Darker The Forbidden Berry

Finn’s face was like stone. He was considered everything Richard was saying, but Aja could tell by the look on his face that he was not totally convinced of what Richard was saying. Aja took a deep breath and squeezed his hand.

He’s right, Finn,” she finally said. “You don’t need their empire to succeed. I’ve been watching you for months and you’re incredible at what you do. Our fortune might not be as big and we might have to give up some of the luxuries, but who cares if we don’t have a giant mansion and a private jet? We’ll have each other.”

“Are you two happy?” Richard interjected, leaning back and looking between the two of them.

“Dad. This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life,” he said softly.

“Then that’s all that matters. I know your mom has kind of run the show, but I have my hand in a few investments as well,” he said with a loving smile. “I will not let her ruin your life. As Aja said, you may have to downsize for a while, but is that really so bad? Especially with a baby on the way.”

Aja squeezed his arm and looked up at him.

“I want to move out of the house after the baby is born anyway…There are too many stairs.”

Finn nodded and looked at the Danish pastry sitting in front of him. He took a breath and looked up at Richard who put a guiding hand on his shoulder and offered a gentle squeeze.

“Maybe it’s time for you to strike out on your own. Maybe you separate yourself before she can cut the cord.”

Finn nodded and took a breath.

“What do you suggest?”

“You will get all of the restaurants in Michigan. You can branch out and start new businesses or you can just focus on the existing ones.”

“We’re doing this for real?” Finn asked, a hint of nervous excitement in his voice.

“I don’t see why not. You’re a grown man with a child on the way and it’s time we offer you the same thing we got when we started a family. I’ll contact the lawyers and have it drawn up.”

“And mom won’t be able to interfere?”

“It will all be yours. You won’t have anything to worry about,” he leaned forward, his face very serious. “Just promise me you’ll let me sleep on your couch for a while. She’s going to be hotter than hell for a few months.” As he finished his face burst into a grin. “She’ll get over it, though. We’ll go on a romantic getaway and she’ll forgive me!”

Finn chuckled and put his hand on Richard’s shoulder in return.

“Of course.”

Richard leaned back, smiling, looking between the two.

“We’ll start the process soon, but it will be better to keep Linda out of it for as long as possible. You should not delay the baby news that way, though. Tell her as soon as you can.”

Aja opened her mouth to reply, but as she did the door opened and a familiar face appeared. Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach as she watched Linda’s eyes scan the restaurant and finally land on her. She crossed the small room, coming up to their table and crossing her arms.

“If you’re going to have a secret meeting with our son you probably should go somewhere other than your favorite restaurant.”

Richard sighed and looked up at her.

“Did it ever occur to you why we might be having a private lunch? I wanted to talk to Finn and Aja without you two screaming at each other,” he said, motioning between the two of them.

Finn leaned back in his seat, already on the defensive. He crossed his eyes and kept his eyes locked on Linda.

“Richard…I think it might be best if we just put everything out in the open,” Aja said gently, looking over to Richard who sighed but nodded.

Finn looked at her with a raised eyebrow as if to say ‘are you sure?’ Aja put a hand on Finn’s thigh and offered a nervous smile before turning back to Linda. She sat up straight and did her best to hide the nerves that were causing her stomach to do somersaults.

“I understand that you don’t approve of the fact that Finn and I are together. I even understand that you don’t approve because you’re worried about your son, but I need you to understand and believe that I’m not just here to drain him of his money.”

“It’s easy enough to lie,” Linda said, still standing beside the table.

Aja sighed and just shook her head, looking up at Linda and meeting her eyes as a surge of courage flowed through her.

“We are going to have to learn to trust each other Linda. Finn and I have a baby on the way and I want you and Richard to be a part of their lives, but not if it’s going to be this toxic.”

Linda’s eyes widened in shock and her hands fell to her sides.

“You’re pregnant?” She whispered, staring at Aja.

Aja nodded and put a hand on her rounded belly.

“I am.”

Linda put her hand to her forehead and shook her head slowly.

“You knocked her up. That’s why you two are pretending to be all lovey-dovey.”

“We aren’t pretending, mother,” Finn grunted, his lips pulled into a tight frown.

“Of course you are! How long have you known this girl? Six months?”

“Eight,” Finn said back.

“Okay. Eight months. You’ve known her for eight months, managed to knock her up and now you feel obligated to take care of her and her baby.”

Finn slammed a hand on the table and the restaurant went silent, turning their attention to us. Linda obviously did not like this and lowered her voice, eyes fixed on Finn as he spoke.

“I am not obligated to do anything. If I did not care about her, I would have kicked her out, denied the paternity and left it there,” he whispered, eyes narrowed. “I am not with Aja because I feel like I need to be. I am here with her because she is a good person and I care about her.”

Linda’s face relaxed just a little and she sighed, shaking her head.

“You are so young and naive, Finn. You don’t know how the world works.”

Richard grunted at that.

“Stop treating him as a child, Linda. He is a grown adult. He had more responsibilities than we had when we were their age. Finn is perfectly capable of taking care of himself and Aja is a wonderful girl. Maybe you wouldn’t be so suspicious of her if you actually took the time to get to know her.”

Linda ignored Richard, her eyes still locked on Finn.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. If there is a problem and you feel stuck, we can get you out of it. We’ll set her up in an apartment and pay child support.”