by Zi'ere
“As for you ma’am, I don’t want to catch you in the Jefferies & Barton building unless there is a fashion show or there are interviews for new models. End of discussion.” Laini shook her pointer finger in front of Amina.
“Sir, yes ma’am, sir!” She giggled in return.
“Oh, my, my, my, my, my, my I show’ll hope Carlos is ready for you tonight!” Zoey sang in a horrible impression of Johnny Gill.
“This is what I like to see! My boo thang been out of the office for two weeks and she still looks fly! The Gods are pleased! Your big sis Laini taught you well honey!”
“Amina, go ahead and toot her horn for her so she can stop setting up the shot!” Zoey joked as she arranged the straps of her duffle bag on her arm.
“Like she said out of the mouth of babes- she knows about everything but love!” Zoey and Amina slapped high fives.
Laini rolled her eyes at both of her sisters and walked over to where Liam was waiting to take them all to their next destination.
“Liam, let’s leave these to misbehaving little girls here. Let them fend for themselves for once in their pampered lives!” Liam only smiled.
“Liam is not going to leave me Laini! You need to get your life cause Liam loves me boo!” Zoey walked up snapping her fingers.
Liam was excited about all the attention he was receiving. Somehow, he got all of the liquored up women safely inside of their decoy truck.
Before Liam put on his stunner Ray Ban shades he winked at Laini via the rearview mirror. He always positioned her in his line of sight.
“Any shopping to be done today ladies?”
He received a hearty “hell yea’’ in return. He was aware of the trip the next day, he would be traveling with Laini as her bodyguard and driver for her and Zoey since all of the other Haywood’s were married. He knew if for nothing else, his boss needed to get him the latest threads to make sure he looked just a good as she did at all times.
“Tempe is it?” Liam again.
“You already know!” Zoey settled back in her seat and pulled out her cell phone.
Each woman followed suit. They all needed to let their men know that they were leaving the city limits to travel a short distance out of state for a shopping trip. Laini began to check office emails. At the moment, she didn’t have a significant other to consult about her whereabouts. The only person who knew she was checking emails pretending to be busy was Zoey. Every email was pertaining to Purple Label Zoey was CC’d on the emails as well. Laini had put a large dent in responding to the department heads on tasks that had needed to be completed by the time their bosses came back from vacation. Every time Laini settled an issue, Zoey gave her a thumb’s up sign. Laini couldn’t understand why Zoey wasn’t involved in a conversation with her prince charming Mekhi though.
18
At Saks and Bergdorf Goodman’s Zoey and Amina shopped until they dropped. Laini only wore Purple Label apparel down to her bra and panties, so there was no need for her to purchase anything clothing or shoe wise. What she did splurge on was a new luggage set. She would be traveling for over a week with the fabulous Haywood’s, she needed every minor detail to be up to par. All attention was on Amina in addition to whether or not she was overdoing her limits considering her recent hospitalization. There wasn’t a hint of sadness and she seemed to be excited. After a wrong turn in Saks, the ladies ended up with the baby department. The shopping trip was immediately over in a matter of minutes.
The tears flowed easily and plentiful. Amina could have handled the notion of everything else being wrong with her heart wise, but to lose two of her unborn babies had a chokehold on her. Good thing she was with her real best friends. Further inspection of the clothing items were proved to her that the clothing wasn’t up to par as to what an official Haywood grandchild should be dressed in. No problems, they needed to be in a more high class baby wear establishment. Laini and Zoey exchanged twin sister looks that thanked the other for dodging the big cannon ball that would have been fired if Amina had officially lost her shit in the store. Getting her back on task from there was easy. In the shoe department, the champagne begin to flow and cash was exchanged for overpriced must have stiletto’s once again for Zoey and Amina. Laini rolled her eyes because she wouldn’t be caught dead in a Jimmy Choo shoe. Amina watched Laini closely. She would respect their purchases but they both knew Laini was plotting to outshine them both in Purple Label shoes that would put their purchases to shame. Amina was all smiles and a devilish grin to herself. Amina guessed her bestie had enough of the shoe whores silliness over Louboutin’s and watched her set off to find Liam.
