by Amy Brent
“Mom,” Cole said. “Dad. There's something I need to tell you.”
“Oh God,” his dad said. His frown deepened.
Cole's mother just sat back on the couch, folding her hands in her lap.
Cole took a deep breath. He looked to Amanda. She smiled at him and put a hand on his knee.
“Amanda and I didn't just get together,” Cole said. “What I mean is, this isn't the first time we were together. Back when we were in school, there was a...well, I mean we...”
Cole's father turned and looked at James.
Amanda cleared her throat. “Cole and I spent a night together,” she said. “Five years ago.”
Cole's mother turned as well, looking at James. James sat off to the side, eating a sandwich and looking through one of his books. He didn't seem to be paying much attention to what the adults were talking about.
“Cole,” his father said. “Are you telling me what I think you're telling me?”
“Well,” Cole said. “Mom, Dad. You're...well, you're his grandparents.”
They looked at James again. He finally looked up from his book when he realized everyone was staring at him. “What?” he asked.
Cole's father scowled. His mother started to beam, covering her mouth with her hands. She got up and crossed the room, kneeling by James's chair and stroking his face. “Oh,” she said. “Oh my. My precious little angel.”
“Cole,” his father said. “Are you sure about this? I mean, we could have a paternity test done...”
“Dad, come on,” Cole said, rolling his eyes. “Believe me, I'm sure.”
“I wouldn't lie about this,” Amanda said. “If I had wanted to, I wouldn't have kept it secret for so many years. But I didn't want to be a burden.”
Cole's father rubbed his chin. He got up and started pacing around. “Well, if this is how it is. I mean, if you're sure, and you're sure this is what you want.”
Cole squeezed Amanda's knee, a wide smile on his face. “I'm sure, Dad.”
His father stood over Amanda, looking her up and down. “Well, then. I suppose I should welcome you to the family.”
Amanda smiled, feeling a warmth spreading in her chest. She got up and gave Cole's father a hug. Then she picked up James and explained to him that these were his grandparents.
They spent the rest of the day catching up. Cole's mother asked a million questions about James, wanting to know every little thing about his life. His father focused mostly on practical concerns: how was his health, and was he showing signs of proper development. When Amanda explained that she hadn't been able to afford to take James to the doctor for years, he insisted on setting up an appointment with a pediatrician, promising to take care of the bills.
By the time they left that night, James was tired from all of the attention, though he seemed excited to know that he finally had grandparents, and a real dad. Cole and Amanda took him home and tucked him into bed. Then Amanda took Cole's hands and led him into her bedroom.
She pulled him into bed, her movements slow and sensual. She was filled with warmth and desire, and she was finally starting to accept that everything was going to work out.
She made love to Cole, basked in the moonlight that streamed in through the window. She held his hand against her chest, their fingers intertwined, while he filled her and pleasured her. Their bodies were as one, and it was everything she could have hoped for, everything she could have dreamed for.
And she didn't give a single thought to using protection, for even though she knew she might get pregnant again, she was more than ready to bring another child into the world. They were a family now, and their family bonds were growing with each passing week. She could already see the future, and she knew that she and Cole were meant to be together. It had taken them a long time to get to this point. They had missed out on a lot of time together, years lost that could never be regained. But now that they were building their relationship, they were going to do it right. And when James, one day, had a little brother or sister, that child would grow up in a house with two parents who loved each other, who needed each other, and who would provide their children with every opportunity that they could possibly imagine.
After he came, Amanda held Cole against her chest, stroking his hair and whispering softly to him in the night. They held each other close, and for the first time in a long time, Amanda went to sleep without any fear. Because she knew that the man who held her in his arms would keep her safe, keep her close. And she knew without a doubt that when she woke up in the morning, he would still be there. and he would be there every morning after, for the rest of their live.
***THE END***
THE BILLIONAIRE PLAYBOY’S BABY
Ray
“There is just something special about that Ray Markley.”
He smiled as he closed the door to the coffee shop. He knew it wasn’t his good looks, or a smile. No those two things had been a part of him all his life, and had made high school quite a pleasant experience. More than likely it had to do with his career, and the fact that him making it big in baseball had put their little town on the map. But deep down, he knew it was the way he carried himself. He wasn’t cocky, no he was confident, and he didn’t deal with anyone’s craziness. He knew what he liked, and he knew if he wanted it he would get it. He loved this small town, full of most of his friends growing up, except a few that had decided this life wasn’t for them, him included. At 28 he was in the prime of his life. He sported a head of wavy sandy brown hair and the darkest blue eyes possible. Something the ladies seemed to like.
He loved the game, loved the way the ball flew when it made direct contact with the bat. It had been a part of his growing up, and the one thing he shared with his dad before he left. It had been the biggest part of his life and over time he had made it. Right into the majors. Something he was proud of, and worked hard at. His life in Bayberry had quietly taken a back seat to the other world he had created out in New York.
