“And did what? Eat? That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about doing things, fun things. You used to do all kinds of things. You danced, you ran, you were on the volleyball team, you were into auctions and antiques. You tried new things. You were always doing something crazy with your hair or buying new clothes.”
“Yes, you’re right. I did a lot of stupid things with my hair. But I’m an adult now.”
“That doesn’t mean you stop living. You need to get some of that old girl back and try her on for size. You can’t go through life being sad all the time or thinking too much.”
“You think I’m like that?”
“Yes, I do. The ‘Celia’ who was at the Christmas party, that wasn’t the real you. That was some rich snob I’d never met before. I don’t mean to beat on you while you’re down, but to be honest, it’s the only time I’ll have the nerve to do it.” He looked at her sheepishly and flashed her a big smile. She looked thoughtful and gave him a pouting look.
He stood up and leaned over as if he was peeking inside her mind. “Come on out of there, Sis. I know you’re in there. Don’t go down that road again. Quit fooling around with these men who don’t love you and find one you can grow old with.”
“You sound like Mom.”
“Maybe I do, but I’m sure we have different reasons. I lost a really good friend a few months ago and it taught me a lot. One of the things was to stop wasting time. I know we have to work. I know I need to settle down, find a job or learn a trade. But we do not need to forget how to live.”
“So you think I’ve forgotten what life’s all about?” Celia asked.
“Not completely. You were always about family, but I think you’ve forgotten about - you.”
“I don’t know,” she said, with a slight shrug of her shoulders. She didn’t want to look at him. A part of her knew he was right, but how could she admit that she’d been so wrong to her younger brother?
She felt Roger’s hand raising her chin so she would have to look at him. There was a compassionate smile on his lips. “Sis, can I be really honest?”
“I suppose so. You’re doing a pretty good job so far.”
“I know and I don’t mean to sound cruel, but I can see you wasting time. I think you’re worried about the physical side of you. Who can take care of you? Who will give you the biggest or best home? You need to start thinking about who’s going to take care of you when you’re old and wrinkled and your hair turns gray.”
“And, trust me, this is hard for me to say. I mean, look at this place. What do you need with a house this big? Think about it, Sis. How would you pay the electric bill let alone the taxes and cost of maintenance?”
Celia knew he was trying to soften the blow, so she nodded. “I understand and you might be right, but I don’t have to admit it. I’m the older one. I’m supposed to be the smarter sibling.”
Roger turned and started to go. “I don’t care if you admit it or not. I just hope you listen and do a little work on taking care of my sister, the real Celia.”
*****
Thursday morning when Randi woke up, she was tired. She’d not slept much. She'd done more packing then sleeping. She got up, dressed and took the pups out for their morning walk. When she came back in, she sent Martin a quick text telling him that she was checking into a hotel for a few days to think things over. She hoped he didn’t get angry, but she didn’t want to move in with him.
Well, a part of her did, but she knew it would be taking a step that could lead them to the bedroom before they should be there. That was not what she wanted. And, more than anything, she wanted to prove her mother wrong. She wanted to show her that she could make it on her own and that Martin was worth fighting for.
It looked like rain so she put on a jacket and walked downstairs, the dogs at her heels. She had everything she would need for a few days, and as she was pulling out her phone to call a cab, her dad walked out, keys in his hands.
“You’re just in time to give me a ride.”
When he looked at her, the look on his face said it all and she shrugged. “Can you give me a ride? I need to get a car but right now I can’t afford the down payment.”
“I know, and I wish I could help you.”
“I wasn’t hinting at all.”
“I know you weren’t, and I’ll give you a ride, though I wish I didn’t have to. Your mother will be down soon. Do you want me to try to talk some sense into her?”
“No. I think this is best for now. She needs to know I’m serious. I understand her position but I think she’s wrong. I’m not willing to do as she wants, and this is her house.”
“It’s my house, too.”
“I know, but I’m not about to put the two of you at odds. This will all work out in time. We just both need some space.”
“She was pretty sure last night you were moving in with Martin.”
They walked to the car. Her dad opened the trunk, and when he looked up, Randi shook her head. “That’s what I told her, and it might happen, but for now I’m going to a motel. I don’t have a lot of cash, so I will move in with him before I come back home and live by her rules.”
He only nodded and Randi opened the back door so the dogs could jump in. They changed the subject once on the road. “Where are you off to this morning?”
“I’m going to put in a few applications for some part time work. I finally got my final notice. No more work at the plant. I’m going to try part-time work. Your mom wants to get a job. She wants to sell cosmetics. I don’t mind. She needs something to do. Do you have a motel in mind?”
“I’m sorry to hear that. You’ll find something. You’ve got a great work record, and, yes, the motel on Pine Street and 34th. They take dogs and even have an outside kennel though I hope I don’t have to use it.”
“That’s close to your aunt’s house.”
“It is. That’s one reason I chose it. I can drop the dogs off with Julie in the morning when it’s time for work.”
“You’ve put some thought into this. I assume you’re pretty serious about Mr. Taylor?”
