The Fall of the Prodigal

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Not this time.

  He would choose love.

  Michael decided he would not wait another day. He was going to California to ask Verona to marry him.

  Chapter Forty-nine

  “He looks better in person,” Louisa whispered peering through the peephole.

  Verona cracked up. “Mom, you’re a hoot! It’s typical Michael to show up here spur of the moment.” She rushed toward the stairs. “Let him in. I’ve got to comb my hair and freshen up.”

  Her mother turned toward her with wide eyes. “Maybe he’s here to ask you to marry him.”

  Verona’s heart skipped a beat. “We’ll never know unless you open the door.” She hurried into her bathroom to make herself presentable. Don’t get your hopes up. He could be here on business. Too late. Her hopes were up. Way up. Verona’s hand had a slight tremble while she brushed her teeth.

  She looked in the mirror. My goodness! Her eyes were wide open. She felt excitement and terror at the same time.

  Michael must have used his private plane. Of course he did. He did not travel any other way. She thought he would have waited until she returned to New York before popping the question. Wait. What if he came to meet her parents and ask their permission to marry her? She had better hurry.

  Five minutes later, Verona scurried down the stairs to find both her parents and Michael sitting in the family room. Her parents had enraptured expressions. Michael had obviously managed to charm them, which was no surprise.

  “Michael.” Her voice sounded breathless. Calm down. Breathe.

  He had been laughing at something, but whipped around at the mention of his name. “Verona, it’s good to see you.”

  “You’re free.” She mentioned the obvious, twisting her hands.

  Louisa gave her a thumbs-up sign before pulling Noel from the room. “We’ll leave you two to talk.” Her voice squeaked with excitement.

  Verona knew that was her mother’s way of telling her Michael was indeed there to propose. Lord, she needed to sit down.

  As her bottom hit the cushion, Michael dropped to one knee and took her hand in his. “Verona, you’re the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met. You’re stubborn, feisty, but you’re loyal. I can’t function without you. I value you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I’d be honored—”

  “Yes!’

  “I’m not finished.” He grinned. “I’d be honored if you would accept—”

  “Yes.” She shivered with glee.

  Michael gritted his teeth. “Will you shut up and let me finish my proposal?”

  Verona nodded.

  “Will you be my wife?”

  Her eyes watered. She cupped his face in her hands and pulled him until he was seated next to her. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. I want that more than anything in this world. I love you.”

  “I love you too,” Michael said, snaking her into his arms and kissing her until her toes curled.

  It was too soon for her when he ended the kiss. Michael reached into his shirt pocket and took out a small box.

  With a slightly embarrassed look on his face, he said, “I’m messing this up big time. Should I get back on my knees?”

  Verona gave him a playful pat. “No, I don’t care how it’s done. You did it and that’s what counts.” She whisked away the tears on her face. “I knew you were smart and this proposal confirms it.”

  He chuckled at her humor. “Ha-ha. Funny. I can see there’ll never be a dull day with you.”

  “Open the box!” she commanded, shaking with glee.

  Michael opened the box with slow deliberation. When she saw the solitaire, Verona clutched her chest and whispered, “Michael, it’s exquisite.”

  He slipped the ring on her finger. Verona admired it with silence. All of a sudden, Michael lunged at her, knocking her flat on the couch before lying on top of her. It took a millisecond before his weight crushed her. “Get off!” she croaked. There was only a crack between their bodies.

  He would not move.

  Verona pushed against him flailing her arms. “Michael!” she screamed, shoving at him. “Get off!”

  Her parents must have have been lurking nearby because they both ran into the room.

  “What’s going on?” Noel asked.

  Verona used her strength to turn her head. Seeing the worry on Noel’s face made her revolt her imprisonment even more. Not even having her parents in the room made him move.

  “I’m never letting you go. This is how you capture a tiger,” Michael boasted before releasing her. She sagged with relief. He lifted her hand to show off the carats twinkling there.

  “The oaf could’ve stifled me to death,” she fumed. When neither of her parents acknowledged her, Verona crossed her arms.

  Michael grabbed her chin and planted a kiss on her. In spite of her attitude, Verona responded. Louisa cleared her throat causing Michael to pull away.

  “I take it she said yes?” Noel grinned.

  Mortified, Verona covered her cheeks. She was appalled at Michael’s antics in front of her parents, although they seemed delighted. In fact, her mother beamed.

  “She did, sir,” Michael confirmed. “I always knew she was smart, but this confirms it.”

  Her eyes bulged. “Hey, you stole my words!”

  Michael dismissed her remark and continued to thrill her parents with his open display of affection. He could not keep his hands off her and her parents were eating it all up. It embarrassed but stimulated her at the same time. Verona squirmed. She would have to think of a way to make him pay later.

  Verona noticed Michael “accidentally” brushed against her in the most sensitive places. Were her parents’ blind or pretending not to see? Purposefully, she stood and put some space between them.

  “Michael, can you stay to meet my son?” Verona asked.

  “I wish I could but I have to go back to New York tomorrow. I would love to meet Elijah—sorry, Jah—when I come back. Or, I could fly him and your parents up to New York next weekend?” He directed the question to her father. “I can have my secretary arrange a getaway of sorts for the both of you?”

