Healing Her Heart

by Kimberly Smith

  Edwin rounded the couch just as he saw Denise’s eyes roll back in her head and she started to fall. He caught her before she hit the floor. He scooped her up into his arms.

  20

  Denise came to as Edwin dabbed a cool cloth across her forehead. “What happened?”

  “You fainted. I think you just hyperventilated,” Edwin said softly.

  Denise looked past him to the concerned faces of the others who were all standing over her. She squeezed her eyes closed. Then opened them sitting up with Edwin’s help. She looked at Max and Hank. “Do you really think that I’m his child?”

  They looked at each other and then to her. “Yes, but there is only one way to prove it.”

  “DNA,” Denise said grimly. “He’s not just gonna give us a sample to compare it.”

  “No. he won’t.” Max agreed.

  “Then how can we prove it. We can’t just play a high stakes game of poker and bluff,” Oliver said.

  “Getting a sample of his DNA would be difficult, but there are ways we can do that without him knowing what we’re up to. All we need is some saliva, sweat, blood or hair with the follicle intact.”

  “Yeah, that sounds like an easy enough task,” Denise said sarcastically.

  “Can a DNA test determine if someone is a sibling to someone else?” Ashley asked as an idea came to mind.

  “Yes, it can,” Max said, remembering the recent issue he’d had to clear up regarding his ex-girlfriend Teegan and the child she claimed was his. It had turned out to be his brother and not his son.

  “I know a way we can get a sample of Tiffany’s hair. If you are his daughter, you and Tiffany will share his DNA.”

  Denise hadn’t even thought about the fact that if Bradley Westlake was her father, then Tiffany was her half-sister. She groaned and lay back down on the sofa.

  “Tell us what you have in mind,” Hank said.

  Ashley smiled, “We have the same hairstylist, and Gio can’t stand Tiffany. I’m sure he’d be willing to snatch a few hairs from her head to help us.”

  “This contract goes into effect soon. Will we have enough time to get the hair and have the DNA test run?” Oliver asked anxiously looking from Max to Hank.

  “The DNA test will only take a day or two. The problem is going to be if we can get the hair follicles in time.”

  “You can get the DNA test in a day or two? I thought it took longer than that,” Meredith said.

  “In most cases, it would. It will be a faster process for us because I own a large portion of stock in a particular testing facility,” Max said with a wink.

  “Let me handle getting Tiffany’s sample.” Ashley whipped out her phone and dialed Gio’s number.

  By the time Denise and Edwin left his family’s house, they had a plan in place. Gio had said the Tiffany wasn’t due to come in for another week, but he volunteered to call her and change the appointment to get her to come in in the next few days. Max would arrange for Denise to provide her sample. Hank would handle the legal side of everything for them. If Denise was his child, they would call a meeting with Westlake and give him the news when the results came in.

  **

  Over the next few days, Denise was a wreck. She felt nauseous and light-headed, and she was a bit grumpy. The stress of waiting to find out if this plan was going to work was driving her insane. Edwin seemed sure that it would. She’d given her sample of DNA on Friday and had gone home afterward instead of returning to work.

  She was napping on the sofa when Edwin came home. She woke up as he closed the door when he arrived. “Hey.”

  Edwin walked to her, leaning down for a welcome home kiss. “Mmm, you taste sweet,” Denise said as he pulled away.

  “I was eating gummi bears in the car.”

  “You don’t eat sugary sweet candy,” Denise said as he sat beside her.

  “I know, I just had a taste for something sweet. I hope you don’t have any plans for the rest of the weekend,” Edwin said putting Denise’s feet in his lap and massaging them.

  “Not really, why?”

  “Perry called and said that we need to be in Vegas for his wedding.”

  “Oh my God! He and Felicia got back together.”

  “Not exactly,” Edwin said with a slow smile.

  “What does that mean?”

