by Rachel Burns
She was expecting too much from him. He never said that he liked her, much less loved her. It had always been about Ashton.
Elise sat on her heels to get his gift out from under the tree. She felt so stupid giving it to him. Once again, she’d thought that they had a chance as a couple. She’d been mistaken.
She stood and held the envelope out to him while Patrick was still making adorable car noises.
“Thank you, Elise.” Derrick had to wonder where she got the money to buy him a gift. He’d been clear that she couldn’t have any money from her father.
Elise guessed what he was thinking. “If I had money leftover at the end of the week I set it aside, so I could buy Christmas presents for you and Patty. It isn’t much.” Once again she had learned how to budget with a tutorial. Those taught her more than he did.
“You had money left over? That’s very impressive.” Derrick was bursting with pride as he opened the envelope and pulled out a gift certificate for the diner they had eaten at the night they first made love.
It was a very romantic gift. He was picturing them going there and then coming home and making love like they had last time.
“You don’t have to go with me. If you would rather go with friends, I’d understand.”
“I would never go with anyone but you. That’s our diner.” Derrick hadn’t been there since that evening with her after the Christmas party.
At first he hadn’t gone because Ashton had brushed him off so cruelly. He never even thought that it might have been Elise instead of Ashton.
He never noticed she was in love with him. Now, he had to admit that she knew best.
Elise had gotten Patrick a toy that he could grab onto. He immediately did and hit himself on the head with it to the horror of his parents.
Elise picked him up and walked up and down with him. He was crying.
“I’m sorry. The lady at the store said it was for his age.”
Derrick laughed. “He’s fine. It just surprised him. That was normal.”
Derrick cleaned away the wrapping paper and put the gift certificate in his wallet.
Montfort Industries was closed over the holidays, so he would have time to take Elise out. It would be something nice they could do. Because of Patrick, there was so much they couldn’t do.
Still, he wanted this to be a special time of year for the family.
Chapter 30 – Everybody Loves You
“Have you packed Patrick’s bag?” Derrick asked Elise.
“Yes, sir. It’s ready to go,” Elise replied.
“Good, let’s get him in the car, so he can go see his Grandpa.”
And his Aunt Ashton, Elise thought. She wished today were over with. Her family was bound to notice that things weren’t right despite Derrick’s efforts to pretend they were.
Elise sat in the backseat next to Patrick, in case he cried on the long ride. His tiny hand was wrapped around her pointer finger.
He slept the whole way.
Derrick asked her what Christmas was usually like at her house.
“We have a big tree in the living room and another in the dining room. The whole house is decorated with ribbons and bows, and garlands are hung over doors and on the banisters. We usually sleep-in and then we have a big family breakfast. After that, we go into the living room and exchange gifts. We spend the rest of the day in there talking and eating. There will be lots to eat.
In the evening we watch a movie together in my father’s at home movie theater. He loves watching movies. Did you know that?”
“No, I didn’t,” Derrick answered.
“I’m sure we could leave early if you don’t want to watch along.”
“No, I like to watch movies. We just aren’t in the habit of doing so before we go to bed. Maybe, we should go apartment hunting and find something with another room, so Patrick can have his own?”
Elise figured it wouldn’t pay. She would be leaving him soon.
When she didn’t answer, Derrick looked back at her in the rearview mirror. She was leaning over Patrick, so he didn’t think more of it.
Derrick was holding onto Patrick in his car seat as they rang the bell. He was surprised Elise didn’t just walk in. He would have if this had been his parents’ house.
A maid opened the door. Both Derrick and Elise felt sorry for her because she had to work today. She took their coats and hung them up. Elise unpacked Patrick out of his light blue snowsuit with a bunny peeking out of the pocket and handed it to her too.
They both said thank you and then followed her into the living room. Her father was in their with her grandfather. They were talking about the company and what kind of year they had.
Her father told him things had been steadily going upwards for the past thirty-five years.
Why hadn’t I ever had the nerve to ask him that question? Things could be so different. Elise scolded herself.
Marshall noticed his daughter and her husband. His eyes searched her face to see if she were happy. She was smiling at him, but she didn’t look truly happy. He went to her and hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I brought your grandson with.” She smiled at her father.
“May I hold him?” Marshall asked.
“Sure, Dad.” Elise laid Patrick in his arms, and he went to the sofa and sat down to stare at the child.
Derrick felt a little disappointed that he’d been ignored, but he told himself it didn’t matter. Mr. Montfort only had one grandchild. Derrick stepped over to Elise’s grandfather and shook his hand.
He was cold with him too.
Elise hugged her grandfather who scolded her for not calling him enough. Elise looked like she may break out in tears.
Derrick stepped in to rescue her. “Patrick has been keeping her on her toes. He’s a handful, but we love him.”
“Elise.” A voice came over the loudspeaker.
Elise went to it and pushed a button. “Yes, Ashton.”
“Come up to my room.”
