by Candace Shaw
“Congratulations on fifty years,” Tiffani stated. “That’s a wonderful accomplishment.”
“And we will get there.” Broderick leaned over and kissed her cheek just as the doctor walked in to see him. Broderick stood and strode to the door. “How’s my old man?”
“Your father is fine. His blood pressure was up a tad because he’d forgotten to take the medication. Blood work is good and he is free to go. He’s back in the room gathering his belongings.”
Broderick shook his hand. “Thank you, Dr. Watson.”
Moments later, Broderick and Tiffani arrived at his dad’s room. He was sitting on the bed dressed in jeans and a sweater and watching a sports show. Tiffani couldn’t believe just how much the two men looked and even sat alike. They may not have been in each other’s lives much, but they sure had the same mannerisms and facial expressions.
“Dad, you’re all set.”
Rod noticed them for the first time and muted the television. “I’m ready, son. And who’s this beautiful young woman?”
“This is Tiffani Chase, my girlfriend. Tiffani, this is my father, Roderick Hollingsworth.”
Standing, Rod held out his hand and Tiffani shook it. “You know my son is crazy about you. I’m glad he’s found a good woman who truly loves him.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hollingsworth, and I do love him very much.”
“That’s what I want to hear.” He turned to Broderick. “Even more beautiful in person. Now let’s go. I’ve been in this hospital long enough.”
Later on that evening, Tiffani lay nestled in Broderick’s arms in his bed. They’d just made love slow and sensually. She was still coming down from her high as he held her against his rigid chest as if he were protecting her from the cold weather. She was at peace; she’d never known love could be this serene. Tiffani snuggled her head closer in his neck as he slept soundly. Running her fingers along his skin she relished in its warmth and smoothness. She breathed in his masculine aroma along with the fresh scent of sweat from their sensual lovemaking session. She was elated she’d found the one man who could make her change her mind about being in a real relationship. He was perfect in every way, and she loved the special bond and connection that they shared.
Kissing his neck, she whispered. “I love you, Broderick.”
He grinned sleepily. “And I love you. Now come here and give me the sweetest kiss, just like the first one that made me fall in love with you.”
And she happily obliged him.
Epilogue
Tiffani squinted her eyes as the boat pulled ashore to Broderick’s private island in the Keys. He’d sent her on a shopping excursion with his black card and an assistant to shop in Miami while he and KJ prepared a surprise. KJ had been hinting at lobsters from Maine, so she figured the guys were making dinner for her. In the five months they’d been together, Broderick and KJ had been getting along like father and son. She was truly happy about that as well as her own relationship with Broderick.
However, now her curiosity was getting the best of her because there were extra boats and staff on the island. When she’d left, there were no staff present and hadn’t been that entire week. Once the boat was docked, she saw KJ running toward her in a tuxedo on the boardwalk along with the four-month-old Weimaraner puppy, Muhammad Ali, she’d given to him for his ninth birthday.
“Mom, come see your surprise.” He pulled her along until they reached the front of the beach house, with Ali running alongside. She was astonished to see her entire family standing in a circle lit with candles and rose petals scattered about. Broderick stood in the middle wearing a tuxedo and holding out his hand to her. She took it and a nervous quiver shook through her.
“Baby, what’s going on?” she asked as tears began falling and clouding her vision.
He squeezed her hand in his and used the other to take his handkerchief out and dry her tears. “I wanted to do something special for you, so I invited your entire family. Your parents, your grandmother, Preston, the rest of the Chases and even your family from Memphis. My dad, Ms. Dottie and Blythe are here, too. The only person who isn’t here is my mother, but I know that she’s smiling on us. If she were here she’d adore you just like I do.”
He cleared his throat before continuing. “I needed all of them here because I wanted them all to know just how much I love you and that I will honor you and cherish you to the end of my days, my love. You have brought so much love and joy to me, and KJ has, too. Before you, I was just a man all about business and making more money. However, having you in my life has shown and taught me to slow down and enjoy the people around me, especially you and KJ and, of course, my dad.”
She tried to speak but couldn’t as she listened to his words. She ran her hand along his beard. “Broderick...what are...” The happy tears in her throat were clogging her vocal cords. She patted his chest and looked up at the man who truly loved her.
“Beautiful, I love you. You will never, ever have to worry about me wanting to control you or taking away your independence. Your drive and ambition and your love and concern for others are what attracted me to you. You’re beautiful inside and out.”
He paused as he settled on one knee. Tiffani shrieked. In the background, she heard all of the females in the circle, especially Megan who was now seven months pregnant, scream and cheer, as well.
