by Sandi Lynn
“Which friend?”
“You’ll see.” I winked and proceeded to walk to the living room.
Before she could question me, the elevator doors opened and Julia, Jake, and Brayden stepped off.
“Hi, princess.” I walked over and kissed her cheek. I shook Jake’s hand and took my grandson from his arms, giving him a big kiss.
Not too long after, Collin and Amelia showed up and I handed both her and Julia their flowers.
“Beautiful flowers for beautiful women.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” Julia smiled.
“Thank you, Dad.” Amelia kissed my cheek.
I looked at my watch and it was six fifty. Lucas was going to be here any minute, so I gathered everyone into the living room. The elevator doors opened and I stepped into the foyer while everyone was chatting.
“Welcome, Lucas.” I smiled as I shook his hand.
“Thanks, Connor. I will admit that I’m a little nervous.”
“Don’t be.”
I led him into the living room and silence filled the air as everyone stopped talking and stared at us.
“I would like you all to meet my brother, Lucas.”
Ellery walked over and placed her hands on each side of his face with a smile. “Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you, Elle.” He smiled back.
Julia got up from the couch and walked over to him. “I—I—”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who I was yesterday, Julia. I had my reasons.”
She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug. “I knew there was something special about you.”
“What’s going on?” Collin asked.
I introduced Collin, Jake, and Amelia to Lucas and he explained what happened yesterday in Central Park. I walked over to Ellery, placed my hand on her hip, and whispered in her ear.
“We will talk about a little conversation you neglected to tell me about.”
She looked at me with a cocky smile. “Be quiet, Connor.”
I chuckled and we all went into the dining room for dinner. We spent the next couple of hours laughing, talking, and getting to know Lucas better. Collin looked at me from across the table with a smile and gave me a wink. It was a wonderful night in the Black household and everyone was happy.
After dinner, we all went back into the living room and Lucas sat down next to Julia, taking hold of her hand.
“Julia, I’ve given this a lot of thought and I’m going to donate one of my kidneys to you.”
“What? How? You don’t—”
“My blood type is O and as long as everything else is okay, my kidney belongs to you.”
Tears started to stream down her face as she covered her mouth with her hands.
“You’re a very special woman and that little boy of yours is going to have a healthy mom for the rest of his life.”
She began to cry and wrapped her arms around him. “I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless.”
“I think we’re all speechless, sis,” Collin spoke. “Lucas, you are one special dude. Welcome to the family, man.”
“Thanks, Collin. Someone once told me that the Blacks never turn their back on someone in need. Julia, just tell me what I need to do. I’ve decided to move to New York, so I’ll be sticking around.”
“What about your job at Sage?” I asked.
“I quit. There are plenty of high end restaurants here in New York that I can work for.”
“Where are you staying?” Ellery asked.
“I got a room at the Hilton.”
“Nonsense, you’re staying with us until you find a permanent place.”
“Thanks, Elle, but that’s okay.”
She shot him a look and he looked at me. I lightly shook my head at Lucas.
“Okay. If you insist.” He smiled.
“That’s better. I’m going upstairs to get your room ready. Amelia, could you please help me?”
Collin walked over to where Lucas was sitting. “You’re already learning that nobody tells my mom no.”
He chuckled. “She kind of scares me, to be honest.”
“She scares all of us.” I laughed.
“I heard that, Connor!” she yelled from upstairs.
Chapter 44
Julia
Over the next week, Lucas did all the workup that was necessary and he was a perfect match. Dr. Benson was thrilled and scheduled the surgery for tomorrow morning. I was scared shitless, to say the least, but I had my husband and my family by my side. Jake and I took Lucas to dinner alone, while my mom and dad watched Brayden for us. Lucas promised to show me how to make some wonderful dishes once we recovered from our surgery. He was a godsend to me and I couldn’t stop thinking about what Denny had told me that night of the accident and how everything happens for a reason. I knew he was watching over us and I was no longer scared of what was to come. This man, my uncle that I’d only known for a little over a week, was the one who was sent to save my life. He was doing something so selfless and I’d spend the rest of my life thanking him.
As I lay in the hospital bed with Jake by my side, waiting for them to transport me to the operating room, my dad walked in and took hold of my hand.
“This is it, princess.” He smiled tenderly at me.
“It sure is, Dad. Thank you for everything. I can’t believe this is actually happening.”
“Are you scared?”
“Just a little, but I know that Denny will be watching over me.”
“If you see that old man, tell him I said thanks.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
My mom walked over and my dad went to see Lucas.
“We’ll be here waiting for you when you wake up, sweetheart. We’re all here for you and for Lucas.”
“Thanks, Mom. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
The nurses walked into the room. “The team is ready for you, Julia.”
My mom leaned down and kissed my head. “Good luck, baby girl.”
