by Ancelli
“You can’t kick me out of his house.”
“This is our home, so get the hell out!”
Amy stood, and when she passed by her, she said, “I told you he would come running. Bye, Sophia.”
Sophia wanted to slam the door shut, but she had Amber in her arms.
***
John pounded on the door. “Charles, open the fucking door!”
“What the hell?” Charles swung the door open, surprised to see John. “It’s fucking four in the morning.”
John grabbed him by his pajama top. “Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?” he shouted.
“What are you talking about?” Charles asked, trying to get loose.
“First you touched Sophia, and now Amy.” The vein in his throat throbbed. “Amy said you hit her.”
“I wasn’t the one that touched her. I would never hurt a woman like that.”
“Then who?”
“I was the one that punched that bitch,” a blonde said, walking to the door. “Put him down.”
John released him, staring at both of them. The woman’s hand was wrapped in an ice pack.
“You’re cheating on her?”
“Why should that matter to you?”
“It doesn’t.”
“Then why are you here threatening me, when she was the one who broke things off with me, after the gala, when I questioned her about you.” He fixed his shirt. “She saw me having dinner with April and she lost it.”
“She went to hit me, and I defended myself,” she said, caressing Charles’ arm. “I’ll be inside.”
Charles stopped him. “Look, I love her, and would never put my hands on her.”
“I apologize,” John murmured. “I should’ve known better.” He went to leave. “One more thing. Dude, you have a good woman at home. Don’t be foolish and mess it up for Amy. She doesn’t know what she wants. All she does is play games.”
John was beating himself up. He should have known better. He’d called Sophia, and all she did was tell him Amy was gone and hang up on him. He tried to call her again, but she didn’t pick up.
He opened the door, and was surprised to find two suitcases in the foyer.
He dashed to their bedroom. She wasn’t in there. He couldn’t lose her over this. He marched into the nursery, where he found Sophia dressing Amber. When he left she was dressed in her PJ’s and now she wore jeans and a t-shirt.
“You’re leaving me?” he asked, his breathing becoming rapid.
She answered without looking at him. “I’m leaving, but I’m not leaving you.”
“What you mean?”
“I’m leaving for a week to see Cara.” She picked up Amber. “It’s been over a year since we’ve been together, and I’m tired of talking to her through gadgets.”
“Why now?”
“John, we can’t do this anymore.” She took a deep breath. “I’m not a jealous woman, but enough is enough. You’re letting her come between us.”
“I’m sorry, baby. You were right. She played me. It was Charles’ new girlfriend who hit her.”
“I know I was right, but you were too blind to see it. After everything she’s done to you, you still feel like you have to defend her, being her hero. You’re supposed to be my hero.”
“That’s who I want to be.” He moved closer to her. “Can you wait a couple of days, and I’ll come with you?”
“No. We need this time away from each other.” She walked past him, and he followed. “This time away from me might give you some clarity on what you really want.”
“I don’t need clarity. I know what I want, and it’s you.”
She stopped and glared at him. “If you really want me, you wouldn’t be running to her every time she calls.”
“I don’t run every time she calls.”
“You may not see it, but you do.” She grabbed her purse. “She warned me.”
He looked at her confused.
“She cornered me, and told me she could have you whenever she wanted.”
“What? That’s not true, baby.” He cupped her face.
She took his hands off her face. “I will fight for what we have until the end, but I can’t do it alone. I need you to fight with me.”
“I will fight, baby.”
“I have to go. My flight leaves in two hours.” She picked up a suitcase.
He took it from her hands. “I can’t stop you.”
“No,” she said, making sure Amber was safely on her hip. He followed her out the door, and helped her pack the car.
“I already know what I want.”
She kissed him, put the baby into the car, and drove off.
Chapter Forty-Three
Sophia and Amber had been gone for two days, and he was miserable without them. She’d called him when she arrived in Puerto Rico. She sounded so happy being with Cara, he wondered if she was thinking of staying there just because she thought he didn’t love her enough to fight.
“John,” Helena buzzed in.
“Yes?”
“Amy is here to see you.”
“Let her in.” He stood as she opened the door.
“Hello, John.”
“How can I help you, Amy?” he asked, sitting back down.
“I’ve called you several times, and you haven’t returned my calls.” She sat in front of him.
“I heard your messages, but they weren’t about Johnny.”
“I needed to talk to you.”
He stared at her. She’d always known how to manipulate him. He couldn’t believe she’d fooled him again. Amy had played him good, and could even have cost him the best thing that had ever happened to him.
“We don’t have anything to talk about.” He leaned forward.
“You didn’t check up on me after what happened.”
He took a deep breath. “Amy, I’m over being pissed for what you did. You’ve lied to me for the last time,” he said sternly. “Don’t call me if it isn’t about Johnny.”
Her eyebrows met in anger. “John, you know you don’t regret our time together.” She crossed her legs. “I’m the best thing that ever happened to you.”
