Page 108 of Fake it For Good
“I am rich,” he said. “I am pretty successful. I don’t think that should be a negative. I don’t have a circle. I have Denton. There are some associates that I do run into, but I’m a recluse. Ask anyone. You did just fine in that circle.”
“Won’t they wonder how or why you ended up with me?”
He snorted. “Like I give a shit what anyone thinks. But that doesn’t matter. You are you because of where you came from. That’s what I care about. I care about you. I think we ended up together because we were supposed to. I want you in my life, Noelle. I honestly don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks. It’s me and you.”
I couldn’t be that insecure person that needed him to constantly reassure me I was good enough. I was secure. I was confident. “Okay,” I said and dismissed the thoughts. “Now, we made a deal. Sexy time, then cooking time.”
He rolled off the bed and helped me up. He tossed his shirt at me. “I like when you wear my shirt.”
“And I like wearing it.”
We ate cheese and grapes while drinking and listening to Christmas music. The pies were done, and it was time for bed. We climbed into bed and fell asleep almost immediately.
Movement woke me up the next morning.
“It’s a white Christmas,” Cane declared from the bedroom window.
I opened my eyes and crawled out of bed to see it for myself. He wrapped an arm around me. “It’s gorgeous,” I breathed. “The kids are going to be thrilled.”
“Let’s get a move on,” he said. “I’m anxious to see them.”
We arrived at the orphanage by noon. Cane and I carried in our pies and added them to the table that was already filled with food. “It smells so good in here,” I said to Mrs. Drummond while giving her a hug.
“I’m so glad the two of you are here,” she said. “You guys made ten little kids very happy. Why don’t you go in and see them?”
“We’ll be right back,” I promised her. “We are not going to let you cook dinner by yourself.”
She was at the kitchen sink peeling potatoes. For a moment, I had a flashback. I’d been ten and worn out with life. I remembered I had just come out of a foster home that had been very unpleasant. Mrs. Drummond had dark hair back then. She’d been humming as she peeled potatoes. I didn’t know what it was she saw on my face, but she stopped what she was doing and hugged me. It was the first time I had sobbed, truly sobbed in all my life.
I couldn’t say how long she held me while I let it all out. Ten years of hell had come out that day in the kitchen. Once I was through with my crying, she handed me a peeler and together we peeled potatoes.
She looked over her shoulder and gave me that same smile that had changed my life. “Let’s go,” I said to Cane with a lump in my throat.
We found the kids playing. We both stood in the doorway without them noticing. “You did that,” I whispered to him.
“I think we both did,” he replied. “I now see why you do what you do. You’re selfless. I want to learn from you.”
I patted his cheek. “Thank you.”
Benji immediately went for Cane. I watched as the boy pulled Cane’s hand. I expected him to take Cane to the book nook. To my surprise, he pulled him to the toy area that was a hot mess. Toys were scattered everywhere. It was just what Christmas was supposed to look like.
We played with the kids for a short time before I excused myself to help in the kitchen.
“I see you made up with your man,” Mrs. Drummond said.
“You knew?” I laughed.
“Sweetie, I was married for a long time. I know the look. I’m glad you worked it out. It’s not always easy to sit down and have a conversation with the person that has angered you or hurt your feelings, but it’s always worth it. Sticking it out and working through the hard stuff is worth it. If you commit to each other to always talk it out, you’ll make it. Don’t quit on him.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate the advice. I will try.”
Dinner was nothing short of chaos, but it was so much fun. I kept looking over at Cane to make sure he wasn’t overwhelmed with the noise. The kids were pretty well behaved, but there was no turning down the excitement. Mrs. Drummond, Cane, and I were positioned between the kids to better manage the situation.
Every time I looked his way, he looked to be having the time of his life. He was going to be a good daddy. The man had the patience of a saint. I could see the two of us having a family one day. It would be loud and chaotic and the sound of kids running would fill the house. That was when I realized I was envisioning his house filled with our family.
I needed to take it back a step. I went from A to Z in two seconds.
He looked over and caught me watching. He winked and went back to the very important conversation about why all toy cars should have doors that opened. He was giving the boy his undivided attention. That was all some of the kids needed.
