by Cee, DW
Donovan rubbed his face with both hands in frustration, multiple times. “Can we start all over and just be friends? I’ll try not to usurp your father, or Doug, or Jake’s place in your life. Please just treat me like a good friend—like you do with Max and his brothers.”
What could I say? This man had no idea I could never be just friends with him. “Sure.”
“Great!” He got comfortable in my bed. “Let’s watch a movie until it’s time to sleep.”
“And where are you sleeping?”
“Right here. I told you I called this room and this bed.”
“Fine!” Opening up the comforter on my side, I proceeded to get out. “I’ll go sleep in the twins’ room.”
“There’s no extra bed in there for you.”
“I’ll sleep with James. The bed is big enough for the both of us if we cuddle. I don’t think he’ll mind.”
“No man would,” he murmured, “but we have a movie to watch. Get back in bed and you can leave when the movie is done. I have a really scary one for you I downloaded when I first got here.”
I wondered if I should be happy that he planned to watch a movie with me in bed, from the onset. It was probably not the smartest thing to do when I was doing my hardest to try to FORGET this man.
I got back in bed, and tried to leave several times within the first ten minutes because the movie was that scary. Donovan eventually laid his head on my thigh to stop me from moving. Though I tried my damnedest, I couldn’t help from running my hand through his wavy hair. He had such beautiful hair. After a brief while, I brought myself back to reality and took my hand off his hair, only to have it brought back by Donovan. “That’s relaxing. Do some more,” was his only comment as he went back to the movie. Donovan eventually fell asleep on my lap and, even with the circulation in my right thigh cut off, I was at my happiest.
Lightly tracing my index finger around his eyes, and the bridge of his nose, and on the bottom of his lips, I knew this would be my only chance to touch him. What would it feel like to freely kiss those lips? How happy would a woman be to be touched by this man? How much love did this man have to give the woman he chose to be his future bride? I wanted to stay and lay with him, holding him—and hoping he would hold me back. But I didn’t need any more deceit in my life. I didn’t need him holding me while thinking of another woman. Painfully, I pulled away without waking him up. The kids were sleeping soundly on their beds and I didn’t want to wake them with any commotion, so I pulled a blanket out of the kids’ closet and crawled onto their couch. Drawing into a fetal position, I went to sleep, content that Donovan was only a wall away from me.
James and Ellie chatting away in their beds got me up to start this day. Feeling disoriented, I tried to get myself out of bed, only to find the circulation in my leg cut off again. Unbeknownst to me, I was somehow back in Donovan’s bed and his arms and legs were draped around my body. We were both facing each other and my heart embraced the image of the both of us so effortlessly tangled. I was also mortified that somehow I’d gotten myself back in bed with Donovan. I guess even in my sleepy state, I couldn’t resist being close to him.
While it was a mystery as to how my body ended up so close to this man’s, I couldn’t help staring again. Donovan’s five o’clock shadow was beautiful. Once again, I sketched a small pattern while touching his stubbly hair. It tickled, pricked, and felt amazing. Though I shouldn’t, my index finger followed the gorgeous arch in his eyebrow from start to finish, several times. His side burns, his overgrown bangs, and curls at the back were all unchartered territory to this novice explorer. I didn’t think I could ever get my fill.
“Donovan, I love you. And I wish you only the best. I hope you’ll find your special lady and live a happily-ever-after life with her. And I truly hope in a year’s time, I’ll be happy to see you happy.” I whispered these words and got out of bed before Donovan got up to see a pathetic me mooning over him.
“Good morning, James. Good morning, my beautiful Ellie.” I greeted both kids once I did a quick wash and changing of my ugly pajamas.
“Ne Ne!” James was happy to see me, but Ellie was upset.
“Mama!” She didn’t want me first thing in the morning.
“Mama and Daddy will be back soon. But for now, you have me. How about if we change your diapers, then go have some breakfast? I’m told you two like oatmeal with blueberries?”
