by Rae Shawn
After a few conversations with my mom and my siblings, they both told me to continue being the example of how a man should treat her and do what I felt was right. We didn’t sleep together again, but I remained the friend she needed and desired.
I taught Jaiden more Kouri-Vini and, while she still struggled on certain words, she knew how to say she was tired, or she was hungry with ease. For Jada to allow me to pass on something as important as my language was such a gift.
She even started having conversations with me like she used to when I first taught her how to speak it. Whenever I spoke French to her, she would respond in English, but if I spoke Kouri-Vini, she gave it right back to me. It wasn’t just my language anymore. It was ours.
When we got back to Frisco, she continued her artwork and I went back to being at the facility regularly. I met her parents and my sister flew from New York to meet her and Jaiden. We enjoyed each other’s company and slowly but surely she began spending more time with me.
By the time Jaiden’s birthday party rolled around, I wasn’t allowed to do anything that day but be by her side. She said a princess always has someone watching her, but she was a queen so she needed a bodyguard for protection and fun conversation. I smiled and took my appointment seriously.
Throughout the day I was right there with her, she even wanted me to brush her hair into her two ponytails for the party. Jada pretended to be offended and Jaiden told her that I needed to learn.
I was beside myself with laughter, but I indeed did her hair. I knew how from when I used to do my sister’s hair when we were younger. Side effects of being the oldest brother in a tight-knit family.
Once Jaiden’s party began, we sat down to start drawing her unicorn. She wanted a paint party and it had to be in Demontré’s garage. She was a very demanding little person, but she knew what she liked and her friends in the neighborhood were close so that made sense to her. Jada decided to make it a paint ’n’ sip so the adults could have some fun too.
Wine, beer and cocktails were served to the adults and the kids had juice. Once Jaiden said she could handle the rest of her unicorn horn without my help, I told her I would be back. I wanted to see how Jada was doing after everything over the past few months.
I caught her staring a few times, but she let Jaiden have me. Now it was her turn for some one-on-one. Her parents were talking to her, but I could probably steal her away for a moment.
“That’s the one you don’t let go of baby girl.” Her mom hugged her as I approached. I don’t think they realized I could hear them.
Her dad shook my hand before pulling me toward him. “She likes you. So do I, but don’t hurt her. You understand me, kid?”
I smiled as I pulled back. A nod was all I needed to do, but I had to tell him more.
“I love her, sir. I don’t plan to see another sad moment pass in front of her eyes.” I said in a low voice.
He patted my shoulder, then walked off into the party. Her mom squeezed my arm and joined her husband.
“You okay over here?” I asked after sipping my beer, hearing my drawl get stronger.
“Yeah. Just thinking how my daughter replaced me for the day,” she laughed. “And how good things seem to be going now.”
“Beaucoup de bien a venir, mon amour,” I leaned against the wall at her side. She turned toward me. “Your art sales are exploding. Your daughter is growing into a fine young lady. You found a place to move, even though Demontré is protesting you leaving his house.” She laughed. “You got this.”
“I wish my daughter would stop growing. She’s not going to be my lil’ mamas much longer,” She faked tears and laughed as she reached up to wipe my cheek. When she drew back, there was paint on her thumb. Jaiden must have gotten me and I didn’t notice. “But Demontré has been the same ol’ Demontré Monteé since I met him in seventh grade. I don’t know where I would be without him and my parents, and my baby girl … and you.”
She focused intently on me and I wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her close so I could kiss her temple. She turned her head to rest it on my chest as she looked toward the party. I stuck my hand in her back pocket.
“I told you I wasn’t going anywhere. Mo va jamé bandonné twa.”
“Mèsi, Mel.”
“Pou bon, bébé.”
Epilogue
Tra’Mel
It had been seven months since everything changed. I invited Jada and Jaiden out for Valentine’s dinner again. Jada warned me that it better not end like last year or things would be different. She enlisted Jaiden’s help in beating me up if I wasn’t good.
I told her she wouldn’t regret a second night out and to start things off, she had to meet me at Dark Dragon. She squinted her eyes, but agreed. I asked Desire if she could recreate the night, but with a few subtle changes. I made a request for the dessert and asked for the space to be closed off and a little more intimate.
Desire wanted all the details, and since she already knew most of what was going on between us, I let her know my plan. Jada and Desire became closer friends.
Since she lost the relationship with D’Nae, she developed a sisterhood with Desire, Missouri and all of their friends. I liked that she had people to turn to, and they were positive, uplifting relationships in her life. Jaiden liked that she inherited a bunch of aunties since she lost Nae.
I arrived at the restaurant early to make sure everything was in order. I told Jada to get there at 7:15 p.m., but I didn’t know if she would be early, so I had everything in place by 6:45 p.m. Starting just after seven o’clock songs we’d listened to or that held a significance to us began playing.
