“Okay so I believe you. But I still don’t like her,” she insisted on.
Randle laughed again. “Oh Princess, if I fired everyone just because you didn’t like them I’d have no employees,” he then teased.
“Ha ha,” she again responded feeling quite the idiot now.
Randle again took his chair. “Oh, I almost forgot,” she began again.
Randle looked up. “I’m scared now.”
“No…this is serious,” she prodded. Randle looked firmly at her now. “I need to you to make me a doctors appointment.”
“For what?” he asked dumbfounded.
“I think I’m pregnant,” she went on. “I haven’t had a period in like two months. I thought it was nerves but…”
Randle’s mouth covered hers in mid-sentence and all she could do now was wrap her arms around his neck and feel relieved that he wasn’t angry. But of course he wouldn’t be. Randle Malcolm’s entire dream was about to come true. He had his Princess at last and now they would start their family together.
“Oh Princess you better not be joking with me,” he finally threatened with all sincerity as he faced her again.
“I’m not.”
Randle fumbled around his desk looking for his cell phone and dialed it quickly and called Dr. Marcell’s office.
“Let’s go, he’s gonna see us right away,” he then told her.
“Us? I think I’m the one pregnant not you,” she replied jokingly.
“Ha ha,” he retorted as he mocked her acting more excited than she was.
It only took a few minutes for them to reach the doctor’s office building and the nurse took them straight back to one of the examining rooms.
“He’ll be right in,” she then informed them and closed the door behind her.
Randle was squeezing her hand so tightly it began to sweat. “Would you relax,” she finally told him as she pulled it away and wiped it on her jeans.
Randle could only smile back now as Dr. Marcell finally entered. “Well Lia you look much better than the last time we met.”
“Yes sir, I’m fine,” she answered nervously.
He reached into a cabinet just behind him then turned and handed her a plastic cup. “I think you know what to do with this,” he then teased. “There’s a bathroom right there,” he then stated as he pointed at the door at the rear of the room.
She made her way through it and Randle paced nervously waiting for her to appear again. Finally she came out and sat the cup on the counter. The doctor opened the drawer below it and pulled out a small stick of some kind and pulled open the sterile wrapper then dipped it into her urine.
Randle watched over her shoulder anxiously as if he knew how to read the test and Lia was nearly laughing at his frantic mood. She had never seen Randle so anxious about anything in all her life.
Finally the doctor raised the stick and looked it over then dropped into the trash can beside the cabinet. They both glared at him nervously.
“Congratulations,” he then stated. “It was positive.”
Randle snatched her up again and swirled her in the air. “I knew it. I love you Princess,” he then reaffirmed.
The doctor went on. “I still need to do a physical exam so I’ll step out and give you a few minutes to undress from the waist down. There’s a gown on the table.”
“Ok, thank you,” Lia shyly answered.
As soon as the door closed Randle grabbed at her shirt and pulled it up. “Stop it,” she protested in a whisper.
“He said undress,” Randle teased back.
“He said waist down,” she reminded.
“Oh…even better,” he answered as he quickly dropped the shirt and grabbed the button on her jeans.
“Quit,” she again urged as she grabbed at his hands laughing at him now. “And turn around,” she then ordered.
“Oh you’re kidding right?” he asked not at all teasing.
“No. Now turn around.”
He finally turned his back and she quickly slipped on the gown and crawled on the table and they waited patiently for the doctor to come back. Finally he did and after completing his exam he turned to both of them.
“I’d really like to do an ultra sound if you have time,” he then stated almost as a question.
Randle’s expression dimmed. “Is something wrong?”
“No, I just think she might be a little further along that’s all. The ultra sound will tell us for sure.”
He instructed the nurse to call the ultra sound department and line up the exam. Randle and Lia nervously followed the doctor and she climbed onto another table and laid flat on her back again.
The doctor unbuttoned her pants and pulled up her shirt then squirted a cold liquid on her belly. The he picked up a wand and started sliding it around her stomach. They watched earnestly on the screen now and could finally make out the body images of their baby as the doctor pointed them out.
“There’s a fully formed leg and an arm,” he told them and Lia watched Randle’s face as he watched closely at his son or daughter moving around before him.
“I really think she’s about four months pregnant already,” he then stated.
“So that’s why I’ve gained five pounds,” she then blurted.
“Would you like to know the sex of the baby?” he then asked.
Randle’s face brightened more. “Tell me now!” he blurted out.
The doctor laughed and turned to Lia. “Miss Lia?”
“Absolutely,” she confirmed.
“Okay,” he stated as he moved the wand a little more. “You are having a perfectly healthy baby boy,” he then stated.
“Yes!” Randle yelled out with pride immediately and bent to kiss Lia again.
She laughed at his beaming face never thinking this tough man could be such a softy about having a baby. She too blushed with pride.
“A son,” she stated avidly.
“Yes, a son,” Randle echoed.
