Forever. (This. Is. Not. Over. Book 3)

by Shannon Dianne

  “Uh-huh,” Dustiny says before he walks out.

  “We should get going,” Malcolm says to all of us. “The play is about to start.”

  “I’m gonna throw myself off a bridge,” Roman says as he walks into the kitchen. Wait, Pearl and Tiffany aren’t fighting over the pan anymore. I look around the kitchen and see that Tiffany’s now on the table, licking the frying pan, dancing around to “Silly”.

  “Marlon! Will you help her?” I scream out.

  “I heard them,” Marlon says as he locks his eyes with mine.

  “Heard what?” I ask as I turn to him.

  “Your heartbeats,” he says. “I heard them.”

  Jasmine

  (plays.)

  The sounds of children, like a Charlie Brown choir, can be heard from inside as “Christmastime is Here” rings out around me.

  “Oh, thank you for joining us!” Malcolm’s mother, Angie, says as she stands outside of my church, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, hugging senators, judges, the mayor of Boston, the governor and few a councilmembers. Jacob’s parents, the longtime Mayor and First Lady of Cambridge have just walked over, smiling as well. Jacob’s mother, Pamela, is giving royal waves for the cameras as she walks up to Angie and … oops! Oh no! Pamela accidently tripped over Angie’s foot. I hope the cameras didn’t catch that. Jacob’s dad and Malcolm’s dad hurry to help Pamela before she falls down the steps. “Careful, Pammy!” Angie says in horror, one hand on her chest. “Have you already had your mimosa this morning?” She laughs while others around her join in before smiling again for a flashing camera. Pamela looks like she’s trying to say something but Jacob’s dad is now hugging her, burying her face in his chest, rubbing her back. Oh, he looks so concerned. How sweet.

  Angie Blair looks marvelous, as usual. She’s dressed in a black mink with a matching hat, her diamond earrings at least three carats. Her husband Wynston has returned to her side, whispering something in her ear, looking kind of stern. Angie is casually ignoring him as she continues to wave. First Lady Eva Rossi and President Carlo Rossi are on Angie’s left; secret service is standing behind them. I could mention how everyone else looks sharp but why would I? Angie Blair is stealing the damn show. You’d think she was First Lady. Wynston has on his finest: a fedora graces his head, a cigar rests in his hand, a large smile fills his face now as he waves for the cameras.

  “He’s a good boy!” Wynston says to someone on his right as a senator stands before him and shakes his hand. “My first grand-boy and he’s playing Jesus! He’s an angel in disguise. Gets that from me!” The crowd around him laughs as they congratulate him and Angie. The media is out here, the cameras are flashing, secret service is talking into their watches. Danielle’s off to the side giving an interview looking absolutely breathtaking, might I add, in a wool grey Chanel maternity shawl (I can tell it’s Chanel by the gold buttons), carrying a black link chain bag and wearing some BADASS boots (I’d always planned on stealing) that have to be about five inches high. Malcolm’s beside her in a tailored wool coat holding Roman. They’re all smiling for the reporter … even Roman. Yeah, he’s a Blair. Malcolm’s just mindlessly placed a hand on Danielle’s baby bump, giving is a subtle rub with his thumb.

  “Yeah, Sunny. You heard it right,” I hear Malcolm say to the reporter. “That’ll be Ginger’s official name.”

  “How’d you find out the name?” Danielle asks the reporter.

  “Dustiny told us!” The reporter says back excitedly.

  “Who?”

  I look to my left and see that Cadence and Lola are giving an interview as well. Cadence is the quintessential senator with a smile as bright as his father’s and just as handsome as all of the Blair men seem to be. (The women, no offense to Angie and Pamela, are a different story. Actually, the newest generation of Blair wives: Danielle and Lola are what you would call upgrades from their predecessors. Notice Winnie is not included on that list. I will never say that Winnie Yates, with her black Anna Wintour bob and cherry red lips, is nice-looking.)

  “In the words of Shakespeare,” I hear Cadence say, “‘The man that hath no music in himself nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils.’” Lola looks up at him and smiles. They always did look like they had the perfect marriage. I know Dena warns me that they’re far from perfect but I still can’t help but think they’re a great couple. All that’s missing from their family is a little baby. Oh, I so hope they have one soon. A marriage is hardly legal without kids.

