Resemblance

by Y. L. Stokes

  “Ash, I know this isn’t the way we should be spending our wedding night, but I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

  She shook her head. Tears under control now, she explained.

  “I was so scared that something would happen to you, Nicholas. I don’t ever want you to take a chance like that again.”

  His wife got off the bed and paced back in forth at the foot, lecturing him. Placing his hands beneath his head, he watched her, astonished.

  “If you ever scare me like that again, Nicholas Maxwell, I swear that I’ll beat you senseless.”

  Nicholas eased to the end of the bed, waited until she came close, reached out, and pulled her beside him. Her breath came out in a whoosh. Before she could get her bearings, Nicholas pinned her beneath him, her hands trapped between their bodies. Her hair covered her face.

  He gently brushed her hair away. “Are you finished yet?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Oh, so you’re not speaking to me anymore, huh?”

  Ashley rolled her eyes and stared at the ceiling.

  “Well, what I want to do doesn’t require any talking,” he said and took her earlobe into his mouth. She didn’t respond, so he nipped her neck, down to her collar, and across her shoulder. She shivered.

  “Oh, so you do like it, huh?”

  Ashley still refused to respond.

  “I love you, honey, and I know that you were worried, but you have to believe me when I say that there was no danger. The police had already arrived.”

  That got her attention. She turned to face him. “The police were already there?”

  “Yes. Jack’s friend Rick had what seemed like the entire force there when we arrived.”

  “I’m sorry, Nicky, I was just so worried that something would happen to you.”

  Nicholas smiled down at her. “I know you were, baby, and I’m sorry that you were worried.”

  Ashley slipped her arms around his neck. “I know a perfect way for you to make it up to me.”

  Nicholas had the same idea, but a knock rapped at their door. Dropping his head on her shoulder, he asked, “Who is it?”

  His mother’s voice came through the door. He growled, climbed out of bed, and helped his wife straighten her clothes. He opened the door.

  “Umm, sorry if I disturbed anything…. Nicholas, your brothers just arrived, and we’re about to leave. I want to get Charlie settled at home, and Jack’s going to get Nicole home before it gets any later.”

  Nicholas smiled. He knew his brother had no intentions of taking Nicole home. Well, home to his house maybe….

  Downstairs, the married couple said their goodbyes to the family.

  After everyone left, Nicholas eased his wife into his arms again. “Now, where were we, Mrs. Maxwell?”

  “If I remember correctly, you were about to have your way with me, Mr. Maxwell.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me.”

  Ashley let out a startled yelp as Nicholas scooped her up into his arms and carried her up to bed.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Home again, Mary spotted Peter in his wheelchair at the top of the stairs.

  “Where have you been?” he whined. “I’ve been worried sick, and where was that darn butler of yours? I had no one to fix me anything to eat.”

  “Where is that so-called nurse of yours?” Mary asked.

  Visibly startled, Peter said, “I guess she’s in her room.”

  “Well, I think you’d better go and check, and if she’s there then have her fix you something to eat.”

  Without another word, Mary walked past him down the hall to her bedroom. Once inside, she locked the door behind her. Her hands shook. It had taken all of her willpower to look at him knowing what he’d done—or what he’d had his thugs do.

  “Lord, what have I done?” she asked.

  Mary was sure Peter wouldn’t harm her, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

  She sat at her vanity, removed the pins from her hair, and remembered how beautiful her grandson’s wedding had been. And what a beautiful bride Ashley made. Mary sensed that Nicholas and Ashley would be happy. Their love for each other was evident in everything they did—the way they touched, the way they looked at each other, the way they held one another. It reminded her of the way she felt about Phillip, and after seeing how happy their grandson was, Mary decided that it was high time for her and Phillip to be happy also.

  He entered her room through the secret passage, and she smiled up at him in the mirror.

  He walked to her side. “Mary, will you marry me?”

  Mary turned around to face the man that she had fallen in love with so many years ago. Her love for him had not diminished in the least. “Yes, my love, I will marry you.”

