Neil examined Karlie. Her eyes had a new, cynical look to them, which was not there before. Neil was sorry to see the youthful innocence gone from her eyes, and he knew he’d help put the cynicism there.
“You, Thomas, Myra, and I are the only people who know the truth,” Neil said.
“Now we have to live with it. Thomas told you he wants us to move back to L.A.?”
“Yeah,” Neil said and injected a pleasant tone in his voice. “I am sure you’ll be glad to be back once everything’s settled.” Neil could have kicked himself for that insensitive comment when what he really wanted was to take Karlie home with him.
“You mean once my mother dies,” Karlie said, correcting him. She shook her head before walking toward the elevator. Neil’s glib comment had hurt her. She knew he did not mean anything by it, but it still hurt. Karlie loved Neil, foolishly hoping that he would insist that she come live with him, especially now that he knew the truth. But that had not happened. Instead, Neil seemed happy to hoist her into another man’s hands.
Chapter Thirty-nine
Darnell kissed his daughters good night and whispered a silent thank-you to his mother before leaving for the hospital. She had agreed to watch April and Amber, and Darnell had promised that he would be home in time to pick them up from school.
Darnell would spend the night with Tiffany. He had already called the substitute line to take a personal day. Darnell intended to camp out at the hospital until Dr. Layton kicked him out.
He entered Tiffany’s room quietly, in case she was asleep. He needed not to have bothered, because Tiffany was alert. Darnell could see her eyes light up when he entered the room.
“How’re you?” Darnell asked.
“I am still here,” was Tiffany’s half attempt at a joke. “I’m actually writing a song. As you can see, it’s a messy, creative process.” She pointed to the papers strewn all over her bed and tossed on the floor.
To Darnell, her voice sounded weak and lifeless. He tried to remain unaffected and went over to sit next to her. She looked so pale and fragile.
Darnell reached over to the side table and picked up a brush to straighten her hair. Tiffany had a bad case of hospital hair. Darnell repositioned Tiffany so that he cradled her from behind. He pulled the brush through her hair with gentle strokes. Darnell was slightly alarmed to see threads of hair come out in the brush. He almost gave a cry of alarm but caught himself in time. He extracted the small clumps of hair and hid them in his pocket.
“That feels so good,” Tiffany said.
Darnell stopped when he saw another clump come out into the brush. He had not expected this to happen. So he gently pinned her hair in a small bun and repositioned her on the bed. Darnell rushed over to the bathroom to put the pieces of her hair in the trash can. The last piece of hair, he put in his pocket as a keepsake. Darnell tried to be strong, but still the sobs came.
Tiffany heard low sobs coming from behind the bathroom door. It took every ounce of energy she had left to call out, “Darnell, are you okay?”
“Yes,” Darnell answered. “I am fine. I will be right out.” He composed himself before reentering the room.
Tiffany peered into his handsome face. “I know you’re not okay. What’s the matter?”
“It’s just that I am not ready to see you go,” Darnell cried out. “I just reconnected with you. Why is God taking you away?”
“Darnell, do not be angry with God,” Tiffany pleaded. “I have had a full life, even though I am still young. I had a wonderful career, a beautiful daughter, and now you. I cannot complain.”
Darnell did not know how Tiffany could be so optimistic with her life ebbing away from her. He did not think he would be so grateful if he were in her shoes. “I do not know how you do it, Tiffany.”
“I just face one day at a time. My biggest fear was that I would not find out who Karlie’s real father was, but I did, and I am quite happy with the outcome.”
“How’s Thomas handling the news?”
“Pretty well,” Tiffany sighed. Her breathing was labored.
Darnell could see the effort it took for her to stay awake. “Go to sleep, my love. I will be here when you awaken. I will be here all day.”
As he watched her sleep, Darnell thought about how much Tiffany had come to mean to him in such a ridiculously short amount of time. He truly loved and cherished this woman and knew his life was that much better because of her. She turned to get comfortable, and Darnell smiled. He honestly could sit and watch her and not get tired.
