A Valentine's Quest (The Valentine's Trilogy)

by Sam E. Kraemer

  I looked at him and smiled, taking his right hand to try to calm him a little. "Baby, I'm not pulling away. I just wanted to offer the possibility your mom won't be so welcoming of me this time. Last time, I was the poor little orphan with a birthday and no family of my own to celebrate it. This time, it's your family holiday I might ruin," I explained, trying to be as understanding and kind as possible.

  Derek laughed and unbuckled my lap belt, pulling me closer to him on the leather, bench seat. "Why don't you ride here next to me?" I giggled at him because he was such a fucking softy. It also made me love him more if that was even possible.

  "Because we'd get shot through the windshield if some good ol’ bubba were to spot us sitting so close together, being an abomination to all the good, God-fearing people of Texas. Don't change the subject, Derek."

  He looked into my eyes and kissed me, pulling back as he gently placed his hand on my jaw. "You do remember the story of the pilgrims and the natives they met when they landed at Plymouth Rock, right?" I nodded because every grade school kid heard about the Mayflower and all the shit that happened, which didn’t speak to kindly to the Brits who came over on the boat…or ship.

  "Okay, no surprise here. Thanksgiving isn't Addy Valentine's favorite holiday, but she tolerates it because Rick loves it. In his opinion, it's the best food without the pressure of gifts, unlike Christmas, which my mother makes a huge deal. She expects lots of gifts to be exchanged, and that drives my dad crazy because everything he gets her is wrong.

  "Look, at Thanksgiving, Mom bitches about the trials, tribulations, and near annihilation, our ancestors endured after the arrival of the white men on our shores. Dad listens to her and agrees with her before he asks her what tribulations she's currently enduring, and then they laugh together and things lighten up. Hopefully, they'll do that shit before we get there.

  “Anyway, you're fine. I held my Ace hoping to surprise you once we’re there, but I can see you might need to have the information before we pull into the driveway.

  “So…Cara's bringing home a guest for the first time ever. She won't tell me about him or her, but she didn't tell Addy either. It's gonna be one for the books, baby boy," Derek explained with a big grin. Then, we both laughed.

  Hell, with that explanation, how could I not look forward to the holiday? I made Derek stop at a grocery in town, and I did a bit of shopping to make some dishes to contribute. He told me his mother was very territorial of her Thanksgiving feast, so I decided to make the afternoon snacks for the football games and leave the meal to Addy, though I’d offer my services to do prep or clean-up.

  Derek told me it would make Rick happy, which made me happy, so when we pulled into the Valentines' driveway, we grabbed our bags to go into the house. Derek bought two bottles of wine and a case of beer to take with us, but I wasn't sure it would be enough to last the holiday because I felt as if I could down it by myself the first night. The rest of them could fight over the dregs; I would need the alcohol’s support to get through the big feast if Cara’s guest didn’t draw away attention from me.

  Four

  Gray

  "It's good to see you two," Rick told us after we got hugs and he helped us carry in the stuff from Derek's car.

  Rick turned to look at Derek and actually smirked. "Your sister let it slip she's bringing someone home with her and your mom's wound up about it. Cara wouldn't tell her anything about the person, and you know your mom…she hates surprises."

  "Jeez. Should I call Quinn and Mari to use the cabin? Should we get out of the line of fire?" Derek asked with a chuckle in his voice. I knew for a fact there was no way he was going to miss one minute of Addy’s reaction to Cara’s guest. My man was looking forward to the confrontation as much as his dad, it appeared.

  Derek’s dad laughed. "No, no, it's fine. You seriously think I want to be left alone with them? Do I look suicidal?

  “Luckily, based on the fact Addy doesn't know who or what Cara's bringing home, she's decided not to invite anyone outside the immediate family for dinner, so it'll just be the six of us."

  I was actually relieved. I wasn't looking forward to meeting extended family because it was always a crapshoot how they'd treat the outsider. I only had my own history to rely upon to see how horrible it could be for the poor bastard who found himself the outsider. It wasn’t good at all.

  We walked into the house, and Rick dropped our bags on the stairs. "Addy! The boys are here," he announced as he motioned us through to the kitchen.

