Ending with Forever (28 page)

“Yes, sir,” she replies timidly. “I believe she had a small package for you. She stepped into your office for a brief minute before leaving.”

“I’ll be up there in a few. Thank you.” I disconnect the call and face five pairs of prying eyes with ridiculous smirks on their faces.

“Someone has a bad case of love fever,” Jean kids, urging everyone to chuckle.

“I know the remedy for that,” David volunteers, breaking free out of his coy turtle shell.

“What do you know about that? Your first love is a bonsai plant,” Samantha mocks playfully.

“And your point, Sam? I was really worried it wouldn’t survive without me,” he jokes. “Ask Paul.”

“It’s true. He couldn’t stop talking about the damn thing,” Paul corroborates, rolling his eyes.

“David has a reason for his bonsai obsession,” I insist. “It was the ingenious location for his cryptic clue for us,” I share openly with everyone.

“That’s clever, David,” Alex compliments with a pat on his back.

“It certainly was,” I agree. “I hate to break up the fun, but I have a lunch appointment I can’t miss. However, before I leave, I want to thank each of you for all your dedication to BPC. We’ve become almost like family in this isolated area, working countless hours because we believe in what we do. There’s no doubt in my mind that your commitment is sincere. It’s apparent that this is more than a job to each of you. I’m very honored to have such extraordinary colleagues.”

They all stare at me stunned after my singular praising speech. In the past, my appreciation for them has always been presented in the form of monetary amounts and an impersonal card. Surprisingly, this little gesture of gratitude means much more to them than any bonuses I’ve ever given. It’s evident that money can’t buy everything.

C
arson was already out the door when I woke up around 8:00 this morning. I knew he hardly slept last night because I was tossing and turning with him. With all that we both had weighing on our minds, it was pointless to count sheep to fall asleep. We needed a sledge hammer to knock us out. He’s a good man with a kind heart. I know he’ll do the right thing. He’ll help Francine.

After several failed attempts, I finally reached my mom, who’s currently visiting her family in Hong Kong. The first thing I said to her was, “I love you and I know everything. We’ll talk when I see you.” Bridgette had answered all my questions in detail, softening the blow for me as she unfolded my life over a cup of coffee. There had been enough hurt and loss in our lives. I didn’t need to rekindle bad memories to create more. I want a fresh start, beginning now and ending with Carson and our babies.

