Planting The Seed The Story of Malcolm
Author : K. Sepsey
Email : fadedrosepetals@yahoo.com
Websites : faded rose petals | The Doll House : VC Andrews
Intro : This is a VC Andrews fanfic, all characters are copyright to her and her trust.
I make no claims on them. I was just inspired to write and this is what came about.
Many Spoilers for the Dollanganger series!!!



Chapter Two Learning To Hate, Learning to Love

My father found her note and the second he read it he crumpled it between his fingers and threw it at the wall. He stormed out of the house. I ran over and picked it up. I laid it out and read it carefully.

"Dearest Malcolm,
I loved you so much and I never wanted to hurt you, but I can't
bear to be in that house with that man who is never there and never
gives me what a woman needs to survive. I am only saying goodbye
to you, darling. I will miss you greatly, I am sorry for all of this,
please forgive me, but I must go.
Love, Mother"

I stared at the note and began to wail. I cried and cried for what seemed like days. Finally my father returned and began yelling at me, saying it was my fault she had left. I just stared at him, not believing what he was saying.
"You know why she left, don't you? You were at her night and day, pestering her with questions and silliness. She had to escape from you! Now she has gone and left us both. Look what you have done!" His voice thundered and he pulled back his large hand and slapped me across the face. I went flying across the room and landed in a corner. I tried to get up but he was there again. He grabbed me and dragged me to my room. He locked me in and I cried the loudest I had ever cried in all of my five years.
The next morning a servant unlocked the door and brought me downstairs to eat. My father had already left. I was glad. I didn't want to see him anyway. He didn't know that I had read her note and knew that she loved me. But I still felt betrayed. If she loved me so much, why did she leave? Why didn't she take me too? I decided it was because she was a deceitful woman and was never to be trusted. I don't know how I came to that conclusion, but it had something to do with something my father had told me, about women.
"No woman can be trusted, Malcolm. And most of all, those with beautiful faces and curvy seductive bodies." He said this with such fire in his eyes. I cowered back. I couldn't meet his gaze. I turned from him and went to my room to think of the woman who had already betrayed me and how much it had hurt me. Even mothers betrayed you, and I began to truly hate her name.
On the night of her leaving I had started a journal, I wrote and wrote that night as I cried. I held onto it tightly, and treasured it like nothing else. Every night I wrote in it. I wrote of my hatred and my pleasures. It would be my confession book and I was sure someone would learn plenty from it someday. Someday, they will carry on my name and my business. But for now, I knew that soon I'd be in control and have everyone under my thumb, someday, soon, very soon.
After my mother left, my father changed. In little ways at first, and I didn't notice but soon I did. And I grew afraid. He always told me it was my fault for her leaving. All my fault. I had chased her away. He would rant and rave about it and finally leave me alone for a while. Whenever I had done something to anger him, the punishments were severe. The whip was my form of torment. And the attic. My first real whipping took place because he had found out I was smoking his tobacco. Delete> outside at the back of the house. I never knew how he found out; my guess was that the servants told him. But nevertheless, he found out and I was punished. He whipped me harshly and blood ran from my back. He locked me in the attic to learn the ways of the Lord and repent for my sins. I was in the attic for what seemed like days, and I explored. I found old pictures of my beautiful mother and now I looked at her differently. She seemed so kind and gentle, but I knew differently. I hated her so much! I hoped that she was suffering as I was. With cuts bleeding, I nearly suffocated in that airless hot attic, but I survived, that was the first thing I learned to do, survive.
That day in the attic, was one of many. My father had made me go to school in that attic. Tutors were paid handsomely to teach me all the lessons my father thought necessary for my existence. I would stare longingly outside. Out of those dormer windows. I could see for miles, hear children's laughter, and see them running about. Oh how I longed to be out there on those hot summer days, or on those cold winter ones. Whatever the season, I was stuck in the attic. No breaks like normal school. At nights I would write of my torturous long days in the attic schoolroom. Where my tutors were allowed to strike me, actually they were ordered to do it. I endured the pain, knowing that one day it would all end and I would get my revenge. I would show them all what heartless and cruel really was. That was the thought that kept me going. The only thought.
As I grew up I learned more and more. I learned about my father's business and about life. But all in all my childhood was tragic. I was never happy and the fond memories were few. The only time anything was happy was before my mother left. She took all the sunshine away with her when she slipped out of our lives. She took the warm glow of love out of my world and left me empty. I was never going to let myself be trapped by a woman, never. But I grew up and started to learn and lust and soon I forgot my vow.
My father grew less and less angry with me for my mother leaving, and soon he was a completely changed man. I had no idea why. He seemed happier and more like a schoolboy. He showed up less and less at the office until his attendance ceased all together. One day, coming back from a meeting, I stopped in to talk to him in his suite. I wanted to know why he wasn't at the office and that I felt like I was handling a lot more than I should. But when I got there, I found that all of his clothes and luggage were gone. I spun around and marched downstairs.
"Where is my father?" I demanded of one of the servants.
"Why, Mr. Foxworth has left with his fiancé to be married and then they are off to honeymoon." She said all this with an idiotic curiosity in her eyes, saying I should have been the first to know.
"Did he leave a note or a number where he could be reached?" I asked, getting angrier with every passing moment.
"No, sir. He said he'd write soon to let you know how things are going. Would you like anything else sir?" She looked at me closely and I shook my head. She left and went back to her duties.

