The Legend of the Silent Brotherhood

By Trudie-Pearl Sturgess

Lisa Sharp and her husband Chance Benson have always shared one goal: to protect their families at all costs. Since they were teenagers and intruded on a man in the bathroom of Londons Ritz Hotel, overhearing his plans to bomb a local gentlemans club, they have vowed to protect their families always. Arriving in Canada with their son for the Christmas holidays, the last thing the couple expects is for their only child to be kidnapped. The couples only hope is the legend of the silent brotherhood, which they believe will help to keep their son and his cousins safe just like it did years ago

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481742269

Trudie-Pearl Sturgess

Trudie-Pearl Sturgess is a Ghanaian talented writer, film editor, and producer. She lives and writes in Ontario, Canada, with her family.

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2013 by Trudie-Pearl Sturgess. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph and design by The Sons of Africa Legends Studios Canada

Author photograph by The Sons of Africa Legends Studios Canada

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Visit. WWW. Thetrudiesturgessgroup.com

Published by AuthorHouse 04/25/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-4224-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-4225-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-4226-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013907185

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

 . . . Epilogue…

About The Author

This book is dedicated to the late Miss Agnes-Edith Osei, who not only created a lasting legacy as a single parent of six, but also faced cancer.

May your enthralling dynasty continue with your children and grandchildren and my two Lucky Stars who are the answer to my prayers,

Chrissel and Torian Sturgess.

To Dr Sally Braun-Jackson: thank you, once again, for your hard work on the Hope Lives series.

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1For God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’, and ‘Whoever speaks evil of your father and your mother must surely die.’

2Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be known to God.

3 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

4 Mark 11:22-24: Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart but believe that what you way will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Chapter 1

A my Hall is known to be enthusiastic about everything in life, but her enthusiasm shifted into high gear the day she read a script written by her young production assistant. From that moment everything in Miss Hall’s life changed for the better. Not only did Amy find what she has been looking for in her career, but she also found a friendship like none other with Tia Carter. The two women have a wonderful business relationship as well as a fulfilling friendship.

There was one thing that Amy always hoped and wished for since she was a teenager, love and belonging. Amy thought she didn’t care for love, or belonging, but ten years in partnership with Tia has brought Amy and her mother much love, belonging and extended family that she never dreamed possible. At the age of forty, Amy, who has never given babies a second thought, is pregnant. Being head of Sunlight Studios has its perks. Over the years, Amy has dated most of the powerful men outside the television industry, from politicians to stockbrokers. Through these connections, Amy met Pete Staples. They were introduced by Kelly Powers-Collins just a few weeks before Kelly’s wedding to Nick Collins. Pete works for Nick, and the pair hit it off right away. Pete had been married once before and since his divorce has been, more or less, married to his career—just like Amy.

They both loved hockey as well as golf. Their first date was on a golf course in company with Tia and Nathan Carter, and a few friends. Tia dared the boys to beat the girls. Nathan, not one to refuse a dare, especially when delivered from his wife’s lips, cheekily accepted the challenge.

This one is in the bag, gentlemen, said Nathan, who felt his weekly game with his father, Chase Page and Nick Collins gave him a special edge on the competition.

Tia didn’t bother to mention that she and Amy had been practicing, too. They began playing together just for fun. They would use the time on the course to bat around ideas for new television shows. At first, it was just a couple of girls escaping the office, but the more they golfed, the better their skills became, until both Tia and Amy became rather good at it.

To the surprise of all the men, Amy, Tia, Kelly and Evelyn beat the men hands down and Pete discovered he was head over heels in love with Amy. From the get-go, he saw how much energy she had and knew they would have some good times together. Their relationship, however, was not a sexual one.

After six months of dating, going to hockey games, and playing golf with their friends on weekends, Amy decided to take Tia’s advice and leave the relationship if Pete was not going to be more intimate. While they had shared many passionate kisses, the relationship had not developed into sexual intimacy. Although Amy liked Tia’s suggestion, she felt it would not be lady-like to confront Pete so bluntly. Nevertheless, Amy thought there might be another way to move things along.

