“Massages?” Judea’s eyes popped open. “I always wanted me a massage and a facial. But what we gon’ do ’bout this thick hair of mine? Lord knows I’s tired of that hot comb every mornin’.”
Judea had beautiful hair. She just didn’t know how to style it. Luckily, Nayla had everything under control. She gave Judea a sisterly hug and said, “Relax. I got this.”
And she didn’t lie. Judea felt so relaxed after sitting in the sauna and getting her massage. Nayla sure knew how to pamper herself. Judea left the spa looking and feeling like a new person. Her long hair was now layered and feathered. Her beautiful skin tingled. She even got her first ever professional manicure and pedicure. She felt like a true diva. No one would look at her and guess that she was from a small town called Altoona.
“You look beautiful.” Nayla had gone back to Judea’s apartment to help her dress for her date.
“How can I ever repay you, Nayla? I know all this wasn’t free.” Judea couldn’t help smiling at her own reflection. She really did look and feel beautiful.
“You don’t owe me anything, Judy. If anything, I owe you even more for bringing Palmer and me together.”
They hugged again until the doorbell rang. It was Lamar.
When Judea opened the door, Lamar’s jaw fell to the floor. “Girl, I’d drink your bathwater,” he said to Judea and followed up the statement with a long whistle. “You sho’ look even mo’ beautiful than usual.”
“Thank you,” she blushed. “I owe it all to Nayla.”
“No. You owe it all to your mother,” Nayla said. Judea gave her a confused look. “I didn’t give you that beautiful smile and that junk you got in your trunk.”
“Stop it.” Judea playfully slapped Nayla on the arm. “And get on out of here so you won’t be late for yo’ date with Palmer.”
“I sho’ is glad you got all prettied up. This gon’ be a special night,” Lamar told Judea as they walked downstairs. “We taking a cab tonight.”
Judea didn’t know what Lamar had up his sleeve. She felt like Cinderella.
Nayla
Nayla was so nervous; she was getting ready to meet her boo’s son for the very first time. Yes, Palmer had gone from being just Palmer to her boo. Nayla had never referred to anyone as her boo before. She had seen pictures of Jason, and he was absolutely adorable. She could only hope that she would have a kid just as cute and smart one day. But first things first. She had to meet the kid Palmer already had first.
As she was stepping out of the shower, her phone rang. Nayla was reluctant to answer the phone, but she did anyway, without checking her caller ID. “Hello?”
“Hey, sexy gal,” her ex sang into the phone. It was as if she could see him grinning through the phone. “Can I come see you?”
He has some damn nerve! The last time Nayla wanted some from him he tried to bring his bitch with him. I know damn well he doesn’t think for one hot minute that I’m going to let him crawl up between my thick thighs tonight, or any other damn night.
“Hell no, Randy! I don’t need or want to see you anymore. Good-bye.” And with that said, Nayla slammed down the phone. He had lost his chance.
Nayla had to sit down on the window seat and take a deep breath to calm down after she hung up the phone. Randy was the one person who could alter her mood without saying much of anything. As much as he infuriated her, she still found herself smiling. It felt good to let him know that she was doing just fine without him.
After a minute or two, Nayla was back to normal—she just had to simply relax, relate and release. She walked into her closet and tried to decide what to wear. Nayla wanted to look nice for Palmer, but she didn’t want to overdress for the occasion. After all, they were taking Jason to UNOs for pizza and then to the aquarium. She needed something simple and conservative, yet slightly sexy. She chose a pair of jeans, a black shirt, and black boots.
Nayla had told Palmer that she would pick them up around seven. Not wanting to be late, she applied her favorite scented lotion all over her body. The pear fragrance tickled her nose and brought a smile to her face. Instead of full makeup, she decided on lip-gloss and just a touch of mascara. After slipping into her outfit, she grabbed her purse and keys and rushed to the car.
* * *
“Say hi to Ms. Nayla,” Palmer instructed the handsome little boy who stood shyly at his father’s side. They lived in a beautiful building. Their apartment was nice, too. Simple—a bachelor’s taste, but nice.
