by Sable Hunter
He watched where he was going, but he also began to kiss her face. Over and over again – everywhere he could reach. How could she have ever doubted him?
When they got to the players area, Bobby waltzed right in with her and sat her down gently on the couch. "Don't move. I'll be back in two shakes of a sheep's tale."
She could do nothing but smile. Joyfully, she called the babysitter and told her that she was unavoidably detained and would be there shortly. She didn't know what Bobby wanted to do, but going to their son would be their ultimate destination.
"Who are you?" A sharp, harsh voice broke through her contented reverie.
Cecile looked up to see a stunning woman staring at her as if she were a piece of dog doodoo that she had found on her shoe. Cecile actually looked around to see if there was anyone else who could possibly have offended this woman so completely. "Me?"
"Yes, didn't I see you being carried in by Bobby Stewart? What did you do? Throw yourself at him? This is a private area and it's time for you to go."
Cecile tried to find the steel in her spine, but she had msplaced it somewhere along the way. Her voice didn't come out nearly as strong as she would have liked it to have. "I'm a friend of Bobby's. And he asked me to stay and wait on him."
"I don't care if you're Bobby's mother. I'm Mr. Stewart's agent and he has a date tonight with a Hollywood starlet. He doesn't have time to waste on you."
Cecile stood up and was just about to state her case, when the woman had the audacity to take her by the arm and begin to lead her out toward the elevator. Cecile tried to pull away. "Bobby and I have things to discuss. If he had a date, he would have told me."
"You can mail him a letter." The woman was incredibly strong. And she was pinching the tender flesh on the inside of Cecile's elbow.
"Listen lady; I'm aware that Bobby has to have an agent, but he and I have a relationship." At that the woman stopped so suddenly that Cecile almost fell.
"A relationship?" The agent's expression was actually laughable. But, Cecile wasn't laughing; in fact she was about to cry. And what the woman said next was just about the last straw.
"Relationship, my ass. You're practically as old as I am. You are certainly not the type of woman that Bobby needs to be seen with. As far as I'm concerned, you can consider your relationship over. I call the shots in Bobby's life now and he doesn't need to be spending time with some over the hill bimbo with stains on her shirt. Couldn't you have at least dressed properly?" With that final insult, Ms. Know-It-All pulled her by the arm again and started off. But, she met a barrier that she wasn't anticipating.
"Andrea?" Bobby stood there looking more forbidding than Cecile had ever seen him. "Get your bony hands off of Cecile. She's with me."
Andrea had the good grace to look somewhat ashamed. "Bobby, you don't have time. We've got to be at the Ritz in an hour. And whatever you have to say to this woman can surely wait."
Once more, Andrea began to propel Cecile forward. Cecil instinctively moved toward Bobby, who caught her to himself then slipped her in back of his intimidating form. He took a brief second to brush a gentle finger down one cheek. "It's okay, precious. I'll handle this." Turning to Andrea he let her have it. "Let's get one thing straight – right now – at the onset of our association. If we can't come to terms on this – there will be no association! This woman belongs to me. She is more important to me than my position with the Cowboys. She is the most important thing in my life and I don't want to ever see you treat her with disrespect or say one unkind word to her again – or you are fired. Do you understand me? If you try to make me choose between football and Cecile – you can see how far you get with a football sticking up your skinny ass. Are we clear?"
Andrea was a hard-as-nails businesswoman, but even she knew when her britches had been ripped. "I'm sorry, Bobby. There are so many appearances that you need to make . . "
"I don't mind making appearances, Andrea. But never again will you refer to them as 'dates'. I don't date other women. I've in love with this one and there is no room in my life for anyone else – not even for the camera. Are we clear?" Andrea stepped back and shut her mouth.
"Crystal. If you'll call me tomorrow, we'll review your commitments and make appropriate changes."
Cecile was flabbergasted. If there had been any doubt in her mind how Bobby felt about her, it was gone. Uncaring who was watching she launched her whole body at him and he caught her to him and held her tight. "You do care about me," she whispered in wonder.
