All I'll Ever Ask (The Greatest Love Book 1)

by Genevieve Woods

  Kevin said, “no problem, but I have to stop at the office to check messages and see if there are any leads in finding the perp that hit Camille.”

  “No problem,” Karen said.

  “Well you three go ahead,” Paige stated. “I will stay here with Mille.”

  Kevin frowned, “Paige you have stayed the last 2 nights, I thought we could.”

  Benjamin cut in the conversation, “I’ll stay.”

  “Ben, I can’t ask you to do that, you have done more than enough. You need rest before you go to the office tomorrow,” Paige explained.

  “No, I am fine here. When Mr. James returns, I will leave. Please, you all go. I have it covered here.”

  Kevin pulled Paige in an obsessive manner that made Karen frown but she said nothing. She gave a friendly wave good bye to Ben and said, “See you in the morning.”

  Little Nikki pointed a finger at Benjamin with one hand and the other hand on her hip and said, “Take care of my Tee-Tee, Mr. Ben.”

  “You got it, Little Ms. Shopkin.” Benjamin kneeled down and gave Nikki a handshake to seal the deal.

  ***

  3 Months Later

  Camille sat up, slightly out of breath from tying her shoes. She was waiting on Benjamin to come for their evening walk. She could not believe the turn the last few months had caused in her life and circle of friends. First, she hated to admit to herself but Benjamin was taking up more room in her heart, mind, thoughts, and soul than she felt she could make room for. However, she was grateful for how he stepped in at ITS and had aided Karen in running the company as if she was still there. When she tried to compensate him, he declined, saying he did not need any more income to pay taxes on.

  Then there was Karen, running into Frankie Jones at Kevin’s office, the day he dropped her off from the hospital. Frankie is the postal courier for the District Attorney’s office, and apparently the one-night stand that fathered little Nikki. The paternity test was back and Frankie was, as Maury Povich would say, “indeed 99.99%, the father.” At first, Karen was unsure of how she wanted to proceed but Frankie said he wanted Nikki to know his family. His twenty-year-old twin daughters, who were in college and an ex-wife, who was now his best friend.

  Camille shuttered at all the drama in her world. Immediately, her thoughts went to Paige and Kevin and their tumultuous trip to Atlanta that landed Paige in jail for 12 hours for assaulting Kevin’s mom. Fortunately, Kevin and his dad, got Mrs. Michelson not to press charges. No one had given Camille the details, as they did not want to hinder her healing, but how could her being in suspense and worry, help? She shook that off, as her mind wondered to her father. R.D. had been there for the past three months but he seemed on edge. Like something was bothering him other than her health. Camille knew her father and knew there was more. But what could she do but wait until he was ready to open up and talk to her. Until then, she would follow the doctor’s orders and do her daily mental and physical work out, so she could get back to business. Just then her doorbell rang and a smile spread across her face, as she could feel Ben’s presence near. She walked as fast as she could with her light limp to greet him.

  ***

  “Hi Cam.” Ben greeted with his new moniker for Camille, as he reached down and gave her a kiss on the temple and squeeze her tight.

  Camille said, “hi handsome, as she returned the hug one hundred fold.”

  “Is my girl ready for our walk?” Ben asked as he pulled backed from her to peer down her body. She was becoming more beautiful every day. There was barely a scar left on her radiant face. Benjamin, who never cared for weaves, thought Camille’s looked as natural as her own hair. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever had the pleasure of viewing.

  “Earth to Benjamin,” Camille said. “I’m ready for our walk. Let me get my water bottle and we can go.”

  “Um...okay.” Benjamin wondered when being in her presence, would become easier. She always made him drift off, thinking of her beauty.

  Thirty minutes in to their walk, they had hit one and half miles and the conversation was flowing smoothly. Ben turned to Camille and said, “I want you to come to Sunday dinner to officially meet my family.”

  Camille blushed, “Ben I have met your mom. Dare I say, we are friends. Mrs. Ellen is one of the most beautiful women, inside and outside, that I have ever met.”

  Ben warmed at that comment. “Thanks Cam, but I am ready for you to meet my aunt, uncles, and gammy.”

