by Katie Dowe
*****
She fell asleep sprawled on his chest with his arm around her. He removed the tangled strands from her face and propped against the pillows as he watched her sleep. She looked exhausted and he felt a little guilty about contributing to that. He had lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom where he had made love to her over again, this time slow, his mouth wandering over her body. He bent his head and kissed her softly on the forehead. He had some thinking to do. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that he wanted her with him. He did not know if he should propose to her or not but he knew he wanted her with him. She stirred against him and her eyes opened.
“Phillip?” her voice was husky with sleep.
“Hmm?”
“You are not sleeping.”
“Neither are you,” his voice was indulgent as he looked at her. She looked sated and satisfied but he could feel his erection starting to rise. This was getting ridiculous!
She hauled herself up to him so that she could look him in the eyes. “I was so mad at you.”
“I know.” He brushed her hair back.
“I am not out to get you.”
“I know that too.”
“I am glad you do. I spent the time between being mad at you and crying and then I wrote down names for our babies.” She felt when he stiffened and sighed. “Please don’t spoil this by telling me that was not in the deal. If its two boys I was thinking Nathan and Luke and the girl: Bella. If it is two girls and a boy then Bella and Skylar and the boy Nathan. What do you think?”
He pretended to consider and then nodded with a faint smile. “I like that. You have been pretty busy.”
She looked relieved. “I don’t know your middle name.”
“It’s Liam.”
“Mine is Isabella.”
“Hence the Bella for our daughter.” He said in amusement.
“My mother’s name was Isabella.
He took a deep breath and tilted her chin up. “I have a new arrangement.”
“Phillip-“
“Listen before you say anything.” He bent and kissed her on the mouth. “You are growing on me.” He laughed as she wrinkled her small nose. “I cannot sleep without you and I look forward to coming home to you. I want us to live together after the children are born.”
Allison squelched the disappointment but brightened as she realized that it was one step closer and a whole deal better than when they had first started out. He was getting there.
She tilted her head to one side and looked at him. “That depends. Do I get my own keys?”
He let out a startled shout of laughter and brought his head down to her forehead. “Of course you do.”
“Then the answer is yes.” She whispered.
“Good. I cannot promise you that I will never hurt you again but I will try my best not to.”
“I will hold you to that.” She wrapped her hands around his neck. “I love you Phillip Liam Anderson.”
With a groan he pulled her nightgown over her head and slaking his thirst he made love to her until they fell asleep.
******
Allison gripped his hand as the ultra sound technician ran the instrument over her protruding belly. It was two weeks to Christmas and she had lots of plans. She had ordered a tree and the person decorating the nurseries would be coming over in a few days. She also planned on having a dinner party and inviting Elena and her father as well as Phillip’s mother.
The woman frowned as she looked at the monitor closely. “What was your desire?” she asked as she looked at them with a smile.
“I wanted two boys and a girl. Phillip has no preference. What is it?” Allison asked anxiously.
“Two boys and a girl.” The woman said with a smile.
Allison screamed and pulled Phillip down to her. He braced his hands against her head and she reached up to kiss him soundly. “I told you,” she whispered.
“You did.”
“I will leave you to get dressed and tell Dr. Whittingham the results.”
Phillip helped her get dressed, his hands trembling. She sat on the bed and he stood there between her legs his hands framing her face. “I think a present is in order,” he said lightly.
“I already have all the presents I need. You and my children.”
“Thank you.” He said hoarsely as he tilted her chin up. “But I want to give you something.” He took out the box out of his pocket and Allison’s heart tilted as she stared at it. “It’s not a ring, Allison.”
“I knew that,” she said lightly trying to keep the acute disappointment out of her voice. He opened the box and she stared at the exquisite square cut diamond suspended on a beautiful platinum chain. He took it out and put it over her head. The stone nestled inside her bosom and shone from the light above. “I saw it and thought of you. You always brighten a room whenever you step into it.”
“I love it,” she said huskily as she looked up at him. “Thank you.”
“I would give you and my children the world.”
“You are going to make me cry,” her throat felt tight and raw.
“Go ahead, you are entitled.” He wrapped his arms around her and she felt the tears coming down to soak his sweater. He might not know it but he was in love with her!
Chapter 11
His place had never been so alive and so busy. The decorators for the nurseries had come over and were making headway. She insisted on having an input in the colors and the way the rooms were to be decorated. She had also bought a Christmas tree and was decorating it with the help of the housekeeper. She brought life to the place and he found himself eager to come home to her. She had told him about the Christmas dinner and he had told her that she was attending the opening with on Christmas Eve.
“That means we will be photographed together and there will be questions,” she had reminded him last night before they went to sleep.
