Beginnings
By
YL Stokes
Dedication
To my husband and kids for all of their love and support. And to the best Baby sis in the world.
Yolanda Stokes
MC/IR
[email protected]
Content Editor
Chapter 1
Ethan smiled seeing the name flashing on the caller ID and wondered why his sister was calling. “Hey Maddie, what’s going on?”
Madeline Reynolds smiled at the sound of her baby brother’s voice. She heard the surprise and knew that he’d forgotten, “Hey baby brother I was calling to find out how you were doing. How does it feel to be taking a vacation for the first time in you life?”
Ethan chuckled, he’d known it was coming, his family had never held their tongues concerning the fact that he was the proverbial workaholic. After he’d taken over the running of the family business, he’d been a force to be reckoned with wanting to take Thompson Investments to the next level by diversifying and improving their processes. When the company was started by his several great grandfather's’ Thompson Investments was the third leading financial company in the world and now after six years with Ethan at the helm, they were now the number one financial company in the world. Yeah he knew in those six years he’d only taken one full week of vacation and that had only been because he’d had the flu.
“You are not funny sis, I never took a vacation because I like what I do and now with everything running so smoothly I can afford to take some time off before I hand things over to the new owners.”
“You sure this is something that you want to do? I know you’ve gotten the blessings from the family God knows thanks to you and all your work we all have more than enough money to live off on for generations to come, but I know how much you love running the family business.”
He’d known the question was coming and knew the entire family was wondering the same thing, but only his big sister had the balls to ask him straight out. “Yes sis it’s what I want to do. If you’d asked me this about two to three years ago my answer would have been no and I’d have kicked anyone’s ass that would have suggested we sell, but like you said we’ve made all the money we need and I no longer feel the same excitement like I used to when I went into the office. As long as it was more fun than actual work I could enjoy it, but now it’s like a job. So yes I’m ready to complete the sale of Thompson Investments and move on to the next adventure.” What he didn’t tell his sister was the need he felt to find the special someone that would complete him. No he couldn’t tell her that or she’d go straight in to matchmaking mode.
“The girls are very excited about spending this weekend and next week with you.” Silence filled the line, “You forgot didn’t you?”
Her question had him sputtering, “I ah, didn’t forget I was just messing with you sis.” His words sounded lame to him, as he flipped through his planner and saw that this was the weekend he was supposed to get the girls, his eight-year-old twin nieces Margaret and Marian and their baby sister four-year-old Maryann. “What time are you guys bringing them by?” He asked mentally counting off the things he needed to do before the girls were dropped off.
“Our flight takes off at nine tonight so we figured we’d drop them off around four thirty or five. Have you gone grocery shopping Ethan, I know how much you hate to do it, but I’ll not have my babies eating fast food junk while they are with you,” she instructed.
Ethan stifled a groan closing his eyes, his sister knew him to well, “No I haven’t gone shopping, I figured the girls and I could take the trip together.”
“Well baby brother I’ll see you in a couple of hours and I want to tell you how much I appreciate you doing this for us.”
He smiled, he loved making his big sister happy and since the man she was married too made it his life’s work to make sure that she and the girls were happy he figured it was the least he could do in keeping them to give Madeline and Chester some time alone without having to worry about the girls. After he’d hung up with his sister he went into the kitchen and began making a list of the things he needed to stock his huge commercial sized kitchen. He didn’t have a damn thing to eat in his house and knowing his nieces like he did he knew they would hound him until he gave into what they wanted and what they would want would be junk and lots of it. By the time he was done his list was a full three pages, Ethan knew he would have to work out a system that would get them in and out of the store in record time.
Regina Coleman smiled with complete satisfaction as she watched her brother carry in the final piece of her furniture. He along with his best friend and a couple of their former team members had been helping her move into her new home. It had been a long time coming as she’d worked hard as a model and ballet dancer for years hating the back stabbing and competition, but she’d saved and invested her money wisely and now she had the home she wanted and was able to do what she loved to do, which was teach. Granted she’d been teaching for the last six years, but now she didn’t have to take the occasional modeling or dance gig to supplement her income. Her family members wondered why she refused to use the trust fund that had been set up for each and every child of the Coleman family at their birth. Her brother and her parents understood that it was something she’d wanted to accomplish on her own without having to rely on the Coleman name.
“That should be the last piece sis so you are all moved in,” Reginald said throwing a big arm around her shoulders.
“Tell the guys to come on in and get washed up, it should be about time for the game to start and I’ll put the food out.” She instructed giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Chapter 2
Ethan took a deep breath trying to relieve the pain in his head although he loved his nieces he’d forgotten what a pain taking them to the grocery store could be. His sister had known and he knew that she’d known by the smirk on her face when he’d mentioned going grocery shopping to the girls. They weren’t bad, just mischievous he’d spent more time corralling them than he did shopping. He prayed that he’d gotten everything on his list, but if he hadn’t oh well.
