Payback Time, Baby

by Sabel Simmons

  “We can both go there afterwards and visit until Monday morning.” She paled slightly and glared at him.

  “You still don’t trust me! Have I not proven to you this week that I am here to stay?”

  “It’s only been three days,” he snorted, “and no, I still don’t trust you. Besides, Jessica will be there so this farce can come to an end soon.”

  “Farce? That is what you feel this week has been?” Her heart shriveled.

  “What else Savannah? Until we get to the truth neither of us …”

  “You’re right; it is time to end this farce. I am going to ask my parents to join us too. I am sure your mother won’t mind. Then I can go home with them afterwards!”

  He had to go and spoil the comrade they developed over the past few days. She shuddered on a breath and realized that she forced herself into an expose. One she still has not thought through properly, with the tantrum she just threw.

  She came to the realization she needed to tell Tristan about the twins sooner rather than later. If she waited any longer, it would become more and more difficult. The only question was, would Jessica and John come forth with the truth, or did she stand to lose him forever, and in the process her children as well?

  She doubted the decision she made more times she could count by the time they got in the car and drove to his parent’s place about thirty minutes away. Her mother was delighted when she asked them to join them and bring the twins, but worried that Tristan still didn’t know about them. It worried Savannah too but what was done was done and she would have to deal with the consequences.

  When they arrived, Georgina, Danny, David and Leandra were already there; and of course, Jessica. Tristan’s mother, Alice, was delighted to see Savannah and hugged her tight.

  “I am so happy you decided to come back! Your place is here with your family.”

  John Wade just nodded in her direction, which she reciprocated. Tristan frowned; there were more than pure animosity between the two of them. He turned to Jessica and noticed the loathing in her eyes when she looked at Savannah. He frowned and wondered if there was not more to what Savannah told him about Jessica.

  They were gathered on the large porch at the back of the house. Georgina and his mother reminisced with Savannah about the old times and he saw her relax. Jessica however, became angrier by the minute and when Savannah burst out laughing she erupted.

  “Oh, this is so sweet. It is so sickening how all of you eat up this entire pretense! If only you knew …”

  “Jessica!” John Wade thundered at her.

  “No, Uncle John! I’ve had enough! For years everyone had to walk around him on tender hooks, because of her! And you all are such fools. She is not the sweet, innocent you all seem to think she is!”

  “Jessica, for God sake, think what you are saying!” John tried again, but she was too angry.

  “If only you knew Tristan, what she did! If only you knew … you would throw her out on her ear … no, you would probably kill her!”

  Savannah went as white as a sheet and Tristan went cold and turned to her, but Savannah was quicker.

  “Why don’t we start with what you and he did, Jessica? Both of you seem to take pleasure in stoning me … but you were the ones that … you and he …”

  Jessica laughed and her face wrenched with hatred. “Ahh yes … I’ll never forget the look on your face when you walked through that door and saw me fuc … you now … copulating with your fiancé! It was priceless!”

  There was a collective gasp, Jessica’s included, when she realized what she just disclosed in her anger. Tristan turned on her.

  “You had better explain that, Jessica. I sure as hell never fucked you!”

  He had no compunction using the word as he would never have dropped to even that low a level with her. He took her arm and shook her.

  “Talk! What are you talking about?”

  He couldn’t remember ever being so angry in his life and John flinched. Jessica pressed her lips together and refused to say another word. He turned to his father, flinging her arm away in disgust.

  “You seem to know what she is talking about. You better start talking, Dad.”

  John felt tears gather in his eyes, knowing he was on the verge of losing his eldest son. Knowing he made the biggest mistake of his life four years ago.

  “It … it happened on the day you were admitted to the hospital for food poisoning, from the Sushi you ate at that …”

  “Yes I know that! Stop the bloody storybook writing!”

  “I just arrived and was on my way up to your office to talk to you about Jessica’s Dad’s funeral and Savannah arrived at the same time. She … she had this blinding smile on her face, and was so excited. You … you know I have always been against your engagement …”

  “What? John? Why?” Alice asked in shock. He kept looking at Tristan, but answered her question.

  “Because of Patrick. We always wanted Jessica and Tristan to marry, and I promised him when he died …”

  “O God, John … how could you?”

  Tristan stood motionless, his face expressionless, but he took Savannah’s hand in his and pulled her closer to his side. She trembled in reaction to the atmosphere and the coldness and rage that radiated from him. Jessica bristled when he pulled her closer and snapped out of her silence.

  “Uncle John and I were in agreement that she was no good for you! He phoned me and told me she was on the way, and seemed to be super excited about something. If we wanted to get rid of her, we needed to do it then. I was already there working on a contract with Walt and ran into your office, intending to throw myself in your arms and kiss you when she walked in, but you were passed out on the couch. You were flushed and had a high fever caused by the food poisoning. You were so feverish you were covered in sweat and panting. It was the best opportunity ever … and would have had a much better effect than a mere kiss!” She laughed maliciously.