He had forgotten the beauty of genuine love. Tiffany looked so angelic that he felt his heart expand at the mere sight of her. Darnell closed his eyes and envisioned what could have been. Darnell opened his eyes and looked at Tiffany. He touched her hair and admitted, “Tiffany, as sure as I know God is real, I would’ve married you. I can see it clearly.”
What was stopping him from marrying her now? Once the thought entered his head, it grew like wildfire. He could still marry her. She was still here, and Darnell couldn’t think of a better way of expressing his love for her than by making her his wife.
Suddenly energized, Darnell looked at his watch. He could make it to the jewelry store, Zales, if he jumped on the highway. He was a man on a mission and drove like it. God cleared the path, and he made it to store in record time and without a speeding ticket. Darnell went to look at both wedding and engagement rings. His eyes scanned the rings until they rested on what he knew was the perfect set. Darnell made his purchase and returned to Tiffany’s room.
She awakened when he entered. Darnell watched as she slowly opened her eyes to smile at him. Then he watched them focus on the glistening diamond before her.
“Tiffany Knightly, I love you with all my heart. I never expected I would find someone to fill the gap left by my first wife’s death. But my life is complete because of you. I know without a doubt that God led you to me because I was drifting along, until you came and settled me. Tiffany Knightly, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Tiffany held her answer back. She looked at Darnell with an intent expression. “Darnell, are you sure this is wise?” she croaked.
“Yes, I am.” Darnell nodded quickly.
“You do not have to do this for me because I am dying,” Tiffany said. “I do not need a mercy wedding.”
Darnell immediately took offense. “I know what I can or cannot do, Tiffany. I want to do this because I love you. That is the only reason, and I want to declare my love for you before man and God.” Darnell took her hands and held eye contact.
Tiffany looked away. “I don’t know.”
“Well, I do.” Darnell spoke confidently. “You added a new sparkle to my dull existence, Tiffany. You made me love again, and I do not regret it one bit. I would rather love you and then lose you than continue living my life in a bubble.”
“We could just exchange vows without getting legal,” Tiffany suggested before going through a brief coughing spell.
“No.” Darnell remained adamant. “We are going to make this good and legal.”
“Still . . .” Tiffany thought about it. “Do not tell your daughters. It would be too confusing for them, I think, and they already lost their mother.”
“If that is what you want,” Darnell agreed without hesitation.
“Then my answer is yes,” Tiffany quietly replied.
Darnell reached over and sealed their commitment with a searing kiss. “We’ll get married tomorrow.”
“I need a little more time than that.” Tiffany smiled.
“Okay, one week. We’ll get married next Friday morning.”
Neil entered his house and went to check on Karlie, who was already asleep in bed. He then entered the master bedroom and saw that Myra was also asleep. He looked at her sleeping frame and felt a huge anger engulf him. Clenching his fists, he turned away, before he gave into the impulse and hit her hard.
Neil could never have imagined Myra would be so callous toward an innoce
nt girl. He could not have imagined that Myra would try to use emotional blackmail against him. He wanted to comfort and protect Karlie through her grief and the rest of her growing pains. She was a beautiful young woman who, with the proper guidance, would go places. Neil feared Thomas’s head was too much in the clouds to be of much use to Karlie.
But what could he do? His hands were tied. He almost hated Myra for making him choose between his child and Karlie. That was not a fair choice, for he already loved them both.
Then Neil thought for a moment. This was not the Stone Age. It was the twenty-first century. He was more than capable of caring for his child without sharing the same roof. At least his son or daughter would have a full-time mother. In a matter of days, or even sooner, Karlie would lose the only real parent she had ever known.
Neil walked to the door, opened it, and then stopped. But who was he really kidding? He wanted to be there for his unborn child. He wanted to be there for every single experience. Feeling trapped, Neil silently closed the door
“Only you, Tiffany Knightly. Only you.”
