I would.” He smiles.

An idea pops into my head; “Are you coming shopping with us Dan?” I grin up at him with puppy dog eyes.

He just shakes his head and laughs, “Nope. No way.”

“Why not?”

“I love you, Mels, but I’ve been shopping with you once before and that wasn’t by choice. You tricked me into it. Besides, this is a day for you two.” He nods at Grams who’s still talking to Adam.

“What are you doing today?”

“Staying here. That way I can bring Grams home.” This is when I notice that he’s wearing sweatpants, his Green Arrow t-shirt, that yes, I got him long ago also. I wonder if they are going somewhere? Or do they plan to goof around the house?

“So, it’s going to take three of you to put together two cribs?” I ask.

“You never know.” Dan grins.

I just shake my head, “Ready Grams?”

“Ready.”

I retrieve my purse from the coat closet by the front door and grab a sweater. I make my way back into the kitchen, then down the hallway to the garage. “Have fun shopping. I hope you find comfortable clothes to wear.” Lucas says as he walks me to the SUV.

“I will.” He leans down and kisses me, “Love you”. Then he closes the car door and walks back to the house as I start the engine and back out.

“They’re up to something.” I state.

Grams just laughs.

Grams and I shopped at three different maternity stores. I almost let it slip what the twins sexes are when she was staring at some of the nursery displays. I hate keeping it from her, but I’m waiting for the baby shower. That’s when everyone will find out.

We had a great lunch at a pub by the waterfront then went to one more store. We’ve been gone for five hours and weighed down with a lot of bags. We’ve talked a lot throughout the morning and afternoon, that we’re quiet on the drive home. As we turn into the driveway, I stop. “What the?”

The three of them are in the back part of the driveway. Adam is dribbling a basketball, Dan is trying to block the goal, and Lucas is trying to steal the ball away. Where did the basketball hoop come from?

I open the garage and pull forward. The three of them pause and look at me grinning. I park and get out just as Lucas makes his way towards me. No shirt on, he’s covered in a sheen of sweat. “HI!” He’s panting.

“Hi.” I point at the basketball hoop with my thumb, “Is that what you were up to?”

His face lights up in a boyish grin. I can’t help but smile, his dimples are barely visible beneath his beard, his eyes crease in the corners, and there’s love in his eyes.

“Yes and no.” He kisses me. “This is just for fun. Something even our children will love.” He brings me into his sweaty embrace, “There’s more we’ve done today. Upstairs.” He embraces my lips with his, his hands squeeze my sides as he deepens our kiss. I bring my hand up to Lucas’ face and rub my fingers against his beard. I hear the back hatch of the SUV open up as we bring our kiss to an end.

“Wow! You did some damage, Mel!” I grin up at Lucas as I hear Dan blow a whistle through his teeth.

“Let us grab the bags, but don’t walk upstairs yet!” Lucas gives me a stern look and pecks my lips one last time.

I walk to the back and watch the three of them, all shirtless, grab bags. “Not really, it’s just the clothing is much bigger than I would normally buy.” I smirk at Dan as he turns towards the house.

“Did you have fun?” Adam asks. Holy hell! He’s standing in front of me holding bags, glistening in sweat. Who knew he had a six-pack beneath that shirt? My eyes linger over his abdomen, up his chest where’s there’s a splattering of chest hair, to his lips that are grinning at me. His eyes are twinkling with the knowledge that I just checked him out.

“Yes.” I squeak. I’m all hot and bothered now.

Once inside Lucas takes my hand and leads me upstairs. There is one bedroom beside ours, the other two are on the opposite side of the open walkway. As we approach the door he says, “Close your eyes.”

Inside the room, he allows me to open them. Both cribs are set up on the left side of the room with the changing table between them. On the opposite wall is the cushioned rocker and nightstand. Tears sting my eyes as I look at the room, which has been painted a pale gray. “This isn’t all, go look in their bathroom.” Lucas whispers.

As I walk into their adjoined bath, it’s been painted in a whitewash look. “I can’t put the accessories out until everyone leaves. So, we’ll have to wait to see this finished later.” He says behind me.

My eyes have not stopped watering. “You did all this today?”

He just grins at me, “come”, he takes my hand and leads me to our bedroom. Our bedroom is very big and it has a sitting area that I never could quite figure out what to put there. Lucas has, and tears are now streaming down my face. In the middle of the sitting area are two beautiful cradles, the Chelsea cradles in distressed black from Bratt Décor.

“The cribs match the cradles.” Is all I can manage to get out along with tears. Lucas wraps his arms around me and holds me in his embrace kissing the top of my head. “I love it. Thank you. I love you so much. You are going to be the best daddy to them.”

Lucas’ arms get tighter around me, “And you are going to be a great mommy to them.” He holds my face between his hands, “I didn’t mean for you to cry.” He’s very concerned.

“I can’t stop, I love it...” I pause trying to get my tears under control. I don’t know why it won’t stop. These damn hormones. I place my face into the center of his chest breathing him in. His hands caress my back as we just stand there.

“I got you a chaise by the window.” He says quietly.

I turn and look to see a patchwork print of muted colors on an overstuffed chaise lounge. Beside it, there is a small end table with a low light lamp and a rocking chair. He’s also put another changing table against the wall. I smile as he quietly whispers, “Now, all we need are for our babies to be here” and I relax into his strong arms.

Seventeen years, five months

WE’VE BEEN EXTREMELY busy at Executive Services. This is the beginning of the winter season and everyone seems to want an escort to accompany them to a corporate, or holiday event.

I just sat down at my desk and noticed a new client folder on my desk. “What the…” I don’t even open it up as I hit the call button to my assistant.

“Yes, Ms. Bennett?” Abigail says.

“Get in here please.”

Abigail Martin has been my assistant for all of four months. She’s around my height with ash blonde hair and blue eyes. She had a great resume but had not worked in three years. She was a stay at home mom, but then her husband was killed in a car accident.

“Yes, Ms. Bennett.”

“Abigail, please call me Amelia.”

“Yes, Amelia.”

“What is this folder on my desk for?” I ask harshly.

“A new client.”

“A new client for whom?”

“For you.” She says hesitantly.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath and count; one, two, three… “I don’t have clients. I have employees who have clients.” I stand up and walk towards her with the file, “Technically, they are my clients, but I do not take any on personally. So, why is this on my desk?” I ask again holding it for her to take from my hand.

“On the form, there’s a request for; ‘type of companion the client is looking for’.”

I interrupt her, “Yes, I know.”

“Well, this one was very specific in his request.”

“Abigail, there are other girls here that look like me. You set them up on an interview to see if they will be able to work together.”

She interrupts me, “I know. But it wasn’t looks that he wrote down. It was you, your name.”

“What?” I snatch the file back and open it. There it is, written on the line next to ‘Is there anything specific you are looking for in a companion?’, Amelia Cierra Bennett. “Who?” I ask out loud as I look to see who knows my name, my entire name? I look at the top for the applicant’s name, David Ryan Sawyer.

“I didn’t know what else to do, Amelia.” She says nervously.

“Thank you, Abigail. I’ll take care of this.”

Abigail leaves as I sit down behind my desk. How did he know that I work here? I ask myself this as I read over his application. We don’t accept anyone as a client until they are paired with an escort. I could just shred this, but I won’t. I need to know how he discovered where I worked. I don’t stay in touch with anyone from my childhood because that’s the one place I couldn’t wait to escape.

To everyone else, my entire childhood seems perfect. After all, I lived in a mansion with my father and grandparents. Went to the best private school, and had friends whose parents or grandparents were family friends. My whole life was controlled.

I didn’t even want to date David when I was in high school, but my father and grandfather made that decision for me. That’s why when I was in college, I ceased all contact with everyone. At first, I thought I would meet new people, make new friends.

Instead, I sought out to create a new me. Make a life where I had no one controlling with whom I surrounded myself with. Funny thing, I never really surrounded myself with people. I preferred to be alone and make my own schedule on my time. Trying to discover what I wanted.

That was a life I was raised in, not the life I wanted. So, I began saving money. Began working. I tried different jobs, retail, waitressing, day care. That’s where I met Piper. She was picking up her nephew and we talked some. Then, she approached me one day while I was out. She recognized me.

We talked for over three hours when she asked me if I had ever considered being an escort. I cringed at the idea, thinking it was prostitution. Then Piper explained to me that it was playing a part without sex involved. Once she told me the pay, I jumped at the chance.

I thought I was free from my father, grandparents and that life they forced me to live. Yes, I was forced. I wanted to be with Grams. I hardly saw her; excuses always being made as to why I couldn’t go see her or spend time with her. As I got older, I felt guilty.

Guilty for waking up from a nap. Guilty for walking into my father’s office. Guilty for standing there watching my father beat my mother. Guilty for telling the lie my father told me to tell. Guilty!

All these facts begin to suffocate me. I have to get out. I have to leave. I walk out of my office, out of the building onto the sidewalk. I hear Abigail call my name, but I just keep walking. Walking away, walking to where?

I’m not certain how I got here. But here I am standing at my mother’s grave. I haven’t been here since I was a little girl. Not sure how I found it.

I kneel down on the damp grass facing the granite stone.

In loving memory

Courtney Amelia Bennett

July 30, 1968 – September 20, 1997

Daughter, Wife, Mother

I feel the sting as tears begin to fall. There’s a burn in the back of my throat, I feel as if it’s closing. “I’m sorry mommy.” The floodgates have opened as more tears stream down my face, I cannot control my sobbing as my nose begins to drain over my lips. I lay down on the cold ground in front of an unmoving solid stone. “I’m sorry mommy, I’m sorry.” I repeat over and over, straining my hoarse quivering voice. My chest heaving into the ground as I grip the dirt and grass in my shaking hands.

My heart is aching for the love of my mother. The love I have sealed away for no one to find.

I’m not sure how long I’ve been laying here or when the tears stopped. Everything aches, my body, my mind, my throat, my heart.

“Miss! Miss! Are you alright?” I hear a woman’s voice beside me. She’s kneeling beside me holding my hand.

All I can manage is to stare at her and shake my head. “Should I call for help?” she asks in a worried tone.

“No.” I manage to whisper. I keep staring at her. She’s an older woman with light brown hair, probably dyed that way. There’s a softness of worry in her tone and on her face. She looks around the age of Grams. Her eyes seem kind but worried, and she’s talking to me while holding my hand between the embrace of her two hands. I’m not sure what she’s asked, but I find myself handing her my phone.

She sat on the ground beside me, holding my hand, and comforting me. I hear her talking still. Talking to someone who’s standing on the other side of me. Now that person is kneeling, “Amelia.” I hear his voice, feel his hand take my chin and turn my face towards him. His hazel eyes are full of concern and love.

The next thing I know I am sitting in Adam’s car. I see him talking with the older woman. Adam gets in and turns on the heat. “Amelia, will you talk to me?” He’s holding my cold shaking hand. “What’s going on?” His voice is pleading.

But all I feel is numb.

I awake to voices in the hallway. I’m in Adam’s bed under the comforter. It’s warm under here, yet I am still shaking. I sit up and swing my legs over the side. I stare down at the wood floor while I clasp my hands on my lap, twisting my fingers. I can hear voices outside of the bedroom door.

“Why did she walk out? What happened Piper?”

“I’m not sure. Abigail said she called for her, but she kept walking, not answering.” Piper must be worried; she’s the closest thing I have to a friend. “There was a file on her desk, that Amelia had questioned Abigail about. A few minutes after she left her in the office, that’s when she walked out. Here’s the file.” Another pause, she must be handing Adam the file.

“This is for a client. Amelia doesn’t have clients. Does she?” I can hear the anger and hurt in Adam’s tone.

“No, she does not. Hasn’t in many months.” I hear Piper sigh. “Whoever this David Sawyer is, he knows her. Specifically, put her name down on the form.”

“Who is he?” Asks Adam.

“I don’t know.” Piper wouldn’t know, no one would. I left my family, friends, to create a new life. My life, my way.

“He was my boyfriend in high school.” I say loudly enough for them to hear me. Adam and Piper both come into the bedroom. Adam is by my side quickly.

“Amelia.” He kneels before me. He’s looking at me with furrow brows and concern.

“David Sawyer was my boyfriend in high school. Not that I had the choice. I was told to date him.”

“What do you mean, told to date him? You don’t tell someone who to date.” Piper sits beside me on the bed.

I look at her as she places an arm across my shoulder. Her touch is warm, comforting. Adam is holding my hands, rubbing his thumb across the top of them. That warm feeling in my chest is breaking down the walls I’ve guarded my heart with. Letting them in. Letting them love me. I feel it overtake me as tears threaten behind my eyes.

“Don’t cry, Amelia.” Piper swipes a lone tear that found its way down my cheek.

All I can manage is a smile, and then I lay my head down on her shoulder as she enfolds me into her embrace. With Piper holding me and Adam’s warm hands holding mine, I finally open up.

I open up about my mother. What I can remember. I tell them about my father, about the lie. How I never truly spent time with Grams. My life dictated by my father and grandfather. Then how after I graduated I was expected to marry David Sawyer.

“That’s when I got up and walked away.” I’ve been lost in Adam’s eyes the entire time I’ve told them about my life. I could see how he fought to not interrupt when I talked about my father. I saw love and anger, but most of all, I saw hurt.

“That was when I made you the offer on Executive Services.” I could feel the nod of Piper’s head against the top of mine.

“Yes.” I lift my head to look at her. “I am so grateful for you and for giving me that opportunity.” I truly am thankful for her and all she has done for me since I’ve known her. “I hadn’t realized until today, but you’ve always mentored me. You also always cared in a motherly way. I don’t know how I could have been so blind.” I admit while releasing my hands from Adams to take Piper’s hands into a tight squeeze. “Thank you.”

“Oh Amelia, you don’t need to thank me. There was always an emptiness in your eyes and I’ve been trying for years to find out why. Now, now I understand.” Her voice is full of emotion as she smiles at me. “I care for you very much, Amelia, and I love you as if you were my own child.”

“Oh, Piper” I cry. “I love you too!” I fall into her embrace. Her hand is rubbing my back and Adam is rubbing my thighs. I’ve been so adamant about keeping love out of my life that I somehow unknowingly let it in. Oh, I love this feeling. I feel so much warmth and so much emotion. My mind is going in circles as I smile and cry at the same time.

Piper leans back and takes my face in her hands. “Thank you for opening up to us. I am here for you anytime.” She kisses the top of my head and stands. “You’re crying, but I know now that you’re better.” She glances over at Adam, “But now it’s time for just the two of you.” She gracefully leaves the room, and we hear the door to the condo close.

I look into Adam’s hazel eyes. What is he thinking? How does he feel towards me now, knowing that I’m a liar? That I’ve let a murderer live his life and control mine. “Adam, I…”

He presses a finger to my lips. “Shhh!” He whispers and lays his head on my lap. I run my fingers through his hair. “I knew you were keeping your past to yourself. I knew there had to be a reason why, but I honestly was not expecting what you shared.”

