Sinful Seduction?

[vale4eva]

Thanks peeps!

Enjoy

Chapter 46:

The door abruptly slammed shut, and a startled Martha held her breath.

With wide eyes, she stayed rigid on the spot, her pillow positioned neatly in her lap for added comfort, but no fluffy cushion could rescue her now. Her life was flashing before her eyes. Her lies, her betrayal, it had all come to a head, and now she would be forced to face the aftermath…

Taking in a few deep and wispy breaths, she slowly rose to her feet.

Opening the door with her sweaty and shaky hand, she stepped into the hallway, immediately seeing her father standing in the living room.

He faced her as she slowly made her entrance, his expression in a fixed and concentrated frown … a frown of sadness and confusion … the true extent of her deception showing through.

Hesitantly opening her mouth, she said the first thing that came into her head; “where’s Jack?” she all but whispered.

His expression grew blank at the mention of his son’s name, before he turned away from her. Placing his keys onto the side table, he ignored her comment. Taking a casual glance back to her, he spoke up…

“I better put some dinner on” were all the words he could muster, before he left the lounge area and entered the kitchen.

She frowned as she watched her father walk away, following him through she stood in the doorway.

The pots and pans clattered as he rummaged around aimlessly in the cupboard, not searching for anything in particular, but mostly as a distraction. As his frustration continued to build, the pans collided out of the cupboard, falling onto the floor in a heap before his feet.

He huffed, shaking his head in frustration as he looked down.

“I must have done a lousy job” he spoke out glumly.

“What?” replied Martha in a soft and confused voice.

“As a father …” he began, as he placed the pans back into the cupboard one by one, “my children can’t even be honest with me … so it’s either that they don’t trust me, or that I just suck at being a father”.

“No, it’s neither” she argued softly. “I promise”.

“Then why?” he asked as he took to his feet, turning around to face her.

Her head fell; she hated seeing so much hurt in her father’s eyes. “I don’t really know what to say” she shrugged a little, “… I was scared that’s all” she said, “you’d spent your entire life looking after me … I didn’t want to disappoint you”.

Finally she looked sheepishly into his eyes.

“You could never disappoint me Martha, you’re one of the best things that’s ever happened to me” he looked intently into her eyes as he spoke his words so meaningfully “… you, Eli and Kate, you’re my life” he finished with a small smile.

She frowned in discomfort as she briefly glanced away. “And what about Jack? Where does he fit into all of this?” she questioned him. “He is your real son after all” she gladly informed him.

“Jack can take care of himself”.

“No, actually he can’t! Jack needs you more than anyone.” She exclaimed, only praying he’d actually listen, “He’s had no one to cling onto his entire life, he’s been so lost and lonely. And now he has his father, someone he loves so much, and I know you love him too!” she gushed at him.

“I do” he said simply. “There’s no denying I love him to death. But that doesn’t take away the fact that things have gotten out of hand” he added.

“I’m sorry?” she blinked at him in confusion.

“I understand what’s happening here Martha, even if you don’t” he began, as Martha looked across at him oddly. “It’s a crush” he told her simply, “we’ve all had them. And it’s obvious that you’re heavily influenced by him. And he’s clearly infatuated with you” she couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his ignorance. “But it’ll pass” he concluded; a smile of relief actually spreading onto his face.

“Oh don’t be ridiculous” she scoffed. “As if we’d go to all this trouble just because of a crush!”

“Martha, you’ve never been surrounded by men; you’ve only ever had one boyfriend, and then Jack turns up. And he gives you all the attention you’ve been looking for. I’m not surprised you fell for him” she listened in horror as her father tried to demean their relationship, “but it has to stop. You have to start thinking about your future…” he trailed on.

“Jack is my future!” she interrupted; her voice growing as he irritated her more and more.

“No” he replied calmly, “he’s not”.

She released a gob smacked laugh, astonished at her fathers comment. Shaking her head in helplessness, she turned away from him.

“You know what” she said as she spun back around, “you’ve always said you want the best for me, that you want me to have a future filled with success and happiness, well guess what, Jack makes me happy. He is the only future I want” she told him firmly.

