Melt Away - Chapter 15 *Fox/Whitney*
by unknown
 

Chapter 15

“Whitney? Oh, my goodness! When did you get back?” Simone was shocked to see her sister standing in the foyer after she had came out of the kitchen. She ran to her and gave her a hug.

“I just made it in today.” Whitney moved herself away from Simone after the warm embrace.

“Whitney, …” Simone struggled for breath. “You’re pregnant …”

“I know …” Whitney bit her lower lip, standing there apprehensively

“Am I the first one to know?” Simone questioned discreetly.

“Actually, someone has already beaten you to the finish line, sis. It was a person you knew for a long time that had discovered my pregnancy.” Whitney began warily.

“Who?” Simone was a little flustered by her sister’s vague sentence.

“Actually, I rather for you to see for yourself. It’s all right to come in.” Whitney gesticulated for Kay to come inside. As soon as Kay waltzed in with her little girl, Simone’s heart was melting as her eyes being filled with tears. “Oh, my God! Kay, I never thought I would see you again!” Simone gushed with joy, squeezing her but with more caution due to the baby in Kay’s arms.

“Yes, it’s me in the flesh, Simone. How have you been?” Kay beamed.

“Fantastic, now that I have my most two favorite people in the world back in my life.” Simone expressed joyously.

“Simone, who are you talking to?” Eve queried, exiting out of the kitchen with Chad.

“Yeah, Simone, who are you-”

“Whitney? And Kay?” Eve and Chad exclaimed, running to her to give her a welcome home hug and Kay as well. “When did you two arrive?” Eve marveled.

“Just a few minutes ago, Dr. Russell. Thanks for the welcome home embrace. I never thought I would expect it.” Kay commented.

“Oh, Kay, you know you’re like another daughter to me. Remember you are always welcome. Always.” Eve assured her. “And who do we have here? Isn’t she the cutest little girl in the world?” She was in awe with Kay’s girl.

“This is my baby girl Kelly.”

“She sure is adorable,” Simone complimented. “Don’t you two think so, Whitney and Chad?”

“Oh, yes definitely.” Whitney and Chad assented.

“Speaking of pregnancy … I have some news to announce myself.” Whitney started.

“We’re all ears, Whit.” Eve advised her to go on.

“I’m pregnant …” Whitney didn’t know any other way to say it, but state the obvious.

Eve took a gander at Whitney’s belly. “How far along are you, Whitney?”

“Four...” Whitney confessed.

“Whitney, how come you didn’t tell us, you know we’re here for you, right?” Chad reminded her.

“I know …” Whitney lowered her head.

“Will you all excuse us, I need to have a word with my oldest daughter.” Eve gestured for Whitney to go into her bedroom.

“Mom, I know what you’re going to ask me, no need to hassle.” She sat on the bed, examining her mother closing the door.

“Whitney, I’m not going to hassle you. I’m just concerned. Does Fox even know you’re pregnant?” Eve asked with a motherly concern.

“No, and I’m not sure if I can tell him.” Whitney murmured.

“Whitney, he has the right to know. Don’t make the same mistake like I have when I was with Julian.” Eve lectured her.

“Mom, I know you’re thinking history is repeating itself, but it isn’t. Didn’t you tell me that there’s no way Alistair would accept a black baby as a Crane heir?”

“Yes, but you know Fox doesn’t seem like he’s bothered by his family’s influence. You have to give him more credit, honey.” Eve stated calmly, sitting beside her.

“More credit? How in the world can I give that man ‘more credit’ when he was using me to make Theresa jealous? I can’t handle him right now.” Whitney blurted irately.

“Whitney, I am not trying to make a final call on your relationship with Fox-”

“Relationship? Mom, it was never a relationship. It was all pretend!” She shouted.

“Whitney, honey, you have to remain calm—you’re with child.” Eve notified her.

“Right … Mom, he has hurt me so badly … I thought he meant it when he claimed me as his girlfriend, but it was a lie. A lie …” Whitney sobbed terribly.

“Oh, sweetie. I know it hurts, however, don’t you want to give Fox another try. He’s been calling me four months straight about you. I wanted to tell him of your whereabouts, but Simone promised me not to tell him.” Eve explained everything before Whitney ranted.

