by Y. L. Stokes
Charlie frowned as he answered. “I know of a couple of places, why?”
“I’m looking for a place for my wife’s restaurant.”
Charlie stared sharply at his friend.
“Ashley has a dream to open up a restaurant named after her mother,” Nick explained.
“I had no idea. How did this come about? With her talent with designs, I’m sure she went to school for that, but where does the restaurant come in to it?”
Nick chuckled. “My lovely and talented wife did the double major thing, combining her two greatest passions, architectural design and cooking. She wanted to be able to design the restaurant to her specifications and also be the head chef.”
Shaking his head, Charlie laughed. “I had no idea, man!”
“You should, she made the pancakes from scratch.”
“Are you serious?”
Nicholas nodded.
“Well, I tell you what, I’ll check with my contacts and see what I can find for you,” Charlie said.
“Thanks, man, I appreciate it, but let’s keep this between us. I want it to be a surprise for Ashley.”
The doorbell rang just as Ashley reached the bottom step. She opened the door, surprised to see a young woman standing there. The woman looked as if she were about to go before a firing squad.
“Can I help you?” Ashley asked.
“Hi, I’m Sylvia. I was told that Charlie Carson was here.”
At the sound of the name, Ashley knew immediately who she was. “Oh, you’re Charlie’s secretary. Come on in. I’m Ashley. We’ve talked several times over the phone. It’s nice to finally meet.”
“Is he here?” Sylvia inquired nervously.
“Yes, I think he and Nick are sitting out on the patio. Follow me. I’ll take you to them.”
Ashley started walking down the foyer, but stopped. Sylvia wasn’t following her.
Ashley turned and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think I can do this…I shouldn’t be here.”
A panicked look appeared on the woman’s face. Quickly changing their direction, Ashley held Sylvia’s arm and took her into the playroom.
“Okay, tell me what’s wrong,” Ashley said.
Sylvia didn’t respond.
Ashley gently sat her down on to one of the folding chairs. “Look, I know that you have feelings for Charlie, is that why you’re here?”
After a brief moment, Sylvia answered, “Yes, but I’m beginning to think that it was a bad idea.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because I’m sure he doesn’t feel the same way about me.”
“You don’t know that,” Ashley said.
“You’re right, but I keep thinking about the faraway look he gets when he starts thinking about the girl they found in his bed.”
“Sylvia, I don’t think he’s pining away for her. I think he’s probably wondering how he was fooled by her.”
“Do you really think so?” Sylvia asked hopefully.
“Yes I do, and I think you should go to him and be there for him until you feel comfortable telling him how you truly feel.”
Back in the kitchen, Nicholas frowned. “I thought I heard the doorbell.”
“I know, me too,” Charlie said beside him.
The sound of Marcus’ voice came over the intercom.
“Come on up; let me show you the baby’s room.”
Charlie followed him up the stairs. “What room are you going to use for the new baby?” he asked once upstairs.
“I think we’ll move Marcus across the hall and use the room adjoined to ours for the baby.”
“Man, aren’t you worried about Ashley using these stairs when she gets um….” Charlie paused.
“Bigger?”
“Yeah.” Charlie chuckled. “Man, I didn’t say it, you did.”
“Yeah I know, and it’s a good thing that she didn’t hear me,” Nick said, laughing.
“Oh, but she did.”
Nicholas and Charlie froze at the sound of Ashley’s voice behind them. Nicholas cursed under his breath and turned on the landing to try and explain to his wife.
She wasn’t alone.
Ashley glared at him and looked at Charlie, whose shoulders shook as he pretended to stare out the window, his back to them.
“Charlie, when you think that you can pull yourself together, there’s someone here to see you,” Ashley said.
Charlie turned around trying desperately to smother his laughter. His gaze landed on Sylvia. “Is something wrong?” he asked.
Sylvia said, “No, there’s nothing wrong. I just came see you. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”
Charlie looked surprised. Sylvia’s embarrassment hued her cheeks pink.
“Charlie, why don’t you take Sylvia downstairs to the entertainment room?” Ashley asked. “My husband and I will be down in a moment.”
Charlie looked from Nick to Ashley. Smiling, he took Sylvia by the hand and descended the stairs.
Ashley guided Nicholas to their room. “So, my love. What was your comment about my size?” she asked.
“Honey, I was only filling in the blank…,” Nick began and caught himself.
Too late. Her eyes widened.
“Honey, we were only joking, but if I think about it, I am getting a little worried about you climbing the stairs.”
“Oh, get over it, Nicky. My pregnancy is only just starting to show.” She threw up her hand in dismissal.
“I’m serious, Ash. What if you catch a cramp or something as you’re going down the stairs? I’m not going to argue with you about this.”
“Good.”
“Now let’s go and check on Charlie and Sylvia,” Nick said.
“No, I think we need to give them a little more time alone—while you tell me how you’re going to make it up to me.”
“Make what up to you?” Nick asked, suspicious.
“For calling me fat.”
“Honey, I didn’t call you fat, I just said that you were getting a little bigger, which is absolutely true. But that’s a good thing,” he said, holding up his hand trying to forestall her.
“Why is it a good thing? I can’t wait to hear this.” Ashley took a seat on the side of the bed.
“I’m just saying that it’s just so wonderful that you’re getting big because it means that our child is growing inside of you.” Nick caught the look on her face. Running his hand through his hair in frustration, he sat on the bed next to her. “That didn’t come out right at all.”