  “Felicia doesn’t know yet. They flew out for Renee and Lance’s wedding, and things went well on the plane so he’s confident that it’ll be a double wedding and he wants us there. So, if you should talk to her, you can’t tell Felicia what his plan is.”

  “I wouldn’t do that. I guess we need to see about reserving a flight out, huh?”

  “Nope. It’s all been taken care of. Perry went to school with Beth, Max’s sister, so we’re using their private jet. The whole family is going to meet us there, and we’ll stay until Sunday afternoon.”

  “Don’t tell me Max owns a hotel in Vegas too.”

  “No, but he has a house there.” Denise shook her head, smiling.

  21

  Denise couldn’t wait to see Felicia’s face when she opened the door. Denise, Perry’s sister Caroline and Renee’s friends, Celia and Rhonda stood in the hallway outside the room where Renee and Felicia waited for the ceremony to begin. Denise knocked on the door and waited.

  Felicia cracked the door open, peeping out. “What the hell?” Felicia opened the door wider. As they passed her to enter the room, Felicia asked, “What are you guys doing here?”

  Denise hung her garment bag on a hook across the room. “We’re here for your wedding. Your man arranged this. You wanted to get married with your family and friends at your wedding. So, here we are.”

  Felicia crossed the room to where Renee stood. “You knew about this?”

  Renee smiled. There was another knock on the door. Denise let the chapel wedding planner carrying a long garment bag. She passed the group of ladies and carefully took the dress out of the bag. “I knew about this for a bit longer than they did,” Renee said as Felicia looked at the dress being displayed for her. “After Perry told me what he wanted to do, I went back to the bridal boutique and had the two dresses that you liked combined into one.”

  Felicia touched the dress. They had taken the top of the dress with the lace overlay, with the deep v that fit her perfectly and paired it with the billowy silk skirt of the other one she had liked. “It’s beautiful,” Felicia could barely see through the tears forming in her eyes.

  “I took care of finding the shoes,” Denise said grabbing a tissue and handing it to Felicia. She pulled the shoes out of the box she’d carried in, placing them on the floor by the dress. They were incredible with layered lace at the toe and heel, on top of a mesh pump. They would look lovely with the dress.

  Rhonda, Renee’s friend, smiled brightly and clapped her hands together, “Okay we need to get ready. You two have a room full of people out there waiting for you.”

  “Who are you?” Felicia asked.

  Renee laughed, “My bad, Felicia these are my friends. Celia and Rhonda.”

  They exchanged pleasantries and dressed at the same time. Denise and Caroline helped Felicia into her dress and shoes before dressing themselves, then Denise eased away from the others to the lady’s room. She needed a moment alone. She was feeling sick again like she might vomit at any moment.

  It took her a moment to get it together, but by the time she returned to the room everyone was ready. The wedding planner lined them up in the hall. The music began to play, and at the planner’s indication, Renee’s bridesmaids made their way down the aisle. Then Renee, escorted by her brother followed as the wedding march was played.

  Once Renee was standing with Lance at the end of the aisle, it was their turn. Caroline walked ahead of her. Denise looked at Edwin, whose smile made her heart beat faster as she got closer to him. Denise realized that she wanted to do this, get married. She wanted to walk down the aisle and have Edwin standing there to make her his.

  The ceremony was b
eautiful, but Denise couldn’t tell you what the couples said to each other in their vows. Her mind was on Edwin and how the sneaky bastard had made her fall in love with him. She needed to tell him how much he meant to her.

  **

  As the single women lined up to catch the bouquet, Edwin noticed that Denise hadn’t moved to join them. “You don’t want to try to catch the bouquet?”

  Denise shook her head. “Nope.”

  Edwin looked at her seriously, “Don’t tell me you don’t want to get married someday.”

  “I’m content just being in love, but maybe someday we could get married.”

  Edwin wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. He stepped in front of her, looking into her eyes. “Did you just admit that you love me?”

  “I know I’ve never said it before, but I must have done it wrong. Dr. Sexy, I love you.”

