“Stay right there, sweetheart. I’m coming to get you.”
-----<>-----
19
Molly
I watched as Drake shifted the boat up to the front. I heard someone yell that it was Mr. Stagliano. Apparently, one of his staff members worked a second job on the boat and recognized him.
By the time Drake reached me, I was a sobbing mess. He rushed toward me, wrapped his arms tightly around me. He dug his head in the nape of my neck, crying with me.
“How did you know where to find me?” I asked.
“Where’s Stella?” He ignored my question. “Where is she?”
He wasn’t asking me. He was demanding answers from all the staff members that were now huddled near us.
“Find her. Now!” he yelled. “We’ll find her.” He brought his attention back to me, rubbing his knuckles over my wet cheeks.
“I feel like the worst mother, ever.”
“Stop it.” He tilted my chin up. “This is not your fault. You understand me?”
I nodded, letting his strong arms carry me. A staff member rushed to our sides letting us know Stella had been found. We broke apart and found Stella walking up casually with food in both hands.
I raced to her and knelt down to her level. “Where were you?” I gasped.
“I got hungry,” she answered, nonchalantly.
“Stella! I told you to stay in the bathroom, remember?”
“I did. Someone kept knocking and yelling. They had to use the potty.” The innocence in her voice was making it too hard to be mad at her, so I just grabbed her and squeezed her instead. I didn’t care anymore—she was safe in my arms.
We finally made it back to land where cops and ambulances were lined up on the block.
“Shit,” Drake mumbled, escorting the three of us off. “Let me take care of this, okay?”
I nodded, holding Stella’s hand as tightly as I could without it hurting. There was no way I was letting her out of my sight.
I let Drake handle the cops, giving them his side of the story. I wasn’t even sure what his side was at the moment, but all I cared about was that the three of us were safe. We were on land…and safe.
* * *
It’s been six days since the boating incident and Denny’s body still hadn’t been found. Stanley informed Drake that Denny had told him once that he can’t swim, which made me wonder why the hell he would’ve gone on that boat in the first place.
“It was all a set up, Molly,” Drake reminded me as I kept trying to figure this whole thing out in my head.
“Set up for what? I just don’t understand why he was after me in the first place?” I sat on the sofa, folding baskets and baskets of laundry.
“He felt threatened by you. He recognized you at the engagement party and knew you must’ve recognized him too when you reacted. I’m sure he thought you’d tell me right away and that his cover would be blown,” Drake reassured me, trying to help me put the pieces together. It made sense out loud; I knew that, but why? Why was he so hell bent on revenge when I hadn’t done anything to him…ever.
Drake and his team of lawyers spoke with the police and explained everything to them. Drake’s driver got off on saving Drake’s life—defense of another person—and I got off with self-defense—with no intention to harm. I’m sure if Drake hadn’t shown up with a half a dozen top attorneys, the situation may have played out differently, but the important part was that there was no legal charges.
“Molly, the man was sick. There’s just no other way to explain a man who has done the things he’s done. He has no sense of morals, no common sense, and no compassion for people.” He knelt beside me, tilting my chin up so we were eye level. “This is not your fault.”
I didn’t feel bad for Denny’s missing body. I felt incredibly guilty when Travis died, but this was a different kind of grief. I had been responsible for both of these incidents—even if one deserved more than the other. However, besides feeling grief that I pushed him in, I felt relief. Relief that he was finally gone—out of my life—he couldn’t hurt me anymore.
“I just need to know that this is over,” I whispered. “I can’t live in fear anymore.”
“It’s over, baby. I promise.” His face was sincere and his tone soft.
“How can you know?”
“Denny was after one thing—you. He used his connections from prison to get to you and use them against you, but those are all gone now. The police know everything about his background and who he worked with. They are taking care of it. The threat is gone,” he promised.
“Thank you.” I cupped a hand over his face, letting it melt against him. “Thank you for always being there, for always knowing what to say, and for being…you.”
“It’s the only thing I ever want to do, Molly. Protecting you and our family is the only thing that matters to me.”
I leaned in and kissed him gently.
“So I’ve been thinking,” I paused, grabbing his attention. “I don’t want anymore secrets. Nothing that can be held against me or anyone.” He wrinkled his nose, waiting for me to continue. “I’m going to tell Stanley. I’m going to tell him everything.”
He backed up a bit, raising his eyebrows at me. “Really? Molly, you don’t have to do that. The threat is gone now.”
“I know. But I think it’s the right thing to do. I’ll tell my parents beforehand that I plan to tell him and as long as Stanley hears it from me, there won’t be any publicity scandal.”
“Only if you want to. Please don’t feel pressured. But know that I’ll support you either way.” He smiled, rubbing small circles over my palm.
“I want to be able to announce it at the banquet. I think it’ll be a good opener for the charity, the real reason I founded it.”
He smiled again, this time it reached his eyes. “I think that’s a great idea.”
* * *
Even after I had the babies, and then had gone back to working on Project Anchor, Michael continued to help me. I think he secretly enjoyed helping people, even though he wore this tough, insensitive persona on the outside to many other people, he was always compassionate and caring to me.