“Thank you for finally trusting me and opening up.” His brow furrows as he looks in my eyes, “I love you and I will never hurt you or try to control you.”

Oh, Adam! Tears threaten beneath the surface, “I love you, Adam. Oh, I love you so much.”

Adam’s face lights up with a huge smile, and his eyes crinkle at the edges as he leans in and kisses me.

Seventeen years, five months

“I THINK, IF it’s a boy, you should name him after me ‘Daniel’.” Dan says with a huge grin as he pops a fry into his mouth.

“Why should they name one of them after you?” Adam asks.

“I’m Mels’ best friend. I’ve known her, her entire life.” Dan says with a smirk. He knows about my attraction to Adam. I think he likes rubbing it in on how well he knows me.

“I’m Lucas’ best friend. So, they should name a HIM after me.” He has a serious look on his face.

“Um, guys…” I begin. “We’ve already chosen the names.”

“And?” Dan looks at me.

“Not going to happen.” I smile and shake my head.

“Come on Mel, we’re dying here. And as godfather, I need to know what to get them.” Dan pleads.

“You’re godfather? No, I’m godfather.” Adam is glaring at Dan.

Lord help me. Where is Lucas? We’re having lunch together today in the conference room since he has a meeting following lunch. I thought that meant the two of us, not the four of us.

“Two babies, two godfathers.” I look at the both of them. “Now, please stop this pissing contest, it’s rather annoying.”

Now they both are looking at me laughing. “Pissing contest? Really Mel.” Dan says laughingly.

“It’s what it sounds like to me. ‘But I’m Mels’ best friend’. ‘But I’m Lucas’ best friend’.” I say in a mocking tone. “Honestly you are both annoying me so much that I don’t want to be in the same room with either of you.” Damn, that sounded really bitchy of me.

“Who got you so riled up?” Lucas asks as he walks in the door with Alex. Guess that makes the five of us for lunch. I don’t want to be around any of them. All of them are just pissing me off left and right.

I huff at him and just glare daggers at him. I’m not even sure why I’m pissed at him.

The room has gone quiet. No talking or movement. I feel their eyes on me as Lucas approaches me. He reaches out to touch my arm, “What’s wrong?”

I pull away from his touch; “Don’t touch me.” I shake my head and walk out of the conference room. I’m on edge and I don’t know why. There’s this weight of impending doom looming in my thoughts. I’m not even sure what it is, but it’s been bugging me.

I’m walking towards the restrooms when I feel strong arms wrap around my stomach, pulling me to him, then I’m up against the wall. You would think it was done roughly, but it was gentle. “Don’t tell me not to touch you.” Lucas is now glaring at me, “What is wrong?” He says in a gruff voice.

“I don’t know.” I look into his pleading eyes. I feel defeated, tired, useless. “I just feel angry today and I don’t know why.”

“Are you angry with me?” He questions with one brow arched.

“Yes.” I look into his eyes, they’re laced with concern, “No”. I’m so confused. “I don’t know.” My eyes are beginning to tear.

He’s smiling at me, “What do you want or need for me to do for you?”

I look at his handsome face, into his gorgeous blue eyes. “I hope our babies have your eyes.”

He just grins, “I want them to have your eyes.” He whispers and brushes my hair behind my ear. “I want our little girl to look like you.”

“I want our son to look like you.” I wrap my arms around his neck as he leans in and kisses me. It’s a passionate kiss but not a long one. Once we stop I sigh, “I’m just in a bad mood today. I don’t have a real reason to be. Then I thought we were having lunch, just the two of us. So, imagine my surprise when I walk into the conference room to see Dan and Adam there. You’re not there, and I had to listen to them gripe and try to get me to spill about the babies’ gender. Then you walk in and Alex is with you. I’m swollen and tired. I’m annoyed that everyone keeps asking us what the gender is when we specifically told them all it would be revealed the day of the baby shower.” I finally finish and take a deep breath.

“Are you finished? If you’re not, it’s ok, you can continue.” He’s smiling down at me, while both his arms are on either side of my head, keeping me against the wall.

“I’m finished.”

“Okay. Everyone is just excited for us, but I will handle them and reign them all in. I can’t help with the tired part, something tells me, this is just the beginning for us both in that department.” He smirks. “Now, how badly are you swollen?” He furrows his brows in concern.

“Not that bad, I can get my wedding band on, but not my engagement ring. My shoes start to bother me after lunch, so I try to prop my feet up in my office, but that is uncomfortable.” I shake my head. “I’m just not comfortable.”

“Well, I’m not the one carrying our children, but I can assume it’s not a vacation. I know you’re not sleeping well at night because it keeps me awake.” He places a finger against my lips, “Don’t interrupt. I know you try to keep quiet, but I am your husband and I will be uncomfortable with you.” He chides.

I roll my eyes. “I’m sorry.” I peck his lips, “Will you forgive me for my childish outburst?”

“I forgive you, but I think you may need to go say something to Dan and Adam.” He suggests.

We walk back into the conference room when all of a sudden, this woman whom I’ve never seen before walks over to Lucas and wraps her arms around his neck and places a kiss on his lips. Not a quick kiss, but a deep passionate kiss. Once, she disengages her lips off of my husband she looks into his eyes, “Hi sexy! Did you miss me?”

What the fuck? Who the hell is this? I don’t even want to know. Lucas thought I was already in a bad mood, well now I’m just pissed. P-I-S-S-E-D-! I’m not sure when Lucas let go of my hand, but I’m glad it’s free. “Excuse me.” I say sweetly, “But take your damn hands off of my husband.”

She turns and looks at me. Eyes me up and down with a smirk on her face. I eye her as well, she’s a beautiful brunette, pretty blue eyes, dressed in fitted clothes, nails perfectly manicured with red polish. That smirk is still there, that’s it.

I make a fist and with all the strength I can muster up, I aim at her face. At that smirk. My knuckles crack upon impact of her jaw, pain travels up through my hand to my arm. She stumbles backward but doesn’t fall. “You BITCH!” She yells and lunges at me.

Lucas’ stands between us, facing me, wrapping his arms around my stomach, around our children. I see Adam and Dan, out of the corner of my eye, rush over to the woman. “Lisa, stop.” I hear Adam yell at her, but I can’t see.

“She hit me! You saw! You all saw! She attacked me!”

“You threw yourself at her husband.” Dan states rather dryly. “You’re lucky she didn’t get another punch in.”

I’m shaking. My whole body is shaking. I can feel the blood rushing through my veins. I can hear my heartbeat drumming in my ears. My hand is pulsing with pain; my muscles are tense. My brows furrow in pain as I feel the beginning of a headache. My vision is blurring.

“Amelia.” Lucas is holding me, looking into my eyes. He seems so far away, so far away. He’s getting blurrier as the room is getting smaller.

I can hear my name being called over and over again. I wonder who it is? Anger. I hear it when my name is said. Anger. Anger is flowing through me. Anger at who attacked me.

I wake up in Lucas’ office. On the couch, on my side, my head in his lap. A blanket is covering me. He’s running his fingers through my hair. It’s quiet, I don’t see or hear anyone. I feel only my husband. My husband who protected me from being attacked.

Attacked by a woman who threw herself at him and kissed him. I remember when he looked at me, red lipstick stained his lips. Her fingers painted the same color of red. I can feel the beat of my heart speeding up. Who was she? Why did he let her kiss him?

“Amelia? Please calm down.” Lucas’ voice is pleading and full of concern.

“Who is she?” I ask coarsely. I can feel the heat and anger pulsating in my neck. The fire that flowed through my veins is beginning to reignite.

“We need to get to the hospital before I tell you that.” He’s rubbing my back now. “Julie has high blood pressure, so she has a cuff in her desk. We took your blood pressure when you passed out. I had to call the doctor, your blood pressure was one hundred sixty over one hundred ten. So please, can we get up and go.”

I can hear Lucas fighting back tears. My blood pressure is not good at all and I do realize this. Okay, I can get up. My babies are more important than that red nailed bitch.

I push myself up into a sitting position. “Just sit here a second, I’ve got a wheelchair for you.” Lucas stands and wheels it over.

“I don’t need a wheelchair. I can walk.” I sound pissy.

“I’m sure you can, but I’m thinking about you and our children right now. A car is downstairs waiting.” I take his outstretched hand reluctantly. I am trying so hard to not let my emotions overwhelm me again, but my mind is racing in all directions at the moment.

Dan and Alex are just outside the office. The others in the office look up with concern as Lucas wheels me out. No one talks as we make our way towards and down the elevator. I watch Lucas as he helps me into the car. He looks scared. Extremely scared.

The ride to the hospital is about 15 minutes. Lucas is holding my hand, stroking the top with his thumb. My hand aches. My knuckles and fingers tingling. I look at my hand, it’s red and slightly swollen.

We pull up to the emergency room doors. As we enter, we are quickly brought to the back. Not long after I’ve changed into a gown, a blood pressure cuff is placed on my arm.

As the machine roars its ugly sound and squeezes my arm, we watch the lines on the monitor turn to numbers, counting down.

Doctor Pfaffenbach enters the room just as the number is revealed. One hundred forty-five over one hundred. “That number is still high, but from what I’m told, it’s come down.” He says in a dry tone.

The doctor makes no small talk as he takes out his stethoscope and listens to my heart before he moves to the babies. “Any contractions? Tightening?” He asks.

“No.” I say calmly.

He takes notice of my hand. “What did you do to your hand?”

“I punched someone.” I say with no emotion. What does that have to do with anything?

Doctor Pfaffenbach looks at me wide eyed. “You punched someone?” He looks from me to Lucas. Lucas just shakes his head yes. He hasn’t talked to me since we left the office. “I don’t need to know the particulars but obviously whatever caused you to punch this person could not have been that bad. It may have seemed like it. Your pregnancy hormones are heightening your emotions. You need to remember that and not give into extreme emotions.” He sighs, “It’s not good for you or the babies.”

“Are they,” Lucas pauses “Amelia and the babies, okay?” I hear a low quiver in his voice.

“I’m keeping her here for another hour or so and we’ll see how her blood pressure is. I don’t see a concern right now. I do believe it’s her emotions getting the better of her.” He turns and looks at Lucas, “I’ll let you stay, but she must remain calm. Probably a day or two at home, stress-free.” He walks towards the door. “I’ll be back to check on you.”

“Lucas,” I begin as he moves towards the bed.

He just looks at me and shakes his head no. “We’ll talk at home, not here.” He pulls the chair close the bed and entwines his hand with mine. His other hand lays just below my belly. “I need you, Amelia. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.” His voice cracks with emotion. “We’ll talk at home, right now, just rest and calm down. Don’t think about anything. If you have to think about something, think about our children, Courtney and Lucas.” He lays his forehead against the bed, beside my stomach.

I just lay there and stare at the top of his head. Listening to the sounds of the hospital. The beeps of the monitors attached to me. My husband’s breathing, watching the rise and fall of his back as he breathes. The roaring mechanical sound of the cuff comes to life and squeezes my bicep.

It’s around eight in the evening when we arrive home. Lucas walks me upstairs and helps me to bed before he heads back downstairs to bring us something to eat. While he’s downstairs I check my phone. I have a text message from Dan and Alex. One phone call from Grams.

Oh, Grams! I quickly hit the call button and she answers immediately. “AMELIA!” she shouts.

“I’m sorry if I scared you, Grams.” My voice is choked with emotion.

“Are you okay? The babies?”

“I’m fine, we’re fine.”

“What happened?”

“I’m not entirely sure, so I would rather not talk about it until Lucas and I discuss it.”

“You don’t know? What do you have to discuss?”

“I’m not sure Grams, but I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know. I just wanted to let you know that I’m home and I’m fine, we’re fine.” What would happen to Grams if something happened to me? We’re all each other has. “I love you, Grams.”

“Oh, I love you, my precious girl. Get some rest and we’ll talk tomorrow. I love you.” I hear her sigh, “Please rest and talk with Lucas.”

“I will. Goodnight Grams.”

“Goodnight.”

Lucas is standing beside the bed with a tray that holds two grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit, and water. He sits on the bed beside me as we eat, in silence. The silent treatment is killing me. We have never been like this and I don’t like it. I begin to choke as my emotions begin to overtake me. Tears well up in my eyes.

Lucas quickly takes the tray away and wraps me in his arms. “Please don’t. I’m right here. I’ve got you.”

“Who,” I choke back a sob. “Who is she?”

He doesn’t respond straight away, but he knows to whom I am referring to. “Adam’s aunt.”

Adams’s aunt. I’m letting this sink into my brain, trying to figure her relationship with Lucas, when he tells me. “Before I met you, I was in a relationship with her.” He runs his one hand down his face. “I’m not sure if I would call it a relationship. It was just sex.”

My ear is against his heart and I can hear it pounding. His breathing has become heavier. Sex? Sex with Adam’s aunt. I’m not even sure how to respond. “How old is she?”

“I’m not sure, fifty or so.”

Fifty. “When?”

“I was nineteen. I had gone out of town with Uncle Alex. Lisa, Adam’s aunt, was in the same city we were for a conference. I hung out with her at times when I was not able to be in meetings with them.” He pauses. “After a couple of days, one thing lead to another.”

“Why?”

“I was nineteen. Not very experienced in the sex department and she made it,” he paused again, “exciting, intriguing. I learned a lot from her.”

“For how long were the two of you” I clear my throat. Do I want to know? “together?”

“One year.” He tightens his hold on me. “I was not in love with her. We were not exclusive either, I dated, I’m sure she did as well.  But she was moving overseas, so it ended. I was not upset about it.” He sighs, “Then, I saw you.” His voice rises, “And I was so damn glad she was gone because I knew the moment I laid my eyes on you, that I wanted to know you. Everything about you.”

“Was I…” what am I going to ask, I couldn’t possibly, “a rebound? Things just ended with her and you set your eyes on me.”

“No.” He sits up, turns and holds me by my shoulders. “God no. You are no rebound. You’re my everything. It took almost a year before I was even able to get close enough to introduce myself to you.” He leans down so we’re nose to nose. “That moment I finally caught your eye, I knew. I knew I had found the woman that I love. The woman I was going to spend the rest of my life with.”

“She kissed you. She threw her arms around you and called you sexy. Her hands were wrapped around your neck, those red nails clawing at your neck.” I stare at him with my tear-filled eyes, “your lips were stained red from her lipstick.” Tears begin to break free and slide down my cheek, “you didn’t stop her.”

“Amelia, please listen. Please don’t cry. I did not kiss her, she may have kissed me, but I did not kiss her. I pulled her hands away from me and stepped back. But by that time, you were already staring at her like you were going to kill her.”

“All I saw was red. All I heard was bitch.” It’s coming back to me, “The only other person to call me that was David. David Sawyer. The night he attacked me at the diner.” I say in a shaky voice.

