by V. S. Tice
ONCE EVERYONE WAS finished with dinner, Victoria and Connor cleared the table while I loaded the dishwasher. Afterwards, I sent Victoria on her way to wash her sauce-covered face.
“He’s not really as stiff as he seems.” I jerked my head to Connor while loading the last dish into the dishwasher.
“I’m sorry?” Confusion filled my words.
“Collin,” he smirked. “He’s not really as cold as he often appears to be.”
I forced a smile but remained silent. Did he know? Had Collin told him? Or maybe Juliet? Was it obvious?
“He was the only one of our children who was, for the most part, raised by Ilene.” Connor had a small tinge of regret in his voice.
“Oh,” I said, starting to feel uncomfortable with the conversation.
“When Max was born, we hired Juliet, but by that time Ilene had Collin completely…trained.” He furrowed his brow and spoke with a little venom. “I tried to get him into other things,” he sighed, “but I was always so consumed with the hospital that I wasn’t around nearly enough.”
I knew a look of sympathy was painting my features. “Connor, everything will work out fine. Hopefully Allison will come to terms with everything and –”
“You’re good for him and for Victoria.” He chuckled at my shocked expression. “Hell, you might be good for all of us.” After taking a breath, he continued. “My dear, it’s not hard to see the way he is with you, how he has been with you since the very beginning.”
I wrinkled my brow.
“But he was just rigid and mean and –”
Connor shook his head to stop me.
“The way he used to – still does – watch everything you and Victoria do, and his incessant need to constantly correct what you’re doing, his agitation of other men in your presence, et cetera. The hard emotionless man is all a façade. It’s also when he acts most like his mother. You’ve thrown him for a loop.” Connor chuckled again. “Your free spirit and your, how should I put this, your way with words.” I raised an eyebrow at him. He laughed. “You don’t take his shit.”
I smiled sheepishly and looked at the counter. His heavy sigh brought my eyes back to his face.
“Don’t be afraid.” Connor leaned forward, kissed my forehead, and left me alone in the kitchen.
I stood there with my mind churning.
Once upstairs, I checked on Victoria. She was sitting at her desk drawing so I let her be. In my room, I sat down at my desk and fired up the laptop. I was getting to page ninety-eight when a small knock pulled me away from my writing. Victoria stuck her head into the room.
“Hey, you, what’s up?”
“What are you doing?” She plopped onto my couch and looked at me expectantly.
“I was writing. What are you up to?” I closed my laptop and focused on her.
“Nothing,” she shrugged.
Grabbing the remote on my way, I walked over to the couch. I sat down next to her and kicked my feet up on the coffee table. She sat back and leaned into my side. We sat that way and watched television. After a couple of hours, I nudged her side.
“You need to get ready for bed. It’s 9:30, little miss.”
She groaned.
“Come on, get up.” I nudged her again.
“Can’t I just finish this show?” She looked up at me with pleading eyes.
I narrowed my eyes on her. “Fine, but this is it.” We both settled back into our previous comfortable position.
Fifteen minutes later the door to my room opened, and Dr. Bishop entered in his pajamas. I had to admit – blue plaid had never looked so freaking hot.
“Hi, Daddy,” Victoria yawned, still leaning against my side.
“It’s pretty late, don’t you think?” He raised one lick-able eyebrow at her.
“No,” she yawned again. I laughed.
Dr. Bishop stepped over my propped up legs and settled into the couch next to Victoria. “What are we watching?”
Both Victoria and I stared blankly at him. He was joining us?
“Is someone going to answer me?” His cold demanding tone appeared. Aha! There’s the Antichrist. Victoria launched into a long explanation about the entire premise of the show.
After the show ended, it still took a strong effort to get Victoria up off the couch. My first attempt was thwarted when she curled into Dr. Bishop’s side. He froze for a moment but responded by wrapping his arms around her. My second attempt was met with a bottom lip being stuck out, which I easily grabbed onto and began gently tugging, teasing her that I would rip it off.
Finally we made it into her room, settled enough for bed. I read her a quick story before leaving her to slumber.
My bed was empty. My brow wrinkled in confusion, and I assumed he’d decided to go to his room instead of wait on me. As soon as I’d resolved on that conclusion, disappointment set in, but then the bathroom door opened and he stepped out. A large smile spread across his face and he made quick strides to reach me. Instinctively, I took a step back from his fast approach.
His hand reached out and cupped the back of my neck, pulling me to him. When his mouth met mine, he moaned against my lips, never once breaking contact. I heard the door click shut and the sound of the lock being turned.
Leaning back from the kiss, I tried to clear the lusty fog in my head. There was something I wanted to talk to him about, what the hell was…oh that feels good.
Pulling his face to mine, I nibbled on his bottom lip.
Did I just initiate this? I think I did. Cue internal high five to self.
Our lips molded together, our tongues battled for domination, and our clothes quickly disappeared. The last piece of clothing between us was my underwear.
“Dessert,” he whispered.
There were no more thoughts of talking for the rest of the night.
