by T N Lowe
“Yep.”
“Well, these dancing shoes need a break, my feet are killing me.” As Dylan leads me off the dance floor, Patrick takes my hand. “Are you ready to go home?” Patrick asks.
“Yes, I’m beat.” Wrapping an arm around my waist Patrick leads me to where Samuel is speaking with some guests.
When there is a lull in conversation, Samuel turns his attention to us, “Are you leaving?”
“Yes, Lena is tired and partied out,” Patrick answers for me as I cover a yawn.
“I see that. I’ll walk you out,” Samuel says taking my other arm. Once we are freed from the other guests, Samuel turns to me, “Did you at least have a good time?”
“I had a great time, Thank you.”
“Good,” Samuel says placing a kiss on my forehead. “Sleep well, and I’ll see you on Thursday.” Turning to Patrick, they shake hands, “Take care of my daughter.”
“Will do, sir,” Patrick says escorting me to the waiting limo.
As soon as I’m turned into Patrick’s embrace in the back seat of the limo, I fall asleep.
Chapter Fifteen
Thursday morning, I wake to Patrick placing soft kisses on my shoulder as he spoons me from behind. “Mmm, good morning to you too,” I say rotating in his arms.
After morning sexy times I’m standing in the closet trying to figure out what to wear to Thanksgiving dinner. “Did your mom say how to dress for dinner?” I yell. When Patrick doesn’t answer I turn and find him lying on the bed watching me.
“Sorry I got distracted watching you shake your bottom in that towel.”
“Well, what did your mom say about how to dress?”
“Casual, she wants everyone to be comfortable.”
“Jeans and a sweatshirt it is then.”
“Now hurry or we’ll miss the parade,” Patrick says standing from the bed and going downstairs leaving me to dress.
♦ ♦ ♦
“Mom, we’re here,” Patrick shouts as we walk through the door.
“Shh,” Hui says, “Jian is sleeping.”
“Sorry,” Patrick whispers engulfing her small frame in a hug. “Do you forgive your favorite brother-in-law?”
“I heard that,” Dylan says coming into the entryway and hugging me tight. “And by the way, I’m her favorite.”
“If you wake up Jian, you will both be on my shit list,” Hui says in her accented English.
“Where’s Liam?” I ask as she hugs me hello.
“He’s picking my parents up from the airport.”
“Where are they coming in from?”
“China. Is your father coming tonight?”
China? That’s a long way to come for Thanksgiving dinner. And he should be here in a couple of hours.”
“Mother makes Father take a vacation from Thanksgiving to New Year’s to spend with us, but mostly spoil Jian.”
“That’s great.”
Brianna joins us, “Why are you all standing in the entryway, you know we have a whole house, right?”
“Yeah, Hui was warning me not to wake the baby,” Patrick says kissing her cheek.
“She’s right, don’t wake the baby it took us an hour to get him to fall asleep. I’m glad you made it the weather is supposed to turn bad later,” Brianna says hugging Patrick. “And Lena it is so good to see you. I talked to Samuel he’ll be here in about an hour,” she says kissing my cheek.
“Good, I haven’t talked to him since the party,” I say as we follow her into the living room. “Do you need any help with dinner?”
“Not right now. Once the turkey is done, I’ll need all hands on deck,” Brianna says looking at Hui and me.
“I’d love to; Mom and I used to make Thanksgiving dinner together every year for Martin and some of the other people who didn’t have family to spend the day with.”
Brianna pulls me into a hug, “You can help me cook anytime you want.”
“Thank you,” I say wiping a tear away and sitting next to Patrick on the couch.
The front door opens, and there is a loud commotion in the entryway, “Look who we found outside,” Quinn says as he and Samuel walk into the family room. Liam trails behind with an older Asian couple, Hui parents I’m guessing. Jian runs from the other room into Liam’s arms wrapping his small arms around his neck. Squirming Jian lets go of Liam’s neck and opens his arms to the older women. She takes him and speaks rapidly to him in Chinese.
Samuel kisses my cheek and hugs me tight, “How are you?”
