As I awoke, I reached over to put my arm around Connor, but his side of the bed was empty. I sat up and looked around. I didn’t hear the shower running and Julia wasn’t in her crib. I put my robe on and walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Connor was sitting at the table with Julia in his arms, feeding her a bottle.
“Good morning, baby.” He smiled as he looked up at me.
“Good morning,” I said as I walked over and gave him and Julia a kiss. “Why didn’t you wake m
e? I would’ve gotten her.”
“You looked so peaceful sleeping, and I was already awake when she woke up.”
I poured a cup of coffee and sat down in the chair next to him. He looked so sexy in his black suit, and I wanted to take him upstairs and devour him before he had to leave for the office.
“Is something special going on today? You hardly ever wear a suit to the office.”
“I have to go to court today. I told you last week,” he said as he looked at me.
“Shit, Ashlyn and the trial. I completely forgot. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. You just had a baby and you’re still trying to adjust. Don’t worry about it,” he said as he put Julia over his shoulder to burp her.
Denny walked into the kitchen and headed straight to the coffee pot.
“Good morning.” He smiled as he looked at us.
“Good morning, Denny.” I smiled in return.
As Connor was burping Julia, she decided to spit up all down the back of his suit coat. I jumped up as he looked at me.
“Seriously?” he said.
I tried so hard to contain my laughter, as did Denny, but we both couldn’t hold it anymore. I took Julia from Connor and held her while Denny handed him a towel.
“Don’t you know by now that you shouldn’t feed a baby while wearing a suit?” Denny asked.
“I guess I do now,” Connor said as he walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs to change.
Claire came into the kitchen
, and I handed Julia to her. I walked upstairs and into the bedroom where Connor was pulling out another suit from the closet. I stood there with a smirk on my face.
“What’s that look for?” he asked.
“I just think it’s funny; that’s all.”
“You think it’s funny that our daughter spit up all over my five-thousand-dollar suit?”
“I do, and you don’t need a five-thousand-dollar suit anyway. That’s a ridiculous amount of money to spend. No one is going to know it costs that much, and you look just as sexy in a five- hundred-dollar suit.”
Connor pursed his lips together and put the suit he pulled out back in the closet. As he started walking slowly towards me, I knew the look on his face, and I knew I was in tr
ouble. When he approached me, I put up my hands to prevent him from coming any closer. He grabbed my hands and threw me on the bed.
“You know how much I love it when you babble on like that.” He smiled.
“Please, Connor, whatever you do, don’t tickle me,” I begged.
Suddenly, we heard Denny’s voice from downstairs. “Connor, let’s go. You’re already late.”
Connor kissed me on the lips. “You’re lucky, Mrs. Black. But make no mistake; we
will
continue this tonight.”
“I’ll be ready.” I winked.
Connor let go of my hands and walked back to the closet and pulled out his suit. I went back to the kitchen and took Julia from Claire. Shortly after changing his suit, Connor came down, grabbed his briefcase, and we walked him to the elevator.
“Bye, my beautiful little girl.” Connor smiled as he kissed Julia on her head. “And goodbye to you, my beautiful wife,” he said as he kissed me on the lips.
“Bye, babe. Good luck and call me.”
He gave me a small smile before
the elevator doors closed. I took Julia upstairs to change her diaper. Since I couldn’t stop thinking about the trial, I was pissed that Connor wasn’t talking to me about it. I wanted to be there for him, but since Julia had been born, I hadn’t had time to think about anything else but her, and I was exhausted all the time. I changed Julia’s diaper and carried her downstairs to find my phone. As I grabbed it off the kitchen counter, I dialed Peyton.
“Hello, bestie. Did you and Connor have amazing sex last night?” she asked.
“Good morning, Peyton, and yes, we did have amazing sex, but that’s not why I’m calling.”
“Oh, I thought you’d want to talk about it,” she said with a disappointed tone.
“Are you busy today?” I asked her.
