by Zi'ere
Darrell and his dad looked at each other.
“I would like to use your company. Now that I think about it, the company we typically use is easy for Emani to manipulate since no one but us is aware of the whole ordeal. Zoey says she is going to breast feed so the babies will be in the room with us all night. I will be here as long as my family is here.”
“What family are you referring to, just so that we are clear?” He needed to understand that the Jefferies were a team as well.
“I’m sorry for the confusion. I meant Zoey and my sons.”
“Ok, just checking we were on the same page reading the same book.”
“I will go ahead and make the calls babe.” Liam kissed me on the cheek before he stepped away.
“Ok, do a 2 man detail please.”
“There will be a uniformed guard at the door at all time as well as a plain clothed guard wandering this hall.”
“That sounds good to me. I like the way you handle yourself young lady.” Mr. Haywood addressed me.
Coming from a man of his stature, his words meant a lot to me. Even though Zoey and I had vacationed with their family before, we hadn’t had much one on one interaction with the elder man. He was just as smooth and debonair as his sons were. The four us sealed the security detail deal with handshakes. Darrell insisted that he pay for the detail and would not take no for an answer. He also refused a family discount. Back inside the room, I checked on Zoey and the juicy bundles of joy. I said good bye to everyone and barely made it out of the room my head was spinning so fast. On que my man stepped up to balance my body. I could not put into words how bad I felt at the time.
“From what I’ve read, four out of five OB/GYN’s say morning sickness goes away in your second trimester.”
33
“How in the world do you know about an OB/GYN?”
He smiled.
“Wait a minute! I’m pregnant?”
“According to that stick back at the house, you are eleven weeks full of my love for you.”
In the middle of the hospitals hall Liam tongued me down in a congratulatory manner. I was pregnant.
“If we both wake up in the morning, we will be at the court house when it opens, okay?” Liam spoke and kissed at the same time.
“Yes sir. You deserve that.”
I’m not sure how it happened but I was laughing, smiling, happy, nervous, excited, and crying all the same time. My affair was about to be legal. We had joined to make one and now we were going to be a real family. I was on a high. Just when I thought all men were the same. Just when I thought I had missed the boat that was heading to a man loving me without justification, cause, or games. Just when I thought Cupid should be shot out of the sky. I looked up and there he was. Everything and anything I thought I deserved was there staring at me right back. I couldn’t make this up if I tried and we all know I tried to rub to nickels together to make something out of nothing. My heart had been damaged beyond repair. Now all I had to do was wake up in the morning. After the affair we would be married with a baby on the way.
After only being fresh out of the hospital just hours before she was re-admitted to give birth, Zoey was busting the doctor’s chops about discharging her. There was nothing any of us could say that would make the doctor’s suggestion of a week minimum stick in her head. She told us all flat out that she would have a car service take her and her babies home if no one would drive her. Understanding the possibilities of that situation, she was released after staying in the hospital one solid day. Just as she shut things down in the hospital to get out was the same way I shut things down about my house. Call it what you want to. I wanted some alone bonding time with my nephews before my own child came into the world.
The Haywood’s would not be at liberty to come and go in and out of my home. If the crowd in the room when she was discharged thought they were going to caravan back to my palace they were sadly mistaken. I advised Ms. Busy Body getting pregnant by a married man with an overbearing family had she told me who my nephew’s dad was- I would have never added on to my home to make room for her. She said she was sorry, which meant absolutely nothing to me at that point. My invitation was only opened to her baby daddy. If she wanted to be in the company of that huge family she would need to set up shop somewhere else like the Big House perhaps. I even let her know I wasn’t above making the announcement for her just in case she didn’t have the kahunas to do it herself. She graciously declined my offer.
Darrell hadn’t been home since Zoey had been hospitalized. I never heard any of his family even whisper Emani’s name at all. I could only guesstimate what she was up too now that the house had fallen on top of her instead of me. I was certain she was somewhere being salty, licking her wounds. I found it ironic that she had so much to say about my foolish mistakes. My attempts at love were mistakes. She had known full well what could happen if her plans and lies were found out. She risked it all and for what? She was losing her dream husband. He had already replaced the babies he thought were his with legitimate babies that really were his. She and her babies had a terminal illness. Once the trial was over, she wouldn’t even have the Agency anymore. Zoey had sold me her shares as well. I was then seventy- five percent invested to her twenty- five percent. My seventy- five had already fired her a long time ago. I was done playing with Emani.
34
I had no idea why I thought Liam was blowing smoke up my butt about the court house the next morning. By the time the alarm sounded he had been up making plans already. I was amazed to see him in boss mode. With his phone to his ear, he paced back and forth in the office. Every now and then he would stop to check something on his notebook. A driver for the both of us had been arranged. We were scheduled to leave the house at ten am to attend our lakeside wedding. The wedding party consisted of Liam’s parents, Mrs. Gert, and Felecia. In Arizona’s best attempt at a mild temperatures; we all stood in ivory, cream, sandy brown, and peach toned clothing. I had no idea how he had managed to ensure the event would be media free, but he had done it. Instead of us going to sign for the marriage certificate and license at the clerk’s office, Liam had the documents delivered and sealed into record at the ceremony venue.
