Chapter 25Your Wish is My Command
Chapter Twenty-Five
YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND
Ivy checked in on Grace before heading off to bed. “Are you settled, okay? Is there anything you need?” She inquired as she slipped into Grace’s room. She spent several nights a year with them. It wasn’t often, but the room was symbolic that she was welcome in their home and had a place there.
“The staff made sure I have everything.” Of course, Ivy knew they would. She wanted a reason to ‘really check’ in with her mother-in-law.
“Go ahead, have a seat. I know you wanted to stop by to see how I was holding up.” Grace patted the spot beside her.
Ivy took a seat beside Grace in the love seat in the room.
“I don’t mean to push.” Ivy just wanted to offer support to the woman she considered a second mother.
“You aren’t. Not even a little. How is my son holding up?”
Of course, even though Grace had the rug pulled out from under her. Her mother-in-law’s concern was centered on her son. Ivy was grateful she had the example of her own and Manny’s mother’s amazing parenting to model after.
“Manny is still taking it all in. It has been emotional for him. But he is keeping busy, so it helps.”
“Both of you continue to take care of each other.”
“We will. Are you ready for that hug now?”
“Yes. I think I am.”
No sooner than the words came out of her mouth, and Ivy pulled Grace in her embrace. Grace released a sigh, which caused her body to shudder. Her mother-in-law didn’t stay long in her arms. When she pulled out of the hug, she took Ivy’s hands in hers.
“I don’t know how not to call myself all kinds of a fool. How could I not see Emmanuel belonged to Larson?”
It was easy, really. Manny and Leonardo favoured their mother. Ivy felt like her mother-in-law needed to unburden, so she allowed her to talk it out.
“We weren’t a love story, but I grew to love him. I thought he had grown to love me, too. I don’t doubt his love because of the affair. My opinion may seem a little dated, but men of his generation and pedigree often had mistresses. It would have been hard, but I could’ve accepted it. Larson shattered our bond. We shared something over the last fifty years that wasn’t true. We were parents who were raising an adopted child who didn’t know who his biological parents were.” Grace gave her the saddest smile which just broke Ivy’s heart. “I won’t forgive Larson. There is no way I can ever return to him.” Grace released her hands and stood. She paced the room.
“I can’t tell him right away, otherwise he will be vengeful and not tell those boys what they deserve to know. Larson owes us the truth, at the very least. I’ll get it for them. Then I will divorce him.” Her mother-in-law shook her head as she voiced her plans. “Emmanuel is working on getting his brother here?”
“Yes, he is calling both Leonardo and Frank.”
“Good. I know you already do so much but help Emmanuel mend fences with his brother. I think they will need each other. Since I found out he had a twin, I’ve been reading up on it. It explains so much about Emmanuel as a little guy. Well, I will talk to him more about it when he is more receptive.”
“You know him so well,” Ivy mused.
“So do you. Thank you for being so strong through all of this.” Ivy shrugged at Grace’s comment.
Grace stopped pacing and sat back down beside her. “I know you well, too. You are just as much, my child. Do not beat yourself up anymore for doubting him. Let it go so you can move forward. I think you will find Emmanuel already has.”
How did this happen? Ivy came into the room to give Grace comfort and instead, the older woman had given her peace of mind.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you. Now you go off to bed. I am going to shower and go in search of a toddy.”
“I’ll arrange for one to be brought up for you.” They gave each other a quick embrace.
“You are a darling. Now off you go.”
Ivy checked her phone and saw a message from Manny. He was no longer in the office. It saved her a trip downstairs. She made her way to the other side of the house to their bedroom.
“Hey Doc,” Manny called from the washroom. She walked in to find him running a bath. He wore only his slacks. While the water filled the tub, he added a few drops of essential oils.
“How’s my Mom?”
“Hurt.”
“Asshole,” Manny ground out.
“I think she is going to be okay, though. God, she is strong.”
“Mom is resilient.”
