Justice Black: The Game Never Ends

by Gartia Bansah

  He whispered in her ear. “About as much as it means to you.”

  “Well, I guess I will.”

  “Great.”

  He then caressed every inch of her body. Kaitlyn concentrated on each touch and tried to maintain some control. Then he kissed her, slow and easy. Crescendos of deep waves leaped in the pit of her stomach, and her heart made shaky flutters. Her body became limp. If she hadn’t gripped his shoulders, she surely would have fallen.

  “Let it go. I got you,” he whispered. She completely forgot what she’d agreed to. Then she moaned with pleasure. He smiled.

  He let her recover for a moment. “I guess we have to take the dogs and parrots. The house is big enough.” He frowned at Cassie and Calvin, who sat quietly, watching their morning intimate ritual. Dogs watching you couple was unnatural. It unnerved him. He’d decided since they’d fought to protect Kaitlyn, he’d be civil for now.

  “Honey, when is Barrett coming back?” he asked.

  Kaitlyn winked at the two.

  “I don’t know. Why?”

  “By the way,” he said, “I give Thanksgiving gifts. I have presents for you. Get dressed, and let’s go.”

  He watched as she slowly moved to the shower.

  Kaitlyn screamed. Suddenly she was picked up and thrown onto the bed.

  “You didn’t think I’d let you get away with that alone, did you?” He laughed.

  “I was hoping you wouldn’t.”

  The drive into the country was wonderful; it was nature at its best. Birds chirped; the air was clean, cool, and fresh; and the trees swayed as if the leaves together guided them home. Some of the country roads weren’t paved, but he took a private paved road that curved a few miles. The view was equally breathtaking. Some trees were changing colors, and splashes of gold, brown, orange, and red leaves blended into green fields that sat underneath the sunset, making the scene blissful against the backdrop of the blue sky.

  Kaitlyn closed her eyes, contented. The absence of the smell of the city and the sound of car noises completed her picture of a celestial world. “This is heaven,” she said.

  Justice smiled when he heard Kaitlyn release a small snore. He was pleased she had relaxed and enjoyed what she had seen so far. It had been so long he couldn’t remember himself how it felt to have a good night’s sleep. Since Ed’s death, neither of them had slept a full night.

  Kaitlyn woke when the car stopped, yawned, and rubbed her face to clear the sleepiness.

  “We’re here?”

  “We’re here, Duchess.”

  The house was indeed huge. She carefully stepped onto the circular cobblestone driveway as Justice waited in the doorway of the house. As always, he held out one finger. Kaitlyn took it, and with a smile, he pulled her over the threshold.

  “Go look at the kitchen,” he urged as he shuffled through the mail. “It’s straight back.” Kaitlyn noticed the forget-me-nots on a sophisticated Spanish side cabinet that looked like the Napoleon III type.

  “I see you like antiques.”

  He merely glanced at it. “It’s a gift. McKnight likes that stuff.”

  She was intrigued by the rest of the house. She stopped to appreciate the African art displayed along the hallway. There was also Italian art in rooms that took her breath away. She knew he appreciated art of any kind. She took one deep breath and found her way to the kitchen, where she stood in awe. It was her dream kitchen exactly as she had described to him, down to the mudroom and porch. On the table was the Spode Blue Willow dinner setting. She stepped closer; it was a signature collection with the Edwardian child pattern. So overwhelmed at what it all meant, she burst into tears and started to run away when Justice caught her.

  “You don’t like it?” He’d thought she’d be happy with everything. It had taken Laila and Barrett some legwork to find all those dishes. He never realized how much bargaining and dealing it took. Now she hated them?

  She swatted his shoulders and then hugged him. “Don’t talk to me now,” she cried. “You make me sick.”

  “Again?” He raised her chin with his finger. “I hope it’s a good sick.” He waited for her smile. “I believe it was you, Dr. Joseph, who once said you usually get what you want.”

  No longer able to resist his strange sense of humor, she laughed. “Minor thing,” she joked. “Me wo lo, Tobiah. I love you.”

