Live-In Position

by V. S. Tice

  “Let’s get going.”

  “We’re supposed to wait for Daddy.”

  “W-what?” I examined her face.

  She smiled.

  “I asked if he wanted to come with us. First, he said he couldn’t, but I gave him the pout face.” She imitated the face she’d given Dr. Bishop.

  “Oh.” I slowly grabbed her jacket from the closet.

  “Are we all ready?” He cleared his throat nervously.

  Turning around, I was a little taken aback by a casual Dr. Bishop. He had on a pair of dark blue jeans and a dark gray t-shirt; his hair was damp from showering and a little more unruly than usual. I almost swooned.

  Swooning over the Antichrist? Isn’t it a commandment that one shall not worship false gods? Whew, he was making it hard. Antichrist, Antichrist, he is the Antichrist. Check your purse to make sure you have your rosary.

  Dr. Bishop circled the mall parking lot a few more times than I would have. Apparently he either needed a special parking spot or just wasn’t used to parking his own car.

  “Where are we going first?” Victoria asked as Dr. Bishop opened the doors for us.

  “Wherever you want to go,” I shrugged.

  “Well, we need to stop at stores for you too,” she reminded me.

  “Hey, you’ve already made your opinion of my clothing clear, so zip it.” I tickled her side. She squirmed but didn’t release my hand. I turned to Dr. Bishop. “Did you have somewhere particular you needed to go?”

  “Um, actually, I was just tagging along because Victoria asked me to come with her.”

  I was amused because he seemed to be more unnerved than I was. I cleared the laugh from my throat.

  “Well, I don’t know how interesting the children’s stores will be for you, but that’s where we’re heading.”

  He nodded.

  “Then we are going to a store for you,” Victoria chimed in with a giggle. I think I even heard Dr. Bishop chuckle.

  “You’re going to get it.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she responded. “Can we go in there?” She pointed out a popular kids’ clothing store.

  “Sure thing.” As soon as we were through the entrance, Victoria let go of my hand and was a flash of red curls.

  She had ten outfits picked out and insisted on trying them all on. I took a seat in front of the dressing room. Dr. Bishop stood behind me. His discomfort with the dressing area was evident.

  “Okay, first outfit,” Victoria announced. Stepping out, she did a spin.

  I clapped. “Fabulous.”

  She giggled and went back into the dressing room. Ten outfits later, we were at the register with five of them, shoes and accessories included. She had also picked out two bathing suits. I’d tried to convince her she didn’t need a pair of shoes for each outfit, but Dr. Bishop simply told her to get them if she wanted them. He paid for her clothes and then grabbed the bags from my hands. Victoria dragged both of us to the next store.

  I swear she picked out enough outfits for twenty little girls. Now she was pulling me into a women’s clothing store.

  “Victoria, I can go shopping for myself later,” I argued with her. “We should go get lunch.” I started toward the food court.

  “Come on,” she groaned. “We’re already here.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me back into the store. “What size am I looking for?”

  “You think I’m going to just yell that out?” I snorted.

  Next thing I knew, she was behind me pulling on the back of my jeans, trying to get to my tag.

  “Hey!” I playfully swatted her away from my butt.

  “Size five,” she gloated.

  “Sneaky little booger.” I stuck my tongue out at her. .

  This time I really did hear Dr. Bishop chuckle. I turned around at the sound of it.

  “Don’t encourage her.”

  He smiled, another swoon moment. I began my Antichrist chant once again.

  “These are cute!” Victoria ran up with a pair of pink short shorts.

  “Yeah, and they should cover one half of my butt. I think I’ll pass.” I took the shorts and walked them back over to the table where she picked them up.

  “Fine,” she sighed.

  I quickly grabbed a couple pairs of shorts, t-shirts, new bras, bathing suit, and a sundress, and then headed to the register.

  “You need more than that,” Victoria argued.

  “I think that’s enough.” The cashier announced the total. I looked back to Victoria. “Definitely enough.” I laughed and handed the girl my card.

