I glanced up to see Carter explaining all of this to Michelle.
“How long ago did she move from Williamsport? Five, six years?” Tyler asked.
Sixty-seven months. Exactly five years and seven months.
But I wasn’t revealing that.
“Anyone know why she left?”
My stomach muscles tightened.
“She’s a librarian, right?”
I looked up, realizing the table was waiting for my response.
“Mother, dinner was delicious.”
“Come on, Aaron. Give us something,” Tyler insisted.
Just then my phone buzzed. I pulled it out.
“Aaron, you know we do not allow work at the table.”
I stood. “My apologies, Mother. I need to take this.” I stood and moved from the table, opening the email I’d just received. It was nothing too pressing but I used the excuse to have a moment to myself to regroup. I didn’t intend to explain my relationship with Patience, even to my family but their probing questions were getting to me. After a few minutes, I went back to sit at the table.
“When’s the big day?” My father lifted an eyebrow at me.
“Two weeks.”
I rolled my eyes at the shocked noises that went around the table.
“Two weeks? That isn’t a little fast, Aaron?”
I shook my head. “No, Mother.”
“Why so abruptly, son?”
I inhaled, bracing myself for the onslaught that was on the way due to what I was about to reveal. “Because I want my children raised in a home with their mother and father.”
“Children?” Michelle blurted, then clamped a hand over her mouth.
I looked from her to my mother who’d gasped in surprise as well.
“Twins, a boy and girl. Kyle and Kennedy. They’re five. And no,” I looked to my three brothers and finally my father, “I will not be going into more detail about it,” I stated with finality.
After a moment or two, I watched as Carter picked up his fork and continued eating. Everyone else soon followed, knowing that once I made up my mind about something that was it. If I said I wasn’t going to discuss it, then it wasn’t up for discussion. End of story.
But in truth, I knew that wasn’t the end. It was just the beginning.
Chapter Seven
Patience
What happened to my simple, quiet life? Three weeks earlier I was living in Oakland in a three-bedroom apartment with my two kids. Now, I was surrounded by a picky wedding planner and her assistants, as they plucked and prodded me, ensuring the long, off-white dress I wore looked perfect.
“Where’re the kids? Are they dressed? They need to be at the front with Ms. Sheryl,” Janet stated into a walkie-talkie she had. The woman actually carried a walkie-talkie for these events.
“Is all of this really necessary?” I mumbled.
“Of course it is!” Janet insisted. “I’m surprised this wedding isn’t more over the top. You’re marrying one of the wealthiest men in the country.”
I pinched my lips. “Don’t remind me.”
Janet paused, gaping at me as if I’d lost my mind. I would’ve told her that, yes, I had indeed lost my mind, but I didn’t want to hold us up anymore than was necessary. The past two weeks had been a flurry of motion. The same day I agreed to marry Aaron, not only had wedding planners shown up at our hotel to begin organizing the event, movers had shown up that night, insisting on moving our luggage and items into Aaron’s home. I was ready to ream Aaron out as soon as we got to the house but he wasn’t there. For his part, he’d moved out, insisting that he wouldn’t move back in until we were married because he wanted to give the children time to adjust.
The following evening, he showed up, expecting me to introduce him to the children. It was awkward to say the least. I’d had to explain to Kennedy at least twice that no, her daddy wasn’t in heaven as she’d previously thought. After a few moments of hesitation, the children were completely taken with Aaron. It didn’t surprise me as much as it should’ve. Despite his less than friendly demeanor, children always seemed to take to him. Children and animals…and me.
“Okay, I think we’re ready.” Janet clapped with excitement.
I wanted to ask for a drink but bit my tongue. We were marrying in a small ceremony held at Townsend Manor. Save for Aaron’s immediate family, Ms. Sheryl, and the children there were no guests. I hadn’t even told my father about the wedding. He was home recovering from surgery and I figured I could let him know when everything died down. I knew that was silly, but me and my father’s relationship was…strained, to say the least.
“Are you sure you don’t want anyone to escort you down the aisle? I can have Jacob do it.” Janet asked for a third time.
“That’s not necessary. Let’s get this over with.” I pushed out a breath as we emerged on the back patio. There was a white trail covered in red rose petals that led down a path overlooking the lake out back of Townsend Manor. It wasn’t the beach wedding I’d dreamed of in my early twenties, but as far as views went, it could’ve been a lot worse.
I let my eyes scan the couple of rows of chairs, seeing Aaron’s family on the right and only Ms. Sheryl, Kennedy, and Kyle on my side. I looked toward the front and saw a flower arch that’d been created by Janet and her crew. Under it stood the officiant and next to him stood my husband-to-be. My breath caught at the sight of Aaron in an all black tuxedo, tailored to fit his frame perfectly. He’d trimmed his dark hair, and for a second a memory of me running my hand through that silky mane when it was longer, sprang to mind.
I lowered my head, and raised my hand to pat the chignon that my locs had been formed into. The music started.
“That’s your cue,” Janet said at the same time everyone rose to their feet.