“Good, how are you?”
“Very good; I’m happy we get to spend our first of many holidays together.”
Hui breaks in, “Lena these are my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chin. Mom, Dad, this is Lena Miller-Walsh, Samuel’s daughter and Patrick’s girlfriend.”
Shaking Mr. and Mrs. Chin’s hands I reply, “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”
“You too, Miss. Miller-Walsh,” Mr. Chin says. Shaking Samuel’s hand, “I didn’t know you had a daughter.”
Samuel chuckles, “I didn’t either until a few a weeks ago.”
“Okay ladies, it’s time the turkey is done,” Brianna says coming into the living room. After she greets Mr. and Mrs. Chin, Hui, Mrs. Chin and I follow her into the kitchen while the guys watch football.
♦ ♦ ♦
“That was the best meal I’ve had in a very long time,” Samuel tells Brianna.
“Thank you, Samuel. You are welcome here for dinner anytime,” Brianna replies clearing the table. I scoot back from the table to help clean up, but Brianna stops me, “You helped cooked the boys will help clean, Quinn, Liam, Patrick, Dylan you’re on clean-up duty, please.” The guys grumble, but Brianna shoots them the mom look making them stop.
“Your mother is right. The ladies cooked the least we can do is clean,” Quinn says scooping some plates from the table and moving into the kitchen. Liam, Patrick, and Dylan follow their father taking the empty plates and bowls with them.
Once the guys have cleaned the dishes and kitchen, we move into the family room. Someone turned on the TV and Christmas cartoons fills the screen gaining Jian attention. Brianna and Hui speak to Mr. and Mrs. Chin while Samuel talks to Rylie and me. “Are we still going to the ballet on Saturday?” I ask Samuel.
“If you want to go,” Samuel says.
“I do, I’ve been looking forward to it. What ballet are we going to see?”
“Nutcracker by the Imperial Russian Ballet.”
“I’ve always wanted to see the Nutcracker, how did you know?”
“I honestly had no idea, but I’m glad you want to see it. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“Love what?” Patrick asks sitting next to me and wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
‘The ballet,” I answer leaning into his chest.
“That’s this Saturday, right?” Patrick asks.
“Yes,” Samuel answers.
“Black tie I’m assuming,” Patrick says.
“Yes, and Toys for Tots will be collecting toys for children,” Samuel tells us.
“I can have my assistance pick up a few things,” Patrick answers.
“Seeing as I am your current assistant, I would be happy to,” I say kissing his cheek. The conversations find a loll, and we join Jian watching Christmas cartoons. With a full stomach and Patrick’s warmth surrounding me, I drift off.
I’m not sure if I sleep for minutes or hours, but when I wake it’s dark with just a sliver of moonlight cutting through the curtains, and I’m lying in someone’s bed. Studying the room I can make out boy band posters lining the walls, must be Rylie’s old room, I can’t see Patrick, Dylan, or Liam liking boy bands. Rolling out of bed and making my way to the door I hear voices outside the door, “How is she really doing with all this?” I hear Samuel ask.
“Honestly, she’s taking it better than I ever would,” Patrick answers.
“Do you think we can tell her everything else?” Samuel asks.
“Not yet, she still needs time to adjust to you being he
r father and running for president.”
“Oh come on we both know the presidential race-“
“I know,” Patrick cuts him off. “But this is new to her, and I don’t want her to push us away.”
“You really do love her, don’t you?”
“More than I thought possible.”
“Good, because I see the way she looks at you. I would hate to have to kick your ass for breaking her heart.”
“Samuel, I love your daughter with all I have. I don’t see a future for myself that she's not in. I am willing to give up everything I have to be with her, I would in a minute without a second thought.”
“Welcome to the family then,” Samuel says with a laugh as they walk down the hall to join the others.
That was an odd conversation, what did they mean but the rest of it, and the presidency? What don’t I know and why don’t they want to tell me yet? Now is not the time but I will get to the bottom of this. Shortly after I rejoin the group, Patrick declares it’s time to go home and escorts me to the car.