Even if I wanted to back out of accepting his hand in marriage, there was no time for me to stall. Everything was smooth and took off without a hitch. Out of all the confusion around me for months, I was now living drama free. I was scared shitless. No drama. No noise. No disruptions. Something had to be wrong somewhere, right? If that was the case it wasn’t on the scene when it needed to be. I had been sitting behind Liam staring at the back of his head for years. Now, here I was standing in front of him holding his hands. He looked deep into my soul as he said his vows. I would imagine he had to be more terrified than I was but his emotions were showing up in the form of tears. My man was a beast in a fist fight yet I had broken him down to raw emotions. I would have made fun of him but in order for me to do that, I would have to stop crying myself. Rings were exchanged exactly how Liam had said he wanted them to be. Evidently my man had been busy. I hadn’t had the chance to get his second band ordered but here it was at the lake ready to go.
I was unsure about how I felt knowing Liam was so sure I would marry him today like I said I would on a whim after I had just found out I was pregnant with his baby. What if my answer had everything to do with the excitement of my nephews being delivered into the world safely and healthy? What if I was still making love decisions based on the train wreck in my heart and mind that was caused my Que? If that was the case, it was too late now. It was time for the groom to kiss the bride. I hadn’t been paying attention to the ceremony at all.
“LAINI! LAINI! WAIT, DON’T DO THIS RIGHT NOW!
Que came running up sweating and out of breathe. I was unsure what he thought he would stop, but it was definitely too late.
“Laini, I know I haven’t proven anything to you to gain my merit with you to get you back but you can’t marry this dude!”
/> “I don’t want to know how you got an invite to my wedding but I am already married, just like you!” I could see how my words shook him.
“No, no! I’m working on me Laini. I haven’t taken this time to play games. I have been working my ass off to get everything ready for you. You said you wanted me here with you and that is what I have been working on- your dream. I wanted to give you your dream.”
“I’m not even about to get dirty out here messing with you. Just back up out of my wife’s space and please be careful when you do that because she is pregnant.”
Que had given our witnesses a show. I am sure the only reason the incident didn’t turn physical was because my mother-in-law was present. The elder Mr. Baer was shielding both Mrs. Baer’s present. I can’t put into words what it felt like to see Que on his knees looking like he had just watched his puppy get hit by a car.
“Karma is one bad bitch!” Jamel let his sidebar be loud enough for all in attendance to know Que was being re-gifted a broken heart.
35
As we were being loaded back into the oversized truck I looked back to see Que still planted in the same spot. I felt bad for him but I couldn’t believe no cameras were around to document the event. I was listening to all of the conversation going on around me and answering questions that were directed at me but my mind was still at the park with Que. After all that I had been put through and the shame of him leaving me there to handle it all by myself was not enough to make me not love him anymore. My heart still longed for him. We had spent countless nights discussing how we would live once business achievements had been reached. Que knew all of the desires of my heart. I’d spent time with Liam and it seemed as though we had talked about everything under the sun but Que had gotten down in my core. I thought that the more time I spent with Liam that we would surely get to that point in our relationship. I would not have felt bad if he had gotten there before we got married. If I had that feeling down in my soul for Liam, I would not be thinking of Que in this moment.
Liam tried to bring my attention back to our current situation. He rubbed my nonexistent belly. Damn, I was having a baby with my husband that I wasn’t even sure I wanted at a time when I couldn’t say for sure if really feeling any of it.
“We are going to let the new Mrs. Baer with the special taste buds decide what we all are going to eat.” That was Liam still trying to get my head back into the situation.
All eyes in the truck were on me of course.
“I really don’t have anything major that I am craving right now, whatever you guys want will be good for me. I have a favorite plate at every restaurant in the world. You guys splurge and get treated.”
“Aww, that is so sweet of you honey. You’re always thinking of others being comfortable even though you are the big star to all of us.”
“I’m no star. There are just a lot of nosey people in the world who love to know what I’m doing every minute in every day. I’m nothing special.”
Every mouth in the truck had a sound coming out of it that would be all that was needed to make everyone forget how much I was trying to down play my life and status. I really wasn’t anything special. I had fallen in love with a man I had never touched and kept my body only for him for years. My best friend secretly hated my guts. What was so special about me? I hope it didn’t have anything to do with money.
“Laini no one here is even buying that load of fertilized bull grass you talking right now! You are the most, well second most generous person I have ever known. You give from your heart and it doesn’t matter what it is or how much it may cost, if you have it and somebody needs it- problem solved. Wala-magic, just like that.” Mrs. Gert voiced her opinion openly snapping her fingers at the same time.
