Revealing Destiny

by C. J. Corbin

  "She wasn't blaming you, was she? I mean, it's not like you had anything to do with Tammy getting pregnant."

  "Somehow I'm to blame for having a stupid daughter."

  "Debi didn't really call Tammy stupid?"

  He nodded. "Oh yes she did. Debi was really angry."

  I sighed and shook my head. "Sorry."

  "What are you sorry for?" Michael smiled as he poured me some lemonade. "It's not like you said Tammy was stupid."

  "Debi is my friend."

  "She’s my friend too, and I understand how she feels. Jason is just getting started in school. He has a long, tough road ahead of him." He dug out another beignet and as he was biting off a piece, he blew powdered sugar all over me, the table, and his laptop.

  We both started laughing which made him blow even more of the sugar everywhere.

  "Very smooth, Hoffman, and here I thought you were the beignet expert!" I sputtered.

  Soon it was time to dress for the final Mardi Gras ball. Henri arrived with a flourish and helped me with my hair, arranging it up and swept back so it wouldn't interfere with the feathers perched atop my gold mask.

  After the hairdresser left, Michael stood behind me as we admired ourselves in the large oval mirror. His lips made a trail down my shoulder. "You are simply beautiful. How did I manage to capture you?"

  The warm kisses sent a thrill straight through my body. I looked at his reflection and his eyes were sparkling with mischief. I grinned. "Now Michael, I'm all dressed. No time for hanky panky."

  He wrapped one arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. Even through the heaviness of the dress, I could feel his hardening length against me.

  He buried his face in my neck and murmured into my ear, "Oh babe, I could bury myself deep inside you right now."

  Oh, I'll have to admit that went through me, all of my nerve endings suddenly on alert. My body was liquefying there on the spot. His free hand began to pull up the front of my dress. I lifted my head once again and met his eyes in the mirror.

  "Michael, I..." I stopped. His hand was on my thigh after having lifted the dress hem all the way up to reveal my garters and stockings. His fingers slipped between my legs and pushed my thong aside. My lips formed an ‘O’ as he plunged his fingers into my velvety wetness.

  "My little Hellcat," he groaned as my body responded to him, clenching around his fingers. "You want me as much as I want you."

  My knees were growing weak, and I found myself gasping at his teasing caress every time he brushed my swollen sensitized nub. My breathing was short and shallow and it was all I could do to remain standing. Somehow, I reached in between our bodies for the zipper to his pants. He was right. I wanted him inside of me now. His hand left my body to help me with his zipper and his throbbing erection was free from the restraints of his clothing.

  He spun me around while lifting me up, wrapping my legs around him. Before I could take another breath, he entered me with a driving thrust. All the air left my lungs and my cries of ecstasy were silent as he filled that deep aching need in me.

  Michael backed me against the bathroom counter and I arched my hips to meet his thrusts, driving them in further. I found my voice as the exquisite sensations began to take over my body. I screamed against his throat as I clenched tightly around him, explosions of pleasure racking through me. His voice was found too, through his harsh groans, and his body stiffened while he continued the slamming thrusts of his climax.

  He sucked in shuddering breaths as we stilled in the moments following our passion. "Oh god, Elizabeth. I'll never get enough of you." His lips found mine as he sat me down gingerly on the counter.

  After we cleaned up and set our clothes straight, I'll admit my knees were still a little wobbly but our lovemaking certainly took the nervousness away I felt about the final ball. As we walked down the stairs and met our friends in the library, I knew I was utterly loved by the man standing next to me.

  Nancy pulled me aside after handing me a glass of sparkling apple juice.

  "You've just had your brains screwed out, haven't you?

  "What?" I sputtered as I tried to drink the juice. "What do you mean?"

  Nancy laughed. "You look cross-eyed and a little rumpled." She passed a hand over my dress in the back, pulling out a ruffle. "Besides, your chest color is mottled. Dead giveaway."

  I reddened immediately. "Oh no. Can you really tell?"