At first I didn't believe that he had just left, just like my mother. But all this time he had been seeing someone? Is that why his attendance at the office had been so scarce? Suddenly I felt very stupid. I prided myself on being so wise and yet I had missed this. I walked hurriedly into my father's office, which was soon to be mine. I took out some paperwork and began to get some of it done. But my mind was a mess and I couldn't concentrate. My father had remarried and this woman would surely get some of this fortune. I wouldn't get as much as I had hoped. And now she would be living in this house! My world was being turned upside down yet again.
I rose quickly and left the house. I took a short walk and came to my pond. Now I could skip the rocks and I did that a few times, but grew tired of it. I sighed deeply and looked around me.
"How could I have grown up in this world of riches and carefree dreams, and missed out on everything? I just missed it." I whispered to myself. I walked back to the house and decided to go out. I grabbed my coat and left instructions with the servants to be prepared for a late dinner. I got into my car and drove to town. I stopped at a local club and sat at the bar. I sat next to this beautiful blonde woman and I said hello.
"Hello, and how are you this evening?" She turned to me, her eyes glowing with desire. She smiled seductively; little did she know that she didn't have to do that. I smiled back at her.
"I've never seen you here before? Are you new in town or something?" She took a sip of her drink and eyed me closely.
"No, I live nearby, just never been in here. Would you like dinner? I haven't eaten yet." Her eyes lit up quickly and that pleased me. I felt a warmth growing in my chest and it traveled down and surprised me with its fierceness.
"I'd love that. Shall we leave now?" She asked and I realized that I didn't even know her name.
"What's your name?" I looked into her eyes and I was lost. Lost in my passion and desire.
"It's Lauren. And you?" She picked up her coat and I helped her put it on. I inhaled her sweet scent and rubbed her arm gently as I finished helping with her coat.
"My name's Malcolm." We left and headed to my home. She was so impressed and awestruck, like she hit it big. I laughed at her enthusiasm. She turned to me and asked me the most obvious question.
"So you're pretty rich, huh? A Foxworth." She nodded to the mansion and smiled, "I always thought this was a grand house. Is it even grander inside?" She asked with glee. I nodded and led her in. The servants were ready with dinner and we sat down to an exquisite dinner of luscious entrees and decadent desserts. She moaned after each bite, exclaiming about its perfect taste. I smiled and lost myself in her beauty.
"Would you like a tour of the house?" I asked her, already knowing the answer. She nodded quickly and I escorted her to all of the rooms and I saved the best and most important room for last, my mother's. When she saw it she gasped at its beauty. She stepped in and twirled around like a ballerina.
"This is my mother's old room, before she left. Isn't it beautiful? That bed was hand made and every expense was taken to make it as beautiful and lovely as possible. She loved this room and spent so many hours in it. She left me when I was only five years old." As I said all this she looked sad and then I smiled.
"But that was years ago. And now it's ours." She opened her eyes widely and I laughed. Then she settled into a seductive posture and she walked slowly over and wrapped her arms around me and kissed me passionately. I held her tighter and she responded by stroking my back and reaching down to grab my buttocks. I moaned with pleasure and she took off my sport coat. She led me over to my mother's bed and we lay beside each other, underneath the swan head with its ruby eye staring down at us, and its wings hugging us protectively. We kissed and groped each other and finally we are both naked and exploring each other's bodies. I felt myself grow hard against her and that made her smile with eager sexual want. Finally I entered her and a feeling of utter joy and pleasure traveled throughout my body and I let out a loud moan as I rocked softly. Soon we are both moaning in unison and finally the high was reached and we both lay there, gasping for air. I embraced her and kissed her hair softly.
I looked about the room and my eye caught the place where I spied on my mother years ago. I started to remember and I forgot about everything else. My mind traveled over time to when I first saw her here with her lover, I realized that a tear was rolling down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly and looked to the woman beside me. She was sleeping soundly. I smiled to myself and I started to think a beautiful woman in my life wasn't so bad and I began to hum to myself as I fell asleep, dreaming of a better tomorrow.

