that skill because I have never known true happiness until the day that first laid eyes on you.”
Tianna expressed.
“No Thank you, Darling. I am the one who will be loving you forever. You are very special and unique, and after all the things I been through in my life I now know what I have with you is real. I can’t get enough of your loving or of your sweet kisses. I promise you that I will be your lover forever and this is just the start of our beautiful love story.” I acknowledged.
CHAPTER 12
TIANNA
Today was the day that had to go see the undertaker about putting my daddy to rest. I did not feel right about it. My daddy was not the most perfect dad in the world, but he was my daddy, and I was his one and only child.
As I dressed and fixed my hair, I thought about a lot of things that were wrong with the way that I was raised. There was not a damn thing that I could do to change them. I decided to let all of the rubbish go because I can’t get revenge on a dead man.
Tim was taking his time getting ready. He said that he had a big surprise for me after we leave the funeral home. I could not wait to see what the big deal was all about. Tim have been on his cell phone all day. Every time I would enter the bedroom he would lower his voice to almost a whisper. I was really starting to feel some type of way, but I managed to keep my cool because I knew it had something to do with my surprise.
Around noon we left the house to make the funeral arrangements.
“Tianna are you ready for this? I think it is a lot for you to handle but I am going to be with you
every step of the process.” Tim said trying to comfort me.
I could feel that the love was real that my husband had for me. I really appreciated my husband, Timothy Greg.
We walked up to the door of Brown and Patterson’s Cremations. I felt a tear fall from my eyes. This is the end of the road for my daddy.
The funeral home was charming and eerie in a weird way. I was a little spooked. We walked by a Chapel it really reminded me of a church but with more of a fashion sense. The Chapel was decorated with the most beautiful materials. There were crystal vases filled with beautiful orchids and lilies. If you asked me this was more of a space for a wedding and not a funeral but to each its own. I wasn’t paying fifteen stacks for the use of the area. I thought the price was a little steep.
We finally met up with the Undertaker Dwayne Patterson at the far end of the building.
“Hello. I am Dwayne Patterson partial owner of this building. How can I be of service to you?” Dwayne barked.
Dwayne was easy on the eyes, but he was not my cup of tea. He was in his fifties with a grey receding hairline. He did not dress attractively at
all and his teeth had terrible tartar build up.
“I am Timothy Greg, and this is my lovely wife, Tianna Perkins Greg. We are here to take care of the late Duke Perkins expenses. We were told that my wife is the sole beneficiary.” Tim babbled
“Ah yes! I have been expecting you, Mrs. Greg. Please step right into my office for a few moments. I can help you consider your options for laying Duke’s body to rest.” Dwayne Patterson suggested.
We followed the Undertaker into a fancy office. The office looked like it was used more for pleasure than business.
“Please, Mr. and Mrs. Greg have a seat,” Dwayne said sharply.
I immediately received terrible vibes from this man. I felt like his ass was crooked as they come.
We have several packages. We have the twenty-five thousand dollars Supreme package. The six thousand dollars Deluxe package and the Golden Day package for fifty thousand dollars.” Dwayne explained with a smile.
Dwayne couldn't be serious. This man had to be out of his greasy ass mind.
Who would pay fifty to twenty-five thousand dollars on a funeral?
“We will take the Six thousand dollar package. Thank you very much.” Tim interjected.
“How much is the life insurance policy?” I mentioned.
“The policy is worth two million dollars,” Dwayne muttered.
“Two million dollars!” Tim and I screamed.
“Yes. The policy I worth two million dollars.” Dwayne announced with his hands folded on the desk.
I was not expecting that much money. Why would daddy leave so much money to me? Now I see why my mama was trying to get me to sign the policy over to her. Thank goodness for Tim because if it weren’t for Tim, I would have signed it all over to mama just to keep her off of my ass.
“Mrs. Greg and Antoinette Perkins have made certain requests concerning the burial and final resting place of your father.” Dwayne alerted me.
I looked Dwayne directly in his eyes. I wanted his crooked ass to feel my wrath.
“I don’t give a rats ass what Antoinette wants that’s my fucking daddy, and obviously he did not want her ass over his burial. Whatever her requests were are null and void as we speak. I am not trying to hear shit!” I protested.
“But we already started the process, and the bill needs to be paid in full!” Dwayne sternly stated.
His voice was filled with so much cockiness.
“I don’t give a fuck! I did not authorize the shit, so you need to send the bill to her ass.” I retorted.
“Usually the benefactor pays for it all!” Dwayne blurted.
I saw beads of sweat on his old ass forehead.
“{I will give Antoinette a quick call to let her know that the final burial bill will be sent to her since she went over her daughters head and tried to be manipulative I do not understand why families pull this type of bullshit when a loved one dies!
Tianna what is Antoinette's -phone number!” Tim angrily spat
“It’s four, three, six, eight, nine, zero, nine,” I replied.
Tim dialed the number quick. Dwayne tried to protest, but the phone was already ringing.
“Hello, Antoinette this is Timothy Greg,” Tim uttered.
“What the fuck do you want?” Antionette hollered in the phone.
