The Right Bride

Chapter Thirty-One


THE NEXT DAY turned out to be the beginning of the end. She woke up feeling sick. She knew it was the pregnancy and decided it was time to confirm what she already knew. She had three different boxed tests in her bathroom. She took one, read the directions, peed on the stick, and waited all of ten seconds to see the test reveal she was in fact pregnant. The test said it took up to three minutes, but apparently it didn’t need that long to tell her what she needed to know. She didn’t need the other tests to be sure. She was pregnant with Cameron’s baby.

She promptly threw up, sat on the floor, and cried. Overwhelmingly happy and sad at the same time, she lost Cameron and gained the child she’d always wanted. She dreamed of having a family of her own. She couldn’t have it all, but she’d at least have a child to make it easier to bear losing Cameron and Emma.

Once she pulled herself together and dressed, she stepped out of her room only to see the physician running up the stairs and racing to George’s room. She ran after him.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s begun. He’s on a downward spiral. He woke up this morning and he can’t move his legs. The night nurse called me.”

“How long does he have?”

“It’s hard to tell. He can still speak, though it’s slurred. He’s breathing on his own and he’s awake. We’ll watch him today and see how things go. I’ll stay for the duration. I’ll make him as comfortable as possible.”

“I’ll stay with him. Have you called his son and daughter?”

“Not yet.”

“I’ll make the calls first and come back in to sit with him.”

She made the calls to George’s children. To her dismay, they both said they had busy days and would get there when they could. Their cold and callous attitude made her sick. No wonder she’d found him on the dock almost two months ago. Her promise to him meant even more now. She was all he had.

She called Cameron at the penthouse, hoping to catch him there. Surprisingly, Shelly answered.

“Shelly, this is Marti. I need to speak with Cameron.”

“He’s busy getting Emma ready to go.”

“It’s important. Will you have him call me right away? It’s urgent. George is dying.” She had a feeling Shelly didn’t want to give Cameron the message. She didn’t know what else to do.

“I’ll give him the message when I see him. Goodbye.”

Marti stared at the dead phone in her hand and frowned. She left it on the table and shelved her own anger and frustration to go to the man who needed her.

She entered George’s room, dismayed to see how pale and gaunt he looked. In just a few days, he’d deteriorated to a shell of his former self. She went to the bed and sat beside him and took his hand.

She’d sat by her grandmother’s deathbed and been there for her death. A difficult task, but one she wouldn’t abandon. George was her friend, and she wouldn’t let him die alone.

“Tell me, Marti, are you in love with Cameron? I know there’s something special between you, but there are also obstacles. Tell me, despite everything he’s put you through, you love him.”

“I do, George. I love him with my whole heart and I believe he loves me in the same way.”

“He’s marrying her because she says she’s pregnant. I don’t believe she is, and neither do you.”

“No, I don’t. I’ve tried to talk to Cameron, but he’s adamant about giving his baby a mother and a father. He wants Emma to have a mother.”

“And what about your baby?”

She gasped. “How did you know?”

“I know everything that goes on in my house. You’ve been looking ill the last several mornings, but by afternoon you glow. It’s been nice to see. My wife looked and acted the same when she was pregnant. Somehow, I always knew before she did. Will you tell Cameron?”

“Not yet. I don’t think it will make a difference. He’s supposed to marry her next Friday. I wanted him to choose me because he loves me, not because I tell him I’m carrying his child. I want to know this thing between us is more than just an obligation, the way he’s treating his impending marriage to Shelly. He makes it seem like he really wants to be with me, and he has no choice but to marry her because of the baby.”

“And you think if she really is pregnant, he doesn’t need to marry her in order to be a good father to the baby.”

“Yes. He doesn’t see it that way.”

“You understand, part of the reason he’s so adamant about marrying Shelly is because he grew up without his father.”

“Yes, and Emma and Caroline are the other reason. I understand, but marrying Shelly won’t guarantee a happy life for those kids. In fact, it will probably make things worse. Children know when their parents don’t love each other. Without a solid relationship between the parents, the children will suffer in some way. I don’t want to see Emma hurt. Or the baby, if there is one.

“I want him to marry me. If Shelly is pregnant, I’d never ask him to give up the baby or be less than the father he is to Emma to the new baby. I want him to see he has options. I guess I want the world,” she said and shrugged.

