Beginnings

by Yolanda Stokes

  At the end of services the girls demanded that they be able to ride with their Uncle Ethan to their grandparent’s house for lunch. Not wanting to disappoint them he quickly agreed. Lola noticed the way her son greeted everyone and she didn’t miss the way he ignored his sister and she didn’t like it one bit.

  “Did you see the way he ignored his sister?” Lola asked her husband as they made their way home.

  “Yes honey I did, but we aren’t going to interfere right now let’s see if they will be able to work it out themselves.” Anderson instructed his wife knowing what he was asking her to do would be very hard for her.

  With the help of her housekeeper, Lola had prepared the meal the day before and only had to heat everything up. She enlisted the help of her baby boy and son-in-law to help her. “So how was your date last night?” Lola asked.

  “How did…never mind Madeline told you and I’m sure she told you how wrong it is for me to see Regina,” he commented.

  “I didn’t ask you anything about your sister I asked how your date went,” she insisted.

  “It was wonderful, we talked and ate and really enjoyed each other’s company. She even charmed the staff especially the chef.” Lola listened as her son regaled her with how Regina had captured the hearts of the staff at The Italian Bistro. “Mom, she has such a warm and giving personality. She even won over Derrick’s grandmother and you know yourself how hard that is.”

  Yes she knew from the times that she’d volunteered at the center and had a run in with the woman, but she didn’t miss the way her son sounded and it appeared that the grandmother wasn’t the only one who was won over.

  ******

  He sat at the huge cherry oak table where he and his sister and their friends had shared dinner with their parents, with each twin sitting on either side of him and his little Maryann sitting in his lap. Madeline stared at him wanting desperately to ask him about his date and she wondered how he was able to make it to church this morning considering the probably spent the night with Regina.

  “I’m surprised you made it to church this morning. What did you wake up before daylight and make your way home?”

  Lola’s head snapped up at her daughter’s comment. Her eyes flew to her son and she saw him momentarily tense before he put on his boardroom face.

  “If you must know after dinner I took Regina home gave her a hell of a kiss at the door and then I went home. Would you like to know what we had for dinner?” He inquired in that deathly calm voice that sent chills down your spine.

  “What the dinner wasn’t expensive enough for her to give it up on the first date or is she just making you wait?”

  “Madeline, control your tongue.” Anderson snapped at his daughter.

  Ethan stood and handed Maryann to his brother-in-law. He walked to his mother and gave her a quick kiss and hug ignoring her please for him not to go. He gave his father a hug and silently walked out of the dining room and out of the house without a backwards glance. Once outside he pulled out his cell phone and punched in the number that he’d committed to memory.

  ****

  Regina checked on the bread in the oven noting that it was almost done. Everything else was done and ready to serve and the bread had only a couple of minutes before it was done. Just as always she’d timed it just right by the time everyone arrived the bread will be ready to serve piping hot and buttery.

  Stephanie joined her daughter in the kitchen while her husband and son manned the grill outside. “How was the date last night?”

  Regina had wondered when the question would come, “it was great mom the food was great and the company was wonderful.” She related to her mother the night’s events and how she couldn’t wait to see Ethan later that evening.

  “Why didn’t you invite him over today?” Stephanie asked.

  “Well mom, I didn’t want to rush him in to meeting all the knuckleheads that will be here today. I’d rather he meet just you and dad first before I run him off with the rest of the clan.”

  Once everyone was seated her father said grace and everyone dug in eating like vultures landing on a fresh kill. Regina hid her smile behind her hand meeting her brother’s eyes knowing that he was thinking the same thing. She noticed his smile dropped and looked over her shoulder where she saw her cousin, Tiffany standing in the doorway with Joe beside her. She turned back just in time to see Reg begin to rise, she quickly shook her head to him asking him not to make a scene. With a muttered curse he sat back down.

  Tiffany had wanted to sit next to her dear cousin or at least across from her, but because of the time she’d spent trying to convince Joe to accompany her they’d arrived later than she’d intended and now she was sitting so far away from Regina that her plan wasn’t having the desired affect, but the time would come and she just couldn’t wait.

  Regina had made her way into the kitchen just as her cell phone went off; a huge smile broke across her face when she saw that it was Ethan calling her. “Hi,” she said as soon as she answered.

  Ethan closed his eyes loving the sound of her voice and just that sound went a long way to soothing his anger. “I thought that you may have called by now. I guess you’re family isn’t getting on your nerves as of yet.”

  Regina knew immediately something had happened and she didn’t like the sound of his voice. “What’s happened Ethan?”

  Ethan sighed deeply, he’d wondered if he would be able to fool her, but he supposed that he should have known better. “I just figured if you were done you could meet me at your place, but if you aren’t done just call me when you get home. I’m on my way home now and when you get home I’ll tell you everything.”

  “No, I’ll give you directions and you come here now.”

  “I don’t want to intrude on your time with your family, I’ll just wait…” Regina cut him off.

  “You have ten minutes to get here so I suggest you shut up and listen to the directions.” After giving him the directions she disconnected the call not giving him a chance to give her an excuse or say that he wasn’t coming.