“I just have a few errands to run. Why?”
“Connor is at the courthouse because the trial is starting today, and I really want to be there for him.”
“Did he ask you to go?”
“No, and he wouldn’t either. You know how he is. I just wanted to know if you could watch Julia for a few hours?”
“Of course I’ll watch that beautiful goddaughter of mine!” she squealed.
“Thank you, Peyton. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. I’ll be over in about thirty minutes.”
As I was putting Julia in her bouncy seat, Denny walked into the kitchen. “I’m glad you’re back. I need you to drive me to the courthouse,” I said as I looked at him.
“Elle, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You shouldn’t go there.”
“It’s not a matter of if I should or shouldn’t. I want to, and I want to be there for my husband.”
“I understand that, but I don’t think Connor wants you there.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t you know me by now?”
“Yes. Just let me know when you’re ready.” He sighed.
I smiled as I walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Denny.”
“You know he’ll probably yell at me for doing this,” he said.
“Don’t worry about it. If he says anything, I’ll take care of him.” I smiled.
I asked Denny if he could keep an eye on Julia while I went to get ready. As I was putting on my black skirt, Peyton came strolling into the bedroom, holding her.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Elle?” she asked.
“Of course I’m sure.”
“You know that bitch is crazy, and you haven’t seen her since you punched her out.”
“I know I haven’t and that’s why it’s time.”
I put on my black heels, handed Peyton the diaper bag, and kissed Julia goodbye. “Everything you need is in here. If you’re going to take her with you on errands, then you’ll need the stroller and it’s in the hallway by the elevator.”
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got this!” She smiled.
“Denny, I’m ready to leave,” I said as I grabbed by purse and we stepped onto the elevator.
I sat outside the courtroom, waiting for the trial to begin. I hadn’t seen Ashlyn since that day at the gym.
“Don’t worry, Connor,” Phil said. “She’ll get what she deserves.”
“Let’s just hope the jury finds her guilty.”
As we walked into the courtroom and sat down, I looked over and saw Ellery walking towards me. I instantly stood up.
“Ellery, what are you doing here?” I asked.
“I wanted to be here for you, Connor.”
“Baby, I’m sorry, but I don’t want you here. I don’t want you involved in this.”
“It’s too late for that, Connor. I’m your wife, and whatever you’re involved in, involves me. Now if you don’t want me here, that’s too fucking bad
, because I’m here to support you whether you want me to or not. So deal with it, buddy!” she exclaimed through gritted teeth.
I sighed as I looked at her, shook my head, and sat down. She said hello
to Phil and then sat down next to me.
“Where’s Julia?”
“Peyton is watching her,” she replied.
The lawyers walked into the courtroom and took their seats up front. The guard opened the door off to the side and escorted Ashlyn into the room.
“Remind me to tell her how becoming that orange jumpsuit is on her and those chain accessories are to die for,” Ellery whispered.
“You are to stay away from her,” I warned.
Ashlyn looked directly at me as she entered the courtroom, and then looked directly at Ellery. I put my hand on her thigh because I was nervous she was going to get pissed and start something. Ellery could have quite a temper. She put her hand on mine and looked over at me.
“Relax, Connor.”
I took in a deep breath as the judge entered the courtroom. Ashlyn’s attorney stood up and asked the judge for a postponement due to her change of plea.
“Your honor, my client is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity due to the mental distress she was put under by Mr. Connor Black.”
As I gasped, Ellery turned and looked at me. Her eyes were wide and angry. I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. My heart started racing.
“Is this true?” the judge asked as he looked at Ashlyn.
“Yes, it is, your Honor,” she said as she nodded her head.
“Fine. The
trial is postponed until one week from today,” he said as he got up from his seat and went into his chambers.
As the guard walked Ashlyn out of the courtroom, she looked over at me and blew me a kiss. When Ellery went to get up, I grabbed her arm.
“Don’t,” I whispered.
“Connor, this is bullshit!” she
yelled.
