Imagined Love

by Diamond Drake

  “You’re pretty,” Dane smiled then looked up at Pierce. “She’s really pretty, Daddy.”

  “Yeah, I know. I told you that but I guess you didn’t believe me, huh?” he said, surprised by how open his son was being. Dane was normally really shy until he felt more comfortable with a person. He obviously was already at that point with Jade.

  Pierce explained that they liked having spaghetti and meatball night and thought it would be fun if the three of them cooked it together. However, he didn’t want Jade to feel like she had to do it so he offered to go out for dinner if she preferred.

  “I’d love to make dinner with you guys,” she said then had Dane lead her to the bathroom so they could wash their hands.

  Pierce was thrilled by how quickly his son had taken to his girlfriend and it was pretty obvious the feeling was mutual. They had a love at first sight thing going and he couldn’t have been happier—a little jealous perhaps, but happy

  nonetheless. Jade hadn’t stopped hugging and kissing Dane since she’d arrived. And she must have said he was the sweetest, cutest, most adorable little boy a hundred times. Everything he did, from getting ingredients from the refrigerator to cracking jokes on his dad, earned him more affection from her.

  “Now see, that’s just wrong, Jade. All this dude has to do is carry some junk to the counter and he gets kisses while I’m over here risking my life chopping onions and I get nothing! Nah, see I don’t like this. I never would’ve introduced y’all if I knew you were gonna betray me like this! And you, boy . . . keep on and you getting a whooping,” Pierce said to Jade’s and Dane’s amusement. “You’re on thin ice, chicka. One more infraction like that and you’re out of here!” He winked and gave her that magical smile of his. All of a sudden Pierce slipped and grabbed the counter to break his fall.

  “Whoa, you okay over there? Do I need to get you a helmet to finish cooking dinner in?” Jade teased.

  “A helmet,” Dane repeated and laughed.

  Pierce threw his head back laughing loud and hard. “That was a good one, Ms. Jade. You got me.”

  “She’s funny, Daddy.”

  “Yeah, I know. She likes joaning on your old man.”

  “Joaning, huh?” Jade asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Do you know I’ve been saying that mess ever since you told me what it was. It’s like I can’t stop myself,” Pierce chuckled.

  After dinner the three of them played a few board games, ran around playing tag and hide and seek, and ate some of the chocolate cake they’d baked for dessert. Dane tried to convince his dad to let him stay up a little later but Pierce insisted it was bed time. More than anything he wanted some time alone with Jade and that just wasn’t going to happen as long as the world’s sweetest, cutest, most adorable little boy was still awake.

  “Can I read you a story before you go to sleep?”

  Dane nodded excitedly. Then he whispered something in his father’s ear. Whatever he said obviously shocked Pierce and his mouth dropped open.

  “I’ll ask her later, okay? Right now you need to take a bath. So let’s go,” he said, hoisting Dane over his shoulder. “We’ll be back shortly, pretty lady. Help yourself to anything you’d like.”

  Jade thanked him then grabbed a sheet of Dane’s drawing paper. She wanted to write him a story about their day together so both he and Pierce would know how special it was to her. It was hard for Jade to concentrate, though, because she kept laughing at the sound of Dane’s giggles coming from the bathroom. Whatever Pierce was doing tickled him to no end and she thought it was the sweetest sound in the world. The love between them was endearing and Jade found it reassuring as

  well that Pierce was capable of loving so unconditionally. Perhaps he’d grow to love her that way too.

  Once bath time was over Pierce called Jade to Dane’s room where she snuggled up beside him on the bed.

  “I wrote a story for you, Dane.”

  “You did?” he and Pierce asked, both surprised.

  “Yes, I did. I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed meeting you today and how wonderful I think you are. You wanna hear it?”

  “Yes, yes, yes,” Dane clapped, enthusiastically.

  Jade was just as enthused and animated when she read. Watching Dane’s little face light up and hearing him laugh at the appropriate times was all the reassurance she needed to know he liked it.

  “I love that story! Will you write me stories forever? Can I keep it? Will you read it again?” he asked, excitedly.

