Chapter Thirty-Six
If a city bus had plowed into the back of his Maserati, he wouldn’t have felt more whiplash than he did from this conversation, but he wasn’t struck with terror or repulsed, just… surprised. “A son? But I thought you said you couldn’t have children?”
“I can’t. Not anymore. There were complications with Javier’s birth and… The doctors said I will never be able to have another child.” Her eyes swam with tears, and he pulled her forward, gently kissing her forehead, “What happened?”
“My uterus ruptured, and I almost bled out. They had to do an emergency hysterectomy and remove it to save my life. Javi was delivered early and was fine after a short time in the NICU, but I will never be able to give my husband his own child. Any man who marries me gets an instant family. Now, what do you think about children?” Sophie asked, looking down at their joined hands, willing him not to let go.
“Before I ask any more questions or you reveal any more secrets that are going to rock this boat and my life plan, let me ask you one. Do you know what the FK in FK Media Group stands for?” Fernando asked, lifting her chin so he could see her eyes.
“Isn’t it Fernando Knight?” she asked, confusion wrinkling her brow. As his personal assistant for the past four years, she should definitely know this.
“No, actually. That is what everyone assumes it means, but if you look at my business papers and letters of incorporation, you will find that it stands for Finders Keepers Media Group. You see, I have this deep-seated need down in my soul to keep whatever it is I find worth having. Any psychologist worth their salt would attribute it to my abandonment, and I wouldn’t try to disagree. So far, I have primarily collected people. It started with Colin McKenzie, and as his family grew, my collection grew. Then, my BBC brothers joined the collection. For a long time, that was enough. I was satisfied. I found my family, and I was keeping them no matter what. Without realizing it, you joined the ranks of people I don’t plan to let go of. That day in the watch shop, I found you. But it was your choice to work for me. To like me. To like the job. To stay. But, when you did… I decided that you were worth keeping. Now, with the help of my family and this trip, I have come to understand that I don’t just want to keep you as a part of my found family; I want you to be my family. At some time later down the road, after I have had the proper opportunity to woo you, I will propose and fully expect you to agree to be my wife. Nothing has changed. I wasn’t expecting children, and I still don’t know how that will work with my schedule, but now I will have a son. As you said, I will get the whole package with you, an instant family. It’s like opening a cereal box and finding a toy inside, one you really want and didn’t know until you saw it.”
Sophie started laughing, and his insides tickled like little butterflies with feathers on their wings were taking flight in his belly. “What is so funny? I thought we were having a very serious moment,” he huffed, taken aback.
“You just compared my baby boy to a cereal box toy! How could I not laugh at that,” Sophie defended, not even trying to hide her mirth.
“Okay, not my best word selection or choice of analogy, but I haven’t exactly had time to think through this; cut me a little slack. Do you believe me, though? I’m serious when I say I will love your child as my very own. You will never have to worry about that.” His demeanor conveyed the conviction in his heart; he meant what he was saying, but Sophie couldn’t take it as truth until she saw them together. His initial reaction warmed her heart. Yes, he was surprised, but his heart had remained open.
“Now, are you ready to answer my question? Will you be my lady, understanding that I intend for a short courtship and swift wedding?” Fernando asked, wriggling his eyebrows as hope radiated from his eyes.
“There’s more,” Sophie whispered, wishing she didn’t have to do this, not now, not ever. In her heart, she feared that this would be the true breaking point. Given all that he had said about his family over the past few days and what she already knew about them, she didn’t see how it could be any other way. He was a good man, and there was only a small chance he would reject her and Javi, but this… this was going to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
“Sophie, there is absolutely nothing more important than a child, so whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. Can’t you see that? I love you; I want you. Heck, let’s skip the dating and fly home today. Announce to your family that you are bringing home a daddy for Javier, and just move the whole thing along. Granted, that pace will cause a turbulent beginning, but I’m there. What else could possibly be so important that it is keeping you from jumping in my arms and saying ‘yes’?” Frustration colored his voice.
Sophie desperately wanted to do what he said and fall into his arms. But if this was going to work, he had to go with his eyes wide open, and this was not a secret she could keep. Furthermore, his family had to be informed, and they would likely overrule his decision to be with her. How in the world they had missed this detail for so long was a little baffling. She could see now why his security needed overhauling; looking back, it was rather appalling.
Sophie leaned in, her lips millimeters from his ear, her soft voice no more than a gentle breeze against his cheek carrying the barest hint of sound. “I secretly married into one of the largest cartels in Mexico. Javier is a direct heir to their drug dynasty. I had facial reconstruction done when we moved to California, but Javi looks just like his father, and someday... they will come for him. If you get involved with me… more specifically, my son, you and your family will be in danger.”