She invited Pete to dinner in her luxury penthouse suite in Dundas. Afterward, she suggested watching the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators play-off game on her big-screen TV. Pete happily agreed. The press called it the Battle of Ontario and it had indeed been an exciting series with both teams winning two games each. Game five, the end of the third period, the Senators’ forward scored the game-winning goal, sending the team to the finals for the first time in the club’s history. Amy and Pete, both Senators fans, celebrated with some kissing and groping.

I know you’re going to leave me, Pete blurted out.

Hon? I don’t know how the dating game works in today’s society, but you don’t break up with a man you’re crazy about, replied Amy.

Amy didn’t realize the significance of Pete’s outburst until her hands felt him between the legs. Embarrassed, Amy thought this must be the first time she has not been able to arouse a man, especially one who was everything her heart desired and more. She did her best to arouse him, but there was no response. She felt Pete’s heart rate go up and asked in a soft voice whether she turned him on at all.

The question broke Pete’s heart. He sat up on the sofa and grabbed his shirt. Reluctant to make eye-contact with Amy, he knew he could not let her think the situation was her fault.

Blushing with embarrassment, Pete said, Honey, it’s not you. I have a problem. I’ve been meaning to buy some Viagra since we started seeing each other, but I just haven’t gotten around to it.

It hadn’t occurred to Amy that middle-aged men have trouble getting it up, so she replied, Well, maybe I should upgrade from my comfy PMS panties to Victoria’s Secret thongs!

Pete thought she was adorably funny. Honey, I think you look sexy in men’s boxers. I have a problem. I just don’t want to disappoint you. I can only last a few minutes.

Oh! Oh? Why didn’t you say so?

Hope rose in Pete’s heart. I think I just did.

Amy took Pete by the hand and led him into her bedroom. He was surprised that Amy was taking everything so well. He assumed that telling her about his erectile dysfunction would spell the end of the relationship.

Did you hear what I said?

Hon, with the demands of our jobs, we need something to help do most of the things that come naturally to most people, she said encouragingly.

Pete felt lost and rather confused. Amy stepped out of the room, so he glanced at her headboard full of books wondering how she had time to read so many. He realized that all of the books were about sex. Then he looked at her collection of DVDs and then at the photographs decorating the walls.

Wow! She has more porn than most guys I know, Pete mused.

Amy’s voice echoed down the hallway, I think this is the one we need! As she returned to the bedroom, Amy held out a spray bottle. Before Pete could ask what she was going on about, she had unzipped his pants, exposed his penis and sprayed the cold stuff on it. He couldn’t believe her audacity. Amy smiled at him in feminine welcome. For half a second, Pete thought about asking her to stop. Amy continued to rub his penis and kissing him at the same time. It was not long before Pete saw something he had never seen before in his life: not only was his manhood hard as a rock, but it also seemed to be enlarged, too. He didn’t think about it as she stroked his penis, appreciating its rigidity. Suddenly, Pete felt a powerful urgency to enter Amy. The moment he entered her, Pete felt as if he had found a part of himself that he didn’t know existed. Furthermore, he was surprised how long he lasted.

Afterwards, as they lay in each other’s arms, Pete asked, What was that stuff?

The spray? asked Amy. It’s an all-natural product I found on a website. You don’t need to see a doctor to buy it, and there are no side-effects, apparently.

Amy, too, was pleased with the results of the spray. The sensation of their love-making was unbelievably erotic. Sex with Pete is phenomenal, Amy shared with Tia a few days later. After that night, though, things changed between them. They were very close for a month or two, but Amy noticed that Pete was becoming more or less like most men: selfish in bed and unconcerned about Amy’s sexual happiness. Amy told herself: when it comes to relationships, don’t expect anything and you won’t get hurt. Somehow, this time was different.

Sunlight Studios always threw a party each summer after the Toronto International Film Festival. It was something Amy and Tia enjoyed doing over their ten years in partnership. Amy made several attempts to talk to Pete about her plans and whether he would like to escort her to the event, but he has not returned any of her calls.

