by Angel Rose
“Come with me,” I said quickly.
“Jenesis!” I heard Eddie shout. Margaret and Tilly stopped and turned around.
“Eddie, thank you for coming, Michael’s inside. Their examining him, you know, to make sure he is not bleeding internally.” I spoke as fast as I could to distract Eddie from strangling Dave.
“Jesus Christ, what happened?” he asked,
“I don’t know. I was in a cab heading out to meet Dave at the diner, and there was so much traffic, then I saw the accident and I got out and ran,” I held onto Eddie as I broke down. He held me tightly in his arms as I cried into his chest.
“Take it easy Jen, we’re here. We’re all here and we’re going to be civil. We’re here for Mikey, that’s all,” he whispered in my hair.
Margaret and Tilly sat together in the waiting room. Dave went outside to answer his cell phone that was ringing off the hook, and Eddie held my hand as I waited for the doctors to come out and talk to me.
“Mrs. Hunter,” A nurse said.
“Yes,” My heart jumped when she addressed me.
“Your husband is going to be fine. He was very lucky. He escaped this accident without a scratch. He’s a little banged up around the face from the air bag, but he’s not bleeding internally and no broken bones. He has a slight concussion. He needs to rest so we’re going to admit him and evaluate him for twenty four hours, just to make sure everything is okay.” She was confident in what she was telling me, and I looked into her eyes to see if she was holding back on me. I felt relieved and I wanted so badly to see Michael.
“Can I see him, can we see him?” I pointed to Dave, Margaret, Eddie, and Tilly.
“Yes, but only for an hour, then his entourage has to leave.”
“Thank you.”
We entered the room, and Michael’s eyes were closed. He looked peaceful sleeping and almost looked as if he were dead. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t take it so I looked away. Dave walked to the foot of the bed and Eddie stood by the window. Tilly and Margaret sat in the chairs near the bed. They both started to cry. I walked slowly towards him as I examined him from head to toe. His face, his arms, and then I lifted his blanket to look at his chest, then his legs and lastly his feet. I didn’t touch him as I placed the blanket back over him. Tears skimmed down my cheeksas the thought of Michael lying there dead crossed my mine.What would I have done? How was I going tolive? I held my hands over my mouth and I gasped for air when I saw Michael open his eyes. Dave’s cell phone rang and he walked out of the room.
“Michael?” I whispered as I leaned in to kiss his lips. He closed his eyes feeling my lips on his. He lifted his hands to my face. I held on to them and wept as I kissed his hands.
“Michael, we’re so glad you’re okay, bro. How do you feel?” Eddie asked.
“I’d like to sit up a little.” Eddie pressed the button to raise the back of the bed.
“How’s that?” Eddie said.
“Thanks.” Michael responded softly.
“My God Michael, we’re so grateful that you’re not hurt,” Tilly said.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s a miracle.” Margaret stared at Tilly, and then glanced over at Michael.
“Baby?” Michael squinted up at me with his beautiful eyes.
“Yes.” I removed my hands from my mouth.
“I love you.” Michael pushed out a smile. The pain in his face was evident. I kissed his bruised cheek, cut forehead, and nose, feeling grateful to place my lips on him while he was conscious.
“I love you, more.” I whispered.
Dave walked in.
“I need to speak to Michael and Jenesis alone.” He motioned with his hand for everyone else to get out of the room.
“What’s going on?” Eddie uttered.
“I just need to speak to them alone. It has nothing to do with you,” he said sternly giving Eddie the evil eye.
“I think we all need to be together on this.” he said softly.
“Let’s wait outside.” Tilly motioned to Eddie.
“Can I stay?” Margaret asked.
“Yes, of course, I’m sorry.” Dave said apologetically.
Tilly stared at Dave before she walked out and Eddie followed her.
“What is it, Dave?” I asked, staring curiously.
“This was a hit on Jenesis.” he said as he placed his hands in his pockets.
“What?” Michael said as his eyes widened.
