by Cee, DW
“Ruby!” Laney jumped out from nowhere and went straight for Sarabeth.
“Uh, hello?” Ruby’s outstretched arms went unanswered.
“She’s so precious, Rubes. Where did an angel like this come from? She must take after Ron.”
“She sure does, Laney. It’s good to finally meet you.” Ron greeted Laney with an affectionate hug and kiss to the cheek. “I feel as if we’re best friends already.”
“I apologize, again, for not attending any of your joyous occasions. I tried so hard to make it to your wedding. I had a scheduled heart surgery that I couldn’t alter.”
“No apology necessary.” Ron and Laney were chatting away while Ruby, Michael, nor I received a greeting.
“Hello, Mr. Bennington. How are you today?”
“Why hello, my golden-haired princess. Don’t you look stunning in that pink dress.”
That beautiful girl twirled around twice and curtsied. “Thank you. This was my momma’s dress when she was a little girl—just like me!” She was absolutely gorgeous. Mattel couldn’t fabricate a doll with better features than Lilah Taylor.
“Lilah!” Ruby hollered. “Look at how much you’ve grown.” The arms went out again, but this time toward the daughter. “You get prettier each time I see you.”
“Hello.” Lilah slowly moseyed over to Ruby, but it was the baby in her mother’s arms who interested her. “Who’s that, Mama?” She looked toward everyone, but Michael.
“You don’t remember Auntie Ruby? She’s Mr. Bennington’s sister.” Only after that intro, did she back herself into a hug. Ruby had to give her an embrace from behind. “Uncle Ron is Auntie Ruby’s husband, and Sarabeth is their newborn baby.”
Lilah didn’t like the attention Sarabeth was receiving from her mother. She broke free from Ruby and outstretched her arms to her mom. Basically, she was letting her know to drop the baby and to pick her up instead.
Michael jumped in and asked, “May I pick you up, Princess? Is your father or Auntie Jane home?” She nodded yes but didn’t agree to allow Michael to touch her. “If you’ll show me where they are, we can go there together and I can give you your present.”
I had no idea when he had picked up a gift for Lilah, but from the looks of the small box he produced from his pocket, I guess he had. Michael would make an attentive father one day.
“Go ahead, Lilah,” Laney told her as her daughter looked to her for permission to accept the gift.
Her fetching smile made all of us all want to imitate her happiness. “Let’s go, Mr. Bennington. I’ll show you where Daddy is hiding. He says he has too much work to do before we leave for the beach. He thinks we don’t know where he is, but I know everything about my daddy.”
“Do you know how he stole your mother from me?” Michael revealed to a wide-eyed five-year-old.
She thought about his statement for a while and spoke, “That’s silly, Mr. Bennington. How can you steal a girl? I think you’re being a silly-goose.”
“I am not being a silly-goose. Let me tell you my version of this sad, sad, tale.” He picked up a giggling child and walked in the direction she pointed.
I had to wonder if he still missed Laney Reid. Even married and with children, he always spoke of her with such tenderness. If Donovan Taylor were out of Laney’s life, I could see Michael fitting perfectly into their picture.
“Don’t read into any of that Michael Bennington/Laney Reid/Donovan Taylor lore, Chloe.” Laney Taylor read my mind. When had I become so transparent? “Michael will fill Lilah’s head with some fantastic fiction to purposely irritate my husband. It’s just the relationship they’ve developed—jilted suitor vs. cocky husband. The non-rivalry never seems to get old for them. From what I can see, Michael only has eyes for you. He’s regretted waiting this long to bring you back into his fold.” Where had all that come from? All I did was stare at Michael and her child. “What are you all doing tomorrow?” she asked randomly.
“We’re free. My audition is next week.”
“Um, well, I suppose I’m free too. Wedding plans are well under way. I need to meet with your mom but that can’t happen until some questions are answered.”
“Great. Why don’t you come with us to the beach? Our house isn’t very big, but with the additions we made, there’s room for all of us if you don’t mind squeezing in.”
“Sounds perfect. We’ll rest at Grandfather’s home today and head to the beach tomorrow. How does that sound, Ron?”
“Lovely.”
“Chloe?” Laney and Ruby asked simultaneously.
“OK? I guess? I’ll just visit for the day. No need to go through any trouble for me.”
“Can we talk?” Shit. I didn’t want to talk to Laney Taylor.
I didn’t have a choice. She steered me to her house with Sarabeth still in her arms. “Jane’s home,” she pointed to the car at the end of the cul-de-sac. “Rubes, go introduce Ron to the rest of the Reids.” Ruby did just that and walked away.
“It hasn’t gone unnoticed that ten years later, you’re still uncomfortable with me. Can we change that? We’re almost family now.”
“Um…sure? You and I won’t ever be family, but we can be friends.”
She made a little “tut-tut” sound and decided to tell me a story. “Donovan and I had dinner with Michael right after he and Victoria broke up. We happened to be in the same city at the same time, and I got us together. A good portion of the conversation was about his regret.”
