by Jenna Brandt
“Why? Why would you want to help me like that?”
“Because that boy in there is my grandson. And yes, I know that used to never matter to me, but call it a dying man’s change of heart. I find myself realizing that I haven’t always made the best decisions, especially when it came to my family. When I saw him today, looking up at me with the same brown eyes that you and your mother have, I finally got why you’re willing to go to bat for him. He’s our flesh and blood, and we need to do whatever we have to in order to keep him safe.”
“Look, Dad, I appreciate you caring enough to offer to help, but I can’t let you do that. I’m a Christian now, and my faith won’t let me do something like that, even if Brianna Bradley wouldn’t think twice about doing it in reverse. I plan to fight for custody and win the right way.”
His father waited several moments before he said anything. Finally, he relented. “I can’t say I agree with your decision, but I respect you for standing up for what you think is right, however, I insist that you at least let me hire the best lawyer in all of New York to help you win custody of Marcus. Consider it a birthday present from me to you.”
Roger nodded his head. “I can agree to that.”
Celeste felt like a band of monkeys were doing somersaults in her stomach. The anticipation of her first official date with Roger made her giddy.
She took a final look in the mirror to confirm her dress and hair were on point. Both looked great and Celeste hoped Roger would appreciate the blue knee-length number.
Her phone buzzed and she glanced at the screen.
I’m around the corner.
Be there in a minute.
She dabbed on a final touch of perfume before heading to the living room where Megan was watching TV like she did every night. The other woman barely looked up as Celeste came into the room.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone,” Celeste stated, “But I’m going to church tomorrow if you want to come with me.”
“Nah, I’m good,” Megan said with a shrug. “Just make sure you don’t make any noise when you come in. I need a full night’s rest and you tend to be noisy.”
Celeste bit back a sharp reply that Megan had done more than her fair share of waking Celeste over the past few months, but she didn’t want to put herself in a bad mood right before Roger arrived.
“I’ll do my best, Megan,” Celeste said instead.
The buzzer for downstairs sounded and Celeste went over to it and hit the button. “Is that you, Roger?”
“It sure is,” she heard his voice say from the other side. “You want to buzz me up?”
“Will do,” she said, hitting the button to let him in.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door, prompting Celeste to open it. On the other side, Roger was standing with a bouquet of red roses, which he offered to her.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the gift and bringing them to her nose. The fragrant scent filled her senses, causing the monkeys to tumble even faster. “You want to come in while I put these in water?”
“Sure,” Roger said, stepping through the threshold and making his way inside.
Celeste gestured to Megan. “Roger Boswell, this is Megan West, my roommate.”
The other woman glanced up again, but her usual disinterested expression turned to one of recognition as she said, “Wait a minute. I recognize you. You were just featured in Manhattan Magazine.”
Then looking between Celeste and Roger several times, her eyes grew round with realization of the truth. “Wait, you’re the nanny the article talked about?”
Celeste nodded, fully aware of what the article had said about her.
“Why didn’t you say anything about all this?” Megan accused. “You should tell your friend when something big like this happens.”
“Because ever since you’ve moved in, things have changed between us,” Celeste stated bluntly. “It’s like our friendship went out the window, and this new, contrary Megan was living in my apartment.”
The other woman’s eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. She started to speak but stopped. Then, almost as if she was convicted, her demeanor changed and she whispered, “I’m sorry. I know I’m not easy to live with. I’ve been this way all my life. It’s why my parents didn’t want me at home anymore.”
“I get not having parents that want you,” Celeste said sympathetically. “We have that in common.”
“I guess we do,” Megan said with a nod. “I’ll try to do better going forward.” Looking back over at Roger, she added, “You two should go enjoy yourselves. You’ll have to tell me all about it tomorrow.”
“It’ll have to be after church,” Celeste reminded Megan.
“Maybe I’ll go with you, and you can tell me on the way,” Megan suggested.
“I’d like that,” Celeste said as she finished putting on her coat before she grabbed her purse and headed out the door with Roger.
“That’s an answer to prayers,” Roger observed. “I know it’s been difficult with your roommate.”
“It has, but hopefully that’s behind us. I’d like to have my friend back.”
They climbed into the back of the limo and headed towards the airport. “I bet you’re not going to tell me where we’re going?” Celeste teased.
“Sounds like you think you’ve got me all figured out,” Roger joked back, leaning towards her.
“That’s because I do,” she whispered, placing her hand on his chest. “I know exactly what makes you tick, Mr. Boswell.”
“Do you?” he said, his lips coming mere inches from hers. “Then tell me.”
“How about I show you,” she said, closing the small distance between them.
Their lips met, causing a spark to ignite between them. The connection was instantaneous, electrifying them both in the process. Roger pulled her in tighter as she wrapped her hands in his hair.
The window rolled down and the driver cleared his throat, saying, “Pardon my interruption, Mr. Boswell, but we’ve arrived.”