"I think I've told you that all along, baby." Bobby said in a teasing voice. "Let's get outta here. We've got a lot of lovemaking to do."
He led her by the hand until they got to the parking garage. Spotting his same pick-up, she instantly felt more at ease. "There's some things we need to talk about," she spoke hesitantly as he helped her in the truck. His hands on her body, his nearness – it was all so dearly familiar that she wanted to cry.
Tucking her into his side, he put one hand between her legs and curved it possessively around her thigh, anchoring her to him in no uncertain terms. "I know we do. We're gonna stop and get a pizza and then I'm taking you home with me. We'll talk all night long if we have to."
"Bobby. The pizza sounds great, but could we go to my house afterwards, instead of yours?"
He looked at her closely, but did not argue. "As long as I'm with you, I don't care where we are." Cecile shuddered with emotion. Could he have said anything more perfect? Briefly, she told him where she lived and how to get there.
Calling on his cell, he ordered a large pizza with everything and swung by to pick it up. Waiting in the drive-through, he pulled her into his lap. "Do you have any idea how much I've missed you?" Letting his forehead rest against hers, he caressed each side of her face with his hands. It was as if he couldn't get enough of touching her.
"Yes, I know. I've missed you, too. So muchuot;
"Will you tell me what happened? What did I do? Why did you leave?" his voice cracked a little under the strain. "I've got to know, baby. I don't want to make the same foolish mistake twice."
The pizza came, so she had a moment or two to get her answer ready. He needed to hear it and she needed to say it. Clearing the air might be painful, but it was necessary before they could move forward. He put the fragrant pie in the back, and then settled himself next to her, putting his hand back in the place he had made for himself between her thighs. Truthfully, Cecile was tingling all over. She was more than ready to open herself up and feel him take possession of her body as only Bobby could, but they had things to deal with first: namely, Jaidon. She was still on pins and needles about how Bobby would react to their son.
Refusing to let this perfect moment pass uncelebrated, she laid her head on his shoulder and clasped her own hands around his muscular arm, letting him know that he wasn't alone in the celebration of their reunion. It also gave her something to hold on to as she laid her doubts and fears at his feet. "The day of the wedding, you were out in the yard talking to your brothers. I came out to ask you if you knew where my pink lace panties were. They would have gone perfectly with the bridesmaid dress." She paused, but he just squeezed her leg, encouraging her to continue. "As I was walking up to you – I heard you tell Ethan that I didn't have anything to do with it – whatever it was. And that you didn't intend to see me anymore after the weekend was over."
Bobby put on his blinker and pulled off to the side of the road. He just sat there for a moment and stared off into space and then he turned to her and pulled her into his lap. It was fast turning into her favorite spot in the whole world. "Promise me something." His voice was gruff with emotion.
She didn't even wait to hear what he wanted promised. "I promise."
Her sweet response earned her a kiss. "The next time you hear me say something stupid, will you please come to me and give me a chance to explain what I meant?" He took both of her hands in his and tenderly kissed each finger. "You heard part of a conversation. I was talking about Ma
ry Alice Solice and you. She had just called and asked to see me. I know something was up, but I had no idea what she was going to say."
Cecile gripped his hands as if holding on to the only line that had her tethered to earth. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. Let me finish." Bobby wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye. "When I found you, anything that I had with Mary Alice became an unimportant part of my past; that's what I meant when I said it had nothing to do with you. And when I said "I don't intend to see her after the weekend wasover, I meant her, not you. She had just called and demanded to see me and I had agreed to meet her the next day, after you had planned to leave."
Cecile sank against him, throwing her arms around his neck. "I'm so sorry. We've lost so much time; so many things have happened. I acted so stupidly. If my self-confidence had been greater, I wouldn't have been so quick to believe the worst." She caressed his dear face, loving the feel of the rasp of his beard under her fingers. "Carl came to see me a few months ago. He asked me to come back to him." At Bobby's harsh intake of breath, she instantly consoled him. "Shhh… I would never choose him over you. But he did explain something to me. He was sick and on medicine all of these years. His cholesterol and prostate were off kilter and the medication that he took for it rendered him impotent. Instead of being honest with me about it, he led me to believe that it was my fault."