“Uncle Ethan, do you think that we could stop and get something from McDonald’s?” Marian asked.
“Honey you know the answer to that question is no because we are going to make spaghetti as soon as we get home and put the groceries away.”
“We are hungry now and can’t wait until the spaghetti is done,” Margaret yelled causing his headache to throb even more.
“It won’t take long for the spaghetti to cook so no one is going to starve.” Seeing his home coming into view, he let out a deep sigh now all he had to do was get the girls and groceries inside without incident.
He had them organized and working as a well oiled machine once all the bags were inside he let out a sigh of relief. “Okay why don’t you guys get washed up so that you can help me make the spaghetti?” He frowned when he only heard the response from the twins, his heart dropped, when he searched around and couldn’t locate Maryann. He raced towards the door and snatched it open. He stopped short at the sight of the beautiful woman standing on the porch with Maryann held in her arms.
“I think she must belong to you.”
Ethan was totally speechless; the woman holding his niece was beautiful, her mocha skin shown like warm hot chocolate under the soft porch lights. Her hazel eyes were warm and inviting. He blinked and shook his head trying to shake off the stupor. “Yes she belongs to me…well to my sister and brother-in-law.” He corrected. “I’m sorry, but we just returned from grocery shopping and I can admit to you but never to my sister, but I’ll never do it again,” he confessed taking his niece out of her arms.
“Ms. Coleman what are you doing here?”
Ethan turned at the sound of the twins wondering if they were referring to the beautiful woman on his porch. He watched as the woman’s beautiful smile blossomed at the sight of his twin nieces.
“Hello ladies, how are you doing?” Regina exclaimed as she squatted down to the girls levels with her arms open for a hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Regina Coleman and I just moved in next door. The twins were in my kindergarten and first grade classes,” she informed him.
“Ms. Coleman do you have anything to eat we’re hungry.” Margaret asked peeking over her shoulder at her uncle. Ethan groaned and Regina laughed and the sound of her deep throaty laugh did things to his body that he’d never felt before.
“Yes as a matter of fact I do. My brother and his friend’s helped get me moved in so I prepared some food to eat while we watched the game. Come on over I have plenty left.”
Ethan wanted nothing more than to jump at the offer just so that he would be in her presence, but knew that he had to put the groceries away so he declined. The twins groaned and Maryann followed suit.
“I have to put away all the groceries that I just purchased.”
“How about I take the girls with me while you put the groceries away and when you’re done just come next door and get yourself something to eat.” With only a moments hesitation he gave the okay for her to take the kids with her and he went into the kitchen and got to work on putting the food away.
He picked up the cell and called his sister. “Hey do you know a Regina Coleman?” He asked as soon as his sister answered.
“Yes I know Regina she was the twins kindergarten and first grade teacher and they love her to death. I want Maryann in her class when she starts. How do you know her?”
“Apparently she is my new neighbor,” he told her about their meeting.
“I trust her with my babies. She is excellent with kids and she is the only person other than myself that the twins can’t run over no matter how hard they try.”
After ending the call to his sister, Ethan put the last item away and quickly made his way next door. The front door was opened by a short stocky dark skinned black guy.
“Hey, you must belong to the three dolls Reggie brought in a little while ago. Come on in she’s back in the kitchen feeding them.”
Ethan thanked the guy as he walked in, he heard his name being called and turned, and he was surprised to see his college roommate, Reg Coleman striding towards him.
“Ethan man it’s been a long time, how have you been?” Reg stated as they embraced.
“Yes it has been a long time, I kind of lost track of everyone when I took over the company. What are you doing here?”
“My sister just bought this place and the guys and I helped her get moved in.”
“Your sister? Man talk about a small world.” The old friends stood and began to catch up mindless of the guys trying to watch the game.
“Hey some of us are trying to watch the damn game.” Someone yelled. Before Reg or Ethan could respond Reggie stormed out of the kitchen.
“Let’s get something straight here and now. As a guest in my home you are welcome to relax and enjoy yourselves and make yourselves at home, but when any of my kids are in my home I will not tolerate any type of foul language to be used. If you cannot accept this and refrain from using profanity then you will need to excuse yourself now.”
Ethan was totally impressed and shocked by the fire flashing in her beautiful honey eyes giving them a glow of warm brandy. He glanced around the room and noticed the person that had spoken slid down into his seat contritely after mumbling an apology.
“Ethan come on into the kitchen and get yourself something to eat.” She instructed before turning and heading back into the kitchen.
“The boss has spoken and when she speaks everyone listens. You’d better get in there and fix yourself a plate.”
Ethan walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see his nieces sitting like little angels eating without making a mess. “Why is it with me they get more food on themselves and everything else than they get inside?” He complained.
Regina laughed, “I think it comes with the job and since the twins know I don’t tolerate nonsense from them they act the way they should and my little Maryann follows her big sisters lead.”