THE REST OF the week passed by too quickly, and soon I was preparing Victoria for her first supervised visitation. I had to fight back the tears threatening to slip out and swallow the large lump in my throat. The tears were for Victoria and the lump was because of my date with Dr. Bishop.
The clearing of a throat got both Victoria’s and my attention. Dr. Bishop stood in her doorway.
“Are you ready to go?”
Victoria shrugged with her head down. I hugged her and whispered into her ear.
“Remember, the cell phone is in your backpack’s hidden pocket.” She nodded slightly. “If you need anything you just hit one and it will call me. I programmed my number in there and promise to keep my phone with me at all times.”
Pulling back, I kissed her forehead before walking with her to the front door. She hesitantly let go of my hand as Dr. Bishop opened the front door. Before he followed her, he turned around and looked at me.
“Dress casually,” he grinned and his intense eyes stayed on me until the door closed.
Forty minutes and a grueling hair and outfit selection process later, we were in his sleek black car driving through Seattle. We parked in a garage near the Pike Place Market. I loved coming here.
“I hope this is alright.” He shut off the engine and looked over at me.
“It’s perfect.” I opened my door.
I was climbing out when he appeared next to me with a scowl on his face.
“What?”
“I wish you would allow me to get the door for you,” he grumbled lightly and shut my door. “Are men truly that ungentlemanly these days?”
“Sorry,” I murmured.
He offered me his arm and I slipped mine through. “Just don’t let it happen again.” Dr. Bishop planted a kiss to the side of my head and led us out of the parking garage.
We walked down the street for a few minutes before entering one of the market places. The familiar stands were full of colorful fruits and vegetables. I loved coming here. I quickly grabbed a reusable shopping bag and started picking things out.
I had to let go of Dr. Bishop’s arm so he took it upon himself to follow me closely, keeping hi
s hands on me as much as possible without getting in the way. At one point, I turned around and bumped into his chest. He took the opportunity to wrap his arms around me and kiss my forehead.
Looking up, I saw the Market Grill sign. “Let’s go in here.”
We entered the eatery and sat down at a table for two. A petite college girl immediately appeared to take our order. Her eyes lingered on Dr. Bishop for a few long moments before she listed off the specials and handed us a small menu. She took our drink order and then left, giving us time to look over the menu.
“How often do you come to the market?” I sat the closed menu on the edge of the table. Dr. Bishop shifted in his seat.
“Not very often,” he admitted, “but I assumed you would enjoy coming here.” When I didn’t say anything, I saw him shift uncomfortably. “Am I incorrect?”
“No, I like it here.” I smirked a little at him. “The clam chowder is good, and the seafood stew is too.”
“Which are you going to get?”
“The stew,” I answered, folding my arms onto the table and leaning on them.
“Then I’ll get the chowder.” He placed his menu down on mine and the waitress appeared instantly.
“Are you ready?” She set two glasses of ice water down and looked at Dr. Bishop eagerly.
I bit the side of my mouth while he placed the order for both of us. The waitress was quick to hurry off.
“I hope that was alright.” I raised my brow questioningly. “That I ordered for you.”
I shrugged and then half grinned. “Just don’t let it happen again.”
He smiled broadly. “You are quite the smartass, aren’t you?”
“Well, we all need to have a talent.” I shrugged.
“Hmm…I can think of other talents you have.” He leaned forward, elbows on table. Those intense green eyes felt like they were penetrating my skin.
“Where did you learn such table talk?” I playfully scoffed, but then silence fell between us. I wanted to break it before it got uncomfortable.
“How was Victoria?” I asked in a low tone.
“She was nervous and a little scared.” He sighed heavily. “You know I wouldn’t take her if I could get away with it?”
“I know. It’s just hard to see her so upset.”
His hand stretched out across the table in my direction, palm up. I placed my hand in his.
“You’re wonderful with her.”
I smiled small, glancing at the table and our joined hands
“I’m serious.” He squeezed my hand. “I’ve watched her grow since you‘ve been with her. She was always content, and I was fine with that, but now, well, now she has you.”
“Well, she’s a great little girl,” I shrugged. “It’s easy to love her.”
“Hmm,” he silently snorted.
“What?” My brow furrowed.
“Is it wrong to be jealous?” He gave me an amazing crooked grin.
Before I could answer, the waitress came back with our bowls and bread. Our hands separated and I placed my napkin on my lap. We ate in a comfortable silence. As I was finishing my stew, I glanced up at him. He sat back in his chair, watching me.
“What?” I wiped my face, praying I didn’t have some glob on it.
“You are surprisingly easy.”
I burst into laughter and covered my mouth quickly. He caught on a moment later.
“I swear that’s not what I meant.” He couldn’t fight off his chuckle. It escaped his chest though he attempted to control it.
“Uh-huh, sure you didn’t,” I teased him.
“What I meant,” he took a breath to calm his laughter, “was that it’s very simple to be with you.”
“Thanks, I think.”
We walked out of the Market Grill hand-in-hand and browsed the market a little longer. I found the Oriental Mart and went crazy getting things to make Chinese dinner for Victoria and me. Fresh ginger and homemade noodles, almost too much to fit into my bag. I tried to carry the bag, since I was the one who had packed it full, but Dr. Bishop wouldn’t have any of that as we continued to walk. A childlike persona seemed to emerge. I started to see a side of him that reminded me of Victoria.