  Louisa had stars in her eyes. “I’ve never been to New York. I’ve been meaning to go.”

  “Son, if you’re trying to bribe us, it’s working,” her father joked. “We’ll come next weekend but we’ll pay our way.”

  Did her father call him son?

  Michael waved his hand. “Nonsense. Everything’s on me, Dad. I insist.”

  Did Michael call her father Dad? Verona felt sweat line her upper lip. This was real. The men in her lives had taken to each other. She had to wipe another tear.

  “Oh, how generous,” her mother exclaimed.

  Her father nodded and shook Michael’s hand. “Thank you.”

  “This is my way of thanking you for giving me a woman like Tiger. She’s remarkable and I’m complete with her by my side.”

  Verona bit her tongue to keep any sarcastic comment from popping out of her mouth. Michael was a sweet talker. When he looked at her, she rolled her eyes and he smirked. Deep down, she melted at the effort he made on her behalf.

  “I love you,” he mouthed.

  “I love you too,” she mouthed back.

  “Come sit with me,” he mouthed again.

  Uh-uh. She wasn’t falling for that. She shook her head. Out of nowhere the words burst from her. “I don’t want to wait too long to get married.”

  His voice dropped. “For once, I agree. Let’s get married as soon as possible.”

  In his private plane, gliding at 30,000 feet, Michael studied the clouds while he thought. How was he going to get married as soon as possible when he had another fiancée waiting for him in New York?

  He had had the good sense to put his cell phone on silent while he was at Verona’s house. But once he had left and turned it on, Michael was bombarded with messages from Lauren. She had inundated his voicemail with updates of the wedding plans and when she received her ring. Michael eye
d the picture Lauren sent with the rock on her finger. That ring would be her consolation prize.

  Michael rubbed his head. He was going to have one angry woman on his hands once he broke the news he was ending their engagement.

  He stiffened his spine. It had to be done and he was not going to dawdle. He was not going to juggle two women. Michael knew the one he wanted and he was going to marry her. Lauren would get over it, though he did not relish the yelling and screaming he was sure would ensue.

  If only he knew. He was dead wrong.

  Chapter Fifty

  “Put your big panties on and speak to your son,” were Michael’s words of advice before he left. Verona had recounted her father’s suggestion to have a heart-to-heart talk with Elijah. Michael agreed.

  Verona tapped the steering wheel as she waited for Elijah to arrive. She had arranged with the Smith’s to pick him up outside his school that Friday. She did not want to put off their conversation for another moment. There were things she needed to say.

  Once Elijah was inside the car, she decided to drive to the beach. She spread the blanket while Elijah hoisted the picnic basket. Verona packed all the usual suspects—PBJ, turkey, assorted fruit, cakes, chips, water, juice, and sodas—to feed an army or in this case one hungry teenager. In her defense, she didn’t know what he liked.

  Elijah’s eyes popped when he saw the food. “Are we feeding the five thousand or something?”

  Verona cracked up. “You sound like your grandfather. That’s something he’d say.”

  “I know. Everyone says I’m not the typical teenager.” He grabbed a paper plate and heaped an assortment of foods on his plate.

  “I believe you. Honestly, I know I wasn’t always in your life, but I’m proud to be your mother. I know I’m not your mom, but . . .” She trailed off, suddenly unsure of what to say.

  “It’s okay. I know what you mean.”

  Verona watched as Elijah munched on an apple. She had to ask, “Is this how you are all the time? So agreeable?” Verona did not know teens like this existed. When she was a teen it was all about mutiny and being misunderstood.

  Elijah had the grace to blush. “Yes, because I have a bad temper. I try hard not to lose it.”

  “Now that I can relate to.” She chuckled. She toyed with her food. Lord, help me not mess up this conversation. “Elijah, I wanted to ask you something and I hope you’ll be honest with me.”

  He nodded.

  “Um.” She ran her fingers through her hair while she figured out how to ask the big question. “Are you mad at me for not coming back home all these years?”

  He set down his plate and could not quite meet her eyes. “I wondered about you. I wondered if you wanted me. Nana told me you loved me but you never called, you never sent a birthday card.” He shrugged. “I mean, nothing.”

  Verona was afraid to touch him though she ached to make some physical contact. “I know my words may sound like air to you but I do love you.”

  “Then why did it take thirteen years for my mother who claims she loves me to find me?” He broke. In one breath, he spewed all his pent-up emotions. “You are this big-shot attorney and you couldn’t have gone to court or something? I don’t get it.”

  She touched his shoulder. “Were you unhappy with the Smith’s?”

  “No,” he declared. “But they aren’t you. I’m grateful for them and they’ve been the best parents in the world, but it’s not the same.”

  Verona tried to hug him, knowing he had to let it out. Elijah shrugged her off. “No, don’t touch me right now.” His chest heaved as he visibly struggled to regain control.

  Never had she felt so helpless and guilty. Was this how she made her own parents feel? Verona pushed her food aside.

  Elijah jumped up. “I didn’t mean to get upset,” he mumbled. “I’ll be back.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?

