Chapter 13 #2
Taking a deep breath and feeling out of her depth, Violet examined her daughter. Pregnancy agreed with her. She had gained weight of course, but it did not detract from her beauty. In fact, she was glowing.
The emerald, green silk robe she was wearing was a perfect foil for her skin and her hair was braided, fat rope braids piled on top of her head.
"I don't need your money." She began defensively, shooting an angry look at the silent man.
"Okay." Tilting her head, she glanced at her husband and understood. "What do you want, then?"
"I told him I was here to make amends."
Leanne's brows shot up. "Why now?"
Violet fiddled with the cup before putting it away. "I was wrong about everything. About the way I treated you."
"I see." Her fingers tensed and then relaxed as Christos gave them a reassuring squeeze. She understood everything now. He was here for her, always. She had been sniping at him for days and he was still here.
She knew he had left to go to the office and at the slightest hint of threat or harm to her, he had come running. Something soared inside her heart and settled there. Turning her head, she met his eyes. He saw it instantly and his own expression changed.
"I love you." He mouthed.
Tears clogged her throat and burned the back of her eyes.
"I know." Lifting their joined hands, she placed it against her cheek. "Thank God."
Tearing her eyes away from him, she turned to the woman seated across from them. "Why now?" She asked quietly. This was something she had been waiting for her entire life and now it seemed insignificant.
"Up to two weeks ago when I spoke to you regarding my wedding, which you stated unequivocally that you would not attend, you were very hostile. So, forgive me for wondering about your motive."
Violet's eyes lifted to the man who was staring at her like a hawk.
"Could I speak to you privately?" She asked stiffly.
"Not a chance." The voice was pleasant, deceptively so, the tone implacable. "Whatever you have to say to my wife will be said with me present or not at all."
"All right." Violet held up a hand. "I deserve that." Taking a deep breath, she plunged on. "I need a place to stay. Not here." She added hastily seeing the look on their faces.
"As I understand, you still have not sold your home. I don't need your money." She cast a resentful look towards Christos. "My husband's insurance is almost finished and the lease from the old place is all but up. All I need is a place to live."
"I have my baking as well as my crocheting. I can make a decent living from them. I know you have no reason to help me, but I'm asking just the same."
The silence in the room lengthened after her speech and had her nerves screaming.
"The house is unoccupied and empty. Of course, it's yours."
Violet let out a whoosh of breath and closed her eyes in relief.
"Thank you."
"Is that all?"
Her eyes flew to the man staring at her stonily.
"No." She shook her head. "I want to be part of... of your children's lives."
Silence again and she waited.
"That depends."
"On?" She asked her daughter.
"I will not have my children going through the nonsense you put me through. I won't have them beat over the head with the Bible and insisting on them praying every second of the day."
"No." Violet shook her head wildly. "I promise that will not happen. I just want a chance..."
"We'll have to think about it and get back to you. In the meantime, my wife needs her rest." Christos rose, a clear indication the conversation was at an end.
"Of course." Violet rose as well and by magic, the housekeeper materialized.
"Please see Ms. Wilcox to the door." Christos instructed the woman.
"Where are you staying?" Leanne asked as she headed out.
"With a church sister."
"Just let me know the address and I'll send the keys to you. The place has been cleaned up and is ready for occupancy. I've only taken a few personal items. Everything else is there."
She nodded, eyes straying to the man who stood like a sentinel guarding her daughter.
"I'm really sorry." Turning away, she followed the housekeeper out.
*****
"What?" He asked as she continued to stare at her. Supper was over and they were in bed. He had taken to rubbing her skin with cocoa butter cream every night.
"You offered her money."
"So?" He asked mildly as he continued to smooth the cream over her taut stomach.
"How much?"
Lifting his head, he met her eyes. "Does it matter?"
"How much?"
"A million."
Her hands flew to cover his, stopping his rubbing motions. "What the hell!"
"I would have offered her twice as much if it means getting her out of your life. No one causes you harm. No one." His expression was grimly determined.
