Whatever the Price (14 page)

Charlotte sank back in her seat, unsure how to react to the facts Olivia knew and the compliments she so easily doled out.

“I’m surprised Anthony told you all that,” Charlotte said, more thinking aloud than asking Olivia for an answer.

Olivia patted her hand. “Actually, when he told me he was praising you. He was upset over the separation and was telling me how he was going to fight for you because he needed you and he felt you needed him and a family. I apologize if my knowing makes you uncomfortable.”

“Not at all,” Charlotte told her. “I just didn’t know he’d opened up to you about our marriage. He used to be so closed off, so private.”

“Yes,” Olivia agreed. “But you are good for him, Charlotte. More than you know. You two are going to make a wonderful family, no matter what your past—or his.”

“I hope so, but it was my background that nearly ruined our marriage,” Charlotte confessed. “Anthony wants to give me all that I never had. Beautiful houses, nice cars, trips around the world. But it took him a while to see that I just needed—”

“His love,” Olivia finished.

Charlotte nodded. “Yeah. He’s certainly spoiled me with everything I could ever ask for, but for years I seriously felt as if I was getting shoved aside for another project, each one bigger than the last.”

“His heart was in the right place. His head obviously was not, but he did want to give you a secure life.”

Charlotte knew this, knew Anthony loved her and had never strayed from their vows. She knew his heart had always been with her. Unfortunately, it had taken quite a turn of life-altering events to get him to realize his priorities were in the wrong order and needed to be reshuffled.

“That secure life and knowing how much we love each other is what is helping us get our marriage back on track.”

Olivia smiled. “I was married to the love of my life for over thirty years before he passed. There’s nothing better than spending your life with the one person who makes you complete, who knows you better than anybody and who would change his life to make yours perfect.”

Olivia came to her feet, kissed the top of Charlotte’s head. “Anthony may not be the best when it comes to juggling work and family, but I know he loves you and I’ve seen how committed he is to his family. I’ll say it again. You’re one blessed woman, Charlotte.”

Once Charlotte was alone again, she folded her hands together and rested her head against them. Love swelled inside her for the family she had now with Anthony’s birth mother and sister.

Yes, she was a blessed woman. And in a few weeks, when Lily was permanently theirs, they could move forward with their life and concentrate on the upcoming birth of their own child.

Charlotte prayed for that day to come as she rubbed the cramp away low in her belly.

Sixteen

A
nthony had just hung up the phone when his mother entered his office.

“Hey, come on in.” He came to his feet and moved around the oversized mahogany desk, easing a hip onto the edge. “I was just coming to see where everyone was.”

Olivia took a seat in the leather club chair opposite his desk. “Charlotte is busy getting Lily down for a nap, Victoria is on the phone with Mia and I wanted to talk to you.”

Anthony grinned. “Well, since I’m too old for the birds and the bees talk, what do you have to discuss that you sound so serious?”

Olivia smiled, crossing her legs. “Nothing near as fearful for a mother as the sex talk. This subject is much more approachable. Bronson and I have been talking, and he’s asked me to discuss something with you so he can concentrate on Mia and the baby. He’s a little busy right now.”

To say the least. That’s what had Anthony’s stomach in knots, too. The great Bronson Dane was busy juggling his work and one child. How would Anthony do with two babies while repairing a marriage?

One day at a time, he told himself. He just had to concentrate on keeping his family together one day at a time so they could turn that one day into a lifetime.

Anthony focused back on Olivia. He knew what she was going to say. She was going to bring up the film that he’d been champing at the bit to direct. The film depicting the life of Olivia Dane through the decades of her remarkable career.

“I’m sure you know that Bronson is producing my biographical film. We’ve only recently finalized the draft of the script and the budget, and we’d love you to consider directing it.”

As if any director would turn down an opportunity like this, let alone the son of the woman the movie was about. He’d been waiting for this moment, been dreaming of it. Since finding out Olivia was his mother and since Bronson had decided to do a film, he’d been aching to be part of it.

He truly had it all now.