“We had all gone out that night after the football game. Dan, Mitch, Rose, David and myself. I got up to use the restroom, when I went to return to the table, he grabbed me in the hallway and pulled me outback.” The evening was slightly warm; summer was ending and autumn beginning. “I never felt comfortable around him, so I made sure to never be alone with him. Not sure why he chose that night. Especially since there was a group of us. Thankfully, Dan and his dad taught Sam and myself how to defend ourselves.” I take a deep breath, “I didn’t know how much longer I was going to be able to hold him off.”

“Dan came and the others. I know, you’ve told me, Dan has told me.”

“He kept calling me a bitch, over and over again.” I look into his eyes, “She called me a bitch Lucas. She was wrapped around you.” Not sure where I am going with this, “I love you and I wasn’t in a good mood, to begin with. She just set me off. I wanted to hurt her, for how she was hurting me. I felt like she was trying to take you away. That you wanted her and not me.”

“Amelia, no one is taking me away from you. Ever!” He kisses my forehead. “I don’t know why Lisa was there. I don’t know why she kissed me. I haven’t seen her in years. Haven’t thought of her in years.” He rubs our noses together. “After you passed out, Adam took her out of the conference room.” He sighs. “I haven’t talked to him, but he texted and asked about you.”

“I passed out?”

“God, you scared me. The look on your face. Your eyes, I saw anger, then they were empty and you collapsed in my arms. The entire floor seemed to be outside that conference room door wanting to know what all the commotion was about.”

I truly do not understand how I’ve let my emotions take such a strong hold of me today. It’s been like this for weeks. I know I’m tired, I’m getting bigger, “Do you still find me attractive?” Lucas hasn’t touched me for two weeks. “We haven’t had sex or made love in a while.”

“Is that why you’ve been in a mood?” He shakes his head. “You’ve been tired and falling asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow. Believe me, I want you. I want all of you. You’re so damn beautiful.” He says as his eyes trail down my body, then back up as his eyes linger on my breasts. “There’s so much of you I want to explore, I want to taste all your changes.”

“Taste?” I ask with humor. He said taste.

“Your breasts have gotten huge.” He bites his lips, “I want to see them, feel them, taste them.” He says hungrily as his hand cups my breast. I moan and lean my chest up into his hand. I want him and I want him to taste me, devour me. I put my hand behind his neck and pull him for a kiss.

Oh, this day is going to end better than it began.

Seventeen years, five months

I AM UNPACKING. Yes, unpacking my things. I’ve moved in with Adam. After opening up and sharing my past with him, he asked me to move in. I hesitated, but as he pointed out, I was already living there. I spent every night with him, my apartment just held furniture and some clothes.

My lease had already expired, so it did make sense. Now, we are trying to fit my things in with his. We compromised on what to keep or get rid of. Adam had a lot nicer things, but he said my things made it more “lived in”.

Adam and I have gone shopping for more storage items since we’ve combined our belongings. But in reality, we went shopping for a bigger condo or apartment. “Why are we moving? I just moved in with you.” I state. I really don’t want to pack again.

“The condo is fine, but not a lot of room if we want to have people over.” He says looking at me. “That is, do you want to have people over? To entertain?”

I look up and smile into those beautiful hazel eyes, “Yes. I want to invite people over. To entertain. Maybe Thanksgiving or a Christmas party?”

“We’re going to my parents for Thanksgiving.” He reminds me. “But Christmas sounds like a plan. So, we really should get someplace bigger for a tree and people to move around in.” He smiles.

“Okay.”

But after almost a whole day, we did not find anything that was appealing. A couple of days later, Adam strolls into my office. “Can I interest you in lunch?” he asks.

I was focused on the financial report, “Yes, that sound great. Let me just finish this and we can go.” Once I save and close the report on the computer, I’m standing and Adam is holding my coat open for me. I smile as I walk towards him and kiss him, “Thank you”.

We’re talking as he drives so I haven’t been paying attention to where we’re going until I notice that we are in a neighborhood. “Umm, Adam, these are houses, not restaurants.” I laugh lightly.

“I know.” He says with a grin and pulls into a driveway.

We are sitting in front of a craftsman style house. It looks like new construction. “Are we visiting someone?” I ask cautiously, I wish he had said something about that.

He gets out of the car and opens my door once he reaches my side. He is wearing a big smile. “Come on.” He takes my hand as we proceed up the walkway. I admire the woodwork and huge front porch that has overstuffed cushioned wicker furniture placed looking out the front yard.

I turn and look at the view. It’s a peaceful street, big yard and lots of trees. I wonder who lives here. Adam is pulling me through the front door. “You didn’t knock or ring the bell Adam. You can’t just do that.” I say harshly.

There’s no furniture as I look at the home before me. It’s an open floor plan, you can see from the front door all the way to the kitchen and back porch. There’s a dining room to my left, a living area in front of me that has a coffered ceiling and huge doors on the outside wall that open to a covered deck. An entrance to a hallway on my right, and a huge kitchen to the left of the living area.

I’m looking at Adam, confusion on my face. He lifts his right hand holding a set of keys. “I bought us a house.” He’s smiling.

“A house? You bought a house? For us?” I’m standing there, looking at him, looking around these rooms. “How? When? What?”

“I was talking to my parents about how we did not luck out in our search for an apartment or condo. When they mentioned some new houses that were being built or already built near them. I came by yesterday and checked it out. I didn’t think I would find anything, but when I saw this. I knew. This is for us!”

Oh, my god, he bought a house. A house for us. For the two of us. “Don’t say anything, until you finished looking at everything.” He takes my hand and leads me to the hallway that is on my right. There are three bedrooms, all with their own bathroom.

As we walk past the living area, there’s a half bath that is in proximity to the three areas. The kitchen is huge. “That’s a huge island.” There’s a lot of natural light coming in through the wall of windows that overlook the backyard. “WOW! How big is the yard?”

“This house is on two acres.”

“I hope you know how to take care of a yard this size.” Shaking my head, I know that he does. He’s told me his parents had him and his brother do chores. Me, I didn’t do any until I went to college and lived on my own. So, I had to learn how to clean and cook.

He laughs and pulls me through a door on the side. It’s a huge master bedroom with an angled trey ceiling. More windows and a French door leading to a private deck. “Wow”.

“What until you see the bathroom.” Adam waggles his eyebrows at me.

As I enter the master bath, my mouth drops open. Right in front of me is a huge double shower surrounded by glass. His and her vanity areas with a huge garden tub in the center with a stained-glass window above it. Two walk-in closets and a private enclosed lavatory.

He pulls me into his arms, “I know I can’t wait to get you in that shower.” He growls into my ear and nips my earlobe. I chuckle and let him continue. But he pulls away.

“There’s more.” He pulls me out of the master suite, through the kitchen. “Laundry room is here, pantry in here.” He’s moving all around, “garage”.

“Where do the stairs lead to?” I ask.

“Bonus room.” We head up the stairs. It covers the length of the three-car garage and has a full bath up here as well. “I think this would be a good home theater, game room.” He shrugs.

“It’s all gorgeous.” I turn and look at him, “And you bought this? When?”

“I started the process yesterday. Everything goes fast when you pay cash.” He grins.

Everything is packed and ready for the movers. I can’t believe we did this in one day. Then again, we did have a lot of help. Adams’ parents, Jennifer and Nick, along with his brother, Ben, helped.

Ben and I decide to walk down to get coffee for everyone. Once we’re in the lobby, the building’s concierge stops me. “Miss Bennett, this was dropped off for you.” He hands me a small envelope.

“Thank you.” Only my name is on the front of the envelope, nothing more. I turn it over and open the sealed flap. Inside is the picture of Adam and myself, the one from my desk. The one that was missing. “Do you know who brought this?” I question in a shaken voice.

“No mam’, he didn’t say his name. Just asked to give this to you.”

“Amelia, are you alright? You’re shaking.” Ben says touching my wrist.

“We need to go back upstairs.”

Adam calls the police once I show him the envelope and picture. After taking a statement with the concierge, they take the envelope and photo to see if there are fingerprints. We only know a man dropped this by, but who? Did he take it? Or was he paid to bring it here?

“Let the police do their job.” Adam says holding my hand while he’s driving us to the house. My hands are cold and still shaking.

“Whoever it is, knows I moved. They know I live with you. What if I’ve put you in danger?”

“Stop. Let’s wait and find out more information before jumping to conclusions.”

“Whoever it is has torn apart my office space. He or she or whomever must be following me to know where to bring the picture.”

“What can I do to make you feel better? To help you stop worrying?”

“I don’t know.”

A week has passed with no news. There were no other fingerprints or DNA on the envelope. No other deliveries. But I’m still constantly looking over my shoulder. Adam had a security system installed at the house. He wanted to get me personal security, which I said “no” to. After all, we’re together, mostly. When I’m not with him, I’m here at work with my staff. All the drivers I employ are security, and they share our office space.

“Amelia.” Abigail announces over the intercom.

“Yes.”

“There’s a Mr. Sawyer here to see you.”

What? What is he doing here? My hand is hovering over the intercom button. My mind is spinning. What do I do? Let him in? Send him away? I’m lost in making a decision when Phillip enters my office with a quick knock. He closes the door behind him. “Piper sent me in here. She just walked in when she heard his name and said I should be in here with you.”

My hand is shaking. Thank god, I have the two of them. “Send him in.” I say to Abigail in a forced voice.

Abigail opens the door and in walks David Sawyer. I haven’t seen him since my graduation brunch with my father and grandparents. He looks the same as he did in high school, dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. He looks more muscular and has a harsher look. “Amelia.” He says in a clenched tone.

“David. This is an unexpected visit.” I glare at him. It’s not. I never did contact him after the application was placed on my desk.

“Is it?” He sits down in an unoffered chair in front of my desk. “This is my third visit here.” He shrugs. “But you were not here the last two times.”

“And how did you know that I would be here now?”

“Lucky, I guess.” He smirks. “I filled out an application. I’m in need of an escort.”

“I saw it.” I’m not sure how I am staying so calm. It must be Phillip’s looming presence behind me, taking in every detail. I feel as if I am missing something here, “How did you know I even ran an escort service?”

He chuckles, “Oh, I think we both know you don’t run it. You’re an employee.”

“Um, no I’m not an employee. This is my business; I am in charge here.”

“The last I talked to Peter, you remember him, don’t you? I ran into him at the gym and he told me all about you.”

“Peter, who?”

“Peter Kent. Your client.” He pauses. “I wonder what your father or grandfather would do if they knew.”

“Yes, he may or may not be a client. At one time, I was an employee, but I am no longer.” I sigh, leaning back looking at him. What’s his game? “As far as my father and grandfather,” I lift my hands as if to show the room, “this is none of their concern. Nor their business. It’s mine.”

“And your boyfriend, does he know?” I lean my head slightly. “Wondering how I know?” He places his right ankle across his left knee, “I saw you out a couple of times, in different places, with different men. One of them was Peter, that’s how I knew to ask about you. He told me all about Executive Services, and all about his bonus he would give you at the end of the night.” He brings his hands together in front of him, tapping his fingers together. “Still a little slut.”

Phillip steps beside the desk, “I don’t appreciate you talking to her like that, you need to leave.”

“Who’s this?” David looks at Phillip as if he’s just materialized.

“How do you know I have a boyfriend?”

He grins at me, “I know a lot. After you left brunch that morning, left us all sitting there, I knew I had to find you and get you. The plan was always for us to get married, and we will.” He shrugs, “Once I found this place, I broke in and searched your files. Found that nice picture in your desk drawer. Did you get it back? I left it for you.”

“It, was you? You broke in here?” I’m glaring at him, and I can feel the blood pumping in my veins, I see Phillip approach David.

“You need to get up now and come with me.” He glares down at David.

“Ha. I don’t think so. Not until I get what I came for.”

“What did you come for?” I ask in an angered tone.

“You.” He says deadpan.

Once he says this the door opens and two police officers enter my office. “David Sawyer, stand please.”

“What for?” he turns to see them behind the chair.

They flank either side of the chair and the one officer leans down and cuffs his wrist. “You’re under arrest for breaking and entering.”

“What?” He glares at me.

I just shake my head; I have no idea when they got here or how. I didn’t call them. They begin reading him his rights as he stands, he looks over his shoulder at me; “This isn’t over.”

I sit frozen in my seat as Piper and Amelia enter. Phillip is already kneeling beside me, “Hey, are you okay?”

“How?” I clear my voice, trying to comprehend what just happened.

“I heard him give his name to Abigail when I came in the door. I recognized the name from the other day when you talked about him.” She’s kneeling now also. “I told Phillip to be in here with you, and then I had Abigail leave the speaker on.”

“He said he’s been here three times, but this was only his second time that I remember him being here.” Abigail says. “I told Piper, and she had me call the police.”

“Amelia!” I hear Adam call before he enters my office. His focus is on me as he makes his way towards me. He pulls me up into his arms, “What happened?”

“I’m not entirely sure how to even put into words what happened here. But something tells me, that it’s just the beginning.”

Seventeen years, six months

TWENTY-SIX WEEKS pregnant. More than halfway there. These two lives are growing in me, “I can’t wait to hold you both in my arms.” I whisper as I rub my belly. I’ve stayed home more this last month and only gone into the office part time. Most of what I do can be done at home. Lucas and I decided this once we found out that Lisa was now working for Adam.

Adam is not happy with his aunt. I haven’t seen him, but he’s called me and has apologized for her behavior. It’s not his fault. She’s entirely to blame. To which he agreed with me. But I made it clear that she is to only stick to the two floors they are renting.

In fact, I haven’t seen anyone when I do go to the office. Not Dan, Alex, Adam, or Ben. They’ve all called to check on me, but I haven’t laid eyes on them since that day in the conference room. I wonder if they’re all terrified of me? Dan joked around on the phone about it, but that’s been it.

Today is our baby shower, so, I know they will all be there. Lucas talked with Grams, and they both agreed that a couple’s baby shower was in order. Lucas is still afraid of something happening to me and the babies. Grams, Sam, and Judy are downstairs decorating and setting out food or snacks.

Lucas and I are putting the finishing touches in the nursery. I’m standing in the middle of the nursery, looking at their names above their cribs. Lucas is hanging a brother and sister plaque in their bathroom. I know they won’t share this room forever, but they will for a number of years.

The doorbell rings and I hear the greetings of everyone arriving. Lucas takes my hand, “Ready to go down?” Biting my lip, I shake my head yes. Sometimes I feel like this is all a dream, and that I am going to wake up at any moment alone. No Lucas, no babies, no family.

As we make out way towards the kitchen, where Grams and our close friends are, we are stopped by distant relatives from both sides of our families.

Lucas is standing by the kitchen island talking with Adam, Ben, and Dan. I’m making my way towards them when Sam spots me. “Holy shit Mels!” She steamrolls her way towards me from the other side of the island. Her hands immediately cup both of my breasts. “Look at your boobies! They’re huge!” She gives them a light squeeze, “My god, I want to nurse on them. I bet Lucas is having a field day with them.” She waggles her eyebrows at me.

