Elizabeth felt like going bridal gown shopping on Rodeo Drive. She didn't know why but she woke up that morning feeling lucky.
Today would be the day that Matlock Houston saw the error of his ways and declared his intent to marry her. Then they could put aside all this foolishness, merge their companies or he could just ditch the startup and become a real team.
As formidable and fearsome as any in L.A. She wondered what her silent partner might think about that but oh well…she had planned from the beginning to get her man back by her side. She felt so vulnerable right now and needed him to stay by her side and protect her. It might not be enlightened in this era of liberated women but she was kind of old fashioned that way.
She sat in her office having come early to tackle the QuickBooks deal but as always, it just frustrated her. Running a Fortune 500 company was just so much work! She had no idea, after all she hoped she'd get the roster of employees too but they'd all gone and quit on her leaving her with a skeleton crew that she'd hired through her silent partner.
The phone buzzed and she was going to let the secretary answer it before remembering that the temp agency hadn't sent her a new one yet.
"Hello this is Houston Enterprises…Elizabeth Sheridan speaking…"
"Oh, it's you…"
The hint of an accent made the tone even more derisive. Elizabeth bristled. She really didn't need to deal with any unhappy people this morning. Not when she had a huge party to plan to launch her plans for the company…which she still had to flesh out more.
"Yes it's her…me and who are you?"
"You don't recognize my voice."
A sliver of disgust mixed in there as well.
"I guess I don't…so can you enlighten me?"
"I'm Robert Tyler…the former news anchor who was on my way to bigger and better things before the former owner of this company ruined it all for me."
She pursed her lips. Yes she knew all about Robert and his litany of crimes all cold blooded and all carried out to further his own ambitions. She just didn't understand why he had set his stakes so low…not that she condoned kidnapping or murdering people but it wasn't like he was trying to be the president of the United States or the governor…or some higher stakes goal.
"I've heard of you. You used to date C.J. too didn't you?"
A deep sigh on his end of the phone.
"Yes…she was the love of my life. We were to be married you see. She would have agreed to it I just know it if it weren't for…"
"Your life falling completely apart when you tried to murder the wrong person."
"Yes…I admit it. I tried to…well do some more foolish things. But it was all for a good cause."
She thought, whatever and had no idea why he'd called her out of the blue. Sure her takeover of Houston Enterprises had made all the media but he was in maximum security prison or was supposed to be.
"Are you?"
"Yes…I'm locked up and I have to be careful what I say. The walls have ears and so do the phone lines."
Ah yes, she knew that from having terrorists brothers doing time in various international prisons. Not that she had anything to do with them after meeting and hooking up with Matt. No, he'd become her whole world, the only family she'd ever needed.
"Why are you calling…or can you even say?"
He paused.
"I've been hearing from a woman named Delilah at the Daily Mirror. She wanted to set up an exclusive jailhouse interview."
"Oh that…Mr. Tyler that's her doing and not my affair at all."
He paused again.
"Oh I was under the impression that she was trying to help you out in some fashion. But anyway, I can't do what she wants. I can't claim paternity for my beloved's child. There was no conjugal visit certainly not one that resorted in pregnancy."
"Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because despite what Delilah claims is newsworthy, I believe you're the one with the vested interest in the domestic affairs of my almost fiancée."
Elizabeth sniffed.
"I don't care about her at all. I do care deeply for Matlock and I believe I'm what's best for him. I mean, we're soul mates, two sides of the same coin, yin and yang and all that."
Robert sighed.
"I know all about soul mates and what happens when fate thwarts them from meeting and merging together… Often I think locked up here that true love and happily ever after only exist in fairy tales…"
C.J. woke up and headed to the shower. She felt better this morning, actually more like eating a hearty breakfast. Maybe one of those Texan omelets that Matt was known to cook for his ladies. One of the reasons they should stick with him for a spell.
She heard some cluttering from the kitchen, then something like a metal pan hit the floor. She smiled as she got in the shower, closed her eyes under the relaxing spray as she tried not to think about the stack of work that awaited her at the office.
They'd been fooling around a bit…probably more than they should considering they were starting up a new company and then had that press conference later on today. The one where'd they tell the world about their latest upcoming joint venture. That made her smile as she rested a hand on her abdomen, which still felt toned, thanks to the training that she did to remain razor sharp for the more physical part of their job. Soon enough she'd have to start wearing clothes that felt less snug than hers did right now.
She'd bought some suits with Elise at the boutiques and some dressier things but she definitely needed more jeans.
After toweling off, she slipped into her robe and then walked into the kitchen. Matt saw her and she noticed the broken egg shells on the counter and the whisker in the bowl.
"You making breakfast?"
"Trying to C.J….just an accident here or there."
She bit back a smile.
"I'm feeling real hungry this morning."
He arched his brows.
"Not sick at all?"
"Nope…I'm hoping this morning sickness is over. I'm getting there."
He brightened, sliding his arms around her and pulling her close to him.
"You look beautiful…"
She kissed him on the mouth showing how much she appreciated that before pulling away.
"I'll get the orange juice."
She went to the frig to get the carton to pour into two glasses while he worked on those omelets and toast.
"Houston…we need to get those files to Murray before he starts calling and leaving messages."
"I know…J already got a text from him that we've got to generate the quarterlies."
She smiled.
"They're looking good," she said, "but then no one knows how to start from scratch like you do."
He winked at her.
"Got myself a great Girl Friday."
She slapped his arm.
"Hey…that's going to cost you."
He waggled those infamous brows of his.
"I'd like to see how much you charge me."
Her mouth curved into a smile.
"I'll think about it and let you know…but it's not going to be cheap."
He chuckled at that.
"I hope not…"
She ran a hand through her hair suddenly serious.
"I know this has all been kind of fast for you Houston."
"What?"
She gestured with both hands.
"All this…living together…my being pregnant."
He smiled at her, moving forward to stroke her face with a thumb.
"Hey, I've really been enjoying…all this…but you know I want more…"
She sighed, knowing fully well.
"Houston…"
"I'm not pushing it C.J. but if my daddy were alive, he'd skin my hide if I didn't make an honest woman out of you."
She smiled at the image of that but knew he was right. Bill Houston had always been a traditionalist particularly when it came to family. Maybe some of that came from having to raise his only child as a single parent.
"More than that if he knew it was you."
They took their plates and glasses to the breakfast area.
"Houston…I want to make it legal…it's just that so much is happening right now. Maybe when it calms down…"
"What if it doesn't?"
She pursed her lips.
"It will. I know it…"
That was when the doorbell rang.