Scandalous (25 page)

“J
ustin,” she cried in astonished relief. Before he could react or respond, she flung herself into his arms, clinging. to him like a life preserver. “Oh, Justin, Justin,” she moaned over and over again. “My child, my baby, she's alive! I'm so sorry…they…they…my father…he used you,” she rambled on hysterically. “I should have told you everything, but…I was ashamed…afraid…. Oh Justin, please forgive me…”

All of the anger, hurt, and disappointment that he'd erected inside of himself slowly ebbed and flowed out of his body. She hadn't known, he realized, relief surging through him. She hadn't known.

Like a man who'd been lost at sea, he grabbed hungrily at the hand she offered and wrapped her fiercely in his arms.

He kissed her hair, her cheeks, her eyes, whispering soothing sounds in her ear. “It's all right now,” he cooed.
“It's all right.” He pushed the door closed and, holding her snugly against him, they walked into the living room to the couch.

Holding her shaky body securely next to his, he gently stroked her hair as he listened in pained silence to her halting story of her father's cruelty.

“I thought the worst,” he said. “I thought you knew all along that your child was alive somewhere, and that you'd erased her from your life. I didn't want to believe that the woman I loved could be so cold.”

She looked up at him through glistening eyes. “Do you still love me?” she asked, hesitantly.

He cupped her face in his hands and looked deeply into her eyes. “I'll always love you, Vaughn. More and more with each passing day.” His eyes flickered over her face and then, slowly, he lowered his head until his lips were a mere breath away from hers. “Always,” he whispered.

His moist, full lips touched down on her, feather-light and sweet, and Vaughn's spirits soared to the heavens. Their mouths melted together. Their tongues taunted and danced with each other's.

Justin pulled her closer, his strong fingers kneading the last strains of doubt and tension out of her slender frame.

Vaughn's shaky fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, popping some in the process. Her body was suddenly on fire and she knew that only he could put out the flames. She practically ripped his shirt from his broad shoulders, exposing the smooth dark flesh.

She pressed her lips to the warm skin and flicked her tongue across his nipples, hardening them. Justin moaned raggedly when his hands cupped her breasts and squeezed them until she cried out in delight.

Suddenly, she pulled away and stood up. Slowly, provocatively she stripped out of her clothing until she was bare and beautiful before him.

Justin reached out and ran his finger across the blade-thin scar that ran the width of her pelvis. Their eyes met, and in them was a silent understanding and an acceptance that this was not a mark of sin, but a badge of honor.

She took his hand and pulled him to his feet, unfastened his pants, and pulled them and his briefs over his slim hips. His arousal was boldly evident, his erection seemed to throb for her touch.

Vaughn took him in her hand and steadily stroked him until his knees became weak with wanting. He snatched her hand away and slid his fingers into the dark, wet triangle between her legs.

Air pushed from her lungs in a gasp and she clutched him for support. Slowly, he lowered her to the floor and braced his weight above her on his arms.

“I've missed you,” he said softly. “We're never going to be apart again.” He spread her thighs with a sweep of his knee and rested his weight atop her. He pushed her thighs upward until her knees rested against his shoulders, allowing him the deepest entry.

His eyes grazed over her face and his mouth came down on hers smothering her cries as he plunged deep within her honey-coated walls.

Vaughn's body instantly arched in response, wanting every inch of him to fill her. She rocked her hips, urging him on, calling his name, telling him how he made her feel.

He took his time. Slow, deep, and steady was each rapturous thrust. He wanted her to know without question the depth of his feelings for her.

This act, this thing that was called making love, would forever seal them as one. Together they renewed their ceaseless love for each other, created a new foundation upon which the rest of their lives would be built. They banished doubt, erased secrets, and opened their hearts to the beautiful power of their mutual love.

When Justin felt the impending surge of her climax building deep within her womb, he knew that their release would transcend the physical, and transport them to a plateau where only those who have tasted magic could go.

 

Hours later, nestled in each other's arms, Justin and Vaughn tried to figure out the best way to tell Simone.

“She may find out sooner than you plan to tell her,” Justin said as he stroked her bare back.

“But I want to be the one to tell her, not someone from the foundation. The woman said that she'd give me until Monday.”

Justin peered at the television humming in the background, and saw that the ten o'clock news was on. “She should be back by now. I sent her into Virginia today to file some papers. If Rush hasn't spirited her away somewhere, she should be home,” he chuckled.

