by A. C. Arthur
“Oh that’s a lovely clock,” Carolyn remarked.
“It is. Who is it from?” Beverly Donovan asked.
Savian continued to dig through the paper. “There’s a card down here. I just saw it.”
Jenise reached into the box as well and finally pulled out the card. She opened it and read, “Time is ticking by.”
In her mind she immediately heard ticking, like that of a clock or a bomb, or…her heart began to beat faster.
“Let me see that,” Trent Donovan said seriously as he appeared beside her and reached for the card.
Jenise handed it to him and heard his brother Linc curse.
“Not in front of the children,” Linc’s wife, Jade scolded.
“Not tonight,” Carolyn added. “And not tomorrow.”
Carolyn had stood then, coming over to them and taking the box and the clock from Savian. “Give me that,” she told Trent, taking the card.
“I’m not having anything or anyone spoil our family time. I just won’t. We’re getting ready to sing Christmas carols and drink that spiked egg nog that Bernard made that I’m sure will knock us all out until tomorrow morning. We do not have time for foolishness,” Carolyn continued, taking that box and going to one of the many closets in this house and dropping it on the floor inside. She slammed the door and was brushing her hands as if she was through with that as Alma Donovan stood, brushing down the front of her cashmere sweater.
“She’s right, let’s get this Christmas cheer going,” Alma announced.
There was a huge white piano that sat as impressively in its corner of the room as the tree did. Everette made his way over to it and began to play. It sounded like “Silent Night”, but Jocelyn suddenly stood and declared, “Something more cheerful!”
Her words were a little slurred as she’d been on her second glass of her husband’s spiked egg nog.
“Here, here!” Janean chimed in.
“Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh,” Carolyn began acapella.
The Senior women joined in immediately, while Jenise noted the Senior men still had a serious look on their faces. When her mother stood and began singing while helping Carolyn pour and pass out glasses of egg nog and Christmas punch to those who preferred it, Jenise began to sing along as well. It was Christmas Eve and tomorrow she was getting married. Nothing was going to put a damper on that, not if she could help it. Before long they were all singing and drinking, one song after another and another, until they finally went to bed.
They were completely unaware of the black SUV parked at the end of the driveway.
Chapter 15
Christmas Day
Jenise slipped her feet into red satin shoes with glittering silver four-inch heels. She let the white princess cut A-line skirt of her dress fall to the floor, covering the shoes. The dress had a corset front and in the back, through the laces of the corset, was rich red satin that cascaded down the back of the gown and spread outward to the three-foot train.
“You look gorgeous,” Morgan said as she stood in front of her.
They were in Carolyn’s bedroom, across from a wall of mirrors that was in the walk-in closet. Her mother stood on one side of her and Morgan on the other.
“In my day women were married in all white, from their veil to their underwear,” Marianne said as she lifted the tiara and veil combination that Jenise had selected.
Rolling her eyes, Morgan took the tiara from her mother. “That was almost forty years ago, mama. Women have evolved since that time and this red and white is lovely for the holiday.”
Her sister talked as Jenise leaned forward and let her position the tiara. After the ceremony she would trade the tiara and veil for a lovely red flower and feather that she’d found in a second-hand store at an after-Christmas sale last year.
Morgan was her maid of honor and she looked lovely in the white slip dress and red velvet choker. She knew well the saying that only the bride should wear white, but Jenise wanted her entire bridal party dressed in white with red accents today. Adriana and Regan were bridesmaids, their dresses just a little different design in than Morgan’s. They all wore the red chokers and white shoes with red bows on the back. Savian and his guys—Parker as his best man, Sean and Dion as groomsmen—would be dressed in white tuxedoes, red straight ties and white suede wingtips. Savian would be the only one dressed in all white, except for the red rose with holy berry accents in his boutonniere. She couldn’t wait to see him.
“It’s time ladies,” Regan said as she came into the room.
Her hair was raven black this time, pulled away from her face and to the side in a neat chignon. Adriana came in behind her with her hair in the same style, her smile bright as she looked at Jenise through the mirror.
“Thank you all so much,” Jenise said as she looked at these women who each meant something special to her.
“Don’t you dare cry,” Regan warned and stepped forward to fan her hand in front of Jenise’s face. “If you start, we’ll all begin boo-hooing and that is simply not acceptable.”
“She’s right,” Morgan added and pulled the veil over Jenise’s face after she’d given the okay.
“It’s time to get married,” Marianne said from behind Jenise, a wide smile on her face.
“Yes ma’am,” Jenise said to her mother. “It is time to get married.”
She’d never thought she would be saying those words to her mother and with as much anticipation as she was feeling. But here she was, on a sunny Christmas afternoon about to go downstairs and marry the best man she’d ever met.
Jenise almost teared up again as she walked down the stairs. Along the railings the real pine garland that had been hung yesterday, was now lit with white twinkle lights that glittered off the marble floors. There was more garland draped over all the entryways, shining with light. In the center of each entryway was also a fresh sprig of mistletoe. As she walked through the house Jenise marveled at all the Christmas touches and the sweet smell of pine wafting throughout the air.
