by Toni Aleo
Shea was looking up at her waiting for her to answer, “Well, I mean if you don’t mind that would be great cause, then I don’t have to shell out hundred dollars to a boarding house in Nashville.”
“I have already told you to bring him when you want. I would love to have a dog around,” he looked back down at Adler; damn dog had nothing but love in his eyes for Shea, “Wanna come stay when me, bud?” Adler popped up, basically jumping into Shea’s arms.
“Adler!” Elli yelled, pulling him down, “No sir, that’s a nice suit, come on, say bye to your lover boy and get on in the house.” Shea laughed as Elli pulled Adler into the house, then shut the door, locking it.
“You are so cute,” Shea cooed as he pulled her to him, dipping her before smiling down at her, “You look so classic; I figured you needed to be kissed like this,” Shea said before he planted a sweet kiss on her lips. Elli thought she felt like a 50s pin up girl before, she really felt like one now in the arms of her strapping hot boyfriend.
Could life get any better?
Yeah, but it was probably gonna get worse, Elli thought as she got into Shea’s truck. Shea got in and started the truck before grabbing her hand, holding it in his lap as they drove off in the direction that Elli said. Her knee bounced as they drove through the country side to Clarksville, her home town. She felt like she was going to pass out and wish that she had gotten Xanax like Harper had said instead of the damn birth control because she might be dead before she is even able to use it.
“So we’re going to have to make the most of this weekend since I won’t be able to see you for two weeks.” Elli looked over at Shea, and nodded.
“Please don’t remind me,” she said with a sad smile, “Maybe if I act like it ain’t happenin’ you won’t leave.”
“Oh, I’m leaving baby, don’t replace me while I’m gone,” he said with a teasing grin. She smile, squeezing his hand tightly.
“Shouldn’t I be the one saying that?” Shea shook his head as he brought her hand to his lips.
“I got eyes only for you, baby.”
She loved his term of endearment for her, baby. It just rolled off his tongue so perfectly. She loved it, and loved that he only called her that.
“Same goes here.”
Shea just smiled as they drove listening to the radio, when they hit the Clarksville city limits, Elli’s heart picked up and her palms got sweaty. Shea rub the back of her hand with his thumb; bringing her hand to his lips again.
“Baby, don’t be nervous, everything will be fine.”
“I hope,” she said directing him towards her parent’s estate. “You’re not nervous?”
“Nope.”
He sure didn’t look nervous, damn hockey player!
“So what did you do today?” he asked, probably trying to keep her mind at ease.
“I had a doctor’s appointment this morning and then four engagement shoots and two newborn shoots.”
Shea looked over at her puzzled, “Why did you need to go to the doctor? Are you not feeling well?”
“Oh I’m fine, it was just a check up, and I, um, I got some birth control.” He looked over at her again, a surprise look on his face, “Well you know, I know we haven’t talked about it in the past two weeks but I just wanted to make sure I was safe in the pregnancy department since I’m pretty sure you don’t want to have a baby with me and-”
“Elli.”
“Yeah?” she asked looking over at him, he smiled.
“I’m glad you went,” she smiled and looked down at their hands, “So how long does it take for it to be active?”
“A month.”
“Okay, so when I come back…”
“More than likely I will be jumping your bones.” That had them both laughing, which smoothed some of the tension.
“Sounds great to me, just let me know when you’re ready.”
“I will.”
“Because I am.”
“Oh I know you are,” she said with a teasing grin as he laughed. Just the other night he was almost brought to begging after they fooled around. He kept telling her he just wanted to be inside her, while it made her hot beyond believe she just couldn’t take her underwear off. She had never met a man like him. Usually guys would get theirs and were done, but not Shea, he wanted it all, even after getting his.
When Shea turned down Fisher Rd, Elli was full out having a panic attack. Shea looked over at her and started laughing.
“Baby, calm down,” he said with a shake of his head just as Elli saw the black steel gate that line the property of the house she grew up in. “Where’s all the other houses?”