Tony merely shook his head, adamant that this would all blow over.

“I want to marry him dad” she shot back, “and I want to have children with him … I want to grow old with him, and I don’t want to have to feel bad about that!”

Softening her tone, she continued, “I know that we hurt you. We betrayed you in the worst way possible … and I know that you’re probably worried about what people will think … but that’ll all blow over soon enough, it’ll be last weeks news in no time, no one will even care … no one but you that is, if you let it”, she finished in sadness.

“And what about Lisa?” Tony’s low voice added, “You honestly think it’ll all blow over for her, that she’ll just take it on the chin and let you be happy?”

Running her hand through her hair she sighed, “no, of course not”. Once again she’d forgotten all about Lisa, her best friend. But right now, at this very second in time, her family mattered most. She could deal with her friendship fallout later on.

The sudden slam of the front door caught them off guard, they both jumped as their hearts skipped a beat.

Looking down the hallway in unison, they saw Jack standing rigid; his expression vacant as he looked at them.

Rolling his eyes in annoyance Tony called out to him. “I thought I told you…”

“Yeah you told me to stay away” Jack butted in as his father spoke up. “But I chose not to listen” he said smartly as he walked towards them. “Instead I decided to come home ... Any dinner going?” he smiled at him, before glaring.

“Wait. What?” she frowned, alternating from Jack to face her father, “You threw him out?”

“I didn’t throw him out, I just advised him to stay away”.

“Advised? Yeah right” he burst in a laugh, “more like ordered”.

“I just needed some time to get my head around it, that’s all” Tony tried to justify his actions. While Martha worked over time, flicking her head too and fro as the two most important men in her life bickered like children.

“No you didn’t, you just told me to stay away in the hope that we’d end up drifting apart!” he accused him. “That you could just brush it under the carpet, and pretend it never happened. Well unfortunately for you, that’s not going to happen.”

“Jack, calm down” she gently tried to ease him.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not going to just stand here and take all this crap. If he’s going to have a go at us, then I may as well get my shot in too,” he told her.

Overwhelmed by the situation, Tony exploded. “Well how did you expect me to react!?” he questioned them, as his forehead wrinkled and his eyes shone through anguish. “My business is literally in ruins, my son and my daughter are having a secret affair, and you two expect me to just take it all on the chin!? … Well here’s news for you kids, your dads only human, there’s only so much I can take” he ended in defeat.

Immediately feeling bad, their heads fell to the ground. As much as they hated this, they knew deep down he was right, they’d literally dropped a bomb on him and just expected him to shrug it off. Unfortunately that wasn’t about to happen.

Still, they couldn’t help but feel a little downhearted about his reaction; his ignorance about their love wasn’t exactly helping matters. And the fact that he had all but sent Jack packing was enough reason to have a go at him. With that said however, it was doubtful that arguing over the dinner table would sort this out.

As silence filled the house, the sound of tiny footsteps could be heard from down the hallway.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone yelling?” a little voice appeared behind them; it was Eli.

Turning around towards the voice, the three faced her.

“Am I in trouble?” she asked worriedly; as all eyes were fixed on her. Her thumb rose to her mouth for comfort. She always did love sucking her thumb.

Her big brown eyes were as round and as wary as ever. She was usually so out going and strangely mature for an 8 year old, but suddenly she had turned into the innocent and scared little girl she really was.

“No baby,” smiled Jack, “of course not”. Walking over towards her, he knelt down, holding onto her tiny waist.

“Then why is everyone yelling?” she looked across at her big brother.

“No ones yelling” her father assured her, “now can you please just go to your room” he ordered his youngest daughter.

Turning from her father back to Jack, her eyes began to glisten with tears. “But why?”

“Elena! Your room!” Tony told her sternly, not exactly shouting but enough to terrify the poor defenseless mite.

Scurrying off in a blubbering mess she did as she was told.

Quickly jumping to his feet Jack spun around. “Oh, well way-to-go dad” he praised his father in sarcasm; emphasizing his final word.

Sighing through dejection, Tony shook his head, saddened at the thoughtlessness of his behaviour. How could he take his frustration out on his innocent baby girl?