He chuckled. “You’re right. I don’t regret any time I spent with you, because now I know the difference between what we had opposed to true and unconditional love.”
“What are you saying?”
“Amy, I loved you, but the love I feel for Sophia is unconditional. She completes me like I never thought anyone could. We’ve come so far. We didn’t mean to fall in love, but it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I will never regret us—you gave me one of the greatest loves a man could ever ask for—a son.”
She stared at him with tears in her eyes. “You really love her?”
“Yes, and every time she calls I will always run to her first.” He stared at her. “You are my past and she is my present and future.”
She stared at him.
“Charles loves you. Maybe you should try and build on that.”
She stood. “I won’t bother you again.” She marched out of his office.
His cell phone rang, “What’s up, Jerome?”
“I have some good news. I got a call from that detective from Miami.”
“Who? Marcus?”
“Yes, him. He called to let me know that Terrell was killed last night in prison, and his second-in-command was killed last week. Which means Sophia can go get her daughter.”
John couldn’t stop smiling. “She can finally bring her home.”
“Yes. He said there is no one else left from the crew.”
“Man, you’ve made my day. I can’t wait to tell her.”
“If anything else comes up I’ll give you a call,” Jerome said, hanging up.
John started dialing her number and changed his mind. He had a better idea. He picked up his phone and dialed.
Chapter Forty-Four
The Delgado family lived in gated community in a town called Rio Piedras. Their home wa
s about fifteen minutes away from the airport. The taxi reached the gate.
“Sir, what number, and your name?” the driver asked.
John pulled out paper from his shirt pocket, and read it. “John Morgan, and the house number is three-fifty-five.”
The driver pressed the intercom button, and a man answered.
“Si.”
“Señor, aqui tengo al señor Morgan,” the driver spoke, and the gate opened, letting them in.
“Daddy, look,” Johnny said, looking out the window, pointing at the beach.
John was in awe himself, looking at the surroundings. He hadn’t realized they had this kind of money. The taxi pulled up through a long driveway, and parked in front of a massive Spanish-style house. It had to be over five thousand square feet. He noticed the ocean right behind their house, a pool on the side, and a basketball court on the far left.
The front doors opened, and Mr. Delgado strolled out with an older, attractive African American woman next to him. He assumed she was Sophia’s mother.
Mr. Delgado had a huge grin on his face, and gave John a man-hug as he stepped out of the vehicle.
“Welcome to our home,” he said.
This wasn’t the same man who’d threatened him at the hotel. He was relaxed, and overly friendly.
“It’s beautiful,” John said.
“John this is my wife, Vivian.”
Mrs. Delgado opened her arms, and wrapped her small arms around him. “Son, thank you for all you’ve done for my family.” She backed away. “Because of you, my husband and daughter are free.”
“Your husband had a lot to do with it.” He looked down at his son. “Mr. and Mrs. Delgado, this is my son Johnny.”
“Hi, Johnny. It’s nice to meet you,” Mrs. Delgado said, shaking his hand.
“Nice to meet you too Mrs. Del…” He couldn’t say her name.
“You can call me Grandma.”
Johnny smiled from ear to ear. “Okay, Grandma.”
Mrs. Delgado took his hand. “Come on, let’s go say hi to Cara. If that’s okay with your dad.”
“Daddy, can I go?”
John nodded, and she took him beyond the double doors.
“I didn’t tell her you were coming,” Mr. Delgado said. “I made the arrangements you asked for.”
“Thank you again, sir,” John said.
“No, son. Thank you for taking care of my daughter. Because of you, she’s finally happy. That girl loves you.”
“I love her too.” John looked around. “Where is she?”
Her father pointed toward the back. “She’s out by the beach. Come on.” Her father guided him through the house and toward the back gate.
Sophia was sitting in the white sand, playing with Amber. “Peek-a-boo”
Amber placed her hands over her face, and giggled hard when Sophia said, “I see you.”
He silently strolled up on her, and Amber was the first one to see him. She grinned and wiggled her fingers, like she always did when she saw him.
“Da…da…” she whined. “Da…da…”
John smiled; he couldn’t imagine his life without his little girl. Thank God Sophia had changed her mind about the abortion.
“Daddy’s not here,” Sophia said, continuing to build a sand castle.
“Da…da…” Amber got louder, putting up her hands for him to pick her up.
“Me too. I wish he were here,” she said, picking her up.
“You don’t have to wish any longer. I’m right here.”
She turned around, totally surprised. “John!”
“I’m here,” he said, taking Amber from her. “Hey, chica.” He kissed his little girl. “I missed you.” Amber gave him slobbery kisses.
Sophia stood, gazing into his eyes. “You came.”
He bent down, and kissed her full lips.
“You will always come before any other woman.”
