His Loving Caress

by Candace Shaw

  “Girl, go ahead and call your hubby back. I’m going to greet the models and then call to see where Mya and my parents are.”

  “All right, love,” Ciara said, sliding her cell phone out of her pocket and then jetting out of the room.

  For the rest of the day, Elle assisted with the models practicing walking the runway in their outfits until it was time for her to return to the hotel nearby to get dressed for the show. She was still a nervous wreck and she hated that because she knew Ciara, Kirk and the rest of the crew were doing an outstanding job.

  Once she returned to the venue, she headed to the red carpet and took plenty of pictures with the celebrities as well as the fashion magazine editors and thanked them for coming. She did a few short interviews about the line and what customers could expect as far as prices and sizes. Afterward, she headed backstage and into the chaotic atmosphere, typical of the mood right before a show would begin. But she loved the rush of it as the models were getting their last-minute touch-ups of hair and makeup. She went through the line and gave her final critique, removing overdone jewelry from some models or having a few girls switch out shoes or shades.

  As she settled in her spot right behind the curtain, the lights went out and the upbeat music started to play. The models began to strut their stuff and Classic Elle down the catwalk to cheers and applause. She peeked out to see people smiling and nodding and her heartbeat settled down. When the last model walked out and back, Kirk nodded his head from the other side and Ciara gave Elle a hug before she strutted down the runway in a purple faux-wraparound dress, a piece from the day-and-night collection. Elle had opted not to wear the peplum jacket that came with it for fear of sweating. She was always nervous walking the runway. She waved and nodded to everyone as they stood and cheered. She stopped for a few pictures at the end of the catwalk, smiling beautifully before pivoting and returning backstage into the arms of Ciara and Kirk who were cheering and screaming like two school girls.

  “We did it!” Elle jumped up and down along with them. “Thank you, Kirk and Ciara. I’m so glad this is over with.”

  “Almost. You have pictures with the models and the after-party,” Ciara reminded.

  “Yeah... I’ll swing through for an hour or so but I’m tired. Aren’t you tired?” She linked arms with her friends as they crashed on the couch in the sitting area where tons of flowers awaited her. She scanned them looking for one type in particular.

  “Adrenaline, girl. I’m pooped but so ready to party.”

  “I hear you, girl.”

  Mya approached, with Elle’s hairstylist and a makeup artist. “Elle, you need to retouch your hair and makeup for a couple more interviews and then pictures with the models. We have about ten minutes.”

  “Oh, yeah. I forgot.” Standing, she glanced over her shoulder at the flowers as she followed behind Mya to the makeup station. “Um...are those all the flowers?” She glimpsed again. Where are the orchids?

  “Yes. I read the cards. Most are from other designers. The usual. Shall I donate them to the children’s hospital as always?”

  “Um...yes. Have Cindi take them over.”

  For the next hour, she interviewed with the press and then hung out with the models taking selfies for their social media pages, but she couldn’t concentrate through her fake smile. Braxton had always sent the white orchids without fail to every single fashion show she’d ever done. She tried to shake it off but her heart hurt and she began to feel lightheaded.

  After her last interview, Elle finally headed out to the SUV and crashed in the backseat next to Ciara.

  “Girl, we can finally party. I just called Kirk, he’s already there. He said it’s packed.”

  “Cool.” Elle stared out the window, barely listening as she ran through her phone and started returning text messages from celebrities who had attended the show and were congratulating her on a wonderful collection. A text popped up from Braxton.

  Hey, beautiful. How was the show?

  It was a success. On my way to the after-party. Too bad you couldn’t make it.

  Me too, but I’m sure I’ll see you soon, Sunshine.

  That would be nice, Maestro.

  “Girl, we’re here.” Ciara clapped as the SUV stopped and the driver along with the security guard approached Elle’s back door. “You look beautiful, my friend.” She blinked her long lashes fast.

  “Thank you and so do you. Are you okay? You seem teary-eyed.”

