by Ewing, A. B.
It was a while before Lori broke the awkward silence that engulfed the room after KC completed her part.
“So in essence, what we are hoping is that now you know the truth, you will consider giving Caleb another chance. I know hearing that from me of all people may sound unbelievable but it is the truth. Caleb is a wonderful man that made a mistake. He is trying his best to make it right. Don’t shut him down. If it makes you feel any better, I will be handing in my resignation tomorrow. I understand that you could never be comfortable with me so close to Caleb every day. This is my way of trying to make up for what I did in the past.”
All this was too good to be true. There must be a catch somewhere. So Neela waited for it. But it never came. When the pair left shortly after, Neela was left wondering what kind of soap opera family she had married into.
***
Neela sat in the big empty house for a quite a while after Lori and KC left, all that she heard today prancing around in her head. There was so much more to what she and everyone else was seeing.
Although she was a long way from forgiving Lori or being her friend, at least now she could begin to understand why the woman was the way she was. She didn’t agree with it, but she understood.
Poor KC had been through so much but yet she had managed to pull herself together and was ready to start being a mother to her son. The truth would soon be out and then there would be no reason for her to leave but could she really stay?
It was almost an hour before she finally made a decision. Rising from the chair, she made her way slowly up the stairs to her room. Retrieving her suitcases from under her bed, she emptied the contents of her closet and drawers into them. Securing the latches, she hauled the large bags down the stairs. Setting them at her feet, she sat on the bottom stair and waited for Caleb to come home.
***
Chapter 19
How long he stood outside the house, he didn’t know. His feet refused to take him up the last few steps that would carry him to his wife.
When he had left his parents’ about an hour ago, he had been so anxious about coming home to Neela. Adam and Melody were still at his parents’. That meant he and Neela would be alone. The thought that there could be a repeat of last night bedroom activities had him maxing the speed limit. Would she allow him to make love to her again? His body tingled with the expectation of touching her again.
Now standing outside, knowing that she was only a few steps away, he was absolutely terrified. Why would she even allow him to come near her again? Last night she had she permitted him the pleasures of her body. That didn’t mean that she was willing to give him another chance. Nothing had been resolved. He was still keeping a secret from her.
These past few months of having her and the twins around were the happiest of Caleb’s life. Watching his children play, watching Neela play with them were memories he wanted to keep but more than that he wanted many more years of it. When he peered into the future, Neela and the twins were as much a part of it as he was. That wasn’t going to happen if he didn’t tell her the truth. If he stood loyal to Lori by keeping this secret he would lose Neela again and this time it would be forever. That was not going to happen.
If he told Neela, she wouldn’t betray him. She wouldn’t betray KC. Maybe someday KC would feel comfortable enough to tell Neela herself.
Mind made up, his brain was finally able to communicate with his foot. Taking the last couple of stairs he went inside in search of his wife.
All the excitement he felt seeped right out of him to be replaced by soul sinking fear when he found his wife sitting on the stair with her suitcases packed.
“Neela, what is this? What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on Caleb. I’m moving out!” She stated, not a trace of emotion on her beautiful face.
“Moving out? I don’t understand.” She wasn’t making any sense. They were supposed to talk when he got back.
“What is there not to understand Caleb? I packed up all my stuff and I am moving out.”
He dropped before her onto his knees staring her straight in the eyes and pleaded. “Please don’t. Please don’t leave me.”
Pushing him away she stood up and reached for her suitcases, but he stopped her by grabbing her arms. Pulling her up to his chest he looked down at her. “Neela, please don’t do this. Don’t do this to us. We belong together. We can work this out.” Caleb tried to decipher what was going on in her head but her expressionless face and eyes were revealing nothing.
When she said nothing he released her but when she reached once again for her suitcases he sang like a canary. “Craig isn’t Lori’s son. He’s KC’s.”
Neela froze in the middle of picking up her suitcases. Placing them back on the ground, she turned to him. Hands on her hips she said “Please go on.”
Running a hand through already ruffled hair, he sighed before he continued. “It’s a really long story…”
“I’ve got time.” Neela declared with a straight face.
A strained smile pulled at his lips. That was his wife. Always determined to get her way.
“Where do I start?”Caleb queried, trying to buy some time to control his racing heart.
“The beginning is usually the best place.” She cracked.
Glaring at her, his heart lifted a little when he saw the light smile on her face.
Taking her hand, he breathed a little easier when she didn’t pull away. Guiding her to the sitting room, he sat her down and sat next to her.
Still holding her hand in his, he began. “I know you are upset because I didn’t tell you why I wanted everyone to believe Craig is my son and I don’t blame you. Up until today I honestly believed that I needed to protect the people involved in Craig’s birth. But after last night I realized that the person I need to be protecting is you Neela, you and our children. That should be my first priority. I know not telling you the truth means to risk losing you. Nothing is worth losing you again, Neela, nothing. Not even keeping this secret.” Caleb tried to explain. He wasn’t sure if his words were having any effect on her because she was still looking at him with that blank expression on her face.
