Taylor’s finger teased Zeke’s nipple. “It’s going to be good being home. Speaking of home, I can’t wait for our home to get finished being built so we can move in.”
“That reminds me, I spoke with the contractor today. Our home will be move-in ready next week.”
Her head shot up from his chest. Eyes twinkling, Taylor’s lips curved upward. “Next week?” Zeke nodded. “Oh, that’s wonderful. I can’t wait.”
He twirled his finger around the end of her long, curly hair. “Me either. How’s your health been lately?”
“Great. Ever since I’ve left the hospital, I’ve felt wonderful. Have you given any more thought to adopting Jaheem and Evan?”
Hearing the two young boys’ names made Zeke’s insides jump with joy. Traveling his fingers along Taylor’s collarbone, he said, “Yes. If you’re truly onboard, I’d like for you to meet them when we get back. If you feel they’re a right fit for our family, I want to adopt them as soon as possible.”
Tilting her head, Taylor’s eyes glistened. “I’m definitely onboard, Zeke. If Jaheem and Evan are a good fit for you, then I know they’ll be a good fit for me as well. As my husband, I trust your decision. I can’t wait to meet them.”
Zeke appreciated the way Taylor trusted him to lead her right. “You’re going to love Jaheem and Evan. They are such great kids. I can’t explain it, but I have a deep connection with both of them. But if I’m being honest, I feel especially connected to Evan for some reason. Don’t get me wrong, I love them both equally. But there’s just something about Evan to where I feel really drawn to him. Maybe it’s because he’s the same age as our Zavier. Maybe it’s because I’ve always imagined Zavier having the same honey brown complexion as Evan. The same brown eyes as him.”
“What does Evan’s hair look like?” Taylor asked.
“It’s dark brown and curly—” Zeke’s cell buzzed. He lifted it from the end table to spy Don calling. “It’s Don.” Seeing hope buried in Taylor’s eyes, Zeke swallowed, then answered his cell. “Hey, Don. How’s it going?”
“Zeke! I have something very important to tell you. Are you sitting down?” Seriousness laced Don’s voice.
“Yes?”
Don cleared his throat. “I paid Dr. Broderick Whitefield a visit today. To avoid court legalities and media attention, Broderick agreed to let us test his son’s DNA to see if it matches with yours and Taylors. While I was visiting with Broderick, I stumbled across a photo of the Southern Mafia gang members. Kelvin and Broderick are in the photo along with—who’s there? Oh God, no!”
At the sound of Don’s horrified voice, Zeke bolted up in bed. “What’s wrong, Don?”
“Put down the gun! Please don’t do this!” Don begged.
Pow! A gunshot blasted in Zeke’s ear, then the phone line went dead.
“Don?! Don?! Don!”
ONE WEEK LATER, Don McQuade lay in the hospital bed in a deep coma, looking dead. Pale skin, bloated face, the doctor had stated it was a miracle Don was still alive. In critical condition from a gunshot wound to the head, bandages were wrapped around his skull. Intubated, his chest rose and fell.
Zeke and Taylor stood beside Don’s bed, looking down at him and holding hands. “God, I can’t help but wonder if the person who did this to Don did this to stop him from telling me who has our son. Maybe Broderick’s son isn’t ours.” Zeke put his mouth to Don’s ear. “Fight for your life, Don. Fight.”
Taylor cupped Don’s hand. “Don, it’s me, Taylor. God is in control over your situation. He’s revealed to me that He will see you through this, so hang in there.”
Hard shoes clacked against the floor, causing Zeke and Taylor to turn around and look toward the entrance of the room. Braylon, Sandella, Richmond, and Kayla entered the room, then walked up to Don’s bedside.
“How’s he doing?” Richmond asked.
Zeke replied, “There haven’t been any changes.”
“I feel so sorry for him,” Sandella said, just above a whisper.
“Me, too. I feel sorry for him, and his family,” Kayla acknowledged, tears pooling her pretty eyes.
“Although I’m a criminal investigator for the Marines, I’ve still been doing my own investigation regarding Don. I’ve been working around the clock, trying to figure out who committed this crime,” Braylon said.
“Braylon will catch them,” Sandella stated, confident in her husband’s work abilities.
