Billionaire's Second Chance (sam, bella and Kate Book 2) (14 page)

By the time it was six, Lucy could hardly keep her eyes open, her head falling onto her father’s shoulder as she finally gave into the tug of sleep, her body growing limp as her hands dropped to her side
s.  Bella chuckled seeing her small mouth set stubbornly, her long lashes sweeping across her rosy cheeks.  “I think that she is done”, her voice full of warmth and love for the little girl.  He nodded softly as the two moved up to her room, placing the little girl inside the princess styled bed, Philippe glad that Bella suggested that they change her into her pyjamas earlier than usual.

Moving from the little girl’s room, he took her hand, halting her.  “I thought that we could have dinner in the garden
.  It is a lovely night.”  She nodded enthusiastically at him, her wonderful smile still having the power to make his whole being fill with happiness.  “Dinner is at eight, and I thought we might dress up a little if that is OK with you?”  Bella gave him a small nod, feeling a little grubby and sticky from the party, the thought of having time for a shower and the opportunity to put on a dress one that made her smile.

Philippe insisted on her taking their bedroom as he moved to one of the other rooms to get ready, she rais
ing an eyebrow in question as he smiled back, “Makes it more like a date.” Her lips twitched at the romantic sentiment.  An hour and a half later, she finished brushing her hair, looking one last time at her reflection in the mirror, giving a nod of approval, not sure why she felt suddenly so nervous.  That night she wore a knee-length red summer dress and matching low heels, her lips glistening with the darker-than-usual lip gloss.  She looked stunning.

As the bedroom door was knocked softly, a large smile rose to her lips, Bella opening it with a flourish, her eyes closing momentarily with appreciation.  He wore a dark suit, a blue shirt and tie completing the outfit, her eyes drinking in how gorgeous he looked, once more feeling the way her body automatically reacted to him.

“You look beautiful”, his voice full of such honesty as he held out the single rose to her, Bella taking it with a wide smile.

“You don’t look so bad yourself”, she chuckled, moving from the room.  Taking her hand
, they sauntered down to the small terrace, Bella looking over at him as her eyes sparkled.

“Very nice
.”

The area was decked out with small fairy lights and candles, soft music playing from somewhere unknown as the sun had already started to set.  “Oh...
I can on occasion do well”, he grinned playfully, pulling the chair back for her before moving to his own.

Before them
, the appetizer was already served on the table, the smell making her mouth water with hunger.  Philippe poured her a glass of champagne as she took the stem, her tone playful, “Are we celebrating something?”

His eyes
rose to hers, fire burning deep within, “I hope so... later”, the enigmatic answer causing her brows to lift as he smiled before changing the subject.

The meal had been wonderful, the
setting sun soon allowing the area to really become a small romantic haven in the darkness.  The food was hidden within the trolley located to the side, and Philippe served up their food, the two joking and laughing the whole time, Bella determined to enjoy what was to be one of her last nights with the man she loved.  When they finished eating, he pulled her into his arms, the two swaying to the sound of the soft music.  He held her tightly to him as she inhaled the glorious scent of his aftershave, complete contentment filling her as she whispered softly, “I could stay here forever”, surprised as he stiffened. 

Pulling back slightly she looked up at him.  “I...
I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”, seeing as he shook his head.  A strange expression settled on his features before he pulled her back to the table, Bella surprised to see how nervous he suddenly seemed.

“Bella”, his voice tight and husky, “Having you here has been...”  His voice faltered slightly as he delved deeply into her blue eyes, “It has been the happiest time of my life”, her eyes fill
ing with surprise, a small smile touching her lips as she nodded gently.

“Mine too
.”

H
is mouth quirked as he continued, “Meeting you again, our time together – it just confirmed something I guess I always knew.”  Bella suddenly found her breath stalled as she bit her lower lip.  “From the minute we met, all those years ago, and now more than ever, I know that I love you”, his eyes suddenly unsure as tears rose to hers, her hands flying to her mouth, his voice hoarse as he repeated, “Bella I love you.” 

Taking a deep trembling breath she nodded back, small tears sliding down her face
. “Oh Philippe I love you”, the joy that filled his face making her laugh as he stood, pulling her up into his arms, their lips meeting in a kiss full of the love they held for each other.  Philippe laughed with her as he repeated over and over that he loved her, kissing her cheek, eyelids and finally mouth before pulling back, restraint making him gently put her back down onto her seat before he knelt down on one knee before her.  Bella’s eyes shone with love and happiness.