  It was no question Dane liked it but Pierce just stared at her with the oddest look on his face. The truth was he hadn’t really expected much when Jade said she’d written a story. However, he was shocked and genuinely impressed by what he thought sounded like a professionally written nursery rhyme! If it wasn’t all about their night together he probably wouldn’t have believed she wrote it. It was just that good.

  “Woman, is there anything you can’t do?”

  “Sing,” Jade replied. “I always wished I could, though.”

  “My dad can sing,” Dane volunteered.

  “Is that so? And do other people think you can or just your sweet, adoring son here?” she asked, running her fingers through Dane’s wild curls as he lay in her arms.

  “Aw, that’s cold,” Pierce laughed. “I can carry a tune. I’m no Teddy Pendergrass but I do alright.”

  “Well, I guess it’s easy enough to prove.”

  “What, you want me to sing right now?”

  “There’s no time like the present.”

  “Go, Daddy,” Dane cheered.

  “Okay, here goes,” Pierce sighed then belted out the most ridiculous sounding song she’d ever heard in her life! He had his eyes closed and snapped his fingers like he was really performing well.

  Jade looked down at Dane who was looking up at her giggling. “You tricked me little boy,” she said then tickled him mercilessly.

  “Okay, okay, I’m sorry . . . please,” he pled, laughing the whole time. “I won’t do it again. I promise.”

  Jade let him up then turned her attention to Pierce. “Y’all had me in here looking crazy. I was really expecting you to be able to sing! No wonder you were laughing at me,” she said then tickled Dane again. “You set me up, little boy!”

  Once she was done tickling him, Dane gave Jade a big hug then he planted kisses all over her face. She laughed and screamed like a little girl when Pierce joined in on the kissing. When they finally stopped, Jade’s hair was a mess and a few tears had run down her face from giggling so hard.

  “Alright, little man, that’s enough entertainment for tonight. It’s time for bed. Say goodnight to Jade.”

  Dane gave her a big hug and thanked her for the story and for spending the day with him. She thought it would take a while for him to drift off to sleep but a few minutes after his head hit the pillow, Dane was out like a light.

  Pierce and Jade snuggled on the couch talking about how much they enjoyed the evening. It didn’t feel at all like the first time the three of them had been together. They seemed like a family just hanging out at home.

  “You know, at one point I started noticing things like your purse on the couch or your shoes by the door next to ours and it just felt like you belonged here with us. Dane obviously feels the same way which is why he asked for you to join us for guy time. And that might not sound like a big deal but let me tell you, Jade, that boy never wants anybody to come along for our special time together. So for Dane to want you to be there too means he feels something really strong for you.”

  “Wow,” Jade uttered, as tears sprang to her eyes. Dane must have really felt close to her to include her in something he considered so sacred. She felt honored and readily accepted the invitation. “So has Dane met any of your other girlfriends?”

  “No . . . well, he met this woman named Joyce a few years ago but I didn’t consider her as a girlfriend. And I hadn’t intended for them to meet. We ran into her while Dane and I were out for our guy ti
me.”

  “So what happened with Joyce?”

  “Nothing much. We had a few dates but I didn’t feel the same way for her that she felt for me. I tried to feel more because we had so much in common but it just wasn’t happening. Joyce was a really nice woman and I liked her, but she wasn’t the one.”

  “I know what you mean. It’s like one of those people who sound good on paper. They have all the qualities you’re looking for and you really want to like them but something just doesn’t work. They might be successful and hardworking with no sense of humor. Or you might laugh all the time but lack the attraction to that person. Then,” Jade said, as she squeezed Pierce’s hand, “one day you walk into Quik Stop and meet the one who has it all.” Pierce’s eyes watered as a huge smile spread across his face. “Are you blushing?”

  “Blushing? Girl, I’m a grown man!” he said, trying to look tough. “Grown men don’t blush. My cheeks are just naturally rosy.” They both laughed before he planted a sweet kiss on Jade’s lips. “Thank you for saying that. You just don’t know how much it means to me.”