“Yes, it is bullshit. I need to meet with my personal attorney,” I said.
As we got up from our seats, I grabbed Ellery’s hand and led her out of the courtroom. When we reached the hallway, I pulled her into me and held her tight.
“Everything’s going to be fine, Elle; I don’t want you worrying about this.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said.
I kissed her on the head and called Lou, my personal attorney. When I hung up the phone from him, I walked over to the bench where Ellery was sitt
ing and talking on the phone. When she hung up, she looked at me with sadness in her eyes.
“Who where you talking to?” I asked.
“Peyton. I was checking on Julia.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. She wants to keep Julia a little while longer and then when Henry gets home from the hospital, they’ll bring her home. I invited them for dinner. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, sweetheart
,” I said as I took her hand and softly kissed it. “I think we could use some good friends tonight,” she said.
I helped her up from the bench and put my arm around her as we walked out of the building. As I opened the door to the limo, Ellery climbed in and, instantly, Denny knew something was wrong. I sat down next to her and shut the door.
“What happened in there?” Denny asked.
“Ashlyn changed her plea to not guilty by reason of insanity, and she’s blaming it on mental distress caused by me.”
“What?!” he exclaimed.
Ellery’s eyes started to swell with tears as she looked out her window. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer as I buried my face into her neck.
“I don’t want you upset over this. Things are going to work out,” I said.
“She’s an evil bitch, Connor, and she’ll go to whatever lengths necessary to destroy you.”
“Ellery, I’m not going to let that happen.”
“Yeah, well neither am I,” she said.
I pulled back and looked at her. “You are to stay away from Ashlyn. Do you understand me?” I said in a firm voice.
She looked at me with those blue eyes. They had a look in them that I knew all too well; the look of defiance and anger. She tilted her head as her lips formed a small smile.
“Yes, Connor, I understand you.”
When we arrived home, I went upstairs to change. A few minutes later, Connor came into the bedroom.
“Are you mad at me?” he asked.
I turned around and looked at him as I slipped off my skirt. “No. Why would you ask that?”
“Because you’re not saying anything and you have that look.”
The fact of the matter was that I was a little upset with him for using a firm tone with me in the limo.
“Connor, I’m not mad at you. I’m just a little—”
“A little what?” he asked as he walked over to me and started unbuttoning my blouse.
“Okay, you need to stop,” I said as I put my hand up and backed away.
He inched closer to me with a smile on his face as he slipped off my blouse.
“Why do I need to stop? I thought you loved it when I undressed you.”
“I do. It’s just you’re distracting me from my thoughts. To be honest with you, I’m pissed that you used that tone with me earlier.”
“You use that tone with me all the time, and I find it sexy,” he whispered as his hot breath on my neck made me quiver.
I bit down on my bottom lip and closed my eyes. He knew damn well what he was doing.
“Connor.”
“Shh, baby. Just enjoy what I’m doing to you,” he whispered as his hand pushed my thong to the side and he slipped in his finger.
I gasped as pleasure overtook my body. He stared at me while slowly moving his finger in and out of me as a small smile escaped his lips.
“You were saying?”
“Damn you,” I moaned as I unbuttoned his pants and slid them down.
I wrapped my fingers around his cock and stroked him up and down. He threw his head back as a groan came from the back of his throat. He removed his fingers and pushed me against the wall. His mouth crashed into mine as I wrapped my legs around him and he buried himself inside me with force. He moved at a fast pace. Our hearts were racing and our breathing was shallow as he moved in and out of me, bringing me to orgasm.
“Oh G
od, Connor,” I yelled as my body shook.
“You feel so good, baby,” he shouted as I felt his warmth shoot inside me.
He stood there, my legs still wrapped around his waist, and his hands firmly cupping my ass.
“Now what was it you were saying?” He smiled.
