Vengeance

by Mychea

  “Don’t mention it again. He’s family and we Vaughn’s are big on family. Goodnight.”

  “Night.”

  Coleen hung up happy with the call. Not exactly, everything she had hoped for, but at least it was a start.

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  Chapter 15

  “I’m the one that set Camille’s house on fire.” Tyson remained quiet. Emeri looked over at him,

  “Did you hear what I said?” I did it, but I had no idea my Dad was in there. He was driving Coleen’s car that day. I thought she was inside.” Covering her face with her hands, for the first time in her life, Emeri was sorry about something that she had done.

  “I know,” Tyson finally said softly. Emeri jerked her head up.

  “What do you mean you know? How could you?”

  “Rising from his chair Tyson knelt down in front of her, “I found the linseed oil, cans cloths and a ‘How to Guide’ when I was in your room the day of the funeral. I disposed of the items for you.” Brushing her hair off her forehead, “I don’t want to see anything bad happen to you.”

  It all came back to Emeri now. No wonder he wasn’t there when she and Coleen had gotten into it. He was removing incriminating evidence to save her; she didn’t know what to say, she was speechless. No man had ever gone out of his way to help her before. This proved Tyson’s loyalty to her and to think she had thought about getting rid of him.

  Grabbing his face with both hands, she brought hers to his level and searched his eyes, “Why would you do that and risk everything? Your job, your freedom,” she paused for a moment,

  “everything?”

  “Because I feel like I can help you. You just need an opportunity to show the world, that you can change. I believe in you.”

  Once again, Emeri could feel the tears welling up. Good men did exist in the world; men like Tyson proved that and she was glad he was on her side.

  Namiyah stood outside Emeri’s bedroom door horrified by what she had just heard. Gram had sent her, of all people, to get Emeri for dinner and she’d heard Emeri and Tyson deep in conversation. Now things were beginning to make sense. No wonder she was crying so hysterically and acting a fool when she found out about Grand Dad’s death. She was the one responsible for his death and was clearly devastated.

  Waiting a full minute before knocking on the door, she heard the animated talking turn into muffled whispers.

  “Come in.” Emeri called out.

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  Opening the door slowly, Namiyah poked her head in looking Emeri up and down. “Gram said dinner is ready.” She informed her with plenty of attitude then shut the door immediately behind her.

  Emeri glanced over at Tyson, “You don’t think she heard what we were discussing do you?”

  “I don’t think so. If she had, don’t you think she would have said something?”

  “I don’t think she would have. That girl is sneaky and something tells me she heard exactly what we were talking about.”

  “Well,” he began, “What are you going to do about it?”

  “Hmmn, I don’t know yet. I’m going to have to find a way to test her to see what she knows.”

  “Em, try not to do anything crazy. She’s just a kid.” He pleaded with her softly.

  “She’s a kid with an adult mentality. There is nothing kid-like about Namiyah, except her age.”

  “Ok then, what do you want to do?”

  “Go to dinner,” purposely misinterpreting his question, “The family is waiting.” She said as she opened the bedroom door for her and Tyson to head down to the dinning room.

  Cynthia was hoping that just this one day; they could have a nice normal dinner. She never knew what would happen when Namiyah and Emeri shared the same space and air. They didn’t think she picked up on the under currents between them, but Cynthia was no fool. She never missed a beat.

  Namiyah was already acting oddly. She had a taste more attitude than Cynthia liked, which is why she kept a tight reign on this one. Namiyah was nothing like her mother. Naima had been the sweetest child growing up, a tad naïve, but very sweet.

  Looking over at Namiyah; the child sure did look sweet as pie, with her pretty self, but her temperament left something to be desired. Cynthia was trying to comprehend how all of their lives ended up so out of wack. She had always been a God-fearing Christian woman and still was, but when trials came, boy did they come. She knew she had to do the right thing by Coleen and split Kenneth’s inheritance so that she would be able to take care of her son, Justin.

  However, Lord forgive her, she wanted Coleen to suffer just as she had. She had accepted Emeri whole-heartedly and look what mess that had gotten her family into. Now she was supposed to accept a three-year-old little boy. What was wrong with Kenneth? She wished he were here so she could confront him face to face. These were supposed to be her Golden Years; she should be Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  enjoying them, not dealing with her deceased husband’s mistress and child, his deranged daughter Emeri, a grand daughter that she was sure was standing on the edge of a cliff ready to jump or push someone off sooner rather than later. Cynthia had never been so angry in her life.

  “The Lord will never give you more than you can bear.” She repeated over and over in her head.

  When Emeri and Tyson walked into the dining room, Ma Cyn, Namiyah and Kalani were seated and waiting on them.

  “Nice of you two to finally join us Chile, we were about to begin without you.”

  “Now Ma Cyn, you know I would not miss your cooking for the world. Tyson and I were finishing up a discussion is all.”

  “Well ya’ll sit on down here so we can eat.”

  Kalani said grace, which was the norm and they all dug in.

