"Tell me." Lucy said confidently as she got comfortable. "I went to prison for almost killing my wife." Lucy gasped but continued waiting for the story. Henry sighed.
"We agreed to have two children after we got married. She got pregnant within a year after we bought a house. What she did not tell me was that she married me for my money, and she didn't want to ruin her figure with a child from me. She was seven months pregnant when she went drinking and crashed the car into a streetlamp. She hit the steering wheel and it forced her into an abortion. She did not have a scratch, cut or bruise on her, but my baby was gone. I flew into a rage and threw her against a wall when she came home from the hospital and was going out to a party with her friends, she acted as if our child meant nothing to her. I took her car keys, hid all the credit cards and cell phone that I had given to her. I wanted to discuss this situation but no, she wanted to party. I pushed her up against the wall and began to choke her. She pulled a small knife I gave her for protection. When I felt the stab, I hit her hand hard, snapping it like a twig but she had already stabbed me several times. I lost consciousness and woke up in the hospital in handcuffs."
Lucy sat frozen, silent, contemplating all that she heard. She held her head down and waited for Henry to continue.
"The police took both our statements and took me to jail when the hospital released me. I was there for three months before some evidence came to their attention. There was a video of Chloe purchasing drugs from a man, and also the footage of her drinking in the bar with her friends, her pregnancy clearly evident.
The doctors confirmed that she was already killing the baby with her behavior and the accident just finished him off. I was charged with assault and stayed in prison for a further three months. I came out and decided I had to get my life back. I started my own business and with Philip's help since he met Maddy, it's much better. That's me in a nutshell. I don't need you to dissect my life, or pity me, see me for the man I am now and know that I am not perfect. If you give me the chance, I promise I will do my best to treat you the way you should. If I am not giving you what you need, just tell me I can handle it."
Lucy looked up with tears in her eyes.
"I see, I will leave now." Henry got up and left.
The next day Lucy got up and packed her stuff and waited for Henry to take her home but much to her surprise, Andre pushed open the door.
"Morning Lucy, are you ready to go?" "Morning Andre, yes."
"Aren't you going to ask?"
"No, clearly, I'm not important enough for him to do what he volunteered for. Doesn't matter. Let's go."
"Lucy, Henry is not your average guy, when he called and asked me to pick you up, I asked what you did, he almost took my head off. He likes you but your reaction to his past hurt him." Andre took Lucy's bag and opened the door for the orderly with the wheelchair.
When they got home Lucy sat in the living room and stared at the wall. She picked her cell up and looked for Henry's number. She dialed and he answered immediately.
"Hello Lucy, how can I help?"
"Can you come over to my house? I need to speak with you if you allow me to."
The call was disconnected. Five minutes later a knock was heard and Andre opened the door. She wasn't surprised, said goodbye to her sister and left. Henry walked in and closed the door. He propped on the corner of the kitchen counter and waited for Lucy to speak. She patted the seat next to her. "Are you sure you want me so closely to you?"
Lucy flinched.
"I guess I deserve that, please, sit." Henry made his way over and sat down.
"I'm not a strong person, I fall in love easily and people always end up hurting me. I lost a baby that should not have been in existence, but I grew to love him or her anyway. Now here you come, making promises someone who claimed to love me made before and it's hard for me to believe you. I'm sorry, I made you feel bad yesterday, but I wasn't crying because of your past I was crying because if I had met you before, maybe my life and child would have had a fighting chance. I want to try but I am not ready. Give me some time, please."
"Lucy honey did I not say there was no rush, did I not tell you we would take the time to know each other. I want to be with you and as for not being a strong woman, you are still here. I want you to be my business partner, Andre said you are brilliant when it comes to custodian services, you have contacts that may benefit me in the long term."
Lucy's eyes opened wide; she was shocked by his offer.
"I, I don't have any qualifications, I was hired because Ben thought I looked good when he had big business meetings."
"I will pay for you to go to school and get whatever you need." Lucy leaned over and kissed Henry's cheek.
"Thank you for believing in me."
"Honey, you have an entire family who believe in you, just believe in yourself for a change okay?"
"Okay."
"I've ordered breakfast for us; it should be here soon. Do you need anything else?"
"Not right now, I just want to get my health back and start to work on myself as a person ya know?"
"Oh yeah I do know but I'm curious… aren't you afraid of me now that you know my past?"
"No. I lost my baby and even though the father wasn't the cause, he was the source of so much misery in my life and I know if he had done anything to harm my child I would prolyl shoot him myself. I understand your hurt, rage, pain and I hope I never become that person to you again."
"You couldn't harm a fly Lucy, let me do the shooting." "Can you teach me?"
"I can teach you many things love, trust me." Henry's voice suddenly went deep and low, his face turned warm as he glanced at Lucy's lips. Lucy felt the room grow hot and her stomach clench. Her desire was eminent and as Henry chuckled to himself, Lucy blushed and hung her head.
"Hey, nothing wrong with having feelings, never be afraid to share or show them when you are with me." He lifted her chin with his hand and kissed her lips softly. He immediately groaned.
"I am officially giving you six months, before I make love to you and please do your very best not to tempt me before then."
Lucy laughed and agreed. They spent the rest of the day talking, Henry ordered lunch and then dinner later. As the sun set, Lucy felt worn out, she had been through a lot and her eyes slowly closed as she nestled in Henry's arms on the sofa. He watched her for a long while and knew he was making the right choice.