“His regret not marrying you?” I assumed.
“No, Chloe.” Another “tut-tut” showed in her face. “He regretted not having tied you to him long before you left him. He’s missed you. Before you doubt me, he’s told me several times over the years you’ve been gone.”
“It’s a little hard to believe that story when he’s been engaged twice while I haven’t had a boyfriend in ages. I’ve loved him since I was a little girl. He stopped reciprocating when he discovered a bevy of girls at the uni.”
“I loved Donovan since I was eleven. I told everyone that I would marry him. Sadly, he never saw me until I left for London. Sometimes, when you’re always there, it’s easy to be overlooked. After you left, there was a huge hole in Michael’s life. He’s missed you, as well as your friendship.”
“I wish I could believe you.”
“You can. Why would I lie?” she adamantly declared. “Michael hasn’t said, but I assume he’s trying to win you back. Just say yes. Your heart wants it. His heart desires it. It’s only your silly pride holding you back.”
Before I could give her my retort, we heard, “Look, Mama!” Lilah was still in Michael’s arms flipping her new bracelet back and forth.
“What’s that, Baby?”
“Uncle Michael gave me a shiny bracelet. Look at all the colorful jewels.”
“Wow, that’s beautiful, Lilah. Uncle Michael sure is generous. Did you thank him?” She surprisingly kissed him on the cheek and twirled her bracelet some more. “I assume those are not real jewels, Uncle Michael?”
“I asked him that, too, but he’s being vague.” Donovan Taylor and his good looks always made me sit up a little taller and straighten my hair a few extra times. “As always, he’s throwing his money around, trying to impress my girls. Come to Papa, Baby.” He tried to claim his daughter.
“In a little bit, Daddy. Right now, I want be with Uncle Michael.”
“Women,” Donovan muttered.
“Chloe, Michael, Ruby and her family are joining us at the beach tomorrow. We should take the air mattress so the kids can sleep in the living room.”
“We are?” Michael wondered.
“Uh-huh!” The Taylors spoke together. Something about that answer and the glint in both their eyes made me think this wasn’t going to be an ordinary trip to the beach.
Brendan: New Beginnings To A Different End
“Cat?”
“Yes, Brendan?”
“Will you do
me a favor?”
“Another one?”
“Now what kind of attitude is that for your dear cousin who’s wondering what to bring over for dinner tonight?”
“And why would you be bringing dinner over?”
“Because Nolan and I’d like to see that beautiful girl of yours, and we’d also love it if you asked Chloe to drop by for dinner.”
“What’s your intention, Brendan O?”
“My intention is to get to know Chloe again. I was an asshole a decade ago, and I’d like to make it up to her.”
“What will you do to make it up to her?”
“I’m thinking Nolan and I might take her to a baseball game. The firm has great seats. If you invite her, we can have an early dinner with you and then we’ll take her out.”
“You won’t hurt my friend again?”
“I promise you that I won’t ever hurt her.”
“All right. Come over when you can.”
“I’ll be right there.”
I stopped by LAX, picked up my son, picked up Cat’s favorite dinner, and then headed over to their home. There was no telling whether Cat was successful in getting Chloe to come over for dinner.
“How was your trip, Son?”
“Konichiwa, Chichi.” Nolan spoke proudly. “That means, Hello, Daddy.”
“You are a stud, you know that?”
“I do.” I adored this kid. He would be my greatest achievement.
“What say you and I take Chloe out to a ballgame?”
“I say, ‘For it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out at the old ballgame!’” he sang from the top of his lungs.
“Let’s do it.” I put up my hand, and he gave me a high-five.
Arriving at Cat and Daniel’s with an armful of food, I saw that Cat had not disappointed me. Chloe was sitting there playing with Lottie. There was also another couple with a baby. If I remembered correctly, that was Ruby Bennington, and I presumed that was her family with her.
“Are we having a meeting of the Brits tonight?” I walked over and gave Ruby a hug. “It’s been a long time.”
“It has, Brendan. Let me introduce you to Ron and our darling Sarabeth.”
I greeted the family. When I went to introduce Nolan, he was already sharing Chloe’s lap with Lottie, and teaching them all the Japanese words he knew.
“Have you ever been to Tokyo, Chloe?”
“I have, Nolan. I’ve been to many different places. I’m almost as well-traveled as you.”
“You probably haven’t been to as many places as my mom. She’s a SUPERMODEL!” He yelled proudly. “She takes me on a private plane to all these cool places.”
“You’re a lucky young man, Nolan O’Shaughnessy.”
“I know,” he grinned. “You want to go to the ballpark with us after dinner, Chloe? Daddy says he has tickets to a baseball game. Do you know how to throw a ball or do you throw like a girl?”
“Well, Mr. O’Shaughnessy, I’m proud to say I throw like a girl because I am a girl.” Nole, that smart kid, was still on Chloe’s lap, and she had her arms around him when he started showing her throwing motions.
