Live-In Position

by V. S. Tice

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “You look sad?”

  “I do?” I went back to the chicken and rolled my eyes at myself. She wasn’t stupid. She could tell something was off.

  “Are you still mad at Daddy about your car?”

  I spun around, surprised she even knew about the truck.

  “No, of course not.”

  “Then why are you sad?” Her small brow furrowed. “Are you leaving?” She wouldn’t look at me. Her eyes were tightly clenched shut. My heart ached at the sight.

  It took four long strides to round the bar and put my arms around her. “No. I’m not leaving.”

  Tension melted from her body and her arms wrapped around my waist. We stayed that way for a while. The smell of burning food ended our embrace.

  “I think the chicken is burnt,” I chuckled.

  She giggled and pulled her face from my shirt. Cold dampness spread on my chest. I hadn’t even realized she’d been crying.

  “Pizza?”

  She nodded excitedly. I turned off the chicken and went for the phone.

  Two more days passed. It was early Sunday afternoon. Having decided the night before I needed to get Victoria out of the house and into fresh air, I made plans for a picnic at the park and playground time. She was surprised and excited when I told her our plans.

  We were placing the picnic basket, blankets, and other things by the door when Collin emerged from his office and decided he would join us. His mood had become better and his lingering lessened. He had made breakfast with Victoria a regular event, thrilling Victoria, which in turn thrilled me.

  The minute the blanket was on the ground, Victoria was begging for the playground. I pretended to debate if she was allowed or not before giving in to her pout face. Collin and I followed her to the brightly colored bars and black rubber swings.

  I was a little surprised when his hand slipped into mine. We walked hand in hand, publicly, finding a bench to sit and watch Victoria. It took me awhile to get comfortable with his attention, especially in front of the other families in the park. Just when comfort set in and I leaned back into his chest, one of his acquaintances stepped in front of us. I stiffened.

  “Dr. Bishop, it’s good to see you.” A tall blonde man held out his hand with a large bright smile on his face.

  “Dr. Greer, how are you?” Collin stood from the bench and grasped the man’s hand firmly.

  “I don’t think I have ever seen you out here before.”

  “Yes, yes, well, I’m learning to live a little lately.” I swear to god he blushed. Then both men glanced in my direction when I moved.

  “Excuse me,” I gave a small smile and tried to walk over to Victoria.

  “Harry, please let me introduce you to Sophia.” Collin grasped my arm and held me against his side.

  “Well, it’s a pleasure to me you.” He held out a hand, I took it.

  “It’s nice to meet you as well.” I smiled uncomfortably. “I’m going to check on Victoria.” I excused myself again and walked over as Victoria slid down the bright yellow pole. Catching her at the bottom, I tickled her sides.

  “Ahh…stop!” she laughed out.

  “Are you hungry yet?”

  She nodded. Clasping hands, we walked over to Collin. He and Dr. Greer were still talking. We only caught the end of something Dr. Greer was saying.

  “…fiancé. That’s fantastic.”

  For a moment I was curious about the conversation. Who was a fiancé? Dr. Greer had a bright gold band on his left hand, and he couldn’t possibly be old enough to have a daughter who would be getting married, could he?

  “Daddy, we are going back for the picnic.” Victoria released my hand and hopped to his side, effectively ending their conversation and my horrible eavesdropping.

  “Ah, well then I’ll come with you.” He looked down at her lovingly before kissing the top of her head. Turning back to Dr. Greer, he said his goodbyes and excused himself. We walked back to the dark green blanket.

  Once lunch was eaten and cleared away, Collin sat against a tree next to us. I pulled out the mermaid book I’d been reading to Victoria. He pulled me between his legs with my back against his chest and I mimicked the position with Victoria.

  With his hands on my sides, he ran his nose along my neck. Although I tried not to get distracted, I was. I prompted Victoria to read to us for a bit. She was hesitant until Collin urged her to read to him.