We continued dating and spending more and more time with each other. And I fell more and more deeply in love with this beautiful creature. She was everything I ever needed and I held on to that with an iron fist. She would make me the happiest I had ever been and ever would be. We spent our days lounging in the swan bedroom and speaking of our pasts and what we had hoped as children. Her laugh was mesmerizing and I got caught up in it. Her smile never seemed to leave her face. Had I brought that never-ending smile to her lovely face? I hoped so, I really did. I wanted to know that I could bring someone else's life joy instead of pain. And maybe I did.
I had asked to see Lauren's home. She looked down and then back up to me. Her eyes full of fears and I held her close to me. Mumbling in her hair that I was sorry for bringing up a painful subject. But she shook her head.
"It isn't that. It isn't anything painful. I'm just embarrassed. My home isn't anything as fancy as Foxworth Hall and I don't want you to see it. I don't want you to rethink your decision of me being your lover. I wasn't brought up in riches and the proper society." She looked at me hopefully. I just smiled.
"The only reason I wanted to see your home is that I thought I was being too domineering in keeping us here all of the time. But if you'd rather I didn't see it than that's fine. But I want you to know that I would never look down on you and shun you because you didn't mingle with the right people. I love you for you, Lauren and I am never letting you go." I hugged her tightly and she clung to me, as if she was afraid I was lying. I stroked her long golden hair and she lifted her face to mine. Her blue eyes were flooded with love and gratefulness. She was perfect. She was my perfect match. We were going to make a wonderful life together.

The next day Lauren and I ate breakfast on the back patio. She was so full of life and hopes. I never knew anyone like her. She filled my life with the sunlight my mother had taken away. I was so happy and in love, finally I knew what they spoke of in novels. I knew the feeling of walking on air. She felt it too. And she told me one day exactly how she felt and right then, on that day, I knew that my father was wrong and so was I. There were beautiful women to trust. I knew there were!
"Malcolm, I need to talk to you." She had said and I followed her outside and we walked to the pond. She turned to me and I felt her blue eyes search mine. What she found there must have pleased her very much, because she smiled.
"Darling, I want you to know that I'm not here with you because you are rich. I'm with you because I love you and I get lost in your beautiful blue eyes." She stopped and stroked my hair. I held her hand in mine and stroked it gently. She smiled at me and planted a kiss on my cheek.
"And if we ever talk about a life time commitment, I will do anything to prove to you that I am not here for your money. I love you Malcolm, I really do." She whispered and we embraced. I felt her warmth and I closed my eyes to remember this moment for the rest of my life. Then she giggled and I saw her taking off her clothes and I did the same. She dove into the pond and I followed. We swam and for a moment we were in heaven, pure heaven.
"Malcolm!" She shouted from across the pond. I looked up and smiled.
"Yes, darling." She swam smoothly over to me and was soon in my embrace.
"Never give me up, promise?" She looked hopefully in my eyes and I saw all the love that she felt for me and I felt myself melt in her arms.
"I'll never give you up, not in a million years." She smiled widely and I pick her up and carry her to the side of the pond. She looked deeply in my eyes and for a second she is lost, I see it. She is lost and scared, but it passed and she smiled again.
"I love you, Malcolm Neal Foxworth."
"I love you too, Lauren Diane Peyton." I kissed her quickly, then longer and more fiercely. Soon we were holding each other urgently and driving away all of the uncertainties that threatened to break into our world of happiness.

