Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  “On my way…”

  Tonight would be the last night I wallowed in my sorrows over life. Starting tomorrow, I’d take on the same attitude I had after leaving Beau. I’d look at all that the future held for me and move forward. There was so much still to accomplish. My career hadn’t even begun if I thought about where I wanted to end up. Celibacy wasn’t a part of my future, so I knew I’d meet a man somewhere. Where and when, I’d leave that up to the Man above.

  “That was quick.” It had been minutes since I called.

  “I didn’t go home. I knew Delaney couldn’t last, so I went to the office to get this for you.” He handed me an envelope. “I was actually on my way over when you called.”

  “What the hell is this?” Inside the envelope was a single check, made to the order of Beatrice Lauren Taylor, and contained more digits than I knew was possible.

  “It’s money I’ve owed you for a long time. I am now in a position to pay you back.”

  Where was I when I had this kind of money to lend to my rich nephew? “Explain?”

  “When Grandpa died, he left his home to your mom and his savings to me. He made no provisions for his daughter, and that’s eaten at me for a long time.”

  “My father had this kind of money?” I was still confused.

  “I would’ve handed his savings over to you earlier, but it’s in a trust that won’t be turned over to me until I’m thirty-five. All this time I figured I’d give you the money when I received it, but now with the sale of the firm, I can hand it to you earlier, plus interest.”

  No better word suited me than shock! I guess my thirtieth birthday did produce something good. “Tell me the truth. Is this the exact amount of what’s in your trust or did you add another zero? There’s no way Dad had this kind of money.”

  “Are you accusing me of cheating you of an additional zero?” My nephew had that same sense of humor as his wife. “What’s there is what you’ll need to buy that warehouse you’ve had your eye on the past few months and to add a sewing machine or two. If you’re still interested, I negotiated the price down and the owner is willing to sell.”

  How would I ever repay this love and kindness? “Laney is in agreement with the amount of the check?”

  “Are you kidding? She told me to add another zero. I had to explain if I did that, our kids would have to be homeschooled through college. That’s when she backed down.”

  “I don’t know what to say, Donovan. I’m speechless.”

  “My dear Aunt Bee. What I love most about your many admirable qualities is your ability to move forth with life no matter the circumstances that try and bring you down. Your parents didn’t stop you from becoming a caring and bright person, your cheating ex didn’t stop you from achieving your dreams of becoming a designer, and I know this little setback with Nick won’t stop you from actualizing your dreams of a family. Open up your sweatshop, create more beautiful pieces so I can outfit my wife and babies, and know that some good men are like fine wine and need to mature.”

  I love my family.

  February 27, 2014 NICK: Love Casual

  “You wanna hang out tonight? I’m almost at my last sales stop, which happens to be your hospital.”

  “Sounds good. I’m here till seven, finishing up some lab work. When do you think you’ll be done?”

  “Probably around six? I’m unsure. It depends when the doctors can see me.”

  “I’m on the third floor in Heart and Vascular.”

  “Got it. See ya soon.”

  Two weeks ago, I traveled thousands of miles believing I wanted something more serious with a certain woman, for the first time in my life. I received a big fat “NO thank you!” and came home pissed I’d even tried to change my ways. A few days later, a different woman traveled my way, and asked if I wanted to stay the same, but try something new with her. I wasn’t sure I wanted a new relationship—even a casual one, but after talking to her until the coffee shop closed, I was reassured what we were doing wasn’t harming anyone.

  Lily and I had similar outlooks on life. She was carefree, taking life one day at a time, and open to love but not wedded to it. Since we decided to “date”, we talked on the phone when we were able, but there was no pressure to stay on for hours like two teenagers in love for the first time. I didn’t feel pressured to offer her more than what we were—two people exploring.

  “Nick?”

  Jake appeared out of nowhere. “Yeah?” I didn’t know if I wanted to do residency at General Hospital with my family popping out of the corridors on every floor.

  “Are you busy tonight?”

  “Um, yeah. Why?”

  “Donovan got us last minute tickets to a Clippers’ game, and I was hoping you might be able to stop by and give Mom and Dad a hand. It’s not easy watching three little ones.”

  Normally I would’ve stopped by without question, but how was I to get around the Lily issue?

  “Um..well...let me see what I...”

  “Hi Jake. Hey Nick.” Lily walked toward us with her classic smile.

  “Lily! What brings you here?” Jake greeted her with a hug.

  “You know I sell medical equipment? I was bound to come this way at some point. I’m stoked to be greeted by a happy face. Most doctors either can’t get enough of me or run as fast as they can away from me.” I’d never seen Lily in professional wear. She looked smokin’ hot!

  How had I never noticed how tall she was? At near Laney’s height and thin like Emily, her body was a knockout in a tight skirt, a button down collared shirt and a suit jacket. I felt like I was looking at her for the first time. I never noticed that her hair was as dark as mine or that she had brown eyes with an interesting hazel ring around the brown. Whereas Bee’s head only hit my biceps, Lily was tall enough where I didn’t worry she might strain her neck talking to me.