Feeling desperate, Amy called him at his condo two days before the event and this time Pete actually answered the phone.

Who’s on the phone? he asked.

It’s me, hon., replied Amy.

Oh! I’m sleeping. Can you call me back?

Sure thing, hon.

Amy thought Pete sounded irritable. She glanced at the clock on her bedside tabled and saw that it was after nine in the morning. She got herself dressed and went to the studio. Amy called Pete before she headed off for lunch, but he said he was busy and would call her back. By this time, Amy didn’t care to know whether Pete called her back or not. She enjoyed her lunch with Tia at the Hilton Hotel in Toronto where they would be staying until the end of the film festival. To her surprise, they ran into Pete with a much younger woman, having lunch. Amy simply raised her glass and said, Here’s to being dumped.

This is very disrespectful. I don’t know how you can stand for this, Tia commented.

No, hon., it’s not. It would be if you didn’t know how to play the game, Amy winked at Tia.

Tia still doesn’t know how Amy does it, hooking up and breaking up with man after man. They enjoyed their lunch. Pete finally noticed Amy and Tia and wanted to leave, but it was too late. Tia had been looking at him for more than five minutes, and if looks could kill, he would have been a dead man long ago. Amy almost felt sorry for him.

What a wanker! Look at him! Tia said.

Amy laughed. Hon, a wanker can jerk off. I’m afraid our friend over there cannot do so without a little help. Amy winked again.

Tia knew that Amy’s home was full of all kinds of aphrodisiacs and sex books. She has never understood why Amy collected all that stuff in the first place. Tia threw down her napkin on the table and frowning slightly said, Miss Hall, you are the dick: I’m the testicles. We don’t have any secrets. She gestured to her friend, C’mon. Dish!

What the hell, thought Amy, so she dished about Pete’s bedroom problems and how she was more than happy to educate him about his many options without Viagra.

Well, by the looks of things, you did an excellent job, Miss Hall! Tia raised her wine glass and toasted Amy. They both giggled like school girls. On their way out, they stopped by Pete’s table to say hello and then left, still laughing. Amy didn’t let Pete’s betrayal get her down. She attended the film festival with a much younger date, a model not more than twenty-three years old and enjoyed herself immensely, making sure she got lots of media attention with her young stud.

An after-party for The Will was held at Metropolis night club in downtown Toronto. Tia’s younger brother, BJ Sharp, an English Premier League soccer star, was there with his wife, India. They got into a fight at the club over BJ’s wandering eyes and she left him alone at the club. Amy ran into him and told the fans to beat it. BJ was relieved that it was not one of his sisters or his mother intervening. He poured on the charm.

Miss Hall, I must say you look very scrumptious tonight. As I was telling the ladies you just chased away, he waved to one of the ladies, My mother is in her early sixties but looks like a teenager.

Amy couldn’t believe that the kid had the nerve to make a pass at her. Thanks for the compliment. I will leave the lecture to your sisters and your pretty wife about tramps at bars. Let’s go home!

Well, I am not going to say no to a beautiful woman offering to take me home. How about a dance first? I don’t kiss on the first date, BJ winked and swung Amy out onto the dance floor before she could respond.

He can really move, thought Amy feeling a little flushed.

Now, Miss Hall, women usually go potty on me once I cook for them, BJ said.

Amy found herself laughing at BJ’s jokes. In hindsight, she really hadn’t enjoyed tonight. Pete crept into her thoughts, more so when she saw all of their friends with their spouses and partners. She was not especially in love with him, but being rejected without an explanation hurt more than anything. She felt like crying.

BJ noticed that Amy was deep in her thoughts. She reminded him of his mother and also of Samantha O’kelly. It broke BJ’s heart to see Amy sad when she was usually such a strong woman. This woman was not the Amy Hall he knew. People were taking photographs of them dancing together, but neither of them cared. At the end of the song, BJ guided Amy out of the club.