  Phillip closed his eyes for a brief moment. “Did I hear you say yes?” he asked in a gruff whisper.

  “Yes, my love. Yes, I’ll marry you. I’m tired of keeping our feelings secret. It felt so right being with you at Nicholas’ wedding. We’ve even gained three more grandchildren, and by the looks of things we’ll be attending another one of our grandson’s weddings pretty soon if Saundra has anything to say about it. I would love to attend the wedding as husband and wife.”

  “I say we leave tonight. We can call Nicholas on the way to Vegas,” Phillip said and pushed the button opening the doorway to the secret passageway that led down to the garage.

  The phone woke Nicholas. He glanced at the clock through sleep-filled eyes, instantly awake when he saw the time. It could only be an emergency for someone to call at this ungodly hour. He reached over and snagged the phone.

  “Hello?”

  “It’s Grandma, Nicholas. Sorry to call so late. We just wanted to call and let you know that we’re on our way to get married.”

  “You’re what?” He climbed out of the bed, waking Ashley.

  “Nicholas, calm down. Your grandfather and I feel it’s high time we set things right in our lives.”

  “But why do you have to go away and do this? We could have a wedding here with all of us.” Nicholas paced back and forth trying to think of some way to change their minds.

  Phillip came on the line. “Nicholas, son, don’t worry, everything’s going to be okay.”

  “Granddad, why can’t you guys wait just a little while longer? Just long enough for us to plan a wedding and everything.” Nicholas’ frustration grew.

  “Nick, I promise when we get back we’ll have a huge reception and invite everyone.”

  Nick ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t believe this. Granddad, where are you?”

  “We’ve just landed in Vegas. We’ll call you when we get back in town,” Phillip said and ended the call.

  Nicholas stared at the phone and emitted a low growl.

  “Nicholas, what’s wrong?” Ashley asked, her voice filled with sleep.

  “You’re not going to believe this. My grandparents have decided to run off to Vegas and get married.”

  “Um, honey, isn’t that what you wanted? For your grandparents to get married?”

  “Yes, but I wanted to be there, Ashley. They’re acting like a couple of kids.”

  A giggle escaped Ashley. Nicholas turned her way. Laughter lit her eyes, and he didn’t like it one bit.

  “What do you find so amusing?”

  “You’re acting as if they’re two teenagers running off to get married. Nicky, they’re grown up—as grown up as can be.”

  “You don’t have to tell me, but they are acting as if they’re teenagers.” He picked up the phone again.

  “Who are you calling?” Ashley asked.

  “Jack.”

  “For what? Never mind, I don’t want to know, but could you please go downstairs before you wake Marcus.”

  Nicholas glared at his wife and headed out of the room. “Thanks for the support,” he muttered.

  “I love you too, honey.”

  Nick made it to the top of the stairs. What he was doing was futile. Nothing c
ould be done. Hell, they’re probably being married in less than an hour.

  Nicholas turned around and walked back to the bedroom.

  Ashley sat up in bed, smiling.

  “I guess I was pretty ridiculous, huh?” he said.

  Ashley’s giggles turned into full-blown, gut-wrenching laughter.

  Nicholas slid into bed next to her. “So you’re really getting a kick out of this, huh?”

  Ashley could only nod in answer.

  “Well, I think I have something to give you that both you and I will enjoy more than your laughter.”

  He pressed his arousal against her leg, and her laughter immediately faded. Nicholas captured her mouth with his. The contact sent bolts of electricity through him. He rolled onto his back, pulling Ashley on top of him. His palms cupped her breasts, while his thumbs circled her erect nipples. Lifting his back from the pillows, he took one ripened berry into his mouth. Ashley cried out his name.

  “I can’t wait, Nicholas,” she whimpered and ground her hips against him, eliciting a strangled moan from him.

