Accidentally Perfect (22 page)

“Me having sex with my wife, better not be on the front page of anything tomorrow.”

“It’s fucking crazy what those rats come up with.  I’m surprised the
paps weren’t sitting out front now.”

“I kinda have some undercovers sitting in their cars out front.  Whenever they see a
pap,
they are supposed to send them on their way.”   Laney looks at me surprised.

“Is that why the hospital was cleared too?” I just nodded. 

“Well, how has Vivian been taking everything?”  Stella asks.  “I take it by the way you answered my call earlier she isn’t thrilled with everything?”

I didn’t know Vivian had made contact with Laney.  It bothers me she had to go through that woman’s torture alone.  I should have been
there,
so she didn't have to deal with her without support.  That woman will learn to speak to my wife with the respect she deserves.  Until that day
comes,
I want to limit the amount of time spent between those two without me there as referee.     

“That’s putting it nicely.  It’s funny how supportive she was when she first found out that Nathan and I were married.”  I see her eyes flick to my wedding band.  “But that was before she realized Nathan wasn’t a lap dog.”  Laney loads up Amanda’s plate with healthy and sweet
snacks; it’s a perfect balance.

“Ahh
, I see Vivian has met her match then?”  

“Oh my dear Stella, there is no competition when it comes to me and that woman.  Now, she just needs to understand that Laney is no longer her doormat.  She needs to find someone else to clean her feet on.”

“I knew I liked you,
Nathan Whitmore.  There isn’t anyone else I would want for my best friend.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re a fan because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Let me take this up to Amanda.”  Laney grabs a juice box from the fridge and grabs the plate.

“Hey Lane, why
don’t you and Nathan go to dinner?  I’ll sit with Bear and watch some movies with her until you guys get back.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

“Come on Lane. L
et me do this for you.  After tomorrow when Addie gets out when are you going to have the alone time with your new husband.”

“Addie gets out tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, I haven’t had chance to tell you yet. Between my mother, and getting Amanda settled.”

“Don’t worry about it Laney Bear.  I’m just excited.  Tomorrow you and the girls will be at my house.”

“I guess so.”  She smiles at me.  “I’ll be right back.” 

I watch her go up the stairs, and I
wonder how she feels about moving in with me.  I’m sure she’s nervous, maybe freaking out a bit.  I wonder if she’s having second thoughts.  Maybe I’m pushing too hard, maybe I should have made other arrangements
, but
fuck that woman is my wife and I want her with me.  On the other
hand,
I’m scared shitless myself.  I’ve never lived with another woman other than my sister.  Now I’m going to have my wife and girls in my home.  As scary as the unknown is, I’ve never been happier.

I turn and look at Stella.  “Do you think Laney’s alright with everything?”

“Yes, without a shadow of a doubt.  She is great with everything.”  She sounds so matter of fact.

“I love her Stella.  I don’t care about the time frame. I love her.  Those girls just about knocked the wind from my lungs when I first saw them.  They are so precious.  All three of them are precious, they’re precious to me.”

“I know Nate, I see it.  I saw it when you first laid eyes on her.  I felt the connection. 
The heat that passed through you guys.
  I was there right after her father passed.  I saw how broken she was, how lost.  When she met
Brad,
there was just something about him that didn’t sit right.  He’s an alright guy, I guess.  He loves the girls, but he and Laney just never really meshed.  They were like oil and vinegar.  If it weren’t for Bug and
Bear,
they would have been over before they started. You two are meant for each other.  I have no doubts about that.”

“This is so crazy,” I
laugh. “I never thought I would want to get married.  To be a father, but now all my thoughts are of Laney and the girls.  I keep thinking of ways to make them happy, to show them that although it may be unconventional, we work.  We are what we should be.”

“You don’t have to try too
hard Nate. Laney thinks you hung the moon.  I can already tell, and it’s only going to get better.”

“Can I tell you something, Stell?”

“Of course, you can always talk to me.  I don’t care if I’m Laney’s best
friend;
I’m a vault.  Unless of course you want to tell me that you couldn’t keep it in your
pants, and you cheated on my friend, and then
I’m not a vault, I’m your worst fucking nightmare.” 

“Chill woman, fuck you’re intense.”  I rub my hands through my hair.  “I’m having my penthouse redone. I’m making sure the girls feel like
it’s
home.  I’m giving them their own room and playroom.  My sister is doing everything
fluff and sparkles.”

“I knew there was a reason why I liked you.  You’re a good apple
Nate and very good apple.”

“It’s simple Stella.  They are my family, my future. 
My everything
.”      

We took Stella up on her offer.  She and Amanda were going to have a
girl’s night,
and I was going out with my husband.  Nathan owns a Maserati
Ghibli and let
me tell you, it’s the smoothest ride I’ve ever taken.  Once I conceded
to us going out,
he made some phone calls and about two hours later here we are.  “Where are we
going, Nathan?”

“My favorite restaurant.
  I want to start to show you some things that are me.  I want for us to get to know everything there is to know about each other.  So I
thought
first things first, favorite food.” 

