“Ok so I am not as up to date on this whole you and my brother thing so why are you scared?”
Desiree grabbed a fork and sighed. “I knew my ex for over ten years I have only known Ramón for 6, 7 months.”
Kelli smiled.
“My brother sees what he wants and goes for it that is how he has always been.”
Brittney nodded in agreement as she swallowed her bite. “You right Kel he has always been that way, but I will tell you this. Out of all the women who have been in Ramón’s life I like you the most. You are the most down to earth, fun and honest woman he has ever brought home.”
Desiree blushed at the complement. She swallowed hard and then looked at the ladies. “You think everyone will feel the same way you guys do? I mean your mom was excited well at least she said she was.”
“My mom adores you and Zack. I think Nikki is growing on her too.” Britney said nudging Nikki. Nikki smiled.
“Well I love this family too. I love the closeness and the way you guys welcomed my girl and me.”
Rachael walked into the room and smiled her heart filling with joy at the sight of the women in her kitchen laughing.
“It has been a long time since I have seen my kitchen filled with girls. What are we talking about I hope the menu for dinner?”
“Nope talking about that rock your son put on Desi’s hand.” Nikki smirked.
“It is beautiful isn’t it? He looked at fifteen rings before he picked that one.”
Desiree lifted her eyes to meet Rachael’s.
“Wait how do you know that?”
“I was there.” Rachael boasted. “He was a wreck but when he saw that ring. Something lit up within him and he knew that ring was made for you.” Desiree glanced down to her ring as Nikki took a bite of the cheesecake and smiled.
“So you are really ok with this engagement?”
“If I wasn’t I wouldn’t have been there. I am gonna tell you like I told Ramón when he said he wanted to marry Desiree. I don't think he can find better. I married my husband after only dating for 9 months and we are about to celebrate our 35 anniversary.”
Britney elbowed her mom “She said she’s scared.”
“Of what?”
Desiree shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know that’s the thing. I guess it's just nerves.”
Britney walked to the fridge grabbed the milk. “Nikki grab the cups please.”
Nikki nodded taking another bite of cheesecake before she stood.
Kelli accepted the cup from Nikki. “Well when is the wedding?”
Desiree took a sip of milk. “We haven’t discussed that yet but I want to do it as soon as possible. I love him so much I can’t wait till I become Mrs. Ramón Norris. Can I ask you girls a question?”
They all nodded.
“Do you think I should ask him to sign a prenup? I love him but I don't want him to think it's all about that money.”
Rachael reached over and grabbed Desiree’s hand. “He knows it's not we all know it's not.”
“I just don’t want money to be a problem. I have heard about all the drama associated with these guys and their money.”
“Do you plan on divorcing my son?”
“No. I don’t. I wouldn’t do this again if it was going to have the same outcome.”
Britney placed her hand on Desiree’s other one. “Well then no worries. So let’s get this list together so we can go get the food and start cooking.”
***
Ramón grabbed the ball and shot it. The ball hit the rim and it went in. Aj caught it mid bounce and tossed it back to him.
“I can’t believe you asked her to marry you.”
“Why? I am in love and I want to make her my wife. Wasn’t it you Aj who told me to open myself up to her.”
Aj tossed the ball up and clapped his hands together as he made the shot. “You always told me you wouldn’t get married until you were in your early thirties.”
Derek Russell second string forward laughed.
“I myself never took you for the marrying type at all.”
Ramón shot the ball again.
“Why not?”
Derek caught the ball and tossed it up. “Why would you give up all your hard work to play hubby?”
Aj walked to the bench and grabbed his water bottle.
“What are you talking about? Ramón isn’t giving anything up that means more than Desi does to him.”
“How do you know?”
“I trust my boy I have never seen him like this and I like her so does Gia.”
Ramón and Derek walked over to the bench and grabbed their own water bottles. Derek laughed.
“Oh AJ get off it I don’t understand why you did it either. We are super star athletes. We have magazine covers, commercials, movies it's the life. Ladies line up to catch our sweat and you are giving it up.”
Ramón wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I never bought into the attention like that anyways. Desi is the most amazing woman I have ever met. I love her and I know life would never be the same without her in it. And Zack that boy is so talented and I am a proud to step in as his father.”
Derek tossed his towel at Ramón. “Far be it for me to say anything against your future wife.”
Ramón tossed the towel back at him. “Then don't.”
“I’m just saying we can have the sexiest women in the world and you’re settling for average.”
Ramón looked at him hurt at the conversation.
“Average? She is beautiful, smart, loving, attentive, strong, independent, kind, a great mother, caring, sensitive, sexy, and she loves me for me. Not for anything other than that.”
“And I am happy that you found someone who is all of that but my question to you is knowing how great you think she is are you gonna make her sign a prenup?”
Ramón laughed at him. “Why would I do that?”
“Aj please talk to this man.”
