“No, no, wait. I do have a prenuptial agreement.” He reached for his wallet and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. “I do listen to you.”
“Only when it suits you,” she shot back and took the paper. “ ‘One-third of my current assets to my mother, Raven Ripley; one-third to my lovely wife, Marie Wright Ripley; a portion to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital…’ “ Ava laughed to keep from crying. “Eric, this isn’t a prenup; it’s a will!”
His grin disappeared. “Marie was the one who insisted on doing it. She’s not after my money. Will it hold up in court?”
“Your signature, her signature, four witnesses, yes, it will. As a will.”
Eric beamed. “See, I did good.”
“We need to do an official prenup, Eric.”
“It won’t be a problem. I told Marie that we might have to do another one. She’s cool with it.”
“How many weeks along is she?”
“Two and a half.”
“Where’d you honeymoon?”
He instantly became serious. “We had two nights in a little bed and breakfast outside of Vicksburg where her grandparents live. They’re proud of her, and they like me, too.” He popped his collar. “I mean, what’s not to like?”
“Uh oh, the old Eric is back,” Pierce said with a chuckle.
“Do they know about the baby?” Ava asked, her eyes still moist.
He shook his head. “We just found out.”
Pierce glowered at Ava, trying to make eye contact and get a message across. “So are we going out to celebrate?”
“Oh, yes, congratulations on your nuptials,” she said with a small smile, hugging him to her as she grimaced at Pierce over Eric’s shoulder. “But you’ll need to do it right—and legal. Maybe a proper ceremony on your real birthday.”
Eric looked up at Pierce and winked. “This was just to show you how it’s done. Fall in love, whisk her down the aisle, then the bedroom. I thought y’all would get married in Hawaii.”
Pierce frowned, glared openly at the young man. “Not everyone does things quite the same.”
“So are you saying you’re not going to do right by my mother?”
Ava folded her arms across her full bosom and smiled.
Pierce’s eyebrows shot up. “What I’m saying is that a certain almost eighteen-year-old needs to stay out of grown-folks’ business.”
“Hey, I’m married now.” Eric proudly flashed his wedding band. “I’m grown-folks, too.”
“Marriage does not make you grown,” Pierce countered, rubbing the younger man’s shoulder. “Can you enter into a legal contract without representation?”
“No, and technically neither should you.”
“He’s got a point,” Ava quipped with a wry smile.
Pierce glowered at her. “Hey, whose side are you on here?”
“Mine.” She rubbed her stomach. “And it’s your treat.”
Pierce grumbled, “Just like a lawyer.”
“What about, Steve?” Eric asked, following his mentor to the hallway. “I left him alone with the next round of screechers.”
“Whose bright idea was it to sell my shares so early?”
“His!”
“We’re outta here.”
❤ ❤ ❤
Later that evening, Pierce and Eric took Ava to the airport. As they walked back to the SUV, Pierce demanded, “Whose funeral is it, Eric?”
The young man stayed silent so long Pierce thought he wasn’t going to answer. “My grandmother’s.”
Pierce drew in a sharp breath. Raven hadn’t called! She really didn’t love him—not even the little bit she had claimed in Hawaii. That must have been the orgasms talking.
“So what are you going to do?” Eric asked him, slipping into the passenger seat and buckling up.
“You’ve done your part—stay out of it. Raven and I will just have to find common ground.”
The young man slumped down in the seat, lips poked out a little.
“I’m proud of you and respect the decision you made,” Pierce said, watching Eric relax. “But I wonder, if you didn’t have a health challenge, would you have done things quite the same way?”
“I might have taken liberties with some things and gotten away with others.” His grin made Pierce laugh. “But, I’d like to think that I would’ve wanted things to happen the same way they turned out. I promised myself a long time ago that I wouldn’t have sex before marriage—especially after the way my father treated my mother.”
Pierce nodded.
“And then I came dangerously close to not keeping that promise—that scared me. Really scared me. I thought I had…you know…better control, but…it was like something kicked into high gear. I wanted sex so bad I almost hit the strip and paid for it.”
Pierce let out a low whistle.
“I just didn’t want my first time to be with someone who didn’t care about me. And I love Marie—and we might not have much time. That’s why I convinced her to run off and do it. It was reaching a point where I couldn’t trust myself around her, and I didn’t like that feeling.” Then he released a satisfied sigh as he shifted comfortably in the seat. “I’m telling you one thing—now I can actually think straight.”
Which was more than Pierce could say. He was missing Raven something wicked. She had filled almost every waking thought—which was most of the time since sleep still eluded him. He couldn’t get her out of his mind: her laugh, her walk, her voice, her feel, her taste.
“So why didn’t you use a condom?”
Eric had the gall to look sheepish. “It was my first time. I wanted to, you know…at least once without it.”
“Hmph.”
“She had started the pill, but I guess it was that one percent that got us. Or maybe she wasn’t on long enough.” His expression went blank. “I’m going to be a Dad.”
“Yes, you are.”