Inhaling, I proceeded down the aisle on shaky legs. I glanced to the left, looking at a smiling Kennedy and Kyle as I put one foot in front of the other until I made it to my destination. Not until I reached him did I look up to see Aaron’s stern gaze staring me down. I chose to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. Too many emotions whirling around to pick just one.
“Please be seated,” the officiant began.
I heard the rustling in the background as the guests took their seats.
“We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
My grip tightened around the stem of the bouquet of white lilies I held.
“Has the couple written their own vows they’d like to say to each other.”
“No,” Aaron impatiently answered, looking toward the man.
My eyelids drooped and I stared off into the distance for a moment before giving the preacher an apologetic smile.
He cleared his throat. “That’s fine. I am a fan of tradition myself,” he tried to joke but Aaron’s placid expression held. He continued on, reciting lines I’d heard numerous times in movies, television shows, and even in real life at the handful of weddings I’d attended. But they rang hollow at my own wedding.
“Aaron Richard Townsend, do you take this woman, Patience Marie Thiers, to be your lawfully wedded wife? Forsaking all others?”
I could barely look at Aaron as he held my hand, moving the white gold wedding band down the ring finger of my left hand.
“I do.”
I fiddled with his matching but larger wedding band in my hand.
“And Patience Marie Thiers, do you take Aaron Richard Townsend to be your lawfully wedded husband, forsaking all others?”
A chill ran through my entire body. I glanced up at Aaron who was frowning, waiting impatiently for my response. I turned my head, peering toward my children who were on the edge of their seats, smiling. Kennedy had told me over and over how much I looked like a princess in my dress. I turned back to Aaron and watched a flicker of emotion appear in those hazel eyes but half a second later it was gone.
“I-I do,” I finally answered. I slid the ring down his ring finger and went to pull
my hand back but found it locked in his grip. Our eyes connected again and I couldn’t turn away.
“You may now kiss your bride.”
I’d forgotten about the kiss. It was expected of a new husband and wife. I froze but my new husband didn’t. He caught my chin in between his thumb and forefinger, lifting my face, and just before he pressed his lips to mine, he paused. An expression of possession mixed with anger and…something else was in that look. Next thing I remember was the feel of his soft lips on mine. Such a contrast to his demeanor. I didn’t want to like this kiss, but my body wasn’t my own when it came to Aaron Townsend.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Townsend,” he stated as he pulled back. He didn’t wait for my reply before taking me by the hand and turning us toward our clapping guests, mainly his family.
As we moved down the aisle with my hand in his, I wondered what the hell I’d just gotten myself into.
****
“Ouch!” I tripped due to my stubbed toe. “You still can’t dance worth a damn,” I mumbled. It was our first dance as husband and wife and he’d just stepped on my foot for the second time.
“My talents lie elsewhere. You should know that more than anyone,” he retorted.
I stiffened my body against the shiver that attempted to move through me, refusing to remember exactly how talented he was off the dance floor.
“Whatever,” I grumbled. I peered over Aaron’s shoulder to see Kennedy and Kyle running around a table with their new cousin, Diego.
“You didn’t invite your father.”
I pulled back slightly to stare up at Aaron. “You didn’t invite him either.”
“He’s not my father.”
I shrugged. “You’re closer to him than I am.” I peeled my gaze away from his again, glancing around at the scenery. This wasn’t my first time at Townsend Manor, but it’d been years since I’d been there as a teenager.
“I want more children.”
My dancing steps faltered, this time not because of Aaron’s lack of dance skills. I stared at him, trying to figure out if he’d said what I thought he’d just stated.
“Three more, to be exact.”
“And you expect me to provide you with these children.”
His lips pinched. “You are my wife.”
I didn’t respond.
“You can have more children, correct?”
I swallowed. “What?”
“Medically? There’s nothing preventing you from having more children, is there?”
“N-no.”
“Then it’s settled. Of course, adoption is always an option as well.”
I wrinkled my forehead. “It’s not sett–” My words were cut off by sudden loud tapping sounds. I looked around to see Aaron’s parents and brothers tapping their champagne flutes with their knives.
“They expect us to kiss.”
I frowned. “I know what that means.”
I tried to pull my head back but he caught my chin again between his two fingers. My breathing hitched as he lowered his face closer to mine.
“It’d serve you well to remember I always get what I want.”
This time I couldn’t prevent the shiver that moved through my body at the same time our lips connected with his insistent and assessing kiss. His grip tightened around my waist for a half of second but an instant later he loosened it and took a step back.
“Pardon me, dear. Do you mind?”
I turned to see a smiling Deborah Townsend staring at me, questioning. She looked gorgeous with her sparkling blue eyes, dark hair that was pulled off of her lightly made up face, in her long off-the-shoulder powder blue gown.
“How about I take this handful of a man off your hands just for a little while?”
I looked between Aaron and his mother, realizing it was time for the groom’s dance with his mother.
“Please.” I nodded just before pivoting to leave the dance floor. I felt Aaron’s eyes on my back the entire time.
