As much as she wanted more time with Lilly, she was well aware that the pain of rejection had been so much worse. Not that she had fully forgiven him for his putrid treatment of her. She kept reminding herself what a huge mistake it would be to let her heart soften toward him. Been there, done that. She fought back the tears that had puddled in her eyes and gave herself a stern lecture. Suck it up! Nothing you can do about the past.
“Rat, are you all right?” She jumped at the interruption, unaware that he had been standing in the doorway watching her.
“Fine.” Her voice came out in a hoarse croak that betrayed the lie she had just told.
“I don’t think so. Can we talk for a while?” Her heart sank at the thought of how vulnerable she felt right now.
“Sure. Is there a problem?” She sat back in her chair and braced herself for the blow she was anticipating.
“No. First I’d like to thank you for so many things. For Lillyanna. For allowing me the opportunity to get to know her. I know this is hard on you, and I really appreciate the generous way you’ve shared her with me. It can’t be easy to step back and let me take control sometimes.” He paused and looked at the floor before making eye contact again.
“But…”
“Don’t panic, I have a little gift for you. No biggie, really.” He handed her an unwrapped gift box.
She grabbed the box eagerly and ripped the top off. God, she loved surprises! A gasp escaped her lips as she lifted the coffee mug out of the box. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes when she saw the picture of Lillyanna boldly splashed across the front, with the words ‘WORLDS GREATEST MOM’ written in crayon-type script below her adorable picture. Immediately she remembered the moment the picture was taken, bath time the first day Ryker had taken up residence in the house.
“Oh, Ryker, I love it! Thank you.” Before thinking about it, she flew around her desk and embraced him tightly. “This is the best gift, ever.” She stepped away from him, feeling a little embarrassed by her impulsive behavior. At least he returned her embrace.
“I’m glad you like it. I have to confess, I got one made for myself. Of course I left off the WORLDS GREATEST MOM.” His crooked grin was adorable. With a jump she smacked her mind back to attention. What was she thinking? Stay aloof, or you’ll be heart broken when he runs away again. My heart can’t take that kind of punishment.
“Umm, RayeAnn, there was one other thing I wanted to talk to you about. Nothing bad, I promise. I just want to do more for you and the baby. I want things to be more…official.”
“How much more official can things get? You’re already listed as her father on her birth certificate. Seems to me that’s pretty official. What else is there?”
“Financial responsibility and being included in her medical visits.”
“I don’t need any financial help, and I’ll be happy to add you to her medical authorization forms at the pediatrician’s office. I know you would never do anything to harm her. I see the love pour out of you every time you’re in the same room with her. She has an appointment in two weeks for a well child check and you’re welcome to come along. I’ll change the paperwork then.”
“Great. That would be great. One other thing…”
Her heart sank with dread. Here it comes. She braced herself for the blow she was sure was coming.
“Shoot.”
“I’d like to invite my mother to come over and meet Lilly. I haven’t told her anything yet, because I wanted to spend some time alone with Lilly first. She’s going to be so thrilled. She was a great mom and I’m sure she’ll be an even better grandmother, if that’s even possible. I’ll try…”
“Ryker, I think that’s a fabulous idea. I’d love for Lilly to have a grandparent. Both my parents are deceased.” The more she talked, the faster the tears ran down her face. No matter how hard she tried to keep it from happening, her heart softened. It touched her that he was proud of his daughter and wanted to show her off. He stepped forward and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, lingering to cup her cheek in his palm. Before she knew what was happening he was kissing her. Gently brushing his lips over hers repeatedly until he finally latched on and thrust his tongue along the seam of her lips. A squeaky cry through the intercom broke them apart like two kids caught necking on their parents’ couch.
She cleared her throat and spoke, “So when would you like to have your mother over?” Nervous, she smoothed down her top and fussed with an imaginary lint ball. What the hell had she done? Getting involved could only lead to disaster. She needed to step back and let her emotions settle.
