What a Rich Man Wants by Billie Summer (self help books to read .txt) 📗

Two Weeks Later Cat stood beside Eric as they exchanged their vows, It all seemed so unreal in a matter of two weeks she had moved into Eric’s penthouse apartment and arranged everything for the wedding with the help of Allison, Dawn and Jo. True to his word Eric had driven her down to Cowra to meet Cat’s foster parents. He had been very old fashion even asking for their blessing and her hand in marriage from both Jack and Dawn. Which had thrilled Dawn no end. Eric being Eric he had won them over. Cat smirked as she remembered Eric’s face when he had realised they had been put in separate bedrooms when they had stayed overnight. Eric grumbled about booking them into a hotel. Cat had only laughed at him telling him he could do without for one night. Jack had been so happy to be asked to give her away today. He had made her cry a little, telling her before walking her to meet Eric, that he couldn’t have been prouder of the woman she had turned out to be.  As Cat listened to the celebrant, she hoped she was doing the right thing, yes her babies would have both parents, but was a one sided love enough. She knew it was stupid to be thinking about that now as she stood here. She would love her babies and Eric would love them too, so even if Eric wasn’t marrying her for love, she did know he respected and liked her enough. She would just have to love him enough for the both of them. Her children will have their father’s name and they would live together, no custody issues. So standing here she spoke when the celebrant needed her to speak, legally binding her in marriage to Eric. “…….. – man & wife, you may now kiss the bride.” Eric pulled her into his arms for a passionate kiss. In a daze she was passed from one set of arms to another, not like they had a lot of people present. Just Allison, Jack, Dawn, Joanne, Claudia and Nick, a University friend of Eric’s that she had never met before today.  Claudia stayed in the background mainly talking to Eric, things hadn’t got better at work, if anything it was more tense, Claudia hadn’t taken losing Eric well, every chance she got Claudia would make sly remarks. She had really hoped Claudia wouldn’t come today. It only made her uptight.  Cat knew she would have to say something to Eric soon, because she had never said anything up until now it would only make it harder, also Cat hoped Eric would believe her. Feeling sorry for stealing the woman’s boyfriend only went so far. Claudia had well and truly crossed the line. “Cat, honey are you feeling alright?” Cat looked around to find Eric by her side. Nodding her head Cat said “I’m just tired.” Eric took her arm steering her towards his car. They had gotten married on the beach, thankfully during the week so not many people had been about, plus Eric had hired security to keep anyone away, including reporters in case someone leaked the information for their wedding. “We are going onto the restaurant, we’ll see you all there.” Eric called out to their guests, once he had settled Cat into the passenger seat. Eric walked around the car seating himself, he turned to her, reaching out to touch the side of her face. “ You are very pale, did you sleep at all last night.” He sounded so caring. They had been traditional last night, Eric had slept at a hotel. So Eric wouldn’t see her before the wedding. Allison and Dawn had insisted. Eric had gotten a room at the same hotel Nick had stayed at. Jack and Dawn had stayed with her at Eric’s penthouse apartment. “No, not really I was to wired.” Cat replied to Eric’s question. Eric pulled her into his arms “Cat, you need to take better care of yourself for the babies sake.” Cat rested her head against his chest. Always the babies. “I wish I could just go home.” Cat mumbled “I wish I could just take you home.”Eric agreed rubbing his hand down her back. Kissing the top of her head he pulled back saying “let’s get this lunch over with then and I can do just that.” “You do remember my parents are at the apartment tonight until they return home tomorrow.” Reminding him in case it had slipped his mind. Eric started the car, checking to make sure it was clear before pulling out into traffic “Yes I remember, looks like you are going to have to learn how to be quiet or bite a pillow or something.”  “Eric!” Eric laughed at her face expression. Arriving at the restaurant Eric had booked out for their wedding lunch. Cat went to freshen up before everyone arrived. As she was returning from the bathroom to join Eric, Claudia stopped her by grabbing her arm. “How does it feel to trap a man into marriage, you gold digging whore.” Claudia hissed. Cat pulled her arm from Claudia’s  grasp saying “please remember Eric was the one who insisted on the marriage not I. In future keep your hands to yourself.” “We will see how long it lasts.” Claudia snapped back before heading to the ladies herself. Cat turned away and found Jo standing there with her mouth open. From her expression Cat knew she had heard everything. “Did she just say what I think she said?” Jo asked angrily  “Jo, leave it.” Cat pleaded “Someone needs to tell that self righteous bitch off.”Jo demanded “I’m dealing with it.” Cat lied  “How?”Jo wanted to know “You have to remember, Claudia was dating Eric. She is bound to be upset.” Cat explained  Jo huffed clearly not convinced “have you told Eric?” Cat shook her head “No, not yet.” Jo raised an eyebrow “are you going to?” Sighing Cat knew Jo wasn’t going to let this go “if she doesn’t stop then yes.” Jo didn’t look convinced so Cat added “Jo I promise not to let it get out of control, please just drop it today. I’m no shrinking violet, I’ll deal with her or Eric can.” “Ok. I just never liked her and I don’t like the way she acts. Eric really needs to know how she speaks to you.” Linking her arm through Cat’s as they walked back to the others.  Eric put his arm around Cat pulling her close. “Everything ok?” He must be picking up on the tension as he looked to Jo as well. “Peachy” Jo lied.  Cat only nodded. Eric hugged her close letting her know without words he will ask again later.  Leading her to sit down with Eric on her left and Dawn sat to her right, Nick sat on Eric’s other side. Meaning Claudia was seated across from her. Cat didn’t look at the other woman throughout the wedding lunch. Conversation was light and easy. Allison and Dawn got on like a house on fire. Allison asking Dawn to visit again soon so they could catch up. The men talked about football. Cat zoned in and out because she really was tired and followed as much of the conversations as possible but answering only when asked a direct question. The food was beautiful, Cat looked at her orange juice sighing how she wished for a glass of wine. Eric looked at her. “I was wishing for a glass of wine” she whispered to him. Not like she was much of a drinker but when you can’t have something for so long. Also it would help her sleep, something she could have used last night to relax her. Eric smiled offering her his glass. “One sip wouldn’t hurt.” Cat shook her head and picked up her orange juice “ Thanks but I’ll stick to the juice.” Smiling he rubbed her back “Lunch is over, do you want to head home.” “Can we?” “Sure, everyone else can stay here and drink and talk.” Cat thought for a minute she was really tired. It would be great to go home to Eric’s apartment and rest for a hour or so. “ Yes, please.” Eric put his glass down, standing he said “ I’m going to take Cat home, please stay as long as you like. We really appreciate you all being with us today and the support you gave us both. The last few weeks have been hectic and I would like to thank Dawn, Allison and Jo for all the help you have given Cat to make this day happen. We couldn’t have done it without you.” Putting his hand under Cat’s elbow he helped her up  “Jack you still have the apartment key?” Eric checked “Sure do. We will be here for a while then Dawn and I will head to a movie. We might stay out for dinner. It’s not every day we come to the city, we might as well make the most of it.”  Jack let them know. Congratulations were said again all around as Eric walked her from the restaurant. Cat had no sooner buckled herself into Eric’s car and settled back against the seat as her eyes started to grow heavy. The last few weeks had been busy, with work and moving and arranging the wedding. She couldn’t have done it without the help from Allison, Dawn and Jo. Eric had given them gifts before the wedding to say thank you. Jo had been given a trip to Fiji for two. Allison had been given a lovely diamond necklace and Eric had given her parents a months holiday to London all expenses paid. Dawn had cried it was a place she had always wanted to go but it was an expense they just couldn’t stretch to. Jack had tried to argue but Eric had insisted saying the help they had given them had been worth every penny of the gift. Dawn had hugged Eric. Cat smiled as her eyes closed. Her last thought was of how nice Eric had been to her foster parents.