What parting gift did you give the mother of your son?”
Lynwood head lowered.
“Son did you not realize Vanessa wasn’t like your usual companions?”
“Not until it was too late,” Lynwood admitted shamefully. “I know I was wrong, I make no excuses for my actions. I judged Vessa as I judge all women. Vessa scared me. I’ll tell anyone she beautiful, intelligent, classy, I…,” Lynwood paused, “I was wrong.”
Neither man said anything. “How did you and Mom find out about Martin?” Lyn asked.
Briefly, his father told him how they had met Vanessa. What did this mean, Lynwood thought as his father told him how he and his mother met Vanessa. Did she forgive him for his treatment of her?
“You didn’t ask where little Martin mother is?” Martin asked.
Lynwood sighed. “I assumed she didn’t want to see me?”
Martin nodded. “You will see her soon, the two of you have to forget your differences and talk about my grandson and his welfare. She’s staying with us, for a couple more days, I suggest you try to see her before she leaves; now Son let have dinner.”
Chapter Eight
Vessa was successful in avoiding Lynwood when he visited these past few days. Tomorrow she and young Martin will be returning to New Jersey. She also knew she and Lynwood had to make a decision about the baby. This would be the first time she saw him for more than a passing minute. She enjoyed her visit with the Holland’s; they really made her and the baby welcome. They were kind and loving grandparents, she would have no problem letting them keep little Martin. In the short time that she stayed, she has grown to like them immensely. She admired them for not pressing her to communicate with or about Lynwood, and respected her wishes not to see him. Although every time she did see Lynwood, the feelings she thought, lay dormant seem to escape her heart. Vessa had already come to terms with her feelings for Lynwood. He was the only man she could ever love; even with the knowledge, he didn’t share her feelings.
Those months when she carried their child, she felt close to Lynwood. Maybe it was because she carried his son, she wasn’t sure. Once she even decided to tell him about the baby, but his words that day in his office echoed in her head. He probably would have thought she wanted him back. She couldn’t take that chance again with her heart if he rejected her again. After all, she did have her pride if nothing else. Quickly Vessa slipped on a pair of jeans and T-shirt and pulled her in a ponytail.
Lynwood waited in his parent’s library for his meeting with Vessa. Quietly Vessa entered the library. Lynwood stood with his back to the door leafing through a book. Vessa fell in love the Holland’s library. The ambience of the room gave her a warm, cozy feeling, and she greatly admired the ceiling to floor bookshelves.
Lynwood final turned an acknowledge her. “Hello Vessa,” he greeted cordially.
This was the first time he has seen her for more than a passing moment since she had been staying with his parents. His heart pounded in his chest. She was as beautiful as he remembered. He knew the time would come when he and Vessa would have to meet yet still the sight of her gave him pause.
“Lynwood.” She spoke in a cool tone.
Vessa felt the way his eyes trailed her from head to foot. She gave him the same courtesy. Vessa moved to sit in the chair positioned in front of a large mahogany desk.
Her heart pounded. She thought she was prepared for this meeting, but her heart revealed she was not. The incisive pounding in her chest made her feel lightheaded.
“Shall we begin?” Her voice icy. Lynwood moved to sit behind the desk. She wanted to do this as impersonal as possible.
“I’m glad you came,” he stated.
“Well we do have a son, I’m resigned to the fact that, for Martin’s sake, we should try to be cordial to one another, I suggest we deal as you would any business arrangement.”
“Vessa, you're make this so cold and unfeeling, for god sake. You gave me a son, there has to be some emotion inside you about all of this.”
“I do have feelings about this, you are his father, and therefore, you should be in his life. I simply don’t want you in mine. I think it is best if we deal with this as simple as possible, for a common goal,” she stated coolly. She unfolded the list of obligations she composed. Lynwood stared at her bowed head reading the slip of paper.
“Vanessa I will not let you run over me. We will discuss this like two normal parents. My son is not a business arrangement.”
Calmly she spoke coming to her feet. “You are no position to make demands Lynwood, if it had not been for your parents, you would have never known you had a son.”