My brain cells are not comprehending a response as I stop breathing. I look at Sam, Dan’s little sister, the girl who I consider my own little sister since we grew up together. She is fondling my breasts. Everyone who is in the kitchen has now stopped what they were doing, their eyes are glued to us, mouths wide open. Watching her grope my breasts and listening to every word she is saying. My ability to articulate a response is gone. I do not know what to do.

“Lucas, I hope you have been feasting on these bad boys.” She states, “If not, I’ll gladly come over to…” She doesn’t get to finish as Lucas wraps his arms around Sam from behind, takes her wrists and removes her hands from my breasts.

He leans down to her ear, “No one touches my wife but me.” His arms are still wrapped around her as he brings their hands to her stomach. “And no to whatever thoughts you are having about her breasts. Do you understand Samantha?”

“Touché!” She says as she turns around in his arms. “You can watch, but you can’t join in. I’m with a couple, so I can’t be with anyone else right now.  But I’m sure they would make an exception once I show them a picture of Mels’ boobs.” She says pushing him away from her.

“What the hell are you talking about Sam?” I finally find my voice; blood is finally flowing bringing oxygen to my brain cells. “You’re with a couple? You want to feast on my breasts?” I’m still puzzled with all this information. Sam has always lived her life adventurously.

She turns and looks at me with the brightest smile. “I met this couple at the coffee shop one morning and they had an open seat at their table. So, I asked if I could just sit for a while since there were no more tables available. Well, we began talking and really hit it off. We began going to the movies and hanging out, doing fun stuff. Then one day they asked if I was up to having sex with them. I tell you, I was not sure at first. I mean, Dominick is hot, and I mean H-O-T, hot! Laura is beautiful also, so I thought I’d try it. We’ve been a couple for about three months now. Mom and Dad didn’t tell you?”

I have no idea how she just said all that without batting an eyelash. Then again, this is Samantha Wagner we are talking about. This little girl, who’s twenty, five-foot-three, wavy blonde hair with blue eyes, is an unstoppable force. When we were little, she honestly could not stand still. She would bounce as you were talking to her. She still does this except now she does not have a little girl’s body, so her breasts are bouncing up and down as she does.

I take a deep breath and look up into Lucas’ eyes. He just looks at me wide eyed and holds his hands up. I look over at Dan, but before I can catch his eye, I see Ben checking Sam out. His eyes are glued to her and he’s smiling. “Dan. What is she talking about?” I say, but I’m still looking at Ben.

“I just found out last night. I really don’t want to discuss it right now.” He answers.

“What’s to discuss? I’m in a relationship with a loving couple. We spend a lot of time together, not just in the bedroom. They’re a lot of fun, and you would love them. You all would!”

“Sam, right now I don’t know if I can wrap my mind around all of what you just told me. Do you think one day this coming week you would like to come over and have lunch or dinner with me?” I ask her. I’d like to know what’s going on, who is this couple. A couple? How does that work? Who does that?

She bounces up and down with a squeal, “I’d love to! I can’t wait! How about Tuesday? That’s the best night for me. That’s their anniversary, so they will be celebrating that night without me.”

“Tuesday is good.” I smile at her. Why did I just do this? Do I really want to know about this? I look over at Dan, “You’re coming over too.” I give him a death glare and he just moans into his beer bottle.

Since Sam is hostess, she excuses herself to do whatever. I’m still trying to process her actions and what she’s revealed to me that I did not notice everyone is still looking at me. As I walk over to the kitchen island, Dan, Adam, Ben, Alex and my husband Lucas are all staring at my breasts. “Um, guys, my eyes are up here.” I point at my head with my eyes wide.

Dan clears his throat, “Sam is right, Mels, they are huge.” Lucas smacks his arm, “Hey!” Dan says rubbing the spot that was just smacked.

“No one looks at her breasts.” Lucas states in a domineering tone. All of them look away from me, pulling sips from their beer.

I shake my head. I hug each of them while Lucas gives them all death glares. Each of them barely hugged me back, except for Adam. He gave me a huge bear hug all the while staring back at Lucas. Oh, this is going to be a fun day.

We finally have opened the last of the gifts from everyone when Lucas stands up, “If I could have everyone’s attention.” He waits for the room to quiet down. “As you are well aware, we are having twins.” Everyone interrupts with sighs of “yes we know”. “But what you don’t know, is the gender of the babies.” He looks at me, “Since my beautiful wife dislikes the taste of cake right now,” everyone chuckles; “we decided we would reveal their gender by showing you the nursery. So, everyone who would like to know can follow us upstairs, but” he pauses, “Grandparents first.” He smiles at Grams and his mom.

Once inside the nursery, Grams and Grace both gasp once they spot the names above the cribs. Courtney Grace and Lucas Michael. Grams comes over and holds me in an embrace whispering in my ear, “You are so much like your mother. I am so happy you are honoring her and your grandfather in this way. She did this exact same thing when you were born.” When I look into her eyes, I see unshed tears.

“Oh Grams.” She continues to hold me as everyone takes turns to come in to see the nursery. Bill, Dan’s father, smiles when he sees the names and embraces both Grams and myself within his strong arms.

He places a kiss on the top of my head, “They are beautiful names buttercup. Your mother would be so proud.” He holds my head in the palm of his hand as I smile at my nickname, “I’ve been here for you since you moved in with Grams and Pops. So, remember, if you ever need me, you call. I’ll be here in an instant.” He kisses my forehead, “love you buttercup.”

As Lucas and I descend the stairs the front door opens, and in walks my grandmother. My father’s mother. I haven’t seen her since the wedding. She’s called, but it’s always rushed and she’s whispering. “Grandmother.” I say when I see her.

Helen Bennett looks a lot like the actress Helen Mirren. Not sure what Mirren’s eye color is, but my grandmother has gorgeous hazel eyes. Once she reaches us, she pulls me into an embrace. “I am sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.” She pulls back smiling at me. “But I am here now.”

Grams walks over and gives her a hug. “Glad you managed to get away from Lewis to be here.” What an odd thing to say. But then again, Grams has known my grandmother a long time. I think she told me once that they were neighbors growing up.

Grandmother looks around, “Is there somewhere we can talk, just you and I?” She looks at me, then Lucas. He squeezes my shoulder.

“Let’s go up to the nursery.” I take her hand and lead the way.

She takes in everything on her way up the stairs, smiling. Once we enter the nursery, she tears up but doesn’t say a word. When she finally turns and faces me she grabs my hands. “I am so sorry my sweet girl. I am so sorry for everything.”

“What are you talking about, Grandmother?”

“My son was all wrong for your mother. I knew that. I knew. Yet, I pushed for him to go to her. To meet her, to like her, to marry her. I didn’t know.” She wipes some tears that are streaming down her porcelain skin. I look at her with a confused expression because I have no idea what she is talking about.

“Eileen and I grew up together. I love her and cherish my friendship I had with her. We always wanted to be a part of each other’s lives. We used to wish to marry brothers. Obviously, that did not happen.” She huffs and she waves her hands in the air. “I was twenty when I married your grandfather and twenty-one when Darren was born. Eileen and I had lost contact by that time. Lewis was so controlling in who I could see.”

She looks around the nursery, “Is there somewhere we can both sit?”

I take her to my bedroom, to the sitting area where the cradles are. “Oh, how beautiful.” She tears up again as I sit down in the chaise. She is stroking the side of the cradle, looking down at the tiny blue blanket. She finally comes and sits down in the rocking chair.

“Your mother had come home for the summer from college. Your grandfather, what did you call him, ‘Pops’?” I shake my head yes. She smiles, “Yes. Well, he had a heart attack, and I just happened to be at the hospital with my mother-in-law when I ran into them.” She has a nostalgic look in her eyes, “It was so good to see her. We chatted up and storm and caught up within hours. And I was so taken with your mother.” She shakes her head.

“I didn’t want to lose Eileen again. It felt so good to be around her, that I encouraged Darren to pursue Courtney.” She leans back, “I didn’t know until your mother was pregnant with you what my son did and was doing to her. Amelia, my son tricked or drugged her or she was drunk; I don’t remember which, when she married him. She wanted a divorce the very next day.”

I shake my head, “I don’t understand.”

“She had taken an internship as his personal assistant. They were on a business trip in Vegas. They were married.”

I stare at her in shock. This is something I did not know. No one has ever told me. I’ve always thought it was some sort of a fairy tale, like mine, but to hear this and to know what he did to her.

“Are you alright dear?” she asks.

“Yes, please continue.”

“Well, when she was pregnant with you, I asked her why she didn’t seem happy. Then she let me know about her beau, the one she had left to come home for the summer. The one in which she never went back to because my son would not let her go.”

“He wouldn’t let her go?”

“He’s just like his father, my oldest. In many ways.” She shakes her head as if she’s in disbelief. “Then she became pregnant, and the day you were born, the smile that I saw in her eyes the day I met her, returned. She loved you so much. You were her pride and joy.”

“I have very few memories of my mother. I cherish my happy ones. I don’t share those with anyone, except for some. But the memories I do have, are not happy ones.” I say in a low hateful tone. He wouldn’t let her go? What the hell!

“I saw the signs. I didn’t know what to do. You see, the same had been happening to me with Lewis. I didn’t tell Eileen until it was too late.” She looks down at her feet. “This is all my fault. If I had not encouraged him, then she would still be alive.”

I shake my head. Yes, she would be. “But I wouldn’t be here.” I say staring at her. If she had not encouraged my father, then I would not have been born. “I wouldn’t be married to Lucas, starting a family.” I stare at her, “You wouldn’t be sitting here to tell me this.”

She just smiles and shakes her head. “Oh, you would have been here my sweet girl. You still would have been born.” She sighs and hands me a gift bag. “Don’t open this now, but know, that I love you as if you were my own true grandchild. After all, that is how you were raised.” She looks at me lovingly.

“What?”

She stands from the chair, “My son found out he was sterile after your mother failed to conceive again. He always has been from an accident in childhood. When he found out, he didn’t hold back.” She’s pacing back and forth wringing her hands.

“Who’s my father then? The one from college?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows.” She kneels before me taking my hands. “Please forgive me for wanting my best friend to be close to me again. I wish I had an answer for your questions, but I don’t. I do love you, always.” She stands again, “I’ll let myself out.”

“Wait!” I stand too. “I haven’t seen you since my wedding. You just gave me a whole lot of new information that I need to process. But I’ve known you my whole life as my grandmother. Are you just walking out?”

“As you said, I haven’t seen you since your wedding. I wasn’t allowed to. In fact, being here, if he finds out.” She shakes her head. “But it was worth it. I wanted to see you. You are beautiful, you have a beautiful soul and you will be a wonderful mother.”

“Come downstairs please, and stay just a little bit longer. I’m sure Grams wants to see you.” I plead and she relents.

Grams and Grandmother are seated together on the couch, talking softly. Lucas is standing behind me with his arms wrapped around me, his chin resting on my shoulder. “You were upstairs a while. What did she talk to you about?”

“I’ll tell you later, not right now.” Our hands are entwined, resting above my stomach. I’m watching my grandmothers when we’re interrupted.

“Lucas, my boy, how are you?” some man exclaims in a boisterous voice while slapping my husband on his back.

Lucas grins and accepts the man’s embrace, then one from the woman who is with him. He turns and puts his arm around me, “Amelia, I would like to introduce you to Jennifer and Nicholas Hunter, Adam and Ben’s parents.”

I smile at them. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

Jennifer comes over and holds my face in her hands. “Oh Lucas, she’s beautiful! You are so beautiful my dear. How are you feeling? How are the babies? Any Braxton-hicks yet?”

That’s a lot of questions. Lucas and Nicholas chuckle. “You have to forgive my wife, she’s an OB/GYN and just loves when someone is pregnant.”

She just shakes her head. “I love babies and children. If you agreed to adopt more children than the two we have, I would be a stay at home mother and wouldn’t be bothering with pregnant women.”

Oh, my goodness. What an interesting thing to say. I chuckle and say, “I feel fine and we’re all fine.”

“I want to apologize for my sister’s behavior.” Nicholas says earnestly looking at me.

At that moment, Adam appears by his side, “I’ve already told her dad. I don’t think we need to keep bringing it up.”

“No, we shouldn’t. How’s your blood pressure been?” Jennifer asks.

“Better. She’s been taking it easier and no more throwing punches until after the babies are born.” Lucas jokes as I glare at him with a smile.

We’ve been talking about the upcoming holidays when Jennifer and Nicholas Hunter ask us to Thanksgiving Dinner. Since we have already laid out plans for everyone to be here, we invited them also. Which they accepted graciously before Jennifer was paged by the hospital.

“Amelia dear, I hate to interrupt but I really must be going.” Grandmother interrupts. “Oh” she looks at Adam with wide eyes.

“Grandmother, this is Lucas’ friend, Adam Hunter.” I introduce him.

Grandmother is looking intensely at Adam. “Hello, Mrs. Bennett.” He says holding out his hand.

She accepts his hand, but she has a strange look on her face, like she seems mesmerized by Adam. “Very nice to meet you, young man.” She smiles up at him and seems quite taken with him.

“Would you like for me to walk you out?” Lucas offers.

“Oh, no. I can find my way.” She says.

“It was nice to meet you all. Lucas, it was good to see you again.” She kisses his cheek. As she turns to me, I tell her that I will walk her to the door.

Before she leaves I ask her, “Grandmother, will you come by again? To talk. I have a lot of questions.”

She just smiles, “I don’t know my dear sweet girl.” With that said, she walks away. I want her to stay; I have so many questions. She unloaded so much information on me that it isn’t until I see her walk away that I feel the tears begin. I feel myself shaking as I hold onto the doorknob.

I manage to walk away from the door, I amble my way up the stairs. Once inside my bedroom, I lay down on the bed and cry. How do I know she is telling me the truth? How do I know that she didn’t say this to hurt me? If she is telling me the truth, then who was the boy from college? Who is my father?

I lay myself down on the bed and close my eyes; trying to reign in these tears, to control my emotions. My mind is replaying Grandmother’s conversation as I am remembering my childhood. Remembering my father, he was very attentive to me and would play with me when he would come home from work. That is, when he was sober or if he came home. I do remember when he traveled we would go stay with Grams. Did my mother do that even before I was born?

“Daddy, lift me high!” I pleaded as my father held me above his head flying me in the backyard.

“Amelia, the plane is ready to land. So, you need to prepare for landing.” Daddy says. He’s going away again and I asked if I could fly on the plane with him. He said I couldn’t, but that he would show me how it felt to fly.

My eyes feel puffy; my head feels groggy. I stretch my legs down and realize I must have fallen asleep and the sun is setting. The clock beside me reads six forty-five. A blanket is laying on top of me. I feel Lucas’ beside me.

I roll over and look at him. He’s sitting up with laptop in his lap. “Hey.” He says as he closes the lid, scoots down and lays facing me. “You scared me. I didn’t know where you went, then when I found you, you were out.”