She laughed. “I’m sure it didn’t, but I know you meant well.”
Content, Ashley lay on the bed beside Nicholas as they watched their son play on the floor, giving Charlie and Sylvia time alone downstairs. Nicholas gently rubbed her back, which induced a doze. Nicholas’ voice woke her.
“Honey, are the plans for the restaurant complete yet?”
Ashley frowned at the question. “Why do you ask?”
Nicholas let out an exasperated sigh. “Ash, why must you answer my questions with a question?” he commented, laughing. “Just answer the question: are the plans ready yet?”
“Yes, and again I ask you why?”
“Do you think that if we found the perfect spot we’ll be able to get it up and running before the baby comes?”
Ashley found it hard to breathe. Had she heard him correctly? At that moment, Marcus toddled over to the bed, demanding that his father pick him up.
“Ash, are you going to answer my question?” Nicholas bent to pick Marcus up. He looked at his wife and semi-laughed. “What’s wrong?”
Ashley slowly sat up. “Nicky, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“I’m saying that maybe it’s time we focused on getting that restaurant up and running, but first we need to find the place for it. I asked Charlie to check with his contacts for any buildings up for sale. I’d planned on keeping it a secret until after the baby was born, but I knew you’d become suspicious when
I started asking about your plans and designs.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Nicky, I love you so much.”
“I know, and you can show me just how much later.”
Ashley looked up at him in surprise.
“What?” he asked.
“You still want me even though my tummy’s swelled?”
“Honey your stomach is just starting to round out, and it’s only adding to the sexy curves that you already have.”
Nicholas picked up Marcus. “Come on, let’s go downstairs.”
The three reached the bottom of the stairs. Ashley caught sight of Charlie kissing Sylvia. Nicholas cleared his throat to get their attention. Charlie and Sylvia slowly came apart.
“Sorry,” Charlie said, smiling up at his best friend and his wife. “We’d better be going.” Charlie took Sylvia’s hand in his.
“Why don’t you two stay for dinner?” Ashley suggested.
“Um, maybe some other time. I think our first date should be just the two of us.” Charlie smiled.
“I agree,” Sylvia said.
“Nick, I’ll get back with you on that special project we talked about,” Charlie said.
Nick laughed at his friend’s not-so-subtle comment. “Oh, okay. Charlie, it’s okay. I’ve already told her about the building.”
Nicholas and Ashley stood in the doorway arm in arm, waving at the two new love birds driving off.
“I guess Mom’s going to have another wedding to plan pretty soon,” Nicholas said.
Epilogue
Nicholas paced the living room, a nervous wreck. Ashley’s contractions grew more frequent, but she refused to go to the hospital. He couldn’t believe it. Here he was, wearing a hole in the carpet, and she sat on the couch working on her crocheting.
“Honey, you might as well sit down and rest while you can,” she said, her gaze never leaving her hands. “You’re making me dizzy, Nicky.”
“You’re making me crazy, Ash. We need to get you to the hospital,” he snapped, then immediately apologized.
“It’s too soon. You talked to the doctor yourself.”
“Yeah, and what a quack she turned out to be.”
Ashley’s laughter burst forth. Nicholas turned to glare at her. At the same time, a contraction struck, and she gasped out loud. Nicholas immediately went to his knees in front of her.
“Honey, I think it’s time we went to the hospital,” Ashley said.
They made it to the hospital in record time. Nicholas had called the doctor, and his family was on their way. As soon as he stopped the car, his mother was there, opening the passenger door for Ashley.
“Are we ready?” Saundra asked.
“I think your son is past ready.” Ashley looked past her mother-in-law.
Patrick came up behind his mother with the wheelchair. “Hey, sis, your chariot awaits.”
Nicholas came around the truck and skidded to a halt next to his mother. “Where’s my son?” he inquired.
“Jack and Nicole are with him in the playroom. They’ll bring him to you after his little brother or sister arrives,” Sean said. “Nick, hand me your keys, and I’ll park the truck for you.” Sean repeated himself several times before Nick handed him the keys. Sean laughed. “Man, I wish I had the camcorder to catch the state you’re in.” He hopped into the truck.
Nick thought to make a comment, but Ashley yelped in pain and forestalled him. “Where in the hell is the doctor!” he roared as he went through the electronic doors, leaving his wife, mother, and brother staring after him. Nicholas had made it to the admissions desk and realized he’d come in alone. He turned toward the door. His mother brought his wife in, and Patrick laughed.
A nurse calling his name drew his attention. “Mr. Maxwell, Dr. Rose is waiting for you and your wife, so if you’ll follow me, we can get this show on the road.”
An hour later, Nicholas sat in a private room holding his baby girl in his arms. He smiled down at her in wonder. How amazing it is when two people in love create someone so beautiful.
Ashley sat propped up against the pillows on her bed and gazed lovingly at her husband and the new addition to their family. A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Ashley called.
Nicholas stood and sat on the side of the bed. Family members piled in.
“Everyone, we’d like to introduce you to our new addition, Rachel Monae Maxwell.” Nicholas handed Rachel to Ashley before he took Marcus from Nicole. “Hey, big man, you have a little sister.”
Marcus stared down at the baby in his mother’s arms. Everyone watched in fascination and joy as he leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Author Bio:
I have been happily married for twenty two years to a wonderful man and have two wonderful children. I enjoy getting lost in a good book between working on my own.