The next morning I left early and went to the closest jewelry store. I picked out a beautiful diamond engagement ring for Lauren. I had it wrapped in pink foil paper and topped with a silver bow. I held it protectively in my hands as I walked back to my car. Today was the day I would change forever, love had softened me and I was so happy. On the drive home I actually sang to myself. Something I used to do with my mother. When I arrived home, Lauren was sitting in the foyer reading a book. She looked up and smiled.
"Now, where did you get off to so early this morning?" She rose and walked over to embrace me. She then saw the gleeful look in my eyes. Her eyes turned suspicious.
"What are you up to? Tell me right this instant!" She demanded playfully.
I bent down on one knee and saw her eyes widen with shock and happiness. She stood there staring down at me and a tear trickled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and smiled.
"Lauren Diane Peyton, would you do me the honor of being my bride?" I held out the tiny box with the ring inside, she took the box and she knelt to the ground in front of me and hugged me tightly.
"Yes, yes, yes. I'll marry you, I promise to make you happy until the day I die." She looked at me and now the tears were flowing freely. I wrapped my arms about her and rocked her softly. We were like that until a servant came by and asked us if we were all right.
"Yes, on the contrary we are doing fabulous. We are going to be married!" I announced with the most pride I ever felt in all my life. The servant smiled and scurried off to announce it to the rest of the staff. I looked to Lauren who was now standing beside me. She was glowing with so much happiness.
"I'm going to make you happy, I promise. Every day will be filled with sunshine and every night will be filled with lovely passion." She smiled happily when I said that. Then I noticed that she hadn't opened the box yet. I reached for it and I opened it for her. I pulled out the ring and placed it on her finger. She stared at it in awe.
"It's so beautiful, Malcolm. Thank you so much." She leaned forward and kissed me softly on the lips. She let a smile widen her lips and she suddenly realized what just happened. Her body quivered with excitement and she twirled around with her arms outstretched. She giggled loudly and I caught her in my embrace. She looked at me lovingly and then it all it her.
"Shall we set a date? We'll have to have an engagement party! Or should we just go get married now!" Her voice was filled with excitement. I laughed softly and held her close to me, never wanting to let her go.
"Whatever you wish, I'll make it come true." I whispered.

We began plans for a small but elegant dinner party to announce our engagement. Lauren was excited about it all day. She went out and bought a very beautiful white silk dress that shimmered with every movement she made. She boasted about the price, she had someone make it for her. I smiled with giddiness. She was telling the truth! She had the chance to spend my money on herself and she still tried to shop for a bargain. She really did love me. And not for my money. She loved me for who I was. She did! I ran to her and lifted her into my arms. I twirled her about and she laughed loudly. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on my forehead. I was happy, so very happy.
I had tried to contact my father with the news, but he was busy on his own honeymoon. I smiled instead of scowled at this, because soon I would be on my own honeymoon and unaware of others in my life, except for Lauren. My sweet loving Lauren. She had changed my life. Just by being the only happiness in my world. I had even stopped writing in my journal. I didn't feel the need to write my hatred and contempt, because I didn't have any. I was on a high cloud far up in the sky where no one could hurt me. I practically danced out into the foyer to greet our guests. Then something occurred to me, I had never met her parents. What was I thinking? She hadn't met my father because he was away, so I forgot about needing to meet hers. The thought disappeared with the night's events. But I would speak to her later about it. Nothing was to ruin the announcement of our engagement.