  Lily was nineteen, but she looked older, in a good way. Her makeup was perfect. Her hair was perfect. This girl was one put-together woman. I...liked that.

  “Do I have something on my nose?” Lily whispered with a giggle. “You’re staring.”

  “Huh?” I woke up to my surroundings. When I looked up, Laney and Max had joined us. Was I gone for that long?

  “How do you know my cousins?” Laney looked unhappy! Had Laney never met Lily? It took me a bit of time to remember that Lily never stayed for dinner at Emily’s the other night because Audrey suddenly felt unwell. Damn! Now, I’d have to make all the casual intros.

  Lily obviously didn’t catch on to Laney’s snarkiness. “My sister is Emily’s best friend, and I met Nick in London when I was there for a conference.”

  “Was that when you were there with Bee?” Laney emphasized Bee’s name with cause.

  “I need to get going,” my brother interrupted us, thank God! “Can you stop by?” he asked me again. “Otherwise, I’ll call Aunt Babs.”

  I looked at Jake, I looked at Lily, but I stayed far away from Laney, who shot daggers my way.

  “Do you want to reschedule?” Lily asked. “We can go out another night if you need to be somewhere else.”

  I hated all the probing eyes. This was what I didn’t want when I was with Bee. Once again, because of Bee, everyone wanted an answer from me.

  “Princess.” I would forever be grateful for another interruption.

  “Donovan!” Laney fell into her husband’s arms while my future brother-in-law pulled his fiancée in for an indecent kiss in the hospital. We had formed into a large enough group, where we were a hazard along the hallway. “What are you doing here? I thought I was catching a ride with Max to the game.”

  “Hello my precious gem.” Max whispered something in my sister’s ear, and she giggled like the little girly she never was. God! This scene between the newlyweds and the soon-to-be newlyweds was sickening.

  “We have a slight change of plans,” Donovan announced, as it got awkward enough where I was forced to do some introductions.
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br />   Everyone looked at me expectantly since Lily was standing closer to me than was appropriate for two “friends.” “This is Lily, a friend of mine, and sister of Emily’s best friend, Sarah.” Lily waved hello to everyone. “Lily, this is my sister Jane, her fiancé Max, my cousin Laney, and her husband Donovan.”

  “I’m so glad to put a face to all the names. I’ve heard a lot about you and I have to say,” Lily looked straight at my newest cousin, “you’re as hot as advertised.”

  Donovan’s conceited smile broke out along with Laney’s fangs! She was not happy with my apparent “friendship” with Lily to begin with, and she definitely didn’t appreciate that comment about her husband.

  “So you were saying?” Laney ignored Lily, and spoke to her husband.

  “Jane and I just finished up a huge deal, and Luciano from the opposing team informed us his company has basketball seats directly behind us. We invited him to the game and since he had no date, we set him up with Bee.”

  Donovan explained all that with no malice or sarcasm in his voice, but the news made me flinch. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about Bee and what she’d been up to since we last saw each other in Tuscany. I might even go as far as saying I missed her. All eyes were on me again when I came up from my thought.

  “We’re headed to dinner first and we have to leave right now. Can you leave?” my sister asked.

  “I’m done. What about you, Laney?”

  “If we’re having a steak, I’m done, too,” Laney added. “Are we picking up Bee?”

  “Luciano, who works in real estate law, thought he’d be a gentleman and pick her up.”

  “How perfect!” I had no idea why Laney was so happy, and why Bee needed a real estate lawyer. This damn conversation was frustrating the hell out of me.

  Enough was enough. I needed to move on with my own life. “Why don’t we stop by my brother’s before going out? Do you mind?” Our conversation continued.

  “Not at all. I’d love to see Emily’s kids again.” I liked how Lily’s answers were always upbeat and to the point. There were no hidden meanings I’d have to wade through and figure out. “I’ve got to get to my meeting with the doctors. It was nice meeting you all, and good seeing you again, Jake.” She politely excused herself when another interruption happened.

  “Lily!” Lily’s business counterpart and Bee’s ex walked to our circle.

  “Hey, Beau.” None of us had any clue what kind of wrath we’d witness with those four letters B-E-A-U. With this name came a Polar Vortex of a proportionate kind. Donovan had fire in his eyes, and the corridors became blazing hot and arctic cold, simultaneously.

  “Hello.” Beau looked around, and blanched when he noticed my newest cousin. Donovan didn’t give him the time of day. He walked away without a greeting and everyone in his basketball outing followed.

  “What was that?” I whispered to Lily when Beau turned around and stared at Donovan’s back.

  “No clue, but I assume it has something to do with Bee?”

