Chapter 14
Annie's POV
In the morning, I was painting the living room. I hummed softly as I packed sandwiches into the picnic basket, each movement measured and careful despite the giddy warmth in my chest.
"Mom's in a really good mood today," Lucy's voice came softly from behind me.
I nearly dropped the thermos I was holding. Even after a week, hearing her speak still felt like a small miracle. But this morning, her observation made heat rise to my cheeks as memories from that night a few days ago flooded back...
*Howard's fingers tangled in my hair as he deepened the kiss. The taste of whiskey on his lips should have been a warning, but when he whispered"I need you" against my mouth, all my carefully constructed barriers crumbled. We'd stumbled upstairs, hands exploring, hearts racing...*
"Annie?"
Howard's voice jolted me from my reverie. He stood in the doorway,tablet conspicuously absent for once, wearing casual clothes that made him look years younger. "Ready for our adventure?" I ducked my head, hoping he couldn't read the memories in my eyes.That night, after our passionate encounter, I'd curled against his chest and whispered Lucy's wish to visit the new theme park. He'd promised to take us after his work was simply done. I hadn't expected him to follow through so quickly. "Almost ready!" I called out, packing the last few items. Lucy stood nearby,carefully arranging her backpack, her eyes darting between Howard and me with a knowing smile that made me wonder just how much she'd noticed.
The lingering sweetness from our passionate encounter days ago seemed to hover in the air as we drove to Manhattan, broken only by Lucy's occasional excited comments about the attractions she wanted to try. I caught Howard watching me in the rearview mirror more than once, his controlledexpression softening whenever our eyes met.
The theme park buzzed with weekend energy. Lucy's eyes grew wide at the sight of the carousel, its painted horses gleaming in the midday sun.
"Would you like to try it?" Howard asked gently.
Lucy nodded eagerly, and we joined the line. I watched in wonder as she perched atop a golden horse, Howard standing protectively beside her. His hand brushed mine as we both reachedto steady her,sending electricity skittering across my skin.
The picnic that followed felt like a scene from someone else's life-Lucy actually giggling as she bit into her sandwich, Howard's usual CEO persona nowhere in sight as he stretched out on the blanket beside us. For a moment, we were just a normal family enjoying a sunny day.
But the peace shattered shortly after Lucy's second carousel ride.
I noticed the change immediately - her shoulders hunched, her earlier joy evaporating. Howard tensed beside me, his protective instincts kicking in.
"Sweetheart?" I knelt beside her. "Don't you want to play anymore?" She shook her head, making the writing motion we'd developed. I pulled out the small notebook I always carried now. Her hands trembled slightly as she wrote:
"Max said I'm a mute freak. Said Mom isn't good enough for our family.His mom says you are just after Uncle Howard's money."
My heart clenched, but years of teaching experience took over. "Max needs to apologize for those unkind words."
Sarah sauntered forward with Max sulking behind her, her red lips curved in a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She gave Howard's impeccable appearance an appreciative once-over before turning to me with barely concealed disdain.
"Apologize?" She laughed, the sound like wind chimes with razor edges."Oh Annie, I'm just pointing out what everyone can see." Her gaze swept over my simple dress before returning to Howard. "Some of us understand the finer things in life.. and some of us are clearly out of our depth.Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Clearly-Somebodly?”
The words hit deeper than I wanted to admit. She was right - I didn't belong in their privileged sphere. What was I thinking, imagining I could... "Excuse me." Howard's voice cut through my spiral of doubt. He stepped forward, placing himself between us. His voice carried that familiar CEO authority that could make board members squirm in their seats. "You have a sharp eye. So you should know what would happen if you and your son don't apologize to my family." The color drained from Sarah's perfectly made-up face. Her eyes darted around frantically, probably counting how many witnesses were within earshot. Howard's subtle reminder clearly hit its mark. "I... I didn't mean..." she stammered, her earlier confidenceevaporating.Then,switching tactics with desperate efficiency, she turned to Max. "Sweetheart,that wasn't nice. You need to apologize right now." When Max just crossed his arms defiantly, panic flashed across her face. "Max!" She shoved him forward, her careful poise completely shattered. "Apologize.Now!"
When he just glared sullenly, she did something I never expected - her hand whipped out,catching him across the face. "I said apologize!"
"S-sorry," Max mumbled, tears welling in his eyes.
Right after that, Sarah dragged him away, leaving us in stunned silence.Lucy's small hand found mine, squeezing tight.
She was quite fluctuating. Yet she was pregnant. Maybe that could explain it. Pregnant women could be unpredictable. Or she was just jealous.
"Don't let her words bother you," Howard murmured, his arm sliding around my shoulders. The warmth of his touch steadied me, even as my heart raced at his closeness.
That evening, Lucy surprised me by asking if we could sleep together.As we lay in her bed, her small body curled trustingly against mine. I felt a surge of maternal warmth. She held onto me tightly, as if afraid I might disappear. Lucy curled against me, her small head tucked under my chin. As I stroked her hair, the tender moment brought a fleeting memory of Brian,but it didn't hurt as much anymore. Lucy's warmth and steady breathing had become its own kind of comfort, especially tonight when she'd asked to sleep beside me.
"Lucy, sweetheart?" I whispered, my fingers still gentle in her hair. She stirred against me, tilting her face up to meet my gaze. Those clear eyes blinked up at me, filled with trust.
"Would it be okay..." I began softly, careful not to disturb the delicate peace between us, "if I asked you something?"
She nodded.
"First, why did you choose me? What made you want me to stay?"
Lucy was quiet for a moment, then spoke softly: "I saw Brian's drawings at school. They were better than everyone else's. He said you taught him."She paused. then added, "I thought you maust be good at drawing. Like my mommy was."
My heart constricted at her words. Such a simple reason, yet it carried so much meaning.
"For my second question..." I hesitated, "Would you try talking to Howard?Just a little?"
She nodded again and slipped out of bed. I followed as she padded down the hallway to Howard's study. He sat at his desk, reading through documents, but looked up as we appeared in the doorway. When we entered, his eyes were suspiciously bright as he gathered Lucy into his arms. "Daddy" What? Did she know something?