  The smiled that Edwin gave her warmed her from head to toe. “Ms. Lewd, you don’t know how happy I am to hear that.” He leaned down touching his lips to hers. Denise wrapped her arms around his neck as his snaked around her waist. He lifted her off the ground as passion overtook them.

  Edwin pulled his lips from her, setting her back on the ground, “What would you say if I said that someday could be today.”

  “I’d say that you’re crazy.”

  “I’m serious. You make me happy, and you frustrate me at times, but I don’t want to live life without you in it. We are in Vegas the marriage capital of the world.”

  “We’ve only known each other like a month and a half. Are you crazy,” Denise said grinning?”

  “I am crazy, crazy about you. What does it matter that we haven’t known each other for a long time? I know enough to know that I’ll never find anyone that I want more than I want you. Marry me, right here in Vegas.”

  She had broken every rule in her book for Edwin. She didn’t have a rule about getting married because she never thought she would want to. Denise shook her head, “This is nuts.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  Denise bit her lip and whispered, “Yes, but I don’t want to steal their thunder. Today is about them.” Edwin kissed her again. He could handle that. The two of them partied and celebrated with their friends for a while. When the couples disappeared to be alone, the others broke off to do their own things. Some went to gamble, some tried to catch a show, but Edwin and Denise found a small chapel and had a simple wedding ceremony.

  Denise was still wearing her bridesmaid gown, and Edwin was still in his best man tuxedo. They stood before the smiling older man who served as their minister while his wife played the organ and the next couple in line acted as their witnesses.

  “Do you Edwin McAlister take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, forsaking all others until death do you part?”

  Edwin grinned at Denise, “I do.”

  “Do you Denise Samuels take this man to be your lawful wedded husband for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, forsaking all others until death do you part?”

  Denise giggled. She couldn’t believe she was getting married and to Edwin. “I do.”

  “By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  Denise giggled through the kiss until that moment when it was no longer funny, and all she could think about was getting Edwin out of his clothes.

  **

  Edwin opened his eyes remembering where he was. He was in Vegas, and he was married to Denise. Edwin sat up, the space beside him was empty. He glanced down at his left hand. Yup the band was still there. The toilet flushed in the bathroom. He got out of bed, crossing the room knocking lightly on the door before opening it. Denise sat on the side of the bathtub, looking pale. She had been holding her hair away from her face. “Are you feeling okay,” he asked, wetting a cloth and pressing it to her head.

  She glanced at him pushing his hand away. She stood and went to the sink. She turned on the water, rinsing her mouth out. Edwin had moved to stand behind her. “I’m feeling a little stupid. I think I’m pregnant. I’ve always been diligent about birth control, but with you, I…” She let her words trail off as she looked at him in the mirror.

  Edwin didn’t like the look on her face as she pushed past him. She looked as if she didn’t see this as good news. He followed her out of the bathroom. “You don’t want kids?”

  Denise picked up his shirt from the floor and put it on, buttoning the top two buttons. She sat on the foot of the bed, “No.” After what she’d been through, she hadn’t ever planned to have kids. She looked at the disappointment on his face. “See that’s why we shouldn’t have gotten married. We don’t know each other.

  Edwin crossed the room kneeling in front of her, “I disagree. We belong together and this baby,” he said putting his hand on her abdomen, “proves that. It’s a living manifestation of my feelings for you. I get that you have been through some awful bullshit, but let’s not let that affect what we have and what we are to each other. I love you, and I love this little nugget that is growing inside of you and I always will.” Edwin wrapped his arms around her.

  Denise took a steadying breath, she put her hands on the sides of his face, looking into his sweet brown eyes. “I’m sorry. I love you. I guess I’m just scared.”

  “I’m not scared of anything as long as I have you. When we get home, we’ll go to the hospital, and I’ll have them run a pregnancy test, and then we’ll know for sure, and we’ll take it from there. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  22

  Denise sat looking out of the window of the aircraft as the rest of the group chatted and talked about the fun they’d had in Vegas. Edwin had been sitting beside her until a few moments ago. Lance and Perry had engaged him in a debate about sports, and he’d moved closer to them.

