Chapter Seven
Eleanor's POV
During our first night at the new house, I tucked my boys in their new bedrooms. This was the very first time we've all had bedrooms to ourselves. There were exactly five bedrooms downstairs and the master bedroom upstairs. Sure enough, every bedroom was fully furnished. The furniture was neutral, it could be for adults and kids.
"My room, Momma?" Luke's eyes brightened running towards the big full bed in the middle of the room.
I nodded smiling at him. I was leaning against the doorway with a sleeping Peyton in my arms. "Yes, my angel. Are you big enough to sleep alone now?"
"I'm a big boy!" He boasted already snuggling under the covers. "Good night, Momma!"
"Are you not giving me a good night kiss?" I asked walking over. Luke wrapped his tiny arms around me and placed a kiss on both my cheeks. "Good night, my angel. Rest well so your head could heal."
I turned the light off and closed the door only leaving a crack to be open for light to seep through. I went to the bedroom beside his and there was a much smaller bed for Peyton. I tucked the lightly snoring boy in and kissed him on the top of his head. I also left a small crack in his door just in case he wakes up crying in the middle of the night.
Finally, I went to the bedroom across both of them. It was a large room, much larger than the bedrooms I stayed at Summer's and Finn's. I didn't have many personal stuff for me to decorate the room with. I sat up on bed, leaning against the cushioned headboard. I looked out the window that gave me a view of the backyard.
I was about to fall asleep in that position when I heard somebody call out my name. I got out of bed trudging towards the door.
"Parker, I'm in here," I loudly whispered not wanting to wake the boys up. I saw him in a muscled tank top and gym shorts. I tried not to look at the toned muscles on his arms and kept looking at his face as he walked towards me.
"What are you doing here?" He asked curiously.
"Well I was in my bedroom when you called out for me," I explained. "Did you need anything?"
"Bedroom? Our bedroom's upstairs, ma cheríe."
I awkwardly fiddled with the hem of my shirt. I still hadn't gone through the new wardrobe Parker had delivered to us. "Well, I figured with the deal and stuff that we would be sleeping in separate rooms. I mean, no one would know from the public, right?"
Somehow, his striking green eyes narrowed into anger. "I will not let you sleep in another bedroom other than mine, ma cheríe. Since we are a married couple, we are going to act like one." His words seemed so final that I couldn't do anything but obey him.
"I-I'll be right behind you," I mumbled following behind him closely to the master bedroom. I walked in right after him, not bothering to hold the door open for me. Well, I didn't see why he had to be sweet to me. After all, he admitted to me it was all an act during the short time we dated.
"I already put your new wardrobe in your closet," he nodded his head towards a door, and I went to it.
I opened the door, and it revealed a giant sized room for just a closet. It was bigger than I was used to. Everything in this new estate was bigger than I was used to. I was surprised to see everything was put into place. Parker probably had someone fix this for me; he'd never do it himself. I stripped off of my jeans and button down shirt I wore today.
It took me quite a while to search for the nightgowns, and when I did I crinkled my nose in distaste. These were not the night wear I usually wear to sleep in. The drawers were filled with lace and silk. It was too skimpy! I was already fuming as I put on the least revealing attire.
I stomped out of the closet only to stop mid-stride when I caught Parker pulling his top off. His back was now bare to me, and boy was that one muscled back. The way the back of his biceps flexed as he took his tank top off got me hypnotized. I swallowed loudly not being able to take my eyes off from it.
"Enjoying the view?" Parker turned around catching me gawking at him.
I scoffed and continued walking to left side of the exquisite king bed. I threw the thick, fluffy covers over and slipped in turning off the lamp on my side of the bed. "Good night Parker."
I deliberately faced my back to him and faced the other spacious side of the room. I tucked the edge of the covers in between my neck and shoulder. I felt the other side of the bed dip beside me indicating Parker also got in. I suddenly felt his warm body closer to mine than necessary. Then he boldly placed an arm over my waist, bringing me closer to him. I squeaked and tried to remove his arm but to no avail.
