Unmatched Love

by Mary Nixon

  "Go to bed."

  It was an order. One that was so stern Madeline looked startled. But having inherited her mother's stubborn nature, she rolled her pale blue eyes at him.

  That angered my son.

  Once upon a time Madeline had been the apple of his eye. But then Keira gave him Jamesella and everything changed. His new daughter was his focus and he didn't fail to show

  his clear favor for her.

  "I'm going to count to three and if you don't go to bed I'll drag you there." He spoke firmly.

  Madeline didn't budge.

  When Jacob reached out for her arm, I decided to intervene.

  "I'll take her to bed."

  "No. She's my daughter. I didn't tell you how to raise your son, stay out of my way."

  The resentment was still in the depth of his eyes. He was still mad at me. Forgiveness doesn't come over night. I backed away and watched as he carried his four year old away as she kicked and screamed.

  Curious, I followed.

  He set her down on the bed and knelt beside her.

  "Don't ever roll your eyes at me ever again. Is that clear Madeline?"

  She pouted.

  "You're grounded for a week. No dolls, no toys and no TV. Until you learn that I'm the parent in this house, you will lose all your privileges."

  "That's not fair!" She whined.

  "Life isn't fair."

  He switched off the light and our eyes met once he turned to close the door.

  "Don't you think you're being harsh?"

  Why was I meddling?

  "Don'typu think you should leave?" He fired back at me.

  "Do we gave a problem Jacobo?"

  "No. None that I can think of. Everything is peachy. Goodnight mom."

  He walks away leaving me stunned.

  "That was brutal." Tony whispered into my ear.

  "What?" I asked turning to face him.

  "Jacob. Give him space."

  "Are you mad at me?"

  He sighed and took my hands into his.

  "Let's have breakfast tomorrow morning and we can talk. I'm beat and I need to take Bea home."

  "To Monaco?"

  "No. I can't put her on a plane. I have a penthouse not far from here."

  "Let's have breakfast then. Can I bring Nathan?"

  Tony smiled ruefully.

  "Of course." He answered with a laugh.

  He kissed the top of my head and left.

  A moment later, Jacob returned and he cupped my face into his warm hands.

  "I'm sorry mom. Madeline gives me a headache. She's been acting up and I'm tired of it."

  "Maybe she sees how much you clearly favor your other daughter."

  "Jamesella is younger. She needs my full attention."

  "Tony was younger. He needed my full attention."

  His eyes widened in realization. He had accused me of favoring Tony over him and now history was repeating itself.

  "I love Madeline too."

  "As I love you just as much. Good night Jacobolas."

  He kissed my cheek and I left.

  Life was not back to what I had hoped but it was okay. Nobody ever ran before they could learn how to walk.

  =================

  Chapter thirty eight: all mine

  Bianca's POV

  Everything was perfect.

  Keira was married to Jacob, Cole was obviously hitting on Cheryl and Bruce had found a young flower he adored. Ferrer was the only one fighting the new order but sooner or later, he would get tamed.

  But my perfect life is not based on my newly acquired friends thanks to Tony but on the bundle of joy in my hands. He was a month old now and we were happier than ever.

  He had Tony's dark hair, his brown eyes and most importantly, his smile. Aidan was a piece of work and no doubt he would be a female magnet.

  I have never imagined myself a mother and now that I was holding my own son, one I had struggled to push out, I couldn't believe it.

  I had always wanted to be a successful super model but that life was empty. Not even money could fill the gaping hole in my heart.

  Loving Tony however did the trick. He fulfilled me in every way I desired. Now that we had a baby together, a son, I was even more fulfilled.

  Nothing could top the heavenly moment my beautiful baby gave me.

  "Its time."

  I raised my gaze to Keira and she smiled.

  Something else that was perfect was my love story with James Lyons. I never imagined that I would ever get married let alone to a reformed billionaire playboy.

  Tony and I had grown so much over the years. We had fought and disagreed until we finally found a way to get along. It had taken us a while but now we were a perfect fit.

  The bedroom was a hive

  of activity. Lorraine, Coleen and Cheryl had gone wild last night. So wild Keira and I had been lost for words.

  Cheryl had gone missing after we left the club and I had spotted her arguing with Cole. What the problem was would always be a mystery since neither of them said much afterwards.

  This morning she looked a little sad and confused and apparently so did Cole according to Tony.

  "Are you alright?" I asked her.

  "I'm brilliant." She answered casually.

  "What happened with you and Cole?" I asked.

  "Fairy tales aren't for everyone love." She told me with a defeated tone.

  The vibrant Cheryl that was still usually so full of life was much duller than the London skies. I noticed her eyes glittering with tears and just when I was about to touch her arm, she took a step back blinking away the tears.

  "Cheryl-"

  We were interrupted when Cole walked in holding a black velvet box. It was large enough to probably hold a necklace.

  He looked sad and Cheryl turned away from his invasive gaze. She pretended to busy herself as Cole approached me and handed me the box.

  He smiled softly and kissed my cheek.

  "From Tony with love." He whispered.

  "Thank you. Are you and Cheryl okay?"

  He looked at her and then sighed.

  "Some kinds of love aren't worth it."

  He left soon after and I was even more puzzled. Cheryl threw me a warning look and I decided not to pry anymore.