“Michael, the guy who hit you thought Jenesis was in the passenger seat. He was picked up about an hour ago after fleeing the scene. He sang like a canary after one of my colleagues stuck his foot up his ass,” he said angrily.
“I don’t understand, why Jenesis?” Michael said.
“I do,” I said. I took the envelope out of my back pocket and gave it to Dave.
“What’s this?” Dave looked at me apprehensively.
“I found it in the loft. Someone slipped it underneath the door this morning…or last night.” I lowered my head in embarrassment. I should’ve told Michael.
“What?” Michael said, his eyes growing dark in seconds.
“I know I should’ve said something, but you walked out angry and I…” I tried to excuse myself.
“Jenesis, you have a degree in fucking forensic science, psychology, whatever! And you hold on to evidence like this! What the fuck is wrong with you?” Dave barked at me. He snatched the envelope from my hand and shook his head.
“I didn’t know what to do! I was bringing it with me to brunch to give it to you, but then I saw the accident, I forgot!” I shouted throwing my hands up in the air.
“Hey, quiet guys, they’re going to throw us out. Dave, what can we do?” Margaret said calmly.
“Baby, come here,” Michael whispered.
“No. It’s my fault they tried to kill you today,” I cried plopping myself on the chair near the window.
“No, it’s not…come here.” I stood up and walked over to his bedside. “They knew you weren’t in that car. It was plain to see. It doesn’t matter who was in that car, they just wanted someone to pay and that someone was me. Dave, what can we do?” Michael looked over my shoulder at Dave.
“We’re handling it Michael, but I’ll be hiring security to protect you both until we find out who the fuck is trying to end your lives.” Dave said sternly. He walked over to Margaret and gave her a hug. She seemed surprised at his affection and looked at me through the corner of her eye.
“Let’s go Dave. They need their privacy. We’ll tell Tilly and Eddie to go home. They can see you tomorrow. Good night, Michael. God Bless.” Margaret grabbed Dave’s hand, and they walked out. She smiled at me as she exited, the hearts that gleamed in her eyes for Dave were evident. She was happy, and I was happy for her.
“Is there room for me?” I asked. Michael moved over and I slid under the covers with him, carefully positioning myself not to hurt him. I placed my head against his chest and listened to the pitter-patter of his heart. I held him close and the strain of the day caught me off guard and I fell into a heavenly sleep, in his arms, breathing him in, his scent, his warmth, his love; my heaven on Earth…my whole world…my life…my Michael.
CHAPTER 2
October was near and that cool September breeze soon turned into a chilly howling wind. Michael was home and in good health for over a month now. Our bond was stronger than ever and the fighting between Eddie and Dave settled down. I think Eddie and Dave were thinking more about Michael and how they wanted him to heal, instead of thinking about how much they wanted to kill each other.
Margaret and Dave helped us as much as they could, and Dave stood by my side through everything. He made sure we still had security by our side around the clock. No one made a move without him knowing. If I took a walk to the store, I had a bodyguard right next to me. If I went to for a manicure, this tall guy with glasses sat next to me as the Chinese lady buffed my nails. If I left the house without telling Dave, I was pulled out of my car and retur
ned to Dave’s front door to waiting to be scolded like a child. I felt like the wife of a mobster, but I had no ties to the Underworld. It was hard waking up every day, thinking that today might be my last or Michael’s. This was not the life I wanted or expected. Either way, it fell directly into my lap without notice.
I didn’t experience any nightmares this last month. I was too busy taking care of Michael and watching him as he slept. My love for him was so intense I didn’t even want to go into work anymore, I just wanted to be with him. I was happy to be with Dave again. I felt safe and we were closer than ever. I loved him…I really loved him. With the extra security Dave had in place, I had no reason to feel insecure, but the price on Michael’s head was in high demand and that caused me to worry every minute of the day.
***
I tried so hard to decorate our loft for the harvest season, but it saddened me knowing that my mother would never knock on our front door to see our display. The thought of my mother being gone was still unbearable. My real birthday was coming up in November, and I was happy to finally celebrate it with the man I loved. I needed to move on and not punish myself for my mother’s death anymore, but it was so hard.
