Finding Opa!

by Nelson, Latrivia

  In many ways, he took the blame. After all, he was the doctor. Yet, he could not deny his own happiness with the thought that she was carrying his child. This woman that he was still learning so much about would be in his life forever, and while he had never seen her bad side, he was sure that it could not outweigh her good side.

  “Hunter, where are you?” she asked, interrupting his deep thoughts.

  He looked up. “Huh?” Blinking hard, he adjusted.

  “Where did you just go?”

  He scratched his head. All of that would be impossible to explain at the very moment. Plus, there was little that didn’t require a thorough discussion with Stacey. Escorting her out of the room, he tried to move away from his thoughts. “Nothing, sweetie. Would you like to go and get something to eat?”

  “Well, we have to go to dinner with your friends tonight. So, I don’t think that I should eat before then.” She still didn’t know how she felt about this dinner date. It had been so long since she had been asked to entertain other people.

  “So, you’re still good on going?” he asked, sensing her discomfort. “I don’t want you to feel as though you have to go.” But she did, whether she knew it or not.

  Stacey had grown to learn one thing about Hunter, if she had learned anything at all. Even though he was often very sweet, he was pushy. And he always ended up getting exactly what he wanted either because she caved in and gave it to him or he found another way. It could be an endearing quality at times, but it could also be irritating.

  “I’m going to this dinner for you,” she said smugly. In truth, she would have preferred to crawl up in front of the television like they did nearly every night.

  Hunter knew that tone. She was getting irritable, as to be expected. Plus, she never liked doing anything that required her to dress up, though he didn’t know why. She had an amazing body. It should have been plastered on billboards, not hidden under jeans.

  Turning off the light behind him, he closed the door to the room. “Well, thank you, either way,” he answered.

  Stacey cut her eyes at him and slipped on her coat. “This baby is going to make me fat. Will you still love me when I’m as big as a house?”

  “You may gain twenty pounds at most. With the proper Mediterranean diet, you’ll lose it all by your first six-week checkup.” He kissed her forehead. “It’ll take some getting used to, but we’ll be fine. And women married to Greek men have always been known to be curvaceous.”

  Stacey caught that. Married. He had brought it up on several occasions in general conversation, which meant that he was giving heavy thought to it. Like she had told him before, they needed to make sure that they didn’t rush everything. She looked up at him and realized that he didn’t even know he had said it. Freudian slip in deed.

  As they rounded the corner to head out of the office, they ran dead smack into Hanna, who judging from the startled look on her face, had heard everything. She quickly raised her hand. “I forgot my cell phone,” she explained in a squeaky voice while looking at Stacey.

  Hunter wasn’t sure if his sister was lying or not. Shaking his head, he put his hand on Stacey’s shoulder in a protective motion. “Hanna, you remember Stacey.” From behind Stacey, he gave a brotherly scowl, forbidding Hanna from being unpleasant.

  “Yes, how are you?” Hanna said, offering her hand. She smiled but her face didn’t show the same delight as her quivering voice.

  “Fine,” Stacey said, shaking her hand warmly. She looked up at Hunter, who had a stone face.

  “Did I hear something about a baby?” Hanna asked Hunter. She slowly moved her gaze from Stacey to her brother.

  Hunter tried to control his temper, but the redness of his face gave him away. He clenched his jaw tight and held his breath before he spoke. “Yes, you did,” he said on a heaving exhalation.

  “You two?” Hanna asked, looking at Stacey.

  Stacey nodded. “Yes, we are pregnant.”

  “If you say a word, Hanna…” Hunter warned.

  “I wouldn’t dare,” Hanna interrupted, shaking her head. The family would shoot the messenger on this one anyway.

  “We plan to tell the family when we’re ready,” Hunter said, moving Stacey past her sister, who blocked their path on purpose. “And we’re coming over for Mother’s Day. So, I’ll know if you’ve opened your extremely large mouth.”

  Stacey thought Hunter was being harsh and squeezed his hand.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” Hanna promised, pivoting on her little feet to face them. “But aren’t I allowed to even say congratulations?”

  “Yes,” Hunter bit out. He wasn’t expecting that but appreciated it.

  Hanna smiled at Stacey. “Congratulations. I know what a blessing having a baby can be.”

  Hunter cooled his heels. He had nearly forgotten about Hanna’s miscarriage a couple of years ago. It had happened right after Corina’s death. He had felt awful for both her and Jack. Walking back up to her, he took her hand. “Sis, this is big,” he said, looking into her wide, watery eyes.

  “Tell me about it,” she said, looking over at Stacey. She didn’t recall the black woman being as beautiful as she was, or maybe she had not paid enough attention to her on the first meeting. Regardless, she could see why Hunter was attracted to her.

