Chapter Fourty Seven

He shook his head. The absurdity was…she was the only woman he wanted... The one woman in his world. They hadn't been in a committed relationship, but he hadn't been seeing anyone else. Nevertheless, the realisation finally dawned that Kelly was not only worried about her father and the company, but she was also consumed by an intense sense of vulnerability, fighting him to keep herself and their child on the only secure ground she knew.

"There is no competition," he said gently, wanting to erase her fears.

Rank disbelief stared back at him. It propelled him forward, his hands spread in an openly inviting gesture. "You can trust me, Kelly. As my wife, you’ll have my absolute commitment and loyalty." Still the rigid stance, arms folded in stubborn resistance, but there was a wavering in her eyes, perhaps a wanting to believe that couldn’t quite be suppressed.

He curved his hands over the tense muscles of her shoulders." I promise you. We can make our home here. Anywhere you want. But if I ask you to leave it sometimes, to share something else with me for a while, aren’t you brave enough to try that, Kelly?" His hands instinctively slid up to cup her face, forcing her gaze to hold his while he pushed for a resolution."You are just scared right now, Kelly. And what we need here is a leap of faith. The reality is we’re going to have a child. We should live together as a family. And marriage is about giving to each other, not laying down conditions that will limit—if not wreck—the relationship we should have as husband and wife. There was a time when I didn't think I would ever want something like this, but we have a baby coming and I'm willing to give this a try. I’m not even asking you to meet me halfway. Just give a little. At least…give it a chance."

He dropped his hands and backed off.

"Think about it, baby. My position is not going to change. Either we get married and we both try to make it work as best we can…or I’ll fight you for my fair share of fatherhood. I won’t be kept dangling on this, Kelly. You have until tomorrow morning to decide."

Dimitri left the ultimatum hanging and walked towards his bedroom door. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing more to discuss. Whichever way Kelly chose, his own course was clear. His child was going to have the kind of father he would have wanted himself—a good father like—always there for him. Or her. If Kelly didn’t ever come to love him, at least their child would. No way was he going to miss out on that!

"Wait!" His hand was already on the doorknob when her call whipped through the tense silence, halting his exit. Dimitri gritted his teeth and half-turned, conceding a few more moments but not prepared to enter into further argument.

She’d dropped the folded arm posture and her hands were now fretting at each other, revealing how very nervous she was. Her eyes held a fearful pleading that he found painful. He’d never done anything to hurt her. Never would. Why was she so damn scared of being his wife? Her throat moved in a convulsive swallow, as though her thoughts sickened her.

"Dammit, Kelly" he muttered fiercely. "Can’t you see…? I just want us to....."

"I’ll give it a chance." she said stiffly.

"Give what a chance?" he asked. He wanted to hear her say it.

"I will marry you, Dimitri"

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"You've got to be fucking kidding me" Raymond Darcy swore and got up from his chair. He shook his fist at Dimitri, "I swear I'm gonna kill you" he said.

"Dad, please, listen to me" Kelly pleaded as she stood too. Just as she had predicted, Raymond Darcy wasn't thrilled about the news of them getting married. In fact, he was furious, and Kelly didn't blame him.

"No you listen to me" Raymond thundered, glaring at Kelly, "I would like to speak to you right now.... Alone"

"No. Whatever you want to say, you can say it in front of Dimitri too" she replied. This was about the both of them anyways, but Dimitri had other ideas. He knew that Raymond wasn't going to take the news well, and he didn't blame the guy. He would be mad if he were in his shoes too, so he slowly stood up.

"It's okay, Kelly" he said, "I will give you guys some privacy. I will be in the living room"

After he left Raymond's office, Raymond glared at Kelly once again.

"What the heck is going on, Kelly" he thundered, "How did this happen?"

"I..... I don't.... Dad, please, I know you are mad at me, but could you please just calm down a little. I'm freaked out already...I'm scared... Please don't make this worse for me"

Raymond managed to calm himself down, but he was still too agitated to take his seat. "How could you do something like that? You know the problems we have been having with him...."

"I know Dad, and I'm sorry" Kelly cut in. "I really am, but I didn't know at first. You have to believe me. The first time we met, I didn't know who he was..... And I know that I should have stayed away when I found out.... But I couldn't. I know I shouldn't have hidden it from you for so long and I really am sorry. I never meant for things to go this way"

"How exactly did you think it was going to go?"

Kelly breathed deeply, "I know that I screwed up dad, I'm sorry. I really am. But I'm going to do this. I have decided to do this. And for once, I'm asking you to be on my side. I have always wanted to please you. To be my father's perfect little daughter. Always wanted you attention, which I barely got, and I never complained once. I'm tired and I really need you on my side right now. If it's the company that you are worried about..... "

"No... No... No" Raymond replied, realized how hurt his daughter was. He knew that she was right. He had been selfish....always focused on his company that he had forgotten what mattered most. His family. He had neglected her. Made her quit things she loved... Made her do things she didn't want to do. And now he had lost it all. Had lost his company, and he felt like he was loosing her too.