by Eva Luxe
***
“Wow, I’ve never had to go to a court before,” Stacy said, wobbling up the stairs with her growing baby bump. It was much bigger now, and I loved watching each second of her growth. We measured it and took many pictures.
Today we were here to meet the judge about this hidden clause in my inheritance that called for a baby. It wasn’t too ridiculous, since I met Stacy, but it was suspicious that it was hidden for so long.
Regardless, everything moved the way it was supposed to and I found my mate for life. Nothing was wasted.
We were shown to the courtroom where it was only Stacy, me, and the judge.
The judge hobbled up to his bench and sat down. His name was Judge Tracey.
“Well, look what we have here. Never thought I’d see the day Grant Carter settled down. This inheritance clause has done you well, lad.”
“Yes indeed, your honor.”
“Now that you’ve submitted everything and its been confirmed and approved, I have one thing to say.”
“Yes, your honor?”
Judge Tracey took a sip of his water and shook his head then busted out into laughter. “Your grandfather and your father are two to be reckon with.” He calmed himself down and took another sip of water. “Let me not laugh too much, I’m sure this has caused you undue stress when it was first mentioned.”
“Your honor, I’m lost.”
Stacy tugged at my arm. “What’s going on?” she asked, a pinch of worry on her face.
“The inheritance clause, my son. You didn’t have to fulfill it.”
“What?!”
The judge leaned back in his chair. “The explanation is right here. This clause came from your father since he was allowed a spot to do so when you were young. He didn’t want you to be without a family, but wasn’t going to penalize you if you didn’t. He wanted you to recreate what you two had, but better.” The judge looked at Stacy and smiled. “And it seems to me you’ve done that.”
“Yes, I have.”
It took a lot of damn courage not to break down and cry like a little kid. That was exactly something my father would do. He didn’t want me lonely like he felt when mother up and destroyed his life.
He had me, and that helped soften the blow.
He didn’t want his son to be all alone. A parent’s love was eternal. And that was new to me. That was something I wanted to emulate for my child as well. Even long after Stacy and I were gone, our child would always feel our love around them.
“Mr. Carter,” the judge said with strict authority, “you filed for a marriage certificate. Tell me the truth right now. Do you love her, or was this just for the money?”
“It was for money at first, your honor. But then Stacy showed me things, and I began to break my own rules. The clause said have a baby, not get married,” I pointed out with a shit eating grin.
“Point well made. I’m happy for you. Both of you.”
Stacy stood. “Thank you, Judge.”
“Well, everything’s done here. I wish you a happy and fruitful life and a big weddi
Epilogue
Stacy
Today was the big day, and everyone was here.
Willow with Darien and the kids, my whole family, and even Carmen Carlissa with her new beau. We were all together in a huge hotel where we rented out many rooms and had the reception hall all to ourselves.
Carmen accepted the invitation, but was hesitant that Grant wouldn’t want her there. It was all understandable. But I made her come anyways.
I didn’t know those two would actually end up together. But the Navy SEALs guy I got her to share a table with actually took an interest in her, and this time, the interest went in both ways.
Grant’s face nearly dropped when he saw her on the arm of her new man.
“I didn’t know this was possible,” Grant whispered to me.
“I know, but it is. Just look at those two. They totally match.” We were all down in the reception hall decorating and helping with anything we could. But things looked all set here, so I patted Grant’s arm and gave him my cue.
“Well, time for this bride to get all pretty,” I said.
“Yeah, don’t want to be late, right?” Edwin added in. “Let’s go!”
Edwin took me upstairs where my whole family was waiting. My mother, who didn’t have to work a single day in her life again, was in tears and ran over to me with open arms.
“My Stacy! Oh, darling I’m so happy,” she cried.
“Thanks, Mom,” I muffled into her shoulder.
Someone tapped my shoulder from behind, and I looked over to see Carmen with her new boyfriend, Drake. I’m glad they made it up here.
“Well if it isn’t Ms. Carmen Carlissa,” I said, giving her a hug. I heard she even went to therapy, courtesy of Drake.
“You deserve this, you know. You’re not someone who hits low, like I once did,” she said, sniffling.
“From the looks of you two, you’re gonna be heading down the aisle yourself.”
Alice busted into the room with the wedding dress in tow.
“I got it! It’s here and it’s so gorgeous!” she exasperated.
Edwin ran over to help her with the train. “Be careful, don’t mess her dress up, butterfingers.”
“Says who?” Alice bit back. “Anyways, let’s get you dressed, Stacy!”
Willow entered the room while Darien and the kids were with Grant.
She helped me lace up in the master bathroom of our suite. This dress was specially made to flatter my baby bump, which was more like a mountain now. Sheesh, what was I having? Twins? The doctor said there was only one boy. Guess he was going to have his daddy’s muscles.
“I’m happy that you confronted your fears,” she said.
“I am too. Thanks, Willow!”
***
Everyone was seated and the music began to play. Willow was my best woman, waiting at the alter with Darien who was Grant’s best man.