“I’m sorry.” I stare into his blue eyes, “Grandmother said a lot to me and I’m still not sure how to process everything that was said.” A deep breath, “Did you try to wake me?”

“I did try, but no response. I took your blood pressure, it's fine. Adam called his mother and she said to wait until you awoke. That your body probably needed rest.” He pauses, “What did you grandmother say to you?”

“What didn’t she say.” I reach across and hold his hand, “She told me that everything was her fault, my mother’s marriage to my father. Then she told me about some boyfriend she had in college, that maybe, he might be my real father.” There’s pressure building behind my eyes.

“What? Your father? Your father is in prison.”

“Apparently, my father, or whom I thought was my father, is sterile. Has been since childhood. I guess he went and got tested after my mother failed to get pregnant again. I’m not sure when or if it was the same day that he murdered my mother.” I look into Lucas’ eyes. “I’m not sure about anything.”

“Amelia” he hushes me and scoops me into his arms. “Does she know who then?”

“No. I asked her.” I don’t think she did, “She didn’t know who the boyfriend was either.”

“Does Grams know?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, she’s still here. She wouldn’t leave, she’s spending the night. Dan already brought her stuff here.” He’s running his fingers through my hair and down my back. “Do you want me to go get her?”

“Not yet. I want to lay here with you for a while. My mind is still trying to process and understand or try to understand what Grandmother said to me. Or, I guess she’s not my grandmother.”

“When you’re ready, we’ll talk to Grams. Maybe she can shed some light on all of this instead of you trying to figure all of this out on your own. I’ll be right here beside you, helping you.”

We laid there for another half hour before Grams came to check on us. Once I told her everything Grandmother told me, she was shocked by some of the information, but not all of it.

“I knew she was pushing Darren towards Courtney. And I did know your mother had a boyfriend that she was going to be bringing home that summer. Summer plans changed that year. She came home early, when Joseph, your Pops, had a heart attack.” She has a faraway look in her eyes. “Courtney rushed home to help. She was supposed to stay the summer in Washington, DC on an internship with her boyfriend. Oh, what was his name?” She shakes her head.

“I don’t remember, but he never came. Your mother became an intern working alongside Darren. They went to Vegas for a meeting, when they returned, they were married.” Grams sighs and looks at me, “Your mother wanted a divorce, she was not in love with Darren. But he wouldn’t give her one. He was so controlling. Whenever he went out of town, she normally went, or she would stay with us when he was gone.”

“It was after one of those trips that your mother discovered she was pregnant. So, I don’t know. I don’t know if she met up with someone else or if she was already pregnant when she married Darren.” Grams holds my face in her hands. “Your mother loved you very much and protected you as best as she could. She was always trying to get away.”

“You wouldn’t happen to have any of her things left?” Lucas asked.

“I don’t think, but I can check tomorrow once I’m home. But I am staying here with you tonight. You gave me such a scare Amelia.” There is a lot of sadness in Grams' voice.

“I’m sorry. I was just so drained after her visit, I just needed to have quiet.” I hold both of their hands. “What if we never find out?”

“Let’s not worry about that now. You have to focus on these two babies, my dear.” Grams squeezes our hands.

Seventeen years, six months

THANKSGIVING IS JUST weeks away. I will be spending it with Adam and his family. I’ve met them plenty of times, but this feels different. Adam filled me in on his family’s Thanksgiving tradition which is to share what you are thankful for. Yes, we are living together, sharing every intimate detail about ourselves, but this seems like more, a whole lot more.

Growing up, it was just another meal that was cooked and sat before us. Grams was invited to join us after Pops passed away. She came that one year, I was seven, but not after that. Then, I did not understand, but now I do. There’s a lot of tension between the four of them, Grams, Grandmother, Grandfather, and my father. Grams began just calling me on Thanksgiving but insisted that I get to spend quality time with her during Christmas.

That Christmas, I did get to spend time with Grams. Three days. Three days of happiness. Three days that I heard stories of my mother and pops. Three days where I did not have to be reminded of how to behave. I was allowed outside to play in the snow, with the children who lived next door. Their names were Dan and Sam, I remember them now. I was happy with Grams.

After that year, anytime Grams wanted to spend quality time with me, I was whisked away. Finally, they sent me to a boarding school a couple of hours away. During sophomore year in high school, I was kicked out.

Needless to say, my father and grandparents took a more hands-on approach in my education then. I still went to a private school, with no tutoring. The friends, or I should call them acquaintances, that I attended school with were hand selected. Even my boyfriend, David Sawyer. Everything I did or did not do was somehow relayed back to them. Well, almost everything, they never questioned David when I came home late.

Once, I thought I recognized someone at my new school, but I’m not sure who he was. My life was scheduled around school and social responsibilities which included tennis lessons and equestrian lessons. During any free time, I was expected to be at home or I could be with David. Phone calls were the only way Grams and I stayed connected. It wasn’t until I graduated from Semper Fidelis Academy that I saw her again. Honestly, she had become a stranger to me. I did not know this woman and she did not know me.

College. Wow! What a turning point for me. Somehow, I was in classes with other students that I did not know. Some looked familiar, they must have gone to the academy as well. Not sure if my father tried to get his way and get someone in my classes to report back to him. But as far as I know, that didn’t happen. He always seems to ask more questions about my day and classes then he ever had before. David went to another college, so I had no boyfriend hanging around me either.

I tried to mingle, somewhat? Some boys tried to get my attention, but I wanted to be by myself in order to figure out who I am and what I wanted to do. The one thing I knew for sure was that I was not going back to the Bennett house. In order to do that, I needed my own money. So, I began working odd jobs. Then finally at a day care center. That’s when I met Piper, and my life changed.

Adams’ parents asked me if there was anyone I would like to invite. At the time, they asked, I didn’t. But then a few days later, after carefully sorting through my thoughts, I asked Adam what he thought if I invited Grams to try to reconnect with her. To renew our relationship. This time, there are no responsibilities to keep me from her. I wonder what she will think of me? How will she respond when I tell her I run an escort company? Will she be judgmental? I don’t know, I don’t know this woman. But I feel this strong pull to be involved with her.

We arrived early, but not too early on Thanksgiving morning, greeted with warm welcoming embraces. Their family home is filled with delicious cinnamon smells. I help Jennifer in the kitchen, which is something I haven’t done since I was very little. Loving memories of my mother and grams return.

“Oh, my dear sweet girl, you still manage to get some ingredients in the bowl, while wearing a majority of them on your clothes.” I hear a small warm voice say from the doorway.

I turn and see her. Her hair has faded, it’s not bright red anymore. Her warm brown eyes still look at me as if I’ve hung the stars. “Grams”. When I was younger and I watched the movie, “The Parent Trap”, I thought she looked a lot like Maureen O’Hara. Of course, since then, I always imagined her in that way.

Grams enters the kitchen and embraces me. She leans back and cups my face with her hands. “You look so much like your mother. I am so happy to be here with you.”

“I am so glad you came. I wasn’t sure if you would.”

“Of course, I would, my only grandchild wanting me to join her for Thanksgiving. All these years I’ve celebrated with cousins or my neighbors.” She says in a loving sincere tone.

Jennifer clears her throat behind me. “Grams, this is Jennifer Hunter.”

“Hello, Mrs.?” Jennifer looks to me.

“Oh, I haven’t been called Mrs. Lane in a long time. Please, my name is Eileen.”

“Welcome to our home Eileen. This is my husband Nicholas.” Jennifer introduces him as the men enter the kitchen. “My youngest son, Ben.”

Grams welcomes their embraces. “Grams, this is Adam. The one I told you about on the phone the other day.” I’m holding Adam’s hand, squeezing the hell out of it. He squeezes it back and looks at me. I don’t know why I’m so nervous about her meeting him.

Grams smiles at Adam, then I see something flash, almost a recognition in her eyes. “Nice to meet you, young man.” Grams turns to me, “How long have the two of you been together?”

“Six months” I say while looking into Adams’ smiling eyes. He returns my smile.

“Oh. And the two of you are already living together?” she asks. She seems worried, concerned.

“Yes, after much persuasion on my part. But I think the break-in at her office, convinced her.” Adam says.

“Break in? Amelia, we have so much to catch up on.” Grams now seems worried and pained.

“Adam, why don’t you take them into the living room. Can I offer you some wine, Eileen?” Jennifer asks sweetly,

“Yes, please. Thank you for inviting me into your home. I’m sorry if I seemed momentarily at a loss. It’s just that,” she looks at Adam, “you look a lot like someone I should know.”

Adam just smiles. “Well, if you ever figure out who I look like to you, be sure to let me know. Who knows, I could be related to them.” He says jokingly.

“What?” Grams is so confused.

“Oh, you!” Jennifer giggles, as Nicholas pours the wine.

“Forgive my brother’s attempt at humor.” Ben interjects. “We’re adopted. So, when someone says that to us, we try to joke about it. We love our parents.” He says as he gives Jennifer a hug.

“That still doesn’t forgive how I acted. I’m sorry, I do hope you accept my apology.” Grams says sincerely.

“I hardly noticed.” Adam shrugs. “Now, ladies, if you will follow me.” He gives a slight bow and waves his arm towards the living room.

After a delicious meal, we followed it up with coffee and pies. Then we all made our way to the living room. Jennifer is a wonderful hostess. Everyone shared what they were thankful for and Grams said, “I am thankful to be here celebrating with my granddaughter.” She teared up while looking at me with tenderness, “I have missed you so much. You have grown into a beautiful woman, and I am proud of you for everything you have accomplished.”

“Oh, Grams!” Now it’s my turn to get misty eyed. “I am so thankful that you are still accepting me to be a part of your life, after not being there for so long.” I turn and look at Adam, “I’m thankful for you, my superman!”

After everyone has had their laugh at that, Adam says; “I have never been more thankful than the day that I landed you on your ass at the waterfront trail.” He looks passionately into my eyes. “That day changed my life. I was intrigued by a blue-eyed goddess. Amelia, you have changed my life in such a short amount of time.” All of a sudden, he kneels down in front of me, on one knee. He takes hold of my left hand, “Amelia Cierra Bennett, will you marry me?”

My hand is shaking, tears are swelling behind my eyes. My breathing has become heavier, he asked me to be his wife, to be his forever, us together. “Yes.” I say in a labored whispered tone.

Adam places the ring on my finger as he stands and pulls me into his arms. “I didn’t think you would cry.” He whispers into my hair.

“You want me? Forever?” I ask with a trembling voice.

“Only you. Only you Amelia, forever.” He takes my lips in a warm sweet kiss. My hands are wrapped around his neck, his hands on my waist.

“Well, I know that I am thankful that I am getting a daughter-in-law.” Jennifer cries out. “I am so happy. You have no idea.” She states as she pulls me from Adam and hugs me.

I am then passed to Nicholas and Ben who are also thankful that I am joining their family. It is a strange feeling to be wanted. Growing up, I never felt this.

As the afternoon turned to evening, we drove Grams home to Garrett Island. Her car would not start, so it would need to wait to be towed from the Hunter’s driveway in the morning. Grams and I sat in the back seat together, talking, laughing, crying, the entire way. We pulled up to her two-story Victorian home. When I walked through her front door, all the happy memories I savored came rushing back, filling me with love and warmth.

I wrapped my arms around my shoulders, giving myself a hug. Grams walks towards me and puts her arm around my shoulders. I lean my head onto her shoulder. “It’s the same.” I whisper.

“I don’t need change my dear. This home is filled with many moments that are happy and sad. I cherish all the happy ones, and pray for the ones that make me sad.” She pulls me tighter, “And to let you know, it works. I’ve been praying for you.”

“Eileen, you’re home.” I hear a deep voice behind us. Beside Adam is a man, tall with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. “And who is this?” He asks looking at me.

“Oh Bill, do you not recognize Amelia?” Grams says smiling at the man.

“Amelia, no? Courtney’s little one?” He smiles at me. “You have certainly grown up. You’re not a little girl anymore.”

“Amelia, this is my neighbor, Bill Wagner. When you were little you would play with…”

“Dan and Sam.” I cut Grams off. Shaking my head and smiling, “I remember.”

“Bill, this is Adam, Amelia’s fiancé.” Grams waves her hand in Adam’s direction.

Adam sticks his hand out, “Adam Hunter.”

Bill shakes Adam’s hand in return, “Bill Wagner.” He turns and looks at me, then back to Grams, “Didn’t know if you had dessert, Judy wanted to invite you over when she saw you return.” He looks back at me, “You are welcome too of course” he adds with a smile. “All three of you.”

“Thank you, but we do need to get home.” I turn to Grams, “I love you, and I will call you tomorrow to make plans.”

She grabs me in her arms in a strong embrace. Whispering into my ear, “I am looking forward to spending quality time with my granddaughter. I love you, my dear.”

On our way home Adam asks, “Are you related to the Wagner’s?”

“I don’t think so. Why do you ask?”

Shaking his head, “just asking.”

Seventeen years, eight months

I SURVIVED! I survived Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. Of course, I’m as big as a house now. But the way that Lucas looks at me, you wouldn’t know it. Whenever I see him watching me, I am filled with warmth. His eyes cannot hide the love and desire emanating from them. I haven’t seen my feet since the baby shower, and even then, it was difficult.

The holidays were upon us so soon after the baby shower, that I have not had time to dwell upon the information Grandmother unleashed on me. I have wondered and written down questions to ask. To whom I should ask, I don’t know. Grams thinks she has something of mom’s, but she’s not sure. I’m not sure who mom’s friends were in college to further the investigation either. I’ve decided to wait until after the babies are born to further my investigation.

Today, I am thirty-six weeks pregnant. My doctor has assured me that the babies are growing normally even if I don’t feel them moving around as much. My blood pressure has been normal, thank goodness.

Lucas has been helping me a lot around the house and with my daily routines. He is even helping me in the shower because he’s terrified that I may slip. I don’t think I will, but I’m not complaining. Thankful for a huge shower, my husband bathes me from head to toe. Our bathing sessions quickly turn into love making sessions. I am going, to be honest, I am glad for that. With how big my stomach is, leaning over holding onto the shower bar makes it more enjoyable.

Then there’s Sam. She’s been a big distraction. Learning about her relationship with a married couple surprised me. Now she has learned that they are thinking of having a baby and she’s confused as what this means for the three of them. But she said, she knew it wasn’t a lifelong thing. Her attention since New Years has been directed towards Benjamin Hunter. I hope to see her tonight at the Winter’s Ball to find out what is going on with them.

The Winters Ball is a fundraiser that supports research for Alzheimer’s’. The founders, Mr. & Mrs. Bragg, began this when his mother was diagnosed, which progressed aggressively. Mr. Bragg shares the story of his mother, and her decent into this horrible decease. How it has affected him and his family.

My gown is royal blue with an empire waist and cap sleeves. I had to have it hemmed to ankle length. Lucas insisted that it would be another fall hazard if I hadn’t. The man has become obsessed with the idea of me falling. I have not done that in months, and when I had, someone was always around to catch me it seemed.

