Doctor Feel Good: A Novel From The Be Yours Series

by Saffire, Blue

  “The way they looked at me. Like garbage or shit under their shoes. Me and my children will never be accepted by them,” she murmurs.

  “My life is here in America. What my family does in Iran is their own business. What they accept is their problem, not mine. We will not live waiting for them to accept who we are.”

  “But they’re your family.”

  I turn her to face me. The pain in her features slices through me. I can see this is about more than my family. Her father still isn’t receptive of me. The rest of the family has warmed to the idea of me as her husband but her father has remained set in his way.

  “And I love them for who they are. However, this is my life. I will not be forced to do things that make me unhappy, nor will I ask my wife to. Our happiness… that’s my goal.”

  “What about my safety? You were worried about my safety before. Now that they know about me, doesn’t that change things?”

  “No,” I say tightly. “The message was made clear that this is my life. I don’t know why they’re here. I’ll find out. However, you’re safe.”

  “Okay,” she nods but I can still see the worry etched in her face.

  “I love you, Divine. This changes nothing.”

  “All right. I’m tired. I’m going to take a nap.”

  I clench my jaw and nod. I let it go for now. There’s nothing more I can say.

  Chapter 31

  Not Having It

  Omid

  Divine has been fast asleep for hours. I don’t know how I feel about that. She’s had insomnia for weeks. Now she’s sleeping like a baby. This stress isn’t something I want for her.

  I just may ask everyone to go to a hotel. Out of sight, out of mind. I rest my head in my palms as I sit on the couch with my elbow on my thighs. The same couch that Divine and I sat on just yesterday, laughing and talking about our future.

  With her birthday in four months, I’ve already started to plan something for her. That’s where my mind was as I talked on the phone with the party planner. Now, I’m planning to strangle someone if my wife is even the least bit unhappy when she wakes.

  “Hey, you,” her sleep heavy voice pulls my attention from my thoughts. I lift my head to find Divine in one of those sundresses I love.

  She reaches to run a hand through the front of my hair. The worry from last night still in her eyes. I place my hands on her stomach and kiss her swollen belly repeatedly. She releases a smile.

  “Come here,” I say, gently pulling her into my lap.

  “You know I’m too big for this?”

  I peck her lips. “You will always be just perfect for my arms. Are you hungry?”

  “Is that even a question? We’re always hungry.”

  “Navid has brought in a chef. He’s making a spread for everyone. I’ll go get you a plate,” I say.

  She stiffens. “Everyone?”

  “Yes, my parents remained.”

  She drops her head and starts to crack her knuckles. “Oh.”

  I can see her thoughts racing. Her brows furrow. I swear I can see her ready to take flight. I won’t allow it. She belongs at my side.

  I lift her chin with my fingertips. Searching her eyes, I place a soft kiss on her lips. “They will go before you do. I told you last night, nothing will change. You have nothing to worry about.”

  She releases a breath and nods her head. However, she’s still not trusting in my words. I go to reassure her again, but Navid and Sassa enter the room.

  They’re both carrying two plates of food. Divine’s stomach rumbles, causing my priorities to turn to feeding her. Navid hands me the plates in his hands as Divine moves to take a seat next to me. When she settles I hand her the one with all her favorites on it.

  Sassa hands a plate to Navid and they take seats in the two accent chairs. Sassa has her eyes on Divine as a huge smile covers her face. The excitement in her eyes speaks so much of the supportive mother she has been to me all of my life.

  “You’re having twins?” Sassa asks when she can no longer contain her excitement.

  “Yes,” Divine says covering her mouth as she chews.

  “Oh, forgive me. Eat, eat. We can talk later.”

  “It’s okay. You’re Omid’s Anne Sassa, right?”

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  Divine gives the first real smile I’ve seen since the arrival of my family. Sassa has a way of bringing that out in people. I remember as a boy she was always the one to stop my tears on the few occasions I would have them.

  “Omid speaks very fondly of you.”

  Sassa beams at the comment. I’ve shared with Divine on more than one occasion how important this woman is to me.

  “Forgive me if I am wrong, but I don’t think I am. You’re the young lady he met his first summer here?”

  “She is,” I reply, reaching to brush a hand down Divine’s back.

  “I knew it. He has that look again. I knew he was in love when he returned home at eighteen. No matter how much he tried to deny it. I knew he met someone special.”

  “Good morning,” my mother says as she enters the room with a cup in her hand. The day hasn’t started unless she has her tea and nabat.

  Tension fills the room. While her words are cordial that glare she gives my wife and Sassa aren’t. I grit my teeth and toss my plate on the coffee table. My appetite is gone.

  “Good morning,” Divine replies with a forced smile this time.

  “Please. I don’t know your name,” Baba says as he appears. “I’m Javed. Omid’s father.”

  “Ah, you’re awake,” my mother interrupts. “Good, we’d like to talk to you, Omid.”

  I snort and shake my head, her ability to roll over others is impeccable. I still can’t believe they have just turned up on my doorstep. So typical of them but I’m still pissed that they’ve done this.

  “My name is Divine,” she says to my father who’s still look at her expectantly.