“I am. I could see him being ‘the one’.” Not that we’re talking marriage, but we are both at that point in our life. We want the same things. It’s kind of scary the way we connected. It’s one of the things I can’t get Mother to see. All she can think about is that he was still dating someone else when we met.”
“That’s not good, but I know she told me he wasn’t getting along with the other woman.”
“Her name is Celia, and, no, he was not in love with her anymore, if he ever had been. Look, I know it sounds terrible, but it’s not. He tried to tell me a few times. I can recall the serious moments when he was about to say something and we would get interrupted.”
Her dad parked the car. She felt he had more to say and she gave him time. The dogs were jumping about looking out one window and then the other.
“I won’t try to push you one way or the other but . . .”
“I’m listening.”
“Don’t let someone you’ve known for only a few weeks come between you and your mother for long.”
This time it was Randi who waited before she spoke. She wanted to make sure her words sounded kind and not rude. She nodded and turned in the seat to face her dad. He, in turn, looked at her.
“I understand what you’re saying. I don’t refer to the Bible very often; I don’t feel worthy to do so but there is one verse though I can’t quote it word for word. It says that a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. It may not say anything about the woman, but I assume she’s also supposed to leave her family for the man she loves.”
Her dad didn’t say anything he just nodded. Randi let out a sigh and looked at the flashing sign. “I don’t want to do this. I didn’t want to fight. I was willing to see Martin less, but nothing would satisfy her but to stop me from seeing him.”
“I know your mother does have a temper, but she wants what’s best for yo
u.”
“True, but she can’t know that.”
“She thinks she does.”
Randi nodded. This wasn’t getting her anywhere. She wanted to stay on good speaking terms with her dad. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you, Dad, and I love Mom. Tell her that for me. I’ll call her in a few days to check in.”
“Do that. I’ll make sure she answers.”
“Thanks. I don’t want this rift to last. I hope and pray she’ll see that Martin is a good man and that he’s the right one for me.”
“I’m not sure. She’s lived here too long and watched too many Star shows, she thinks she knows best.”
Randi didn’t like the sad look on her dad’s face. She didn’t know how to answer. She reached for the handle on the door and forced a smile. “It will all work out in the end. It has to.”
Chapter 47
Roses for Momma
Martin was sitting in the truck at the park waiting for Addison. He was watching a couple of kids feed some ducks. He and Randi had talked about kids, but they needed to have a serious talk. The conversation he had with his dad was coming back to him and he did not want to make the same mistakes he’d made with Celia.
It was one thing to say you wanted kids and an entirely different thing to sit down and plan it out. He wanted at least two, maybe more, if Randi agreed. He wasn’t a millionaire but he did well enough. If they invested wisely, they would never have to worry about the important things like a home, healthcare, education and the daily necessities.
They seemed to have a lot in common and wanted a lot of the same things, but he needed to be certain. He wanted to get this right. He wanted to settle down and start a family. But, after this mess with her mother, would Randi still want those same things, or an even bigger question, would she still want him?
“Wow, you’re a million miles away,” Addison said, bringing him out of his thoughts as she walked up to the truck. “Good thing I’m not the press, hounding you about your next maid or your next live-in-love.”
“Funny.” Martin motioned with his hand for her to step back as he climbed out. He took the flowers from her and laid them in the seat of his truck.
“Are you going to tell me now why I’m the one picking up your red roses and a card?”
“Well, I won’t need the card. I’m going to deliver them in person. As to why, I don’t know any flower shops that are not staffed mostly by women who might know who I am. I didn’t want to deal with the scene.”
“Makes sense. Are these for Randi?”
“No. Her mother.”
“Okay, and why?”
Martin leaned against the truck crossing his arms. “For some reason, my possible future mother-in-law hates me, or at least dislikes me enough that she’s trying to force Randi to dump me.”
“So, you’re going out on that limb and thinking about wedding rings, and all that?”
“I suppose. But not if I can’t convince Mrs. Sanders that I’m deserving of her daughter’s hand.”
“How did all this come about? Is it because of the way you met? Did she find out, or is there something else that I don’t know about?” Addison asked, crossing her arms.
“Nothing on my end. I think it’s partly what happened with Celia at the start, and the fact I’m a movie star. I’ve sent Randi a few texts and after a few tries she told me - and in her mother’s words - it’s because I get paid to sleep with and have sex with women.”
“Ouch. That does sound bad. Our Mom has never liked that about your job either.”
Martin shook his head. “I think having your mother think about your sex life is the most embarrassing thing possible.”
“Then change jobs. Start directing, or get a real job.”
“Yeah, like a nice cushy lawyer job. I didn’t go to school for that.”
“No, but you could be a little pickier about the movies you make.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going to start preaching, too. I expect it from Mom.”
“Well, maybe you should expect it from any normal woman. I would not have married Rafa if I had known that somewhere down the line, in order to win a case, he would have to be in bed with another woman.”