  “She means the world to me. I don’t want anything to ruin things for her. She’s been through a lot, and it’s all happened so quickly. I don’t want to run her off.” He chuckled nervously. This was his Hanna also. They had been close their entire lives. He had to make sure that he didn’t needlessly trample her although he knew her capabilities.

  Hanna shook her head. “I understand. It’s serious now. She’s carrying a Fourakis.” Letting go of her hand, she walked over to Stacey and hugged her. “’I’m really happy for you…both of you.”

  “Thank you,” Stacey said, reading between the lines. Hunter would obviously have to explain the parts of this that she was missing as soon as they were alone.

  “Great, well I’ll see you at dinner with the family. Everyone will be there. Mom invited the entire family,” Hanna said to Stacey. “And I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said to her brother.

  “I’ll be here,” Hunter said, watching her walk away. Great, now the entire family was coming for Mother’s Day. This was sure to be even more of a disaster than he had first thought. Hunter turned to Stacey and raised his brow. “That was awkward.”

  “Tell me about it,” she said, walking with him out to the car. “What did I miss?”

  “I’ll tell you on the way home.”

  ***

  Stacey was ultra-nervous about tonight’s dinner party. With no friends or family in Seattle, going out for a meal with other people was absolutely alien to her. Yet, here she was pulling up to a five-star restaurant with Hunter to meet Dr. Piper and John Ramsey.

  She knew nothing about them except that they were both doctors, married and had gone to college with Hunter. What did she have in common with any of them? She hoped that they weren’t snobs. She couldn’t stomach elitists. Sure that the night would drag on beyond her ability to stomach it, she surmised that it would be better to just grin and bear it. Holding on to her shawl as Hunter opened the door for her, she looked up at him like a deer in headlights.

  He moved into her. “You look amazing,” he mused, offering his hand.

  “Thank you,” she said, stepping out.

  To Stacey, Hunter was the one who looked amazing. He wore a black suit and white dress shirt that was cut to show the absolute perfection of his tall, muscular body. His curly hair looked like liquid silk that curled into tempting curls around his face and brought more attention to his dreamy eyes. And he had an undeniable glow, like he was the one who was pregnant.

  The valet pulled off in the car, and they headed inside. At the front, by the hostess, stood a tall black man with a low haircut and a white woman with red, flaming hair and lips to match. Both were dressed in conservative black and holding on
to each other.

  Hunter greeted both with a hug then stepped aside. “This is my Stacey,” he said proudly, kissing the crown of her head. “Stacey, this is John and Piper Ramsey.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she said, shaking both of their hands.

  The hostess escorted both couples to a table in the middle of the fine restaurant and seated them under a large crystal chandelier. It was packed with Seattle’s finest, all in suits and dresses that spoke to their prestige.

  Curiously, Stacey looked over at Hunter and realized that he didn’t look a bit out of place. This was his type of environment, and he moved well in it.

  Shortly after getting settled, the men ordered a bottle of wine and took off their coats. Stacey sat quietly guarding herself. This was her second official outing in over two and half years, and she felt like it was the second of her lifetime.

  “Would you like for me to take your shawl?” Hunter asked, wrapping his arm around her seat. His thumb moved against her back.

  “Oh, I’m fine. I’m actually a bit chilly,” she answered, pulling the shawl tighter.

  “It’s freaking cold in here,” Piper bit out. “They should turn up the heat or turn down the air conditioner.”

  John raised his brow but kept his eye on his menu.

  “So, Hunter tells us that you two are soon-to-be parents,” Piper said, offering her glass to the waiter as he approached with the bottle of wine.

  The water that Stacey was swallowing at the moment immediately shot up out of her mouth and onto the table. She clumsily put her glass down. Grabbing the napkin, she dapped her face and looked around. “I’m so sorry,” she apologized, swallowing hard. She sent a quick and admonishing look at Hunter.

  Hunter looked down and smiled. “Yes, Piper. As I told John today, we just found out. And we’re very happy about it. This is the first for both of us.”

  “How exciting,” Piper said, taking a sip of her wine. “Stacey, I’m a big fan of yours. I read Love Knocks from cover to cover. It was absolutely delicious.”

  John put down his menu. “Can we order before you begin, dear?” he asked his wife.

  Piper rolled her eyes, but didn’t look his way. “John has read it, too. But he won’t ever admit to reading anything but journals and studies. He’s boring that way.”

  “Really,” Stacey said, humbled by her compliment. “Well, I thank you for your support of my work. I’m flattered.”

  “Are you kidding? You’re brilliant. But I’ve bet you’ve heard that a million times,” Piper said, pushing her menu to the side. Turning to her husband, she huffed. “Honey, can you order for me? You know what I like, and I can’t read a bit of French. I always say the words all wrong. I mean, honestly, this is the United States. Why can’t they write the words out in English?”

  “Because then it would lose some of its authenticity,” John answered in an irritated tone.

