"Norman, this is my mom and dad, Emma and Harold Miller," Sasha said.
The two people were a lot older than Norman imagined, but he saw that they were loving, caring people. The kindness in their eyes showed through. While he'd been participating in this yearly event of torture, "taste the food", he'd noticed her parents arrive. The care they gave to each child was something he admired."Hello, it's great to meet you," he said."It's about damn time we met you. Been married for what? A month or so, and we're only getting to meet you now. It's a disgrace.""Dad, stop it," Sasha said, chuckling. "We've been busy, and we both know you'd have needed to calm down before you could even accept him into your life.""Yeah, well, a father is still allowed to be ... annoyed."Norman smiled as he noticed Harold hesitated before saying something, making sure kids didn't hear any cussing words.According to Shannon, the event was a roaring success. Norman would double, maybe even triple, his donation this year. Every now and then, he noticed that Logan would go off, and sit on a bench.His mother leaving him had really cut him deep.Several of the kids had asked if he would be willing to foster Logan. It was insane. Most of the time kids were desperate to get noticed, to get the attention from willing parents. These kids, they saw how broken Logan was, and they had banded together like a brotherhood, hoping that Logan got picked first. When Norman said it wasn't fair for him to take Logan, the kids had thought it was stupid of him.None of them expected him to take them all on. Logan was special. He needed this chance, and Norman agreed with all of them. It was breaking the little guy. The other kids were more than happy with him, desperate for him to take Logan.He'd spoken with Shannon, and she said she'd get the papers ready for him. Now, he just had to speak with Sasha about it. In theory, this took away his need for an heir, which took away his need for her.But it didn't. Damn, he couldn't lose her. Not now that he had her in his life. The last four years had been torture when it came to Sasha. The employer and employee relationship stopped him from crossing that line that was always drawn in these situations. He had hated watching her go out on dates with random guys, getting pissed that they could touch her when he couldn't. All the time, he'd tried to brush off his concern.Since having her in his life, with her beneath him, he'd seen how wrong he'd been to keep her at a distance. She was beautiful, loving, caring, and everything he'd ever wanted in a woman.When he was in foster care growing up, he would imagine being with someone when he was older, someone who loved and cared about him. Someone who meant something to him. The more he looked at Sasha, the more he saw that she was the woman he'd always imagined.The woman he'd always wanted."Here, eat this," she said, handing him a hot dog covered in lots of chili. "It may take the rancid taste away."The food tasting event had been one of the worst he'd endured."There were a few times I thought you were going to vomit," Harold said."There were. It wasn't exactly the best decision I had to let them do this.""You clearly upset a lot of people this year," Sasha said. "I didn't vote for this though.""What did you vote for?""The waterslide. What else? Raising money should be fun. The whole tasting food that had a risk of being vile never appealed."He kissed her head. "I love you."Emma tapped Harold's shoulder, and smiled. "See, honey, it is love."For him it was love.Wrapping his arms around Sasha, he pulled her against his side, and inhaled the floral scent that he'd come to associate with his woman. She was perfect in every single way for him.He loved her, and it was damn hard at times having feelings for someone hedidn't know if she even loved him back."We're following you home tonight, right?" Norman asked."You sure are," Emma said. "You'll be staying in the spare bedroom.""Dad!""No, my house, my rules, and no naughty business in my house. It has never happened."Sasha rolled her eyes. "How did I come along?""Not in the house."Sasha's face went bright red."We were wiid once as well," Emma said."I don't need to hear this. Children do not need to know what their parents get up to behind closed doors.""Oh, sweetie, it wasn't always behind closed doors."Norman adored her parents.They clearly loved their daughter, and he'd seen so many parents who really didn't care.There was a darkness that came with fostering that not many spoke about."The event is winding down." Most of the kids had already started to board certain buses that would take them back to their homes."Do you need to stay 'til the end?" Sasha asked."No. I'll be in touch on Monday, and settle everything."He'd make a further donation, and then he'd start planning for the next event.Taking hold of Sasha's hand, he made his way toward the car, and helped her inside. He liked securing her in, before he went toward his side of the car."Thank you," she said. Starting the car, he pulled in behind her parents, and waved back at them."I love taking care of you."There, he told her the word again. A simple four letter word that was so hard to say, and yet he was telling her how he