Kitchen Promises (Riverside Trilogy, #3) (The Riverside Trilogy) (13 page)

*   *   *

As guests started to arrive, I did my best to stay out of the way. I made sure Molly stayed on the loveseat and had water and food. Her face lit up every time someone entered and handed her a gift. I could tell she was being genuine, and I was happy she was enjoying herself. I wasn’t sure who all these chicks were, so I introduced myself to them.

“Well, holy hell, Molly. You’ve been keeping him locked up or what?” I heard one woman say. I was close enough to hear, but far enough away that she wouldn’t hear me laugh. Michael had invited her restaurant co-workers, a few classmates from college, and a handful of regulars from the restaurant. Molly was a sociable person, so it didn’t surprise me to see a room filled with giddy chicks.

I stayed my distance, letting the spotlight stay on Molly. It was the first time in months that I actually just watched her. She was carefree and sincerely enjoying herself. I watched as she laughed with the girls and Michael. She was letting them rub her belly, guess their genders, and some even wanted to see her engagement ring

I could tell she was a little uncomfortable with all the attention, but she seemed to be handling it well. I started swiping some of the food as I heard a knock on the door.

I quickly shoved it in my mouth and opened it to see Violet, Stanley, and Liam.

“Well, hey guys.” I smiled, trying to choke back the food. “What brings you here?”

“Michael invited Liam to the party.”

“Is there cake?” he squealed, eyes lit up. Before I could answer him, he ran past me. I heard Stella calling for him and soon the two were gone, hunting down cake.

“Well, you two are welcome to stay if you wish.” I opened my arm up to the rest of the house. I knew it probably seemed weird to invite your ex/mother of your child and her boyfriend, who was also your fiancé’s unannounced biological father, but honestly, it wasn’t. Violet and I had come to terms with our arrangement, and I was only lucky that Molly seemed okay with it as well.

Violet’s face lit up instantly, but then went to uncertain. “I’ll keep Stanley company, don’t worry. You go mingle and whatever it is that chicks do at baby showers.”

“Okay, just until she opens the presents. I love baby clothes!” she gushed. She ran past me before I could even comment.

“Well, then I guess it’s settled.” I invited Stanley in and shut the door behind him. We were more business acquaintances than friends, and that was enough for me. I didn’t want to cross boundaries knowing that Molly was uncomfortable with Stanley being around.

“Wanna grab a plate before they swipe it all?” I nodded my head toward the crowd of ladies sitting around Molly.

“Sure. I never turn down food.” He grinned.

-----<>-----

Molly

If one more person rubs their slimy hands on my belly…

“Molly, oh my god! You’re so big!”

If one more person tells me how big I am…

“Oh honey, you look so tired. Get some rest before sleep is no longer an option.”

If one more person tells me how tired I look…

Do these people not realize I’m carrying twins here? Not to mention, that is the
last thing you say to a pregnant woman?

Just as I was about to snap and rip the fake smile off my face, my cell phone chimed, distracting me from
Miss ‘Feelin’ Up My Belly’ hands.

Blocked Number:
How nice of your biological father to come to your baby shower. Why don’t you go tell Daddy he’s going to be a grandpa…before I do.

I looked around in a panic and saw Drake and Stanley talking in the kitchen. I didn’t even know he was here, but I guess I should’ve assumed as soon as I saw Violet and Liam.

Wait?
Someone knows.

But who?

I glanced around the room. Michael was in the middle of a cluster with a few of my girlfriends, a couple girls were chatting together by the punch table, and a couple friends were on their cell phones. No one knew about Stanley except for Drake and Michael—
and they wouldn’t tell a soul.

Molly:
Who is this?

Blocked Number:
Someone who knows your secret.

I rolled my eyes.
Obviously.
Someone was fucking with me.

Before I even responded, it rang again.

Blocked Number:
And will tell if you don’t.

Molly:
What do you want?

I continued looking around. No one was looking suspicious. I hadn’t even seen half these people in months, there’s no way any of them knew. And even if they did, why would they threaten me? What good would it do for them?

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Denny.

He must know. My parents must have told him years ago when they were all still friends. But why would he threaten me when he’s the one with the new identity? I should be threatening him.

Blocked Number:
Looks like you’ve put the pieces together, sweetheart.

I searched around me in a panic, feeling violated that he must be watching me somehow. It didn’t help that Drake’s place had floor to ceiling windows overlooking Chicago, meaning anyone in the buildings nearby could see in with a telescope.

Molly:
Stop watching me. I’ll tell Drake everything.

