On a cold winter morning, in the ballroom of the Bancroft Manor, Lincoln and I exchanged our vows in the presence of our families. We kept it small but meaningful.
That was the idea, small and meaningful.
But still, the town threw a party on our behalf and the Bancrofts gladly supplied food and drink and most importantly, cake. It was a big celebration.
We chose not to honeymoon because of how close I was to my delivery date. Having the mansion all to ourselves when his family left to visit Vermont was a honeymoon on it's own.
It was completely relaxed and I was well rested as well as loved and pampered like the queen he has made me out to be.
Come early February, the cries of our son filled the usually silent Bancroft Manor. It was just after 8am when Victor James Bancroft was born. I was a mess of emotions when the doctor placed him in my arms surrounded by an e
I think that everyone reaches a moment in their lives when they ask themselves 'is this right?' This moral question is reserved for those with a conscience. The majority of the people that walk the streets of this town don't have this faculty called a conscience. I fear that at this moment, I am part of the majority that don't have a conscience. Laurie Bancroft narrowed her green eyes at me. She looked over her shoulder with the pretense that she doesn't know I am talking to her. Some people never change. Over seven years later and she still behaves like this is high school. In my defense, I apologized for the last rough encounter we had. "I don't think there are that many Bancrofts running around in this town. You guys are as rare as rain in the Sahara." She made a face. I don't know what this face means. I have to say something to end the awkward silence. "How have you been?" "Fine. Thank you." The last part of h
"Hey! Hey!" Kimberly called me from her desk. "Get over here now!" "I know I'm late-" "It's not about that. Big news! I have two!" She looks overly enthusiastic. "Okay..." I took a seat next to her. "First of all, Mr. Beck is letting a few people go." She whispered. There have been rumors that half of the people in this office will be let go. The Sunrise Time Tribune isn't doing well. Nothing dramatic ever happens in this town. Only the little insignificant repetitive things and sadly, such doesn't make for interesting news. I sank deep into the seat with a sudden damp mood. "Oh dear." What do they say when it's time to lay people off in companies and in this case newsrooms? Last one in, first one out? I am among the newest employees. I am among
When my brother was incarcerated for armed robbery, I was only twelve and I saw how upset it made my parents. He was only seventeen and moving with the wrong crowd in the city. After a grueling court proceeding, he was sentenced. I promised myself I will never find myself in the back seat of a police car for anything.Have I kept this promise?No.I seriously did not see this day playing out like this. I was supposed to go to work, have a successful day and drive home in my bug content with a days hardwok. I'm a little disappointed in myself for getting arrested but not for confronting the Bancroft's even if I didn't get to do it face to face.The only thing separating me from a mugshot is the man looking at me like I'm the star of some sick fantasy happening in his head. He better not try to use my situation to leverage something out of me. After suddenly professing his love for me out o
Bad habits.Everyone has one, two or several. I have several but one of them that I am particularly struggling with is 3AM snacking. I made a resolution -the ones people swear by as they begin a new year- that I haven't stuck to. The plan was to lose 30lbs by summer. I even bought a little polka dot bikini but I don't think I will fit into it if I am stuffing my face with chocolate chip ice cream at 3AM in the morning.But first, I savor the delightfully delicious ice cream. I will regret it later, probably in a few hours when I am unable to climb the two flights of stairs at the tribune."Mm-mmm!" I moaned from the sweetness while quietly blessing the company that made this ice cream.I opened my eyes for another scoop and caught my mother's reflection on the glossy surface of the fridge."For a second there I was excited to burst you with a man." She spoke in her us
'Local girl, Clara Nolan to get hitched to Sunrise Cove's own billionaire, Lincoln Bancroft!' Story by Kimberly Lawrence. That is the headline of the rumor on the gossip column and it is selling newspapers like hot cakes. The picture she chose to use is not at all flattering. I made a face at the neighbor whose eyes are glued to me. Our neighbor never talks to us. She's one of those stuck up people who think they are better than everyone. I'm surprised she's even looking at me. I looked over my shoulder just to be sure. Yup! She's looking at me. She raised her hand and waved awkwardly. I almost waved back as a reflex action but when I saw the newspaper in her hand, I didn't. She wants a wedding invitation just like everyone else in town will want one and to get it, they will be super nice to me. Perhaps this is the day to get away with anything I want. Who will mess with a Bancr