felt. If he kept on saying it, maybe she would get the hint that for him, it was starting to mean a hell of a lot more."I love you taking care of me, too.""There's something I want to talk to you about," he said."There is?""Yeah. Logan.""I adore him, Norman. Is there anything we can do to put a smile on his face? It breaks my heart seeing him like that.""There is something we can do." This was the best time to talk about it. "We can adopt him. The kids that live with him, they asked for me to take care of him, and I want to. I want to look after him. Give him a home, love him.""We can do that?""Yes. I'm getting Shannon to draw up the paperwork. I have to work from home, and take plenty of time with him. I'd want you there, by my side."They came to a set of traffic lights, and he turned toward her. Taking hold of her hand, he kissed her knuckles. "This changes nothing to me.""What do you mean?""I want us to have a baby. I want us to be married, Sasha.""Why wouldn't we be?""I'd have a son.""Oh, you'd have an heir." She smiled. "I didn't even think of that.""I want you, Sasha. I want us to have a family. I saw the way Logan leaned on you today. We could make this work, together, as a team.""Norman, I get it. I'm not running away." She patted his hand, releasing him long enough for himn to follow her parents. "I always wanted a family. My parents, as you can see, started late in life, and they always regretted that." She blew some hair out of her face. "I want kids.""When I asked you, you seemed shocked.""I was shocked of course. I mean, Norman Rockwell wanted to have kids. He wanted an heir, and I was there, and it was just surreal. If I didn't want kids, I wouldn't have said yes. I do love kids. Did I mention they eat a hell of a lot, and I love to cook?""You do love to cook.""I do, and Logan ate a lot of pancakes. I could do some really wicked experiments."Norman couldn't keep the smile off his face. He was in love with a woman with a kind heart, a beautiful soul. Now he just needed to tell her exactly how he felt."I just want to warn you that I don't see a divorce in my future," he said, and winced. How the fuck was that telling her how he felt?"Don't worry. I'm not going to divorce you. Besides, I wouldn't leave Logan either. How long do you think we'll have before he's ours?" she asked."Providing nothing goes wrong, a couple of weeks.""That's good. I like that."They were starting a family. He only hoped Sasha realized exactly how much he loved her.It didn't matter if she realized it. He was going to show her.Sasha watched as Norman spoke with his clients. It had been a week since he'd asked her about Logan. Things were moving slowly with Logan, but Shannon was reassured that they would be able to have him by next week. Until then, they both went and visited, getting Logan used to them.The boys with Logan weren't angry or upset that he was coming home with them. In fact, they were damn happy. She was shocked by the love the boys showed Logan, and she was proud.The workplace gossip had died down now. No one was whispering behind their hands, looking at them, and laughing. It was the laughter she'd hated more than anything. Norman wouldn't let them hide their relationship anymore, and for that she was glad. She'd never enjoyed hiding that part of herself, and it never felt natural for her to."Here you go," Lottie said, interrupting her."So sorry, I was away in a different land there," she said, taking the mail from her."Marriage must really suit you.""Why do you say that?""You're pract
Norman watched as Sasha kissed Logan's cheek, wrapping him up in his new jacket. Each time they brought him back to the foster home, the harder it was to leave him behind.There had been a snag with the adoption, but Shannon was dealing with it.There had to be an assessment done on Logan to make sure he wanted to live with them.Their backgrounds had come back fine, and Shannon assured him it was just down to paperwork. One department needing to talk to another, and rather than phone calls, they had to do it in paper. He was used to problems like this.Logan threw his arms around Sasha, holding her close.She was so beautiful, and she took his breath away. They had been together for a little over a month now. A month of being married, and he loved her ever more.Shannon nodded at him, taking hold of Logan's hand as Sasha came back to him."I hate this. I hate leaving him.""We'll have him soon. I've already got my lawyers working on speeding up the process." He handed her some leafle
Two weeks after purchasing the house, they had Logan officially adopted. Norman took as much time away from the office as he could. Sasha went to the office between school hours, completing his work for him. He didn't want her to hire anyone else. Another two weeks after they had Logan, their house was available, and they moved in on that weekend. Her parents came to help as much as they could.They looked after Logan while she and Norman organized movers. They had her mother's slow-cooked pulled pork for dinner rather than have takeout.For an entire weekend, they got the house exactly as they wanted, starting with the bedrooms, and bathroom. Time seemed to move quickly but smoothly where life just played out.Logan came out of his shell, and completely animated their lives. She loved him like he was her own son. He talked constantly about what he loved, which bands he enjoyed listening to. It was fun getting to find out what food he liked as well. He didn't like broccoli, which was