  "Ladies, we have ten minutes." Erma announced.

  She had pulled off Keira's

  wedding a month ago and now she was about to make mine success.

  "You look lovely Bianca. Its time to put you into that beautiful gown and marry you off to my baby boy."

  "Thank you for everything."

  "Thank you for giving him a son that will hopefully give him the headache he gave me." She said with a smile. "Now, let's get you married."

  The next ten minutes were rushed. All my maids were dressed in lavender dresses. I had a dark purple rose bouquet with diamonds encrusted on the silk binding the stem.

  Tony had spared no expense in making this wedding grand. Millions had been spent and I had not complained.

  After slipping on the exquisite diamond choker and earrings from the Harrington collection, I was set.

  "Now, ladies we will do as rehearsed. Madeline you go first, then Lorraine, Coleen and finally Keira. The bride comes after. Let's get moving."

  When they left one by one, I felt nervous. I was about to get married and start a whole new phase of my life.

  "Breathe Bea. You'll be fine." Erma urged me.

  She presented me to Wayne who walked me down the make shift aisle. We were getting married within the plush grounds of the Bellingerre Manor. It was breath taking.

  We had fewer guests than Keira and Jacob. Tony wanted it small and intimate. I liked it this way too.

  He was looking dazzling in his ash grey tux and lavender bow tie.

  Once I neared him, he reached out and took my hand. He gazed down at me in the most lovingly manner I had ever seen.

  "Are you ready to belong to me love?"

  "Yes I am Tony.
I'm ready."

  "Then lets do this already because it has taken far too long." He whispered.

  Once we were in front of our guests, he cupped my face. He was fighting the urge to kiss me and so was I.

  "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union between these two lovely people, James Lyons Bellingerre and Bea Bianca Buchanan. Now in the most unusual manner, they want to get right to the vows."

  Our guests laughed as Tony gazed down at me.

  "Bea, I knew you were the woman for me the moment I laid my eyes on you. I knew in that moment that you were the one I wanted. We've been through hell but what made it easier was the fact that we went through it together. Now in front of everyone I want to vow that I will go through anything and everything with you. In our highest highs, in our lowest lows, I will always be there because I love you."

  Tears were already stinging at my eyes. He gazed at me expectantly and I remembered I hadn't written my vows. I wanted to speak from the heart just as he had done.

  "Tony, I've given you hell and everything that could have sent any other man running. But you're not any other man. You're my man, my best friend, my lover and the father of our son. I have loved you yesterday, today and i will continue doing so tomorrow and forever. I love you."

  "I love you too." He responded.

  After that we exchanged our rings with Jacob presenting mine and Keira presenting Tony's. It was a perfect moment that should have been frozen for all eternity but I was sure Tony was dying to have his prize tonight.

  "I never imagined it would take us this long Bea, but finally, finally you're mine. All mine."

  "And I'll always be, now and forever."

  =================

  Epilogue

  Day before the wedding

  Cheryl's POV

  The bachelorette party was more than a success. We had had all the fun in the world. Everyone was happy all except for the one who planned it.

  Me.

  I had hoped the party would be a distraction from something that had been weighing me down.

  Since I returned from Cuba, Cole had been hot on my case. Cole had always been the guy who had watched me from a distance, the guy who never made a move on me. To have him all over me was a little unnerving and I was running scared.

  I feared love. Hell I didn't even believe in it.

  "Do you have an answer for me?" He asked as I swung on the pole.

  "Why so serious Michael?" I asked.

  I was a little tipsy.

  He touched the tip of my nose.

  "Let's go talk." He said.

  I hated talking.

  It meant I had to express myself and I hated that.

  "No." I declined only for him to shove me over his shoulder.

  We wound up in the back alley of the club where he had me pinned against the wall.

  "Cheryl, what have you decided?" He sounded impatient.

  "No. My answer is no."

  He looked a little annoyed but he kept it together.

  "I love you."

  I froze.

  It was not news but hearing it from him surprised me. I tried to free myself from his grip but it grew tighter.

  "You have no idea how much I love you. Do you?" He asked. "I have loved you all my life and still, you won't love me back."

  There was bitterness in his voice

  "What do you want me to do Cheryl? What can I do to make you love me?" He asked in a weak exasperated voice. "I'll do anything."

  I hated his desperation. I hated that I was making him this way. He had to know that I would never make him happy. I didn't deserve a man this good.

  "I'll never love you back." I told him.

  Instead of walking away, he kissed me.

  I loved it and I allowed it only for it to escalate into something else that grew rough and wild as he took me against the wall, my belly pressed hard against the wall.

  My moans filling the night air as he breathed hard, slammed into me so hard it felt unusually pleasurable.

  After he emptied himself inside me, he stopped and leaned down to my ear.

  "I love you Cheryl and I will try to kill that love. I think we're done here."

  He zipped up his pants and walked off. All I heard was his Bentley taking off as I stood there.

  I slowly pulled my short dress down and felt hot tears stinging my eyes.

  I could never be the woman he wanted, not even in a thousand years.

  Cole's POV

  I was done with loving Cheryl.

  I had given her all I had and now I had nothing more to offer. She had never looked my way and when she did, it never lasted.

  She was the one that got away, the one that always got away. What was the point of chasing after the wind?

  I needed a change, I needed to get away and I was never coming back.

  THE END