“Why Gia and I don't have one? When you’re in love you don't need it.”
Derek frowned. “Do you guys not realize that you are worth millions? Women will be whatever they need to be to get you caught up. A prenup allows you to hold all the cards.”
Ramón grabbed his bag.
“What’s going on here why can’t you just congratulate me?”
“I just don't want you to make a mistake.”
“You know me better than that Derek. I have never rushed to judgment or tried to push anything onto myself that I wasn’t a hundred percent sure about.”
“I know. But how is this gonna affect our season?” Derek asked grabbing his bag.
Aj stood and packed his gym bag.
“Derek just because every woman you have met has used you doesn’t mean that’s how all women are. You look for your women in clubs and at parties you ever think that could be why?”
Ramón tied his shoes tired of this conversation. “Look guys you should know how I feel about Desi. You both said you liked her.”
Derek sighed.
“I do like her but it's just I don't want you to get hurt. We have been friends for years.”
“Yeah well I am making a great decision and if you two clowns don't mind I am gonna go home to my beautiful fiancée.”
Ramón walked out the gym placing his bag over his shoulder as the guys looked at each other. Ramón walked into the house and his senses were over taken by the smell of something sweet and tangy coming from the kitchen. He shut the door and turned to see Desiree smiling up to him.
“How was practice?” she said kissing him on the cheek.
“Really good I stayed after with Derek and Aj I hope that is ok.”
“You have a game tomorrow it's not a problem.”
“Yeah but it's our first thanksgiving and I have a game that’s gotta suck.”
Desiree walked back towards the kitchen. “It would if it was an away game. Zack, Jamie, and Maddie can’t wait till the game. Nikki and Bryant are almost as excited as I am.”
&n
bsp; He pulled her to him. “I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Ramón Norris.”
She stood on her tippy toes and gave him a kiss. “And I can’t wait till the honeymoon.”
“Why wait?”
He pulled her close as Maddie and Zack ran into the room.
Maddie hugged Ramón.
“How was practice daddy?”
“It was great we are ready for tomorrow.”
Zack folded his arms. “Mom, do I have to go?”
Ramón walked over to him.
“Go where?”
“Charles asked to see him and as much as I don’t want him too they do need to talk.”
Ramón smiled. “I agree I would love to be your dad Zack but if you can work things out with your real dad then you should.”
“Fine.” He huffed and sat at the counter.
Desiree hugged him. “Zack I know that this can’t be easy for you but you were so happy to see him a few months ago.”
“He wasn’t there for me. I got hurt and he was no were to be found and I don’t know why I should want to see him if he doesn’t want to see me.”
“I understand that but Zack he is your father tell him how you feel and if once you talk about everything you still don’t want to see him then you don’t have too.”
Nikki knocked on the door and walked in with Jamie.
“Hello are we ready to go?”
Maddie jumped and ran to greet Jamie who she because instant friends with. She walked back into the kitchen with her hand in hand.
“Mom can we go shopping now?”
Desiree smiled at Maddie. Her heart filled with pride at the sound of mom coming from her.
“Yes we can as long as your dad doesn’t need anything.”
Ramón pulled her to him and kissed her passionately. “Ok after that I’m good.”
Desiree wrapped his arms around her and Maddie and Zack looked at each other smiling and both thinking the same thing…for their new found parents to get a room. Desiree kissed his check then grabbed her purse.
“Ok Maddie lets go.”
Ramón reached in her pocket and stopped them. “Wait up as the future Mrs. Norris and the mother of a shopaholic Madison I had this delivered for you.”
Ramón handed Desiree an American express platinum credit card.
“You’re not serious?”
“I am. And so you know it has no limit so go crazy if you want.”
“I can’t take this.”
He took her hand in his and placed the card in her hand. “You can and will. We are a team now. So go out and finish Christmas shopping I will keep Zack Company till Charles comes.”
Madison jumped up and grabbed Jamie “We are gonna go get Aunt Nikki so we can go.”
Zack sighed. “I am gonna go finish getting ready.”
They ran out the room and Desiree looked at Ramón.
“I think we should sign a prenup.”
“What?” Ramón said moving towards her. “I don’t understand why we need one.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up to him. “I want you to know I love you and if signing one is what I have to do I will.”
“What are you talking about? I don't want you to have to do that.”
“It’s what I need to do. There won’t be any fighting about it at all. If you want me to give this card back I will.”
“Desiree I have no doubt in my mind that you love me. I know it’s not about the money. I want to give you the world. And if we are going to be honest about it I have been in the NBA for a while now and I am really good with money. And I don’t know the exact number right now but just to give you a rough idea your man is worth well over a hundred million. Giving you this card is nothing compared to what you have given me. What is mines is yours, you are going to have full access to everything I have.”
Desiree smiled and kissed him as he pulled her up to him.
“How did I get so lucky?”
Ramón smiled.
“You must have been a very good girl when you were younger.”