“I’m on a little league team and we have a game tomorrow. Can you come?” Damn, this kid was doing my work for me. But for him, it wasn’t work; he was a natural.
“I’d like to, Nolan, but Ruby’s family and I have been invited to the beach by some friends. We promised we’d join them.”
I was surprised at how sad my son became. “All right,” he answered with his head down. “Maybe next time.” His voice went low and inanimate as he jumped off her lap. “When’s dinner, Dad? I’m hungry.”
Chloe had a good heart. She handed Lottie to Cat and walked over to my boy. Picking him up, she asked, “How about if we go to the ballgame tonight, and I promise to come to your next game? I’ve already promised my other friends so I can’t back out on them. However, I hate seeing that smile disappear from your sweet face. If you’ll start smiling again, I’ll be at your next game.”
“The next three games plus my kindergarten graduation.”
“You drive a hard bargain, Brendan-mini-me. Since you’re so cute and cuddly, I think I’ll say yes.” Chloe began tickling Nolan, and rather than squirming away, he held onto her for dear life. It was an unusual reaction to a tickling session. I understood what my son was doing. He was thanking her and showing her the affection he could only show his mother a few days a month.
Since he was a baby, Nolan had always been an expressive kid. Veronica, though she loved him, loved herself more. He was a borderline nuisance to her with his incessant questions and chatter. While I loved that part of him, Veronica preferred her Zen surroundings. A five-year-old didn’t make the cut into what was most important in her life.
Nolan needed a mother who would pick him up without worrying about her couture dress or thousand-dollar heels. He craved a mother who would play with him and cheer him on at his ballgames. He deserved a mother who would put him above herself.
Tonight, Chloe fit that bill perfectly. I wasn’t looking for a wife, but apparently, my son had picked a mother.
Michael: (Hoping For A) New Beginning
“Uncle Michael! You’re here!” One little trinket and I had a fan for life—or at least until the next man gave her something shiny.
“Hello, Lilah. Have you been waiting for me?”
“Look! I’m wearing the pretty bracelet.” Lilah held up her wrist. A multi-jeweled bracelet was a bit much with her bathing suit, but she made it work.
“She hasn’t taken it off since you gave it to her, Uncle Michael.” Lilah’s father accentuated the last two words. “Is this how a duke gets a girl’s attention?” Donovan Taylor had always been a pain in my ass.
“Had I known it’d work so well on women, I would’ve thrown a much bigger diamond than the one your wife has on right now. What is that, barely a carat?”
“Are you blind? Do you not see—”
“OK! Hubby,” Laney directed her husband, “you’re in charge of getting all the water gear together. The boys would like to kitesurf. Please make yourself useful.”
“Yes, Princess.” Donovan forced his wife into a quick make out session on my behalf.
“Jerk.” I called out.
“You,” Laney pointed to me, “take Chloe on a nice walk along the beach. Talk to her, make out with her, marry her—do what you can to put a smile on her face. She’s pissed and only you can bring out such extremes in her. You’re too old for this, Michael. Just get on your knees and propose already.”
“I can’t. I’m pissed with her too.”
“Why?”
“She went out on a date with Brendan O’Shaughnessy is why. He’s the same guy who cheated on her years ago. I’m not getting into a duel with him.”
“Why not? Are you scared? Don’t you think you can beat him? You’re handsome, you’re charming, and you’re a future duke. You hold a considerable advantage over this Brendan guy.”
“Did it work with you?” That stopped her immediately.
However, she didn’t hold off for long. “You and I weren’t meant to be. You and Chloe are meant to be. Go.” She pushed me in Chloe’s direction.
In protest, I walked slowly toward the woman who was holding Sarabeth. She looked lovely carrying a baby. Chloe would make a beautiful mother. I would make a damn good father. I’d always been attracted to Chloe and she’d been my best friend for years. There was no reason why we shouldn’t be a couple. During this purposeful walk toward Chloe, I decided I’d fight Brendan O or any other man for Chloe Darcy. We were meant to be. (Yeah, I knew I sounded borderline bipolar.)
“Chloe!” Perhaps that was too much of a demand than a genial request. I tried it again. “Chloe?” Damn. That was a weak request. It didn’t sound manly enough. I tried one last time. “Chloe.” There. That was damn good!
“What the hell’s the matter with you?” Ruby laughed at me. “You nee
d to hear yourself talk?”
“Take your baby. I need to talk with Chloe.” I demanded.
“Why?” Ruby asked.
“Why?” My sister was pissing me off. “Why do I need to answer you, why?”
“You have some issues, Michael. You keep repeating words.”
I could feel my ears getting red with anger. “Rubes,” I warned.
Chloe watched this entire exchange and finally chimed in. “Let’s go.” She began walking. I was about to complain about my niece when Chloe stated firmly, “I’m keeping Sarabeth. You can walk with us, or you can stay there and argue with your sister.”