“As soon as possible. I’ll call her after lunch and let you know for sure.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a smile and his eyes had a satisfied glint to them.
“Cool. I promise I won’t interfere while she’s here.” Good. Remember, distance, aloof calm.
“I don’t want you to hide. I’d love for her to meet you and get to know you. I think she knows I didn’t bring Lilly into the world all by myself.”
“Well, I just thought since it’s her first time meeting Lilly, it might be too much to handle all at once.”
“She can do it. Wait ‘till you meet her, she’s wonderful, really.” Another squeak, this one more angry and demanding than the last, blasted through the house.
“Better see what little tidbit wants. I’ll let you know what happens later.”
She watched him jog toward the nursery, listening as he cooed gently to the baby while he changed her diaper. She burst out laughing when she heard a disgusted “yuk!”, knowing he had a mess on his hands. Even Lilly giggled at the exclamation.
“You think that’s funny, huh? You, little tidbit, have a sick sense of humor.”
She half expected him to bellow for her to come and help, but to his credit he handled it all by himself. Now he was a parent.
********
Three days later RayeAnn found her self pacing nervously around the kitchen, ready to jump as soon as the doorbell rang. She had just finished feeding Lillyanna, and Ryker was changing her diaper and getting her all dressed up in a frilly dress, white tights with ruffles on the butt and a matching stretchy headband on her unruly hair. This stepping back business was a lot harder than she’d thought it would be. When she heard the crunch of tires on the gravel driveway, she jogged her way to the front door. It felt good to expend some of her pent up energy.
She opened the front door and pasted on what she hoped was a welcoming smile for Ryker’s mother. The woman at her door returned her smile with warmth and friendliness that put RayeAnn at ease.
“Mrs. Whitcombe, I’m RayeAnn Trenton. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She opened the screen door wide and motioned Lilly’s grandmother into the house.
Darcy Whitcombe was nothing like the image she had in her mind of the way a grandmother would look. Her hair was short and blonde. Her vivid blue eyes matched her son’s. She dressed in smartly pressed denim jeans and an obviously new sweatshirt that proclaimed PROUD GRANDMOTHER across her ample chest. Well, that at least confirmed what Ryker had told her about how his mother had taken the news of being a grandmother. Ecstatic wasn’t the half of it.
“I’m so happy to meet you. You’re just as beautiful as my son described you. Thank you so much for allowing me to come today. I realize this isn’t easy for you, but you have nothing to fear from me. I’m thrilled to death.”
“Yes, I see.” She motioned to the front of Darcy’s sweatshirt. “Honestly, I’m thrilled that you’re here. I love the idea of Lillyanna having a grandparent. Every child needs some unconditional love and spoiling to counterbalance the discipline and rules of her parents. It’s one of my fondest memories of childhood, being spoiled stupid by my grandmother.”
“Oh, thank God. Here I thought I’d have a fight on my hands over the whole spoiling business.”
“Not from me, anyway. I can’t speak for Ryker, though.”
“I’ll handle Ryker. Speaking of the devil, where is he?”
> “He’s in the nursery waiting to make a grand entrance with Lilly. Are you ready?”
With a quick nod and her hands clasped tightly together she waited.
“Ryker, bring her out.”
RayeAnn watched as the woman’s mouth gaped open and tears filled her eyes. Lillyanna was babbling her baby talk and pulling Ryker’s hair unmercifully as he walked toward his mother. Lilly only noticed her grandmother when Ryker began to introduce them to each other.
“Lillyanna Juliet Trenton, I would like to introduce you to your grandmother Whitcombe.”
Fearlessly the baby leaned toward Darcy, holding her arms out to be snatched into the woman’s embrace. She babbled her baby talk to Darcy as if she understood every word.
