by Sadie Grubor
Our lips met. The thrill of my answer spurred a growing intensity to our kiss and a growth against my lower abdomen. It didn't take long for my body to react to him, but instead of the table we didn't leave the antique wooden dining chair.
He lifted me from the back of my thighs and slid me down him easily. The moment we connected my body rejoiced with shivers. This time it was a slow building love making rather than the intense sex from earlier.
With my head once again on his chest and our breathing labored, a small twinge of worry crept into my stomach. Had I really agreed to marry him so fast and in two weeks?
Chapter Thirty Eight
Oh indeed I had agreed. The very next morning Collin was on his cell phone making calls. After I returned from picking Victoria up from Larissa and Max's house, Collin was still on his phone talking to people. He motioned for me to go into the dining room. I did with confusion filling me.
Once in the room I stopped short. There sat Ilene and Felicity Dane. Felicity smiled widely and stood to greet me, but before she could speak Ilene cut her off.
"I'm so glad you're back," She moved quickly to my side and set me down between her and Felicity, "We have so much to do."
"Wait, what?" I shook my head and looked between the two of them.
"Mr. Bishop called me this morning to assist with the change in wedding plans." Felicity explained gently.
"He did?" I was a little bothered, but mostly impressed that he was so involved.
"Yes," Felicity patted my hand.
"I don't know why you two are in such a rush to have this wedding. What we had planned was perfection. Now we'll have to make do." Ilene waved her hand around. I bit back a smile until she spoke again. "It's not as if you have to get married because you're pregnant or something."
I gasped and snapped my head toward Ilene. It wasn't the best reaction and I immediately regretted it.
"Are you?" she gasped.
"Is she what?" Collin stepped into the room.
"Oh my God, Collin. Are you rushing this wedding because you impregnated your nanny?" Ilene blurted, Felicity gasped, and I buried my face in my hands. "Is this why you entered into this relationship?"
"Mother," Collin's tone was battling between control and anger. "I'm marrying Sophia because she is the best thing, besides Victoria, to come into my life. I love her."
"You didn't answer me about being pregnant?" Her tone was as snotty as she had always been.
"It's none of your –"
"Yes," I pulled my hands away from my face and turned to Ilene, giving her a look challenging her to say something else inappropriate and rude. Her stiff posture slackened under my stare.
"I'm pregnant and we are moving the wedding up so that I won't have to hire 'Omar the Tent maker' to make my gown."
Felicity snorted a laugh, but quickly quieted. I glanced to Collin only to find amusement on his face.
"Oh, well," Ilene seemed lost for words. I turned back to her.
"If you refer to me as an employee in this house anymore, I assure you I'll have no problem keeping you from entering the front door again." I inhaled and exhaled loudly before turning to Felicity and the wedding plans.
"So, where were we?" I forced a smile.
When a hand slid onto my shoulder, I knew it was Collins. Looking up at him, he leaned down and kissed me.
"I love when you get all assertive." He whispered against my lips.
My wide eyes turned to Felicity, who was pretending she hadn't heard what he said. Ilene sat speechless at my back.
Two days later, plain but elegant wedding invitations were delivered to family and friends. In two weeks Collin and I would be getting married at the beach house in Whidbey Island. Ilene had a company out there cleaning, while Juliette would be working on changing the décor.
This amicable relationship that had formed between Ilene and Juliette was surprising and I wasn't sure how it had happened. That was until Allison filled me in on an unknown. She told me about Ilene having acquired a new, extremely wealthy boyfriend. I figured he had something to do with Ilene's changed feelings. Maybe man-friend was more appropriate for a sixty-something year old man.
Connor was apparently a thing of the past where Ilene's attention was concerned. I suppose it was for the best, given the fact that Connor and Juliette lived together in Whidbey. They also were planning to wed during the summer. Connor's health and recovery were their main focus for now.
Presently I was sitting in the dining room with Larissa, Allison, and Ilene. Wedding magazines, designer sketches, and laptops were all sitting before me. All of this for a dress, a dress I simply asked Larissa to assist me find and give her opinion. It has now become a massive search for the 'perfect dress.' I pushed my laptop away from me and rubbed my eyes.
"Can't we just go into town and visit a dress shop?"
The room went silent. I looked up at the three pairs of eyes staring at me like I suggested sacrificing my first born to the harvest moon.
"What?"
"Off the rack?" Allison cringed.
"Don't you want the dress of your dreams?" Larissa questioned.
"We're not going to some retail bridal store," Ilene shook her head in disgust. "You are marrying my son and you deserve to have a beautiful gown."
"But I don't want a huge gown," I moaned. "Honestly, just a simple white dress that will camouflage my midsection is all I am looking for."
"You won't be showing in two weeks," Ilene informed.
"I know, but still I just want something simple and comfortable." I let my fingers skim over the keys of my laptop as I spoke. "Like this," I spun the laptop around.
They all looked the dress over in silence. Allison's brow furrowed for just a moment before her eyes lit up.
"That could work." Ilene snapped her head toward Allison. "We can use that dress as a starting point." She began flipping back through magazines. I huffed and stood up.
