She carried his child now.
His Jesse James.
That fact, intensified all that he felt. His fall for her so deep, that he was still falling. His baby, his son, was in her womb. He sat pondering on the wonders of god, and how he'd constructed man to feel about a woman. How he'd constructed man to place his very being in the womb of woman, to carry a lineage that was solely his. Giving man the strength, power and will to care for her, to provide, guard and protect her as she did so. To nurture her, as well the child, his child, his son. He couldn't help but wonder, what he would look like? He envisioned dusky skin, olive to coco - soft brown hues, with black straight hair, like his own. Perhaps his features? Maybe Sylvia's? He could see a little boy, sitting and posing for him as he took a picture of him in his studio. He couldn't wait.
He heard the back door open to the basement, wondering who was home?
Chapter 204
"Where's everybody at?" Sylvia called, "Baby, you down here working?! I'm home." She called out.
"In here!" He shouted, amazed at the tingling within at just the sound of her voice.
Sylvia sat her brochures, purse and papers on the table in the kitchen, making her way to his office.
Shawn swivelled his chair about, leaning back in it as she came in.
"You still working hard honey? Is it okay if I come in, tell you what I've gotten done?" She asked, fully aware of his work load.
"C'mere." Shawn summoned, thrilled that she was home, instantly turned on by the sight of her. He reached over and took her small wrist in hand, pulling her on to his lap. "I missed you." He inhaled the scent of her perfume, loving it. Sylvia giggled, sitting on his thighs her arm across his shoulders, the other laying on his hard chest as he stuck his nose beneath her ear, nipping at her neck. "Sha-a-awn - stop."
He pulled her more securely against him, one hand pulling her legs up, the other embracing her body, as he nuzzled and sucked, kissing along her jaw line, making her draw up, laughing because it was tickling her.
"Shawn!" She cried out. His body was so strong, his arms and hands gripping and pulling her against him effortlessly holding on tight.
"Gimme'a'kiss, lay some o'that brown sugah on me baby!"
Sylvia started laughing out, stunned still by the reminders of how possessive he was with her. With little strength to match his to fight him, she'd long given that up. She wrapped her arms around him, looking down into his gorgeous face, "What's gotten into you? You're in a light-hearted mood." She noted. He wasn't in the mood to answer right then, he was more concerned with kissing her, and pulled her down to do so. He made her heart take off within her chest, beating so heavy she was breathless, forced as she was with little choice, Sylvia flowed into the kiss, loving it, holding him, running her fingers through his hair; longer now. His kisses were all consuming, devouring her, as if he was trying to exchange the very air they breathed, while giving over his own to her. "Shawn..." She let out a whimper, shaken to the core by him. He carried on kissing her, wouldn't stop, it seemed to go on forever, when actually only five minutes had passed. Sylvia needed to catch her breath, finally - he let her. She was gasping for it, her head against his as his hand was on her tummy, rubbing it, caressing it. His forehead rolled up against hers, looking into her eyes, "How's my son?"
"Just - fine."
"So is his mama, fine as can be." He flirted with twinkling eyes.
"Wow, are you in a good mood." She observed, "Kissing me like that. What's happened? What's gotten into you?"
"What'a'ya mean, I'm always in a good mood. I kiss you often like that."
"Not lately. I suppose it's because you've been just a bit tense, wired, stressed maybe?" Sylvia looked at him suggesting one or either.
Shawn took a deep breath, "If I have been, I'm sorry about that. Do you know how much in love with you I am?"
Sylvia smiled, heads still together. "Do you know how much I love you?"
Shawn smiled, reached up grabbed her head, and kissed her once more, just a quick one this time. "I promise to be more laid back, relaxed from now on, okay?"
"It's okay, you were under pressure, so what's changed?"
Shawn looked at her, reached over moving a lock of hair from in front of her eyes, informing her, "Benjamin left not too long ago."
"Benjamin? Oh yeah, why is that?"
"He asked me - a few days ago, would I agree to a test. He wants to know once and for all, if I'm his father."
"I see, and so?"
"I did it. I went this morning, gave a blood sample for the test."
"So we'll all know for sure now."
"Yeah, you okay with that?"
"I have no choice but to be okay with it. There's a very strong possibility that he's your son. I for one, think that he is."
"I know, and if he is for sure, that's not going to bother you?"
Sylvia sat a moment thinking about it. She looked into his eyes, and confessed, "When I got a really good look at him at Sheila's, I knew. In that instant, I admit to being jealous, possessive. I wanted to be the one to give you your first son. As it stands, that won't be the case. I just have to accept that, well - he's your eldest, simple as that."
"Aaah, you really love me, don't you?"
"Yes, I really love you. And I'm a bit selfish when it comes to you. I want you, and all there is about you, to be mine, to belong to me."
"I'm sorry honey."
"What's there to be sorry about? It happened long before you even knew I existed. Besides, I've devised a plan concerning the matter."
"Ben?"
"Yes, Ben."
Shawn looked wary, "That is?"
"I decided, that I will take my revenge against Christine, by opening my home up to her son, and making him feel as welcome as can be. I will kill her, by being nothing but kind and loving to him."