"Darling," I asked her that night as we lay in the swan bed, "why haven't I met your parents? It just occurred to me that you never mentioned them, I guess we were so caught up in our wonderful romance." I smiled at her as I thought of the last month. It was wonderful. The most wonderful time I had ever spent in my life. But her eyes clouded and she almost glared at me, but caught herself.
"They don't want anything to do with me. That's why you haven't met them." She choked back a sob, and turned from me, staring off into space. Next her voice came weak and hollow.
"They disowned me when I was a teenage girl. Malcolm, I need to tell you something, and I hope you don't hate me for it." She stated hoarsely. My heart stopped and I felt my stomach turn. I could only nod. Of course this was too perfect for me. I didn't deserve anything like this. I deserved nothing good. Nothing at all.
"My mother remarried when I was eight years old. The man was mean and heartless. He cheated on my mother and he beat us both. That's how I got that scar on my side." She paused to point at it. I remembered it and when I had asked her about it she said she couldn't remember. Now I learned that some monster had done it to my precious Lauren. If I found out he was alive I would kill him. She saw the look of hatred in my eyes and quickly brought her hand to my face.
"He's dead, he died about six months ago, in prison. He was there for murdering my mother's newborn and abusing me. But that's not the worst of it. By the time I was twelve, I looked pretty much as I do now, maybe a little thinner, but basically the same. He started to look at me differently and one night he came in my room and..." She broke off and began to sob. I embraced her quickly. I already knew what she was going to say. She had lost her virginity to that monster! She wiped her tears quickly and jerked her head up to look at me. She shuddered and went on.
"I got pregnant. My mother didn't believe me when I told her the father was her perfect husband. She slapped me and called me a liar. I, um, I never had the baby." Her head bowed down and she shook her head with new sobs. "They killed my baby, Malcolm, they killed my baby! A doctor did it; he took my baby out and left me empty. He was one of the few who were willing to do it. Then I was blamed for the cost and I ran away. I saw my mother about a year after that and she stared right into my eyes and glared. Then she walked passed me, her head high. I never saw her again. I was glad he went to jail. My mother finally reported him, but soon after that he killed her. But he didn't get away with it. I'm glad for that, if not for anything else." She embraced herself and started to shake. I brought her a blanket and went downstairs to get her some tea. She fell asleep in my arms and I vowed that her life would be filled with nothing but happiness and sweet times from now on. I stroked her hair gently and we fell asleep. I feared it was the only time she was at peace.
During that night, visions of the monster that haunted Lauren flitted in and out of my dreams. I saw him smirking and laughing at her pain. Anger infected me and I woke with a start. I stared into the darkness and slowly got out of bed. I was shaking terribly and I decided to go for a short walk. Somehow I wandered back to that cottage my mother and I had passed by and stared at the night before she left. I stared at it wondering what was so interesting about it, why did she stop and stare at it? Curiosity overcame me and I slowly crept up to the porch. It looked as though no one had lived there for years, still I knocked. After a moment I tried the knob. The door opened slowly. I quickly stepped in and I tried my luck in flipping a switch. A dull yellow light filled the room. I looked about the old cottage. Something was familiar about it. I couldn't seem to put my finger on why...
Then I realized what it was. My mother's perfume filled the air. The realization of that caused me to feel faint. Almost sick to my stomach at the knowledge that my mother had been in this little house. But I didn't know why. I continued to search through the cottage and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I walked down the hall and there I was, standing in the back bedroom. My mother's picture framed in beautiful carved ceramic was sitting on the night table. I must have been sitting there on the bed staring at it for hours. The sun began streaming through the curtains. That's when I realized that this must have been her home for a while, maybe a long while after she left me. She had been here, she was so near me, but remained far away... Why?

[rest of the chapters and the epilogue are separate]


The Doll House
(my VC Andrews site)