Hating to see Don fighting for his life, Zeke’s heart was filled with sorrow. “It’s good seeing you guys. Taylor and I are about to head out. We moved into our new home yesterday. Once we get settled in, we’re going to invite you guys over to have dinner with us.”
Sandella’s face beamed with joy. “I can’t wait to see your new home. I know it’s beautiful.”
Kayla said, “Let me know if you need any help unpacking, Taylor.”
Taylor spoke, “Thanks for offering, Kayla. But Zeke hired someone to unpack our things for us.”
“I’ll be in touch.” Zeke placed his hand on the lower part of Taylor’s spine and steered her out of the room. Seeing his friends had cheered him up some. And when he saw Jaheem and Evan in a short while, he was certain he’d feel even better. My sons.
Zeke steered the vehicle down the street and headed toward his brand new home on the ocean. It’d taken over an hour for Zeke, along with Taylor, to drive to Beaufort to pick up Jaheem and Evan, then head back to the other side of town.
When Taylor had first laid eyes on Jaheem and Evan while at the group care facility, she’d wrapped her arms around both the boys like she loved them with all her heart. A very affectionate woman, Taylor had arrived at the shelter bearing gifts for all the children. Books, toys, socks, and T-shirts, she’d spent a small fortune at Walmart after they’d left the hospital to see Don.
With Jaheem and Evan in the backseat of his SUV and Taylor in the passenger’s seat, Zeke drove the Porsche up the long driveway of their new home on the ocean, then parked.
“Who in the heck lives here?!” Jaheem asked.
Zeke looked at Jaheem in his rearview mirror. Jaheem’s mouth was wide open. “This is Taylor and my home.”
Evan slapped his hands to his honey brown cheeks. “I’ve never seen a house this big in my whole life! This is two mansions, mister!”
Zeke and Taylor both chuckled. Taylor asked, “Would you guys like to see the inside?”
“Yes!” Jaheem and Evan said in unison. At the same time, they quickly hopped out of the car, slammed the doors, and scurried up to the front door, leaving Taylor and Zeke sitting in the SUV.
Zeke watched Jaheem and Evan as they stood on the porch, waving for him and Taylor to get out of the car. “I think they’re going to like their new home. I can’t wait to tell them that we want to adopt them.”
Taylor’s eyes radiated. “I think they’re going to love it here, too. You said they were adorable, Zeke, and they are. I can’t wait to see their faces when we tell them we want to adopt them.” Taylor placed her hand over her heart. “I’ve fallen in love with them already. When can we make them officially ours? I want to adopt them right away.”
“After we speak with them today, I’ll call the attorney, Gar, and have him draw up the paperwork ASAP.”
Her features became more animated. “I can’t wait. I’m too excited.”
Zeke and Taylor climbed down from the SUV, walked up to the heavy glass door of their mansion. Turning the key in the lock, Zeke winked his eye at Taylor.
Jaheem laughed. “Stop flirting, Mr. Zeke.”
“You caught me, huh?” Zeke chuckled.
Jaheem pointed at his own eyes. “These eyes don’t miss nothing.”
Zeke stepped to the side to let his family in first. Standing in the foyer, he closed the door behind them. Upon entering the mansion, the oversized living room offered a great view of the wide blue ocean.
Jaheem’s eyes traveled around the spacious area. “Wow. Look at this house.”
Ev
an put his fist on hips and tilted his head. “Are you some kin to Jay-Z, mister?”
Zeke chortled. “No, Evan. I’m not related to Jay-Z.”
Evan threw his hands up in the air. “I heard you were rich. But I didn’t know you was this rich.”
After showing Jaheem and Evan the house, Zeke took them to the family room and sat them on the couch between him and Taylor. “Jaheem…Evan…there’s something Taylor and I want to discuss with you.”
“Uh oh. This sounds serious,” Jaheem stated.
“Tell me about it. I’ve been good lately, mister.” Shaking his head, Evan held his hands up to his chest level. “So whatever they say I did, it wasn’t me.”
Taylor giggled. “Your teacher gave us a good report on you, and we know you’ve been good, Evan.”
Zeke exclaimed, “What Taylor and I want to talk to you two about is serious. Over the last few months, I’ve spent a lot of time with both of you. I’ve bragged on the two of you over and over to Taylor. After hearing how wonderful you are, she and I decided we’d like to adopt both of you.”