“We’re ready for you now,” Tate said from where she stood by the French doors that would lead out to the courtyard.
White silk drapes had been hung at the doors so that the guests—only the members of the Donovan and Langley families because she and Savian had wanted the ceremony to be private—could not see her as she stood inside. In about two hours they would head out to Briza on the Bay for the reception. Tate was acting as their coordinator while Jenise stood by the tree, posing for a picture that Lyra, their photographer had motioned for her to take.
Music began playing, an instrumental version of “Silent Night” with the gorgeous sound of the harp for emphasis. Tate motioned for Marianne to come forward and when she opened the doors, Adam Donovan was waiting on the other side to usher her mother down the aisle. Next up was Adriana, red and white rose bouquet in hand. Regan followed her moments later. And then it was time for Briana. She was the absolute cutest flower girl that Jenise had ever seen wearing a white dress with a huge red satin sash and back-tied bow at her waist, and red rose petal appliques around the hem. On her mother’s command she stepped up to the door, curly tendrils of hair framing her face, mistletoe tucked into the tight bun on top of her head.
Tate bent down to kiss her daughter’s forehead and whisper something in her ear. Briana looked up at her mother with nothing but love in her eyes and smiled. She stepped through that door with her white basket in the shape of Santa’s sleigh, filled to the brim with red rose petals and holly berries. She would drop them both down the white runner as she walked. Jenise felt herself getting misty-eyed as she imagined it, since Tate had closed the doors again.
“It’s almost your turn,” her father said as he came to her side. “You ready?”
Jenise looked into Bradford Langley’s stern dark eyes. His thick mustache and beard covered most of his face, but his high cheekbones rose as he slowly smiled. She nodded at him. “I’m ready.”
“Then let’s do this
,” he was saying just as they looked up and Lyra snapped another picture.
The music changed to a slower version of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas”. Her father chuckled at first, then he threw his head back and laughed. Jenise didn’t know when the last time she’d heard her father so genuinely happy. It made her smile as he tucked her hand between his arm.
“Only my child would select this for her wedding march,” Bradford said in his booming voice. “Only my child indeed.”
“I like it,” Lyra said, humming along with the music.
They approached the door and that was the first time Jenise felt a flutter in the pit of her stomach. She was about to become a married woman.
The doors opened and her father began to move. Jenise did not.
“Jenise?” Bradford called to her as he looked back.
She took a deep breath, letting the music play in her mind and remembered the first time she’d heard this song with Savian. They’d been in her apartment and he was placing the angel on top of her tree. She’d been staring at how delightful his ass looked in the jeans he was wearing while Mariah was shouting ‘baby, all I want for Christmas is you’. The thought made her smile.
She looked up to her father and said, “Let’s do this.”
The walk was short, the smiling faces staring at her were not only friendly, but familiar and comforting. It was lovely out here with the pergola draped in white twinkle lights and bouquets of mistletoe all around. Beneath it stood the minister from Ms. Carolyn’s church, and lined up neatly in front of him were her friends and family…and her husband-to-be.
Savian was gorgeous in his white tuxedo, shirt and tie. The red holly berries on his lapel made her giggle and when his lips spread into a huge grin in response, her heart melted. She was doing the right thing, marrying this man on this day was definitely magic.
It seemed like only moments later when Savian had finished reciting his vows to her that he slipped the gorgeous diamond encrusted band onto her finger. It glittered against the marquis cut chocolate diamond engagement ring he’d given her. His band was platinum with only two diamonds in the center. One for him and one for her, together, always.
The kiss was also magical as the band they’d hired had begun to play “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” and everyone clapped.
“I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Savian Omar Donovan!”
More applause and smiles and Jenise was officially the happiest woman alive.
#
Three hours later, Savian danced with his wife again. This time, he’d selected Charlie Wilson’s “You Are”.
“You are beautiful,” he whispered as he’d taken her in his arms in the center of the dance floor.
He’d had to admit the place looked magnificent with all the white satin and lights, red tablecloths and different sized vases filled with red berries, rose petals and white floating candles.
“I love you,” she replied.
“Today has been truly magical,” he told her.
She closed her eyes when he touched his forehead to hers. “Thank you so much,” she said.
“No,” he responded with a slight shake of his head “Thank you for loving a battered and confused man like me.”
She’d looked up at him then. “You’re my man now,” she whispered. “All mine Savian Donovan.”
“And you’re all mine, Jenise Donovan.”
He’d kissed her lightly on the lips then because anything more and he’d want to leave for their honeymoon immediately. Thankfully, the song ended soon and they were able to return to the head table where they’d been seated.
“Let me get another picture of you two,” Bailey said coming up to the table using her cell phone camera. “I cannot believe you’re finally married. You’d better take really good care of her because we don’t want her giving you back.” She joked.
Jenise had leaned in, wrapping her arms around him. “Don’t worry I’m never letting him go.”
“So there,” Savian said with a quick lick of his tongue before Bailey snapped the picture.
She went away laughing and Briana appeared with Linc’s twin daughters, Torian and Tamala.
“Uncle Sabe,” she’d called to him.