  Camille gave a smile that spread across her entire face. “Really Ben, so soon? I mean you have been a life saver for my company and a caretaker for me personally. However, outside of that, you don’t know the 100% Camille James. You sure you want to introduce me to the extended family?”

  Ben stopped their walk, grabbed Cam’s hand and looked her eye to eye and said, “I. Have. Never. Been. More. Sure. Of. Anything.”

  Camille gave an embarrassed chuckle and raised to her tip toes and kissed Ben gently on his lips and said, “Yes, I would love to meet them.”

  They then, proceeded back to her apartment completing the two-mile journey in forty-five minutes. It wasn’t lost on Ben, that – that was their best time yet. He also cleared his thoughts of what his body wanted to do, after that wet kiss Camille bestowed upon him. Things were heating up for them.

  ***

  Kevin and Paige (Kevin’s Downtown Condo)

  “Paige I am trying to understand why I had to convince my MOTHER of all people, not to press charges against my girlfriend. Please give me something that can help me understand what would cause you to freaking, flip out like that.”

  Paige who was sitting on his couch, did not speak or look Kevin’s way. Kevin, who was close to the edge of losing it on her, continued to question her.

  “Who assaults their future mother-in-law?” Kevin pleaded with a stubborn Paige, who sat on the couch staring into space like a zombie. That was until the last phrase was yelled into her face by Kevin.

  Paige whipped her head around. She looked to Kevin like the girl from the exorcist, as fast as it twirled in his direction. He braced himself for her hood persona.

  “Kevin, what do you mean future mother-in-law? I do not have a ring on my finger and the way your mommy dearest treats me and you and your father allow her to. I don’t know that I want a ring from YOUR SPINELESS ASS!”

  Kevin throws his hands up thinking, here we go, and Paige from the hood is out. He asked her as calmly as he could, “why profanity Paige?”

  “Why Profanity?” Paige screamed until her voice became hoarse. “Because there are no dignified words to articulate how fed up I am of you trying to get me to be a door mat for your raggedy momma.” Paige was up, standing toe to toe with Kevin. “That so called lady of ‘sophistication’.” Paige made quotations marks with her hands as she said “sophistication,” had the nerve to tell me I was not good enough for you. You want to know why?”

  Kevin was sure that was a rhetorical question, he remained quiet.

  “I am not good enough for you, because I came from a drug addicted whore. She went on to say that whore, which is my mother mind you, did not have enough sense not to overdose on heroin. Then the great Mrs. Michelson told me the apple has not fallen far from the tree. That I am nothing more than a gold digging whore like my pathetic mother. To follow up those insults, she spits in my face. So tell me Mr. D.A., how do I respond to that?

  Kevin, knew that too was rhetorical. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, and try with all his might to keep his anger in check. He had no clue his mother could be so cruel. He wanted to reach out and comfort Paige and tell her it was ok to stop this closing argument in her defense. Shamefully, he had lost the ability to speak or move, so he just stood, listening.

  “I will tell you how I responded! I put my foot up her.” Paige caught herself before more profanity slipped out. “Let me say the appropriate word for you, derriere. I wanted to physically kick her into the next century. Then I proceeded to snatch every extension ou
t of her bald head. I slapped her so hard, her fake eyelashes went flying across the room. I grabbed her by the neck, making that Tiffany of New York necklace snap and I would have choked the very life out of her, had you and Mr. Michelson not come in. I was Hell bent, excuse me. I was determined to allow her to make acquaintance with my whore of a mother in Hell! Where she was surely on her way. Now, you still want to give me a ring?” Paige asked sarcastically.

  Kevin stood there stunned and speechless. “Oh wow, Mr. District Attorney,” Paige sneered. “No Rebuttal, well there is no need because I rest my case and withdraw from this tired ass relationship. Oops, there is that hood persona again. Forgive me Kevin, let me rephrase to your legal terms, this relationship is no longer giving me what I need to be the best person I was destined to be. Therefore, I would like you to lose my freaking number and never speak to me again.” Paige grabbed her purse, retrieved her cell phone, and called a cab. She informed the cab company she would be waiting outside the Mississippi Waterfront Condos.