He saw Amy’s driver and motioned for him to open the car door. As Amy slipped into the back seat, BJ slipped in beside her. The silence deepened between them. BJ wanted to reach for her hand and asked what was wrong. When they arrived at Amy’s penthouse in Dundas, she told the driver to take BJ to Mrs. Carter’s home. Instead, BJ got out of the vehicle.

Thanks, mate! I’ll take a taxi home. BJ waved the drive away. Inside, he helped Amy take off her shoes.

I see you are afraid to go home and face your wife, Amy remarked.

Not just my wife, but also my Mom, my sisters and Jayzel are all going to yell at me, so I might as well take my time. He chuckled, thinking of them all lined up against him. He looked out at the skyline and commented that Amy’s penthouse looked very much like his sister Lisa’s loft.

You have good taste, Miss Hall, and it’s fun to be with you. What’s making you so sad? I see you didn’t come to the party with that old geezer you’ve been shagging. What did your young stud do to you?

Are you always this cheeky?

No, only with my family. I can’t be myself with my teammates or with the press. My wife has sucked all the fun out of our relationship trying to be an adult. I do what my Mom tells me: enjoy myself and don’t forget to be the man that I am.

Amy was impressed. You are just like Tia.

BJ sat down next to Amy on the sectional sofa and took her hands. Enough about how wonderful I am. Tell me why you were so miserable tonight.

I am not! Amy protested. I just wish sometimes that I was in a close relationship. That’s all. Events like tonight emphasize my loneliness.

Close relationships are good, but sometimes they can be suffocating, BJ observed.

Amy shook her head wondering when it was that this sweet, adorable boy became such a wise grown-up.

Chapter 2

B J has put on Frank Sinatra’s Greatest Hits CD and pulled Amy into his arms to dance.

I am still sweet and adorable, he said. He noticed Amy blushing and kissed her gently on the lips. Amy didn’t object, but she tried not to encourage BJ either. BJ Sharp loved nothing more than seducing older women, his ultimate turn-on. He had fond memories of his two-year love affair with Samantha O’kelly—until his mother found out about it and threatened to have his dick cut off and swore she would disown him unless he ended the affair and married his childhood sweetheart.

Amy found herself in BJ’s arms being kissed sensually. They made love on the living room floor before BJ carried Amy into her bedroom and made love to her again. Never has Amy Hall ever experienced this kind of intimacy with any man. She has read about it and has seen this kind of passion in the movies. BJ was still holding her while caressing her back and buttocks when it dawned on Amy that she has just crossed the line with her business partner’s much younger brother, a concern that BJ didn’t share. He was like an animal, ready and willing to go again. They made love once more and fell asleep snuggled in each other’s arms.

In the morning, Amy awakened to unfamiliar masculine warmth. Her breast was in BJ’s mouth.

You’re playing with fire, thought Amy.

BJ tightened his hold on her and his fingers began to guide hers on his body. He gently bit her nipples and parted her legs.

How do you want me? he asked.

Surprise me! Amy whispered.

And that was exactly what he did. Locking her legs around his hips, BJ slowly entered Amy until the tip of his penis pressed against her most secret part. Again, he slowly withdrew, caressing the inner vaginal wall with his penis. Amy was deliriously happy. Post-orgasm, Amy relaxed to the smell of bacon and eggs and familiar voices in her kitchen. She reached for her bathrobe and joined her mother and Tia in the dining room. She had already forgotten about the events of last night and this morning.

Good morning, Sleeping Beauty! exclaimed Tia. I figured I should come and get my brother, and tell him off for grabbing all the attention from our film—although, the press thought you did a good job of chasing away BJ’s tarts, better than my Mom and India usually do. I’m sorry. I should have kept my eye on him last night. Tia hit her brother on the head with rolled up newspapers.

Oh, he is only young once, Mrs. Hall defended BJ.

BJ stood and pulled out a chair for Amy. Tia felt a sudden cold chill, a signal that something was not quite right. She shook it off and asked whether Amy was alright since she didn’t seem her usual optimistic self. Amy quickly took the newspapers and flipped to the entertainment section. She laughed aloud.

