Family Secrets Read online

  “How about you and I use that wedding that is all planned out, instead of Tony?” Jake asked her softly. He wasn’t sure he was making any sense. In the last few months, since he’d met Cari, one thing had become crystal clear to him. He needed Cari in his life. Even though a baby had not been a part of his consideration, in his heart, he suddenly knew that it was meant to be just this way.

  Cari felt like her heart was about to burst open. She felt compelled to offer him a way out though, considering how she had surprised him. “You don’t have to marry me, Jake. I know meeting me and taking on all these headaches,” she gestured with one hand towards the other occupants in the room, “was not in your grand scheme. And if you just want to live together, like you had suggested, that is okay also.”

  Jake shook his head. “Cari, I didn’t get this much money by being wasteful. But if you want to get married in a different way, we will. If you want to elope, we will. But I plan on marrying you honey, one way or another.”

  Cari didn’t see her father move but she felt someone push against her back and then she was in Jake’s arms. Jake laughed and met Edward’s eyes. His good friend was smiling at him.

  “I imagine I should be correct and proper about this. Edward, may I please have the hand of your lovely daughter in marriage?”

  Edward smiled and nodded his head. “Nothing would make me happier than to see Cari married to my friend, and a man I trust implicitly.”

  Jake turned his gaze back to Cari. “Well?”

  As Cari nodded her head in agreement, she realized how much she liked the way his left eyebrow lifted quizzically. “I can’t turn down such a frugal man, now can I?” She lifted her mouth to his and accepted his kiss and the unspoken promise of love and life together. As Cari stepped back from Jake, she heard her mother saying her name to get her attention. Cari turned to look at her mother. She still had trouble with knowing all the family secrets and the emotions that were making her feel as if her life was a roller coaster.

  "Mother, please, I'm not going to argue with you about this. If I hadn't found out I was pregnant, I was planning on going through with the wedding.” She felt Jake tense beside her. She paused, knowing that her next words might end up alienating him. Yet she knew that the truth was the only way, from now on.

  "I had it all worked out, as the perfect revenge. I was going to wait until poor Father Tom asked if anyone objected. I was going to say 'I object.’ Then I would tell Tony he should marry his whore, and walk out.” Cari paused, looking directly at her mother. "I was going to stop on my way back up the aisle where you were seated. I planned to use the stunned silence to let everyone there know about my adulterous mother."

  Marina looked at her daughter. "Darling, how could you even think of doing this to me?"

  Cari thought her mother was looking at her like someone had replaced her daughter with something very unpleasant. Before she could reply, she heard her father snort next to her. She turned and found him shaking his head. "Damn it, Marina! This isn't about you. Good lord woman, you think the whole damned world revolves around you."

  Marina gasped at her husband's words. It was obvious she was shocked that Edward would speak to her so harshly. She sniffed loudly, and Sal quickly wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  "Edward, I don't believe there is any need for you to be so cruel. Marina is just worried about her daughter and the wedding she has spent so much time and effort planning."

  Edward glared at Sal. "Don't tell me how to talk to my soon-to-be ex-wife. Why don't you just mind your own business?”

  Cari saw the astonished looks on her mother’s and Sal’s faces. She wondered how many years it had been since anyone had talked back to her uncle. She shook her head, realizing that it would be a very long time before she stopped thinking of him as her uncle. Before she could even think of interrupting, her mother snapped back at Edward.

  “How dare you speak to Sal that way? He is your best friend!”

  Edward looked from his wife to Sal. The look on his face spoke volumes to Cari. She could only guess at the depth of betrayal he must be feeling. His anger spewed out with his words. “You must be joking. Friend? He’s been screwing my wife behind my back for God knows how many years! If that’s friendship, count me out. And you, Marina!”

  Cari was surprised at the tone of disgust in her father’s voice. But then how much could a man take before it was too much? She didn’t feel that much sympathy for her mother. The woman had been living a lie for Cari’s entire life. Now it was time to face the music, and her mother was still saying “poor me.”

