The shop owner smiled, "Yes, a little over is right."
Vivian looked at Shanna, "Told you it was more than twelve."
Discarding that, "What do you wanna do, Vivian?"
"I want to pay for this gown and wear it on my wedding day!"
"Okay, well let's look at it this way, with all that I'm doing to build up your wedding, making the arrangements..." She stopped, looked at the shop owner, "...oh, by the way, I'm a wedding planner, can I leave a card and brochure with you?"
"You most certainly can! I would love for you to."
Then back to Vivian, "As I was saying, because of me doing your wedding as a gift, and also to build up my portfolio - you're saving a great deal of money there! I will also help you cut corners in other ways - Vivian - get the gown you want. Get that gown."
"What I'll do is, put the two thousand that Jake gave me on it, and pay the rest with my credit card. And I'll just have to do something to make money to pay it off. Get a part-time job or something."
"And if you're pregnant, which you are."
Both women listening, almost clapped again, hearing this.
"Shanna, I'm not going to be the first pregnant woman to work."
"True, but they aren't going to be married to my brother, are they?"
"I'll cross that bridge, when I get to it."
"Knowing Jake, you will never cross that bridge, but good luck!"
Vivian looked at the shop owner thinking about it some more, prompting her to ask, "Well?"
"I'll take it - let's do the fitting."
"Yes!" The shop owner cheered, "Good for you - it's your wedding day!"
Vivian sighed, thinking about Jake.
Shanna leaned and whispered in her ear, "He never has to know, we'll think of something."
* * *
Even though he had to work that night, Crystal talked Victor into sacrificing at least an hour for his sons. They arrived at the house and he chose to stay in the car, while Crystal got out to look for everyone. She had checked her phone, but hadn't received any more texts from Ben. She was a bit queasy about him possibly coming on the scene, so text him to make him aware that Victor was going to be at her mother's to see the boys. She never received a text back from him about it, so she wasn't sure what that meant.
She didn't find anyone at home in the house, so crossed the road to go to the studio, that's where she found Shawn, working, getting it completely set up.
"Yooo-hooo, anybody here? It's Crystal!" She called out, entering the studio, noting that it was open to enter.
"Hey sweety, I'm in here!" He called back.
She made her way to his office, he had his decorations up, lots of pictures that he'd taken, and pictures of her mother, all over the place, including on his desk. "Wow, looks good in here."
"Thanks, since I've been home alone all day, wanted to get a lot done. I'm pretty proud of it."
"You should be." She answered looking around, and then caught a picture of her and Ben, when they were dressed to head for the ball. Her eyes got wide, stuck on it, it was beautiful, they were beautiful together, but - Victor! She was worried about him seeing it. Shawn turned to see what she was looking at. He instantly knew, "Forget it, I'm not taking it down."
"Shawn!"
He turned in his seat, shocked, "Excuse me? Shawn?" He asked, clearly offended.
Crystal wilted, "Sorry, dad - you know you're my dad!" She walked over to him, hugging him from behind as he sat, kissing his cheek loudly and sloppily, making him laugh, "That's better! And as I said, not taking that down, it's one of my favorites of you."
"But Ben is in it with me."
"And?"
"Dad!" She called exasperated, still leaning down, holding onto him.
"Shit for brains ain't gonna see it!"
Crystal started laughing, shaking her head she stood away from him, "That is not nice, besides, shit for brains is out in the car, waiting to see the kids."
"Long as he doesn't step foot in here, I don't care. So there is no reason he'll ever see that picture."
"He's trying dad."
"Bull! How hard did you twist his arm? You threaten to leave him, to come back home to get him to conform?" He asked.
She blushed, hating that in a small way, his words were true, "Nooo, I didn't have to do all of that." She fibbed a bit, sitting on his desk. "Know what time everyone is coming back?"
"Mundo says they're all on the way back home now. Just so you know, Ben stayed behind at his grandparents with his cousins, Sasha and Joseph; who are also staying back." He informed her, watching her expression. She went quiet and contemplative, her eyes drifting a bit. While she was relieved Ben would not be coming back with them, therefore, no problems with him and Victor, yet, she was still disappointed.
"Penny for your thoughts." Shawn murmured gently.
She gave a soft smile, looking down at him, "Nothing on my mind."
"Liar."
"No really."
"Liar liar. You miss Ben?"
She hopped off of his desk, "Would you stop that! Don't say stuff like that! I'm gonna go wait outside."
"You can run from the truth, but you can't hide from the truth, go - ass wipe is waiting!"
She stopped in the door and fussed, "And stop calling him names!"
Shawn half smirked, half grinned, winking at her, "Go lil'girl, sir foolish one awaits!"
"You have to at least give him a chance!" She fumed.