“I’m glad you had respected my wish, Mom.” Whitney blew out a sigh of relief.

“You know I wouldn’t want to jeopardize our relationship, after I had just got it back.” Eve winked at her.

“True … Mom, I don’t know if I can ever face him. He has hurt me so badly.” She sulked again.

“Why don’t you tell him about it?” Eve suggested.

“Talk to him? Mom, I’m not ready yet.” Whitney pouted for the third time.

“Okay, if you won’t do it today—at least consider it. The sooner you tell Fox about your pregnancy, the better.” She said, standing up.

“Mom, I will not have Fox stay with me out of obligation. He doesn’t care two cents about me—so why should I even bother. I don’t want to commit him to a death sentence.” Whitney retaliated.

“Whitney, you don’t have to make it sound fatal, sweetie. All I’m saying is cut the man some slack. Everybody makes mistakes and it’s up to us to forgive them. And keep on loving them anyway.” Eve replied wisely.

“So, you think I should follow my heart, in spite of what he has done?” Whitney stared at her mother astonishingly.

“It’s not about what I think, baby. It’s what your heart is screaming out to you. Follow it. I’m sure your heart won’t lead you wrong.” Eve asserted confidently.

“I’ll think about it. In the meantime, I want to spend my time with you, Chad, Simone, Kay and her baby. Would that be all right with you?” Whitney questioned kindly.

“It’s more than all right with me, baby. Let’s go. I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandmother.” She enfolded her daughter repeatedly. “Does your father know? You know you can tell him right now.”

“No!” Whitney roared, having her mother tremble to death.

Eve glowered a bit. “Why you don’t want your father to know, Whitney?” She pumped suspiciously, expecting her daughter to rebuttal.

*%*%*%*%*%*%**%*%*%

“I warned you, man. You have lost a good thing all thanks to your scheme. You haven’t seen the girl in four months and she wants nothing to do with you. How do you explain yourself—scratch that, how do you live with yourself, knowing it was wrong to get even with Theresa, let alone sleep with her?” Stephen frowned at him, munching on a fry at the diner.

“Stephen, I don’t want to hear it. You have been washing this in my face ever since I told you the day I found out Whitney has left me.” Fox sighed annoyingly. “I want her back … I was wrong to play games with Whitney. I do think about her—constantly.” His heart was consumed with a pang that will never go away for what he has done to Whitney.

“Fox, I know you were playing her, but I didn’t think you were serious about her. Is there something you’re not telling me and you would like to share with me now?” Stephen smirked.

“I like her, Steve, but I haven’t grown to love her …” Fox confessed, shrugging.

“What makes you so sure of that, Foxworth?”

“Fox,” he stressed tightly.

“Whatever. If you’re nuts for this girl, why don’t you use your Crane money to find her?” Stephen inquired, chomping on his BBQ burger.

“Her sister said the same thing, but I didn’t want Whitney to think I was stalking her …” Fox sat back, not even having the desire to eat.

“You love her.” Stephen concluded. “Dude, are you going to eat that?” He pointed his eyes on Fox’s full plate.

Fox gawked at Stephen like he was insane. “What is with your appetite? I don’t know if it’s you or Megan that is pregnant.”

“Shut up. Are you going to eat your burger or not?” Stephen scowled, waiting on an answer.

“Help yourself.” Fox motioned his hand away from the plate. “And for the record, I am not in love with Whitney. It’s not possible …”

“Why wouldn’t it be possible, Fox?” Stephen grinned.

“Don’t get sarcastic with me, Stephen. It’s not possible. Remember? I’m part of the most evilest family in history.” He rolled his eyes.

“How could I forget?” Stephen shook his head. “If she’s bugging you that much … why don’t you go and visit her sister?”

“You know what, that’s not such a bad idea? Are you going to be alone at your crib?” Fox wondered.

“Basically. Megan is with her mother and sisters.” Stephen responded.

“Cool, I’ll let you know if I had any luck.” Fox scurried out of the building to visit Simone for answers.

*%*%*%*%*%%%%%%%*%

“Whitney? Why are you speaking so violently about your father?” Eve was shocked by her daughter’s reaction.

“Mother, that man has drilled … look, I can’t get into why I don’t want my father to know about my baby.” Whitney refused to speak upon her hatred towards her father.

