“Okay, that was fun, wasn’t it? Let’s go find your mom, Geoff.” Heath said as the camel zookeepers assisted them off the camel. “Yeah, it was fun. Too bad it wasn’t longer. Can we have a camel?” “Now, where would we put it? What would it eat? I think it’s better if they stay here. We can visit again another day.” That’s when Heath heard the distinctive rapid-fire shutter sound of a professional camera.Before he could react or locate the camera's sound, he was bombarded with rapid-fire questioning. Heath didn’t care what the words were or who they were. The paparazzi were invading a private family day with this garbage. He wouldn’t stand for it, or Geoff’s life turning into a circus because of what Monica told them.When Heath didn’t give the guy answers, he went after Ivy. His anger rose and Heath wasn’t sure what he said. He just wanted the paparazzi to leave Ivy alone.Now his security stepped in and removed the paparazzi from the area.Heath had
Kathy listened to Parker as he explained what she didn’t know about. Her eyes widened as he spoke. Her lack of knowledge exacerbated the situation. Kathy wasn’t sure how they’d deal with it if what Parker claimed he’d done wasn’t happening. This is worse than expected. I’ve been worried about Ivy sending Geoff to school. The kids have never been nice, nor have their parents. Some of the catty things I’ve overheard being said by several mothers. It’s bad.” “They said it in front of you?” Parker’s disbelief appeared obvious as he watched Kathy talk. She couldn’t believe he acted like he expected her to admit she was lying or something. “I’m considered the hired help. I don’t count. If I said something to Ivy and she confronted them. You know damn well know those mothers would tell her I lied and then pressure Ivy to fire me.” Kathy's voice was flat and her face twisted slightly. It disgusted her how these grown women gossiped. Kathy didn’t believe for a minute an
“Ivy…”That explained why he couldn’t find any information about her whereabouts. If she’d paid to unlisted, her phone number and address for years, that would explain why Heath and others didn’t find information on her. No driver’s license. No public social media. She’d be practically a ghost on the internet. Keeping away from fundraising events or keeping to the shadows, Heath would never have seen her. This made sense of many things. “I don’t know yet how he found out where we’re living. It’s another reason for moving to a more secure location.”To his surprise, Ivy didn’t argue. She nodded to him, before she leaned into his shoulder. His hands left her shoulders and his arms wrapped around her. He felt the need to comfort her. They stood there momentarily. His chin rested on top of her head. Ivy’s cane hadn’t missed his notice, either. Heath remembered she’d only use it if she hurt or feared she’d fall. He needed to see what Geoff would accept.“Hey, I want to ask Geoff what he wa
“Oh, right? Mom.” Heath couldn’t believe how Geoff forgot about his mother. Poor Ivy, she did double duty as mom and dad, and this was how Geoff saw her. Heath must fix that now since he now stood in the dad’s role. “How about we make sure we ask your mom before we plan anything? Your mom may have plans already. If not, we’ll surprise her by planning everything. Think of it as a thank you for raising you.” Heath didn’t want to tread on any plans Ivy might have for Geoff, but he didn’t want anyone missing out on celebrating or expressing their appreciation for others. He thought it might help them bond faster. “Isn’t that Mother’s Day?” Geoff asked, frowning up at his dad. He didn’t know if his dad remembered that day. “It is, but Mother’s Day doesn’t handle everything your mom does. She’s been doing her job at work. She comes home, and she’s your mom, which is another full-time job. I couldn’t do my job because I didn’t know I had it. Sh
“For once? I practically gave up living unless you were around, and I still couldn’t get past a tiny little bubble in your life.” Ivy tried not to stare at Heath as he stared at her. She could see his mind racing with questions he sought answers to. She considered him an idiot back then. He believed everything people said about her. Yet Heath selfishly kept her to himself. He didn’t let many people near her from his personal life after the mess his parents made the one time, he’d tried to introduce Ivy to them. She’d never forget that humiliating experience. His mother made her feel like a street urchin there, begging for a handout. “That’s not happening again. Speaking of my life. We need a sitter for next Tuesday evening. Do you think Kathy can be available there to watch Geoff? We have a fundraising event for the museum we must go to.” Heath threw this event on her with no notice, as if it was something he’d forgotten about. She’d have to give him that as a
Ivy waited for the elevator and thought about Heath’s reaction. This was her life; he didn’t get it. This would change her life significantly. If he left or she couldn’t live with whatever the truth was, he wasn’t telling her. Ivy really feared he’d wake up any day now and realize he’d chased after her in response to the rebound of getting a divorce. She was the one who got away. She wasn’t the same naive girl she’d been back then. Ivy had standards. Realizing it was futile, she went to the pharmacy. Ivy entered the elevator and headed down to the main floor lobby. She’d not told Heath about her pregnancy limitations. One of which was, she couldn’t do the restoration herself. The chemicals used in the restorations were too harmful. There were fumes involved with some compounds. Others were dangerous if they touched her skin. That was the museum’s policy on pregnancy in her contract. Thankfully, with Geoff’s pregnancy, she’d not had this position until aft