  Marina was sputtering and Sal was getting red in the face. Edward obviously didn’t care as he continued to castigate them. “I think the only thing you care about is yourself, and how all this will affect you. Hell, you probably even knew Cari’s fiancé had been cheating on her, but didn’t want to disrupt the wedding!”

  Marina flushed immediately at her husband’s angry words.

  Cari watched the interplay between the adults she had loved and idolized all of her life. It was strange to see them acting out like this, after so long a time. She felt Jake take her hand in his, and squeeze it. Turning, she smiled at him. She knew that with Jake by her side, she could face anything, even angry, screaming parents. She cleared her throat twice, getting louder each time, to get everyone’s attention, which then surprised her that it was just so easy.

  “I think you all should just go home. You’re only going to end up saying something you will regret later on. And nothing any of you say will change my mind. Now the wedding was scheduled for two weeks from Saturday. It’s probably too late to get your money back, Sal, so if it’s all right with Jake, we’ll get married then. I’m sure Tony will tell his friends, so they won’t show up, and we’ll invite Jake’s friends and family by phone.”

  Cari paused and looked at Jake. He smiled and nodded his agreement. She smiled in return, and then continued. “If you want to come, you are more than welcome.” She turned to Edward. “I’m hoping you’ll still walk me down the aisle, Daddy.”

  Edward nodded his head. He blinked quickly as tears welled up in his eyes. “Of course I will walk down the aisle with you, Cari. I would be honored.”

  Cari smiled. “Bring your friend also, Daddy. I would like to get to know her, please.” She ignored her mother’s gasp. “Now, even though this is Jake’s home, I’m kicking you all out of here. I’m tired of listening to you fight. I’ve heard emotional upset is bad for the baby.” She pressed her hand to her barely swollen belly.

  Edward nodded his head. “You’re right, of course, Cari. I’ll be in touch this week.” He kissed his daughter’s cheek, offered his hand to Jake, and then turned to stare pointedly at his wife and friend. “Let’s all go. If you two still feel like arguing, you can continue this while Marina picks up her things back at the house.”

  Cari gasped this time, realizing her father was kicking her mother out of his house. She turned to see what her mother would do. Marina lifted her chin.

  “Very well, Edward. Come Sal, we’ll go get my things.” She stopped as she went to pass Edward. “You know Edward that you are only precipitating things a few weeks earlier than I had planned. Once Cari had married, I was planning on leaving you anyway.” She flounced past him and out of the house.

  Sal looked at Edward, and then at his daughter. Cari met his eyes. She was sure that she saw doubt, yet she didn’t have the strength to forgive him. Perhaps someday she would. Almost as if Sal read her thoughts he nodded. Without a word he turned and followed Marina from the house.

  Edward shrugged and followed the other two.

  Cari flopped down onto the leather sofa, feeling suddenly deflated of energy. She looked up at Jake. “I’m sorry for that scene, Jake.”

  Jake grinned and came down beside her. “Don’t apologize, sweetheart. We’ll just chalk it up to in-law troubles. I do think Sal wishes to be in your life. Something I saw in his eyes, honey.”

  “I sen
sed it too, Jake. But right now, I don’t know if I can get past all of the lies, for so many years. To be honest though, I’m not sure who I am the maddest at right now.”

  “Granted, and I’m not taking anyone’s side in this.” Jake put his arm around her shoulders.

  “I know. I didn’t think you were.” She turned her face towards his, meeting his gaze. At that moment, the love she felt for Jake rushed through her. She moved closer into his arms, kissing Jake’s lips lightly and then resting her head on his chest.

  “Care to listen to one more suggestion?” Jake asked quietly, his arm holding her close to his chest.

  “Of course, Jake.”

  “When everything settles down in your life, and it may take a while,” he paused to pat her tummy. “Just promise me to take a look at everything your mother and Sal did with an adult eye, not a child’s anger and hurt.” He paused to wipe a tear from her cheek. “There will come a time when each of us will do something we may later regret, or not know how to undo.”

