Three Wishes (Dreams Come True #3) (14 page)

“He’s using me, Charlie, and I’m mad as hell about it.” Ben squatted down and hugged me. “Let me get the rest of this out, then I need to go call him. Okay?”

“Fine.” I felt confused…and scared. Would Ben just disappear now? What did any of this mean?

“Let’s see.” He scratched at his chin. “Right. The phone was blowing up. Tons of emails. Turns out people want to help. They are going to come to the donor drive next week. And they are donating to help you now.” Ben grinned proudly.

“What?” My hands were in a white-knuckle grip on the chair.

“Yeah. Look. It’s amazing!” He punched a few buttons and then held out his phone for me to see.

Slowly, I took it, not sure what to expect. It looked like a PayPal account. I had one for my online work, but this one was called The Ollie & Charlie Fund. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. Then I focused on the balance. It was already over twelve thousand dollars. My mouth went dry, but my eyes didn’t. “Why would you do this?” My voice came out a whimper.

“Babe, I’m trying to help.” He sounded more than a little exasperated.

“How does it help me to know I have so many people pitying me?” I shook my head as tears dripped down my nose. “All I have is my self-respect and my pride. You’re killing it.”

“How’s that?” Ben backed away from me and threw his hands in the air.

“My father obviously now knows we’re struggling. He’ll run and tell my mother. She’ll get to be all smug about our situation.” I dabbed at my eyes with the handkerchief he’d given me when he arrived.

“Listen, if they are sitting around gloating about your ‘situation’ as you put it, then they are shit human beings. If they have the ability to help out and they aren’t, they are shit human beings. If they aren’t there for you in your time of need…”

I glared up at him. “Newsflash, Ben. They are shit human beings. Glad we’re all caught up.” I watched as he swallowed hard. Obviously, my words hit him hard.

“I don’t know why this surprises me so.” He closed the distance and reached out to hold my hand. “I guess it’s more that I don’t understand how someone could abandon you, hurt you and Ollie.” Ben pressed his cheek to my thigh.

“Good Lord! Are you pitying me too?” I reached out to push him away.

“No one pities you, Charlie. Do you not get that yet?” He stuffed his phone in his pocket. “These people donating want to help. I want to help. No one should have to go it alone. Understand?” He gazed up at me with these pleading eyes.

“Not really. I’m not used to this. It feels bad to me.” My head hung and I couldn’t face him.

“An outpouring of love can be overwhelming at first. Just accept it. Let them love you.” Ben took both of my hands in his. “Let me love you.”

Chapter Fourteen

Ben

There it was. For a moment, the ‘L’ word hung in the air between us. Maybe it was best I’d gotten it out now. After all, she still was in no condition to run and look how close she’d come to avoiding a conversation with only the use of the wheely chair. Slowly, she’d swallowed her sorrow. I could actually see the transformation coming over her. Then, she nodded. It was more of a hint of a nod at first, then a shy smile broke out on her face as she surrendered.

More than anything, I wanted to confront her father while it was all still fresh in my mind, but I had to know it was safe to leave before I could do it. “Are we good, Charlie? Do you forgive me?”

Staring into my eyes a moment, her head tilted to the side. As she reached out to cup my cheek, I held her hand there and savored her touch. “Yeah, you mean well.”

I moved her hand so I could graze her knuckles with my lips. “Gawd, I miss you. I miss having you at the pool house. I miss your company, the physical comedy, and our alone time.”

Charlie giggled and made my heart pound. “The physical comedy,” she scoffed.

“Yeah. I mean, don’t get too crazy with it, but you do make me laugh.” I grinned.

“I miss it too. All of it.” She stared meaningfully into my eyes.

“Good. When you get out, we’ll make sure there’s more of
all
of it.” I winked and leaned in, prepared to kiss her like I meant it, not one of those safe public kisses.

“Are you gonna kiss her now?” Ollie giggled.

We both whipped around to look at her. Sure enough, she was awake and had her camera pointed at us. “Look who’s awake?” I joked. I glanced back at Charlie. “And that’s my cue. I’ll be back after, okay? I need to get this out.”

Her head bobbed and a serious look came over her face. “See you soon?”

“Of course. Just try and keep me away.” Then I planted a safe for Ollie kiss on her lips before making my way to the hospital bed. “I have to go make a phone call, but I’ll be back to work with you soon. Can I get you anything, squirt?”

Ollie cocked her head to the side, her mother’s mini me. I grinned. “Ben, can we work on editing today?” She looked anxious, as if I’d deny her this small request.

“Absolutely, Olls. I promised I’d teach you everything I know about making a movie. We’ll get right on it when I return.” Then I gave her a peck on the cheek and exited the room while pulling my phone from my pocket.