The weeks passed, and after confirmation from the doctor, they set to work decorating one of the rooms into a nursery. They went for neutral colors and gave Logan free rein to help them decorate. He had an artistic eye, and Norman loved seeing the boy come out of his shell. During the decorating of the nursery, it sank in that he was going to have a baby.They were going to have a tiny little life in their hands. It wasn't about being a father, or for Sasha a mother, as they already felt that way for Logan. He'd spoken with Sasha about it, and she had the same thoughts and fears as he did.Norman knew he hadn't made a mistake with Sasha. Not only did he love her, but she was a fantastic mom, and she knew exactly what to say and do to help Logan along the way. Therewere moments, late at night, where he'd still have nightmares.She never once shouted at him. Instead, she'd nurture him, and love him.Once the nursery was complete, they went shopping, letting Logan pick some of the stuff
"Heartiest Congratulations, Shawn."The woman in front of me smiles from ear to ear, her thin, scarlet lips the same shade as the nails pressed against her glass of champagne.Sabrina Roth. Olympic figure skater turned CEO of a global cosmetics company. Younger sister of the Governor of Connecticut. Divorced.It's funny. I was told this party was only for family and stockholders, and she isn't either one — at least, not the last time I checked. Yet here she is.Someone sneaked her name onto the guest list, and I know exactly who."Thank you," I answer politely.Regardless of whether or not I was expecting to see her, she's a guest of the Colbys now. And we always treat our guests well.She touches my arm. "So how does it feel to finally be the man running the show? I bet it must feel good to be free of Daddy's shadow,"If only that were true."He's still on the board so he'll still have a say in things," I reply as I glance at the man with the salt and pepper hair chatting with a coup
"That's unfair," Ryker speaks up without taking his eyes off his phone. "Parents shouldn't tell their children what to do with their lives. They should just give them the best chance to live their lives."Words of wisdom from my baby brother. Of course, he's not a baby anymore — he's nearly as tall as I am - but a part of me will always see him as that teeny human in diapers and blue socks that Mom brought home from the hospital when I was six."Also..." He puts his phone away. "It's just wrong to marry a woman because you hope she'll give you a child to carry your family name. You're not Henry VIII. Marriage should be about love, or at least mutual respect and trust. And sex should be something you do not just for fleeting pleasure or procreation but because you want to connect more deeply with someone."Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself."Wow." Even Asher looks impressed. "Is that why you haven't done it with anyone, little brother?"He picks up his refilled glass and g
"Well," Dad drawls as he consults his watch. "I've got some important guests to see so I'll leave her in your hands now." He pats my back before walking away.I notice Felicity's eyes following his back like she's wishing he hadn't left us alone. Again, she fidgets with her sleeve."Would you like a drink?" I ask her. Maybe a drink will help her loosen up."No, thank you," Felicity answers. "I still have work to do after this.""What work if I may ask?""Stuff to read. Files to organize. I also have to unpack my stuff. I've just moved in from New York.""Really? Well, I think you'll love it here in Chicago."Felicity nods. "I do like it already.""What do you love to eat?" I ask her.She touches the nape of her neck. "I like Asian food just like you. Thai. Vietnamese.""Good. I'll give you a list of my favorite restaurants.""Um, I actually have it already. Cindy, your old assistant, gave it to me."Of course she did. I suddenly wonder why Dad didn't just promote Cindy. She must be pi
Two years later."You've got to be kidding me," I groan after I turn the page of the book I'm reading to find the next one blank except for the words To be continued...For a moment, I just stare at the paper with eyes and mouth wide, part of me hoping that more words will magically appear like the details of a Polaroid picture exposed to light and air. When they don't, I accept my defeat with a sigh. I close the book and hug it to my chest as I sink into the heap of pillows on my bed.I can't believe the author ended the book just like that, with the revelation of a shocking secret that I never saw coming, and which now changes everything. I don't even know how the main characters are going to end up together now, and I'll be heartbroken if they don't. It's just so mean. And yet, I have to admit it's also pure genius. It's just like when you're watching a movie, and you hate the villain but then you're also in awe of the actor because he played his role so well and made you hate him