Forever Black (26 page)

The
only thoughts running through my insane mind were that he felt trapped. “Get
out of here,” I screamed as I picked up a glass and threw it at him. He ducked
and shook his head.

“Fine,
if that’s what you want.”

He
turned just like that and walked out as I flinched when I heard the apartment
door slam shut. My phone quickly signaled a text message from Mason,
“Everything
ok? We just saw Connor storm out?”

My
fingers typed frantically,
“I’m fine; we’ll talk tomorrow.”

I
dialed Peyton and let out a sigh of relief when she answered, “Hi Elle.”

I
couldn’t even get the words hello out first. “Connor and I got into an argument
and he stormed out,” I started to cry.

She
asked what we argued about and I told her the stuck comment he made. I was
appalled how quickly she proceeded to yell at me.

“You
know I love you Elle, but I’m telling you this for your own good. You need to
get your head out of your ass and start thinking about someone else. I know you’re
sick and I’m sorry for that, in fact, I hate that I’m not there with you, but
you need to step out of your, oh pity me self, and think about what Connor is
going through. You think it’s easy for him to watch the woman he’s only loved
go through cancer? He needs to vent to you know, you’re not the only one who
gets to scream and be pissed off at the world.”

I
couldn’t speak. I was frozen with the reality that Peyton was right.

“Elle,
are you still there?”

I
sighed, “Yes and thank you, as always you’re right.” I could feel her smile
over the phone.

“You’re
welcome that’s what best friends are for. Now cut that man some slack and think
about his feelings.”

I
hung up and climbed out of bed. I walked over to the shattered glass, sat on my
knees and started picking up the pieces. How could I not realize Connors
feelings? How could I not stop wallowing in my own pity for just a minute and
see how hard this was for him? I sat there staring at the pieces of glass as he
took my hand.

“Stop,
you’re going to cut yourself,” he whispered.

I
took in a deep breath and slowly turned my head so I was looking at him, “I’m
sorry, I just…”

He
took my face in his hands, “I know baby and its ok.”

“No
it’s not Connor, I know this is hard for you and I’m so sorry.” His soft lips
brushed against mine.

“It’s
ok, I didn’t mean what I said; it came out wrong.”

I
melted into his arms as he wrapped them around me.

“I
know you didn’t, I overreacted.” He kissed the top my head. I looked up at him
with pleading eyes and a pouty mouth.

“Where
did you go?”

He
smiled at my lips and lightly nipped them, “I bought you something.”

He
stood and helped me up. He walked to the dresser and handed me a brown bag. I
smiled excitedly as I opened the bag and peeked inside. I looked up at him and
his big smile as he took my hand and led me to the bed. I dumped the brown bag
in the middle and stared at the pile of chocolate that looked up at me.

“I
figured that would make you feel better,” he said with caution.

“You
are amazing and absolutely perfect, I love you,” I said as I wrapped my arms
around him and pulled him on top of me. “I know something else that will make
me feel better,” I smiled as he hovered over me.

He
bit his bottom lip. “Are you sure? Are you up for it?” I lifted my head and
kissed him passionately, that was the only sign he needed.

I
got out of bed the next morning and stumbled into the kitchen for some already
brewed coffee. Connor was sitting on the couch with his cup and typing
something into his phone.

“Hey
babe, I hope I didn’t wake you?” he said.

“Nope
not at all, what are you doing?”

“We
need to talk, come sit down.”

My
stomach got all panicky, his tone was serious. I sat down next to him and
kissed him on his cheek. He smiled and put his phone down on the table.

“I
have to go back to New York today for a meeting regarding the sale of a company
I’ve been interested in. I want you to come back with me.”

I
stared at him and twisted my face, “Can I?”

“Why
not, you don’t get your next set of injections till next month. We’ll go back
today, stay through Thanksgiving and come back before your next treatment.”

A
smile grew across my face, “I’ll get to see Peyton, she’ll be so excited and my
apartment.”

Connor
frowned, “You’re not staying in that box you call an apartment; you’re living
with me.”

I
gave him a pouty look, “Do I have to stay in the guest bedroom?”

He
laughed as he touched my cheek, “There is no way you are staying in the guest
bedroom; I want you in
my
bed.”

We
took his private jet back to New York. I ran to Denny as I saw him leaning up
against the black limo. I threw my arms around him.

“Denny,
I’ve missed you, how are you?”

He
smiled and twirled me around, “Look at you Elle, you look great.”

I
saw Connor smirking as he put our bags in the trunk. “I’m sorry Mr. Black let
me get those.”

“No
Denny its ok, she’s been dying to see you, she missed you.”

Denny
looked at me and gave me a hug, “I’ve missed you to, and it’s nice to see your
bright smiling face here again.”

I
slid into the back of the limo and Connor followed interlacing our fingers.

 “I
called Peyton and told her I was back in town and I needed her help with
something for you, so she’s coming by the penthouse around 7 tonight.”

“You
didn’t tell her I was here?”

He
tightened the grip on my hand, “No, I was going to let you surprise her.”

I
rested my head on his shoulder, “I love you.”

We
arrived back at the penthouse around five. Connor took our bags to the bedroom
while I went to the kitchen to get some water. I went up the stairs and headed
straight to his room. I’ve only been in his room one time and that was when I
brought him home from the club. The door was open and I walked in; I gasped at
what I saw. Connor turned around and looked at me.

“Oh,
I forgot you haven’t been in here.”