“I have already sent out a statement,” he had told her as he played with the ends of her hair.
She had lifted her brows and stared at him. “What does it say?”
“I am expecting triplets and we are living together.”
“Oh,” she felt absurdly pleased at that. “Are you sure you are ready for that? It means that all your past relationships will be put to rest.”
“I did not have relationships.” He had corrected her. “I had sex with women who were available.” The remark had been careless and Allison was reminded of the man he was and maybe still is.
“And I am different.”
“Of course,” he had told her softly. “You are carrying my children.”
She had wanted to hear more than that but she had kept her tongue. He had come a very long way and there was still further to go! She also knew that he felt something for her but did not know how to verbalize it.
“Darling this peach color is too washed out,” Latham commented as he stared at the swatch of fabrics he had in his hands. They had finished the nursery for the boys and were about to tackle the girl’s room.
“I want something that says calm and something that makes you feel peaceful.” Allison told him as she automatically rubbed her back. She had been feeling more and more tired ever since December came in and had to be taking naps ever so often. Dr. Whittingham had told her that it was normal for her to feel this way.
“How about a compromise?” he walked swiftly over to his laptop bag and taking out it out he came over to show her several images. “I like this pink with the brown spots. We could customize her name on the wall and make little tress around a pond that speaks to the peace and serenity you want. The cot will be near the wall and a rose pink sofa with attaching foot rest. The cot will be brown and a perfect backdrop for the kind of pink I am thinking about. Your man is as rich as Croesus and he told me money is no object. It will be a girlie girl room but not too much.”
Allison stared at the beautiful image and fell in love. “Go for it.”
He snapped the lid of his laptop with a pleased smi
le. “I want you to do me another favor sweetie.”
“What’s that?”
“No input from you. I want to surprise you.”
She looked at him uncertainly. For the boys’ room he had suggested dragons and lions and she had told him a firm no.
“Don’t worry darling!” he said with a laugh. “I promise that there will be no leprechauns or fire breathing dragons. Girls are kind of my thing to decorate for.”
“Okay but the minute I see snarling lions or witches then I am firing you.” She warned him.
“And we would not want that.” He clapped his hands. “Go and take a nap, you look tuckered out.”
He was right. She felt as if she could not go another step.
She climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her. He had left very early this morning. It was very feverish with the upcoming opening of the hotel. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost noon. She picked up the phone and dialed his number.
“Hey,” his deep voice sent shivers everywhere on her body.
“Hey yourself. I hope I am not interrupting some meeting.”
“Not right now. I am in my office getting ready for one. How are you?”
“Tired. I am about to take a nap.”
“Did you take those pills the doctor prescribed?”
“They make me a little queasy.”
“They are necessary, Allison.”
“I will take them later. Are you coming home late?”
“Maybe. Why?”
“I just-“she paused and hoped she did not sound too needy. “I miss you when you are not here and when you come home late we do not get to spend too much time together. It’s like I hardly see you.” She stopped talking and realized that what she had just said to him was not something he would want to hear. “I will let you get back to work.”
“I will try and make it early,” he told her softly.
“Thank you.”
“Get some rest.”
Allison put the phone back on the table and closed her eyes. Sometimes it was like climbing Mount Everest trying to get to him!
******
But she did not make it to the opening! She had been looking forward to going with him. She had seen the headlines in the papers and the speculations as to who the mystery woman carrying Phillip Anderson’s children!
“What’s wrong?” It was after ten and usually she would be up and about. The housekeeper had gone for the holidays and she was getting a caterer to prepare the meal for tomorrow’s dinner because he had insisted that she not tire herself out. He had gone to his study from early to make some calls and return some emails and had left her in bed. She was an early riser and whenever he gets up in the morning she would get up with him and his coffee would be ready and waiting no matter how much he asked her not to.
“I just want to sleep.” She muttered as she opened her eyes to look at him. He walked over to the bed and placed his hand on her forehead.
“Your temperature is okay,” he peered down at her.
“I will just get some more sleep so that I can go with you later.”
“How about some breakfast?”
“Just cereal and I am not ready yet.”
He brushed back the hair from her face. “Okay, go back to sleep.”
She was asleep before he left the room.
He went back into his office and called Henry.
“I hope I am not disturbing your holidays.”
“Just visiting Aspen with the grandchildren.” He said jovially. “What’s up my boy?”
“Allison is tiring too easily.”
“She is carrying three babies so she is entitled. I was going to recommend bed rest for her until she delivers but she seems healthy enough. I recommend that she stays off her feet as much as possible though.”
“I was planning on taking her to the opening tonight.”
“If she is not up for it don’t force the issue.”
*****
“I wish I was coming with you.” Allison said as she stared at him. He was wearing a black tux and looked handsome and formidable at the same time. He knotted the red tie as he looked in the mirror.