He brought his clean shaven face over the side of my head, and his fresh minty breath filled my nostrils. "I was hoping you'd be wearing the black, lacy nightgown on our first night together ma cheríe," his lips were so close to my ear. I tensed waiting for him to continue. "But then again, anything you wear would be taken off of you in an instant."
I was thanking the heavens that we were in complete darkness with the exception of the moonlight streaming in through the crack in the window curtains. I was blushing like mad! I didn't want to say anything in case my voice gave away that the slightest of his touch still managed to spark something in me. I despised how he could be so controlling one minute by ordering me to sleep in the same bed as him, and then all sweet and charming the next. This was going to be something that's going to drive me nuts!
A few seconds later while chuckling, he removed his arm from me and scooted to the other side of the bed. There was a safe distance between us, and I sighed in relief. My muscles relaxed, and I snuggled into my pillow closing my eyes. I was so dead-beat I fell asleep right away but not before I heard Parker murmur, "Sweet dreams, ma cheríe."
In the early hours of the morning, I felt Parker get up and soon heard the shower running in the en-suite bathroom. I peeked an eye open to see the sun wasn't even up then. I wondered where he was going at a time like this. I sat up in bed rubbing my eyes waiting for him to come out of the shower. I was about to fall asleep once again when finally, the door opened and Parker strode out fixing his tie.
"Where you going?" I mumbled sleepily trying to rise myself up higher.
"I have to go to the office," he answered walking over to my side of the bed. If it wasn't so early in the morning, and if I was more wide awake, I would've been shocked when he dropped a kiss on my forehead. "Sleep some more, ma cheríe. I'll check on the boys for you."
Check on the boys? I thought to myself. When did he start having a concern for my sons? I couldn't think more about it, however, when he tucked the covers over me again, my eyes drooped close and instantaneously was back to dreamland.
The next time I woke up, sunlight was steadily streaming through the unwanted cracks in the curtains. I sat up, shielding my eyes from the rays. I sighed, remembering last night and earlier this morning. I knew Parker could be a sweet guy, but he hides it often. I wasn't hoping on him keeping up the act. He was going to be back to his arrogant, egotistical self when he comes back later this evening.
I looked at the clock on the wall in front of the bed and saw it was ten minutes before seven. I decided to wake up and make some breakfast for my sons who were always hungry in the morning. When I stepped out of doors, I heard voices in the kitchen. My face frowning and heart racing for any potential danger, I cautiously walked and saw a man in a chef's uniform and another in a suit.
"Who are you?" I asked getting their full attention.
"Good morning, Mrs. Jenkins," the one in the suit slightly bowed his head to me in greeting. "I am James, the butler, and this is cook Augusto. We are service that Sir Jenkins kindly hired us for."
Of course. I should have expected Parker to go against my wishes of hiring service. Not wanting to be rude I said, "I'm sorry. I wasn't informed."
"It is a pleasure to meet you!" Cook Augusto said in clear Italian accent. Parker hired an Italian chef? "We are making breakfast. Of course, no eggs for the little ones, like Sir Jenkins told us." How did Parker know Luke was allergic? Well, I guess if you were one with money you could do anything.
"Ah, well. Thank you," I smiled my fears vanishing away. "I will check on my sons and will be back to taste your very delicious cooking!"
I excused myself and walked down the stairs to the rest of the bedrooms. The place was brightly lit with the sun streaming through the windows all around the wall. I loved how there was a tree placed right in the middle giving it an outdoorsy look. I walked to the left and opened Peyton's room first. I found him still fast asleep and couldn't make myself to wake him up. I was closing the door after me, when Luke's bedroom door opened and he waddled out.
"Good morning, Momma!" He exclaimed running over to me and wrapping his arms around my waist. "Parker went to check on me this morning. It was so early, and he told me to go back to sleep."
I did remember him telling me that. "Oh really?" I picked him into my arms giving him a big smooch on his cheek. "Did you have any dreams?"
"I did! It was this alien that came to Earth, and he wanted me to come to his planet." As we walked up the stairs and into the living room, Luke was into telling his dream. I was a bit surprised he could remember his dream. "I went into his spaceship, Momma! It was so cool..."