“Yeah, it’s like you and Amina are putting in overtime at work for your wings when you get to heaven.” That was Felecia. “I fasted for a week for God to turn my life around from what it was when I was working for Emani. The day of the last fast, you shut down the building. I needed a few weeks break anyway to go see about my Grandmother who had just suffered a stroke. I was not ready for the answer Emani would have given me if I had to ask her to take the time off. With the car, the house- you know everything…my Grandmother is now living with me. I can pay for help because of the contract you gave me. I don’t know anyone who deserves the good life more than you. You are my special angel.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Baer, you are getting a real gem of a daughter-in-law. Laini, you already know how I feel about you. My Amina asked and that is all it took for me.”
“You guys are too much!” I was ashamed and embarrassed.
While they were talking about how good of a person I was, my heart and head was somewhere else. Liam joined into the conversation from there. I distinctly remember his mom asking about the man at the lake. Liam gave her a small head nod. No doubt they had all seen the media coverage, read the blogs, or saw the whole ordeal on the cover while standing in line at the grocery store. I began to get nauseous. My heart was torn. We made it to an excellent five star restaurant and were seated immediately. I excused myself to go to the ladies room the first chance I got. I didn’t understand why I had such an unsettling feeling all over me.
I splashed water on my face.
‘Get it together Laini! I am not about to mess up this good thing for deception, lies, and scandal. Dealing with that woman, their kids, and then seeing Yvette again…that is not what you want and you know it!’
When I returned to the table again my emotions were in check. I was basking in the moment of being just married and having a bundle of joy growing in my stomach. At this time of my life I had love, marriage, and a baby. There wasn’t a more serious situation. I had the ultimate. Everything I prayed for was sitting at that table. The love was real. I felt electricity every time the man touched me. I loved Liam and I was in love with him but my heart was still broken. I couldn’t understand why.
36
Instead of returning to the house with all its new occupants, my husband had booked a few nights for us in a five star hotel in the penthouse suite. It was clear that my man was a shot caller and had serious swag. I had to admit that I was not used to a man making sure everything was set for me. I literally had not done a thing to make the day special for the both of us. What blew my mind was the fact that I had not spent a dime in days. Inside of the suite on our bed where we would consummate our first night as husband and wife was covered in white rose petals. In the midst of the petals was an ivory and sheer ankle length gown. The split was waist high and there was no room for even a thong to be worn underneath. The finishing touch was that the gown was indeed Purple Label. The gown had come from a special line I had designed for wedding night lingerie. Liam was pulling out all the stops.
A bottle of chilled Cristal champagne chilled in a bucket by the bed. Two champagne flutes with ivory and peach ribbons tied around the stems. I noticed the tray of fresh fruit and chocolate covered strawberries, which were my favorite treat. I began to get in the mood of the R. Kelly radio on Pandora playing in the background. Oils and feathers sat on one of the nightstands.
“Babe, did you forget I’m pregnant?”
“Nope! How could I forget that? I have sparkling water and white grape juice for you. See the other bucket behind that one?”
I rose on my tip toes to verify his words. And, he was correct. I noticed one of my Louis duffle bags on the sofa in the room. I suppose he had taken care of packing for me. I was expecting to go back to the house after dinner. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the space I was in. I couldn’t explain the feelings inside of me for the second time that day. I felt so calm and relaxed. Being cared for and having a love so close that they can make preparations for you without knowledge was something I could get used to. I was indeed ready to stand by my man and let him be a strong man. I was a grown woman. Indeed I had dreams and goals I still wished to accomplish. But, no woman wanted to be in control all the time. I made money making decisions every day.
It was nice to be cared for.
My husband guided me to sit on the bed. He took his time undressing me. Taking my heels off and then massaging my feet. Sweet kisses all over my body started a marathon sex event. If I wasn’t already pregnant, that night would have been the one. Liam had an endless supply of little soldiers ready to play hid and seek with my eggs.
“This is never going to end Laini. I know it’s a little late for this but you will never have to worry about being alone again.”
“You promise?”
“Until death do us part babe. Thirty years from now, Lord willing I will love you even more than I do today.”
“Is that even possible?”
“It sure is and I’m going to prove it.”
“You’re gonna get tired of me and trade me in for a new model, I know it.”
“New models mean absolutely nothing to me. New can’t compare to what I have been watching you do for years. There is no comparison. I am married to ‘the Laini Jefferies’ newly made Laini Jefferies- Baer.” He beamed in pride.
“Who said I was going to hyphenate my name?”
“Girl you know you are a new millennium woman! Don’t play with me, you know good and well you aren’t going to drop Mr. Michael Jefferies’ family name.”
“I’m not going to front. I can keep it real babe.”
We both enjoyed a cute laugh. At midnight we were still pillow talking. At the stroke of two am we were both knocked out from pure exhaustion.
37
The judge made a sudden entrance from her private chambers in the front of the courtroom on the left hand side. She was an elderly woman of grace and stood straight up as she walked fitted in the customary black robe. The fashionista in me, made me strain my neck to see her shoes. You can tell a lot about a woman by her shoes. They were black, but the make and model suggest her fashion sense was on point while she was still professional. The bailiff sprang into action.