by King, Imani
“When Rolande got Tiff’s text message, I thought… The baby ….”
The room went silent, and Chelsea was looking at me like I’d just let the cat out of the bag. Willie’s pulse monitor started beeping loudly .
“I’m sorry daddy… I was going to tell you,” Chelsea said quietly, tears filling her eyes .
Willie spoke up. “I was flying down here to tell you to drop this damn fool. Bar fights, kissing other ladies, you’re worth more than this man could ever offer you. You don’t need his money. And now you tell me I’m gonna be a grandpa ?”
“If I may… I wasn’t kissing that woman …”
“No need to be defending yourself. Chelsea explained it. I still think you’re a damn fool if you think you can just buy my daughter. And now you got me all riled up and I’m in the damn hospital again. My VA insurance isn’t gonna cover this …..”
“Daddy, I told you not to worry about it. I’ll pay for it .”
“With money from that damned contract? I won’t accept it,” Willie replied .
“Well I’m glad to hear that… Because you won’t have to. The deal is off and I’m tearing up the contract,” I said, watching as Chelsea looked up at me with those big beautiful eyes. She seemed equal parts confused an angry .
“What do you mean?” Chelsea whispered .
“Chelsea, I know the marriage contract goes against your ethics. I don’t want you to marry me for money or to extend my visa .”
“You don’t ?”
I took Chelsea’s sweet hand and knelt at her feet .
“Chelsea Dixon, I want you to marry me for real. Because I love you and I want to be your real husband. I can be a better man for you. I can be a father… Not some damn international playboy… With your permission of course, Mr. Dixon .”
“I’ll give it the okay, but if you hurt my daughter again, no hospital is going to stop me from kicking your ass …”
“With your one good leg, I know! Believe me, the thought haunts my every dream!” I replied, smiling. “I promise that will never happen as long as I live …”
Chelsea finally spoke up. “Oh Blaize! Yes, of course I’ll marry you …..”
Mr. Dixon smiled up at us from the bed .
Tiffany laughed out loud. “I just thought of something funny! Our pretty little pastry chef has a sweet bun in her oven! HA !”
A smiling doctor entered the room and interrupted the laughter with more good news .
“Mr. Dixon, all the tests that we ran today show absolutely no sign of a coronary event. You have a clean bill of health. We’ll be discharging you in a few hours .”
“But doctor, what do you think caused my dad’s chest pains ?”
“We couldn’t find anything other than gas !”
“I think they’re trying to say you’re full of hot air daddy,” Chelsea said, starting up another little round of laughter .
Epilogue
Chelsea - One Year Later
T iffany and I waited patiently in line at Madame Babette’s cheese counter. She was still our favorite vendor at our favorite Parisian street market. When we got to the front, she instantly recognized us and gave us a big, warm welcoming hug .
“Chelsea! Tiffany! Bonjour! How are you my sweet girls?! What can I get for you two today ? ”
Tiffany jumped right in with our order .
“We sure have missed you Madame Babette! We would like one of your scrumptious Camembert cheese wheels please. But make it a large one. We have a couple of extra mouths to feed.” We pointed to the three men lazily sitting under a nearby shade tree: Blaize, Rolande and daddy. They all waved at Madame .
“What? Is that a little baby I see over there ?”
“It sure is Madame! That’s my daughter, Marie .”
Blaize snuggled her tightly in his large daddy arms .
“She looks like a real beauty! Oh mon dieu! Is that the famous Blaize Simon holding her ?”
“Yes, he’s my husband. My perfect husband .”
“So you are the American he married at sea, Chelsea ?”
Tiffany chimed in: “Yep she’s the one! They were married on a yacht and I was her Maid of Honor, Madame .”
“And what about you Miss Tiffany? Any luck in the husband department ?”
“See that cute little bald guy, next to Blaize Simon ?”
“Oui. He is your boyfriend ? ”
“He’s my fiancé! We’re getting married next month at Blaize and Chelsea’s villa. Hey, will you come to my wedding Madame Babette ?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world Tiffany !”
Madame wrapped up our cheese and shook her head in wonder .
“My how things can change in only one year! So I guess I will be seeing you more again, since you’re married to a Frenchman, Chelsea ?”
“Tiffany and I will be visiting you a lot, Madame Babette. We have dual citizenship now. We have pastry shops in both countries that we need to run !”
We hugged her and waved. “Au revoir Madame !”
Our guys got up and brushed the grass off their pants when they saw us heading their way. Blaize lovingly tucked Marie into her carriage and wheeled it onto the sidewalk while Rolande pushed pop’s wheelchair. Tiffany and I followed them, blissfully eating chunks of Camembert cheese, as we strolled arm-in-arm along the Seine River toward our very own Petite Boutique De Chocolat .