  “You mean like my first night here, with you? I have no regrets, Jake. Not a single one.”

  “I am glad to hear that because I have no regrets either.”

  Cari had to clear her throat to speak. “You’re sure you want to still marry me? I seem to be coming to you with a lot of baggage.”

  “I have no doubts whatsoever, Cari.” He put his hand beneath her chin, and turned her face towards his. “I should have told you this sooner. I love you, Carissa Evans. And nothing will make me happier than spending my life with you.” He slid one hand down to cover her stomach. “And our child, or children. Now, if you love me back, how about we go get some breakfast?”

  Cari laughed and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “I love you so much, it hurts sometimes! Thank God I had to deliver that book to you!” She paused and looked into his eyes. “Uhm, I never did look to see the name on the book. What was it that brought us together?”

  Jake grinned. “A truly lovely old and rare book called ‘The Art of Love.’ I believe I’ll put it into a glass case with a plaque that states ‘this book started it all.’ If nothing else, it will make people ask questions, and it will make a nice ending to the story of how we met.”

  Cari looked into Jake’s eyes. She was so incredibly lucky to have met him that she had to hug him once again and kiss him firmly on the mouth. When she pulled back, she laughed at the surprised look on his face. Standing quickly, she reached for his hand. “Now, let’s eat before this baby comes along and starts ordering a cheeseburger!”

  Chapter 12

  Cari shook her head nervously as one of her bridesmaids offered her a sip of water. She was too nervous. On her, make that their first visit to a doctor, she’d gotten medicine that would hopefully keep her out of the bathroom long enough to get married. Cari flushed now, remembering how embarrassing parts of the visit had been.

  Right from the moment she told Jake she had made the appointment, he started planning. There was a list of questions, a list for books to see which ones the doctor recommended, and a blank list labeled “do’s and don’ts” to be filled in at the appointment. At the office, Jake stayed right by her side. At least until the doctor asked if he wanted to see. The kindly doctor quickly explained that a lot of expectant fathers wanted to be involved in every part of the pregnancy.

  Cari had nodded, but did feel compelled to add a comment. “Any of them offer to carry and deliver the baby?” Jake squeezed her hand and chuckled along with the doctor, but he still went to have a look.

  The last two weeks had passed quickly. Cari had gone for final fittings on her dress and veil, and learned that Jake already owned a tuxedo. They had scaled the wedding down, only adding people that Jake called personally to invite. They had done away with grooms’ men, only having her three bridesmaids. Her father was walking her down the aisle, and then stepping off to serve as Jake’s best man. Cari had not missed the fact that her father seemed to be constantly smiling since her mother had moved in with Sal.

  Cari and Jake had gone out to dinner with her father and his lady friend last week. Cari had been nervous, but had relaxed soon after she met Linda Scott. Up close, Cari saw that Linda was much closer to her father’s age than she had first thought. Linda was a widow, but had no children. She also shared Edward’s love of books, which was how they had met. When dinner ended, it had been Linda and Cari doing all the talking, while Edward and Jake sat quietly, just nodding their heads when needed.

  Since they had been to see the doctor that morning before their dinner together, Jake brought the subject of the visit up. Her father was all for Jake’s involvement with the baby as much as possible. Edward added that he regretted not having the chance for early bonding available to fathers these days. Cari knew then that there would no disagreeing with the two of them!

  Marina had not stepped forward to take over the final details of the wedding, so Cari had found herself trying to make sense of it all. But once she met Linda, the two women took over the preparations together. Cari found herself sharing things she had never shared with her own mother, and found she was a little guilty at the feelings of closeness she was having. Late one night, she had confided to Jake her feelings of guilt.

