Chapter 29
BONNIE
When I finally got to the room, I could barely stop from shaking. I wiped my tears as I closed the door of the suite and headed to the bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I rifled through my bag, taking out my phone. I hesitated for a split second before calling my mother.
She answered right away. "Takes a lot to get your attention, doesn't it?"
“I’ve called you a million times.”
“Probably to berate me.”
"Why would you do that, Mom?" I was fighting to keep my voice even.
"You weren't sending me money. That moron you’re dating threw me out of his office."
"You’re cruel."
"Well, it got me what I wanted. I told you I need more than you’re sending.”
“I’ve paid all your outstanding bills.”
“That doesn't mean I've got any pocket money."
I shook my head. "It's not my responsibility to give you pocket money or pay anything at all.”
“Is that what Travis has been putting into your head? That you're too good for your mom?"
"No. But I'm the child. You're the parent. And I'm tired of having to be the parent here."
She snorted into the phone. I put a hand on my chest. I felt I needed to brace myself, to hug myself.
"You think you won at life, don't you? You've got yourself a rich man. Don't think it'll last. Men are fickle. Your dad was too."
"I'm not having this conversation with you." Why had I called her? I knew she wouldn't have anything good or kind to say. "I tried, Mom. I really tried loving you and building a relationship with you. And I just can't do it anymore." Before she could reply, I ended the conversation.
I put a hand on my belly, drawing a deep breath and closing my eyes.
"Baby, I promise you that you won't have to witness conversations like this again.
Your nana is a difficult person, but I'm going to love you so much.
I'm going to love you for both of us. You’ll have a wonderful life.
" I opened my eyes, staring straight at the wall, trying my best to rein in my tears.
How could I ever fit in the Maxwell family?
Lena had made baby clothes when my own mother badmouthed me to the press.
Travis had grown up in a loving family, while I spent more time with animals than friends or my parents growing up.
We might as well have come from different planets. I couldn’t bring Travis down.
I shook my head. Stupid hormones. Why am I crying? Why did I call my mother? Why did I leave the party? This was exactly what my mother wanted—to bring me down by belittling me. I knew better than that. I was strong, and I usually didn’t care about what anyone said—including her.
I knew how important this was for Travis. But when Reese and Tim mentioned the reporters, and I saw that awful headline, I just couldn't deal with all of it—or any of it.
A knock at the door startled me. I jumped from the bed, hurrying toward it. Travis was here. I could feel it in my bones.
Opening the door, I was surprised to see Lena standing in front of it.
"My darling girl, I heard what happened downstairs. Can I come in?"
"Sure," I said, taking a step back and opening the door wide so she could walk inside.
"This is a very nice suite," she said. "I can't wait for an official tour of the hotel later on this evening."
She turned to me, and I could see the compassion and kindness in her eyes. She nodded toward the bed. "Come on, let's you and I sit together. We can talk."
I followed her. "I'm sorry I ran away. I didn't even greet you and the rest of the family," I said the second I sat on the mattress.
She put an arm around my shoulders. "My girl, we’re not holding it against you.
Trust me, even I forget how overwhelming these things can be, and I've been at a few events over the years.
" She paused, then said, "You know, I understand where you're coming from.
When I first joined the Maxwell family, it was also overwhelming. It felt like I'd never make it."
I sat up straighter. "Really?" She seemed to effortlessly glide through life.
"Oh yes. The family was very well known in Chicago even back then. Beatrice and her husband had done a spectacular job with the bookstores. Everyone knew my husband, and everyone thought I'd married him for his money.”
I blinked, completely surprised. "No way."
She smiled sadly. "Unfortunately, they did."
"So how did you get over it?"
"I loved my husband dearly. And Beatrice took me under her wing. I want to do the same for you. I know my son and all my kids are here for you." Winking, she added, "But sometimes it doesn't hurt to have the perspective of someone older—or, as Beatrice likes to say, wiser."
I was moved by her words. "Thank you, Lena. I’d love that. I’m so sorry about what my Mom did.” My eyes were leaking. She released me to grab her purse and handed me a tissue.