Mom happily agreed, with tears of course, and told me she’d pay me a short visit on her way home to Indiana. “I have so much to share with you about your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins,” she expressed to me in a giddy voice. She sounded so lively and I was elated for her. “They can’t wait to meet you.” It was comforting to hear that she was able to forgive her father after years of bearing a hateful grudge against him. “I have never seen him cry until four days ago when he saw my face for the first time in twenty-three years. It was a painful and joyous union for us,” she sniffled. Even though she had forgiven him, she stressed that only time can heal her resentment completely. I imagine it must’ve been very difficult for her, knowing how pig-headedness she is. I debated back and forth about revealing my baby news to her and decided to share it with her in person instead. She’s had enough surprises and I wanted to save the best one for last. 

~~~~

Christmas is just a few weeks away but no one would know it, looking around Carson’s cheerless penthouse. That’s all going to change as soon as Belle and I add our budget-friendly holiday flair to his place. Belle stopped by to drop off an adorable picture of me and Carson at Emi’s wedding and I recruited her. Actually, she volunteered to help me as soon as I mentioned the word shopping. “Always count me in if it has anything to do with shopping,” she gushed. We picked up a ten-foot Fraser fir tree, wreath, and mistletoe for the front door at a local farmers’ market and only spent seventy-eight dollars. On our way home, we hit a craft store to buy ornaments and ribbons. I splurged there, but reasoned the items would be reused year after year. Luke set up my tall, slender tree, which smelled of fresh menthol pine needles, by the piano and left us to decorate to our heart’s content. Belle downloaded Christmas tunes and blasted them through the Bluetooth speakers. Together we sang or hummed the words we didn’t know, laughing like two giddy girls who’ve been friends forever. The finishing touch was a mistletoe ball hung above the main entrance where Carson will hopefully walk through this evening. “Martha S. has nothing on us,” Belle bragged and I concurred with my arm around her shoulders as we admired our work.

We spent the latter part of the morning baking cookies and figuring out what to gift the men in our lives who can buy whatever they want at their whim. It was an impossible undertaking. Belle suggested I give Carson the gift of me. “Carson desires you more than anything, so why not give him what he wants. Create a coupon book with naughty favors and wrap it up with a sexy red pair of panties or lingerie.” I told her she’s a genius and asked for some naughty ideas. It opened a dirty skeleton closet I didn’t need to enter. Hayden is a freak in bed and so is my best friend. They have all sorts of sex toys and devices to enhance their pleasure and kicks. You name it. They’ve tried it. I blushed solid red, hearing what went on in their bedroom as I jotted down some ideas.

“I hope you’ve at least given him a blow job,” she snickered, sampling a shortbread cookie.

“Of course I did,” I blurted proudly like it’s a notable accomplishment.

“Did you swallow?” She arched one brow skeptically at me with one hand on her hip.

“Yep,” I nodded my head with an obvious wince of disgust.

“Next time, do it with a smile and it’ll be more enjoyable for him,” she advised.

“I tried, but I couldn’t hide the fact that I hated it,” I admitted. “Besides, he likes my cringing face. He told me it’s adorable,” I assured her.

“Really? What a pink pussy,” she kids and we both chuckled.

The last of the cookies were removed from the oven and packaged up for Hayden, who’s a big fan of chocolate chip cookies. Luke favored the peanut butter ones and Carson gets a variety because honestly, I’ve never seen him eat a cookie before. Belle gave me a lift to BPC with Luke trailing behind in his car. I’m learning to accept my limited freedom. This is the life I’ve chosen when I accepted Carson’s ring. His boundaries are what keep me safe and close to him which is the only place I want to be anyways. With every risk there’s a consequence or a reward. Carson’s a pretty good trade-off, I’d say.

Disappointedly, Evelyn told me Carson hasn’t even stopped by his office since he arrived at BPC early this morning. He’s been working in the lab with his researchers and I knew what was driving his ardor. She asked if I’d like for her to notify him of my visit and I insisted no. I understand what he does for a living and would never consider interfering with his work. His time is valuable and I’m already blessed enough to have so much of it. I’m okay with sharing him with the world for a good cause.

Sitting on my desk is a goody bag and a new picture of me and Lil at Emma’s wedding with a sticky note that says:

Look what Belle delivered. It’s me dancing with my Prince Charming!

Missed you :(

Do what you do best. Save the world, hazel eyes.

XOX Lil

It’s a candid shot of Lil in my arms, dancing the waltz as we gaze into each other’s souls with tenderness. The photographer captured our love story beautifully. Even with her eye makeup smeared and tears streaking down her face, she still gleamed brighter than any star in the sky. Nothing can diminish beauty that sprouts from the heart and then blossoms to the surface. Lil is an attractive person all around. No wonder why I’m hopelessly infatuated with her. That night I promised her a magical happy ending and that’s exactly what I intend to give her as soon as I resolve my family issues.

Before heading out to meet my parents, I text Lil a quick message:

Disappointed…

Saving the world without a kiss from my Princess is a daunting task. x C

Lil replies immediately:

Don’t be…

Your kiss will be waiting at the door for you this evening :) XOX Lil

My reply:

Eager…

Thanks for my treat. x C

Her reply makes my heart smile:

Me, too…

Expect more “treats” when you get home. XOX Lil

Glancing down at my watch, I realize that I don’t even have a minute to spare if I factor traffic in. I rush out of my office and down the elevator.

~~~~

Carson, settle down
. I’m practically hyperventilating when I see my father stand up to wave me to their table.
Where do I begin? Will I be able to control my reaction? Maybe I should’ve done this in the privacy of my home.
I panic with each step that brings me closer to them.

“Carson, over here,” Dad calls out loudly to me, as if he can’t see me walking toward him. Embarrassed, Mother tugs at his arm to settle him back into his seat.

“I appreciate you both meeting me on such short notice,” I tell them and then sit down, facing my mother.

“No problem, son. What’s the urgency?” Dad asks, glancing over to Mother who appears apprehensive.

