Page 54 of The Hand That Holds Me
“WHAT!?” I yelled before I remembered where I was and lowered my voice. “What?! How can a be a millionaire?”
“I wanted you to be taken care of, even if you didn’t want anything to do with me so I set it up that that half of everything I earn goes into an account for you. The lawyers bought company shares and divested your earnings into savings, bonds, property. You are now a very wealthy woman.”
“But, I never wanted your money.”
“I know but it is yours now to do with what you want. I also ensured your literacy program is fully funded for the next ten years if you still want to spearhead the program. I think you will do amazing things with the program and the money will make things easier. Please consider taking it.”
“Maddie, baby. I know this is a lot to take in but I promise it will be okay. You don’t have to make any decisions right now. Take some time to think about everything and you will come to the right decision.” Lucas assured me with a kiss to my temple, his arm drawing me into his body.
“I trust you. Both of you.” I said as I took both of their hands into mine and smiled at the two men who had healed my heart. The love of my life and my dad.
Maddie and I arrived back at her apartment with a promise to meet Jason for dinner tonight. I could tell she was having a hard time absorbing everything she had heard today and I wanted to sit down with her and Caroline, who was waiting for us to return. When we walked in Caroline jumped up from the living room and engulfed Maddie in a hug, both women crying into each other’s shoulders.
Not sure how to proceed with them both so upset, I guided them into the living room and sat them down on the couch. I went and got them a bottle of water and sat on the ottoman in front of them. They had stopped crying and were sitting holding hands when Caroline spoke. “Are you okay? How did the meeting go?”
“It went really good I just got overwhelmed when I got home. I’m sorry for losing it for a minute.” She responded to her best friend. I was in awe at the connection these two ladies had with each other.
They were fiercely loyal to each other and had a bond I was jealous of. I had a few good friends but had spent most of the last few years working long hours, only allowing connections with a short shelf-life. Watching these life-long friends discuss the last few hours with each other seemed to release the stress in Maddie’s entire body causing her to nestle into Caroline while she retold the story of her parents.
Caroline asked questions as needed but allowed Maddie to tell the story, reflecting on thoughts and feelings along the way. When she told the entire story of Sara and Jason, Caroline hugged her and stroked her hair while Maddie cried again.
“I understand how upsetting this is for you but you have to look at the good side of it. Your father loved your mom and everything he did was to protect you while you were growing up. Your mom wanted you safe and I got the best thing in the world out of it. A sister and a best friend. Now you have the chance to get to know him as an adult, to develop a relationship and be a part of each other’s’ lives. Don’t pass up the opportunity to find happiness Maddie…with all the new family in your life…” she said, as she looked at me and winked.
I prayed this meant that Caroline had forgiven me for the deception I used to guide Maddie to this point. My intention was never to manipulate her, only to love her and give her the chance to see the truth of the past. “There is one more thing that she found out today. I know she is a little hesitant to speak about it but I think should tell you.” I said while looking at Maddie, trying to give her reassurance that the money in her life was a good thing.
“What else is there? Jason told her everything, right?” Caroline asked, a confused look on her face.
“He did. I don’t think he left anything out but there was something that happen after mom died that kind of affects me.” She said as she fidgeted with her hands in her lap. “When bought out his father’s company and started MSJ Media, he not only named the company after the three of us, Maddie, Sara and Jason Media, but he had his lawyers invest half of his earnings for me. He told me on my twenty-first birthday that I gained control of my, I don’t know what to call it, inheritance, portfolio. Apparently, I’m wealthy. Very wealthy. I have to meet with some lawyers to sign some papers and see exactly what all that means but Lucas and Jason explained I am a millionaire” I looked up at Caroline, whose mouth was now open and rendered speechless.
“Maddie is free to do what she wants with her investments and Jason has funded her program for ten additional years. The money doesn’t change anything, not really. Yes, life will be easier in some aspects but more difficult in others. That’s why she needs to see the lawyers and decide how she wants to proceed with investments, charitable contributions, and taxes. Having this money is a good thing.”
“Wow! What are you going to do? Have you talked to mom and dad since you found out?”
“I texted them and let them know the meeting went well and I would call them this afternoon when they got home from work to discuss everything else. I needed time to come to terms with everything before I told them about the money.”
“Being wealthy or being poor isn’t going to affect the way the people who love you see you. I agree with Lucas, having this money can be a good thing. Think of all the people you can help.”
Maddie had always said Caroline saw the best in every situation but was able to handle the bad when it came at her. Sitting her now, I can see what she meant. Caroline had the ability to read Maddie better than anyone and now she was giving her the reassurance that the dramatic changes her life was taking were going to be okay. She wouldn’t have to handle life alone, she had a family to support her and love her.
“I’ve got to head to work. Are you going to be okay?” Caroline addressed Maddie as she was getting her things together to leave.
“Yeah. I think I may take a nap. I’m exhausted from the last few days and I need to shut my brain off for a while. Are you working late tonight?”
“I’m covering for a new bartender until he can get in from his second job. I don’t mind happy hour and he has to do all the hard work with closing.” She laughed. “I’m going to meet Josh after I get off and we are going to grab a bite to eat.”
“Will you give him my love and tell him thank you for me.” Maddie asked. I should have been angry with her professing love for any other man, but Josh was a really good guy. Yes, he had a previous relationship with Maddie. No, I wasn’t afraid of their feelings for each other.
Caroline kissed Maddie on the cheek and walked out the door, blanketing us in the silence of her apartment. Moving to the couch, I grabbed Maddie and put her in my lap, her legs extended across the couch and I drew her into my body and held her. The audible sign she released against my neck had me wanting her again.
Feeling her soft lips kissing my neck caused my semi to become fully hard. She began to slowly wiggle in my lap, her curves caressing my shaft through our clothes. I put my arms under her knees and stood up with her in my arms, walking toward her bedroom with a purpose. I needed Maddie naked, wet and under me.
I gently tossed her onto the bed, her small body bouncing once before she settled back, her legs spread and her body propped up on her elbows. I began to work the button on her pants, pulling them down her legs while she sat up and took her shirt off, leaving her in her light pink bra and panties.
She was a vision of perfection and she was all mine. I removed my shirt and placed my body over hers, kissing her full lips before working down her jaw and nipping at her neck. She surprised me by pushing against my chest so I withdrew from her body, immediately feeling the cold left by her absence.
“I want to taste you Lucas.” As she looked up at me, her eyes glazed over with lust.
“You don’t have to, baby.”