Entering the Market Cellar Winery, Dr. Bishop immediately looked at the bottles critically. He lifted a couple and then replaced them with a wrinkled nose. Swiftly and smoothly, he walked toward the person at the counter.
“Excuse me, do you have anything better than what is out front?”
I scanned the different colored bottles stacked along the walls in the massive wine racks and on shelves. I could hear Collin and the sales person having a discussion about wine.
Shopping with him was new and having lunch together was interesting. He had really thought about where we should go, and the fact was, he had planned well. Collin’s hand on my lower back brought me out of my thoughts.
“You ready?”
“They didn’t have what you wanted?” We exited the store.
“Oh, yes.” He raised a new reusable bag so I could see the tops of two bottles.
We walked a little further until I saw the restroom sign.
“I’ll be right back.” I pointed to the restroom sign before I hurried off.
Once finished, I washed my hands and stepped out of the bathroom. I stopped short. Collin was leaning against the wall opposite the bathroom door.
“Hey.” I slightly tilted my head at him.
“Hello.” He pushed up off the wall and stepped toward me, his hand behind his back.
“What are you hiding?” I craned my neck to see behind him, but he moved so I couldn’t see. “What is it?” I laughed. We began doing this crazy circle dance in front of the public restrooms, our laughter filling the space around us, and people looking at us strangely as they passed by.
“Are you always this nosy?” he chuckled. “Maybe it’s a surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises.” I faked a pout.
“If you keep sticking your lip out like that, I am going to suck it off of your face.” He moved in closer and spoke to me in a breathy whisper.
I quickly sucked my lip back in, and my breathing hitched. He smirked. Our faces were getting extremely close. I was enraptured in his eyes. The giggles of a small child snapped me out of the trance. I stepped back from him and grabbed his arm.
“We should get moving,” I mumbled with a little bit of embarrassment.
“These are for you.”
In his extended hand were a bunch of wildflowers. I looked at them and then to him. I kissed his cheek.
“Thank you.” I took the flowers and brought them toward me.
“Thank you.” He smiled.
“For what?” I looked up at him as we walked back toward the parking garage.
“For saying yes.” He released my hand and wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me tightly to him.
I allowed him to open my door when getting into the car and even to get out when we arrived back to the house. He walked me up to the front door and stopped.
“What’s wrong?” I was confused.
“Thank you for a lovely afternoon.” He leaned forward and kissed me. I kissed him back. Too soon, he pulled back and started walking toward the car.
“Where are you going?” The words just fell out of my mouth. He looked at me with a grin.
“I need to pick up Victoria.”
I could feel the warmth spread on my face and chest, smiling in excitement and relief. The excitement was that Victoria was coming home, and the relief was that he wasn’t just walking away from me.
Victoria returned in a pleasant mood. I was just happy everything seemed to go well with her visit. We went through her normal nightly routine and made plans for our last day of the summer vacation before she returned to school on Monday. I could tell she was tired, but I didn’t think she would fall asleep so quickly. She didn’t even make it through five pages of our bedtime story.
I placed the book back on her bookshelf and s
lowly walked back to her bed. I leaned down and tucked her in. With a kiss to her head, I turned to leave. My hand flew up over my mouth to stifle my gasp. Once calm, I removed my hand.
“Damn it, don’t do that!” I hissed quietly.
His smile was wide enough to light up the room. “I didn’t mean to scare you,” he whispered and walked toward Victoria. In one fluid motion, he bent over her and kissed her head. As I followed him out of her room, I noticed he was in his pajamas and grinned.
Dr. Bishop paused just outside of her door. I walked around him.
“Good night,” I said, trying not to laugh. He didn’t say anything. I composed myself. “Oh, did you want to sleep in my room?” I batted my eyelashes and laid the innocence on thickly.
“Don’t tease me, Miss Ashwood,” he growled and stalked toward me.
I burst into laughter but then squealed when he wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me up. He carried me into my room and closed the doors behind us.
“Put me down,” I giggled quietly.
“Once we reach the bed,” he retorted with actual humor in his voice.
“What? You think I’m the type of girl that puts out on a first date?” I scoffed teasingly. As soon as the words left my mouth, I was tossed on the bed with a grinning Dr. Bishop crawling toward me. Just when I thought he was going to get straight to clothing removal, his fingers dug into my side and tickled me.
“STOP, OH GOD, STOP!” I begged.
“Are you going to tease me again?” he chuckled.
“NO!” I screamed and gasped for air when he stopped.
“Good.”
“Jerk,” I quipped. With a smack to his arm, I got out of bed.
That night I climbed into bed with Collin, not Dr. Bishop. Once I was under the covers, he moved closer to me and wrapped his arms around me.
“Am I truly a jerk?” His voice was quiet.
“Sometimes,” I answered, running my fingers through his hair.
I felt his arms tighten around me. Just when I was about to ask him what he was thinking, his voice stopped me.