“There isn’t any,” Elli said as they followed down the road, when the front gate came into view with the security house, Elli wanted to ask Shea to turn around, but she didn’t, she pointed saying “Turn in there.”
“Where?”
“Right here,” she said, he turned into the driveway that would lead up to the main house after getting past security. Rick Harris, the security officer that had been with the Fisher family since Elli was born came to Shea’s window, his hand on his gun, and Shea rolled it down with a grin on his face.
“ID please sir, what brings you by?” Rick asked, Shea looked over at Elli surprised, and she smile nervously at him as she moved across him to look at Rick.
“Hey, Mr. Harris!” Rick smiled big, taking his hand off his trusty gun.
“Well Eleanor! Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes. Darling, you’re glowing!”
“Thank you! You’re looking great, is Margret feeding you though? Your lookin' a little thin.”
“Ah, you know, she says I’m overweight.” Which he was, but Elli just grinned.
“Never! Come on over to my house. I’ll cook for you.”
“Bless your heart, Eleanor, always such a sweetie.” Elli smiled got brighter as she felt Shea smiling at her, “Here for dinner?”
“Yes, sir,” she said with a nod, “Mr. Harris, this is Shea Adler, my boyfriend.”
It felt so good saying it to someone else that it almost calmed Elli’s nerves…almost. Shea shook Rick’s hand, a grin on his face.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You, too, son, you look familiar, do I know you?”
“He plays on the Assassins, Mr. Harris,” Elli commented. Shea smiled at her, and she smiled back.
“That’s how I know you! My grandson is a big ole fan, says he’s the next Alex Welch.”
“We’ll need one when Alex retires; you make sure to tell him that.” They shared a laugh as Rick hit the gate button, so it would open.
“I sure will, Mr. Adler, and, please, take good care of our Eleanor, she really is a magnolia.” Elli’s face warmed as both men smiled at her.
“Will do, Mr. Harris,” Shea said, still not letting his eyes leave Elli’s.
“Good luck in there,” Rick said with a wave as he walked towards the security house. Shea hit the gas, driving through the gate. They drove for a good ten minutes before the large plantation house came into view. Shea took in a sharp breath, before looking over at Elli.
“You never mention that your family was rich.”
It wasn’t the first thing she hadn’t told him, or the last.
Shea had seen plantation houses before, but Elli’s parent’s house was probably the biggest he had ever seen. The driveway went around a huge white fountain that had to be at least twenty feet tall, Shea parked behind a red BMW and got out, going around to let Elli out before looking up at the house. Big maple trees surrounded the house, but all you could look at was the six huge white pillars that held the second floor balcony up. It seemed as if the windows were floor to ceiling windows and the door was just as huge. The white hardwood floor made the blue of the window shutters and door stand out brighter, it was really beautiful. If he had his guess, he would say there were at least thirty rooms, the place was huge!
It was something straight out of “Gone with the Wind.”
Elli cleared her t
hroat and he looked down at her. She looked so beautiful tonight, but she was so nervous it was making him nervous, even though he told her he wasn’t. “It’s kinda big.”
“Kind of?” he asked looking back up at the house, hell mansion. Through the big window above the door he could see the huge sparkling chandelier. “Jeez, El, it would have been nice to prepare for this. I mean, you never once said your parents were loaded.”
“It never came up.”
“Yeah, I guess,” he said taking her hand, “Well, come on.” Shea started walking, basically pulling her along.
“Now remember, my mother is crazy, my sister is a bitch, my brothers are morons, but my daddy is amazin’.” He loved when she got nervous like this, her little twang got thicker, and he just wanted to eat her up.
“And the sisters-in-law are nice, but stupid for dealing and breeding with your brothers,” he said with a grin as they climb the stairs.
“I love when you listen.” He laughed as they walked up to the door. Elli took a deep breath before opening the wide door. He didn’t know how she got it open it was damn huge but she did, and he walked in behind her. Shea look up as a very pump white lady came through a door, a tray full of glasses.