  “Me wo lo, Kaitlyn.”

  They settled for a light dinner of seafood soup, which, she reminded him, he actually begged her to make. This time she made rice balls and baked a blackberry cobbler. He couldn’t understand what the problem was when she rolled her eyes with disgust at his suggestion they use those dishes.

  “You want to eat on them?” She was incredulous at his suggestion. “They’re not for eating, Dr. Black. Never, ever think about it. Really, never,” she stressed.

  There was a shared sense of peace as they lay on the bedroom floor before the fireplace. With his extreme approval, her occasional new sleeping attire included flirty shorts and lace-trimmed tops, which to him described Kaitlyn. Sometimes she wore his shirts, and that was his Duchess.

  Justice pulled her to a sitting position.

  “Duchess, I’ve already spoken to Laila. Now it’s up to you.”

  “What?” She was more than curious now and could not begin to guess what those two had to talk about.

  Justice reached under a pillow and handed her a music case.

  With a quizzical expression, she carefully opened it. She curiously looked at him first as she removed several sheets that read, “We make good music together. Dance with me forever. How about marrying a man with baggage?” There were too many tears to read the rest.

  “Who doesn’t have baggage?” she finally said.

  “Lift the lining.”

  With trembling fingers and gaping mouth, she gently held the emerald ring. Justice placed it on her finger and closed her mouth before she threw herself into his arms.

  “I take that as a yes?”

  “Absolutely. That’s a yes to everything.”

  The heat from the fire warmed their bodies, adding to their own heat. For the first time in their lives, they felt completely free, and they had helped each other reach that freedom. He understood why they were drawn together.

  After they had nearly exhausted themselves and some of her senses were back, she remembered what he’d said. “You spoke to Grandmom about what?”

  “I told you before I may be old-fashioned, but I’m not an idiot. I asked Laila for your hand in marriage and told her about my son, and she gave her approval.”

  “Why did you do that?”

  “What? You told her about the sex disaster. Duchess, how can you tell Laila everything?”

  “Well, I don’t have to anymore. I have you, Mr. Fix-it.”

  chapter

  SEVENTY-ONE

  Thanksgiving Day

  The turkey should have been ready, if Justice would stop showing her how he made the dressing. She’d never met anyone so particular about a bunch of crumbs and spices. Justice encased her body and guided her hands to make sure she mixed the ingredients well.

  “Are we going to eat this or put it onstage?”

  Cassie and Calvin erratically barked and growled from the outer room; soon Justice heard the reason why.

  “Dad,” Jeremiah called, “where’d you get these things and why?”

  “Jeremiah, when did you get in?” Justice pulled Kaitlyn along as he hugged his son.

  Ashamed to be caught in such an awkward position, Kaitlyn flinched at her morning attire of Justice’s shirt and a pair of shorts. Justice refused to let her scamper away and made it impossible for her to move. She elbowed his ribs for the stunt.

  “Duchess, this is my son, Jeremiah. Son, this is Dr. Kaitlyn Joseph.”

  Huge smile in place, Kaitlyn gree
ted Justice’s pride and joy.

  “Glad to meet you, Dr. Joseph.”

  Justice laughed. “The dogs belong to Dr. Joseph.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Jeremiah apologized then laughed at Cassie and Calvin.

  “Cassie, Calvin, stop it now,” Kaitlyn ordered. One last growl, and they immediately sat beside Kaitlyn.

  “Dr. Joseph, thank you for making my dad laugh. He barely did that. But I must warn you, we are a family of huggers.” Jeremiah smiled and hugged her as proof. “I saw you last night at Ricky’s. You ladies are fantastic.”

  Kaitlyn was surprised to hear that. “You were there?”

  “Yes, ma’am. We arrived at Ricky’s in time for the show. The crowd was deep, so we left after that mind-blowing dance routine.” He laughed again and said, “I recognized one of Dad’s move too.”

  “She smiled at Justice. “Yeah, he showed me. It’s good to meet you, Jeremiah. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She looked at her dressing-covered hands and apologized. “Please call me Kaitlyn.”