  Unable to stand the torture any longer, Nicholas gripped her hips and eased himself inside her. The pleasure was so powerful that he became mindless to his surroundings. His body took over as his mind soared beyond the stars. Nicholas reached between them and, using the pad of his thumb, he rubbed the sensitive bud at the heart of her. Her desire blossomed into a full blown climax that triggered his own, sending them both spiraling beyond the real world—a place where they were as one. There seemed no distinction of where his body ended and where hers began. Ashley collapsed on top of him. Nicholas ran his hands through her hair, loving the feel of it, the feel of her.

  “Do you have any idea of how much I love you, Mrs. Maxwell?” he asked before he drifted off to sleep with her wrapped in his arms.

  Mary and Phillip made it back to town in record time. Now they headed to their attorney’s office, having called him from the plane to advise him of the news.

  “I know this could have waited until tomorrow, but I feel better about doing it tonight, Phillip. I want our wills in order if something were to happen to us.”

  Phillip heard the fear underlining her voice and pulled her closer into his arms. “You think Peter will turn desperate?” he asked, his anger evident in his voice.

  “He’s already desperate. You should have seen the look on his face when I asked him where his nurse was. He looked startled, and for a moment I thought he was going to get out of the wheelchair.”

  Phillip let out a frustrated sigh. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you go in by yourself.”

  “It’s okay now, honey,” she said and placed a comforting hand on his arm.

  “I’ll never leave you alone in that house with him again,” Phillip promised. “Once the wills have been changed, everything will be absolutely perfect, my love.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Charlie woke to the smell of bacon and eggs, the aroma so strong it pulled him from the bed and down the hall to the kitchen. He stood in the doorway staring at Nicholas’ family, feeling extremely awkward. He turned to go back upstairs, but Nick’s mother waylaid him.

  “Where do you think you’re going, young man?” Saundra demanded.

  “Um, I was just going to go up and get ready for work,” he said, unable to meet her eyes.

  The phone trilled. Patrick answered and handed the phone to Charlie. Thinking that it was probably the police, he was shocked to hear his father’s voice on the other end.

  “So, I hear you found a dead woman in your bed. All I want to know is: did you kill her?”

  Charlie rolled his eyes. “No, Dad, I didn’t kill her,” Charlie said, exasperated.

  “I’m glad to hear that, but do I need to send my lawyer to you?”

  “No, Dad. I’m not a suspect, so I don’t need your lawyer; besides, if I needed one, I can afford my own.” Charlie disconnected the call.

  “Sean, watch the bacon for me,” Saundra commanded over her shoulder. She took Charlie by the arm and led him into the living room. “Have a seat.”

  “Mrs. Maxwell, I have to—”

  “Sit! Now, the first thing I want to get straight is that you’ve only called me Mrs. Maxwell once, and do you remember what I told you then?”

  “Yes, ma’am. You said that if you ever heard me call you that again, you’d wash my mouth out with soap.”

  “Good. You have a great memory. Now, do you want to go and get the soap or shall I?”

  Charlie looked up, startled. Tears came so unexpectedly. He tried to turn away, but she stopped him.

  “Charlie, I know what went on between you and Nicholas, but you have to know that I don’t interfere with anything that happens between my sons—you included—and whatever happens between you boys won’t change how I feel about any one of you.”

  “That’s just it, I’m not your son.”

  “If you’re talking about biologically, then you’re right, but just because I didn’t give birth to you doesn’t mean that I can’t love you as my own,” she informed him.

  “But why, especially after what I’ve done?” he asked, anguished. “Nicholas is your son, and I can’t expect you to side with me over him.” Charlie stood and stared out the window.

  “I would never do that. I would never side with either of you.”

  Charlie turned around and stared at her. “That doesn’t make any sense to me. My dad always sided with anyone that was on opposite sides to me. Heck, he’s already concluded that I’m guilty.”

