Page 67 of His Secret Virgin
“That sounds boring, Dad,” Lauren said. “I mean, you want us to just change around our whole schedules just to get up and get out of the house each and every day?”
“You can have weekends off,” I offered. “Or whatever two days your employers give you. But for the most part, yes. I want you out there in the world doing stuff. And not just shopping or messing around. I want you both to do something that makes a difference.”
The glum expressions on both their faces told me they weren’t going to hurry up to find anything to do. It became apparent that I would have to come up with some ideas for them. Maybe even line things up for them.
“We’ll see about it,” Lauren said.
Ashley huffed. “So, does that mean that Emma has to work too?”
“Emma has a job,” I let them know. “But after the baby comes, she’ll have to stay home for a while to take care of it. Not that it’s any of your concern. You’re my children, and it’s my responsibility to make sure you know what’s expected out of people in life.”
“And what’s Emma’s job?” Lauren asked.
“She’s the assistant to my assistant,” I answered.
My daughters looked at each other with smirks on their faces. “Oh, your employees are going to have a field day with your news, Daddy.” They both laughed, and I didn’t like how catty they sounded.
“Thankfully, I’m the one who signs their paychecks.” I gave them a stern look. “Much like yourselves, their money comes from me. If they want to keep getting paid, they’ll mind their own damn business.”
Their laughter came to an abrupt stop then. “Is that what’ll happen to us if we don’t treat Emma the way you want us to?” Ashley asked.
I wasn’t sure how to answer her. I didn’t want to control my daughters with money. But then again, that was an awfully big incentive. “Don’t try me and you won’t have to find out.”
Lauren’s cell rang, and she picked it up. “Oh, it’s Mom.”
My heart sank as they both got up and left the room to take the call. They must’ve been the ones behind Lisa’s sudden appearance in my driveway.
After hearing the beginnings of their conversation and getting confirmation of my fears, I contemplated following them to listen in on the rest of the call, but I’d had enough of family interference for one day. Now it was time to focus on Emma. That thought made me realize something—if Emma had gone to grab food, she should be back by now.
If my daughters and their mother were plotting against me, might they have also plotted with Emma’s parents?
In a flash, I headed outside to get in my car to find Emma, figuring they must’ve tricked her into going to her parents’ place. Pulling my cell out of my pocket, I tried not to drop it, wanting to get her on the phone as quickly as possible.
Just as I ran out the door, I saw Emma pulling up. Relieved, I ran straight to her. She parked the car and then got out, shaking her head at me. “How could you, Christopher?”
“I haven’t done a thing. Listen, just get back in the car. We’ve got to get out of here.” I grabbed her, pulling her to the passenger side where I put her back in the car before running around to get behind the wheel. “They’ve been plotting against us, baby.”
“So, you didn’t go to your ex-wife and tell her about us?” she asked.
“No way in hell.” I threw the car into drive, then peeled out. “She showed up in my driveway—my daughters’ idea, I now know—with some crap about wanting to reconcile. She already knew about you and the baby, and I nipped that in the bud real quick.”
“And you didn’t tell my parents that you were going to do the right thing by me?” she asked.
“I did tell them that.” I pulled onto the road, heading into town.
Emma looked confused. “Mom said you agreed with them that the right thing to do was to leave me.”
“Not in my mind, it’s not,” I let her know. “That’s their opinion. And from what I’ve just seen of my daughters’ and ex’s behavior, it seems everyone has come up with one way or another to split us up. So, it’s imperative that we stay together for the next little bit so they can’t try anymore of their stupid stunts or lies. I’m not about to lose you, Emma.”
“Where are we going?” she asked as I got on the interstate.
“Anywhere but here.” All I wanted was to get away from everyone who was against our being together. “It’s crazy to think that everyone who loves us wants to see us apart. They don’t give a flying fuck about our baby and what’s best for him. None of them care that we’re in love. And I don’t know what to do about any of it.”
She nodded in agreement. “I know. I’ve never felt this way. I love my parents. I’ve believed my whole life that they only want what’s best for me. Why can’t they see that you’re what’s best for me?”
“You’re what’s best for me too, Emma.” I slowed the car down as my heart spoke to me, telling me that now was the time to make things right.
Pulling to the side of the road, I put the car in park then got out to open the passenger side door. Emma looked at me with a smile on her pretty face. “Christopher, what are you doing?”