  She read, with some help, while Collin held and nuzzled me. My hands found themselves a home on his upper thighs while I tried to focus on Victoria’s words. He bit down lightly on my neck and I shivered. I could feel his proud smile against my skin so I tugged at his hair. His low growl made Victoria look at him for a second.

  “Sorry,” he apologized quickly.

  He attacked my sides with his fingers and soon Victoria forgot about the book, joining in the tickle battle. I barely survived. Collin’s cell phone pulled us out of our laughter fits.

  “Hello?” Collin was breathless, still chuckling, and had never looked sexier. His face fell and I sat up, wrapping Victoria close to me. “Okay, I will see you then.” He hung up and looked at both of us.

  “What’s wrong?” Victoria’s words were merely a breath.

  “We have to be at the courthouse tomorrow afternoon.” He sighed heavily. “Victoria will need an early dismissal to attend as well.”

  The tears formed in my eyes, but I refused to let them spill over. Nothing was certain yet. We didn’t know what was going to happen, and I had to look at that in a positive light or I would really lose it.

  UNLIKE THE BEAUTIFUL sunny and warm day we had the previous day, the rain seemed to mimic the way Victoria and I were both feeling. Collin also seemed pained, but I couldn’t tell if that was because of the meeting or if it was because we were so sad.

  While I took Victoria to school, Collin checked in with the hospital and took care of some arrangements he needed to make. I decided being home alone was the worst thing I could do so I called Miranda.

  “Hey, you!” she squealed into the phone.

  “It’s been too long,” I sighed happily. Her voice was familiar and warm. I truly missed her. “How was the honeymoon?”

  “Oh, Soph, it was so great. We had such a wonderful time. I’m sorry I haven’t called you since we got back.”

  “Don’t worry about it, things get a little crazy.” I told myself I wouldn’t get upset, that I would make this a fun call, but I failed and Miranda saw straight through it.

  “Uh-oh, what’s going on?”

  “Nothing, just a meeting today at the courthouse with Victoria’s mother,” I sighed.

  “That crazy bitch still thinks she has a chance?”

  “Rand,” I giggled, “you certainly have a way with words.”

  “Well, this is just insane. Hey, let’s get together. Meet me at the coffee shop, okay?” There was no arguing with her. She wouldn’t hear about meeting another time so we hung up, agreeing to meet in twenty minutes.

  Rand’s car was already there when I pulled to the curb. I put money in the meter and hurried inside, out of the rain.

  “Sophia!” She pulled me into a huge hug. We squeezed each other for a long time. It felt so good to have her familiar comfort today.

  “Oh god, I’ve missed you.”

  “You too. I already got your coffee so have a seat. I brought honeymoon pictures too.”

  I sipped some coffee and looked through her pictures. The Caribbean looked beautiful, and their room was spectacular. Apparently, from what Miranda told me, “Dr. Bishop” arranged for their honeymoon to be upgraded. My heart fluttered at his name.

  “So are you ready to talk to me about what’s been going on?” She sipped at her tea. I had no idea where to begin. “Why don’t we start with who it is you‘ve been seeing?” She raised a brow at me.

  I licked my suddenly dry lips and swallowed a large drink of coffee.

  “Yeah, about that –”


  “Oh, just spill it already.” She leaned forward with a gleam in her eye.

  “Yeah, um…his name is Collin.” I peeked up at her from under my lashes.

  Her brow furrowed. “I need a last name, I don’t know a—”

  I cut her off. “Collin Bishop.” I clenched my eyes tightly as the words left my lips, but then it felt like a massive weight had been lifted. It was like ripping off a band-aid.

  “Collin Bishop?” she choked out. “Dr. Bishop?” She paused with wide eyes. “Dr. Collin Bishop?”

  “Yes, those would technically all be the same man.” I smiled small and sipped at my coffee as nonchalantly as I possibly could.

  “Holy shit, Sophia,” she gasped. “How, why, when? How?”

  After the rash of embarrassment left my face, I launched into the story. I told her everything from Grace on her knees, to drunken make-out sessions, sex, flowers, and his statement of love, Victoria discovering us, and our current situation. Surprisingly, getting it all off my chest felt a lot better than I thought it would.