Tiffany grinned and turned her head toward the voice she knew so well. “Winona! What are you doing here? I told you not to come until tomorrow. I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
Winona waved her hands dismissively. “As if I would listen to you. I am here with goodies for your wedding night. Tiffany, you should know me better than that. What I cannot believe is how you still manage to be on your deathbed and snag a husband. Evidently, I taught you well.” Winona patted the sleeves of her red business suit with a self-satisfied smile.
Tiffany cracked up at her friend’s good-natured ribbing. “Winona Franks, you are hilarious.”
Winona smiled along, but the smile slowly dwindled. Her face broke. “Tiffany, I . . .”
“No,” Tiffany warned. “We are not going down that road called ‘Feel sorry for yourself.’ Winona, I am getting married. Can you believe it? I met the most wonderful man. Well, I met him again, and Darnell knows my past and still wants to marry me.”
Winona hugged her chest and spoke tenderly. “Tiffany, Darnell is a smart man. He knows better than to let a diamond slip through his fingers.”
Tears came to her eyes. Tiffany looked at her friend. “For the first time in my life, Winona, I have felt the love of a man who truly loves me.”
“Hi, Tiffany.”
Tiffany looked at her door. She breathed, “Hi. Come in here and meet Winona.”
Winona looked at the gorgeous man who entered the room, and gave Tiffany a wink. “Tiffany, you did good,” she said, flirtatiously giving him the once-over.
Tiffany gave her friend a firm look. “Winona, I would like you to meet my married friend Neil Jameson.”
“Oh.” Winona plopped her hand over her mouth before saying, “I am so sorry. Talk about foot in mouth.”
Neil extended his hand. “Winona, it is good to finally meet you. I have heard so many good things about you.” He looked at Tiffany and smiled. “I’ll leave you two to catch up, and I will see you tomorrow morning.”
“Okay, see you then.” Tiffany remained silent until he left. “Winona, I don’t believe you. That was so embarrassing.”
“What! I didn’t know.” Winona lifted her shoulders. “Besides, you didn’t see the way he looked at you, Tiffany.”
“What do you mean?” Tiffany creased her brow.
“He looked at you like a man in love.”
“Winona, you’re a mess. Stop it.” Tiffany laughed.
“I know men, Tiffany, and I love when I see it,” Winona retorted. “Take it from me. Neil Jameson is head over heels in love.”
Chapter Forty
“I have been dying to see your face,” Tiffany remarked weakly when she saw Neil at her door the next morning.
Neil did not like her wisecrack and told her so. “Not funny.” He perched on her bed.
It was Friday morning, and her wedding day. “What are you doing here so early? You should be home, getting dressed.”
“I just felt like seeing you.”
“Tell me what’s on your mind,” Tiffany said, prodding him before succumbing to a fit of coughing. He grabbed a piece of tissue to wipe the slobber off her face.
Tiffany did not look good at all. She had lost even more weight, and her eyes seemed to be bulging from the sockets. Dr. Layton had told him that Tiffany was no longer able to hold down any food. She was medicated and fed intravenously through an IV tube.
“Myra’s pregnant.”
“That’s great news, Neil. I am so happy for you.” Tiffany’s lackluster tone was a major indication that she was in decline.
Neil observed what a huge effort it was for her to take a breath. He saw Tiffany close her eyes and became concerned. “Tiffany.”
Tiffany stirred and strove to speak, but her voice was a mere whisper. “Neil, I am so tired. I think I held on this long only so I could see you. Neil, promise me you’ll still . . . look out . . . for Karlie.”
“Yes, I will. I’ll take care of our daughter,” Neil quickly promised in an effort to get Tiffany to stop talking, but she had more to say. Tiffany was too far gone to catch the significance of his words. That was as close to the truth as he would chance telling her.
“Tell Darnell I love him.”
What was she saying? Neil’s heart rate sped faster than lightning once he realized that Tiffany was actually saying her good-byes.
“No,” he cried out in denial. “Tiffany. No. Just hold on. Please.”