  “Miss Ashwood, you should just use the house card I gave you.”

  “Buying my clothes isn’t a necessity.” I started signing the receipt.

  “True, however, you wouldn’t be shopping if it weren’t for the vacation my family has planned,” he argued.

  “You’re as bad as your daughter,” I stated, still not looking back as I grabbed the bags from the counter. “Okay, that’s it. I’m starving.”

  “Fine,” Victoria huffed.

  Once out of the store, we headed to the food court.

  “I want pizza!” Victoria shouted.

  “Okay.” I walked her over to the line. We ordered her pizza and took her to a table next to the Chinese counter.

  Once she was settled, I set my bags down and got in a small line for Chinese while keeping an eye on Victoria. Dr. Bishop was walking around, probably trying to decide what he wanted.

  “Is this good?” His voice made me jump. He gave his crooked smile. “Sorry,” he apologized.

  “Um...yeah. It’s good, but I have a thing for Chinese food. If they had an addict group for it, I would probably need to attend.” Could I sound any more ridiculous? What was wrong with me?

  “I see.” I could hear amusement in his tone.

  We waited for our orders to be filled. Victoria was only a few feet away, but I was still nervous and kept my eyes on her. After a few minutes, the person behind the counter announced our orders together. Before I could do or say anything, Dr. Bishop held out his card.

  “They’re together.”

  “You don’t have to –”

  He thanked the cashier and looked at me with a smirk.

  “Thank you,” I said quietly and followed him toward the table.

  “You’re welcome, Miss Ashwood.” He didn’t look back.

  We sat down with Victoria who was finishing up her pizza.

  After the food court, we loaded our bags into the trunk. Victoria fell asleep during the trip home, and the car ride was completely silent until Dr. Bishop’s cell phone rang.

  “Bishop,” he answered.

  “Stefan, I don’t care what she wants. I want full custody, and I expect you to get it.” There was a long pause. “We’ve been over the details of her abandoning…the child with me. That should be enough.” Another pause. “I don’t care if she is her biological mother. She only wants her for the support money.”

  The next pause was longer. I shifted uncomfortably.

  “Tell Tad to be available tomorrow morning. I’ll be in around ten.” He snapped his phone shut and exhaled loudly. I sat there for a few moments, hoping we would pull up to the house soon.

  “I apologize,” he said coolly.

  “There really isn’t any need to.” I kept my eyes locked on the road ahead of us. We pulled up to the house and he shut off the car.

  “Thank you,” he said nervously.

  I was confused.

  “For…?” I glanced toward him.

  His eyes stayed on his steering wheel.

  “For waking me up. For making me remember she’s important. For opening my eyes to what I was missing.” Then he opened his door and climbed out.

  I MADE SURE I was up early the next morning to load the car for the coming weeks at Whidbey.

  “Miss Ashwood, you could’ve asked for help.” Dr. Bishop dropped his briefcase and hurried to help me with a large suitcase.

  “It’s okay,” I groaned an
d lifted the large, heavy bag into the back of the SUV. “I got it.” My breathing labored.

  “Please...” He moved me out of the way.

  “Dr. Bishop, you’re getting dirt on your suit jacket,” I pointed out.

  “Shit,” he grumbled.

  “Wait...here.” I handed him a stain-removing wipe I kept in the car.

  “Um...what is this?” He looked at me.

  I rolled my eyes and opened the packet. Pulling the wipe out, I moved closer to him and leaned down. The wipe quickly removed the marks on his blazer.

  “There.” I stood up and was immediately caught in the intensity of his eyes. His nostrils flared and his breathing sounded heavy. “I-I’m sorry if –”

  “Thank you,” he spoke curtly. He collected his briefcase and then climbed into his car. The scent of his cologne lingered in the air around me as I watched his every move. Once he was gone, I moved back into the house, making breakfast and getting Victoria out of bed. While she ate, I ran around her room, straightening up and grabbing a few last minute things. Back in the kitchen, I cleaned up our breakfast dishes and grabbed snacks for the road.

