The dinner was going really well. Amaia’s mother, Naomi Jennings, who resembled Loretta Devine, remained really quiet. She knew something was not right. She noticed the engagement ring on Amaia’s left hand. She had assumed it was a dinner with some of Amaia’s co-workers. Amaia’s sister, Beverlee Jennings, who resembled Jackie Appiah, was just a year younger than her. Amaia gave her the evil eye because she was nudging her under the table so Amaia nudged Aahsod with her knee. Aahsod cleared his throat.
“Mr. and Mrs. Jennings, I would like to make a toast to your wonderful daughter and to announce that I have asked for her hand in marriage and she said yes.”
Everyone was congratulating them but Naomi remained silent. Amaia looked at her mother. “Mom, I am also expecting his child.” There were more excited responses. Naomi still remained silent. Amaia touched her mother. “Mom?” Naomi Jennings collapsed in the floor with her face drooping to one side. Jacob Jennings rushed over to his wife. Cayle immediately called 911. When they arrived at the hospital, they found out that her mother had had a TIA which stood for transient ischemic attack. It was a mini stroke and Amaia was worried that their news contributed. When she went to enter the room, Beverlee stopped her.
“I don’t think that would be wise. I don’t want you to finish killing mom.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Beverlee.”
“I’m being dramatic? You are the one who invited all of us to your house to spring this information on a mother that had a heart attack when you married a Caucasian twenty years ago. All she ever wanted was for you to marry within your race.”
“His name was Laurence. My love is blind. I cannot let her dictate who I love. Let me talk to Dad.”
“Dad is busy talking with the doctor and I cannot let you dictate how to slowly kill our mother. I’m sorry Amaia but mom’s condition is too fragile for you to visit with her right now.”
“You just enjoy being cruel. I just don’t understand you. Every time I think our relationship is getting stronger and we are bonding, you find away to make me pull away from you. I am going to go in and see our mother right now.”
Cayle walks up. “Amaia, at least let mom get stronger for your visit.”
“Cayle, not you too. Where is dad? I want to speak to him about this.”
Jacob Jennings walked over to Amaia and turned her to face him. “Amaia, your mom is sixty six. What if she cannot bounce back from this? This decision was made out concern right now. I want your mother with me as long as possible, Princess.”
She was about to respond when Aahsod comes over to her. “Let me take you home.”
She looked up at him stunned. Daesha touched her shoulder. “I agree too mom. Let him take you home. I will get a ride with Uncle Cayle.”
Amaia nodded as she allowed Aahsod to escort her out of the waiting room. When they were in the car, Amaia started to cry softly. Aahsod took her hand.
“Amaia, don’t cry. You had no idea that this would happen. You just have to give your mother a chance to recover. This was a huge shock for her. You said you did not know how she would react because of her being so adamant about you dating within your own race.”
“I am just so worried about her condition and at the same time it hurts to know that she cannot accept the man that I love.” She stated between tears.
Aahsod started the car. “I will take you home so you can take a nice relaxing hot bath.”
“Thanks.” She caresses his hand.
When they arrived at her house, they entered to find Tahj was still there with a distressed look on his face.
“What’s wrong son?”
“Did Daesha tell you anything about me?”
“No, why would she?” Amaia asked.
“I have some disturbing news for you. You might want to sit down.”
They both sat down with a sigh. Tahj sighed himself before sitting down.
“Daesha and I have been dating.”
“How is that possible?” Amaia asked with confusion.
“I have been going to college in Miami. That’s where Daesha and I met.”
“But she told me she was dating a guy by the name of Jalil.”
“Jalil is one of Tahj’s middle names.” He looked at Tahj. “Please don’t tell me you used your middle name when you met her.”
“Now dad, let me explain.”
“You don’t have to explain anything. I know you use that name as a way to pick up girls that you don’t think you are going to have a serious relationship with. I thought you agreed to stop doing that.”
“I just did not say when.”
“I don’t think I like what I am hearing.” Amaia stated.
“Ms. Collins.”
“Amaia.” She corrected him.
“Amaia, I did start the relationship out that way but I finally fell in love with Daesha. We have been dating a year. I was planning to tell her I really go by my first name Tahj after the Christmas break. I did not know that I would come home and find that you and my dad are dating let alone engaged and expecting a child. I felt we should get to know one another before telling our families about the relationship. Something you taught me dad.”
Aahsod could not dispute that comment. “But I did not tell you to be deceitful about your name.”
“I agree. I just don’t know what Daesha is thinking right now. I don’t want this relationship with her to end.”
“If Daesha truly loves you, the two of you will work through this but the lies have to stop.” Amaia stated.
“The lies will stop. I can promise you that.” Tahj stated.
Amaia was about to respond when Daesha entered the house. She was silent as she walked over to Tahj and slapped his face as hard as she could. The slap caused him to hold his face and Amaia and Aahsod remained quiet.
“Mom, Aahsod, give us some privacy please.” Daesha said.