“Thank you, Chris,” Roger stated before opening the car door. He climbed out, then reached out his hand to Celeste to help her.
“I see we’re taking the family jet again,” Celeste observed.
“Don’t you know by now, the only way to travel is by private jet,” he teased.
“Noted,” she said with a wink.
A few minutes later, they were seated in two leather chairs and the plane was taking off. They spent the duration of the flight talking about Roger’s work, Marcus’ latest antics, and the plans Roger had to bring Tiffany onboard as his co-COO.
The moment they disembarked from the jet, Celeste looked around but nothing looked familiar.
“I can see from your expression; you have no idea where we are.”
She shook her head. “I mean, I like surprises and all, but eventually you’re going to have to tell me what’s going on.”
“Okay, you win. We’re on Martha’s Vineyard,” Roger revealed.
“What are we doing here?” she asked with interest.
“You’ll see. I’m only giving this part of the surprise away right now.”
Roger gestured towards a waiting Town Car. They climbed inside and sped off down the road. A few minutes later, they arrived outside a giant, sprawling mansion that reminded Celeste of an old southern plantation.
“Who does this belong to?”
“This is my family’s home on the island. I figured we could spend the evening here,” he said, coming around and pulling her out of the car.
As they made their way into the richly decorated home, Celeste was taken in by the old-world charm of the place. There was vintage wood-paneling, stain-glassed windows, and antique tapestries on the walls and floor.
“Your home is beautiful,” Celeste marveled. “But it’s so different from your places in the city.”
“This place was decorated and passed down to us by my grandparents. My parents left it exactly the way it has been since it was bui
lt in honor of them.”
Celeste let Roger guide her up the stairs and through several hallways until they reached the end of one. He pushed open double French doors to reveal an enclosed balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. There was a gorgeous table set for two with red roses in the center and candles glittering in the darkness.
“I can’t believe you went to all this trouble to plan this,” Celeste said in awe. “I feel so special.”
“That’s because you are special,” Roger declared. “And I want you to know how much I value you. Not just because of how great you are with Marcus, but because of how great you are with me. I’ve never felt like this about anyone, Celeste.”
“I feel the same way about you,” she confessed. “I didn’t think I would ever be lucky enough to find someone like you.”
Roger pulled Celeste into his arms and seared her lips with a kiss. The kiss was unlike any of the ones before, and it took Celeste’s breath away. Roger hadn’t said he loved her, but she could feel it through his kiss.
“I hate to end that, but I’m starving,” Roger said, pulling back. “I think we should eat.”
The couple spent the next hour enjoying a meal under the moon and stars. Afterward, Roger asked for Celeste to dance with him. As they swayed to the music playing in the background, Celeste decided that this was the happiest night of her life.
“I have no idea how you’re going to top this date,” Celeste challenged. “This is the best night of my life.”
“You shouldn’t underestimate me. I’m always up for a good challenge,” Roger said, placing his hand under Celeste’s chin and tilting it up towards him. “But for now, I just want to kiss you again.”
His mouth came down on hers once more, causing the monkeys to stir again in the pit of her stomach. This time though, her heart raced along with the monkeys.
She pulled away, breathless. Her head was foggy, and she could hardly think, but the only thing that was clear was that she needed to tell Roger how she felt. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I’m glad to hear it because I’ve been in love with you from the moment I saw you with my son,” Roger confessed. “I just didn’t know it.”
“Well, now that we’ve got that established, I think we should get back to that kissing,” Celeste suggested, allowing Roger to claim her mouth one more time.
11
Three months later.
“It’s going to work out, Roger. You’re going to walk out of this final court hearing with full custody of Marcus,” Celeste declared.
Roger suspected she was trying to convince herself as much as him. The problem was, he was terrified that she wasn’t going to be proven right. Brianna had managed to snag a good lawyer— another favor from a client—and he was doing a good job of playing “a child should be with his mother” card. It had been a long, hard couple of weeks.
“Is there anything we can do?” Roger’s mother asked, the worry clear in her eyes.
“No, Mom, there isn’t anything any of us can do. The judge is going to rule today, and it’s up to him.”
“Correction, it’s up to God,” Celeste stated adamantly. “We just have to keep the faith.”
“We should have just gone with my plan and made it impossible for that woman to get Marcus. I don’t know what I’m going to do if she takes him away from us,” Roger’s father said, the anger and frustration audible in his voice. “I’ve grown so close to him over the past few weeks.”
Roger’s lawyer came up to him, and his usual reserved demeanor was replaced with a look, that if Roger didn’t know any better, of satisfaction.
“I have some good news,” said the man with gray hair and glasses. “Brianna Bradley was arrested last night for felony drug possession with the intent to sell. There were enough drugs on her and in her apartment that she’s in big trouble.”