Friday morning Patrick and I joined the Black Friday deal shoppers trying to find this year’s “It” toy for the Toys for Tots drive. “Tell me again why can’t I just write them a check?” Patrick asks as we stand in line with everyone else looking for the same toy.
“Because writing a check is impersonal and the easy way out and you’re better than that.”
“When you put it like that,” Patrick huffs. “How much longer do we have to stand here? It’s freezing.”
Unzipping his coat, I wrap my arms around his waist hugging him tight, “Don’t worry the store will open soon. Are you feeling warmer?”
“Getting there,” Patrick answers hugging me tighter to his chest and rubs his hand up and down my back to keep me warm. His lips lightly graze mine when I see a camera flash out of the corner of my eye.
“Miss Miller-Walsh,” a reporter yells at me trying to get my attention.
“Look this way please,” Another one shouts.
“Vultures,” Patrick hisses turning me so my back to the building, and his back towards the reporters trying to get a photo of us. “Try to ignore them.”
“Presidential candidate’s daughter waits in line for Black Friday deals,” another photographer yells out.
“Did daddy not give you enough allowance to buy full price items, you have to wait with the poor people to get your Christmas presents,” a photographer says loud enough for everyone in line to hear. I try to move around Patrick to give the idiot a piece of my mind.
“Don’t,” Patrick says caging me to his chest. “They only want to get a rise out of you.”
“It’s working,” I say through gritted teeth trying to get Patrick to loosen his hold on me.
“Stop,” Patrick barks in my ear. “You’re going to hurt yourself.”
I am still fighting his hold when Billy and Bryan appear chasing the photographers away. “Miss. Miller-Walsh, Mr. Love, if you will please come with me you can skip the line,” a middle-aged man dressed in the store uniform says.
Patrick pulls on my hand to follow the store employee. “No, we are not cutting in line. The people in front of us have been waiting for hours. Billy and Bryan chased the reporters away, and I’m no worse for wear.” I hear a few people in line clap for me.
“But-,” Patrick protests.
“The store opens in ten minutes; I doubt they will come back.” Turning to the store employee I say, “Thank you for the offer, but we will wait our turn.”
Taking my face in his hands, Patrick kisses me hard for the world to see, “You are the most incredible women I’ve ever met.”
The doors open and the line rushes in, everyone biding for their chance to get the newest toy to make their children happy. Patrick keeps me close trying to protect me from the other patrons pushing and shoving their way through. Reaching the tower of toys Patrick and I each grab two, knowing we can at least make four children very happy this Christmas.
♦ ♦ ♦
When we get home, I set the toys next to the door, so we don’t forget them tomorrow. Patrick follows me into the living room toeing off his shoes and sitting next to me when his phone rings. Rolling his eyes, he answers it with a brisk, “Love.” Listening intently to the other people on the other end of the line when he erupts into movement, “How the fuck did that happen?” Patrick barks making me pity the person who called. “Fuck this get me their number; I’m putting a stop to this right now. Call Samuel so he can work his angles,” ending the call he throws his phone in an empty chair.
“What’s wrong?” I ask concerned something is wrong at work.
Patrick rolls from the couch and drops to his knees as he takes my hands in his, “I’m going to take care of this. You don’t have to worry.”
“What is it?” I ask fear and anxiety taking over my mind. Is it my father, my house in Bar Harbor, the Resort? God, why isn’t he answering me?
Looking deep into my eyes Patrick finally puts me out of my misery. “A photographer from this morning sold his picture. The story accompanying the photo is a lie and my lawyers are working on a retraction now.” Dropping his hands I pick up my tablet and find the story Patrick is talking about.
Presidential Hopeful Daughter Cut Off.
Lena Miller-Walsh, daughter of Presidential hopeful Samuel Walsh, was spotted with billionaire boyfriend, Patrick Love waiting in line for Black Friday Sales. This has us curious, is Lena cut off from Daddy’s billions already? Or is Kindred Corp facing financial difficulties?