The doctor finally finished up his exam, printed them each a picture of their baby boy then left them alone in the room.
As Lia finally climbed from the table and finished dressing Randle held her so tightly against him she thought she was going to suffocate.
“Come on big guy,” she teased. “It’s just a baby.” She tried not to laugh at him.
“It’s not just a baby,” he stated proudly. “It’s my son.”
“Our son,” she had the remind him.
She watched as Randle carefully placed his picture in his wallet then replaced it into his pocket. Never did she in all her life think having a son would mean so much to him. Smiling widely she reached up and kissed him again.
Finally it was Lia’s twenty-fifth birthday and the wedding was only two days away. This morning they made their way again into Randle’s downtown office. Today she was to sign off on all the paperwork and finally receive her full inheritance from her deceased parent’s estate. She still had no clue as to how much money was there but Randle made sure he had only hinted it was quite the sum.
Finally she found herself seated in Randle’s desk chair as he leaned over next to her placing the paperwork before her. “I need you to sign here and here,” he pointed and smiled widely.
“Randle, why do you do that? Can’t you at least tell me what I’m signing?” she then complained with a laugh.
“Fine,” he started. “This one verifies the fact that you are who you are,” he laughed. “And this says now that you’ve reached the age of twenty-five you can have your damn $120 million bucks!”
Lia pushed back the chair from the desk and stood and faced him. “That’s not funny,” she stated as if not to believe him.
“Oh I know its not,” he answered as he pushed her gently back down. “It states it right here,” he then pointed.
Her eyes widened. “Wow,” she whispered as she picked up the paper to get a closer look. “You really have done well,” she then praised him as she again looked up at him.
�
�Sign it already,” he then ordered. “I’m starving.”
“Oh now you’re the hungry one?” she asked as she scribbled down her signature.
“Yes, and this time you’re treating,” he then demanded with a laugh.
She rose and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It would be my pleasure Mr. Malcolm. Are we done here now?”
He kissed her quickly then playfully reached down and shoved the papers out of the way and they floated to the floor. He laid her back on desk and kissed her again.
“Not yet,” he teased.
“You had better stop that!” she demanded with a laugh and pushed him off of her.
“Okay okay,” he answered as he laughed too and picked up his mess and organized them back together.
“C’mon,” he then stated as he took her hand and they finally made their way out.
Finally it was the night before the wedding. This wedding Lia was so looking forward to as she and Randle were playing around in his bedroom.
“You know I can’t stay here tonight,” she then announced.
Randle’s eyes fell on her quickly. “What? Don’t be silly.”
“It’s bad luck. And we both know we have had enough of that,” she then teased with a kiss as she again held onto the sheet to keep from exposing her nakedness to him.
“Nonsense,” he replied with all sincerity. “You’re staying right here where you have always belonged,” he then demanded.
Lia thought for a moment not wanting to leave him either. “Okay, but I have to go early so I can fix myself up as beautiful as possible. I wouldn’t want to disappoint my husband.”
“That’s something you could never do,” he replied then again he sat and reached over to her and opened the top drawer of the nightstand and pulled out another box, this one larger than the last one.
“I also bought this for you on your twenty-first birthday,” he then informed her as he handed it to her. “I always dreamed of this day and I want you to wear it.”
Her curiosity was now aroused more than ever as she took the large square box in her hands and opened it. Her eyes widened with disbelief as she admired the small diamond filled tiara inside. Its beauty glimmered against the black felt case.
“Oh Randle,” she exclaimed.
“I want it just in front of your veil,” he then admitted. “You are finally gonna be my true Princess.”
She closed the box and placed it on top of the nightstand and turned to hug him tightly. “You just never cease to surprise me you know that?” she admitted proudly.
“And I never will,” he promised.
The next morning Lia was excitedly running around her own bedroom now not sure what to do first. At last the happiest day of her life was here and Randle’s too. She showered and brushed her long hair making sure it was bouncing perfectly behind her. She slipped on her huge glimmering wedding gown and shoes and swirled around and around in front of her mirror.
Then she reached to the box containing her diamond tiara and smiled widely as she slipped it just in front of the cap of her veil and admired its beauty as well.
“Mrs. Randle Malcolm at last,” she stated out loud loving the way it sounded.
Again she opened her door just enough to look out over the ballroom admiring the beauty. It was decorated this time more elegantly than ever before. The room was filled with stand after stand of white roses and orchids with accenting greenery. There was even more chairs than ever before knowing surely Randle had a larger guest list for this main event of his life.
Then she saw the cake. Oh my, she thought in awe. It was several layers high with fountains shooting in the air on either side of it. Now her eyes focused again at the front of the room. The small orchestra that played for her birthday party was here again and a beautiful flower covered archway was set up in the front where she and Randle would stand and say their vowels.
Finally she closed the door and anxiously waited for Marc to come and get her. It took some coaxing on her behalf but she finally convinced him into to giving her away. Finally the knock came and she so excitedly ran to the door to join him. He entered the room.