  Ciara slapped Elle’s knee as they climbed out of the Escalade. “Chile, I’m good.”

  “Okay. Let’s go so I can show my face and then go home and crash. My bed misses me.”

  As Elle approached the ballroom she was amazed by all the people in attendance. She’d approved the guest list yesterday, but it seemed as if more people were there than she’d remembered. She was elated to see the tables adorned with beautiful white orchids in gold pots. Beautiful white sheers with gold ivy leaves draped the ceiling. It was breathtaking and for the first time that day, she smiled genuinely.

  “You want a glass of wine, Ms. Lauren?” Mya asked.

  “Sure, that would be...” She stopped as a familiar tune from the band began to play. Turning toward the stage, her heart skipped a few beats as she caught the eyes of Braxton gazing at her. He wore a delicious grin and was seated at a black baby grand piano amongst the rest of his band. The song they performed was the one he’d been practicing in the Hamptons before she’d interrupted him.

  Flabbergasted, she turned to Mya and then Ciara. By that time Kirk had sashayed over with a glass of wine and handed it to her.

  “You all knew he was here?”

  Ciara nodded with a sly smile. “Yes, girl, I almost fainted when Braxton called and you were with me earlier today. That’s why I didn’t answer the phone. You know I can multitask.”

  “But how...?” Elle couldn’t stop smiling as she made her way to her VIP section in front of the stage, never taking her eyes off Braxton as he never took his off her.

  “He called your office last week and I answered because you were running around handling fittings for the show. Next thing I know we had planned for him to play tonight as a surprise for you. He even supplied all the orchids you see. I caught you roaming your eyes over the flowers earlier after the fashion show. You were wondering where your orchids were. Right here, with your man.”

  Elle laughed as she gazed around her area and then realized that the entire Chase crew was there along with her parents and her closet friends.

  The Chase women all gave her a hug. “Oh, my. You all are here, too? What a lovely surprise.”

  She wanted to sit because her feet were killing her, but at the same time, she really wanted to run on the stage and give Braxton the biggest hug. She’d missed the hell out of him and was elated that he was there. As the song ended, the audience clapped and Braxton strolled down the three steps at the front of the stage and held his hand out to Elle.

  “Hi, there,” he said with a smile that oozed confidence.

  She ran her hand through her curls that she was thankful she had refreshed before the party and placed her hand in his as he led her onto the stage. “Hi. I like your tux,” she complimented, wandering her eyes over it. He was downright enticing and tempting in a tuxedo she’d designed a few years ago with him in mind. Now she just had the urge to rip it off.

  “I do believe it’s an Elle Lauren.”

  “It better be.”

  “You thought I’d forgotten about you?” he whispered.

  “No.”

  He swished his lips to the side. “I know you, Elle Lauren. I know you better than anyone else in this entire ballroom.”

  “It’s just that you’ve been different with me,” she said with a slight pout.

  “You needed time and I gave it to you.”

 
“I appreciate that, but why am I on the stage?” she asked as he motioned for her to sit on the piano bench. “It’s not time for me to speak yet. There’s a program.”

  “You’ll see,” he said, sliding the microphone out of its stand.

  “I am not playing ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ in front of all these people, Maestro.”

  “No, baby. We don’t want to hear that. Just sit there and listen to me.” Leaning down, he kissed her softly on the lips. “I’ve missed you like crazy so I better stop before I forget all these people are here.” He winked, and proceeded to the middle of the stage.

  Puzzled, she crossed her legs and waited with baited breathe to hear what he was going to say.

  Braxton cleared his throat, glanced at her and then back at the audience. “Hello, everyone. I’m Braxton Chase.” He stopped and took a deep breath. “Years ago...ten years ago, I left Elle Lauren, the woman I love, on our wedding day. I didn’t even bother to show up. I was young and selfish. Immature. Scared. But it really wasn’t an excuse because I hurt her. I hurt the woman I loved who had been loyal and loving to me practically all of our entire lives. That saying, you don’t know what you got until it’s gone? It’s very true. A day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t thought about her, looked at her picture or said a prayer that all is well with her.”