  Miranda sat with a dazed looked on her face. She didn’t speak.

  “Rand?” I waved my hand in front of her face. “Earth to Rand.”

  “You thought you were pregnant and you didn’t call me?” she exclaimed.

  Now it was my turn to sit stunned. After all I said, she was most concerned about that?

  “Really? That’s what you are asking about?” My face was scrunched in confusion.

  “Well, I mean—” she stammered.

  “What is it?”

  “Um, I’m pregnant.” Miranda’s face lit up with the largest smile.

  I screamed and jumped up. She stood with me. I wrapped my arms around her.

  “I just found out a couple of days ago, and we just told our families.”

  “Oh my god, this is so great. I am so happy for you!” We both sat back down.

  “Too bad you aren’t too,” she winked.

  The coffee in my mouth sprayed onto the table. She giggled furiously, and I yanked a million napkins from the holder to soak it all up.

  “That is so not funny.” I bit back my laugh.

  “I still can’t believe you’re with Dr. Bishop.” She shook her head. “I bet he is really passionate in bed.” My face flushed red, I could feel it. “He is, isn’t he?” she demanded. “Is he like a Dom in bed?”

  I shook my head and buried my face in my hands. She laughed harder.

  We sat there for at least three hours and ended up having lunch together before going our separate ways. Miranda had to get ready for a celebration dinner with both Benji and her parents. Everyone was thrilled about the baby.

  After the coffee shop I went back to Victoria’s school and picked her up. We raced back to the house. I quickly freshened up and dressed while Victoria ate a snack. Collin arrived shortly after we finished getting ready. Driving to the courthouse in silence, my hand was locked in Collins.

  Stepping out of the car felt like we had arrived to a funeral. Walking into the building felt like I was heading in for my death sentence. We signed in at the front desk and greeted Mr. Stryker, Collin’s attorney. They talked in hushed tones as we walked down the long hallway. I didn’t hear one word of what they were saying. My eyes were fixated on one thing.

  In what had to be the only conservative piece of her wardrobe, Grace sat on a bench just outside of the judge’s chamber. The sneer on her face was clearly meant for me, and having lost any sense of control where this bitch was concerned, I glowered back.

  Collin must have felt the change in my body because he pulled me closer to his side. I clutched Victoria against me. Grace’s eyes fell from my face onto Victoria.

  “Oh baby,” she purred and made her approach. Victoria buried herself into my side and held onto me tightly. Grace stopped her advance and glared at me. I held Victoria tighter. Grace and I held the most intense stare-down I’d ever participated in.

  She blinked first when the judge’s door opened. I silently declared myself the champion.

  “Good afternoon.” He stepped forth and took in the atmosphere of the room. His eyes landed on Victoria, who was still buried in my side, covering her face

  “What’s the matter, my dear?” He knelt down so he could be at eye level with her. She uncovered her hidden face and looked at him.

  “I don’t want to go with her,” she whispered.

  “Who?” he inquired.

  “Her.” Victoria nodded her head toward Grace.

  “I see.” He gave a firm nod in understanding.

  “If you will, Ms. Gold, Mr. Dygger.” The judge motioned for counsel to enter his chamber. Then he turned toward Collin and Mr. Stryker. “Dr. Bishop, Mr. Stryker?”

  Collin kissed Victoria on the top of her head before he kissed me on the temple, which caused me to tense.

  “Please go along with what I do?” he whispered into my ear.

  Mr. Stryker, Collin’s lawyer, stopped beside me before heading toward the door. I looked to him.

  “I wanted to congratulate you.” He smiled and disappeared into the judge’s chambers.

  Congratulate me? What the hell was he talking about? The judge pulled me from my thoughts.

  “Miss Ashwood.”

  “Yes, Your Honor?” My eyes roamed to his face.

  “Mrs. Foster will be coming for Victoria shortly.”

  “Okay, thank you,” I smiled.

