Lucius looked up and met her steady gaze.
Beverly continued. “I did everything—medication, therapy. The only thing that worked was when I convinced myself to build a wall around my heart and just bury myself in my work.” She smiled tenderly as she reached out and stroked his face. “And then you came along…and then your beautiful daughter. Suddenly I was part of a family again…and I loved it.”
Lucius grabbed hold of her hand and kissed it. “Ruby and I both love having you as a part of our lives,” he said. “And we want you back.”
“I’m sorry I ran out on you. I know I promised never to do that again, but…” She broke eye contact to glance around the room. “I should have told you about Gregory sooner.”
“You needed more time,” he said, understanding.
“A little,” she agreed. “But now I know it’s way past time for me to let go—time for me to sell this place and move on.” Beverly’s gaze found his again. She searched through the windows of his soul and saw nothing but love.
“I’m not David,” he said. “I’ll never let you go through anything by yourself. I promise to love and support you through thick and thin. I give you my word.”
She leaned forward and brushed a feathery light kiss against his lips. Suddenly, in this gloomy room, hope had penetrated. “I know you will. And I promise you that I’ll love and support you through thick and thin, too. And I promise I’ll be a good stepmother to your little girl.”
Lucius’s smile widened before he leaned closer for a stronger, deeper kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Reaching into his pocket, Lucius pulled out the burgundy velvet box and popped open the lid. To his surprise his hand trembled as he removed the platinum ring nestled in the center. “Beverly Turner, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes.” She bobbed her head while tears streamed down her face. She watched as Lucius slid the engagement ring back onto her finger—where it belonged.
Smiling, he swept Beverly up into his arms and carried her out of her son’s old room. “Where’s your bedroom?”
“Down the hall, last door on your right,” she whispered.
As he walked their gazes remained locked, and without words their eyes said so much. In her bedroom, Lucius laid her gently onto the bed and kissed her so tenderly that a new wave of tears crested and slid from the corners of her eyes. From his lips she tasted true love. What few doubts she had about walking down the aisle again melted away. In her head, she could already see what their forever entailed: their businesses growing, their family expanding and their love never-ending.
Lucius took his time peeling away her clothes. His eyes, as well as his touch, made love to her in ways that were just mind-blowing. When their bodies joined, Beverly realized that everything that she’d ever gone through, good and bad, was meant to lead her to this perfect moment.
As their bodies moved in time to a rhythm only their hearts could hear, Beverly made sure that she reciprocated all that she was feeling. After her orgasm hit and left her panting, she had a hard time discerning exactly where her body ended and where his began. Then again, it didn’t matter. From this day on, they would live and breathe as one.
Watching as love and pleasure ebbed and flowed across Beverly’s beautiful face, Lucius felt his heart swell. He looked forward to making love to this woman for the rest of his life. As sure as he breathed, he knew that there was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep Beverly at his side—forever and always.
Ruby woke up Christmas morning to what she declared was the best Christmas surprise ever: Beverly sitting next to the large Christmas tree in the living room. “Beverly, you’re back!” Ruby actually bypassed the large, pretty decorative boxes and launched herself into Beverly’s arms, overwhelming her with hugs and kisses.
“Of course I’m back. I couldn’t stay away from my favorite girl for long.”
Lucius entered the room, carrying a tray of hot chocolate and beaming at his two favorite girls. Just then Ruby noticed the sparkling diamond on Beverly’s hand. “You’re wearing Daddy’s ring!” Her head jerked from Beverly to her father. “Does that mean she’s going to marry us, Daddy?”
Lucius set the tray down on the coffee table, folded one arm across his chest while his free hand stroked his chin as he contemplated the question. “Hmmm. That’s a very good question.” His sparkling gaze at long last settled on his daughter. “Why don’t you ask her?”
Ruby was only too happy to comply. “Beverly, are you going to marry us?”
Beverly laughed as tears rose and skipped over her lashes. “I most certainly am.”
“Yay!” Ruby’s arms flew back around Beverly’s neck, almost choking her.
“All right. All right,” Lucius said, coming to Beverly’s rescue when he saw how her eyes bugged out. “Time to dig into these Christmas gifts.”
As if finally remembering what day it was, Ruby released her death grip and sprang out of Beverly’s lap to jet over to the tree. For the next three hours Beverly and Lucius sat curled up on the sofa, watching Ruby tear through the boxes like a Tasmanian devil, squealing at every large and small gift.
The whole scene felt like a special Christmas fairy tale to Beverly, but she only had to look to the man sitting beside her to know that it was all so very real. It was hard to believe that just a couple of months ago she didn’t know this wonderful man, and now she couldn’t imagine a life without him. Who would have ever thought that a simple college reunion would have changed her life? And she wasn’t the only one. Chloe and Kevin, Tamara and Micah, and even Kyra and Terrence had all found or rediscovered love.
Lucius looked up from the beautiful watch she’d given him, then narrowed his gaze in suspicion. “What are you thinking so hard about?”
“Hollington,” Beverly answered. “I think this year we owe them a big donation.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “I couldn’t agree with you more.”