Elise looked over her shoulder at her husband for permission.
Derrick gave her a nod.
“I’ll be right there.” Elise pushed the button and answered her sister.
Marshall was asking himself about her daily life with Mr. Davis. He worried that she was afraid of him. What she’d done to him had been terrible. There was no question about that. However, the question was: did the punishment fit the crime?
He would pull Elise to the side and ask her if she wanted to come back home, making it clear she could come home any time she wanted to.
Elise knocked on Ashton’s door.
Ashton opened it and smiled at Elise. Then she frowned. “You aren’t going to wear that are you?”
Elise looked down at her dress. It was the one she wore for Patrick’s baptism. “It’s the best dress I have.”
She felt like she was going to cry. Nothing she did was ever good enough.
“Why wear an old dress when you can wear a new one. I have your gift right here.” She pulled a dress forwards that she’d been hiding behind the half-opened door.
“Oh Ashton, it’s beautiful.” Ashton was holding a wine-colored dress in her hands. The neckline was very high, but the dress was sleeveless. It had a short tight skirt. It was a dress only a woman with a perfect figure could wear. Would it fit?
“I know. It’s amazing. I had to try on hundreds until I found the right one for you.”
“I don’t think we’re the same size anymore.” Elise worried.
“The only way to find out is if you try it on.” Ashton opened the door and laid the dress down on her bed. “I’ll hold my beautiful god-child, so you can change. Montfort women don’t wear the same dress twice.”
“I’m not a Montfort anymore.”
“Nonsense. You’ll always be one. I raised you proper.”
She took Patrick and walked around with him, showing him her room.
Elise took off her clothes, glad that she’d been good lately a
nd hadn’t needed to be spanked. Ashton wouldn’t understand about something like that.
“You got your figure back quickly. It will fit,” Ashton assured Elise as she hummed to Patrick.
Elise stepped into the dress and pulled it into place. She reached behind her back and tried to close up the dress.
“I’ll close you up. I have to admit that I’m jealous that you have a husband to close and open your dresses for you. I have to call for a maid every time I need help.” Ashton laid Patrick down on the bed, thinking the husband wasn’t the only thing she was jealous about.
Elise looked at herself in the mirror and smiled a little. “It fits. I didn’t think it would so soon.”
“I hope I bounce back from pregnancies as quickly as you do.” Ashton picked up Patrick and hugged him to her heart. “Do you see the box on the floor? Those are your shoes. I hope they fit. The saleslady said that pregnancies could make your feet bigger. That’s the only reason I would bulk at having a baby.”
“What about stretch marks?” Elise asked, turning a little to admire herself.
“You don’t have any, do you,” Ashton asked concerned.
“No, but I’m still young. I recuperate easier than someone your age,” Elise teased her.
Ashton was so pleased that Elise was finally smiling that she had to mention it. “I haven’t seen you smile like that since before you graduated from high school.”
“I went through a bad phase. I’m sorry.”
“I often got the feeling you didn’t like me anymore. It felt like we were growing apart. I hated that. You’re the one person I can be myself with. You and this little guy.”
“How are things working out with you and helicopter guy?” Elise asked.
“He told me he wanted to have an open relationship, so we could both see other people.”
“What?”
“That translates into him already having someone who he’s been seeing for a couple of months but still wanting to sleep with me when it’s convenient for him.”
“Ashton, I’m so sorry. How could he do that to you?”
“He’s a jerk. You have no idea how lucky you are to have Derrick. I saw the necklace. Was it your Christmas gift?”
“Yes.”
“It’s heart-shaped. What more can a woman want.”
“I wish he had a picture of me and Patrick on his desk.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t want people to know he’s the boss’s son-in-law, so he doesn’t get special treatment. I know he loves you. He has to. Everyone loves you.”
“I doubt that.”
“Nonsense. You’re too tired to think straight. That’s all. Once Patrick sleeps through the night, your life will be rosier. Let me do your make-up and your hair.”
“The others are waiting.”
“Let them wait,” Ashton told her.
Elise was also jealous. She was jealous of Ashton’s carefree personality.
Chapter 31 – Mistaken Identity
Elise fed Patrick while Ashton did her hair and make-up. She felt she looked much better than on her wedding day.
Ashton helped her back into her dress, and they went downstairs together, so everyone could eat. Ashton held onto Patrick, not wanting to let go of him.
Elise was thankful to have a moment when her hands weren’t doing anything, not holding, cooking or cleaning.
They walked into the living room, and the men stood up. Elise felt her husband’s eyes on her. He was smiling pleased with her.
“Ashton, you look as lovely as always.” Derrick stepped towards her. He felt so drawn to her.
Elise looked at her sister. She was standing next to her grandfather showing off Patrick.
The corners of Elise’s mouth sunk down. She reached into the neck of her dress and pulled out her necklace, so he could see it.