  "Yes. And I'm jealous," she remarked. "I haven't had any fun with Marcus in days. Simone has kept us so busy, at night we're just falling into bed, and before you know it he’s snoring away."

  "No. Can you really tell, Nancy?" I turned and looked in the ornate mirror above Simone's desk. I couldn't see a thing.

  She grinned.

  I looked at her. "Did you hear us?"

  "Maybe a little. Really Elizabeth, you have quite distinctive little squeaks. Especially through the bathroom wall." Nancy laughed.

  "Oh god."

  "Don't worry. I was in my bathroom alone, I'm sure no one else heard. Like I said, I'm jealous."

  Michael came up behind us and slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me close. Nancy lifted her glass to him.

  "Ready to start the last party?"

  "Have you been embarrassing my girl again?"

  "What?" I asked, sputtering my apple juice again.

  He brushed a kiss against my temple. "Your face is red. You're talking to Nancy. What else could it be?"

  Nancy simply laughed and said, "Oh, you know Michael, the paper-thin walls."

  He threw is head back in a big laugh. "Sorry, looks as if we have another voyeur."

  His laughter drew the attention of the others in the room over to us. Again, I wanted the floor to swallow me. I didn’t think I would ever get used to the casual talk about our sex life. I actually looked forward to being home alone with Michael, where we couldn't be overheard, and, worse still, where I wouldn't have to live through everyone's comments.

  Simone and Brigitte parading into the library saved me. Simone's dress was breathtaking with a beautiful, all-lace hoop skirt, straight from GONE WITH THE WIND. Brigitte was dressed similar to Nancy and Marie; all three were dressed as twenties flapper girls, albeit Brigitte's dress was far more revealing. The front of the black silk dress cut in a V all the way down to her navel. The back of the dress, well, there was no back - it was completely cut out, and I was not sure how she managed to keep the material on. I was sure there was a glue gun involved somehow. Nevertheless, the dress revealed her white creamy skin to full advantage. It was difficult for me not to frown. Yes, jealousy was rearing its ugly head.

  With the library door open, I noticed the house was no longer quiet. There were staff everywhere and a brief look out the window showed guests milling about, sipping cocktails on the lawn. Music came floating in from the ballroom.

  Simone had a big smile on her face. "My family and friends, the party has started. Let's enjoy Mardi Gras!" She lifted her glass to toast those in the room.

  We all raised our glasses and, in response said, "Laissez les bon temps roulette!"

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  It was magical outside. Twinkle lights were everywhere; everyone was dressed in costumes, complete with masks, sipping cocktails and talking in groups. A small quartet had been set up in the sitting rooms playing classical music. Outside on the front balcony a small jazz band played and, in the ballroom, a band played contemporary dance music on the erected stage.

  The smell of the food surrounded me, too. In the dining room were tables laden with enough food to feed a small army. There were waiters in the large tent outside carrying large platters of every imaginable appetizer encouraging guests to sample the bites of food.

  Another tent held all the items for the silent charity auction. The bids were impressive - the guests were not shy with their contributions. There were a number of celebrity and political names on the contributor lists though with everyone donning masks, it was difficult to tell who was who.
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  Simone, Marcus, Brigitte, and Nancy were busy greeting and talking to guests. It turned out that Tommy and Marie also knew many of them. Tommy, who was one of the foremost alligator conservationists and coastal regenerationists in the country, was also in charge of the doctorate program for integrative biology at the University of New Orleans. Everyone referred to him as Dr. Tommy. Who would have known?

  The four of us finally had a quiet moment and we were sitting outside on one of the lower balconies. The boys had returned with freshened drinks and several plates of food.

  "It will be so nice to relax at your house after the flurry of activities this weekend, Marie," I said as the boys set the plates down in front of us. We would be following them to their house located thirty minutes outside of New Orleans in the morning.

  Tommy grinned. "Oh Cher, we're going to put you to work. We need you to catch a few more snakes!" He laughed while popping another appetizer in his mouth.

  I screwed my mouth into a frown. Tommy was referring to the snake incident last fall while I stayed at their house. We’d been out on the bayou at night watching the alligators feed when a humongous snake dropped into the boat. I didn't find it the least bit funny… at all.

