by Y. L. Stokes
Saundra noticed the serious look on their faces and waited for them to continue.
“On the flight back from Vegas, we decided to make a modification to our wills. I know we should have talked it over with you before we did it, but I didn’t want to wait,” Mary explained.
“Will you two just tell me what you’ve done?” Saundra demanded, exasperated.
“We changed our wills. We added Jack, Sean, and Patrick to them,” Phillip stated.
Saundra stared at them dumbfounded.
“Again, Saundra, we hope you’ll understand that we wanted to be sure that the boys were well provided for if something were to ever happen to both of us or one of us,” Mary added.
“Why?” Saundra whispered. “I can understand why Nicholas, but why my other boys?”
Mary answered her. “Because they’re our grandsons—every single one of them. Just like you took them into your heart, so have we.”
Tears streamed down Saundra’s face. “How could the two of you think that I would be angry about this?” she said and walked over to her in-laws and embraced them. “Now, enough of the tears. We need to plan your reception.”
“That can wait. I would like to help you with Jack and Nicole’s wedding,” Mary said.
“Mary, I’d really appreciate all your help.”
Nicholas stepped out of the shower, surprised to see Ashley still in bed huddled under the covers. He walked over to wake her, but when his hand touched her forehead, it felt warm.
“Ashley? Honey, wake up.” He shook her gently.
Ashley slowly opened her eyes and stared up at him. Nicholas noticed the dazed look in her eyes and immediately began to worry.
“Ashley, you okay?”
A series of sneezing and coughing racked her body. Nicholas dashed into the bathroom to get the thermometer. He returned to her bedside and pulled back the covers. She trembled.
“Nicky, would you please close the window?” she asked through chattering teeth.
“Honey, the window isn’t open.”
“Then why is it so cold?”
Picking up the phone, he called his mother for the number to their family doctor. After giving the doctor directions, he covered Ashley again.
“Can you bring me another blanket?”
Her request was made in such a weak voice that Nick had to ask her to repeat herself a couple of times. He paced the room while he waited for the doctor to arrive. The alarm system beeped, signaling someone entering the house. He walked to the top of the stairway. Jack came inside.
“Hey, Nick, Dr. Roth is here. Who’s sick?”
The look on Nick’s face must have been answer enough.
“This way, Doc,” Jack said.
Just as they made it into the bedroom, Marcus started crying.
“I’ll grab my nephew. You talk to the doctor.”
Nicholas was grateful for his brother’s timely arrival. After answering the questions from Dr. Roth, he waited patiently while he examined Ashley.
“Nick, fortunately it’s not as bad as it seems. Your wife just has a slight case of the twenty-four-hour flu. Here’s a prescription for some antibiotics and cough medicine that she should have twice a day until it’s all gone. So don’t let her stop taking it once she starts to feel better because she could have a relapse.”
“I’ll make sure she takes it all,” Nicholas said, relieved.
“Ah, who do we have here?” Dr. Roth asked when he saw Marcus.
Marcus saw Nick and immediately reached out for him.
“This is Marcus, my son,” Nick answered.
“Nick, I can see that you’re still worried. I’ll go and get the prescription filled, and when I come back you can go visit your construction sites. Marcus and I will stay here and keep Ashley company,” Jack said.
“I can’t leave her here while she’s sick like this,” Nick complained.
“You’re lucky that I know that it’s out of concern for your wife that I’m not going to take offense. We’ll be fine. Dr. Roth said that she will be fine, and I promise that if she gets any worse I’ll call you and the doctor. Hell, it should only take you about an hour or two at each site.”
Jack was right. Nicholas had to visit the sites to make sure everything was still on schedule, but he hated leaving Ashley in this condition.
“Look, think it over while I run to the drugstore.”
Nicholas nodded and called out his thanks to the doctor as he followed Jack out of the room.
While Jack was gone, Nicholas fed Marcus and finished dressing for work after he pulled the portable playpen into their bedroom.
Marcus started singing, and Ashley stirred.
“What time is it?” she asked and struggled to get out of bed.
Nicholas caught her just as she toppled over. “Honey, it doesn’t matter what time it is, you’re sick and you have to stay in bed.”
“I’m not sick, Nicky, I’m just a little woozy.”
“Yeah right, woozy. Lay down.” Nicholas gently pushed her back onto the bed.
“Nicky, I have to get ready for work. No one will be at the office. You’ll be out at the sites, so I have to be there.”
The worry he’d been plagued with earlier vanished. If his wife was terribly sick, she wouldn’t be trying to fight him.
“Jack’s gone to get your prescription filled and he’s going to stay here with you and Marcus while I make my inspections. If you get out of this bed or give him any trouble about taking your medicine he has my permission to take you across his knee.”
Ashley stared up at him, eyes wide. “You wouldn’t dare!”
Nicholas leaned over her mock-menacingly. “Try me.”
Ashley settled herself in the bed and glared at her husband.
Jack returned and walked into the bedroom.