  When we walked in, she looked at us with a smile, and then a frown. "Derek, did you think we wouldn't have beer, seriously?" He was carrying the case of Budweiser, and I had the bag with two bottles of wine. I kinda hid behind Derek at that point, using the man I loved for cover. I needed a little more time to warm up to greeting Addy Valentine.

  Derek placed the case on the table and walked over to the counter where his mother was kneading dough of some type, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. "It's good to see you, Momma, and I knew you'd have beer, but we're adults and we can make a contribution so we’re not mooching off you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get the groceries out of the car."

  He turned to where I stood…hidden behind him, and he kissed me gently. "I'll be right back. Say hi to Momma." Then, the fucker jetted out of the house like his hair was on fire, leaving me and Rick alone with the lady of the house.

  Addy turned to look at me and cocked an eyebrow, to which I took a deep breath and braced myself. "Hi, Miss Addy. How've you been? Is there anything I can help with?" I asked, hoping my cowering, submissive greeting would be enough to keep her from ripping out my throat…God love her.

  She stared at me, giving me a thorough visual examination before glancing at the counter where a large disk of what I assumed was pie dough was resting between her hands.

  I reached into the flour bin on the counter and sprinkled a bit of the white powder on the marble counter top for her, and when she plopped it down, she actually smiled at me. "I'm so happy to see you, sweetheart. Has my son been behaving himself?" she asked as she offered her cheek, which I kissed happily.

  "He's been really busy with work, but we’ve managed to adjust to the extra hours he’s been putting in. When I have school stuff, he takes care of me, and when he's working nights, I take care of him. You know, Miss Addy, it's a give and take," I offered as Derek walked in with the bags of groceries I'd purchased. He placed them on the table, beginning to pull out the contents.

  "What's that?" Addy asked with an apprehensive look as she began rolling out pie dough.

  "Well, Momma, Gray's gonna make snacks for the game because he doesn't want to interfere with your menu for Thanksgiving. He wanted to help out in some way, so he volunteered to make some stuff to eat while we're watchin' Dallas kick some ass," Derek explained as he put away the groceries we’d brought with us.

  I cautiously glanced at the woman, trying to hide my fear but still worried out of my mind. I was sure she didn't allow anyone in her kitchen, and I was scared she'd turn on me for assuming she’d allow me to use it to make the football fare.

  I didn't want her to hate me because I wanted to have her son for my own for a long, long time and causing a divide in the Valentine family would be my downfall, I was certain.

  Addy put her fists on her hips and stared at the men she loved. "Why do you two insist on scaring this sweet, young man? You make it out like I'm a hard-ass, and you both know I'm nothing of the sort," she scowled at Derek and his father.

  Rick laughed as he walked behind the counter and kissed Addy on the neck. "Yes, my girl, you're the gentlest, most accommodating, woman on the planet. How did we get it wrong for so long?" I saw his hand on her ass and a squeeze that made her jump, but I didn't laugh because I didn't want her pissed at me.

  My Derek, however, he cracked up. "Oh, God, I forget how inappropriate the two of you can be. Well, Gray and I are gonna get settled into my room. When's Cara showing up with the mystery guest?"<
br />
  I saw his mother tense. "It's not funny, Derek. Your sister absolutely refuses to talk to us about anything going on in Dallas. She's even told us we're not welcome to visit her without making prior arrangements. I don't like it and I’m worried about what she’s doing that she doesn’t share with the family.

  “She could be in some sort of trouble, you know. I’ve heard stories about law students who get involved in drugs just to keep up. If it’s something of the sort, I’ll cart her butt off to the nearest rehab I can find." Looking at the woman’s face, I could see she was dead serious, and I didn’t dare let her catch me staring.

  Derek took a deep breath and sat down at the island as his mother continued to roll the dough for the pies she was planning to make. "Okay, Mom, let's break it down. If she brings home a woman, will you be disappointed in her?"

  I saw Addy glance in my direction, so I held up my hands. "I'll just go unpack us." I started to leave when she called me back.

