by Sadie Grubor
"…fiancé. That's fantastic."
For a moment I was curious about the conversation. Who was a fiancé? Dr. Greer had a bright gold band on his left hand and he couldn't possibly be old enough to have a daughter who would be getting married. Could he?
"Daddy we are going back to have the picnic," Victoria released my hand and bopped to his side, effectively ending their conversation and my horrible eavesdropping.
"Ah well then I'll come with you." He looked down at her lovingly before kissing the top of her head. Turning back to Dr. Greer he said his goodbyes and excused himself. We walked back to the dark green blanket.
Once lunch was finished and cleared away, Collin sat against a tree next to us. I pulled out 'The Little Mermaid' book I had been reading to Victoria. He pulled me between his legs with my back against his chest and I mimicked the position with Victoria.
With his hands on my sides he ran his nose along my neck. While I tried not to get distracted, I was. After his lips grazed the juncture my neck and shoulder meet, I prompted Victoria to read to us for a bit. She was hesitant until Collin urged her to read to him.
She read, with some help, while Collin held and nuzzled me. My hands found themselves a home on his upper thighs while I tried to focus on Victoria's words. He was being so distracting. He bit down lightly on my neck and I shivered. I could feel his proud smile against my skin, so I tugged at his hair. His low growl made Victoria turn around and look at him for a second.
"Sorry," he apologized quickly. I laughed.
He attacked my sides with his fingers and soon Victoria forgot about the book, instead joining in the tickle battle. I barely survived. Collin's cell phone pulled us out of our laughter fits.
"Hello?" Collin was breathless, still chuckling, and had never looked sexier. His face fell and I sat up, wrapping Victoria close to me. "Okay, I will see you then." He hung up and looked at both of us.
"What's wrong?" Victoria's words were merely a breath.
"We have to be at the courthouse tomorrow afternoon." He sighed heavily. "Victoria will need an early dismissal to attend as well."
The tears formed in my eyes, but I refused to let them spill over. Nothing was certain yet, we didn't know what was going to happen, and I had to look at that as a positive thing or I would really lose it.
Unlike the beautiful sunny and warm day we had yesterday, today it was raining. It was appropriate for the way Victoria and I were both feeling. Collin, also, seemed pained, but I couldn't tell if that was because of the meeting or if it was because we were so sad.
While I took Victoria to school, Collin checked in with the hospital and took care of some arrangements he needed to make. I decided being home alone was the worst thing I could do today, so I called Miranda.
"Hey you!" She squealed into the phone.
"It's been too long." I sighed out happily. Her voice was familiar and warm. I had truly missed her. "How was the honeymoon?"
"Oh, Soph, it was so great. We had such a wonderful time. I'm sorry I haven't called you since we got back."
"Don't worry about it, things get a little crazy." I told myself I wouldn't get upset, that I would make this a fun call, but I failed and Miranda saw straight through it.
"Uh oh, what's going on?"
"Nothing, just a meeting today at the courthouse with Victoria's mother." I sighed out.
"That crazy bitch still thinks she has a chance?"
"Rand," I giggled, "you certainly have a way with words."
"Well this is just insane. Hey, we need to meet in person. Meet me at the coffee shop, okay?" There was no arguing with her. She wouldn't hear about meeting another time, so we hung up, meeting in twenty minutes.
Rand's car was already there when I pulled to the curb. I put money in the meter and hurried inside, out of the rain.
"Sophia!" She pulled me into a huge hug. We squeezed each other for a long time. It felt so could to have her familiar comfort today.
"Oh god, I've missed you."
"You too. I already got your coffee, so have a seat. I brought honeymoon pictures too." She smiled warmly as we both took our seats.
I sipped some coffee and looked through her pictures. The Caribbean looked beautiful and their room was spectacular. Apparently, from what Miranda tells me, 'Dr. Bishop' arranged for their honeymoon to be upgraded. My heart fluttered at his name.
