Chapter 5: United Front
1087 Words
Monday morning brought lawyers, paperwork, and Victoria.
Emma had barely gotten Lily dressed in her new clothes when the doorbell rang. This time, it was expected. Marcus had warned them that news of a child at the Blackwood mansion would spread quickly.
Victoria swept in like she owned the place, her eyes immediately finding Lily in Emma's arms.
"So it's true," she said, her smile venomous. "Ryan has a bastard."
"Don't you dare call her that," Ryan growled, stepping protectively in front of Emma and Lily.
"What would you prefer? Love child? Illegitimate heir? The board will have so many questions."
"The board doesn't need to know anything yet."
"Oh, but they do. You see, any heir to the Blackwood fortune must be legitimate. Your father's will is very clear on that point. Children born out of wedlock have no claim unless formally adopted by a married couple." Victoria's eyes glittered. "Oh wait, you are married. How convenient. Though I wonder what your new bride thinks about instant motherhood."
Emma stood, shifting Lily to her hip. The toddler wrapped her arms around Emma's neck, sensing the tension.
"I think Lily is a blessing," Emma said clearly. "Any child of Ryan's is welcome in our home."
Victoria laughed. "How noble. Tell me, did you know about her before you married him? Or was this a surprise wedding gift?"
"That's enough," Marcus interrupted, entering with a briefcase. "Mrs. Blackwood, if you're here to threaten or harass my clients, you can leave."
"Clients, plural? How interesting. I thought Emma was just the wife."
"Emma is Ryan's spouse, which makes her Lily's legal stepmother. Any decisions regarding the child will be made jointly by them."
Emma felt Ryan's hand find hers, squeezing gently. She squeezed back, presenting a united front.
"How touching," Victoria said. "But we all know this marriage is a sham. When I prove it, and I will, not only will Ryan lose the company, but this child will be taken by social services. After all, an unmarried man who didn't even know he had a child doesn't sound very fit, does he?"
"Get out," Ryan said, his voice deadly quiet.
"I'll go. But first, some advice for you, Emma dear. Ask yourself why Sophia ran. Ask yourself what kind of man makes the mother of his child disappear for three years rather than face him. The answer might surprise you."
After Victoria left, Lily started crying, overwhelmed by the angry voices. Emma bounced her gently, humming a lullaby her mother used to sing.
"She's right," Ryan said bleakly. "What kind of man doesn't know he has a child?"
"The kind whose ex-girlfriend stole a million dollars and disappeared," Marcus said firmly. "Ryan, this isn't your fault."
"Isn't it? I must have done something to make Sophia run."
Emma wanted to comfort him, but Lily needed her attention. The toddler was clingy and scared, refusing to be put down.
"We need to establish routine," Emma said practically. "Lily needs stability. We should set up a nursery, find a pediatrician, maybe look into preschools."
"You're taking this remarkably well," Ryan observed.
"One of us has to. You're in shock, and that's okay. But Lily needs parents who function."
"Parents." Ryan tested the word. "We've been married three days and suddenly we're parents."
"Life's funny that way," Emma said, surprising herself by smiling.
Tommy appeared in the doorway, still in his school uniform. "I heard shouting. Is everything okay?"
"Just Victoria being Victoria," Emma said. "How was school?"
"Weird. Everyone knows you got married. Some kids think it's cool, others think you're a gold digger."
"Tommy!" Emma exclaimed.
"What? It's true. But I told them they're idiots. You're not like that." He looked at Lily curiously. "How's the kid?"
"Her name is Lily," Emma corrected. "And she's adjusting."
"Can I help?"
Emma was touched by the offer. "Actually, yes. Can you sit with her while I talk to Ryan?"
Tommy awkwardly took Lily, who studied him with serious blue eyes. "Hey, little person. I'm Tommy. I guess I'm your uncle now? That's weird."
Emma pulled Ryan into his study, closing the door.
"We need to talk about this," she said.
"About what? The fact that my life is imploding?"
"About how we're going to handle this. Together."
Ryan slumped in his chair. "Emma, you didn't sign up for this. A fake marriage is one thing, but raising a child?"
"No, I didn't sign up for it. But she's here, and she needs us. Both of us."
"I don't know how to be a father."
"And I don't know how to be a stepmother, but we'll learn."
"Why?" Ryan asked, genuine confusion in his voice. "Why would you do this?"
Emma thought about it. The simple answer was that she couldn't abandon a child. But the truth was more complex. She was starting to care about Ryan, to see past his cold exterior to the wounded man beneath. And Lily... Lily had grabbed her heart the moment she'd said "Daddy" in that tiny, scared voice.
"Because it's the right thing to do," she said finally. "And because maybe this is exactly what we both needed."
"I'm paying you to be my wife, not a mother."
The words stung. Emma turned to leave, but Ryan caught her arm.
"I'm sorry. That was... I didn't mean it like that."
"How did you mean it?"
"I mean you're already doing so much. This isn't fair to you."
Emma looked at him, really looked at him. He was scared, overwhelmed, and completely out of his depth. The controlled CEO was gone, replaced by a vulnerable man facing fatherhood.
"Life isn't fair, Ryan. But sometimes the unexpected blessings are the best ones."
A crash from the living room interrupted them. They rushed out to find Lily had knocked over a vase trying to reach a toy. She was crying, Tommy was panicking, and the staff was hovering uncertainly.
Emma immediately took charge, comforting Lily while directing the cleanup. Ryan watched her, something soft in his expression.
"Mama?" Lily said hopefully, reaching for Emma.
Emma's heart stopped. She looked at Ryan, who had gone very still.
"It's okay," he said quietly. "She needs a mother. Even if it's just for a year."
The weight of that statement, the implication that this was still temporary, settled heavy in the room. Emma nodded, pulling Lily close.
"It's okay, sweetheart. Mama's here."
But even as she said it, Emma wondered how any of them would survive when the year was over.
- Writer