Blocked Number:
You already told Drake everything. Too bad he doesn’t believe you. Guess you better do as I say now. Or else Stanley and all of Chicago will find out.

Fuck. How does he know that? What good would it do him for Stanley to know the truth?

Nothing.
It’d do no good for him. He was messing with me. Trying to get me to submit to him or get revenge.

Molly:
Fuck you.

Blocked Number:
Guess we’re not playing nice. Too bad.

I didn’t respond. I wasn’t going to play his game.

Blocked Number:
Imagine what that’ll do to Drake’s professional career. The media will blow up. Imagine how it’ll effect your parents. Not to mention how will Stanley take the news that the clinic violated his terms of privacy.

Shit.
I sat and thought for a moment. This would make a huge clusterfuck—a domino effect of hurting many people. First, my parents. They didn’t need to be put in the middle of this. They didn’t want any of their friends or other family members knowing the truth. It wasn’t meant to be shared with the world.

And then Drake. Any negative press on him or me wasn’t what he needed right now. He was in the middle of making deals and expanding the hotel and restaurant. He needed investors and the last thing he needed was another internet scam.

And lastly, what would it do to Violet, Liam, and Stanley? I didn’t want Stanley to know, period. I didn’t want that awkwardness between us all, especially since Drake and he were becoming business acquaintances. It wasn’t something he was ever supposed to find out. Hell, I wasn’t ever supposed to know about it. Could this affect his career? Would it ruin his relationship with Violet and Liam?

And what if I told Stanley myself? Just get it out there.

I couldn’t. First, I don’t even know that he’d believe me. I have no proof whatsoever except the information my parents told me. However, I can bet Denny has proof. He was able to change his identity and completely bury his old one, I’m sure he has documents of some sort proving everything.

Would Stanley announce it to anyone? Would he contact the agency for violating his terms of privacy? That could only mean getting my parents involved along with a whole bunch of other legal shit. Nothing good could come out of Stanley knowing. It had to stay a secret.

Too many people’s lives were at risk. Denny was a powerhouse in business just like Drake and Stanley. Collaborating with Stanley meant that he was gaining more attention and developing stronger networks. I could never prove his identity. Even showing his text messages didn’t prove anything. I was screwed.

This was big enough where it would stress me out and put the babies in danger. If I just gave him what he wanted, this would all go away. I didn’t want to give this man any power over me, but I had to think of my babies. Stress was something the doctor told me I needed to control to make sure I carried them as long as I could.

Molly:
What do you want from me?

I cringed as I hit the
send
button. I imagined his conniving face lighting up as he thought he was getting what he wanted.

Blocked Number:
Tell Drake you can’t marry him.

Molly:
You’re insane. If you think I’m letting you control me, you’re wrong.

Blocked Number:
I made my identity disappear. Just like Liam. Imagine what else I could make disappear.

I gasped aloud, unwillingly. I dropped the phone. Everyone was too busy chatting and eating to notice that I was sitting there with my mouth wide open, tears about to spill out.

Molly:
You fucking monster.

It was the best I could come up with at the time. I was angry, hurt, and in physical pain just from the mention of Liam.

Blocked Number:
I’ll take that as you’re not going to play nice.

Molly:
I’ll go to the cops. You won’t get away with this.

Blocked Number:
I already have. You go to the cops, you’ll regret it. I promise you.

I shivered as I read his text.
I promise you.
That was worse than knowing what his plan was. Now if I told Drake, I had no idea what to expect. It’s bad enough he was having a hard time believing that Dan
was
Denny, but now to convince him he’s after me? Yeah, he’ll have me committed or something.

Just as I about to scream and swear aloud, Michael’s overly cheery voice interrupted.

“Okay, everyone!” Michael clapped. “Time for games!” he squealed.

Ugh crap.

“First game is really simple. You’ll find some string on the tables. Measure out how big you think Molly’s belly is. Person closest to her actual size, wins a gift basket!” I turned my eyes to where Michael was gesturing. I hadn’t even realized he had games and prizes.
Just great.

It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate all the work Michael did, but I just wasn’t in the mood for games and prizes, and seeing how fat I actually was with string.

I couldn’t keep my mind off Denny. Once again, the bastard was taking control. I had completely forgotten that he knew. There was a time my parents confided in Denny for everything. However, I hadn’t told anyone, because as far as I was concerned, it was all a nightmare, a dream. I knew it wasn’t, but it was the easiest way for me to forget about it. I was so young, I didn’t understand, but word of it now, could put my entire family in jeopardy.