“But he has a right to know about his grandbaby, Whit.” Eve tilted her head to the side.

“I know … but the timing is off. The man has merely destroyed my life by trying to fulfill his dreams through me.” Whitney emphasized.

“Surely you can put the past behind you, right, Whitney?” Eve remarked considerably.

“Mother, I’m not going to tell him—and that’s final … my father hates me that’s all there is to it.” Whitney exhaled softly.

“Whitney, I know he can’t hate you, I know he can’t.” Eve begged to differ.

“Oh, yeah? How come he hasn’t come around to see me?” Whitney quizzed out of the blue which left her mother speechless.

Simone went to the door and stood in astonishment with her bottom lip hanging. “Fox? What are you doing here?”

The minute Kay heard Fox’s name; she had interrupted Chad abruptly. “Hey, Chad, can you tell me where Simone’s room is located? And please send me the back way.” Kay pleaded frantically.

“Kay, her room is in the back, the kitchen leads to the other end.” Chad glanced at her weirdly. “Are you in a rush?”

“No, I just want to change Kelly’s diaper. That’s all.” Kay plastered a faux smile on her visage.

“Okay, … I’ll go and see what’s going on with Whitney and my mother.” Chad informed her.

“All right …” Kay rushed out with her baby, heading to Simone’s room without Fox taking notice that she’s even there.

“Fox? What are you doing here?” She reiterated.

“I’m asking you on the update on Whitney. Have you heard from her?” Fox probed.

“Fox,”

“Fox, why don’t you turn around and leave?” Chad demanded.

“Excuse me? Listen, half-brother … I’m talking to your other sister, if you don’t mind, I would like to complete my conversation with her.” Fox uttered rudely.

“Why are you bothering Simone?” Chad folded his arms furiously.

“Does it look like I’m bothering her?” Fox snorted.

“I say that you are …” Chad tested him.

“Are you trying to pick a fight with me, Chad? You know you shouldn’t—we’re just getting acquainted with one another. Why ruin the moment?” Fox retorted.

“I don’t care if you are my half brother, Fox. Whitney is still my sister and she is off limits.” Chad warned him.

“Says who? Yes, she is related to you, but not to me. So I have the right to see her as often as I please. Simone, please answer my question.” Fox focused his eyes on Simone.

“Fox, I can’t …”

Fox hindered her from saying the rest, “You can’t or you won’t? Simone, I know when you’re hiding something and this is one those times. She’s here, isn’t she?” Fox speculated correctly.

“Fox, I can’t give you that kind of information.” Simone refused to cooperate.

“I admire that you’re protective of your older sister, but I think she would want to see me.” Fox countered.

“Fox, Whitney doesn’t want to see you and I’m not going to let you—over my dead body.” Chad growled.

“You know just when I was starting to like you, Chad. And you have finally found the nerve to get on my bad side! It’s true that Whitney and I have one thing in common, we’re both related to you, but my relationship with your sister is none of your concern!” Fox snarled.

“Don’t push me, Fox.” Chad grunted.

“Stop it, you two! Just stop it! I will not have you two disturbing peace in my neighborhood! Fox, wait right here.”

Simone urged him. “Chad, don’t you start. Can you two keep your cool while I’m away? It’ll only be a second?” Simone requested.

“I know I can. What about you, bro?” Fox sneered.

“I can handle myself.” Chad made a face as his voice is dripping with sarcasm.

“Good.” Simone huffed and went to find Whitney. “Whitney, I don’t mean to disturb you, but there’s someone here to see you.”

“Who is it, Simone?” Whitney marveled.

“They want you to be surprised.” Simone affirmed shortly.

“Well send them in.” Whitney gave her permission.

“Okay … Mom, will you come out with me?” Simone queried.

“Of course, Simone. But why?” Eve looked a little confounded.

“They want to have a one on one with her.” Simone stated vaguely.

“All right. See you later, sweetheart.” Eve waved and decamped with Simone.

“Okay.” Whitney went into the bathroom to freshen her face after shedding so many tears to her mother.

“Who is here, Simone? Eve whispered, walking with Simone into the living room.

“Fox …” Simone rejoined in a hurry.