I find myself standing alone for a moment while Lucas is getting us a drink. I’m looking for Sam. At that moment, I feel a hand on my stomach and a little voice says, “You sure have a huge tummy.”

I look down and see a beautiful little strawberry blonde-haired girl. I smile, “Yes, I do.”

“Do you have a baby in there?” she asks.

Smiling, “Yes.”

“My Aunt Susan has a baby in her tummy, but it’s not this huge.” She states in a shocked tone.

Trying to stifle a laugh, “I have two babies in my tummy.” I inform this little inquisitive girl.

“Wow! Two babies. How do they fit in there?” She’s staring at my stomach in awe.

I let out a chuckle, “I’m sure they are beginning to run out of room in there.” I look around, who does she belong to? I don’t see anyone looking for her. So, I ask, “Who are you here with?”

“My mommy and daddy, gramps, Uncle Brian and Aunt Susan.” She looks up at me, “You’re pretty. Are you a princess?”

I smile down at her, “No, are you?”

“When I grow up, that’s what I am going to be, a princess. Princess Aubrey.” She states with a curtsy.

Oh, my goodness, she is too cute. “Princess Aubrey, that is a beautiful name.”

“What’s your name?” she asks.

“My name is Amelia. How old are you Princess Aubrey?”

“I’m six years old.” She rubbing my stomach again, “Can your babies hear us? My mommy says she talked to me when I was in her tummy. Do you do that?”

“Yes, I do talk to them.”

“There you are, Aubrey. You were supposed to stay with gramps.” This woman is obviously her mother; she looks like a grown-up version of Aubrey. “I am sorry if she’s bothering you.”

“No, she’s not. She’s quite entertaining.” I smile at her. “I’m Amelia Bishop.”

“I’m Ailene Bragg. I was just talking with Lucas.”  Ah yes, they own the PR firm that represents LARBB. She smiles at me. “Lucas told my husband and I that you were expecting. By the looks of it, seems to be soon.”

“Yes, my due date is February tenth. But I will more than likely go in before that, I’m pregnant with twins.”

“Now that he did not share with us.” She looks down and notices Aubrey still rubbing my stomach and talking to it. “Aubrey, what are you doing?”

“Mommy, you said that you talked to me when I was in your tummy. She said she talks to her babies too. So, I wanted to talk to them.” She states in a matter of fact tone.

Shaking her head, “You can’t just touch other people’s bellies. It’s not polite.”

“Oh.” She looks up at her mother, “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

“You need to tell Amelia, you’re sorry.”

With the sweetest saddest face and puppy dog eyes, Aubrey looks at me, “I’m sorry for touching your belly without asking permission.”

“I accept your apology.” I smile down at her. “She’s a very sweet girl.”

“Yes, she is.” She smiles, “Oh, here come our husbands.” Lucas and another gentleman, approach us. Lucas places a kiss on my cheek while handing me water. “Amelia, this is my husband, Thomas Bragg.”

“Nice to meet you, Amelia. Lucas here hasn’t stopped talking about you. How are you feeling?” he asks while holding onto my hand in his two large hands.

“I feel great. Ready for these two to make their appearance.” I smile into his amusing eyes.

“We have four children, I’m not sure if you can ever actually be ready. Each one of our children has been a new learning experience for us.” Ailene smiles up at him, “And I wouldn’t change it. They are all a blessing.”

After talking for a while, we all make our way to our assigned seating. I am happy to see Sam and Ben at our table along with Adam, who’s solo. “Why didn’t you bring a date?”

Adam looks at me, “I’m not dating anyone.” He shrugs his shoulders, “I suppose I could have invited someone, but then I would be obligated to make small talk with them.”

“Is small talk such a terrible thing?”

He chuckles, “No, but I think there will be enough people around this table for me to talk to.” He winks at me.

“Are you implying that I talk a lot?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

“Adam would never imply such a thing, now would you dear?” Jennifer Hunter says as she takes a seat next to her son.

“Mom, you’ve met Amelia twice. I’ve known her for a couple of months now and she doesn’t stop talking.” This causes everyone at the table to chuckle.

“Seems my best friend has you figured out already too.” Lucas leans towards me and whispers into my ear.

“I don’t talk that much.” I whisper back and look at him. “Do I?” As soon as I ask that, someone catches my eye beyond Lucas. My blood freezes, as I see him. His dark wavy hair, stocky build, and his arrogant smile focusing in on me. I’m vaguely aware of Lucas talking to me.

“Amelia, what is it?” He asks and looks over his shoulder in the direction that I am looking at. “Who is that?”

Goosebumps appear on my arms and chest as I see his brown-eyed gaze lingering on me. I hear my heart beating in my ears as memories of him surface to the forefront of my mind. Him grabbing me into his embrace and crashing his mouth onto mine, unwelcoming. His left hand has both my wrists restrained above my head while his right hand is wrapped around my throat. His deep voice whispering into my ear all the things he was going to do to me.

“Amelia” Lucas’ hands are on my shoulder. “Look at me.” I look into the concerned eyes of my husband.

Before I can answer him, a deep voice shakes me to the core. “Hello, Melia.” David Sawyer is standing beside my chair. I cringe at that name. This is the closest I’ve been to him since that night. “How have you been?”

I cannot bring myself to look up at him. I don’t even know how to respond to him because I never imagined ever seeing him again. My eyes are locked with Lucas’, pleading with him to see the fear that is in me. I feel the touch of a hand on my shoulder, a touch that is not my husband’s. “Cat have your tongue, Melia?”

Lucas sees and feels me cringe under David’s touch. He stands, “Lucas Bishop. And you are?” He says firmly.

I can feel David’s eyes are still on me, his hand squeezes my shoulder. He does not remove his hand as he responds, “Melia, you have horrible manners. You should be introducing me.”

Adam is standing on the other side of me, mirroring Lucas’ stance. “I’m Adam Hunter. You didn’t answer Lucas’ question, who are you?”

“Melia, seems you haven’t learned any manners in all these years. These men want to know who I am, you should introduce me.” David is squeezing my shoulder so tight, that I wince.

Lucas grabs David’s forearm, “Remove your hand from my wife.” He states in a menacing tone.

With his hand, still, on me, David responds, “So, you’re the husband. Why haven’t you drilled any manners into her? She needs to learn her place.”

“I am not going to repeat myself.” I feel David’s grip being pulled away as I see Sam stand up.

“I know who you are. You’re David Sawyer.” She glares at him.

“I am. I don’t know who you are sweetheart, but I wouldn’t mind finding out.” David responds in a suggestive tone.

At that moment, Ben leaps to his feet and is across the table. Upon hearing his name, Lucas has pushed him away from me. David no longer has a grip on my shoulder, and I hear flesh hitting flesh. I turn and see Lucas punching David. David is on his feet still, readying to return the favor to Lucas, but it doesn’t happen as Ben tackles David to the ground.

My breathing has been quickening since I laid eyes on David. I’m trying to calm myself, but seeing Lucas and Ben lifting David up, my shaking gets worse. I feel my head pounding as my chest tightens. The room is spinning as the scene before me plays out. I feel myself drifting, there are arms around me, a voice whispering into my ear. “Amelia.” Not Lucas’ voice, I smell his cologne, Old Spice, it’s Adam.

When I open my eyes again, I don’t know where I am. Laying on a couch, the room is dimly lit. I look around and see Lucas sitting on the floor in front of the couch. He has his elbows resting on his bent knees, with his forehead resting against his hands, ice-pack being held. I gently run my fingers along the nape of his neck.

He drops the ice-pack and turns towards me. “Hey.” Is all he manages to say in a choked-up voice. Now he’s running his fingers through my hair. “How are you?”

“I feel horrible.” I lift my hand and hold it against his hand that is now resting upon my cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about Amelia.” His eyes are filled with love, “I wish I had known who he was before he ever got that close to you.” His tone changes to one of anger, “I wanted to kill him. I had to be pulled off him.” He shakes his head, “Then I saw you passed out in Adam’s arms and Jennifer kneeling beside you. I thought,” he gets choked up, “I thought he did hurt you.”

“He didn’t this time either. You were here to rescue me.” I look into his eyes. “What happened? Where is he?”

“He’s not here. Mr. Bragg had security escort him out.” He shakes his head, “We were all asked to leave, but when they noticed you, they let us in this room to attend to you.” He looks up at the door when he hears it open.

“Is she up?” I hear a feminine voice ask.

“Yes, just now.”

Ailene Bragg kneels beside Lucas and looks upon me with deep concern. “You gave us quite a scare Amelia. I’ve brought you some water.” She hands me a water bottle.

“Thank you. And, I’m sorry for the…”

Ailene cuts me off. “You do not need to apologize. Neither does Lucas, who has done so a dozen times already.” She nods her head towards him and brushes a stray hair from my face. “We’ve had some guests tells us about the heated exchange. Then when Samantha told me about Mr. Sawyer,” she takes a deep breath, “I understand the angst of the situation.” She’s staring at me with gentle eyes.

I’m fighting back tears as Lucas says, “Thank you for everything.” He looks to me, “Are you ready?”

“Take me home.”

Seventeen years, eight months

A WINTER’S BALL, benefiting Alzheimer’s Research. This is the second year for this event. The founders, Mr. & Mrs. Bragg, began this when his mother was diagnosed, which progressed aggressively. Mr. Bragg shares the story of his mother and her decent into this horrible decease and how it has affected him and his family.

Adam has not taken his eyes off of me all evening. He says I look like a precious jewel and doesn’t want anyone to steal me away. My gown is a navy blue sleeveless, glitter lace overlay with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice clings to me, leaving nothing to the imagination. I feel Adam touch my back every so often with his hand against my skin. He loves the open back of the dress.

We are standing here talking with Thomas and Ailene Bragg. “Thomas, have you seen Aubrey?”

“Not for a while, is she with dad?” He says in a deep voice.

Ailene looks around, “If you’ll excuse me. I just want to check on her.”

We continue talking as Brian and Susan Bragg join us. I noticed that both Bragg brothers have younger wives. In fact, Susan is pregnant, showing off a little baby bump.

“How far along are you?” I ask. She looks absolutely beautiful in a form-fitting lavender gown.

“Five months.” Susan grins up at her husband, who looks down at his wife with so much warmth and love in his eyes. “We’re having a girl.”

“Congratulations. You both look very happy and you look absolutely glowing.”

Brian and Thomas laugh. “Well, yes.” She clears her throat, “I am, thanks to our niece. She spent the night with us and asked if she could rub lotion on me since that is what I was doing. I said she could, but I didn’t know she had glitter on her hands.” She laughs along with the men. “I can’t get it off.”

As we stand there laughing, Ailene returns with a beautiful little girl who looks like a miniature version of herself. “Found her. Her brothers were trying to bribe her into sneaking into the kitchen to find the dessert.” She looks down at her daughter.

“I wasn’t going to mommy.” The little girl shakes her strawberry blonde locks, then she looks up at me. “Oh! Are you a princess?” She asks me.

I chuckle, as does everyone else. “No, I’m not. Are you?”

“Are you sure? You look like one.” She states matter of fact tone. “I’m not a princess yet, but when I grow up, I will be.”

“Thank you for the compliment Princess Aubrey.” I kneel down to her level, “You already look like a princess to me.” I whisper into her ear.

Aubrey’s face lights up and a smile stretching ear-to-ear turns her cheeks rosy. “Thank you.” She says shyly and snuggles into her mother’s side.

“How many children do the two of you have?” I ask Ailene and Thomas.

“Four.” She looks up at her husband. Wow! I wasn’t expecting that. I wonder how old she is compared to her husband. “Three rambunctious boys and our one little princess.” She looks down lovingly squeezing her daughter to her side.

As we approach our table, I see Lucas Bishop is already seated along with Theresa Wahl, one of my girls. I smile at her when I catch her eye. “Good Evening.” I say as Adam pulls the chair out for me. “How are the two of you?”

“Good.” Lucas says. “How are you two?”

“Great.” Adam smiles at him as he sits down next to me.

As we’re talking Jennifer and Nicholas join us at the table, along with Ben and his escort, Kelly Werner, another one of my girls. Honestly, this feels strange to be in attendance at a function while two of my girls are here working. I haven’t had any personal clients in months, so this makes me a bit uncomfortable. I know it shouldn’t since I am now their boss, but at one time, not long ago, I worked alongside them. They are the closest thing I have to friends.

Adam squeezes my leg under the table, “Hey, are you okay? You seem distracted.”

I smile at him while gazing into his hazel eyes. “I’m fine. This is just peculiar sitting here with Kelly and Theresa.” I whisper to him. “I’ve never been in this situation before. Piper was never in a situation like this.” I pause, “At least I don’t think so.”

Adam smiles at me. “Do you want to leave?” He places a kiss on my forehead, “I didn’t know Ben’s date worked for you also.”

“I don’t want to leave, that would be rude. It’s just, I don’t know. I’m not going to judge them, but a part of me feels like I might. You know, their behavior or if I hear something that I do not want to hear in conversation that could be illegal.” I sigh, “I just don’t know. It’s confusing to me right now.”

“Well, let me know what I can do for you. If you want to leave, we will.”

“Amelia Bennett, is that you?” I hear a squeaky voice ask.

I turn and see Ashley Haven. The girl who made my life miserable at the academy. My father’s or grandfather’s informant. I’m not sure which. So, with as much enthusiasm I can muster up, “Hi Ashley. What a nice surprise to see you.”

She smirks and snorts at that. “Really, is that what you said to David when he saw you at your office.” She says in a hateful tone while adding quotation marks to her remark.

“And how would you know anything about that?” I ask.

“I know all about you. Always have and always will.” She folds her arms across her chest.

“What does that mean?” I glare at her.

“Don’t be so dumb.” She shrugs her shoulders. “I know you figured out that I was telling your father everything you did when we were at the academy.” She’s smiling at me which is making me feel uncomfortable. “But, what you don’t know, is that I’ve never stopped.” She gives a light chuckle, “Your father made it very appealing to continue watching you all this time.”

“Why would you tell my father anything? Then or now?”

She’s grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Like I said, he made it very appealing to never stop.” Those words left her mouth when I see an arm reach around her middle and I hear a slurred voice say, “there you are.”

As I look up, all words leave me. My eyes must be deceiving me. My father has his arm wrapped around Ashely and is grinning while whispering into her ear. She’s grinning and looking at me. “Sweetie, you shouldn’t do that in front of your daughter.” She lays her hand on his chest in a playful manner, “We haven’t told her yet.”

“What?” I’m shaking my head staring at them.

“Amelia.” My father looks at me shockingly. Then he quickly removes his arm from Ashley. I watch as his posture stiffens and his features harden with anger. He reaches down and grabs me by my arm, making me stand. He leans into my ear, in a snarling tone he says, “I need to talk to you, now.”

“Excuse me.” Adam is standing and puts his hand on my waist. “I’m Adam Hunter.”

