“We’d have to sell our souls,” someone yelled out.
“He’s right. Stark doesn’t do anything without something in return,” Sinclair said.
“You’re standing up there making promises in return for a vote.”
Finally, I stood and walked to Erica. “You don’t have to do this.” I’d relieved her of our agreement. “I don’t know why you’re here or why you’re trying to sway people’s opinion—”
She looked up at me. “Because, Simon Stark. I love you.”
In that moment, my world lit up.
12
Erica
I had no clue what I was doing. Starting from the night Simon and I got married, I felt like my world was tilting off its axis. I hadn’t expected him to open up so much to me on our wedding night. Or to make love to me so tenderly and with such vulnerability. I certainly never expected him to relieve me of my part in this arrangement.
But it didn’t stop there. After bringing Mason home from the hospital, I dedicated all my time to him. We played and read until he got tired and I put him down for a nap. Leaving him to sleep, I found my mother making coffee in the kitchen.
“I need to read over all this material the hospital sent home about Marfan and his discharge care,” I said as I took the paperwork and sat at the table.
“An envelope was delivered while you were with Mason,” my mother said, nodding to a manila envelope on the table.
“There’s no stamp.” I studied the plain envelope.
“A courier brought it by.” My mother handed me a coffee mug and then sat with hers across from me.
My heart skipped a beat. The only person I knew that would send by courier was Simon. Had he changed his mind again? Was this some cruel joke?
Tentatively I opened the envelope and pulled out a lined piece of paper with a letter on it.
Dear Erica,
I’m not sure how to start this. As you know, I have difficulty with emotion or admitting wrongdoing. But it’s clear that I owe you an apology and much more than the money and house I’ve already provided you.
I am a father.
My heart thudded hard in my chest as I looked up at my mother.
“What?”
“He says he’s a father.”
My mother’s eyes widened. “It’s about time.”
I looked down at the letter to read more.
I didn’t think it was possible. I knew the odds of my passing along my genetic disorder to a child, and so I took action to prevent my ability to procreate. It is why your announcement five years ago was greeted with such disdain. It’s not easy for me to confess, but it broke my heart when I thought you’d lied to me. Even on our wedding day, when you said you had a son, I believed he’d been conceived before me, and that you’d been working me to get money, or he was conceived after me.
All the heartache I experienced and the hurt I did to you could have been avoided had I taken the time to listen to you and research to know that it was indeed possible to have fathered a child so soon after my procedure.
“What’s he saying now?” my mother asked looking over the rim of her mug.
“He’s explaining why he didn’t believe me when I told him I was pregnant. He’s admitting he should have listened and looked into the possibility.”
“I told you that you should have demanded a paternity test.”
I didn’t tell her he was threatening to sue me if I kept contacting him. I went back to the letter.
I’ll admit, only to you Erica, that I wish I could be a father, but I fear I don’t have it in me. I wouldn’t know how. And, after how I treated you and denied my paternity, I’m not worthy of a chance to find out.
However, I will of course, take care of anything our son needs.
My heart was both full and in anguish for him. He referred to Mason as “our” son, which filled me with happiness, and yet, I could see that he had decided not to be in Mason’s life, which broke my heart for both of them.
His condition will likely require extensive medical involvement. Whatever he needs, I'll cover. Beyond his medical care, anything else he needs…schooling, vacations…whatever you two want, I will provide.
I know you prefer to avoid contact with me, so I’ve provided you with my lawyer’s information. She is setting up a trust for young Mason, and has been instructed to provide you with anything you ask. She’s also preparing an annulment so that you will be free of me.
One last thing. When I said I’d always regretted letting you go, I meant it. I never knew or understood love until you, Erica. I was foolish and stupid to let it get away.
Love Always,
Simon
After that letter, I wanted to run to him. To tell him he was worthy if he could just get out of his own way. But I couldn’t go to him then. I still needed to get Mason settled and recovered, as well as figure out what his condition would mean for us day to day.
As it turned out, I learned that most people with this condition live normal lives, except they had to avoid extreme exertion and contact sports. And Mason would need regular monitoring of his heart.
The following week, I returned to Salvation to see Simon. It was the night of the mayoral debate so I decided to attend. Who knew, maybe I’d still do a story on it.
I watched as Sinclair spoke with authority and passion. Jay Wallace knew what to say, but he didn’t have quite the conviction that Sinclair had. I scanned the room and saw Simon sitting in the crowd. I took a seat in the back next to Tucker and Holly, who greeted me. Tucker actually gave me a little thumbs up, which I had no idea why.
When the questions started, it was clear that this debate was a referendum on Simon. Several weeks ago, I would have been right with the rest of them, calling him out. But now I could see his side. He knew his tactics were rough, but he was right in that others in the town had engaged in deceitful or questionable behavior in an effort to get what they wanted too.
“I wish we could tell everyone about the library,” Tucker said next to me.