They both nodded as they headed upstairs to Amaia’s bedroom.
Once they were out of ear range, Tahj spoke. “Daesha let me explain.”
“Explain what? You are a liar plain and simple. What reason did I give you to deceive me?”
“I had to be sure that the relationship was worthy.”
“I gave you my virginity. Wasn’t that proof enough?” She whispered in anger.
He pulled her close. “That’s what solidified our relationship.”
“You even lied about your age. You are twenty four. Why are you still in college?” she asked.
“Because I convinced my father to let me have two years off to be wild and free before I attended college. I was so focused in high school that I did not think that I had a normal fun filled life. He did that much for me. Daesha I want to you to realize that I do love you. I want this relationship to continue to grow. I just need you to find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Daesha looked into his sapphire eyes. Her heart started to melt instantly. She always thought how sexy his eye color was against the light copper color of his skin. “No more lies.” She stated.
“No more lies.” He stated right before his mouth found her in a soft yet passionately loving kiss. Daesha put her hands in his thick black tresses. He wore his hair long like his father.
This is how Amaia and Aahsod found them when they came back downstairs.
“Break it up you two.” Amaia stated.
They pull apart quickly. “I take it she should be calling you Tahj now?” Amaia asked.
“Yes. And I am twenty four not nineteen.”
“I already figured that out. Anything else?” Amaia asked.
“No, that’s it.”
“So, your mother really was Caucasian-Latino and died when you were an infant.” Daesha asked.
“That’s what my father told me.”
“Yes that is true.” Aahsod stated as he hoped the truth would never surface since it had not in twenty four years.
“My mother’s maiden name was Santiago so she named me Tahj Jalil Santiago Patel. Dad’s middle name is Jalil.”
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“Do you speak Spanish at all?”
“None. I just speak English and Hindi. Enough about me. How is your grandmother?”
Daesha looked at her mother. “She is doing fine. I need to speak with mom privately about something that was decided.”
“Daesha, they are practically part of our family so just tell me.”
“Aunt Beverlee gave strict instructions so that you are not allowed to visit.”
“She can’t do that!”
“It was nana’s suggestion.” Daesha stated.
“What?” Amaia was taken aback and rushed upstairs. Aahsod followed her.
Daesha sat down on the couch with a sigh. Tahj sat down next to her.
“Do you think your mother is going to be okay?”
“I hope so.”
Amaia is lying across the bed crying with Aahsod holding her. “I am so glad you are here. I don’t know if I could handle things without you.”
“You never have to find out.” He wiped away her tears.
She pulled his head down for a passionate kiss. Aahsod moaned into her mouth and broke away. “Daesha and Tahj are downstairs.” He stated.
“I promise to be quiet.” She stated.
“But I don’t want you to be quiet. I want you scream out from the passion I am releasing within you. Since the two of them are here, I am taking you back to my place to ravish you as I choose.”
“Let’s go.” She said then Aahsod helped her up from the bed and escorted her downstairs. After saying their goodbyes, they departed from the house.
Chapter 5When they are in his bedroom, they do not waste any time getting undressed. Aahsod pulled her to him to nibble on her neck but she moved away.
“No foreplay needed. I am ready now. Sit on the bed.” She stated.
“You might not want foreplay but I want to tease you a little.” “I said no foreplay” she stated pushing him back on the bed.
“I like it when you are in control.” He stated sitting on the bed to allow her to sit on his aroused flesh with her back to him. He slid into her slick wetness very easily. He reached around and grabbed her shoulders pinning her to his body whereas she absorbed all of him. She reached down to caress him as he thrusts. He shivered ecstatically. He does not want to have an orgasm at this time. He stopped his rhythmic movements and got her to get up and kneel on the bed. She smiled wickedly but complies. He grasped her waist and pulls her onto his hardness in one swift powerful thrust. Amaia gasped from pleasure. With each thrust, he would allow his aroused flesh to come completely out of her wet heated apex. He loved watching her move to reinsert it. He loved to hear her beg for more. He reentered her and she matched him thrust for thrust. She screamed with each orgasm. When he finally had his huge orgasm, they collapsed on the bed together.
“I love you.” He said smoothing her hair from her face.
“I love you too.” She replied turning to face him and lying on his chest.
“I know you are upset about your mother. Try not to focus on the negative as you plan our wedding.”
“Can we get married on Christmas?”
“If that is what you want. As always, your wish is my command.”
“It’s what I want.”
“Start planning.”
“I will get Daesha to help me.”
“What do you think about our children dating?” Aahsod asked.
“It will seem weird especially since they will be related.”
“Not blood related.” Aahsod responded.
“Still it will be very weird.”
“You can’t help who you fall in love with. I am sure if they had known about one another then a relationship would not have developed.”
“I hope things go well for them.”
“Well I have always believed that no matter the circumstances, love conquers all pitfalls when you love one another truly, madly and deeply.”