“First of all, before I was allowed to get on one knee, I had a serious man-to-man talk with KJ to make sure he wanted me to be a part of both of your lives forever.” Broderick looked at KJ, who was standing next to his mother. “And what did you say, son?”
Tiffani smiled down at her handsome son and held his hand in her free one as tears ran down her cheeks.
“I said that I love my mom and I know she’s happy with Mr. H. He has my permission to ask you something. However, I also told him that I know karate and if he ever speaks to you the way my father used to he would have to answer to me.”
Tiffani stooped down and kissed her son’s cheek. He stepped back and stood with his grandfather. Tiffani turned back to Broderick and nodded. She was still too choked up to speak.
“My beautiful Tiffani Serena Chase, you already know I’ve loved you since the second I laid eyes on you. Couldn’t help it. You stir something in me so deep that no one ever has before, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much I love you. Will you please marry me, Tiffani?” He pulled a Tiffany & Co. ring box out of his tuxedo coat pocket and opened it.
Tiffani was speechless. She couldn’t believe that she’d found a man she could finally open her heart up to and let in without any fears or regrets. He truly loved her and KJ. She knew that Broderick would never treat her than anything less than an equal partner and helpmate. She’d finally found her soul mate.
“Yes, I’ll marry you Broderick Jerold Hollingsworth. I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”
Everyone cheered as Broderick slipped the five-carat pink diamond on her ring finger. He stood, gathered her in his arms and kissed her passionately. He twirled her around while she laughed and cried. Once he set her back on her feet, she looked around truly for the first time and noticed everyone was dressed in after-five attire except for her.
“Everyone is dressed up but me.” She stared down at her sundress.
Broderick smiled. “You are so right, my dear, and since this is our engagement party, you should be dressed up, too. I believe your friend Elle Lauren sent you something to wear. Why don’t you go look in our bedroom?”
Tiffani wrinkled her forehead in confusion. “Elle sent something? She only designs wedding attire.”
“Well, she didn’t send a wedding gown. It’s pink and very beautiful. Why, do you want to get married right now?” A wide grin crossed his face, and she reached up and kissed him.
“Yes, don’t you?” she asked m
atter-of-factly.
“Yes, very much so. In fact, we have an ordained minister here, and since everyone we know and love is here, we can.” Broderick drew her in his arms and kissed her softly on the lips.
“Who’s the ordained minister?” She looked around at everyone she was related to, knowing none of them was ordained.
“I called him in just in case.”
Tiffani laughed and kissed him again. “I love you, and I’m going to run and put on my gown so I can be your wife as soon as possible.” She turned to her mom, who had tears in her eyes. She kissed her mother’s cheek. “Mom, will help me get dressed? And Dad, I know it’s your job, but you gave me away once before. Can KJ do it this time?”
“That’s fine with me, darling.” He kissed her forehead before she turned to Preston, kissed his cheek and rustled his hair.
“Love you, baby sis. For the record, Broderick and I had a talk, as well.”
“I’m not surprised.” She hugged him tightly. “I love you, too.”
Her eyes scanned the crowd. “Braxton, think you can play at this impromptu wedding? There’s a baby grand in the living room just waiting for you.”
“I will play whatever you want.”
“All righty. We’re all set. I’ll be back.”
An hour later, they were all toasting champagne to the newlyweds. Tiffani was elated as she stood with Broderick, his arms wrapped around her waist. She felt safe with him in every aspect. She knew he would take their vows seriously, especially because he had shed a few tears as she walked down the aisle to him.
Later on that night, when everyone left to go back to their hotel in Key West, the newlyweds lay on the hammock after their first session of making love as husband and wife.
Broderick rubbed her back tenderly and kissed her forehead every now and then. “It’s so peaceful out here. It was the perfect place to get married.”
“I agree. The first task when we return to Atlanta is to apply for a marriage license and get married again, to make it legal.”
“We’ll go first thing Monday morning. I can’t wait to marry you all over again, beautiful.”
“Then I can finally change my last name.”
“That’s right, Mrs. Hollingsworth, or is it Mrs. Chase-Hollingsworth?”
“Nope, just Tiffani Hollingsworth. I don’t need the Chase. I want to be your wife and want your name only. I think I kept my maiden name for personal reasons the first time because I knew I shouldn’t have married him.” She kissed her favorite spot on his neck. “I love you. I only want to be Mrs. Hollingsworth. I love the way that sounds.” She giggled and kissed his neck again.
“You keep doing that and we’ll be back in the bedroom before you know it.”
“That’s the whole idea, Mr. Hollingsworth.”
“I’m going to love the next fifty plus years with you, Mrs. Hollingsworth.”
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460387450
The Sweetest Kiss
Copyright © 2015 by Carmen S. Jones
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