“Food is always a great way to start.” 

“I’ve always loved Italian food.  My grandparents had a housekeeper who was from Italy.  I loved going over there when I was young and watching her make everything from scratch.  It amazed me what just a few ingredients could create.  So little would go into her homemade pasta, but it was like heaven in my mouth.” 

“I love Italian.  My mother never allowed
pasta. S
he didn’t want it to land on my hips.  We were more meat and potatoes.  More meat than anything else I guess.  My father being a rancher he would actually have the family’s steer slaughtered and sent up here.  We never bought beef from the store.” 

“Do you still do that?”

“No, my mother never cooks so she had it stopped once my father passed.  I don’t want to take from the family business like that.  It’s hard enough to accept the money that I do.”

I feel the car stop,
and I look up to see a sign for the restaurant, ‘Peasant’. 
Interesting.

“Hold on sweet girl.  It looks like we have company.  Stay in the car until I get you out.”

I look around and see reporters standing there with their cameras ready.  There is no way we are going to be able to get into the restaurant without getting bombarded. I look down and check my outfit.  I’m wearing a rose pink blush box pleated
A-line skirt with a cream strapless top. I’ve coupled
it with a pair of nude pumps and a chunky necklace.  Nathan looks great in a pair of dark jeans and white button-up long sleeve shirt. I see Nathan at my
door,
and I take a deep breath.  The door opens and the bright lights of constant flashing blind me momentarily. “I’ve got you, love.   Keep a hold of my hand and don’t let go.”

“Never,
” I say with a smile.  Once I’m out of the
car, the questions are none stop.

“Nathan, is this your new wife?” Well duh.

“Is it true that your union was a dare?” Ha, that’s funny.

“Is it true your father wants to out you from your mother’s company because of your mental instability?”  That one isn’t
farfetched
.  Marrying me actually makes him mentally unstable.

“Where are your daughters’ tonight while you are out on the town?” 
None of your damn business.

“Do you care for your kids yourself or do you have hired help?” Does it matter?

“Mrs. Whitmore is it true your mother is against this marriage and is threatening to team up with your ex-husband to take your children away?” Fat chance, buddy.

“Nathan, how is your fiancée
taking the news of your wife?”  At that
question,
I whip my head around.  I can’t tell who it was that asked the question, but I do know it was a woman’s voice.

“Don’t even allow that thought to cross your mind baby.  There is no way I have ever been engaged.”  I
nod, and we make our way through the crowd without so much as acknowledging the vultures that are feasting on our marriage.

Once the doors close, the silence overtakes me, calming my nerves. I stand there with my eyes closed and feel Nathan’s hands come up to my cheeks. “Laney
,  I love you.  I want you to always remember that fact.  My love will never
waver,
and I hope you feel just as strongly for me as I do for you.” 

I look into his eyes, “I love you too, Nathan.  My heart and my future
are
yours.  I will never doubt how you feel for me.”

“And for the girls.”
  I nod.

“And for the girls.”
 

“Good, now let’s go eat.” 

The restaurant is so authentic looking, it’s like we stepped into a small Tuscan town.  “This is beautiful.”

“You’ve never been here?”

“No, I haven’t.  I can’t believe I never knew about this place.”

“Well, baby you know about it now.”  He takes my hand to his mouth and places a kiss to my knuckles. 

As we are taken to our table, and I’m able to take in my surroundings.
  There are bricks and stone throughout with low lights and a busy wait staff. The stone ovens align the kitchen with flames roaring as the chefs create masterpieces. The aroma makes my mouth
water;
the garlic is so intense. The tables are adorned with multi-sized candle holders. It’s absolutely beautiful. “Here’s your table, sir, miss.”  We both take a seat at the small intimate table.

“You look beautiful tonight, love.”  I feel my cheeks heat. 

“Thank you.”  He reaches
out,
and I take his hand.  He spins my ring on my finger.

We ordered our food, drank our wine and chatted about the little things in life.  I learned that while he was in the Army, he traveled all around the world.  There were missions that were easy and ones that he never wants to think about, let alone talk about to anyone again.  I told him about my father and his family.  He asked me about how I handled getting the majority of his estate and if all the power and money worried me.  He wanted to know if I was nervous about it all.  He confided in me about how he hates having to take on the power of his mother’s family, but he knows there isn’t anyone else he can trust to make sure it will always be there, that the family name will live on. 

“Are you alright, Bear?  Are you okay with everything that’s going on?”

“I’m good. 
Just overwhelmed with everything that’s going on.
  I’m worried about Addie and her leg.  I don’t want anything to hold her back.  I don’t want her to struggle with life.  Amanda already has her speech
issues,
and now Addie may have growth problems.  I just want the best for my girls.”

“You will have everything you need,
and the girls will have everything they want.  If they need anything to make sure their life is easy, then we will make that happen.  You don’t have to worry about the girls.  I will make it my life’s mission to make sure that you are all taken care of.”