  Jake had pulled her close and reassured her that it seemed perfectly natural to turn to Linda, since her own mother wasn’t interested in sharing this time with her. Of course, Jake’s rationale helped some, but she still felt some guilt. Although it faded with each time she was actually with Linda. And being a good Catholic girl, guilt was her part time job some days.

  Cari shook her head bringing her thoughts back to the wedding and her bridesmaids all chattering a mile a minute around her. For a moment, she considered asking one of her friends to pinch her so she could be sure she was awake and it truly was Jake’s and her wedding day!

  * * * * *

  Linda came into the church’s side room and shut the door softly. She smiled at Cari, marveling at how close she was feeling to the younger woman. She had dreaded meeting Cari, fearing she might be like Marina, whom she had come to know through some shared committees. But within a few minutes, she had realized that Cari was like Edward. And even though she now knew that Edward was not Cari’s natural father, Linda had seen the love between the two of them. Edward was now, and would always be, Cari’s father in all the ways that truly mattered.

  “Everything is ready.” Linda smiled at Cari as she came up to her. “Jake is a stunner in his tux, and your father has cleaned up quite nicely as well.” She reached over and patted Cari’s tummy lightly. “Is everything staying where it should?” Linda added with a conspiratorial smile.

  Cari laughed, as Linda had hoped. Cari took a deep breath and looked around at her friends. “I’m fine, and ready if you are.”

  The other women all laughed and nodded. It had become obvious as the two weeks passed, that Cari was head over heels in love with her new fiancé. The “oohing” and “aahing” over her new engagement was sincere, especially since one of the girls’ families owned a small jewelry store. She had easily assessed the value of the new ring that now adorned Cari’s finger.

  Above all else, her friends were all ecstatic that Cari had found someone to love her the way she deserved to be loved. At the bridal shower a few days earlier, they had all shared with Linda that Tony was a schmuck, and they were very happy Cari had found out about him before it was too late.

  Slowly, after a number of unnecessary twitches to her veil and dress, they exited the small room. Linda turned to leave, but Cari’s hand stopped her. Without a word, Cari hugged the other woman. When they moved apart, both had tears in their eyes. Cari wanted to tell Linda how she appreciated the friendship the older woman had extended to her since their first meeting. Her throat clogged with tears, and she could see that Linda understood from the look in her eyes. Sharing so much more than words, they started for the main part of the church.

  It was only a short walk to the back of the church, whe
re they found her father nervously waiting. Edward was running a finger around his collar when he met his daughter’s eyes. Cari smiled at her father, and she saw his eyes look down. Cari couldn’t read his mind as he noticed that she was holding Linda’s hand. But in that moment, Cari believed she was seeing sheer and unbridled joy on his face.

  Cari knew that Linda and she were getting along better than Edward had probably thought possible. The times the four of them, her father, Linda, Jake and herself, had spent together the last two weeks had been some of the most pleasant she’d ever had!

  Linda smiled at Edward as she passed Cari’s hand to her father. She kissed Cari’s cheek through the filmy veil, and then lightly kissed Edward’s lips. Cari watched as Linda held Edward’s eyes for a moment. She could see and feel the love shared by them. No one could doubt their love and happiness in that brief glance.

  As Linda looked away from Edward, the eyes of the two women met and Cari smiled. Cari knew tears were welling up in her eyes, and soon would be flowing down her cheeks. She didn’t care at all. Looking from Linda to her father, she told them softly, “I love you, Dad. And I think Linda is a wonderful woman, who will make you very happy.”

  Linda quickly lifted the handkerchief she had tucked away. “No tears, either of you!” She dabbed quickly at Edward’s and hastily worked her hand up under Cari’s veil. “Now before your nephew takes me to my seat, I want to tell you both how happy I am right now! Cari, I love your father. I would have stayed in the background of his life until whenever! Your acceptance of me, and the friendship you’ve shown me is more than I dreamed of, and…”

  Linda’s voice broke and Edward hugged her quickly. She shook her head though and straightened her spine. “Let’s get this wedding going and down the aisle!”