“Are you sure you don’t want me calling someone to be with you?” he asked her as his eyes met hers in the mirror.
“I am feeling fine now.” She got out of bed and came around to fix his tie. “I just wanted to come with you and be on your arm showing the world that I am with you. I am afraid they might think you are lying about the woman bearing the three children.”
“They will know soon enough.” His hands framed her face. “I will try and make it back before the next morning.”
She leaned into him. “Please enjoy yourself, not too much though.”
“I will try not to.” He kissed the top of her head. “Need anything before I leave?”
“No. I am fine. I am just going to read a book and watch something on television.”
*****
The opening was a crush which meant that it was successful! From the minute he stepped out of his car and handed the keys to the valet he was surrounded by reporters and cameras clicking all around him. Questions were thrown at him and people wanting to know where the mystery woman was. “Her name is Allison Roberts and she is not feeling well tonight.” He told them briefly before going in.
He greeted a few associates and went towards his friends who were members of the same club. They had come out in numbers along with their wives to support him.
“Where is this baby mama of yours?” Leesa Wellington looking stunning in silver asked him as soon as she came over.
“At home getting some rest,” he told her in amusement. “Baby Mama?”
“I would much prefer the term wife but you are dragging your feet. I am absolutely sure so would she.” He was told smugly.
“She is not putting the pressure on and that is what I like most about her.” He told her dryly. “Bradley would you please tell your wife to stop interfering into my personal life?”
“That would be like telling her to stop breathing,” the tall handsome older man told him with a grin as he took his wife’s arm. “I will do the next best thing and take her out of your way.”
But her words had taken root and he could not stop thinking about it!
At home Allison could not help herself. She had decided that she was not going to watch the opening on television but practically every station had it on. She watched him walk around the room with a smile on his face and the different women who came over to him and wondered how many of them he slept with! Then she saw her! Yvette Montgomery, a renowned super model turned actress who had been going out with him in the past. She was wearing a stunning green dress that left nothing to the imagination. Her long blonde hair flowed down her back and she had her hand on his arm way too long. The camera man kept the camera trained on them. She saw several flashes go off as he leaned down to catch something she was saying and when he laughed. She turned it off. It was too painful to watch. They looked like the perfect couple. Rumors had it that they were going out only a few months ago. That meant that while he had been with her he had been going out with her. Allison got out of bed. She felt refreshed and rested and wished that she had gone with him. She would show that blonde bitch that she was big with his children and she should back off! She went into the kitchen and put the kettle on. The kitchen belonged to the housekeeper and she only got to make the coffee in the mornings when he was leaving for work. She felt useless otherwise. She had given up her classes because he had hinted that it would be too much for her. She was staying at home, in his fancy home and never went anywhere. He had never taken her out to dinner. She was like his well-kept secret and she was getting sick of it! She thought she loved him enough to continue waiting but she was getting tired. She poured the boiling water over the pouch and sat there watching the liquid change color. She took the cup and went into her daughter’s completed nursery and looked around the stunningly beautiful room. Latham had been ri
ght! He had done wonders with the place. She sat on the sofa nearest to the cot and felt the peace stealing over her. She loved him so much but never expected it to hurt so much!
******
He came home at two and did not find her in the bedroom. He went into the boys’ nursery and did not find her there either and walked into their daughter’s room to find her curled up on the sofa fast asleep with her hands curled beneath her cheek. He stood there watching her and smiled at the look of innocence on her face. He had been surrounded by beautiful women and had been aching for this one woman who was carrying his children. Yvette had suggested that he took her home but he had told her that he was going home to the woman who was bearing his children.
“Why is she not here?” Yvette had asked him.
“She was not well.”
“Are you sure that’s the reason darling or are you ashamed of her?”
Phillip had given her a look that had her recoiling. He had taken out his phone and shown her a photo that he had taken with her by the Christmas tree only last week. She was wearing black lounge pants and a white sweater with her hair tumbling at one side of her face. She had a big smile on her face and seemed to lighten up the room. “You tell me,” he had told her sardonically. “Does she look like someone I need to be ashamed of?”
Yvette had stared at her for a long time and then at him. “She looks happy.” She had said wistfully.
“She is.”
He looked down at her now and bending he picked her up in his arms. She stirred and opened her eyes. “You are back,” she said huskily.
“I am back,” he strode with her towards their suite. “Why weren’t you in bed?”
“I was sitting in our daughter’s room thinking.” She murmured as he placed her onto the bed.
“About what?” he asked her curiously as he took off his jacket and loosened his tie.
“About us,” her eyes met his. “I saw you with her and the way she was touching you. You make a perfect couple.”