Cherish Me

by Farrah Rochon

  Last Willow checked, the bid was at $27,000. Running a close second was a weeklong, all-inclusive vacation in the beach home Margo and Gerald owned in St. Marteen. The two had purchased the home several years ago after getting married there. That auction item stood at just over $15,000.

  The buzz inside the ballroom had increased ever since they opened the doors and allowed people to enter the official kickoff party for the Diane Holmes Foundation. Hours earlier, the atrium had been packed with over five hundred comic book enthusiasts, some driving in from as far as Dallas and Pensacola. They’d paid $50 each just to view a collection of rare comic books that were on display. Some of those same comics, including those Margo had found in her attic, were also up for auction and pulling in a pretty penny.

  It had been Brooklyn’s idea to host the pre-gala event. Willow had to admit that they’d all been a bit skeptical at first that anyone would be willing to pay money just to look at old comics. Then again, they’d been a bit skeptical when Reid pitched his girlfriend’s idea about a superheroes-themed gala as well. The entire family owed them all a huge debt of gratitude. As Willow looked around the packed room, she couldn’t imagine a stuffy event with people in tuxedoes and ball gowns. This cheerful, jovial atmosphere spoke more to Diane’s personality than any black tie affair ever would.

  “You ready for a break yet, Ms. Lane?”

  Willow turned to find Harrison approaching her in his pseudo-Superman costume. He’d refused to wear tights, no matter how much she’d begged. Instead, he wore black slacks, a button-down shirt with most of the buttons undone, and a Superman t-shirt underneath. And, of course, a cape.

  Willow had gone all out herself as Lois Lane, donning a sharp black pencil skirt, white collared shirt, and the signature black-rimmed eyeglasses. She’d even flat-ironed her hair and curled it to recreate Lois’s vintage deep waves.

  “I don’t think any of us will get a break until this thing is over. But I don’t care because everything is going fabulously,” Willow said. She turned and gave him a kiss. “Hey, have you seen your sister?”

  Harrison tipped his head toward the wall of windows that faced the Mississippi river.

  “Over there losing her shit over the decorator. He took it upon himself to change the color scheme for the photo area.”

  “Oh no,” Willow groaned.

  Harrison nodded. “Pretty sure he’ll never make that mistake again.”

  “We need more forms for the auction,” Willow said, but before she could go in search of them, Harrison grabbed her by the arm.

  “Slow down a minute. Here.” He produced a puffed pastry from behind his back. “I snuck this out of the kitchen for you. You’ve been running nonstop since this thing started.”

  “What else am I supposed to do?” Willow asked before stuffing the entire mini pastry in her mouth. She moaned in pleasure. “My God. Those two sisters are amazing. We should look into getting them for Lily’s party.”

  “We can check. If they were able to take on a party of this size at the last minute, they can probably fit in something on a smaller scale with no problem.”

  She and Harrison had decided to go ahead with their plans to give Lily a car for her sixteenth birthday, but after witnessing her turnaround over the past couple of weeks, and taking into account how few problems she’d given them over the years, they’d agreed to up the ante by throwing her a surprise Sweet Sixteen birthday party, as well.

  Ezra walked up to them. “Hey, where’ve you been?” He asked Harrison. “I’ve been looking for you two. Make sure you’re around in the next ten minutes. We’ll all need to be up on stage.”

  “For what?” Harrison asked.

  “Just wait,” her brother-in-law said.

  Willow had a feeling she knew what was going on. Ezra came to the gala dressed as King T’Challa of Wakanda, but Mackenna told her earlier that he planned to do a wardrobe change halfway through the gala and emerge as the Black Panther. However, having them all gather on stage for his big reveal was a bit over the top, even for Ezra.

  “I need to go check in on Athens,” Willow said. “I want to make sure he’s not in the way.” Her son had begged to join them at the gala, especially after learning about the superheroes theme.

  “He’s fine,” Harrison said. “I just came from the back room where they all are. Alex hooked up a video game console. Athens, Jasmine and the twins are all back there playing on it. He’s set for the night.”

  As if he’d been conjured by name, Alex appeared with his wife, Renee. Willow had already labeled them as winners of the costume contest planned for later in the evening. The couple, dressed as a black Dick Tracy and Jessica Rabbit, outshone just about everyone in the room.