“I know that you said you were going to return to the UK in two days, but we have wasted enough of the time we were meant to have together
Cara
.  Stay here with me, and marry me.  I want you to be my wife.  You are my soul-mate and I love you more than you can ever truly know.”

The sob that broke free from her throat was one of complete
joy as she nodded her head vigorously, her face glowing.  “Yes, I’ll stay”, her tone becoming soft, “And yes, I’ll marry you.”

Philippe pulled her back into his
hold, this time the kiss full of passion, his hands sweeping her into his arms as he carried her back into the house, back to their bedroom.  She was his, this woman he had lost so long ago was finally his, his whole body light with the love that filled him.

Waking up the next morning Bella felt his mouth against the back of her neck where he pulled
her hair aside to reveal the creamy column of her throat, instant tremors like warm trickling water running down her spine.  Groaning seductively, she pushed her bottom against his groin, hearing the instant suck of air between his teeth.  “You are a terrible tease future Mrs Tremour”, his hands moving her around so that he could look down on her wonderful face, smiling seeing the way she grinned at him through half-closed eyes, her small tongue flicking out to slide along velvety lips, a smouldering look on her features.

“It is only teasing Mr Tremour
, if you don’t intend doing something about it”, her wonderful blue eyes fully opened as she pulled his head down to hers, fingers sliding through the glossy thickness of his hair.  As they made love, they took their time, both knowing that they had the rest of their lives, both so happy.

Finally dressed and showered, Bella moved into the playroom with Philippe, Lucy instantly dropping her toy and running to meet them both, her arms mov
ing around each of their legs, both smiling down at the lovely child.  Bending down, Philippe lifted her, the three moving over to a low couch before he allowed her to sit on his knee, Bella holding the little girl’s hand, a loving smile on her lips.

“Lucy”, her father said softly, as she peered up at him, comfortable between the two of them, “How would you like it if Bella was to become your mummy?”
Bella bit her lip nervously, so worried that the little girl would reject her.

However, Lucy only gave a big smile, her sparkling eyes moving to look at her.  “Like Jenna has?”

Philippe nodded softly, “Yes like Jenna has – a mummy and daddy.”

She seemed to consider the question before her lips parted into a big grin, giggl
ing as she moved to give Bella a big hug.  “Can I get a brother like Jenna?”

Bella looked back at Philippe in dumbfound surprise.  He
tried to hold back, before he burst out laughing, Bella shaking her head at him “Well, perhaps later sweetie.  Would you like that?”

The small girl pulled back and nodded before a more thoughtful look flitted over her
sweet face.  “Or a puppy”, she declared before jumping from her daddy’s knee to return to play with her toys.

Looking over at Bella he laughed, once more seeing the comical look on her face
. “Well I don’t know about you, but I’m not really in a hurry for a dog.”

Her lips quirked at the implied message as she chuckled, “I’m kind of partial to cats myself
.”

With
a small knowing smile on his lips he nodded, “Me too.”

The next day she waved goodbye to Lucy, the little girl already calling her mummy, the rest of the household happy to hear of their engagement. 
Bella was to return to the UK that day, but Philippe was determined that she have a ring before she took her flight.  The trip back, rather than being a return to her business was however, now one to see her father and to wind down her UK business, Philippe convincing her that she had more of a future for her work in New York, the interest in her services after Dante and Samantha’s wedding already showing promise.

Therefore at seven that morning they flew back to New York City, he having organised for one of the most exclusive jewellers to give them an early private showing.  She sat in the small room with the jeweller and his assistants bringing tray upon tray of delicate and exquisite rings for her to peruse.  Philippe enjoy
ed seeing the care she took examining each before her eyes fell on a simple diamond solitaire with smaller diamonds on the shank.  Pulling it on, her face radiated happiness, biting her bottom lip with excitement as he bent down to kiss her, both knowing that it was the perfect ring for her.

They then moved to a nearby restaurant to have breakfast together, the jeweller having promised to have the slight
adjustments made within the hour, giving a small smile as Philippe bent down to say something quietly to him, nodding softly, agreeing to have the ring dropped off at the restaurant.  So it was just an hour later, fed and blissfully happy he held the ring in his hand, taking hers in the other.  “I had the jeweller add some words to the band”, her brow lifting in surprise as he read the wording to her, ”Endless and timeless love.”

Her eyes misted over with the meaning behind the words, smiling happily as he slipped the ring onto her finger before kissing it softly.  “I love you Bella Smith with everything in me”, her hand gently caress
ing his cheek, her voice full of the love she too felt.