Shifting uncomfortably in his seat he continued. “KC got herself into some trouble a couple years ago and ended up pregnant. She came to me for help. It was then she told me some really disturbing things.” He paused, not sure how to continue.
“What did she tell you Caleb? Did she tell you Helen wasn’t her mother? Did she tell you Lori was?” Neela whispered her eyes dancing with what was obviously mischief.
At a total loss for words, Caleb stared at his wife, mouth opened.
“Then she told you she wanted to give her baby to Lori right? So you agreed not to tell your parents and keep everybody’s secret. Did I get it right?” She concluded, straight faced.
“What…How do you know that?”
“I had a couple of visitors today.”
“KC…?” He began.
“Yes KC and your girlfriend Lori.”
“Lori is not my girlfriend Neela.” He snapped, seriously offended by her implication
Neela’s next words dripped with sarcasm. “Oh yeah. So what is she to you then? Your drinking buddy?”
“Lori is an ex-girlfriend and friend that I made a mistake with. If I had known she slept with my father, I would never have touched her. I promise you there is nothing going on between us. If you are not comfortable with that, fine I will cut all ties with her.” He answered in desperation. He needed Neela to understand that she meant more to him than any friendship with Lori.
Her eyes rounded at his answer. “You will?”
“You don’t get it, do you Neela. I love you. There is no if, and, or but about it. If you wanted me to give up everything here and go back to Trinidad and live with you, I will. If you wanted me to disown my entire family, I would. I love you and I will do just about anything to make you believe that.” Caleb never believed that he would ever be able to bare his soul so freely
to anyone, much less a woman and not feel threatened.
“Why did you tell me about KC and the baby? Is it because you believed it was the only way I would stay?” Her eyes swam with insecurity.
Rushing to assure her of the truth, he answered honestly, “It would seem so wouldn’t it? But the answer is no. I told you Neela because you are my wife and there should be no secrets between us. I need to trust that if I tell you something, as my wife you will not betray me as I have betrayed you. I need to understand that if I am pissed about something, you are the person I should come to. I need to believe that you could love me enough to understand that I know how bad I messed up and that I will never, ever hurt you like that again.” The words flowed as it escaped his heart. These were the things she needed to know.
“Caleb…” she tried to cut in but he wanted to put all his cards on the table.
“No shhh. Please let me finish.” Caleb placed a finger against her soft lips, silencing her “I will never fully understand the pain you went through because of the way I treated you, so I am not going to presume that I do. My need for dominance, to be in control, to be the man in my household, is what drove you away.
I love my parents, but I promised myself I was never going to have any woman treat me the way my mother treats my father. He loves that woman more than life itself and because of that she walks all over him. I wasn’t going to be him Neela. I wasn’t going to let any woman control me.
I should have realized that you were nothing like my mother. You are gentler, humbler than she will ever be. I can’t change the pass but I can mould the future. I swear Neela that if you give me one more chance, I will spend every waking moment finding ways to be a better husband to you. I will show you every day that you are the centre of my world, the other part of my soul. Just please don’t leave me again.” This was the part of him he never allowed any one to see. The man that so many would call weak but he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered right now was the woman sitting before him, eyes filled with unshed tears, lips trembling.
She sat still before him not uttering a word and Caleb’s heart vibrated within his chest. Nothing was cast in concrete. She could still leave. Sorry and great sex didn’t make things right. What if she believed once a cheater always a cheater? What if his infidelity could never be forgiven? Would he be able to let her leave?
When she finally spoke, her words were hardly a whisper but Caleb heard every last one. “Caleb, you betrayed me in a way that almost destroyed me. You lied to me, and you kept secrets from me. It took me years to even begin to recover from what you did.”
“I know…”
“So many things have changed over the years, including me, but one thing that has remained constant, is my love for you. I know some people would think that I shouldn’t forgive you or that I should leave you again. Some may even think I should let you suffer some more, but I believe that if I love you, I should be able to forgive you enough to give you…to give us another chance.”
“Oh God Neela, please tell me you’re saying what I think you’re saying.” He breathed heavily, fearful of touching her, less he wake and find this was a dream.
“What I am saying Caleb, is that I love you and I forgive you, but I also need to let you know that you have used up all your strikes. If you ever hurt me like that again, I will be out of here so fast you won’t even be able to see the dust I leave behind. Got it?” Her firm words cut through his soul, embedding itself on his heart and in his mind.
“Yes, yes. I promise!” He hastily agreed, hoping, praying she wouldn’t change her mind.
Jumping up from the chair, she looked up at him before playfully saying, “Good. Now that’s settled, do you mind taking my suitcases where I was going to take them before you came in huffing and puffing.”
When Caleb stared at her through confused eyes, she touched his face ever so gently before she said. “Caleb, I decided before you even walked through that door, that this is where I want to be. Here with you.”
“But you said you were moving out.” he lamented in confusion.
