Tough Love (Hidden Secrets)

by Belden, P. J.

  “You have been around us a lot lately. You have seen how others look at him. Even your own employee was cracking jokes about him. Try being him. Try being that four year old little boy that everyone views as some kind of monster, all over things he can’t control. Your family is the first people outside of me that have given him the time of day.” She turns to look at me with tears in her eyes, my heart broke. “Sebastian is an amazing kid, brilliant even. But there are so many other things that people see before that. He deserves a great life. Those trials you want him to try, I’ve reviewed them even after I said no. The success rate is high if treatment starts when the problem first shows. He’s been this way too long. Surgery isn’t a quick fix, but it’s a solution that will promise a solution. Please Jackson, please. Please do this for him. Give him a chance, please.”

  Pulling her into my arms, I held her tight against me as she cried. “Okay, Shannon. I will. I’ll do the surgery.” I whispered after a while.

  “You won’t hate me for making you do something you don’t want to do?” She sniffled.

  “Baby, I could never hate you, ever. I’m going to do it because you’re right, it does promise a solution.”

  She looks up at me and smiles. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.”

  Unable to stop myself, I lean down and take her lips with mine. Licking the seam of her lips, until she opened and I pushed my tongue into her mouth. She moaned. The sound headed straight south and again I started to come alive. Lowering my hands to her hips, I shifted her over straddling my lap. Her arms wrapped around my neck, I pulled her tighter against me and moaned when she slightly ground against me.

  “Jack, err I mean Dr. Williams, when… What the hell?”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Shannon

  Shit! I loved kissing Jackson. His kisses consumed me and everything was brighter and better when he was around and even more so when his lips were on mine.

  “Jack, err, I mean Dr. Williams, when… What the hell?”

  Jack groaned and I laughed. “Not funny. You need to stand in front of me. I really don’t want to embarrass myself today.”

  That made me laugh harder, but he stood with me in his arms. Putting my feet down, I turned around to face our intruder.

  “Ms. Clark, this is my girlfriend, Shannon. Shannon this is Ms. Clark, my receptionist.”

  “Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” I said sweetly, holding my hand out to her.

  Really, it wasn’t nice to meet her. I’m still pissed about her making fun of my brothers, but I wouldn’t make it awkward for Jack. However, it seems that Rachael has no problem making things awkward.

  “Excuse me? She’s your girlfriend?” Rachael says in disbelief.

  “Yes,” Jack says, smiling down at me.

  “Seriously? She’s got a retarded alien son?” She hisses.

  “He isn’t any of those things,” Jake boomed from the doorway. “He’s one of the best kids I’ve met and I think his sister has done an amazing job with both of them.”

  “I’m not going to sit here and have you put down those two boys, who are very dear to my heart. If you can’t start showing some professionalism Ms. Clark, then I will have no choice but to terminate you.”

  She scoffs, “Me show professionalism? You’re fucking a patient!”

  “Ms. Clark!”

  “For the record, I’m not a patient, my brother is. And correct me if I’m wrong, but he’s the boss. He crossed no lines, blurred no professional or personal lines. We-”

  “He’s fucking you! How is that not crossing lines?” Rachael hissed at me.

  “I’m sorry,” I look back and forth between Rachael and Jackson. “Is there something going on between you two?” Shaking my head, “I need to go. You can work out whatever it is.” Bending down I grabbed my purse and pushed past Jake and out the door.

  My heart was racing and confusion filled me. Was there something going on between them? I’m no idiot. I know that there have been other women, but this was like it was something recent and Jack told me it’d been a long time since he’s had any intimate contact with a woman. If he’s been with Rachael then he lied to me already.

  I didn’t take Jack’s car. Instead I hurried out of sight and called a cab to come and take me to get my car. It was a long drive as I headed to get the boys. When I knocked on Eli’s door, I could hear the boys laughing inside. Eli’s house was a very nice Colonial style house. It didn’t seem too big, but for only one person to live here it did.

  “Hey Shannon,” Eli looks confused. “I thought you wouldn’t be here for a little while.”

  “I’m not used to being away from the boys. I miss them.”

  “You don’t have to explain, Shannon. Come on in. I’ll get their stuff together.”

  “Their stuff?” I asked confused. “They didn’t come over with anything.”

  Eli starts laughing. “Yeah well, Uncle Eli kind of spoiled them.”

  I laughed. “Uncle Eli?”

  “Yeah,” he chuckles. “We decided that even though we’re brothers it was easier to call me an Uncle since… Um, how did they put it? Oh, yes. Since I’m really old,” he laughs.

  “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry Eli.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I told them that I only look and feel old, but my heart is still only four years old.”

  I laugh then my smile drops some. “My dad used to always say that he was a kid at heart no matter how much gray showed. They probably don’t remember that.”

  Eli walks over and gives me a hug. “I can’t even imagine what you must be going through. I hope I never have to find out, but if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here okay?”

  “I know. Tell me, why you don’t have a girlfriend.”

  “Who says I don’t,” he walked away winking at me.