  Marie poked Tommy on the arm.

  "Ow, Marie!" Tommy exclaimed, rubbing his shoulder.

  "Stop teasing Elizabeth, or she'll never come again for a visit," she admonished her husband.

  She knows I'm teasing her." He picked up my hand and gave it a quick kiss. I rolled my eyes. Only he could endear himself to me like that.

  "Don't you worry about me Marie," I said. "Remember, I'm a writer. I'll kill him off with snakes in my next book!"

  Tommy looked at me with surprise and put his hand over his heart. "Aww Cher, you'd put me in your next book? I'd be honored to be killed by you."

  Nancy plopped herself in an empty chair next to us. "I'm exhausted. I cannot stand in these shoes another minute," she said as she slipped out of her shoes and wiggled her toes before untying and removing her mask. All of us at the table had already taken ours off even though the grand unveiling was at midnight.

  "How did you manage to escape?" I asked.

  "Potty break. Marcus and I have been up since five a.m. and Simone didn't sleep at all last night. I don't know how she does it. I'll be glad to get away for a few days - I just wish Marcus could go, but he has a court case tomorrow." She turned her attention to Michael. "Have you heard from Tammy? How is she doing?"

  Michael frowned. "She'll be okay, I hope. I think she's self-imploding. I would have liked to be there for her."

  "It's probably good for her to be in school right now - I'm sure it takes her mind off everything. I don't know what I would do if Evelyne became pregnant, though," Marie said.

  "Aww honey," Tommy piped up, "we'd just feed her to alligators."

  Marie reached out and smacked him on the back of the head. "Tommy, damn it, I've had enough of your sense of humor."

  Nancy bent over and picked up her shoes. "We better get into the ballroom for the grand unveiling of masks." She handed me her mask to tie it back on her.

  As we walked back to the ballroom, Michael leaned over and whispered, "I got a text from Tammy tonight, and she's coming home from school now. She wants to drop out. I have a feeling her mother has spoken with her."

  "Oh sweetheart, should we go home early?"

  "A couple more days won’t make much of a difference."

  I stopped him in the hallway. "You say the word. If something changes and you think we need to leave, I'll be there with you."

  "Thank you, babe. This is another reason why I love you so much," he said before leaning over and kissing me.

  We continued into the ballroom. Simone was on the stage with Marcus and she hit a large hanging gong with a padded mallet. As soon as she counted twelve, the band played a fanfare.

  "It's the great reveal!" Marcus announced as thunderous applause and cheers followed the removal of everyone's masks. "We'll continue dancing all night if it's alright with you!" he yelled over the roar of the crowd. "Don't forget the silent auction. All the money we collect will be going to The Children's Hospital, so make sure you give it up!"

  The band started up and I suddenly felt exhausted. My feet were sore and I was so tired. Michael seemed to realize it immediately and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close.

  "Let's say our goodnights. I'll take you upstairs."

  I nodded in agreement and sagged against him.

  "Are you okay to walk?"

  "Yeah," I said quietly. "I need to lie down."

  He waved at Tommy and Marie who came quickly over to us. "Oh Cher," said Tommy, "you're looking tired. I think it's time for this princess to say goodnight. Do you need help Michael?"

  "No, thanks, I can manage. Will you say goodnight to everyone for us? We'll see you in the morning."

  Marie brushed my bangs out of my face. "Do you want me to have some tea sent up?"

  "Thanks Marie, but I'll be okay. I just need to go to bed. I did a little too much dancing."

  Michael helped me up the stairwell to the second floor. He had us in the room, my hair down, and my dress off in a blink. We both giggled when he helped me with my stockings.

  "So much for me being sexy for you tonight."

  He kissed my forehead as he laid me down in the bed. "You are always sexy for me."

  He walked over to the French doors and opened them. "Will the noise bother you?"

  I closed my eyes, "No. I like listening to the sounds. Are you coming to bed?"

  Michael removed his bowtie and hung up his jacket. "Yeah, I'll be right there. Let me check my ..."