Eric’s lips tightened. “And I’m scared. Suppose I’m like my father? How can a man walk away from his own flesh and blood? Suppose it’s genetic? His father walked out on him, too. Just got fed up and left my grandmother to fend for herself with five children.”
Pierce chose his words carefully. “Eric, you’re not like your father, by any stretch of the imagination, so I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“He didn’t have any control, either.”
“When it comes to sex, a lot of men don’t have control.” Pierce remembered that only too well. He got hard just thinking about Raven. Her lips, her breasts, her hips, how tight…
“Present company included?”
“That’s none of your business,” he growled, adjusting his pant leg.
Eric actually blushed as Pierce laughed. “Since I met Marie, I’ve thought a lot about him. My father.”
“Why don’t you give him a call?”
Eric shrugged. “He won’t want to hear from me.”
“He’s about to be a grandfather; I think he might. Maybe he’s done some growing up, too.”
Eric’s lips lifted into a hopeful smile. “You think so?”
“It’s always a possibility. Either way, you’ll know for certain, and that’s what’s important.”
“I’ve also been thinking, maybe I should…”
Pierce frowned. “Should what?”
“Maybe I should go ahead and have the surgery.” His eyes were as wide as saucers. Then he took several breaths, trying to remain calm. “It was different when I had only me to think about.”
“What about your mother?”
“That’s different; she’s had a long time to get used to it. She’s strong. She’ll survive.”
Pierce placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m not so sure about that. Now I understand why she’s so sad sometimes, so distant. She might not let it show, but your decision affects her. That’s why she fears getting too close to anyone. Being apart isn’t all about me.”
Eric rubbed his chin as he absorbed that. “The thought of someo
ne splitting my skull and poking around, or the idea that a flick of the wrist could make me a vegetable, has given me nightmares.”
Pierce winced.
“I can’t sleep because the images are so vivid…I just…man…if there was another way, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I never knew becoming a parent could change so much.”
Pierce merely nodded, knowing he might never know what Eric meant. Even though he’d always planned to adopt, the process for single men was full of red tape.
“And I’d like you to be the godfather.”
“Godfather?” Pierce smiled, warmed by Eric’s trust. “I’d like that. So when are you going to tell Raven?”
“Oh, maybe…never.” He nodded as though trying to convince himself. “Never works for me.”
Pierce roared with laughter.
“I’m going to fly back home early tomorrow for the funeral, give Mom some time, then bring Marie to Chicago. It’s not the sort of news she should hear over the phone.” He nudged Pierce’s side. “You know, you should come home with me.”
“Raven made it all too clear that she didn’t want to see me again. I don’t think now is a good time to push the issue.”
“You’ll be coming to help me.”
Pierce grinned. “I’ll think about it.”
“Cool. Now let’s talk about that marriage, honeymoon thing.”
This time, Pierce sighed as he put the truck in gear. “Eric, give it a rest.”
Thirty-two
Rain. It would rain today of all days. Raven picked Eric up from O’Hare and headed for the church. She had thought she would be early, but a large group had already congregated at St. Thomas, and more streamed in behind her. The wooden pews, dark brown and old enough to make a great bonfire, were filled to capacity. The pulpit overflowed with ministers from nearly every religious denomination. She checked the annex; it, too, was full.
The flowers on either side of the gold and white casket were as beautiful and vibrant as any Raven had seen. She and Eric hurriedly passed out the programs. As Raven made her way to the front, she scanned the area. The front pews were filled with family—some from as far west as Petaluma, California, and as far east as Manhattan. Anita and Lorrie waved. Raven waved back.
She walked to her mother to pay her last respects. Her mother’s once-gorgeous honey skin was so dark brown, she was damn near unrecognizable. What had they done to her? Raven reached over and dabbed a handkerchief on her mother’s nose to stem the small pool of liquid gathering there. The funeral director had told her that this might happen because of Jaylon’s fleshy frame.
“Mom, what are you doing?” Eric whispered, trying to pull her hand back.
“Now you know she would want me to do this. She was the queen of pointing out those little problems for other people.”
Eric nodded knowingly.
Her mother’s body, or “the costume,” as Eric had called it, was just a shell for the animated spirit that once lived inside. A spirit which now hovered nearby to listen to all the last words and testaments, and to watch over Kayla and Manny who would need her now more than ever.
Raven couldn’t fit in the row for immediate family, so she picked a spot near the rear where she could stand and watch everything. She knew many of the people from all the times her mother dragged her from church to church on Sundays. Some of the women’s faces brought back memories of their culinary specialties: Ms. Greene’s famous no-trips-to-the-toilet macaroni and cheese, Ms. Burge’s buttery cornbread dressing, Ms. Howard’s you’ll-hear-from-me-later red beans and rice with smoked turkey tails, and Ms. Slaughter’s homemade banana pudding. Raven smiled at each woman, relishing the pleasant memories. She had always had a fondness for good choirs, good food and a good sermon—although not necessarily in that order.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Janetta flitting from person to person, whispering to people as she collected pastel envelopes. Raven sighed. She looked away from her sister, who had dared to come to the church with torn clothes, no stockings, and without even bothering to oil her ashy legs. Raven prayed that her sister was at least wearing panties, but given her history, that might be too much to ask. Lord, I need your strength…
A deep, familiar voice resonated behind her. “Raven, you look beautiful.”