What she’d not expected were two women in front of her looking at a paper gossip sheet. They still publish the magazine for the older generation who didn’t use the internet for their gossip. “Ellie, look at this. That poor woman. She’s coming out of a hospital after her son received medical attention for an injury. The woman must have been distraught. If he’s the father. He better step up and be there for his son and her.“Janice, love. The article’s not about that. It says she’s blackmailing the Allan heir, but that doesn’t sound right. Why did she take so much time? Also, look at her face. That's a woman with everything. We’d have heard rumours of blackmail and illegitimate children long before now. That’s boy’s well past toddlerhood. The story doesn’t make sense. He’s been divorcing his wife for well over a year. It's likely something that would arise during the divorce proceedings. "If we checked I bet there’d be no mention of this in the public record." El
Heath could not keep his mind on the television. His mind raced back and forth through his memories. Past conversations and current overlapped in his mind. He wasn’t sure where some of them ended, and others began.He realized Ivy wasn't happy as he had thought. Had he ever known her as she truly was? His mother had him convinced at one point Ivy was out for money from him. It was the first time she requested money. That money would cover only his expenses. She’d not asked for a single cent for her or Geoff. That didn’t sit well with him. He didn’t like the idea of her paying for his son. Damn it, if the media found out that a billionaire’s son was not only being raised by someone else, but his family wasn’t contributing to his care or upkeep. Heath knew he’d have to settle his paternity and fix this. Ivy and Geoff should have the same lifestyle as any Allan family member. She should have been his wife, not some faded memory. He’d screwed up so badl
In the school cafeteria, Jimmie Marks cornered Geoff to taunt him with the information he got over the last few weeks about him. Jimmie was told that Geoff was poor and his mother married his dad for his money. “So, you got a stepdad. It still doesn’t count. Your dad didn’t want your mom or you.” Jimmie tried to mess with Geoff and embarrass him in front of everyone who heard him. He’d heard from his housekeeper’s son all about Geoff because he’d gone to school with him. Maybe he was a little jealous because his family hadn’t been invited to the Allerfords summer house for their yearly party. “He’s my real dad not my stepdad. It wasn’t that he didn’t want me or my mom. Don’t you read or listen to the news? You’re so stupid. My ex-stepmom lied to my dad and made him think my mom didn’t want him. She then made it, so my mom had to leave. My mom had enough of the nonsense and left. When she did that, she didn’t tell my dad where she went. His mom and dad made him marry my ex
“Wait, is Alice dating him?” Heath missed a lot because he wasn’t in the trenches like Ivy. It didn’t surprise her he was unaware of Ed’s search for a wife among the female staff. Ivy kept brushing him off, knowing if he chased her, then he wouldn’t chase any other woman. He was a nice guy if the woman wasn’t his wife. Or at least that’s how Ivy saw it. “He’s trying to make his moves on her, that’s obvious. I don’t think he’ll fool her. Maybe she can fix his mistaken beliefs. I lacked the time or interest to try. So, all the power to her if she tries. Though I think she’d be wasting her time.” Ivy leaned back in her seat and explained. She tried to act like she didn’t feel the tension coming from Heath. Ivy couldn’t believe he felt so threatened by what she’d just said. His concern for Alice was decent, she guessed, because Alice was her friend and co-worker. “I’m glad to hear you say that. You had me worried there that you thought I didn’t apprecia
Ivy settled in the limo’s backseat, heading home. What a change to taking the train. It didn’t matter that she didn’t go home at once. It was nice to have someone drive her in comfort. The dark interior and gentle lighting somehow made everything easier. Heath liked them to pick him up as well. The three of them would go home. Kathy didn’t use her beat up old car anymore, because Heath insisted, she use the car he’d bought as a family car to transport Geoff safely. With Parker’s help, Heath had Kathy using a member of their security team to mail her packages and pick up her packages from her post office box. Ivy had to admit Parker played dirty by sending her a glitter bomb she’d opened after she got back to her studio. She called Ivy furious claiming Parker admitted to sending it to prove to her that anyone could send her a bomb. Kathy still felt outraged, even though she understood the point. Ivy could understand her outrage, even though the point