“Ditto”
, her word reducing the two of them to fits of laughter.

At the airport, they clung to each other, kissing as she made to move to her
departure gate, Philippe telling her she should go as he kissed her harder, her lips gently shaping into a smile against his, “I will be one week – just one week.” 

He groaned before pulling her from him, his hands holding the top of her shoulders as he gazed down
adoringly into her eyes, the darkness of his full of warmth and love.  “It will be the longest week in the world”, he sighed as she chuckled.

“You have lots to do.
  Poor Lucy – she has to go for her medical tomorrow.  Make sure that she gets a nice toy afterwards”, his large smile filled his handsome features at the tone of concern in her voice, knowing that she already loved the small girl who was the apple of his eye.

“You know I will”, he murmured dropping one more kiss on her mouth before with a long sigh he finally stood back.  “OK.
  Go before I have to come with you.”  Bella laughed as she quickly moved to security and her gate.

Arriving the next day in the UK, Bella quickly made her way to her father’s house
.  He was astounded to hear the news of her engagement.  “You were only away three weeks!”, his disbelieving cry as she smiled at him, her face glowing with the internal radiating happiness.  Shaking his head and grinning, he pulled his daughter in for a hug.  Her whole life Bella had not been the kind of girl to rush into things.  “He must be quite a man to have this effect on you.” Bella nodded before telling him about Philippe and Lucy, her father’s eyes opened with surprise hearing of the little girl, a sad smile on his lips hearing that he was a widower, not a divorcee.  “And how will the two of you survive?  Does he earn enough to support you till your company gets off the ground?”

A small chuckle left her as she flicked through the pictures having already shown him Philippe and Lucy, finding the shot of his estate from the air she held the device to him.  “This is one of his homes dad
.”

The older man’s eyes widened in stunned surprise, before he laughed gently
, patting her hand, “You have my complete blessing, and expectation of lots of holidays.”

Bella spent the week organising to have her offices put up for sale and transferring her accounts to the states.  The only awkward moment came as she ran into Tim, his look of shrivelling contempt and hostility making her sigh.  The day after she and Philippe slept together she had called him, explaining that she met an ex-boyfriend whom she still had feelings for, regretting that she had to do the break up over the phone, but knowing that he deserved to know the truth sooner rather than later.

As the week progressed, contact from Philippe slowed down to a crawl, his initial volley of texts making her happy as she responded, telling him how much she missed him and loved him.  However, after a couple of days the messages had become few and far between, Bella savaging her lip with concern, the scenario
eerily familiar.  With only two more days before she was due to return, she frowned as he contacted her to tell of a problem and requesting that she remain where she was.  In his text he informed her that he would be in touch when things were more settled, this message sending all-too-familiar cold feelings surging through her.

She tried to phone to find out the problem, finding that he refused to pick up her calls, Bella now really feeling the panic fill her.  She had been gone less than a week, had he already decided that he
had made a mistake?  Her eyes filled with tears – had he decided that he really did not love her?  Sitting for several hours digesting his latest text, she finally ran her hand over her brow, a long low moan leaving her, her lovely eyes growing harder.  No, she was not going to take this again – the wondering what was going on, the erosion of her trust in him.  Playing with her ring, the glint of the diamonds caught her eyes as she stood, determination in every step.

Her return flight to New York was far less comfortable than the previous one,
then she had still been able to use her first class ticket which Dante had sent.  This time, as she was paying herself, she had been relegated to coach sitting beside a family with a small child, Bella not getting any sleep as she tried to get comfortable on the upright chair.  Leaving the plane seven hours later she felt as every muscle in her body ached, Bella glad that she had decided to book into a hotel for the night, making her way to his estate the next day, hiring a car to get her there.  As she reached the outskirts of the estate, she sent him another text asking if he was at home.  Holding her breath as he almost instantly answered confirming that he was and apologising for her need to stay where she was, he once more repeated that he had something important to sort out.

Driving up
to the imposing gates of his home, the guard instantly recognised her and allowed her entry.  She parked outside, finding Philippe waiting for her at the door, no doubt informed of her arrival by the guard.  His face was a mask of barely controlled anger as he pulled the door of her car open, his voice cold and disapproving. “What the hell are you doing here Bella?”, his words bitten out as she looked coolly back at him.

“And it is good to see you too Philippe”, her voice holding an equally steely edge.  “I have just driven over two hours to get here.
  I would really like to get a drink if that is possible.”  Glowering at her, he turned on his heels, quickly moving back into the house.  Bella followed more slowly behind him.  As they moved along the hall, Lucy ran out of the small play room, Bella staring in disbelief as she stopped before her father, her eyes looking warily up at him, as scowling, he ignored her.