Attempting to check on his youngest daughter he stepped towards the hallway.

“No don’t” he was soon halted by Jack, as he placed his hand in the way to block him, “I’ll go” he added, before he took off down the hallway in search of his sister.

Preview: Jack and Eli have a brother to sister talk. And more tears are set to appear as Jack makes a decision.

[KaitieL]

“Martha, you’ve never been surrounded by men; you’ve only ever had one boyfriend, and then Jack turns up. And he gives you all the attention you’ve been looking for. I’m not surprised you fell for him” she listened in horror as her father tried to demean their relationship, “but it has to stop. You have to start thinking about your future…” he trailed on.

Geez Tony, don't hold back. That was a bit mean. He basically said she was ugly or something.

She wants to marry Jack and have his babies. But then who doesn't.

I hope Jack doesn't leave. Don't make him leave please Rach. Don't be mean.

More please.

[stephyrose4]

Awww, That chapter was so awesome!

I really thought Martha, was gonna try and avoided Tony, but she didnt, she even stood up for Jack aww how cute.

Omg omg omg I'm like so addicted I like just want you to update it now!! haha

Aw poor Eli, Tony bloody yelling at her.. pfft!

please dont let Jack go.. please oh please.. well if he does just for a break or something, Martha has to go too!

Please please please update soon!

[Zetti]

My poor Eli! Its not fair!

Tony yelling I hate him

Poor Jack, dont make him leave, please!

[Tasha]

Im so glad Martha stood up for Jack. The poor guy and girl

Great chapter

Poor Elli as well

More please soon

[zzazzb]

poor Eli how old is she again?

Toni was so harsh.

but yay for Martha standing up for jack

pleasepleaseplease update soon!

[vale4eva]

^ Eli's 8

[stephyrose4]

Dam you! I thought you updated!

[Barbara]

Tony finally knows! I can't believe he threw jack out of the house.

I'm glad Martha is sticking up for him. She wants to marry him and have babies with him!

That police officer was pretty smart. He noticed it straight away!

Poor Eli! She didn't do anything wrong!

More please.

[vale4eva]

I'm annoyyyyyed! Not with you people, its me I'm having a bad day.

But, I guess I cant take it out on you people lol

I'm not sure I care much for this chapter anymore.

But, enjoy

Chapter 47:

“Does he hate me?” cried Eli as she sat buried inside her duvet covers. Only her head on show, as she peeked out of the covers.

“No, of course not” he elongated his words as he spoke to her carefully; his heart breaking at how upset his sister was.

“He’s just a little sad right now. Martha and I … we upset him” he told her.

She frowned, her lips in a pout as she pulled her covers further down. She always felt safest when Jack was around. “But why?” she said as she rubbed at her runny button-nose.

He frowned, not quite knowing how to respond. How could he explain to an 8 year old, the sheer depth of the situation?

“Well” he began cautiously, “you know how you’re always going on about how much I like Martha? ... Well, you weren’t wrong”. He looked across at her as he spoke; she looked so small and delicate. Like a little puppy tucked up snuggly in her blanket.

“My relationship with Martha, it’s changed lately”.

“How?”

“Well … it’s a little complicated. But the truth is … I love her, very much” he smiled at her gently.

She frowned through her concentration. “Like you love me?” she titled her head as she questioned him.

“Not exactly. You know how I love you as a sister, and you love me as a brother?” she nodded as she listened hard, “Well … I love Martha, like how daddy loves mommy … Understand?”

Following a brief thought-filled moment, her face almost pulling a strange expression as she absorbed what he was saying, she eventually turned back to him, her face smiling. “So, you want to marry her?” she concluded.

“Yeah” he laughed lightly, “some day, definitely”.

“But, she’s my sister” her eyebrows scrunched up as she informed him of the obvious.

“Yeah, well, you remember when dad told you about that blood thing? How you and I have the same blood, but Martha and I don’t?”

She nodded once again.

“Yeah well, that means Martha and I, were not actually related. So, technically were free to be together” he smiled. “Does, that make any sense?” he asked her; searching her big brown eyes for an answer.

“It does” she eventually nodded. “I knew you liked her anyway” she smiled; her shoulders shrugging a little.