When the host escorted her to the table, I heard DSVN. I rose to my feet and turned to see her in a knee-length trench coat and heels. Jaiden stood next to her in a peacoat and flats. Both of them had their hair down – Jaiden wore a red bow in hers – and looked absolutely adorable.
When the host asked for their coats, Jada was focused on me. She looked me up in down. I had on a black suit jacket and slacks. My dress shirt was chocolate brown and my pocket square matched it. The chocolate brown Dukes on my feet finished off my look, but I paled in comparison to these two.
They stood with the pink, white and red rose petals beneath their feet. I walked over and knelt down to help Jaiden out of her coat. Her fluffy red dress was shiny and absolutely her.
“You look beautiful, Miss Jaiden Railen Wells,” I said. “Thank you for allowing me to take you and your mother out this fine evening.”
She smiled before curtsying. Rising to my feet, I shook my leg out then put a hand out toward Jada.
“Your leg okay?” She asked.
“Just a little sore.”
She nodded and placed her hand in mine. I turned her around and slid the coat from her shoulders. I was greeted by her naked back. Her dress started at her hips and stopped at the floor. The host cleared his throat, but we both ignored him. As Jada turned toward me, my eyes scanned her from her feet to her head.
She wore strappy burgundy heels. Her dress had a slit high up one thigh and hugged her hips before reaching up her stomach which was covered by a V. Her sides were out and the dress wrapped around her neck leaving so many places for my hands to roam.
I shook my head slightly and smirked at her. The burgundy necklace and earrings that she paired with the dress drew my eyes exactly where she wanted them to.
“You look ravishing, mô lamou. Thank you for allowing me to be in you and your daughter’s life,” I turned to the host, handing him their coats. “And for giving me a second chance or maybe this is technically a third chance.”
Jada curtsied as her daughter had and it was cute. The host lingered for a moment, staring at Jada and I smiled. He apologized, then walked out, shutting the curtain behind him.
“Mommy, it’s pretty.” Jaiden said at her side.
“Very pretty, mamas.”Jada replied.
“Please, let’s take a seat.” I said.
I helped J
aiden into the booth and she high-fived me before sitting down. Jada grabbed her dress and scooted into the booth opposite me. Our waiter came over a few moments later and left a bottle of apple cider and champagne.
“Compliments of the chef.” He said.
“Oh no, can you please tell Desire she doesn’t have to,” Jada tried to stop him before he left. He bowed and said she would be right over. “I’m going to choke that woman. She know damn well she doesn’t need to do all this anymore. I appreciated it last time, but we are friends now, and she is spoiling me.”
“And, you love it. Admit it, I’m the coolest restaurant owner you know.” Desire said walking up to the table. She leaned over and hugged Jada from the side before sitting down in the booth. She wore a skin-tight white dress that matched Midnight’s suit.
He sat next to me and bumped my shoulder as a hello before greeting Jada and Jaiden. Desire looked at me and nodded discreetly before returning her attention to Jada.
“It’s time to have some champagne and unwind. It’s Valentine’s Day. The day of love and … unexpected adventures,” Desire said. “I’ll be serving you guys personally tonight and before you attempt to protest. Don’t.”
She pecked Jada’s cheek and waved to Jaiden before hopping to her feet and walking away. Midnight fought a smile, but failed. He kissed Jada’s hand and squeezed Jaiden’s before following Desire out of the area.
Jada’s eyes found mine after looking at her smiling daughter’s face. “What’s so funny?” she asked.
“Ariyin ditou, mô lamou.” I couldn’t stop the Kouri-Vini.
The more excited I got, the more I spoke it, especially since she understood me. I poured each of us a glass of champagne and a cup of apple cider for Jaiden. I handed them theirs, and we sat in comfortable silence until Desire and Midnight returned with our appetizers.
They sat with us, eating and having conversation, only to disappear for our next dish. They cleared the table each time. The unique double date felt like the right approach. It made the final step all the more doable.
When dessert arrived, there were only two plates. A red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing dusted with chocolate sat on one plate. It was for Jaiden.
“A slice of salted caramel cake with chocolate curls and a whipped cream base,” Midnight said as he rested the plate in front of Jada.
“That looks amazing.” she said.
“Wait until you taste it.” Midnight added.
She picked up the fork, but just before she slid it into the moist looking morsel, she stopped and stared at it. Her eyebrows crinkled together and her face drew closer to the plate.
She reached for the object nestled in the chocolate curls. As she picked it up, I got to my feet and came around to her side of the booth.
A titanium band with a garnet jewel was wedged in between her thumb and forefinger. She turned toward me, shock registering on her face as she saw me down on one knee. I grabbed her hand and smiled. Her eyes grew wide.
“We’ve had a crazy ride together. We’ve known each other for more than a decade, but spent so much of it apart. I want to learn every inch of you. Every fear so I will never bring it to light and every joy so I can be with you as we make them come true. You and Jaiden are two of the most important people in my life and I never want to lose either of you.