Beck Hall's words are still ringing in my ears days after we spoke. I have till the end of the year to make myself valuable to the Tribune. It's a newspaper business. What do newspapers need? Big headlines!I accepted Linc's invitation to join in him on his trip with intent.The Bancrofts are a big deal to the town. Anything to do with them excited people. It's almost like the way the English love their Queen. If the Bancrofts were to stand in the balcony of their home and wave, the small town folk will gather to wave back. I just need something that is not the pointless rumour Kimberly Lawrence started.What kind of scandals are rich people likely to be involved in?Financial crimes, making people disappear, dirty pay offs, sex scandals... I glanced at the shirtless man at the deck. Linc is well put together. There are no red signs warning me to back away. He dived into the water and was under for a bit. I stood up to get closer to the window
4a.m Monday morning and I'm in a chopper carrying me across the stretch of woods that is close to home. It's my first time being this high up in the sky and I'm terrified out of my mind. The only thing keeping me from passing out from the anxiety is his hand holding mine with assurance that everything is going to be fine. I can see the lights in the city and they look like little sparkling gems. He wasn't kidding when he said we will make it. He had no intention of driving but flying. He left his car and said his chauffeur will pick it up later today. I glanced at the man wearing a grey beanie. He has closed his eyes. After our conversation that first night, I became fully aware of the need in his eyes everytime he looks at me. Even the most fleeting touch of his fingers isn't innocent anymore. He wants to get intimate, that much is clear to me. My knees are pressed tightly together. The thought o
I think that everyone reaches a moment in their lives when they ask themselves 'is this right?' This moral question is reserved for those with a conscience. The majority of the people that walk the streets of this town don't have this faculty called a conscience. They either bend to higher power without question or they assume things never happened. They are never self driven to truly look at a situation independent from influence. I fear that at this moment, I am part of the majority that don't have a conscience or possibly I'm lacking in ability to step away from this situation and see it clearly.I want this to mean what I want it to mean.I want a story so badly I can twist it into anything so that it is something to keep me at the Tribune.What I saw a few nights ago can have a decent explanation. But I don't want it to. I want it to mean something else. Something that can help me keep my job.
On a cold winter morning, in the ballroom of the Bancroft Manor, Lincoln and I exchanged our vows in the presence of our families. We kept it small but meaningful.That was the idea, small and meaningful.But still, the town threw a party on our behalf and the Bancrofts gladly supplied food and drink and most importantly, cake. It was a big celebration.We chose not to honeymoon because of how close I was to my delivery date. Having the mansion all to ourselves when his family left to visit Vermont was a honeymoon on it's own.It was completely relaxed and I was well rested as well as loved and pampered like the queen he has made me out to be.Come early February, the cries of our son filled the usually silent Bancroft Manor. It was just after 8am when Victor James Bancroft was born. I was a mess of emotions when the doctor placed him in my arms surrounded by an e
Linc's POVToday is the day I plan to propose to Clara.When I woke up early this morning, I couldn't leave her side. I watched her sleep for quote some time before I got out of bed. When I was looking at her, I couldn't help but think of what we mean to each other. This will be my third attempt to ask a woman to spend the rest of her life with me. The first time I was rejected and moments later I was beating a man to death because I found him in my house with a woman I expected to be faithful to me. The second time, it was Clara. It wasn't a formal proposal but she still turned me down when I showed her the ring. The plan was to go back to Virginia and of I found her waiting for me I would have proposed. I went back to an Emory house instead. This is the third time and I seriously hope that I have been reading her right. It's the same diamond ring she rejected before. I left it with her but I be recently got it back.The
Clara's POVI have been silently looking at some baby clothes.It has never really crossed my mind to start buying some but now that I'm a mere fifteen weeks or so away, i might as well see a few. Maybe I'll ven buy something, the very first outfit.I'm spoilt for choice and probably confused. I'm not sure what to get. At time like this, I wish mom could be here. She would know what to pick. I went online looking through baby clothes and hoping to find some sort of manual on how to buy clothes.Linc and I just came from the doctor. We had a check up today and as usual he was very excited and had a million questions. He's more curious than the woman having the baby. He ran into an sold friend and I left them catching up as I grab something to eat. I have wandered into the clothing section. The idea was to find a bigger bra but now I'm looking at onesies, bibs and little hats.