He loved the flash of lights in the big city and the people there, but every now and again he would come home and visit his mother, who refused to leave this place, and to remind himself of his roots. This visit, however, was tinged with something else, and he still had yet to work it out. With a shake of his head he set off for his car, knowingly carrying a box of the donuts his mother loved. He would take his time driving down the dusty road out to the ranch and he would settle in there for a few weeks at least until training started up.
Nothing had changed really, the tall oak by the main road had fallen, probably from a storm of some kind and there were a few more houses that were scattered along the way that hadn’t been there before but aside from that, life was its usual out here. He heard the ringing of his phone and glanced at the caller id on the dashboard, feeling his insides turn, before hitting the ignore button. The red heat of anger curled up inside him and he felt his knuckles turn white as he gripped the wheel. No matter what anyone said the guy had I coming, and even the police had said so.
He swung the car into the spot where he always parked and made his way inside. The house smelled just like it always had, sugar and coffee, and he smiled as he enveloped his mother in a hug.
“Hello mom, I told you I’d be here today.” He kissed the top of her head, a full two foot shorter than his own. She gave him a smile as she walked carefully back to her chair.
He frowned as he watched her, at 88, she was no longer the young, carefree woman that should be running a ranch. He knew that she had help, however, he had hired a few men to run the horses and keep things running smoothly. He had also remotely hired a nurse to sit with her and take care of things at home, and a cook, who shared a wing of the ranch with the live in nurse. Even still, he felt guilt deep down every time he went back home.
“Raymond, you are so skinny, you need to eat.” She exclaimed as she made her way inside the house, she gently patted his stomach.
“I’m fine mom, you say that every time.” He helped her into a chair and to
ok a look around the room.
Everything was neat and tidy, clean and sterile and he felt himself relax, just slightly. She was being taken care of, and it made him feel better knowing it. He heard some commotion in the kitchen and glanced that way. He found himself face to face with a bubbly woman red faced and smiling. In her 40’s she had sprigs of red and gray hair and she welcomed him with a smile.
“You must be Raymond. Hello, I am Jeannie, I cook for your mother, and whoever may come by.” She gave his mother a wink, that he didn’t miss. She held out her hand to him, which he took and marveled at the grip she gave him.
“It’s just Ray, and it’s nice to finally meet you.” He relaxed as she rambled on about food for dinner and a light lunch, which she asked his mother to approve of.
After she left, he turned to face his mother once more. : You certainly seem to have things running smoothly mother.” He gave her a half grin.
“Yes, I rather enjoy having a lot of the bulk handled for me, thanks to my son that is.” She grinned as a buzzing sound went off beside her. “Oh, it's time for Lila, she will be down in a few seconds. She is such a sweet girl I think you will like her.”
Before she could get the last word out, he heard the soft sounds of humming as she came into the room. He felt something hit him in the stomach when she finally looked up at him. She was curvy, full and filling in her outfit. It suited her, all of those curves. Her hair was long and fell in waves around her. Her caramel skin almost glowing in the light. Her eyes were what struck him at last. They were brown with a hint of blue in them, and were set in her face, complete with a set of full lips and a dimpled cheek.
He watched her blink rapidly at him for a second, her eyes covered in a fringe of dark lashes that complimented her skin. She turned then, her focus on his mother.
“Ok Miss Margie, it's time for your favorite.” She gave her a sour look and then moved around the cabinet in the far corner to get her meds together. She never turned around to look back at him, which he found unnerving.
He did his best to seem unaffected as he let his eyes travel the rest of her, his focus on the uplifted derriere that was facing him now. He realized his mother as talking to him, and he shook his head to snap out of it.
“……. top of her class.” His mother gave him a smile.
Lila turned then, her eyes flitting over him for a mere second before she carried the tray over to his mother.
“You are always too sweet to me, Miss Margie.” She set the tray down and waited as the older woman took the medication with a sour look.
“I know, like I said not the favorite.” She glanced over at him once more, giving him her full attention.
“I’m Lila, it’s nice to meet you.” She held out her hand to him, which he took. He felt the softness of her skin in his and he subconsciously let his thumb run across the bridge of her hand before he let it go. His eyes met hers, and he felt a shift there.
“Well, mom, I’m going to go get settled in and come back for lunch, since Miss Jeannie is working on such an impressionable spread.” He glanced over at Lila. “I will see you there.”
He didn’t wait for a response, simply letting her know what he expected of her before he turned to head down the other wing of the house to his old rooms. He wanted her, it was as simple as that. He wasn’t even sure why really. She was beautiful, almost exotic, which he found fascinating. She was certainly nothing like Angie…. He felt the familiar anger well up in him, but he tried to let it go and not let it ruin his day. He thought once more about Lila, he wanted her in his bed, and he would have her, he simply needed to find a way to convince her that’s where she belonged.
Lila
“Arrogant...son of a.” She whispered it under her breath knowingly. Someone, somewhere had told Ray Markley that he could have whatever he wanted and when. “I’ll see you there.” She said it mockingly.
