by Marcus Woods
"I know Devin. You were wrong but I forgive you. I couldn't hold a grudge any longer. I just needed time to myself."
"Okay. I understand. Just know my feelings for you haven't changed a bit. I still love you."
"Wow. That's so sweet for you to say. I love you too Mr. Banks." I love it when she refers to me as Mr. Banks. For some reason, it makes me feel like the astute businessman that I aspire to be.
"That's good to hear. Anyway, I really want to see you," I said.
"That's good because I want to see you too. We really need to talk about some important things and I prefer to do it face to face," Lucy suggests.
"I agree. I got some important news to discuss as well."
"Ok babe. Well can you come over here?"
"Sure. Let me take a shower and I will head over there shortly."
"Ok."
"Oh yea. I got a request."
Sure. What's up?
"Wear that sexy pink dress you wore when I first met you at The Premiere," I request in a smooth, seductive tone.
"You ain't out of the doghouse yet Mr. Banks," she replies, giggling.
"Hmmm. We shall see about that."
"Devin. Please behave yourself when you come over. We just need to talk."
I let out a small huff. "Oh alright, I will behave myself," I said. "Well I am about to take a shower. I'll be there shortly."
"Alright babe, See you then." The phone call ends.
As I get up and head upstairs to take a shower, I wonder what in the world Lucy has to tell me. I thought I was the only one harboring secrets. Oh well. Whatever it is, I am determined for us to remain together. She is my first true love. And if I can help it, my only true love. She has no idea what is in store for her when I arrive. The paternity results are not the only thing I plan to disclose to her. Something tells me this will be an eventful night.
Chapter 21
Life Is Full of Surprises
(Brownstone "5 Miles To Empty" playing from Lucy's stereo)
I arrive at Lucy's house. When she opens the door, I wrap my muscular arms around her soft, curvy figure. I used to care less about hugging a woman as a bachelor. I was more concern with her hugging me with her legs wrapped around my hips. With the woman I love, a hug was as good as engaging in "sensual mischief"…well almost.
Lucy wears her bedtime attire: a headscarf, matching lavender silk pajama shirt and pants, house shoes and no facial makeup. Even in standard attire, her beauty radiates. I sport a dark blue and gray University of Memphis hoodie, V-neck white shirt, gray jogging pants and blue tennis shoes.
The fresh scent of lavender potpourri envelops her living room. Lavender is undoubtedly her favorite scent. My Uncle Teddy once told me every lady got a go-to scent for her house and her body. Lavender is Lucy's go-to house scent. For perfume, her go-to brand is DKNY Pure.
"Hey stranger. Long time, no see, hear, call, text, email, Morse code or anything," I say, smiling. She starts chuckling.
"Hello Devin. Now you know why I didn't contact your little black butt," she replies. I let out a minor huff.
"Yes ma'am. I do. And speaking of which, I need to tell you something."
"Sure. What is it?" Lucy sat back in the sofa with her arms folded and legs cross.
"Well I'm sure you're aware of the paternity test to determine if Antwan is mine." Lucy nods her head.
"Well the test results came today in the mail."
"Oh. Sooo, what did it say?"
"Well, according to the results, little Antwan is not my child."
"Oh. Wow. Ok."
Lucy tilts her head up and whispers, "Thank God." It would have been difficult to continue our relationship if Antwan was my son. How could I be the father of my girlfriend's cousin? That sound like some shit from the, The Jerry Springer Show.
"Wow indeed. It would have been weird as hell if I were the father of your little cousin. Still, my feelings for you wouldn't waver." I move closer to Lucy and hold her hand while staring into her light brown pupils. "I still would want to be with you Ms. Jackson."
"Really?" She flashes a child-like grin. I nod my head.
"Yes ma'am." We lean towards each other and share a fervent French kiss. A soothing, warm sensation shoots through my body as our lips and tongue reunite. She nuzzles her head into my chest and I held her tight for a few minutes. There was complete silence except for the smooth R & B tunes from her stereo. Romantic moments like this are what I secretly yearned for prior to meeting Lucy.