  Once again, I had no clue what was going on with Bee, but I desperately wanted to know. Was it wrong to call her and ask? Was it wrong to try and stay friends? Did the end of what we had signal the complete end of our friendship? I hated feeling confused, and I hated even more being in the dark. Perhaps tonight after Lily and I separated, I’d go to Jake for some answers.

  “See you soon?” Lily tugged at me to grab my attention.

  “Um, yeah. Call me when you’re done. I’ll be around.” It was uncool how indifferent my answer came out. But, Lily, being her usual self, laughed it off and gave me a quick peck on the cheek, which put a smile on my face.

  Maybe all these answers I needed from and about Bee were unnecessary. I had moved on. She looks to have moved on. What was the point in knowing? I’d stick to the mantra of “ignorance is bliss” and focus on my life.

  March 3, 2014 BEE: Revelation

  “What are you up to tonight?”

  “I’m...designing layouts for the warehouse?”

  “You work too hard. Let’s have dinner.”

  “Luciano, it’s 9:30pm. You haven’t had dinner yet? I’ve eaten, taken out my contacts, put my retainers on, and have turned into Cinder-Bee. Or maybe it’s more a pumpkin than Cinder-anything.”

  Luciano busted up. He had a wonderful timbre to his laugh that I enjoyed listening to, of late. Luciano and I met exactly four days ago, and we’d seen each other twice and talked on the phone several times a day. I asked him if he was truly a lawyer because it appeared he had so much time on his hands.

  “I’m around the corner from you. Count to ten and then come down.”

  I did as I was told, but didn’t care to “beautify” myself. I kept the glasses and sweats on, and prayed he wasn’t wanting to go anywhere more upscale than McDonald’s.

  “You weren’t kidding about counting to ten.”

  “You actually followed my instructions?” I laughed at him, and admitted to nothing. “I just spoke with your nephew, and he offered to order pizza for us if we came over.”

  “And why would he do that? Isn’t his precious wife sleeping?”

  “Apparently she’s not. She has an exam tomorrow so she is up and hungry. Your nephew also needs a favor from me, so he’s trying to bribe me with pizza.”

  “Was he successful?”

  “Yep! Let’s go hang with the Taylors.”

  “That’s all it takes? A slice of pizza to bribe you?”

  “I told you when I first met you that I’m an easy guy. And I emphasize easy in every sense of the word.”

  I didn’t quite know who Luciano was, or where he came from, but I was glad he was in my life. He made everything brighter, simpler, and funnier.

  “Tell me a little something about Donovan and his new wife Laney. I’ve worked with him in the past, but don’t know him very well. Last I heard, he went out to Europe and came back not only with a wife, but the rumor is, millions in his pocket.”

  “Are you trying to get the dirt on the Taylor family?” I kidded. “You’ll have to torture me before I give up any family secrets.”

  “Are we talking torture like Fifty Shades of Grey torture?” This guy said the most off-the-wall things.

  “Please tell me you have not read that book.”

  “Hell yeah I have! How else am I to seduce women? I have the books bookmarked and highlighted.”

  “I think we need to stop hanging out. Take me home.” I had a hard time getting those words out; I was laughing so badly.

  “Too late! We’re here.” At the blink of an eye, Luciano was out of the car and opening the door for me. He seemed to have loads of energy at all times. “Donovan Taylor!” He called out while using the knocker.

  “Hello!” Donovan greeted Luciano with a handshake, and came in for a hug and kiss with me. “I see you put on your Sunday best, Auntie!”

  “Hello!” We heard Laney calling from their kitchen. “The pizza just arrived. Hurry up!”

  We walked in to find my niece inhaling a slice. “You are going to be seriously overweight if this appetite of yours continues.”

  “Donovan says it’s more of me to love,” she answered rudely with her mouth totally full. “Sorry, Luciano.” She at least covered her mouth while talking to him. “I’m kind of hungry, and I love this Mucho Meat pizza.”

  “Is there another one for us or are we to just watch you eat?” Luciano tried to sound serious. “I haven’t had much other than coffee all day, and I’m not above fighting a pregnant woman for a slice of pizza.” He put up both fists in pretend-fight. We laughed so hard, Laney almost choked on the food in her mouth.

  “There’s another one. No need to worry.” My nephew pointed to the warmer.

  “Hello!” We heard a voice.

  “In here, Emily.”

  “It’s a party!” Luciano mentioned when Emily and Jake walked in. As soon as the introductions and hellos were spoken, we
all sat down to pizza on paper plates and sodas and beer in styrofoam cups.

  “You get a babysitter to come have pizza next door?” I asked since the three kids were not with their parents.

  Jake produced an iPad and pointed to the screen, which showed three sleeping babies. “Doors are locked and technology allows us these short bursts of freedom. Unless the kids are ill, they don’t usually get up in the middle of the night,” Jake explained, while helping himself to beer and a slice of pepperoni pizza.

  “How are you, Bee?” Emily asked while giving Laney stiff competition in the eating department.