Topaz felt so much better that she had the limo take her to Neiman’s where she chose something black, short, and sexy to wear to dinner. A pair of Stuart Weitzmans was screaming her name as she dashed out of the store and made it back to the hotel in time for a massage and body scrub, before her stylist came to do her hair. She would have done it herself, but she wanted everything to be extra special on this night.
She checked her makeup one last time before she left the room. Germain had phoned to say he would meet her on the terrace. Topaz pulled the black shawl around her shoulders as she slowly walked to the main part of the hotel. She was a bit chilly and nervous but opted to wait in the bar by the fireplace where a pianist provided the perfect musical backdrop for a setting straight out of a romance novel. A waiter brought her champagne as the music calmed her nerves. Germain had selected the most perfect place as usual.
“Mind if I join you?”
“Huh?” Topaz was so absorbed by the music and atmosphere she wasn’t aware that he had arrived. She looked up into Germain’s smiling eyes and thought she would melt. “I’m waiting on my husband, but you can sit with me until he arrives.” She returned his smile, then wondered if she had said the wrong thing. She didn’t want Germain thinking she was always talking to strange men whenever she was out alone in public.
“What time were you expecting him?” Germain asked, continuing the charade as he was seated.
“He should be here any minute now.” Topaz looked around the bar.
“I hope so because he’d be a fool to leave a beautiful woman like you alone for just one minute.”
Topaz felt the lump forming in her throat as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
Topaz shook her head as Germain gave her his handkerchief. “You always know what to say.”
They were both silent now as they focused on the pianist.
“He’s good, isn’t he?” Topaz finally remarked.
“Yes.” Germain was also drinking champagne. The waiter had brought them a bottle, and Topaz was relieved to see he wasn’t drinking Tanqueray and tonic. She had never seen him drink like that until all the drama.
Another waiter came and escorted them onto the terrace, where their table provided an excellent view of the elegant swans swimming in the moonlight. The tiles in the floor were heated, and she was very comfortable.
“Germain, you always pick the best places.” Topaz smiled as she shook off her shawl and exposed bare sexy shoulders. Her hair, blown silky straight, gently framed her face.
“You look absolutely beautiful tonight. But then you always were the most beautiful woman in the world to me. Sometimes I get caught up in my work and I guess I forget just how much you need to hear that. After all, I am married to a superstar.”
“Germain, you know none of that superstar stuff matters to me and you’re always telling me how beautiful I am.”
Germain looked down into his menu, and Topaz reached for his hand.
“I love you with all my heart. I love you more every day,” she said just loudly enough for him to hear.
He bit on his bottom lip and looked back into the menu.
“Don’t you believe me, baby?”
“I really want to, Topaz.”
She sighed and looked out at a swan gliding across the water. Things were not proceeding as she had hoped.
“Ready to order some dinner?”
Topaz sighed as she flipped open the menu. “I’m not really hungry. Why don’t you order for me?”
They didn’t talk all through dinner, and the silence between them was killing Topaz. She picked at the grilled veal chops Germain ordered for them.
“Want some dessert?” Germain asked, breaking the silence.
“No, thanks, baby.” Topaz managed a faint smile.
Germain passed on dessert, too, and paid for dinner. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
“You’re not going to stay?”
“No, I don’t think I should.”
“Then why did you order the room?”
“I’m not sure.” They were walking very slowly. “It was probably a bad idea.”
“A bad idea?”
“I was hoping things might go better.”
“What do you mean better?”
“I was thinking maybe we could resolve some things. The last thing we need to do is jump in bed together.”
“I was thinking that was the first thing we need to do.” They were standing in front of her room. “I miss you and I can’t sleep without you.”
“We’ve never had a problem communicating in the bedroom. It’s outside the bedroom where we could use a lot of help.”
“Okay, so we’ll go see a marriage counselor. I’ll do whatever you want me to, only don’t go. Please, don’t go.”
It pained him to hear her begging him to stay, but he stood his ground. “You know, I’ve been wondering if our marriage is based on sex.”
“Sex?” Topaz thought about what Germain just said. “It is that, but so much more. It’s the love we have for one another, it’s our beautiful babies. We have a wonderful family and you’re my best friend. I know I’ve made mistakes, but somehow we’ve always gotten through them and we’ll get through this.”
Germain was silent, and Topaz was quiet, allowing him to think. It was very chilly in the December night air. She found the room key and opened the door.
“Come inside with me, baby. I don’t want you to catch a cold.”
“I never catch cold except from the children.”
“Germain.” Topaz was beginning to get frustrated with him, which usually led to a fight.
He looked at her with the most vulnerable eyes. “I’m scared, Topaz.”
There were tears in her eyes. “I’m scared too.” Without thinking she pulled him into her arms and kissed him. They were breathless when they finally pulled apart.
Germain pushed her into the bungalow and closed the door. He grabbed her and, holding her close, looked at her with eyes full of intensity. “Promise you won’t keep secrets from me anymore?”
“I promise,” Topaz managed while they kissed.
They fell into the bedroom as they undressed each other, knocking paintings out of place on the walls and leaving a trail of clothing all the way to the bed.
