***
Connie finished her speech and took her seat. She never looked directly into the faces in the audience while giving a speech. She studied them afterwards after the speech to gauge their reaction. One man in particular was a little unnerving; he was in the third row center, and his intense stare was making her uncomfortable. She did a double take the man was Thomas. Connie didn't recognize him at first he shaved off his beard and mustache.
She did not believe for one moment that his appearance was a coincident. Thomas had been popping up all over town. Jenna and Samantha had a lot to answer for, and she would pay them back in kind. Thomas looked good with a shaved face; she never took the time just to look at him. His hair was dark as night, green flirty eyes, and his kissable full lips. She didn't want to think about his kissable lips. She missed having him in her bed, and he was wearing her down. She supposed that was his intent, to wear her down until she just gave in.
He chose that moment to smile at her. Oh my God, he had dimples; she found dimples in a man irresistible. Painful memories of her childhood came back in full force, a little boy with dimples smiling at her. She suddenly felt as if she were suffocating. Fortunately, for her the conference ended shortly after. Connie already presented her check to the conference organizers she made her polite farewells and head for the door.
***
Lord, he had to get Constantina alone so they could talk. Thomas still thinks he should have kidnapped her and taken her to his home. He should have kissed her silly until she forgot about the little hick up with the land deal. Long before their first kiss on New Year’s he knew she would be an indispensable woman in his life. Thomas had never felt a connection like this with another woman.
He could tell that her resistance was faltering. Samantha told him that Constantia was a sucker for dimples. He shaved his face for her. His plan seemed to work, he caught her checking him out after her speech. He acknowledged her perusal by smiling at her. After the conference was over Thomas searched for her amongst the crowd. He saw her speaking with one of the conference organizers Jayne Mitchell; she is a good friend of his mother.
“Hello there Jayne, I’m sorry to interrupt I just wanted give you my donation.”
“Oh Thomas it’s good to see you, come here I want to introduce you to Connie Jacobs. Connie I want you to meet Thomas Galvin, he’s a councilman you know. Connie is a treasure, she comes whenever we call, and she’s been a strong supporter of The Women’s League.”
Thomas loved touching her. Her hands were soft yet firm, if that made any sense. Now her eyes were ocean blue, he wanted to see them turn royal blue like when they made love. “Constantina and I already know each other. She’s a regular visitor of the city council chamber.”
“I almost didn’t recognize you without the beard and mustache.” Connie tried to pull back her hand, but Thomas held onto briefly before letting it go.
“It was getting itchy, besides I’ve been told that my dimples are irresistible.”
She had to leave now. “Jayne it’s been a pleasure, call me for the June festival.” Connie waved farewell to Thomas and Jayne as she made her way to the door. Seeing Thomas was unsettling, when he shook her hand she immediately she had visions of warm bodies on silk sheets.
Thomas came to a quick decision as he watched Connie depart. “Jayne it was good to see you again." He gave Jayne a brief hug before chasing down Connie. The woman always seemed to be running from him. Thomas caught up with Connie as she made it to the parking lot. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to his body wanting her to feel his erection. “We need to talk, it's been a long two weeks Constantina, and we have to clear up the matter of the land deal.”
"Damn it Thomas let me go, people are staring at us."
"I don't give a damn if people are staring at us. I don't care if we end up on the cover of every newspaper in the country. I'm not going to let you avoid me any longer. I've been trying to give you time to realize that I would never do anything to betray your trust. You're so damn stubborn, and you've been punishing both of us. Tell me right now, do you think I cheated you on that land swap deal?"
Connie saw the anguish is his eyes, and she couldn't deny him the truth. "No Thomas I don't think you'd ever do anything to hurt me, but I hurt both of us with my doubts."
Thomas looked around the parking lot, and they were getting a lot of attention. "You wouldn't have had any doubts if I'd told you about my connection to the Chisum Group." He draped his arm over her shoulders as they walked to her car. "I still might paddle your ass for running away from me."