  “I ripped your shirt open, pulled your pants down to your knees and threw my clothes off. I just climbed on top of you and placed your hands on my hips when I heard the door open. I started riding you, hard, so your head bumped against the edge of the couch and you groaned just as she walked in. I had to see, so I turned my head and looked at her. It was the best I had ever felt! The blinding smile … turned into a look of horror!”

  “You useless bitch!”

  Tristan slapped her so hard she fell to the ground and he reached for her again, but Savannah held onto his arm and pulled him back.

  “No … Tristan … No.”

  He looked down at her tear filled eyes and guilt rode him hard. He lifted his hand and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

  “I am so sorry.”

  “Oh please! The sweet innocent again!”

  Jessica jumped up and shouted again. John grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her back.

  “Enough, Jessica!”

  “Hahahaha … oh no! I’ve only just begun. Do you not wonder what she was so blindingly happy about that she had to come and bother you at work? Go ahead … ask her!”

  Savannah shook her head and went pale. Good God, not like this! She didn’t want him to find out like this!

  “Never mind … I’ll tell you.”

  “That is enough, Jessica. I think you need to go.”

  John desperately tried to put a stop to her tirade, but she screeched and spat the words at Tristan.

  “She was pregnant! She came to tell you she was pregnant.”

  Tristan blanched and looked at Savannah, her face now even paler, her hands trembling visibly. Jessica laughed shrilly.

  “Ask her where your child is, Tristan!”

  Savannah looked at him with torture in her eyes. He shouldn’t have found out this way! He deserved to have been told gently. She lifted her hand to stroke his jaw but he flinched back, his face as hard granite.

  “Guess it will be slightly difficult to maintain your relationship now Savannah! Tell him!”

&nbs
p; “Shut up, your wicked bitch! You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

  Savannah was on the verge of losing it and slapping her too, but Jessica has lost all control.

  “Really, do tell us Savannah, what is the going rate nowadays for abortions? Or rather, what was it four years ago?”

  Tristan lost all color in his face and there was murder in his eyes when they drilled into hers; his voice violently soft.

  “You killed my child!” Savannah gasped.

  “NO! I could never do anything like that!”

  “Oh please! You cashed the check! Tell him Uncle John! How his sweet, innocent fiancé took the five million dollars in exchange for his child!”

  By this time Tristan was panting hard, his hands were balled in fists. His eyes were death itself when it turned on his father.

  “You paid her to get rid of my child!”

  “Son, please listen …”

  He ignored his father and turned back to Savannah, a savage light in his eyes.

  “Did you kill my child, Savannah?”

  “NO! No … Tristan I did not.” She ended softly.

  “Oh this is priceless! I guess you are now going to claim you had a miscarriage?”

  Samantha caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and gasped when she noticed her parents with the twins just rounding the corner walking in their direction. She was the only one facing that direction. Tears gathered in her eyes upon seeing her adoring twins. A blinding smile spread on her lips.

  “Yes, Jessica, I guess I could claim that …but then … how would I explain those two?” And she tore past them running to her babies, their cries of joy ringing in her ears.

  “Mommy … Mooommmyyy!”

  She caught them halfway, bending to catch one on each arm and twirl with them around and around, laughing happily as they hugged and kissed her. She stopped and hugged them close, hiding her face between theirs; their little legs crossing each other to clamp around her waist.

  “I have missed you guys so much!”

  “We missed you too, Mommy!”

  “Why were you gone so long, Mommy?”

  She kissed each little cheek and smiled wanly as two little hands gently wiped the tears from her face. Jason looked at her sternly.

  “You are crying an awful lot lately, Mommy.”

  She laughed at him and then froze when Tiffany tugged at Jason’s arm, her eyes glued on the big black haired giant, halfway on the lawn between them and the group of people on the porch. He looked devastated and Savannah’s tears started again. She didn’t want him to find out this way!

  “Jay … look … JASON!” Tiffany shouted when he still did not pay attention to her.

  “What!” He followed her pointing little finger and gasped excitedly.

  “Look Jay, it’s him! It’s Daddy!”

  Their young, excited voices carried all the way past Tristan to the others on the porch and tears ran freely. They wiggled to be put down and she lowered them to the ground, her eyes on Tristan who stumbled closer, step by step. The minute their feet touched the ground they ran to him, shouting excitedly.

  “Daddy … Daaadddyyy!”

  He went down on his knees and caught them in his arms, tears drowning his astounded eyes. They clutched at him, their arms and legs surrounding his body in a similar fashion they just did with Savannah and dry sobs heaved his body. Savannah cried uncontrollably, her hands covering her mouth.

  The twins pulled back from their father and smiled at him through their own tears of excitement. Tiffany took his face between her little hands and kissed him on each eye.

  “Don’t cry, Daddy! We are here now!”

  Jason looked at his father with serious eyes, so much like him in every way it was heart rendering.

  “We are so happy to meet you, Daddy! We longed for you!”

  “What … names?”

  Tristan forced the question out. His heart so overflown with emotion and immediate love for his children he could not think straight, let alone talk. Savannah came closer and said softly.

  “Jason and Tiffany.”