“Yeah I know. You’re awfully clued up for an 8 year old” he smirked at her, tapping her gently on the nose.

“That’s what I always say!” she exclaimed, flinging her arms out into the air melodramatically.

He chuckled to himself in amusement, “Come here cutie, give me a hug” he held his arms out; welcoming her into his embrace. Why couldn’t everyone be as accepting and understanding as this precious little 8 year old…

Scrambling over the covers, she flung herself into his arms.

“I love you, you know that right?” his voice was low and sincere, his lips placing a kiss on her shiny brown hair.

She nodded in his hold. “I love you too Jacky”.

Pulling away, but keeping her face close to his, she whispered across to him; her beady eyes almost popping out of her head as she spoke. “Can I be a bridesmaid?” she asked him quietly, almost not wanting anyone else to hear, just incase they’d steal her opportunity.

He giggled equally as quietly, taking in her wide eyes and innocent but hope-filled smile. “Absolutely” he agreed with the nod of his head.

Once again leaping forward into his arms, she hugged him as hard as she could. “I’ll be the best bridesmaid ever! I promise!”

He smiled at how delighted she was. You would never suspect she had been crying less than 5 minutes ago.

Cradling the bundle of joy in his arms, he closed his eyes. Enjoying the stress-free moment where he wasn’t constantly bombarded with the negative. The yelling, the avoidance, the disapproval.

Sooner or later however, it would once again come back to bite him…

…………………………………

“Is she alright?” asked a concerned Tony, as Jack made his reappearance.

“Yeah” he breathed a sigh of relief, “she’s fine now”.

Tony nodded back, sending his son an awkward but appreciative smile. “So … What did you say to her?”

“I …” he hesitated for a moment, looking across at his father warily, “I told her everything”.

“You did what!?” exclaimed a disbelieving Tony.

“Its fine, she understands!”

“How exactly!?” he questioned him; his eyes glaring. “You shouldn’t have dumped that on her Jack, she’s 8 years old!” Tony huffed at his son’s behaviour; shaking his head as he paced the kitchen floor.

“Yeah, she’s 8 years old, but she’s also incredibly bright. She wasn’t even surprised by it! She was practically waiting for this to happen” he told him through a raised voice.

“What?”

“Oh please, I cant be the only one who noticed it … She’s forever going on about hormones and all that” he rolled his eyes, while his father listened in bewilderment, “and she already knew I had feelings for Martha” he told him, “she maybe 8, but she’s got eyes like a hawk”.

The sound of the bedroom door opening could be heard, before Eli trotted happily into the living room.

“Everything ok baby?” Tony questioned his youngest; his face frowning, still annoyed that Jack had told her everything.

“Yeah, fine” she smiled as she briefly glanced at her father. “Jack even said I can be bridesmaid!” she added smartly; gleefully jumping onto the couch, as happy as Larry.

With an awkward shuffle, Jack stood nervously on his feet. Unable to look up as both Martha and Tony stared at him in bewilderment.

Finally succumbing to their questioning eyes, he smiled at them through his discomfort.

“Well … at least she’s excited” he tried to lighten the mood.

Tony merely rolled his eyes at his eldest son, before walking off down the hallway and into his bedroom. He needed time to think. His brain was doing somersaults, and the sharp pain in the side of his head wasn’t exactly comforting.

A few spare silent moments to relax were just what he needed…

………………………………

(20 minutes later)

Feeling a gentle hand on his shoulder, he looked up, seeing Martha’s concerned eyes focused down on him.

“Hey” he managed a weak smile; placing his hand over her own.

“Are you ok?”

He lightly shook his head, “I don’t know … I’m kind of numb actually”.

“Yeah, me too” she spoke back softly.

He frowned as he went on. “I’m not sure what I expected to be honest, or if I was expecting too much … I just, I couldn’t bare it if this split the family up” he said helplessly. “I can’t lose another family, not now.”

“You’re not going to lose anything Jack”.

“You don’t know that” he replied glumly. “You know, I’m starting to wonder if I was deluded to think we could ever be together like a normal couple”.

