Broken (Endurance)

by Thomas, April

  "Well, they both failed." Tamarius followed Makayla.

  "I knew he’d made deals with different demons. I struggled to understand why. Tamarius this is nothing to worry about. Why are you worried?" Makayla looked at him. "This is why I got away and divorced him. He can't harm me anymore. I don't even know what became of him."

  Tamarius took off his coat and kicked off his shoes then pulled out his shirt and sat on the bed next to her. "Soul Reaper threatened your life." He looked into her eyes.

  "That’s nothing new," Makayla said, looking away.

  "I don't like it."

  "Don't get yourself all worked up. That demon has been trying to kill me for years."

  "It's time that he was stopped."

  "I've tried everything. This is what I was afraid of."

  "Did you think he would get to me?" he asked, feeling offended.

  "No, that's not it. I feel like it’s my mess and you shouldn't have to fight my battles or deal with my problems." Makayla threw herself back on the bed.

  Tamarius stared at his wife and his eyes roamed her stomach. Thoughts of his son growing in her womb excited him. "God placed us together for many reasons. Helping each other, fighting for each other is just one of them. I love you." He looked into her eyes while his hands gently rubbed her stomach.

  "I love you, too," she replied.

  "I'll figure it out. Just promise me you will stay away from there," he whispered.

  Evidence

  Maxwell reclined in an office chair as he spoke on a conference call with detective Ryan Harris and undercover agent Ronald Morgan. The DNA test results had finally come back showing two sets of DNA. Maxwell, still upset that Cressida had been placed in danger by Ryan's half-brain scheme, tried to control his temper while listening to Ryan question him on how they were able to get the evidence. Ryan was worried it would not hold up in court.

  "Mr. Martinez, I need to know how you got this evidence," Ryan told Maxwell.

  "Blake attacked Cressida a few weeks ago. Because I was worried about her, I hired security to keep an eye out on her," Maxwell explained. "To put it briefly, we got there in time to put a stop to Blake."

  "Well, why didn't you call us and let us in on what was happening that night?" Ronald

  questioned.

  "Maybe if you weren't so busy trying to play house, you would have caught on to Blake. He’s not as stupid as you may think," Maxwell snapped, getting mad at himself for losing his cool.

  "I do apologize for placing Cressida in this danger. I underestimated Blake. Please accept my apology, after all it was my idea," Ryan apologized.

  "She is alive and safe now. That’s all that matters at the end of the day," Maxwell said, accepting his apology. "We should have called that night, but I was focused on getting her to safety. Besides, after I got his blood, I didn't want to tip this guy off," Maxwell explained.

  "Tip him off? What if he comes after her again?" Ronald questioned.

  "Since that night Cressida has moved in with me."

  Ronald was quiet. This was news to him. Ronald was now curious about the extent of Maxwell and Cressida's relationship. Ronald Morgan had developed a slight crush on Cressida and had figured rich boy would eventually drop her for some other fling, leaving him open to pursue dating her; maybe becoming a strong and secure shoulder for her to cry on. "What...she lives with you? You’re really putting yourself out for a friend."

  "Cressida is way more than a friend to me," Maxwell replied. "We go way back."

  "Really?" Ronald said.

  "Look, the test; you said that two sets of DNA were found?" Maxwell said, changing the subject.

  "Yes. We did look into the Chimera story. Many things are making sense. His semen and his saliva show different DNA, but the semen matched the blood. When the technicians performed the initial test, they only tested his saliva," Ryan informed him. "This is normal procedure. No one was expecting this sort of situation."

  "What type of body fluid did they find at the crime scene?" Maxwell questioned.

  "Semen," Ryan answered.

  "So, his saliva and semen don't match, but his semen and blood do?"

  "Correct," Ryan replied.

  "So what's the next step?" Ronald asked.

  "I don't get why you guys didn't press charges. You just let him get away. He could be anywhere by now," Ronald complained.

  "As long as she is with me, everything will be fine," Maxwell replied.

  "I’m not so sure about that," Ronald growled.

  "Ronald, can you please act professionally for five minutes?" Ryan interrupted, embarrassed by Ronald's behavior.

  Maxwell smiled at Cressida as she walked into his office. "Gentlemen, I have to go. I will discuss this further with you both later." He pushed the end button on his conference call. "Hey beautiful, how are you doing?" Maxwell greeted as she approached him.

  "I'm good. It's a little strange not going to work every morning," Cressida replied, sliding her arms around his waist.

  "Yeah, well, you can make an office right here. We have extra rooms." Maxwell hugged her as they gently swayed side to side.

  "Maybe, but some of these clients are crazy. I don't think it would be wise to have them coming into your home, especially now that you have your grandson to think of... and your princess." Cressida laughed.