“We are at the funeral home. It was brought to our attention that you have made some arrangements that you were not authorized to make. According to Dwayne Patterson, the bill will be sent to you since you accrued the expenses without my wife’s knowledge.” Tim described.
“Dwayne who?” Antoinette barked.
“Dwayne Patterson the undertaker,” Tim explained.
“Dwayne is a motherfucking lie. He would not allow me to do shit. The ugly motherfucker told me that only the beneficiary can only make the arrangements for the burial!” Antoinette continued to bark.
Tim hung up the phone and explained to me in front of Dwayne what my mama had to say. I could not believe that this dick head would cheat grieving people out of there money. I had something for his dog ass.
Dwayne tried to escape.
“Sit your thieving ass down now before I contact the authorities!” Tim bellowed.
Dwayne quickly took his seat. He was caught in his own scam. The dummy needed to be swifter because everyone that walks up in this bitch is not a dumb ass like himself.
Dwayne Patterson was a world-class scammer. The motherfucker was not about to play me out of my fucking money.
Dwayne, I was reading about your cremation service. I see it goes for twelve hundred dollars. How about you just cremate my daddy. I won’t give your ass a red cent more than that you crooked bitch ass nigga. You better be careful
because one day someone might chop your
fucking neck off or throw your dumb ass into one of those flaming crematories.” I said in an aggressive tone.
“But Mrs. Greg let’s talk about this!” Dwayne protested.
“There is nothing to talk about! We don't associate ourselves with thieves people!” Tim stammered.
“Don’t bother by charging me for the urn because I do not want my dads remains,” I instructed Dwayne.
Dwayne just sat there looking dumb. I bet he had made plans for the money that he was about to steal
from me.
“What’s the total for the cremation?” Tim inquired.
“The total cost will be nine hundred eight seven dollars and seven cents.” Dwayne read from an invoice that he drew up.
Tim pulled out his Mastercard.
“Charge the bill to this credit card.” Tim spat.
“That won’t be necessary I will take the expenses from the life insurance policy.” He quickly announced.
“No, the fuck you won’t Dwayne! Don’t make me kick your sorry old ass. Just charge my damn credit card and don’t touch a damn dime of my wife’s
inheritance. If I find out that the policy is less than two million dollars I will come back to blow your fucking brains out!
Do I make myself clear!” Tim badgered Dwayne as he stood up with both fists clenched.
“Yes, Mr. Greg. I do understand.” Dwayne mumbled.
“Good, then we will be on our way!” Tim huffed.
“I am sorry for your loss,” Dwayne mumbled.
I acted just as ignorant as his ass and did not reply.
Everything was sinking in once we were in the car.
“We’re rich babe!” I cried out.
I was so excited. I had never had that much money ever in my life. I could do or buy anything that I wanted.
“No Bae you have it all wrong,” Tim said with a smile.
“How is that?” I sassed.
“It's your inheritance, and that makes you rich not me.” Tim frowned as he turned the key into the ignition.
“But Babe we are married so what is mine is yours and what’s yours is mine,” I stated.
I don’t know why Tim was this way, but I was a little aggravated about his attitude.
“Tianna I have my own money. I want to take care of you. I would never take from you that’s not the
way real men do. Men are the provider of the household. I want you to do whatever your hearts
desire with your new found money. I am very
happy for you.” Tim informed me.
“Oh ok! But Tim if we ever should need money I got you Boo. I got your back!” I sang.
“I bet that you do.” Tim smiled.
I giggled.
“I sure do. You have had my back, and I am now your backbone.” I added.
I meant every word that I said.
“Bae no doubt. We are a team. #Husband & Wife.” Tim uttered.
It felt great to be loved by Timothy Greg.
“I hope that you are ready for your surprise.” Tim
excitedly piped.
“Tim I am very excited. I wonder what could the surprise be.” I stuttered from the excitement.
“Don’t be picking my brain because I am not going to spoil the surprise. Just stay in your happy place. I love your smile.” Tim mumbled.
CHAPTER 13
TIM
As a man, it is in my nature to provide for my wife. My father taught me the importance of being the breadwinner. When I was a teen, he took me to the bank and showed me how to invest my money.
I picked up odd jobs like cutting grass, cleaning garages, I even hustled candy and cookies.
“You don’t eat if you don’t work!” My father instilled in me.
I would feel less than a man if I took money from Tianna while I am an able-bodied man. I could see if I were disabled or something of that nature, but I am not. I wanted Tianna to have a good life just as her dad did. I am sure he was thinking in advance of a better life for his only child. Why else would he leave her so much money?
Early this morning I had been talking to different family members of mine. We were arranging a surprise reception for Tianna and me. My parents were thrilled to finally to be gaining a new daughter. They wanted to know when should they expect grandbabies. I thought that my parents were funny as hell. I told them that we were taking things slow. I think that Tianna will be thrilled to meet my family.