Why prolong the anxiety for everyone involved? I rattle off the first thought in my head. “Can you explain the scar on my left hip?”

Straight away, my mother’s intuition kicks in. “When did you find out?” she asks me, reaching for my hand, fearing that I would withdraw from her now that I know their secret.

“Last night,” I answer softly, holding onto her trembling hand. The last thing I want to do is hurt my mother or father. They’ve been the kindest and most loving parents any child could ask for.

“Carson, it was never our intention to keep your adoption from you. Please believe us,” she explains. “We love you more than anything in this world.”

“I believe you. I’m not perfect, but I’m not angry or bitter either. I had all night to sort out my emotions. Right now I just want to know what you know about my birth mother.”

Mother speaks first. “We had been trying to have a baby for about five years with no success. A friend of ours heard about an elite adoption agency that was offering a baby boy to a couple who live abroad. It seemed shady to us, but we were desperate to have a baby of our own, so we jumped at the chance of being the chosen couple. When we arrived, they required proof of our foreign address. Once they confirmed it was valid, they processed the paperwork immediately. A week later they approved the adoption and handed you over to us with a small blanket, one change of clothing and a fancy diaper bag. I fell in love with you at once when your hazel eyes smiled at me as you cooed. Before we left, I asked the caseworker if she knew anything about your background. Hesitantly, she told us that your mother was a greedy woman. She agreed to split you from your twin brother for a large sum of money from a very wealthy couple who only wanted one child. They had one stipulation—the other twin had to be moved away as far as possible. That was all the caseworker would reveal and she discouraged us from asking any more questions. We did as she suggested, fearing they would change their mind and give you to another couple. We took you home that evening and never looked back.”

There it is—my humble beginning unfolded in a few short sentences. The numbness hits me, deadening my senses to react. Nothing I say or do now will change what happened in the past. What’s done is done. My focus should be on the present and future. I have to accept my situation for what it is and press forward like I would in my laboratory after a failed trial attempt. ‘You move on and you don’t give up’ I always encourage my researchers. 

My mother’s story seems to conflict with Lil’s. I have a problem with the information the caseworker gave her. Francine doesn’t appear to be a greedy woman from what I’ve gathered. It’s more plausible to believe the Montgomerys fabricated that entire lie. “Did they give you any names?” I interrupt.

“No,” Dad answers. “Regardless what your birth mother’s story was, your mother and I agreed that we would tell you about the adoption when you were old enough to understand.”

“But then Emily was diagnosed with cancer,” Mother reminds. My lids seal briefly, picturing Emily’s ashen face and dull eyes. I wanted her suffering to end, so I begged her to let go. She listened and I was left with a broken heart that refused to mend until I met Lillian. “We didn’t want to drown you. You were already struggling to stay afloat.”

“Why didn’t you tell me after Emily past away? You had all those years.”

“Your overwhelming success came quickly. We wanted to protect your heart from a greedy woman who might’ve used her maternal ties to extort money from you,” Mother explains. My parents sit silently in their seats, watching me nervously like they’re waiting for a judge’s verdict while my mind attempts to grasp everything that’s bombarded me within the past twenty-four hours.

“I love you both very much,” I assure them. “You always have my best interests at heart. I believe your actions were made with attention for my wellbeing. I don’t hold anything against you. Nothing will change what we have,” I assert, squeezing my mother’s hand.

Mother’s eyes well up with tears and so do Dad’s. Relief washes their dispirited expressions away. “I’m so happy to hear that, son. Your mother would be heartbroken if you kept the grandbabies away from her. She’s already started a stock pile of baby stuff in one of the spare bedrooms,” Dad discloses and laughs.

“It’s just a small pile, Carson,” she admits as she wipes her wet eyes.

“Mom, you’ve waited forever for these grandbabies. Knock yourself out. Spoil the heck out of them when Lil’s not watching,” I kid and then lean into her cheek to leave her a much deserving kiss.

The waiter comes promptly on my signal. He’s been giving us space to talk, picking up on how upset Mother appeared. Dad and I order our usual family-style meals while Mom insists on keeping with her low-carb diet. It’s liberating for all of us to have everything out in the open. The start to my happy ending begins here and will end with Lil and our babies.