Epilogue
Six months later
There’s a reason June is the perfect time for weddings in Georgia. And on this midsummer evening the sun was setting, the air was moist and a light breeze carried the wonderful sweet scent of magnolias. With everything being so perfect, Beverly was sure that at any moment someone was going to wake her up and tell her that the past eight months had been nothing but a dream. Yet after giving herself several pinches on the arm, she finally accepted that this day was very much real.
Her three smiling bridesmaids—Chloe, Tamara and Kyra—had gushed over her first handmade white-and-silver beaded wedding dress and even managed to fill her head with ideas of perhaps starting her own wedding-gown line. Beverly appreciated the praise, but knew her friends were working overtime in trying to soothe her nervousness about taking her second trip down the aisle.
It was a big step…and one that she was wholeheartedly committed to making.
Her nervousness didn’t stem from any questions of her love for Lucius. Far from it. In fact, she didn’t even think it was possible to love him any more than she did right now. He was her knight in shining armor who had most assuredly rescued her from a future of bitter loneliness. And he had confessed that she had rescued him from the same fate. Nowadays, most of their friends and family had teased them about not being able to keep their hands off each other or how effortlessly they finished each other’s thoughts and sentences.
Her nervous jitters came solely from her fierce desire to be the best wife and mother Lucius wanted and needed her to be.
“Stop worrying,” Beverly’s mother whispered in her ear, mere minutes before she needed to rush out to her seat. “You picked a winner this time.”
Beverly’s cherry-red smile stretched across her face. It absolutely warmed her heart that this time around, her parents approved of her choice for a husband. And of course they simply adored Ruby, but who didn’t? Ruby with her warm smile and infectious laughter had taken to Beverly becoming her stepmother like
a fish to water.
But Ruby had her melancholy days—especially when Erica reappeared shortly after New Year’s with a change of heart, wanting Ruby back. Lucius’s patience with his ex had finally snapped. He’d had enough of the games and had hauled Erica’s butt into court for full custody. Enough was enough. As a result, Ruby had her good days and her bad days, but Beverly and Lucius worked overtime to make sure Ruby knew without a doubt that she was wanted and very much loved.
When the wedding planner signaled for everyone to take their places, Beverly’s heart kicked up a couple of notches.
“You look faint,” Clarence said, alarmed. “I’m going to get you some water.” Without waiting for a response, he raced out of the room while Chloe, Tamara and Kyra aided her in taking a seat.
Chloe grabbed a leaflet from a nearby nightstand and began fanning it profusely in Beverly’s face. “Honey, are you sure you’re all right?”
The cool breeze was just what Beverly needed. “Yes. Yes. I’ll be fine.”
Tamara’s perceptive gaze narrowed into a squint. “I hope I’m not being too nosy, but…are you pregnant?”
Beverly blushed.
Her bridesmaids gasped, then squealed with delight.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” Kyra admonished with a dramatic stomp of her foot, but in the next second swept her friend into her arms while still being careful not to muss her up too much.
“When did you find out?” Chloe asked, her own pregnancy clearly evident. No one doubted that Chloe and Kevin were extremely happy. The three-month newlyweds couldn’t keep their hands off each other either. And there was no wonder. Chloe’s pregnancy had transformed her from a subtle beauty to a dynamic one. Everyone noticed her now whenever she walked into a room. Her black hair shone, her flawless skin glowed. It was a wonder to all who knew her now how she could ever have been a silent wallflower.
Tamara had had a similar transformation. Still a newlywed herself, her body had gone through a few minor changes, too. Bigger breasts equaled a happier husband. That is, whenever Micah junior felt like sharing. So far, Tamara and her husband split their time between Los Angeles and Atlanta, but it was looking more and more as if the small family would settle down out west.
Beverly continued to blush like a prepubescent teenager as she finally answered Chloe’s question. “Three days.”
There was more gasping and squealing.
“Does Lucius know?” Chloe asked, wide-eyed.
“No.” Beverly shook her head. “I’m planning to make the announcement at the reception.”
“Oh, my God.” Tamara clasped Beverly’s hand. “He’s going to be thrilled!”
“I know.” Beverly bubbled.
“Who’s going to be thrilled about what?” Clarence asked, returning to the bridal suite with a pitcher of ice water.
Chloe opened her mouth to fill Clarence in on Beverly’s surprise, but Beverly quickly grabbed her friend by the wrist to catch her attention, then silently shook her head.
“What’s this?” Clarence set the pitcher down on a table and folded his arms. “Why do I smell a secret in the air?”
“No offense, Clarence,” Beverly said, flashing him a kind smile. “But if we tell you, then it won’t be a secret anymore.”
Clarence gasped and spread a hand across his heart. “What? Girl, you know I can keep a secret. Okay…so I’ve dropped dime on a few things from time to time.” He shrugged. “But I promise—whatever it is, I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
Beverly shook her head. “Sorry.”
Clarence poked out his bottom lip and hit her with his huge puppy-dog eyes.
“Not going to work.”