Shawn started laughing, shaking his head, "You are - evil."
"Thank you, I try. So, if it turns out, that he is indeed yours, I will treat him, no less than I do Angela. I shall open my home to him, and we will all be, one big happy family."
"I love you, you know that? I don't know what I've done to deserve you." He was stroking her arm.
"My husband, the feelings mutual. I just want you to know, you are my life now."
"Ah, so there is hope after all, a few more years and you'll be loving me, almost as much as I love you."
"Oh really, almost as much huh? That much?"
Chuckling Shawn lifted his legs to roll her into him, "Stop that being hard to get, you. You give a little, you take it back, its mine, your love, so stop trying to wrestle it back from me."
Sylvia grinned.
"Anyway - as for him being my first, or not, doesn't matter. I love all of my children, but Jesse James, well - he's my special one."
Sylvia didn't know if she liked hearing that, and reared back a bit, "Don't become as Jacob was over Joseph, Shawn, remember, all of our babies are special."
"Jacob? Joseph?" Shawn asked.
"Check in the bible-..."
"Ah! Oh yeah, I gotcha'." He stared at her a moment. Smiled, "See, yet another thing that I love about you."
"What?"
"That you have bible knowledge like that and don't mind bringing it to my attention."
"There's nothing special in that Shawn. Your saying that, tells me you know, so don't make our others, resent Jesse James."
"They won't. They'll love him, spoil him, and protect him, just as you or I will. Besides, they all know, that we love them. But him, I've been wanting him for so long."
"Maybe so, but don't get carried away Shawn." She warned seriously, "Also, I think that we need to start making an effort to get to church. Don't you think so?"
"Yes mama. I think so, I hear and will obey. Okay?" Shawn grinned up at her.
"Okay." Sylvia murmured with a smile.
He went on to say, "As for Benjamin, he was very appreciative of me going and giving blood for the test, so - he offered to work with me -
to help me get caught up. At first, I was reluctant, but he really wanted to help. He offered to do it in exchange to use in his portfolio, so I thought, what the heck. You know what?" He paused for emphasis, "I'm just about all caught up."
"Really? Oh Shawn, that is so good! Because of him?"
"Yep, look at this, just look at this kid's work..." Shawn turned with her still on is lap, to his computer, and brought up all the different book layouts, promo splashes for the websites and excerpt captions, "...look at this one, and this one-..."
"Oh wow, I like that one a lot." She pointed at a scene he'd done for another one of the novels.
"I know its good isn't it, look at this one." He went on to show her all that was done.
"Oh I am so happy about that Shawn. We gone have to treat that boy real good!" She laughed.
Shawn laughed with her, "I'll say. I was going to ask you to do the web-sets for me - but he's willing to return and get it done. Is that okay?"
"Baby why are you asking me that? Of course its okay! Think he'll want to stay for dinner?"
"It's possible, you could ask."
"I will then. That's that. We're a team, you and I - what's mine is yours, and what's yours - is mine. Agree?"
"And then some. Now, onto our next child."
"Who?"
"Crystal."
"Uh oh - what's happened?"
Shawn sighed, his whole manner and expression changing, "I had to go and get her this morning. I fear, she's had a bit of an emotional breakdown. It appears, that Victor..." Shawn paused, running his hand over his head, ruffling his hair, "...has uh, signed the divorce papers and filed them-..."
"Oh nooo! Shawn!"
"...-Crystal's heart is broken. She was crying out of control. She couldn't even drive, we found her pulled over on the side of the road, just - wrecked."
"I can't believe it! Something's not right! I would have been willing to bet my life that he still loves her. I've seen the look in his eyes. The last time he was here, the man that sat here in this basement, wasn't a man that was looking to split up with his wife."
"You mean the boy that sat in this basement! Mama's boy!"
"Shawn."
"I'm sorry, that's my feeling on the matter. Hell, I don't know what's going on. All I know is how I found her. I swear to you, had he been anywhere near, I would have broken his fuc-...sorry; his jaw!"
"Shawn Everett McPherson! You and I need to have a talk about that very thing."
"What?"
"YOU! And this aggressive urge to pop people in the mouth! You can't be hitting people Shawn just because they've done something to someone you love. Sometimes-..."
"I don't wanna hear it. Anybody messes with my-..."
"No Shawn - no! Now I'm putting my foot down, I want you to learn some self-control! That's why we're going to church. You need all the Jesus in you - you can get. Now I want you to promise me-..."
Shawn shook his head, crossed his arms, being stubborn, "Nope... ain't promising shit!"
"Shawn!"
"No!"
"Yes Shawn! No more hitting! No more going after people! Cussin'im out. Talking to them the way you talk to Jake sometimes, and Shanna and Derrick too. You not they father. And you can't haul off and knock somebody out just because they upset one of us, or - or threatened someone. Shawn! I'm talking to you. At least try Shawn. Make an effort to turn the other cheek. Shawn?! Please, at least try? Will you?" Sylvia gentled, caressing his large arms. With them crossed as they were, they really bunched up thick and hard with muscle. She loved touching his strong arms, running her hands up and down them, as well the man. She softened and leaned over and kissed the corner of his mouth, his cheek, "Shawn... please, try? For me? Please... try the calm approach. Give us time to work things out before you - you know ... run to our rescue. Please?"