  Feeling watched Emeri looked up to see Namiyah staring directly at her. Placing her fork on the table, she glared back at her. The tension in the air was undeniable. Cynthia felt it immediately as she glanced first at Emeri and then Namiyah.

  Namiyah knew. Emeri could feel it in her bones. The way the girl kept staring at her as if silently daring Emeri to do or say anything that would give her a reason to blurt out what she knew. Emeri remained silent, she wasn’t a fool. This wasn’t the time or place to address Namiyah. There was no way she wanted Ma Cyn knowing what she had done, no way at all and as far as Namiyah was concerned, she would get what was coming to her.

  Damir was slipping further and further into his depressive slump. Naima never returned his phone calls. He knew Kaden had probably told her what went down in the office that day. In an attempt to save face he had gone to his attorney to see if charges could be brought up against him, but since Damir was the first to attempt assault he was at fault. His attorney had told him he was lucky Kaden didn’t sue him, so he should let the situation ride. Now at his job he was considered a joke. Everyone who was present in the office on the day of his and Kaden’s fight took to talking behind his back and smirking at him and for those that hadn’t been there, they were filled in by their gossiping ass co-workers. He was officially a laughing stock.

  Sinking deeper and deeper, he gazed into his glass of Hennessey and coke. Pulling out a pen and writing pad he made a list of things that needed to be done for Alanna. He smiled then; thinking of her always lightened his spirits. Even now, she was upstairs sleeping peacefully.

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  He’d been blessed with an angel for a child. Once upon a time he’d imagined that he and Naima would have been able to raise a family together, but he had underestimated the magnitude of how deep Kaden and Naima’s love went for one another. They were that once in a lifetime couple that had that rare true love, the love that some people se
arch their entire lives for. No matter what happened in life, those two would emerge out of it together victorious.

  Placing the writing pad and pen on his desk, Damir was happy with the decision he was making, never had anything been so clear to him in his life. Retreating up the steps, he stopped by Alanna’s room to check on his baby girl. It still amazed him how much she looked like her mother, Amber. If Amber had lived to see her, she would have wanted her. There’s no way you couldn’t want Alanna, she was perfect. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead then walked to his room down the hall and closed the door. Entering his personal bathroom, he stared at himself in the mirror, “Yeah, I’m making the right decision,” he said to himself as he closed the bathroom door and welcomed the heavenly sight of his sister Alanna.

  “You have been granted custody of Alanna Collins. Damir has selected you to be her legal guardian. Providing that you choose to accept this role you will have to fill out the necessary paperwork and she belongs to you. She is currently staying with Mr. Collin’s mother until this is all sorted out.”

  Naima was in a state of shock at what the caseworker was telling her. What would possess Damir to commit suicide? More importantly, select her as the legal guardian for his child. She had only met his daughter Alanna once. Naima’s heart ached for her, that poor baby, no Mommy and no Daddy. This whole situation pulled at her heartstrings.

  “This was also left for you. It’s a letter from Damir to you. I’ll step out for a moment for you to read.” The caseworker left the room.

  Naima looked over at Kaden and shrugged as she slowly opened the letter, Naima,

  I know you are probably surprised by the current events taken place before you. You wouldn’t return my calls, so I guess I finally have your undivided attention now. After a lot of thinking, you and Kaden deserve each other.

  I’ve never seen two people love the way you two do. I’ve wanted that my whole life and couldn’t seem to find it. I didn’t even know what true love was Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  until Alanna was born. I have never loved anyone the way I love her. That being said I think she deserves to grow up in an environment where she can see and experience first hand what it is like to witness true love everyday.

  Once upon a time, I had hoped you and I could make a go at it…but as I stated you and Kaden were made for each other. No one can deny the way love radiates off of you two.

  I’m entrusting Alanna to you. You’re a great mother and I know you will love her like your own and give her the motherly touch that I’m sure she wants and needs. I would have given her to my parents, but they really don’t have the time or agility for an active five year old running around.

  I loved you, from the day I met you till now, I still love you. Take care of my baby.

  Love,

  Damir

  Tears welled up in Naima’s eyes. Kaden could already see it in Naima’s face. She was a goner. She had recently broached the subject of wanting to adopt and through a twist of fate she was being offered a child. He knew there was only a matter of time before there were three children in his home as opposed to two.

  He wasn’t the least bit surprised when he learned of Damir’s suicide. Just like he said at the office, he knew a bitch ass nucca when he saw one and Damir’s weak ass definitely fell into that category. But after his daughter was already growing up without a mother, Kaden was shocked that he would up and leave her in the world alone. That was selfish, but what could you expect from a bitch ass nucca.

  “Babe,” Kaden turned toward Naima, “What do you think?”

  She was giving him that look. Hazel eyes melting Emerald ones.

  “I think, you’ve already decided and only asking me as a formality.” He said aiming his lopsided smile at her.

  “I am not.”

  He raised his eyebrow cutting his eyes at her as she started laughing.