A few minutes later, we were seated in the lavish dining room with a three course breakfast awaiting us! I've never eaten as much as this in a day, let alone just for breakfast! I looked to my right to see Luke's eyes widening in excitement at the various breakfast items on the table.
"Enjoy your meal Mrs. Eleanor and Sir Luke," the butler, James, told us after pouring some orange juice in our glasses.
"Please, call me Eleanor," I chastised him kindly, "and Luke is too young to be addressed with a title! Just call all of us by our first names."
"Will do, Ms. Eleanor," James said and quickly left.
I let out a small smile. James was probably not used to addressing people without a title. Anyways, 'Miss Eleanor' was much better than being called 'Mrs. Jenkins.'
I helped myself to a serving of scrambled eggs and toast, when I peeked over and took a glimpse at Luke's plate. "Honey, are you able to eat all of that?" I laughed helping him place a piece of pancake on top of his pile of food.
"Yes, Momma!" He answered while chewing on a bacon. "This is yummy." I smiled sadly watching him eat. I could have never been able to serve my kids with luxurious food.
"Well, you better make sure you do. I don't want all of that food going to waste."
"It won't Momma."
A few minutes later, Luke leaned back in the cushioned dining chair and groaned. "I'm full now." I just had my last servings of fruit, when I looked over at my son's still full plate.
I gave him a reprimanding look. "What did I tell you, Luke?"
Luke pouted and looked down. "Sorry."
"Eat some of your fruit first," I sighed feeding him or else he wouldn't do it. When he was done, I gathered up his plate and mine and went into the kitchen to wash the dishes. Although they were intercepted by James.
"I got it, Miss Eleanor," he smiled. "You go on ahead."
"Oh, why. Thank you James," I also gave him a grateful smile and turned around to see Luke running down the stairs. "Luke! Be careful! You might hit your head again!" I jogged after him to find him almost barrelling into the couch in the spacious room.
He turned around with a sheepish look on his face. "I didn't mean to."
I sighed angrily and grabbed him by his hand. "Next time don't do that, please. Do you want to go to the hospital again?" He shook his head embarrassed. "Come on, let's go take a shower."
"Can I play toys after with Peyton?" He asked as I stripped him off of his pajamas, while I let the water warm up in the shower.
"I have to feed and shower him first, angel," I said testing the water then helped Luke in. "You can wash yourself, right? Mummy will stay here in case you need anything."
"Okay," I heard his faint voice from under the shower. "Shampoo?"
I gave him the bottle of tear-free kids shampoo that was already in the bathroom. "Make sure you close your eyes, my angel."
"You boys stay inside the house alright?" I told each of my sons who were on the ground. They were playing with their toys we brought with us. They nodded distractedly, and I went up the stairs into the main floor of the house.
Now that the boys didn't need much looking after, and I had no job, there were a lot of free time to myself. It was past lunchtime, and I had let James and Cook Augusto have the rest of the day off. It looked like they weren't familiar with breaks and such from the looks they had given me. I planned on cooking supper tonight. I wasn't a superb cook like Augusto, but I could make a few delicious entrées.
Right now, I was considering on taking up Parker's offer on ordering new furniture and additional decorations. The place needed some warmth and that homey feeling to it. The feeling I had only ever experienced at my parents' house. This house, however, lacked of it. It was decorated with bare furniture.
I sat on the plain white couch and dropped the dozens of catalogues beside me. I took the first of the pile and started my searching. I was fascinated with all of the designs and colors. I just wanted to get them all!
I ended up choosing furnishings that would redecorate the entire living room, kitchen, downstairs living room, and the bedrooms. I was satisfied with my purchase, after all it wouldn't be affecting what I had in my bank account. I figured I could take advantage of Parker's wealth as a payback. Even though it's unlikely he'll care to lose a few pounds.
I stood up stretching my tired muscles and walked down to check on the kids. I spotted them with the same energy I left them with. Luke was running around with an airplane in his hand, and Peyton copying his big brother. It was the most precious things I've seen in my life. They looked so happy and carefree.