“Ms. Eleanor! Look at you!”
“Mrs. Harris!” Elli gushed, running over to the older lady, kissing her plump cheek, “I saw Mr. Harris, he said you ain’t feedin' him.”
“Now ain’t he a lie. I feed that man, don’t you listen Eleanor, he just wants you to fuss over him.”
Holy crap, did he come to Clarksville or back in the day to Tara from “Gone with the Wind?”
“You know I will, too!” Elli gushed, kissing her again.
“I tell you what, Ms. Eleanor, you havin' that boyfriend I’ve heard about is doing wonders, you look fantastic.”
Shea had to smile at that. He like knowing that he was the reason Elli look fantastic.
“Why, thank you. Since you brought him up, Shea, this is Ms. Harris, she was my nanny.” Shea smile, waving awkwardly since it wasn’t like he could shake her hand, they were full with the tray.
“My, my, Ms. Eleanor, he’s a looker.” Elli grinned back at Shea, winking at him.
“Damn right about that one.” Elli turned from Ms. Harris coming towards Shea as Ms. Harris laughed and started from another door. Elli took his hand in hers, and then looked up at him nervously. The girl that was just talking to Ms. Harris was gone, and back was the nervous Elli.
“Okay, you have met two people out of three that will be the nicest to me, I’m warning you, Shea, it’s not gonna get better than that.”
“Elli, baby, come on.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn ya”. She turned, leading him through two more rooms that held family pictures of the grandkids. When Shea spotted some of Elli, he stopped.
“Hold on,” he said as he looked up at what look like a collage of her. There were her school pictures along with other candid shoots. The best one was one of her on a stage, her arms above her head as she sung something; she looked so happy it was breath taking. “What was this?”
“Um, a school thing I did when I was seventeen.”
“So you were in musicals?”
“I was.”
“Why did you stop?”
“I gained all that weight.”
“Oh,” was all he got out before Elli was pulling him along. Elli stopped in front of a huge white door; since the room was red; it stuck out like a sore thumb. She took a deep breath before pushing the door open. The room was full of chatter, everyone talking at once not paying attention that they had just walked in. Shea took in everyone. He could tell they were Elli’s family; all of them, except for the two blondes, had the same features Elli did, except they were all bone skinny. With all of them dressed so classy, it was intimidating and Shea was so glad he wore his suit.
The oldest woman in the room, even though she didn’t look old enough to have four kids, or even six grandchildren, turned and looked at them. She rose slowly as everyone else’s’ eyes turn to look at him and Elli. Everyone had different reactions. The two blondes took in a deep breath while Ell’s brother’s mouths dropped, and Elli’s sister had an evil look on her face, while her mother just stared at them. Elli’s father stood up, the happiest out the bunch, and came towards them with a grin on his face.
“Elli bug, darlin’, aren’t you looking too beautiful for words.” he took Elli’s hands in his, kissing each of them before kissing the side of her mouth. Elli was beaming as she turned to look up at Shea.
“Daddy, this is Shea Adler, Shea, my daddy, Michael Fisher.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” he said taking Michael’s hand in his, he had a good grip.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things, Shea, it’s good to finally meet you. I’ve seen you play, and I’ve been impressed with you since day one.”
“Thank you,” Shea said with a nod as Michael turned since the older woman came up beside him.
“Shea, this is my mother, Olivia Fisher, mother, this is Shea Adler.”
Elli being so proper was messing with Shea’s head, but watching her mom look him over was worst. She took his hand, shaking softly as she looked him from head to toe.
“So you’re Shea Adler,” she stated, not asked.
“I am.”
“And you’re dating my daughter, Eleanor?”
“Mother,” Elli said with a bit of warning in her voice, Shea looked at Elli, a grin on his face.
“Yes, I am, for almost a month and a half now. Right Elli?”
Elli smiled up at him, “Right.”
“Humph, have you met my daughter Victoria?”
Olivia moved out of the way as the leggy brunette came over to them. She was walking with a little more sway then needed. She was all legs, small breasts, and nothing but skin and bones. She had the same features as Elli, but her features were sharp while Elli’s were soft.