Anthony reached out, taking Olivia’s hands. “It would be an honor to work with my family on this film.”

Her smile stretched across her face. “It really will be a family affair. Victoria is planning on doing the wardrobe designs, though she’s never done that for a film before.”

Anthony could barely contain his excitement, his relief to know that they trusted him to work on such an important film. Granted, he was one of the top directors in Hollywood, but it hadn’t been that long ago that he and Bronson couldn’t even be in the same room. Now they were half brothers and getting ready to work on a film together.

How would Charlotte react? Would she be excited for him? Would she want to come on set with him to see how things are done? He’d always wanted her to, but she had never seen him at work.

Maybe this time she would. Maybe with these new steps in making their marriage a joint effort, she’d accompany him, especially since the film was so close to his heart.

“I know you’ll want to discuss this with Charlotte,” Olivia went on. “You can let me know for sure later. Besides, Victoria and I really do need to get on the road. We both have so much work to do, but I hate leaving Lily.”

Anthony laughed, tugging on Olivia’s hands to pull her to her feet. “I’ve already been replaced, huh?”

She settled one perfectly manicured hand on his cheek. “Never. You’re my first child—you could never be replaced.”

Looking down into his mother’s eyes, he couldn’t help but wonder how hard it must’ve been for her to give him up. He couldn’t imagine giving up the baby he and Charlotte had created, or Lily.

“I’m really lucky to have you in my life now,” he told her, kissing her on the cheek. “I’ll talk to Charlie, but I know she’ll be happy with this decision.”

Olivia squeezed his hand. “Just make sure she’s part of your decision making, darling. Marriage is a two-way street.”

That was something he should’ve realized long ago, but a basic fact he was learning the hard way.

“I promise to spend this evening talking with her about it and I will call you tomorrow.”

“I may be at Bron and Mia’s house,” she told him as she turned to leave the office. “I promised them I’d babysit while they went out for the day. Why don’t you take a little more time to make sure this is something you can handle right now with everything else you have going on.”

His answer would still be the same if he thought about it for months.

“I don’t intend to take on more than I should, especially now that I have another chance with Charlotte and a new family.” He followed her out into the marble foyer. “Why don’t you call me tomorrow when you’re done with babysitting? We can discuss further details and my decision.”

Olivia nodded. “Perfect.”

* * *

Charlotte had just slid between the crisp, cool sheets when Anthony emerged from the adjoining bathroom. Wearing only black boxer briefs, he never ceased to make her heart beat faster and her body react to his sexy appeal.

Especially now that her hormones were ramped up about 200 percent and they were really working on this marriage and actually talking and opening up. Nothing was more erotic than a man baring his soul.

She pulled the edge of the sheet back on his side, inviting him to join her. She’d put on her favorite navy blue silk chemise, and even though it had pulled just a bit around her belly, she didn’t think he’d even notice. She had actually smiled when she’d slid the unforgiving fabric on. This was the first thing that was a bit snug around her midsection.

She prayed her belly continued to grow, though, because the alternative was inconceivable. She’d been cramping slightly every day, but the pain hadn’t grown any worse. Still, that fear had lodged deep within her.

“Do you think we could take another trip before this baby comes?” she asked as he settled in beside her.

The coarse hair on his thigh rubbed her bare one. The simple contact had her remembering the short few months when she was sleeping alone, missing his warmth beside her, longing for just one more intimate touch.

“Absolutely,” he told her, picking up her hand, kissing it and laying it on his lap. “When and where?”

“Anywhere is fine. I was thinking after the court date we could have a nice extended vacation to celebrate.”

“I may be back to work then, but we’ll figure something out.”

A whisper of fear slid through her. Was he already going to push them aside in an attempt to keep this movie? Would he really postpone their family time so he could spend his days worrying over the set, the script and the actors?

She couldn’t think negatively. If she wanted to keep this marriage strong, she had to think positively. But in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but worry how this would all play out once he started working again.

Anthony tugged her closer to settle in the crook of his arm. “What do you have going on under here?”

