*****
A week later they sat in her family’s backyard with friends and family along with Ethan’s parents and sister and her family. Maryann refused to leave Regina’s side and where ever Regina went so did she. As soon as they’d arrived she’d ran to Regina crying. Regina immediately picked her up and soothed her as only she could. She laid on the lounge with Maryann asleep in her lap, dozing off to sleep when her cousin’s son Ralphie walked up to her.
“Gina, Ethan wanted to know if you were okay and if you needed any thing.”
“Ralphie, please tell Ethan that I’m fine and if I need anything I’ll let him know if I don’t get it myself.”
“So is he going to send some one over every hour to ask if you need or want any thing?” Her cousin Sara asked once Ralphie ran off to report to Ethan.
“Yes he is, I had hoped with us being here with family and all the people around he wouldn’t obsess so much, but I guess I was wrong. He’s still having a hard time with the incident.”
Sara nodded, “I can understand that, hell he almost lost the woman that he loves. I think it is so romantic even though he’s at the courts playing ball, he’s still worrying over you. God I hope that one day I’ll be lucky enough to find someone that loves me as much as he loves you.”
Regina didn’t dispute her cousin, because she knew that Ethan cared, but he’d never mentioned love as yet, but she knew that he would come to love her in time. Thirty minutes later Ethan walked up with Chester and Reginald in tow.
“It looks like you put on a little extra weight” Chester commented chuckling referring to his baby girl whom slept soundly in Regina’s lap.
“How’s your shoulder baby?” Ethan asked squatting down beside her chair.
“My shoulder is fine love, I’m totally relaxed and I’ve eaten so much that you’re going to have to roll me out to the car. I have my follow up appointment tomorrow, so the doctor should give me a clean bill of health and give me the okay to get back to dancing.”
Ethan smiled, she’d been reminding him of her doctor’s visit and he knew that she was trying to prepare him. “I know baby and once he says that you can go back to dancing I’ll ease up on my obsession,” he promised.
“Oh hell,” Sara whispered her eyes focused passed Ethan. Everyone turned and saw what had caught her attention. There coming towards them was Sara and Tiffany’s mother and she looked ready to do battle. Ethan, Reginald and Chester stood between the pissed off woman and Regina.
“I demand that you stop lying to the police and accusing my baby of shooting you. You know damn well you made that lie up. Why would Tiffany shoot you when she’s proven she’s better than you? She took your job when you were fired and that young man realized she was the better of the two of you and now out of jealousy you have pointed your accusations towards my baby and now the police have her and are charging her with attempted murder.”
“Mother, her fingerprints were found on the gun plus the gun shop owner remembers selling the gun to her and she paid for the gun with her credit card.” Sara informed her.
“She set my baby up!” Florence yelled.
“Florence what is going on here?” Keith asked his sister-in-law.
“I’m here to demand you tell that daughter of yours to stop lying on my baby.”
Keith looked at his sister-in-law and knew that she was loosing it. He reached for her, but she quickly backed away. He was about to reach for her again, but he spotted his brother walking up behind her and he shook his head halting his actions.
Kenneth Coleman stepped before his wife, “Florence what are you doing here?” He demanded in a harsh whisper.
“Don’t touch me you bastard, you gave them my little girl.”
“I turned her in because she brought this on herself, all because she is jealous of Regina. I fault you also for catering to her spoiled ass whims. She purchased the gun and then she shot my niece who has done nothing to her at all. Now either you leave on your own accord or I’ll have the police come and escort you off of my brother’s property.”
“You’ve always sided with your brother when it came to me and my baby.”
“Do you hear yourself, do you even remember that we have another daughter, one that has never given us a bit of trouble and has always been there when you needed her to be? No, all you can think about is your spoiled ass little brat and I am sick of it. That is why our marriage didn’t work, because all of your attention was centered on spoiling Tiffany and now look where it’s gotten her. Now are you going to leave on your own or will you need help?”
Florence glared at the man that had once been her life until he chose his brother’s family over her. Without another word, she turned and walked around the house and through the gate.
“I’m sorry little brother I had no idea that she would snap this bad.” Kenneth offered.
“You don’t have to apologize Ken, she is a grown woman and she is responsible for her actions not you,” Keith said embracing his big brother.
Kenneth held out his arms to his oldest daughter and whispered a quick apology in her ear.
“Daddy, you have nothing to apologize for besides I’m used to mother’s antics when it concerns Tiffany.”
Keith quickly introduced his big brother to Ethan and Chester before suggesting that Ethan take Regina home.
Chapter 19
Ethan sat on a stool in the examination room while the doctor went through a series of test to check the flexibility of Regina’s shoulder. He watched her closely and was pleased that she never flinched in pain once.
“I think it is safe to say that you are fully recovered and are able to get back to your dancing class, but I still want you to take it easy and not too many acrobatics.”
Regina smiled at the warning and promised that she would leave the acrobatics out of her routine.
“I know that you want to go to the center so I’ll take you there, I know the doctor said that it was okay to dance, but remember he did say not to overdo it” Ethan cautioned hoping that he wouldn’t piss her off because he was afraid she would over do it and reopen her injury.