"Isn't that considered a bribe?" She asked him softly. There was something funny twisting inside her chest. It was overwhelming to be so completely loved.
"Let's call it an investment." Shaking off her hands, he continued to rub the cream into her skin.
"An investment?"
"Or a way to ensure that she does not bother you. I would have had my lawyers draft up an agreement to that effect."
She stared at him and knew he was very serious.
"She did not accept your very generous offer."
He smiled slightly. "Time will tell." He met her eyes. "You think I'm being cold. She's after all your mother. If I tell you that I feel a hint of warmth towards her, I would be lying."
She placed her hands over his again and squeezed. "She's my mother and I feel nothing."
"And yet, you offer her your home."
"A shelter. She has nowhere to go and the house is just sitting there empty. It cost me nothing. Is that a problem?"
"It's your place."
"I know I should have discussed it with you..."
"No." He shook his head. "Nothing to discuss. You're free to do as you please with what belongs to you. Besides, you're right, the place was just sitting there empty. It's just..." He lifted his shoulders in a shrug.
"I hate that she just waltzed back into your life asking for a favor. She refused to attend the wedding and wanted nothing to do with you after she found out you were carrying my babies." His expression hardened. "If you expect me to start liking her..."
"I don't." Lifting their joined hands, she kissed his knuckles. "Mary-Ann is more of a mother to me than she's ever been and that will always be the case."
"She would be pleased to hear that." He said gruffly.
"You came running back when you heard she was here."
"Yes. Ms. Bailey called while mother was in my office. We were talking about you." His eyes glinted in amusement as she grimaced.
"I can just imagine what that conversation was like." Her eyes met his.
"I haven't been easy to live with."
His dark brows lifted. "I would say impossible."
She sighed, her fingers interlaced with his.
"It's a wonder you still love me."
"I'm beginning to think the same thing." He grinned when she sent him a sizzling look.
"You're stuck with me buddy."
"That I am." He used his thumb to caress her cheek.
"Mother was regaling me of what it's like to be carrying another human being inside you.
She told me she was sick for the entire nine months when she was pregnant with me.
And that she threatened to kill dad." He grinned.
"At least it has not come to that yet with us.
In case it does, I'm removing all sharp instruments and locking them up. Just in case."
She tugged at his hand and brought him closer to her. "I haven't felt any murderous inclinations, at least not yet." She turned to face him, hands cupping his cheeks. "It's hard. I'm always uncomfortable and very tired. I'm not used to all this inactivity."
"How about we go for a ride in the countryside?" He suggested softly.
"We have Lori's fortieth birthday party on Saturday, remember? And Andreas and your mom are planning a very big splash."
"Christ!" He closed his eyes briefly. "I'd completely forgotten about that. What the hell are we supposed to get her?"
"I know just the thing. Leave it up to me." She moved closer as close as her bulge would allow. She was feeling so much better now. Seeing him defending her, standing guard and refusing to leave had given her heart a much needed boost.
"It feels amazing." She murmured.
"What does?"
"Being loved like this." Her hands crept around his neck.
"I saw the look on her face when you stood up for me. It was priceless. Thank you."
"For what?" He asked in genuine puzzlement. "For doing what comes naturally?" His hands covered hers. "I love you and loving you means being there for you always."
"Even when you felt like strangling me. I knew I pissed you off."
"Royally." Taking her hand in his, he lifted it to kiss the palm. "But pissed or not, I'll always come running." His eyes bored into hers, the meaning clear. "Always. You never have to guess if that's the case." His smile came. "Mother wanted to march over here and lend a hand."
Leanne smiled mistily. "I bet she did. I love her so much. She and your dad and the rest. They're not only your family, but they're also mine as well."
"And they love you too."
"I need something."
"Just name it."
She smiled at his sincere tone. "I need to feel you inside me. Gentle strokes. I need your hands on me."
His eyes darkened at that. "Your wish is always my command."