"I'm going to the bridal place in town." I walked away without looking back. On my way up the stairs Larissa's voice called out.
"I'm sorry," I turned and looked upon her apologetic face. "This is your dress and your day." She smiled. "I'll come with you."
"Let me grab Victoria." I smiled and hurried up to get her.
When I stepped out of the house with a beaming Victoria at my side, I noticed the car was filled. Ilene and Allison were both sitting in the awaiting car. I wasn't sure if I should be happy about it or not, but I just went with it.
Entering the shop Allison didn't hide her disdain for the racks of dresses. Victoria ran straight to the little dresses that would fit her. Ilene took a seat in a puffy pink chair, looking around the place with curiosity.
"This is nice," Larissa held out a dress.
"Yes, it is," I eyed it. "Hmm…" I looked around the room, slightly overwhelmed. "Maybe we should've done this from the house." I looked back at Larissa. She could read my nervousness.
"It will be fine." She hung the dress back up as a woman approached us.
"Are we looking for anything in particular?"
"Yes, something designer and empire waist, the cost is not a problem." Allison stepped forward. "Oh, and don't push us onto these dresses. What have you got in the back?"
The woman's eyes widened and I saw the intimidation she felt. With a large swallow and a deep breath she found her voice.
"Of course, please give me a moment," she began to walk toward an open door. She turned around quickly. "Was there a color preference?"
Allison turned to look at me, I shook my head. "No," she responded to the clerk.
"Let's sit," Larissa wrapped her arm in mine and we took seats next to Ilene.
The bridal shop clerk emerged with some help. Both had their arms filled with garment bags. One by one, they showed us the dresses. There were thirteen in all, but only three I wanted to try on. While they set up the dressing room for me, we watched Victoria model dresses she liked.
"What about this one?" Victoria
spun in fluffy dress with a white top and yellow tulle bottom. While I think she is gorgeous in anything, this dress was hideous.
"How about you try something less formal?" I suggested and she ran back to try on another dress.
It didn't take her long to come back out in spaghetti strapped, light green satin dress. There was a large satin flower on the hip and it was extremely cute on her, but Allison nixed that one since it "wouldn't go with the bridal dress". I wanted to object, but Victoria ran off to change again. I think she liked the trying on part more than anything else.
The moment she stepped out in the final dress we all sighed at the sight of her. It was a simple sleeveless cream colored dress with six rows of flowing ruffles. There was a wide band of light green in the same empire waist setting as my dress, but in the back it clasped with a silk flower. It was so pretty and she looked as if she just stepped out of a fairy tale with her curly red hair framing her porcelain skin.
"That's the one," I blurted with a large grin.
She spun four more times to watch the ruffles flow around her before skipping back to the dressing room. While she changed, I was escorted back to a large room with two attendants. They helped me into the first dress.
The moment they zipped it up I didn't like it. The material lining the dress felt rough and uncomfortable. I walked out anyhow.
Allison cringed up her nose, Ilene simply stated 'no', and Larissa told me to try on the next one. Victoria was the only voice of praise.
"It's so pretty." Her eyes glistened with excitement. "You look so pretty."
"Thank you," I winked at her and went back for the next dress.
Now this one was completely the opposite. The second it was on me and I looked into the mirror, it felt right. It felt perfect. Excitement began to mix in with my nervousness. I stepped out into the view of my four critics and each face reflected the way I felt.
"It's perfect," Larissa stood up and walked around me.
"There is no way I would've guessed they would have something like this here." Allison reached out for the dress and touched the fabric.
"You look like a princess!" Victoria bounced in her seat.
"It's lovely," Ilene added.
"Should I try on the other?"
"No." They all said in unison and then started laughing.
"Okay, okay, Geesh." I giggled. Then I grabbed the price tag.
"Seven thousand dollars," I exclaimed and started shaking my head. "I'm not paying that much for this dress. I'll only wear it once."
"That's nothing," Allison waved it off. "My dress was handmade in Italy. It cost seventy-five thousand."
"Mine was fifty," Larissa added to her sister in laws comment.
"You paid what?" I choked. "No, there is no way I'm –"
"Do you love this dress?" Ilene stood and looked at me.
"I did," I snorted and looked at the tag again.
"Don't make me call Collin," Allison threatened and pulled out her phone.
"What?" My eyes widened.
"You and I both know he will simply come and buy it himself if you don't. So what will it be? Let him buy it himself or let him be surprised when he sees you in it for the first time?" She started typing on her blackberry. "All I have to do is hit the talk button," she warned.
"I won't let him buy it." I argued.
"Such a shame that he'll see it before the wedding," she sighed. Larissa giggled and quickly covered her mouth.
"Daddy isn't supposed to see the dress," Victoria exclaimed and looked at me with worried eyes.
"When did you become a wedding expert?"
"Please mommy," she begged. As usual, I melted.
"Fine," I sighed. "I'll get it."
"Good, now let them take the measurements for the alterations and I will go pay for it." Ilene started to walk away.
"What, no, Ilene, I'll pay for –"
"I am taking care of your dress." The look on her face said she meant business, so I shut up.