"I’ll say this is not what I was looking forward to this morning! But… still good for The Will and the review is good. This will give the film box office buzz that we need."

Tia gasped, Yes, I was worried there a bit.

Mom, why did you make so much food for breakfast? asked Amy.

I didn’t. Mr. Sharp cooked all the food and cleaned up, too! exclaimed Mrs. Hall. You need a young man like Mr. Sharp, not an old one like that shady Pete.

Amy, Tia and BJ couldn’t help but laugh at Mrs. Hall’s remark. Soon after breakfast, Tia and BJ left. Amy stored the memories of her wonderful night of passion in the back of her mind, assuming no one would ever find out about it.

Two months later, Amy became sick, vomiting frequently and unable to keep food in her stomach. Tia suggested Amy might be pregnant.

Hon, I’m almost the big four-O, and I have not had sex since my wild night of passion with your baby brother. I can’t be pregnant! Amy blurted out from her office bathroom.

Tia’s heart began to pound and she felt a kind of numbness. How could Amy be so careless and stupid? BJ is a kid and a married one, Tia thought.

Amy re-appeared and asked Tia why she looked like she had seen a ghost. She didn’t realize that she had just told Tia about sleeping with her brother. Tia didn’t know how to respond.

Are you okay, Tia? asked Amy.

So… you slept with BJ, eh?

Oh, hon! He told you?

Nope! You just did.

Amy ran into the bathroom again and threw up. This time she panicked. Tia followed and handed her a towel.

Does BJ know you are carrying his child?

I can’t be pregnant! Not at my age! protested Amy.

Tia smiled. Seeing Amy in denial brought back memories of being pregnant with Jayzel.

Are you mad at me? asked Amy.

Tia sighed. Amy, you don’t need a lecture from me. You do need to get a pregnancy test kit.

Nathan walked into the office in time to over hear the words pregnancy test kit. He lifted his wife up in the air and kissed her.

Baby! I thought you said you weren’t going to have any more children. This is great news! I must call father and Evelyn. We’ll all go out and celebrate.

Tia glanced at Amy. Baby, I’m not pregnant. Besides, we have an African village of children already.

Amy nodded agreement and then ran back to the bathroom. Hearing her vomiting, Nathan realized that it was Amy who was pregnant, not his own wife.

Who’s the father? Nathan asked.

"I’m not pregnant!" shouted Amy from the bathroom.

Okay then… Nathan said, deciding it might be a good time to leave things to the women. He sensed there was something they didn’t want him to know, yet. He kissed Tia good-bye and left the office. Tia reached for the phone on Amy’s desk and called Amy’s assistant to send her out to buy a pregnancy test kit. She went into the bathroom to check on Amy.

Amy gasped, I have never felt this sick and so… helpless. Hon? I don’t know… Amy could not finish the sentence before she began vomiting again. Amy wished Tia could be wrong since being pregnant by her partner’s younger brother was not something she felt ready to face. It’s one thing being called a cougar by the press, but being actually pregnant by a much younger, married man is one thing that even Amy Hall does not know how to handle.

Oh, Jesus! Exclaimed Amy. There’s going to be some bad press, she joked as the test kit turned blue.

Oh, Amy! Many unwed mothers feel the same way you are feeling right now. It will be alright. BJ will not abandon his child and his responsibilities like most fathers do. We have always been family first—before business. The press can do their worst. They have been looking for a scandal since we became partners. They will fail just like they have in the past, Tia said encouragingly.

Hon, I’m not worried about me.

Then, what are you worried about?

Amy dried her hands on a towel. I don’t know. I don’t think I want a child. Of course, I have come to adore your children over the years. Nathan Junior alone has been my favorite of all of them. Since he has been spending more time with me and Mom, I often thought it would be nice to have a child like him. Let’s face it: Junior is adorable, but I won’t know what to do with a baby. The vomiting and the pain is not something I like. This is a busy time for Sunlight Media Group. I need to keep my head in the game. Unless… ?

