Nothing Less Than Love

by Lilly LaRue

  Gwyneth nodded, clenching her hands. She wasn’t expecting anything to be wrong except stress or emotional shock. “You’re pregnant.”

  “What?” Gwyneth gasped painfully. Cramps hit her stomach and she bent forward. “I can’t be.”

  “The results are conclusive,” the doctor responded. “Of course there are options, such as abortion or adoption.”

  Gwyneth nodded. “I know. I need to think about all of this,” she said softly.

  The doctor nodded and left her to dress. The nurse brought her a prescription for prenatal vitamins and Gwyneth left the room and settled her bill.

  Marcus was still reading a magazine in the waiting room and he took one look at her pale face. “What’s wrong?”

  Gwyneth shook her head and walked out of the office. She was at the car before she burst into tears.

  “Gwyneth, what is it?” he demanded, scared.

  She started laughing, bitterly. “I’m pregnant. I can’t believe it, but it’s true.” As she was explaining, Marcus was settling her in the car and fastening her seat belt. “I’m having a baby,” she moaned more to herself than Marcus.

  He got behind the wheel, started the car, and merged into traffic before saying anything. “Will there be a wedding in the future?”

  “No, absolutely not. It was once and just a mistake. In fact, he hates me, we hate each other. He won’t want to know about my baby.” Gwyneth took deep breaths and tried to calm down. She couldn’t even think about telling Jordan right now. Besides, he wouldn’t want to know, she assured herself.

  Marcus nodded as he got onto the freeway. “Well, you’ll just have to marry me then. I’ll take care of both of you.”

  Tears flooded her eyes again and she sniffled. “You’re very sweet, Marcus, but I can’t accept your proposal. Anyway, what would Victoria say?”

  His face grew somber. “She can’t say anything. Last week she broke up with me. It seems her dance instructor is a wildly attractive Italian gentleman who wants to marry her. The wedding plans are in full motion. I know it must be love because she’s even giving up dancing to stay home and play wifey.” He was so bitter that Gwyneth momentarily forgot her own trouble. She’d never seen Marcus like this and she knew it would take a long time for the scars to heal.

  She put her hand on his and whispered. “I’m sorry, for both of us. I know you’re a noble man, Marcus, but I won’t marry someone I’m not in love with. I know you too well. You wouldn’t be happy if you settled for less than love.”

  “What if I love you?” Marcus tossed out experimentally. “You’re my best friend, and we could be happy together.”

  “There’s no attraction, and you know it. No,” she shook her head firmly. “Let’s not discuss this again.” Marcus dropped the subject and they continued back to the Del Royce manor.

  ♥♥♥

  Gwyneth turned in early and lay in the dark, thinking. She knew that abortion wasn’t an option for her personally, though she was pro-choice. For her, it was a matter of responsibility—she couldn’t punish an innocent child for her stupid mistake.

  Adoption was out as well. When her parents were killed, she came to live with Beth, who’d been wonderful to her. Still, their relationship was not maternal, more sisterly. Gwyneth never had the opportunity to know her parents, and she couldn’t consign her child to the same fate.

  That left one option open to her, but that option created more problems. Gwyneth knew that finishing school would be difficult with a baby, and she wouldn’t feel right accepting help from Howard and Lilly now. With three years in business technology she could get a job, but it wouldn’t pay as well as the same job once she had a degree.

  Of course, the biggest question was should she tell Jordan he had fathered her baby in a moment of weakness? Would he even believe her? He doubted her motives for everything and would probably think she was trying to manipulate him. No, she thought decisively, she wouldn’t tell him about the baby. At least not now. When she was settled, Gwyneth would consider letting him know then. It was with a heavy heart that she finally fell asleep.

  Determined to have a bit of money when she left, Gwyneth began to look for a job, and by the end of the week she was successful. An elderly woman who ran a tea shop in San Francisco hired her to work full time for the remainder of the summer at a decent wage, plus commission on selected items. Beth offered the use of her Honda, so Gwyneth didn’t have to rely on anyone for transportation. From the time she left in the morning until she returned at night, she was in control of her life. Everything seemed clear-cut and manageable, if not easy. However, at the Del Royce home, the presence of Jordan changed everything.

