Love Metamorphosis

Chapter 30

She stood in the foyer of his house; it was one of the biggest on the street. The housekeeper said he was in his private office and that she should wait until she could see if he was able to accept a visitor. It was strange to be in his home, standing there with a folder of papers and packets of information as though she were a stranger.

Mary had called to say that the court had only given him temporary custody and that contingent upon his ability to care for the girl would dictate his continued custody of her. Judge Louise Harris was wary of his celebrity status, his frequent trips out of country, and his lack to commit to a serious relationship. Mary was outraged but Jemma had explained the judge just wanted to make sure Adele went to a good family who would love and care for her in place of her lost family.

Mary had reluctantly agreed that she appreciated the judge's concern but that it was unwarranted, Eric would be a wonderful dad. Jemma warned that he would have to give up a lot to care for a child, so Mary had asked for her help. So there she stood, uncomfortably waiting for him in the foyer a handful of school packets, private and public, and possible institutions that provided excellent child care.

When she heard the hushed sound of footfalls she turned to see what news the housekeeper returned with. His hair was untamed, and there was the beginning of a beard forming on his face, he looked positively rugged. Despite all his rough appearance he looked genuinely happy to see her and she was relieved.

"I didn't know you knew where I lived," he said with a questioning smile and came over to give her a hug.

It was so simple, the way his arms wrapped around her, and she accepted it in all its brevity. "Mary sent me." She explained.

He stepped back from her an amused looked on her face, "She is meddling I see."

"I brought you packets of information to help with Adele," Jemma explained holding up the packets of information in the file, "I wanted to bring them to you before I left for Pennsylvania."

He looked at her a little shocked, "You're leaving?"

"Yes I need to settle my affairs in Pennsylvania before I settle into an apartment here in New York," Jemma explained and he looked both surprised and happy at her answer.

"I am glad you will be settling here," he said smiling to himself before looking up at her, "I may have to rely on you while I adjust to my new life."

She was suddenly nervous and held out the file toward him. "It is best to have Adele adapt quickly and form familiar routines." She informed him.

"I don't know if that is going to be enough to allow the judge to grant me full custody." He said scratching the back of his head before he reached for the papers.

Handing them over Jemma couldn't help but point out, "You do travel frequently, and being a single parent isn't easy without having the public eye on you all the time. Even if the tabloids do go to extremes sometimes, you have been living a bachelor's life until now."

"Ha," he huffed, absentmindedly leafing through the packets, "The tabloids weren't the only ones printing articles about me."

"It will be difficult for Adele to adapt." Jemma said softly, "I know you wish me to say that everything will be easy but it won't you should find someone to care for Adele quickly."

He stopped glancing through the file as though a thought had struck him, and he slowly looked up at her, "You are exactly what I need."

Jemma's heartbeat became rapid, and she could hear it in her ears. "What do you mean?" She asked carefully.

"You can solve everything," he said looking surprised that it hadn't occurred to him before, "It is your job to help children, the tabloids and papers are already printing that we are together and best of all Adele likes you."

"What exactly are you asking me to do?" Jemma said part of her shying away from him and the other part just wanting him to clarify.

He set down the packet and stepped forward to take hold of her hands and bring them up so they were the only barrier between her and him. Her eyes widened but she couldn't pull away, as he smiled at her. It was such a genuine smile that it nearly knocked Jemma flat.

"Marry me." He said simply, as though he was asking her to lunch.

She gapped like a fish for a minute, her brain not fully grasping what he was asking, "You must be out of your mind."

"It is brilliant, don't you see?" He was almost pleading with her, "You can care for Adele and when we become engaged and the courts will be sure to grant me full custody. We can start planning a wedding next year and call it off before the date."

"I can't," Jemma said, surprised that she may have considered Eric's offer if he was doing it because he loved her, "I can't trick everyone; it will break Mary's heart. I can't do that to Adele either, she may become too attached and I could never leave."

"Then don't," Eric said softly, pressing closer still as though his mere proximity was enough to persuade her, "I would rather marry a friend and be content in my days then marry a woman who loved my money and tricked me into marrying her. I know you care for me and Adele, we both would benefit by your staying here. Please consider it."

She stared at him with such a look of uneasiness that he released her hands and stepped back. A quietness passed between them and her mind raced. She had not expected a marriage of convenience.

"Eric, I—" words failed her, she didn't know what to say but she knew that her logic and emotions were in turmoil.

"Take a day, think about it. I would pay your for your time here, we could agree on any price you wanted," he assured her, "We could tell everyone close to us that it wasn't real, that way no one would be hurt and we could let Adele know that you were here to care for her and nothing else."

"I, that is, well," she looked up at him, his face set in a hopeful plea, "Give me some time to think it over, I can't make such a decision so suddenly."

"Of course," he said, "I will reserve our normal table on Saturday at La Rox and you can give me your answer then."

She nodded, unable to speak or look at him before fleeing from the house. Never before had she considered marriage a tool for achieving a goal. She had thought of it as a lifelong struggle filled with uncertainty and unexpected joys; not a temporary anchorage to be discarded so lightly. She called Candice and left a very confusing voicemail, praying she would call back shortly because Jemma couldn't process what had just happened.