I wanted children, but I wasn’t trying to go half on
a baby with my wife just yet. Although Tianna wasn’t on any birth control, we just had not had a
chance to discuss expanding our family yet. I knew that it would be a lot of responsibility on us if we had a child now. Tianna was still in High School and then she would be attending college hopefully next fall. I don’t know how Tianna would be able to handle taking care of a baby and school. There was a lot that we had to talk about when the time came. Moving closer to my family would be one of the things that we would have to consider because I wanted my wife to live out her dreams with her future career goals.
I wanted to get to know my wife more intimately before I added children to the equation. I loved Tianna a lot, and I just wanted to be united with her in more ways than one. I wanted to be spiritually connected to my new wife. I also wanted to travel around the world with Tianna to broaden our horizons. I wanted to see the world so that I could figure out how to live the best life possible. I think the only way to do this is to experience different cultures.
“I am hungry,” Tianna whined.
“Hold on sugar there will be plenty of food at our destination,” I informed her.
“Ok babe. I hope it is good food because I am
ready to throw down. I haven’t eaten since yesterday.” Tianna mentioned.
“Okay boo. We will arrive at your surprise destination in about twenty more minutes.” I alerted her.
“Why are we so far from home? The signs said Eerie county. I know you don’t got me out here in
Crackerville!” Tianna grunted.
“It’s not Crackerville. I grew up here. Chill the fuck out!” I spat.
“I am so sorry Tim.” Tianna apologized.
“It’s okay Tianna. You will love it. It’s a small town.” I reassured her.
I continue to drive it was hot out, and I had the air conditioning on in the car. Tianna had pulled her seat way back. I looked over, and she was chilling playing Cookie Jam on her new iPhone.
We were almost at my parent's home, and I could not wait to see the expression on Tianna’s face.
“Are we almost there?” Tianna blurted as I swerved to miss hitting a deer.
“Yes. We are. Just relax.” I told her.
“Why did you swerve?” Tianna asked.
“To avoid hitting a deer.” I chuckled.
“Good defensive driving boo.” Tianna praised.
“Thanks. I am carrying precious cargo.” I retorted.
“Stop playing. I am so ready to stretch my legs.” Tianna murmured.
“You will shortly,” I responded.
I turned the corner. A few more houses down and I would be at my childhood home. I was very anxious I have not been home since Christmas break. I was ready to chow down on my mama’s home cooking.
I parked on the side of the street.
“Why are we stopping?” Tianna questioned me.
“We are here. Let me open your door for you.” I revealed as I gave her a peck on the lips.
We were now walking up to the house. There was music and sounds of children laughing and playing, the meat on the grill smelled awesome, and it was all coming from the backyard.
“Where are we?” Tianna asked.
“Come on and find out,” I answered.
I led Tianna to the backyard. There was a banner that read. “CONGRATULATIONS TIANNA AND TIMOTHY!”
“OMG! Is this all for us!” Tianna squealed.
She was delighted.
“Yes, babe. Welcome to your new family!” I ranted.
My parents approached us.
“Hey, Tim!” Mom and Daddy bellowed.
They both hugged me tightly.
“So this lovely young lady must be Tianna?” Mom asked with a look of approval.
“Yes, mom this is my new wife.” I chuckled.
My mom greeted Tianna with a hug.
“You can call me Kandra or Mom the choice is yours.” Mom told Tianna.
“Okay, Kandra. I will call you Kandra until I feel comfortable
calling you Mom.” Tianna responded.
“Sounds fine to me. Peter get a look at this child's hips. They are perfect for baby making.´Mom cackled.
“Hush your mouth Kandra!” Dad ordered.
“Mom meant no harm dad!” I implied.
“Son this is why I don’t take your mom anywhere!” My Daddy joked as he playfully shewed mom away.
“You have wonderful parents,” Tianna uttered.
“Dad get off of mom’s case.” I defended my mom.
Hello sweetheart. I would lie to formally welcome to our family. I am Peter. I am Tim’s dad.” Peter stated.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Tianna said hugging my dad.
“Son I think that you have done well. I just wished that you would have slowed down long enough so
that your mom and sisters could have helped plan
a wedding. For you and Tianna. I need a reason to
put on my good suit these days. Retiring was cool, but now I have nowhere to wear all my good clothes.” Dad complained.
“I am sorry Dad, but Tianna had our personal reasons behind getting hitched so quickly. Maybe down the road, we can plan a wedding if that’s what Tianna wants.” I replied.
“Tianna are you hungry. Would you like some lemonade or a soda, we even have water?” Mom badgered Tianna.
Tianna did not seem to mind. She seemed to enjoy all of the motherly attention that she was receiving. Things were turning out great.
My sister Shine hugged me.
“Congrats, little bro. I almost thought that you would be a player for life.” Shine teased.
I loved my older sister Shine she was gorgeous with flawless skin. She worked for the Mayor’s office and has been married for five years with three children.
“Thanks, Sis. How are Devin and my nephews?” I questioned.
“Devin is Devin. I can’t complain. Your nephews are quite a handful they are playing with some of the other children. I need me a glass of wine. It
seemed like the day is dragging. I been up all night
helping mama prepare the food for your party. I
hope that you and my new sister enjoy yourselves. It is a perfect day for a party.” Shine smiled as she looked up at the beautiful blue sky.
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