Neil grabbed her hand and felt how cold it was to the touch. He started rubbing her palms.
“I am . . . just . . . so . . . tired.” Tiffany barely got the words out before closing her eyes.
“Tiffany.” He got off the chair, sat on the bed, and moved his face close to hers. “Open your eyes.”
Neil kissed Tiffany on the lips. They felt chapped and cool. Valiantly, he tried to keep from panicking and felt her wrist for a pulse.
He could feel a small heartbeat under his finger and collapsed with relief. Tiffany must have just drifted off.
Neil felt a wall of tears break lose within him. He could hardly breathe, trying to contain it. His nose started running, and his eyelids released the flow of tears. Neil grabbed a tissue and clenched his lips.
Tiffany could not leave like this. She was supposed to be getting married to Darnell in four hours. He saw the designer gown hanging by the door, and his heart wrenched.
Neil reached for the bucket of ice and the towel by her bedside. The nurse made sure these were available and constantly replenished. He dipped the towel into the bucket before squeezing it dry. Neil tenderly placed the cool cloth across Tiffany’s forehead.
That seemed to revive her, and Tiffany opened her eyes to look at Neil. She smiled. To Neil, she looked like an angel, which made his fear increase.
“Tiffany, do not go. Please!” Neil begged.
She made a move to comfort him, but her hands fell to her side. “Neil . . . take care of Karlie . . . please.”
“I promise,” Neil reiterated. He would have given her the world at that moment if he thought it would prolong her life for one second.
“Good-bye . . . Neil.”
“No!” Neil yelled. He rushed out of her room and spotted one of the nurses in the hallway. “Help! Help! She’s . . . I don’t know!”
He rushed back into the room and grabbed Tiffany and held her in his arms. He literally felt the last air leave her body.
“No.” Neil cried and cried, but it was of no avail. The wind took Tiffany’s last breath away on a solitary ride, and she was gone. The air had captured her essence to take it away to parts unknown.
Just like that. The best friend he had ever had in the world was gone.
Neil curled into the bed with Tiffany. He lost his composure and cried and cried. He cried for Karlie, who had inexplicably just lost her mother. He cried for Darnell, who obviously loved Tiffany and had lost his second chance at love.
Neil cried because death was a war he could not win. It was not a battle worth fighting. Everyone lost against death, eventually.
Darnell entered the hospital with the wedding rings in one hand and a huge bouquet of roses in the other. He knew he had hours to go until he tied the knot, but he was already dressed. He had dropped his girls off at his mom’s home but had left his cell phone in the car, so he’d missed Neil’s frantic calls. Darnell was in such a jovial mood that he smiled at everyone he passed. But as he neared Tiffany’s room, Darnell noticed a sudden urgency around him.
He heard a man’s wail and felt a shiver creep up his spine. Darnell rushed on even faster, willing his feet to move forward. Then he saw a group of people exit Tiffany’s room, and his heart dropped. Darnell saw Neil leave the room with tears streaming down his face. Darnell stopped mid-stride as Neil’s eyes focused on him. No! he screamed inside.
“Darnell.” Neil uttered his name with a sense of devastation.
“No.” Darnell dropped the flowers and the rings and pushed past Neil. He had to see her himself to believe it. She could not be gone.
Neil stood to block him.
In a fit of anger, Darnell shoved Neil out of the way. His grief made him strong enough to move the much larger man. “Tiffany!” Darnell exclaimed as he entered the room.
“She’s gone.”
Darnell shook his head, refusing to accept what was right before his eyes. “Tiffany,” Darnell cried. “Wake up, baby. We’re getting married in a few hours. I’ve got everything arranged.”
Of course, Darnell got no response. His body slumped over, and Darnell began to cry, finally accepting the truth. He allowed the tears to fall. They trailed from his eyes down his cheeks, unheeded. No amount of love was going to bring her back to him now. Tiffany was gone just as quickly as she had entered his life. “Why couldn’t you just hold on for one more day?” Darnell moaned.
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