There was a distinct possibility I’d end up yelling at Charlie’s father. God, I still struggled to wrap my mind around the concept, but it made sense. Instead of simply having this discussion in the hall, I left the building entirely and went back to my car. Once I sat inside and collected my thoughts, I called him without even texting first. After all, he felt comfortable reaching out to me at the crack of dawn. The phone rang three times and I feared it would go to voicemail when he finally answered.

“Ben, is everything alright?” The worry was evident in his voice, but it seemed so out of place since I now knew the reality of the situation.

“No, Professor Morceau. It isn’t.” I gritted my teeth a moment as I struggled to control my temper. I wished I was more like Gabriel, with his cool, controlled demeanor, or Sebastian, with his cunning and grace. Instead, I was all emotion and action, a terrible combination by my estimation.

“What’s wrong?” His chair creaked in the background.

“Pretty much everything. It has come to my attention you’re Charlie’s father.” There, I’d said it. His response would determine the direction of this conversation.

Professor Morceau cleared his throat. “I see Charlotte told you.”

“Charlie. Her name is Charlie.” I clenched my fist angrily, glad we weren’t having this talk in person. “Of course, she told me. I’m curious as to why you didn’t.”

“It’s complicated.” He sighed.

“Really, seems pretty simple to me. Observe. Ben, I’d like you to grant my granddaughter’s wish. Simple, huh?” I threw my free hand in the air. “Nothing complicated about that. Same rules apply. I teach her to make a movie and you give me college credit. Bam.”

“Would you have done it?”

My brow furrowed. “Absolutely. I needed the credits. And Charlie has intrigued me since the first time I saw her at your office. I’ve wanted to know her for all those years.” I bit my cheek, almost ashamed of my admission.

“I know. I knew you were interested in her,” he grumbled.

A light dawned in my head. “You did know. I remember the way you looked at me. You could’ve told me then, could’ve helped me find her, but you didn’t.” I rubbed the back of my neck while I thought. “Was I not good enough for your daughter?”

“It wasn’t that.” I could hear his footsteps on hardwoods, then the sound of a door closing.

“Then what was it?” I waited, but he didn’t answer. Maybe he couldn’t. Maybe he refused to admit the reasons even to himself. “Oh. Wow. You didn’t think she was good enough for me?”

“Charlotte is a sinking ship…”

“Charlie. She hates being called Charlotte.” I felt fiercely protective of her. “Did you just call her a sinking ship?”

“She was pregnant the first time you saw her. The second, the little girl was sick. She found out that day.”

I interrupted him again. “Her name is Olivia. We call her Ollie.” I struggled to remember this man controlled my collegiate future. Really, I wanted to go for his throat.

“Yes, Olivia. Ollie.” Professor Morceau sighed. “Anyway, I thought the timing might be better now for you to meet her.”

I wished I didn’t have to talk to him in the car. I thought better when I could move around, give my ideas room grow. The car was stifling in every sense. “Why would now be better? Ollie’s sick. She’s convinced she’s dying.” My heart froze. “Did you think I’d be a better match for Charlie if Ollie was gone?”

“Well, who would want to raise another man’s child? Who would want her?” He spat.

Bile rose in my throat. This man completely sickened me. I can’t believe I ever admired him. “A good man. A good man would see what a treasure Ollie is. A good man would fall madly in love with the incredible woman Charlie has become. I’m that man. I always was.” I slammed my hand on the dashboard. “I could’ve been there for them the whole time. I would’ve.” I rubbed my forehead, feeling one hell of a headache threatening. “You stole years from us. You decided Charlie’s fate, threw her into the cold when she needed a safe haven. How could you?”

“I did what I thought was best,” he said stiffly.

“Best for who?” My voice rose angrily. “Best for you and your wife? Because it sure as hell wasn’t best for Charlie or Ollie.”

“There are expectations you’re too young to understand,” he responded flatly.

“Oh, I know all about expectations. You, sir, have fallen short of mine, of society’s.” I exhaled and hoped I could channel some Gabriel for a moment. “Here’s what’s going to happen. Are you paying attention?”

There was a deep sigh. “Yes.”

“Good. See, I’m going to finish what I started. Ollie will have her movie. I will have my credits.” I ran my hand through my hair. “Then Charlie and Ollie are going to have me for as long as your daughter allows. And you don’t get to know about any of it. I’m done being used. Understand?”

“I understand,” he mumbled.

“If you want to know what’s going on with them, you can read my blog, or dial direct. You talk to Charlie, got it?” I set my jaw as I waited for his response.

“Fine. I guess we’re through here.” I heard his chair creak again.