“I’ve had a hunch that things weren't easy for you growing up, and sometime, when you’re ready, you can share as much or as little as you’d like about that. Okay?” She put her arm around me again, then said, “Just know we all love you and are thrilled to have you in our lives. Never forget that.”
All I could do was nod.
"I know it might seem like there's no way to come back from that article, but trust me when I say they’ll forget about it. They did in my time, too, when there were fewer distractions. Now the attention span of the world is even shorter. They'll move on to other things eventually.”
“But the opening of the hotel is so important for Travis,” I said in between sobs.
“There, there. And it's going very well. I can tell by the number of people attending the party and by the bookings they already have."
"I don't want to overshadow the celebration, you know? By being there, the gold digger."
“Oh, pishposh. You don't overshadow anything, even if it feels that way. And even if you did, as I said, it won't last long, and it certainly won't impact the hotel. My son is a very good businessman. He knows how to handle everything. And he loves you very much, Bonnie."
"And I love him too," I murmured, looking down at my hands.
"Good. That's everything I wanted to hear.
When you love each other, you'll find ways to get over the days that seem impossible.
Remember to hold on to each other and to support each other.
And I'm not saying things will work out for themselves, but you’ll find solutions.
There's an incredible amount of strength when you do things together. You’ll find energy even when you think you don't have any left.
" Her smile widened. "That will be true when the baby comes as well. "
I nodded, drawing in a deep breath. “Let’s go downstairs.”
Lena beamed at me. “That’s my girl.”
I gathered my courage, looking forward to joining my man and his family and being by their side. Yes, I’d had a rough upbringing, but I was strong and wouldn’t let that article get me down.
After I quickly refreshed my makeup, Lena and I walked out of the room arm in arm, taking the elevator downstairs.
When the doors opened on the ground floor, it sounded like the party was in full swing. Music and laughter filtered through the air. The entrance area was completely empty.
Lena nudged me, pointing to my right. Travis was in front of the main room where the celebration was taking place. I glanced around. There seemed to be no more press outside, making me wonder if they were inside or—hopefully—gone.
“I’m going to leave you two alone,” she said, waltzing inside the room.
Travis straightened up, training his eyes on me. "Babe, I really worry when you get stressed out. Did it help having Mom there?"
I nodded, rubbing my thumbs against each other. "Yes. I'm sorry I left like that. I just saw that article, and I couldn't believe Mom would do that. I couldn't handle it. I didn't know how."
He took my hand in his, trapping my gaze. "Bonnie, you’re mine."
"But what the press wrote—”
"I don't care what anyone writes. They write all kinds of shit about us, which you’ll find out quick enough. Ask Reese about it sometime."
"And my mom caused it."
"I also don't care that your mom is un-fucking-believable. You are mine, and I love you: every quality, every flaw. Everything is part of you, and that's why I love you."
He stepped closer, putting a hand on my waist. "This isn't the first or the last time this will happen." My throat clogged up. "But I need to know that you'll stick with me through the good and the bad, and that you won't leave my side whenever things are tough."
I sucked in a breath, shaking my head. "I won't, I promise. Tonight, I was simply caught off guard. I didn't know anything like this could happen.”
Tears welled in my eyes. He looked stricken.
I took a step back, drawing in a deep breath and pressing my hands over my eyes.
"I don't even know why I'm crying. I'm so sorry.
I wasn't intending to cry. It's like the waterworks have their own on-and-off button, and it's not connected to my brain or my heart or anything in my control. "
"That's okay. I love that about you too."
I lowered my hands, looking at him suspiciously. "You do?"
"Yeah." He touched my shoulder, skimming his hand up to my face. "You're a very lovable person, you know that?"
My entire body tightened up, and then all my muscles seemed to relax at the same time.
I realized that until he said that, some part of me thought perhaps I wasn't. I supposed that when your mother rejects you completely, deep down, you always think there's something wrong with you. That you’re underserving.
But this man, his mom, and, well, the rest of his family—they clearly didn't think I lacked in anything.
"Thank you for saying that," I murmured.
“Babe, it’s true. Now, are you sure you’re feeling well enough for the party?”
“Yes. I’d like to be there with you to celebrate this amazing evening. Unless you changed your mind about wanting me here.”
"Never."