He added some salts. Manny was the best at creating these kinds of baths. It was cute to watch. He was like a mad scientist. Somehow, he always got it just right.
“Why don’t you undress and come have a soak with me?” He offered.
“That actually sounds amazing.”
Manny undressed and slipped into the tub, never taking his eyes off her. Urging her to hurry to join him with just a look. It didn’t take long for her to join him. He reached out his hand to help her into the tub. Ivy settled between his thighs. Manny pulled her flush against him and wrapped her in his arms. The temperature was nice and hot the way she preferred it. The fragrances were a heady mixture that played well together. Some of the harshness of the day melted away. She sighed in contentment.
Manny placed a kiss on her neck. “Thank you. I couldn’t have gotten through today… all this shit without you, Doc.”
“You’re welcome. You would have done the same for me.”
“In a heartbeat.” He offered.
“Did you settle everything with Leonardo and Frank?”
“Leonardo needs a few days. So, Frank will fly back in the morning.”
“It makes sense. He would need a few days before he comes. He has a life in Vancouver.”
“Except he mentioned he wasn’t in Vancouver, he is in?—”
“Edmonton.” Ivy finished for him.
“How did you know where he was?” He tilted his head, and she looked over her shoulder so they could see each other. Ivy gave him a knowing smile.
“Well, that is where Jasmine lives.” She gave him a look as if to say ‘duh’.
“Nope.”
“Nope?”
“You know, Doc, I think I understand most things about you. The one thing that has always seemed against the grain is the glee you find in matchmaking. I see the glint in your eyes. Stay out of it.”
Ivy laughed, her shoulders shaking slightly. He wasn’t wrong. She liked a good love story. Real life ones. Despite being unscientific when she noticed people had a spark, she couldn’t help but root for them.
There was something between Leonardo and Jasmine which could not be denied. Now it didn’t mean he wouldn’t have to crawl through broken glass and barbed wire to make up for what he did, but they had a beautiful little boy and all.
“I didn’t say or imply anything,” Ivy explained.
“She could do better than Leonardo.”
“Don’t be like that, Manny.”
“I don’t want to talk about either of them when you are naked in my arms like this.”
“Is that so?” Ivy sassed.
Manny hardened further. She could feel him pressed against her ass and her back. Well. This relaxing bath was about to take a turn. He tweaked one nipple, then the other as his mouth migrated to her neck. He suckled on the spot, which never failed to elicit a reaction from her. Her pulse kicked up. Her core slickened.
“I don’t want to talk about anyone or anything, but how good it will feel when you sink onto my cock and ride me.”
“Your wish is my command.” Ivy lifted her body to do exactly what he instructed.
“No turn around, Doc. Let me see those eyes.”
She stood and positioned herself, so she was in his lap. There was no rush. They had this time to themselves. She slowly sank onto his length. The stretch was perfection. Their moans melded into one. For a moment they sat perfectly still. Well, except for his cock pulsing within her walls. Their eyes locked and their breathing synced.
Manny cupped her neck and pulled her forward. His mouth took her as he poured memories of love and passion they shared into a languid mating of their mouths. It was then she began to move. Riding him, massaging him, stoking her own desire. At first, her rhythm was slow and precise. As she grew closer to her release, all thoughts of precision and driving him crazy were forgotten. He pulled away from the kiss.
“I’ve got you,” he growled.
Good God, His strokes. They were fierce and possessive.
“I’m so close,” Ivy called.
“God, I know. I can feel you, Cock Killer.” With that, he cupped her breast and flicked her nipple before suckling it into his hungry mouth. She wailed out his name. He clamped down on her tender bud. The pleasure mingled with the touch of pain was her undoing. Her walls seized around his cock. Her body shuddered, and he was right there with her, releasing into her core. Coating her coiled muscles with his come. This man.
“I love you,” Manny groaned around her nipple.
“I love you too.”
“Are you going to let go of my nipple?” He shook his head. Okay then. Ivy slumped forward and was content to stay as they were as the water turned tepid.