“Oh my,” he exclaimed. “Such a beautiful woman. Randle Malcolm is a very lucky man,” he proclaimed.
“Thank you very much,” she replied with much pride.
“Are you ready?” he then asked.
“Yes, I am finally ready to become Mrs. Randle Malcolm,” she stated positively.
Marc opened the door and she saw Randle standing just in front of the archway now in his tuxedo staring and smiling widely up at her as he watched them make their way from the room.
Slowly they descended the staircase with her long train flowing gracefully behind them and then rounded to the middle of the room. Lia couldn’t get the smile off her face as they now made their way down the aisle with the orchestra playing. And then she saw him and her eyes lit up even more.
Sitting in the back row and smiling back just as widely was Jeffery. Now she knew with all certainty Randle hadn’t had him killed after all just as he had promised he hadn’t. Now she felt badly at all the times she had ever doubted him now that she was finally finding out more than ever she had no reason. He had always been truthful with her. He hadn’t slept with Misty and now Jeffery was alive and well and here for their wedding.
Finally they stopped just in front of the minister. “Who gives this woman away?” he then asked.
“I do,” Marc started with a grin then followed by a chorus of “And me…and me,” with laughter from behind as she glimpsed slyly behind her now to see all of Randle’s security behind them to the rear of the room. “And let him chase her around from now on,” she then heard as well as a chuckle befell the room.
Randle shook his head with amusement and chuckled out as well as he took her hand and pulled her to face him. “I will gladly chase her,” he replied proudly.
Lia knew she had nearly tortured these guys all these years with her spoiled tantrums and fits. But she now realized just how much she loved them all.
Finally the minister began the wedding and this time she listened intently to all the words. Marc handed her Randle’s ring and she happily slid it onto his finger and waited patiently as he did the same in return.
Then finally the moment she had so much longed to hear.
“I now pronounce you…husband and wife. You may kiss your bride Randle.”
Randle held her against him with the most passionate kiss ever as the guests cheered them on. Lia had never imagined the powerful feeling she would have becoming Lia Malcolm. She felt as if she could conquer the world with this man at her side.
Finally they faced the guests and she held his arm tightly with both her hands as the minster made his final announcement.
“I present to you all…Mr. and Mrs. Randle Malcolm.”
Her face beamed and so did Randle’s and she swore he looked happier than she. They made their way down the middle of the room and everyone began to mingle at last and offer their personal congratulations. Lia found herself now hugging each and every security guard she had ever tormented. They toasted and she drank and only laughed when she tasted the water Randle had placed in her champagne glass.
“You’re not getting my son drunk,” he teased in a whisper as they had not yet told anyone else about the baby.
“You are so funny,” she exclaimed.
Finally her head was spinning from all the excitement and she felt it was time for a break. She reached for Randle’s hand and pulled him from his guest.
“What’s wrong Princess?” he asked.
“Nothing, but I’d like to get some fresh air if you don’t mind. I’m really getting tired.”
“Of course,” he stated with concern knowing the pregnancy would be stressful for her today.
They made their way out to the patio next to the pool.
“Well,” she started as she rested her hands against his chest. “Are you happy?”
“I am the happiest man
alive,” he stated honestly. “I have the most beautiful wife in the world and soon she will bare my son.”
Lia couldn’t quit smiling. “And RJ is gonna be as spoiled as you have spoiled me,” she then stated.
“RJ?” he repeated.
“Randle Junior of course,” she then stated proudly.
“Oh…I like that,” he then agreed with her. “And I’m gonna make sure he’s as mean as his old man too.”
“Ummm…I’m not too sure I like that one,” she teased.
Randle was grinning at her with a sly little grin. “Remember that first time you flew with me? To Arizona?” he then asked.
Lia looked to him curiously. “Yes I do. Very well…why?”
“Well…you asked me then if I would take you Paris France so now I’m finally gonna do it,” he then stated proudly.
“Oh Randle! Do you mean it?” She looked more excited then ever now.
“Anything for my Princess,” he then assured her with a kiss.
“I love you Lia Malcolm,” he then stated as he held her gaze steady.
“I love you too Randle,” she answered and they again embraced with a passionate kiss then they were suddenly disturbed hearing a strange noise at a distance, but then it grew louder and seemed to near closer to them.
Finally Randle looked up and at the same time she felt both his hands slam into her chest and knock her to the ground a couple of feet from him. Then things appeared to move in slow motion before her as she too looked up now after seeing Randle draw his gun and aim at a helicopter that was hovering just above them but he was too late.
A man was already half exposed from the side door with a machine gun in hand and had started popping off rounds.
Lia watched horrified as the bullets slammed into Randle’s chest with a spray of blood shooting into the air with each hit and his body jerked upon the impact of each and every one of them. His gun fell from his hand and bounced loudly on the concrete as his stout body began to fall backward hitting the ground with such force all she saw was blood again shooting into the air and now landing all over her as well.
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