“How do you do?” Victoria basically cooed as she took his hand in hers. “Wow, you have big hands.” Shea could feel Elli getting mad beside him.
“Nice to meet you,” he said dropping her hand, even when she tried to hold on. Shea looked past her as Elli’s brothers came up with their wives on their arms.
“Shea, my brother Liam, his wife, Adina, Liam, Adina, my boyfriend Shea Adler.” Liam took his hand in his, shaking just as strong as his dad did, even Adina had a good strong hand shake.
“Nice to meet you.”
“My other brother Noah, his wife, Lauren, Noah, Lauren, my boyfriend, Shea Adler,” Noah shook his hand hard, while Lauren just stared at him with her mouth hanging open. She must be the one that was in love with him. He smiled sweetly at her, causing her to blush deep red before she high tailed it out of there.
“My wife is a big fan,” Noah said with a grin. Shea smile.
“Yeah, Elli told me when I met the kids,” Shea said, taking Elli’s hand in his.
“Ellibelly, it’s so weird hearin’ you be called Elli,” Liam said to Elli before looking at Shea, “We never call her just Elli, it’s always been Ellibelly or Eleanor.”
Shea nodded, looking over at a very embarrassed Elli, “Daddy calls her Elli bug,” someone said, “Yeah, but that’s daddy,” someone else said, Shea wasn’t paying attention. He hated that Elli was getting embarrassed even though Grace had said it would happen. His sister warned him about this kind of stuff, but for some reason it still bothered him that Elli wasn’t comfortable. He wanted to leave because he knew she wanted to.
“Well, come on now, dinner is almost ready from what Miz Harris says,” Olivia said still staring at Shea, she was looking at him like he didn’t belong, or maybe she was looking at Elli like that, hell he didn’t know, the woman was creeping him out.
Everyone walked ahead, leaving Olivia and Michael with Shea and Elli.
“Shea, son, would you like a drink?”
“Yes, please,” Shea said. Michael motioned for Shea to follow him. Shea looked down at Elli, ki
ssing her cheek before pulling her along with him.
“You want a beer, Elli bug?” Michael asked. Elli was about to answer but her mom beat her to it.
“Now honey, the girl has gained weight, it’s probably all the drinking she does,” Olivia said, Shea whipped his head back at Elli’s mother. She was looking Elli over with disgust all over her face. He looked over at Elli and saw the heat creeping up on her face.
“None of that now, Livie, leave Elli bug alone,” Michael said, handing Elli and Shea a beer.
“Whatever, when she gets as fat as she did, don’t say I didn’t warn y’all,” Olivia walked over to where they stood by the mini fridge, looking Elli over.
No wonder Elli didn’t like her mom.
“Livie, please,” Michael said taking a good long swig of his beer; Shea did the same, as Elli downed hers.
“I mean, Eleanor, why don’t you belch at the end honey! No wonder you’re gaining weight again, how much have you gained? Six, eight pounds?”
“For the love of God,” Elli muttered, throwing her bottle in the trash, “Isn’t it time to eat?”
“We might need to skip it to save you from yourself.”
Elli looked up at the ceiling; it looked like she was counting. Shea didn’t know what to say or do, he felt so helpless.
“Now that’s enough, Olivia, not another word,” Michael said grabbing a hold of her arm and directing her out the room, “Come on now kids, let’s eat.” Shea watched as they walked before turning to Elli, who was grabbing another beer. When he turned her, he saw the tears in her eyes.
“Baby, don’t let her get to you.”
“Just let it be, Shea,” she said walking past him.
Great, this was going to be fucking great.
It was going just as Elli thought it would go, straight to hell. How the hell her mother knew how much weight she had gained would always be a mystery to her, but the woman always got it right. And, of course, her brothers would bring up her god awful nickname, and Victoria’s attempts at flirting with Shea were expected, but what she didn’t expect was Shea to just completely ignore her.