  Ethan stared at his phone after Regina had hung up on him and before he knew it he was smiling. He jumped into his car and made his way to his woman, because that is what she’d demanded he do. With two minutes to spare, he located her family home. As he climbed out of the Porsche she stepped off of the huge wrap around porch.

  Before he could say anything she took his hand in hers and led him down the street away from her nosy family. “Now tell me what happened.” She instructed slipping her arm around his waist.

  Just the fact of being in her presence was enough to erase the remainder of the anger that he’d felt because of his sister.

  Ethan quickly related to her the events leading up to his departure from his parent’s home. “I ignored her as much as I could, but when she made the comment about you not giving it up on the first date I came so close to wanting to punch her in the face. Instead I handed Maryann to her father, kissed my mother, hugged my father and walked out.” When he looked up and they were once again standing in front of her parent’s home.

  Regina tuned him to face her slipping her arms around his neck, “I’m sorry your sister hurt you like that and when I see her I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.”

  Ethan leaned forward and captured her mouth with his, loving the taste of her and the way her body fit so well against his. “I really hated calling you, but I’m glad that I did.” The smile she gave him did things to his heart making what he was beginning to feel for her to grow even more.

  “Hey Regina is outside kissing some white man,” someone yelled.

  Regina sighed and dropped her head against his chest and groaned. Ethan laughed at her sound of embarrassment. He knew it wasn’t because she was caught kissing a white man, but the fact that she was caught kissing someone period.

  His smile faded when he spotted Joe standing on the steps scowling, “What in the hell is he doing here?”

  Regina’s head snap
ped up at the cold steel she heard in his voice, turning slightly she saw that he was referring to Joe. “Oh, that cousin of mine brought him along with her and I’m sure she only did it to get to me, which it didn’t so you can just drop that cold steel look.” She tunneled her hand through his hair effectively stroking away his anger at seeing the prick there.

  “Well I want to meet this cousin of yours and give her a piece of my mind.” Before she could say anything he captured her mouth once again, “Don’t worry baby I’ll be discrete.” He promised patting her on the ass. When she glared he smiled, “Come on introduce me to the family.”

  *****

  “Madeline Thompson-Trainor, in my office now!” Anderson snapped at his daughter.

  Madeline flinched, but stood stiffly and followed her father out of the dining room down the hall and into his study.

  “Now young lady I need for you to explain yourself. I want to know why you feel the need to treat your brother in the manner that you did and to make those kinds of remarks not only in front of your mother and I, but also in front of my grandchildren…your children.”

  “I apologize for upsetting everyone at dinner, but dad, you and mom, need to realize that Ethan seeing Regina is wrong.”

  “By who’s standard, yours? And who made you an expert on whom he should or should not see? No one, not even you have the right to tell Ethan who he should or shouldn’t see. And as far as your mother and I are concerned as long as she makes him happy, then she is welcomed. For years my son has worked and worked to put this family before anything else. He’s taken on the responsibility that I put on him and let nothing distract him from doing right by this family and I’ll not let you or anyone else treat him in the manner in, which you did today. I am giving you fair warning, going forward whether you agree or not with whomever your brother decides to date, you will keep your nasty and negative opinions to yourself and if I hear tell of you doing the opposite I can promise you, you will not like the consequences.”

  Madeline was stunned speechless by what her father had said to her, but no one understood and she wasn’t sure how to make them understand. Her thoughts were interrupted when the study door opened and her mother walked in.

  “Are you okay Madeline?” Her mother asked as she came to stand beside her.

  “Not really considering dad just reamed me out, he didn’t even give me a chance to explain and make him understand that we need to stop this thing before Ethan gets hurt.”

  “Honey, what you are doing is making your brother and Regina pay for something that happened to you a long time ago.”

  Madeline’s head snapped up at her mother’s words, she was about to deny them when her mother continued.

  “Maddie I know about the young black man that you dated while you were away at college and I know you think that he used you, but that wasn’t the case. He actually came here and told me everything about the two of you and how he didn’t want you shunned or treated differently by your friends because of him. So he left without saying anything to you wanting you to blame him and hate him instead of pining away for him.”

  Madeline silently cried as she listened to what her mother had revealed to her. All this time she’d hated Nate because she’d thought that he’d used her and after he’d gotten what he’d wanted from her he’d walked away without a backward glance. And for that she’d hated him and apparently she’d carried a lot of animosity that she hadn’t been aware of. “Oh God, I can’t believe I acted that way towards Ethan,” she moaned painfully.

  “I’m sure if you explain things to your brother he’ll understand and forgive you, but first you have to forgive yourself.”

  *****

  Ethan slipped his arm around Regina’s waist as she led him around the side of the beautiful split level home, through the privacy fence and into a huge back yard. There was a huge tennis court along with a professional basketball court and a commercial sized swimming pool that looked very inviting. Reginald spotted them then came over and embraced his friend in greeting.

  “Man, I had no idea that you were coming.”

  “I didn’t either, but I’m really glad I did.” Ethan responded looking at Regina. Reg hid his smile not at all shocked by what he was seeing between his baby sister and his old college roommate.