Vaughn was silent for a long moment. “Hey, are you all right?” he asked.

“It's just that I'm wondering what kind of mother I'll be. Will she even accept me now? I mean, she's had two people who have been parents to her for nineteen years, and now here I come.”

Justin hugged her tighter and kissed the top of her head. “I think you'll make a wonderful mother,” he said sincerely. “And once you explain to Simone what happened, I think she'll understand. After all, she's been looking for you, too. We'll just have to deal with it.”

She smiled up at him and touched a finger to his lips. “I like the sound of ‘we,'.” she said softly.

He returned her smile. “So do I, baby. So do I.”

Justin leaned back and stretched, then a flurry of activity on the screen caught his attention. He pushed himself up on his elbow and reached for the remote to increase the volume.

“What?” Vaughn asked dreamily.

Justin angled his chin toward the television as the newscaster's voice filled the room.

“…several hours ago,
The Independent,
an Amtrak train, derailed just outside of Richmond…”

Vaughn clutched Justin's arm. “…Investigators speculate that track trouble caused the derailment. Three passengers are dead, including the motorman, and hundreds more are injured.”

“Oh my God,” Vaughn cried from beneath her hand.

“…among the injured were several notables, including Senator Markam's aide, who was on tour along with some members of his staff, and also Simone Rivers, the assistant of congressional candidate, Justin Montgomery…. The condition of the survivors is undetermined at this point. The injured have been taken to neighboring hospitals.”

“No. No. This can't be happening,” Vaughn screamed. She jumped up from the floor. “I won't lose her, not now. I've got to get to her. I've got to…”

Justin grabbed her shoulders and gently shook her. “Calm down,” he ordered. “We don't know how bad it is. She's a survivor, remember?” He looked down into Vaughn's eyes, willing her to calm down. “First things first. Get dressed, and I'll start making some calls and try to find out where they've taken her.”

Vaughn nodded numbly. “Go,” he said.

Justin snatched up his discarded clothing and started to get dressed. He tried calling Chad but got no answer. More than likely Chad was to meet Simone at the station. Then an idea occurred to him. Maybe Chad had the presence of mind to leave a message for him at home or on his voice mail at the office. He tried his home first and hit paydirt.

Chad had left a rushed message saying that Simone had been hurt. She was unconscious and taken to Memorial Hospital. Apparently, Chad had been the one who'd identified her and that was how the media got her name. Thank heavens for that, Justin thought, as he sprinted to the bedroom.

“She's at Memorial,” he said quickly, stuffing his shirt into his pants. “We can be there in a half hour.”

Her eyes flashed with hundreds of unasked questions.

“We won't know until we get there,” he said on a breath.

 

By the time Justin and Vaughn arrived at the hospital, the corridor was teeming with reporters. One eagle-eyed journalist recognized them and shouted out their names. In an instant they were surrounded by cameras and microphones.

“Mr. Montgomery has there been any news on your assistant?” Justin tried to push his way through. He put his arm around Vaughn's waist and urged her forward. “Why are the two of you here together? Ms. Hamilton, Ms. Hamilton, why are you here tonight?”

Vaughn stopped in mid-step and turned to face the news-hungry crowd. “I'm here to see my daughter,” she answered simply.

Flashbulbs went off, nearly blinding them as a surge of garbled questions were hurled at Vaughn.

Vaughn turned into Justin's arms and hurried down the long corridor.

S
imone drifted, weightless in a dark corner of her mind where everything was peaceful. Sudden images of her meeting with Melissa intruded and her head began to pound. If she woke up she would have to face the reality of her situation. Sleep, deep and peaceful, was better.

But somewhere far off, someone kept calling her name. Why was anyone bothering her? She just wanted to sleep.

“Come on Simone. You can do it. It's time to wake up now,” the gentle voice coaxed.

Slowly her eyes flickered open, then quickly closed against the light and the pounding in her head. She moaned softly.

“She's coming around,” the doctor said.

Cautiously, Vaughn stepped up to the bedside. “Simone,” she called gently. She took Simone's limp hand in hers,
and her heart constricted in her chest. “Simone wake up sweetheart.”

Simone had heard that voice before. Her head pounded fiercely. Slowly, she opened her eyes again and tried to focus against the pain.