L arson Scott had accomplished something which Ivy had never seen before. All three of her children sat in stunned silence. Ivy wished she could have spared them from all the ugliness of their grandfather’s deception. However, Manny, Grace and she couldn’t stomach shielding the children from the truth and being accomplices of Larson’s deceit.
Grace had asked to be the one to tell the children, and the couple had agreed. She had been succinct with the information. “I know your parents told you that your grandfather and I adopted your father. That was partially true. I adopted your father. Still hands down the best decision of my life. But your grandfather didn’t adopt your dad. Yesterday, your parents and I learned your grandfather is your dad’s biological father.”
Ivy expected tons of questions. Especially from Sage, but her little girl had looked at her brothers, opened and then promptly shut her mouth.
Surprisingly, it was Benjamin who broke the silence. “Grandma, Grandfather has been lying to you and Dad this whole time?”
“Yes, dear.”
It sparked Sage’s action. As she sat beside her grandma, she wrapped her arms around her. “Are you okay Grandma?”
“I’ve been better, Dear. But I have all of you, so I’ll be fine.” Grace rubbed Sage’s back.
“I’m so sorry Granddad lied to you all this time. To you…” pulling away from her grandmother, Sage ran to her dad and flung herself into his arms “… and you too Daddy. I’m so sorry.”
The boys joined their sister in comforting first their Dad, and then their grandmother. After a round of hugs, the family took their seats.
“I don't understand why granddad would do this,” Sage said.
“Junior, it’s because he couldn’t keep it in his pants,” Oliver took a moment to explain to his sister. Even though from his tone and choice of words, he was pissed at his grandfather.
“Duh, Ollie. I get that part. I mean, why he would lie to his wife and son for like two lifetimes? Oh! And split up his kids?” She shook her head in disappointment. Leave it to Sage to voice the questions they were all thinking.
“Well, those are all good questions,” Oliver said.
“I swear our family is like a K-Drama on steroids. This doesn’t even seem real.” Ivy certainly shared her daughter’s sentiment.
“Then Granddad could have put an end to the paternity mix-up? He knew Dad had a twin.” Oliver’s jaw ticked, and his hands were tight balls in his lap.
Despite Manny’s best efforts, Oliver still hadn’t fully forgiven himself for how he treated his Dad. The thought that the whole situation could have been avoided must really piss him off.
The thing was, and Ivy wasn’t making excuses for her sorry excuse for a father-in-law, but it was unlikely Larson knew the secret Manny had a twin was the clue to the whole paternity fiasco. You had to have good knowledge of genetics to piece together the obscure fact about identical twins sharing the exact same DNA. She did her best to explain it to Oliver.
“Does the other twin know Grandad is his father?”
“No,” Manny answered. “Listen, Leonardo will be here in a couple of days. I will tell him then.”
“Why?” Oliver questioned. His apparent disdain, for the whole situation was palpable.
Ivy got it. Their world had been turned upside down. But that was because of secrets and lies. It was time for them all to come to an end. Manny would see to it that the buried bodies were unearthed. It was the only way for her family to have healing and be able to move forward.
“This guy did some shady sh…” Oliver stopped himself as his gaze shot to his mom and grandma. “…stuff,” he continued. “His lies caused a lot of damage.”
“I’m telling him because he is owed the truth. Everyone should know who their parents are,” Manny explained to Oliver.
“So, you just called him up and said come meet me, I know who our Dad is?” Benjamin asked incredulously.
“No. Your mom, Uncle Frank, and I flew out there to meet him. Which is why we were in Vancouver.”
All three children grumbled at the news. Then the questions started.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Oliver asked.
Before Manny could answer. Sage jumped in with her questions, “Daddy, did you beat his ass?”
Ivy had no chance to admonish her before she was onto the next question. “What’s he like? Was he horrible? Are we going to meet him? Is he staying here when he comes? You said he doesn’t know about Grandpa being his dad. Are you sure? Have they met?”
“Take a breath, Junior.” Benjamin, in his fashion, was the voice of reason. “Although, those are all good questions.”
