by D. Camille
“You just make sure those five babies don’t start arriving until my granddaughter’s last name is Shaw,” Millie warned him.
“Yes, I understand.”
Millie nodded then stood to her feet. “Come and have dinner with us,” she invited. “I made Tauri’s favorite.”
Rion and Henry both stood as well. “Thank you. What’s her favorite?” Rion asked.
“Spaghetti and fried chicken.”
He paused. “Really?” Rion had been raised very health conscious due to his Khemetic beliefs.
Millie caught his hesitation and smiled. “Yes sir, so you might as well develop a taste for it now.”
He shrugged. “I guess so.”
Rion followed them into the kitchen and sat down to eat with his future grandparents-in-law.
******
The next day, Tauri came to return her grandmother’s containers that had been delivered by Rion to her office the previous night. Henry and Millie both had a chance to chat with her during her visit and they realized that their baby girl was definitely in love.
They climbed into bed later that night after Tauri had gone.
“Do you think she’s going to give him a chance?” Millie asked lying against her husband’s chest.
Henry rubbed her back through her nightgown. “I hope she does. He’s what she needs.”
Millie agreed. “He’s strong and he seems to understand her fears.”
“He loves this city and is rooting himself here. She has to believe that he’s serious,” Henry commented.
She smiled up at him. “Five children?”
“I’d love to see all those babies.”
“The ones we didn’t have,” Millie said quietly.
Henry stroked her face. “I got all that I wanted and needed in you, Millie Patterson.”
Her eyes misted. “Thank you Henry.”
“It’s the truth pretty woman.”
Millie hugged him close. “I just want her to be happy.”
“He seemed determined to make that happen. Let’s just see how this plays out.”
She smiled. “He’s her bunny rabbit.”
Henry agreed. “When she realizes that, she’ll be fine.”
“I know I realized from the start that I wanted to be Mrs. Henry Patterson.”
He laughed. “Even told the police that.”
She joined in. “I was so scared that day.”
Henry lifted her face to his. “I know, but you took care of business. I knew then that nothing was going to stop me from making you mine.” He kissed her softly.
“Plus, those were the best damn panties I’d ever had,” he teased her.
“Don’t you talk about my panties, Henry Patterson!” she said laughing.
Henry laid her on the mattress. “And I never wanted any others…”
******
The city of Detroit was in a frenzy when the news of the marriage between Prosecutor Tauri Patterson and baseball great Orion Shaw was announced. In addition, Orion had obtained the go ahead to purchase the franchise he so desperately wanted.
He and Tauri had gone through some trials on their road to matrimony, but in the end, Orion had put Tauri’s needs first and kept his promise to take care of her before anything else. Now the couple was settling into their new lives as husband and wife and soon-to-be parents.
Millie had early morning plans to meet with Orion’s mother, Pam Shaw to discuss baby shower plans in anticipation of the couple’s first child. During the wedding process, the two women had bumped heads on many things, but now with the birth of Pam’s first grandchild and Millie’s first great-grandchild, the two women had made amends…sort of.
Henry was already up reading the paper in the kitchen as she prepared to leave.
“I can make you some breakfast before I leave Henry.”
He stood and came over to her. “You know very well that I can feed myself. Now you go on and be nice to Orion’s momma.”
Millie frowned. “When am I not nice?”
“When it comes to Tauri Patterson-Shaw.” He told her.
She conceded. “As long as she’s nice, we’ll be fine.”
Henry shook his head as their doorbell rang. “Who’s here this early?” Millie asked confused.
“I’ll get it,” Henry said going to the door and Millie followed out of curiosity.
They opened the door and were transported back in time. The woman who stood on the other side was nearly thirty years older, but they both recognized her just the same.
Millie put a hand to her mouth. “Victoria…” she said on a breath.
“Momma and Daddy?”
Henry put an arm around his wife to steady her.
Victoria looked at them both. “Can I come in?” she asked quietly. “Please.”
The couple stepped back and opened the door. Victoria looked around the house that she’d fled all those years ago. Her parents that were young and vibrant when she’d left were now in their senior years. Although they had aged, they still looked healthy and happy.
Henry closed the door behind her and they all stood in the hall. “Why are you here Victoria?” he asked watching his long lost daughter.
“I hope you’re not here to cause trouble for Tauri. She’s happy now,” he warned.
Victoria shook her head. “I’m not here for trouble. I wanted to see you…needed to see you.”
Millie who had been speechless to this point asked, “Why?”
She hung her head like she used to when she was a girl. “I had all these things I’d planned to say to you, but now all I can say is that I’m so sorry.”
“I know after all these years, that means nothing to you but it’s something that I had to say,” she whispered.
“I was selfish and misguided. I left everything I loved in search of what I thought was missing and I realized that I could never find it, because it doesn’t exist.”
Henry felt Millie tremble in his arms as she continued.
“I know that I hurt you and I hurt Tauri. I even hurt myself with my actions but I had to see my parents, even if it’s for the last time,” she said through her tears.