Jake brushed his lips against mine before they wheeled me out of the room. “I love you, Julia.”
“I love you more, Jake.”
As they wheeled me into the operating room, Lucas was already in there. The nurse transferred me to the operating table and I extended my hand to him.
“This is it.” He smiled.
“Yeah. This is it. Thank you again.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s only a kidney. No big deal.” He winked.
That was the last thing I remembered before drifting off into a peaceful sleep.
Chapter 45
Connor
Two Months Later…
Julia’s transplant went well and her body accepted Lucas’s kidney without any complications. Both patients were doing good and Julia was starting to get back to her normal self. Cassidy and Lucas were getting to know each other better and the three of us had dinner together at least once a week. My mother couldn’t bring herself to meet Lucas yet. She said she needed time. Collin and Lucas were growing close and it made me happy to have him as part of our family. We put our past with our father behind us and concentrated on the future.
I stood outside a building on East 76th Street and waited for Lucas to meet me. When the taxi pulled up, he got out and looked at the building.
“So why are we meeting here?” he asked.
“I want to show you something. Follow me.”
I opened the large wooden doors and we walked inside. “What do you think of this place?” I asked.
“It’s cool. But I don’t understand. There’s nothing here.”
“There will be if you’re interested.” I smiled.
He narrowed his eye at me. “What do you mean, Connor?”
“Take a look around at your new restaurant, Lucas.”
“No way. No way! Connor, I can’t let you do this.”
“Sure you can. It’s yours. I bought the building for you to turn it into anything you want. See, we Black men own our own businesses. We don’t wor
k for anyone. They work for us.”
“I can’t believe this,” he said in excitement as he placed his hands on his head. “I just can’t accept this. It’s not right.”
“It’s totally right, little brother. I’ll charge you a monthly rent for the building. Other than that, everything else is yours. This is your restaurant. Turn it into your dream. You deserve it. You can consider me a silent partner if you want. I have a crew who is ready to go over the plans with you to help you get started.”
“I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe this. Thank you,” he said as he gave me a light hug.
“You’re welcome. What do you think you want to call this place?”
“Julia’s. Do you think she’ll mind?”
I hooked my arm around him. “I don’t think she’ll mind at all.” I smiled.
“I need to get my own place. As much as I like living with you and Elle, I need my own bachelor pad.”
“Ellery will be upset. She’ll miss your cooking.”
“She’ll be okay.”
“Are you going to tell her that?” I chuckled.
“I was hoping you would.” He laughed.
****
Collin
Amelia was in the bathroom as I waited nervously on the edge of the bed for her to come out.
“Well, I took it. Now we wait,” she said as she sat down next to me.
I put my arm around her and pulled her into me, kissing the side of her head.
“If it’s positive, it’ll be a good thing, right? If it’s negative, that would be good too.”
She sighed as she laid her head on my shoulder. “Both would be okay. I know we didn’t plan on having kids this soon, but if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I just don’t know if I’m ready to be a mom yet.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to be a dad yet either.”
“I just started my career,” she spoke.
“We just started our marriage. I would have liked some more time alone before we brought a baby into our family.”
The timer on her phone went off and we both looked at each other nervously. “You go look,” she said.
“No. You go look.”
“Fine. We’ll look together.” She got up from the bed and grabbed my hand. When we walked into the bathroom, we both closed our eyes.
“Okay. I have it in my hand. On the count of three, we’ll find out if we’re going to have a baby. One. Two. Three!” We both opened our eyes and looked at the white stick Amelia held in her hand. We both let out a sigh of relief and at the same time spoke, “Oh thank God.”
She set the stick down and I wrapped my arms around her tightly. “It wouldn’t have been so bad if it was positive.”
“No, it wouldn’t have. But it’s not and I’m okay with that.”
I broke our embrace and placed my hands on each side of her face. “Me too. We have plenty of time to start a family.” I softly brushed my lips against hers.
Chapter 46
Ellery
Six Months Later…
The holidays had come and gone and they were celebrated with such joy. Having Lucas here with us, his family, was the best thing that could have happened to us. The opening of his restaurant was in a couple of days and we were so excited for him. Julia was back to her normal self and now that Brayden had started walking, he kept her and all of us on our toes.
I went to Black Enterprises to have lunch with Connor. After speaking with Ethan and Laurinda for a bit, I walked into his office and found him staring out the window.
“Lunch has arrived,” I said as I held up the brown bag.
He turned around and smiled. “So has my beautiful wife.” He turned his chair around, got up and walked over and gave me a kiss.
I wiped the lipstick from his lips with my thumb. “Are you okay? You looked like you were in deep thought.”
“I’ve made the decision to hand over the company to Collin and Julia effective thirty days from today.”
My eyes widened. “What? Are you sure?”
He took the brown bag from me and set it on his desk. Taking the sandwiches from it, we sat down at the round table in his office.