“Your grandmother gave it to you in a way. I wish I could give it to you now. Things will be difficult for you when I’m gone. I have something to ask of you. I won’t ask you for a promise, but I hope you’ll consider it a favor. If you can, you’ll do it. It’s something you may not be able to do for me, and I’ll understand if you try and can’t finish.”

“I don’t understand. What is it you want me to do?”

His mind ran in circles. “I should have started by saying there’s something I need you to tell Cameron. He has to understand. I think he’ll only understand if you tell him. You have a way of seeing things for what they are and not what we think they are.”

“I’ll tell him. What is it?”

“He’s my son.”

“Of course he is. You’ve been like a father to him since he was born.”

“No. He truly is my son. I had an affair with his mother when my wife and I separated for a short time. My wife and I reconciled later and I found out Cameron’s mother was pregnant. She wanted him. I wanted him, and I wanted to be with my wife. We had a great love despite some problems at the time in our marriage. Cameron’s mother was a good woman. She wasn’t in love with me, nor I with her. We made an agreement. She wanted to raise Cameron. I already had two children, so I agreed, so long as I could stay in his life. My wife was agreeable to the arrangement. When Cameron was born, I became the perfect weekend father, so to speak. I love that boy. I’ve been there for every significant and everyday event in his life. I had a better relationship with him than I did with my own kids, because he didn’t know I was his father. He talked and confided in me because I was a mentor and a friend to him. He could count on me.

“His mother insisted I never tell him I was his father. I’ve kept my promise, even after her death. But when I die, I want him to know he did have a father. Me. I may not have been there every day of his life, but I think I did a fine job raising him. Of all my children, I am the most proud of him. You tell him that.”

“I will tell him. I’ll tell him all of it.”

She knew why George wanted Cameron to know, now. He was in the same situation George faced years ago. He’d gotten a woman pregnant and wanted to be a father to the child, despite other circumstances. He’d been a father to Cameron, and been a good father without being there every day or marrying Cameron’s mother. Cameron could do the same with Shelly, if he wanted, and the baby would grow up just fine. Cameron had.

“See, I knew you’d understand. Cameron is a fine man. I had a hand in his raising. Being married isn’t what makes you a good father. Being a good father when you’re with your child, no matter how little time you share, is what makes the difference. Look at you and Emma. She’s a better girl and will be a better woman for knowing you, even if you leave tomorrow. You’ve left your mark on her heart. I hope I’ve done the same for Cameron.”

Marti thought about it and had to agree. She’d shown Emma what having a mother is like. Emma would carry that with her the rest of her life. She might grow up and have children of her own and use what she’d learned from Marti to mother her own children.

“Yes, she’ll be hurt when I’m gone, but at least we had a little bit of time together. If Shelly is a terrible mother to her, at least she knows I loved her with my whole heart. I’ll still see her when Cameron comes to see his baby, but it won’t be the same as being with her every day.”

“You’ll do your best, which leads me to my request. Once you’ve told Cameron my story, I ask you stay here for two months and watch over Emma.”

He patted her hand when she tried to protest. “Hear me out. You know I left the house to Cameron. That’s why I had you do the room. It’s beautiful, by the way. Emma loved it.”

“Yes, she did.” Marti gave him a sentimental smile. She’d remember Emma’s reaction for the rest of her life.

“They don’t know you’re the artist.”

Not a question, so she didn’t respond.

“You should tell them. You have an extraordinary gift, and Cameron has no idea of the kind of woman you are. He’d need a lifetime to discover them all. This is the joy of marriage. But you should tell him who you really are, and you’re carrying his baby.”

“Is that your request? You want me to tell him I’m a Fairchild, and I’m pregnant.”

“No. You once told me simply saying your family name comes with too many preconceptions. I want you to tell him who you are. You’re an author, an accomplished painter and artist, you’re a remarkable businesswoman who works on special projects for Fairchild Industries and sits on their board of directors. He knows you’re kind and generous and a great mother. Tell him the rest. Tell him just how much he’ll be missing by not knowing all of you. You are a unique and wonderful woman. You are one of the most special people I’ve ever known. I’m proud to know my grandchild will be the son or daughter of Martina Fairchild the woman.”

“Oh, George.” Tears ran down her face. “I will tell my child his grandfather was a great man who understood giving your word meant something, and hard work and earning your way meant more than being handed everything. I’ll tell him both his grandfathers were great businessmen, and at one time they were the fiercest of warriors across a conference table.”