  He shook his head. “No, I need some space.”

  Verona curled her body, feeling defeated as Elijah stomped toward the shoreline. They had been getting along well before she had dredged up the painful past. Maybe she should have left well enough alone. Now she had a sulky teenager on her hands.

  Shielding her eyes against the sun, Verona spotted Elijah kicking the sand near the edge of the water. He dug into his pants and took out his cell phone. Verona saw him clutch the phone to his ear. His voice carried, but she could not make out any words. Elijah was talking to someone on the phone. He chatted for several minutes before trudging his way back to her.

  She was dying to know whom he had been talking to but knew it was not her place to ask. She watched him circle his foot into the sand.

  “Um, Mother, can we go please?” he asked.

  Verona could not tell from Elijah’s tone if he was mad, sad, or indifferent and that slashed at her heart. Logically, she knew it would take time to build a relationship with her son, but her heart ached.

  Verona nodded and gathered the paraphernalia of their outing. Elijah helped her to her feet. She gave him a small smile when he offered to carry the basket. In spite of everything, she could appreciate his being a gentleman. They meandered their way through the sand and packed the vehicle.

  Before she drove off, Verona had to say something. “Elijah, I love you. I’ve loved you from the day you were born. I’m sorry it took me fifteen years to tell you that. I know it’s hard, but I want us to have a relationship. I won’t try to take your mother’s place but I’d like to be more than your koala bear.”

  “Koala bear?” He chuckled.

  Her odd phrasing lightened the air and her heavy heart. “Okay, it’s a poor and corny analogy.”

  “I called my mom,” he confessed in a small voice.

  “Oh?” Gripping the wheel, Verona strove to sound normal although jealousy filled her at his loving tone. Elijah’s eyes were pinned on her gauging her reaction to his talking about his mom. She knew she had better make him believe she was cool with it.

  Keeping her tone neutral, she asked, “What did your mom say?”

  “She said I needed to remember you weren’t much older than me when you found out you were pregnant. She said I needed to put myself in your place because you were a kid and unsure. She made sure to tell me I must still respect you no matter what,” Elijah said.

  Verona was surprised at Sister Smith’s defense. Nevertheless, she did not show that in her answer. “And, what do you think about her advice?”

  “I felt better after I spoke to her. I know if I was to get some girl pregnant, I’d be scared and wouldn’t know what to do.”

  She slanted Elijah a warning look. “And, trust me you don’t want to find out.”

  “Yeah, I guess not. Don’t worry. I’m safe. I’m cool.”

  What did that mean? Was her son having sex? Did he have a girlfriend? Well, whoever she was, Verona did not like her. “You have a girlfriend?”

  “No, I don’t. I need a job first. Girls are expensive,” he said.

  She cracked up. “You’ll have more women than you’ll know how to handle in time. For now, you need to remain in school and focus on your singing.”

  He chuckled and relaxed his body further in the cushion of the car. “You sound like a mother.”

  “I am a mother,” she said. “I may not be Mom to you, but I am your mother.”

  “I can deal with that.”

  She smiled. So could she.

  Chapter Fifty-one

  How wrong he had been. Lauren was not yelling or screaming when Michael uttered the words to end their engagement. She was staring at him with unblinking eyes and it was unnerving.

  The children were already in bed when he had arrived at her place that Friday night. She had flung her arms around him and chattered about their wedding. Michael extricated her arms from around his neck, before saying, “Lauren, we need to talk.”

  His grave tone cooled her enthusiasm and she eyed him with wary eyes. “What’s going on?”

  “You’re the mother
of my children and I love you for that but I can’t marry you.”

  That’s what he had said and five minutes later, Lauren still had not responded. It was as if she was frozen. He could not stand the silence. “Lauren?”

  She exhaled with a whoosh of air. “Excuse me. For a moment, I thought you were breaking things off with me.”

  “I was. I mean I am,” Michael stammered. What was going on with her?

  Lauren poked him in the chest. “No, you’re not. You’re not tossing me aside again. You’re going to marry me and be a father to your children.”

  Her calmly spoken words freaked him out, but Michael was not going to let her bully him. “I will be a good father to John and Olivia, the best they ever need. However, I will not be marrying you. I don’t love you.”

  She inhaled.

  He regretted his harsh words but he owed Lauren the truth. With a tone laced with sympathy, he continued, “You deserve a man who will love you and cherish you. I’m not that person and I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “For someone who doesn’t want to hurt me, you’re doing a bang-up job,” she scoffed.

  He needed to leave. “We’ll talk later. Once you think about it, you’ll appreciate me for saving us heartache in the future.”

  “Keep your sugary words.” Lauren rolled her eyes and tapped her feet.

  Michael ambled toward the door. He wanted to see the children but did not want to push his luck by asking her if he could visit with them.

  Michael’s hand was on the front doorknob when the tapping stopped. Lauren’s next words chilled him to the bone.

  “If you don’t marry me, I’ll kill myself. I’ll kill myself and the children.”

  Michael advanced on her until he was up in her face. “Take that back!” he yelled.

  Lauren’s face remained expressionless. “I mean it,” she said. She didn’t back down instead she met his gaze head-on.