“It’s time, Elle. It’s time I retire and let the kids take over. Just like my father did for me. With Julia back to herself and Collin’s superb business skills and knowledge, I don’t see why I should put it off any longer.”
“That’s wonderful, Connor. When are you going to tell them?”
“I’m planning on telling them next week.”
“They’re going to be so thrilled. I know this must be somewhat difficult for you.”
“Not really. It’ll be weird not coming to the office every day, but it’s all the more time I get to spend with you.” He took hold of my hand and brought it up to his lips.
I gave him a warm smile. “This makes me very happy, Mr. Black. We’ve waited for this day for a long time.”
“We sure have, baby. Start figuring out where you want to go for our first vacation.”
“I’ve already been thinking about that and I’d love to go to Spain. We’ve never been there.”
“Spain it is, baby. Now, it’s just you and me taking on the world.” He winked. “Oh, by the way, we’re flying to California next week. There’s some business I need to take care of there with the art gallery.”
“Oh great. We can see Diana and Jacob, Mason and Landon, and Ian and Rory.” I smiled. “Mason will be thrilled that we’re coming.”
****
Connor
The opening of Julia’s was a huge success. Lucas had done an amazing job with the restaurant and the food critics were already leaving five-star reviews in the food and entertainment section of all the major newspapers. Lucas was a true Black and I couldn’t be happier. Emotions were running high that night as I hugged and congratulated him on a job well done.
“Congratulations, little brother. You deserve all of this.”
“Thanks, Connor. None of this would have been possible without you.”
“Nah. I just provided the building. You did everything else. Look at this place. It’s amazing and look at all the people who have come here to eat your food.”
Peyton, Henry, and Hailey walked through the door and I gave Lucas a pat on the back. “Peyton and Henry are here.”
We walked over to them and I gave them each a light hug. Looking at Hailey, I took hold of both her hands and gave her a warm smile.
“How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m good, Connor. Really good, in fact. I’ve never been better, to be honest.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“Lucas, I would like you to meet, Hailey, Peyton and Henry’s daughter.”
Both of them stood there for a moment and stared at each other. I looked over at Henry and he gave me an odd look. He knew just as well as I did what their stares meant.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Hailey,” Lucas spoke as he smiled brightly at her.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Lucas. This place is amazing. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Would you like a tour?”
“Of course.”
The two of them walked away and I hooked my arm around Henry. “You saw it too?” I asked.
“Yep. I sure did. That was the look of love at first sight.”
I chuckled. “Come on; let’s get a drink.”
Chapter 47
Connor
Ellery and I boarded the plane for California and took our seats in first class.
“I still don’t understand why you couldn’t have the plane fixed sooner.”
“I already told you Elle, that the mechanics were waiting for a part to come in. There’s nothing wrong with flying commercial.”
“No. There’s not. But I like our private plane.”
“Have a drink. You’ll be fine.” I smiled.
I was minding my own business when Ellery tapped me on the shoulder. I looked over at her and she had that look on her
face, the one that she got when she was getting ready to tell someone off.
“What’s wrong?”
“Can we switch seats, please?”
“Why? You love sitting by the window.”
“Not today I don’t.”
I got up from my seat and we switched. I didn’t understand what the hell was going on and why she wanted to switch. She sat down in the aisle seat and I watched her as she looked at the attractive young woman sitting in the seat across the aisle from her. Nervousness was settling through me because I just knew she was going to say something to her. I wasn’t completely oblivious to the woman staring at me and certainly not when she dropped her napkin, got up from her seat, and bent down in the middle of the aisle to pick it up, making sure I took note of her cleavage. Oh boy. I braced myself as the woman gave Ellery a dirty look.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I disrupt your annoying little staring act at my husband? I can guarantee that I’m just as good.” She winked at her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I wasn’t staring at him.”
“Yes, you were. You had your eyes locked on him at the gate even before we got on the plane. What were you hoping to accomplish by your little napkin trick? You can clearly see that he’s married by the wedding band he’s wearing.”
I placed my hand on Ellery’s arm. “Elle, that’s enough,” I whispered.
She ignored me.
“I know he’s probably the best eye candy you’ve ever seen, but it’s very rude to stare. Didn’t your mother ever teach you any manners?”
I rested my head on my hand and closed my eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“Yes, you did. But now, you’ll have the pleasure of staring at me.” Ellery smiled. “Word of advice because you’re still young. Imagine if someone did that to your husband. You wouldn’t be happy about it. Our men are our men and we don’t appreciate other woman gawking at them. Am I clear?”
“Yes. You’ve made yourself very clear.” She turned her head.
Ellery turned to me and grabbed my hand. “You’re the one who made us fly commercial. You knew the risk, Connor. You knew the risk.”
I sighed as I stared out the window.
****
Ellery