Amina had an image to maintain and that was outdoing her sister-in-law Stephanie Haywood. Baby Steph was a Diva to the tenth power and sister girl was never caught out of season in anything, ever. Amina had never seen it but she heard that Stephanie had more clothing and shoes than Purple Label had ever produced in their forty years in business. Even though Stephanie’s brothers were now married, her brothers and her father still continued to spoil the thirty year old and their mom frequently. When Laini returned to the shoe department she overheard Amina &Zoey talk of a just like old times sleep over. Laini played big sister roll and reminded them that neither one of them had packed for the five day vacation they all would be departing on early the next morning. Had Laini not been there, there would not have been any wise decisions to be made between the two well liquored up baby sisters.
Liam being accustomed to the dealings of the spoiled brats he was paid to drive around and protect; was prepared to fit and separate the purchases inside of the rented Escalade. He took an exhausted and drunk Amina home first. Laini and Zoey helped her get her things into her humungous closet and put everything away. The twins left Amina in the care of Bella for the evening after hugs and kisses. Bella had prepared dinner for only Amina that night. The Haywood’s would be tying up loose ends up until eight am the next morning because their mom did not allow work to be done on a family vacation that she’d arranged. No one disputed Mama Anna’s direction, not her husband and certainly not her five children and their spouses- end of discussion.
Bella would leave Carlos’ packing to himself, but she had been with Amina since she had been a teenager. She knew the looks Amina would want to pull off as well as other options, even down to the personal items she would need. So instead of Amina having to tackle her closet, she attacked her spa bath tub. She was soaking and drifting off to sleep when Carlos made it home. It was evident that his wife was on an extraordinary high and it did something to him that her spirits were lifted. In a matter of seconds, Carlos was down to his birthday suit and attempting to bare the hot water in the tub. The two relaxed for a few minutes in the turned lukewarm water after Amina rode Carlos to cloud nine reverse cowgirl.
19
Five luxury cars made the trip to Arizona’s countryside to make way to the elder Haywood’s home also known as the Big House. Once the cars were secured in the ten car garage, each member was loaded into a stretch hummer that would be their transportation to the airport. Beside the normal driver for the family, Liam sat in the passenger seat behind him. Laini was the only person in the group, besides Zoey who needed a personal bodyguard. The Haywood men and the even bigger man Steph had married would serve as bodyguards for every other lady. If you did not know the dynamics of the family, you would think these women married possessive men. The reality is that those men loved their women hard. In secret, there were five eyes watching Emani’s every move. Money had been lost on their bet that she would not actually make it on the trip. She was present and accounted for but she did not look happy about it one bit. Amina exchanged knowing glances at her best friends. The ride to the private airport was super quiet. All of the twins were ready for a drink. She could only imagine how tensed everybody else was. By the time they made it to Turks and Caicos, the entire team would be wasted.
The men helped the ladies make it on board safely while the pilot and flight attendants loaded all
of the expensive luggage sets. After thirty minutes of getting seating arrangements straight, it was time for takeoff. Once in the air, the champagne and hard liquor began to flow freely. Amina looked at Laini. Her loneliness was showing on her face and she felt bad for her friend. Amina sparked up a conversation about Laini’s passion for fashion. In a matter of minutes she was sketching and putting ideas together for each of the women on board for the upcoming Black and White Gala ball. No one would be wearing off the rack that year, Laini would see to it. Even though Amina had introduced her best friends in passing to her family, an immediate bond was formed while they were flying beside the clouds. It was official, the Jefferies girls had become official honorary Haywood children.