It was nice that Michael and I had a project together, something that reconnected us. My life had changed so drastically over the past couple years. Michael and I weren’t together as often.
“So, how’s all the party planning going?” I asked Michael as I set a basket of laundry on the table. “Anything I can do?”
Michael loves hosting a party or event. I knew he wouldn’t let me help, but I at least wanted to offer. I knew he had it all under control though.
The charity event we were hosting for Project Anchor was to thank the sponsors for their contributions and to showcase some of our success stories. We even had a parent-daughter duo reunited that was willing to give a speech on how successful our charity had been for them.
I planned on telling Stanley before the event, but announcing it to everyone during. I knew it would come as a shock, but I really felt like giving the investors background information and letting the public know the reason for this charity, it will help it stand out from all the other corporations.
“No, thanks, mama. I got it all under control. Just show your pretty face and do your speech thing and I’ll handle the rest.” He smiled, looking through his calendar. I glanced over it, and I saw tons of highlights and scribbled in notes.
“That I can handle,” I smirked.
Explaining everything to my parents was hard. Especially because I had to tell them each separately and explain the whole Denny situation twice—me recognizing him, the text messages, the set up—they were furious but understood my reasoning to tell Stanley. I wanted it out in the open instead of lingering over me like a dark cloud ready to strike me at any moment.
* * *
Two weeks after the Denny incident, his body was finally found. It floated up the river and was found by some people who were walking the river trail.
&nb
sp; The news hit newsstands everywhere—his background story, his time in jail, his threats—it was like a whirlwind of events that spiraled out, finally, so everyone knew. Except Stanley. I had yet to tell him the truth of it all.
“Hello, Violet,” I said in a calm tone as she answered the door. If I were going to do this, I would do it in person.
“Molly, what a…surprise,” she responded.
“Yes, sorry. I should’ve called, but I just need a moment with Stanley.”
“Um, sure,” she hesitated. She backed up, allowing me in. Violet and I were acquaintances and nothing more, but we still were respectable when necessary.
She called for Stanley who was in his study. I felt jittery as I waited for him. Drake offered to come with me, but this was something I needed to do alone. I was about to tell this man some very important, and probably unbelievable news.
“Molly, dear. How are you?” he greeted me. Stanley was a tall man. He typically had to lean down to kiss my cheeks. He was a gentleman and very compassionate outside of the office. Drake was the same way though, always putting their game faces on when it came to work.
“I’m good, Stanley. How are you?”
“I’m doing good, thank you. What can I help you with?” He motioned for me to sit down with him. I took the chair across from him, taking in slow breaths.
“Well…I have something to tell you. It’s about me. And you. And well…I just need to say it.”
“Okay…” He crossed his ankles, looking straight at me.
I breathed in slowly again, closing my eyes as I mentally prepared myself. Yes, I can do this.
“Um, okay. This is kind of a personal question, but did you ever donate sperm when you were younger…say… 25 or so years ago?” I watched as he squirmed in his chair. I could tell he didn’t see that coming. “Again…I’m sorry for the personal question. I swear that it’s not for an article or anything.” I chuckled nervously.
He laughed right back. “Yes, yes, I did actually. Back then I wasn’t as well off as I am today. I was desperate.” I swallowed, my face feeling flushed. “Why do you ask?”
“My parents used a sperm donor because my dad couldn’t have children. My mom was desperate to get pregnant and after reading a file, picked a donor.”
His eyes widened. “You…you think they picked me?” He motioned to himself.
“Yes,” I answered bluntly. “The nurse accidentally spilled the information. At the time, my parents didn’t think anything of it because you weren’t well developed in your career, yet. And they were so eager to get pregnant, they promised to not say anything that would get that nurse in trouble.”
“Wait…so you’re telling me, they picked my…application. And got pregnant. And now…now you’re here?” He was stammering all over the place. It was a far-fetched story I know, but I already felt better about telling him the truth.
“Yes, sir.”
“H-oly shit,” he muttered. He brushed a hand through his hair and just stared at me.
“I know, it’s a lot to take in and I wouldn’t blame you for not believing me—”
“Is this some kind of joke?” His tone surprised me as he interrupts me.
“No. No, of course not. I—”
“I’m sorry. You can’t be here right now. You have to go.”
I sincerely nodded in his direction and stood up. I made way to the door and held in the tears until I was in the hall. I don’t know why I reacted like that; I wasn’t looking for anything from him besides to tell him the truth. I didn’t want a daddy figure or any kind of attention. I just wanted the truth out there.
However, I should’ve figured. It’s a lot for any person to understand, especially when you’re the one being told you’re the biological father.
I get to the elevator and press the call button. As I waited, I wiped the tears off and got myself back together. It’s going to be okay… I told myself over and over.
Just as the elevator rang and the doors slid open, I heard Stanley yell, “Molly, wait!”
I clenched my eyes tight, holding in the tears that are now continuously falling down. I don’t want him to see me like this. This is ridiculous, I muttered to myself.