Linc's POVIt's been really quiet between Mrs Nolan and I. We haven't said much since she asked me to stay for tea. I wonder what she's thinking. Her expression is bitter. She's upset. I told Clara I'll take the hits for her. I'll be the villain and make all the difficult decisions she doesn't want to make. I won't allow her relationship with her mother to suffer. I'll be the bad guy if necessary."You're right." She broke the silence. "There was a time I wanted it work between you and Clara. I was excited about it especially because she was dating that weird guy in the city. That DJ who had nothing to offer her. When you came into the picture, I felt it and I knew it would work. I was right. It has worked. But not the way I thought it would. Lincoln, my issues with you stem from the moment you abducted Clara. When you texted back and forth with me pretending to be her... I hate that I couldn't tell the difference. I just thought she had gotten more atten
Clara's POVWaking up in Linc's arms is something I haven't done in a long time. I can't help but smile to myself. It's a cold rainy morning. The sound of the rain drops pelting against the bay window with dark wood frames is even more comforting than the warmth in this comfortable bed.The gloomy weather is the perfect backdrop for this cozy morning. I snuggled closer to him enjoying the warmth his naked body has to offer.Last night was incredible. Being reminded of his love is just want I needed. It was expected when he insisted we will share a room. We talked for a while before we got comfortable and comfortable turned into love making. I can definitely do it all over again."Lincoln." He grumbled. "Are you awake?""Now I am." He whispered. He pulled me back against his body. We are skin to skin. "What's on your mind pretty?""I was wondering if you'r
Linc's POV"I lost to her mother." I caught my grandfather's attention with those simple words. He lowered his newspaper. "Clara isn't here because I lost to her mother.""Oh boy. The mother." He folded the newspaper closed. "Why don't you have a seat Lincoln. You are setting a dangerous precedent.""What do you mean?""A woman belongs to her mother when she's single and especially not pregnant. Clara is neither of those things. Her mother has no business holding on to her and if you allow her to take the driver's seat now, I promise you, you will be inched out if the picture until you become a distant thought. It will start with her not informing you of doctor's appointments. She will claim it slipped her mind. She will progress to not including you in the health decisions about Clara and the baby. Then she will purposely forget to let you know when the baby is due. Befo
Clara's POVMy mother has always fussed about grandchildren. She also fussed about me getting married. But if these two ambitions were to be ranked, I would put the grandchild above the husband and son would she. Based on how she's behaving now, she has decided that Linc is irrelevant to the picture. It's going to be the two of us and the baby, no father.She believes herself capable of raising children without a man. I know she can be strongly independent and heavily opinionated about things when she's especially motivated. Her current motivation is Linc not being good for me. He has a list of offenses that boost his standing with my mother. Thanks to Mikey, mom knows how things between Linc and I transpired. I had no plans of telling her because deep down, I was avoiding the part of the script where she turns against my baby's father.But the script is going her way. I gave in to her arguement. I love Virginia and I love
Linc's POVI have given Clara's mother the chance to go in first and see her daughter.I can concede to her not liking me but she can't separate me from my child. As long as the baby is part of Clara, I want them with me. After the baby is born we will all agree to a way to share but for now It's best if Clara and the baby are with me.I never thought I'll be a father.I didn't want to be a father.From early on I told my father that I will not contribute to the Bancroft bloodline. I was hell bent on it never happening. Now that she is expecting it changes things. It has changed my outlook. I'm beginning to warm up to the idea of fatherhood.I have wandered into the unit of the hospital where they keep babies. I'm standing outside the glass looking at the newborns. I can't help but smile."Which one is yours?" A woman asked me.
Clara's POVG.G is acting strange. The confidence she was strutting around with slowly fading. In its place are constant glares, strange silence and a lot of pacing. Something tells me that Linc has no plans to confess anything.I'm feeling ambivalent about his decision to not comply with G.G. It's a good thing because I believe Linc has been through enough. Being born into a crazy family is hard enough. Losing your mother at a young age and being a witness to it isn't easier. Being threatened to silence by the very people who should be protecting you is just horrible. Then came the girlfriend he gave the world to and she cheated on him. And then the one who befriended him with intent and then left him hurt after he took another risk to love another. He's been through enough. But what about me and the baby? If he won't comply, aren't we in trouble? G.G is crazy! If she does something, we could die or I could lose the b