RayeAnn joined in the tearfest when she saw the loving look on Mrs. Whitcombe’s face. Ryker grabbed her by the waist and embraced her tightly, kissing her lightly on the top of her head as his eyes also puddled. It was a beautiful sight. One she would file away for a lifetime of memories. Finally coming to her senses, she broke from his embrace and ushered everyone into the nursery. Darcy instinctively took a seat in the rocking chair and began to rock the baby gently while Lilly explored all her shiny jewelry. Baby likes her bling.
“Well, I’ll be in the library if you two need anything. I promise I’ll turn off the intercom in there. Just let me know if you need anything. I don’t want to interfere.”
“Don’t be silly. How could you interfere in your own home?”
“None the less, I’ll give you three some privacy.” And she was out the door before anyone could voice a protest. She closed her eyes and let the wave of pain pass over her. God, she missed her mom.
She sat at her desk and, as promised, flicked off the intercom on her desk. After taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she dove into her work. Two hours later she decided to make some coffee and set out the snack trays she had prepared in the middle of the sleepless night she’d had.
RayeAnn gently tapped on the open door jam of the nursery. Now Ryker was in the rocking chair and Lilly was doing everything she could to fight off the sleep that kept trying to take her over.
“Mrs. Whitcombe, I’ve made a fresh pot of coffee and set out some snacks in the kitchen. Can I bring you something?”
“Don’t be waiting on me. I’m perfectly capable of walking and helping myself, dear. I do believe I would like a cup of coffee, thank you. Lead the way.”
She did as she was told and motioned for her guest to have a seat on the stool at the island in the kitchen. She poured three mugs of coffee and excused herself to take Ryker his. By the time she returned to the kitchen she found Mrs. Whitcombe happily munching on the cheese and crackers while her feet swung back and forth from the stool. When she started to leave, Mrs. Whitcombe laid a gentle hand on her arm to stop her.
“Please stay. I hate to eat alone. No matter how long my husband’s been gone, I still can’t get used to eating alone. Silly, I know, but I can’t help it. Tell me how things are going with Ryker living here.”
“Really, really well. Much better than I expected, actually, once we quit fighting over who got the baby and when.” She chuckled and felt the heat of a blush cover her face.
“I’m glad to hear that. I’ve never seen my son so proud, and we both have you to thank for that. He loves that little girl and you with all his heart, you know?”
“Not me, just Lilly. Without her he wouldn’t be here at all. Don’t go romanticizing this arrangement, Mrs. Whitcombe. That’s not what this is about. When Ryker gets tired of playing house he’ll be gone again. I’ve no illusions otherwise and neither should you.”
“I don’t believe that for a minute. But then that’s none of my business, is it. Not unless it pertains to Lilly, that is.”
“If you’re worried about not seeing her if he leaves, don’t. I’ll always allow you to visit, regardless of Ryker. Like I said, it’s important to me that Lilly have contact with her grandmother. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.” When the doorbell rang RayeAnn ran for the door before the noise woke the baby. A few minutes later she was back with a thick packet sent by special courier. Curious, she opened the heavy envelope and read the heading of the court document.
Blazoned across the top of the page was the heading: DISPUTE OF PATERNITY.
Scanning the document quickly, she saw the claimants name as Ryker Whitcome IV. Stunned, she sat on the stool and tried to understand what this all meant. He was trying to get out of claiming Lilly as his own. How could he do this to her and Lillyanna? Devastation consumed her while she sobbed into her hands. When she heard Ryker enter the kitchen, she turned her tear stained face to him and spoke as quietly as she could.
“You need to pack your things and leave this house immediately. Don’t come back. Ever.”
“What happened? Mom, did you say something?” His mother looked between the two of them as if watching a tennis match.
“Don’t blame your mother for your own decisions. I got the court papers today. If you didn’t believe that Lilly was yours, why did you even bother coming here? What, didn’t you get enough jollies hurting me the first time? Thought you’d strike again through Lilly? I hope you feel satisfied now.” By the end of her speech she was screaming and crying at the same time. She threw the court papers at him and stormed out of the room.