  Kevin was left standing in place, speechless, as she slammed the door.

  ***

  Capricious Restaurant, Peabody Hotel

  Frankie sat in the upscale restaurant with Shayla, Dawn, and Autumn, drinking Ginger Ale. He was more nervous this day, then he was when he received the paternity results. He had spent the last few months with Karen and Nikki and loved his little girl, completely. Karen was beautiful and warm and he had yet to figure out what prompted her to do drugs and have a one-night stand. She was nothing short of responsible. However, this was the first time all the leading ladies in his life would meet and he was nervous as all get out.

  “Daddy!” Dawn called out, breaking into his thoughts. “Are you here with us? You seem nervous.”

  Frankie smiled warmly at his more caring daughter and said, “Yes, Pumpkin, I am nervous. I want this all to go smoothly.”

  “It will daddy,” both Dawn and Autumn exclaimed. Autumn held her dad’s other hand and said “I can’t wait to spoil my little sister.”

  “Thanks girls. I knew I could count on you.” Frankie lifted one of their hands and gave them each a kiss on it. Then Frankie turned to Shayla and asked, “what are you thinking sweetheart?”

  Shayla sighed, “I don’t know how I feel, Frankie. We were married so long, now we are in a good place. I just don’t know where I will fit in.”

  Frankie had a feeling she felt some kind of way about his new family. He wanted to ease her in this transition. “Shayla, you are the mother of my girls and my best friend.” Frankie reached over the table and grabbed her hands to reassure her.

  Shayla had tears in her eyes as she held tightly to his hand and said, “Karen is the mother of your other daughter. What is to stop her from becoming more?”

  That statement tore at Frankie’s heart. Shayla had never given an indication that she wanted more than friendship. He understood why she didn’t want to be more than friends. He had put her and the girls through so much during his addiction. He wanted to comfort her and tell her they had a chance. He couldn’t as Karen was taking up more room in his life, heart, and mind. Before he could say anything, he heard a high pitch voice scream, “Daddy we’re here.” Frankie rose from his chair and met his little Shopkin in the middle of the restaurant and gave her a twirl, just like she liked. Nikki held on to his neck and smiled showing all teeth and gums, as she had lost one of her front teeth, in an accident.

  Karen came rushing behind them and apologized saying, “sorry, she was so excited, I could not keep up.”

  Frankie replied, “No problem. I’m happy to see Miss Shopkin, here too. How are you Karen?” Frankie said this while holding Nikki in one arm and pulling Karen to him and giving her a lingering kiss on the forehead.

  Karen blushed and pulled away, as she felt three set of eyes zoom in on them with intensity. When Karen stepped back, Frankie turned to see what had alarmed her and remembered Shayla and the girls were with him. Karen and Nikki did this to him. Their presence took him to another place, a place of hope and promise.

  Frankie could not explain it. Maybe it was just gratitude toward Karen for being responsible and raising Nikki to be this bright little girl. He had learned that Karen did not think once about aborting his Miss Shopkin, instead she put herself through college, while progressing in her career. He was in awe. With the one night they shared in creating Nikki, he could not have dreamed she was a responsible, educated lady. Her beauty and grace was an added bonus. He was totally captivated by her and his daughter. However, this was not just their new little family, he had to begin the blending of all his ladies. By the look on the girls and Shayla’s faces, he was not sure it would be a smooth one. He took a deep breath and lead Karen in front of him, with his hand on the small of her back toward the table. Nikki laid her head on his shoulder as he held her. When he made it to the table, Dawn and Autumn both stood and then nudged their mother, who had a look of defeat all over her. When Frankie approached, he made introduction of Karen first, to his daughters and Shayla. The girls both greeted Karen with a hug.

  Autumn grabbed Nikki and said, “Hi we are your big sisters.”

  Shayla shook Karen’s hand and said “Hi nice to meet you.” Then excused herself to the restroom. Karen had no idea on how to feel or what to think about her sudden departure but focused her attention on her daughter and her big sisters. Nikki was overjoyed with having older twin sisters. She started chatting with them as if she had known them all her life. Dawn and Autumn were under the Shopkins spell in less than ten minutes. However, after 30 minutes, Dawn brought up the elephant in the room saying she had to go check on her mom, who had not returned. Frankie asked Autumn what she thought was going on with Shayla.

