Ending with Forever (23 page)

“Lillian, sweetheart, may I come in?” Kat calls from outside my door.

“Yes, of course,” I answer.

Entering with a tray of tea and snacks, she sets it on the dresser and then sits down on the bed by my side. “How are you feeling this midmorning?”

“A little nauseous still, but nothing I can’t handle,” I reply, pushing the charts aside to make room for her.

“Jean sent over a special tea blend for you. I just brewed it,” she tells me with a cringing face. Oh geez. I don’t know if I can drink that crap for another two months. “It smells medicinal. I bet it tastes like it too.”

“It does, bitter and spicy. I’ve had it before.”

“You poor thing. I’m not sure if I could swallow it from the pungent smell and the dark color of it.”

“You would if you were sick enough. It’s really not a bad trade-off.”

“You’re probably right.”

“Thank you for making it. Jean was very considerate to send it with Carson.”

“No problem, dear. You should drink it while it’s still hot,” she insists offering me a forged smile.

Reaching for her arm I stop her from getting off the bed. “Kat, I want you to know that I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me, stepping in for my mom when she can’t be here for me.”

“Lillian, I am your mom. You and Carson will be married soon. My grandbabies are growing in there.” She pats my belly gently. “You’re the daughter I’ve always wanted,” she grins, squeezing my hand lovingly.

“Why didn’t you have more children?” I pry candidly.

“It wasn’t in the cards for us. We were lucky to have Carson. He’s our gift from God.”

“He’s very special isn’t he?” I tell her fondly.

“What are you two chit-chatting about?” Carson interrogates from the door entrance before Kat could reply.

“You,” I answer with a giddy smile. “Why are you home so early?”

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he replies. Carrying a pink and white polka-dot gift bag, he walks over and kisses his mother on her cheek. “Good morning, Mother,” he greets and then leans into my forehead with his lips.

“Carson, you do realize that I am capable of taking care of her while you’re at work,” she kids, standing up to offer him her spot.

“Yes, Mother, but no one can give her the same kind of attention that I can.” He winks at me and smirks at Kat.

“I surrender,” she chuckles and rolls her eyes, exiting to give us our privacy.

“Love you, Mom,” Carson hollers out to her.

“Love you, son.” Her voice echoes in the hallway.

“Are you ready to go home? Luke gave me the clearance last night,” Carson turns to me to tell me.

“Is Luke back?” I ask, excited. “Did you hear anything about his father?”

I haven’t seen Luke since the day I drugged him. After my incident, he received a call from his mother that his father was very ill. She told Luke he needed to come home and be by his side. I hope he’s coping well with his situation. I still feel sick to my stomach for lacing his smoothie with Carson’s sleeping pills.

“He’s back and his father is stable. You’ll be able to see him later today,” he informs, knowing I’ve been anxious to see Luke so I can apologize properly.

“That’s great news,” I applaud. “Is this for me?” I pry, pointing at his bag.

“No. It’s for baby number two,” he clarifies, pulling out a stuffed giraffe identical to Sugar with a pink bow.

“It’s a she, Carson.”

“I know. She’ll be every bit as gorgeous as her mom,” he tells me. “Let’s get you and these charts packed up so we can go home.”

“Speaking of charts…I found Francine’s in this pile.”

“Francine Manns?” He looks at me puzzled. “Gabby’s friend?”

“Yes. She has disease in her spine from breast cancer. Can we get her on the same protocol as Gabby’s?”

“Lil, I’m not sure if it’ll work for her. There are so many variables that go into a clinical trial.”

“But she’s been fighting selflessly for Gabby. She could’ve pleaded for herself when she saw you, but she didn’t. This explains why she was acting so awkwardly that day in your office. Carson, she has four grown kids who want her around for their children.”

“Have you ever considered being a lawyer?” he trifles. “You’re so good at swaying my decisions.”

“Never. I just know how to work you, hazel eyes.”

“Really. I might need a little more convincing tonight.”