  “Elise!” I hear Angie scream out as she does an about face, waving at Elise and Jax who are walking out of the church. Elise is looking relaxed, as always, her normal look of confidence etched on her face.

  “Nicky’s missing his tea,” Elise says to Angie while giving a small eye roll. Angie’s face contorts in worry as she dashes towards Elise, a crowd of eyes following her, cameras flashing at the scene.

  “Malcolm!” Angie screams out. Malcolm, who is talking, stops his interview and looks towards his mother.

  “Yes, Ma?” he answers casually.

  “Nicholai’s tea!”

  “He’s saying he may not be able to go on,” Elise says with another eye roll.

  “Jesus, The Diva,” Jax says as he walks down the steps hand in hand with Danielle’s brother, Cameron. “Cameron and I are going to grab some donut holes. Nicky says they lift his spirits.”

  “Look in his satchel,” Malcolm says calmly and with a smile. That’s Malcolm. I know for sure that this Christmas play is getting on his damn nerves but the cameras are on him. He’ll have to take it in stride.

  “Hey, Jazzy-pooh!” I hear Rena say. I turn around and see Rena and Matt walking up to the church. Their son Georgie runs up to me, gives me a hug and then runs over to a group of kids. Matt is holding onto their youngest son, Thomas.

  “I made it,” I say with a smile as cameras begin to flash around us. Rena and Matt are big investors; cameras flash when they come around now. Weird. Thomas reaches out for me and I take him in my arms and give him a big kiss before he wrestles his way from me and whines for Matt to hold him again. How did Rena and Danielle birth children who whine and pine for their fathers? Says something about their mothers, don’t you think? But you didn’t hear that from me.

  “I’m glad you came,” Rena says as she gives me a hug. “We’re doing dinner afterwards at Malcolm’s parents’ home and guess who’s coming?”

  “Who?”

  “Hi guys!” Rena and I both turn and watch Marla nearly run over to us, Jon walking behind her looking like this is the last place he wants to be. When the cameras see Jon they start flashing. Jon is a big man around Boston since his tech firm is making the city a heck of a lot of money. Cameras flash for Danielle. Cameras flash for Rena. Cameras flash for Matt. Cameras flash for Jon. Now I’m getting depressed.

  “Hey Jon!” I hear Malcolm say. I look over at Malcolm and see that he’s smiling and putting his hand up in a wave. Jon looks at him and fixes a stiff smile on his face as they lock eyes with each other. Malcolm nods and waves again. The cameras flash. Malcolm is such a shit starter.

  “Oh, this bitch,” Rena says looking at Marla.

  “I am so happy to be here!” Marla says as she runs over to us with somebody else’s hair on her head. “Jon was taking forever to get dressed! I’m like, if you don’t hurry your ass up—oops! I said ‘ass.’” She makes The Holy Trinity in the air.

  “Are you Catholic?” Rena asks.

  “Nope, Baptist. I just like that thing you all do in the air. So, I’m sure you all heard about Jon’s and my fertility issues, but not to worry. I have another round of testing coming up and hopefully I’ll find out what the problem is. After all, Jon has a son so it can’t be him, right? It must be me. Right, Jasmine? What does your medical training say?”

  “Well, I’m a nutritionist, sweetie.”

  “But still, both of your parents are doctors and your father suggested this fertility specialist so I’
m sure he’s discussed my case with you, and I was thinking that with what he’s told you and your nutrition degree, you can help me figure this shit out. Oops.” She makes The Holy Trinity sign again.

  “Are you heading to the Blair’s house after the play?” I ask.

  “We’d better be!” she says as she turns to look at Jon who’s slapping hands with Matt before embracing in a half hug.

  “Absolutely not,” Jon says as he walks over to give me a hug.

  “We’ll be there,” Marla says. “Will you write down a list of vitamins and foods I should eat?”

  “Of course.”

  “Thanks, doll! And maybe Jon could get a list too, just to make sure he’s alright.” I look at Jon and raise an eyebrow at him. Marlon already told me that Jon had a vasectomy years ago. Jon looks away from me quickly. Mm-hmm.

  “Where’s my boy?” Jon asks as he looks around.