  "Don't run away from a family discussion, Gray. Sit your behind down and let's talk through this mess so I don't piss off my daughter when she shows up with God-knows-who. Actually, open a bottle of wine, please," she ordered.

  I went to the fridge and found a bottle of Chablis and beer inside. I grabbed a beer for Derek, and I opened the wine, finding two glasses for us. I poured her a glass, which she nodded toward as I placed it next to where she was still rolling pie dough.

  Derek kissed my cheek as I sat down next to him. "Thanks, babe." He then turned to Addy. "So, Mom, if she brings home a girl?"

  I saw his mother consider her feelings on the matter as she spread a pie crust over a glass pie pan. She trimmed off the extra dough before she went to the cabinet, returning with a jar of beans. She pricked the crust with a fork and then put a piece of parchment on top of the dough. She poured on the beans before she put the crust into the oven and set the timer. Once she was happy with the time and temperature, she turned to us.

  "I guess, Derek, if she brings home a girl, I'll just have to nod and smile. Do I have a gene inside me that's made both of my children gay? I'm not making a disparaging comment about the two of you, but I just want a grandchild. Is that too much to ask? Miriam Tucker flaunts those beautiful grandchildren in front of me like trophies all the time, and if I never get one? I'll be a bit disappointed," Addy told us honestly. She took a drink of wine and went back to her pie dough.

  I took a deep breath because what I was about to say wasn't anything Derek and I had ever discussed, but maybe if I put it out there, he'd give it some consideration? "Now, Miss Addy, you're not out of chances to have grandbabies. Derek and I, well, maybe we'll have children someday," I offered.

  She wheeled on me and gave me the evil eye if I ever saw it. I felt myself shrinking, immediately. "Oh? How are you gonna pull that one off, Gray? You got lady parts I don't know about?"

  I felt my stomach drop to my feet, and I felt the threat of tears in my eyes I didn’t want to leak. The woman hated me. My chances of being accepted into the Valentine family were fucking hopeless and I might as well give up.

  I couldn't speak, so I turned and walked out of her kitchen. I was prepared to walk all the way back to Houston if necessary, but immediately, I headed toward the front porch in hopes of gathering my composure.

  Just as I was set to go down the front steps, I saw a Mercedes pull up the driveway and stop. Cara jumped out of it and ran up to me. "I'm so glad to see you. What's wrong?" She'd obviously noticed the tears in my eyes. It was touching that she was concerned.

  "I just said something stupid to your mom,” I told her.

  She giggled. “Aw, now, it couldn’t be that bad. What did you say?”

  I exhaled. “I suggested maybe, someday, Derek and I would have kids and she asked me if I had the ability…" I couldn't hold off the sobs because I'd just made the worst mistake of my life by showing weakness in front of his mother. I was doomed.

  The man who was in the driver’s seat stepped out of the car to walk around to where Cara and I were standing. I glanced up to see he was quite handsome, though it was evident he was older than Cara, and maybe even older than Derek. "What's wrong here?" he asked as Cara hugged me.

  She pulled away and dried my eyes. "My mother is what's wrong here. Gray Carson, this is my boyfriend, Grant Keyes. He's a partner at the firm where I'm clerking. He's thirty-nine, and I'm pregnant. I'm pretty sure whatever sin you believe you've committed will become a minor infraction after this news hits the fan. Let's go inside and start the war," Cara suggested with a warrior’s smile on her beautiful face.

  She was actually glowing as I looked at her, just like I’d read in books and heard on television about pregnant women, and I was pretty sure her mother was going to lose her shit when she heard the news she was going to be a grandmother…out of wedlock. I decided to give myself a few minutes to get my shit together, so I went with Grant Keyes to collect their bags from the handsome Mercedes. "That's the new E-Class, right? Sharp," I told the man as we emptied the trunk.

  He glanced at Derek's Camaro. "Whose is that?"

  I smiled. "That's my boyfriend's. One piece of advice…Rick Valentine is a very kind man. Addy Valentine will go for your throat, but when she finds out you're giving her a grandchild, I'm pretty sure she'll back off. If there's anything I can do to offer a diversion when it gets too tough, let me know. This road isn't easy." With that, we walked back inside to hear Derek, Cara, and Addy arguing.