  Denise was still thinking about the very likely possibility that she was carrying Edwin’s child and that she’d gotten married. “Hey. What’s going on with you? You’re sitting over here all by your lonesome staring at clouds.” Denise hadn’t even noticed that Felicia had sat down.

  “Nothing, I’m just thinking,” Denise said as she turned to her friend.

  “Things look like they’re going well with Edwin.” Denise snorted. Her friend had no idea how well things had gone. “What,” Felicia questioned Denise.

  “I know we haven’t had the time to talk much lately, but a lot has happened in the last few weeks, and we’ll catch up when you have time. I’m delighted that you and Perry worked things out.”

  Felicia smiled, “I am too, but I don’t like this,” she pointed to Denise’s face. “You are always the one to keep me laughing. What’s going on?”

  Denise knew that Felicia wouldn’t give up. “I found out who my biological father is. Well, I’ll know for sure in a couple of days when the DNA test comes back.” That should hold her for a while. Denise wasn’t ready to talk about her own nuptials and possible pregnancy.

  “Who is he? How did you find him?”

  “It’s a long story, and I think that I should wait until the test comes back. I promise I’ll give you all the details when I know everything. I’m sorry if my gloominess is affecting you.”

  “You don’t have to apologize to me. I was just worried. You seem like you’re a million miles away, that’s all.”

  “What are you two whispering about over here,” Renee said standing above them.

  Denise deflected all attention from her gloominess by engaging Renee in talk about what was next for her. She had married the man she loved, had a beautiful baby boy and was pregnant, not to mention that she had a best-selling book. Before long, Denise had pushed her concerns and fears to the back of her mind.

  **

  Denise convinced Edwin to stop at Walgreens to get an over the counter pregnancy test instead of going to the hospital. Denise figured if the home test proved to be positive, she’d verify i
t with her doctor. Denise paced the floor in the living room. Edwin sat watching her. “You’re going to make a hole in the floor. Come sit down.”

  The egg timer sounded, and she walked over to the counter where the test strip sat on a napkin. “It’s positive,” She said holding it up. “Maybe I should take another one, just to be sure.”

  Edwin came up behind her wrapping his arms around her, kissing her neck. “This is the third one. I don’t think that the outcome is going to change.”

  “We’re having a baby.” She turned kissing him. “I don’t know anything about babies.”

  Edwin laughed, “Well lucky for you, I’m a doctor, and I know a little. We have friends with babies, and they’ll teach us the rest.”

  “What if I screw this up? I’m not perfect. I don’t want this kid ever to feel the way I’ve felt.”

  “Hey, I’m not perfect either. We’re going to do this together. So, if our kid is screwed up, it’ll be both our faults. Now, why don’t you tell me about your fears? That way I’ll know them too.”

  Denise believed him when he said that they would do it together. Edwin led her back to the couch, where they sat close together. “Mostly,” she started, “I felt like I never really belonged anywhere after my mother died. Don’t get me wrong, Clarence and Wanda, even Beverly were good to me, but I wasn’t theirs, not really. I don’t want this baby to ever feel like that, like they don’t fit in.

  Then there’s this whole color thing. I’ve had problems with people my entire life. Some people didn’t like me because I was too light or too dark, my hair wasn’t kinky enough or straight enough. Sometimes I felt more persecuted by black people than anyone else. In school girls hated me because, according to them I thought I was better than they were based on my appearance.

  I don’t understand it. Its two thousand nineteen and people still haven’t gotten over our prejudices because someone looks different. You would think that in this day and age, we would be judging people based on the content of their character and not the color of their skin. I don’t want my child to feel like they have to be, or look a certain way to prove their blackness, or to feel bad because they’re not white enough. This may not make any sense to you,” Denise said looking at Edwin.