  “This is Omid’s mother, Hana.”

  My mother takes a seat on the loveseat beside him. It’s clear she’s ignoring Divine. My wife does the same. Turning back to her plate as if my father didn’t introduce my mother at all. I laugh internally and lean to kiss Divine’s temple. When I turn back to my parents, my father’s gaze is locked on us.

  “You told your anne that you were busy with a study. It looks like you’ve been up to more than practicing medicine,” Baba says.

  “I have been busy with work.” I shrug. “I have also been busy with life.”

  I place a hand on Divine’s stomach and she covers my palm. Our little ones are up and moving around. I allow the presence of the three of them to keep my calm.

  “How long have you been married? Were you married when you arrived in Iran for your last visit?” My father continues his interrogation.

  “No, I wasn’t married then. We’ve been married for two months now,” I reply.

  My father sits forward in his seat as his gaze bounces between the two of us. “But she was pregnant then?”

  “I wasn’t aware at the time, but yes, she was.”

  He nods.

  “Gulzar is a good match for you. Her family is a good match. You’ll do well to marry her. If you pass on this engagement it’s going to get harder to find situatable matches for you,” my mother says.

  My father pulls a hand down his face before opening his mouth to speak. I can’t, I just can’t. I’m not going to tolerate this disrespect in my home. I don’t know what they thought they were coming here to do, but I’m not having it. My mother hears nothing I say to her.

  I explode.

  “I’m not marrying that woman or anyone else,” I roar and tug at my hair. “How can you not understand that I’ve never wanted that life. I told you that I wanted to create my own. Fuck, I run away from you. We didn’t so much as speak for eighteen years.”

  “Omid—”

  “No, Baba. I’m tired of this. Hear me. Divine is my one and only wife. I’m not marrying anyone else.
You don’t like it, you do what you must, but if that means threatening my wife and children, you can get out now. You were warned. My family is off limits.”

  “Omid stop this,” my mother snaps.

  “Let’s go. We have a plane to catch,” I say to Divine.

  “You’re leaving?” My father stands with a frustrated expression on his face.

  “You arrived unannounced. We had plans.”

  I’ll be blue in the face before I get through to my parents. I’m done here. I hope they’re gone when we get back.

  Chapter 32

  New York

  Divine

  I breathe and rub my lower back. It’s been hurting more than usual today. Taking a few more cleansing breaths I try to calm my nerves. My mind has been full with so much since Omid’s family dropped in on us. Not to mention, Sassa finding her way on the plane with us.

  I wince at the discomfort and shift on the couch a little. After a couple more breaths some relief settles in. I just need to relax. Everything back home can wait. We’re here to have a good time.

  “Hey, you,” Val says as she sits next to me on the couch in her living room.

  We’re having dinner here tonight. My baby shower is tomorrow afternoon. Val and Uri insisted that Omid and I stay with them for the few days we’ll be here in New York.

  “Hey.”

  “You want to talk about it? You’ve been somewhere else since you arrived, it’s not like you.”

  I comb a hand through my hair and scratch my scalp. The frustration building again as my mind combs through all that’s on my plate with the business, the babies coming, things with my dad, and now Omid’s family.

  “I don’t know where to start.”

  “Sassa seems interesting,” she replies with her head tilted at me.

  I grunt. “She’s nice. Nicer than my other in-laws. Omid seems to love her.”

  “That he does, but we’re not talking about him. We’re talking about you. What’s up?”

  I squirm in my seat. I’m angry and hurt every time I give this subject any real thought. I feel like a fool, if I’m honest with myself.

  “My father isn’t talking to me. He feels I’ve made a poor choice with Omid. He warned me that Omid’s family wouldn’t be accepting of me. He told me that I needed to know more about him before things got this far.” I point to my belly. “One of his concerns is Omid taking another wife. Now I’m wondering if this is one of those times when my father is right and I’m just being a hard headed brat.”

  “I see.” She nods. “Maybe I can help a little. We all have a reason for being a part of the Alliance. For Remi and Ramses part of their reason was Omid. The twins do as they please. They wanted that for Omid as well.”

  “The Alliance?” I repeat, looking at her in confusion.

  Val smiles. “Let’s just say while we’re all dangerous in our own right. There’s a lot that makes Omid’s friends and family powerful as well. There are levels to who we are.”

  “There’s also so much you have to understand about Omid himself.” Val and I turn to find Sassa moving into the room slowly. “May I?”

  “Yes,” I say.

  She comes all the way into the room to take a seat. “Omid has been special since he was a little boy. He sees the world differently from others. His curiosity for life makes him question everything.

  “Before his summer here in America he spent a lot of his time glued to his father’s side. However, it was clear he would begin to be his own man. When he returned to Iran, he returned different.

  “A part of him had been left here. It was only a matter of time before he would return. He was passionate about you and the life he wanted to build here.

  “Leaving his home and breaking his engagement put his life and future in danger. I still don’t know what made my husband spare him. I’ve seen Javed become a harsh man in his anger.

  “What I am trying to say is, you mean so much to Omid. You will always come first,” she explains.