My father releases his grip from my arm. My arm is tingling as blood is rushing to the place that I am sure he has just bruised. “Darren Bennett.” He shakes hands with Adam but then returns his attention back to me. My father’s familiar hazel eyes are penetrating me, “Amelia,” he starts, but Ashley cuts him off.

“Darren, we need to get seated.” She looks around, “Besides this isn’t the time or place.”

My father glares at her, then back to me. “I will be in contact with you soon.” He straightens his suit as he looks at me. “There are things we need to discuss privately.” He states while his gaze is lingering on Adam.

“There’s nothing that we need to discuss.” I stand my ground glaring at him than Ashley. I don’t know what to make of the two of them together. How long has this been going on? I can not stomach the idea of them for too long. “You should take your, whatever she is” I shoo my hands in her direction; “away before I’ll do something I regret.”

This makes Ashley laughs. “Seriously, what would you do?” She glares at me. “You’re no better than me sweetie.”

My hands are clenching into fists, adrenaline is coursing through my veins, “Excuse me?”

“You’ve been whoring yourself out for years, so don’t go trying to act that you’re better than me.” She snarls out.

I clench my right fist and ready it when I feel a hand wrap around my wrist. I look down and see Lucas has his hand wrapped around it, he shakes his head at me. Adam stands in front of me, blocking Ashley and my father. “I think you should leave.”

“Why are you wasting your time with a whore?” Ashley says in a raised squeaky tone.

Lucas’ hold on my wrist tightens as I struggle to pull out of his grasp. “You better remove her from our presence before I do.” I hear Adam say in a menacing tone, that I’ve never heard from him before. “Believe me, you don’t want me too.”

What the hell does that mean? I look up at Adam. His features have gone hard; his posture is stiff. He’s standing eye to eye with my father. His hands are clenching by his side. I feel the blood coursing through my veins as I stare at these two men. Two men that have had a profound impact on my life.

Not only do my eyes deceive me at this moment, but so do my ears as I hear my father say, “Let’s go Ashley.” I look at the two of them, my father’s stare is still locked with Adam’s as Ashley is glaring at my father while stuttering, “but”. “Now” he demands as he pulls her by her arm. His gaze finally finds mine, “I will be in contact.”

I watch the two of them walk away, or I should say watch as Ashley is being dragged away. Finally, I turn my gaze to Adam. He’s standing stiffly, features still hard. I notice his hands are flexing as his face is beat red. Red with anger. It’s then that I notice the similarities between him and my father. Their height, build and eye color. Why would I be attracted to or have fallen in love with someone that looks similar to the man I loathe.

Lucas finally releases his grip from me. I place that hand on Adam’s shoulder, “Don’t” he says harshly. He looks at me and I see such anger lingering in his glassy stare. Shaking his head, “not right now. I need…”, he doesn’t finish as he walks away from me.

I feel Lucas stand behind me. He places both his hands on my shoulders and whispers in my ear, “I’ll go talk to him.” He removes his hands and I feel the warmth being taken away from my body. My blood feels chilled as goose bumps spread across my skin. Kelly and Theresa are both by my side as I see Ben walk off in the direction of Adam and Lucas. I sit and notice that Adam’s parents are no longer at the table. Where did they go?

I sat at the table for thirty minutes and nobody returned. I decided to leave, and Kelly and Theresa left with me. Phillip was working that night as their driver. After dropping the girls off at their apartments, he drove me home. Home.

The house felt colder than normal upon entering. I suppose it could be because of any number of things that lead up to me coming home alone. But mostly, because Adam was not beside me. We left our home together; we should have returned the same way. And yet, we hadn’t. I don’t even know where he is. I called his phone and texted. No answer from either.

I remove my dress as I enter our bathroom. I turn on the shower as hot as I can tolerate it. The water cascades down my body as I rub my hands over my face. Scrubbing. I try to remove the guilt of uncleanliness from my body. From the words that Ashley spoke, “whore”. Is that why Adam walked away? Is this too much for him? Is he leaving me?

Tears begin streaming down my face as sobs begin to shake my body. I go down to my knees, holding my face in my hands. The hot water feels cold against my skin. He’s leaving. Adam is leaving me, is all I can think as the warmth leaves my body. My body is heaving and trembling.

I’m not sure how long I stayed in the shower. I dried myself off, put pajamas on and crawled under the covers. My body is still quivering from the loss of Adam’s warmth. The loss of his touch, have I lost his love? He couldn’t even look at me as he walked away. The look in his eyes as he looked down at me, sends more chills through me. I’ve cried so much, that there are no more tears. My eyes are swollen and my throat raw as I descend into a fitful sleep.

I’m not sure how long I’ve been sleeping, if I have at all when I feel the bed sink beside me. The scent of Old Spice tingles my senses. Adam’s warmth embraces me from the back as he reaches his arm across my belly. His kiss on my neck sends chills coursing through my already cold body. His words are whispery sweet, “Amelia, I love you with all my heart. I am so very sorry that I left you the way that I did.” He sighs, “I just couldn’t handle the way I was feeling at that moment, and I didn’t want you to see me in that way.”

I place my hand on top of his and give his hand a squeeze. He pulls me closer as he brings our hands up towards my chin. “I’ve never been that angry before. When that woman, Ashley was talking to you, saying those things to you and calling you, what she did.” I hear him gulp. “Then your father. God, Amelia, how did you manage to turn out the way you did? How did you survive that man?”

Adam’s heart is racing, his breathing heavy. “I had to leave Amelia, because of what I wanted to do to him, but held myself back from doing so.” He nuzzles into my neck. “I wanted to kill him. Standing right there, the way he grabbed you, the way he spoke to you and looked at you. The way Ashley did. I envisioned picking up the knife from the table and stabbing it through his heart.” His hold is tighter, “I envisioned, grabbing his neck and twisting the knife as far as I could into his heart while whispering the words of vengeance for you and your mother in his ear.”

He’s now shaking, breathing harsher while taking in gulps of air. I roll over to face him, still in his arms. I place a hand on the side of his face, I can see the tears in his eyes from the glow that is cast on us from the lamp. “I’ve never had thoughts of anything like that before. I’ve only thrown a punch against a punching bag.”

I wipe the tears that have escaped his eyes. Rubbing my thumb across his cheek, looking into his eyes. “I thought even if I punched him, you would be disappointed in me. And if you thought that, what would you think if you knew what I was holding back.” He takes a deep breath. “Lucas and Ben were thinking the same thing that I was. Once I finally calmed down, I went inside to find you. But by then, you were already gone.”

“I didn’t know where you went. I didn’t know if you were coming back. I called you, I texted you. You never responded.” I say in an overwhelming tone. Wow, he wanted to defend me, to avenge me, and my mother. No one has ever done that or even said those words to me. I’ve always felt beneath everyone, that I was a burden to them.

“I’m sorry. I was ashamed.”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of. I do. Everyone now knows, about me. They all know that I am a whore. That you’re engaged to a whore. I thought it was too much for you, that you ran.” I cry.

Now Adam is wiping my tears with his thumb. “Never! I would never run or leave you. I love you. And I am sorry that I walked away from you. That I…dismissed you.” He takes a deep breath as he’s getting his emotions under control. “I’ve never had feelings for someone the way that I do for you. I hope that there is no next time around your father. Because I honestly don’t know if I can hold back again.”

“Then don’t. No one has ever defended me. No one has ever offered to or intervened to do so.” I lean closer to him. “I love you, Adam James Hunter. Please, don’t ever walk away again, even if you think I’ll be ashamed. I would rather know what is going on in your head and your heart, then to think all the things that I have since you walked away.”

“I promise to never walk away from you again.” He pulls me closer to him.

“That was the second time you have. I don’t think I could handle a third. It would break me more than I am already broken.” I choke.

“I love you, Amelia Cierra Bennett. I promise you, that I will never walk away from you again. I promise to never think that you will be ashamed of me.” He kisses my forehead. “And I solemnly promise to defend you every chance I get.”

“I love you, Adam.” I manage to say before he captures my lips with his.

Seventeen years, eight months

I SAW THE doctor two days ago. Babies are fine, so am I, but he’s concerned with how many panic attacks I am having. A non-stress-test was performed, along with another ultrasound. Their weight is estimated around six to seven pounds. My cervix has softened. It was suggested that I stay at home resting to reduce the attacks.

That was on Monday after the Winter’s Ball. Lucas has stayed at home with me, working from his home office. I told him I would be fine home alone, but he won’t budge since the doctor did say the twins could be here any day. “I have to go into the office to drop off some paperwork.” Lucas comes and sits on the couch with me. “Would you like to come with me then go to lunch?”

I smile up at him. I haven’t eaten much last night or this morning, so he’s worried. I just feel so full after a couple of bites. “I’d love to, maybe it will get me out of this mood I’m in.” I lay my head back for a moment, “I feel blah!”

He chuckles, “Well, let’s go try to cure this blah mood.”

We’re not in the office very long, mostly everyone has gone to lunch also. On our way down, the elevator stops on the tenth floor. Adam steps in, “Hi!” He looks at me. “How are you? I haven’t seen you since the Ball.” He looks very concerned.

“I’m fine. We’re fine.” I smile at him, “Just blah today.” I look over at Lucas, “So my husband is taking me to lunch.”

“Want to join us?” Lucas asks.

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“You wouldn’t be. I haven’t seen or talked to anyone else for days.” I say jokingly.

“Hey, are you bored with me already?” Lucas says teasingly.

“Never.” I smile at him.

“Amelia, you still haven’t eaten a lot.” Lucas states in a concerned tone. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, I’m just not that hungry. I feel like the food isn’t going down, it’s just laying right here.” I say rubbing above my stomach between my breasts. “I feel tired, but I’m not sleepy. A bit restless.” I look at the both of them, “I just…. I don’t know.”

“You’re close to your due date, aren’t you?” Adam asks.

“Three weeks. But her doctor said it could be any day. That’s why we’ve been at home, and I haven’t left her side.” He smiles and takes my hand.

“Do you have to stay at home, or can you go out and do things, together?” Adam questions.

“I suppose we don’t have to sit around the house.” Lucas shrugs, “Do you want to go do something?” he asks me.

Sucking in my lips, I consider his question, “I don’t know. Not sure I’m up for walking around, but being in the house is getting on my nerves.”

“Movie?” Adam suggests.

“We haven’t been to the movies in a long time. What’s playing?” I ask.

The two of them are both looking at their phones. “American Sniper.” Says Lucas, looking at me.

“What’s that one about?” I ask. I haven’t been watching television, so I don’t know what’s even playing.

“About a Navy Seal in Iraq.” Adam says still focusing on his phone.

I groan I don’t mind action movies. I normally love them, but I’m not in the mood for that right now. “Anything calm out?”

“Calm? A calm movie? Seriously?” Lucas questions. “Are you sure you’re my wife? You’re the one who normally would pick this out.”

“I know. And now that you said what the movie is about, I do want to see it, but I’m not in the mood to right now.”

“Still Alice.” Adam suggests again from his phone. “That’s about Alzheimer’s.”

I groan. “Again, normally I would want to see it, but I don’t want to be depressed. I cried when Thomas Bragg was talking about his mother the other night.” I shake my head, “That’s what I can guarantee I would do if I saw a movie about it.”

“Paddington.” Adam says in a serious tone.

I can’t help it, but I chuckle. Which then turns into a giggle. “I don’t know why I think that’s funny. But you said that so seriously.” I’m holding my stomach.

“It wasn’t that funny.” Lucas looks at me, as does Adam.

I make my way to stand. “I’ll be right back; I need to use the restroom.” This has been the worst part of being pregnant. Constant bathroom time lately.

The moment I sit on the toilet I hear a popping sound, like a cracked knuckle, then a huge gush rushes from my body. A pain shoots across my stomach. Whoa! I take a deep breath and count until it subsides. I guess that’s a contraction. Twenty seconds. I clean myself up and head to the sink to wash up.

Before I make it back to the table, another contraction stops me in my tracks. I grab onto the back of the chair. “Oh my, are you okay?” An older gentleman asks me. I look at him, “You’re having a contraction. I remember that look from my wife. Who are you here with?”

I don’t talk but point to Lucas and Adam. The gentlemen offers his arm to me, which I take. Lucas jumps up when he sees me. “What’s wrong?”

“I believe your wife is in labor.” The man says.

“Amelia?”

“My water broke.” I say in a heavy tone, “Contraction, lasted about twenty seconds, I think.”

“Sit down, let me call the doctor.” Lucas helps me sit and has his phone dialing. Adam stands up and begins to massage my shoulders.

“Oh my, that feels good.” I moan.

Lucas is holding my hand, “Okay, we’re on our way.” He ends the call and looks at me, “We need to get to the hospital. Do you think you can walk to the car?”

“Yeah, I can.”

With Adam on my left and Lucas on my right, we head to the door. Lucas is holding my hand, leading through the door first. I clear the doorway when I hear; “AMELIA!”

I look up and see his heated hazel eyes locked with mine. Frozen, I have forgotten how to walk or talk, as I stare at my father. How is he here? In front of me? Lucas releases my hand, “NO!” he yells as he steps in front of me and pushes me back through the open door.

BANG! BANG!

Two shots! I hear two shots, I’m in Adam’s grasp as I watch Lucas fall in front of me. Chaos erupts around me as people are screaming and running. I get out of Adam’s grasp and kneel beside my husband, Lucas.

There’s so much blood. He’s looking into my eyes as I hold his hands. “I…” He’s trying to talk. “Shh!” I say pleadingly, “Don’t talk, I don’t think you should. You’re going to be ok.” I cry, “I love you, Lucas. You’re going to be fine.”

Another contraction seizes my words. I grasp Lucas’ hand tighter while taking deep breathes. I look into my husband’s eyes, he has a lone tear streaming down the side of his face.

“Love you.” Lucas says before he closes his eyes. Before he stops breathing.

“No!” I scream holding onto him. “Open your eyes. Please, please, open your eyes.”

My focus has been on Lucas, that I have not taken in the scene around me. The police have shown up; someone is pulling on my arm. “Amelia. You need to step away.”

“No. No.” I plead. Gripping Lucas’ hands tighter. Someone reaches around me and takes my hands off of Lucas’, pulling me away. Paramedics swarm him. I cannot hear what they are saying, all I hear is my heart pounding in my ears.

“M ‘am. M ‘am. Are you alright?” There’s a female paramedic kneeling in front of me.

“Her water broke earlier. We were headed out to the hospital.” I hear Adam’s response and the feel of his hands on my shoulders.

“Are you her husband?” the paramedic asks.

“Friend.” He nods his heads towards Lucas. “That’s her husband.”

Another contraction engulfs me. My nails dig into Adam’s thigh as he sits behind me, holding me steady. “We need to get her to the hospital.”

I feel Adam lift me onto the stretcher, but my focus has been on Lucas. I still can not make out any words or sounds. The paramedic is doing something to my arm and is listening to my stomach with a stethoscope.

Adam is on the opposite side, holding my hand. I know he’s talking to me, but my mind is not focusing on him. “Lucas.” I whisper and close my eyes.