He looked at her, into her eyes, "Do you know how hard that's gonna be?"
"Just try, for me. For the kids; come on. You have to set the right example for Mundo, Jesse James, and even Angela - she got a temper on her just like you. Furthermore, how are you gonna help Crystal, when you just as bad? Worse! Huh?"
Shawn made a face. Whining, "But Sylvia-..."
"No buts Shawn."
"Sylvia, there's just some people that need the shit knocked out of them. That's not my fault! And so, when they cross my path, they're the only ones I'll do it to, I promise."
Sylvia crossed her arms this time, giving him a barely tolerable look.
"What if I'm provoked?"
"You - walk away. You ignore."
Shawn ran his hand over his head and face in frustration, looking at her as if she were asking him to clean out the toilet bowl with his bare hands.
"You know - you're asking a lot."
"You can do it, I know you can. We're going to church."
"The lord says an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and boot up your ass if you're acting like one."
"Where in the bible it say that Shawn? It don't say nothing like that!"
"I'm pretty sure it's in there."
The look she gave him, made him turn red, "Are you sure it's not in there?" He asked sheepishly.
"Stop Shawn. Just stop it. We're going to church. But right now, I'm going upstairs and talk to my baby. What you must understand is this, she will have to deal with it, just as every other woman has to face heartache. I love my daughter, but this is life. You breaking his jaw, is not going to un-break her heart, lessen the hurt."
"Maybe not, but she wouldn't be hurting alone would she? A broken jaw is pretty goddamn painful, I can tell you that, that's for damn sure."
"Shawn - stay out of it. If he should come on the scene, you leave him alone. Promise?"
Shawn made a face again.
"Shawn!"
"All right! I don't like it. But he better not try fucking over her, yeah I said the f-word, because dammit I mean it. He better be damn careful from this day forward."
Sylvia gave up for the time being, and stood from his lap. "Where is she?"
"In bed, sleeping. I had to give her something to help her relax and sleep, she was so upset. That son-of-a-bitch!"
"Shawn - what did we just agree on here?"
"Look, either I pop him, or I call him names? Which one do you want?!"
Sylvia rolled her eyes, shook her head exasperated and walked out of his office. She ducked back real quick to say before she forgot. "By the way, new fridge, freezer, stove, dishwasher arriving Monday. I have the brochures for them, connections, measurements included, on the table in here. Since you're all caught up..." She gave a slanted look, letting her words trail off.
"Get the kitchen done." He mimicked a woman's nagging voice, making a face and all.
Sylvia laughed, "Did I say that? I don't think I said that, but either way, it's a good idea." She walked away grinning.
* * *
Chicago...
The day couldn't end soon enough for Vivian. As much as she hated doing it, she had been watching the clock. Now, it was getting closer and closer to her favorite time of the day. End of her shift. As the hour grew near, her smile broadened, she couldn't wait to see Jake. She felt crazy for this eagerness, considering their morning. She couldn't believe that he'd tossed her pills. She wasn't sure how she would deal with delaying the inevitable, after all - she had been the one to mention wanting children. What she hadn't expected was that he would be so agreeable to it. So agreeable in fact, he was insisting upon it right now. Nothing was in place the way she envisioned it yet. It was too soon, not to mention that they weren't yet married. She wasn't going to dwell on that. All of that would come later to worry about. After all, she was given six weeks. Maybe she could get an appointment and get on the sponge, or have herself fitted for a diaphragm. When he came down from Wisconsin, she would just make sure to fit it every night before she went to bed. Of course it wouldn't be full proof against him, but maybe - it would help her to buy time until - until what? She wondered. He would be watching the
clock, watching the calendar. She hadn't a clue how she would get that by him. Loving him as much as she certainly did, she was starting to get a taste of what Sylvia was talking about with Shawn. Something gave her an aching feeling, that Jake, would be worse. She wasn't sure why she felt that way, but there was that nagging feeling that she may be right. He was close to forty, set in his ways, used to getting his way.
Those thoughts of Shawn and Jake, and how they compared, brought Laek to mind. One thing she didn't want, and that is for Jake to cross paths with him again. She hoped and prayed that he would just get the message and back off. Accept the fact that they were over, for good. He needed to move on with his life, she didn't understand what the hold up was. They hadn't been together for months and months. Shaking her head of such thoughts, she refocused her thoughts on Jacob Patrick McPherson. Finally her wishes had come to be, a man for her. One, more than she could have ever imagined had placed a ring on her finger. She looked at it, daydreaming, instead of getting on with as much work as she could before the day drew to a close. She could care less, life was good, she was in love, and the man of her dreams, was in love with her. She couldn't be happier. A figure walking pass her door caught her eye. The same figure that had been checking on her most of the day, Dean!
He kept walking by her office as if afraid she might slip off on them, checking to make sure she was still there.
This time, he paused, lifted his wrist, and tapped on his watch, and smiled, flexing his brows.
"You pitiful Dean, go away from my door!" She called out to him laughing.
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