Nicholas turned and walked to the doorway. “I’ll be back with your breakfast,” he said as he exited.
“Why is your brother being such a jerk this morning?” Ashley asked Jack.
He laughed at her surly tone. “Well, sis, you have to understand that you scared the hell out of him this morning.”
“How?” she asked, a puzzled frown on her face.
Jack stared at his sister-in-law, astonished. “You really don’t remember, do you?”
“Remember what, Jack?”
“When he came in here this morning you were shivering and complaining about the window being open and needing an extra blanket. When he touched your head you were burning up.”
“So he’s in a surly mood because I’m sick? Jack, it’s just a cold, nothing more.” She shook her head in disbelief.
“Ashley, you know how much Nick loves you, and when you got sick it scared him.”
Nicholas entered the room carrying a tray with juice, toast, and bacon, and they both looked up.
“I think Marcus and I will head down to the playroom for a little while.” Jack quickly scooped up Marcus from his playpen and left the room.
Ashley stared up at her husband and noticed his worry-filled eyes.
“Here’s your breakfast. You need to eat it before you take your medicine.”
His hands shook as he placed the tray across her lap. Reaching out, she grabbed his hands before he turned away. When his eyes met hers, she gripped his tie and tugged his face to hers.
“I’m sorry, Nicky. I didn’t mean to make you worry or make you angry. Can you forgive me?”
Nicholas released a long, shuddering breath and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again,” he whispered roughly against her ear.
“I promise I’ll try not to get sick, but honey, sometimes I will get sick, and that can’t be helped.”
“I know, but just the thought of losing you scares the hell out of me.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll just hit the construction sites and then I’ll come straight home.”
“Okay, honey, I’ll be here.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
For the
fifth time, Peter sat at his desk going over the reports his boss had given back to him.
“Damn, I’ll be glad when I can quit this shit,” he said to the empty room. When his desk phone rang it was like a stay of execution. “Hello?”
“I hear congratulations are in order, my friend,” said the cryptic voice at the other end.
“What can I help you with, Robert?” Peter asked, not hiding his annoyance.
“I just heard the good news and wanted to congratulate you.”
“Are you going to get to the point or not?”
“Well, I was just wondering when the reception for Mary’s wedding was going to be?”
Peter’s heart stopped for a second. “What are you talking about, Robert? And this is going to be the last time I’ll ask the question.”
“Peter, my friend, I’m only talking about your grandmother’s marriage to her butler. I think his name’s Phillip Hill. Apparently they were married last night in Vegas. I guess my sister’s wedding to your cousin just moved them to join the marriage club.”
Peter’s blood boiled in his veins. He couldn’t believe what this man was saying. “You’re lying.”
“No, I’m afraid not, my friend; but wait, there may be a way you can still get the inheritance.”
“What are you rambling about now?” Peter demanded through gritted teeth.
“You know the incident with my sister? Well, that one night did work. She got pregnant and has a baby boy. Your son, but the sad thing is, your cousin’s going to be raising him as his own.”
“I don’t give a damn about who’s raising him, I just want what’s due to me from the old bag.”
“Things may have changed,” Robert said, dangling another carrot.
“What things?” Peter snapped.
“Well, apparently, when they arrived back in town, they went to the attorney’s office. My guess would be to make a change or modification to their wills.”
Peter tried to calm his rising anger. How could this be happening to him? His hands shook, and he dropped the phone back into the cradle.
“That old bitch!” he muttered.
He grabbed his coat and headed out to confront his grandmother. When he arrived at the house he found her and the butler sitting in the study. Peter no longer tried to fake his paralysis.
“What in the hell is going on? What’s this I hear about you two getting married?”
Phillip and Mary looked up at him scathingly. “I see you’ve recovered,” Phillip said sarcastically.
“What you heard is correct, Peter,” Mary said. “Phillip and I were married last night.”
Incredulous, Peter said, “I can’t believe you did this to me.”
“What have we done to you, Peter?” Mary asked, her anger becoming evident. “Do you think that my marrying Phillip will change something in your life?”
Peter stared at his grandmother.
He decided to leave before he said something that he would regret. Muttering under his breath, he stormed out of the house. As he reached his car, his cell phone rang.
“What?” he yelled into the phone.
“Hey, boss, we’ve got a problem,” said Al, his lead henchman.
Peter let out a deep and frustrated sigh. “What the hell now?”
“The police are getting close, man. They’re breathing down our necks.”
“What in the hell do you want me to do about it?” Peter said.
“Hey, my men and I worked on your behalf based on the fact that you would get controlling interest in your grandmother’s estate. We were willing to wait, but now the heat’s becoming too much.”
“And again, I ask you: what do you want me to do about it?”
“We need our money now. We can no longer wait until the timely death of your grandmother.”
Peter closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, you know I don’t have that kind of money. You and your guys will just have to hide out or something until this mess blows over.”
“What in the hell do you mean blows over? Do you really think that a murder investigation is just going to blow over? Look, Mr. Remington, if my guys and I go down, so will you, so I think you need to make it your business to get us out of this.”