When I open my eyes again, I’m at the hospital. Everything is moving fast, Doctors and Nurses checking me, hooking up monitors. Someone checks me; “She’s nine centimeters.”

The contractions are coming quicker and lasting longer now. “Lucas?”

My doctor is beside me, “Amelia, I’m going to need you to save your strength to deliver the babies. Or do you want a C-section?”

“No,” my mind is numb, “no surgery. Where’s Lucas?”

“Amelia,” he begins, I can see his throat move as he hesitates, “who can we call for you?”

“Grams.” I close my eyes and squeeze the bed rail. “Where’s Adam?”

“Adam?”

“Adam Hunter. I know he came here with me.” I manage to seethe out through a contraction.

Before the contraction ends, I feel his touch on my arm and hear his words, “I’m here Amelia.”

I look up and see his red tear-filled eyes. Worry etched across his face. “My phone, call Grams, Dan, Alex, Grace.” I close my eyes and groan as another contraction courses through me.

“We need to check you again.” A nurse takes position at the foot of the bed and eases her hand into me. “She’s at ten!” Her eyes focus on me, “On the next contraction, you are going to push. You need to push through the entire contraction. Do you understand Amelia?”

I only nod my head yes. “Sir, you are going to have to leave.” She looks at Adam.

“No, he stays. He’s all I have right now until someone can get here.”

“Okay.”

“Amelia, are you sure?” he squeezes my hand.

“Don’t you dare leave me! I can’t do this on my own.”

“Here comes another contraction Amelia. You need to begin pushing, now.” The nurse demands.

I bear down with all that I can. Funny, how in movies and television, they make birthing look easy. A couple of pushes out comes a baby. No, I have pushed now for thirty-five minutes. Finally, I feel the doctor pull my child the rest of the way out. “It’s a boy!”

His nose is aspirated, and I’m asked if I want to cut the cord. With a shaking hand, I accept the scissors. “Adam.” He must have known what I was going to say, because his hand is wrapped around mine, steadying it. Inching our way closer to my son’s umbilical cord. All I can think is, this should be Lucas beside me.

Fifteen minutes later, Adam helps me again, with my daughter’s cord. They lay both of my children, Lucas and Courtney, upon my chest. I kiss each of them as tears stream down my face. Adam places a kiss upon my head as he places his hand upon the backs of my children. “They are beautiful, Amelia.”

I am not sure how long I have been laying here with my children in my arms. My room is finally as quiet as it can be. One nurse is here, checking me every so often. Adam is sitting in a chair beside me, on his phone. Two nurses walk into the room to bring my children to the nursery. Reluctantly, I let them be removed from my arms.

Adam leaves the room, while my nurse helps me clean myself up. “Can I get you anything?” I hear the sorrow in her voice.

All I can do is shake my head as I try to position myself comfortably in the bed.

Adam enters the room with Grams. The dam of tears that I have been holding back, burst forth as I look into her sad brown eyes. I breathe in her floral scent as she wraps me in her warm embrace. Rocking me back and forth, as she rubs the back of my head, just as she did once before so long ago.

By the time Dan, Grace, and Alex arrive, I am no better. They are all taking turns holding and comforting Grace and myself. I have lost my husband, and she, a son. Thankfully, Adam was there to tell them all that occurred outside the restaurant. Alex has not said a word since Adam finished. His hands keep clenching at his sides, as tears and anger fill his eyes.

Doctor Pfaffenbach ordered a sedative, which I didn’t want. Everyone agreed that I needed the rest, Grams stayed by my side as I drifted off into a restless slumber. The image of him being shot is burned into my memory, playing on a loop every time I close my eyes. I awoke several times screaming Lucas’ name.

Questions are rattling around in my mind, and I want the answers to them. But no one will tell me anything. How was my father not in prison? How could he be released and I not know? Why and how did he have a gun? Was he going to kill me? Why was he going to kill me?

And Lucas, I know why you pushed me back. I know you took that bullet for me, but why? You know how hard this is going to be. To live. To live without you beside me. To raise our children, we were meant to do that together. I thought watching my mother die was hard and left me distraught. But watching you die, my love, my heart is broken. I feel numb to everything around me. I just want to be with you in your arms.

Seventeen years, eight months

IT’S BEEN A number of days since I saw my father and Ashley. They’re together? When? Why? I’ve been feeling sick since that night. I’m trying not to think about them, but Ashley has called my office asking for me, several times. Thankfully, Abigail was convincing that I was indisposed.

Adam texted asking about lunch. It sounds crazy, but I enjoy spending as much time with him as I can get. We live together, so I thought it would diminish, but it hasn’t. During the weekdays, I enjoy our lunch breaks, when we can manage them together or with our friends. Yes, friends. I’ve begun to include Ben and Lucas as my friends.

I stand, stretch my arms above my head, close my eyes and take a deep cleansing breath. When I open my eyes, Ashley is standing in the doorway to my office. “Is that how you prepare for a client?” she says is a smirking tone.

How did she get in here? Where’s Abigail?

“What are you doing here, Ashley?” I say in a disgusted tone. I never cared for Ashley in high school and I still don’t.

“I know you’ve been avoiding my calls. You say you run an escort service, so you shouldn’t be that busy. So, you must still be taking on clients for yourself.” Oh, how I wish I could wipe that smug smirking look off of her face. But I am not going to bring myself down to her level.

“I’ve been avoiding you. There’s nothing I have to say to you, or that you have to say to me. So, you can just turn yourself around and walk out.” I motion with my hands in a shooing manner.

“There’s things that you need to know. About me and Darren.” She’s still standing in the doorway, “We’re getting married.”

“What?” I stare at her with my mouth agape. “You’re going to marry my father. What the hell for?”

“We love one another. Have for a long time.” She sighs, “That is why we need to go have lunch, I’m going to be your mother.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. How could she possibly think she will be my mother, she’s my age. I am clutching my sides I am laughing so hard. “You’re my age Ashley, so no, you won’t be my mother.” I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. “Please leave my office.”

Ashley must realize that I am not going to budge in her direction when she finally turns and walks away. Thank god! What did she think I was going to do, run to her with open arms because she is marrying my father? I shiver at the thought of them together. What is he thinking, she’s my age?

My phone rings and I look to see Adam’s face. “Hi. I’m leaving the office now.” I say as I grab my purse and throw it on my shoulder while grabbing my coat. “I know I’m late, I got side tracked by someone. I’ll fill you in as soon as I get there.” I rush out the door.

“I’m running a little behind also.” Adam finally says once I stop talking. “I’m headed out now, so we should meet at the same time.”

“Okay. Just us?” I’m walking along the sidewalk talking on the phone while trying to put on my coat. I’m sure this is an entertaining sight, especially since I’ve almost dropped my phone twice.

“AMELIA!” I hear my father’s deep voice, I look up and he’s standing in front of me.

“Dad.” I’m staring into his cold hazel eyes; his features are stern.

“Your father’s there?” I hear Adam ask on the phone.

“Yeah, he’s…” I see my father raise his arm, aiming a gun at me.

“I tried to get you to talk the other night, but you wouldn’t. So, there’s no point in trying to talk to you now.” My father was always stern and hard, but there’s something more in his tone today. Anger, hatred, or both.

I don’t get to ponder this for long when I hear the gun fire. Once, twice. I look into his soulless eyes as I feel warmth in my abdomen. As I look down, I hear Adam; “What was that? Was that a gun shot? Amelia, where are you?”

“Adam.” I whisper as I fall to my knees.

“Amelia, where are you? Are you hurt?” I hear Adam plea into the phone.

My father stands before me, aiming the gun at my head. “You’re not my daughter. I should have told you that a long time ago. Your mother was a slut, and so are you. I tried to love you, I tried, but I can’t love an abomination as you.”

The gun fires one last time. Everything is black.

The End of Lies

Seventeen years, nine months

IT’S BEEN ONE month. One month since I lost yet another person that I loved. The first was the love of my life, Courtney, when she married another. Then my brother, Robert, eight years ago, now my nephew, Lucas.

I stand in the archway watching Amelia nurse Courtney and Lucas. It’s ironic that she and Lucas choose those names before he died. Both children have blue eyes. Courtney’s hair is a light brown, and Lucas’ is a sandy brown. I can hear their gulping and watch their little hands hold onto their mother. How she manages to nurse them both in that position is beyond me.

But it seems to sooth Amelia, to have them in her arms as much as possible. All of us have been here, supporting her as best as we can. We can never replace Lucas, but with two brand new babies, she needs us. Almost as much as we need the three of them. They are all I have left, who Grace has left.

I check my watch. “Amelia.” I step into her view, “It’s time.”

Today a memorial is being held at Lucas and Amelia’s home. Many people have sent condolences, today, though, is for family and friends.

Today I am remembering my brother’s service and Courtney’s. Nobody knew who I was at hers, as I sat in the back of the church. That was the first time I laid eyes on Amelia, she was a tiny little girl, crying into her Pops’ chest.

Amelia looks up at me and sighs. There are times when she looks like her mother, but not her eyes. I suppose those are her father’s eye color, I don’t know. I’ve never really paid attention to Darren Bennett’s picture or have met him. At this moment, her eyes are filled with sadness, which reminds me of Courtney. The last day I spent with Courtney, was the day she left to go home when her father had suffered a heart attack.

Amelia offers for me to take Courtney into my arms. As I hold this precious baby girl in my arms, I can only imagine, what if? What if Courtney never went home? Would we have gotten married? Would we be parents? Grandparents? I still have not told Amelia about her mother and I. That conversation is not going to be an easy one.

Once we are with the rest of the family, I reluctantly hand Courtney over to Grace as Amelia sits beside her. Eileen, Grams, on the opposite side of her, stroking Lucas’ crown. I look around and take everyone in. All these people have been a part of our lives for a long time and not so long, but became very close.

As the chaplain begins the service, the front door opens again, another guest arriving. I look up and meet the stare of his hard-icy blue eyes. He nods his head at me, as I reciprocate back.

As the service progresses along, my mind is reliving Courtney’s, and then my brother’s services. Grace broke down, while Lucas and I did our best to help her. I stepped into mentor Lucas, then got Grace into grief therapy. I wonder if I will need to do that for Amelia.

Looking at her, though, she’s strong. She has a larger circle of people around her, who love her, support her. Then, she has the twins, I am sure they are a beautiful reminder of her and Lucas’ love for one another. Grace and Eileen both have moved in temporarily with Amelia. I am here every day as well, along with Dan, Sam, Adam and Ben.

A hand claps me on my left shoulder as I hear his deep Czech accent, “Hello my friend. It has been a long time, no?”

“That it has.” I sigh and look at him. “Honestly, I was hoping to never have to call in that favor to you.” I offer my hand to him.

As he accepts my hand, he pulls me forward, clasping my shoulder again. He leans in close to my right ear, “It is done.”

I nod at him. “Did he say anything?”

“He was not asked anything. He was found in his cell earlier.” He stands straighter and looks around. “Is that your nephew’s wife? The daughter?”

“Yes.” I wonder when Amelia will hear the news? How will she react? As I am asking myself these questions, I had not noticed my friend walk over to Amelia.

I see her reciprocate his handshake. Her face is blocked by his build, so I cannot see her reaction to whatever it is he is whispering to her. I can only imagine since I remember the first time he ever whispered into my ear.

“You are a good man, Alex. I like good men. I give you this.” He hands me a card with his name and number on it. “You get one favor, any kind of favor. Never expires.”

I watch him as he places a kiss on each of the children. He turns then, catches my eye, and nods. Then he walks out the front door as I make my way to Amelia.

“Alex, do you know that man?” Amelia asks me quietly.

“Yes.”

She stares at me with wide eyes and holds her hand open to me. Three cards are in her hand. “He said I have three favors. One for me, Courtney and Lucas.” Shaking her head looking at her hand, “Dragomir Dvorak” she whispers. “Did you…” she gulps, “have favors?”

“Yes.” I hesitate. “Just one.”

“Did you use it, the favor?” she asks in a shaky voice.

Should I tell her? How do I tell her? As I contemplate this, Bill, Dan’s father, approaches us. “Amelia, you need to come here.” He hesitates, “Grams has something to tell you.”

I look over and see Eileen, holding a phone in her hand. She looks troubled. Amelia sits down beside her, Eileen takes her hands and whispers to her. Bill wraps his arm around Amelia, as I watch her, many different emotions take over her features. Then she looks up, her glassy eyes meet my cold brown ones. She knows!

I nod my head, answering her unasked question. Yes, I called in my one favor. A favor I never expected I would want, but Darren Bennett gave me no choice. He’s killed two people that I have loved. Two people too many.

To be continued in…

Lies in Truth

First, I need to thank you, the reader, for taking your time in reading my first book. I hope you enjoyed it!

I need to thank my friend Holly for editing. She challenged me in many areas whenever she handed the manuscript back to me. Which is a good thing! I had to break out the thesaurus!

To my nieces and nephews. I reached out and asked for ideas on town names, bar names, etc.. I can’t remember who offered me which ideas, but I know I used some or combined some. Some were just silly! Love you all!

To my brother, Steven. You’re probably wondering why I am thanking you. If not for you, I would not have my fascination with superheroes. Saturday morning cartoons, I would watch Justice League, Avengers, Captain America, Spider Man... I can go on and on.

To JM Walker for the gorgeous cover design and formatting.

Then to those authors who I look up to and admire, who responded in kind when I reached out asking for advice. Julie Richman, Aleatha Romig, and JM Walker. Ilona Townsel, I include you also, because you did offer advice to me. Thank you, ladies!

To my Beta Readers

Kristen, Kris, Grace, Tami, and Holly! Thank you for catching errors or cringing at words that I used to often. Then of course asking questions as to why this happened, what’s this? etc…in the story. Having me to go in and add more.

JA Johnston is a native New Yorker, growing up in Queens and spending summers on Long Island. JA is a preschool teacher for twenty years. In college, she loved creative writing classes and would make up other stories, but never wrote them down, until now.

She now lives in South Carolina with her husband, three daughters, and miniature dachshund.

Contact JA

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/authorjajohnston

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Truth

Chapter 1 - Lies

Chapter 2 - Truth

Chapter 2 - Lies

Chapter 3 - Truth

Chapter 3 - Lies

Chapter 4 - Truth

Chapter 4 - Lies

Chapter 5 - Truth

Chapter 5 - Lies

Chapter 6 - Truth

Chapter 6 - Lies

Chapter 7 - Truth

Chapter 7 - Lies

Chapter 8 - Truth

Chapter 8 - Lies

Chapter 9 - Truth

Chapter 9 - Lies

Chapter 10 - Truth

Chapter 10 - Lies

Chapter 11 - Truth

Chapter 11 - Lies

Chapter 12 - Truth

Chapter 12 - Lies

Chapter 13 - Truth

Chapter 13 - Lies

Chapter 14 - Truth

Chapter 14 - Lies

Chapter 15 - Truth

Chapter 15 - Lies

Epilogue - Truth