  "Yes, my princess." Maxwell smiled. "Well, for right now, why don't you have a home office? When things are safe and Blake is locked up, you can get an office for your clients to come to you. This is your home, too. I want you to feel comfortable here."

  "I do feel comfortable here." She pulled away from him.

  "Did you find a wedding dress?"

  "I did."

  "Did you pick a date?"

  "I did." She turned to face him.

  "You want to tell the groom so that I can be there?" He smiled and walked towards her.

  "Maybe?" she joked.

  "Maybe?" He smiled.

  "Every since I was a little girl I wanted to get married on Christmas Eve."

  "Christmas Eve?" Maxwell replied. "Most people say Christmas Day, but I like that. The next morning we can open gifts with the kids and then take off for our honeymoon, provided I can get the jet away from my brother."

  "Where would we be going for a honeymoon?" Cressida asked.

  "Hey, you planned the wedding. I get to plan the honeymoon."

  "Don't I at least get to know where?"

  "No."

  "How will I know what to pack?" Cressida asked, trying to get a clue out of him.

  "Come naked." Maxwell laughed as he headed for the door.

  "I will," Cressida joked, as she followed him out the door.

  "What?" Maxwell replied.

  "Hey, you said come naked," Cressida teased, stopping as she felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. Maxwell turned around when he didn't feel her next to him. She answered her phone and was immediately exasperated by the voice on the other line. It was her father demanding that she come back to the firm and speak with him. Cressida argued with him, not wanting anything to do with her father or the firm.

  Maxwell waited patiently, listening in on the conversation. He was aware that it was Charleston.

  Cressida hung up the phone on her father. "I can't believe that man. He is such a jerk."

  "What did he say?"

  "He wants me to meet him to talk about Blake Carter's case. I told him I was off the case. I can't stand defending someone who I know is guilty," Cressida expressed.

  "Well, Blake should get arrested soon. The test results came back. Tamarius was right. Blake is his own twin."

  "Really?"

  "The undercover agent, who I believe has a crush on you, because he does not like me in the least, was shocked, too. The lab found two separate sets of DNA. Do you think the evidence will hold up in court?" Maxwell asked.

  "I'm not sure it’s enough to get him back on the top of the suspects list, but these things can flip flop so easily," Cressid
a explained.

  "I'm worried about who his lawyer will be?" Maxwell replied.

  "I know, I know and I can no longer be a part of the case because I can only testify in court, but then they will want to know why I didn't press charges. We could explain why, but I think they could sway the jury to believe otherwise." Cressida said as she scrambled through her thoughts, answering much of her own questions.

  "Okay, we will think of something. Blake will not get away with murder."

  Cressida looked up at Maxwell as a thought crossed her mind. Her father would find one of the best attorneys to defend Blake just to spite her. She never thought she would see the dark side of her father focused on her. Cressida began to search her mind on ways to prove Blake was guilty. She wanted there to be no doubt in the jury’s eyes about his guilt.

  "Cressida, something wrong? You’re like a deer caught in headlights," Maxwell stated.

  "Oh, nothing... the attorney in me is just running that hamster wheel," Cressida said, smiling.

  "Something will come up. Let's eat, relax and let the creative juices fly," Maxwell said, persuading her to let it go for now.

  "Sounds good," she said as they began to walk towards the kitchen.

  They enjoyed a wonderful breakfast by the pool. Cressida and Maxwell relaxed and looked out at the beautiful clear sky.

  "Let's just focus on our wedding and let the professionals handle Blake," Maxwell said. "We did enough help or damage to the case. Now that they are aware of his condition they will know how to better handle the case."

  "I just want to know for sure he won't get away with murder," Cressida replied.

  "If they found DNA at the crime scene and it matches the DNA we provided then..."

  "That's just it. That evidence won't stick because the judge may see it as questionable," Cressida replied.

  "We don't know that for sure," Maxwell replied. Deep down he knew she was right, but he wanted her to just let the whole thing go.

  "Yeah, things are going to get crazy. The holidays are coming and I still have other cases I need to focus on," Cressida thought out loud. She didn't want to think about Blake any longer. She wanted to focus on her upcoming wedding. "Maxwell, do you think we should have a prenuptial agreement?"

  "It's up to you. Basically my father told me if you feel you need a prenup maybe you shouldn't be getting married. However, things have changed since then. I really don't see the need for it. I want a woman with integrity and if I felt you didn't have integrity then I would not have asked you to marry me."

  "Yeah, I understand. I didn't want you to think I would try to pull a Jenna on you," Cressida confessed.

  "If I felt like you were anything like her, you wouldn't be here." Maxwell looked at Cressida. "How about you? Your father must have billions tucked away for you."

  "I wouldn't know."

  "Do you feel like you need a prenup?"