  About ten minutes later I have the boys in the car and we are driving away from town. They are in the backseat telling me all the fun things they did with Uncle Eli. They had so much fun and were still excited about their time with Eli. I don’t know how it happened but at a time that life seemed so desolate, we were now surrounded by those that accepted us as part of their family. There was just no denying the warmth that brought to my heart.

  “Where are we going?” Sebastian asked after a bit.

  “Do you guys remember where we always went with Mom and Dad every chance we would get?”

  “The cabin!” They shouted excitedly.

  “Yup. I thought it was time that we get away and reconnect as a family. What do you think?”

  “Yeah! This is the best day EVER!” They cheer.

  They were the happiest I have ever seen them. I smiled as I continued to drive out to the lake house. My parents bought this place when I was only two years old. It was secluded and housed a pretty private lake. It was shared by a couple others but their houses were far enough away that it was pretty much a private lake. Every memory of my parents really was centered around this lake house. I’m so glad that they didn’t sell it and even more that they left it to me. It gave me the opportunity to give them the same memories as I have.

  The boys started bouncing in their seats as the house came into view. It was a simple cottage. Nothing spectacular about it, but what memories it held. It was white, with blue shutters. There was a small porch in the front, but in the back there was a big deck that overlooked the lake. It was my favorite place to sit. Inside there were four bedrooms and three baths. The kitchen was big and I loved cooking in there. Then the living room was big. No dining room or anything like that. It was simplistic at best, but it was ours and that was what mattered.

  “I’m so excited!” Sebastian squeals from his seat vibrating with excitement.

  I laugh as I climbed out and unbuckled them. “Now you remember the rules right?”

  “If we go outside only on the porches unless you’re with us.” Atreyu says.

  “Okay, let’s go inside, shall we?”

  They ran to the door, jumping up and
down as they waited for me to unlock the door. The minute the door opened they were off running. As tiring as they may be sometimes, they really were so much fun to just sit back and watch. They filled you with happiness. Walking around the house, nothing had changed since we were here last. It both saddened me and made me happy. Their memories were fresh. Looking out on the deck, a memory started to come back to me.

  “Papa!” I yelled.

  “Out here, baby.”

  Walking out on the deck, “Am I a princess?” I asked.

  “Of course you are. The most beautiful princess alive.”

  I giggled as he pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “Does that mean I have a prince?”

  “You will one day pumpkin. He will be loyal, honest, love you with everything he has, put you first, and be about one hundred years old because you aren’t dating before you’re at least ninety-five.”

  I laughed again. “Papa. My prince will be just like you.”

  “That would be every daddy’s dream and nightmare,” he said laughing.

  “Daddy?”

  “Yes, baby?”

  “Do you ever wish I was a boy?”

  Pulling back from the hug, he looks at me with confusion on his face. “Why would you ever wonder that?”

  “This kid at school, Dirk, he said that dads are only happy when they have boys. He said you’d look at me and wish I was a boy.”

  “Oh sweetie. I’ll tell you the truth when I dreamed of my family, I dreamed of a son, but there was a daughter there too. I’ve never wished for you to be anything other than who you are. You’re my little girl and no one else has a little girl as wonderful as I do.”

  “I love you, Papa.”

  “I love you too, my son…err daughter.” He laughs.

  “Sissy Shan!”

  I jumped slightly when Sebastian screams. “What, buddy?”

  “I thought we were going to stay with Jack tonight?”

  “Well I thought we needed to get away just us. Is that okay?”

  “But we are going to stay at Jack’s right?”

  “Who wants to go shopping?”

  The boys start running for the door. For now, Sebastian has forgotten about going to Jack’s. Going to the store was always a treat for them. We didn’t go often because many times it ended with Sebastian in tears and Atreyu pissed off.

  Thankfully today, the shopping trip was uneventful. We were able to get the groceries we needed and I bought some clothes for myself. Eli had really spoiled the boys. I’m never going to be able to repay him for that.

  “Ummm, Sissy Shan Sebastian said a bad word.”

  “I did not!”

  “Yes you did!”

  “No! I said Hell and he thinks that's a bad word.

  “Um, Hell is a bad word.”

  “Ha! See told you!” Atreyu says.

  “I didn't know Hell was a bad word. I thought I could say it because it was part of a storm.”

  “Do you mean hail?”

  “Yeah...”

  “Hell is a curse word as well as where the devil is. Hail is part of a storm, basically iceballs.

  Atreyu starts laughing, “You're balls will melt in Hell...”

  “Atreyu Edward!” I exclaimed.

  “Opps...” Atreyu mumbles.

  I couldn’t help it, I started laughing. Soon the boys were joining in. I explained to them that they were not to use that word, but the whole conversation was one for the books. It will definitely be one I share or think about during times that I need a laugh.

  Once I had everything put away, I hear my phone beep. Walking out to the living room, I checked the messages. There were three missed calls; one from Nick and two from Jackson. I set my phone back down on the end table and I walked out to the deck. The boys played happily inside the house and I curled up in one of the chairs and just stared out over the water.