There were now six members of The Kilian family. Maddy declared that Sunday was a day for everyone to be together, talk, share ideas, everything. The others agreed and they were currently at Philip's house.
"So Philip, how is the company doing?" Kate asked.
"It would be fine if Maddy were back at work. Every time she is away, things go wild."
"A few more weeks honey, I told you to let me work from home but noooo, so suffer for a few."
Philip grumbled something under his breath but smiled. He glanced at his sleeping son and smiled even bigger.
"We have to talk to you about something Philip." Mike said. "Sure, what's up?"
"I… want you to be my best man. I know I messed up but you are my only brother, we have been through so much from when we were little. You gave up many things to make sure I was cared for, even your ability to walk. I need you to be there for me just one more time." Mike said genuinely.
"Just tell me when and where."
Mike smiled so wide his eyes disappeared. He rushed over to Philip and got down on his knees. He used to do this when he got into trouble and needed Philip to forgive him. Philip felt his heart burst open.
"Hey, you are too old to be on your knees now brother. Come on get up." "I love you Philip, that ain't gonna ever change." "Of course not." Mike bent down and they hugged. "Geeze, and they say we are emotional." Kate scoffed and smiled.
The reunited brothers spent the rest of the day talking and making financial plans.
Kate was due and she felt uncomfortable most days. Mike wanted to delay the wedding until after the baby was born, she was dead set against it. "Philip! Could you PLEASE drill some sense into your pigheaded brother?" "Hell no, I learned from my mistake with Maddy, she delivered on our wedding day, who was I to say no?" "UGHHH." Kate glared at Mike and Philip.
"Kate, I understand what you are going through, follow your heart but your baby will do whatever he or she wants."
"Thanks Maddy, I feel better about it now, no thanks to these airhead men!" Mike and Philip opened their mouths in shock.
"What did we do?" They both declared at the same time, making everyone laugh.
"The wedding date stays Mike."
"Whatever you want honey." Mike replied in mock fear. All he wanted was for her to be safe and happy."
Just then Elliot made a soft sound. Philip got up and checked him. He picked him up and went to the nursery to change him. Maddy's eyes followed him all the way until he disappeared, her smile said everything.
"Aww look at her Mike, she is totally smitten." Kate said with admiration. "Well, you only recognize it because you look at Mike the same way." Maddy replied with a grin. Kate looked at Mike and blushed.
"We have come a long way. Everything was difficult with me being married to Philip and I couldn't sort my feelings out."
Mike looked at her in surprise. "You never told me that." "How could I?" Kate replied.
"By opening your mouth and telling me!" Mike growled. "Mike…" Maddy warned.
Kate teared up and Maddy frowned.
"Mike, think about it. She was involved with you and married to your brother. You were conflicted as well and could not keep away and you couldn't tell Philip either, you aren't being fair to her." Maddy said softly.
Mike ran his hand over his face. "I know, I know, I'm sorry babe."
"What did you do now Mike?" Philip said as he put Elliot back in his basket. "We were talking about how far Kate and I have come, I got upset."
"We all make mistakes bro, let it go." "Not you, you are perfect in Maddy's eyes." Maddy snorted and Philip laughed.
"He is nowhere near perfect and we both know it, neither am I." "What could he have possible done to hurt you?" Mike asked.
"Philip has a jealous streak, and trying to tame is has been, for lack of a better word – difficult. We would be in meetings and his jealous always got the better of him. I remember one time; he had sex with me just before a meeting so the potential client would smell him on me. I was so embarrassed. The client noticed and it confirmed it. He clearly knew Philip very well. He gave us the contract anyway but it was hard I tell you." "Jesus Philip!" Mike snorted.
"Yeah, I know, my heart was hurting. I was still trying to wrap my head around you and Kate, my trust levels were pretty low but the second Elliot came into this world, I just knew, we would be okay. People forget relationships require work, and it takes two."
"Yes, I was as much to blame as he was, I could have gone to him and demanded his attention, but I didn't want to get rejected again."
"I love Kate with all my heart, sometimes I think I'm not good enough for her but then she looks at me and nothing else matters." Mike said.
"Well, we are all one big happy family, we need to trust each other and not feel so alone." Maddy said. "Agreed, I think I need a nap." Kate yawned and covered her mouth but when she stood up, she felt a rush of liquid between her legs.
"NO WAY!" Mike said excitedly.
"Will you SHUT UP and take me to the hospital!" Kate yelled as the first contraction hit her like a ton of bricks.
Philip sat quietly as the scene unfolded, remembering that he went through the same thing recently. Mike shut his mouth and lifted Kate into his arms and took her to the hospital. Philip gently picked up his son, held out his hand to his wife and they followed in the car.
Several hours later, Kate could be heard screaming from her room, she didn't want to go to the delivery ward.
"Sir if something goes wrong with the baby, we need to be prepared." The head nurse said as Kate shook her head.
"She doesn't want to go, do what you need to, I will take responsibility for everything and will pay for any inconveniences."
Kate screamed again. Mike held her hand and kissed her forehead.
The delivery was hard, but finally he came out on his own and when the doctor smacked his butt, he frowned and let out a loud wail. Mike stared at the small human. His eyes filled with tears as his son cried.
Philip patted him on his back and looked at his nephew. He held Maddy's hand, kissed his son on his forehead and said… "Welcome to the family Evans."