Unless, what? Miss Hall, don’t you go soft on me now. You have made more powerful men cry than my Mother and Lisa put together. Don’t tell me you’re afraid to have a Sharp’s child. Amy, things happen for a reason. Look at how we met! I didn’t even like you let alone enjoy working for you. Ten years of friendship and a lot of margaritas between us… You can’t just throw in the towel! We’ve been blessed with so many things. So what! People will learn that we are just like everyone else. Hell, there is nothing inappropriate about you having BJ’s child. We have built a legacy here, Miss Hall. That baby makes us family—if my Mother doesn’t kill my womanizing brother first! And in any case, if she does, I’m sure Nathan will be more than happy to defend her. I don’t see any problem here.

Jeez, you are fucking crazy! Crazier than me! So you didn’t like working with me at all when we first met?

Tia laughed and sighed with relief seeing Amy come back to herself again. She assured her that everything would be alright.

Chapter 3

P ete has called Amy and sent flowers for over a month now, but Amy will not give him the time of day. Truth be told, Amy has missed him, too. At the same time, Pete has discovered that his new-found sexual power comes with a heavy price. Younger women have greater expectations and sleeping with them comes with much more stress than even Viagra can fix. On top of it all, Pete has really missed Amy an awful lot. He thought Amy an all-around babe. He told his troubles to his pal, Nick Collins. Nick advised him to do whatever he could to win back Amy.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself! said Nick.

Pete discovered it was all easier said than done as he sees that once again a chance of building a solid relationship with a woman who truly did care for him has slipped away. He didn’t understand why he treated Amy the way he had. He has been close to women in the past and was even married briefly, though it ended in divorce and the loss of his step-daughter whom he adored. Being able to make love to a woman again was not an easy task for Pete—even with a little magical help, as he liked to call it. Amy was much more dignified about his problem than most women.

Thinking about Amy has made Pete depressed. He left his office and drove to Sunlight Studios. He was relieved the security guard let him in and didn’t insist on calling Amy first. He parked his car in the visitors’ parking and hoped and prayed that Amy would be there. Pete loosened his tie. Feeling nervous, he stopped the elevator in between floors, took a few deep breaths and then pressed the button for the fifteenth floor. When the doors opened, he met Nathan by the elevator with Steven and they greeted him warmly.

Amy’s assistant was not at her desk, but Amy’s office door was wide open and Pete could hear Amy’s and Tia’s voices. There was a touch of distress in Amy’s voice. He knocked on the door and looked over his shoulder to see Amy’s assistant flash him a smile.

Have a seat, Mr. Staples, and I will let Miss Hall know you are here, said Tammy.

Pete tried to respond, but Tammy closed the door on him and he could no longer hear the women’s voices.

The last person Amy wanted to see was Pete Staples. She told Tammy to send him in anyway. As Tammy left Amy’s office, the very strong Miss Hall broke down and told Tia she couldn’t deal with Pete at that moment. Tia re-assured her that it would be okay.

I’ll be in my office if you need me. Excuse me, said Tia.

A few seconds later, Tammy opened the door and told Pete to go in. Have a seat in Miss Hall’s office. She’ll be right with you.

Pete smiled with relief. He saw Amy and Tia exiting the bathroom and wondered why women liked to go to the bathroom in pairs.

Hello, Pete, Tia said casually as she walked past him and closed the door behind herself.

Amy told Pete about her unexpected pregnancy. Pete was not very upset since he knew that Amy secretly wanted a child. It was something he could not give her and he told her that his inability to have children was probably one reason why he had treated her so badly.

I am so sorry about my behavior. I will stand by you if you want to tell everyone that the child is mine and that we have fallen in love. I have fallen in love with you and I hope it’s not too late to be given a second chance.

Amy thought it was very sweet of Pete to want to stand as father for her child. When she heard about it, Tia was unhappy about the deal to make Pete the father of BJ’s child and begged Amy not to agree to it, but Amy could not see any other way.