He would certainly be surprised when she wasn’t. She always ate lunch with the ladies of the house, but not today, not when he had ordered her to be there. There was something about him that reek dangerous anyway, it would probably be best if she avoided him at all costs, until he went back to his own home.
She knew he was some big time basketball player or something. Apparently, it had all gone to his head at some point. She folded the blankets by the door once more, jerking it as she went. She loved Miss Margie, and she loved this job. It had come at a perfect time in her life, and she would always be grateful to Miss Margie for giving her a chance. At 23 she had already lived a full life.
She sat down on the bed reflecting. Her father was a prestigious official in Washington DC, and her mother had been in love with him for years. Unfortunately, she had settled for being the woman waiting in the wings for him for years. He had convinced her for years that he would leave his wife, but sadly, he never had. Her mother had fallen ill and died of cancer four years ago, and only once had she even met the man. He had come to visit her mother in the hospital and her mother told her then that he was her father.
She hated him for never making the choice to pick them, hated him for never being around. Now, all she felt was indifference. Sure, he had cried and held her mothers’ hand, but ultimately he had gone back home, leaving her wondering about the life they could have had. She would look him up from time to time, and see the faces of her two half-brothers that never even knew she existed. She was essentially alone in the world, except for Andre, and that was a mess as usual.
He was a musician, and beautifully talented. She loved him, or at least she thought so. He always seemed to be busy these days, never having time for her. But then that’s what you had to do to make it big in the music business. Not to mention he often commented on how her dieting was going, trying to motivate her to do more and to get healthier. She knew her weight was an issue for him, especially when he always had women falling all over him. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to be working, at least not quickly anyway. They had plans to meet tomorrow, and she couldn’t wait to hear all about the new developments on his album. She just had to be careful to not make him angry.
It wasn’t that he wanted to hurt her, in fact he hated himself anytime anything happened between them. Nothing had happened yet, but he would get so angry and from time to time she would get a little scared of him. He never touched her, but he had thrown a thing or two to get his point across. He was obviously under a lot of stress with his career. All she could do was be supportive and do her best to try to help him. She made her way out of the rooms and down the long hall to the garden to walk, she loved it there more than any other place on the ranch.
The weather was beautiful this time of year and she loved being able to enjoy it. She settled into a lounge chair, face upturned as she let her eyes close to enjoy the cool breeze that flowed over her skin. Taking deep breaths, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. It could have been an hour, or even two before she realized she had fallen asleep. She heard the crunch of gravel and knew now that someone had woken her. She sat up with a start and found herself face to face with him.
“You have a habit of napping in the garden?” He let his gaze linger, looking her over.
“No.” She said with an edge, jumping to her feet as she did. “I suppose I was just relaxed that’s all.” She crossed her arms waiting. She couldn’t leave the area until he moved out of her way, which by looking at his face he was well aware of.
He smiled at her as he leaned on the twisted oak. “You missed lunch.” He said it simply and she met his gaze.
“I wasn’t hungry.” She lifted her chin another notch. He chuckled.
“Well, perhaps I will see you at dinner then?” He waited for her to answer.
“Perhaps.” She knew it was weak at best, but it was almost like saying no.
He smiled at her once more, then sat down on the bench near the entrance. “So, how is mom doing, really?”
She felt his tone turn serious, and she relaxed. She couldn’t handle the charming side of him it
unnerved her. But this… this she could do. She sat beside him.
“She’s actually doing much better than before. Her white count is lower and her blood pressure under control. She goes in to see Dr. Baker every few weeks, and he helps me keep her on track. She can be…. Well...”
“Combative?” He finished for her. “Yes, I know.”
“I think she just gets tired of life keeping her from doing what she wants.” She said it simply enough.
She felt his gaze on her face once more. “What about you Lila?”
She swallowed hard. “What do you mean? What about me?”
He leaned back on the bench, breaking his gaze on her. “Well, tell me about you. I let the agency find a few people, but my mother ultimately made the decision on who she wanted to have here. I never get to have an opinion, so this is my chance to get to know everyone.”
She sighed. “Well, I am a nurse; I grew up in Covington. I love your mother, and I love this ranch.” She shrugged. “Not much else to tell.”
“What about family?” He leaned up once more, this time closer to her. “Parents, siblings… boyfriend?”
She felt the heat creep in unexpectedly. He wasn’t touching her, but she felt the heat off of him like he was branding her skin. “No, no family. I do have a boyfriend.”
He focused his gaze on her mouth and she parted her lips subconsciously. He moved his eyes up then, until his eyes locked with hers. “You are a beautiful woman, Lila, so that doesn’t surprise me.” He almost whispered it to her.
She blushed, something she rarely did. He had an intoxicating effect on her. She averted her eyes, looking down at the ground.
“Thank You.” She gritted the words out.
The spell broken, he looked around them once more. “This garden has always been a part of this house. Did you know the gardens were designed first, and the house built around it?”