"Well we better head to my house then; I like being tied up when I get spanked."
"You little tease if we weren't being spied on by hundreds of spectators I would take you against the car right now." He pressed her back against the car while molding his chest into her breasts. He kissed her with all the pent up frustrations of the last two weeks. "God Constantina I missed you so much. I've been walking around like half of a man, wondering I would beat you or kiss you for hiding from me."
Connie was shaking with sexual frustration, she was wondering how she was going to drive home. She put her head on his chest and luxuriated in the feeling of being with him when her cell phone rang, it was a ringtone reserved for Jenna. “Jenna!”
“Connie its Mike, your godchild is making his entrance into the world. Jenna is in labor at Methodist Hospital. Get your ass to the hospital.”
“The baby’s on the way! Have you notified Samantha?”
“Don’t you worry Connie; from all accounts the baby is OK. Samantha’s already here, Jenna was at work when her water broke.”
“Get back to Jenna and I’ll see you soon.” A sense of euphoria surged through Connie’s body, her godchild was being born.
Thomas smiled at her. "I take it that Jenna's baby is eager to make his entry into the world. Do you want me to drive?"
"You're coming with me to the hospital."
"I'm not letting you out of my sight; get your cute little tush in the car."
***
It took Connie and Thomas 45 minutes to make it to Methodist Hospital and park the car. By the time, they got to the waiting room Alexander Michael Johnson had made his way into the world. Mike sent her a picture and text message. Samantha, Michael’s partner Mack and his wife Linda waited to see the baby.
Samantha ran and hugged Connie, “You've been busy, no wonder I couldn't reach you. When did you and Thomas get back together?”
Connie laughed and hugged Samantha back before greeting Linda and Mack. “I was speaking at the League’s conference today. Thomas just happened to be there, so we started talking and cleared the air. I just turned my cell phone back on, and a few seconds later Mike called me as I left the parking lot.”
“Thomas I'm glad you and Con worked things out, she was looking mighty pathetic. From what I'm told you were dragging butt. Did you see photos of little Alexander?”
“Yes, he’s such a doll. It’s thrilling to welcome life into this world instead of losing someone. When can we see the baby?”
“The doctors are checking Alexander over. I imagine will see him before Jenna makes it back to her room.”
Mike came out to see them just as took a seat next to Linda. “How does it feel to be a father?”
Mike welcomed the hugs and congratulations. Seeing his son born was the most beautiful and the scariest thing he ever seen in his life. “It’s incredible I never thought I would become someone’s dad. Alexander is 7 lbs. and 8 oz. and he’s 12 inches long. They’re cleaning up Jenna now and checking the baby’s vitals before moving her into a room.”
“He sure came quickly; you just called me not even an hour ago.”
“Jenna had a few hard contractions and the doctor spotted his head. She came through like a real trooper. I should have known something was wrong, she didn’t sleep last night, and she had some discomfort in her back. Jenna didn’t complain about having any pains when I drove her to work.
Next thing I know Samantha called me telling me that Jenna’s water broke.”
Linda patted Mike on the back, “her labor started last night, and you guys just didn’t know it. I’m just glad she wasn’t alone when her water broke. Well I’ll leave you two men to talk your BS while the girls and I go to the gift shop to find something to brighten up Jenna’s room.
Mike, Thomas, and Mack watched them leave taking all the gaiety out of the waiting room with them. “I know how you’re feeling Mikey, when Linda had our first child I was nervous as hell and scared for her. Watching the woman you love give birth can make you think about celibacy. How’s Jenna?”
“She told me not to look at her body for the rest of my life. I’m sure this will pass once she forgets about the pain and discomfort she suffered during the pregnancy.”
Thomas just shook his head, “Alexander’s a pretty hefty baby for woman Jenna’s size. She will never forget the pain and discomfort of this pregnancy, and she won’t let you forget either."