"I knew it would be something stupid like that," Bobby interjected. "I knew there was no way in hell that the problem was yours." They shared a soul-deep, tongue-tangling kiss that had them both panting with desire. "Let's go home."
"There's more for you to understand, Bobby." She tried to prepare him. "When we get to my house…there's someone I want you to meet."
Bobby wasn't in the mood to 'meet' anybody. But he was so happy to have his Ceelee back that if she asked him to stop and have tea with the pope, he guessed that he would try. The only problem was his dick was so swollen and eager, that ever breath he took dug his zipper down into the engorged shaft. Pulling into her driveway, he noticed that there was a car already there. "I'm not about to meet Carl, am I?" Bobby had a lot of self-control, but none so far as that idiot was concerned.
Cecile actually laughed. She was as nervous as hell, but right now? She felt that she could conquer anything. Bobby was going to fall in love with his son at first sight, just as she had. There was no doubt in her mind. "No, you're not meeting Carl. I think you're going to like this fella pretty well. I do."
Bobby was thoroughly confused. There was a man in Cecile's house that she wanted him to meet? Hell, he wanted to take her to bed and push his cock so deep in her pussy that she fainted with rapture; that's what he wanted to do. Bad. "Baby, I don't know what's going on, but I trust you."
Again, Ceelee's heart clutched. How sweet. Taking her key out of her purse she led him up on the porch of her small bungalow house. It was painted white and trimmed with light yellow. Big pots of mums sat everywhere proclaiming the glory of the seaon. She tried the lock and fumbled and had to try again. “Give it here, doll. It’s time I started taking care of you.” He held the door open for her and then nipped her on the neck as she passd by. “Now where’s this fella I’m supposed to meet?”
Bobby let his eyes take in Ceelee’s home. It looked just like her, and surprisingly, him. There were touches that he would have chosen if he had been decorating – he liked it – he felt right at home. Furniture that was big and comfortable invited him to sit down and put his feet up. It was as if she had created a home with him in mind. He prayed that he was right. She walked through the house and headed for the bedrooms, he supposed.
“Teresa! We’re home.” In a few moments a kind-faced woman emerged. Bobby didn’t know what to think.
“Hello, Ms. Fairchild.”
“Teresa, this is Bobby Stewart. Bobby this is Teresa Sanchez. She helps me out.”
Ah, the housekeeper. “Hello, Teresa.”
Teresa bowed her head and smiled. “I recognize you. You look just like the little gentleman.” As soon as she said it, she covered her mouth.
“It’s okay, Teresa. That’s why he’s here.” She led the other woman to the garage and stood and watched her as she left.
When she returned, Bobby was ready for answers. “What did she mean? Who do I look like?”
Cecile couldn’t believe that he didn’t have a clue. “Come with me,” she took him by the hand. As they walked down the hall, Bobby could hear a cooing noise. He strained his ears; it sounded like ....a baby?
Stopping in his tracks, he looked at Cecile with wide-eyed wonder. “A baby?”
Cecile held her breath. How would he react? She realized that this was the one most important moment of her life so far. The two people that she loved most in the world were about to meet. “Yes. Come meet him.” She pushed open the door.
Bobby stepped inside an enchanted place filled with teddy bears and stuffed horses. The room was blue and a baby bed sat against the wall. The smell of powder and the euphoric scent of babies filled the air. He was in a nursery. He could still feel Cecile’s hand on his arm, she hadn’t left him; God, he was scared to death. A series of ooohs and ahs and happy little noises floated across the room. A mobile turned playfully overhead and Bobby saw one small hand and foot rise up in the air. “Ceelee? Baby, is there something you’re trying to tell me?”
“Robert Jaidon Sr., meet Robert Jaidon Jr.” She didn’t use the last name, because they wouldn’t take that privilege unless it was offered. She had tried to anticipate what Bobby would do, how he would act. But she hadn’t been prepared for the reality.