Sure, sexing multiple females on a weekly basis is fun for most men. It gets old quick as he gets older. Well at least for me, it did. Eventually, he desires companionship with someone he can take a life-long voyage. I am not ready for marriage. Yet, Lucy got a brother thinking about jumping the broom one day.
Lucy shatters the silence by stating she is not surprised about the paternity results due to Keisha's promiscuous ways. Lucy tried to lecture her about not being a slut if she wants a respectable man. Keisha obviously did not listen. Of all guys, why did she believe I was the father? Maybe I was the most "daddy-ready" from Keisha's perspective. Whatever the case, Keisha was wrong for subjecting me to this stressful ordeal.
I explained to Lucy about how the "accidental oral episode" occurred at my mama's house. She shook her head throughout the story. Keisha and Lucy are so similar in stature. I cannot be the only FAITHFUL man in history who has made that honest mistake. I am glad I stopped Keisha before it escalated into intercourse. The funny thing is Lucy was not upset about it. Instead, she states, "Unless you see me put the blindfold on you, do not lick that cat." We erupt in laughter. It amazes me how cool my woman is at times.
Another nugget I learn about Keisha is she suffers from a mild case of schizophrenia. No wonder behavior is erratic. Her mental affliction is probably the reason she named her son after me. In addition, she was aware of Lucy and I relationship, yet never disclosed to me they were cousins. As I also suspect, Lucy believes Keisha came over here to be messy. This information is appalling, yet clarified Keisha's character. Hopefully, she will get the professional help she needs to function normally for the sake of her son. Maybe Lakeside can help Keisha as they helped my dad.
"Anyway Mr. Banks, you said you had something to tell me over the phone. It wasn't just the paternity test results." She sat up a bit while staring at me underneath my chin.
"Oh yea! I got a little surprise for you." I reach in my pocket. Lucy's eyes wanders to my pocket in anticipation of what I was about to reveal. A piece of folded notebook paper surfaces in my left hand.
"Oh ok. I thought I was going to see something shiny at first," Lucy said, smiling.
"No, not yet. So be patient Mrs. Banks, I meant Miss. Jackson," I joke. Lucy playfully hit my arm. One day an engagement ring may be the surprise.
"I actually wrote a poem dedicated to you. I wrote it one day upon waking up during this past month."
"Aw. That's sweet of you."
"Yep. Too bad I'm not going to read it to you," I said. I pull the paper to my chest.
"Boy, you better read me my poem." Lucy reaches for the paper. She can be feisty at times but it is a turn-on.
"Alright feisty lady." I unfold the paper.
"The name of this poem is, My L." Lucy sat attentively as I recite the first verse.
"Dear L,
Your gracing presence,
Something of an essence.
A breath of fresh air,
Despite being immersed by debris and smoke.
Giving me hope when feelings were of despair.
Embracing my flaws with open arms,
Obeying my laws, no need for alarms.
Consistency, the reason for this poetry,
Something you effortlessly reveal to thee.
Everlasting love?
Foreseen as we progress,
You are my L aka my lady,
So patience is my process."
Lucy eyes got watery. A fixate smile adorns her face. I desired this ex
pression. I wrote from my heart and wanted every word to resonate within her.
"Wow Devin. That was so special. A man has never written a poem for me before."
"For real?" I respond.
"Yes. I'm for real."
A woman as gorgeous as Lucy, I thought this would be the 1000th poem dedicated to her. I guess other guys she dated did not feel strongly enough to do such a thing. Being with Lucy taught me to be expressive towards things or people I am passionate about. I can be nonchalant at times, but I strive to be more expressive of my affection for her.
"Well I'm happy to break your poem virginity," I reply with a sly grin. She begins laughing.
"Devin you are so silly." She leans in and gives me a peck on the jaw. She lays back and her facial expression switch to a somewhat serious demeanor.
"Devin, you mean so much to me. I understand now what happened between you and my cousin was way before we got serious. And I do believe what happened at your mama house was an honest mistake. I truly do. I wish you would have told me sooner about the whole situation."
"I know baby. I was wrong but I assure you, I learn from my mistakes. No more secrets." I place my hand over my heart akin to the pledge of allegiance. "I solemnly swear that I, Devin Antwan Banks, will be upfront with you from this day forth."