“Must have been. So what are you going to do while we are gone?”
“The usual cool down.”
She shook her head “20 laps, 50 sit ups, 50 pull ups, 2 sets of 100 crunches and 5 miles on the treadmill.”
“Exactly.”
She loved her determined he was to keep his body in tiptop shape and it showed. When he wasn’t at practice he was his home gym working out and watching game films. Knowing that he was in his prime only fueled his need to work harder.
Desiree pulled him down to her and hungrily kissed him “after all that, when I come back I will give you a backrub and help you get ready for tomorrow.”
“You promise?”
He saw a twinkle in her eye and knew immediately that she was ready to bargain with him.
“I promise if I can drive the BMW.”
“Ah I see you like that car don’t you?”
“Yes I do and I think the girls would enjoy riding in it too.”
Ramón pulled his keys off of the key rack and smiled at her as he handed them to her he kissed the tip of her nose.
“Thanks.” She said as she ran out of the room. He smiled after her feeling extremely lucky that he found someone as amazing as she was.
***
Desiree and Nikki walked behind Jamie and Madison sipping their Auntie Annie’s Lemonade. After walking around the mall for the last hour Desiree was more than happy to head back to the car. Nikki took Desiree’s arm in hers.
“I can’t believe you are gonna be moving here. It kind of comes at a great time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Bryant got a raise.”
“What?”
“Yes and he was given a choice of four locations to move too. And guess where he choose?”
“Where?”
“Atlanta.”
Desiree stopped and looked at her best friend.
“Are you serious? You’re not messing with me?”
“Nope its more money than both our checks combined so moving wont affect us money wise.”
Madison smiled as she walked back over to them.
“Mom did you hear they are moving to Atlanta that means we are going to be closer.”
“Yes Nikki just told me.”
Jamie squealed. “This means we get to come visit more.”
Nikki smiled. “yeah I am gonna need my best friend close to me seeing how I am pregnant and like last time might try to harm my husband.”
“What! Are you serious? This is crazy right?”
Desiree hugged her tightly with tears filling her eyes. She was so happy for her best friend. Nikki wiped Desiree’s tears. “I was so worried about leaving you I mean besides a few friends you have no family in Florida other than me. We have always been within walking distance of each other.”
“Well I guess both our prayers were answered because I don’t know what I would have done if you were still almost 8 hours away. Two hours is so much better.”
They begin to walk again as Jamie and Madison planning talking about their Christmas lists and Desiree and Nikki threw their cups in the trash. Desiree grabbed her keys from her purse as she repositioned her shopping bags.
“Are you young ladies ready to go?”
They nodded shifting their own bags from one hand to the other. As they walked out the door and moved towards Ramón’s 335is Blue Metallic with Coral red and Black leather interior Convertible. Desiree open the trunk and they placed their bags in. as they opened the doors to get into the car someone walked over to her.
“Excuse me are you Desiree Holloway?”
Desiree looked at the man who had to be 5’3 because he was short than she was, with his vanilla complexion and blonde hair reaching past his shoulders she had no idea who he was. “Can I help you?” she asked trying not to be rude.
“You are aren’t you? Can you speculate on the rumors going around that you and Ramón Norris are engaged?”
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“What?” she asked taken back at his bluntness?
“Wait isn’t that Madison Norris? It is true can I have a quote. And pictures.”
Before she could protest a camera flashed and video camera’s surrounded them. Desiree covered Madison as Nikki covered Jamie and they helped the girls into the car. As she stepped into the driver’s side she looked around and noticed there were a few more reports around the small car.
“You have got to be kidding me…they just don't give up do they?”
“Nope dad is gonna be upset.” Maddie shook her head.
Desiree put the car in reverse “I'm upset myself.”
As she started to back out of the spot someone banged on the door. They all screamed and Desiree hit the lock door button. She turned her head back to the rear of the car but soon realized the car was surrounded by reporters.
“This is Ramón Norris’s car and you have his daughter so it must be true.”
She rolled her window down.
“If you don't want to be road kill I suggest you move. Now!”
She began to back out of the parking spot and people backed away. She drove out of the parking lot and sighed.
“You girls ok?”
“Yeah.”
Nikki laughed “I thought you were gonna hit them with the car.”
Desiree snickered and Nikki leaned into her.
“They better be lucky I wasn’t driving.”
Desiree shook her head and laughed. She knew Nikki was serious too. She hit first ran second and on occasion answered some questions. As they arrived at the house Ramón and Bryant walked out to help with the bags. Ramón looked at Desiree’s face and knew something was wrong.
“What’s wrong?”
“You were right about the engagement getting out. As we were leaving the mall we were confronted by cameras and reporters. I can’t believe they would hound us like that.”
“Did you say anything?” Ramón asked.
“No. Why, is that all you care about?” she asked hurt that he didn’t bother asking what she was feeling. She was feeling violated.
To Love a Man Page 18