  Although, she had to admit Eli and Monica ran a close second. The physicians had opted to remain slightly in character, with Eli dressing as Purple Doctorfish from Spongebob Squarepants and Monica as Doc McStuffins from the Disney cartoon. Willow didn’t even want to know what kind of money they’d spent on their costumes. She was just excited to see that so many had gone all in with the theme.

  Toby joined them, one of the dozen or so in the crowd who’d opted for Spiderman tonight.

  “This party is off the chain,” Toby said. “I mean, look at this.” He gestured around the decorated room with its floor to ceiling banners of Dynamo Diane, large balloon arches, and images of various superhero emblems flashing on the walls courtesy of numerous projectors around the room. Willow couldn’t deny that Indina and her team had done a remarkable job putting this event together.

  Jonathan stopped by dressed as Zorro, along with his newest girlfriend who was dressed as what Willow could only surmise was a burlesque dancer. Or maybe a brothel owner? Willow couldn’t remember the woman’s name, but it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t be around for long. They never were.

  Once Jonathan and his date left to get something to eat from the buffet that had just opened, Toby said, “Man, I’m happy Sienna decided to stay home with the kids tonight. She would be pissed to see him here with this new girl.” He looked around. “But, then again, I’m sorry she’s missing all of this. I need to take more video to show her what y’all managed to put together here. Aunt Diane would be proud.”

  Willow’s chest filled with pride. Yes, her mother-in-law would be proud of what they’d done tonight.

  “Can we get the children of Diane Holmes on stage please?” came the voice of tonight’s emcee over the speaker system.

  They all whipped around to the front of the room. Ezra had indeed changed into his Black Panther costume and stood on stage, his fiancée, Mackenna standing next to him.

  “Oh, Lord,” Harrison said. “What is this one up to?”

  “I have no idea,” Willow said. “You’d better get up there.”

  He caught her wrist. “You know what I told you. Mama would have picked you over me if she’d had to make a choice. You’re just as much hers as the rest of us.”

  They joined the others who had already gathered on stage. Indina stood next to her husband, Griffin, with Reid and Brooklyn, standing opposite them.

  “You too, Dad,” Ezra called, motioning for Clark to come up on stage. Willow smiled at her father-in-law, looking as regal as he wanted to be as James Earl Jones’s character from the ’80s movie, Coming to America.

  Ezra moved to the side, making room for Mackenna to step up to the microphone.

  “Good evening, everyone,” Mack began. “On behalf of the Holmes family, I want to thank you all for supporting this amazing event. I knew Diane for nearly twenty years. From the very first time I begged Indina to let me come down to New Orleans with her for Thanksgiving break back when we were both broke college students at Grambling, Diane welcomed me into her home and made me feel as if it was my home. She did the same for countless people around the neighborhood.”

  The room resonated with murmurs of agreement.

  “Diane left us much too soon,” Mack continued. “But with your help, her legacy wil
l live on. And, to solidify that legacy, the city’s illustrious mayor has a proclamation he’d like to share with you all. Mayor Carter?”

  A buzz began to hum around the ballroom as Lucien Carter joined them on stage. Willow looked to Harrison, who hunched his shoulders in a gesture indicating that he had no idea what was going on either. Even Indina looked perplexed.

  The mayor thanked Mackenna, then held up a linen folder emblazoned with the Mayor’s Office’s official seal.

  “On behalf of the citizens of this great city, I, Lucien Carter, Mayor of the City of New Orleans, with gratitude for a life committed to community service, do hereby deem it an honor and pleasure to officially recognize this day as Diane Holmes Day in the City of New Orleans.”

  A roar of cheers went up as the mayor handed the proclamation to Clark. Willow tried to hold it together, but the moment she caught the sheen of tears sparkling in her father-in-law’s eyes nothing would stop hers from falling. She wasn’t the only one. Every single one of them on stage were teary-eyed as they shared hugs.

  Soon after the proclamation, the brass band that had been entertaining the guests all night started up again, and a second line quickly formed. They all joined in the traditional New Orleans dance style, waving handkerchiefs and paper napkins as they high-stepped around the room.

