HEARTS DIVIDED: LAKEWOOD
by tarskeewee08
Riding in the limo Evangeline reaches over and lifts KJ head in his car seat. He's fast asleep and his head keeps falling over. She can feel John's eyes on her. The drive to Lakewood was at least 45 minutes. The ranch was on the other side of town 20 miles outside of Llanview. Thinking small talk might help with the tension she looks over at him. The look in his blue eyes makes her blush. Why is he looking at her like that?
"So did you enjoy the party?"
He
looks over at KJ sucking his pacifier and smiled "It's only
important that he did."
Evangeline frowns. "What does that
mean?"
He shrugs and looks toward the window.
"No, I'd
like to know what you meant"
John looks at her. She changed into a loose fitted v-neck cotton shirt and designer jeans. Her hair is behind her left ear revealing her expensive large diamond studs. She still wears a 5 ct pear shaped solitaire diamond wedding ring on her finger and her nails look like each one is constantly groomed and manicured to perfection.
"It means that he's two and you threw a parade with strangers and fanfare. It was too much…"
Evangeline fixes her eyes on him. "He's my child and I can celebrate how I see fit!" she seethes.
John shakes his head. "You probably never had a real birthday with family and friends to appreciate the sanctity of it. Looks like you are used to the pretentiousness" he chuckles, figuring she came from wealth to marry into that family. Looking back up at her his smirk fades when he sees the tears in the corners of her eyes and her face shaking with rage.
"As a matter I've never had a
birthday party!" she chokes out.
"Oh…I'm sorry..."
"Don't
you ever pretend to know me! And don't you ever question the way I
love my child! I don't care if you shot your seed into a plastic
cup one day. That doesn't make you a parent! So you take notes and
let go your smug judgment of my life and my relationship with my
baby!" she says in a low growl.
John sees he really hurt her with his last comment. Really hurt her. But he has no idea how? She never had a birthday? What the hell does that mean? What did she spend her entire time in boarding school. Well if she did she know that the wealth and pretentious lifestyle she lives is no way to raise their son.
"I didn't mean to offend you Evangeline" he said truly annoyed by her over reaction.
Falling back into her seat she closed her eyes and tried to clam down. He looked at her hand that held KJs little hand and saw it was still trembling.
Was she always this uptight? Maybe that's why she collapsed.
Evangeline tried to steady her heartbeat. She wanted to call it all off. She could take KJ and run. The only reason she didn't is because she loved her family so much and didn't want to be separated from them. It would destroy Jess if she left like that. Chewing on her bottom lip she swayed from side to side as the car jumped over an unknown obstacle in the street. She was beginning to relax.
"Where are you from Evangeline?"
Keeping her
eyes closed she answered in a monotone voice. "I was born in Miami
but I lived all over Florida"
"Military?"
"No"
"Any
brothers and sisters?"
"Two, Jessica and Joey"
John
frowned. "The Buchanans?"
Evangeline smiled with her eyes
closed. "Yes"
John studied her face. She was more beautiful when she was relaxed like this. He looked at her soft coco colored skin and imagined it was as smooth as silk to the touch. Looking at his son suckling his pacifier and then back at her with her eyes closed he saw how they looked so much alike.
When his boy opened his eyes and smiled he saw himself. But when he slept peacefully like this he was her twin. It made him want her. He wanted to know all about her. He wanted her to like him.
He hadn't given a woman a second glance since Kelly died. As a matter of fact he sort of hated them. It was the only way he could make sure he would never trust and let any of them get close to him. When Agent Latham told him he had a son he remembered sitting in his place for two days straight drinking Jack Daniels from the bottle and staring at their picture.
She had on a golden colored turtle neck and her face was glowing. Her hair shiny and thick was parted down the middle and traveled down her back unseen in the picture. KJ sat on her lap wearing the same golden colored turtle neck grinning into the camera. Thick black curls and topaz blue eyes with skin like a latte he pierced his heart.
He hated her for having the child with him that his precious Kelly couldn't. He came to town to punish her. To take his son and make her feel the loss that he felt when that asshole cut off his wife on I-1285 and took her from him. Now he felt extreme guilt over that. His mom was right. This wasn't about him and what he thought was taken from him it was about that special little boy. This was his second chance. All he ever wanted was a family and now God had finally shown him some mercy.
Evangeline realizing how quiet they were for so long opened her eyes to see him staring again. He smiled at her and she softened and smiled back. She didn't understand him. She knew he must have suffered greatly over the loss of his wife. My god she was 7 months pregnant and from what she read he found her dead on the side of the road. That would push anyone over the edge. But there was cruelty in him.
Looking into his eyes she knew why. It was his way of guarding and protecting his heart. If he knew the depth of betrayal that his wife had perpetrated against him it would probably destroy him. She would never do that. That's not who she was. She'd take KJ and run before she resorted to that.