  She became gloomy thinking of what Jordan could give their baby that she couldn’t. Once or twice, she even contemplated accepting Marcus’s proposal but knew that it was wrong. She would be providing for her baby within his family, but Gwyneth knew Jordan would kill her if he ever learned the truth.

  ♥♥♥

  A week before college started again, she made plans to leave. She already knew she wouldn’t be returning to school for a while, but didn’t want Beth or the Del Royces to become suspicious as to why she wasn’t leaving for college. Gwyneth had concealed her secret from everyone except Marcus, and she knew she’d have to reveal her pregnancy if she announced she was quitting school. She’d given her goodbyes to Ethel, the tea shop owner, who’d been teary-eyed when she left. The sweet lady had also pressed an envelope into her hands. “What’s this?’ she’d asked. She’d already received her final wages.

  “It’s for the baby,” Ethel said kindly. When Gwyneth’s eyes widened in shock, she continued. “I can tell, honey. I’ve had six children myself. You’ve got the glow.”

  Which was true, Gwyneth mused. Her hair was shinier and fuller, and her face was glowingly clear. The morning sickness still assailed her from time to time, but that was fading and she felt wonderful.

  Gwyneth was lost in thought, filling her suitcase, when Marcus knocked and entered. “I wish you weren’t going,” he said, sounding sulky. It was the same tone he’d used the first day they’d been sent to their respective private schools at the age of eight. “It’s not fair.”

  Gwyneth laughed. “You sound just like you did when you were eight. Do you remember…?” They reminisced for a while and were both half-reclining on the bed when they finished. “Well, I’ve got to finish packing,” Gwyneth said with a sigh. “My plane leaves in two hours.”

  “You could stay,” Marcus burst out. “Marry me, and you don’t have to leave. I’ll take care of you and—”

  “How generous,” said Jordan, leaning against the doorjamb. Then he turned his hot gaze on Gwyneth. “But I’m sure Gwyneth has many other men panting after her, Marcus. Wait a few years and grow up some before you try to handle her.”

  Marcus’s face flushed, and Gwyneth knew he was going to explode. “Marcus I think you’d better leave now. I need to finish packing and get on my way.”

  Marcus shot a look at Jordan then at her resolved face and headed to the door.

  Jordan’s arm blocked his exit. “Just a moment, brother. You still haven’t heard her answer.” He turned savagely to Gwyneth. “I want to hear you tell him no, Gwenny,” he said mockingly, calling her by the pet name Lilly used for her.

  Eyes narrowing, Gwyneth whispered. “No.”

  Satisfied, Jordan dropped his arm and Marcus stalked out after saying a goodbye to Gwyneth. “If you need anything—or change your mind—call me.”

  Gwyneth turned her back to Jordan and resumed her packing. She was taking a lot more with her than she’d brought because she didn’t think she would ever be back. “If you’ll excuse me, I must finish this.”

  “Look at me.” His tone was arctic.

  She moved her head and forced her gaze up. “I want you to stay away from Marcus and this house. And from now on, I’ll be approving any requests you have for money,” he added harshly.

  She merely shrugged and resumed her
packing. She almost felt sorry for him. He would be so disappointed to be denied the opportunity to deny her requests, because she would never ask him for anything.

  “You’re a cold little bitch. Do you imagine I’ll relent and let you bleed Dad or Mom dry again?” When she refused to answer, Jordan moved to her side. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his mouth against hers. Gwyneth remained unresponsive as long as she could before surrendering. As soon as she relaxed, Jordan stepped away from her. She watched numbly as he left her room without looking back.

  ♥♥♥

  Gwyneth bade farewell to everyone before Beth drove her to the airport. Gwyneth boarded, intending to never come back. Not knowing what was going on in her niece’s life, Beth was sad to see her leave but not unduly worried. She retrieved her Honda from the parking garage and drove the forty minutes to her lover’s quiet estate. He grew grapes for wine, and he was Lilly’s brother. At that moment, neither fact weighed heavily on Beth’s mind as she anticipated spending a night with Griffin.