Topaz smiled as Germain held her in his arms. “Baby, you know you’ve got whip appeal.”
“What?” Germain was surprised because she had never told him anything like that before.
“You are an incredibly sensitive lover. Why do you think I lose my mind when you’re not with me?”
“Because you’re a spoiled brat.”
“Germain.” Topaz played with his hand, putting it next to hers, stroking his long smooth fingers and twisting the platinum band on his ring finger. “You know you’re da bomb.”
His mind drifted to the countless messages Sabre had left on his cell phone. She had it returned by messenger service. She also apologized profusely for her misconduct and promised it would never happen again, and she couldn’t wait to see him. There was something very desperate about her, and Germain couldn’t help wondering if she was okay. What he didn’t understand was that only Topaz could handle him physically and emotionally, because she was his wife and the marriage covenant sanctified their tumultuous and passionate union. Any other woman would fall prey and become a victim of his tender lovemaking, like Sabre, who thought she was in love.
“I haven’t done any shopping and Christmas is only days away,” Topaz said later.
“Me neither, and Baby Doll gave me a long list.” Germain laughed.
“You let me see that list before you buy one thing. You’re such a softie when it comes to her.”
“What do you want for Christmas?”
Topaz leaned her head against his chest. “Just you…and all my beautiful babies.”
“You already have that.”
“Then I want more of you than I al
ready have.”
Germain sang softly. “I’ll give all that I have.”
“If you give all that I need,” Topaz finished.
“I want to groove with you,” they sang together.
“I love that song.”
“I know, baby.” Topaz hopped out of bed, rambled through her bags, and pushed a CD in the player. Momentarily, the song was playing. She pulled Germain out of bed. “Come on, baby. Let’s dance.”
“Dance? Girl, are you crazy?”
“Only for you.”
“How did you manage to bring that CD?”
“It’s magic, baby,” Topaz whispered as they danced in the nude to his favorite Isleys tune. “I’m the only one who always has exactly what you need.”
The song ended and Topaz reflected on the words. “Germain, what do you need?”
The truth. He heard from deep within, but that was already settled and there was no reason to rehash their conversation. It would take time to learn to trust again, and she was more than willing to work on their issues.
“All I need is you, baby. All I need is you.”
Chapter 30
It was warm enough to go swimming in Santa Barbara. The sky was a perfect blue and the sun was bright and warm. But looks can be deceiving; the Pacific was too cold for swimming, but the sparkling heated pool at the Ross ponderosa was a tepid eighty.
The freshly cut, long needle pine in the middle of the foyer had been professionally decorated with red opaque glass bulbs and gold bows that Jade had constructed out of metallic ribbons. Fragrance from the fifteen-foot tree filled the entire house.
Guests invited to the ranch for the annual Christmas party were asked to buy or even make an ornament for the family’s Christmas tree. Jade sifted through a box of ornaments, pausing to reflect and savor the memories from Christmases past. She picked out a photo of Nina, Kyle, and Niki that had been expertly placed inside a ball of blown glass; an engraved Santa Claus from Keisha, Eric, and the kids; and a snow globe from Topaz, Germain, and the kids. The miscellaneous ornaments hung by their donors gave the tree more character. There were more decorations, but Jade didn’t want to see them. She closed the box of memorabilia and took crystal ornaments out of another container and carefully began to hang them on the tree. There wouldn’t be a tree-trimming party this year since all of the drama escalated between the friends.
Jade’s six-year-old son, Kobe, ran into the room and turned on the television.
“Want to help Mommy with the Christmas tree?” Jade yelled over the noise of his video games on the television.
“Okay, Mom.”
Jade smiled and handed him a collection of wooden ornaments. She watched as he carefully placed them all around the tree. She was pleased to see that her son had inherited her artistic eye.
“That looks wonderful, baby. You’re a great helper.”
Kobe was a perfect blend of his parents. He had Jade’s Asian eyes and full lips and Sean’s athletic physique. When he was born, Sean had said he wanted four more sons so he could have a basketball team, but there had been no further additions to the Ross roster or even a discussion about having more kids. Jade knew her husband wanted a daughter, which was probably why he had been so obsessed with Niki.
Sean came into the room. “The tree is looking really good, you guys. What can I do to help?”
Jade pointed to the upper half of the tree. “You could finish putting the lights on, then we could use your help with the ornaments.”
Sean laughed. “I did ask, didn’t I?”
Jade smiled and continued hanging ornaments on the lower half of the tree. The couple worked in silence as they decorated. Things had been rocky between them ever since Sean’s birthday party. But Jade had no intention of divorcing Sean because of his infidelity; she just had to get over the fact that the other woman had been Topaz.
Of all the women in the world, why did Sean have to sleep with her? Every time Jade thought about the gorgeous singer being intimate with her husband, she became extremely angry. Thank God Niki isn’t his daughter.
“Did you hear me, Jade?” Sean moved the stepladder away from the tree.
“What? Did you say something, Sean?”
“I said if we’re going to make it to the Valley in time for the Christmas play, we need to be out of here in the next half hour.”