“Oh my god, Patrick this could damage your business, all those deals you have pending. What if they read this? I am so sorry. I should have never dragged you to that store,” I say unable to stop the tears from running down my cheeks.
“Shh,” Patrick says brushing my tears away with his thumbs. “Princess you worry too much about everyone else. This story will not damage Kindred Corp. Everyone we do business with knows we have several fail-safes to keep the company from going bankrupt.”
“What about Samuel and the election?”
Patrick shakes his head, “This will not hurt him either. The press doesn’t have much on him because he is a truly great guy who cares about people. You are a weak spot for both of us, and the press knows it. What they don’t know is- you are one of the kindest heart people I’ve ever met. My lawyers and Samuel’s are calling the rag that posted this story with the correct version of the story.”
“Thank you,” I manage to say between tears.
“Now, no more tears,” Patrick says sitting next to me and moving me into his lap. “I mean it, no more tears. Samuel and I are taking care of this.”
“Okay,” I answer burrowing into his chest feeling overwhelmed by his love and support of me. I haven’t had someone to take care of me in a long time.
“I mean it Samuel, and I will never let anything happen to you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Saturday evening I dress in a simple black cocktail dress with simple black pumps, not wanted to risk embarrassing Patrick or Samuel tonight. While yesterday’s story was replaced with the truth, Patrick and I were waiting in line to buy toys for the Toy for Tots drive I don’t want to risk another bad press story. I leave my long black locks down; I dust on a light layer of makeup before meeting Patrick in the living room. “You look stunning, but I think I have something that will make you look even more striking,” Patrick says pulling a large red box with Cartier scrolled across the top of the box. Opening it, I find a Himalia necklace, eighteen karats white gold necklace with a black Tahitian pearl dangling from a diamond-encrusted pendant. Wordlessly Patrick takes the necklace from its box looping it around my neck and fastens it pulling my hair through.
“Perfect.” Pulling a smaller red box from his coat pocket Patrick hands it to me. Opening it, I find the matching earrings. “You’ll have to put those in yourself.”
“Patrick this is too much,” I say pulling the earrings from their confines and putting them in my
ears.
“It’s not that much, and you are more than worth it,” Patrick says helping me into my coat.
♦ ♦ ♦
Arriving at the concert hall Patrick slides out first then helps me from the limo; Billy follows behind while Bryan parks the limo. As soon as Patrick and I are on the sidewalk, the press surrounds us shouting questions and taking our pictures, blinding us with their flashes. Scared I bury my face in Patrick’s chest, unsure what to do. Patrick holds me tight murmuring into my hair that everything will be okay. Billy tries to fight a path to the door, Bryan leaps from the car and helps push the press away allowing Patrick and I to rush to the door slipping inside before the reporters catch up to us.
Before I can register what’s happening, the air is being squeezed out of me, my face pressed into a hard chest. “Are you okay?” Samuel asks placing a soft kiss on my forehead before holding me at arm's length to look me over. Before I can answer, he’s barking at someone standing behind me, “Where the fuck was security? Lena and Patrick could have been seriously hurt.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Walsh this won’t happen again.”
“Samuel, I’m okay just scared.”
Patrick helps me out of my coat, holding me close, “I’m sorry princess. I promise it won’t that happen again.”
Palming his cheek trying to ease some of this guilt and worry, “No one expected that kind of response to our arrival. I know next time will be different.”
Patrick turns his head and kisses my palm, “I don’t deserve you.”
Before I can respond to tell him he’s wrong Billy stands beside me, “Lena your toys for the drive.”
“Thank you, Billy,” I tell him as I take the toys while Patrick checks our coats.
When Patrick rejoins us Samuel escorts us to our seats in a private balcony, “Samuel this is amazing, thank you for bringing us.”
“It’s my pleasure; typically I refuse the tickets because I have no one to bring.”
As Patrick and I take our seats, I’m pointing out all the details to him when a large man wearing a black suit enters the balcony. “Mr. Walsh, if you have a moment sir,” he says in a heavy Russian accent.