I went straight to the bride and groom’s table, picking up a glass of champagne that had been left for us. I thought about swiping the glass that had been left for Aaron knowing that he wasn’t going to touch it but I nixed that idea. I went to look for Kyle and Kennedy, but stopped when I saw them running around Aaron and his mother as they danced. A second later they were taken by the hand by Joshua and Tyler and began playing. A tug in my heart started.
“It’s strange, right?”
I turned, a little startled. I squinted at the woman who’d come up on my side without my noticing.
“Michelle, right?”
She nodded, smiling, her caramel skin shining due to the light makeup she wore. She was Carter’s, Aaron’s older brother, wife.
“What’s strange?” I questioned.
“That.” She nodded in the direction of Kyle, Kennedy, and now Diego playing with Aaron’s three brothers and his father. “I was a single parent for six years before Carter. You get used to them being totally dependent on you. Then once you get married, they’ve suddenly got this big family they can rely on.”
I glanced over at the children and then back at Michelle, giving her a half smile. She was right.
“You’d think I was happy about it, right?”
She laughed. “Being a single parent is hard work. It’s tough. But they’re your babies so you don’t question it. Then overnight you become a family and suddenly they’re not as reliant on you. It’s an adjustment, but you get used to it.”
I nodded.
“I just wanted to give my congratulations.” She looked out at Aaron and his mother who were finishing their dance.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
“I, uh…” She paused. “Well, you’ve certainly…um, Aaron seems like quite a catch.”
I gave her a genuine grin. “No, he doesn’t. He’s scary as hell.”
Michelle’s eyes bulged and she gaped at me, startled.
I giggled. “It’s okay. I said it so you wouldn’t have to.”
Her shoulders slumped as she blew out a breath, relieved. “I don’t know him that well.”
I nodded. “Not many people do.” For a short period in time, I thought I was one of the lucky ones who had gotten to know him—the real Aaron Townsend—but I was wrong.
Michelle asked me about the children’s schooling and we moved from the topic of my husband to safer territory. I was grateful to talk about something other than my new marriage, especially since I was still trying to wrap my own head around it all.
****
Aaron
“She looks beautiful.”
Warm jealousy rose in the pit of my stomach at my brother’s words. I turned to face Joshua, whose eyes were still trained on Patience and Michelle as they talked near the bride and groom’s table at the head of the dance floor.
“Take your eyes off my wife.”
Joshua turned his hazel-green eyes from the women to me, a serious look filling his gaze. “You sure you know what you’re doing?”
I squinted.
Josh shrugged. “Far be it from me to question your private life–”
“Then why are you?”
“I’m just concerned. You two seemed…distant. Far from a loving, newlywed couple. You opted not to have a prenup involved. And with the children–”
“What about my children?” My face tightened.
Joshua raised an eyebrow. “Have you actually had a DNA test done? How do–”
“Joshua, if you value your life, you will not finish that sentence.”
Joshua tilted his head, giving me a look. “You’re Aaron Townsend, CEO of Townsend Industries, and you’ve opted to marry a woman without a prenuptial agreement, no DNA tests to without a doubt determine the children are yours–”
“He looks just like me!” I roared, causing a few of our family members to look over at us.
Joshua nodded, unperturbed by my outburst. “That he does, which is why I’m sure they are yours. Plus, Patience doesn’t seem like the type to li
e about something like that. I’m just pointing out that you are behaving uncharacteristically. My usually precise, micromanaging brother who plans everything down to the last detail seems to be…off.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
Joshua stared at me for a long time before giving me a curt nod. “Be sure that you do.”
I watched as he turned and walked away. I was about to head back to the table when Kennedy came running over to me. She barely reached my knees but something moved deep inside of my chest when her honey-toned cheeks bunched up as she smiled, staring up at me.
“Daddy, will you dance with me?”
My knees almost buckled.
Daddy.
I felt my face soften. Only one other woman has had the ability to cause this much emotion in me. I glanced up, my eyes locking with my daughter’s mother. That tug began happening again.
“Absolutely,” I told Kennedy, turning my attention back to her. I lifted her so her feet were on top of mine. I didn’t want to squash her feet the same way I’d done her mother’s earlier while we danced. I knew my limitations. My heart rate quickened as Kennedy giggled when I spun her around.
“I see the fairies,” she whispered as we danced.
I lifted an eyebrow. “Fairies?”
She nodded. “They’re all around you.”
I swallowed and spun her again, not wanting to delve into that conversation. Children and animals. They were always a nuisance to me, hanging around me, though I did my best to avoid them. But I couldn’t avoid these children. They were mine. Mine and…I glanced up to see Patience, this time she was on the dance floor with Kyle. Mine and my wife’s.
Chapter Eight
Aaron
“Are you going to say good-bye to your family?”
I paused, turning to a frowning Patience. I hoisted a sleeping Kennedy a little higher up on my shoulder. Patience was holding Kyle in the same position, because he’d fallen asleep as well. It was close to ten at night and we were readying to leave Townsend Manor to head to our home for the night.
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