Tia has kept the news of Amy’s baby to herself for a couple of days. She has thought of nothing but what Amy and Pete’s arrangement will do to her brother. Finally, she came clean and told her husband and father-in-law.

If your business partner and her dead-beat boyfriend think they are going to steal BJ’s child, then they are sadly mistaken! That child is a Sharp. Amy Hall and Pete Staples had better get themselves the best possible child-custody lawyer. Mother will not allow this! I am going to kill BJ before Trey or Rio is old enough to sleep with one of your friends! Nathan stormed out of the room.

I think you should break the news to BJ before Nate turns this into a war, Anthony advised.

Nodding in agreement, Tia called England. India answered the phone and told her that BJ was having lunch with his mother in her office. Tia called her mother’s private number and BJ answered. He put the phone on speaker phone.

I was thinking about calling you today, Tia. I wanted to thank Amy for taking such good care of me when I was in Canada for the summer.

You can thank me by calling Amy tonight. Oh, and by the way, Amy is carrying your child.

Bobby Sharp Junior! How could you be so careless? Nana’s voice echoed through the speaker phone. Tia didn’t know the phone was on the speaker function and glanced at the expression on Anthony’s face.

Why do you have to be just like your father? demanded Mrs. Sharp.

Please, Mum. I didn’t take advantage of Miss Hall. It was just one of those things.

One of those things? One of those things happens to be a real baby. Darling, Amy is not just your sister’s partner; she and her mother are like family to us. And you go and do this. What about India? Naana was building up steam for a true mother-son lecture. BJ became upset and ran to his mother’s arms. Naana decided to put aside her anger and disappointment to calm her son.

Anthony and Tia quietly listened to BJ and his mother. Naana has forgotten that Tia was still on the phone. Nathan, too, has calmed down and returned to the kitchen. I am going to call my mother-in-law before Amy and Pete steal BJ’s child.

What the heck is going on? Naana asked, surprised by Nathan’s comment.

Tia told her mother about the arrangement Amy and Pete had devised. Naana sat down in her chair, unable to hold back tears. BJ, too, cried as he held his mother’s hands.

While they were talking, BJ’s cell phone rang. He answered it on the second ring and Amy’s voice joined the conversation.

Miss Hall, I believe congratulations are in order. You are carrying my child. Amy tried to respond, but BJ interrupted. Miss Hall, I am not very proud that my womanizing ways have hurt my mother. Amy tried to say something but BJ once again cut her off. You have two hours to discuss with Mr. Staples and make it clear to your boyfriend that the news of my pending fatherhood is going to be pasted on my website. I will see you in Canada in a week with my mother. Since you are claiming that the child is Mr. Staple’s, the two of you will not mind a paternity test, will you? BJ ended the call.

Tia pleaded with her brother not to do anything rash until he had spoken with Amy alone. BJ refused.

Mother has always told me since I was a lad to be the best in everything I do. I know how much this hurts you and it’s going to hurt everyone. I am very sorry. I am going to tell Lisa before I go and talk to India. Let Miss Hall know that if I don’t hear from her within two hours, I will have my agent release to the media the identity of the person who is carrying my child as well as a description of her intentions. This is not me being rash. Mother loved me. It was not her fault what Daddy did to her. My own mother never wanted me. Mother put aside her pain and loved me anyway, Tia.

I know, sweetie. I’m not hurt. I love you. I’m worried about your marriage.

I have sent India a text message to meet me at Lisa’s loft in an hour. I’m going to tell her. I’ll not let my mother go through the same pain again. That is my child that Miss Hall is carrying. I won’t allow another man to raise my child. You tell your business partner that’s Naana Konadu-Sharp’s grandchild that she is carrying, and for the love that is my mother, I’ll fight her for my child to know who she is. BJ kissed his mother and left.

Mom, can you talk to BJ and make him see the situation needs to be handled with care, asked Tia.

Naana was angered by Tia’s suggestion. Amy Hall may be your business partner, but BJ is my son. I will not let anyone hurt him.