The wedding planner slipped her head back into the suite. “What are you all still doing in here? Places! We’re on in two minutes.”
The bridal party scrambled.
Clarence sputtered after Beverly, “But—but—”
Lucius waited at the outdoor altar next to the preacher with his heart lodged in the middle of his throat. A few more guests hurried to their seats. Lucius smiled, then his attention shifted when the music started. Ruby, the flower girl in an adorable white-and-silver dress, strolled down the aisle next to her four-year-old cousin Alan, the official ring bearer.
Halfway down the aisle Alan decided he wanted to go and sit next to his parents and had to be coaxed back to finish his walk to Lucius’s side. The whole episode was adorable and had the guests laughing. However, minutes later the bridesmaids walked arm in arm with the groomsmen—who in this case were their recent husbands.
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin and Chloe Stayton.
Mr. and Mrs. Micah and Tamara Ross.
Mr. and Mrs. Terrence and Kyra Franklin.
And then Clarence, the man of honor, and the best man, Mitch Paulson, made their way down the aisle—an unlikely duo, to say the least. But the broad-shouldered Texan seemed to take it all in stride. Clarence worked the aisle like a mini two-step fashion runway. But he reeled it in at the last moment and took his place next to the bridesmaids.
At last the music changed. Lucius straightened his back as the moment he’d been waiting for finally arrived. Beverly made her grand entrance while hooked on the arm of her father.
She was a stunning vision and completely stole his breath away. Lucius was overwhelmed by his love toward his approaching bride—a love so strong that it both frightened and awed him at the same time. When she stopped before him and smiled, it felt as if his heart was literally melting and pooling at her feet.
Together they turned toward the preacher. Lucius could barely pay attention to what was being said once Beverly stopped beside him. All that kept flooding through his mind were all the possibilities that their future held. When it came time for the wedding vows, Ruby moved to stand next to him and together they recited the words they had written together. Perfect pearl-shaped tears glided down Beverly’s beautiful face as she said her own memorized vows to Lucius. At long last, their love was proclaimed and sealed with a kiss.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the preacher said. “May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Lucius and Beverly Gray.”
Their guests cheered as they tossed out a mixed shower of roses and confetti at the beautiful couple. Minutes later, everyone milled over to the reception hall. Beverly and Lucius kept their hands and lips locked together for most of the time. After the speeches from the man of honor and the best man, Beverly knew that it was time to make her big announcement. A vat of butterflies filled her belly as she took the microphone from Clarence and stood from the table.
“I have an announcement I’d like to make.”
Curious, Lucius looked up and watched his nervous wife. Wife. He loved the sound of that.
Beverly took a deep breath. “First I’d like to say that Lucius and I are very grateful that all of you could come today and be a part of this beautiful wedding.” She smiled broadly, then took another breath.
Sensing that she needed a little encouragement, Lucius reached for her hand again and squeezed.
Beverly’s smile grew brighter as she turned toward him and met his loving gaze with her own. “What I have to announce will even be news to my adoring husband.”
Lucius’s brows rose in surprise.
“Honey,” Beverly began while her eyes misted, “we’re pregnant.”
Lucius’s jaw dropped while the wedding party once again cheered enthusiastically. In the next second Lucius jumped to his feet and swept Beverly into his arms. “Oh, my God, baby. Are you sure? This in incredible.”
Beverly bobbed her head as tears streamed from her eyes.
Moments later Clarence announced that it was time for the couple’s first dance. Lucius offered his wife his arm, then led her to the floor just as Lauryn Hill’s “Sweetest Thing” began to play. Beverly and Lucius smiled into each other’s eyes. They were the happiest people on earth.
The wedding party remained an adoring captive audience throughout the dance and when the song ended the crowd
rewarded them with applause. Clarence stood with the microphone while wiping tears from his eyes. “Y’all just don’t know what my girl Leslie and I went through to get these two together.”
Leslie waved from one of the tables.
“Now,” Clarence continued, “we want to invite the following newlyweds to join our loving couple on the dance floor. Chloe and Kevin Stayton, Tamara and Micah Ross and Kyra and Terrence Franklin.”
The crowd applauded again while Clarence continued, “For those who don’t know, all four couples you see on the floor now met or reunited at their college reunion last year.”
Another round of applause.
“So let that be a lesson for you all to show up when you get those pesky invitations in the mail.”
The crowd laughed.
“For the next song we invited R & B sensation Justice Kane to transport you all back to that fateful reunion weekend,” Clarence boasted. “Enjoy.”
Justice Kane took the microphone and launched into his hit song “Tender to His Touch.”
Lucius’s arm tightened around Beverly. “In case I haven’t told you today, I love you, Mrs. Gray.”
“And I love you, Mr. Gray. Forever and ever.”
He leaned in for a long, tender kiss. “I’m going to hold you to that, my love.”
Her smile ballooned. “That’s what I was hoping for, my love.”
Lucius’s smile matched her own. “Say that again.”
“My love,” she whispered and delivered another kiss. “My love. My love. My love.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4475-1
Tender to His Touch Page 17