  “Oh no, ma’am. Dad would kill me,” he joked.

  “Oh.” She’d forgotten Justice was a man of strict principles.

  Kaitlyn finally broke free and rushed away with Cassie and Calvin running behind her. On her return, dressed in jeans and his shirt, she found Justice and Jeremiah with their heads closely together intensely discussing and working the dressing. As if they’d always done it the two men put her between them to help.

  “Hey, Jeremiah,” a male voice interrupted.

  Justice squinted at the equally tall, gray-eyed young man who walked into the kitchen at the same time Kaitlyn looked over her shoulder. Justice heard her cry and caught her before she stumbled.

  The resemblance was remarkable. After all those years, it was as if their dad stood before her. “Clermont?”

  “Deena.” He hugged his sister, and both wept. Justice and Jeremiah stood in disbelief.

  Clermont was the boy in his nightmare. “Son, you really do bring home surprises.”

  “Clermont, where have you been?” Kaitlyn sniffled.

  “I’m no longer Clermont Drayton, Deena,” he replied. “I’m Lucca Joseph. I took our father’s name.” He pulled her down on the kitchen sofa and sat next to her, motioning Jeremiah and Justice to join them.

  “Sir, I remember your voice from that night.” He stared at Justice. “I’ve never forgotten your words. It was the way you said, ‘Son, you’ll be all right. You’re good.’ You said the same to Jeremiah when I saw you leave his apartment a year ago. I knew you were the one.” He looked apologetically at Jeremiah. “I’m sorry I never said anything to you—or last night when I saw Deena. I couldn’t. I felt…” He stopped.

  “Lucca,” Jeremiah offered, “I understand.”

  “Deena, I made Mrs. Queenester promise not to tell your grandmother. I had a lot to deal with from the things they made us do. Inside I was messed up. You understand?”

  “Yes, I do.” Kaitlyn then sat quietly and held his hands, staring at his face. She was still overwhelmed with how much he had grown to look like their dad.

  “Mrs. Queenester dragged me to counseling and made sure I stayed in school.” He laughed. “She even sat in some of my classes to make sure I stayed, and she literally forced me into college. After I graduated, I joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Africa. Being there helped me heal inside. I couldn’t do it here. I lost contact with Mrs. Queenester. I came back to America for law school and met Jeremiah at a youth summer camp where we were volunteer counselors.”

  “Lucca, you did well, and you look wonderful. Besides, Mrs. Queenester told me Ed found your mother at a homeless shelter. He’s not your uncle.”

  She smiled. He smiled back. Kaitlyn recognized instant peace.

  “She tried to tell me that, but I thought she was making it up for my sake.” A chill ran down his back. It was freedom. He quickly changed the subject to something more pleasant. “Deena, I was so proud last night. It took a lot for me not to yell, ‘That’s my baby sister.’”

  Justice looked at the clock. It was time.

  “Honey, I have a surprise for you, and I’m sure Lucca too.”

  The two sat quietly as Justice dialed the phone and told the person Lucca was there before he placed it on speaker. Soon they listened to a familiar cackling laugh that shocked both.

  “Adeena, Lucca, oh my Lord, how are you? This is Mrs. Queenester.”

  Justice watched sister and brother embrace and wipe tears as they listened and reconnected with their protective angel. He had found Mrs. Queenester living with a relative that she was unhappy with.

  The three talked for nearly half an hour between tears and laughs. Justice watched them find a resting place for their past as they listened to the wise messages Mrs. Queenester said.

  “Now, Lucca, honey,” Mrs. Queenester finally said, “I know your sister told you that devil was no relation to you, not at all. Now you two go have a good life. It’s time. I love you both. Adeena, honey, you sure have a sweet husband, and good-looking too. He moved me into a real nice place called Dillon Commons over here in Castleview. Come see me sometimes. Bring Laila.”

  Happy and curious after they’d hung up, Kaitlyn asked, “Tobiah, Mrs. Queenester thinks you’re already my husband?”

  “Honey”—he winked—“we’re fixing that.”

