Chapter 6
“Of course she’s my baby,” Brand says angrily. “You think this is some special revelation? When you cheated on me the first time, we got together. When we were separated. She took care of me when you destroyed me. Then, when you came back, neither of us wanted it to end the relationship but we did our best for Kendra. She kept Emily a secret from everyone just so Kendra could have a home with her mother there. Not Little Miss Perfect? You should take a look at Hailey so you can see what it means to be unselfish.”
I still feel like I’m going to collapse but not with shame anymore. He continues. “And you were willing to risk your friend’s job and the hospital, too, just for your games? You know that’s a violation of federal law, looking into patient records. Since birth certificates aren’t a matter of public record in our state or, actually, most of them, you’ve probably violated some state laws, too. You thought this was some big gotcha moment? Hell no. It’s just more proof that she’s what I need, what this family needs. She was willing to sacrifice for the sake of your daughter. That’s something you’re never willing to do. Aren’t you ashamed? Well, Emily isn’t a secret anymore.”
I stare at him in wonder. Chrissy glowers at me. Brand adds, “Wait. That’s not entirely true. It wasn’t when you cheated on me the first time, it was when I first caught you. You think I don’t know how many times you’d done it before then? You were cheating on the man you were cheating on me with. Well, you figured out your boss could live without you and I’m just not interested in giving you the stability you want but keep destroying.”
“But we have a daughter together,” Chrissy says. I’m shocked at her tone. She manages to appear immediately sincere and even believable. “I know I don’t deserve another chance but Kendra does, right? Kendra deserves a shot at a real family.”
“I have a real family,” a new voice says. My heart sinks at the sight of Kendra. She’s in her long sleepshirt but she doesn’t look very sleepy at all. “Already. And even if you don’t like it, Mom, Emily is my sister, and she’s a part of my family. Hailey has been a part of it since I was really little. I don’t need you to live here to have a real family.”
Chrissy, for the first time, looks like she understands how her behavior has affected Kendra. For the first time, she looks like she cares. She says softly, “But am I still part of your family? If I don’t live here?” I’m really surprised at the pleading in her voice. It’s like she’s coming to terms with reality for the first time.
“You’ll always be my mom,” Kendra says, “so you’re always my family.” She runs to her and throws her arms around her. “But you’re not Daddy’s family anymore, Mom. You’re still mine, though.”
Well, I’m crying. I mean, I’m keeping it silent but tears are running down my cheeks. I can’t believe Kendra is so mature. I love that girl. I mean, that’s not shocking when you think that I’ve been taking care of her for most of her life. I’m so proud of her and, I guess I can admit, I feel sympathy for Chrissy for the first time in my life.
Well, Chrissy cries a little but kisses Kendra and leaves. After she’s gone, Kendra gives me a hug and says, “I’m really tired. Night.”
“Wait,” I say. “I need… I need to tell you two something.”
They both look at me and I say softly, “Emily is your sister, Kendra. She’s your father’s daughter.”
“Um, weren’t you here?” Kendra asks, “We just went over that.”
“I mean really,” I say. Damn, I feel weak and scared. “I mean that Emily really is your sister.” I look at Brand and speak almost as low as a whisper because I’m afraid any volume will make me break down in tears. “Emily is your daughter, Brand.”
“I told you she’d tell us when she was ready,” Kendra says. “You owe me a buck. I’m going to sleep.”
I stare as Kendra just turns around and heads back to bed. She doesn’t even slow down. It’s just a run of the mill kind of thing for her! I hear soft chuckling behind me and turn to look at Brand. “You knew!” I whisper. Hell, is that all I can do, whisper? “How?”
He smiles and says, “I knew the moment I saw her. And I knew why you didn’t say anything, and I knew that I loved you still and hadn’t stopped loving you. I knew that I wanted you and I wanted my daughters to be raised together.”
“You told Kendra,” I whisper. There’s that fucking whispering again!
“Nope. She knew it right away, too. That’s because Emily looks just like her great grandmother looks in all the photos in the photo albums.”
“And you didn’t get… you’re not angry?” There’s the damned whisper.
“Well, if you ever lie to me again, I’ll tie you to the bed and use you as a sex slave for the rest of your life. You’ll have to serve me three times a day with spankings in between. But no, I’m not mad.”
I giggle and say, “I don’t know who Emily’s father is. Oops, I lied. I guess you need to tie me up now.” Holy cow, no whispering!
For the record, he doesn’t tie me to the bed when we get to the bedroom. We’ll get to that someday; I can promise you. But for tonight, it’s much simpler and much more animalistic… I mean at first, of course. There’s a quick explosion of passion with me bent over the bed and fucked like there’s no tomorrow.
Precisely because there is a tomorrow!
Then, there’s a long, beautiful shower together.
And then, back in the bed, we make love slowly and tenderly. Nothing is hidden now. There’s nothing but my wonderful man in the bed with me, and for the first time since he returned to my life, I know what it means to really be free to enjoy him.
And I get to enjoy him for the rest of my life.
Did you enjoy The Nanny's Secret Child? It took some doing but it looks like Happily Ever After worked out for Haily and Brand after all.