Michael and I planned to get married the day after Christmas. I wanted it to be after thanksgiving. I didn’t want to be married and celebrate my first thanksgiving with memories of the death of my parents. I wanted it to be a small wedding, but Dave had other plans. He wanted to invite all of his friends from the job, people that I didn’t really know. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings but, I was going to be twenty-two years old in a couple of weeks and didn’t need him to plan the wedding of my dreams. I let him though; I let him plan the whole thing. He was more excited than I was. I could imagine him yelling at the wedding planner, smoking cigarettes where’s he’s not supposed to, and asking for an espresso every 5 minutes. He convinced Michael to invite over 150 people and he ended up choosing the catering hall at Leonard’s of Great Neck in Great Neck, New York. It was a magnificent place, a dream come true, but it was way too expensive. Michael could afford it without a problem. His millionaire, serial killer case paid him ridiculously well, but it came with a price, and we were definitely paying for it. I didn’t ask how he got him off, and I didn’t care, but to know that someone had that much power, money, and killed over fifteen women, and then got away with murder, frightened the hell out of me. I didn’t realize how talented Michael actually was, and this case made me realize it when he was honored with New York’s Top Lawyer Award 2014 earlier in the year, but they forgot to include, his talent came with a bounty on his head.
I was the only one feeling that I hadn’t accomplished anything for the New Year and soon the year would be over,again. Working for Dave wasn’t exactly my dream job, but it kept me busy and I was helping Dave out. Tilly was rich and Eddie was going to graduate from the academy soon enough, so he was pretty much set either way. Margaret could hold her own. She created and owned her own online shoe referral business called, Margie’s Pump You Up. It was fairly new, but she was doing well. You could find the most expensive shoes for half the price. She really was business savvy, something I didn’t know about her. She kept quiet about a lot of things as if she had trust issues herself. She was still holding on to Dave, but Dave wasn’t having it.
***
Dave hired a wedding planner and they planned the entire wedding together. Everything was top notch, from the intricate details on the table settings, matching napkins and tablecloths, to the limos and even their tuxes. Dave spent a fortune of his own money on it and said he didn’t care… it was all for me, his little lady, his little girl. Michael sat back and watched Dave spend all of his money and loved every minute of it. Michael offered, but Dave refused, and when Michael asked him for the last time, Dave’s reaction became violent and I had to get in the middle of them both to avoid full blown throws being thrown at each other. This feud had to end, and would end, the day I married Michael, because I loved them. I loved them both.
I was so grateful to Dave. I remembered how lost I was when I moved to New York, and how meeting Dave changed my life. I will always be thankful for the little things he did, like leaving cab money in an envelope for me or giving me the Classical music CD for my pretend birthday. I wasn’t as grateful for the days he was abrupt, moody and a little cruel to me at work. But, I overlooked after I realized how lucky I was to have met a man who took me under his wing, and did anything for me, no questions asked. I finally accepted him as my father, the father I never had, the father I feared and loathed. I knew I no longer needed anyone else in my life except for Michael, Dave and Margaret. I was happy…really happy.
***
“Happy Birthday,” Michael whispered in my ear.
“Thank you.” I rolled over on my side and gazed into his beautiful eyes.
“Come,” he said.
“Where? I’m naked.” I giggled.
“To the balcony.” We never went out on the balcony before. Michael didn’t think it was safe. “Here put this on.” He handed me my sweatpants and a sweatshirt and his jacket.
“What are you up to?” I smiled.
“Close your eyes,” he whispered. I closed my eyes, and he escorted me out onto the balcony. The crisp, cold breeze made my nipples harden and I hugged myself as I shivered underneath his coat.
“Open,” he said. I opened my eyes. The balcony was completely engulfed with white orchids, peach heart-shaped balloons, a banner that read ‘To the woman that stole my heart’, and a huge box that rested on top of the table near a bottle of Krug Brut Vintage champagne. I looked over at Michael, who stood with his hands in his pocket, shirtless, abs tight, as if the cold air had no effect on his body at all.