  He met her at the door and swept her into a passionate embrace. Griffin lifted Beth into his arms and carried her to the bedroom, where he made love to her slowly. Afterward, they lay together, sated, and spoke quietly. “I want you to marry me,” he asked for the thousandth time.

  Sighing, Beth rolled over. “Why do you always do this? Must you always propose when you know I’ll say no? Do you know how hard it is to refuse?”

  Griffin laughed. “Then stop saying no. I know you love me. I know you want to marry me and have children with me. Stop being afraid and live your own life.”

  “What about Gwyneth?” Beth asked the familiar question.

  “She’s a big girl and wants you to be happy. You’ll see. Marry me, or I’ll make love to you until you can’t move,” he threatened teasingly.

  Puckering her beautiful face, Beth said, “Okay, I will. But don’t blame me if Lilly goes through the roof.” She laughed at his stunned expression. “And as for kids, I’m too old.”

  Griffin swept her into his arms, his eyes watering. “You mean it? You’ll marry me?” At her happy nod he whooped and then said. “You’re only forty, and I’m just forty-three. I’m sure we can make a kid. In fact, let’s get started.”

  Chapter Four

  It was two months later before Beth broke the news to Gwyneth by telephone. After their conversation, she sat at the table and mindlessly stirred the cup of tea she’d been brewing when her aunt called. She hadn’t quite recovered from the shock, but was happy for Beth. All these years, Beth had been with Griffin and had never said a word. Gwyneth giggled as she thought about Lilly’s reaction. Accordig to Beth, it had been more of a shock for her, but she was gracious about the sudden change of Beth from housekeeper to sister-in-law.

  With a catch in her heart, Gwyneth realized she would never have any reason to return to the Del Royce manor after she got through the wedding next weekend. She was so close to safe, she thought with a grimace. Then she smiled down at her stomach where her son, at five months along, floated. Ultrasound had revealed her little boy just last week, and on the first attempt. “Well, you can’t be disguised, so we’ll just go with the flow.” Gwyneth patted him absently as he slept in her womb. With a tremble in her voice she added, “I think it’s time to tell your daddy. I just hope he believes me.”

  She’d done well in the two months since she’d returned to Los Angeles. At the moment, she was staying with her married friends Rob and Nita, but she would be getting her own apartment next month. She was working as a retail manager in a shoe store on the mall as she explored the option of opening her own business after her son was born.

  Marcus had sent money every month, which she had promptly returned, until he went around her and opened an account with her name, where he deposited a lump sum every month. Gwyneth was determined not to use a penny of the money and otherwise not be dependent on the Del Royces for anything. It was a gradual process, but she’d come to the conclusion last week, while seeing the baby on the ultrasound screen, that she had to tell Jordan about their mutual miracle. It was another consequence she was forced to accept, but she couldn’t deny her child the right to know his father—assuming Jordan would want to know their son. Even if he believed he’d fathered her child—which seemed unlikely without DNA testing—would he want to acknowledge himself as the father or her son? After all, she was just the housekeeper’s niece.

  ♥♥♥

  Gwyneth had promised Beth she’d come a few days early to be fitted for her maid-of-honor dress and so they could catch up. She’d gotten word of the wedding Saturday and flew out on a commuter plane to San Francisco on the Tuesday before the wedding. She didn’t have to be back at work until next. It was an easy trip, but the slightest movements made her nauseous, and she was relieved to get out at the airport in San Francisco, where Marcus was leaning against a sports car. On his arm was a petite little redhead he introduced as Monica. “My, how you’ve grown,” he quipped at her tummy before giving her a fierce hug. “So it’s for real,” he said in amazement.

  “Of course it is.” Gwyneth laughed before turning her attention to Monica. She was out-going and friendly and they were fast friends. She thought it was romantic that Griffin had waited so long for his one true love. When she said that part, she met Marcus’s eyes, and they got lost in each other. Gwyneth gently teased them and was impressed when Monica shyly displayed her engagement ring.