  He turned slightly toward Elle as she sat in awe at his words. She couldn’t believe he was actually doing this in front of all these people.

  “So this evening in front of my family, Elle’s parents, friends and more than likely all the social media outlets.” He paused and turned toward Elle. “I want the world to know how much I love you, Elle Lauren.”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks as she heard a chorus of oohs and ahhs from the audience. She noticed Mya and Ciara standing at the bottom of the stage crying more than she. Braxton walked toward her and kneeled down. Her blood raced with excitement as he captured her hands in one of his and gazed at her with so much love she thought she would burst with overwhelming happiness.

  “I know right now that you don’t fully trust me and that’s okay, babe. Because like I told you before I’m not giving up on us this time. So I’m telling you in front of everyone here and beyond, who are going to hold me accountable, especially your dad, whom I had a man-to-man chat with earlier...” Both Elle and Braxton glanced at her dad, who nodded at them with a serious expression plastered across his face. Her mother gave a smile and wink.

  Elle turned the microphone off and whispered in Braxton’s ear. “My father didn’t show you his gun, did he?”

  “Not this time,” he answered seriously.

  “Oh. Continue.” She slid the switch back on.

  “I’m not going anywhere. I love you. I know you think music is my first love but it’s not. It’s you. It’s always been you. I think you enhanced my music because you’ve been my muse. My inspiration. But it doesn’t compare to my love for you, Sunshine. So I’ll wait for you until you’re ready. Forever if I have to. In the meantime, I just closed on the club here in New York. Not only will I be overseeing the renovations, but I’m moving here to run it, as well. The one in Atlanta has a wonderful general manager and staff. So I’ll be here whenever you’re ready, babe.”

  The audience clapped and cheered as Elle glanced at them through teary eyes before placing her focus back on Braxton.

  Setting both her hands on either side of his face, she rested her forehead on his. “I love you, too, and you don’t have to wait any longer. I’m all yours, Braxton Chase, forever and forever.”

  Grinning like a Cheshire cat, he dropped the microphone and pulled her into his arms, twirling her around on the stage over and over before setting her on her heels and dip-kissing her.

  Once lifting her back up, they were trampled with hugs and kisses from their family and friends. Elle was on such a high and it continued well into the night as they partied and danced. Luckily, Braxton had invited one of his piano buddies to take his place at the keys so he could spend the evening with Elle.

  Later on that night, she lay in his loving embrace in her apartment in Manhattan. They’d just made love and were relaxing on the floor. That’s where they ended up and neither had the strength to move.

  “I still can’t believe you’re here,” she said, running her fingers along his chest.

  “I told you I wasn’t giving up.”

  “I know and now all of social media knows, as well.” She laughed, reaching up to her nightstand to grab her cell phone. She started to check some of the local gossip sites and lo and behold saw video from that evening.

  He reached up to his cell phone, as well. “I have a lot of congrats and various ‘he better do right by her’ phrases in my mentions on Twitter.” He showed her the tweets and she laughed out loud.

  “Well, I guess you better do right by me this time, mister,” she said in a teasing manner, tossing her cell and then his up on the bed. She slid on top of him and stared down. “But I trust you will.”

  He laced his fingers in her hair. “You’re so beautiful and I’m so lucky to have you. I don’t even know how I lived my life without you for so long. I’m just glad now I don’t have to experience that anymore. It’s a horrible, empty feeling without your soul mate. Your best friend. The woman you love. And you have always been all those things to me, babe.”

  “I concur.” She rubbed her nose against his. “You’re stuck with me now, Maestro. Oh, that song you were playing when I walked in and in the Hamptons, what’s it called? It’s so beautiful.”

  “Mmm...that’s right, you’ve never heard it before. It’s called Mrs. Chase.”