“I know you will. You’re a woman of great honor. That’s why I know you’ll do the right thing and tell Cameron when the time is right.”

“Yes, when the time is right.”

“So, he’s getting the house in a few days, and he’s agreed to move in immediately. He and Shelly are going to be married here. My request is you stay for two months. Cameron won’t ask you to leave, I’ve made sure of it. I know I’m asking a lot, but once Shelly has the ring on her finger, I’m afraid things will change. She’ll have what she wanted and she won’t be so nice. I’m afraid for Emma.”

“You think she’s nice?” She joked about it, but she had the same fears. Once Shelly was married to Cameron and had access to his money, she’d be the person everyone knew her to be, a conniving bitch. She’d make Cameron’s and Emma’s lives hell before she’d give up any of it.

“I think she’ll reveal there isn’t a baby, and she’ll spend Cameron’s money like it’s water. She won’t let him go easily because he’s her meal ticket to the country club set.”

“Like I said, you see things for what they are. I tried to buy her off last night and stop all this madness. She wouldn’t bite because she’s after everything she can get.”

“What did you do?”

“I offered to pay her a million dollars to admit she isn’t pregnant and go away.”

“What did she say?” Marti hoped she said something incriminating.

“She said a million wasn’t enough. Marriage to Cameron would give her access to much more, and she’d have the rich and powerful husband she always wanted. He’ll take her places a million dollars won’t.

“I could have offered her more. For her, it isn’t just the money, though the money is only a fraction of an inch behind what Cameron offers. She wants the whole lifestyle. She’ll be invited to parties and luncheons, have respect because she’s his wife. She wants that more than the money.”

He had a surprising revelation. “Wait till she finds out you’re the rich and powerful woman she wants to be. I’d give anything to see her face when she finds out who you really are. I bet it’ll be priceless.” George wheezed and coughed until he could barely catch his breath. She wiped his mouth. He settled back and took slow shallow breaths to calm himself.

Marti didn’t care if Shelly found out she was a Fairchild. She could choke on it for all she cared. Her only concern was for Cameron and Emma.

“So your request is I stay for the two months so I can watch out for Emma when this whole thing turns sour. Do you know what you’re asking, both of us under the same roof with Cameron between us? It’s a disaster waiting to happen, and more hurt than I’m willing to take on, even for Emma. I love him. I can’t watch him take her to bed each night, or kiss her good morning over breakfast. Don’t ask it of me.”

“I’m asking you to watch out for my granddaughter and my son. If I had the time, I’d do this myself. I won’t be here in the morning. I’ve accepted it, and I’m asking. I know I don’t have the right to ask this of you and everything I’ll be asking of you when I’m gone, but you’re all I have. I know you’ll do your best. I’m not asking for a promise because I know that won’t leave you an out if things don’t work out, and you’ll feel obligated to see it through even if it destroys you. I’m asking you to try.”

“I’ve already tried to fix this. He won’t listen.”

“Things will change when I’m gone and you’ll have a chance to make him see.”

He didn’t know how to convince her without telling her everything. She’d learn everything from the reading of the will.

“I’ve left you something in my will. Actually, it’s half of something. I’d like a promise, a true promise from you. I want you to promise you’ll keep this thing I give to you. You can’t sell it, not even to the person who owns the other half. When you pass, you’ll leave your half to your child, Cameron’s child. Will you promise?”

“Yes, George, I promise. I won’t sell it. I’ll pass it down to your grandchild.”

He closed his eyes. The pain grew too much to bear. His vision blurred long ago and now he only saw shades of grey and shadows. He wished to see her face one last time.

“George, you’re tired. Rest now. We’ll talk about it later.”

“I don’t have a later, Marti. I only have right now.”

Pain clouded his eyes. He held his body rigid. His breathing became labored. He was right, he knew, there wasn’t much time.

“George, my gallant Knight, I will try, for you. I’ll stay as long as I think I can make a difference. I’ve already promised Emma she will always be able to contact me, even if I leave. I’ll try, George. Do you hear me? I’ll try.” She grasped his hand, held it to her chest over her aching heart.

The doctor came to the bed and checked George’s breathing and heart rate. “He’s unconscious. It probably won’t be long now. We’ve agreed on a means to make him comfortable until the end. I’ll give him medication to help with the pain and allow him to slip away. I’ll be with him the whole time, miss. You don’t have to stay.”

The doctor was trying to make things easy for her. She’d never abandon George.

“I’m staying.”