Taylor caressed Evan’s back as love filled her eyes. “We love both of you and want you to be our sons.”
Zeke caressed Jaheem’s back. “How do you guys feel about that?”
Jaheem burst into tears.
Sniffing, Evan folded his arms over his chest.
The two boys looked at each other and smiled.
Jaheem’s teary voice shook as he cried, “I never thought I’d see this day come. Never thought anybody would ever love me. Normally, no one wants the older kids. I’d love for you to adopt me.”
Evan’s tiny little finger shot up in the air. “Me, too!”
Zeke’s heart swelled. “Then it’s settled. The four of us are going to live here and be one…big…happy family.”
Zeke and Taylor sat on the long couch, glancing out at the sea, embracing their soon-to-be children.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Fourteen days later, Taylor stood upstairs in the hallway of her home with Jaheem on her left and little Evan on her right, in front of a closed bedroom door. Anxious for the boys to see what she’d done to each of their soon-to-be bedrooms, Taylor’s insides jiggled.
The boys’ presence gave Taylor so much joy. “This is your bedroom, Jaheem. Are you ready to see what it looks like?” Smiling, Jaheem nodded his head. “I hope you like it.” Taylor opened the door, and the three of them walked inside.
Jaheem’s mouth dropped. His eyes spread wide. “Whoa! This is my room? I even have my own bathroom?” Standing in the center of his bedroom, Jaheem started dancing. Snapping his fingers, his feet shuffled.
Taylor and Evan started laughing. Having these boys here is going to be so much fun, Taylor thought, noticing Jaheem had a lot of soul and rhythm.
Because Jaheem had mentioned he loved the Florida Gators football team, Taylor had selected a Gator theme for his room. Blue walls, orange sofas, white curtains with tiny alligators, desk against the wall. By the amazed look on Jaheem’s face, she felt he loved his room. “Do you like it?”
Jaheem finally stopped dancing. “Like it? I love it! Thank you so much, Ta—” He stopped speaking mid-sentence. “Is it okay if I call you Mom?” His white teeth accentuated the dark brown complexion of his smooth skin.
Taylor’s heart melted like butter. “Sure, Jaheem. I’d love for you to call me Mom.”
Evan patted Taylor’s shoulder. “Can I call you Mom, too?” he asked.
Taylor ruffled her hand over Evan’s brown, curly hair. Looking down at him, she noticed his honey brown skin held a red tint and he looked feverish. He’d said earlier he hadn’t been feeling well. “Yes, Evan. I’d love for you to call me Mom, too. Are you ready to see your room?” she asked Evan. He looks sick.
Evan nodded. “Yes.”
Taylor and the boys exited Jaheem’s room and rounded into Evan’s bedroom. Evan was a huge fan of the Miami Heat, so Taylor had had a basketball-themed mural painted in the center of the wall above Evan’s full-size bed. On the basketball court itself, Evan’s name was painted in black, bold letters. A play basketball goal stood tucked in the corner across from his bed. Maroon and black bean bags sat on the floor beneath the window.
Evan’s eyes were as big as the Mississippi River. “This is soooo beautiful.” He wrapped his arms around Taylor’s waist and gave her a big hug. “Thank you so much, Mom. When I get a job, I’m going to take good care of you and pay you back for this.”
Rubbing his knuckles over his eyes, Evan walked up to the window and plopped down on the bean bag. Smiling up at the ceiling, he crossed his legs at the ankles and spread his arms toward the ceiling. “Dear Lord, if I’m dreaming, please don’t ever let me wake up.”
Taylor and Jaheem both laughed at the precocious kid. After Evan explored his bedroom a little, she showed her sons their loft, filled with two arcades, a Play Station, and a pool table. As Taylor sat on the sofa watching Jaheem and Evan play with their Play Station, her heart rejoiced.
She thought Zeke had fulfilled her, and he did; beyond her wildest fantasy, her husband did. But having Jaheem and Evan gave her a different kind of fulfillment. A sense of pride. Accomplishment like she’d done something to help others. She couldn’t explain it, but like Zeke, she felt so close to them. She loved them so much, and she’d do everything in her power to protect them and make sure they never went without.
Thank You, God, for giving me these two precious little boys. I don’t know why You blessed me with them, but thank You. Thank You.