“Definitely. Goodbye.” Then I ended the call. I felt better for having spoken my mind, but so much worse after meeting the real Professor Morceau. My heart hurt for Charlie as I imagined the life she’d had growing up. No wonder she’d fallen for Ollie’s dad. Anything would’ve seemed like an upgrade. Any affection might’ve looked like love. I sighed. Ah, but Charlie wouldn’t want my pity. This conversation helped me understand her better, just like her hardships had shaped her into the woman I love. Feeling more than a little drained, I exited my vehicle to go be with my girls.

***

Charlie

Ben was gone forever. Okay, maybe it was more like half an hour. Still, it felt like forever when I was worrying over the conversation taking place between him and my father. I tried not to think about it too much, but it hung over me like a dark cloud. My family looked perfect on paper. My father had the academic career and was highly esteemed in his field. My mother was the flawless looking wife and member of all the right clubs. It was all about appearances. When I broke the mold, I was voted off the island. It surprised me, but didn’t hurt me like it should’ve. Really, there were times I felt downright relieved. I could be my own person with opinions, ideas, likes and dislikes.

“Are you okay, Mama?” Ollie stared my direction, the camera held out in front of her.

“I’m here with you. Why wouldn’t I be okay?” I forced a smile.

“He’ll be back soon.” She gave me a knowing look.

I wheeled over to her. “I know. How’s the movie coming?” We needed a new topic of conversation.

“So good. I have so much to work with. I want more, but it’s hard in the hospital.” She shrugged, wholly accepting her situation.

“Maybe you’ll go home soon,” I offered. “Then we can do something fun.”

“Like another restaurant?” Ollie perked right up.

“Or a birthday party,” Ben suggested.

Relief washed over me as he joined me at Ollie’s bedside while my daughter squealed in delight. “You’re back! We can edit!”

“We sure can, Ollie.” He smiled widely at her while I tried to read his face. Ben turned to meet my appraising gaze and the façade slipped for a moment. There it was. He’d seen my father, the real man, not the professor.

“You can’t say I didn’t warn you.” My eyebrow shot up. “Was it bad?”

“Well…it wasn’t good,” he admitted. “But it’s over. Now we can focus on happier things…like…Ollie’s sixth birthday.” Ben flopped down on the end of her bed. “So what kind of party do you want, squirt? Anything. We’ll make it happen.”

I watched as Ollie’s demeanor transformed. She practically shook with excitement as she clasped her hands under her chin. She was smiling so wide I’m surprised she could speak.

“I’ve never had a party before!” Ollie reached out for him and I knew if she weren’t attached to all the tubing and wires, she’d have launched herself into his arms. I completely understood. I wanted to do it rather often myself.

“What?” Ben looked back and forth between us. “How is this possible?”

I gave him a look that should’ve answered all his questions. “We always had cake and presents and the two of us,” I reminded her.

“That sounds a lot like a party, Ollie. Let’s just make this one bigger!” He rubbed his hands together. “Where do you want to go?”

Shaking her head, Ollie reminded him of her reality. “Can’t. Germs.”

Ben frowned. “Can and will. Give me some time.” He tugged at his chin. “Now what do you want for a theme?”

“Theme?” Ollie scrunched up her face in confusion.

“Yeah, like…do you have a favorite television show or movie, a favorite character?” He took out his phone and I knew he was making notes for later.

“Oh, wow. I don’t know. I love the book Mama and I were reading,
A Little Princess
.” She smiled and wore a dreamy look. “But I think I liked
A Secret Garden
better. There’s this boy and he’s sick, but his time in the garden with his friends heals him.”

“So secret garden. Got it.” Ben reached over and squeezed my hand.

“Are you gonna plant me a secret garden?” Her eyes grew wide.

“Plant? Probably not.” He chuckled. “And I can’t tell you what I’m gonna do. It wouldn’t be a surprise!”

“Is this a surprise party? Can Becca come?” She held up crossed fingers on both hands.

“I bet that could be arranged.” He nodded. “What kind of cake do you like?”

“Ollie has never met a cake she hasn’t liked,” I joked.

“Hm. Do you have a favorite?” Ben studied her seriously. “I’m more of a chocolate frosting yellow cake guy, myself.”

“How can you expect me to pick a favorite? Wouldn’t it hurt all the other cakes’ feelings?” She batted her eyelashes at us.

“Assorted cupcakes it is,” he mumbled as he typed on his phone. Then he stood and stuck it in his pocket. “Let’s get editing, shall we?”

“Yes, please!” Ollie picked up her camera again.

“I think there may be a kiss or two we need to remove.” He winked at me as he reached for the camera, but she yanked it away and gave him a stern look.

“The kisses stay, Ben,” she warned.

“Well, if it means that much to you, Olls.” He shrugged.

“It does.” She softened. “And I’m pretty sure it means a lot to Mama too.”