“If that’s what it takes, I’ll do it.” I flirt, groping the inner part of his firm thigh.

Shaking his head at my attempt of seducing with a crooked grin, he walks over to his dresser that I’ve taken over and pulls out a beige sweater and a pair of brown leggings for me to change into. “Here, babe. Put these on. After that, you can drink Jean’s tea and then resume working on me.”

Darn it. I was hoping he wouldn’t remind me of that disgusting tea. “Do I have to drink it? I’d rather work on you instead.” I whine.

“Yes. Just swallow it and give me that cute face you make when you swallow my cum.” He chuckles.

I
’m Lillian Ly again, thanks to Kat’s hairstylist, Dezi. He was able to fit me into his impenetrable schedule after Kat persuaded him with a lunch date in exchange. It was one of those whimsical decisions that Carson was sweet enough to indulge me. He worked on his phone while waiting patiently for me on a nearby chair, sipping Pellegrino on ice with a slice of lime. My natural light brown hair color was restored, matching my russet eyes. When I asked Dezi for his opinion on a new style, Carson interrupted an important phone conversation to insist I keep my long locks. “Don’t cut your hair, angel. It’s beautiful just the way it is,” he asserted and then resumed his call. That’s Carson for you—a demanding man who knows exactly what he wants and isn’t shy about voicing it. I love how he’s able to switch from being a doting lover to a powerful CEO in one breath. How he keeps it straight is beyond my comprehension.

~~~~

Rollin drops us off at the Zen’s front entrance. For the first time in a long time we’re going to enter through the lobby just like normal tenants in this building. Holding the door open, Jeremy receives us with his usual cheerful smile. How wonderful it is to see him again. After acknowledging Jeremy, Carson clasps my hand gently and leads me to the not so dreaded elevators. Thanks to Bianca, I’ve conquered several of my phobias. She forced me to face my personal demons and it turned out to be a mind-over-matter issue for me. After laying in a dark pit alone for hours waiting to die, nothing could be more terrifying—not even being trapped in a burning apartment. When I finally came to terms, my brain forced me to ignore the smoke and fire and the darkness and emptiness. I did and when I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in a white fluffy bed with Carson by my side. So a trip up or down an elevator car is a joyride in comparison. When the doors finally open, I hop in confidently. Carson appears impressed looking at my smiling face.

“Does this mean you won’t need me to hold you in an elevator anymore?” he inquires, pinching my chin gently between his thumb and index finger as I lean against the back wall.

“No. I’ll always need you to hold me.” My eyes stare up into his, lost in his unrelenting lure.

“Good answer, angel.” He grins and slips his tongue into my eager mouth, lapping with an intense desire but still remains tender. His attention is on me only. Here in this elevator, just the two of us in our own world, we share a kiss so intense that our clothes could melt off our heated bodies. I haven’t had his hard, muscular frame on me for over a week. He’s been ever mindful of my injuries, touching delicately to avoid hurting me. I’m not sure if it’s the pregnancy hormones that’s made me so horny lately, but I want to attack him every chance I get—more than I usually do.

The car stops but I’m too consumed in Carson’s kisses to note what floor we’re on. Andrew’s lively, high-pitched voice pulls us back into his world, blushing and breathing heavily still attached. “Hey. What a coincidence. I’m on my way up to see you both.” He pays no mind to our unashamed display of affection as he pushes the doors back with his hands. “Stewie and I are having a dinner party tomorrow evening. You two are invited and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Okay,” I answer. “What’s the special occasion?”

“To celebrate your safe return of course,” he answers while observing the new color of my hair with his discerning eyes. “Welcome back, Lillian. It’s weird to say your real name out loud after having to call you Lucy for so long.”

“I know. Right? It does seem like I’ve lived a double life for the past few months. I’m glad to be back though.”

“I think I’m going to long for Lucy on some occasions,” Carson kids, urging my elbow to poke him in his gut. He exhales a soft grunt—serves him right for wanting the other woman.

“Watch it, buddy,” I warn Carson, narrowing my eyes at him. “Andrew, do you need me to bring a side dish or dessert?” I offer.

“Nope. I have it all covered. Cocktails start at 6:00 p.m. for Carson and I have sparkling juice for you, cutie,” he confirms and releases the doors to close in front of us.

“See you tomorrow then,” I reply and turn to confront Carson playfully. “So you’ll miss that dark haired, skanky Lucy, huh?” My smiling eyes squint at him with a pouty mouth. I have both hands resting on my waist. “What’s so great about her anyways?”