I tilted my head back as he slid his tongue across my throat. “We better get ready. Peyton and Henry will be here soon.” Connor pulled out of me, kissed me on the lips, and walked to the bathroom. I pulled a pair of jeans from the drawer and got dressed. As I sat on the edge of the bed, I started to cry. Connor came out of the bathroom and kneeled down in front of me. He took my hands in his.
“Baby, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” he asked in a panic.
I shook my head. “I miss Julia, and I want her home,” I cried.
“Aw, Ellery. Come here, baby,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me. “She’ll be home soon.”
Suddenly, I heard voices coming from downstairs. I jumped up from the bed and flew down the stairs. When I saw Peyton and Henry by the door, I grabbed the car seat from Henry’s hand.
“Julia, Mommy missed you so much,” I cried as I took her out of her car seat and held her tight.
“God, Elle. Are you okay?” Peyton asked.
“She’s fine,” Connor said as he came walking down the stairs. “She just missed Julia.”
Connor walked over and kissed Peyton on the cheek. “Thank you for looking after her,” he said, and then walked over and shook Henry’s hand. Connor kissed Julia on the head and told her how much he missed her.
“What’s going on with you?” Peyton asked as she sat down next to me.
“I missed her, Peyton. It was the first time we’d been apart since I found out I was pregnant, and it was hard.”
“Aw, sweetie,” she said as she put her arm around me. “I’m sorry; I should have just brought her home sooner.”
“No, it’s fine, and thank you again for taking care of her.”
“How did it go at court today?” she asked.
I looked at her with a sullen look, but I didn’t have to say a word. The single tear that fell from my eye said enough.
“What the fuck, Elle? What did she do, or didn’t, or whatever? What the fuck happened?” she whispered.
“We’ll talk about it over dinner. I don’t want to talk about it now and then again.”
As Julia started to cry, Connor walked over and took her from me so I could get a bottle ready. I got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen. Peyton followed behind.
“We need to get you fitted for your maid of honor dress,” she said.
“Ugh, I know. I just have a few more pounds to lose.”
“I think you look great, but if you insist, then I suggest you hit the gym and hit it fast. You have one month and then you’re going for your fitting,” she announced.
I took out the pizza menu from the drawer and looked it over. I grabbed my cell phone and called an order for delivery. I warmed up a bottle and Peyton and I walked back into the living room where Henry and Connor were.
“I’ll feed her, babe,” Connor said.
“I can feed her, Connor.”
“Aw, Henry, look at them. They’re fighting over who feeds Julia. That’s so sweet!” Peyton squealed.
I smiled at Connor and gave him the bottle. I walked over to the bar and Peyton sat down on the stool.
“Pour me some hard liquor, bartender,” she said with an accent.
“Let’s do some shots.” I smiled.
I took down two shot glasses and grabbed the bottle of Jack Daniels. I poured a shot into each glass.
“Here’s to a fucked up day!” I smiled as I held up my glass.
Peyton smiled as we both downed our whiskey and slammed our glasses on the granite top of the bar. The burn made its way down my throat. Peyton looked at me.
“Remind me again why you drink this shit,” she said.
I laughed as I poured another shot and Connor came walking over to me with Julia in his arms.
“Keep that up and you’ll be drunk before you know it,” he said.
“Last shot. I promise.” I smiled.
Julia fell asleep, so Connor took her upstairs and put her in her crib. The pizza had arrived and we all went into the kitchen and sat down at the table.
“Are you going to tell us what happened today?” Peyton asked as she grabbed a slice of pizza.
“Ashlyn changed her plea to not guilty by reason of temporary insanity due to the distress
I
apparently caused her,” Connor explained.
“What?! That stupid bitch!” Peyton yelled.
“Connor, that’s crazy,” Henry said as he shook his head.
“She’s crazy,” I said.
“Well, we all know that bitch is crazy. So now what?” Peyton asked.
“Now, we get to rehash the past and all the shit that went on between her and Connor.”
“Ellery, don’t,” Connor said as he looked at me.
I looked away because I didn’t want to go through this again. Not now; not ever.