She smiled. “I missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, baby.” He pulled her into a hug, and then leaned away. “When you told me you were leaving, parts of me stopped breathing.”
“I told you I would be back.” She gazed at him.
“I know, but I had to make sure. You’ve been gone for three days, and I’ve been going crazy without you.”
She caressed the side of his face. “It’s only been three days? It seems like more.”
“Don’t you ever leave me again. I want it all with you.” He kissed her. “Because I love you.”
Her eyes became shiny with unshed tears. “I love you too.”
“Ms. Sophie!” Johnny ran out to them.
“Johnny!” She picked him up and kissed him.
“I have good news.”
“What?”
“We can finally bring Cara home with us.” He smiled.
“Really!”
“Yes, baby. It may be a little tough to hear, but Terrell was found dead in his cell three days ago, and his second-in-command was killed too.”
Sophia couldn’t stop smiling. She ran down the beach into the house, and they followed.
“Cara!” Sophia yelled, calling the little girl.
“Yes, mommy,” she answered.
“You can finally come home with us,” she said, hugging her, but Cara seemed sad.
Mrs. Delgado must have seen the same thing he did. “Cara, what’s wrong?”
The little girl looked at Sophia and then at her grandmother. “I don’t want to go.”
John saw the hurt in Sophia’s face. She placed her hand to her heart. “Why? I’m sorry I had to leave you baby, but I did what I did because I love you.”
Cara touched Sophia’s face. “Mommy, I know you love me, and I love you too, but if I leave, Grandma and Grandpa won’t have anyone,” she said, staring at her mother. “You have John, Johnny, and Amber. They have no one but me.”
A tear dropped from Sophia’s eye. “You don’t want to live with me and your sister.”
She nodded her head. “I can visit every Christmas. Easters and summers.”
John handed the baby to her mom. “Cara, are you sure this is what you want? Your mom missed you.”
“I missed her too, but I know she’s okay with you, Mr. John.” She looked at her grandfather that just entered. “I’m the only thing left to remind my grandma and grandpa of my real mother.”
John didn’t know what to say. She was very intelligent for an eight-year-old. “Okay.”
Sophia kissed her cheeks, and walked back out of the house.
“Sophia…” John called out, but she continued walking down the beach. He caught up with her, and stopped her. “Baby, don’t cry.” He wiped her tears.
“I knew she would think I abandoned her.”
He gazed at her. “She doesn’t think that. She feels if she leaves your parents, she’ll abandon them.”
“I want her with me.”
“You can force her to leave, but do you think she’ll be happy?”
“No, I would never force her.”
He caressed the side of her neck. “She’s safe now. That means she can visit whenever she likes or you can visit her. You never know. She might change her mind.”
Sophia was quiet for a while, and then took his hands in hers. “Just walk with me.”
They walked down the beach in silence. He knew that was what she needed.
After a moment, John stopped her. “Look at the footprints in the sand. You know what that reminds me of?”
“The poem,” she said.
“My grandmother loved that poem. She said God is always there, even when we don’t see him.”
“I know. If it wasn’t for the grace of God, I wouldn’t be here today.” She looked out at the ocean.
He wrapped his arms around her, as she faced away from him. “We all go through struggles in life to get where we need to be.”
“I’ve been struggling all my life,” she said.
“And look at you now. You’re one of the strongest woman I know.
You’ve survived so much. I could see the pain you were feeling when Cara said she didn’t want to leave.”
She took a deep breath. “It hurts, but I can live with it.”
He gently bit her neck, smacked her ass, and ran down the shoreline. She laughed and ran behind him.
“I win!” He touched the gate.
“You…cheated,” she said between breaths.
He opened the gate. “Now you know how it feels.”
She laughed. “Maybe later we can play a little one-on-one, on the basketball court.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“If that’s how you want to take it.”
Mrs. Delgado appeared. “Dinner is ready.”
He stopped her. “You met my family and now I’ve met yours.”
She arched her brows.
“I mean this can’t get any more real than this.” She kissed him and ran up the stairs.
***
After dinner, John and Sophia lay in a hammock together, watching the waves coming in and out. She was in between his legs, with his arms around her.
“I’m happy you came.”
“Me too. Puerto Rico is a beautiful island,” he said, caressing her arms.
“I never knew I could love someone the way I love you.” She kissed his chest.
“You’ve showed me what real love is.” He squeezed her. “Life is full of surprises.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Sophia’s parents took the kids out to town, saying they wanted to spend some quality time with their grandkids, but she knew they were giving them a little privacy.
They walked out to the basketball court.
“What are we playing?” she asked.
“Duh, basketball.” He chuckled.
She threw the ball at him.
“Strip basketball,” he said, giving her a naughty smile.
“I’ve never heard of strip basketball.”
“Here are the rules. Every time someone makes a shot, the other person has to take off an item of clothing.” He took inventory of what she had on. “Whoever is naked at the end, loses.”