"Ok. I believe you. Anyway, I have two things I need to tell you."
"Oh." I lean back on the sofa. It baffles me that Lucy has not one, but two things to tell me. After being remorseful for my secrets, it turns out Lucy has some secrets of her own. Lucy took a deep breath and resume talking.
"Yea. The first thing is I was engaged about five years ago."
"Oh word?"
"Yes. I was engaged to this guy name Martin. He was older than me by about three years. Anyway, I thought he was the love of my live."
"Oh ok. So what happened? Why didn't y'all get married?"
"Well one day, I came home early from work and I found him and my former best friend in bed together."
"Whoa! Really? Now that's fucked up!" I was flabbergasted. I had no clue Lucy was almost married at one point. And for her then-fiancé to sleep with her then-best friend? That's heart wrenching for any man or woman to witness. No wonder she told me she wasn't looking for a relationship when we first met.
"Yes it was fucked up. Let's just say I turnt up that day."
"I bet you did. Are they still living?" I ask, half-jokingly. She starts laughing.
"Yes silly. They are last I heard. I just told both of them to get the hell out of my house. Afterwards, I threw all his belongings on to the front lawn and sat them on fire."
"Wow! So you turned into Angela Bassett from Waiting To Exhale, huh?"
"Sure did. I told you I turnt up but it didn't help much though. That hurt me for a looooong time. After Martin, I could care less about being serious with another man."
"Yea. I can understand that."
"Yea. It wasn't until I met you that I thought I could be in love again. You know someone who I could foresee a future with."
"Really?"
"Yes. That's why when I found out about you and Keisha, I snapped. It just rehashed memories of my ex-fiancé in bed with my best friend. But this time, it was my own cousin."
I shook my head while giving Lucy an endearing hug. My actions hurt Lucy too but not like that. I didn't know Keisha was her cousin until she came over to her house. I didn't know that Antwan was her little cousin. I didn't know her ex-fiancé slept with her ex-best friend. Hell, I didn't even know Lucy was ever engaged! Before our relationship can progress, we need to expose every secret. With that said, she has one more thing to disclose.
"Ok babe. You said you had two things to reveal to me. What is the second thing?" I inquire.
Before Lucy could speak, she pushes away from me and rushes towards the restroom. Sounds of gagging and vomiting invade my eardrums. The immediacy of this action startles the hell out of me. She was fine the whole time I been here. How did she get sick so quick? I went to go check on her. She is kneeled over head first in the toilet.
"Hey baby. Are you okay? Was it something you ate earlier?" I squat down to massage her back. She slowly gazes up at me and shakes her head no.
"Ok. So tell me? What is it?"
She takes a deep breath as she gathers her words without vomiting.
"I'm pregnant."
"Hold up. You're what?!?"
I thought I misheard her until she told me again. How could that be? She was on birth control. I can't believe it. Today, I go from discovering I'm not the father of Lucy's cousin's baby to finding out I'm having a baby with her. She found out about two weeks ago when she started feeling nauseous at work. She is almost two months pregnant. This news is so shocking; I didn't get a chance to tell Lucy about the progress I've made regarding Fitness 4Play. When she felt better, we went to bed. I held her all night long while assuring her that I will be there for her and our unborn child.
Whatever the case may be, I love Lucy. I am fearful of fatherhood, but I will embrace it. Hopefully, my business is successful because it appears I am starting a family. Wow. Life is full of surprises.
THE END
Coming this summer is the 2nd novel of the Fitness 4Play saga:
Fitness 4Play: Business Mix With Pleasure
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About the Author:
Marcus A. Woods is a recipient of B.A. in Business Finance & M.S. in Health & Sports Science from the University of Memphis. He owns and operates a personal training business (called Freewill Fitness) in Memphis, TN. Marcus has ghostwritten several health & fitness eBooks and articles (and currently writes for several blogs/websites). Now, he steps into the realm of romance erotica novels where he spawn tales loosely based on his personal dating experiences. His writing style has been describe as engaging, entertaining and eccentric. After reading one of his literary works, you will see why.