  Piper moved on, turning back to Stacey. “I just think the way that you met is priceless. Both of you were in the same place, grieving over loved ones and then he walks up and propositions you. I haven’t been propositioned in years. That had to be so romantic.”

  Stacey wasn’t sure how she felt about them knowing the specifics of their relationship.

  However, Piper continued. “And now you’re finally riding in a car again. I just think that’s beautiful too.”

  “It’s good not to be an emotional cripple anymore,” Stacey said sarcastically. She shot another look at Hunter. Was he a big mouth? Feeling the heat rise under her dress from sheer anger, she turned to Hunter. “What I would like is for him to visit Corina’s gravesite. It only seems fair now that I’ve been forced to get in a car.”

  Hunter paused.

  “Oh, I agree,” Piper said, ignoring John’s now visible pleas to rein her back in to her place. “I have told Hunter a hundred times that closure will never happen if he doesn’t go and see her final resting place.”

  Hunter cleared his throat. “Well, we don’t have to get into that this evening.” He moved his arm from its protective stance around Stacey.

  “Well, we can talk about the baby, how we met, and how I’m basically a literary hermit. I don’t see why we can’t talk about some of your short comings,” Stacey slammed back.

  “Yes, you’ll find that Hunter is a bit of an offensive player, but he sucks defensively. He always retreats,” Piper said, looking over at Hunter.

  “That’s enough, Piper,” John admonished. His deep voice was stern.

  “Is it?” Piper asked, looking at Stacey. “You’re an intelligent woman of great prestige and wealthy, I imagine. What is your thought on our old friend?”

  Stacey looked over at him and felt her heart warm. It was evident that he was completely embarrassed, and although he deserved to be beaten down at his own dinner party, she would spare him this once.

  “I think besides the fact that we have rushed head first into a relationship and now parenthood that he’s a really genuine man with sincere intentions. The rest will have to be ironed out.”

  Hunter’s face instantly warmed. He was expecting a tongue lashing not support.

  “By you, of course. No one else can ever do it,” Piper said, pouring another glass of wine.

  “But of course,” Stacey said with a wicked grin.

  “Are you finished yet, woman?” John asked, shaking his head. “I can’t take you anywhere. Hunter probably won’t invite us out for dinner for another year, because of you.”

  “No, I think she’s just what we need,” Stacey said, winking at her.

  “And I think you are just what he needs,” Piper said, reaching her hand out and touching Stacey.

  “Piper and John have been married for seven years,” Hunter explained to Stacey as he put his arm back around her. “With three children.” He winked at her as if to say, this is why they’re so crazy.

  Stacey bucked her eyes. “Wow. Three kids, huh?”

  “Five, four and three years old,” John said proudly.

  “So, you can always call us about questions that you might have about child rearing, not only because we are both the city’s leading pediatricians, but also the world’s greatest parents,” Piper said, moving closer to John. Their love for each other was evident.

  “Well, I’m the world’s greatest dad, but Piper is on valium.” John didn’t hesitate.

  “Valium does wonders for the spirit, dear. I never leave home without it,” Piper said without embarrassment.

  “Oh good, you’re here. Now, that my wife has finally broken the ice, I think we’re ready to order,” John said to the waiter, rubbing Piper’s back.

  Stacey had to digress. She had expected snobs and had found that Hunter had real people for friends. Without asking, she knew that he had picked this particular couple for several reasons. One being that they were interracial. The second being because of their extensive parental experience. And the third because the Ramsey’s were as weird as they were. Still, she appreciated it.

  Hunter looked over at her smiled as he ordered for the two of them as well. His demeanor was a kind and caring as ever. She was seeing him differently now. Obviously, he was more fallible than he was a couple of weeks ago, but he was also more real. And suddenly for the first time since she found out about their baby, she truly felt safe, like he would be there with her for the long haul as he had often promised.

  Chapter Eleven

  With crocodile tears in her eyes and a Kleenex in her hand, Valerie read the latest book of prize-winning, bestselling author Stacey Lane Bryant and realized why she was one of the best at what she did. In the last four hours, she had laughed, cried, screamed aloud and nearly fainted from the clever new romantic comedy from one of the saddest women that she knew.

  “It’s absolutely masterful,” Valerie said, talking to Stacey on the speakerphone as she dug out a chocolate strawberry from her Godiva gift bag.

  “I’m so glad that you like,” Stacey answered humbly. Picking up Rapture, she sat
looking out of her window at the bay and smiled. There was a long comfortable pause before she spoke again, as if she had drifted off into another world. “I’m pregnant, Val.” Her voice was flat.

  “I’m sorry. The line must be breaking up. I swore that you just said that you were pregnant.”

  “I did just say that.”

  Valerie chomped down on the strawberry and red juice spurted out of her mouth onto her credenza and white, silk blouse. Cleaning herself up, she talked with her mouth full. “When? How did this happen? Were you artificially inseminated?”