  “Inside demanding tea,” I say to him as I straighten his tie.

  “He’s driving me crazy about this damn song.”

  “Jon!” Marla screams out before making the Holy Trinity sign.

  “He called me all last night wondering if the bridge was up to par.”

  “And we told him he sounded beautiful,” Marla assures us.

  “And then I wake up this morning to a voicemail. It’s him, singing on it.”

  “And I called him back and told him he sounded beautiful,” Marla says. “Oh, look at little Roman.”

  I turn around and catch Roman running past us. I turn to see Jon’s reaction. This is Danielle’s son with another man, after all. Jon looks at Roman for a moment before dropping his eyes, closing them and then opening them quickly before looking back up. He and I meet eyes. He quickly looks away to Matt. I steal a glance at Malcolm and he’s casting possessive eyes on Jon. Once Malcolm catches my eye, he, too, quickly averts his gaze back to the reporter. Boy, blended families are pretty—shall we say—messy? No, I wouldn’t want that at all. Poor Danielle.

  “Oh look,” Marla says, “Roman ran over to Pearl and Tiffany. How cute!” Huh? Tiffany and Pearl are here? That means Marlon’s here. My heart starts racing as I look around for him. “Oh, Roman’s just pulled one of Pearl’s ponytails. Adorable … look, he’s just pulled one of Tiffany’s ponytails. So sweet … oh, look, Tiffany just licked his hand! How cute!”

  “Was that necessary!” I hear Roman yell.

  “Tiffany’s going to drive me up the wall,” I say to Rena as I look at the kids.

  “Why?” she asks.

  “Well, I’ve been gone for a few weeks and suddenly she’s into licking.”

  “No! Liquor?” she asks.

  “Licking.” I snap my head around to her.

  “Oh,” she says, almost bored.

  “I don’t know what’s going on. She’s all of a sudden running around and licking people’s hands.”

  “Eh, I’ve done worse.”

  “Rena,” Matt says, “did you bring a pack of Certs?”

  “Matt, stop being an old man,” Rena says. “And no I didn’t. When Winnie comes, ask her for one of her Mentos.” Then she looks at me. “Sorry,” she whispers as Matt and Jon start talking again about going to a dive later on tonight, cameras flashing around them. “So how are you?” Rena whispers to me. She, of course, knows about the picture incident. “I heard you were with Malcolm last night.”

  “I was.”

  “Did he talk to you?”

  “He did and I’m ready to go back home. I’m just worried that Marlon is done with me.”

  “Well, why didn’t you call him last night when you got in?”

  “I need to talk to him in person about this … about Jacob.”

  “Do you love him?”

  “Who?”

  “Either one.” She raises an eyebrow to me.

  “I love them both,” I admit. This is Rena Beauvais. One can have no shame with Rena.

  “Okay.” She nods and rubs my arm.

  “But I love them differently. Jacob is freedom to me and Marlon is home.”

  “Jasmine, let me just say that no matter what, no matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing, even after a great vacation, there’s nothing like going home.”

  “I agree. I just hope that Marlon can—” Another round of flashing cameras catches my attention. I turn to see Marlon walking over to Danielle and Malcolm, Tiffany and Pearl are suddenly in front of him now, holding hands and smiling. Along the way, Marlon’s shaking some of the same hands that Angie and Wynston were just shaking. He’s smiling at them, they’re smiling in return, patting him on the back, occasionally tugging at Tiffany and Pearl’s ponytails who tilt their heads back and smile up at the grownups. They’re pretending to be good people. Judge Carmichael and his wife have just intercepted Marlon on the way to Danielle and Malcolm. Now they’re smiling and nodding and shaking hands as cameras flash around them.

  “You should go over there,” Rena says.

  “That would be tacky,” I say as I smooth over my hair.

  “He’s your husband, those are your kids. What are you talking about?”

  “Rena, I haven’t talked to Marlon in three weeks.”

  “Hey, Marlon!” Rena screams out as she waves. I’m going to murder her! I watch Marlon turn around. He has on slacks, tailored wool coat, a teal Windsor knotted tie peeking out from the top of it. Clean. Smart. Mine.