Amina was feeling weak, but there was no way she would tell everyone. She didn’t expect the treatment to make her feel bad in the days afterward. She made a vow to herself that she would fake it until she made it. She took a B-12 vitamin in pill form and washed it down with a flute full of Moet with strawberries settled at the bottom. Not being pregnant anymore meant she could return to her life of bottoms up with her friends and family. Amina knew they still had a ride ahead so she took the time think of her next move. There was no way a cardiac issue was going to keep her giving her husband everything he wanted. Family was first and that is the way she intended to keep it.
Amina drifted off to sleep listening to all of the interesting conversations going on around her. To her surprise, Emani acted as if her twin sister was an in-law versus someone who she shared space in their mother’s womb with for nine months. Amina kept her thoughts unbothered. She had her other sisters with her and Emani could remain on her broomstick for as long as she liked. Getting closer to the airport on the beautiful island, Carlos made his way back to his seat beside his wife to strap in for landing. Amina felt a tingle between her legs. Her man smelled good all day, every day and she was ready for some alone time. The ride to the Haywood’s vacation home was just as awkward as the first ride to the airport. It seemed as though Emani did her best to stay away from all the other ladies. From what Amina was told Mama Anna took Emani’s cell phone on the flight. Inside of Amina’s spirit she did a cheerleader’s high kick and shook her pom-poms.
‘That’s what her ass gets!’
Amina thought that the chair of elevation and air pressure and beautiful surroundings would make her feel better immediately. She was wrong. She felt dog tired and had no reason why. She had a few dizzy spells but placed the blame on the champagne. Once she was settled into her bedroom inside of the mini mansion, she asked Carlos to put her down for a nap. Her husband understood the language and sexed his wife into a deep sleep. By the time he made it back to the bed with washcloths, his wife was sleeping peacefully.
20
Amina woke to the strong smells circulating throughout the house. Since Carlos was a chef, there was no telling what he had planned to feed his entire family for the next few days. Amina’s stomach began to growl. She needed to get downstairs quickly. Maybe her husband would take pity on her and let her taste his creations before everyone sat down for a formal dinner. Amina threw the covers off of her and reached for the silk robe lying at the foot of the bed. She stood to tie the wrap around her body. In the blink of an eye, Amina passed out and hit the floor with a thud. In her head she heard noises as if a freight train was headed directly for her head. She could hear her then nanny, Zi singing her a lullaby at the same time. In her chest she felt as if her body was being jerked in different directions from each of her arms and legs.
The noises and movements lasted for what seemed like hours. Amina only awakened when her sister-in-law Samantha waved smelling salts under her nose. When she came too she immediately began to cry. For the longest Samantha, Amina, and Laini sat on the floor rocking back and forth in an attempt to calm her down. Zoey came into the room and closed the door quietly. Amina begged the ladies to secrecy. If Carlos found out that she had fainted, that would be the end of vacation. Not to mention what else he would do to prevent her from lifting anything heavier than a feather. The smell of the hospital swept under her nose. There was no way in hell she was going back to the hospital. It took a while to get her wits about her but after a while, longer than anyone expected Amina made her way down the stairs. Her footing was shaky but she asked Laini to take her to the dining room and leave her. She couldn’t perform with the rest of the women bringing out serving bowls of food. Instead, Amina sat at the table looking like the black Barbie doll that she was on the outside but weak and dizzy on the inside.
She made pretty smiles and explanations that she was simply tired when she was questioned about her weary looking face. There were no outside activities scheduled for the family the first night. It was however, poker night. Instead of Mama Anna being the bank, Amina volunteered for the job. She could sit still and exchange cash for chips. She sipped on ginger ale as she watched the women take all of the men folk’s money.
She rolled her eyes at her friends for their constant eye contact they wanted to have with her. These ladies were not the most inconspicuous women around. Amina made a face, balled her hand into a fist, brought the fist up to her right eye, and pointed fingers at her friends. The move was the official sign language that Amina was going to fight them if they didn’t stop drawing attention to her. All of the ladies got the message loud and clear. Poker playing lasted into the wee hours of the morning. Amina’s continuous yawning brought the game to the end. Carlos was gracious enough to carry to their bedroom. Night- night time brought about another session of love making. Amina could not turn down her husband but she wasn’t able to throw it back at him that night. Amina was only interested in getting enough of Carlos’ soldiers inside of her to produce another child.