Mother! How could you say that about Amy? BJ did this, not Amy, Tia responded, defending her partner.

I can, Tia, when it’s a known fact that Pete Staples can’t get it up, let alone father a child.

Now, that is ridiculous! How would you know that?

When it comes to my family and whatever seems to be a threat, I always know what I need to know, Tia. Please tell Nathan to check his email, now! Naana hung up the phone and immediately called Lisa to fill her in before BJ reached her office.

Great! Mother just hangs up on me! Tia exclaimed and passed the message to Nathan to check his email.

Nathan Carter learned before he got married to Tia just how powerful his mother-in-law was. Naana’s priority always was to defend and protect her family no matter what. Nathan had also heard Naana’s remark about Staple’s virility.

What are you thinking? asked Tia.

I am thinking Naana would not make such a strong statement about Pete Staples if she didn’t have some evidence to support it.

Nonsense! Mother’s nose is bent out of joint. She will say anything to avoid facing the fact that her brat of a son is just like my dad and how you used to be, snapped Tia.

Nathan glanced at his father. Mother is not a liar. I am sorry that you are caught in the middle of this, Baby. Mother would not make that statement about Pete. You know she’s right.

And if she is right, then what?

I think this might be the right time to look for a new studio head for…

Tia interrupted, I cannot believe you! She fell into Anthony’s arms crying.

Nathan raised his hands in the air to indicate submission. Then, he logged onto the laptop on the counter top in their kitchen. There were all kinds of medical records and affidavits concerned with Pete Staple’s divorce that Naana had sent him.

Baby, did you know that Pete was married before? asked Nathan.

Tia wiped her face and would not reply.

Baby, you cannot protect Miss Hall. Mother will protect her son. If you want to lie for Amy Hall and go against mother… well, you’ll be alone, Nathan said softly.

Anthony felt the conversation was getting out of control, so he intervened. Now son, there is no need for this. Angel is in a tight spot here.

Dad, Mother only just learned about BJ’s child and Amy and Pete’s plans to claim the child as their own. Dad, Mother knows more about Pete Staple’s life than any of us. She has evidence to fight Amy if she continues with the plan to lie about the child to save face from the press. I’d say Amy Hall has just made a huge mistake and if Tia keeps this up and stands by Miss Hall—talk to her—she and Steven will lose everything they have invested in Sunlight Media Group. Pete Staples cannot father a child! I’m going to pay Miss Hall a visit before Mother hires a lawyer. Once she does that, things will really get out of control!

You don’t need to do that, Handsome! Amy’s voice echoes down the hall. Your mother is right! She goes to the fridge and takes out some orange juice. The Carter’s are standing there looking at her. They are not in shock. None of them are.

Look, Miss Hall, I don’t like to be in conflict with my wife. Are you going to tell us what you want, or are you going to do what you always do? My wife knows whatever it is that you and Pete are hiding. She won’t say what it is—even after my mother-in-law issues a threat! Nathan raised his voice.

Amy chuckled, Well, Hon, Tia may not say it, but I will. Pete is not the father of the baby.

Amy, you have a right to your privacy. You can’t let Nathan bully you. My Mom needs to take a chill pill and deal with her spoiled brat of a son. BJ is the one who came on to you and did this. Why can’t everyone see that?

Amy laughed.

It’s not funny, insisted Nathan.

It is the way Tia describes. BJ didn’t do any of this. He’s twenty-one years old. If anyone should know better, it’s me. I’m not ashamed of the world finding out that I had a one-night-stand with BJ. He treated me with more respect than that scumbag Pete ever did, Amy declared and sat down.

Anthony jumped into the conversation. Miss Hall, what is really going on? I don’t like to see anyone taking advantage of Angel. Nate and Naana have made the last two hours very difficult for her.

Amy explained to the Carter’s how the whole Pete-being-the-father-of-the-baby plan developed.

Why did you not tell me you were not going to go along with Pete’s plan? asked Tia.

"Hon, you stormed out of my office upset that I was stealing your brother’s child. I have been too sick to let