  He had no doubt they were his. They were an exact replica of him and Georgina when they were little, apart from Jason who had his mother’s emerald colored green eyes. He stood up, his precious cargo still clutched in his arms. He looked at Savannah, and saw the uncertainty in her eyes.

  Then he was surrounded by his mother and siblings who all wanted to meet and hug the twins. He allowed his sister and mother to take them from him and his arms immediately felt empty. His eyes fell on Jessica and he stormed to her. He took her by the arm and shoved her towards the door.

  “Leave and if I ever see you near any of my family again, you will regret it! Do you understand?”

  “Tristan, no! I love you!”

  “And I hate you! Leave now, before I throw you out!”

  She ran then, sobs racking her body. He turned to his father who sat dejectedly watching everyone getting acquainted with his children.

  “How could you father? How could you take my children away from me?”

  “I … she kept them from you … I”

  “Because of what you did! I hate Jessica for what she did; she caused Savannah to leave me … what should I feel for you … you were the cause of not knowing my children for three years!”

  “I am so sorry! You do not know how I have regretted it over the years.”

  “And you will come to regret it even more, father. Stay away from my children. I do not trust you near them!”

  John went white and felt defeated. He could not even fight it. He caused all of this himself.

  Hours later, Tristan indicated it was time to go home. The twins could barely keep their eyes open, but was so excited they refused to give in to it. They looked at him worriedly and Jason asked in a small voice.

  “Are you taking us with you, Daddy? Mommy told Granny to bring our bags.”

  “Yes, Daddy! Our clothes are in Granddad’s car. Can we … can we, Daddy?”

  His eyes misted over again and he caught both of them in his arms, hugging them against his chest.

  “That is what I meant. Of course you are coming with us. We will never be apart again … that I promise!”

  His eyes drilled into Savannah’s when he said it, the message clear. He would not allow her to keep them from him again.

  They said their goodbyes and he carried the twins to the car, turning around when he realized Savannah did not follow. He glared at her, raising an annoyed eyebrow at her, ignoring the uncertainty shining in her eyes.

  “I am not in the mood for another fight, Savannah. Get yourself over to that car; your place is with your children. Unfortunately, you get me in the bargain!”

  She winced. It was clear that he was livid that she never told him about the twins. He knew why she left all those years ago and handed out punishment to those who caused it. What punishment awaited her for keeping his children away from him?

  The twins fell asleep on the back seat before they rounded the corner and the trip back to his house felt twice as far with the deathly silence that gripped the interior of the car. He was clearly nursing his anger and she could feel it frizzle in the air around them. Wisely she kept her mouth shut.

  Arriving home, she carried Tiffany and him, Jason. She followed him to a room opposite his, and quickly and efficiently readied them for bed, mumbling softly.

  “They can take a bath in the morning. I’ll just wipe their hands and feet with a cloth for now.”

  She opened the suitcase Tristan just carried in and pulled out their pajamas and wash cloths. He took them from her and went to the bathroom. He came back and handed her one silently, turning to the bed and gently undressed and redressed Jason in his pajamas, wiping his face, hands and feet, before he placed him under the covers on the one three quarter bed in the room. Savannah did the same with Tiffany.

  He bent over and kissed each precious child on the cheek, wiping their hair from their br
ows. Savannah picked up the dirty clothes and went to place it in the laundry bin. She stood by the basin taking deep breaths, gathering courage to face Tristan alone, now that he knew about the twins.

  Chapter Nine

  Tristan walked into the bathroom, took her by the arm and tugged her along with him to his bedroom, shutting the door behind them. He drew her around to face him and stood staring at her, his anger barely under control. She swallowed, but refused to cower away. This time his anger was well deserved and she would have to take the punishment he vetted out.

  “Were you ever going to tell me about them?” His voice sounded vehement, but soft. She kept her eyes on his.

  “That is why I came back. I realized they needed you.”

  “Is it? Let me ask you this, would you have come back, had we not met in Los Angeles?”

  She gaped at him and flinched. A frown marred his forehead and his glare ripped her in two.

  “I didn’t think so. You had no intention of telling me about them, ever! What happened? Did you only remember I was their father when you saw me again? Or was it really only my body you were after? The good sex you got from me! That you still hunger for right this minute!”

  He yanked her hard against him, picked her up by her shoulders, carried her to the bed where he put her down, and watched her face the whole time he undressed himself. His expression one of pure rage and her heart hammered against her chest in panic.

  “Tristan, please listen, let me explain … no … what are you doing!”

  He ripped her sundress in two down the front, then off her arms, and ripped her G-string from her body, throwing it on the ruined dress. His hands closed around her naked breasts, squeezing roughly.

  “I am taking what you so readily offer!”

  He put his hand on her chest and gave her a hard shove so she fell back on the bed. He came down over her, his face livid when he pulled her legs wide apart, gazing at her lying open and vulnerable in front of him, her eyes wide and frightened.

  He widened his legs so that her thighs were kept wide apart, his breathing rampant in his chest and his rigid staff jumped in anticipation.