Amina awakened the next morning to kisses on her bare shoulder. In a matter of minutes she was on her side and Carlos was entering her box in the scissor position. With each stroke Carlos looked the love of his life in the eyes as she stared back at him with matched passion. Every time Carlos hit her with a tap at the bottom of her well, Amina bit her lip in pleasure. Carlos massaged Amina’s breast, pinching both of her nipples at the same time. Amina held on to her husband’s leg, pushing him deeper inside her.
“That’s it baby, that’s how you make love to your wife!” Amina had to start talking noise.
Carlos had been laying the smack down on her lately.
“I know what my wife likes it is my pleasure to please her!” Carlos pumped with each word.
“Ohmigod! Carlos I love you so much!” Amina was swept up the moment.
In that second she did not care about her heart. She didn’t care about the doctor’s advice. She didn’t care about anything but making her husband happy. It was her duty as his wife to fulfill each and every wish of the beautiful, strong, and loving man God gave her. Amina knew that if she kept God in the center of her life, he would give her the desires of her heart.
“There is no way in hell you can love me as much as I love you!” Carlos’ breathing was starting to pick up.
Amina brought herself back to her present feelings. She felt the firmness of her husband continue to slide in and out. She began to match his pumps just as forcefully as he was. Neither could hang on much longer. Carlos got that look in his eyes. Amina knew he was about to cum. She pulled him closer into her even more and began to contract her vaginal muscles. Carlos lost all control. Amina milked every ounce of fluid from his body. Carlos fell back but he wasn’t ready to come out of his warm and tight position in her tunnel just yet. Amina watched him slip into sleep. She grinned to herself. She felt proud. She still had it and that was the best feeling a wife could have.
Amina and Carlos ended up in the shower together. More time was spent fondling and kissing each other than was spent actually getting cleaned. Amina felt there was no way she would ever get tired of looking at her man. Of course he was a chef, but he ate well. He took care of his body inside and out. He was perfect. In her opinion Carlos looked less li
ke his dad than his brothers but that made him gorgeous like his mother. As she washed Carlos’ back, she was daydreaming about what their kids would look like. She would find out. Even if it meant losing her life, she would find out exactly what their kids would look like.
21
As if every couple in the house was on the same accord, everyone gathered in the sitting room glowing from head to toe. Amina began to feel bad for her friends that had come but where not with a significant other. Turns out Zoey had reconnected with her long time on and off again boyfriend Mekhi. Although she was present, Zoey was engrossed into an iPad face time chat. Amina noticed that Liam was Laini’s shadow. She began to question the nature of their relationship for the first time. The two were entirely too comfortable with each other. Amina made a mental note to check out the sleeping arrangements of the two when the sun set. Later on Laini would tell Amina that she was finding it exciting to have made a unique friend connection with a guy named Quese on FaceBook. Amina would have believed this Que person had Laini’s attention one hundred percent, Liam was making his presence known. Emani looked as if she had been sucking on lemons because Mama Anna still had not returned her Blackberry to her. Sometimes Amina felt as if her mother in law had super powers. She felt tension between Emani and Darrell. There was no way no one else couldn’t feel it too.
First order of business for the family was the beautiful beach. With all of the beautiful Haywood women, the handsome Haywood men, the Barton models, and the other women who were just as easily gorgeous- it was like a Vogue photo shoot on the public beach. Every woman, except for Mama Anna wasn’t at all shy in showing off their bodies. Every man, including daddy Greg was showing off beautifully sculpted six packs and swimming trunks. There was no shame to this group’s beauty game. John’s Caucasian wife Samantha had more body than any of the other women of color.
‘She has to be getting her squats in overtime.’ Amina thought to herself.