  ♥♥♥

  At the house, Gwyneth greeted all of the Del Royces, except Jordan, who was at work as usual. If Howard and Lilly were surprised about the baby, they didn’t say anything. They congratulated her, then Howard asked, “So when’s your wedding, little lady?”

  Shaking her head, Gwyneth said sadly. “There won’t be one for me anytime soon. Now, where is Beth?”

  As she asked, Beth and Griffin breezed in. Her aunt froze, clearly stunned. “You’re pregnant.” She stumbled, and her fiancé steadied her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Gwyneth shrugged guiltily. “No one knew except Marcus, and he only knows because he’s the one who made me go to the doctor.”

  Suddenly, the two women were crying and hugging and it didn’t matter that she hadn’t told her aunt. The reunion was tiring and Gwyneth went to her old room to take a nap.

  She was shocked to find it had been redecorated in neutral colors and converted to a guest room. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she removed the powder blue maternity dress and fell into the bed, exhausted. She knew it wasn’t really her room, but she was sad to see all her things gone.

  She awakened some hours later to find someone in her room. At first, she’d thought Tasha had brought a tray, but when sleep dispelled she recognized Jordan. Gasping, she drew the cover to her neck. “What are you doing in here?”

  “I volunteered to take care of you since you’d been so kind to me on a previous occasion,” he said sardonically. “Our new housekeeper, Saundra, sent up some roast turkey breast.” With a shifting of expression, all pretenses, mocking or otherwise, faded away. He ripped the covers off and stared at her swollen stomach. It was entirely visible since she’d been so tired that Gwyneth had only removed her dress and bra before falling into bed. “So it’s true.” He almost vibrated with rage.

  As she modestly covered herself, she asked, “Why are you so angry? What difference does it make to you?”

  Jordan raked a hand through his platinum curls, cropped close to his head. “You come into this home, pregnant with the bastard of my brother. Come into my home when his fiancée is in attendance, and then ask me what’s wrong?” He painfully grabbed her arm. “You had better not come between them. If you knew how long it took him to get over Victoria—”

  Gwyneth shook her head. “But it isn’t Marcus’s son. Where did you get such a crazy idea?”

  He snorted as he tore around the bedroom. “I heard him propose and recently he’s been putting money in your account every month. A lot of money. Some might say
blackmail money…” He left the accusation dangling.

  Gwyneth hugged herself as she burst into laughter. “What a bunch of nonsense. He isn’t trying to hide anything. He’s just a concerned friend who wants to help me. If you know about the account, you also know I haven’t used a cent of it.” Forgoing modesty in her anger, Gwyneth tossed off the blanket and put on her discarded bra as Jordan watched, impassive. Casually she pulled on the dress and spun around. “Will you zip me?” she asked sweetly. Jordan growled and left her room, slamming the door behind him.

  Gwyneth started out laughing again but burst into tears. She was sobbing when a quiet knock sounded on her door. Tentatively, Monica peaked in and asked about her. Maybe she’d carried her secret too long, or maybe Monica was just easy to talk to, but the story came pouring out of Gwyneth. Monica held her hand and never interrupted. Finally she said. “Wow. This is quite a mess.” She nodded resolutely. “You have to tell Jordan the truth. It’s the only option.”

  Nodding, Gwyneth wiped her eyes with a tissue. “I agree, but I’m not telling him until after the wedding. I don’t want anything to upset Beth’s big day.”

  ♥♥♥

  Gwyneth survived the next four days by blending in to the scenery. She got fitted for her dress, a delicate shade of pink that was surprisingly flattering, considering the size of her stomach. She got more acquainted with Griffin and liked him a lot. Of course he was wonderful with Beth and that assured she would like him to a certain extent either way. He was sweet and very supportive. By the morning of the wedding, he’d offered to back her in a business of her choice and she’d agreed. They were going to meet after the honeymoon to sign the contract.

  The day of the wedding was beautiful and warm. It was a surprisingly warm November day and Beth moaned about the fact that the ceremony was being held inside. It was a frantic morning with caters running around busily, florists arranging, and the wedding party rushing to be ready by two o’clock. Beth looked years younger than forty and radiantly happy.