  Her forehead indented and she sat up on him. “Your mother?”

  “Uh...no. You.”

  Taken aback, she slid off him and sat cross-legged on the floor. “I’m not Mrs. Chase.”

  “I wrote it years ago... I was going to play it at our wedding reception.”

  “Oh...wow. I see. Well, I guess you still can.”

  “So you’ll marry me?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  He sat up and stared at her in bewilderment. “Tomorrow?”

  She laughed out loud. “Down, boy. I don’t think that will be enough time for me to plan a wedding. How about a destination wedding? I hear Bermuda is lovely this time of year.”

  He scooped her up in his arms and placed her on his lap. “Baby, I don’t care where. You just tell me when, and I’ll be there in my Elle Lauren tuxedo. I promise. But first we have to go to Harry Winston’s and get you a beautiful diamond engagement ring.”

  “I don’t care. I just want to be Mrs. Braxton Chase.”

  “And I can’t wait for you to be Mrs. Elle Chase.”

  Epilogue

  Braxton gazed around his club in Atlanta at his family as they all gathered on the mezzanine level for the brunch following the christening of his two beautiful nieces. It was indeed a joyous occasion as Megan and Steven were elated with their daughters’ special day. The twins were adorned in the breathtaking gowns that Elle had made by hand. At the thought of her, his eyes immediately settled on his wife’s lovely radiant face that beamed with happiness. She winked at him as she took Layla from Megan and headed over to Sydney who was holding Madelyn for pictures.

  “Hey, man.”

  Braxton turned to see Preston at his side, sipping a mimosa and eating a croissant sandwich.

  “What’s up, man? Beautiful occasion, isn’t it?” Braxton asked, laying eyes on Elle once more as she took pictures with his sisters and Tiffani.

  Preston nodded. “Yeah. A lot sure has happened to the Chase crew this year. Goodness. Where should I begin? Tiffani got married to someone I like this time around, Megan had two adorable girls, and you’re finally an uncle and a married man. Oh, and Sydney’s pregnant. Still can’t believe that one.�
� Preston shook his head with a smile. “Life sure is changing but it’s a good thing. We’re all very blessed.”

  Braxton nodded in agreement. “And married. That just leaves you, bro.” He patted his cousin on the back.

  Preston cut his eyes at him. “Man, don’t make me curse you out in your own establishment,” he said in a teasing manner. “Nah... I’m good. Not my turn yet. Shouldn’t it be one of our other cousins’ turns or something like that?” Preston asked with a serious expression. “Aunt Darla’s children?”

  Braxton chuckled at his cousin’s fear of settling down with one woman. “Nope. All the Arringtons in Memphis are married. You were at their weddings, remember? You refused to catch the garter and when you did at Sean’s wedding you tossed it to me.”

  “My point exactly, and now you’re married. That thing is a curse.”

  “You’re next, playboy.”

  “What about the other Chases?” Preston asked, finishing off his drink and setting his glass on a nearby table.

  “I’m talking about our crew. The Atlanta crew. Besides, I’ve seen the way you’ve been checking out Blythe Ventura today.” Braxton nodded his head toward her as she chatted with his mother. “You’ve been trying to hook up with her since the night of that paint party last year.”

  Preston ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “She’s gorgeous, but she’s not the hookup type. She’s the type you bring home and whatnot.” He shrugged as the gentlemen made their way to the buffet table. “Besides, she’s best friends with Tiffani and I respect that.”

  “I hear you, man, plus, your sister would not be happy with you if you played her girl.”

  Preston patted Braxton on the back. “Here comes your better half now,” he said, walking away as Elle approached.

  “Hey, Maestro.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and stared up at him with warm eyes.

  “Hi, there.” He leaned down for a quick smooch on her pouty pink lips. “Today was a lovely day.”

  “Mmm, indeed it was. Maybe we’ll be having our own christening in a year or so,” she said with a wide smile on her beaming face.