“Karen, take Lucy into her room”, his voice clipped as Bella stood stunned at
his coldness and the way his eyes narrowed as the small girl ran to her throwing her arms around her neck as she stooped to hold her.  Growling, Philippe stormed into his study.  “In here”, his words setting the hairs on the back of her neck on end.

Looking down at the face of the small child,
Lucy’s eyes filled with tears, she dropped a kiss on her nose, smiling warmly, hiding her bewilderment.  “Hello Princess”, her tone full of the love she felt as Lucy clung to her. Bella gave her a squeezy hug before pulling her from herself.

“I missed you mummy”, she
whispered, Bella’s heart bursting at the words.

”
I’ve missed you too baby”, she answered softly, leaning forward and dropping another small kiss on the end of her nose.  “Now you go with Karen and I will see you in a few minutes.”  Karen moved forward and took the small girl’s hand, leading her away, the nanny smiling warmly at her as she told her how glad she was to see her, Bella surprised to see the wary look the other woman shot towards the study.

Standing once more, Bella stiffened, completely stunned at the scene she had just witnessed.  Moving into the study, she saw as Philippe leant against his desk, his hands on either side as his head dropped
, focussed on the floor.  Hearing her enter, he looked up, the anger within her disappearing seeing the complete devastation on his face. “Oh my God Philippe, what is it?  What is wrong?  Are you OK?”

Rushing further into the room, he met her, his arms flying around to pull her close
, “I’m sorry Bella, so sorry.  I didn’t mean to... It’s just that everything is falling apart.”  She was shocked to hear the tremor in his voice.  This man so strong, so in charge, was falling apart right in front of her eyes.

Holding him even closer
, she made soothing noises against him, her hands finally moving to hold his cheeks, pulling back to look deeply into his eyes.  Bella gave a tremulous smile, seeing the depth of the despair within those wonderful eyes, moving her mouth to gently kiss his lips.  “Whatever it is, we can fix it Philippe.  So long as we are together, there is nothing that we can’t fix.”

His eyes focussed on hers, drawing strength from her assurance before pulling back, moving once more around his desk, Bella watching as he willed himself steady once more, giving him the time he needed before he took a deep shuddering breath
, looking over at her.  “You shouldn’t have come Bella.  I told you in my text that I would sort things out and then come for you.”

Frowning, her brows furrowed in both confusion and anger at the change once more in him
as she stood more rigidly.  “What is going on Philippe?”, her voice firm as he seemed to pull himself together, his look hardening.

“Nothing that I can’t fix Bella.  Go back to England and I will speak to you later
.”

Staring at him in disbelief
, she moved to sit on the chair opposite the desk.  “Really? It seems to me that you need to tell me what is going on NOW”, her tone brooking no argument as he glowered down at her.

“I said...”, he began as she sat forward.

“NO.  You asked me to marry you, and if you can’t share problems then what chance do we have?”

His eyes flicked over her, a look of pain once more crossing his handsome features, Philippe seeming to be pulling himself together before he started to talk, his voice lacklustre and full of such pain, Bella saying nothing as she allowed him to speak.
  “Last week as part of her medical all of Lucy’s birth records were transferred to my doctor.  It seemed so straightforward.”  A small derisory sound left him as he turned to look out of the window.  “Then I got a phone call.  Turns out that given my blood type and hers, there is no way that I am her father.”

Bella gave a gasp
.  “No”, her shocked expletive making him look back at her.

“I had DNA testing done and it confirmed that she is not my child
.” Bella saw the pain in his face before it was replaced with anger.  “She lied to me.  She knew all along that I was not Lucy’s father and she hid the medical details from me.  I never even questioned her because she was dying.  What the hell was a dying woman going to gain from pretending her child was mine?”  He ran his hand over his face.  “I thought she was mine.  I thought Lucy was my child, and she isn’t.  She isn’t my child.”

Bella groaned softly, “I’m sorry Philippe
.”

A small sad smile
touched his mouth as he looked at her, his eyes bleak.  “I don’t know what to do Bella.  It isn’t just that she lied about Lucy.  She stole years from us, years when you could have been my wife, when we could have had our own children.  Not some cuckoo in the nest.”

Gasping, Bella fl
ew to her feet.  “Do not say that about Lucy.  Do not EVER say that about her.  You don’t mean it.” 