“I was thinking about letting him miss the play. It’s not like he’s the star or anything.” Jade stepped away from the tree to scrutinize her work.
“That’s true, but what kind of message will we be giving our son? If he’s not the star, it’s not important? Kobe went to all the rehearsals and I want him to learn that whatever he does is important, and no matter how big or small, he’ll always have our support.”
Jade made adjustments to several ornaments. “You’re right, Sean.” She let out a loud sigh that sounded almost like a moan. “I just wish we had left him in the other school.”
“Why? The curriculum is much better at Buckley and he loves going to school with his cousin and friends.”
“Niki is not his cousin,” Jade lashed out.
“You know, you’re right, Jade. Technically she’s not, but as far as Kobe’s concerned, she is his cousin, and don’t ever let my brother or Nina hear you say that. They’d be terribly hurt.”
“Are you sad that Niki isn’t your daughter?” Jade asked nastily.
“No, Jade, I’m not. Actually, I’m glad she’s not my daughter. Things are already complicated enough,” Sean said as politely as he could.
Nina turned off the blow-dryer and sighed with the satisfaction that comes with the completion of an arduous task. “Wow. I’m glad that’s done. You’ve got a lot of hair, baby, and it’s thick and long. From now on, you’re going to get your hair done with me.”
Niki, oblivious to all of her mother’s hard work, sat on the stool and hummed. “I want a pretty hairstyle today, Mommy.”
Nina laughed. “A pretty hairstyle? And what’s a pretty hairstyle, baby?”
“Curls.”
“Curls?”
“Baby Doll always wears curls.”
“Baby Doll goes to the hairdresser.” Nina knew Topaz couldn’t manage Baby Doll’s coarse thick hair, so she allowed her stylist, who had a standing appointment at the house, to put a mild perm in Baby Doll’s hair. Now her hair was silky and down her back. Niki’s hair was naturally curly and thick like Topaz’s. Nina looked at the clock. Time was quickly running out.
“How about this?” Nina brushed Niki’s hair into a bun and pinned it to stay in place on top of her head and handed the child a mirror.
Nina hopped off the stool and carefully watched her daughter inspect her hair. What a little diva. She watched Niki primp in the mirror and tried not to smile. Between me and Topaz, she had to be a little anal over her hair.
“I like it, Mommy.” Niki smiled, exposing two missing front teeth. She was so adorable.
Nina smiled. “I am so glad you approve, Miss Nicole Ross.”
Kyle appeared in the bathroom door. “Here are my glamour girls. Are you guys ready to go?”
“We will be as soon as I finish getting dressed.”
“Well, hurry up,” Kyle said with twinkling eyes. “I can’t keep my daughter’s public waiting.”
“Okay, Sean. Thanks for calling, sweetie.” Keisha hung up the phone and looked at Eric with sad eyes.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“That was Sean.”
“And?” Eric asked with baited breath.
“I called to see if they would be interested in getting together for dinner after the Christmas play, and he said no.”
“What did you expect, girl?”
“I expected our friends to be mature and put this thing behind them.”
“Keisha, you are the kindest, sweetest, and the most forgiving person I know. But you can’t expect everybody to be like you.”
“I can hope, can’t I?”
“Yes, you can, but when
things don’t go like you want, I have to be around to see your beautiful eyes looking so sad.”
“I’m sorry, baby.” Keisha tried to smile.
“You don’t have to apologize to me.”
“Sean said Jade didn’t even want to come to the play. What is wrong with that girl?”
“She’s hurt, baby. People have to heal in their own way and time.”
“It’s the holidays. I’m just disappointed that we’re not spending them with our friends. Jade cancelled the tree-trimming party. Nina said they’re going to Philly to spend some time with Kyle’s parents. And I don’t know what Topaz is doing. I haven’t heard from her in days.”
“Maybe no news is good news, you think?”
“She’ll be at the play. Chris and Baby Doll are in it too. But this is going to be so strange with all of us together and no one talking.”
“It’s going to take time, Key. Things like this always have a way of working themselves out.”
“I miss my friends. They’ve been our family ever since we moved out here. Maybe we should think about spending Christmas in Atlanta with my family. My parents would love it and your grandmother could come down from Jersey,” Keisha suggested.
“Sounds like a plan, baby. Now let’s get our prima ballerina out to the Valley.”
“Isn’t it funny that Rick is the only kid out of our group not in the play?” Keisha finally smiled.
“He’s a jock like his old man. He ain’t got time for foo-foo stuff.” Eric laughed, and Keshia did too.
Keisha was surprised to see Topaz standing front and center when they walked into the school’s auditorium. Topaz was already smiling, but she lit up like a neon sign when she spotted Keisha and Eric and waved them down front.
“Girl, you look fabulous,” Keisha remarked as the two childhood friends embraced. Topaz did look beautiful in a classic red pantsuit with her hair in an elegant updo.
“Why haven’t you returned any of my phone calls? What have you been up to?”
“Handling my business.” She was unable to contain her smile. Germain appeared from nowhere and slid into the seat next to Topaz.
Diamond Revelation Page 24