Shawn gave her a bored stare, in other words, don't hold your breath.
She gave up, "I'll be outside."
He waved her off, turning back to work on what he was doing.
Outside, Crystal walked back to the car, Victor had gotten out and was leaning against it. Just as she was crossing the road, the Hummer pulled up with Mundo, Angela, Isaac and Darren, they pulled into the drive way and all climbed from the vehicle, calling for her, Angela first, and then her boys.
"Crystal! Oh Crystal!" She called, rushing up to her to give her a hug, "Hey gurl, whassup!?" Crystal greeted hugging her back.
"Missin' you! That's what's up!" She wanted to say more, but Victor was there, and remembering to be polite, she turned and waved at him, "Hi."
Victor nodded, eyes on his boys and Mundo. He had them by the hand, they were obviously happy to see Crystal, but were eyeing him warily, as if they didn't trust why they were there. Turning to them, Crystal held out her arms, "My babies! Come here to mama! You miss me?!" Darren was the first to make it to her, she scooped him up into the air, making him laugh out, then lowered him to rain loud kisses all over his face and neck. "Mama miss you sooo much! I love you baby! I love you soooo sooo much! Come here Isaac, didn't you miss me?" She asked him. He was not so quick to respond, busy watching Victor with wary eyes. He then suddenly turned to his mother, rushing into her arms with her kneeling on the ground towards him. "I miss you mama." He murmured low for her ears only, hugging her, while she kissed and hugged him.
"What you been doing today?" She asked the question before her brain engaged and she wanted to kick herself.
Mundo hurried with, "I took'em to the movies to see Iron Giant, they enjoyed it. Right lil'man, you enjoy it?"
Isaac nodded, his eyes still on Victor.
Crystal turned and looked up at him, "Well Victor?" She didn't understand why he was just standing there, she would have thought he'd come down and grab one of the boys, to hug them. Her saying that, snapped him out of his seeming, day-dream. Smiling, he knelt, "Hey, come give dad a hug." He reached for Isaac. Crystal held her breath, and to her surprise, he walked to him to be hugged. Victor smiled, hugged him tightly and stood, picking him up with him. "How about we go get some ice cream or something?"
Isaac shrugged, silent.
"They full of ice cream now, had all kinds o'food today."
Angela watched Isaac, holding her breath. She wasn't sure he would stick to what Ben asked him to do, but so far, he was. Ben told him, if he was a really good boy, went to his
daddy, and was nice, they could do stuff together everyday, go swimming, fishing, all kinds of stuff, but they had to keep it as their little secret. They'd drilled him, coached him, reminded him all through the day, and it seemed to have worked, so far, he remembered and was sticking to it. It would also seem, that seeing Ben everyday meant a lot to him.
"That right? You have ice cream today?" Victor asked him.
Isaac nodded.
"What kind did you have?" He asked.
"Choc'it."
Crystal smiled, so proud of him, "Well, I think you deserve another treat, both of you, how about a new toy? Would you like that?" She asked.
They both nodded and smiled, Isaac brightening up and calling out, "Yeah!" for Darren to follow with a, "Yeah!"
Victor smiled as well, "Well let's go do it. Dad's gotta work tonight, so I have to get back and to bed."
"Ah man, that's messed up, you gotta work tonight?" Mundo asked.
"Yeah, they called me in, pissed me off." Victor returned.
"I'm doing a set tonight, oh well - you can come though, right?" He was looking at Crystal.
"Of course I will, when have I ever missed your sets." She sassed, smiling, "I'll call Rochelle up see if she'll come with me."
"That's straight up! Well I'm gone get in the house, let ya'll go! You know me, got's to have my musac ready to burn baby!"
"See you tonight!" Crystal looked to Angela, "Wanna come with us?"
She sighed shaking her head, "I can't, remember, or else he'll have to go." She was speaking of her bodyguard.
Crystal smiled sadly for her, but reminded her, "We still have our Wednesday's right?"
Angela brightened up, "Yep! We do! Okay, see you guys later," She looked at Isaac, "Be good Isaac, remember?" She gave the subtle reminder, his eyes got big, so she knew he remembered.
In the house, the basement, in his room, Mundo was on the phone, "Aye man, it's set. Couldn't be more perfect, his ass got to work tonight, so heart broken."
"Yes! Crystal's gonna be there, right?"
"What you think I mean when I say it's set?"
"Okay, good. How'd the boys do?"
"So far, so good, there was a touchy spot, but I covered it quick, I think he gone be all right."
"Let's hope so ... was he there?"
"Yeah."
"How'd they look together, they look happy? Like, maybe - you know, they're okay?"