  Regina led him over to where her parents sat with a couple of her aunts and uncles. “Mom, Dad you guys remember Ethan, Reginald’s college roommate.”

  Stephanie and Keith stood smiling, “Yes we remember him,” Stephanie responded giving the young man a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She loved the way her daughter seemed to glow in this man’s presence and she didn’t mistake the possessive way he held on to her. Even while accepting her hug he didn’t let go of Regina’s hand.

  Keith shook Ethan’s hand and slapped him on the back, “I hear you ran that jerk Joe away from my little girl and that makes you alright with me.” Keith informed him in a loud whisper.

  Ethan laughed.

  “Ethan, why don’t you go over and fix yourself a plate and maybe you can cajole Regina into eating something considering all she did earlier was picked over her food.”

  Regina gave her mother a mild glare for ratting her out, “Mom I just wasn’t hungry.”

  “Well maybe you’re hungry now, go on and show Ethan where everything is.”

  Ethan gave her mother a quick kiss on the cheek before leading Regina away towards the house.

  Once inside Regina showed him where to wash up and when he returned to the kitchen she was filling a plate. He took the plate out of her hand, “Go on and sit down while I prepare our plate.” Neither of them saw the occupants outside watching them through the huge glass windows of the closed in patio.

  Ethan sat next to her and after saying grace, he held the fork out to her mouth and Regina shook her head. “You need to eat because I know you didn’t eat anything at your parent’s.”

  “I ate a little, but from what your mother said you ate nothing and I want to feed you and I will not eat until you are full.”

  Seeing the determined look in his eyes she gave in and opened her mouth. She had to admit that it felt good having him feed her and the kisses in between didn’t hurt either.

  “Is that how you win in the boardroom with that intimidating stare?” she asked.

  “Yes and I have this ability to make ice form in my eyes and that goes a long way in getting me what I want.” He responded chuckling.

  “I’m full,” she confessed shaking her head when he offered her more food. “I promise Ethan. I’m really full and if I eat any more I’m going to pop.” She said when he gave her his famous boardroom look. Unable to help herself she leaned forward and nipped his bottom lip. Ethan cupped the nape of her neck pulling her mouth back to his when she went to pull away. The kiss was deep and sensual and filled with such passion that it took their breath away.

  Joe walked into the kitchen hoping to have a moment alone with Regina, but stopped short upon finding her out on the patio lip locked to the white boy. He had to find away to get her away from everyone especially the white boy. He knew that if he could get her alone he could convince her to forgive him and take him back.

  As soon as they joined the family outside, Reginald joined them. “Hey Ethan, I have a couple of young bucks who want to challenge us to a game of basketball. Would you like to join me in teaching them how to play?”

  “Oh yeah, it’s been a long time since we’ve had to give a lesson.” He gave Regina a quick kiss and handed over his keys and cell phone and watch. Regina watched as they headed for the basketball court shaking her head and making her way over to where her cousin’s sat to watch the game.

  “So cuz, how long have you been trying the vanilla thing?” Her cousin Sara asked.

  “I met him a week ago when I moved into my house. Reg has known him for years and they were college roommates.”

  “Man you two were all hot and heavy for only knowing each other for a damn week.” Her other cousin Sandy
commented.

  “Oh don’t hate cuz sometimes it happens that way. I’m just glad you’re done with that worthless ass Joe, he and that cousin of yours belong together.”

  Regina laughed, “Sara, you do remember that Tiffany is your sister.”

  “Oh please don’t remind me as I try to forget that shit on a daily basis.”

  Everyone laughed knowing Sara was speaking the truth. It was hard to believe that Sara and Tiffany were sisters considering how different they were. They all knew that Sara’s parents had spoiled and continued to spoil Tiffany, which contributed to her nasty attitude and her disregard for everyone else.

  Her eyes were drawn to the court where her brother and Ethan had removed their shirts and her breath caught in her chest at the sight of Ethan’s glistening muscles. The way they flexed and bulged with his every move.

  “Uh cuz, you might want to wipe your chin because you are drooling.”

  “Hey, let me drool all I want, you get to take him home with you so let me have my fun while I can.”

  The side of the court was littered with guys that had tried to take on Ethan and Reg. Some were sitting breathing hard while others were lying on the soft thick grass wondering how they’d gotten their asses kicked so bad by their older cousin and some damn white boy, but they had to admit the white boy was cool.

  Ethan and Reg thanked the guys for great games, before making their way over to where Regina and her cousins sat. He ignored all of the goggle eyed stares having eyes only for Regina and he could see that she was tired and he needed to get her home. “Are you ready to head home baby?”

  “Oh my God, did you hear that voice? Damn I could melt right here.”

  Ethan glanced over at the women, “Thanks, I think.” He responded before holding out a hand to Regina to help her down the bleachers.

  “I am just a little tired I guess our late night is catching up with me.” She turned to her favorite cousins giving each of them a hug. “I’ll call you guys to set up girl’s night next weekend.” She promised before she and Ethan headed back towards the house.