  Willow was seconds from passing out from exhaustion when Harrison pulled her out of the parade of costumed guests and steered her toward the drink station. It boasted a half-dozen elegant glass jar drink dispensers filled with fruit infused ice water, lemonade and sweet tea. He filled two cups with lemon-mint water and handed one to her.

  “Thank you,” Willow said after downing the water in one gulp. “I hate to say it, baby, but I think we’re getting too old for this.”

  “I’d agree, but then look at that one.” He nudged his head toward where the second line was still going strong. Her seventy-year-old father-in-law led the pack. “I think we’re just out of shape. We need to join him on his morning jogs.”

  Willow laughed. “I think you’re right.”

  He caught her by the shoulders and pulled her into him, then turned her around so that her back was flush against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her middle and nestled his chin against her neck.

  “Hey,” he spoke softly against her ear. “In another minute or so, look to the right, just beyond the tables where the auction items are on display. Tucked near the corner is someone dressed in a big, fancy dress like the kind in that movie you like with Mozart or somebody?”

  “Amadeus,” Willow said. “You’re talking about the Marie Antoinette in that beautiful cranberry and black gown? Or, at least, I’m guessing that’s who she’s supposed to be. I noticed her earlier.”

  “Yeah, there’s something familiar about her. I’ve been trying to figure out who she is, but she has that lace mask covering most of her face. She seems pretty interested in Jonathan. She’s been looking at him all night.”

  “Can’t say I blame her,” Willow remarked. “He’s looking mighty fine in that costume.”

  Harrison turned her around and crossed his arms over his chest. Willow threw her head back and laughed. “But not nearly as fine as you, Superman.”

  “You’re just saying that because you want me to help you with all that homework you’re about to get once you start school.”

  She cocked her brow. “Are you saying you won’t help me if I need it?”

  “You know me better than that,” Harrison said, wrapping his arms around her. “All you have to do is ask for it, my love. There’s nothing I won’t do for you.”

  She locked her arms behind his neck. “And that’s just one of the reasons why I love you.”

  “Just one, huh?”

  She nodded. “It would take the rest of my life to list them all. I’d rather spend my life showing you just how much I love you.”

  She tugged his head closer and claimed his lips in a slow, easy kiss. The kind of kiss they’d shared for years. The kind of kiss she planned for them to share for years to come.

  Also by Farrah Rochon

  The Holmes Brothers

  Set in New Orleans, the Holmes Brothers series follows the lives of the men of the Holmes family as they find love in one of the world’s most romantic cities.

  Deliver Me

  Release Me

  Rescue Me

  Chase Me

  Trust Me

  Awaken Me

  Moments in Maplesville

  Visit the sexy, sultry, small southern town of Maplesville in my Moments in Maplesville novella series.

  A Perfect Holiday Fling (Callie & Stefan)

  A Little Bit Naughty (Jada & Mason)

  Just A Little Taste (Kiera & Trey)

  I Dare You (Stefanie & Dustin)

  All You Can Handle (Sonny & Ian)

  Any Way You Want It (Nyree & Dale)

  Any Time You Need Me (Aubrey & Sam)

  Visit my BOOKS page to see my entire backlist!

  Look for the long-awaited conclusion of Jonathan and Ivana’s romance in Return to Me, the final book in the Holmes Brothers series.

  Coming Fall 2018!

  About the Author

  A native of south Louisiana, Farrah Rochon officially began her writing career while waiting in between classes in the student lounge at Xavier University of Louisiana. After earning her Bachelors of Science degree and a Masters of Arts from Southeastern Louisiana University, Farrah decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a published novelist. She was named Shades of Romance Magazine's Best New Author of 2007. Her debut novel garnered rave reviews, earning Farrah several SORMAG Readers' Choice Awards. I’ll Catch You, the second book in her New York Sabers series for Harlequin Kimani, was a 2012 RITA ® Award finalist. Yours Forever, the third book in her Bayou Dreams series, is a 2015 RITA® Award finalist.

  * * *

  When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Farrah spends most of her time reading her favorite romance novels, traveling the world, and seeing as many Broadway shows as possible.

  * * *

  Find her through her website or your favorite social media platforms.