  "Mother, it's not unheard of for a gay couple to have children. They get an egg donor and a surrogate. Nine months later, they've got a baby. Don't act like it's unnatural." Cara

  "Addy, Gray's nineteen, and we're not planning a family anytime soon, but it's not right for you to discount the fact we can have a family if we want." Derek

  "Oh, so the two of you are gonna gallivant out and find some desperate woman to donate eggs, and then find an equally desperate woman to carry it? Yeah, that's the way to start a family, Derek." Addy

  "Good goddamn! What's all the shouting about?" Rick

  Grant turned to me and I smiled. "They can be a little high-strung at first…or at second, but they love passionately. I'm sure you already know that because you're with Cara. She's gonna finish law school, right? I'm sure her parents would be pissed if she didn't."

  "She's definitely going to finish law school, and we're going to get married as soon as my divorce is final. I know it sounds clandestine, but I was already separated when I met Cara. She had me crawling behind her after the first conversation. She's incredible," he responded. I could see he was sincere based on the wistful look on his face, and I wished that poor bastard luck.

  "Well, I know what you mean because my Derek is amazing as well. I love him more than the stars love the sky, and I'd do anything for him, much like I'm sure you'd do for Cara. Here's the problem. Adsila Snow Valentine is a strong woman who had plans for her son and daughter. I'm afraid you and I are going to be the wrenches in those plans, and she doesn't seem to take too kindly to anyone messing with her plans. I wish the both of us the best of luck," I told him as I pushed him toward the kitchen.

  When we walked into the room, all of the harsh whispers ceased. They all looked at us, obviously wondering how much we'd heard. Pie crust rolling had stopped, and Cara was looking positively green. I glanced at Grant and I could see he wasn't faring much better, so I took a deep breath and jumped.

  "Miss Addy, I know you don't think much of my thoughts regarding whether Derek and I might have children of our own, but tell me why you're against it?" I challenged as Grant slipped into the living room to make a call. Cara was sitting at the table watching the events as Rick made a bee-line for the back yard. Thankfully, Derek was sitting at the counter where his mother was still making pies, so he could run interference from there if necessary.

  She took a sip of her wine after she pushed my glass toward me. "Well, Gray, as I said, can you have babies?"

  "Momma," Derek began. I put my hand on his th
igh and squeezed.

  "Of course not, ma'am, but there are women who are willing to donate eggs, and there are other women who are kind enough to carry those children. One or the other of us fertilizes the egg, and we have a child. It's done privately, and the baby is ours," I stated confidently.

  She sighed heavily. "Where are these women, Gray? We live in Texas. I'm sure these sorts of things go on back east or out in California, but here? You won't find anyone willing to do any of those unnatural things here, so again, I ask how you'll have a family. You’ve just been given the ability to marry not long ago, but you two trying to adopt a child in Texas? I don’t see that coming anytime…"

  "STOP IT! God, how in the hell did you become so damned heartless? What happened to you in your life to make you lose all of your compassion and fill your heart with hatred, Mother? The two of them are in love, and they're trying to plan a future. How can you not support them? I'm not sure I want to raise my baby around you," Cara snapped as she brushed her hand over her stomach.

  Grant walked into the room just as Cara’s comment seemed to settle thickly in the air, and when Addy glanced up to see the stranger in her kitchen, I could see her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. "Who the hell are you?" she asked.

  Grant smiled cockily and pulled Cara into his arms because she was upset. When he placed his hand on her flat stomach, I thought Addy was going to take the rolling pin in her hands to him. "I'm Cara's fiancé and she’s carrying my child. I’m Grant Keyes. Who are you?" he asked Adsila with venom in his voice.

  I expected Derek to get worked up, but he sat there next to me and pulled me closer. Maybe it was what he wanted…someone to take on Addy…but I didn't see it ending well.

  I stood from my seat and pulled away from Derek, looking at his mother. "Addy, take a breath. Maybe you wanna go freshen up? I'll finish the pies if you tell me what you're making," I offered.