  Autumn shrugged and said, “Dad, I don’t think she can handle this setting.” She said this while using her hand to motion at Frankie, Nikki, and Karen. Frankie was flabbergasted, “what do you mean this setting? Shayla knew the purpose of this lunch was for you all to meet Karen and my baby girl.”

  “Dad!” Autumn exclaimed, “Yes she knew, we all knew but none of us expected you three to seem like a family. Where I am tickled pink to have Nikki and you too Karen, in our lives, mom may need time to adjust, that’s all.”

  Karen understood, she leaned into Frankie and said, “Maybe I should go. Autumn is right, from everything you shared with me about Shayla I don’t want to ruin her afternoon.”

  Frankie was having none of that. He and Shayla were friends and nothing more. Although, he and Karen had not made anything official between them, he was certain she was his future.

  Karen beamed with pride. She was elated how Frankie had stood up for her and Nikki. She grabbed Frank’s hand, looked over at Nikki and said, “Nikki, mommy needs to leave and take care of something. Can you stay here with Daddy and your sisters?”

  Nikki nodded yes with her head, and said, “Yes ma’am.”

  “Okay then its settled, Frankie you can bring Nikki home after you guys are done here.”

  Frankie relented and said okay. Here is another reason he wanted Karen, she was so giving and understanding. He rose from his chair and walked her out, promising to set things straight. Karen, wanted to set something else straight, she was leaving to keep the peace not to surrender what she hoped was a future with Frankie and their daughter. Instead of the simple kiss on the check, she stood on her tiptoes and gave Frankie a subtle kiss on the lips and whispered, “See you later,” in his ear. Frankie had to stand there a few minutes to collect himself as he watched her stroll away. That was the opening he needed to pursue more with Karen. First, he had to see why Shayla had flipped the script on him. When he arrived back to the table Shayla and Dawn were back and all the ladies seemed to be engrossed in conversation with Nikki. That’s when Frankie caught the victory look in Shayla’s eyes. She was okay with Nikki but she wanted no part of Karen. Oh boy, he thought, and it begins. Women and their fickle minds.

  ***

  Camille’s Apartment

&n
bsp; Benjamin tossed the salad he made for him and Camille. While he listened on his mobile device to Kevin’s recap of his trip to Atlanta and the consequential fight he had with Paige. Benjamin hated to hear the relationship was over hurt

  Kevin, but in his opinion, it was the logical step. Of course he could not voice that at the present moment, so he continued to prepare dinner and simply listened. A smiled crossed his face when Camille came out showered and looking refreshed in her white terry cloth boy shorts and tank. She was also on her mobile device, no doubt listening to Paige’s version of the drama. Ben gave Camille a wink and she blew a kiss his way and sat down, at her eat in kitchen table.

  Camille was getting comfortable with the way Ben catered to her. He was so attentive. She just wanted to enjoy the moment with him but best friend duty called. Camille could not believe Paige had been arrested for attacking Mrs. Michelson. But then, why did Mrs. Michelson have such a problem with Paige? She had never done anything to Camille’s knowledge to warrant being spit on, literally. Camille said, “thank you Ben,” as he sat her plate down and Paige stopped mid-sentence.

  “Camille, why didn’t you tell me Ben was over there? I will talk to you later.” Before Camille could object, ‘called ended’ appeared on her phone’s screen. Apparently, Ben had the same fate with his conversation as she had, because he placed his mobile device on the table and said “shall we say grace?” That was another trait Camille adored about Benjamin, his commitment to his faith. They both had renewed their lives with Christ and had begun the journey of healing together, for the bodies, minds, and souls. The last few months seemed like an eternity and that is what gave Camille pause. It was all moving so fast and she was so caught up in it. She feared it was too good, too fast, to last.

  “Penny for your thoughts” Ben said breaking her out of her thoughts.

  Camille chuckled and said, “just thinking about how fast we have been moving, and if we should slow down.”