“And I still am.” Why was she still doing this to him?
“God Neela, will you please stop torturing me and tell me what you mean.” he moaned, a little part of him still terrified that she was only toying with him.
“Caleb, I was simply moving out of my bedroom and moving into yours.”
“You were what?”
“You heard me. I was moving my stuff to your bedroom.” Innocent, teasing eyes looked up at him.
Slumping his massive shoulders in relief, he playfully threatened, “You mean all this time I have been squealing like a baby, you already decided that you love me and couldn’t live without me? God woman you are going to pay for that.”
“Oh really? And how exactly do you plan on paying me back? Oh!” She squeaked.
Scooping her off her feet in one smooth move, Caleb moved towards the stairs. Nudging the suitcases aside, he took the steps two at a time. Making a right turn at the top, he moved to his bedroom door, kicking it open. Once inside, he shut it with his foot.
Taking her over to the bed they had shared only a few hours ago, he lowered her unto it. Coming down beside her he encircled her waist with his large hand, head resting on her breast. Beneath his ear he could hear the soft drumming of her heart. He sighed at the feel of her hand burrowing through his hair. This was real. This was heaven.
He had loved and lost and then fought and win.
“Caleb?” Her soft voice called, beckoning him to look at her.
Brown eyes met his as he raised his head and in those he saw what he had only dreamt of all these years. Love! His wife loved him.
“I love you Neela. I love you with every fiber of my being.” He confessed with so much emotion.
“I love you too Caleb!”
For the first time in almost six years, Caleb breathed a sigh of relief. To hear her says those heartfelt words again was his principal achievement.
Drawing his hand up, he traced her full lips before he brought his lips to them. This was it. He had finally won his wife back.
****
Neela accepted his kiss with an open heart. Caleb had proven to her today just how much he loved her. It didn’t matter what people thought about her forgiving him so quickly. No one knew what she was feeling inside. The love of this man was not something she was willing give up so easily. Even though a part of her thought it would be best to leave, there was always that part that knew sometimes giving up isn’t always the answer. They had both already suffered for almost six years. No more.
What he had almost given up to protect his father and sister, proved the distance he would go for those he loved. Knowing that he trusted her to keep his family secrets was a caress against her heart. Her husband loved her.
For the first time in six years, she breathed a sigh of relief. To hear her husband say those words and know he meant them was paramount.
Surrendering fully to his kiss, she smiled as her heart fluttered in her chest. This was it. Her husband had finally won her back.
###
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“The Love of a Latino”
Chapter 1
This was the stuff dreams were made of. Here on this little, almost unknown, island a man could make his paradise. The sun, though hot to the average person, was exactly the right climate for him. The cool summer breeze drifted in from the sea, bringing with it the cool mist of salty water, minute drops choosing to find their resting place on the olive-toned color of his skin. It was just what he needed.
Behind the dark-tinted glasses, Rafe surveyed the scores of beautiful women that lined the popular beach. They varied in height, skin tone, figure, and even their hair seemed to be several different textures and shades. It reminded him of Spain. A smile flittered across his lips as he made a mental note to visit his father’s homeland a little more often. It was, after all, in his blood. Sure, he lived in New York a
nd his mother was American, but he was a Spaniard by blood. Why else would his parents name him Raphael Lopéz Cavos? Why not Jake, or Robert, or an equally silly American name?
Rafe’s eyes drew to a young couple walking hand-in-hand along the beach and his heart clenched a little. He would never have that. Damn, where had the years gone? He’d thought he had time to live the life of a Bachelor, play the field, and break a few hearts. Who knew he’d celebrate his thirty-first birthday so soon? Time had run out.
How he wished he’d never made that stupid promise to Mamá. Yet, she’d begged and pleaded and- loving the woman who’d given birth to him more than anything in the world- he’d given in. As they had agreed, if he did not meet and fall in love by the time he was thirty-one, he would marry Sarafina and give his mother the grandchild she so craved. Dios! Why did he have to be an only child?
A hint of vanilla teased his senses and as if instinct commanded it, his eyes roved for some sign as to where the intoxicating scent came from. It was gone in an instant.
His Blackberry vibrated and Rafe plunged into his pocket to retrieve it. Recognizing his fiancé’s name, he shut the device off and returned it to the confines of his pocket. He really didn’t want to speak to Sarafina right now. In four weeks’ time they would be married and then he would always have to communicate with her. The thought sank a foul feeling into the pit of his stomach.
Sarafina was beautiful. Okay, she was gorgeous, came from a good family, and her father was in business with his father. By business standards, it was a match. Sarafina was three years Rafe’s junior and though they had been practically brought-up together, he could never see himself in love with her. Yes, he was fond of her and he did love her, but it wasn’t in the way his parents loved each other. In the way a man should love his wife. The room didn’t light up when Sarafina walked in, nor was he anxious to end his day at the office just to be with her. Sex with her was good—hell it was great, but he just wasn’t in love with her.