"So, you ready to talk to me about what's been going on?" She sipped at her tea. I had no idea where to begin. "Why don't we start with who it is you've been or were seeing at the time of my wedding?" She raised a brow at me.
I licked my suddenly dry lips and swallowed a large drink of coffee.
"Yeah, about that –"
"Oh, just spill it already." She leaned forward with a gleam in her eye.
"Yeah, um…his name is Collin." I peeked up at her from under my lashes.
Her brow furrowed.
"I need a last name, I don't know a –" I cut her off.
"Collin Bishop." I clenched my eyes tightly as the words left my lips, but then it felt like a massive weight had been lifted. It was like ripping off a Band-Aid.
"Collin Bishop?" she choked out. "Dr. Bishop?" she paused with wide eyes. "Dr. Collin Bishop?"
"Yes, those would technically all be his name." I smiled small and sipped at my coffee as nonchalantly as I possibly could.
"Holy shit Sophia," she gasped. "How, why, when, How?"
After the rash of embarrassment left my face I launched into the story. I told her everything from Grace on her knees, to drunken make-out sessions, sex, flowers, and his statement of love, Victoria discovering us, and our current situation. Surprisingly it felt a lot better than I thought it would, getting it all off my chest.
Miranda sat with a dazed looked on her face. She didn't speak and I had to wonder if she were breathing.
"Rand?" I waved my hand in front of her face, "Earth to Rand."
There was still nothing. Until.
"You thought you were pregnant and you didn't call me?" she exclaimed.
Now it was my turn to sit stunned. After all of that, she was most concerned with that situation.
"Really? That's what you are asking about?" My face was scrunched in confusion.
"Well, I mean –" she stammered.
"What is it?"
"Um, I'm pregnant." Miranda's face lit up with the largest smile.
I screamed and jumped up. She stood with me. I wrapped my arms around her.
"I just found out a couple of days ago and we just told our families."
"Oh my god, this is so great. I am so happy for you!" I slid back into my seat. She did the same.
"Too bad you aren't too." She winked.
The coffee in my mouth sprayed onto the table. She laughed furiously and I yanked a million napkins from the holder to soak it all up.
"That is so not funny," I bit back my laugh.
"I still can't believe you're with Dr. Bishop." She shook her head. "I bet he is really passionate in bed." My face turned red, I could feel it. "He is, isn't he?" She demanded. "Is he like a Dom in bed?"
I shook my head and buried my face in my hands. She laughed harder.
We sat there for at least three hours and ended up eating lunch together before going our separate ways. Miranda had a celebration dinner with both Benji and her parents. Everyone was thrilled about the baby.
After the coffee shop I went back to Victoria's school and picked her up. We raced back to the house. I quickly got cleaned up and dressed while Victoria ate a snack. Collin arrived shortly after we had finished getting ready. Driving to the courthouse in silence, my hand was locked in Collins.
Stepping out of the car felt like we had arrived to a funeral. Walking into the building felt like I was there for my death sentence. We signed in at the front desk and greeted Mr. Stryker, Collin's attorney. They talked in hushed tones walking down the long hallway. I didn't hear one word of what they were saying. My eyes were fixated on one thing.
> In what had to be the only conservative piece of her wardrobe Grace sat on a bench just outside of the judge's chamber. The sneer on her face was clearly meant only for me and having lost any sense of control where this bitch was concerned I glowered back.
Collin must have felt the change in my body because he pulled me closer to his side. Since I was clutched onto Victoria for dear life, she came with me into his side. Grace's eyes fell from my face onto Victoria.
"Oh baby," she purred and made her approach. Victoria buried herself into my side and held onto me tightly. Grace stopped her advance and glared at me. I held onto Victoria tighter. Grace and I held the most intense 'glare off' I had ever participated in.
She blinked first when the judge's door opened. I silently declared myself the champion.
"Good afternoon." He stepped forth and took in the atmosphere of the room. His eyes landed on Victoria, who was still buried in my side.