  Their kissing got a bit intense so they had to put a little distance between them before clothing started being removed.

  “Oh, I was wondering if you were free next Friday night,” Jade said, trying desperately to regain her composure. “There’s this new play at the Paramount I really wanna see and I thought it would be fun if you went with me. But that’s probably not enough notice, huh? I’m sorry. I imagine you have to plan things out way in advance with your work schedule and Dane’s schedule and everything. Duh. That’s probably why you asked about the Halloween party so early. Don’t worry about it. I’ll give you more of a head’s up next time, okay?”

  “Wow, do you always have conversations by yourself?” Pierce laughed. “True, I do have to be fairly organized with my schedule, but I’m not rigid about it. I can be spontaneous sometimes. And I would love to go to the play with you but my boys will be coming over for our monthly poker night. It’s my turn to host so they’ll be here. I wanted to invite you because the fellas are dying to meet you, but there wouldn’t be much for you to do after the introductions were over. I’m always the big winner so I play the entire night.”

  “Oh yeah?” Jade asked, as she reached for her purse. “Well, I’ve got fifty bones that say you aren’t as good as you think you are.”

  Pierce looked over his shoulder then back at her. “Who you talking to?” he chuckled. “I know you don’t call yourself challenging me, do you? Girl please, I don’t wanna take your little money.”

  “You won’t,” she snorted. “I hope your ego ain’t delicate because I will smoke you at a poker table. You better ask somebody,” Jade said then slapped fifty dollars down beside him.

  “You ain’t said nothing but a word,” Pierce stated before he hopped up from the couch. “Put your money on the table and I’ll be right back . . . telling me I better ask somebody. Girl, you don’t know who you messing with,” he mumbled.

  A few minutes later Pierce returned with his personalized poker case and a smug look on his face.

  “So I guess having your little name engraved on this case is supposed to intimidate me, right? Well, it doesn’t, just so you know.” Jade teased. “You might as well slide those chips over here because that’s exactly where they’ll be in a few minutes. You can save yourself the embarrassment and just give me your money if you want. I won’t hold it against you.”

  “Umm huh, I hear you talking a lot of smack but I’m about to put an end to all that right now.”

  They had only been playing an hour when to Pierce’s complete and utter shock, Jade had all of his chips! Somehow she was able to read him like a book and knew when he was bluffing and when he really had a hand. She had him completely dominated the whole time. Pierce tried to act angry about it but all he wanted to do was kiss her. So he did.

  A little while later, Pierce walked Jade to the front door.

  “I had a really good time tonight. Thank you so much,” she said, trying to stuff her feet back into her pumps after walking around barefoot all night. “I look forward to doing it again. I’ll call you when I get home, okay? Goodnight,” Jade smiled then opened the door.

  All Pierce wanted to do was close it and ask her to stay the night with him. “Goodnight,” he said instead and watched her walk to her car and drive away.

  Once she had changed clothes and gotten comfortable, Jade called Pierce and they stayed on the phone for hours going from one subject to the next. He admitted wanting to ask her to stay with him but didn’t want to make her feel like that’s all he was after. Jade let him know she wanted to stay but didn’t want to make the same mistake she’d made in the past by having sex before really getting to know the person with whom she was in bed.

  “But you think of me like that, though? Is that the reason you were all up on me?” Pierce laughed.

  “Not really. It was that Hugo Boss you had on that drove me a little crazy but that’s it,” she laughed loudly.

  “Aw, that’s cold,” he said. “And this knowledge of men’s cologne . . . oh let me guess, Landon, right?”

  Jade went into yet another story about Landon, that time about his obsession with cologne, seemingly unaware of the edge in Pierce’s voice.

  The play Jade had been dying to see extended its tour another week and she called Pierce at the store immediately to ask if he’d be available to go on Thursday night. He was thrilled at the chance to go with her after all and made arrangements for Alejandra to babysit Dane. Jade worked late a few nights during the week to prepare for the rehearsal dinner and wedding that weekend. She wanted to enjoy her date with Pierce and not have to worry about work. Unfortunately they had something more serious to be concerned about.