"Thomas I'm just glad that my wife and son are okay. So when did you and Connie get back together? The last I heard she was still avoiding you."
"I'm not totally out of the woods yet, but we made significant strides today. I stalked her to the parking lot and made her talk to me. We've cleared the air; now we need to get busy with make up sex."
Mack got out of his chair and slapped Mike on the back. "I remember those days well, makes me want to start an argument on the way home."
"Whatever you do don't mention sex in front of Jenna. I have a feeling I won't be getting any until Alexander enters kindergarten. Let’s go see if Alexander's in the nursery."
***
Samantha couldn't help ribbing Connie while they waited to pay for their purchases. "I guess the drought is over."
"We were heading to my house for some kinky bondage sex when Jenna decided to give birth. I mean really she could have waited a couple of hours."
Samantha winked at Connie, "I got a feeling that kinky sex is still on the menu for tonight."
"As soon as we leave the hospital, I'm not even going to take time out for dinner."
Samantha, Linda, and Connie must have brought everything that was baby related in the gift shop. Mike sent them a text with Jenna’s room number. They grabbed their purchases and headed towards Jenna’s floor. “I wonder if all this stuff will even fit in her room.”
“If not Mike can take it home with them. I don’t imagine they’ll keep Jenna in the hospital too long.”
Connie nodded in agreement with Linda, “Provided that Jenna and the baby are okay she’ll probably be released within two days.”
When I gave birth to my children in the 80’s women used to stay in the hospital at least four days. When I was born in the 60's, it was a week. My how society has changed.”
Samantha gave Linda a grin, “More than likely the insurance policies back then didn’t have all the stop gaps and clauses the policies have today.”
When they reached Jenna’s room she and baby Alexander where there. Jenna was asleep, and Mike was holding the baby. They set the balloons and plants on the window ledge and placed the other packages in the corner of the room.
“They just fed him, who wants to hold him first.”
“Connie sit down and hold your godson.”
Connie washed her hands before sitting in a chair next to Jenna’s bed. Mike handed her the baby who chose that moment to open his eyes and yawn. He was looking at her as if he were trying to figure out her role in his life. “I’m your Aunt Connie. I’m the fun aunt who will bring you noisy toys to drive you parents' nuts.” She cried when his little fingers wrapped around her pinky.
“Oh my God isn’t he precious. It’s too early to tell his eye color.”
Connie gave Linda a rueful grin, “do you want to hold him Linda.”
Linda was impatient to hold the baby, and everybody knew it. “Only if you’re done holding him.”
Thomas never thought there would come a day that he would want to be a father until he saw Constantina hold baby Alexander. He could envision her pregnant with his child. He also had visions of the several children they would have. He felt as if he swallowed his heart, how had she come to mean so much to him so fast. He stood behind her and touched her shoulder as she cradled the baby in her arms.
Connie had seen that look in Thomas's eyes before he moved behind her. She didn't know what he was thinking, but holding Alexander made her realize what she’d been missing in life. She wanted a family of her own, a husband and children. “I don’t want to hog little Alexander.” She rocked him for a few minutes before handing him over to Linda. Connie hugged Mike and sat on the other side of Jenna’s bed watching Linda and Samantha take turns hold him.
“What do you think of your godson Connie?”
Connie took Jenna’s hand, “He’s absolutely beautiful.” Jenna’s skin was pale, and she had dark circles under her eyes. Giving birth to Alexander did a number on her. “How do you feel sweetie?”
“I feel as if I pushed out a watermelon. I’m not likely to forget the pain of giving birth any time soon. Now that, I've seen Alexander sleeping so peacefully, it was worth any amount of pain to bring him into the world.
“You did good Jenna. Laura would be proud of you. You look tired, Thomas and I are going to leave we have some unfinished business to attend. I'll see you tomorrow.”