“I’ve seen how you were treated, seen how people have tried to hurt you and I know that’s something I never plan to do. Mo linm twa, Jada Jean’e Lorenzo. I’ve loved you since you invited me into you dorm to review our marketing quiz.”
She chuckled and shook her head, a tear falling from her eye.
“I’ll admit that was the day after I almost knocked you into the rocks outside our dorm, it’s true. But, I knew from that moment that I adored you and if I ever did something dumb, I’d move a million mountains to fix it. I’ve been enamored by you since I laid eyes on you and begged Jeremy to invite you to that party even though he thought he’d shoot his shot before I did.”
“You asked Jeremy to invite me to the welcome party?” She cocked her head to the side, eyebrow raised and a smile in place.
I shrugged and grinned. “He thought you were cute, but I wanted to get to know you. I know after you worked on that art history project we ended up watching the mating rituals of wolves on the Discovery channel instead of going to the party, but being next to you was all that mattered. When you asked if I wanted to watch that special, I knew I never wanted to lose your attention, but I did. You are my wolf and I nearly lost you. I don’t plan to mess up my second chance.”
“Third.” She smiled.
“Third. You are correct. Damn, doesn’t that prove that we are in it for the long haul? Third time’s the charm. I’m in it til the end of time.” I finished.
“I don’t think we’ll live that long.”
“Even after we’re gone, I’ll love you, mô lamou. Va vou ariyé mò?”
She turned to look at Jaiden, who had a big smile plastered on her face since I dropped down on one knee. She was my partner-in-crime. We picked out the ring together. She said she knew what mommy would like, so for a week, we sneaked and looked at rings online. When I finally chose one, I showed her and she smiled, nodding her head wildly.
She knew not to tell because it was a surprise and I was so amazed that she never said anything. In the moment, Jada could tell she already knew, mother’s instinct I guess. She looked back to me before her eyes raised above my head.
That would be her recognizing that the room had filled with our friends and family. Midnight and Desire, her parents, my mother, my brother, my sister and her boyfriend, Demontré and his girlfriend all stood behind me. Her eyes watered, tears starting to fall.
“Okay. Yes, but,” she sniffled. “I have conditions.”
“You have conditions to my marriage proposal?” I cocked my head to the side. “Damn, JJ.”
She smiled. “I don’t want to wait a long time. I want to be your wife now. We’ve played the long game enough. It’s time to be us and not worry about anything or anybody else. No past is going to keep us from our future.”
She leaned over and kissed me. I lifted her to her feet from the booth to finish the kiss as everyone began to cheer. I placed the ring on her finger, and she admired it once more.
“And just so you know, this is the weirdest way to get engaged. We technically weren’t dating.” She said.
“We were, you just didn’t want to acknowledge it.” I kissed her again before opening my arm for Jaiden to jump up. She kissed my cheek, then turned to her mom.
“I did good helping pick the ring, mommy.”
“Yes you did, you lil stinker,” She tickled her before kissing her forehead. “I love you both.”
“I love you too, mama.” Jaiden said.
“Now and forever, baby.” I said before hugging them tight and whispering against her ear. “I have a more exciting surprise waiting at the house. Your parents are going to watch Jaiden tonight.”
She pulled back and smiled wickedly at me. “I have something for you too.”
Thank You
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The pre-order for Book Four is available everywhere. Little Harbored Suspicions, order now.
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Thank you and I hope you enjoyed.
Love,
Rae Shawn
Acknowledgments
Woo, let me start by saying, “Thank you, Lord for your power and your glory.”
While writing this, my mother and I were exposed and contracted COVID-19 through someone at her job. Neither of us were too bad off, she had the worst of it, but within a few weeks we started getting better. Unlike more than 400,000 others in the U
nited States, we were able to get back to our lives. But, like countless others, we will have to deal with the long haul effects for the rest of our time.
I don’t say this to be depressing or put a damper on this book I wrote, I say this because I may have never had the opportunity to reach you had I not survived. I am first and foremost thankful for every breath I am allowed.
I want to thank the people who inspired these characters even though most of them are no longer here today. It’s hard to say goodbye and even more difficult to know at some point, memories fade. This book gives them immortality even if it isn’t exactly who they were in life.
Everybody deserves their love story, this one just happens to end with a happily ever after making it a worthy romance.
Now that I’ve got the tear jerking portion out of the way, I’d like to thank my mother for always supporting me no matter how much I whine and get in my own head.
I’d like to thank all the lovely people in Wordmakers because they have been nothing but supportive when I wanted to stop writing this, and just scrap it. They were there when I was being the biggest brat and talked me off the ledge more than once.
Without that author group, I’m not sure most of the work I’ve done would have ever reached the light of day.
Thank you to my sister for her encouragement and silly comments and thank you to my friends for the conversations we have about football.
Also by Rae Shawn
Chronicles of Cane Series
Cane’s Justice
The Unknown Enemy
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Big City, Small World Series
Little Hidden Cravings