Derrick saw the hurt in her eyes. She was Elise, his wife, and not the woman he’d been pining after for so long.
“I’m sorry, Elise. I didn’t know you were going to change here.” This just wasn't his day.
Still, his eyes should have gone to the woman he thought was his wife, Elise told herself.
Derrick took hold of her hand and tried to smile at her. Elise looked away from him.
Marshall decided he would tell Elise to stay here. It was clear that Derrick didn’t love Elise, and he never would.
“Let’s adjourn to the dining room. We can come back here later.” Marshall ushered them into the other room.
“I’ll hold Patrick, so you can eat in peace, Elise.” Ashton still needed to be held. Her feelings had been terribly hurt by Fletcher.
Derrick didn’t let go of Elise’s hand as they walked into the dining room. “You honestly do look fantastic.”
Elise decided she would sleep on the sofa again tonight. Her place wasn’t in his bed.
Throughout the meal Derrick tried to get his wife to smile at him, but his attempts only made her frown all the more.
Derrick was kicking himself, but he figured a heartfelt apology, when they were alone, would set things right again.
When Patrick began to cry, Elise excused herself, so she could feed him.
Derrick offered to come along, so he could help her. He didn’t want to stay sitting here with her family. It was clear they all hated him.
Elise cocked her eyebrow at him. When had he ever helped her feed Patrick before? “I’ll be fine.”
The rest of them went into the living room to open presents.
Elise went to her old room. She couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. They had been married for over two months now, and he still couldn’t tell the difference.
At the moment, she felt like telling him to simply call her Ashton, so she could pretend that she was loved.
Patrick was crying his eyes out, and Elise realized she couldn’t open her dress by herself. She called for a maid to help her. Whoever came would see she’d been crying.
She went to her bathroom and wiped her face clean, so the paths her tears had taken wouldn’t be seen through her make-up.
There was a knock at the door. Elise picked up Patrick, so it wouldn’t look like she ignored her child, when nothing could be further from the truth.
“Come in.”
Her father stepped into the room. “Do you need something, angel?”
Elise hung her head a little. She didn’t deserve the name angel anymore. “I can’t get my dress open without help.”
“I figured as much. Your mother had the same problem with you girls. I always helped her.”
Elise turned around, so he could open it up for her. She didn’t know that her mother had breastfed them.
“The sad thing is that you didn’t want your husband’s help.”
“He’s a stranger to me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Marshall truly was. He had hoped that things would get better when they got to know each other. Instead, they had been distancing themselves.
Elise turned to her father. “Will you hold Patrick while I change into something else. This dress simply isn’t practical.”
“Of course.”
Elise changed into the same very boring type of clothes she wore every day at home.
“I can take him again.” Elise took Patrick and gave him a kiss on his forehead. “I’ll hurry back down. Still, perhaps it would be best if everyone started opening presents without me.”
“We can wait.”
“I’d rather you didn’t. I don’t feel like celebrating.” Elise tried to fake a smile.
“Elise, I saw what happened.”
“Don’t defend him. I know what I did to him was unforgivable, but – ” She didn’t know how to finish her sentence.
“I didn’t want to defend him. I wanted to tell you that you’re welcome here whenever you want to come here. If you want to visit you may, and if you want to move back in, we would welcome you with open arms. You don’t have to leave with him today. But if you ever want to, you can stay with As
hton and I.”
Elise thought about that a moment as she lay down on her bed to feed Patrick. “I don’t know what to do. Everything I do is wrong. I can’t trust my own judgment.”
Marshall picked up a blanket and covered her up.
The simple act had brought Elise to tears. “Have you forgiven me, yet?” she asked her father.
“There was never anything for me to forgive.” He left her and went down to the others.
Ashton was talking to Derrick about Patrick. She obviously wanted a child. Would he end up with two unwed daughters and their children?
Marshall decided worse things could happen. He loved both of his daughters dearly. He would stand by them come what may.
Derrick felt very uncomfortable without Elise here. Ashton was babbling about Patrick to the point that he told himself that he would have to make sure he still had his son when they left this house. Ashton might try to keep Patrick.
Her grandfather was rereading the newspaper, and his father-in-law was shooting daggers at him.
Derrick weakly protested that they should wait with presents until Elise and Patrick rejoined them.
Marshall hoped Derrick would feel so out of place that he would leave. “What did you get Elise for Christmas?” he asked.
Derrick cleared his throat. He was thankful he’d gotten her something nice. “I got her a necklace with a turquoise heart-shaped pendant. She’s wearing it now.”
“Yes, I saw it. It’s a lovely piece. What else did you find for her?”
“We only got each other one thing. My family didn’t like to go overboard on the holidays.” Derrick had said the wrong thing. He was feeling nervous and he wanted Elise to return to his side.
Derrick clearly felt that he was in the hot seat.
“What did she get for you?” Marshall asked.
“She got me a gift certificate to our favorite restaurant. It was very thoughtful of her.”