"You boys want a snack?" I asked as they came running to me still pretending to be the airplanes.
"Yes!" Peyton quipped dropping his plane when Luke did. He then ran after his brother up the stairs and whined when Luke beat him to the top.
"Come here, sweetheart," I picked him up and caught up with Luke into the kitchen. "So what do you munchkins want?"
"Biscuits!" They yelled in unison like I knew they would. I grinned and opened the large walk-in pantry. It was filled with so many different types of non-refrigerated foods. I grabbed a new box of biscuits and placed it on the counter top.
I got two new small plates and placed it in front of them. I opened the box and put three biscuits in each plate.
"Thanks, Momma," Luke said with his mouth full open with food.
"Close your mouth, angel."
"Oops," he grinned and drank the glass of apple juice I prepared for them.
I, on the other hand, ate a couple of biscuits and had a cuppa myself.
"Mum, more!" Peyton squealed.
I shook my head. "Sorry, sweetheart. I'm not spoiling your appetite for supper tonight."
Peyton's face fell but scrambled down on the floor. I saw him tug on Luke's shorts asking silently if they could play again. "Peyton, I'm tired!" He softly pushed his baby brother away which made him cry.
"Luke. Do not push your brother!" I scolded picking up the crying Peyton. "Shh, sweetheart. I think it's time for your nap."
"No nap!" He stubbornly said wiggling out of my arms. He was already at that stage where he could say yes or no and reply to whatever I said to him. All in all, Peyton was in his terrible two's.
"Luke, come on. Time for your nap too, my angel," I called behind me. Sometimes I let Luke get away with his naps, but I needed to keep him busy, so I could properly cook supper.
"But Momma!" He whined but still followed right behind me.
After their protests of saying they weren't tired, they managed to fall asleep instantly a few minutes after I set them to take their nap. When I walked back up, it was already nearing five pm. I didn't know what time Parker get back from the office. It wasn't like I was cooking for him or anything, anyways. Of course not. I went back into the kitchen and prepared the ingredients for the meal I was about to cook. It has always been my favorite of my mother's.
Exactly two hours later, I was done with everything. The cooking and setting up the table. I was delayed for half an hour when Luke complained of his head hurting again. I had to stop cooking and became a nurse for a short while. Now he and Peyton were in the living room watching cartoons.
I was busy transferring the roasted meat onto a serving plate, when I felt a pair of arms go around my waist. "That smells delicious, ma cheríe." Parker's low, rough voice whispered into my ear.
I turned around in his arms shocked. "Parker! I thought you wouldn't be home until late!" He was still in his suit.
"I was about to go to the bar but then remembered I had a wife waiting for me at home," he smirked. "I love the sight of coming home to you." Argh! His double personality confuses me at times! I just didn't know if he was really the sweet Parker I "dated" or if he was just really arrogant.
"Let's eat," I told him grabbing the roasted meat and walking into the dining room. "Boys!" I called out to Luke and Peyton. They soon came stumbling into the dining room with huge grins on their faces but quickly turned shy at the sight of Parker. I tried to hide my smile and sat in the chair beside's the head one.
Luke and Peyton sat from across me, with my eldest son sitting on Parker's left. I saw that it was already dark outside, the winter season was approaching. I was glad I also made some warm chicken soup. I helped put a few slices of meat on my sons' plates and also added a reasonable amount of vegetables that they'll have to eat before getting some pudding.
"Where are the service I hired?" Parker questioned helping himself to the food. "James and Augusto? Shouldn't they be here doing that instead of you?"
"I insisted on them leaving for the rest of the day," I coolly replied. "I told you there was no need for a cook or a butler. I can handle the house chores myself."
"You don't want to go to school?" He asked curiously.
My face reddened in fury. "I am not an uneducated woman, Parker. I finished college, yes."
"My apologies. Well don't you want to apply for a job?"
"If you don't want me sitting pretty around the house all day and help with the bills, then I will," I replied my cool slowly vanishing. "Just a reminder that you were the one who took my barista job away from me." I was looking down at my plate during the entire conversation but looked up when Parker chuckled. "I don't see what is so funny!"