  I didn't hear the end of the sentence.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The next thing I knew it was morning and the spot next to me in bed was empty. I felt refreshed and ready to start the day. As I swung my feet to the floor, I tested the waters carefully, and after standing up the usual nausea didn't hit me. Yes, it was going to be a good day.

  I quickly showered and headed downstairs where I met everyone except Brigitte in the dining room, which had been converted back to its usual state. Michael rose from his spot when I entered and kissed me.

  "Good morning, babe. How are you feeling?"

  I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him. "Good."

  I sat next to him and Frederick poured me a cup of tea and orange juice. Inhaling deeply, I smelled Great Me-Maw's tea.

  Marcus stood after finishing his toast and drinking one last gulp of coffee. "I have to get going," he said, putting on his suit jacket. "Court starts in forty-five minutes. I'll see everyone Friday."

  We said our good-byes and I fixed my plate of scrambled eggs and toast at the sideboard. Marie and Tommy said their farewells also - Tommy was teaching a class in the afternoon, although he joked it would be poorly attended due to the Mardi Gras festivities last night. Russell would be driving Nancy, Michael, and me to their home later in the day.

  That left only Simone and Michael in the dining room with me. Simone looked tired, but she was still crisply dressed in her Chanel. I wondered how much sleep she had in the past forty-eight hours.

  She gave Michael a stern look. "Michael, I disapprove of this loan you are giving to Brigitte. She will only squander the money and I will feel obliged to repay you. I do wish you would reconsider this crazy idea."

  "Ma Mére, this is between Brigitte and me. You do not need to involve yourself. If she cannot repay me, then it is my own stupid fault. You have no obligation to repay me."

  "Mon dieu!" she exclaimed. "It is one hundred thousand dollars, Michael! That is not a small amount."

  It was a good thing I had not been drinking because I was sure I would have spit it across the room. What? Where was Michael going to get that kind of money? I looked at him wildly but his focus was on Simone.

  "She has a good idea for her business. I think it will be a good investment and it will make her happy," Michael replied. "I've alread
y spoken with Christina and she agrees with me. You know anything my sister touches turns to gold."

  Simone nodded but still narrowed her gaze at him. "Oh Mon Grand, you can be so obstinate yet persuasive. Does Christina really think good things about this business?"

  "Brigitte is very clever. I don't doubt she can make it work."

  Simone sighed and pushed back her chair. "Alright, fait accompli." She moved to the door and then turned to look back at him, "C'est sur votre tête."

  This is on your head, I mentally translated as he smiled and blew her a kiss. Simone shook her head and audibly sighed before the door closed behind her.

  "A hundred thousand dollars, Michael?" I raised my eyebrows. "Are you kidding?"

  He looked at me, clearly surprised at my comment. "What? Do I need to sell you on this too?"

  "Well, I would think we should discuss it. Don't you? After all, we are going to be married. That's a big decision."

  He reached for my hand. "Babe. It's okay. Christina is interested in the investment too."

  "Really, Michael? You're going to give Brigitte that much money? I'm agreeing with Simone. I think that's nuts - it's a lot of money," I said, shaking my hand free of his.

  He frowned and grasped my hand again. "Elizabeth, I have the money. I think it's important that I do this for her."

  I shook my head. "I don't think you're being smart about this. Maybe we should have a pre-nup."

  He laughed and brushed his lips across the back of my hand. "It will be okay. I'll show you everything when we get home. Simone was right, you know; if Christina likes it, it will be gold. Let's finish breakfast and get packed. I'm looking forward to getting out to Tommy and Marie's house."

  "No. I don't want to wait until we get home. I think I'd like you to tell me everything now, Michael."

  He looked at me with surprise. "Okay," he said as he took a long drink of his juice. "Before I was divorced from Margaret, Christina was divorcing her husband. It took all her savings, everything, to buy Tim out from the business they had. The business had potential, but she had to pour more money into it to make it viable. My parents and Grandmother Helen helped her out as much as they could by investing in, but it wasn't enough.