“We will have the opportunity to find out.”
“Just have patience.”
“Okay Mr. Optimistic.” She leaned up and kissed him passionately causing him to become aroused again.
“Ready for round two?” she asked with a smile.
“Always.” He silenced her with another kiss. The phone ringing interrupted their moment of passion.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Aahsod, its Jovita.”
“Jovita?” he inquired as he sat up on the bed.
“Tahj’s mother.”
“I know who you are. I am just in shock. Why are you calling?”
“I am dying and I want to see my son.”
“I can’t have this conversation right now.”
“I will be at your office tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.” She hung up.
Aahsod was stunned. Amaia looked at him with worry.
“What is going on Aahsod? Who is Jovita?”
“I really don’t know how you are going to react to this.”
“Just tell me.”
“That was Tahj’s biological mother, Jovita Santiago Beauford.”
“I thought his mother was deceased.”
“That was the story she came up with when she did not want him anymore. We were married very young. She became a famous model quickly. She chose her career over her family. She gave me an uncontested divorce and departed from our lives. She told me to tell him that she had died when he was an infant. Tahj was only ten months old. Now she says she is dying and wants to meet him after twenty four years. Can you imagine how he is going to feel towards us?”
“You have to tell him.”
“I will have to tell him tonight. She will be at my office tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.”
“Let’s shower and head back to my place so that you can tell him.”
Aahsod nodded as they got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom. When they were finished and dressing he turned to Amaia as she was pulling her long black hair into a ponytail.
“Do you think I was wrong for not telling him?”
“What choice did you really have? His mother abandoned him. I admire you for not planting negative thoughts about her in his mind.”
“I hope he feels the same.”
Tahj and Daesha were watching an action movie when they entered the house. They both acknowledge their presence and went back to watching the movie. Amaia could tell by looking at the two of them that more had occurred than just watching a movie. She would discuss it with Daesha later.
“Tahj, I have something I need to discuss with you.”
“Sure, dad, do we need to go home for this conversation?”
“No, I think it will be fine to talk about it here.”
“Okay.”
“I know you have thought your mother has been deceased all these year but she is very much alive.”
“I-I don’t understand.”
“She called me tonight. She said she is dying and wants to meet you.”
“Dad you are not making sense. How is it that she is miraculously alive? You don’t seem too shocked.”
“I knew she was alive since you were born.”
Aahsod saw anger spark into his eyes. “Wait! Let me explain?” he stated as Tahj stood up and walked over to him.
“Explain what? How could you keep my mother away from me all these years? What could she have possibly done to deserve not being allowed to see her own son?” He asked with anger as he stood face to face with his father.
Amaia moved between them. “Tahj let him explain.”
“Well?”
When Aahsod explained the entire situation to him, his face changed from anger to sorrow then pain. When Daesha touched his arm he snatched away from her.
“I need to be alone.” He departed as soon as the words were out of his mouth.
“Aahsod, you have to go after him.” Amaia stated.
“No, I will just go home and wait from him to cool off. I will talk to you later.” He said kissing Amaia softly on the mouth before departing.
When he was gone, she turn
ed to Daesha. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
“No, why?”
“Because you have that the tousled hair of a woman who has just had sex.” Amaia said with an arched eyebrow.
“Is it that obvious?” she asked nonchalantly as she ran her fingers through her hair.
“I hope you are using protection.” Amaia stated.
“I think I am a tad smarter than you mom.”
Amaia gasped at her statement. “I am an adult and I did not make a mistake.”
“Well, I don’t want any babies anytime soon. You don’t have to worry about me. I love Tahj but not enough to produce a love child.”
“I am going to let your comments slide for tonight. We have been through a lot tonight but by tomorrow morning your attitude needs to change.”
“I am just being honest.”
“But it is too honest for me to handle right now. Go on up to bed and get your rest so you can help me plan a Christmas wedding.”
“At least you won’t be showing by then!”
“I think I know that. Please go up to bed and let me handle my life with Aahsod.”
“Good night.”
Chapter 6Aahsod waited patiently in the living room for Tahj to return. He was relieved when he saw him entering.
“Dad, before you get started just let me apologize. I was filled with anger earlier. It is hard to handle being informed that your mother is alive after twenty four years of assuming she was deceased. Then on top of that she abandoned me like a dog. How can you even want to talk to this woman or want me to?”
“Tahj, you have to give her the benefit of the doubt. She says she is dying and wants to see you. Can’t we just grant a dying woman a wish?”
“It isn’t that simple. If she was not dying she would not care anything about seeing me. Why are you making things easy for her?”
“Because I want her to see the fine young man you turned out to be. I want to show her how proud I am of what I accomplished raising you alone when she did not want to keep you.”
“I didn’t think of it that way. Are you bringing her back here or should I meet you at your office?”
“Come to the office tomorrow at 4pm.”
Tahj nodded and started to head upstairs. Aahsod called his name to detain him.
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