“She’s unpredictable and sexy. We’ve shared many heated nights and mornings. I’m already hard thinking about them.”
Am I really jealous of my edgier side, Lucy?

“Who knows? She might show up one night and tie you to the bed again, forcing herself on you,” I reply, tracing the obvious growing bulge between his legs. “If you like that kind of girl—
easy
.”

“Of course I’m into
easy
. Who wouldn’t be into a girl like that? I’m counting on seeing her again, but for now, I’ll enjoy my Lillian instead,” he tells me before leading me out the elevator. “Who’s not so
easy
,” he adds with a chuckle.

Carson unlocks the front door, opening it wide for me to enter. The balloons are all still floating buoyantly in the living room, gathered into one large clump like a multicolor hot air balloon. That’s impossible. I know helium gas doesn’t last that long. “These can’t possibly be my balloons,” I turn to question him.

With a mischievous smirk on his handsome face he shrugs his shoulders. “Anything is possible with you.”

I stride over to the bouquet of balloons to find new tags attached to them in Carson’s handwriting: Flowers, castle, magic, wishes, fairytale, love, family, prince, and princess. What’s this all about? “Well, are you going to tell me or will I have to pry it out of you?” I ask as he ambles toward me.

“Remember that fairytale I told you?” he reminds me with his arms circled around my shoulders, holding me captive.

“You mean the one with the cheesy ending?” I giggle, recalling how he replaced my tears with laughter at Emma’s wedding.

“Yes. We’re going to write the first chapter together using these ingredients.”

“How? What do you mean?” He’s always full of wonderful surprises.

“I’m taking you to a magical place to get inspired, just you and me.”

“Where?” I ask, excited, imagining the endless possibilities.

“Thousands of miles away from here,” he tells me. “You’ll love it.”

“I don’t deserve you,” I whisper, drooping my head in shame. “My love for you has faltered repeatedly while yours is always constant.”

“I’ve had more practice than you’ve had,” he clarifies, tilting my chin up so my eyes would behold him. “It’s me who doesn’t deserve your innocence and your kind heart. I could search another lifetime or two and never find someone as remarkable as you.” The back of his hand sweeps along the side of my face tenderly. “When I found your unresponsive body in that hell hole, it was as if my heart was ripped violently out of my chest. I couldn’t see my future without you. I held you in my arms and wept uncontrollably. Out of desperation, I made a deal with God that night. I told him that if He’d let me keep you, I’d never ask Him for anything else. Because you’re all I need.”

“You were all I thought of when I was trapped down there. I didn’t want to leave you. I also made a similar deal with God. I told Him that if my life was spared, He could take away everything but you. I love you without end.”

“Like a complete circle,” he smirks, recalling my innocent attempt at being romantic.

“Yes, like a complete circle. I’m madly in love with you, Carson Bradley.”

“And I with you.”

The Montgomery Empire crashed and sank like the Titanic, completely wiped out in one fateful tragedy. I never expected my father to be so heavily involved with illegal drugs and weapons, but then I’ve been so deceived by him all my life. The Feds uncovered enough shit to put him away for a very long time. Carson’s men managed to retrieve his two researchers without a hitch, escaping the Feds unnoticed.

Chandler Montgomery gives his loyalty to no one but himself. Even after discovering his plan of framing me to take the fall for stealing Bradley’s drugs and the kidnappings, I still felt compelled to visit him. He’s the only father figure I’ve known and loved. Sadly, he refused to see me. He would not have anything to do with me from now on. Mimi took off with her lover as soon as the Fed’s sequestered the entire Montgomery mansion estate, leaving her with nothing. It didn’t surprise me that she left my father at his lowest point when he needed her most. Their relationship was one based on power and status, not love. They had no real foundation. Fortunately for me, Marcus Ly had bought the majority of the Montgomery NeoMed stocks when it was at its all-time low, giving him eighty percent control of the company. He’s now my new silent partner.

I was scheduled to fly back to Hong Kong with Bridgette after the Feds completed their interrogation, but a devastating call from my half sister, Danielle, changed everything. Francine, my mother whom I just reconnected with, is dying of cancer. It had spread to her spine. Polly’s God is unfair. How could He give her back to me and then take her away from me so quickly? What kind of a sadistic God is He? Against her will, I flew Francine to Boston so I could get her the best possible care. She refused to burden me when she had barely been a mother to me was her defense. I assured her that it didn’t matter to me. I only wanted to make her comfortable and spend as much time with her as I could. I’ll be damned if I couldn’t at least have a few happy years with her.

