Page 12 of Shameless
Britney almost choked on her water. She put the glass down and said, “What the…? That’s an invasion of privacy.”
Bernadette didn't even blink. “You are also in the news,” she told her.
I took the background check, and as Britney read the printout, I said, “This blog that trashed my friends…”
A blogger had written horrible things about Charlie and Hope and taken pictures of them together, naked. Then, the same blog called Kir and Avril alcoholics. And with me and Britney, the blog claimed I was pretending to be a butler but was a noble and that Britney was dating me for my money.
Britney's face was white, and she tensed. When she finished, she put it down and faced me. “Michael, have you been in love with me for months and months?”
Unlike me, she wasn’t shy about anything. I felt her strength turn protective, and my heart raced. I’d just been included in the people she cared about.
I smiled and said, “Of course, darling.”
Bernadette sipped her tea then said, “So your girlfriend grew up on a farm, failed her way through high school, changed her name, and became a financial wizard sensation without any additional help.”
Britney sat back and laughed. “In my world, I kick the asses of young men on a regular basis, yeah.”
My sister lifted her chin and said, “And her language could stand a great deal of improvement.”
Britney finished her water then stared at my sister. “What are you suggesting?”
My sister pinkened under the glare and turned to face me. “That you sign over the rights you clearly don’t want and we all lead our own lives from now.”
A few years ago, when I’d gone home, she’d insisted on a lot more.
I sighed and held out a hand. “Let me see the papers.”
Britney asked, “Why aren’t you just saying no?”
“One minute, darling.” I answered quickly because, though she was right, I wanted to know if my sister had changed.
On page three, I found my answer, an addition about my being titled in name only, while she would control the money, with rights to access my own personal bank accounts. Clearly, she was there for the cash. I folded the contract.
Britney said, “Well, Bernadette, Michael knew everything about me and knows how my work was my focus when we first met. You could have asked, as that’s the normal way to get information about a person, instead of reading some scandal-fueled blog.”
My sister swatted the air. “My way is quicker.”
I coughed to get their attention and said, “Right, here it is. Sister, you and our parents have no rights to my money.”
She stared at me like Britney was to be avoided. “You don’t need or use it or even truly want it.”
I slipped the paper back and realized I needed to see a barrister in England to ensure my child became my heir and no one else. My parents were wasteful with the title but I’d worked all my life to restore our name without letting them know. “Except my money grew from my trades. So this is a no.”
Britney stared at me. “You’re so calm about it all.”
Perhaps what drew me to her was that she was my opposite. I’d hidden, while she continued to live her life out loud.
I lifted my chin and decided I needed to be more outgoing as well. “Can I tell our good news?”
She stared at me like I was odd and said, “If you think you should.”
Then I took her hand. “Britney and I will be getting married soon.”
Bernadette asked, “Are you pregnant?”
Britney placed a hand on her belly. “Are you suggesting that the only reason Michael might ask me is because he knocked me up?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Bernadette moved her seat. “I can’t wait till she walks the halls as duchess.”