Everything took so long with two kids. After somewhat successfully changing both diapers and putting on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for James, and a dress for Ellie, I held both hands and we walked down the stairs together. Well, James walked down the steps and Ellie scooted down the steps on her rear end. Once downstairs, both kids knew the drill. They climbed up their high chairs, which were set on the lowest levels for the kids to climb into easily, and “read” their favorite books, while patiently waiting for their oatmeal to be ready.
“Hello, my favorite godchildren!” Donovan came down and greeted both kids with a kiss on their foreheads, since their cheeks were stained with oatmeal and blueberries. “What a mess you are.” He tried to pick up the spoon to help feed them, only to be greeted with a stern, “NO!” from Ellie and a shaking of the head, no, from James.
“They like to feed themselves,” I informed him. “It’s no use trying to help them. They’re trying to assert their independence.”
“What a mess.”
“I know.”
We had an entertaining time at the breakfast table watching Ellie try to feed herself, then try to feed James. These two always insisted their high chairs be right next to each other, and Ellie fed James’ nose, his chin, and almost his eyes, before making a spoonful into his mouth.
“Good morning.” Jane and Max walked in with coffee and pastries for us.
“Hi Jane. Hi Max.” I greeted, happy to break-up our alone time.
Max looked at me, then looked over Donovan for a bit and asked, “I trust all went well last night?”
I didn’t say anything, but nodded yes and Donovan went to get his coffee from Jane. I noticed whenever Jane or anyone else was around, Donovan barely noticed that I was in the same room. He could have easily reached for my coffee from Jane’s other hand and given it to me, but he took his and walked away. Not wanting to be hurt by something so silly, I thanked Jane for the coffee and didn’t know where to go. Max and Jane stood almost attached at the hips, the twins were also seated almost attached at the hips, and I...well, there was no hip to attach myself to, so I went over to the babies and checked to see if I could refill their milk cups.
“So, we were thinking,” Jane started to say, but was interrupted by Donovan’s cell phone. She stopped talking and let Donovan answer his call.
“Hello?” Donovan took a sip of his coffee. “Hey, Kate.”
Jane listened attentively as well, and it sounded like something wasn’t going well with one of their clients.
Donovan continued his conversation and said, “I’m at Jake’s right now, but why don’t you meet me at my place and we’ll figure out what to do with the proposal. I can be there in 15 minutes. If you get there before I do, just use your key and make yourself comfortable.”
“Just use your key...” Those were definitely words I didn’t need to hear. Taken aback at how close Kate and Donovan still were, even after having broken up, I tried not to show my disappointment and started cleaning up after the kids. Picking up a roll of paper towels, I got on my knees and began picking up the dropped oatmeal. It was a mess on the floor, and this was the perfect excuse for me to forget what was going on in the real world. The real world hurt so, so much.
“Laney?” Max got down on the floor, helped me clean up, then pulled me up. “Jane and I were thinking we’d take over and watch the kids today. Why don’t you go enjoy your Sunday?”
“I can stay if you and Jane have things to do.”
“No. We’d like to spend some time with the babies. You go and have a
fun time.”
I looked at Jane and she encouraged me with her smile. The twins were in good hands with both Max and Jane, so I decided to take them up on their offer and gather my stuff to leave.
Kissing both kids good-bye, I tried to leave before Donovan came out with his overnight bag.
“Laney?” Max asked. “I have my bike here. You want a ride sometime before you leave?”
Did I? I would have loved a ride, but from the look on Jane’s face, it wasn’t the proper thing to do. I couldn’t blame Jane for not wanting me on the back of her boyfriend’s bike. That was an intimate place to be, and it wasn’t the place for me. I agreed and understood.
“Thanks, Max. I think I’m all right. I’ll get my own bike soon. Maybe you can go to the dealer with me when I’m ready to buy? You can show me the ropes when I get back in a year.”
Taking another peek at Jane, my answer made her happy.
“Bye.” I said, opening the door.
“Laney?” Max called out one more time while searching for something in his laptop bag. “Here,” he said and threw me a set of keys. “It’s yours for today. Enjoy.”