  “I’m not your father, Charlie, and you have to trust me on this. You’ll always be a part of this family no matter what disagreements or fights you, Nick, Sean, Patrick, or Jack have. Now, if it gets out of hand, then I’ll be glad to step in, but I will warn you that if I have to step in then none of you will be happy with the outcome.”

  Charlie smiled down at the woman that still to this day amazed him. She’d opened her heart and home to him without a moment’s hesitation. “I don’t know how I could have doubted you,” he whispered against her cheek.

  “Okay, enough of the mushy stuff. I’m hungry.”

  Charlie and Saundra turned at the sound of Patrick’s voice.

  “Man, you’re always hungry,” Charlie said.

  “Yeah, well, you’d do good to remember that or I’ll start without you,” he threatened jokingly.

  “Come on, boys, let’s eat.”

  All three returned to the kitchen.

  Charlie glanced at the clock. “I won’t have time to eat. I have to get to the office,” Charlie revealed.

  “No you don’t. Nick called your secretary and advised her that you will be taking a couple of days off.”

  “I can’t do that. I have a lot of suppliers to contact,” Charlie protested.

  “Don’t argue with her, man. You think the knock you got last night was bad. What she’ll give you will be ten times worse,” Sean whispered as he passed him.

  “Have a seat and eat your breakfast,” Sandra instructed him.

  “But Mrs., I mean Mom, I have people to contact,” he tried again.

  “I’ve talked to your secretary, and she’s a very competent young woman. She assured me she could handle everything that needs to be done. Now sit.”

  Her tone suggested no more arguments, so Charlie did as he was told.

  “Feels wonderful to be loved, doesn’t it?” Patrick asked.

  “Yeah, it sure does,” Charlie said.

  A comfortable conversation ensued over breakfast. Sean and Patrick explained how their classes were going at the university. As they finished up, the doorbell rang.

  Surprised, Saundra stared at Mary and Phillip standing on her porch. She immediately began to worry.

  “Has something happened?” she asked.

  “Yes, but can we come in to tell you about it?”

  “I’m sorry. Come on in. We were just finishing up with breakfast.”

  “How’s Charlie doing this morning?” Philli
p asked as they followed Saundra into the kitchen.

  “He’s fine as long as he doesn’t argue with me. He balked a little when I told him that he’d be taking a few days off from work, but he realized who was in charge.”

  “Now what’s happened?” Saundra asked.

  “Nick hasn’t called you?” Mary said.

  “No, why?” Saundra looked back and forth between Mary and Phillip. “Okay you two, what gives?”

  “Well, last night I proposed, and Mary accepted, so we figured that we’d waited long enough. We flew to Vegas and got married.”

  “You what?”

  Mary and Phillip held out their hands, showing the proof of their wedding bands.

  “Oh my God! I’m so happy for you two,” Saundra squealed.

  “Grandma and Grandpa, we need to get going. We have an early class this morning,” Sean said as they gave their grandparents a hug and a kiss on the cheek. They also planted kisses on their mother’s cheek before they left the house. The affection they showed brought tears to Mary’s eyes.

  “Charlie, what are you doing?” she called.

  “Just cleaning up the kitchen.”

  Rolling her eyes, she excused herself and headed into the kitchen. Charlie turned to face her.

  “Young man, do you think that if I wanted you to do any work I would have made you take a couple of days off?”

  He opened his mouth to respond, but she stopped him.

  “No, now you dry your hands and go to your room, lie down in the bed, and watch TV. Or better yet, take a nap.”

  “But Ma, I just got up.”

  The stern look she gave him sent him quickly to do her bidding. With that handled, she turned back to her guests. “So tell me, what brought this on?”

  “I let someone else control my life and I let the one man that I’d ever loved get away. Now that he’s back in my life I know that I’ve been given a second chance and this time I’m not going to blow it. Neither of us knows how much longer we have on this earth so I’d rather spend my remaining years married to my true love.

  “Saundra, our marriage wasn’t the only reason we came to see you. There was something that we wanted to ask you, but since it’s already done we hope you won’t be angry,” Mary said.