“Molly, please. I’m sorry.” I could tell he was directly behind me now. He grabbed the inside of my arm pulling me back and spinning me around to face him. “Oh god. I made you cry. I’m really sorry.” His face is beat red, and I could tell he regretted his previous decision to kick me out.
“I’m not crying because of that,” I lied, wiping them away once again.
“Listen, I’m an ass. I shouldn’t have asked you to leave.”
“I don’t blame you. It’s okay.” I chewed my lip as I refrained from keeping eye contact with him.
“No…it wasn’t okay. C’mon. Please come back in.”
“There’s nothing more to say, Stanley. I understand.”
“Molly, please. Just come talk to me.” The look at his face was a blend of sincerity and regret. I could tell how his earlier behavior was affecting him.
“Okay,” I muttered.
He escorted me back in, but this time we sat at the kitchen table.
“Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Is vodka an option?” I quipped.
“Hell, yeah!” Violet roared, entering the kitchen. “Too bad there’s none in the house,” she pouted.
I laughed with her. “Water is fine then.”
Violet sat across from me, eyeing me down. I wasn’t sure how much she had overheard, but I guessed I was about to get an earful.
“So…you’re like his daughter?” she gasped, propping her elbows up on the table.
“I-I guess. I mean, biologically speaking.” I grabbed the glass of water Stanley handed me and watched as he sat next to Violet.
“That’s wicked,” she said amused. “So wait.” She smirked. “That makes me like…your stepmom!”
I was just about to take a sip of water when she blurted that out, making whatever made it into my mouth choke back into my throat.
“Arms up, darling,” she teased.
“You’re never going to let me live this down are you?”
“Not ever.”
“I’m glad my life amuses you,” I snorted.
“So, Molly, why don’t you tell me everything.”
“Okay,” I breathed. I could hear his interest in his voice. I wanted to tell him everything.
“It started with Denny.” I paused, needing to gather my thoughts quickly. “Denny knew. He knew about you. My parents told Denny a long time ago. My parents walked in on him in my room and immediately called the cops. Ever since then, he has blamed me for his whole prison sentence. When he saw me for the first time here, he put together this whole plan to get ‘even’ with me. He threatened to tell you and blow it up all over the news as a scandal, and at the time, there was just too much at stake. I couldn’t let him.”
“So this Denny…well Dan…or whoever he was…knew the truth the whole damn time?” I nodded. “So he basically used all my resources and used it against you?” I nodded again. “God, Molly. I feel so fucking bad.”
“Oh god, no, Stanley, this wasn’t your fault at all. That’s not why I told you.”
“I understand, Molly. I just should’ve investigated better into someone that was partnering up with me. Everything about him checked out, perfectly in fact. I guess that should’ve been my first clue. It checked out too perfectly”
“You really aren’t to blame, sir. Honestly, Denny was messed up. He wanted to hurt me by getting even and sharing the news knowing it would hurt my parents and family.”
I watched as tears filled his eyes, but I couldn’t figure out if they were from guilt or anger.
“I’m sorry…I guess maybe I shouldn’t have told you.” I quickly stood up—ready to dart again—until he grabbed my arm, pulling me to his chest.
“Don’t be sorry. I never in a million years thought I’d ever have a daughter.” His
arms wrapped around me and for the first time, I wrapped my arms around him. “I don’t have kids, Molly. I was never anyone’s father.”
“Really? You don’t want proof or a paternity test or anything?” I asked, breathy. I looked up at him and he just smiled. “You don’t think I’m crazy, do you?”
He laughed and set my arms free. “Not at all. In fact, I see a lot of my parents in you.”
Well, I wasn’t expecting that.
“Really?”
“Yes. There’s a familiarity in your face.”
“Wow…I never imagined you’d be so accepting,” I admitted. “I mean, I was hoping to tell you, to just have it known and out there, but this—never dreamed of it.”
“I never dreamed of it, either.” He smiled.
Stanley and I talked for hours that day. Violet was more shocked to hear about Stanley being a sperm donor than the fact that I was his biological daughter. I heard her ask him if that meant they would never have any kids because he donated his all away. I tried my hardest not to laugh aloud, but it might’ve slipped.
I spoke to him about sharing the news at the Project Anchor charity event. I explained to him how it all became and how knowing him had an impact on starting it in the first place.
After insisting I take his very generous investors check, he agreed to come and speak at the event. It was more than I could have ever asked out of Stanley. To know that my mom and dad are my real mom and dad, the ones who raised me are just as accepting as he was, made me an overwhelmed and emotional wreck.
The chances of ever knowing the donor in a sperm clinic is suppose to be none, unless you ask a person you already know, so to know about Stanley and the truth filled every hole in my heart. Knowing about the other half of your identity might not be important to everyone, but it’s beyond special to me. To be able to know I’m part German and part French Canadian means I can relate to a part of my own identity.
* * *
Things were finally all coming together. Denny was dead, the threat was gone—he was gone—and Stanley knew the truth. My parents and Drake were all supportive, and Michael and I were just about to host the first ever charity event for Project Anchor.
Kitchen Promises (Riverside Trilogy, #3) (The Riverside Trilogy) Page 20