Victoria was disappointed when we had to leave the dresses to be altered, but I knew she would be cheered up later tonight when Collin and I finally told her about the sibling she would be getting.
Having finally made a real appointment with a doctor, my appointment was the next day and we wanted to tell her before it. My plan was to get her out of school early so she could be there too.
Collin arrived home later than we had planned, so instead of telling her over dinner we had to do it before she went to bed. I worried she wouldn't be able to sleep after she knew about the baby.
"Victoria?" Collin stepped into her room while I brushed her hair.
"Daddy," she exclaimed and ran out from between my legs and into his arms. He lifted her and kissed her cheek. Setting her down, she made her way back between my knees. I began to braid her damp locks.
"There is something that Soph…your mother and I would like to talk to you about." Our eyes met and I smiled small at him. His smile grew larger.
"What?" Victoria twisted her head and looked at my face.
The wet hair of her braid slipped through my fingers before I could secure it with the tie. I grasped her shoulders lightly and turned her back to Collin. Quickly grabbing her hair and securing the plait at the middle of her back.
"Tomorrow we'll be going to the doctors," I started. Victoria groaned.
"I don't want to go."
"Not for you, for Sophia." Collin clarified and Victoria turned her whole body to look at me.
"Are you sick? Are you okay?" Worry lined her face and filled her eyes.
"I'm fine. The doctor just wants to check on the baby." I bit my lip, waiting for her reaction.
"Oh," she paused and then her wide eyes looked back and forth between her father and me. "You," she pointed to my stomach, "you're having a baby?"
I nodded and her whole body began to shake with excitement.
"I'm getting a baby sister?" She started to bounce enthusiastically.
"Well, we can't guarantee it's a girl, but you're getting a sibling." Collin moved to sit on the bed next to me.
"It's a girl, I know it!" She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed.
"Eventually we'll find out for sure." I squeezed her back.
She dropped her head down to my stomach and pressed the side of her face to it.
"I don't hear anything." She looked up at me.
"It will take awhile before we're able to feel the baby." I rubbed her head and Collin wrapped his arm around me.
"Like Grace?" She blurted.
"Um, yeah, like that. Once the baby grows larger you'll be able to feel kicks and movement."
"Can the baby hear me?" She looked between both of us awaiting a response.
"The baby is rather small still. You'll have to wait until she or he is further developed." Collin tapped her nose with his long finger.
"Do I get to miss school?" She wiggled her eyebrows at us.
"No, you still need to get to bed. I will get you out early, but you still have to go in the morning." She frowned at my words.
"Fine," she began to climb into her bed, "but only because I get a baby sister." She slid under her covers as Collin and I stood up.
"I can't guarantee a sister." She wasn't hearing my warning for a possibly brother.
"It's a girl. I already told you." Her grin was infections and we found ourselves grinning with her.
After kissing and tucking her in, I left Collin to read to her. I was beat and needed to pee.
Once relieved, I turned on the tub. While the warm water filled up the large tub, I went to the dresser to grab pajamas. During my digging for something comfortable, I heard the ring of a cell phone. Looking around, I saw Collin's phone vibrating across the small coffee table. By the time I reached the phone it had stopped. The name of the missed call was unfamiliar, so I shrugged it off and headed for the luxurious tub.
With the jets on low, the warmth of the tub was easing away the tensions of the day. I was about to fall asleep
when Collin's voice broke me from the jet induced meditative state.
"So, you've had no luck at all?" His voice was stern and frustrated. "I understand, but you've still not been able to actual find her, just a trail?"
There was a long pause and for a moment I wondered if he had left the room.
"No, I understand. Did he say if he knew anything?" He sighed heavily. "Fine, yes, keep me posted." "Thank you, goodnight."
Collin walked into the bathroom, setting his phone next to the sink before taking a seat on the edge of the bathtub. His face was lined with concern and I didn't know if I should question him or not. I opened my mouth, but closed it when he began to speak.
"There's still no sign of Grace." His brow furrowed. "The investigator has been tracking her trail, but only finds a trail of where she's been."
"So, we at least know she's okay?" I sat up.
"Those who have seen her stated she was fine and told the investigator where she said she was going, but it just turns into a dead end." He rubbed his face roughly. "I don't understand. Why would she go through all this trouble to see and get Victoria if she was just going to disappear and what about the baby?"
His concern was commendable, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that his concern for her and her baby didn't bother me.
"I don't know. I've never understood her." It was the truth and the only thing I could say that wouldn't sound harsh.
"Of course you don't," he quipped. I stiffened for a moment at the words and the tone used to deliver them. He turned and looked down at me. "You are different than her, better." Slipping from the side of the tub onto his knees he leaned over the edge and pressed his lips to mine.
"You are far more than she could ever have hoped to be as a woman." The words fell from his lips as he pulled back from the kiss.
His words ignited me. Quickly grabbing the back of his head, I pulled his mouth to mine. Bringing my other hand to the back of his head, I held him against my mouth and devoured his. A groan left his mouth. I swallowed it.
The moment his hand touched my knee under water, desire burned through my bones. My body lit up like that first spark of a wooden match. His hand dragged up the inside of my leg and I exploded into a ball of fire with the caress of my thigh.