Lynwood was on his feet quickly. “And that is another thing, you should have felt compelled to inform me, you were pregnant. It didn’t matter that you were angry with me, that news should have taken precedence over any anger you harbor for me.” He replied tersely.
Vessa body tensed, and her temper quickly flared.
“Anger Lynwood, I stopped being angry with you a long time ago. Hate Lynwood, try hate. I hated you for months for the way you treated me, the way you embarrassed me front of your friends, but worse than that I hated myself even more. How could I have ever thought I loved you is beyond me. I hate you; I hate the sight of you and I will not allow your heartless nature to rub off on my son. The negotiations are over; we are leaving tonight. I won’t give you the opportunity to hurt my son when you get tired of him.” She spun heading for the door.
Before her hand was on the doorknob Lynwood her pinning against the door. Vessa gasped surprised and somewhat afraid. She pushed him, he did not budge, and he looked down at her just as surprised as she did at his reaction to her outburst. Lynwood stepped back. Her declaration of her hate stabbed in his chest. Lynwood turned from her so he could regain some composure and taper down his volatile temper. Reassured he had control, he turned dark, angry eyes meeting angry hazel ones.
Outside the door, Lynwood’s parents listened to see if all was well. Right now, it was silent, that surely was a healthy sign. Edie and Martin smiled at one another, turned to leave. The following words stopped them.
Lynwood chuckled callously. “Since you hate the sight of me and my son looks so much like his father, should I fear you turning that hatred on him? Tapping his chin as if in deep thought, he continued harshly, “Maybe I should seek counsel on this situation for full custody.”
Vessa gasped blood rushing from her head. Calmly she asked. “Why do you get so much joy in hurting me Lynwood? I wonder if you can love him, since you can’t love anyone else, but know this, if that is your choice, I will die fighting for him,” she retorted. “Why would I subject my son to you?”
“There you are mistaken Vanessa, as I told you, it’s you, I can never love, I loved my son the moment I saw him.” Instantly Lynwood regretted his words. His head dropped.
Vessa felt that old grief at his words. A pain that was always there simmering in the recesses of her heart. She quickly turned from him. You fool you have always known that, she thought. Tear blurred and stung her eyes.
The door opened, Lynwood’s parents entered concern on their faces looking at emotional couple.
Taking a deep breath, Vessa smiled tightly at his parents and then turned to face Lynwood. She looked unwaveringly in his eyes.
“Vessa...,” Lynwood softly said her name.
She raised her hand. “Its fine,” Vessa spoke praying her voice did not break. “You’ve said nothing I don’t already know, this is not about us, it’s about our son; what is it that you wish?” All she wanted was to go as far away from Lynwood as soon as was humanly possible. She won't embarrass herself like the last time he uttered those same words, despite the fact she was falling apart.
“I would like is surname to be Holland, after all he is my heir.” Lynwood replied tightly, knowing she would not agree.
“I would like that also,” she agreed.
Surprised reflected in his eyes. Lynwood exhaled a breath he did not realize he held.
He continued.
“I will give you five thousand a month in child support.”
“Only if it's in trust…,” She replied. Lynwood nodded.
“I’ve also set up a college trust fund for my son of…”
Vessa interrupted. “Whatever it is I will match it.”
“I want to visit every two weeks and have him for one month every summer.”
“That’s fine as long as I know when to expect you.” Without another word, Vessa turned from him. She smiled at Lynwood’s parents. Her throat tightened. If she didn’t leave this room, she was sure she would disgrace herself yet again.
Vessa took the Holland’s hands. “Mr. and Mrs. Holland, thank you for welcoming me and Martin into your family,” she said hoarsely. The tears she forbade filled her eyes. “It’s you, I could never love you Vanessa,” echoed in her head.
“Vanessa you are family, you didn’t have to tell us about the baby, yet you did and we are so very grateful,” Mr. Holland said smiling at her. Vessa tried to return the smile, but her lower lip trembled. Edie squeezed her hand.
“You will come sometimes when little Martin visits?” Edie invited.
Vessa didn’t respond, just smiled.
