Chapter Twenty-Five

The tone in his voice terrified her. There was a deathly calm to him: no anger, no pleading. She knew he wasn’t going to back down. Amy bowed her head and dealt with the acceptance. She was going to have to marry Lucas for her child’s sake, not because he loved her. He was giving her no other choice in the matter. She was frustrated she’d made the poor mistake of sleeping with him. She wouldn’t regret her child. She just wished she’d made her with someone who would’ve walked away and never looked back, or who would’ve loved her unconditionally.

She wasn’t willing, or prepared, to share her baby with another person. Sure, it would be great to have a happy, loving family, but she couldn’t think of many couples who actually stayed together. The divorce rate rose each year, and she’d never wanted to be added to that list of statistics.

When her protests stopped, Lucas opened his car door and slipped outside. She undid her buckle and jumped out before he came around. He grabbed her hand and led her up the large staircase to the front door, her heart pounding so hard she heard the blood rushing in her ears.

They walked into the house without saying anything further. He’d made his point, she’d made hers, and he’d won. She knew he’d always win. She’d just hoped he wouldn’t want to play in the game of fatherhood.

“Lucas, Amy, I’m so glad to see you. We have much to discuss. All the arrangements have been made. Amy, you run along with Katherine and get your gown picked out so we can get the alterations done,” Joseph said, talking fast as he approached the two of them before they’d gotten past the foyer.

Amy was whisked through the house and shown flower choices and cake and then she was fitted into a dress that was far more beautiful than anything she’d ever thought of wearing.

Amy had pictured her wedding day when she was young, as most little girls did, and what Joseph had planned on such short notice was a dream wedding. It would’ve been perfect if the groom were in love with her. It would’ve been even more perfect if she believed marriage could last forever.

She had to reluctantly admit that she was being given more than most women. She would have a safe home where she’d get to raise her child. She wouldn’t have to deal with trembling in the middle of the night, worried the neighbor was going to get high and knock on her door. She wouldn’t have to panic over not having enough money for milk. She’d at least be safe.

She could deal with everything else as long as she had her child. She knew it was a marriage of convenience, but didn’t people get married for convenience all the time, for what the other person could give to them? What made her any different? Sure, it would get lonely, but how lonely could she really be, having her child with her?

“You look stunning in this gown,” Katherine said as she knelt before her with pins and thread.

“You’ve really gone to too much trouble,” Amy said, guilt consuming her.

Amy wanted to talk to her, tell Lucas’s mother her fears, but how could she?

“I know you’re scared, dear, but it will all work out. Just give yourself some time. You probably feel a bit like you’re in a shotgun wedding, don’t you?” Katherine asked as she looked into Amy’s face. Amy felt her eyes immediately tear up at the understanding tone in Katherine’s voice.

“I … this is all just happening so fast,” Amy admitted.

“I know. I don’t think the Anderson men know how to move at normal speeds. Someday, I’ll have to tell you a little of my own story. I almost didn’t get my happy ending because of stubborn pride and foolish assumptions. Now I’m a very happy woman, with a husband who adores me, and I him, and three beautiful sons. It eventually works itself out,” Katherine assured her.

“I don’t see how,” Amy said, feeling defeated in that moment.

“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry you’re hurting,” Katherine said as she quickly stood. “Come here.”

Before Amy knew what she was doing, Katherine embraced her. The hug was Amy’s undoing, and she instantly broke down and started sobbing in Katherine’s arms, horrified, but unable to stop herself.

“There, there, dear. It really will be okay,” Katherine soothed her.

“I know it will. I just … these hormones … always crying,” Amy stuttered as she sobbed on Katherine’s shoulder.

“I remember that well, even though it was many years ago that I was pregnant,” Katherine said with a gentle laugh.

Katherine pulled back and Amy wanted to fall forward again into her comforting embrace. It was times like these that she missed having a mother the most.

“I know it doesn’t feel like it, but soon the hoopla will be over with, and then all you have to worry about is settling down with your husband and preparing for your baby. I’m always going to be just a phone call away if you need me, okay? I’m not just spouting words, either. I truly mean that. If you need anything, you give me a call,” Katherine said, forcing Amy to look in her eyes.

“Okay,” Amy answered with a watery smile. She was starting to really fall in love with Katherine, looking up to her like the mother she wanted so badly. She already loved Joseph, and thought the one great thing about her marriage to Lucas was getting parents, even if they weren’t truly hers.

She and Katherine finished her fitting and then headed back downstairs, where they found Joseph and Lucas in the family room.

They stayed at the house most of the day and had dinner with Joseph and Katherine. As Joseph dominated the conversation, Amy focused on Katherine, who sat by silently for the most part as her husband spoke. She had a quiet dignity about her, letting everyone know that, even though Joseph had the loudest bark, she was truly the one in charge. She was the kind of mother Amy had dreamed about having during her miserable years growing up.

By the time Lucas took Amy back to the apartment building, she was almost asleep on her feet. She’d been through an exhausting day but, for the most part, it had been a good one. She always enjoyed visiting with Joseph and Katherine, and nothing had been greater than seeing the ultrasound of her unborn child.

She must’ve looked at the picture a hundred times throughout the day. She’d choked up when Lucas had handed the photo to his father, and she’d seen the sheen of tears in his eyes. She knew beyond any doubt her child would be loved beyond compare. She’d have a much better childhood than most children.

“Well, Son, this is the greatest gift you could’ve ever given your mother and me,” was all Joseph had said before he engulfed both of them in a bear-sized hug.

On their way home, Lucas placed his warm hand on her knee and kept it there for the duration of the drive. At first, she’d tried to shake him off, but then gave up after he squeezed her flesh, letting her know he wasn’t moving. Each time he touched her, she felt it through her entire body. She didn’t think they’d have to worry about chemistry, at least not for a long while.

The two of them stepped off the elevator onto their floor, and Amy headed for her door. “Not tonight, Amy. We’ll use my apartment instead.”

“I want to go home alone, Lucas. It’s been a really long day, and I need time to myself,” she said with a hint of annoyance.

Lucas sighed as he steered her past her door and down the hallway.

“Amy, you’ll be my wife in a few days. I’m not only taking you as a wife on paper. We’ll live together, sleep together, and be together in every way a husband and wife are meant to be. I’ll only marry once. You’ll be provided for extremely well and, in turn, I expect to be taken care of. You will share my bed,” he again spoke in that voice that brooked no room for argument.

Her fatigue was forgotten as her temper spiked and she became seething mad. She was getting sick and tired of Lucas throwing his weight around and just expecting her to follow along with everything he demanded.

“Okay, Lucas. I’ve accepted we’re to be married, and I plan on doing my wifely duties, but for the next few days, I’m not your wife, and I’d like to enjoy my apartment before my jail sentence begins,” she snapped, wanting to strike out and hurt him.