"What's the matter my dear?" he knelt down to eye level with her. She pulled her head out of my side.
"I don't want to go with her," she whispered out. I rubbed her head.
"Who?" he inquired.
"Her," Victoria nodded her head toward Grace.
"I see." He breathed out and moved back into a standing position.
"If you will Ms. Gold, Mr. Dygger," the judge motioned for them to enter his chamber. Then he turned toward Collin and Mr. Stryker. "Dr. Bishop, Mr. Stryker?"
Collin kissed Victoria on the top of her head before he turned and kissed me on the temple, which caused me to tense.
"Please go along with what I do?" he whispered into my ear.
Mr. Stryker, Collin's lawyer, stepped toward the door but then he paused next to me. I looked to him.
"I wanted to quickly congratulate you." He smiled and walked fast inside the door.
Congratulate me? What the hell was he talking about? The judge pulled me from my thoughts.
"Miss Ashwood," I looked to him. He smiled friendly.
"Yes, your honor?"
"Mrs. Foster will be coming for Victoria shortly."
"Okay, thank you." I smiled.
He winked at Victoria and then closed the door.
Mrs. Foster arrived quickly and escorted Victoria into the familiar room across the hall. There was a small commotion in the judge's chamber and I wondered what was going on. I jinxed myself, because the door swung open and Collin stood looking at me with a strange expression.
"Sophia, could you please join us?" Collin held out his hand.
I got closer to him and he mouthed one word, 'Please,' before he closed the door and pulled my chair out.
When he sat down next to me, closely, I was a bit uncomfortable. I didn't know what was going on and what I was supposed to do. Why didn't he tell me before we got here?
"Miss Ashwood," I looked up to the judge.
"Yes, your honor?" My fingers seemed to have a mind of their own, twisting into knots in my lap. Suddenly Collin's hand was grasping my right hand. I stiffened and he didn't try to hide the fact he was touching me.
"It's my understanding that you and Dr. Bishop have developed a more personal relationship?" I nodded. "Okay, when did this relationship begin?"
Oh god, how was I supposed to know what he told them or when he thought that our 'relationship' began? Was it the first drunken make-out session or was it –?
"Miss Ashwood?" I was snapped from my inner dialogue back to the reality in front me.
"Well, I can only speak for myself, but I would say it has only been a few months." I cleared my throat nervously. Collin rubbed circles with his thumb on the back of my hand.
"Honestly, my dear, I believe it started for the dear doctor much, much sooner." He chuckled out. I swallowed hard. My mouth was suddenly dry and I didn't think I could answer another question.
"So, I don't see what else I can do but to congratulate our couple here and to inform you, Ms. Gold, that you can visit with your daughter in the Bishop's home. If you wish to ever have a chance for any type of custody of your daughter my suggestion is parenting classes and therapy."
Grace opened her mouth, but her lawyer shushed her. She furrowed her brow and continued.
"But it's okay for him to cavort with the nanny in the presence of my daughter? How is that appropriate?"
The judged sighed heavily.
"We've already discussed that Miss Ashwood is no longer an employee of Dr. Bishop now that they are engaged."
I froze. Collin's hand tightened on mine, his other running my arm, trying to be soothing. However, it was more like a silent pleading with me not to blurt out the words that would shatter this pretense.
Fiancé, no longer employed. Fiancé?
With a quick glance to Collin he mouthed 'please' again, but kept his eyes toward those in front of us. There was a large lump in my throat, but I also considered it could be a scream threatening to explode.
Grace growled and pouted, throwing herself back into her chair. I was still trying to wrap my head around what had been said. Soon everyone was standing and Collin was helping me from my seat.
We emerged from the room. Victoria was quietly waiting with Mrs. Fisher on the bench. She smiled brightly and ran to me.
It was so hard, but I had to pull myself out of the haze that had engulfed me. Clearing my head I focused on Victoria.
"How was it?" I asked her.
"It was great. Look at all the stickers I got this time." She beamed and pointed out six different stickers stuck to her school uniform.