  “Hey, Rena!” Marlon says back with a smile before his eyes settle on me. “Jasmine, Judge Carmichael wants to discuss dinner plans.” He waves me over to them. Oh my God. Oh my God. I paste a smile on my face and nearly run over to my family and scoop up Tiffany and Pearl in my arms. They each give me big kisses on the lips. I pray that they won’t mention to anyone that I haven’t been staying at home.

  “Mom made a good breakfast this morning,” Tiffany says to Judge Carmichael’s wife. Then again, she is my child.

  “Did she!” Mrs. Carmichael says as she tugs a ponytail.

  “Yep. I love her French toast.” She flashes a wide smile.

  “It’s yes, sweetie,” I say to Tiffany before giving her another kiss on the lips. Good job. I then stand and smile at Mrs. Carmichael. “Yvonne! Nice to see you!” We pull each other in a hug.

  “I know! I know!” Yvonne says as we part.

  “It’s those dimples of hers that get me every time,” Judge Carmichael says as he points to me.

  “Judge, how are you!” I say to him as we both lean in for a hug.

  “Yeah, me too,” Marlon says as he waits for me to finish hugging the judge before taking me in his arms and hugging me so tightly I can barely breathe. But it doesn’t matter if I’m breathing or not, all that matters is that right now all I can hear is the sound of my heart racing. I smile up at Marlon, look right into his eyes and place a hand over his heart. His is racing just as fast.

  Jacob

  (mine.)

  “Jacob, this is Attorney D. West. Attorney D., this is my husband, Jacob Blair.” She smiles between the two us with satisfaction while I look at her like she’s lost her mind. Is Winnie’s ass crazy introducing me to this muthafucka by his pet name? And by the way, last I checked, I’m a fucking lawyer too.

  “Demetrius. And nice to meet you,” he says to me. I turn to see him smiling ear to ear. Okay, so let me stop here. Allow me to explain something. I’ve always known Winnie has had a past. There’s no denying that. But she’s fucked around with men in our society so everyone’s discreet. Demetrius is no exception. He may be an Army brat turned Navy JAG. And he may have been born in Italy and traveled the world before taking up residence in Charleston, but he’s still in our society. He’ll never kiss and tell. I get that. But something about the fact that Winnie, my wife, has been with this man is pissing me off right now and I can’t tell you why.

  Currently, we’re all in DC at a presidential ball. Winnie’s father, General Yates, is being honored by the president and his men for exceptional service. I wasn’t passing up the chance of flying i
nto DC and being surrounded by potential clients. You better not, Winnie said when I told her as much. She’s about business. I like that about Winnie.

  Tonight, she’s decked out in a black ball gown. Everything about her is perfect. Black hair, red nails, hazel eyes, cherry lips. Perfect. Winnie. I’m strapped in this tuxedo, admittedly proud to be escorting Winnie to this function, raking up connections as she introduces me to her military set. This has become my strength in the firm; raking up military clients. Malcolm has the Boston politicos in the bag, Nat has the business owners, I have the Boston armed forces. Legally, some of them may have to go to Demetrius Westlake since he’s an attorney in the armed forces but I’m the civilian lawyer they come to when they want to keep shit private.

  Winnie just gave birth to our first child, Noah Ralph Blair or Ralphie as we call him. According to the constitution, for Ralphie to ever become the future president of the United States, he had to be born in US territory. My mother damn near put a gun to my head in order to get Winnie back to the States or to at least have her give birth on the floor of the US Embassy in London. My father demanded we bring our asses back to Boston so Ralphie could be born a Boston boy. Luckily for both of them, Mac, Nat and I decided to come back to Boston for good a few months ago. London treated us well but we have American clients now and they need us on US soil full time. There’s only so much a fax or email can do when a client needs the face to face reassurance of his legal counsel. We parted ways with Cadence for good; he just doesn’t have the stomach to survive in our business. He’s currently in London with Lola and from what I hear their marriage is going through a rough patch. Could have something to do with Cadence’s penchant for amour as he calls it. It could also have something to do with Cadence’s penchant for Lola’s sister, also known as Malcolm’s former-fiancé, Laura. Either way, Cadence and Lola have been on rocky terms here recently, a surprise shift for a couple that I assumed had it all together.

  More surprising then Cadence and Lola’s marital strife was the day Winnie told me she was pregnant: