by Eden Fortae
Together they made it impossible to escape the consequences. Egypt and her mother were subject to scrutiny. They admitted to being the source of the previous leak, and Egypt filed for divorce to take the heat off. Through Joe and Donny, Eve passed messages of apology, support, and gifts for the baby. She wanted a relationship, but Eden still needed time.
With no one on his side, Kenneth faced a judge in a crowded courtroom to plead guilty. Weeks after he was sentenced to a minimum of fifteen years, he was found in his cell, beaten beyond recognition. There was evidence of torture before death and no leads. That night when Eden awakened to feed Xavier, Donny was nowhere to be found. He crept into bed after she managed to fall asleep and held her tight. She never questioned his involvement or that of Antonio, Christian, Jermaine, and Javier. The latter pretty much confirmed her belief during one of her playful arguments with Antonio. His father took her side earnestly, proclaiming, “No one messes with my girls.”
And no one else tried. The Cortese kept Eden close. They left no room for her to be anything other than a part of them. To repay their kindness, Eden put her all into being someone they could be proud of. Using some of the money she inherited, the Infinite Art App was launched. Although still in beta testing, the reviews were already positive. Another portion of her inheritance went to Kenneth’s victims. What wasn’t donated to organizations for orphaned children remained in the bank. Commission work for Kya was more fulfilling, paving the way for clarity. In the near future, Eden wanted to move forward with her brand. Until then, she was content.
It was funny how confidently she could say that. Not long ago, she’d been substituting happiness. All her life, she wanted to be loved and accepted. Experiencing it felt better than the temporary pleasure she sought when the best man in her sister’s wedding entered her life and changed everything. He gave her hope, confidence, and a future she was eager to see. Despite the marriage certificate hidden behind their son’s newborn photo, he was also giving her the wedding of her dreams.
“You ok, babe?” Eden zoned back in as Chace approached with his camera. He hadn’t officially moved back to the city yet but flew in for holidays dividing his time between them and his dad in Albany.
“Yes, I think.”
“It’s going to be fine. Trust me.”
“You said that about the piss-yellow bridesmaid dress.”
“And I was right, wasn’t I? Look where it’s gotten you.”
“You were right. Thank you for pushing me.”
While they embraced, the doorbell rang. Eden pulled away nervously, glanced at everyone then slowly made her way to it. They stood and gathered in the living room as she opened the door revealing a woman with a face similar to hers. Long dark hair traveled past her shoulders, framing her smiling face. It wasn’t clear who moved first. Their arms were locked around one another, sobs echoing behind them. Donny pressed his hand to Eden’s lower back. As she pulled away, she took his hand, offering the other to her look-alike.
“Everyone,” she sniffled and smiled, “this is my mom, Rosalie. Mom,” she looked up at them, and her smile widened, “this is my family.”
The End
Kind of...
BONUS
"How do you think they'll react when we tell them that this wedding was for them and we've been married a little over three-years already?"
"Well, it's not just for them. I love you in this dress. I'm glad you didn't lose all the baby weight. I've been trying not to bite you all evening. As for our family, my mom will probably kill us. Maybe yours, too."
Eden giggled, "I packed a few pieces from my first solo collection. You’ll really want to bite me every day in Punta Cana."
"I’m ready to start, now. Our boys need a sister."
"Donovan."
"Look at them," he nodded to the other side of the dance floor where Amara was holding the hands of Xaiver and their six-year-old adopted son, Elias, as they danced.
They'd discussed adoption after their son's first birthday but weren't planning to do so for a few years. Both, wanting to make more gains with therapy, first. Eden shared that with her therapist, Chloe, and a few months later, they were contacted by Chole's social worker friend armed with the details and a picture of the little boy who looked like he could be theirs.
Elias's troubled beginnings in multiple homes spoke to Donny. His bashfulness and lack of trust pulled at Eden's heart. Within the first meeting, Donny had gotten the little boy comfortable enough to sit beside him and made him laugh. By the end, Elias revealed himself to be a sweet kid. The next meeting, he rushed them with hugs. They introduced Xaiver, and the pair were instant friends despite the three-year age difference.