“Hi, Ms. Nayla.” Jason ran up and gave her a big hug. It surprised her, but it was a nice surprise.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Palmer looked at Nayla, and she was ready to melt. She knew that she needed to keep it together, being that they were not alone.
“Hey, yourself.” The minute she said it, he started laughing at her. Did he know what I was thinking?
They stood there for a long time just staring at each other before his son brought them back to reality. “Daddy, I’m hungry,” Jason whined. He tugged at his daddy’s shirtsleeve.
“Of course. Let’s go.”
Nayla took Jason’s hand. It was nice holding a little hand. She looked at his handsome father and asked, “Ready?”
“Yeah, baby. Just let me grab my jacket.” And out the door they went.
“Ms. Nayla, I can count to fortry,” Jason announced. He was so cute.
“You mean forty, son,” Palmer corrected, trying his best not to laugh.
“Yes, Daddy, that too.” Jason was a hoot. Flashing his toothless smile at Nayla, he asked her, “The way I say it sound better, don’t it, Ms. Nayla?”
“Well, Jason,” she answered, trying not to laugh, “the way your father told you is the right way. Don’t you want to grow up to be just as smart as your daddy?”
“I guess. I just don’t like saying stuff perfect all the time,” Jason rationalized, more to himself than anyone.
* * *
They all sat in the booth at the restaurant, Nayla and Palmer discreetly holding hands under the table. “Did you enjoy your pizza, Jason?” Palmer asked his son.
Nayla loved watching the two of them interact. She could picture herself being a part of their world for the rest of her life.
“Yes, Daddy. Can we go see the fish, now?” Jason asked with wide eyes and a huge smile.
“We have to let Ms. Nayla finish her pizza.” The two of them had finished their meals, and there she sat, so wrapped up in their interaction that she had barely touched her food.
“Actually, guys, if you’re ready, I can take this to go. It’s really not a problem,” Nayla reassured them, which made Jason a very happy little boy. She was falling in love with him. He was bright, respectful, upfront, and friendly—all the decent qualities that he would need to make it in the real world as an adult.
Jason was telling her all about the different things he liked to do in school before they were rudely interrupted by a familiar face. The same skinny ho who had been pushing up on Palmer the last time Nayla saw him at the park ran right up to him and kissed him on his cheek. The nerve of her. Acting as if Nayla’s big ass was not even there. Nayla knew the trick couldn’t have missed all of her assets.
“How are you, papí?” she asked Nayla’s man.
I have her papí all right, Nayla thought. But before she could even say anything, Palmer let her have it.
“Amanda, first off, I have no interest in you whatsoever. Second of all, this kind of behavior is not appropriate in front of my son. And last, but most definitely not least, this is my girlfriend, and you have no right to disrespect her like that.” Palmer had a look of fury on his face that not even that slut could mistake for any other emotion.
Palmer took Jason by the hand and slipped his other arm around Nayla’s waist. Amanda was left standing with an ugly scowl on her face as the three of them walked away.
* * *
“Palmer, I had a beautiful time tonight.” They had just tucked Jason into bed. Watching him drift off to sleep as Palmer read to
him made her heart do flips.
“Baby, I loved having the two most important people in my life finally meet.” Palmer looked into Nayla’s eyes, and she knew that he was serious. Her heart began beating fast. At that moment, she wanted Palmer and Jason to be a part of her life. Her once lonely life was over. In her mind, she heard Etta James singing “At Last.”
Judea
Lamar and Judea had just been seated at their table. Lamar had made reservations at Olive Garden. Judea was so impressed. She had never been to a restaurant where the wait staff got all dressed up. Lamar even asked for a bucket of ice. The server looked at him strangely, but she obliged the confident Lamar.
Once the server returned, Lamar reached into his pocket and said, “Here you go. Thank you.” He had given her a dollar.
“Umm . . . thank you, sir.” The server couldn’t help but chuckle to herself as she turned and walked away.
Lamar pulled out a bottle of pink Champale from his pocket. He placed it in the bucket of ice while smiling at his lovely date. He had a night full of surprises for Judea.