  Allison arrived about ten minutes after I’d finished everything. We were ready right on time.

  After a pleasant ferry ride, we pulled up to the house and parked. I climbed out of the car in awe, taking in the huge house with windows that stretched ceiling to floor on the front and side of the house. It was stunning.

  “So-ph-ia.” Victoria waved her hands in my face.

  “Huh?” I shook my head.

  “Come on, I’ll show you the inside.”

  We grabbed a couple of bags and went to explore. The house was huge, open, and beautiful. Just inside was a large open space with one wall made of windows overlooking the ocean, and a large stone fireplace on the opposite side of the room. Overstuffed furniture was placed throughout.

  The first few hours were spent carrying luggage and other things into the house. With William being the only guy, he got stuck with a lot of heavy things although Amber and I tried to help as much as possible. Once everything was in the house, we gathered the kids together for lunch. While they were eating, we heard another arrival. Glancing up from behind the kitchen island, I first saw a business suit and then saw Jonathan. I fought a shudder.

  “Good afternoon everyone.” He nodded to us all and walked over to his boys, kissing both their heads. We nodded back and mumbled good afternoon. I glanced back to the kids and felt Jonathan’s gaze linger on me – I couldn’t help but lose the fight against my shudder. When he finally left the kitchen, I fell back into an easy conversation with Amber and William. Allison’s voice gave away the next arrival.

  “Mommy!” she sang. Connor and Ilene had arrived. I sighed heavily and started to clean up the kitchen.

  The kids were finishing up when Max arrived. His boisterous voice carried in from the foyer. It wasn’t long after his arrival that Larissa and Allison appeared in the kitchen.

  “It’s time to head down to the beach.” Allison smiled and walked over to Gregory and Michael who hopped down from their seats and followed their mother. Allison looked up to William. “Make sure you have a blanket and jackets for them.” He nodded and headed toward the stairs.

  “Hey,” I stopped William. “Why don’t you head down and I’ll run up and grab jackets and blankets?” I looked at Amber. “You too.”

  “Are you sure?” Amber was bouncing MJ in her arms.

  “Yeah, take Victoria down with you and I’ll be down in a few.” I started for the stairs.

  “Sophia,” I looked back to William. “Across the driveway is a set of stairs that leads down to the beach.” I nodded, thankful he’d told me.

  I collected towels and jackets for Gregory and Michael, then moved on to find Ryan and MJ’s, and finally I grabbed towels and a jacket for Victoria. Shoving everything into two beach bags, I threw two large blankets over my shoulder. Halfway back down the hallway, a darkened figure brought me to a stop.

  “Sophia.”

  “Mr. Bedford,” I said curtly and tried to walk around him. He grabbed my arm and backed me against the wall. The bags and blankets fell to the floor when I pushed him back.

  “Please, call me Jonathan,” he sneered, appraising me.

  “Shouldn’t you be down at the beach?” Annoyance wrinkled my brow.

  He laughed. “I’ll head down…once we’re finished here.”

  “We’re finished. Step back, please,” I snapped.

  His hand ran up my arm.

  “Don’t,” I spat and smacked his hand away.

  “You’re such a beautiful girl.” His eyes bore into mine. “And feisty.”

  “You have a beautiful wife and children,” I countered.

  He snorted. “That evil, frigid, stuck-up snob is far from beautiful. Her appearance is deceiving.” His fingers moved up and danced across my neck.

  I jerked away from his touch. “Don’t touch me. It’s the last time I’ll warn you.”

  “What are you planning to do? Run and tell Collin?” He rolled his eyes.

  “You should probably know who you mess with before you make these kinds of moves, Mr. Bedford.” He smirked at my warning. “I assure you I don’t need someone to rescue me from you.” I shoved his chest – hard – but he barely budged.

  “There is such passion in you, Sophia. I admire it. You’re warm, smart, beautiful. It’s very rare in this family to see someone like you. I’m highly pleased.” He cupped my cheek and moved his face closer toward mine.