~~~~

“Mrs…mom,” I stumble, still adjusting to the change. “You have to let me tell Carson everything,” I persuade, sitting by her hospital bed. “His bone drug will buy you more time. I need more time with you. Your new grandbaby needs more time with you,” I reason with her.

“Wes, I don’t expect you to understand my decision.” Her lips quiver as she reaches for my hand, holding on to it. Her watering eyes search for consolation in mine. “Everything I do for my children is based on love. I refuse to take away Carson’s happiness. What if I told him the truth and it made him hate his adopted parents for lying to him? It’d tear his family apart and I’d never forgive myself,” she explains, but I’m not convinced. Since this is a life and death situation, I’d think Carson would understand.

“But Carson will never know you as his mother. Shouldn’t he be given that choice? I would want it.”

“I’ve already made up my mind,” she tells me firmly. “I forbid you to say anything to Carson. Wes, swear to me,” she sobs. Her breathing is more labored as her blood pressure spikes on the monitor. Tears flow steadily and then fiercely. It’s killing me to see her in so much distress. I know none of this is easy for her. She’s making another sacrifice for the sake of her son’s well-being when she should be thinking of herself. We’re both grown men who can handle our struggles without her shielding us.

“Wes, you’re upsetting your mother,” Bridgette brings to my attention in the background. “Agree with her,” she urges me.

“Fine,” I snip, clenching my hands around the bed railing. “I don’t agree with your decision, but I’ll respect it,” I surrender.

“When you have children of your own, you’ll know a different kind of love, one that’s boundless and absolute,” she imparts with a faint exhale.

“It’s just not fair,” I whimper. “I just found you.”

“I’ll always be in your heart,” she assures me. More tears glide down her cheeks like blood bleeding out of her heart. This is maternal love I’m seeing for the first time.

“Wes, your mother needs her rest. She looks tired,” Bridgette suggests, placing an encouraging hand on my shoulder. “We can come back later this evening.”

“Thanks, sweetheart,” Mom tells her.

Bridgette leans into her forehead and kisses her affectionately, offering her a soft side most people never see. “I’ll keep him in line for you.” She winks and then grabs my hand to urge me out.

“Mom, get some rest. We’ll be stop by again,” I assure her with a kiss on her cheek and then leave the room with Bridgette.

“Wes, I know how difficult this is for you, but you have to respect your mother’s wishes. She’s going through a lot and doesn’t need to battle with you.”

“I get it, but Carson should have the option to choose if he wants her in his life or not before she passes away. And besides, he might be able to save her or prolong her time.”

“There’s still time. We can ask him for the drug without revealing Francine’s real identity to him.”

With a heavy sigh I agree to listen to Bridgette’s suggestion. Her mind is much clearer and sharper than mine. She can easily kick my ass in the corporate world because she lets nothing interfere with her objective.