  “Ok, ok, you’re right. I want her and already have a vision of how to lay out her room,”

  Coming up and wrapping her arms around him, “but I still want to know what you think. It’s your home and life too, I know you said you would think about adopting, but God intervened and handed us a child.”

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  Her imploring eyes were trying to reel him in and Kaden found himself sinking.

  “Before we jump and make a rash decision, why don’t we run it by the kids as well to see how they will feel about the whole situation?” He looked down at her, “What do you think?”

  Naima nodded her head in agreement. “Talking to them about this may not be such a bad idea.

  But the decision is ultimately ours to make and I feel for that little angel, no Mommy and Daddy to love her.”

  “You’re forgetting that she has a Grandmother that adores her. She is not alone in the world.”

  “I know, I know, but still, I want her with us.”

  Kaden shook his head and smiled. When Naima was dead set on something, she made it very clear how she felt.

  “Ok Mocha, you got me. We can raise her.”

  Naima’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. She was smiling as hard as she could as she threw her full body into Kaden’s to hug and kiss him.

  “Really baby? I’m so excited. We can tell the kids tonight!” Kaden laughed, so much for discussing with the kids prior to a decision being made.

  The caseworker had re-entered the room, unnoticed by the couple a few moments before.

  Seeing him in the corner Naima’s face turned red as she blushed from head to toe.

  “I’m so sorry about the way we were behaving. We are more than thrilled to take Alanna.”

  She clasped her hands together, “More than thrilled.”

  With them getting a new addition to the family, Kaden felt like it was now or never. He was anxious to share what he had been working on with Naima.

  “Mocha, can you come in here for a moment?” He smiled when she slowly walked into the room with her overalls blotched with specks of paint. Her short hair was spiked on her head; she had colored paint freckling her face. He thought she looked adorable. She had wasted no time coming home and beginning to set up Alanna’s room.

  “Hey Babe.” She said, stepping on tiptoe to give him a kiss, “What’s going on?”

  “I have a surprise for you.”

  “Kaden, I cannot handle anymore surprises in my life right now. I am officially surprised out.” She said looking up at him; he had a little boy grin on his face and was pleading with those awesome eyes. She laughed, “Ok, you have me intrigued. What’s the surprise?”

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  “I’ve been thinking it’s time we do something for ourselves,” bending on one knee in front of her he took out a ten-carat yellow diamond and grabbed her hand, “looking over the next hundred years of my life, I want you to be present in all of them. So if you’re down for the cause, I was wondering if you would agree to be my wife,” he paused for a beat, “again?” Kaden smiled as he winked at her.

  Naima was really shocked, “baby, what in the wor— ” He cut her off.

  “Say yes.”

  Crying and smiling at the same time, Naima nodded, “Yes, of course I will.”

  Kaden placed the yellow diamond on her finger, pulling her into a hug before he devoured her mouth in a MTV worthy award winning best kiss.

  After a minute Naima pulled back trying to catch her breath.

  “Whoo, good thing we can’t still get pregnant, cause tonight would definitely be a baby making night.” She said.

  Kaden laughed at her reaction, loving the fact that he could still turn her on so much with a simple kiss after so many years together.

  “I love you.” He said gazing into sun kissed Hazel eyes.

  Naima couldn’t help blu
shing from the way he was looking at her. “I love you too.” She told him.

  Sitting on the bed, pulling her into his lap Kaden continued to explain his intended surprise for her.

  “I’ve planned for us to go to Fiji to renew our vows.”

  Naima’s eyes widened as huge as saucers.

  “Are you serious?”

  “I’m very serious.” He said as he kissed her on the cheek, “Everything is set up and ready for us. All we have to do is get on a plane and go.”

  “Oh my goodness, but how, when? Naima was a flabbergasted mess, “When did you have time to plan all of this?”

  “Most of my late nights away from home; I was meeting with a planner who was helping me set up everything. The kids can come too if you like, or it can be just the two of us.”

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  Leaning into his chest, Naima thought about that for a moment. “I think I would like the children to come. This would be a great memory for them to share with us and a new beginning for Alanna with our family.”

  “I was thinking the same thing. So how does next week sound?”

  “What?” Naima’s head swung around quickly to face him, “Babe, the kids are in school. I just went back to work; we cannot just take off next week unexpected like that.”

  “Mocha, you only live once, come on. The kids will love it,” He began placing soft kisses on her neck, “You know you want to.”

  “Mmm, you know I can’t think when you start doing that.” She relaxed completely against him.

  “That’s the point.” Kaden said as he lowered her overall straps. “I want you to say yes we’ll go next week.”

  “Yes, yes.” She said breathlessly, “We can go next week.”

  “That’s all I wanted to hear.”

  He stood up with her in his arms and lowered her to the bed.

  “Babe, I’ve been painting, let me take a shower first.”

  “No, I can play connect the dots. Now shhhh, no more talking, I want to enjoy pleasing my wife.”

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