Mom was by my side to walk me down the aisle.
“Ready?” she asked.
I gulped down a breath of air. “Ready.”
We stepped out into the aisle, every diamond on my dress shined brilliant rainbows. Grant’s eyes were locked on mine as I slowly drifted towards him.
When I reached him, he held my hand.
“Do you Grant Carter, take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?” the preacher asked.
“Yes, I do.”
“And Stacy Endow, do you take this rich and once lonely man as your lawfully wedded husband?”
“Yes, I do!” I chimed.
Everyone laughed at he preacher’s extra words for Grant, but hey, a little humor never hurt anyone.
“You may kiss the bride!” he announced.
Grant moved his eyebrows, we had a lot more than kissing planned… when I finally give birth. Good thing blow jobs weren’t out of the question for later.
We kissed and the whole room roared with happiness and cheers.
“I love you, Stacy, forever. Know that I’ll always protect you,” Grant whispered into my ear.
“And I’ll do the same for you.”
Thank you for reading and for your support.
Newsletter Sign Up
Sign up for our newsletters and receive a free book!
Click here to sign up!
Nanny Wanted: A Virgin and Billionaire Romance
Copyright 2017 by Juliana Conners and Eva Luxe; All Rights Reserved.
Chapter 1 – Willow
I hated this.
There was nothing worse I’d ever experienced in my entire life than having to visit my brother in the hospital. I didn’t even know— no one knew— whether Sam was going to pull through or not. Every time I came here, it was one big question mark with no answer in sight.
And yet, I loved my brother. I believed in him and wanted him to get better. So, I continued to come see him, even though being here was very difficult, to say the least.
The view of
the hospital lobby loomed over me as people were coming and going, some on stretchers and some in wheelchairs.
Sam didn't deserve this fate— didn’t deserve to have to be here. My brother was big and loud and affectionate, and made a joke out of everything. He didn’t belong in a place like this, no matter how kind the nurses were or how cutting edge the technology was. He shouldn’t be lying still, with tubes running in and out of him, fighting for his life.
I swallowed my depression and gathered as much courage as I could, but I still dragged my feet as I entered the hospital and retraced my steps back up to his room for what felt like the thousandth time.
The elevator would've been easier, but I needed to keep myself in motion until I laid eyes on him. Elevators were starting to feel a little claustrophobic.
I got to his room and shoved through the door. “Sam, you wouldn’t believe this new—”
His bed was empty. Oh, God, what had happened?
"Nurse, nurse!" I ran to the small nurses’ station a few steps away from Sam’s door. "What happened to my brother? Why isn't he in his room?”
"Oh, Willow, calm down," the nurse said, getting up from her desk and hugging my shoulders.
Her tone and the way she kind of patted me on the back like I was a child let me know that everyone here was sick of how often I freaked out. But I couldn’t help it— I was known to speak my mind and be a little high strung and hyper no matter what the occasion, and who could blame me for being worried in such a situation? I was glad the nurses were kind but I was beginning to realize I was getting on their nerves.
"He's fine,” the nurse continued. “He was just moved to another room in the hospital."
I breathed a shaky sigh of relief and wiped my eyes.
The nurse took me to another station. While I stood to the side waiting, trying my very best to be patient— which certainly was not my strong suit— she leafed through some papers and clicked around on her computer.
Willow, stop being weak. You need to be strong. If something had happened, they would've called the family. Breathe. Sam will be fine. Then you can nag him again about his annoying tendency to leave the toilet seat up.
This wasn't fair. Sam was a good guy, and an awesome brother...when he didn't leave the bathroom a mess.
"Here we go, he's in the north wing of the hospital in room 24B. I'll take you there. It can get confusing trying to get over to that wing of the hospital."
She smiled at me, her humanity winning out— or maybe she was just happy to be getting rid of me— but either way, I was grateful.
I smiled back at her. "Thank you."
On our way over, the nurse started an idle chatter about her family. I guess it was to soothe my nerves. Every word she said went in one ear and out the other.
I tried to pay attention as she told me something about her plans for the weekend including a family barbeque, and then asking me what my plans were. I had tunnel vision, thinking that I would just be here all weekend, of course. All I cared about was my brother.
It was hard enough that Mom and Dad were too busy to come see him very much. But if I had to look out for him by myself, then I would. Lord knew he’d looked out for me often enough.
"Okay, we're in the north wing, and his room is right down the hall."
I ran ahead of her, counting the rooms as I passed each door.
There. I found it.
I waved at the nurse and she waved back, turning around to return to her station. Maybe she had never been annoyed with me, and it was all in my head. I seemed to be going crazy due to anxiety lately.
I pulled on the door and went inside.
"Sam! There you are."
He didn't respond. I knew he was in a coma, but every time I spoke to him, I felt like he'd magically wake up and say something.
Wake up, please wake up soon.
I wiped the hair from his forehead to the side. The bruises were going down, and he looked peaceful. They said he wasn’t in any pain, and I clung to that reassurance. I'd die if I knew he was in pain.