Martin wanted to curse. What was he supposed to do? He’d spent most of his life preparing for this career. Did he have to choose between his life’s work and love? He finally spoke, “Are you serious? If Rafa had been a movie star you wouldn’t have married him?”
Addison’s expression softened. She uncrossed her arms and reached out and put her hands on his shoulders. “I can only tell you what I would have done. The night that Rafa and I met, if he had said to me, ‘I make movies for a living’, I would have smiled and thought, ‘What a shame’. Then I would have gone on my way.”
“But you love him and you married him.”
“I do now and I don’t know if I could love anyone else like I love Rafa. I do know, though, that I couldn’t live happily knowing while I was at home waiting for him that he was in the arms of other women.”
Martin shook his head. “This never came up with Celia.”
“Right. Because Celia didn’t love you! Martin, maybe all women are not like this, but I’m jealous and I go to church. I wouldn’t want a man who – for any reason - wanted to hold another woman in his arms.”
Martin moved away, pacing and looked at her. “What if you’d met him and didn’t know what he did for a living? What then? Would you have just walked away from your feelings?”
Addison didn’t answer. This was a serious topic for him and he supposed she was going to give him the best answer she could.
“That’s hard to say but I’ll try to put myself in Randi’s shoes.” This time she began to pace. He watched as she walked back and forth, and for a few seconds, she placed her hand on her stomach. His eyes grew wide and he moved his gaze to the serious look on her face.
“You’re pregnant?!?” he blurted out without thinking. He looked around, and thankfully, no one was around to have heard or cared what he said. The smile on her face couldn’t hide the news and she nodded, ‘yes’. Before he could snatch her up in his arms and swing her around, which he really wanted to do, she held up a hand.
“You cannot tell Mom. I want to tell her in person. Promise me you won’t let a word of this out. Not even Randi, not anyone.”
“I won’t. Can I hug you now?”
“Yes.” She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck as he swung her around in a circle then very carefully set her on her feet. They were both laughing and crying at the same time.
“I’m going to be an uncle, I’m going to be an uncle,” Martin said in a sing-song voice that was totally out of character for him.
“That you are, and again, not a word, not a word to anyone.”
“I won’t. I won’t tell anyone.”
“Good. I plan on having a small wedding in Dad’s church soon. I was going to tell you this. I’ve just been trying to get it straight in my mind. I want to tell them about the baby right after we say our ‘I do’s’. Then after we leave there, we’ll be going to Italy to see Rafa’s mother. I expect we may have to exchange vows in their family church, to make her happy, but I’m fine with that.”
“Can I bring Randi?”
“Sure, if she’ll come. Is this mostly her mother, or do you know yet?”
“I’m pretty sure Randi is fine. It was her idea to leave. She told me what was going on. For the acting and the sex scenes, we had agreed that we would cross those bridges as they came.”
“I think that might be a mistake. You don’t want to get in the middle of a bridge and find out it’s weak – that it can’t hold the weight.”
“You could be right, but what do you suggest?”
“Well, I know that you were talking about not drinking for Randi. What’s the big deal about saying ‘no’ to the movies with sex scenes in them? Is it the money? The fact that you enjoy them? Be honest with yourself because until you know the answe
r, you won’t know what to tell Randi or her mother.”
Chapter 48
Celia’s Dream
Mike wasn’t looking forward to learning what Celia had cooked up. With all the events she had planned, he was sure she could come up with something he would hate. He could now understand the dread she would feel about a camping trip, and not for him but for her, was thinking of backing out of the pact.
He was almost home so he took out his phone and called Martin. There was some mail piling up and he wasn’t sure what to do with it. He didn’t want to ask Celia about it because some of it was for her from the hospital and some of it was for the household.
It might take longer than he thought so he pulled off on the side of the road and Martin picked up on the third ring. He sounded preoccupied when he answered. “What’s up man? You sound a million miles away.”
“I’m sitting, five miles from Randi’s house. I’m trying to work up the courage to deliver some flowers and a card to her mom.”
“I think you mentioned that. Not good. Do you think this is the best plan?”
“I’m not sure. I wrote a few things on the card just in case she won’t see me. I’ve never had this problem before. I’m not sure how to handle it.”
“You mean having the prospect of a mother-in-law, or someone who hates you?”
“Well, I don’t think she hates me, she’s just afraid I’m the wrong person for her daughter. And the hate thing, sure I’ve had people who I thought hated me before but I never wanted to change their minds. This is different. I want to impress her and try to get her to see I’m not so terrible.”
“Good luck. Did you put Randi in your apartment? If so, I wouldn’t mention that part.”
Martin laughed. “No, she’s in a hotel for now. She thought it best to think it through. I didn’t expect her to move in with me. It would go against her values.”
“So, you’re sleeping alone on this one?”
“Yes, that’s another thing I’m not used to. But I’m coping. I care for Randi, and I don’t mind the extra work.”
“Hey, join the crowd of those of us who go to bed alone every night. But, seriously, if you need somewhere for her to say, she could stay at my house and you could stay at the mansion.”
Celia's Knight (California Love Trilogy Book 3) Page 20