Peter lost it. “Don’t you ever threaten me! If you and your boys would have handled this shit the right way you wouldn’t have been found out. Your threats won’t work on me. You have nothing to tie me to the murder, and if you think that they’ll believe the word of a two-bit thug against mine you’re sadly mistaken.”
Peter ended the call, jumped into the car, and sped off. I have to think of a way to get the money to pay those guys off. He hoped his bluff had worked. Hell, he knew that without his grandmother’s backing the police might believe the words of a thug versus his own. He drove around. Maybe his grandmother would pay for her great grandson? Hmmm, now that’s a thought.
He quickly pulled into a parking lot and tried calling Al back. The phone rang several times before he hung up.
“Good help is so hard to find,” he muttered after tossing the phone onto the passenger seat.
At Nicholas’ house, Nicole answered the phone.
“How long were you going to keep my son away from me?” a voice—Peter?—said. “Better yet, how much are you willing to pay me not to pursue legal custody?”
She didn’t respond, trying to work out what to say or do.
“Imagine my surprise when your brother called me to inform me that the child you had was the child we created that night. Does that husband of yours know that it’s my child?”
Jack entered the living room with the cordless phone to his ear. He motioned for Nicole to go along as if she were Ashley. She returned her attention to Peter.
“Ashley, are you there?”
“Yes, I-I’m here.”
“Does my cousin know that I’m what’s-his-name’s father?”
“Nicholas knows about that night, but he is Marcus’ father,” she countered.
“Well, does he know that your dear brother was the one that set that night up?” Peter laughed.
“He what?” she replied in a strangled voice.
“Yeah, your dear brother knew about my little parties and decided that he would help me and help himself. You see, your loving brother hated the fact that you existed. He also hated the fact that your parents adored you, so he figured he had to do something to tarnish you in their eyes.”
Nicole closed her eyes to the pain his words inflicted. She wanted to throw the phone down and not listen to him anymore, but she had to continue the pretense. Jack’s hand squeezed her shoulder, giving her the support and strength she needed to continue the façade.
“Look,” Peter said. “That’s enough chit chat. Let me get to why I’m calling. I’m in need of some cash—a great deal of cash as a matter of fact—and I need you to get it for me.”
“What are you planning to do, blackmail me? I told you Nicholas knows about that night, so there’s nothing you can do to make me give you any money.”
“Oh, but I think there is. How about if I petition the courts for custody of my son? I don’t want him, but what the hell. If you won’t pay, I’m sure my grandmother would love to have him living under her roof. I think I’ll give you time to think things over. I’ll contact you in a couple of days to give you the amount.”
Nicole’s hands shook as she replaced the receiver.
Nicholas walked in the living room. The smile on his face faded. “What the hell happened? Where’s Ashley and Marcus?” he demanded, his voice filled with worry.
“Nick, calm down, they’re both sleeping,” Jack said.
“Then what’s the problem?” he almost shouted.
Jack cosseted Nicole in his arms and held her while he told his brother about Peter’s call.
Nicholas paced the floor. “I don’t know who to go after first. Peter, for the threats he made, or Robert for setting everything in motion. That fat pig has been manipulating things
from the damn beginning!”
“I’m sorry, Nicholas,” Nicole said, deep from the cover of his brother’s arms.
“Nicole, you have nothing to apologize for, but I have to tell you that I’m going to make your father pay for what he did.”
“Nick!” Jack admonished.
“It’s okay, Jack,” Nicole said. “He’s right. My father needs to pay for what he’s done to Ashley.” She came out from under Jack’s embrace. “Nick, I’ll do what ever you need me to.”
Jack looked from his brother to Nicole and frowned. “The first thing we need to do is to let Ashley know what’s going on.”
“No!” Nicholas yelled. “I do not want her to have to worry about this.”
“Nick, she needs to know what’s going on so that she’ll be on her guard when one of us isn’t with her,” Jack said.
“I agree with Nicholas. I don’t want Ashley to know that my father set her up.”
Jack pulled Nicole back into the comfort of his arms. “Honey, I know, and I agree with that. She never has to know about your father’s part, but she has to know about the threat from Peter.”
“I do not, and I repeat, do not want her to know about this,” Nicholas said.
“You don’t want me to know about what?”
Nicholas whirled around to face his wife, who didn’t look happy. “Honey, why are you out of bed?”
Ashley folded her arms across her chest but didn’t respond.
“Ash, honey, you need to go back to bed and rest,” he tried again.
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what you’re trying to keep from me.”
Nicholas started to say something, but she stopped him. He walked over to placate her in his arms, but she held out her arms to ward him off.
“Jack, it appears that you’re the only one that’s willing to let me in on the big secret.” Ashley looked at him.
Nicholas walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Ashley shook them off.
“Jack, could you and Nicole excuse us for a moment, please? I need to talk to my wife,” Nicholas said through gritted teeth.