Slowly, he walked up to the crib and looked at his son for the first time. Jaidon looked at him and tried to focus his little eyes. Bobby felt his chest tighten. When his son held his hand up, as if reaching for him, Bobby took his little hand in his. He could cover the baby’s whole hand with the tip of his thumb and first finger. “Hello my little man. Besides your mama, you’re the most precious thing I’ve ever seen.” Leaning over the crib, he kissed the tiny hand. “Can I pick him up?” He looked back at Ceelee, asking permission.
Ceelee was crying now. She wasn’t even trying to hold it back. “Sure, you can pick him up. He’s a sweet little boy.” She wrapped her arms around herself and just watched Bobby get to know his little boy. Oh, how different it could have been. He could have become angry, he could have expressed doubts – instead, it seemed to be love at first sight.
Bobby picked Jaidon up and brought him up close to his face placing small little kisses all over the baby’s cheek. “Daddy’s boy. Daddy’s little boy.” Meeting Ceelee’s eyes, he smiled. “Let’s go to the couch, I want to hold you both.”
That sounded wonderful. Ceelee was totally entranced with both of her men. Bobby stopped to get a blanket and a pacifier, then led the way, making himself right at home. With a light heart, she followed and when he sat down in the corner of the sofa and patted the cushion beside him, she crowded in as close as she could. “Don’t you think we need to talk about this? Are you sure you’re not angry?”
Bobby laid Jaidon up on his shoulder and rubbed his back. “Do I look angry, baby?” He picked up her hand and kissed it. “Why didn’t you tell me when you found out you were pregnant? Didn‘t you think I’d want to know?”
His voice held no trace of condemnation; still, Cecile felt overwhelmed with guilt. She laid her head on his shoulder and waited a moment before answering. “Truthfully? I found out pretty quick after I came back. I discovered that I had forgotten to take my pills during the great Carl debacle.” She felt Bobby stiffen at the mention of her ex-husband’s name. “The hurt from our misunderstanding was still fresh in my mind. I didn’t think you’d want us.”
Bobby felt a pain knife through his chest. He was holding one treasure and cuddled up with another. Cecile didn’t have a clue what they meant to him. Not yet. Just the idea that she had ever entertained the thought that he wouldn’t want them bsp;
killed his soul. “Not wan
t you? Impossible. I would have dropped everything and come to you at any moment – I would have loved to hold you when you were tired, rub your feet when they hurt. Hell, I would have loved to bathe your face when you were sick. To think that you went through labor and delivery all alone just makes my heart ache. What I wouldn’t give to turn back the clock and share every moment with you.”
His sincere outpouring of grief at their time apart touched her more than words could say. “I should have told you, and I almost did, but after your . . . .” she stopped. There was no use bringing that magazine article up. Whatever he had said to that reporter had nothing to do with her and Jaidon.
“After what?” Bobby asked, knowing she was holding something back.
“It doesn’t matter,” she protested.
“If it kept us apart – hell yes, it matters.” Bobby was insistent.
“After you found out that Mary Alice’s baby didn’t belong to you, you told a reporter that even though you’d never turn your back on your child, a baby at this stage of your life was the last thing you wanted.” It felt good to get that off of her chest.
Bobby laid his head back on the couch and looked at Ceelee with sorrow and tenderness in his eyes. “Ceelee, I didn’t love Mary Alice. I couldn’t imagine what having a baby with her would be like. Jaidon and you? That’s as different as night and day. A baby with you is the most welcome thing in the world; because I love you – and that makes all the difference.”
“Thank you, Bobby. I regret that I ever doubted what we have.” Cecile was so touched. Small snorty noises from the wee person in the room got their attention. “Somebody’s hungry.”
Bobby laughed at his son who was rooting on his shoulder like a little armadillo. “Is he on a bottle? Or…” God, this question turned him on like gangbusters, “are you breastfeeding him?”
Cecile opened her jacket and looked at dismay. “Breastfeeding. See what I was hiding? I was a mess when I saw you on the field, I got emotional. When I get emotional, or think about Jaidon, I leak. Isn’t that embarrassing?”