Thunder crackled. Grey clouds hung over the ocean. Raindrops suddenly poured from the sky. Bringing her feet to the sofa, Taylor’s cell vibrated against her hip. She pulled it from the clip attached to her jeans and answered it. “How is the world’s greatest husband doing?”
“Bad.” Zeke’s deep voice sounded troubled.
Disliking the frustrated sound of Zeke’s voice, Taylor straightened her back on the sofa. “What’s wrong?”
“I have some bad news, Taylor.” Oh no, please don’t tell me Don died. Zeke continued. “It’s about Evan. His mother is protesting the adoption. She claims she now wants to raise him.”
“Hold on for a second.” Tears quickly crept into Taylor’s eyes as she stood and left the loft. Descending the staircase, her feet hit the floor on the first level. “I’m back. Zeke, no. We can’t let Evan’s mother take him from us.”
Zeke’s sigh came through the phone. “Evan was never legally ours, Taylor.”
Taylor’s heart crackled. “Isn’t there something you can do? I love Evan. I know I’ve only spent a few weeks with him, but in those few weeks I’ve grown so attached to him. He feels like my own. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was mine.” He looks just like he could be ours.
“I know, baby. I feel the same way, too. But his mother wants to keep him. She’s changed her mind about letting us adopt him.”
A hot tear rolled over Taylor’s cheek as she stood at the window in her family room, glaring out the window at the dull, rolling sea. Dark grey clouds hung in the air over her home. The ocean tides grew higher. “I bet his mother doesn’t even want him. She’s probably knows we’re rich and wants us to offer her some money.”
“That thought came across my mind, too. Evan’s mother is going to pick him up today after you drop him off at the group care facility.”
Disappointed, Taylor fought not to burst into tears. “Today? Evan has been at the group care facility for months, and not once has his mother visited him. How could someone just drop their baby off and never come back to see him?” Oh God, why is this happening? “Offer her some money, Zeke. I bet that’d get her attention. Get her to change her mind. I don’t care how much you have to pay her, just do it. Evan is meant to be my son. There’s nothing anyone can say or do to make me feel any different. I love him,” she choked out. How did I get so attached to him so soon?
“Oh, baby, don’t cry. Please don’t cry. I’ll promise, I’ll
make Evan’s mother a monetary offer. One she won’t be able to refuse.”
“Thanks, Zeke. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, my wife.”
Zeke and Taylor ended their call. Drying her weeping eyes, Taylor continued looking out at the rolling ocean. Waves crashed up against the beige sand, then rolled back into the sea. I can’t lose you, Evan. She wanted to adopt Evan more than anything in the world. If she lost him, it’d kill her.
“I’m not going back to her,” Evan’s said, sneaking up behind her. Oh no, he overheard me talking on the phone with Zeke. Taylor slowly turned to face Evan.
Dread filled his doe-like brown eyes. “I know you don’t want to go back. I don’t want you to go back either. But she’s your mother—”
“She’s not my mother! You’re my mother. That old lady don’t want me. She’s never even liked me. All she do is beat me. I’m tired of her beating me.” Tears dripped rapidly from Evan’s eyes. “Please don’t send me back. If you do, I’m going to run away.”
Taylor tried so hard to hold back her tears, but it was useless. “I’ll fight to get custody of you, Evan. But I don’t know if it’ll work. As much as you don’t like your mother, she has certain rights—”
Evan flung open the sliding glass door and took off running down the beach. Taylor chased after him. Bare feet twisting in the wet sand, rain pelted Taylor’s scalp. “Evan! Come back here! Please, Evan!”
The beach stretched for miles. Thunder roared. Zigzag lightning struck the sky. White sheets of rain saturated Taylor as she scurried as fast as she could after Evan. How could his mother do this to him? Originally, she’d agreed to give him up for adoption. Why did she all of a sudden want him back? Chasing after Evan, Taylor wept.
Evan halted. Shoulders motioning up and down, he turned to look at Taylor. Just as she reached him, his red-stained eyes stretched wide.
Gasping for air, Evan gripped his throat. He fell to the ground. Eyes rolling to white, his body jerked wildly. Foam bubbled from his opened mouth.
MARRYING MR. RIGHT (The Brides of Hilton Head Island Book 3) Page 21