  More memories start to flood my brain and tears trail down my cheeks. We hadn’t come out here since our parents died. This place was where I felt them the most. It’s where they taught me to swim, walk, camp, build fires and so much more. Standing, I go inside to busy myself and take my thoughts away from my parents.

  As I walked through the living room to the kitchen, I hear my phone beeping again. Ignoring it, I started making supper. I kept getting this feeling like I was being watched. The idea sent a chill down my spine. Walking away from the stove to the window that was on the side of the room from it, pulling back the curtains, I looked outside to see if I could see anything. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t have come back out here,” I mumbled to myself.

  “I’m hungry,” Atreyu says walking into the kitchen.

  I smile. “Well, you’re in luck because supper is about ready. Go tell your brother it’s time to wash up, you wash up too okay?”

  He ran off and I went about finishing up supper. We all sat down and ate our spaghetti. They talked animatedly about Eli’s again. I loved that they had so much fun. We finished our meals and both of them wanted to go to bed. Apparently their fun filled day at Eli’s and running around here like mad men, wore them out. Tucking them in bed, I read them their favorite story. They had fallen asleep halfway through it. Kissing their foreheads, I walked quietly out of the room. It was the peace and quiet I longed for at home, but dreaded here. I went to the living room to find my phone, but it wasn’t where I left it.

  “Where the hell is my phone?”

  Just then someone started pounding on the door. My heart was pounding in my chest. After the feeling I had in the kitchen, everything was just weird.

  “Shannon open the door please.”

  “What the hell is going on here?” I mumbled to myself confused.

  Opening the door, “How-”

  The minute I opened the door, I was immediately wrapped in strong arms and pressed firmly against a hard chest. The mixture of emotions cause me to freeze up and do nothing.

  Kissing the top of my head over and over, “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”

  “Jack? Jack! How did you know I was here?”

  “You don’t know?” He pulls back and looks at me confused.

  “No or I wouldn’t have asked.”

  He starts laughing. “The boys called me said that you were sad and couldn’t come to the phone. They told me about where you were…They’re pretty observant just so you know. Anyway with the help of Jason, I found you and came right out.”

  Pulling away from him, I walked down the hall to check on the boys. They were still sleeping. They were lucky too. If they were awake right now, I’d probably yell at them again. Sighing, I walked back out to the living room, past Jackson and out onto the deck. I needed space and then again I needed him. Even though I wanted away from him for a while, after the feeling I got cooking supper, I was glad he was here.

  He wrapped me in his arms from behind me, resting his head on my shoulder. “It’s beautiful out here.”

  “My dad found this place when he was out hunting with his brother. He bought it that year and we’ve come here ever since. I stopped coming out here when my parents died. This is where I feel them the most. It hurts to be here, but I want the boys to have those same memories I had here.”

  “What happened today?” He whispers into my neck as he kisses lightly.

  “Have you been with her?” I squeak out.

  “With who? Rachael? God no!” He pauses a moment, then turns me around to face him. “Is that why you left? You thought I lied to you?”

  Looking into his eyes, all I could do was nod. His eyes portrayed disbelief and hurt. My chest tightened from the look in his eyes.

  “How could you think I’d lie to you? Shannon, I’ve been nothing but honest with you since we met. I’d never dream of lying to you.”

  “B-but you’re not answering my question,” I stammered.

  “I’ve never dated or slept with Rachael. The most I’ve done with her is have
her tag along to important events where going alone would have left me open to the socialites at those events. She knew up front it was just a business arrangement. I’ve never led her on.”

  “Jack…”

  Before I could say anymore his mouth sealed over mine claiming mine in a passionate kiss. I moan loudly and wrap my arms around his neck. He tightened his arms around me and deepened the kiss further. After a bit I broke the kiss. Resting my head on his chest, he rested his chin on my head.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t have a whole lot of faith in men. Seeing her so upset about you and I…” I shrugged.

  “I know you don’t have any proof, but you can trust me Shannon.”

  We stood out there for a little longer before going inside and cuddling on the couch while we watched television. The day was wearing on me and soon I fell asleep.

  * * *

  The days passed quickly and it was the weekend. Jane and Larry came out today. They wanted to see the boys. Jack told them that’d be great because he wanted to spend some time alone with me. I hit him on the shoulder as he said it, but he just smiled.

  Once Larry and Jane walked in the door, the boys were all over them. They were really attached to the Williams and it worried me. If Jack and I didn’t work out, I worried how they’d handle it, especially Sebastian. We all shared a nice dinner, then Jack told his parents that we were going for a walk.

  We strolled along the shore in peace and quiet. It was the first time in so long that I’ve not been running after the boys, I didn’t know what to do with myself. Actually, I was nervous, if I were to be honest.

  “Are you sure they’re okay?” I asked Jackson looking back at the cabin.

  He laughed softly. “Trust me, if my parents can handle me and my siblings the boys won’t be an issue for them.”

  When I met Jane and Larry, I liked them immediately. They reminded me a lot of my parents. Sebastian liked them instantly too, and that never happens. Mom and Dad would be shocked if they’d been here to see it. The thought of my parents sends a chill down my spine. I missed them every day. A huge part of me had died with them.