His touch sidetracked her thoughts. “Enjoy it now. This is probably the last time this will be on me for a while. It’s a little tight around my waist.”

His hand cupped her satin-covered belly. “You’ll always look amazing, and now that you’re carrying my child you’re even more beautiful.” He sounded so eager, excited for another baby.

“I’m so scared, Anthony. I’ve been cramping and I just can’t lose this child.”

His gaze jerked back up to hers. “Did you call the doctor? Why haven’t you told me?”

“I didn’t want you to worry,” she confessed. “The doctor said my uterus is stretching and that’s normal, but I just know last time—”

“No.” He put a finger over her lips. “This isn’t last time.”

The tenderness she saw in his eyes, felt in his touch in recent weeks, gave her new hope.

She grabbed his hands, lacing her fingers through his. “I know. And the doctor said to take it easy and not lift a lot. He’s confident I’ll be fine.”

“Then we won’t borrow trouble,” he told her, kissing her slightly on the lips. “We’re moving forward, Charlie, and this baby inside you is part of our future.”

Oh, she hoped so. There was so much she wanted from her life. She wanted her marriage to work more than anything. Wanted her children to have a stable home life, unlike the one she came from. And, selfishly, she wanted her marriage to last forever. She wanted that love she’d seen so many times in the movies her husband directed.

Too bad he’d had difficulties directing his own marriage.

But now he seemed devoted, changed and the family man she needed him to be. Of course, he was also getting ready to start the biggest project of his life. Only time would tell how he reacted and worked everything out.

“Sorry I interrupted you with my scare. I don’t want you to think I’m selfish,” she told him, toying with the beading on the comforter. “I don’t want you to feel that this family is taking you from your job or that you’re sacrificing anything.”

“I don’t feel that way at all, Charlie.” He took her hand in his and squeezed. “I want to go to the new-wing dedication next week, if that’s okay. Olivia could watch Lily for us.”

Charlotte couldn’t suppress the grin, the swift intake of breath that held so much hope. “Really? You’ve always been so busy in the past.”

“I’ll never be too busy for you or our children. Never. I didn’t realize how important this was to you before. I’m sorry, Charlotte. You’re worth everything to me.” He tipped her chin and looked into her eyes. “Every bit of fear I had when you walked out that door, every second I didn’t have you with me, made me realize that even if you did decide on the divorce, I had to try. I had to give every bit of my heart to you and take the chance. I can’t give up the memories we still have to make.”

There were no words. Nothing could make this moment any more perfect. Here was the man she’d needed, wanted, loved. Here was the man she’d married, knowing he would be everything she’d ever wanted—strong yet gentle, powerful yet vulnerable.

“I love you, Charlotte.”

She turned to face him fully. “I know you do. I see it when you look at me, talk to me. Make love to me.”

Leaning toward her, he captured her lips in a soft, loving way that shot hope and joy straight to her heart.

He eased back, cupping her cheek in one strong hand. “Since we’re starting new here, I do have something to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

“Olivia approached me earlier with the job I’ve been waiting on.”

Charlotte smiled. “To direct the movie depicting her life?”

“You know I’ve wanted to do this since the whole discovery of her being my mother and finding out they were going to make this film, but I won’t if you think we’re not at a good point in our marriage to handle this.”

And what kind of selfish woman would deny her husband the project of a lifetime, especially when that project involved his birth mother and brother?

Added to that, this was the first time he’d asked her opinion before signing on to a movie. In the past he’d simply made the decision himself and told her his upcoming schedule.

“Anthony, I wouldn’t expect you to give up this dream.” She settled a hand on his bare chest. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you discussed this with me first. You know you’ve never mentioned movies or projects before you start working on them. You’ve never made it part of our lives. Always before it was Anthony the husband or Anthony the director. It’s nice having both sides of you in bed with me.”

He reached for her once again, pressing her back against the pillows as he came to lie over her. “Is that so? Well, which side of me do you want to see now?”

She curled her arms around his neck. “All of them.”