Jenna smiled at Connie as she and Thomas said their good-byes. Samantha gave her the thumbs up signal letting her know that Connie and Thomas were back on track. Happy tears flowed from Jenna's eyes, her baby had brought joy to so many lives. Mike saw her tears and immediately became concerned; he wore that expression often during her pregnancy. It felt good to be loved so much by the man of your dreams.
"Honey are you okay?"
"I'm exhausted, nothing a little rest won't cure."
"Then why are you crying."
Jenna raised Mike's hand to her mouth and kissed the palm of his hand. "These are happy tears my love. I never knew that I could be so happy."
***
Crystalline was still fuming hours after attending the Domestic Violence Conference. She read in the paper that Tina was one of the speakers. She went for the sole purpose of hearing what Tina had to say. She couldn't believe the lies that came out of her mouth. Tina told that packed auditorium that her mother tried to kill her and her brother by setting a fire and leaving them for dead. Tina went on to talk about how much she suffered because of her burns.
"What about how I suffered? That little bitch lied, she set that fire and now she's blaming me!" Crystalline lit a cigarette not realized she still had a one burning in the ashtray.
Jimmie Lee rushed down into the basement of his cousin's house where he and Crystalline had been staying for the last week. "What's going on down here Crystalline?"
"That bitch is gonna get what she has coming to her. I wonder how many times she's told that lie about how I set that fire. Get me a beer Jimmy Lee we need to start planning. I got Tina's contact information if she doesn't give me what I want. I'll start telling the truth about how she set that fire that killed my boy."
Jimmy Lee hated when Crystalline got all worked up like this, but the pay off was something he couldn't ignore. "Baby, we'll make her pay. I'll take care of everything, just let me know what you need me to do, and I'll do it. I would kill for you if necessary."
"I would never kill my kid Jimmy Lee, but I sure can make her wish she was dead."
***
Chapter 14
Connie promised to make cookies for Joanie’s luncheon and she stayed up most of Friday night making them. She had chocolate chip, double chocolate macadamia, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, and sugar. Connie made three trays of cookies, hoping that she made enough. When no one answered the front door, Connie went around to the back yard; Joanie had a lovely home. The garden in the backyard was beautiful she could sit back there for hours daydreaming. She looked around and did not see one person,
although the tables and tents were set up.
“Can I help you?”
Connie turned around and was standing face to face with Thomas. Thomas grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close to his body for a kiss. She punched him in the arm for scaring her. “Thomas you scared the bejesus out of me. What are you doing here?"
"Well this is my mother's house, and I do visit her from time to time. I take it that you're here for the luncheon; it's still a little early for attendees."
"I'm looking for your mom; I made cookies for the luncheon.”
Thomas gave her a little smirk, shaking his head as if he were a little disappointed in her. “So this was the big project that kept you out of my bed last night. You didn't have to kick me out of your house; I've been told that I can be handy. I know that we've been taking it slow, but we can't hide our relationship forever and especially not from my nosey mother."
Sometimes Thomas could be so exasperating. "I'm not trying to hide our relationship Thomas; I just don't like everybody in my business."
Thomas loved it when she got all flustered, it soothed his male ego. "Listen babe, we're both public figures; we attend a lot of social functions and we will be attending them together. I don't mind sleeping over your house every once in a while, but eventually were going to have to come to terms with our living arrangements as well."
"Living arrangements!" Connie was feeling claustrophobic, Thomas was moving way too fast for her.
Thomas could kick his own ass for causing anxiety in Constantina. "Calm down, we don't have to make any decisions today. Mom’s in the kitchen talking to the caterer. Do you want me to help you with the cookies?”
“Yes, I need help I have three trays of cookies. I really didn't expect to see you here today at the League's luncheon of all places."
He came to help his mother put up tables; he decided to stay because his mother told him that Constantina made cookies for the luncheon. He wondered why Constantina hid this tidbit of information. She wasn't like any other woman; she didn't view him as a conquest. "I'm in touch with my feminine side."
No Ordinary Romance Page 14
