Through her tears Vicky managed to speak,“For so long I was so angry, for so long I felt so alone, but I’mtired Aunt Shirley. I’m tired of being angry and feeling like alittle piece of me is missing on the inside. I’m tired of feelinglike I’m not good enough, that I’m unlovable, and most of all oftired of not being able to trust anyone.” Vicky wiped away hertears and looked into her aunt’s eyes. She saw the sincerity inthem before finally whispering simply, “I can’t pass this baggagedown to Angel or to the child that lives deep within me. I forgiveyou.”
Aunt Shirley pulled back to looked at Vicky’sstomach somewhat surprised and smiled before they continued to holdeach other. They continued to cry and released all the tears they’dboth held on to for so long.
After a few moments, Aunt Shirley gently heldVicky’s face in her hands. She looked deeply into a face that wasreally a younger version of her own “I wasn’t able to take care ofyou all those years ago but I’ll do whatever I can for you and mygreat niece now…if you’ll let me.”
“Thank you Aunt Shirley.”
“Now, no time like the present to getstarted. So, let’s dry these tears of ours and go get metested.”
Chapter 18
Vicky was back in Angel’s room. Jason hadbeen there with her the entire time. He was so in tune with herevery need. She was feeling so drained after her talk with heraunt. There was so much she had been forced to deal with on thisday. Jason had been her rock. He had shown her what real lovelooked like and it was beautiful. Finally, someone who she couldcount on that wouldn’t let her down. Vicky knew she needed to talkto Jason about Ryan. Time was slipping away from her. So fareveryone had been tested and no one was a match.
The room was so quiet other than the soundsof the pumps and machines. “Jason, I need to speak to you but nothere.” He nodded and helped her get out of her chair. Then, theywalked back to the private waiting room. Once inside he closed thedoor and locked it.
“You ok?”
“I can’t answer that question right now. I’mso numb. I feel like this is all a bad dream and I’m sleep walkingthrough all of this. It’s hard to believe that it was only thismorning you proposed to me.”
Once they sat down Jason pulled Vicky intohis lap and kissed her. What started as a gentle reminder that shewas still living and breathing turned primal. Vicky needed more asshe devoured his lips and he devoured hers. She thrust her tonguedown into the cavern of his mouth. She couldn’t get close enough tohim as she wrapped her hands into his hair desperately trying topull him closer and deeper. Their breathing became labored eachwanting more yet not being able to get close enough. Jason had thepresence of mind to reluctantly pull away. Vicky was in nocondition for where that kiss could lead. He touched his foreheadto hers while they both tried to catch their breath.
“Better?”
Vicky nodded. He seemed to always know whatshe needed and then do his best to give it to her. Once Vicky wasable to breath normally again she remembered why she’d asked Jasonto come here in the first place. She had to tell him about Ryan.She took another deep breath.
“Jason, I need to talk to you about Angel’sfather. I told you earlier, he’s a match.”
“Yes, you did. I’ve been waiting for you andme to have a moment to breathe before we discussed this subject.You said his name was Ryan Carter. It shouldn’t be a problem for meto locate him once you give me his phone number.”
Vicky was starting to squirm. She eased offof Jason’s lap and back onto the sofa. “Jason, I already know whereto find him and I already know how to get him here but there are afew more things you need to know first.”
Jason didn’t like the sound of this “whatdon’t I know?”
“Remember when you mentioned that the nameRyan Carter was familiar to you? Well, that is because Angel’sfather is Minnesota’s state senator, Ryan Carter.”
Jason looked incredulous but didn’t say aword before Vicky rushed on “He wasn’t a state senator at the timethat I met him. He was just a guy who helped me with my car on hwy65. And, I knew him as Ryan Lee. That was one of the reason’s I wasso angry at you for not giving me your real name when we met.”
“So, this bastard is afraid to come forwardbecause it might ruin his political career?”
“Yes, and the fact that his wife probablystill doesn’t know about Angel. Jason, he has a lot to lose. But,so do I. She’s a part of my plan. I’m going to tell her. I’m goingto tell her everything. See, he’s married to Alicia…”
“Foxworthy. I’m quite familiar with theFoxworthy family. For a family not to have any aristocracy in theirblood line you would think Alicia was next in line for thecrown.”
“I’ve heard that before and I’m counting onthat to be true. I’m hoping that she wouldn’t want it exposed thatRyan was not only unfaithful to her but he also had an illegitimatedaughter; a daughter who happens to be black. His republican basewould lose their minds. From what I’ve read Alicia wants to moveinto that Governor’s mansion more than he does and Ryan is herticket to getting there.”
Jason didn’t like the fact that Vicky knew somuch about this family. Why she had kept up with them bothered him.He didn’t like it one bit but he also reminded himself that she washis fiancé, she was pregnant with his baby, and Angel was fightingfor her life. He’d do whatever needed to be done to make sure shehas the surgery she needs. Pride be damned. “Vicky, the Foxworthy’scan play real hardball. If you