"Ma cheríe, I have no problem with you 'sitting pretty' as you call it all day long," he said after recovering from his laughter. "I just figured you would get tired of doing nothing all day. What did you major in college, anyways?"
"Art," I answered meekly taking a sip of my wine. "I studied art."
"Ah, I have an artist in my hands."
I nodded and then remained quiet for most of the meal. You could say that it was an awkward "family" dinner. Peyton and Luke were quiet, still not used to being around Parker. Parker also seemed shy of my sons as well. I could tell he was uncomfortable with kids around. The silence was only broken, when I started to serve the pudding.
"Agatha would like to have us for dinner the weekends after this coming one," Parker informed me finishing his glass of wine. "I told her we would be there."
"Who's Agatha?"
"My step-mother." Oh. It was quite a humiliation I didn't even know who his parents were! They're technically my parents-in-law!
"Of course," I said gathering the the dirty plates and placing them in the sink. I turned around to see that Parker followed me in here. "I'd love to meet them."
"Leave it there for James to wash," he instructed. "I don't want my wife doing the dishes."
"Parker do not make it seem like I can't do the dirty jobs! I am certainly not one of those ladies you go to bed with that can't handle a chip in their freshly manicured nails."
Parker didn't seem to be fazed at all. "I want you in the bedroom by ten. I want to spend some time with my wife."
My cheeks blushed a deep scarlet. "Parker... I-I'm not ready."
Chuckles erupted from him. "I wasn't talking about that. I meant simply getting to know you. You are, after all, my wife, hmm?" Then he turned on his heel and walked away.
I stared after him as he walked away. I could never understand this man. It was aggravating me. One minute he was as sweet as he could be, but then the next he was a controlling maniac. I didn't want to cross him any longer, so I quickly put the boys to sleep after doing their nightly routine and went to the master bedroom where I saw Parker sitting on the edge of the bed freshly showered. He didn't hear me come in and if he did, he didn't acknowledge it.
"Let me change into some pajamas," I told him quietly and came back all ready for bed. My husband was still in the same position he was in. I wonder what he was thinking about.
"How was your day?" He asked civilly.
I climbed onto the bed resting against the headboard watching him. He was bare again from his waistline up. All he was wearing were a pair of silk boxers. "Fine. I ordered some new furniture. They should be coming in the next few days. How was work?"
"I don't think you want to really talk about that do you?" He finally turned around and slipped under the covers with me. I shook my head, admitting it. "What do you want, ma cheríe?"
"What?" I asked startled. "What do you mean by that?"
"As a profession," he explained intertwining our hands together under the covers. He rubbed his thumb softly on my hand which sparked electricity jolts through me. I hated how he still had that effect on me. "I'm sure you didn't want to be a hotel concierge all your life. Nor be a barista."
"I've always wanted to be an artist," I confessed. "Although, when I had Luke, I had to put everything on hold and take up a job to help raise him. I became a barista also shortly after I had Peyton."
"Did you always wanted kids at that age? You were twenty-three weren't you when you had Luke?" I looked down at Parker's wondering face. He seemed so sincere. As if he actually cared. He was still rubbing his thumb waiting patiently for me to answer.
"No. I've never wanted kids. Ever. It wasn't something I could see myself doing, but when I found out I was carrying a baby... I was the happiest woman in the world. Luke and Peyton were accidents. It seems harsh, but they were. I never expected to have one much less two children, when I still wanted to accomplish so much more."
"Did your live-in partner force himself onto you?" Parker asked with a bit of anger lacing his tone.
"No!" I defended him. "He never did that. I did it willingly. I thought I would be with him forever, so in my head there was no problem with doing it even if we weren't married. I just... I just never expected him to leave me raising our two children alone."
"I'm glad he did," Parker said bringing our joined hands to his lips and kissed mine, "you and your sons deserve so much more."
"What?" I teased. "You think I deserve someone like you and this lifestyle?"
All I got was the last traces of a small smile from him and a sweet good night.
--A/N
Picture of Agatha!