Shock and anger filled Roger as he thought about the environment Brianna had kept their son in. The prostitution was bad enough, but drugs made it so much worse. What if his son had accidently ingested some? What if a drug deal had gone wrong and Marcus had gotten hurt? Though he wanted to completely blame Brianna, Roger reminded himself he hadn’t checked on the boy’s well-being, so he was partly to blame. He thanked God that nothing had happened to Marcus while he lived with his mother.
“What does this mean for the custody battle?” Roger inquired.
“I talked to the judge before meeting you here,” the lawyer explained. “He’s agreed to grant permanent, full custody to you, Roger. That means even if Brianna gets out of jail or beats the charges, somehow, she’s never going to be able to take Marcus from you. Just so you know, the judge told me he was going to rule that way even before her latest arrest. He didn’t think she was a fit mother, and this just proved it to him. I have a few documents you need to sign, but none of them are pressing. Why don’t you go and celebrate with your family? You’ve all earned it.”
The lawyer took off and disappeared into the crowd outside the courthouse.
“I think he’s right. We need to celebrate,” Roger’s mother said, “but first, we need to tell Tiffany to bring Marcus to meet us.”
“Yes, this is a momentous occasion. I say we go to the club,” Roger’s father suggested.
“I have a better idea. Why don’t you all come over to my place for lunch, that is, if Celeste doesn’t mind cooking?” he asked, looking at his girlfriend.
“Of course not. I’d be happy to make a celebratory meal for my favorite family.”
As the group made their way to the waiting limo, Roger said a silent prayer of thanks. Now that he knew nothing could ever take Marcus away from him, Roger could relax.
They arrived at Roger’s penthouse a half-hour later. Once inside, Celeste gave a quick kiss to Roger and headed towards the kitchen.
“I think I’ll go with Celeste. Not that I’m any help in the kitchen, but I can at least keep her company,” Roger’s mother said, before leaving the group in the living room.
“Aunt Tiffany, come see my room,” Marcus said, pulling his aunt towards his room.
“I guess I have plans too,” she shouted over her shoulder, as she got pulled down the hallway.
“Suddenly, we’re all alone,” Roger observed, taking a seat on his sofa. “A few months ago, I would have made up an excuse to get away from you.”
“I’m glad that’s not the case anymore,” his father stated, sitting in a chair across from his son. “Our family has come a long way.”
“We have, in some respects. There’s still one area though, that I need you to hear me out on.”
Crossing his arms, his father narrowed his eyes and asked in a steely tone, “What’s that?”
“I think you need to reconsider your stance on Tiffany working for Boswell Oil. She could be a real asset to the company. Having a woman’s viewpoint in today’s market is a huge advantage. Before you object, I have a solution that will relieve all your concerns.”
His father seemed to contemplate the idea. After a couple of moments, he said, “You’ve proven you have a good mind for our business, so I’m willing to hear you out. What did you have in mind?”
“I know you’re worried about being shut out of deals based on sexism, but I have a solution. Make us co-COOs. With her pedigree, she can manage the reports and data much better than me. I can handle partnerships and trade deals. I’ve always been a people person, so that part of the work would suit me best. I think Tiffany and I would work well together and balance each other out.”
“I have to admit, a few months ago, I wouldn’t have even considered it. However, my disease has changed me. The idea of both my children running Boswell Oil together is appealing. It would secure our family’ legacy, and I would feel better when it’s time for me to step down.”
“So, you agree? I think when we have lunch, you should make the announcement.”
“I can do that,” his father promised.
Once the meal was ready, the Boswell family along w
ith Celeste took seats around the dining room table.
“This chicken is delicious,” Roger’s father complimented. “You are an outstanding cook, Celeste. My son is lucky to have you.”
Celeste blushed from the praise. “Thank you, Mr. Boswell, but I’m the lucky one. Your son and his son are the best things that have ever happened to me.”
“Family is important,” Roger’s father agreed. “On that note, I have an announcement to make. Roger and I have talked it over, and we both think that Tiffany and Roger should be co-COOs of Boswell Oil. I’ve been shortsighted, and stuck in my old ways of doing things. My son pointed out that my daughter could be a real asset, and I was foolish to overlook her for so long. I want to rectify that and secure Boswell Oil for the future by having both my children run it together. If you’re willing to take the position, Tiffany, we can make the announcement next week.”
Tiffany’s eyes grew wide with surprise, however, there was no hesitation when she said, “Count me in.”
As Roger looked around at his family, happiness filled his heart. He had the best son anyone could want, parents who were proud of him, a sister who was going to have his back at work, and an amazing woman who loved him. His life was complete.
“I can’t believe you did this. You rented the entire theater for a private showing?” Celeste stated in awe.
“Well, I can’t take all the credit. I got the idea from Bryce.”
“He is the idea man between the two of you,” Celeste teased. “You’re great at execution though.”
“Before the performance begins, they told me we could go up on the stage and look around. Would you like that?”
“Really? You really must have pulled some strings to accomplish that,” she stated with surprise as she looked around at the flowered arch and chairs set for a wedding. “Directors usually don’t like their sets being disturbed.”