Ethan gave each of his nieces a kiss and quickly made his plate. He was about to sit at the table with the girls, when Regina stopped him.
“Go on out there with the guys, I’ll keep the girls in here with me.” She held up her hand when he went to protest. “Don’t worry I don’t mind at all as I think I’m going through withdrawals from my kids.”
Ethan had to stifle a groan at his first taste of the food that Regina had prepared. The different flavored wings along with the homemade salsa and dip quickly filled the emptiness that was in the pit of his stomach. He enjoyed hanging with the guys and watching the game and wasn’t surprised when his nieces made their way into the family room to watch the game with him.
He noticed the way Maryann kept rubbing her eyes and knew that it was time to go home and get the girls ready for bed. He watched as Regina gave each girl a kiss and a hug and promised to see them again soon.
At home he got them all bathed and in bed and then felt the restlessness that had been plaguing him. After checking to make sure the house was locked up he returned upstairs to his bedroom and took a quick shower. Ethan lay in bed staring up at the ceiling trying to force his mind to shut down in order for him to fall asleep. But unfortunately sleep eluded him and his mind kept going over the sell of the family business. He’d been keeping things concerning the sell, close to his vest and only key people in the family knew to whom he was selling too; both parties had agreed to keep the identity of the purchaser secret. He’d wanted that because he knew there were some family members weren’t happy that the business would be sold.
“Uncle Ethan can I sleep with you?”
Ethan looked to his left and spotted Maryann standing beside his bed holding her favorite teddy bear. He lifted her up putting her in bed beside him. She gave him a quick kiss and turned over and immediately went to sleep. He smiled and wondered what his children would look like. “Hell man you had to find a wife first,” he muttered under his breath as he eased out of bed trying not to wake Maryann.
Without turning on a single light he made his way downstairs through the kitchen and out the back door onto the deck which he’d added soon after purchasing the house. There was a little chill in the air, but he really didn’t notice it with his mind still filled with things concerning the sell. The faint sound of music playing drew his attention next door and he caught sight of Regina dressed in a form fitting leotard dancing and moving in ways that didn’t seem humanly possible. He wasn’t a big ballet fan, but he could tell a professional dancer when he saw one. Not only was the woman beautiful and great with children she appeared to be an accomplished dancer. When the dance came to an end he had the strangest urge to clap.
Regina looked to her left after removing the blindfold from her eyes and spotted Ethan standing out on his back deck staring at her. Without thinking about it she left her studio by a side door and made her way over to his yard and joined him on the deck.
“I hope my music didn’t disturb you,” she said joining him.
“No I was out here thinking and I heard the faint sounds and looked over and saw you. You should be up on someone’s stage with the talent that I just saw.”
“Been there, done that,” she responded laughing. “Having problems sleeping?” Regina leaned against the rail beside him folding her arms across her chest.
“Yeah so I came out here to try and clear my head, but it doesn’t seem to be helping.”
He sounded so frustrated that her heart went out to him. Taking his hand in hers she led him back inside his kitchen where she sat him down at the beautiful rustic looking table. She filled the tea kettle with water and searched his cabinets until she came to the tea an
d mugs.
“I know we just officially met tonight and you don’t know me that well, but I am a great listener and sometimes I have the tendency to offer unsolicited advice.”
Ethan sat there for a moment watching her move around his kitchen and it struck him at how right she looked in there. He thought maybe the fact that she was the only female other than his mother and sister that had ever worked in his kitchen had a lot to do with it. Hell the women he dated probably didn’t know what to do in the damn kitchen anyway. Before he knew it or even thought about it he started talking.
“After running the family business for more than six years I think what we’ve done with the company has surpassed all the plans that I’m sure my many great grandfather could have anticipated. Now I think that it’s time to sell the company and I met with the board members which consist of my parents and my father’s three brothers and their wives. I told them my thoughts and gave them my projections and they all agreed at the time that selling the business was in the best interest of the family. Now apparently some of my cousin’s have been making comments about it being the wrong time to sell and that I’m just not confident that I would be able to take the company further.” He paused taking a quick sip of the tea and was totally surprised at how well it tasted.
“Let me guess, now those making the noise have complained to their parents and they are now second guessing their vote.”
“You guessed it and although it’s too late for my Aunt Rose and Uncle Frank to change their vote it isn’t stopping them from talking about buying the company themselves to have something to give to their kids to run. Even knowing that Frank Jr. and Roger have no idea of how to run a business hell they both flunked out of college because all they wanted to do was party.”
“I hope that you aren’t letting their nonsense make you second guess your decision to sell. I’m sure you’ve done the research and being an investor I’ve watched the way you made the company grow and with the way the market is you are very smart to get out while you are ahead of the game. It sounds to me that your cousins are jealous at what you’ve done with the company and how you’ve made it grow beyond what anyone thought while you were at the helm. Now they want to prove that they can out do you not caring that the market doesn’t have the stability to do that.”
Beginnings Page 1