There were challenges. Elias would often leave his bed at night to sleep in Xaiver's with him or at the foot of Donny's and Eden's bed. When he thought he was in trouble, he'd apologize with tears in his eyes and stand by the front door as if he were expecting them to put him out. He clung to Eden the most but enjoyed cooking with Kya and Julie, working with Antonio, and being at Christian's shop. Every morning, he was up with Donny and Xaiver, watching Blue's Clues while singing his heart out.
The way he took to the rest of the family solidified their belief that he belonged with them. His Gotcha Day celebration was as extravagant as Karrina and Christian's wedding, taking place two weeks after Kya and Antonio tied the knot earlier that year. Donny and Eden planned their wedding around Elias, wanting him to be theirs officially to include him in their vows and ceremony.
"Snuggles softens them when she isn't acting like Mike Tyson. Imagine the impact of a sister."
"Every time I try, I remember what it feels like to have a baby trying to claw its way out of me. I'd rather eat a bag of hammers."
"You'll get all the foot and booty rubs you want."
"Not enough."
"I'll cater to your cravings, sex on demand, and wait on you wearing only sweatpants."
"Tempting, but I'll pass."
"Ok, I'll just flush your birth control pills."
"Did you just say that to me, Donovan?"
"Say what? Do you hear that? My dad's calling me."
Quickly and with a sly smile, he slipped away. Eden watched him, laughing as he bypassed his father to join the guys. She shook her head, making her way to the table the girls claimed after the bouquet toss, stopping behind her mother, where she hugged her from behind.
"My boo is here to back me up. What's up, now, Julie?"
"All she said is you're having another boy, Rina."
"That sounds like fighting words to me, Kya."
"Someone has to have another girl. It won't be me, so I hope it's you." Eden slid into the seat between Karrina and her mother.
"Thank you, love."
"Just remember to name him Kyle or Kai."
"I love Kai."
"Don't encourage her, Ma. It's a struggle every day that I have to deal with building forts out of my sofa cushions and using my makeup brushes as the boy's toy car detailing tools. I learned my lesson, whatever it is. If this kid has a penis, I'm moving out."
"There are advantages to being the only girl. Donovan and the boys bring me flowers to make me feel special. I get extra gifts on Valentine's Day, and he's teaching them to be gentlemen. I get to watch little Donovans pull out chairs for me, open doors, and there are endless hugs."
Karrina looked thoughtful, "So you're telling me you don't take unexpected swims in the toilet because someone forgot to put the seat down or tell your sons that bras aren't make-believe bug eyes?"
Hae, Elia, and Rosalie laughed. Julie cracked a smile shaking her head.
"It'll be like having Anthony over there permanently."
"No, it won't. Anthony was always good. He just flirted with Kya and stole my money." Just as she said that her oldest nephew looked up from the phone in his hands and grinned. "I swear, the world he has it out for me."
Eden rubbed Karrina's back then dropped her hand to her barely visible belly. Any new
addition was welcomed to her. The moments and memories they created had overtaken the negative feelings she once had, leading to excitement when there were dinners, holidays, or any reason they found to gather. A new baby, boy or girl, was another person for her to love, and that meant the world to Eden.
At that thought, Eden glanced at the table beside Donny and the guys. There was her sister Eve and her brother-in-law. They might as well have been sitting with the guys since Joe's chair was angled to be a part of the conversation. The decision to forgive her sister had only happened at the insistence of her mother. Rosalie turned out to be everything Eden wanted in a mother and more. Her calming presence wasn't to be confused for weakness. When taken there, her mother packed enough of a punch to silence a room but chose to lead with positivity. Despite the reasons she had to be bitter and spiteful, she decided to focus on the fact that they were together now. Since Eve made no mention of Sandra, Egypt, or the past, moving on wasn't hard to accomplish.
"Walk with me, baby girl?"
"Ok," Eden looked up at her mom, stood, and followed her across the room. Amara and Xaiver were sitting next to Javier with mammoth-sized slices of cake. Elias and Cj were racing their cars around the table with Fredo. Chace was once again, next to Chole, showing her something on his camera. Eden found her smile, watching them as she and her mom stood in the corner of the room.
"You looked a little lost for a second. I thought you could use a little time out. Do you want to talk about it?"
"I'm ok. I was thinking about how far things have come and how much I love my family."
"Understandable. They're great."
"They? Are we pretending you don't spend more time with my in-laws than I do? Cut the bull. You're family. I was thinking about how much I love you, too. Even though you love Donovan and the boys more than me."
"That's a damn lie, Eden Rosalie, and you know it! I love you all equally. My grandsons are my babies, and Donny will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only does he make you happy, but it's also because of him, I made it out of Mexico."
Eden frowned, turning completely, "What do you mean? Donovan said, you earned your citizenship and had been waiting for me."
Rosalie smiled softly, "I'd been praying you'd find me since I signed those papers, but the first time I spoke with Donny, I was still in Mexico. He paid for my attorney, who got me back in the states based on legal technicalities that made your adoption illegitimate. The first time you and I spoke on the phone was the day I landed in New York. I kept putting off our meeting because I had to go through the process. The day I was cleared, I asked to spend Christmas with you. Did he not tell you that?"
No, he hadn't. Eden's eyes shot across the room to Donny's empty chair. When he presented her with that push present years ago, he only mentioned speaking to her. The words he used minimized his role. The gift of her mother had gone beyond a folder full of truths.
"You're not upset with him, now, are you, sweetheart?"
"No, Mom. I think I love him a million times more if that's possible. Having you in my life has been a dream come true. You helped me face my fears of being a mother. I look forward to everything involving you. He did that?"
"He did."
Feeling her heart swell and her eyes sting with tears, Eden hugged her mother. In return, Rosalie rubbed her cheek, kissing the other. She searched the room for Donny, spotting him walking towards Antonio when Xaiver ran toward her. With each day, he was more and more like Donny. More now that they had the same haircut. A grin spread across his little face. White icing covered both corners of his mouth with a bit of it in his eyebrow.
"I had cake, Momma!"
"I see! It's all over your face."
"You want a kiss?" He beamed solely at the idea of getting her messy.
"Sure do. Let me clean you up first."
"Oh, no!" He ran the other way, jumping into Jermaine's arms, ironically, allowing him to wipe his face with a napkin. Eden watched with her fists balled on her hips, shaking her head.
"Mind if I join you?"
Eden stilled. Déjàvu set in. A smile working its way onto her face.
"What if I said that I do?"
He laughed the same way he had that night, "You'd be shit out of luck. With you is the only place I want to be for the rest of my life. I only asked and brought you this gift to be nice."
His hand came into view, the white gold band on his left hand gleaming beneath the light. Eden clasped it, allowing him to twirl her into his arms.
"Out of all the girls dressed like Big Bird that night, I'm glad you chose me."
"I should be thanking you for allowing me to ruffle your feathers."
Eden giggled. "Seriously, Donovan. That night, I never would've thought we'd end up here. Looking back, I'm thankful you never gave up on me. I'm blessed to be the one you wanted forever with. Thank you for loving me, for fighting for me when I wasn't strong enough, and for giving me a family. For the rest of my life, I promise to do whatever it takes to keep you happy."
"More kids will keep me happy," he restored with a bright smile.
"After everything you’ve done, we can have as many children as you want. I love you so much, I'd give you my last breath."
"As I, you, my smart-mouth, soft-ass, Hermosa."
Thank You
With all my heart, I thank you for taking this journey with me. Since I began this series in 2014, these characters have held a special place in my heart. For you to pick up these books and allow them to be a part of your life means the world to me.
I would also like to thank everyone who helped. Especially everyone who saw the trigger warning and still took this chance. For this story, I had to reach deeply within myself and brave some things of my own. As survivors, there is never enough credit given for each day you get up, face the world and the unwanted memories because you refuse to let the trauma rule you. Just know you’re thought of and I’m glad you continue to fight.
Our pain has a purpose. Happiness does exist.
***
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