“I need you to know that it wasn’t your fault, how I turned out. You did everything for me and I was ungrateful.” Victoria looked at them.
“I saw Tauri on the national news when she got married.” She smiled sadly wiping her face. “She’s so beautiful. I knew you would raise her to do great things.”
“She’s married and getting ready to start her own family now. Like your father said, she’s happy. We won’t let you hurt her,” Millie vowed.
“Momma, I’ve hurt Tauri enough. I know that.”
“Are you staying in Detroit?” Henry asked suspiciously.
Victoria shook her head. “No, Detroit has never been my home. I live abroad now. I finally found a place where I felt settled.”
“I told you, I came to see you.” She smiled at them. “You look so good, both of you.”
She looked around again. “Even this house still looks good.”
Henry and Millie stared at their own child. Even with all she had done, their love for her had not diminished.
“You look well Victoria,” Millie told her as she came to embrace her.
Victoria couldn’t hold back the tears as she hugged her mother. “Thank you Momma,” she whispered.
When they separated, Henry opened his arms. “Come hug your Daddy, pretty daughter.”
She rushed into his arms, laying her head on his chest. “Daddy…”
Henry rubbed her back. “You hurt us, but we never stopped loving you,” he told her softly.
“Thank you. I needed you to tell me that…. I’ve always loved you both and Tauri. I regret that I couldn’t be what you all needed but I promise I won’t be a distraction. In fact, I’m leaving in a few hours. I had to build up the courage to come here and face you.”
“I’m not the little girl that ran away and I accept the consequences of my acti
ons. I lost my parents and my only child, but I know that you all are okay and I can leave in peace knowing that.”
“What do you want us to tell Tauri?” Millie asked.
Victoria smiled sadly and pulled a card out of her bag. “If Tauri ever forgives me or wants to talk to me, here is my information. I’m not wandering anymore. I’ll be at this location.”
Henry took the card and looked at the information. “Take care of yourself Victoria.”
“You too Daddy…” Victoria hugged her parents again before leaving out the door. Henry pulled Millie close and they stood holding one another tightly still reeling from the short visit.
“Did that just happen? Was our daughter just here?” Millie asked.
Henry sighed. “I know. I can’t believe it myself.”
“I’m glad that she’s okay. I worried about her so much.”
“I know you did Millie. I did too.”
Millie looked up at him. “She’s grown up.”
He nodded. “It took some time, but it seems like it.”
“Should we tell Tauri?” Millie asked concerned. “She’s pregnant and I don’t want to add any stress to her.”
Henry looked at the card still in his hand. “Let’s wait until after the baby and she’s settled.”
“And make sure that Victoria is going to stand by her word,” he finished.
Millie agreed. “Yes, I would never set Tauri up for more heartache and Rion would get his hands real dirty if that happened.”
“Both him and those Negus,” Henry affirmed. “We’ll keep this from them for now and keep tabs on our daughter.”
Millie shook her head. “I hope she’s telling the truth.”
“I know someone who can find that out for us,” Henry told her. “And while you’re meeting with his wife this morning, I’m going to pay him a visit at his bookstore.”
******
Most people knew George Shaw as the mild mannered owner of a chain of African bookstores and Orion and Corvus Shaw’s father. When Tauri had begun dating Rion and the two families had met, Henry had recognized the man for who he really was.
Henry had been involved in Detroit policing issues in the city since the election of Coleman Young and still continued to this day. He’d worked with the department to diminish the complaints of brutality in addition to the recruitment of new black officers.
There had been one undercover officer who’d served previously in military intelligence for the Army. He was a top undercover agent due to his non-assuming personality. He was known to eliminate his targets before they could even figure out who he was.
George had left that life behind to serve his community by opening culturally centered businesses and helping to mentor the youth. George didn’t broadcast his background and skills, but chose instead to train the Negus to carry on what he’d dedicated his life to.
The Negus consisted of his two sons and their three friends. They were the Kings in the city and it was their mission to protect and grow the city they all loved. He had groomed them all along with the help of Khalid Lewis, a bona fide and dedicated Black Panther and the Honorable Benjamin Williams.
Pulling up to the bookstore, Henry made his way inside and spotted George stocking shelves. When George saw him, he smiled.
“Mr. Patterson, please don’t tell me that Mrs. Patterson has strangled my wife,” he held out his hand to Henry.
Henry shook his hand. “No, not that I know of.”
George pointed to a chair then both men had a seat. “Maybe the baby will mellow them out.”
Henry nodded and George studied him. “So this isn’t just a social call,” he surmised.
George watched as Henry shook his head slowly.
“Is it about Orion?” George asked.
“It’s about his family,” Henry answered and pulled the card out of his pocket.
George looked at the card. “Victoria Patterson?”
“She’s Tauri’s birth mother. She left her when she was six months old and never returned until today,” Henry explained. “She says she doesn’t want trouble and I’m hoping that’s the case, but I need to know for sure.”