“You weren’t deluded Jack; you were just … hoping for the best. And anyway, if it wasn’t for me stringing this along, it would have been out in the open a long time ago. It’s the fact that it’s gone on for so long that’s made things worse” she scoffed as she mulled over her behaviour of the last few weeks.

“Well, to be fair, I doubt it would have mattered when we told him. It’s crushing for him either way”.

Glancing across at Eli, who was currently transfixed on her TV programme; he stood up, taking Martha’s hand and leading her into the kitchen for some privacy.

Closing the door to the kitchen behind him, he regretfully turned to face his girlfriend.

“Look” he began with hesitation, “I don’t want this to seem like I’m running away or taking the cowards way out” he watched as her face frowned at his words, “But … I think maybe Tony’s right. It might be best if I take off for a few days”.

She gasped a breath-filled laugh. “You can’t be serious?” her voice was barely louder than a whisper. “You’re going to solve this, by deserting me when I need you most”.

“No, it’s not like that” he shook his head as he walked towards her; taking her hands and leading her over towards the chair, where he sat her down. “But the more I … hate him, for not accepting us … the more I feel bad for him” he spoke up to her carefully from where he knelt.

She shook her head adamantly, her breath catching in her throat as she opened her mouth to speak. “This was what I was afraid of” she sadly informed him, “dad would be disappointed in me, and you would end up walking away”.

“No, you’re not listening to me. I’m not walking away from this; I promise you. But the longer I stay here, the longer it’ll take for Tony and everyone else to come to terms with it. If we can just take a break, just for a while, it might help things settle down”.

“A break?” she glared at him, unimpressed with his choice of words, as her eyes glassed over with tears.

“Not a break as in, you and me. Just a break between me and the rest of the family” he told her; hoping she’d get some kind of relief.

Her face continued to fall. “But I don’t want you to go” her voice was merely as breath as she cried.

“I know you don’t” he smiled at her sadly; reaching up and wiping away her tears, “but I honestly think this is for the best … this isn’t going to be solved over night. He just needs time to come to terms with it”.

Placing her hand to her forehead she rubbed away her growing tension. Eventually she found herself agreeing with him; her head nodding slightly as she chose to let him be.

Rising from his knelt down position, he stood before her; taking her into his arms as she tearfully embraced him.

…………………………………

The walk out to the car was almost deadly silent; the only thing heard was the occasional sniffle from a distraught looking Martha.

“Hey” he touched her cheek with a smile, “I’m not leaving the country” he tried to lighten the mood.

She smiled back at him, unable to prevent the tear which slid down her face. “I know” she whispered back. “I’m just going to miss you”.

Kissing her lightly on the cheek he wrapped her into his arms.

“Where will you go anyway?” she mumbled into his shirt; inhaling his smell as she briefly closed her eyes. “Oh god, please don’t tell me you're going back to that rotten basement of yours” she frowned at him as she pulled away.

“No” he laughed at her comment, “I’m going to see if I can crash at Kim’s. Hopefully he’ll be understanding enough to take me in”.

She nodded back, “I’m sure he will be”. Pulling her hair out of her face she forced a weak smile, “Well, go on then; get gone. I don’t fancy standing out here all day; I’m freezing as it is”. She tried to laugh, but felt far too miserable to put much effort in.

“Yeah alright, I’m going” he smiled at her.

Leaning over, he placed a soft kiss on her delicate lips, lingering for a moment, before he pulled away.

“I love you. And I’ll call you later” he said as he jumped inside.

“Yeah, I love you too”.

…………………………………

Meanwhile, Tony watched from his bedroom window, witnessing their now not-so-secret goodbye kiss, before his son stepped into the car, closing the door behind him and driving away.

His heart broke through devastation at the image of his son leaving the family home, whilst his daughter broke down as she ran hysterically back inside the house.

But was that the only explanation behind his sadness? Or was it more than that?

Maybe the vision of having to witness these two very much in love individuals, having to leave each other, was what really got to him. And just knowing it was all because of him, just added to his pain, regret and sorrow.

He frowned as he contemplated the notion in his head. Was he suddenly warming to the idea of them sooner than he thought …?

Preview: Life goes on ... without Jack?

And what about Lisa?