“Speechless?” he said.
“Michael…I,” I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth. I was choking on the lump in my throat.
“Let’s bring the box inside.” He grabbed the huge box and set it on the bed. “Open it.”
I sat on the bed with my legs folded underneath me. I opened the box to find an array of beautiful silk and lace bras and matching panties in red, black, blue and grey.
“Michael, these are beautiful.” I whispered. I placed them on the bed and found a small box underneath the last bra. I opened it, and it was a chocolate diamond bracelet, with matching diamond earrings. Oh my…it was beautiful. This birthday was getting better by the moment. There was another box underneath that box. I was starting to think something was going to jump out of the next box and a birthday joke was going to be on me. When I opened it, it was a charm bracelet, with three charms attached. There was a justice charm, a heart, and a mother-daughter charm. I inhaled deeply, letting out a sigh, staring at the last charm.
“I hope you like it. I know how much you miss your mother.” He sat on the bed and hugged me from behind. I closed my eyes and held his hands gently.
“Thank you Michael. I love everything. This is the best birthday…ever. I turned around to face him. “Happy Birthday to your mother, too.” I touched a nerve. The smile on his face disappeared. He let me go from his embrace. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“It’s okay.” He leaned his back against the head board.
“Michael…what was your mother’s name?” I asked.
“Mimi…that was her nickname. Her real name was Miriam. Why?” I swallowed hard.
“Just wanted to know. Happy Birthday, Mimi.” I smiled and hugged him a little tighter than usual. The cold case file of Miriam H. Hunter ran through my mind. The cold case file I shredded in Dave’s office. I trembled internally. Could it be her? Was she Michael’s mother? It couldn’t be. That headless woman who died a horrible death couldn’t be his mother. I changed the subject quickly to get that thought out of my mind.
“Hey, Mr. Thirty-year old. You never told me your birthday?”
“June 27th” he chuckled.
“Michael, it already passed. Why didn’t you tell me?” I whined like a child.
“Looks li
ke you’re not the only one who doesn’t like to celebrate her birthday.” He smiled. “I’m getting old.”
“I’m going to change into this beautiful silk bra and panties you bought me. Then you can show me how old you really are.” His eyes lit up and I shook my ass all the way to the bathroom. I turned around to look at him and there was a solemn look in his eyes. He had a memory of his…and he didn’t want to share.
Margaret and I shopped for my wedding dress, and though I wanted it to be a traditional white dress, I wanted to stand out in some way. I tried on about twenty-five dresses and I asked the salesperson if they could dye any dress peach. By the look on her face, she thought that I was crazy. So I skipped the idea and tried on the last dress, a Duchess Satin wedding gown with an elaborately beaded waistband. That was it! My heart skipped a beat…it was beautiful, and it was perfect. Margaret said I looked like a princess and Michael would fall in love with me all over again the day I walk down the aisle.
My mother would have been proud of me today. I had finally made up my mind about something. She would have loved Michael. I’m sure on that day my father will be rolling over in his grave. No need to worry, I thought to myself, I’m not marrying an animal like you Dad. You’ll never be right about Michael. Never.
***
I woke up the next morning holding on to my belly. I had the worst dream in the world and it didn’t involve the monster underneath my bed, my father. I was reliving the nightmare the day I walked into the emergency room at Mount Sinai, and I was bleeding, but in my dream I was holding a baby boy with beautiful deep dark blue-grey eyes. I inhaled deeply staring at Michael’s angelic face as he slept on his side. My guilt brought all sorts of pain shooting through my body , and I hated myself for what had happened. I shook the thought and admired the god-like specimen that I had the honor of viewing all to myself. His broad shoulders, tight chest, and beautiful oval eyes closed tightly, made me want to slide my hot, naked body against him. I slid over an inch and skimmed my breasts against his chest. He moved a little and I moved in a little closer. I took his hand and placed it on my hip then slid it over my ass. His eyes opened and he smiled.