  This time it was the doorbell that interrupted their laughs and tears.

  “Justice took Kaitlyn by the hand, “Come with me.”

  Curious, everyone followed Justice. Kaitlyn stood behind him, still trembling from the call, and squeezed his hands as he opened the door. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She’d recognize that smile anywhere. The next sound Justice heard was her gasp.

  Justice pulled her in front of him. “Happy birthday. Meet Agent Charlesetta Simeon.”

  Justice and Jeremiah thought their ears would burst when the friends greeted each other; they screamed, cried, and hugged. After Kaitlyn had told Justice about Charlesetta, he wanted to find her. He was staggered when she called him about the Shepherd twins, and he learned Rayford’s sister, Raysha, was her supervisor. Charlesetta was one of the best agents in their international missing-children bureau. He hadn’t been sure he had done the right thing, but now he was glad he did.

  Jeremiah shook his head. “You can no longer tease me about bringing home strays.” They both laughed.

  “You know, a wise woman told me that unexpected gifts are blessings that come to us at the time we need them. We are to accept them without questioning and cherish the arrival. I have done that with you and Kaitlyn. You need to know that.”

  “Dad, did you ask Dr. Joseph to marry you.”

  “I did. She said yes.”

  “Good.” Jeremiah crossed his arms over his dad’s shoulders and relished the happiness.

  The dinner vibrated with conversations, laughs, some tears, and lots of hugging. Kaitlyn couldn’t remember the last time she was so happy. Justice laughed from sheer delight in seeing his house full with his family being happy. Laila called and congratulated Kaitlyn and wept when she spoke to Lucca.

  A few days later, as Kaitlyn sat in the recreation room planning their private wedding, Justice couldn’t imagine things getting any crazier until Jeremiah came in with Aurora.

  “Sorry to intrude,” Aurora apologized, “but it’s about Barrett.”

  chapter

  SEVENTY-TWO

  “Barrett was so hurt by Genevieve, I convinced her to travel the world with Garland,” Aurora tearfully said. “You see, Barrett also knew she had early signs of Alzheimer’s and decided she needed to make plans. She asked that I give you this. It’s all legal.”

  Aurora handed them a sealed envelope addressed to the two of them. They read the letter together. Justice swore. Kaitlyn cried. Barrett had given them her property and complete con
trol of her financial affairs. The shock had nearly worn off for Justice but not for Kaitlyn. She cried until she thought she had no more tears. The second-hardest blow to Justice was that Barrett owned Serenity Place, and Marvin came with it. Barrett giving him and Kaitlyn joint ownership of Cassie and Calvin was too much. He swore again.

  Before Aurora left, she presented them with a large check from Barrett and Garland as a wedding present with a letter that simply said, “Adeena, honey, enjoy life. I told you I have too much for one person, and I can’t possibly think of anyone more deserving of what I have than you and Dr. Black. I’m sure Aurora has told you everything. You know that means I will fortunately forget Genevieve and her deceit. Unfortunately, I may not remember you, but deep down in my heart, I believe I will always feel your love and kindness. Don’t forget me. I know you will love and take care of my kids as I did. Dr. Black, they really do love you. Please remember me in your prayers. I love you both. Love, Barrett.”

  Kaitlyn burst into tears again until Justice confined her to the bed until they both calmed.

  “Honey, you have to pull yourself together. We have to figure out how we’re going to handle all of this. As for Cassie and Calvin, they are all yours.”

  She sniffled. “All right, but those parrots and Seymour belong to you, not me.”

  “The parrots don’t make noises with you around,” he reminded her. “And besides, you answered their mating call that morning. You know they heard you call poor Seymour ‘nasty.’ They are your natural clock as a replacement for that bird clock you said I broke.”

  “That’s funny, and I’m sorry for calling Seymour nasty.”

  “I have one more surprise,” he said. He sat her aside and brought her a carrier. Inside there was a black-and-white kitten with the tag “Ms. Lizzy II. Happy birthday, Duchess.”

  “Tobiah, you have to stop.” Dazed with his kindheartedness, the tears flowed.