Chapter 17: Revelations

Toni and Annie acted like they were old friends from the moment they spoke to each other. I was glad that they liked each other so well already because I wanted Toni and Jory to like Annie. I still couldn't believe Toni had fixed me a welcome home dinner. Jory was so lucky but now I felt I was lucky too. Annie was the most amazing woman I'd ever met.

The twins were there, of course, as was baby Christopher. He just kept getting bigger every time that I laid eyes on him. Melodie was at the dinner but sulked because the twins didn't pay any attention to her even though they looked like carbon copies of her. They seemed much more interested in Annie. And Annie was wonderful with them. I could easily imagine Annie with our children . . . my face flushed slightly because I was thinking of such a thing.

"You look like you're about to burst, Bart! Tell me, how close are you and Annie?" Jory asked when the two of us retreated to my study to talk while Toni and Annie played with the children.

I turned to my brother, beaming happily.

"I love her! And she loves me! And she isn't after my money because she has money of her own. Do you know who the Tattertons are? The Tatterton toy factory? She makes me feel so different, Jory. I don't even like being angry or moody around her. Just looking at her makes me forget my anger. She seems to bring out the best in me and I do the same for her. She sometimes goes into these depressions though and it worries me. Other than that, she is perfect . . . to me. And she's an artist, Jory! Yet she hasn't even mentioned it. I've never met anyone so proud of their work yet modest about it. She painted a portrait of me, Jory. I'm going to hang it in here," I said.

I went to get the painting and turned it so he could see. His mouth dropped.

"She is good! It's a wonder she isn't famous," he said. I shrugged.

"Somehow I get the feeling that Annie doesn't care if she is famous or not. She likes to paint and draw because she's good at it, like I'm good at business," I said, hanging the painting up until it looked perfect.

"I'm so glad that she makes you happy, Bart. You definitely have this glow about you now. It's like you're walking in the clouds and I never thought I'd see such an expression on you!" he declared.

I chuckled.

"I don't want to retreat into the lonely, bitter man I was when I'm with her, Jory. She makes me feel . . . special somehow. Like I'm needed. I've never had anyone need me. And we can talk about things. Most woman just talk about themselves but not Annie. We talk about everything – news, politics, nature, everything. Even silly stuff. And you know how I hate talking about nonsense," I said, smiling.

"But I'm so afraid, Jory. I can't lose her. My heart can't stand it," I whispered.

"You fell really hard for her, didn't you?" Jory asked and I nodded, biting my lower lip.

"I've never felt this way about anyone. But she doesn't know about my history of women . . . oh, I told her I've used women and I've told her nearly everything . . . but I couldn't tell her I paid for women, Jory. Or how I acted with Cindy when I caught her with some boyfriend. She knows that I had my preaching show and that I no longer do it, but she doesn't know why they took me off the air. I'm so scared to tell her, Jory. No woman wants to know such dark and dirty secrets. She might be afraid I've given her something," I said, closing my eyes.

"Stop it, Bart. You don't have to tell her . . . everyone has some secret to hide. She loves you too, Bart. Any fool can see that. Do you love her enough to marry her?" he asked. I opened my eyes.

Mother had once asked me if I would marry Toni. I had known in my heart that I couldn't, that she would be ashamed once I told her all about me. And she hadn't known what to think. She'd told my mother she was going to leave me . . . I had heard her and they hadn't known I was listening. But I had my ears in the house.

"Yes. But it's too soon, Jory. We've known each other a week but I feel like I've known her forever. Our talks are so deep and intense and personal that it feels like we've known each other longer. But if we last . . . then yes, Jory. I will ask her to marry me. I know I'm probably not the best husband material, but if Annie will have me, I will try my best. And only my best."

After Jory and Toni left hours later, I showed Annie the rest of the house. She was amazed at how many rooms there were. The only place we didn't go was the attic and she didn't ask to see it. I myself hadn't gone to the attic in a long while. Knowing my mother had died in an attic close in resemblance to the one her and her three siblings had been locked into made me feel sick and helpless.

I kissed Annie goodnight at the doorway of her room and went to sleep in my own bed. Hours later, I awoke when I sensed someone slipping underneath the covers with me.

"Annie?" I murmured.

"I had trouble sleeping," she whispered.

"That's natural. It's a new place and this place does creep people out," I reminded.

"No, that's not it. I needed . . . to feel you. I felt so alone in there," she whispered.

"I guess I'm used to the loneliness but I love your company," I said, turning to her. She slid her arm around my waist and brought herself as close as she could. I sighed and rested my head on top of hers. This was how I wanted my life. I wanted Annie in my bed every night for the rest of my life. I knew that I would probably never want to sleep alone again. I loved the feel of her so close, in my arms. Her soft and comforting breathing was a lullaby to my ears and she felt so right with me underneath the covers.

I could very well get used to her morning greeting. Some women couldn't stand kissing me as soon as they woke, as if I had really bad breath, but that was one of the first things Annie did when she woke. I felt her stir, sit up and look down at me. I felt her lips sweetly on mine and that's when I opened my eyes.

"Good morning," she whispered, smiling at me. I was unable to stop myself from smiling back. With Annie, smiles really were contagious.

"Good morning yourself," I said with a little smirk. She giggled and began to play with my tousled hair.

"I see no monsters got you last night," I said, my hand trailing up her thigh, my eyes locked on hers. She smiled.

"No, but one is trying to get me right now," she said. I growled as I sat up.

She dashed out of bed and I followed, grabbing her before she could reach the door.

"Bart!" she squealed and I laughed as I began to tickle her sides as my lips ravished the back of her neck.

"I'm going to beat you in tennis today, my dear," I mumbled.

"Fat chance!"

"I will. I don't take kindly to losing," I said, looking down at her. She smirked.

"Yeah, well, you're a sore loser," she said and my mouth popped open.

"I am not." She shrugged delicately and smiled.

"Denial."

I growled again and tickled her again, causing her to squeal.

"Good God, is someone being murdered?" I heard Melodie say outside the door. I opened the door and she smirked at me.

"I'm thinking about it," I said, looking pointedly at her. She rolled her eyes and then she looked into my room, her eyes widening slightly when she saw Annie.

"I see the master has showed you his bedroom," she murmured before she started away. I shook my head. Was Melodie jealous of Annie? Why? She had confessed that she didn't love me anymore.

"She doesn't like the fact that I'm here, does she?" Annie asked. I looked at her.

"I don't care what she likes and doesn't like. I LOVE the fact that you're here. And I love the fact that you're going to come eat breakfast with me . . ."

"I am, am I?" she asked, trying to look surprised. I smiled and took her hands into mine.

"Yes . . . Trevor makes a wonderful omelet," I said, leading her downstairs. I looked back and saw Melodie was watching us with a look so cold in her eyes that it sent a little shiver down my spine.