“Oh, Lamar!” Judea squealed while batting her eyelids flirtatiously. She felt so special in her beautiful dress. All eyes were on her, and she couldn’t thank Nayla enough for the makeover.
“Baby, I done tol’ ya how special you is to me.” It was as if he could read her thoughts. “And you just so fine tonight, Judea.” He winked his approval, causing her to blush.
A little later on in the dinner, he asked her, “You likes teddy bears, don’t ya?” When she nodded yes, he handed her a bear with a box in its hand. “Open dat dere box, baby.”
She was expecting it to be a pretty locket or something, but never did she think her eyes would see what they saw. It was a beautiful three-quarter carat diamond engagement ring.
“Oh, Lamar. Oh. Oh, my . . . Lamar . . .” It was beautiful. “I ain’t never had nothin’ this pretty befo’. This what I thank it is, baby?”
“It ain’t no cubic zirconia. It’s the real thang,” Lamar boasted. He was proud of himself. He had saved up enough money to buy her that ring from WalMart. It had been special ordered, too.
“That ain’t what I meant, Lamar West.” Judea wanted to make sure it was an engagement ring before she overreacted.
He began to laugh. “Yes, baby.” He got out of his chair and down on one knee. “Judea Divine Hamilton, I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”
“You serious?” Judea asked, obviously in shock.
“Yes, baby. I’m ser’ous. Please say somethin’,” Lamar begged, praying that she wouldn’t say no.
“I, uh, oh, Lamar . . . Yes!” Judea screamed, with joy in her eyes and in her heart. She started running around to every table, showing off her brand new engagement ring, screaming, “I’s gettin’ married now!” The people all nodded and smiled at her. They gave her a round of applause as joyful laughter filled the dining room.
Lamar was happy that she was happy, but he wished that she would rejoin him at their table so that he could kiss his fiancée. Finally, he stood up and said, “Baby, c’mere.” His new bride-to-be rushed to his side, happy as could be.
“Yes, my love.” She felt warm all over. She looked at him with seductive eyes, and he grabbed her and gave her the most passionate kiss ever. After she finally came up for air, Judea beckoned the server. “Check please, ma’am.” Then she whispered to her soon-to-be husband, “I’ve always wanted to say that,” and giggled.
Judea could hardly wait to return to Altoona and exchange vows with Lamar. Her family would be tickled pink when they saw her diamond ring.
Nayla
After several months of steady dating, Palmer and Nayla seemed quite happy. Nayla and Jason got along well and had become the best of friends, but Palmer knew that something still wasn’t right.
Palmer prayed that God would send Karmen’s spirit to him just once more. He had to let his late wife go. He wanted to give his heart fully to Nayla, but he first had to release Karmen. She would always be his first love, but Palmer was ready to build a life with Nayla in Karmen’s absence.
Karmen finally came to him while he was napping. “Hello, my love,” she whispered in his ear.
Palmer shot upright in bed when he heard her voice. “Karmen?” Tears filled his eyes as he took in her beauty. She stood before him as if she had never left him.
“I felt you, Palmer,” Karmen explained as she clutched her hand over her chest. “I could hear you calling out to me. What’s wrong?”
Palmer didn’t know how to put his thoughts into words. “Karmen, I met someone, and I like her a lot. She’s great with Jason. No one will ever take your place, but—”
Before he could finish, she responded, “You need someone who can love you in a way that I no longer can, Palmer. I had God send her to you. Nayla will be good for you and for Jason. You have my blessing. Make her yours and love her completely.”
Palmer reached out to hug Karmen, but she blew him a kiss and faded away before he could embrace her. In the midst of his tears, his lips drew upward into a smile. Finally, his heart felt free. He could finally give Nayla his all.
Palmer knew that meant only one thing: he was ready to propose to Nayla and ask her to be his wife. Before he could ask Nayla for her hand in marriage, however, Palmer wanted to talk to his son.
The next morning, Palmer called Jason out of his room. “Come here, son.”