“Max, no. I couldn’t take your bike.”
“You can, and I insist. The ride will help you feel a hundred times better than what you’re feeling now.”
I was grateful beyond words. Max caught on to my defeated spirit after hearing about Kate, and he was doing his best to help me. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I take back what I said last night. I think you surpass my cousin in one area.”
“Yeah?” Max said with a surprisingly huge grin. “And what would that be?”
“Selflessness!” I whispered. “Thank you.”
I practically ran home to get my leather jacket and motorcycle helmet, and hopped on the bike to take it for a ride. It had been a long time since I’d been able to ride a motorcycle, and I didn’t want to waste any time. After spending a few minutes to get myself acclimated with the gears and controls, I started the bike and felt it purr under me. I didn’t know what it was about being on a motorcycle that gave me such a sense of freedom, but it did. This would also help alleviate the restlessness I couldn’t control.
I was about to take off when I felt my phone vibrate. It was a message from Bee.
Brunch today? If so, meet us at the divey Mexican joint across the street from my loft.
I texted back.
Cool! See you there.
Before taking off, I felt a tap on my shoulder and was forced to pause one more time. I lifted up the face shield on my helmet to respond to whatever Donovan wanted to say.
“Do you really know how to ride this?”
I shook my head yes.
“Where are you off to, and in such a hurry? You didn’t even say good-bye.”
“I have a lunch date.”
“With whom?”
Hell if I was going to tell him after making me suffer through his conversation with Kate.
“Wouldn’t you like to know!” Simply stated, I put my foot on the metal and left. I was giggling under my helmet at the stupid, but effective comment. I so wished I could’ve turned around to see the look on Mr. Taylor’s face after I left him eating my dust!
“Sweet bike! Yours?” Al inspected the bike inch by inch.
“Naw. It belongs to Max. He was nice enough to let me borrow it.”
“You see, Beck. Jane’s OK with Max riding a bike. Why won’t you let me get one?”
“The bike came with Max, and they are not expecting a baby in half a year.” Becky rolled her eyes and pulled Al back into the curb. “You so don’t look like a Harley girl. When did you learn to ride?”
“I had a friend my freshman year who lived in the same dorm as I, and he’d take me on rides. I took such an interest, he eventually taught me how to ride and let me borrow his bike whenever I needed a car.”
“Great friend. Boyfriend?”
“Naw. Just a friend.”
“Where you coming from?” Bee asked. “If you’re not busy after this, will you help me finish modeling the lingerie?”
“Sure I will.”
“There’s my baby!” A lady called out loudly from the parking lot area. Turning around, I saw Mr. and Mrs. Taylor walking our way. Apparently, they were joining us for brunch.
We all expected Mrs. Taylor to go and hug her daughter Becky, but instead she was referring to me when she called out her baby. Bee, Al and Becky started busting up when they saw Mrs. Taylor fawning all over me, while I mouthed to them, “Me?” They all nodded yes.
I answered with reservation, “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor. It’s very nice to see you again.”
“Why are you so formal with us, Baby? Call us Ma and Pa. That’s what all the kids call us.”
The three behind me were snickering at my predicament.
“Oh, I couldn’t call you ‘Ma and Pa.’ I’m sure your children won’t like it. I’ll just call you...”
“Nope!” Mr. Taylor jumped in. “I insist you call us Ma and Pa. You’re family, now.”
‘Ma and Pa’ each took my arm and walked me into the restaurant. Before they sat me in between them, Becky sat next to me on the right, and Bee sat next to me to the left. “Thanks!” I whispered to each Taylor.
“You’re welcome, Baby,” Bee answered with a laugh.
“Becky, are your parents normally this...loving?” I don’t know if ‘loving’ was the right word, but that’s all I could think of synonymous to crazy, over-the-top, strange—all in a very good way, of course.
“Nope.” She shook her head. “They’ve never approved of Kate, or any other girl. You are the final ‘Baby’ in their life, until you start popping out babies, yourself.”