“Mols, you gotta stand up, babe.” Michael stood in front of me, holding his hand out for me.

“I thought I wasn’t supposed to be standing,” I shot back.

He cocked his hip and rolled his eyes. “You can get up for one minute.”

I grabbed his hand and let him lift me up. I felt like a whale and according to all the people who wrapped their too-long strings around me, I looked like one, too.

“Looks like we have a winner!” Michael squealed again. He was loving this.
Way too much.

I pushed thoughts of Denny to the back of my mind as I tried to enjoy the rest of the baby shower. Everyone looked like they were having fun eating, playing games, and watching me open gifts. The twins officially have more clothes than I do.

“Okay, everyone.” Michael stood up and announced. “I have a very special finale. The first ever sneak-peek at the nursery! Molly hasn’t even seen it yet, so I’m going to take her first, then the rest of you are allowed to go see it.”

Finally, some good news.

“Yes, can’t wait!” I genuinely smiled. He lifted me off the loveseat again and held my hand as we walked upstairs. There was a beautiful, large yellow bow over the door. “Can I open it?”

“Go ahead, Mama.” He winked.

I walked in and before I even saw everything, I began crying. The tears came unwillingly as I glanced around and noticed Drake standing in between the two cribs.

“Well, what do you think?” Drake wiped his arms open wide, displaying the room.

“It’s…breathtaking! Oh my god!” The room was a mixture of grey, yellow, and white. It was decorated in an Elephant theme. Yellow and white lantern balls hung from the ceiling. The cribs were white with little grey and yellow polka dots painted on the railings, and a sheer, white canopy hung just above. It was something out of a magazine. A rocker was placed in the corner. There were wooden shelves hanging on the wall with children’s books and little Elephant wall décor hanging in between.

“I can’t believe you did this!” I gushed to Michael, who was now standing directly behind me. I turned around and squeezed him. “It’s amazing.”

“You didn’t see the best part yet.” He winked and nodded his head in Drake’s direction.

I turned to see Drake standing at the other wall and next to the chalkboard where we had written our vows.

“You had it framed?” I squealed. “H-how did you do that? I didn’t even know you could do that,” I rambled.

“I can pretty much get anything done for the right price tag.” He grinned. “Now our babies will grow up with our vows right in their room and know their mommy and daddy love them, and that no matter what, we promise forever.”

“You really know how to lay it on a hormonal pregnant woman, don’t you?” I cried. He rushed to my side and hugged me. This moment meant everything to me.

“I don’t care how or when we get married; these vows mean more to me than any ceremony.”

“I’m happy you think that way, because this whale isn’t fitting into a wedding dress anytime soon.” I pointed down to my growing belly.

He cupped my face in his hands and leaned in, just barely touching my lips. It was a sensual moment. Not hot. Not desire. Just love. And it was perfect.

*   *   *

Having Drake in my life was something I never wanted to imagine being without. He was my everything. He taught me to love again, to trust again, and most importantly, to live again. He reminded me of what love felt like, what life could be like sharing it with someone you love, and how it felt to be happy. I wanted to marry him. I wanted to call him my husband and have our babies growing up with two parents. He was everything I ever wanted.

And now I was going to lose that.

The moment that I tell Drake I can’t marry him, I know I’ll be bombarded with questions. He’ll think I’m being overly emotional or he’ll want reasons why. Actual reasons. How can I do that to him? Knowing he’ll be devastated and hurt because of me? I can’t. I just can’t do this to him.

I wanted to enjoy this time with my family before the babies arrived. There was so much to do yet, I felt completely unprepared, but I didn’t care. I wanted them. I wanted to keep them safe and hold them.

*   *   *

I decided to not let myself think of Denny. I hadn’t heard from him since the baby shower three days before. I never confirmed that I would do as he said, nor did I dismiss him. The fact that he brought up Liam put my entire body into shock. He went to jail when I was six years old and got out right before my fourteenth birthday. He was let out early for good behavior. Years later, I heard he started a business and became a millionaire just a few short years later. By the time I had Stella, he was well-known in Iowa and held a lot of power.

I wanted to believe that he was lying about making Liam disappear. Rather, he was just trying to rattle me, to try to prove to me how much power he had. And as much as I wanted to believe that, a part of me believed him. To him, I was the reason he went to jail in the first place, so if he was behind Liam’s accident, it was to seek revenge—to take away the one person I loved more than anything. To make me hurt. To take my life away from me as I did his.