  “I warned you,” I growled.

  Grabbing the wrist belonging to the hand on my neck, I moved around his body and wrapped his arm against his back. My knee was pressed between his legs and I pushed him against the wall. He struggled for a moment, but I pushed his arm upward harder until he stilled.

  “Get off of me!” he yelled.

  “I told you not to touch me!” I shouted back. “Perhaps you should listen next time.”

  “My father was a police officer, Mr. Bedford. Do you think he would let his only daughter go through life without knowing self-defense?” He twisted his head to glare at me. “Don’t touch me again,” I exclaimed and then let him go. “I’m also very good with a gun.”

  He was rubbing his arm as I picked up the beach bag and blankets.

  “Maybe you should go spend time with your family.” I glowered at him before heading toward the stairs.

  Chapter Twelve

  I STOPPED IN the kitchen to gather bottles of water. When I walked out the front door I came face to face with Allison. Her eyes were narrowed and searching.

  “Excuse me,” I mumbled as I attempted to step around her.

  She stepped out of my way, but I could feel her hard eyes on me.

  “Where’s my husband?”

  “I wouldn’t know.” I kept my back to her and walked toward the beach.

  “Allison.” The surprise in Jonathan’s voice was obvious.

  “Jonathan.” Even I could hear the accusation in her words.

  “I was just coming to meet you down at the beach.” The bastard’s tone switched to jovial, revealing nothing. My footsteps came faster.

  Once I stepped foot on the beach, I kicked off my shoes and let my toes sink into the sand. It was a little cool but still felt good.

  “Let me help.” William appeared and started grabbing things from my arms.

  “Thanks,” I said with a smile.

  Amber and I stretched the blankets out on the sand.

  “It’s really pretty when the sun sets.” She stared out over the beach toward the sky.

  I looked around the beach and saw William helping Ryan and the twins bury Max in sand. Larissa stood holding MJ and laughing at them.

  “Ryan, I can’t believe you are burying me alive. Help, help!” Max pretended to be afraid and made gasping sounds. Ryan and the twins were in hysterics.

  “Mommy has taught him well,” Larissa smirked down at Max. Max feigned surprise and h
urt.

  “That’s it, woman,” Max chuckled and emerged from underneath the sand. Larissa squealed and shoved MJ into my arms. I quickly grabbed him as she took off running down the beach, Max chasing her, and Ryan following. Merriment floated around them. Max caught up to her and threw her over his shoulder, heading toward the water’s edge. I cradled MJ in my arms.

  “Maxwell Joseph Bishop, don’t you dare!” Larissa screamed.

  “Are they always like this?” I asked William. He nodded. “Can I be like them when I grow up?”

  He looked at me and started laughing.

  “Daddy!” At the sound of Victoria’s shout I turned and watched her run toward an approaching Dr. Bishop. Allison and Jonathan were close behind. A part of me felt a great sense of relief that he had arrived.

  The remainder of the evening went nicely. After Max started a beach fire and roasted hot dogs with the kids, everyone sat around to watch the sunset.

  Victoria and I were wrapped up in a blanket, sitting on the sand. She dozed off on my lap after a while. William and Amber collected the blankets, shoes, jackets, etc. I was wrapping Victoria’s limbs around me when Dr. Bishop appeared.

  “I’ll take her.”

  The shock of him actually wanting to interact with her, even if she were sleeping, slowed my response. After taking her from my arms, he started walking toward the wooden stairs that led back to the house. I helped William and Amber gather the remainder of our belongings and walked back to the house with them.

  As Collin entered the house with Victoria, Ilene shouted.

  “Collin, wake her and brush the sand off!”

  He stopped abruptly, and I accidentally bumped into his back.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled, taking a quick step back.

  He started walking again.

  “Collin, you’re going to track sand through the entire house,” Ilene scolded.

  “I’ll pay for someone to clean it,” he snapped, but it wasn’t loud enough for her to hear. I bit the side of my mouth.