Geoff enter his new school. He realized his insignificance among the other kids in school, but this time, he wasn’t alone. Three kids he met at the cottage a few weeks back were with him. They were his friends; they said to him. He’d accept it because his dad said he needed to make friends to learn to be like him. “Thanks for bringing me, Kathy. We know where we’re going.” Kathy blinked at Geoff in surprise. Geoff desired to appear as a helpless child, needing help to navigate the school corridors. “Okay, quick check then. Have you got your bag, water bottle, lunch, phone, and hat?” “Yup.” Geoff said. He insisted on wearing a fedora he found as his dad unpacked a box of old clothes. “Okay, then go seize the day and try to avoid getting in trouble. Don’t forget your security is in the parking lot. No leaving the school grounds without them and they’ll bring you home. Parker is with your dad today and I’m getting my workroom se
Heath watched Ivy lose her confrontational nature, and that sexy hidden kitten came out to play. He loved it, because when this happened, she had no limits. He panted as she opened her blouse to reveal she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her hands moved to his waistband and Ivy had the air kissing his cock in moments before she was kneeling between his thighs, sucking on him like he remembered she used to do. His eyes devoured the sight of Ivy’s glistening lips bobbing on his hardening shaft. “Babe, slow down or the enjoyment will end too soon. You know I’ll want a good long taste of you too. God, you remember how good that is,” Heath said. He felt himself gasped as her small teeth nipped at his foreskin. His thighs shook a little. She’d barely gone down on him, and he wanted to lose himself. “Enough. I hope you have got no panties on either, or I’ll rip them apart to get to your cream.” Ivy resisted when he tried to pull from her mouth. She teased him by hol
Ivy and the other wives could head off for several potential disasters. Finally, she witnessed Heath’s efforts to make the day of a dream come true. Thankfully, the wedding planner realized how dated and difficult achieving this was to arrange. In the end, Heath got what he wanted, and Ivy understood him better. He’d kept a storage space of things he couldn’t part with that she’d left behind when she’d left. One of which was a dream book all about her dream wedding. She’d made the book about a decade before she met Heath in her teens, like many girls. So, it was out of date by the time she’d met him. The only reason he’d known about the book was she’d found it one day and told him about it. But she’d forgotten about it. With help from her new friends and the planner, they could achieve their goals. Ivy got stronger and walking became easier. She returned to work and life continued. Geoff now seemed content with his two reliable parents.
The weekend had been going well. The men didn’t disappear, as Ivy believed. They’d stayed close to the house and the kids. Ivy learned that this was normal. The men in Alec’s circle tended toward wanting to foster family bonds and friendships with people who had similar interests. The men all found they disliked how their parents raised them, and this was their answer to their problem. “You don’t know how glad we are. It’s you here and not her. Is it okay if we mention her? I don’t want to make you feel awkward.” Ivy sat outside on the patio after a rather enjoyable dinner. Heath had stayed true to his word, and the men were watching the kids play beside the lake. “It’s fine, I guess. Some argue I don’t consider her as much as she considers me. So, please understand, I probably won’t have much to say about her.” “You’re not angry at her for messing up your life?” “I’m sorry? Messing up my life. How? Everyone has r
Ivy couldn’t believe how present Heath became. Present for Geoffrey and herself, that is. He’d planned everything and stunned her when he revealed how he’d remembered her dream wedding one evening. He’s changed from the man who only cared about marriage paperwork. But what had Ivy scratching her head was he’d written it all down and he wanted her to review it to ensure her wishes hadn’t changed. Or she preferred a newer style. Her preferences and opinions now took a precedence they never had before. Heath ensured that she and Geoff enjoyed the best at the Allerfords’ beachfront event. Heath went with Geoffrey shopping for clothes, as well as for school supplies. Geoff looked like an entirely different child, right down to his expensive new haircut and running shoes. Ivy initially dismissed it, as Geoff naturally outgrows clothes and requires haircuts. That happened to boys his age. She’d finish but clothing in one size to buy
“Really?” Geoff was sure his dad would have limits. Geoff just needed to figure out what they were. His dad would surely appreciate his lack of tantrums and materialistic desires. At least not yet, anyway. Perhaps when he discovered what other children possessed. But right now, he enjoyed having his own gaming space and a lot of rooms to himself. Stop using the dining table for art and having to clean up before and after meals. “In the past, I used to dictate and control you and your mother’s actions and choices. Now is different and your mom and I decide together. But I have the connections and influence, so I’m the one that makes things happen. The young man will prioritize school, grades, and friendships. Learn from me to network and build connections for your family’s future. Remember the job I’m taking over from your grandfather?” They both wrinkled their noses when a member of the hospital staff pushed a cart by them with something smelly in it.