“Simone, do you really think it’s such a good idea?” Eve blinked at her.

“I think Fox is serious … I wouldn’t have let him see her if I didn’t think he wasn’t.” Simone’s shoulders dropped all at once.

“I trust your judgment, sweetie. Let’s hope it doesn’t get blown out of proportion.” Eve murmured shakily.

“It won’t … Fox, it’s all right to see her.” Simone let him know it was okay to go in her room.

“Thanks, Simone, you’re the best.” He hugged her and left.

“Simone, are you sure you know what you’re doing? I think she was doing fine with our support. She doesn’t need him weighing on her shoulders.” Chad griped.

“Chad, if you love your sister, then be happy for her. We can’t deny her her happiness.” Simone mentioned selflessly.

“If he hurts her, I will break his neck. I don’t care if he’s related to me or not.” Chad hissed. “I will make him pay.”

Eve and Simone traded a glance at each other cautiously, hoping Chad is only talking out of anger and not out of a promise.

*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%

“Here goes nothing.” Fox breathed out jaggedly and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Whitney called from the bathroom.

Fox invited himself in and shut the door silently and took a seat on Whitney’s cozy bed.

Whitney dried her face and came out of the bathroom instantly. “I’m so—Fox?” her voice trembled with fear and melancholy.

“Hey, Whit. I’m so glad to see you. Where have you been? I’ve been worried-sick over you. Are you all right?” Fox took her in his arms, daring not to let her go.

“Fox,”

“Whitney, I am so sorry for hurting you. I never meant to. I know it was silly of me to use you-”

“Fox, stop it. I don’t want you in my room, get out!” She snapped at him.

“Whitney,” Whitney’s unexpected demeanor took Fox aback.

“Fox, please leave. I have no desire to see you.” Her tone had faltered when she couldn't look him straight in his eyes.

“Bull. I know you ache to see me, because I’m aching to see you. Whitney, my life has been a living hell for the past four months. And now that you’re back, I am here to claim you; make you mine all over again. Say you want me back, Whit.” Fox implored desperately.

“Fox, you don’t love me, you never have, so don’t even use a façade on me. I’m not in your heart—I never have been.” She struggled to keep her feelings bottled inside.

“Whitney, that’s not true … I do have you in my heart … I know I was wrong … please find it in your heart to forgive me.”

“Fox, why should I … my life hasn’t been so easy either after I’ve been away. You have totally ruined my life!” She hollered.

“I know I’ve screwed up, Whit, but I didn’t ruin your life.” Fox was offended by her sharp accusation.

“Oh, you didn’t? Then how can you explain yourself out of this one?” Whitney tapped her foot impatiently.

“What do you mean? What are you talking about? Whitney, I know things have changed between us being four months apart from each other, but nothing has altered our lives that much.” Fox scoffed to a certain degree.

“So you think you getting me pregnant is a joke? I knew it! I knew you weren’t here to make amends—you’re here to rub it in my face that you have played me for a fool! Get out!” Whitney ordered.

“Whoa, wait a minute. Did you say what I think you just said?” Fox felt all of his blood rushing out of his veins rapidly.

“What playing me for a fool?” Whitney ridiculed him.

“No, the other sentence before the last one.” He responded in a haunting voice.

“I’m pregnant, Fox. To put your mind at ease, I won’t make you feel obligated to do anything you don’t want to do.” She said bitterly.

“Whitney, I wouldn’t feel obligated to do anything. And the baby is mine?” Fox inquired.

“Who else?” Whitney remarked sardonically. “And I’m four months along to satisfy your curiosity.”

“How come you didn’t tell me?” Fox asked disappointingly.

“How come I didn’t tell you? You think this was easy for me? Trying to accept the fact that I am having a baby? No, it wasn’t! But I have grown with the idea and I am loving my child more and more everyday!” She protested.

“You’re carrying my baby too, Whit.” Fox clarified.

“Oh, I’m highly aware that you’re the father of this child. Go make babies with someone more acceptable … I don’t want to taint the Crane blood.” Whitney ranted with wittiness.

“Whitney, can’t you give me a little more credit than that? I am not going to run off with another woman to have babies with. You’re the only woman I want to be with, to spend my life with, to have children with.” He admitted, appearing amazed after the startling realization of what he had told her.