“Am I in trouble?” Jason asked. “Daddy, I didn’t mean to roll off all the toilet paper. I just wanted some, but the smell-good roll gave me all of it.”
Palmer couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Jason, I wish you had told me instead of letting me find clean toilet paper all over the floor. But that’s not why I called you. I want to talk to you about something else.”
Jason breathed a huge sigh of relief. Of course mimicking what he had seen adults do, he overexaggerated this act by wiping his brow and then putting his hand to his chest and saying, “Whew, that was so close.” Jason was such a ham.
“Jay, how do you feel about Ms. Nayla?” Palmer asked his comedic son.
“I love Ms. Nayla. She’s pretty like Mommy, and she’s really nice to me,” Jason told his father as he jumped up and down for no apparent reason. Palmer was in awe at his son’s energy. The boy seemed to never be still.
Palmer tried to explain why he was asking Jason about Nayla as clearly as possible. “Jay, son, the reason I’m asking you this is because . . . I would like to make Ms. Nayla a part of our family.”
“You mean she would be my new mommy? Now I’ll have a mommy here with me and my angel mommy?” Palmer nodded affirmatively. “Yay! I’m gonna have a mommy here with me!” Jason screamed.
Palmer was relieved to see Jason happy with the thought of Nayla being a part of their family. Now Palmer really prayed that she wouldn’t turn him down. He prayed that she would say yes.
* * *
“Nayla, does this fit right on me?” an excited Judea asked as she tried on her wedding undergarments. She was putting the garter around her neck.
“Yes, Judy, except that garter goes on your thigh, not around your neck.” She tried her best not to laugh out loud. My friend is so very funny. So innocent. Nayla loved that about her.
Her wedding was just two months away, and Nayla was so happy for her. Nayla would be lying if she didn’t say that she had begun thinking about weddings and marriage herself. She could easily see herself being Palmer’s wife and a mother to Jason.
“These some awful big er’rangs.”
Nayla had to turn around to see what Judea was talking about. When Nayla saw that she was talking about the charms that were supposed to go on her shoes, she couldn’t help but laugh so hard that she almost fell out of her chair.
“Judea, those are shoe adornments.” Nayla shook her head. “Don’t worry about those. They just came with the set. You don’t need them on your shoes.”
“Oh, okay, ’cause I was thankin’ them some mighty big
ear bobs.”
“Judea, what the hell are ear bobs?” Nayla asked with a smile.
“You know . . . er’rangs.”
Laughing, Nayla said, “Come on and change so we can go to lunch with Braylin.”
When they got back from lunch and the three of them were sitting in her office, Palmer knocked on the door. When Judea opened the door, he was dressed in a tuxedo and was holding a bouquet of red roses and a small black box.
“Palmer . . .” Nayla lost her voice to shock and surprise.
“Come here, sweetheart.” He asked her to sit down near where he was standing. Nayla kissed him, and he handed her the most beautiful roses she’d ever seen. “Nayla Monique Anderson, you have impacted my life in ways that I will never be able to express with words. I would like to show you my gratitude and my love for the rest of my days.” He dropped down to one knee. “Will you be my wife?” He opened the black box, revealing a beautiful three-carat, heart-shaped solitaire diamond set in a platinum band.
For the first time in her life, Nayla was speechless. Judea and Braylin both started screaming, “Say yes! Say yes!”
It took Nayla a second to compose herself. “Palmer, I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing with my life than spending it with you. Yes, I will marry you.”
He slipped the beautiful ring on her finger. When they kissed, she knew without a doubt that they would be together forever.
Braylin kissed and hugged them both, tears streaming down her face. Judea ran up to them, looked at Nayla and said, “We’s gon’ both be marr’ed ladies now!”
* * *
Palmer and Nayla had a whirlwind engagement. They hired Atlanta’s fiercest wedding planner, her high school friend, Sunshine Royal. She chose gold, ivory, and burgundy as her wedding colors. She loved designing her own gown, as well as the gowns for the bridal party. Their wedding took place October twenty-fifth, on Nayla’s mother’s birthday. Their day was so special it had to have been touched by God.
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