“We promised,” Holly replied.
“The library?” I asked. I couldn’t be sure, but I had a feeling Tucker wanted me to probe.
He nodded and leaned a little closer, talking low. “We had an anonymous donor. He’s paying for the whole thing.”
Tucker said “he” so it couldn’t have been Mrs. Reynolds.
“And he doesn’t want anything in return,” Holly added.
“I think he found love,” Tucker said. “Or he had a visit from Scrooge’s ghosts. Either way, it was quite generous. It’s unfortunate that no one gets to know.”
I looked at both of them. They looked at me expectantly. Simon. It had to be Simon.
“Oh, come on, Jay,” Sinclair said from the podium on the stage. “That’s not true. Stark doesn’t care at all about farmers. He doesn’t care about anything but getting us under his thumb.”
I shot up. “That’s not true.”
“Ms. Edmonds, you’ve been investigating Stark. How can you stand there and deny what he’s done?” Sinclair asked me.
“What has he done? He came to town with the support of the governor and the current mayor in an attempt to bring in jobs. Was he a big heavy handed about it, maybe.”
“Maybe?” Sinclair scoffed.
“That prison would have employed a thousand people, many of whom are leaving town,” I said. But Sinclair and others at the meeting weren’t buying it. The challenges kept coming, and for each I had an answer as I walked up the center aisle toward the stage. After all, Sinclair had fake married Wyatt, and hadn’t initially told him he was Alyssa's father. Ryder could have turned down Simon’s money, but instead he took it and put his financial future for him, Trina and their child in order. Mo was now happily married because he fake married to thwart Simon’s purchase of her father’s farm. Even Holly seemed okay with Simon’s admittedly asshole move in bringing her ex back, as she was now planning to get married to Tucker. And she and Tucker weren’t squeaky
clean as they’d fake married to get money from Mrs. Reynolds.
“He’s right. Stark doesn’t do anything without something in return,” Sinclair said.
“You’re standing up there making promises in return for a vote,” I shot back.
Simon stood and walked over to me. He had a baffled expression, almost like he didn’t believe any of this was real.
“You don’t have to do this. I don’t know why you’re here or why you’re trying to sway people’s opinion—”
I looked up at him. At the man who needed love and needed to love. “Because, Simon Stark. I love you.”
His breath hitched and the auditorium went silent.
He reached out, his hand gently caressing my face. “I’m not worthy.”
“You are. Of me, and of your son.” I motioned to the back of the room, and my mother stepped forward holding Mason’s hand.
There was a murmur through the room but my eyes were on Simon. The moment he saw Mason, his eyes filled with tears and for a moment, I wondered if maybe I should have done this without an audience. Simon was fiercely private and proud. He might not like having all of Salvation see him be emotional. Then again, they needed to know that he had a heart. He was capable of goodness and love.
When my mother arrived, I took Mason’s other hand. “Baby, remember I told you about your dad?”
“Yes.” Mason looked up at Simon. “Hi, daddy.”
Simon dropped to his knees and he reached out tentatively to touch Mason. “You’re perfect.”
Mason grinned, like the happy little boy he was. “I’ve been waiting so long to see you.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.” Simon looked up at me.
I nodded to let him know he was forgiven.
Mason stepped closer to Simon and pressed his little hands, with long fingers like his father’s on Simon’s face. Simon pulled Mason to him in a hug.
The room filled with an aww sound.
Someone started to say something mean, but apparently, another person jabbed him or stepped on his foot as he let out an oomph and then stayed quiet.
I looked up at Sinclair. “Excuse me for interrupting like this. Simon and his family are now going home. I wish you both luck.”
I urged Simon up. He stood holding Mason in one arm. I started to thread my arm through his other arm, but he leaned over and kissed me.
Simon and I, along with our son and my mother, walked out of the auditorium, together as a family.
13
Simon
I remember when I was a kid, my nanny reading me the story of Hansel and Gretel. I’d related to them because I also had unloving parents that would have been happy to have me wonder off and never return. And I’d run into my fair amount of witches as I grew up. I’d even envied Hansel because at least he had a sister to endure all the hardship with. I’d been alone. Until Leslie Erica Edmonds entered my life.
And then, it turned out I was the evil villain in the story. I’d kicked her out and let the darkness rule me.
I don’t remember the parents or witches or any evil characters being redeemed in the childhood fairy tales that had been read to me. Perhaps real life was stranger than fiction because Erica was walking alongside me and I was holding our son as we started out of the auditorium.
“Mr. Stark.”
I stopped short as I heard a male voice on the microphone.
“Don’t let the assholes get you down,” Erica said next to me.
“Uhm, you said a bad word mommy.”
I grinned, ridiculously pleased by this entire interaction.
I turned. “Mr. Mayor,” I said as I saw Mo Valentine at the microphone. I braced myself for what he might say.