"Those are awesome." I smiled down at her.
"Can we go now?" she looked to Collin.
"Of course," his words were quiet. His nervousness was evident in his voice.
The car ride was quiet. My mind was processing the word fiancé, as well as piecing together Dr. Greer at the park and Mr. Stryker's congratulations.
Had he planned this so far in advance and not let me in on it before shocking the hell out of me? Of course he had, I would never have gone along with it and he knew it. Victoria was sure to find out eventually. Did he even think of what the lie would do to her? What if he's not lying, per say? Maybe he thinks we are engaged. Is this his morbid way of proposing? Oh dear god, I need a drink.
We pulled into the driveway. I exited the car fast, helping Victoria from the back seat before walking to the door. Once inside, Victoria ran off to change out of her uniform and get her homework started. I went straight to the kitchen.
"Sophia?"
With my hand on the refrigerator's steel handle I turned to look at him. Nervous lines creased his forehead and worry filled his eyes.
"Why would you do this?" I barely whispered out.
"You know why." He stepped closer to me.
"Your fiancé? No longer employed? So, I no longer have a job?"
Now barely a foot away from me, the sigh that left him was ragged and washed over my face. He ran a hand through his hair.
"I terminated your contract with the service." He looked into my eyes, but the tears were pooling in them made his face look like an out of focus photo. "But you aren't leaving." His hands were on my shoulders. "You will still be paid just like –"
I swatted his hands away.
"So, what, now I really am your live in whore?" I shouted.
"Of course not," he shouted back.
"Really, then what do you call it Collin?" I gripped at the roots of my hair wanting to scream with frustration. "You're going to pay me to live here and sleep in your bed. That makes me a whore."
His long fingers slid over my shoulder and turned me toward him. The moment I looked in his eyes I drew back a little. He was furious.
"I do not pay you to sleep in my bed." He ground out through a clenched jaw. "This is simply what I need to do to keep you both."
The tears that had been clouding my vision finally fell. His hand quickly cupped the back of my head and his long thumb wiped away one refugee tear. More tears followed. I could taste the salty wetness as he claimed
my mouth with his. When his lips left mine I opened my eyes. My insides almost melted, he looked at me with so much adoration and want. It was more than I had ever known. Collin pulled me into his chest as I wiped at the remaining tears.
"I couldn't risk losing either of you." His voice was but a whisper over my head.
"But fiancé?" I questioned. "You couldn't just have made me a girlfriend?" I pulled back and looked at him. "Victoria is going to get hurt."
He looked at me in confusion.
"Why would she get hurt?"
"You don't think she'll eventually overhear something or read something that alerts her to this fiancé charade?"
The playful smirk that slipped across his warm lips made my knees weak, but also worried me. His emeralds shone brightly and intensely on me.
"What?" I couldn't help but be suspicious.
"It doesn't have to be a charade."
My eyes widened and when the small black box appeared in his palm. He opened it up between our bodies I thought I was going to hyperventilate.
Chapter Twenty Four
Every limb sudden felt like stone. I thought I might collapse, but his arms tightly wound around my waist.
"Soph –"
My head shook back and forth.
"No." I whispered out in with the little breath I could conjure from my lungs.
"No?" His face fell.
"Collin, you can't honestly think that…that it's a good idea." The words came out harsher than intended, but the shock was still too much.
Was he really proposing marriage? He thought this was a good idea. Obviously he had lost his mind.
"Why not? I don't want you to leave, ever. What is wrong with wanting to be together?"
"First of all, I never said I was leaving and as for why not, well we've been together for such a short period of time. It's too soon to talk marriage, for real." I pulled out of his embrace. "Now put that box away before Victoria comes in here and thinks –"
"Technically we're engaged, so you need a ring." He flipped the box open and removed the oversized diamond ring.
"I don't need –"
He grabbed my hand and slipped the platinum ring on my finger. I had to give him credit. It was beautiful, simple but beautiful.