  Mrs. Foster arrived quickly and escorted Victoria into the room across the hall. I could hear a small commotion in the judge’s chamber, and I wondered what was going on. I jinxed myself because the door swung open and Collin stepped out, looking at me with a strange expression.

  “Sophia, could you please join us?” Collin held out his hand.

  I got closer to him and he mouthed, “Please,” before he closed the door and pulled my chair out.

  When he sat down close to me, I felt a bit uncomfortable. I didn’t know what was going on or what I was supposed to do. Why didn’t he tell me before we got here?

  “Miss Ashwood.”

  I looked up to the judge. “Yes, Your Honor?” My fingers seemed to have a mind of their own, twisting into knots on my lap. Suddenly, Collin’s hand was grasping my right hand. I stiffened, but he didn’t try to hide the fact that he was touching me.

  “It’s my understanding that you and Dr. Bishop have developed a more personal relationship?” I nodded. “Okay, when did this relationship begin?”

  Oh god, how was I supposed to know what he told them or when he thought that our relationship began? Was it the first drunken make-out session or was it—?

  “Miss Ashwood?” I was snapped from my inner dialogue back to the reality in front me.

  “Well, I can only speak for myself, but I would say it has been a few months.” I cleared my throat nervously. Collin rubbed circles with his thumb on the back of my hand.

  “Honestly, my dear, I believe it started for the doctor much, much sooner,” the judge chuckled.

  I swallowed hard. My mouth was suddenly dry, and I didn’t think I could answer another question.

  “I don’t see what else I can do but to congratulate our couple here and to inform you, Ms. Gold, that you can visit with your daughter in the Bishops’ home. If you wish to ever have a chance for any type of custody of your daughter, you are required to attend parenting classes and therapy.”

  Grace opened her mouth, but her lawyer silenced her. She furrowed her brow and continued anyway. “But it’s okay for him to cavort with the nanny in the presence of my daughter? How is that appropriate?”

  The judged sighed heavily. “We‘ve already discussed that Miss Ashwood is no longer an employee of Dr. Bishop now that they are engaged.”

  I froze. Collin’s hand tightened on mine – a silent pleading to hold in the words that would shatter this created pretense.

  Engaged, no longer employed. Engaged?

  With a quick glance to Collin he barely mouthed “please” again but kept his ey
es toward those in front of us. There was a large lump in my throat, a scream threatening to explode.

  Grace grumbled and pouted, throwing herself back into her chair. I was still trying to wrap my head around what had been said. Soon everyone was standing, and Collin was helping me from my seat. We emerged from the room. Victoria was quietly waiting with Mrs. Foster on the bench. She smiled brightly and ran to me.

  It was so hard, but I had to pull myself out of the haze that had engulfed me. Clearing my head, I focused on Victoria.

  “How was it?” I asked her.

  “It was great. Look at all the stickers I got this time.” She beamed and pointed out six different stickers stuck to her school uniform.

  “Those are awesome.”

  “Can we go now?” she looked to Collin.

  “Of course,” he spoke quietly. An unusual nervousness was evident in his voice.

  The car ride was quiet. My mind was still processing the word engaged.

  Did he plan this in advance and didn’t let me in on it before shocking the hell out of me? Is this his morbid way of proposing? Oh dear god, I really need a drink.

  We pulled into the driveway. I got out of the car fast, helping Victoria from the back seat before walking to the door. Once inside, Victoria ran off to change out of her uniform and get her homework started. I went straight to the kitchen.

  “Sophia?”

  With my hand on the refrigerator’s steel handle, I looked at him. Nervous lines creased his forehead and worry filled his eyes.

  “Why would you do this?” I whispered.

  “You know why.” He stepped closer to me.

  “Your fiancé? No longer employed? I no longer have a job?”

  Now barely a foot away from me, the sigh that left him was ragged and washed over my face. He ran a hand through his hair.

  “I terminated your contract with the service.” He looked into my eyes, but the tears pooling in them made his face look like an out of focus photo. “But you aren’t leaving.” His hands were on my shoulders. “You will still be paid just like—”