Chapter 52
Three months later…
Pearson looked around at the few people left in her mother’s home after the repast. The ones who were here now were the same ones who had been by her side for the past few months as she witnessed her mother wither away. Candice went out like a true diva, keeping her spirits up until the day she passed.
Dressed in all white, because she insisted on making an impressive entrance to the party going on upstairs, and adorned with her favorite jewels, Candice looked as glamorous and regal as she had in life. Pearson followed her instructions to the letter, ensuring that her ‘going home celebration’ would turn out exactly as Candice wanted it to. The intimate, but elegant ceremony seemed more like a celebratory gathering than a funeral, with no one in black—per Candice’s instructions.
Pearson turned to face the person who had touched her shoulder. With glistening eyes, Walter hugged her one last time and let her know that he’d be heading home for the night.
“Call me if you need anything at all.”
“I will,” she said, squeezing his hand before letting it go. The sadness in his eyes made her heart break into a billion pieces all over again. “Thank you for being so good to my mother.”
Walter smiled and lowered his head for a moment. “She was a wonderful person. Most people just didn’t understand her like I did.”
Pearson smiled because she finally came to understand the woman her mother was, too.
“I’m going to miss her,” Walter said shaking his head.
“Me, too.”
Walter took her hands into his and gave them a gentle squeeze before turning to leave.
“Don’t be a stranger,” Pearson called out to him.
Walter turned, winked, straightened his back and proceeded out the front door.
“Pearson, honey,” Vonnie whispered.
“What’s up?”
“The girls and I cleaned up the kitchen and packed up all the food. We left everything on the counter. If you want, we can have the men carry the pans to the car.”
“Thanks, Vonnie. Don’t worry about it, Niles and I can manage.” Then, she added, “Don’t you have a big day tomorrow? You better get home and get your beauty sleep.”
“Girl, I’ll be just fine.”
“I’m so happy for you. We’re going to have a Dr. Oz party in the conference room at the office so we can see you on the show. We’re going to have popcorn and everything.”
“You’re kidding!”
“No, I’m not. I told them they all have to watch my friend on TV.”
Vonnie laughed. “Aww Pearson. Thank you. Everything has been happening so fast. I keep getting calls for interviews. The other day, I got a call from a publisher talking about helping me write a book about the childhood obesity program that I started with my patients.”
“You didn’t tell me that!”
“After everything happened, the last thing I was going to do was call you about that. It seemed so trivial after…well you know,” Vonnie said.
“What’s going on over here?” Ryan interjected, rubbing her belly. At six months, the small baby bump made her look like she’d swallowed a soccer ball.
“I was just talking to the famous doctor about her television appearance tomorrow.”
“Oh yes! I forgot.” Ryan clapped. “Are you nervous?”
“Not really. I could talk about this stuff all day. I was a fat kid myself.”
“Vonnie!” Ryan scolded.
“What’s going down in this corner? Are you conspiring about something?” Nadalia joined the ladies in conversation.
“Who us?” Pearson feigned innocence.
“You’re the main one!” Nadalia teased.
“I’ve turned several new leaves!”
“Yeah, right,” Nadalia said.
All the girls laughed.
“Okay, I’m heading out.” Vonnie gave hugs and kisses all around. “Like you said Pearson, I need to get my beauty rest so I can look good for the camera.”
“How about I come with you so I can sit next to you? That will make you look even better and get me closer to that handsome Dr. Oz. Ha!” Nadalia snickered.
“If I don’t get to him first! Who cares if I’m pregnant?” Ryan said and they all burst out laughing.
“Ladies, don’t forget, when we meet for dinner this Friday, we need to figure out where we’re going for our ladies getaway,” Vonnie reminded them.
“Oh, yes! Let’s lock in some dates. I want to go sometime soon,” Nadalia said and then looked at Ryan. “Aw dang. I forgot about Mrs. Baby on Board over here.”
Ryan pouted.
“We don’t have to go far. We can do a weekend at the Gurneys in the Hamptons,” Pearson said and then patted Ryan’s back.
“Oh that sounds great!” Vonnie said. “I could use a quick spa vacation.”
“Even we could manage that,” Ryan said rubbing her stomach.
Mike walked over to where the ladies were standing and put his arm around Vonnie. “Call me if you need to,” he said to Pearson.
“Yes! I know what you are dealing with,” Vonnie said, referring the death of her own mother. “I’ll be checking on you.”
“Thanks,” Pearson said, genuinely happy to have these ladies in her life. They had expanded her definition of family in the most unlikely way.
Mike patted Vonnie on the bottom. “Come on, lady. Let’s hit the road. We don’t live around the corner anymore.” Vonnie rolled her eyes, shook her head, and gave her final goodbye kisses and hugs to the other ladies.
Ryan left next. It was weird to see her without Anderson and Nadalia without Sage. Both men had made an appearance, but left shortly after the services. Oddly enough, Ryan seemed content without Anderson. From the way she now looked and laughed, life was better for her without him.
Pearson stood in the door watching her friends leave. Feeling Niles wrap his arms around her from behind, she nestled her back into his chest.
“You okay?”
Pearson turned around to face him. “I’m fine.”
“So let’s go home and try to make some babies.”
Pearson raised one brow. “Let’s.”
Not expecting her to agree, Niles eyes stretched wide. “Are you kidding me?”
Pearson grinned instead of answering. Several months ago, she would have clammed up at the idea of bringing a child into her shambolic world. She was different now and couldn’t think of anything she’d rather do than start a family with Niles.
Pearson pushed the front door closed, slipped her hands under her dress and wiggled out of her lace panties, letting them drop to the floor. Niles scrunched his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes at the panties dangling around her ankles.
“Do I look like I’m kidding?” Pearson giggled.
Niles laughed—a loud and hearty one, filling the house to the rafters with the sound of his joy and then pulled Pearson into his arms and kissed her.
Society Wives Page 27