She turned slowly and faced the man whose last name she bore. She replied simply, “Thank you,” and tried to move away.
“Raven?”
She turned back. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yes, I know that,” she said through clenched teeth.
James Ripley’s somewhat pleasant smile took an instant downturn. “You aren’t my daughter.”
“I’m quite aware of that, but instead of being a man and leaving my mother because you weren’t happy, or because she was unfaithful, you made it all about the fact that she was pregnant with me.”
He winced and looked around to see if anyone had heard her.
She moved closer, keeping her voice low so she wouldn’t make a scene. “Do you know how it felt every time you came by and completely ignored me? You only assumed I wasn’t your daughter. You didn’t know for sure. I look just like her! But you were so hell-bent on getting out, that you used me as a scapegoat. Do you know what that did to me? You twisted the knife a little deeper with every visit, every holiday.”
James quickly scanned left and right. People were starting to turn their way. He said nothing.
Raven saw Eric and Ava moving toward her. She looked back at him. “So you don’t have to apologize, James Ripley. It’s okay that I’m not your daughter. Your children are what? A prostitute? Three times divorced? And your younger children are a drug dealer and felon? And oh, let’s not forget that your baby girl is a stripper.” She held up a hand to stem his protest. “Excuse me—an exotic dancer. And I’m what? Just a national bestselling author, publisher, CEO of my own company. Maybe the genes did have something to do with it, and I’m certain now that I should be glad that I don’t have any of yours.”
Raven stormed away, not looking at Eric or Ava who were still trying unsuccessfully to maneuver through the guests standing along the wall and outer aisles to get to her.
She didn’t make it far before she saw him, tucked in a pew in a side aisle, staring at the open casket, his dark brown eyes were filled with tears. Raven was struck by the savage beauty of his pain. She stayed frozen as she watched him, marveled at how handsome he was, even in his older age. She could tell it was him. Should she go to him? What would she say? Why had he stayed silent all these years?
Raven moved forward slowly, almost cautiously, until she stood before him. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came forth.
Roberto Cordoso stared openly at her, then narrowed his light brown eyes as he looked toward the casket, then back at her.
“You loved her,” Raven stated matter-of-factly.
He merely nodded.
Raven could barely whisper, “Then how could you leave her with your child?”
The handsome man flinched as if he had been slapped and slowly rose. “What did you say?” The color drained from his round, slightly weathered face as he stared intently at her.
Raven hadn’t considered that the man might not have known a thing about her.
“She never…Jaylon did not,” he began, in thickly accented English. Roberto moved forward, then inched back, then forward again, touching her face as though she were some precious jewel. “My daughter? Mine?”
Doubt crept into Raven’s mind. Suppose she was wrong about him? But physically it all made sense. Wavy jet black hair instead of her sibling’s gorgeous tight curls. Her honey cream skin instead of warm brown; lips sensuous and curvy like Roberto’s, but still thinner than those of her siblings. Raven nodded tentatively as she watched the man’s awe-struck expression give way to one of pure joy. “My daughter.” His voice cracked as he opened his arms to her.
Raven couldn’t hold back her tears as she moved forward waril
y. Was this somehow a cruel joke life was still playing? Would the answers she so desperately wanted become questions all over again?
“My daughter,” he said softly as he held her. “I didn’t know.”
The vibe she got from him said he was telling the truth. Over her shoulder she saw Anita watching them, a smile on her lips.
“Mama?” Eric approached her.
She took a minute before turning to face Eric. “This is Roberto Cordoso…my father.”
Eric did a double take, then grinned and extended his hand to the man.
Roberto grabbed it and pulled him in for a hearty hug, giving him a few solid pats on the back. He looked at Raven over Eric’s shoulder. “I was going to leave after the service, and I am certain that you are very busy, but now I am going to stay. We need to talk.” His face beamed with happiness as he touched her again. “We had a daughter.”
Raven nodded, elated. She embraced him again.
James Ripley had crept up on them and now stood off to the side, as though he wanted to say something else to Raven. Instead, he watched them, scowling.
Raven’s real father planted himself between Raven and James Ripley, asking in a voice heavy with anger, “What is your business here?”
James reared up, trying to match Roberto’s height.
“Don’t even think about saying anything to my daughter. You may have been able to keep me from the woman I loved, but it is a different story where my child is concerned.”
James glowered at Raven one last time before stalking away.
Where had this man been when she’d needed him? He would have protected her from James Ripley’s cruelty. Raven was certain of that. But he was here now, and that counted for everything. She finally had a father. Her own father. Despite the pain of losing her mother, Raven’s heart filled with joy. She took his hand again, never wanting to let go.
Drew strolled in late, Dina’s arm entwined with his. His eyes were moist and an uncharacteristic red as he locked gazes with Raven. His tears made Raven’s heart do a little flip, but she didn’t forget how hard and unyielding he’d been just days before, how he’d supported Janetta no matter how wrong she was.
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