  Cressida looked at Maxwell and smiled. "No, and I have many of my professional friends who would lose their mind if they heard me turn down a prenup. I'm not after your wealth. I have my own. It may not be as grand as yours, but it's mine and that’s important to me. I have more than enough to live off of for the rest of my life. The thing with money is it won't love you back." Cressida smiled at Maxwell.

  "Well, at least you don't have to share your wealth. Everything between me and my brother is split fifty-fifty. My father created it that way. I don't mind. I'm lucky he's a good person. He’s a good business man and I can trust his decisions."

  "Well, I don't know what my father has for me, but growing up he seemed to really take care of his sons. He loved me and cherished me, but it was different. Almost like he loved me because he couldn't help it, but if he could he wouldn't."

  "Hey, I actually believe that even Jenna loves Max... in her own selfish way. Every parent loves their child and some are just bad at it." Maxwell laughed.

  "You’re right."

  Christmas Break

  Christmas Eve came quickly. Max and Mei were happy to be home again for the holidays. While Max was working out in the gym with his uncle and father, Mei felt it was a good time to give Uriel a bath and take him to get a haircut for the wedding the next day.

  Uriel wandered around the room playing with his toys. When he spotted his mother coming towards him he smiled. "Momma, baby?" he said, looking up at her.

  Mei knelt down beside him. "Are you Momma's baby?" Mei smiled as she ran her fingers through his soft curls.

  "No... Momma, baby." Uriel insisted, pointing to Mei's stomach.

  Mei froze, instantly realizing what her son was saying. "Uriel... M... Momma... baby," Mei repeated, touching her belly.

  Uriel smiled and nodded. "Yes."

  Mei jumped up and ran into the bathroom. She scrambled through the cabinets until she found a pregnancy test. She always kept one handy, just in case. Mei quickly took the test and waited for the results. Uriel made his way into the bathroom while she stood anxiously waiting on the results.

  Uriel grabbed onto her legs to hold his balance as he stood next to her. "Oh, Mommy is sorry," Mei said, picking him up." I just left you." She kissed his cheeks.

  Mei closed the bathroom door and locked it just in case Max came back early. She wasn't ready to let him know what was going on. The test finally displayed its results. Mei leaned over the counter to read the results. Instantly Uriel cheered and clapped as if he understood the test results. "Oh, baby, I don't know if Mommy is ready to be cheering," Mei said to her son.

  She shook her head. "This is not good. Max won’t let me go back to college." She picked up the test, found a trash bag to wrap it in and shoved it to the bottom of the garbage.

  Mei looked at her son, Uriel would make this difficult, especially if he kept pointing to her stomach and saying, "Momma, baby." She kissed him. She just needed to keep it a secret until they got back to college. Once Max saw that everything was okay he would get over her not telling him right away.

  She fixed a bath for Uriel and bathed him. She thought about having another baby. She was happy to have another child with her husband as she remembered what the angels had told her and what Max had predicted. So Mei knew it was going to be another boy. She smiled as she wondered what his name would be.

  As she lifted Uriel out of the tub and wrapped a towel around him, she heard Max laughing as he walked into the room. Mei unlocked the bathroom as she came out holding Uriel.

  "Good, you guys are awake." Max smiled.

  "What's so funny?" Mei asked.

  "Dad is trying to be cool, but he is nervous. Tamarius keeps picking on him and they got in it."

  "They fought?"

  "No, just words, but it was funny and by the end of it we were all laughing," Max said, peeling off his sweaty T-shirt and throwing it in the hamper. "Did you eat yet?" Max asked, walking past his wife to the bathroom.

  "No... not yet." Mei gently dried off her son while she stood him next to the bed.

  "Well, Tamarius is throwing a bachelor party for Dad tonight. I figured me and you, maybe baby, could go get something to eat and hang out before."

  "Yeah, I think Makayla is throwing a party for Cressida so it would be cool."

  "I need to be back before eight to get ready."

  "Okay, I think we’re leaving later, but that will be good," Mei replied. "That’ll give me time to get him ready for bed so Anna won't have too much of a hard time with him."

  Mei dressed her son as he fell asleep for a nap. She laid him in his crib, asking Max to watch over him while she got ready. After getting dressed they all left for lunch, stopping off to get Uriel for his very first professional haircut.

  In Max's tradition they didn’t believe in giving babies haircuts under one year old. Max and Mei waited, giving him his first haircut on his first birthday. This being Uriel's first professional haircut was pure drama for Mei and Max. They had to fight him to get him to sit in the chair. It eventually got done, but Uriel stayed in his father's arms.

>   They returned home just in time to be a part of the chaos. Anna greeted Mei at the door, taking Uriel out of her arms. "Don't worry. I will take care of him. Go get ready."

  "Thank you, Anna," Mei said as she kissed her son on his cheek.

  "Max, get ready," Tamarius said as he passed by, stopping to kiss his little nephew.

  "Where are we going?" Max asked.

  "Ah, this really cool place. I'll tell you on the way."