"Man, don't do it to yourself, don't! People put up fronts all the time, and they masters of front! They could have been fighting it out this morning, but outside, in front of everybody else, they look like the sweetest couple - it's a masquerade man, don't mean a thing."
"In other words, they looked happy together."
"Come on man, you hear anything I said?"
"Am I being stupid Mundo? Am I wasting my time?"
"Man I can't tell you what to do."
Ben went quiet, "If I could give up the boys, I could probably walk away, but - they're not really my boys, are they? They're his - maybe I'm making it harder on them, instead of better. I don't want to hurt them Mundo, I really do love those boys, it's just that - when I'm with them, I'm with her, and loving them, means, I'm loving her, you know what I'm saying?"
"Yeah man, I do - I guess, that's why your dad, Shawn - is the way he is with us, loving us, means he's loving my mom's - I get it now. Hey man, that can't be bad, I don't think there's no such thing as giving too much love. I can't tell you what to do, all I know is, Isaac love you man, he hooked onto you, like white on rice, there's a reason for that - let's not make it complicated, let's just go with it."
"Yeah - you're right - okay, see you tonight."
Mundo smiled, "That's my Ben, see you tonight dawg!"
* * *
It was a quarter to eight when Shawn, sitting on the front porch, saw his wife drive by and then turn into their driveway. A big smile burst upon his face, he couldn't help himself, he was so happy to see her. She was looking at him, and to his delight, smiling too. She stepped out of the car, reached into the backseat, and brought out a small bag from shopping. It was a gift bag. And made her way to the porch, carrying it, "Where the kids?"
"Sasha and Joseph are back at moms, Ben with'em. Mundo, the boys and Angela are in the house. And me, well, I'm here, looking for you."
"Oh yeah? Why you looking for me?" She asked flirting with him.
"You know why I'm looking for you, you're my wife - I love you Sylvie - love you with all my heart."
Tears gathered heavily in her eyes and dropped off her lashes to run down her cheeks, "And I - love you with all my heart, I'm sorry for all I said, I'm just so scared, I don't wanna lose you! You're my husband, and I don't wanna lose you!" She sobbed going into his arms. Shawn pulled her onto his lap, holding her tightly, wiping the tears from her face, "I know baby, I know - I'll try Sylvia, I'll try - I swear, to be - more the way you want me to be, I'll try."
Sylvia laughed through her tears, "Shawn you're such a liar! You ain't gone change!" She cupped his strong jaw, "The world will have to change for you, but you will not change for it! I know that - and it's hell to accept, but - for me to love you so much, it couldn't be - that bad." She leaned down and kissed his lips. He pulled her close against his body, cupping the back of her head, opened his mouth and ravaged hers. His heart beating hard and heavy, he felt instantly erect, knowing they were in the last place that they could do anything about that. Needing to catch her breath, Sylvia pushed away, taking in deep gulps of breath, both of them breathing hard. She smiled, "I got something for you." She confessed.
"Oh yeah, what'd you get me?"
She passed him the bag, "Here - open it. I had it done while I was in Chicago."
He reached in the bag, pulled out the small box that was gift wrapped, smiling up at her, and looking back at the box, he opened it. Inside was a man's id bracelet with a quarter carat diamond, "Wow! Oh honey, this is beautiful, this costs a bit, Sylvia McPherson!" He scolded with a smile, clearly proud of it.
"Read what it says." She urged.
He chuckled, on the front it read, "Sylvia's man." The diamond stud was inside the letter a, in man.
"Read what it says on the inside." She coaxed.
"If lost - phone Sylvia - her most precious, possession."
"And my number, is right below it."
Shawn nodded, and couldn't look up, when he finally did, his eyes were flooding, clearing his throat, choked up, unable to speak.
"I get a little - crazy sometimes, Shawn. But I love you baby, I always love you - even when I'm acting crazy." She sniffed, now wiping his tears away. "I'll never..." She shook her head, "I'd never leave you - I'll stand by your side, no matter where that might be, for better - or for worse ... right?"
Shawn nodded, squeezing her to him again, thanking God above, he pulled away and lifted his wrist, "Well come on, put it on me, you don't want me gettin' lost without it do you?"
Table of Contents
Chapter 223
Chapter 224
Chapter 225
Chapter 226
Chapter 228
Chapter 229
Chapter 230
Chapter 231
Chapter 232
Chapter 233
Chapter 234
Chapter 235
Chapter 236
Chapter 237
Chapter 241
Chapter 242
Chapter 243
Chapter 244
Chapter 245
Chapter 246
Chapter 247
Chapter 248
Chapter 249
Chapter 253
Chapter 254
Chapter 255
Chapter 256
Chapter 257
Chapter 258
Chapter 272
Chapter 273
Chapter 286
Chapter 287
Chapter 288
>
BOMAW 10-12 Page 168