I settled into the chair next to his bed, getting comfortable for a long visit.
"So, I wanted to let you know that I'm trying my hand at bar tending,” I said, taking his hand. “It's at this weird strip joint, but I'm not a stripper. I swear.”
His hand was warm, a good reminder that he was alive and could still come back to me.
"I don't make money like the dancers, but the pay is decent and the tips are too. I had to drop out of school though. Money has gotten tight with the family. But I’ll go back, okay? So don’t yell at me for dropping out. It’s just temporary."
I rubbed his hand and looked at the monitors and machines that were attached to him.
"We're suing that person who hit you," I said with a sniffle, "but the courts are taking their time. We're doing our best. You'll be fine though. And maybe we'll have a bigger house and you'll have your own bathroom to mess up as much as you want."
Who was I kidding? There was no way I could sit here and pretend I was Ms. Emotionless. I had a heart, and it was being stabbed repeatedly.
I wished I could've stopped him from going out that night. But how was I to know he would be hit?
I began humming, and then singing a song.
Don’t worry, be happy…
The song was as much for me as it was for him. I needed to remind myself that worrying didn’t do any good.
But as I continued to sing, I couldn’t help but smile, suppressing a giggle. It was a weird thing to be trying not to laugh in a hospital room, at one of my darkest hours. Yet it was also funny that I was singing, because Sam always used to tease me that I was tone deaf. When we were little he would yell, “NO SINGING” at me, and I would keep going, just to keep annoying him, which was my job as his sister.
It was a game we would play sometimes, on long car trips when we were bored, or while fishing down by the creek. He would tell me to stop singing because I would scare away the fish— they’d have to swim away from me because my voice was so bad. Or he’d tell Mom and Dad to kick me out of the car for subjecting everyone to my awful voice.
Even though it was a joke that was exaggerated out of proportion, I knew he was right— I couldn’t sing to save my life. But now I was hoping that I could sing to save his. I knew how ridiculous that sounded, but I had to focus on something to keep myself from going insane.
Suddenly, there were a few soft knocks at the door. I zipped my lips—another phrase Sam used to tell me to do while singing— and I turned around, to see a middle aged man in a three-piece suit strolling in.
"You must be one of the Reigns. Related to Samual Reign, correct? How are you?" he asked.
"Yes, I’m Willow. His sister. And I guess I'm fine."
I looked back at Sam and his host of machines, wanting to ask the guy how he thought I was, but refraining. Sometimes it takes everything I have to hold back my sarcastic comments.
“I’m sorry, we were just moved to this wing,” I told him. “Who are you?”
"I’m with the hospital administration,” he said brusquely. “Ms. Reign. I'd like to collect some other insurance info from you for your brother if you happen to know it."
"You already have his info." I wiped my eyes.
"I know," he said, frowning, "but that insurance has called us and recently said they could no longer cover his medical needs."
I jumped out of my chair.
"That's impossible! He’s still on our parents’ insurance! What about that man who hit him? He was taken here too, right? Why don't you ask him?"
The man checked his clipboard.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Reign. But he passed away this morning."
I pushed past the doctor and ran down the hallway. Why did all of this bad luck have to happen? That was my brother in there, and all the hospital cared about was money.
I bumped into people, I tripped on a person's leg, but no matter what obstacle was in my path to slow me down, I had to get out of that
hospital. I couldn’t sit there with Sam knowing that he would think he was one more bill we had to pay.
For the first time since the accident, I hoped he couldn’t hear what was going on around him. I didn’t want him to find out that there was no money to help him get better, because then he might give up.
Chapter 2 – Willow
When I got to the bus stop, I broke down crying.
I pulled out my cell phone and through my blurry vision, I pushed the fast dial button for my father.
"Hey there, darling. How are you?" my father asked.
"Daddy! The hospital said the insurance is gone. They said the insurance dropped him. And the guy who hit him is dead!"
He sighed, leaving a few moments of silence between us before he responded.
"Willow, darling, I already knew about that. We're trying to work something out, your mother and I."
My grip around the phone tightened.
"What? You knew and didn't tell me?" my voice shook. "I visit him every damn day. I'm the only person who comes to see him and you didn't tell me?"
"Willow, please,” he said wearily. “You know─"
I hung up. I hated when my father got that patronizing tone, and I knew it wasn’t worth fighting with him. I was hurt that he didn’t trust me to inform me about things, but, I had learned by now that there was nothing I could do about it.
The bus arrived and opened its doors. I looked at it blankly. I still couldn’t get over the fact that my parents had known about this and hadn’t told me.
I dragged myself on the bus and slid my transfer card through the machine.
My body felt lifeless. Sam deserved better than this. My family had fallen apart after that car incident. And I was beginning to think it wasn't going to come back together again.
Instead of returning home, I stopped by the local social services and got a bunch of papers containing information for places that helped with medical bills. A brief review, however, only delivered more gloom and doom to my already awful news. Medicaid wasn't going to cover it, we couldn't afford a new private policy, and the churches that were on the list only offered medical care up to a hundred dollars.