Regina reached over and squeezed his thigh, “I promise I’ll remember it baby and I won’t over do it. You’ve worried enough about me since this all happened, so I don’t want to give you anything additional to worry about now,” leaning over she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Now just so you know I expect to finish the conversation we were having before the incident.”
He smiled knowing that she called it the incident only because he had a hard time with calling it what it was. Ethan nodded agreement because he knew it was expected although secretly he’d hoped that she would just drop it or forget it like he’d been trying to do.
“I know you still think it was your fault that I went over there and I hope that soon you will realize it would have happened that day or another day a month or even years from now, but it still would have happened.”
Ethan shrugged and his hand tightened on the steering wheel, until Regina reached over and placed a soothing hand on top of his, letting out at deep sigh he loosened his grip on the steering wheel.
They walked into the center and Regina frowned at how quiet it was. Normally the place would be buzzing with activity. She glanced at Ethan to gage his reaction, but he didn’t seem to notice. Regina pushed the worry aside as soon as she came to her classroom door the excitement of being back and being able to start back dancing had her practically bouncing on her toes. She didn’t notice how Ethan stood back and let her enter first, she flicked on the lights and damn near fainted when everyone yelled “surprise,” Regina yelped startled and bumped in to Ethan who was standing behind her laughing. She only had time to glare at him before her children swarmed around her baring gifts and cards.
*****
Ethan wrapped a towel around his shoulders making his way back to Regina’s class. He knew that the kids were gone for the day and that she would dance before they headed home. The thought o
f home, made him wonder if he needed to broach the subject of Regina moving in with him on a permanent basis. They could either sell her house, or just keep it for the studio that she’d had built on to it. The move would be temporary until the house that he was having built was completed. The sound of his phone ringing interrupted his thoughts.
“What’s up Eric?” He answered.
“I wanted to check on you and see how you were holding up. Regina told Roz that you were still having a hard time with the incident. I know it’s hard not to blame yourself, but you are not to blame bro.”
“I know you’re right and Regina’s right, but it still doesn’t remove the knot that fills my stomach every time I think about what we were arguing about or if I’d been more pigheaded than usual, I may not have made to her place in time and she could have bled to death.” His voice shook and he knew the he needed to change the subject because he didn’t want his fear and anger to show when he made it to Regina’s class.
“I know how I would feel if it was Roz that had been shot and I’m sure I would be blaming myself just as you are, but what is important and what you need to focus on is the fact that you did get there in time and you still have her and the person responsible has been caught. Focus on what happened, not what may have happened.”
“You are absolutely right I’ve been worrying about what may have been instead of what is. I didn’t push her away with the shit from my grandfather although when she hears what he had to say she may not want to have shit to do with me, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take because I love her too much to let the old man come between us. I really appreciate you calling and helping me get my head on straight.”
Eric laughed, “No problem that is what best friends are for. Now go get your woman so that the two of you won’t be late meeting us for dinner at her favorite restaurant.”
“What are you talking about Eric? I’d planned on preparing a nice quiet dinner.”
“Well buddy, you will have to do that tomorrow. The ladies plan on us going to dinner tonight at Maryann’s, now I have to go and shower you know how Roz hates being late.”
Ethan slipped the phone in his pocket with a dopey smile on his face as he realized that Regina’s favorite restaurant was one of the ones he owned. Still grinning he made his way to her class. As always, her talent staggered him as he stood at the door watching with rapt attention at how beautifully she danced. So full of passion and grace her body moved as if the music flowed through her moving her fluidly and gracefully she took his breath away.
*****
Jacqueline frowned when she saw Frank Jr. heading for her husband’s study and she knew her husband was up to something again. Placing her needlepoint on the seat beside her she made her way through the secret passageway that connected to her husband’s study.
Frank Jr. walked in to his grandfather’s study trying desperately to keep his emotions under control. “Hi granddad, you wanted to see me,” he stated closing the door behind him.
Pierson looked up surprised to see Frank Jr. alone, “Where’s your brother? I wanted to see the both of you so that we could talk about our next step.”
“What step would that be? The company you dangled before us is sold and there is no way that Ethan’s buddy is going to sell it to us.” Frank waited to see where his grandfather was going to go next.
“We need to find a way to run the woman that he’s seeing off. She is the reason that he’s lost his will to use his God given talent for taking a flagging company into a profitable one. I think if we could get her away from him then he’d realize that he needs to get back into the corporate world.”
Frank raised an eyebrow as the old man was loosing it. “What does that have to do with Jerry and me? How would getting rid of Regina get us what you promised when we started this?” He demanded, feeling his anger rise at the thought of his grandfather trying to use Regina against his cousin.
“You’ll see everything once we get that colored woman out of the way. All you have to do is get her to fall for you just like you did with Karen. We’ll set it up so that Ethan can catch the two of you in the act.”
“It won’t work Regina is crazy about Ethan and will not cheat on him.”
“Who says she has to be willing?” Pierson suggested.