"I think after we are married we should look in the future to getting our own place" he said
"Why?" she asked confused.
"Because this is your
dead husband house. You're still wearing his ring for petes
sake."
Evangeline looked down at her ring.
Running her finger across the diamond she smiled lightly at the memory of the nervous proposal Kevin had done. They had just finished building the Buchanan Towers. In his penthouse suite she had the contracts all laid out for him to sign. Recently she had given in to his advances and their passion for each other christened this building before the sheet wall was put up on this floor. He popped the champagne and it sprayed all over her St. Yves suit and silk blouse, causing her black lacy bra to peek through immediately.
Her face was also wet from the Champagne spray and he pulled her over licking at her cheeks and chin. She tried to tell him to wait and to finish business but he was having none of it snatching off her suit jacket and squeezing her breast. Lifting her from her bottom he threw her on the desk forcing her legs open. She kissed him ferociously and her heart exploded with excitement like it always did when he made love to her spontaneously. Then just as sudden as it started he stopped and looked at her.
"What's wrong?" she asked pulling down her skirt
that was hiked to her hips.
She looked at him confused as he
backed away.
"This is going all wrong..."
"What?" she
asked rising from the desk really concerned now.
She saw his face
get beet red and he was struggling with something.
"I love you"
She smiled "You told me and I love you too"
"I know
we've only been a couple for six months but I can't live without
you."
"Okay"
"I..I..I mean I need you Evangeline"
She watched him his hands shaking and he was now pacing in front
of her. He only paced when he was nervous and she found it cute
seeing him struggle with his words. Finally he stopped and slipped
his hand in his pocket. Lowering the champagne bottle to the floor he
got on his knee. Pulling out a little black velvet box he smiled up
at her.
"Will you be Ms Kevin Buchanan….Evangeline
Williamson?"
Rubbing her ring she smiled at the flashback of his proposal. This was the only thing she had left of their love. To wear it meant to carry him with her wherever she goes.
"Do you ever take it off?" he asked
Looking at him she shook her head. "No, and I won't when we marry."
John studied her face and realized how totally opposite they were in their grief. The site of his wedding band makes him erupt in rage. He couldn't bare to dispose of it so he put it in a safe deposit box. Even now he gets extreme anxiety over the thing. He could never wear it around and be reminded everyday that his baby was gone.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" he asked
She looked over to her baby as the driver turned into the mile long driveway pulling through the 7 foot tall automatic gates that have KB in large cursive letters on it. Then she looked back at him. "Will you leave us and sign off all parental claim to him?" she asked.
He laughed at her…
"Well then yes I want to go through with it." she said smiling back.
As the car came around the circular drive the security lights blinked on that lined the house and John could see some of it. Opening his door for himself he walked around beating the driver from opening the door for her. The driver looked at him confused at his refusal for help and went to the trunk instead to get their things.
Evangeline undid the safety latch on the car seat and gently raised the bar moving his head from between the straps. KJ opened his eyes aggravated and started to cry then went back to sucking his pacifier. He may be too old for he pacifier but she swore it came in real handy at bed time.
She saw John's arms reaching in the car and passed their son to him. It was strange having him so involved yet it felt mildly right. Grabbing the baby bag and her purse she got out the limo and looked at the ranch style house that sat on 30 acres of land with a stable and horses out back. She hadn't been back here since she was pregnant. She did keep a full staff on hand to tend to the land and horses and make sure the house remained preserved as Kevin liked it.
She looked over at John who was holding KJ and frowning at the house. She could understand, he was stepping into unknown territory.
She'd called ahead for her nanny to be here for KJ when they arrived. Walking up the stairs the door opened and Carlotta appeared ready to take KJ. John frowned at her.
"It's
okay this is Carlotta, she's KJ's full time nanny. She can put
him down for bed."
"Nanny?" John snapped
Evangeline
didn't understand his attitude. "Yes nanny."
Carlotta
looked at her mistress confused. "Mam, shall I put him down?"
John shook his head. "No I will do it. Where's his
room?"
Evangeline looked at John and sighed. She assumed he would want to be involved immediately so she gave Carlotta a wink. "Show John his room and where KJ likes to be placed and then bring me the baby monitor."
John walked in behind Carlotta as her son Antonio the stable hand came around the side of the house. It was after 10 pm but she figured he would stay up to greet her.
"Evangeline!" he said walking toward her up the steps of the front porch.
Evangeline walked into his arms and hugged him. "Antonio I am so glad to see you."
"When mom called and said you'd be coming back I had to wait up to see you."
He looked at Duke the chauffer dragging and bags and smiled. "Looks like you're here for more than a weekend.
She
nodded. "It's a long story" she said stepping back ashamed.
"No…need saw it on TV. Don't worry I beefed up security. We
won't have any problems out here."
She smiled. "Well come
in let me introduce you to him."
Antonio put his arm around her.