  I rub at my chest and frown at the onset of heartburn. I have a lot to think about. In my heart, I know Omid has shown me nothing but his loyalty. His words have matched his actions. However, my mind keeps trying to tell me that my father was right. I rushed this.

  “I’m overthinking everything and I’m hormonal.”

  “This might be true but you’re entitled to your feelings and to express them. It took me a while to understand how much my husband cared for me in the beginning. I wish I could hold up a mirror for you to see what everyone else does when Omid looks at you,” Val comments.

  “But does love conquer culture and beliefs. I’m not Persian. I saw the way his mother looked at me. What if my children aren’t good enough for them and they want him to have an heir that’s… not mine?”

  “Then they will be left wanting,” Omid’s voice pulls our attention. “My love conquers all. I will say this before witnesses because you don’t seem to believe me when I say it only to you.

  “Allah created one blessing just for me. A blessing so perfect it gives to my soul, my heart, my mind, my flesh. A blessing carved to match the depths of who I am, tethering me to a flame that mirrors my own. Divine you’re that blessing. You feed all of my happiness.”

  He moves across the room and pulls me from my seat. Cupping my face he looks me in the eyes. I search his gaze. The love and sincerity I see there calms my racing heart.

  “My belief is that you were made so divinely for me, there’s no need for another. You provide all I need,” he places his free hand on my stomach. “Including the perfect heirs. Outside of you, all else is irrelevant.”

  He takes my lips and kisses me deeply. I’m breathless and a little dazed when he breaks the kiss. He passes his thumb across my lips.

  “I choose you. I will always choose you.”

  I nod. This time allowing it to fully sink in. My doubts melt away as his eyes repeat the words that have penetrated my heart.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, then something beyond.”

  I smile at his words. My shoulders feeling lighter. I’ve forgotten we’re not alone until Val speaks.

  “Shit, Uri. When was the last time you told me something like that?”

  “It was this morning.” He waves her off. “You were moaning too loud to hear me.”

  We all burst into laughter. Omid embraces me and kisses the top of my head. It’s just what I need, when I need it.

  Chapter 33

  Baby Shower Bliss

  Omid

  “You’re… well. You,” Divine stutters as she looks up at Remi.

  He chuckles and tugs her in for a hug. “I’m the man of your dreams, I know. I’m sorry you got stuck with second best,” he teases. “You can call me Remi.”

  Divine laughs as he releases her. “Actually, Omid wanted me to tell you that I was drawn to him first. I was a little disappointed when I thought you were him.” She gives a cute little wince.

  I roar with laughter as Remi looks between the two of us. “I’m horrified,” he says.

  “Don’t be. You looked older and my soul knew who Omid was,” she says with a smile to soften the blow.

  “You were supposed to let it sting,” I grumble.

  “You’re so mean.”

  “You don’t know how these two torture me.” I nod toward Remi and Ramses.

  The baby shower has just started and all of the guests are coming over to crystal covered thrones Divine and I will be sitting in for the afternoon. Divine looks much happier today. For that I’m grateful.

  I’ve been toying with the idea of a practice on the East Coast. Seeing how much Divine cherishes her friends here in New York, it may be something I toss around in the future. Who knows?

  Ramses pushes at my shoulder. “We had to make you tough. Give you thick skin.”

  “If you say so.” I snort.

  “I hope you forgive me for misleading you,” Remi says.

  “I understand.” She lifts her sh
oulders and raises her hands.

  I wrap an arm around her, pulling her into my side and kissing the top of her head. Remi and Ramses watch the two of us, doing that twin thing. Each of their heads tilted slightly as they study us.

  “This was worth it,” Ramses says to no one in particular.

  I look down at Divine. “Yes, it was.”

  I may not have been on the front line of all that my cousins did to make my life happen for me, but I appreciate it all. I owe them so much. I kiss Divine’s lips, feeling humbled and honored to have her in my life.

  “So you have guests?” Remi says.

  Divine stiffens in my hold. I hate that the mention of my parents causes her so much tension. I’m not looking forward to returning in the morning. I don’t know what awaits me.

  I was happy to have Anne Sassa follow us to New York. She and Divine have been able to get to know each other. I think I even see a bond forming within the short time we’ve been here. Sassa is genuinely happy for us.

  “I do.”

  “Have they found out about the practice?”

  “Not that I know of,” I say tightly.

  Remi purses his lips before he speaks. “Rest assured you won’t have any issues as far as your family is concerned.”

  “As for your career. We’re leaving that up to you. We didn’t want to expose you so it wasn’t brought up. I truly think you should sit with your baba and have a conversation.”

  I nod. It’s my only and final response on the matter. This is meant to be a happy occasion. I don’t want to worry about any of this until we return home.

  “Well, here are my gifts,” Remi says, pulling an envelope and gift-wrapped box from his jacket pocket.

  “Oh, I think the gifts are supposed to go on that table,” Divine says.

  I kiss her temple. “Not this.”

  She looks up at me then takes the offerings before retrieving similar gifts from Ramses. I smile at the look of confusion and curiosity on her face. I wink at her.