The second she made it into the nursery, she closed and locked the door. Through some miracle the baby was still asleep as she crawled into her bed and sobbed into her pillow.
CHAPTER 21
Ryker angrily slammed his clothes into his duffle bag while his mother straightened the kitchen downstairs. He was furious with his friend and attorney, Bennett Wilson, who had obviously filed the paperwork that littered the floor downstairs. He had immediately placed a call to the bastard after seeing the court papers. This was not what he’d had in mind when he talked about making things more official. Never once had he questioned the fact that he was Lillyanna’s father, so where did this jerk get off filing papers like this? Of course he was in court today, so Ryker had no choice but to pack his things and leave until this all got straightened out. Couple of days, tops.
He knocked quietly on the nursery room’s door but got no response. No great surprise there. If he were in RayeAnn’s shoes he would do the same thing. He heard the muted sobbing on the other side of the door and his heart broke apart. Now she would hate him forever, and he had no one to blame but himself. Why didn’t he tell her that he had talked to Bennett and what they’d discussed? Because he was a chickenshit coward. He didn’t want to upset the balance they’d struck. Good going, asshole. For now he would just have to wait it out at his mother’s house. How lame was that? Moving back home with mommy because he was too stupid to live on his own, and he knew that was the truth of it. He was dangerous. People needed to be protected from him. Already he found himself missing RayeAnn and Lillyanna. Somehow he had to fix this.
SIX WEEKS LATER
RayeAnn sat nervously in the hallway of the courthouse with her lawyer, Jonathan Chase, next to her. She bobbed her knee repeatedly as she tried to work off some of the tension coursing through her body. Waiting for the clerk to call their case before the family court judge made her want to scream.
Ryker sat down the opposite side of the hallway in an intense huddle with a man she assumed to be Bennett Wilson, his attorney. She watched as Ryker’s face turned red while he gestured wildly with his hands, clearly angry about something. When he stared back at her she looked away quickly, not wanting to acknowledge she was aware of his presence.
Once they were all seated and sworn in the proceedings began. Most of what was said went right over her head, but she already knew the bottom line. There was no denying that Ryker was Lillyanna’s father and now they had the medical documentation to prove it. DNA didn’t lie. With her arms crossed over her chest she sat staring straight ahead while the attorneys did their job. Without warning, Ryker shot out of his seat and began to speak.
>
“Your honor, may I please speak frankly to the court?”
“That would be inadvisable, Mr. Whitcombe. That’s why you have your attorney, to protect your rights.”
“Sir, I’ll gladly waive my rights if I could just explain things. This has all gotten way, way out of hand. I never intended to deny paternity. All you have to do is look at my daughter to know she’s mine. She’s my spitting image.”
“Then what was your intention?”
“I just wanted to make sure that officially I was Lillyanna’s father. I thought I was doing right by my daughter, but instead I screwed everything up. I’m proud as hell of her.” He ran his hand through his hair while his other hand jingled the change in his suit pants pocket.
“Well, I believe that we can move forward now that her parentage is no longer an issue. Please have a seat and I’ll address the visitation issue. Mr. Wilson, I will grant your client weekly one hour supervised visits to be held at the family services offices. Mr. Whitcombe, they will do everything they can to accommodate your schedule, but keep in mind that some adjustments may have to be made. We will readdress the visitation schedule again in ninety days, complete with a report from family services. At that time we may or may not adjust the schedule accordingly. This court stands adjourned.” With a pound of his gavel the hearing was over.
He sat in the chair and glared at Bennett, anger barely contained below the surface. For the next three months he was limited to one hour per week with his daughter. Barely enough time to get settled in before he’d have to start packing her up to go home. If there was just some way he and RayeAnn could talk alone and straighten this whole thing out. They didn’t need these yahoo’s telling them how to raise their daughter.
Seduction of Souls Page 14