“You want to what?” Whitney was bewildered by his latest declaration.

“Whitney, the guilt has been eating away at me for months … and I have never felt more conscionable in my life. I was so wrong to take advantage of you … will you let me come back in your life? Will you marry me?” Those four words slipped from his tongue, which left Whitney in tears.

“You’re joking, right?” She merely choked on her utterance.

“No, I’m not joking … I want you to be my wife … we can have any wedding you want. And the date is up to you.”

“Fox, I don’t know—this is all too sudden for me. We haven’t scratched the surface on whether or not what we feel for each other is love.” She expressed smoothly.

“Whitney, who said that love has an exact date on when you should know you’re in love with that person? It doesn’t … you just know it, because it’s indescribable to explain …you have all these bubbling emotions tingling in your veins—in your heart. You get fever just thinking about the person you can’t live without. You get caught up in your lover’s emotions, knowing what they’re feeling, what they’re thinking, what they’re about to say … and no, not all the time two lovers will have a peachy day, and no, not all the time you’ll have a rainy day, but when the sun goes down, all you know what matters is that you two are in love with each other forever. And you can overcome anything together once you have survived the obstacles.

“So,” he breathed out calmly, bending on one knee, pulling out a black velvety box with a beautiful ring filled with diamonds and rubies around the platinum band inside. “What I am saying is, there’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think of you, wondering what you’re doing, what you’re wearing, whom you are speaking to. Marveling if you’re thinking of me the same way I contemplate about you. I have grown to love you, in spite of our little raunchy adventures. I was drawn to you the first day I’ve met you.”

“Really?” Whitney started shaking with excitement, having a hard time to soothe her nerves.

“Yes, really. I knew I couldn’t let you escape from me. I was determined to make you mine. I was determined to make you get to know me. I am extremely fond of you Whitney Russell and I wouldn’t have it any other way. No woman comes close to you. You have taught me to open up again … whether you know it or not. You have. You made me see that revenge isn’t worth it—not when you have love on your side. And I want you by my side, baby. I want to grow old with you, love you for infinity and be there for you through the good and the rough times. You’re all I want, all I need, and I want to cherish you forever more. Say you’ll marry me, Whitney? Tell me I am the man you want to be forever. I’ll give you the world along with my love. Everything I do … I do it for you.”

“Fox, I …”

“Like I said, Whit, the wedding date is up to you … whatever you decide, I’ll go along with.” He interrupted.

“I need your input on when the day of our wedding will be too? I’m not getting married by self, you know.” Whitney chuckled.

“Are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?” Fox ‘s dark brown orbs widened with surprise.

“Yes, Fox. I desire to be your wife now and forever.” Whitney accepted his proposal as she gasped when she saw him slipping the exquisite ring on her finger. “Fox,” the beauty of it took her away. “I-I can’t accept this …you know I don’t care what kind of ring you put on my finger.”

“You can and you will. You’re mine, Whitney. What’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine.” He assured her.

“But what about your father and grandfather?” Whitney squinted at him with bewilderment.

“My father won’t be much of a problem due to his long history with your mother. My grandfather? I could care less. He doesn’t have to like that I’m marrying a woman who doesn’t fit into my caliber, and that’s fine with me, however, he better respect you and our child.”

“Fox, … you’re too much.” She released her joyous tears again.

“I am, am I?” He purred.

“Uh huh. Are you thinking what I am thinking?” Whitney nodded as she felt his arms cradling her waist.

“Definitely,” he nodded, smiling roguishly.

“Don’t hesitate, lay me down.” She instructed seductively.

“Your wish is my command, angel.” He groaned heavenly, stripping off her clothes, making sweet love to her.

*%*%*%*%%*%*%*%

“No, this can’t be!” Kay scowled. “I can’t let Fox get away with what he has done to me. He has to pay for dropping me high and dry for Theresa! And I will not let him get away of not knowing his daughter! Sorry, Whit, I don’t want to hurt you, but there are a few things you haven’t learnt about Fox yet, and I intend to make sure you know how scandalous your hubby to be really is!” Kay vowed to herself, sauntering back to Simone’s room to think of a devise to ruin Fox’s life gradually but with guaranteed satisfaction.