  “Hey, babe, how are . . . what’s wrong?” Jade asked when Pierce opened the door for her. He was upset.

  “I’m so sorry, babe, but Dane is really sick. All of a sudden he started throwing up and he’s got a fever. Oh, he’s in my room,” Pierce said when Jade walked in back to check on Dane.

  She sat beside him on the bed and brushed away a handful of curls to see his face. Jade laid her cheek next to his and could feel the heat radiating from his body. When Pierce told her he was taking Dane to the emergency room she said she was going too.

  “Oh no, babe, I was thinking you and Hawn could go ahead to the play so you don’t have to miss it again. I know how badly you wanted to see it.”

  Jade looked at him like he was crazy then turned her attention back to Dane. “Daddy must have a fever too if he thinks I’m leaving my guys like this. Come on, baby, let’s go to the doctor so they can help you feel better, okay?”

  When Alejandra arrived Jade gave her the tickets and told her to take Roland and have a good time. Then she got in the backseat of Pierce’s Chevelle with a bucket and wipes just in case Dane needed to throw up again. As usual, the emergency room was packed and it was nearly impossible to find parking. Jade told Pierce to take Dane inside to get registered while she found somewhere to park. Ten minutes later, in her little black dress and four-inch heels, she joined them in the waiting room. An hour and a half passed before they were finally called to the back for Dane to be seen.

  Diagnosed with the stomach flu, the doctor recommended Dane get a shot to stop the vomiting so he could rest. As soon as Pierce agreed the boy went wild! He screamed and flailed begging his dad not to do it. Pierce tried to be patient with Dane knowing how much he hated needles but began getting frustrated and decided to hold his son down like the nurse suggested. That only made things worse and Jade asked if she could just talk to Dane for a minute. She laid her face next to his and whispered in his ear until he calmed down. A few minutes later he stared at Jade’s smiling face and held her hands tightly while the nurse administered the shot.

  “See, that’s wasn’t so bad, was it?” she said, kissing his face. “I knew you were my brave little man. I’m so proud of you.” Jade kissed his little hands.
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br />   “Mommies always have the touch,” the nurse commented.

  Pierce was surprised at how Jade was able to deal with Dane but extremely grateful. More than anything, he was in love. He kept staring at her in the rearview mirror watching the tender way she ran her fingers through Dane’s hair and made him feel safe and secure. Pierce loved Jade and didn’t know how he’d made it without her.

  The following Saturday Pierce’s stepfather Miguel and Luisa planned to have all their grandsons come over for camping in the backyard. The boys loved sleeping in the big tent and making hotdogs and s’mores over the fire. Having Dane with his family gave Pierce the opportunity to be with Jade at the wedding. He was prepared to work but it turned out to be more like a date. There were only

  seventy-five guests and the venue was responsible for nearly everything so that left Jade with time to enjoy having Pierce with her. It also granted Landon the chance to leave after an hour to have some quality time with Gabrielle.

  “What’s wrong?” Jade asked when she noticed Pierce staring at her.

  “I love to watch you eat. It’s so sensual,” he moaned after she put a bite of wedding cake in her mouth. “I’ve never wanted to be a fork so bad in my life.”

  Jade laughed. Then she grew self-conscious with him watching her and couldn’t bring herself to finish eating the cake. “Pierce, stop,” she laughed, when he continued staring at her. “Dude, quit playing.”

  After the reception Pierce and Jade decided to go back to her apartment. Things started off innocently enough with them watching TV and talking. It was an accidental brush against each other that led to one of those incredible kisses that led to Pierce’s hands under Jade’s blouse, lifting her up on the kitchen countertop! Just as quickly as they started, however, they stopped.

  “I’m sorry,” Pierce panted, removing his hand from her breasts. “I probably should go, huh?”

  Jade stared at him as she caressed his face. “Yeah,” she said, reluctantly. As badly as she wanted him, something didn’t feel right about making love that night. “I’m sorry,” Jade kissed his cheek as he helped her down. “I just . . .”