Her dark, sable eyes settled on Vaughn's face. “Go away,” she croaked. “You didn't…want me…before. There's no reason to be…concerned now. You won't use me…to make you look good for…your campaign.” She shut her eyes and her chest heaved with the effort of her talking.

“It's not what you think, Simone,” Vaughn said slowly, holding her hand tighter and mildly encouraged by the fact that Simone didn't pull away. Vaughn gently stroked Simone's bandaged head.

“You don't have to talk. But please listen. There's so much I want to tell you.”

Justin came up and stood beside Vaughn as she methodically recanted all of the events that had led up to this reunion.

From beneath closed lids, tears squeezed from Simone's eyes.

 

The next morning, with the press assembled in the conference room of Vaughn's offices, she made the most memorable statement of her career.

“Ladies and gentlemen, many years ago,” she began slowly, “I had a child, who I believed was put up for adoption and then subsequently died.” She took a breath and cleared her throat, looking steadily at the cameras and intense faces.

“It was less than 48 hours ago that I found out that none of that was true. My daughter is very much alive. I've always been a staunch supporter of women's rights, and
my change in stature from single woman to single mother does not take away from my convictions. I intend to join Mr. Montgomery in his fight to set up organizations where families
can
be reunited.” She paused. “And now I'll take your questions…”

 

Simone remained in the hospital for a week, and Justin and Vaughn were there every day. At first, Simone's relationship with Vaughn was cautious, but a genuine warmth and sense of trust steadily built between them. Vaughn had an opportunity to meet the Clarkes, and she was relieved in the knowledge that her daughter had been cared for by such truly loving people.

Vaughn was at Simone's bedside on the day of her release.

“I'd like it very much if you'd stay with me for a while…” Vaughn hedged. “If you want to.”

Simone turned to her and smiled. “I think I want to very much.”

Vaughn grinned. “I hope you won't mind having to wear dark glasses and a floppy hat.”

Simone looked at her quizzically. “Why?”

“It seems that I'm in every paper and tabloid across the state these days. I usually have to sneak out of my back door just to get to the store.”

“Is it because of the election?”

“Partly. And also because I've admitted to the press that I was a teenage mother.”

“What will that do to your chances to get elected?”

Vaughn placed the last of Simone's belongings into the suitcase and looked up. “Since Justin dropped out, and Lucus Stone is under investigation,” she shrugged her shoulders, “who knows? All of the women's rights advocates are supporting me, and there's been talk that
Stone will be replaced. Whatever happens, I'm going to be spending some time learning how to be a mother.”

Simone's smile was full. “It's really not hard you know. All you have to do is say yes to everything I ask you!”

“Right. You must be feeling better. Let's go.”

 

Vaughn snuggled closer to Justin in the quiet of her bedroom, while Simone slept down the hall.

“I think everything is going to work out,” she said quietly.

“So do I,” he whispered back. “I know it's not going to be easy, but we have each other.”

She sighed. “Maybe in time I'll even find it in my heart to forgive my parents. My father is a broken man since his resignation, and I know my mother is suffering. She believed she was doing the right thing and she did try to do what she could for Simone. She even gave Simone her maiden name.”

“Maybe we should pay them a visit,” Justin said softly. “And give them the opportunity to meet their beautiful granddaughter. Her paternal grandfather should meet her also. It'll be good for their souls.”

Vaughn looked up at him. “That's why I love you,” she grinned. “Justin, what do you plan to do about finding Samantha?”

“I have no intention of giving up. I just believe deep in my heart that I'll find her one day.”

“I was hoping that you'd say that. We'll work on it together. Now that Sean and Khendra are running the practice, more or less, you have some time and since I'll be having some time on my hands…”

He looked at her curiously. “Time? Woman, with all that you have to do with the election just weeks away, where are you going to find time?”

“Well,” she grinned wickedly. “I was hoping that you'd make an honest woman out of me. I'd hate to be the first pregnant congresswoman without a husband. Now that would be a scandal.”

Justin bolted up in the bed. “What?” His eyes raced up and down her body. She smiled and nodded her head. “That's what happens when you don't take precautions,” she whispered.

Gently, he placed his hand on her flat belly. “Really?”

“Really.”

His look softened and he felt his insides tighten with joy. “I love you, woman,” he said in awe.

“Why don'tcha come a little closer and show me just how much, big boy,” she crooned in her best Mae West voice.

And he did.