When he’d first met Briana she hadn’t been able to pronounce his name, which wasn’t a shock. Savian couldn’t remember how many times his name had been mispronounced when he was in school. She’d shortened it to Sabe and the name had stuck. In fact, he never wanted to hear her call him anything else.
“Yes ma’am,” he replied as he looked down into her pretty face.
“We want more cake,” Briana told him without preamble.
“We can get it ourselves, but we had to ask a grown up first,” Tamala, the taller of the seven-year-old twins announced.
“Well, then I guess I have to be the grown up that tells you to eat as much cake as you like,” he told them with a smile. Savian reached out to tweak each of their noses and loved the sound of their responding giggles before they ran off.
“They’re going to be sick to their stomachs tonight and Trent is going to have your head,” Jenise said from beside him.
“I’m not afraid of Trent,” Savian said. “He’s not walking around with a machine gun on his hip anymore.”
Jenise had just begun to chuckle when the room suddenly went dark. Savian stiffened beside her.
A light came on soon enough but it was in the center of the floor. A weird sound signaled a projector screen that had begun being lowered. Everyone around them went quiet, looking expectantly at the screen as if it were a part of the reception. Savian knew it was not.
There was a flash on the screen and then a picture appeared. It looked like some type of party with young people mulling about and music playing in the background. In just a few seconds a familiar face appeared on the screen. It was Uncle Bernard, at least thirty years earlier. Uncle Henry and Uncle Al appeared right after, the three of them sharing a drink and congratulating Uncle Henry. Uncle Bruce, Uncle Everette and a much younger Reginald joined them for the toast and then a cake was wheeled over. Uncle Henry was graduating from college.
Savian did not like this. He looked further down the table to where Parker was sitting. His brother was frowning at the screen as well.
The party scene faded out and the front entrance of a hotel appeared. Going into the hotel was Uncle Henry. Another scene change and the sound of airplanes taking off echoed throughout the room. That scene switched to what looked like another hotel where an empty glass and a wig were on the nightstand, next to a watch that had a name engraved in it—Bernard Donovan. There was another scene, this time of the front of the Donovan Oilwell building in Houston which was quickly replaced by a close-up shot of Uncle’s Al’s house in Houston, Aunt Darla’s favored black Camaro parked in front, signaling the picture must have been taken before she died.
By this time Henry and Bernard had stood. Trent did as well, looking around the room for Devlin, Savian suspected. Devlin had sent him a text message saying he’d decided to stay in Miami once he heard all of the Senior Donovans were coming in for the wedding and Savian had invited him to join in the festivities. However, he couldn’t say he remembered seeing Devlin at all today.
When the final scene appeared on the screen, Jenise reached for Savian’s hand. It was of a baby lying in a hospital bassinet. The card at the end of the bed read ‘Dane Henry Ausby’, but ‘Ausby’ had been scratched through and above it ‘Donovan’ had been written in. There were audible gasps and Savian was about to stand up and to go find out who the hell was running this little slide show. But then the screen went totally black, read letters appearing one, by one until it read, MERRY CHRISTMAS, DAD, and the letters began to run and fade like blood.
…meanwhile
The First Time
Bailey was unusually edgy tonight. She’d felt that way since Savian had opened that box with the clock in it last night. Sleep hadn’t come quickly and so, in the morning she’d
awakened groggy and out of sorts. Nothing had changed throughout the course of the day, except that her father was acting strangely and her brothers were eyeing her much more intently than usual when they were together.
She did not address the situation with them because she knew that both Brock and Brandon wanted her to return to Houston to look after their father, instead of ‘playing cops and robbers’ with Trent and his company, as they’d so rudely referred to the job she was doing at D&D Investigations. Bailey did not want to return to Houston and she certainly did not want to babysit her father. There was nothing wrong with Al, she’d continued to tell herself. Nothing at all.
He certainly was not getting sick as her mother had.
That, Bailey would not take into consideration at all. And what Bailey did not want to consider, she ignored.
Savian and Jenise’s wedding had been gorgeous. It had also been somewhat eye-opening for her in that if Savian could find love, she wondered why the hell she couldn’t. It could possibly be because she was too stubborn, too opinionated and too picky to find a man.
No, she thought with a shake of her head as she’d walked out of the reception hall, looking down at the picture she’d just snapped of Savian and Jenise, that was definitely not the reason.
When she was pulled quickly away, a hand slapping hard over her mouth, she immediately went on alert. Until he spoke into her ear.
“Turn around and look at me. Look real closely and tell me you don’t want it,” Devlin said slowly, seductively.
“I want it,” she replied without a moment’s hesitation. “I definitely want it.”
“I’m tired of resisting you,” he said, his gaze intent on hers in the dim coat closet, as his hands quickly worked the buckle of his pants free.
She’d reached under her dress, pulling her panties off and tucking them in the bodice of her dress. “I’m tired of playing this game.”
“This means nothing,” he said as she heard him tear open a condom package.
“Absolutely nothing,” she said, taking the package from him and removing the latex. She looked down, taking his hard, hot length in her hands—yes, she needed both—and smoothing the latex over him.