“I want to officially welcome you, and your family,” he added with a nod to Erica, “to Salvation.”
I wasn’t sure what to say.
“And, I’d enjoy having you on my business council if you’d be interested as I’m sure you have experience and insight we could benefit from.”
Since he was leaving office in a few weeks, I knew it was a gesture of peace more than something that would come to fruition. Simon Stark of last week probably would have scoffed and turned it down as an empty token. But I’d listened to Erica and knew that if I was going to get what I wanted, I couldn’t force or coerce it.
“Thank you, Mayor Valentine. I’d be honored.”
“See, it’s not that hard,” Erica whispered next to me.
With a nod to him, I turned and led my family out of the building. I didn’t want to part from them, so we all climbed into the Audi, with me and Erica up front, and Mason in his booster car seat and his grandmother in the back. Marvin was left to drive home alone.
As we pulled up to the house, Mason made a “Whoa” sound in the back. “Is this a hotel?”
“No baby, this is where Si…your daddy lives,” Erica said.
I watched him in the rearview mirror.
“Are you rich?”
“Honey,” Erica chastised.
“I am.” I parked the car and turned to look at him. “But until you and your mom and grandmother walked into the meeting tonight, I was the poorest person in the world.”
“Oh my,” Erica’s mom said, giving me a look. “You learn fast.”
“But do you have money?” Mason asked.
“Mason!” Erica looked at me apologetically. “He’s four. He says whatever comes to mind.”
I smiled. “I do have money. I’m going to share it with you.”
His eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes, Mason. I’m going to share it with you and your mom and your grandma and with other people who might need it.”
“You did fund the library!” Erica grinned at me.
“That’s supposed to be a secret.”
“I can keep a secret,” Mason said. “Can’t I grandma? I didn’t tell mommy that you snuck in cookies while I was in the hospital.”
Erica’s mother blushed. “You did a good job, baby.”
We exited the car and by then Marvin was there to open the door for us. “Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Stark.”
I stopped and grinned, as it truly sunk in. I had a wife and son. I had what I’d always wanted.
Mason was already looking in doors and oohing and awing.
“Do you want a tour?” I asked.
“I do.” Mason jumped up and down.
I showed them around the living areas, then I took them downstairs.
“You have a pool inside the house!” Mason's facial expression was so precious. How had I allowed my petty fears and beliefs get in the way of such a wonderful child?
“I do.” I squatted down next to him. “When I was a little, I was diagnosed with a condition called marfan syndrome.”
Again, Mason’s eyes widened. “I have that too.”
“I know.” Guilt lanced at me that I’d passed that on to him. Erica’s hand on my shoulder steadied me. “There’s some things you and I can’t do, but we can swim.”
“Oh man…” Mason said with awe as he looked at the pool.
“I’ll have to get some pool toys. Maybe even put in a slide. What do you think, Mason?”
“I think it’s so awesome, daddy.”
Every time he called me daddy, I was sure my heart would explode from the emotion that welled up.
I took them upstairs and showed them to the guest rooms. “I’m sorry I don’t have a room fitting for a little boy, but we’ll take care of that. We’ll get some toys and decorate it the way you want.”
“Yay!” Mason ran around the room and then jumped up on the bed.
“And for you Mrs. Edmonds—”
“Please call me Joyce.”
“Joyce. I have a suite down this hall. Again, we can redecorate it as you’d like.”
“Oh, I don’t know that I’ll be staying that much.”
“Well, for when you are here.” I opened the door and like Mason, she seemed a bit in awe of it. It was a reminder of how for
tunate I was financially.
“Erica, there’s the room you stayed—”
“Simon.” She gave me a knowing smile as she pressed her hand on my chest. “We’re married, remember?” Then I saw a flash of vulnerability. As if she worried that maybe I didn’t want the full benefits of marriage and family.
I put my hand over hers before she could remove it. “I didn’t forget. I just wasn’t sure what you wanted.”
“What do you want?”
“I want it all. I want you and Mason, and a mother-in-law,” I said with a quick glance to Joyce.
“I don’t think in the history of the world a man has ever said he wanted a mother-in-law,” Joyce laughed.
I smiled. “I do. I want a real family Erica.” My heart stalled in my chest as I waited for her to respond.
“Simon, don’t you know? You do have a real family.”
We finished the tour and I took them down to the kitchen where we celebrated with cookies and champagne, milk for Mason.
Later, I watched in awe as Erica put him to bed.
“Good night daddy,” Mason called to me while I stood at the door.
Erica nodded her head for me to join them, but it felt like I was entering a sacred moment.
Mason held his arms out, so I hugged him and kissed him on the head. “Good night, champ.”
Mason grinned. “Champ!”
“You go to sleep little man,” Erica told him. “No wondering around the house okay? Do you remember where grandma’s room is? And daddy’s.”
“Yep.”
“If you need something, you go to grandma or us, okay.”
“’k.”
Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set) Page 91