His eyes once more filled with moisture.  “She and her mother ruined our lives”
, he snarled, ”Both of our lives.”

Holding herself rigid, she glared at him. “You sit there feeling so sorry for yourself
Philippe.  What did she do that was so wrong?  She loved her baby and she turned to the one person she most believed would give her the stable life she needed.  You should be honoured that she thought so highly of you.”

She could see the anger rising once more in his face.  “Did you not hear what I said?  She ruined OUR lives
.” 

Bella vigorously shook her head.  “No.  We were both hurt, but she did not ruin our lives.  No matter what you think Philippe
, I have always known that what you did what was right.  I admired that about you and I loved that about you.  She didn’t ruin our lives Philippe, she enhanced them, and I love Lucy every bit as much as I love you.”

He smacked his hand onto the table.  “No!
She is NOT my child.”

Bella again shook her head.  “She IS your child
.  You are her father, the only father she has ever known.”

Philippe watched her, his eyes narrowed with contempt as his expression became cold.  “What the hell do you know Bella?  You had the ideal upbringing.  The perfect mother
, the perfect father, the perfect NORMAL childhood.”  By now she was shocked to see the coldness with which his eyes swept over her.  “You know nothing!”

She
gasped with shock.  “Philippe...”

His look was colder than she could have ever believed possible.  “NO!
  Out.  Just leave me alone Bella.  You dare to take her side in this.  I lay my heart out to you and you make me the bad one in all this.  Well fine.  You think what you want, but get the hell out.  I want to be alone.”

Wide-eyed, she stared at him, feeling the tears that warmed the back of her eyes, Bella swallowing hard to stop them falling as she made to move to the door, her hand reaching for the knob before she stopped, turning back to him.  “Maybe I am taking her side Philippe, but it seems that somebody has to
.”  As he opened his mouth to speak, she lifted her hand to stop him,  “But I do understand, more than you ever could.  You say I had the ideal mother and father, well you are half-right.  My father left my mother and I when I was a baby, I have never met my birth father.  My mother remarried a couple of years later”, her voice soft as he looked at her with surprise.

“
When my mother died I was twelve – I considered myself so lucky to have my dad.  And he is my dad Philippe because he earned the right to have me call him that.  He has always treated me like his daughter, he never cared that technically I am not his biological child, because he has always been the one who loved me.  It was my dad who has been there for me my whole life and it was he who paid for my education and who sat at my school events and who looked after me when I wasn’t well.  He was always there for me Philippe.  So as far as I am concerned he IS my father.  So yes, I do understand.  I understand exactly how Lucy feels.”

Pulling the door open she shot him one last look, still seeing the way he looked coldly at her, a small touch of surprise now on his face.  “You do not deserve her and you are not the man I thought you to be”, her final word
s as she slammed the door closed, leaving him as she moved up the stairs to Lucy’s room.

The small girl threw herself into Bella’s arms as she moved into the room
.  She held her tightly, feeling the pain fill her.  “Lucy.  I will always love you.”  The little girl repeated that she loved her too, Bella closing her eyes with the pain her words filled her with.  Standing, she handed Karen her card, her number on it.  “If you need to talk or Lucy needs to talk, she or you can always contact me on this number.” Karen looked back at her with surprise, understanding falling on her as she tucked the card into her jeans, looking sadly at Bella.

“Good luck Bella”, she whispered softly as Bella gave the small child another kiss on the cheek, rising quickly before the tears now blurring her large eyes fell.  Moving out to the front door, she paused, pulling
of the ring that she had only worn for one week before dropping it on the table, the tears finally falling down her face, biting her lip to stop the heart-broken sob from being torn from her mouth.

Driving back into New York she finally had to pull the car over as the sobs racked her small body. 
Was it only a week ago that they had been so happy?  Only a week ago that their future seemed so bright?  A mocking smile touched her lips.  When would she ever learn?  Pulling out her mobile she phoned the airline, finding that she would make the evening flight back to the UK, sadly booking herself a seat.  She shook herself, her hand dashing away the tears which smudged her stricken features, before once more driving towards the airport, her emotions shut down with all the pain that filled her.

For the rest of the day Philippe closeted himself in his study, not even taking breaks for lunch or dinner, none of the staff prepared to enter the room with the foul mood he was in.  He cursed Bella for her inability to see his side, to see the years that had been stolen from them.  Not wanting to think about the problems, he switched on his computer,
needing something to do other than constantly go over the way he and Bella had been lied to, answering emails and looking over proposals from contractors.