My
eyes glanced to the right, then above the bed and then to the left side of the
room. Each wall was displayed with my paintings from the art gallery.

“You
bought my paintings?”

He
held his hands up, “Please tell me you aren’t mad.”

I
looked at the painting that hung over his bed, the one of the man and woman
dancing under the stars.

“I’m
not mad; I just want to know why.”

He
sighed. “Look at them Elle, they’re beautiful. It was my way of being able to
be close to you when you weren’t around.”

I
walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, “Thank you, it means a
lot.” He let out a sigh as if he was relieved there wasn’t going to be a
battle.

I
walked over to his bed and slightly chuckled remembering the night I struggled
to get his clothes off.

“What’s
so funny?”

“I
was just remembering the night you were passed out on this bed and I was
straddled over you taking off your clothes.”

His
sexy smile captivated me as he laid down on the bed and spread out.

“What
are you doing?” I laughed.

“I
don’t remember you doing that and I want to, so I thought you could reenact it
for me.”

I
bit my lip as I pulled my shirt over my head and threw it on the floor.

“Umm,
I don’t think you did that.”

I
seductively smiled, “No I didn’t, but I’m going to make it a little more
interesting this time.” I unbuttoned my pants and took them off, throwing them
on top of my shirt. I straddled him and slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

“Fuck
it, I need you now,” he said. Before I knew it I was lying on my back and he
was on top of me.

I
stayed in the kitchen while Connor went to the elevator and greeted Peyton.

“Ok
Connor, what is so important that you need my help with?”

I
stepped from the kitchen. “That would be me!” I exclaimed.

Peyton
shrieked as she ran to me and we hugged jumping up and down.

“Oh
my god Elle! I’m so happy you’re here!”

Connor
smiled, “I’ll let you two catch up. I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”

I
took Peyton to the kitchen and poured us each a glass of wine. We moved
ourselves to the comfort of the couch in the living room.

“So,
tell me what’s going on with you and Henry?”

She
smiled her big Peyton smile and told me they were doing great and she thought
he was going to propose at Christmas. We talked for a few hours before Henry
called her and asked her when she was coming home. She took my hands and held
them in front of her as I noticed her eyes start to tear.

“You
are my best friend and I hate that you have to fight cancer again. I want you
to know that I will always be here for you no matter what. You will beat this
Ellery Lane or I will kick your ass, do you understand me?” I hugged her and
smiled.

“Yes
Peyton, I will beat this because you scare me.” She let out a laugh and walked
out the door.

I
walked upstairs to find Connor in bed sound asleep. I changed into my
nightshirt and climbed into his king size bed. I watched his chest slowly rise
and fall with each peaceful breath. I envisioned this being my future. I laid
down and snuggled against him. He stirred and put his arm around me bringing me
in closer to him. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.

The
week went by rather quickly as I visited the soup kitchen and the art gallery.
Connor took me shopping and bought me some new clothes. I insisted on paying
for them myself, but he just laughed and told me to stop being silly.

While
Connor was at the office, I would occupy my time painting and hanging out with
Peyton. Sal called me to let me know that two of my paintings sold and that I
needed to paint more. I asked Connor if he bought them and he just laughed.
Before we knew it

Thanksgiving
was here and I was a nervous wreck to meet his family.

We
pulled up the long winding driveway to the Black family home in Hoboken, New
Jersey. I bit my bottom lip as Connor put the Ranger in park. He put his hand
on top of mine.

 “Don’t
be nervous, my family will love you.”

I
smiled and took Connors arm as we walked up the steps to the grand house. He
opened the front door and we stepped inside. The smell of turkey and stuffing
filled the elegantly decorated home. There was laughter coming from the other
room as a brown-haired boy peeked around the corner of the wall. He took one
look at Connor and ran to him jumping in his arms.

“Hey
buddy, how are you?” Connor smiled. The boy hugged him tight. “Camden, this is
my special friend Ellery.” Camden looked at me with his blue eyes and just
stared.

Hi
Camden,” I smiled and held out my hand. He continued to stare, unsure of me, and
then looked back at Connor. He put both hands on Connors cheeks and smiled. My
heart melted at that moment, it was obvious this boy loved him.

It’s
ok Camden, you can touch Ellery.” He looked back at me and slowly put his hand
in mine as I gently shook it.

“Connor
darling,” a woman emerged from the other room.

“Mother,
this is Ellery.”

She
looked at me and took my hands, “You are just as beautiful as Connor said you
were.”

I
blushed, “Thank you, it’s nice to meet you Mrs. Black.”

“Call
me Jenny dear,” she smiled.

Jenny
was a beautiful woman who Connor resembled a great deal. She was tall and thin
and with her light brown bob style hair and green eyes, she didn’t look her age,
she looked much younger.  

Camden
was struggling to be put down as Connor and I walked towards the living room.
Everyone in the room stopped talking and turned to stare at us as we walked in.
Connor put down Camden as he ran over to a young woman. I felt like I was on
display the way everyone was staring at me. The young woman jumped up and gave
Connor a big hug, “Happy Thanksgiving brother.”

He
smiled and kissed her on the cheek, “Cassidy, this is Ellery.”

She
turned and hugged me, “I’m so happy to finally meet you.”

I
smiled and hugged her back. Her smile was big and her green eyes were full of
light. She was exactly my height and she wore her black hair short and stylish.
Connor took me around the room and introduced me to the rest of his family and
friends.