“Of course, she will,” Martin stated firmly.
“In six weeks, I’ll bring Martin to see you before I fly to Las Vegas on business, if it’s okay maybe he can stay while I’m away?”
“Yes honey, we will be glad to have him, and you too sweetie,” Edie replied pulling Vessa into her arms and hugged her tightly. “I so sorry baby,” Edie whispered.
A tear then flowed down her face. She hugged Mr. Holland. “Everything has a way of smoothing out, you’ll see,” Martin Holland whispered.
Vessa eased away. She smiled sadly. “Thank you so much,” she said and hurried from the room.
Lynwood parents glared at him.
“I take it, you heard, Lynwood commented.
“How could you say those horrible words Lynwood?” His mother asked. “You could never love her. Why? I know we have just met her and I pride myself in my judgment of people, she a wonderful, beautiful young woman.”
Lynwood rubbed his hand over his head. “I didn’t mean them, just like I didn’t mean them before, she struck out, and I struck back.”
Edie gasped. “You’ve said those hurtful words before?”
Lynwood nodded his head curtly.
“Son what’s come over you?” His father asked.
Lynwood moved to her window looking out. “When she said she hated me, it hurt, I struck back.”
“You know she didn’t mean that Lynwood,” his mother said gently behind him. “I think she still loves you.”
Lynwood turned quickly to look at his parents, hope sparking in his heart.
Seeing Vessa again has turned his world around. All he wanted was to hold her and tell how much he missed her. Hell, he didn’t even thank her for giving him a son.
“You don’t want to love her, Son?” Martin asked solemnly.
Lynwood shrugged. “I don’t trust it or women…,” he commented.
“Because of Bea Thompson,” his mother interjected. Lyn did not answer.
“If you have never listened to me before Lynwood, I want you to hear me now. Bea was always a woman not to be trusted, you cannot judge all women by one; it clouds one's judgment.”
“I was not so wrong was I, Mom, she never told me about the baby.” Lynwood opposed.
“If I were rejected like you rejected her, I would not have told you either,” his mother said stiffly.
Lynwood’s head dropped.
Vessa lay curled up on the bed clutching the pillow to her chest, and cried heart-wrenching tears. She thought she had no more tears to shed over Lynwood Holland, yet here she was again crying out her grief over a man she knew could never love her. A man she still loved and would probably love the rest of her life.
Chapter Nine
Vessa threw herself into business. She refused to leave her son behind when she traveled, so when she traveled so did Martin along with his nanny. She would stay a few days in Atlanta as she promised, and then she would fly to Vegas to settle her business there.
Every two weeks Lynwood visited his son, Vessa was never around when he came. She saw to that. She didn’t need to be reminded how he felt.
The relationship Vessa built with the Holland’s was extremely important to her. She kept in touch with Lynwood’s parents, calling them at least once a week and looking forward to seeing them again.
When they landed in Atlanta, a limo waited for them. Of course, Edie insisted they stay with her. When they arrived, Edie and Martin excitedly waited at the door for them. They hugged her taking Martin from her arms. She instructed the limo to wait for her, as the driver carried the bags inside.
“Hello sweetie,” Edie said cheerfully. Vessa smiled.
“Hi, Daughter,” Martin recently took to calling her. “You looked tired sweetheart,” he said hugging her.
“I am, but I have to go to the Atlanta office for a while.” She told them.
“Daughter, you’re supposed to be relaxing now.”
“Dad, I can’t, I’m working on this big deal.”
“Really, what is it?” He inquired.
“I wanted to keep it quiet, until everything was settled; I guess can tell you, I’m opening a store in Vegas, it's not final yet but close.”
“That’s great baby,” he said smiling proudly.
Martin Holland had come to admire Vessa Sanders; she maintained a multimillion-dollar company all by herself. She was a strong black woman and a devoted mother to his grandson. Her only weakness was his son.
“I’ve worked hard for this, Dad, so I need to go to the office just until dinner.”
She kissed them all. “See you later,” she said waving.
“At least freshen up, baby and change your clothes,” Edie called after her.