Happily confused, I didn’t know where to go with this information. Of course, I wanted to be considered a part of the Taylor family, but everyone here was jumping the gun. Donovan didn’t like me in that way.
“I think you are all way over-thinking my friendship with your brother. In fact, I know you are because your brother and I aren’t even friends. He says that I’m a ‘pain in his ass,’ and I think he’s...” wonderful? handsome? the man of my dreams? Of course, I didn’t say aloud those last three words.
While the server came over and interrupted our conversation, Bee whispered in my ear, “How long?” I gave her a how long, what? look. “How long have you been in love with my nephew?” I slowly shook my head in denial. “The sooner you answer, the less chance there is of me asking this same question out loud in front of everyone at this table.” I gave her a you wouldn’t dare, look. “Oh yes, I would,” she warned.
Dammit all to hell—why was I so transparent? Max asked me the same question last night. How many other people have kept my secret a secret to themselves? How did everyone know?
“How...” Bee said aloud. I glared at her with such a frightful and frightened look, Bee laughed and excused herself. “I don’t know where that came from,” she cleared her throat and went back to her menu.
“Since I was ten,” I whispered purposely to her ear while she put the mimosa to her lips.
She choked on the mimosa badly enough that orange juice was coming out of her mouth, her nose—she was coughing, she was choking, she was sneezing—Bee didn’t know what to do with herself and this information I’d given her.
“Not cool, little niece,” she threatened, once she got herself together. “You and I will have a long talk once we get back to the loft.”
“Look who’s here!” ‘Ma’ Taylor’s surprised cry was about as genuine as a three-dollar bill. “Donny. Heeya. Come ovah heeya.”
“Excited-to-see-her-son-accent-alert,” Al coughed out. We all chuckled.
‘Ma and Pa’ stood up to greet their son but were caught open-mouthed when they saw Kate walk in a few seconds later.
“What the hell is she still doing sniffing around my son?” ‘Ma’ said loudly enough for the entire restaurant to be privy to her thoughts.
“Uh-oh-possible-bitch-slapping-alert,” Al coughed out again and Bee, Becky and I started dying of laughter.
“Donny! Look who’s having brunch with us? It’s Baby!”
Damn! I stopped laughing out of sheer embarrassment that she called me Baby in front of Donovan.
“Hello, Baby.” Jerk stressed the word, Baby, just to rattle me. “Long time no see. I see your life isn’t as exciting as you portend.”
“Ooh! Such big words, Mr. Big Bad Lawyer. What brings you here? I thought you had work to do?”
“Donny, sit,” his mother literally pushed him into a chair next to her.
Kate finally caught up with Donovan, and greeted his parents. “Hello Scott, hello Jamie.”
Mr. Taylor gave her a lukewarm greeting and Mrs. Taylor all but ignored her.
The greetings continued. “Hello Becky, Al, Bee...” She paused and didn’t know how to respond to me sitting in the middle of this family affair. “Laney. I wasn’t aware that you knew the Taylors.”
I couldn’t believe this woman. “You do know I’m a Reid?” I asked point blank.
“Well, yes. I was told you and Jake are cousins.”
“If you knew anything about the Taylors, you’d know that ‘Ma and Pa’ knew me even before I was born, Ms. Beauvais.”
“Bitch-slapping-happening-now!” Al coughed, again. I did my best to hold back the laugh. Bee and Becky quietly giggled until I couldn’t hold it in any longer and I busted up. The three of us looked ridiculous and all took turns giving Al dirty looks. That gave me an excuse not to look at Donovan or Kate. I was mortified that I used the monikers ‘Ma and Pa,’ and I was even more mortified that I was so mean to Kate.
I just couldn’t help myself.
“Are you drunk?” Donovan asked with a quizzical stare.
“Nope!” I answered matter-of-factly. “Haven’t had anything to drink but coffee.”
“Well, I must get going or I’ll miss my plane.” Kate announced to no one in particular. “I’ll see you in London?” She gave him a sultry look. Damn her! She was sexy—I had to hand that to her.