“This is my mom’s place. I crash here when I’m in New York. We’ll be staying here for a while,” said John.
“You don’t have your own place in here?” She started to panic. Living with the in-law after she blackmailed her son seemed… wrong. Damn it. It was fucking wrong. What if his mom saw through her little scheme? What if his mom tossed her and the twins to the curb? It wouldn’t be the first time she had been evicted, but Jane wanted to spare her brothers from that unpleasant experience. George and Harry were only kids, and they had already been through a lot for children their age.
“I’m afraid not. Should we shop for a house? My family is very close, you see. I could tell you a little more about it, but really, I think you should see for yourself.”
“Maybe we should just go back to our place,” she suggested. “It’s small but at least it’s… private.”
“Ah. Your studio apartment in Chinatown? You told me about that. And where am I going to sleep? We’re married, remember? We need our privacy.” John nodded at George and Harry. “Come on kids, grandma can’t wait to meet you two.”
Grandma?
Jesus H. Christ!
This thing had spiraled out of control.
The marriage was supposed to be farce. They were supposed to go their separate ways after a quickie wedding.
A doorman greeted John with a friendly smile as the group made its way in, and moments later, the elevator was ascending to the top floor. Jane privately took it as a good sign that the apartment staff regarded John so well. Having been put through the ringer of working-class service jobs, she knew how rare that was, especially among the rich.
When the four of them approached the door to the apartment, Jane could hear someone on the other side of the door already bustling towards them, as if the occupant knew they were coming. An auspicious voice boomed from inside the apartment.
“I didn’t expect you so soon—come, come!” A moment later, the door was thrown open to reveal Savannah Alexander standing there, her face positively glowing. “Show me my new grandchildren!”
Savannah bore a distinct resemblance to her son. She was a woman in her fifties with pale skin and silvery hair, but her eyes were every bit as jade and sharp as John’s. She was a beautiful woman, no doubt, and she wore a Chanel suit that matched her hair with a violet scarf thrown loosely around her neck.
“Mother,” John greeted, and she swept forward with arms wide to snatch both John and Jane into a tight hug, kissing them both on the cheek.
“My darling!” she cooed. “It’s always so dull when you’re not in town. And you, look at you!” She stepped back and gave Jane an appraising look. There was immense approval in her expression, and Jane had never felt so relieved in her entire life. “Aren’t you just an angel? I couldn’t believe my ears when John called me last night and told me he was getting married. I almost fell off my chair. It’s a miracle. I wish his father were here to see this happening. I told Quinn and Trent and they couldn’t believe it either. But now that I see you, I can see why John wanted to rush.”
Now Jane felt even guiltier. Shit. Things weren’t supposed to go this way…
“Mom, what did you tell Quinn and Trent?” John seemed worry.
“Oh, don’t be nervous. Your brothers are thrilled. So are Vanessa and Arielle. They can’t wait to meet you and your new bride. We should have a party. A nice dinner party.”
“It can wait, Mom. Let Jane and the kids settle in first.”
“Of course, of course. You have to forgive me, I’m easily excited.” Savannah peered at the twins who hid behind Jane. The older woman’s glittering eyes fell on George and Harry. “Look at these two!” In an instant, she descended upon them and had them hoisted in her arms in a tight hug.
Jane was impressed, she had to admit—the boys were small, but they were hardly lightweights. Savannah was stronger than she looked. So she’s like her son, no doubt, Jane thought. The tiger’s blood ran through her side of the family as well.
“This is George, and Harry, Mrs. Alexander, my twin brothers,” Jane said, a little blown away by how fast this was all happening. Harry wasted no time in hugging Savannah right back. He’d always been easy prey for doting older relatives, and Jane had never been more thankful for that trai
t. George was more reserved, but endured the affection stoically.
“Oh please, you’re family now! Call me Savannah. Or Mom, would be even better. Come on in, the cook has set the table! You must be hungry, yes? I will give you all a proper welcome!”
With that, Savannah disappeared into the apartment with both of the twins in her arms. George gave Jane a rather alarmed look as she absconded with them.
“How much did you tell her about our . . . uhm, relationship?” asked Jane.
“That it was love at first sight. Once I set my eyes on you, I couldn’t let you get away,” John said back with a grin. “And she can hear you, by the way.”
Jane blushed and hastily followed after John into the living room.
The apartment was clearly decorated by a high-end interior designer, filled with antiques and luxury items. It reminded her of her mom’s style, when she was still alive. She liked decorating and antique-hunting with her mom when they lived in Hampton, in the Benedict main estate. The twins didn’t remember that once, they lived a good life. It broke her heart that now the twins lived in a rundown apartment and exclusively wore hand-me-downs. They occasionally went hungry when her meager wage wasn’t enough to stretch to the end of the month. She had been too proud to apply for food stamps. A Benedict doesn’t ask for handouts. Many times, Jane felt like a failure as their big sister.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already been planning some ideas for your wedding—your proper wedding, none of this Las Vegas nonsense!” Savannah called over her shoulder on her way into another room ahead of them. “I’ve got a guest list a mile long, so you just let me know who’ll be attending from your side of the family, and I’ll make sure nobody’s sitting next to each other who will start a family feud in the middle of the ceremony. Oh, and I can get Chef Murphy to handle the catering, and…” Savannah’s voice trailed off as she made her way into the kitchen, and John closed the door behind them.