“No time, Mom, I see you at dinner, I promise.”
She turned to go to the waiting limo only to run into Lynwood. He caught her before she could fall backward holding her longer than necessary. Quickly Vessa stepped back.
“Hi Vessa,” he said.
“Hello Lynwood.”
“You okay.”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
“You look good, a little tired,” he said noticing the faint circle under her eyes.
“You too,” she answered. It amazed her how Lynwood still affected her.
“See you later,” she said going to the waiting limo. Lynwood stared after her, until she slipped into the car.
“How’s my boy,” Lynwood reached for his son.
He and Vessa had not been alone together in the weeks she returned to her home. When he visited Martin, he always held the hope that he would see her, but he never did. Lately, all he could think of was Vessa. He wanted her, no damn it, he needed her. His need for Vessa ruled his baser instincts. All he could see was Vessa face. He dated several women in that time. None compared to his Vessa. What was wrong with him? Women threw themselves at him, he was known womanizer, but he could not think pass Vessa. Damn her.
Vessa returned in time for dinner as promised, bringing along introducing Eric Jensen to everyone at the dinner table, her Atlanta store manager. A tall, handsome man and extremely attentive to Vessa. Lynwood was getting ready to leave, but when he saw Eric, he decided to stay for dinner.
Eric sat beside Vessa while Lynwood fed Marty. Eric talked with everyone except Lynwood. Lynwood’s mood bordered on rude. He tried to focus on feeding his son.
Who was Eric Jensen? He wondered glaring across the table at Vessa. If she thinks to flaunt her new lover to his family, she had another thing coming, and if she is recruiting another man to be a father to their son; not while he had an opinion about it.
Lynwood watched as Eric sucked up to Vessa while she continuously smiled at him. Why should he care if she sees him? He thought. “Because she yours!” A voice shouted to him. L
ynwood wiped his mouth and tossed down the cloth, sick of hearing Eric constant praising Vessa.
Edie watched Lynwood glaring at Eric and Vessa. He was jealous. Serves him right, Edie thought. He has flaunted all sorts of women around town. Well now it’s time Vessa started dating.
“So, what is it, you do again?” Lynwood directed his question rudely to Eric. Vessa glared at Lynwood.
“Eric is very important to Vessa’s Lynwood. He is the general manager of all the stores, you know that Lynwood.” Vessa replied glaring at him.
“Yes, Vessa I‘m sure he is, I asked what he does exactly?” Lynwood replied snidely.
“Lynwood…” Vessa starting to reply.
“It’s okay Vessa,” Eric said mildly.
“Mr. Holland, my job may not be as powerful as yours, I only deal with the financial aspects of Vessa’s, you know, the stocks, and the ventures of potential new sites, and increasing Vessa’s interests, in layman’s terms, I’m just an ordinary financial advisor.
Vessa noticed the sharp look of surprise that quickly passed across Lynwood's face and smiled. Edie and Martin coughed to cover their chuckles. Dismissing Lynwood’s rudeness
Vessa stated. “I’m trying to convince Eric to come to Vegas with me,” Lynwood heard Vessa saying. This statement not only surprised Edie and Martin, Lynwood was equally surprised. Lynwood glared at Eric, his mood worsening.
“Vegas?” Lynwood said with a question in his tone.
“Yes,” Vessa said softly. “I’m opening a store there,” she informed him.
“Congratulations Vessa.” Lynwood replied blandly.
“So Eric what do you say? All-expense paid, and you can bring your wife, first class, she’ll love that.”
Everyone at the table exhale. They all had the same thoughts as Lynwood. Instantly after hearing Eric was married, Lynwood’s elated heart leaped in his chest. Eric was married. Lynwood smiled.
“Oh yeah man,” Lynwood said smiling, “Your wife will love Vegas, I can tell you some great places to take her.”
Vessa’s eyes narrowed on him. All of a sudden, Lynwood had a lot to say to Eric when earlier his attitude bordered on rude. Vessa shook her head and sighed. She will never understand him. She looked at Marty, noticing he was getting sleepy.
One Night (Found Love) Page 8