"I spoke to Jessica" he said walking across the threshold with
her. She had her arm around his waist.
"She's pretty upset
with me…." She said
"She's just worried about you"
"I
know what I'm doing"
Antonio nodded "Regardless you aren't
alone. I am just up the path in the guest ranch house"
Evangeline laughed at how over protective he always was over her. She wished he and her sister had worked things out. But Jessica's wanderlust sent her away from the simple life he offered her. "Why do you think I chose this place!"
John came around the corner and saw Antonio and frowned. Evangeline saw the look on his face and began to realize he actually thought it would just be them. Hence the honeymoon comment . She smirked at him. It won't be that easy partner.
"Hi, welcome to Lakewood I'm Antonio Vega"
he said walking to John with his hand extended.
"Hi, call me
John"
"Nice to meet you John. I work the ranch and handle the
horses. Do you ride?"
"Ride?"
Evangeline chuckled "I
guess that means no Antonio…"
Antonio laughed too. "Well
nice to meet you John, Love to give you a tour."
"Look forward
to it!" he said smiling back.
Antonio walked over to her and kissed her forehead. Duke was headed to her bedroom with the rest of their bags. "Good night chica" he said affectionately.
"Good
Night" she said hugging him tightly and walking him to the door.
Duke came behind her and tipped his hat. "Good night Ms. Buchanan"
"Good Night"
Once she closed the door she turned and
saw John with the baby monitor. "Where's Carlotta?"
"She
left" he said putting it down.
"Oh" Evangeline assumed she
went to her quarters.
"So this is Lakewood…" John said sarcastically looking into the fire place.
Evangeline walked around and went to a chair across from him. Sitting in the plush soft leather she relaxed and looked at him.
"Lakewood has 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms a wine cellar and two large family rooms. The master bedroom is at the end of the hall next to KJ's room you can take the room across from it."
John fixed his cool blue eyes
on her. "For now…"
Evangeline smiled and shook her head "Are
we back here again?"
"Definitely"
"Why do you like
teasing me?" she asked looking him up and down.
"No, Ms.
Buchanan you're the one that's the tease. No red blooded man
would pass up the opportunity to spend the night in your arms."
She sees his eyes darken and narrow with lust "Well this red blooded man will!" she said pointing at him.
"Its late, KJ is usually up by five. Carlotta will get him but if you want too it's fine." She said rising from the chair. Walking past him on the couch he quickly reaches up and grabs her wrist.
Evangeline stops and looks down at him and he peers up at her looking into her hazel eyes seriously. "I want you and KJ to take my name on Monday. I also want access to your bed. These things are non-negotiable."
Evangeline snatches her wrist away "Good night!" she huffs and walks away. He turns watching her leave. She looks back at him and he sees that she feels too, even if she doesn't know it so he winks. She keeps walking.
John looks around the large family room. The couches are a dark chocolate brown and the leather is so soft you sink when you sit in them. The Persian rug in the middle of the room is filled with dark shades of browns and reds with a continuing starburst pattern. The wall out lining the fireplace is a cobble stone brick mortar. The remaining walls are a dark cherry wood paneling.
The lamps standing 4ft tall on either side of the couch have a dark brown shades over them. Walking over to the built in shelf on the side of the fire place he sees their wedding picture. Kevin is standing smugly at her side in a gray tux with a tail. She's in a soft white pearl beaded dress that dips low in the front. Her hair up in large ringlet curls and some of them spiraling down around her face.
She looks captivating and happy. If she only knew she was sleeping with the enemy he thought. Putting her picture back he saw other family photos of them on the ranch riding horses and entering horse competitions. Several accommodations for her accomplishments in the horse shows.
"So you like horses?" he said under his breath.
Finding an old worn looking album peeking though he pulls it out. On the front is a taped label that looks to be written in colored pencil in a child's handwriting My family. John sees that the bonding around the album is worn and torn. Taking it he goes back to the couch and opens it.
Opening the first page he sees an attractive black woman with a curly afro and large gold hoop earrings smiling holding a little girl who looks to be four or five. The girl has a head full of long twist ponytails with colorful shoe string bows. The picture is old and has a worn out pinkish discoloring to it. The way they are dressed in paisley and polyester he knows it's the 70's. This must be her mother.
He turns the page and sees a drawing. It's of a house with two stick figures outside of it. The coloring is red, blues and green with a big yellow sun looming over them. In block letters at the bottom it says OUR HOUSE.
John turns the page and sees another drawing with the same two figures and a birthday cake. The house is behind them. I am 6 years old
Thumbing through the album there are all kinds of drawings of the woman and little girl doing adventurous stuff. He closes the album and frowns. He thinks about her comment of never having a birthday and the Buchanan kids being her brother and sister and feels like a jackass.
Sighing he leans back in the couch. She was nothing like he thought. He wanted to know more.