“No Sage, I didn’t beat anyone’s ass. Although I reserve the right to do so.”
“Emmanuel,” his mother admonished.
Manny just shrugged, not looking the least bit contrite.
Patting the seat next to him, Manny, gestured for Sage to take it.
“As for what he is like. I’m not really sure. Full disclosure, he apologised for what he did. I don’t get why he did it. So, I’m not ready to accept it. I’m still really pissed. However, if he hadn’t pulled his little stunt, all these secrets would have remained buried.” Manny sighed, and all his confusion and frustration was evident.
Sage hugged her Dad.
“What else did you ask, my little Lois Lane? No, he isn’t staying here. He will be staying at your Uncle Frank’s. As for you guys meeting him, let’s play it by ear. As for if he’s horrible, well, for his sake, he better not be.”
The family spoke for a bit. There was so much to work through. They all had more questions than answers. Larson was going to have some explaining to do.
“Grandma, are you moving in with us?”
“No, Sage. I’ll spend the night. Then while I figure things out, I’ll stay in the guest house,” Grace informed her.
Manny, Ivy, and Grace had discussed it earlier. Her mother-in-law needed a little space while she figured out her next steps. Grace liked the idea of being nearby for now, so the guest house was the perfect solution.
When Grace had casually told her she was going to leave Larson, Ivy wasn’t sure if she’d go through with it. Yes, Larson was a lying bastard, but they had a lot of history. Grace was every bit as strong as the man she raised. Apparently, she didn’t suffer fools. She was planning for her future.
“Maybe, I’ll become a city girl and get a condo downtown. Ivy made a mental note to tell her mother-in-law, maybe, she shouldn’t call herself a city girl. Because she was pretty sure her mother-in-law wasn’t planning to move to the city and open her bedroom doors.
It was an hour before the family parted ways. The boys headed back into the city while Sage accompanied her Grandma to check out the guest house.
Manny pulled Ivy into his office. The first thing he did was kiss her soundly. Then he rested his forehead on hers. “How are you, Doc?”
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“Because a lot has been going on, and you have been taking care of me, the children, and now my Mom. I need to make sure I’m taking care of you. All of these secrets and lies are wreaking havoc on your life, too.”
“You are taking care of me.”
Manny checked his phone. “While we were talking to the family, everyone reached out. Frank texted. Apparently, he flew Darren out first class, and he upgraded his suite. He says if he is waiting for Leonardo to fly back with him, I’m paying for a mini break.”
“Well, that’s fair.” Ivy laughed. Knowing Frank, he was going to go all out and stick it to Manny.
“Yea, but don’t tell him I said so. Oh. We have an appointment with the lawyer tomorrow at three. Does that work for you?”
“I’ll make it work.”
“Darsh called…” Manny trailed off as a call came in.
“Yes,” He answered and placed the call on speaker.
“I have been trying to reach you, Emmanuel.” As livid as Larson sounded, Manny sounded equally unbothered.
“I’ve been busy.”
“This is ridiculous! I couldn’t even get onto your property.”
Wow, Larson really was entitled.
“Good. Then they are doing their job. Bonuses are in their future.”
“You think this is funny? A game?” Larson was really working himself up.
“I don’t find anything about this remotely funny,” Manny countered.
“I want to see my fucking wife! You can’t keep her from me,” Larson yelled.
“My Mom said she needs some time. She’ll contact you when she’s good and ready.” His cool and unbothered demeanour began slipping.
“Emmanuel please. I can’t even get a hold of her. Help me.”
“Sure. I will give you some advice. Wait for her to call you. While you are waiting, prepare for the fallout from the last fifty years of lies.”
“Watch who you are talking to. This is completely unacceptab?—”
Larson’s tirade was cut off as Manny disconnected the call. The phone rang immediately. Her husband ignored the call.
“Oh, this is going to get ugly,” Ivy groused.
“Very. My mom has no intention of speaking to him until Leonardo is informed. So, the next couple of days will be very interesting.”