The anger he’d been holding under wraps came forth full force, “You sick bastard. I don’t know what it is you want from Ethan, but I can promise you that you won’t get me or my brother’s help with it. Regina is a wonderful and caring person and my cousin loves her and he deserves to be happy and she makes him happy. How dare you plan something so sick and disgusting for her and think my brother and I would be that hungry for any bone you’d toss us to get what you want. Your manipulation worked once, but not again we are hip to your little games.” Frank turned to walk out of the room, but paused, “By the way if you do anything to hurt my cousin by trying to hurt Regina I will personally fuck you up.”
Jacqueline was shocked by her grandson’s words and the tone in which they were spoken in. She was sure that her husband was just as shocked by them also by the fact that Frank Jr. was no longer susceptible to his grandfather’s manipulations.
Pierson picked up the phone and called his son Frank, maybe he would be able to get his sons in line.
“You may as well hang the phone up,” Jacqueline said as she entered her husband’s study. “Frank never has nor will he ever have any power over Frank Jr. or Jerry and from the looks of it neither do you. Now I think its time I let you in on a little secret,” she paused taking a seat before his desk.
“I figured out your little plan and I knew just telling you to leave well enough alone just wouldn’t do. No not you, all you’d do is try to find a way around any obstacle that got in your way. So I’ve decided to take the prize off of the table.”
“What in the hell do you mean Jacqueline?” Pierson demanded.
“Only that I’ve worked a deal with Eric to purchase Harper’s Development, as a matter of fact the transaction was completed, oh I’d say, about thirty minutes ago.”
Pierson stared at her not believing what she’d just revealed to him. He couldn’t believe it, there was no way in hell she’d found out what he’d been planning. Even if she had there was no way what she was saying was true, he’d tried several times to get Harper to sell to him, but the old bastard had stated that he was saving the business for his granddaughter and her husband. So he’d come up with the plan to have Ethan marry the slut and now his wife was telling him that he’d been outmaneuvered.
“Harper refused to sell to me, so how was Eric able to purchase it?” He asked not trying to hide his skepticism.
“Well I had a long talk with Harper and explained to him that the best thing he could do for his granddaughter was selling the business and set the money aside for her. I explained to him that he didn’t need to saddle her with a failing company and selling it to Eric would ensure that the company doesn’t fail nor will he have to worry about putting hundreds of people out of work. Unlike you, he was concerned with the employees and after a little deliberation he agreed to the sell. Now Pierson my dear, I believe it is time you found something better to do with your time.”
Pierson sat steaming as he watched through narrowed eyes as his wife walked out of his study. He still couldn’t believe what she’d told him, he refused to believe it. Picking up the phone, he called his contact with Harper Development to find out what was going on. A few moments later he slammed down the phone and fought the urge to throw the phone across the room.
*****
Ethan made his way downstairs to start breakfast, well more like brunch considering it was well past one o’clock and they were just rolling out of bed. He smiled arrogantly at knowing that he’d loved and satisfied his woman all night long and several times over this morning. Regina had banned him from the master bedroom’s bath as she’d known that if they’d taken a shower together he’d end up taking her again. He gave her a deeply sensual k
iss before he left the room and headed to the bedroom across from hers to shower.
Ethan paused in step on his way to the kitchen at the sound of the doorbell. His first thought was to ignore it, because he didn’t want any one intruding on their Saturday, but he remembered that they had stayed at Regina’s place instead of his so it may be important. With a sigh he turned and headed for the front door. He would be so happy when the house he was having built was completed, well he needed to work up the nerve to talk to Regina about it considering he knew what this house meant to her, he admitted that he was just a little worried she wouldn’t like the prospect of selling it. With another deep sigh, he pushed the unwanted thoughts to the back of his mind. He opened the door and found a tall slender woman that looked like she’d just stepped off of the runway. “Can I help you?” He asked.
“I’m sorry I must have the wrong house, but I was told Regina Coleman lived here.”
Ethan stared at the woman not liking the vibe he was getting from her plus there was something in her eyes. “You have the right house Regina is up in the shower at the moment.”
Shana quickly got over her shock at seeing the half naked white boy standing before her. She’d never gone for the vanilla route, but this fine ass specimen could make her change flavors in an instant. He stood before her tall, tanned and well muscled most importantly he was even taller than she was. “Would you mind it if I kept you company while we wait on her to finish with her shower?”
Ethan frowned and his warning meter went up another notch. The woman had to know that there was something going on between him and Regina why else would he answer her door wearing only a pair of sweats and nothing else. “I can assure you that I don’t need any company, but if you will wait here and I’ll run up to see how much longer Regina’s going to be.”
Shana took a step back at the ice that formed in the man’s eyes and she had to fight to keep him from seeing the chill that ran down her spine. Unable to speak she nodded once to acknowledge his offer for her to stand at the door and wait. She stepped inside and allowed him to close the door, his scent almost wiped away the chill she’d felt moments ago, but not completely. Shana watched as he walked towards the stairs and bounded up them two at a time. Damn the man even had a tight ass, Regina always lucked up and got all the good and fine ass men and now she was getting the white ones.
Beginnings Page 16