George looked at the information on the card again. “You want me to check her out?”
Henry nodded.
“And if she’s not on the up and up?” he asked.
“Then we have a problem.”
George handed the card back to Henry. “Okay.”
“You don’t need this?” Henry asked.
“I memorized it already,” George informed him.
Henry laughed. “Still sharp as ever huh?”
“The Negus keep me on my toes. They have a big job on their hands.”
“They’re well trained,” Henry complimented.
George nodded. “I’ll let you know what I find out. This shouldn’t take too long.”
Henry took a deep breath. With every fiber of his being, he wanted this not to become an issue. His Millie had been hurt enough along with his baby girl. No matter what, he would protect them…even from their own blood, if necessary.
“Whatever it is George, I need to know.”
“I hear you Mr. Patterson.”
Henry gave him a look. “This is between us for now.”
“Unless or until it touches Orion,” George told him. “I won’t keep anything from him that affects his wife.”
“Agreed.”
Epilogue
Present day…
Henry and Millie sat patiently in the adjoining waiting room, in the private suite at the hospital. In the other room Tauri was delivering the next generation. Pam and George Shaw sat along with them while Rion was at his wife’s side.
George excused himself to take a call while the women chatted happily about the upcoming arrival. When George returned he gave Henry a nod, then Henry walked over to meet him. The two stood watching the women as they began their own private conversation.
“Everything checks out on your daughter,” George began. “The information she gave on the card was all accurate. She lives at the address she listed in Paris, has been there a few years. She worked her way through college and medical school.”
“She’s Dr. Victoria Patterson and specializes in Women’s Health. Never been married, no children; a few relationships that ended amicably. She’s fluent in French and makes frequent trips to Africa volunteering her services.”
“On the surface, she appears on the up and up,” George told him.
Henry breathed a sigh of relief as he watched his wife. The joy on her face made him smile. She was so excited about this new baby and he didn’t want anything to ruin her happiness…or Tauri’s.
“So she has no family of her own,” Henry commented.
George looked at him. “Just you, Mrs. Patterson, Tauri and a new grandbaby.”
Henry digested his words.
“Maybe she realizes that,” George added patting Henry on the shoulder.
The nurse approached them with a smile. “Hello, Shaw family members. There’s someone here to meet you!”
All the adults rushed into the room where Tauri sat on the bed. Rion stood next to her, holding the baby smiling down at his wife. He looked at his family as they entered the room anxiously.
“Well?” Pam asked impatiently.
Rion smiled, “It’s a boy!”
“Oh my god!” Millie said happily putting her hands to her face.
She went over to Tauri and rubbed her forehead as Henry followed. “How are you ReRe?” she asked.
Tauri smiled at them. “I’m fine Granny. Orion was right here with me.” Her gaze connected with her husband as Pam and George looked at their new young baby god.
Orion winked at her. “One down, four to go.”
Tauri frowned. “This is not the time to start that.”
Millie shook her head, then kissed her granddaughter. “I’m so proud of you.”
Henry was next, taking Tauri’s hand and bringing it to his lips. “That
’s my baby girl.”
“I love you both so much,” Tauri told them while tearing up. “I’m so glad you’re here with me today.”
Orion moved to her side. “Are you okay goddess?”
Tauri nodded as he wiped her cheek. “I’m just so happy.”
“Thank you for my son,” Orion leaned down and kissed her softly. “I’m so happy too.”
“Looks like we’re going to have another ballplayer, Honey,” Henry told his wife as she stood to her feet.
She laughed. “Looks like it.”
The door opened and everyone looked up.
“What’s up Negus!” The four men chanted in unison. Lance’s wife Khayla was also among the bunch.
“I heard we got a baby Young God!” his brother said coming over to him.
Rion nodded. “Yes, we do.”
Corvus grabbed him in a big bear hug. “A little Negus.” He turned to Tauri. “What’s up my Nigist?”
She laughed at her brother-in-law’s antics. “Hi Corvus.”
The rest of the group greeted them as Henry and Millie got their turn with the baby. Staring down into his chocolate face and dark eyes, they smiled.
“He looks like you Rion,” Millie commented stroking the tiny cheek.
Henry agreed. “Yes, he sure does.”
“What’s his name?” Khayla asked.
Rion looked down at his wife and they both smiled. “His name is Orion Patterson Shaw,” he announced proudly.
Tauri looked at George then at her granddaddy. “We wanted him to carry the names of all the incredible men that he is a part of.”
Henry felt a tug at his heart and looked down at Millie with the baby boy in her arms. She smiled up at him, feeling his emotions.
“You see this Millie?” he asked as his eyes misted.
She looked at the beautiful baby boy. “I see him Henry…”
Ase’…
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Hotep Fam,
Thank you for reading When Henry Met Millie. I hope you have enjoyed the my first 20th Century Historical/ AA Romance novel. I so enjoyed writing Henry and Millie’s journey of love. This was a different write from my other series and touched me in a different way, but deeply still.
