by Claire Adams
“A nice place you have here, and it’s very spacious,” Elijah said as he bit on his top lip.
“I did it all myself,” Mom replied.” I even did the decorating.”
“No way, that is so cool,” Elijah said as he cast his eyes around the living room.
Mom had actually done the whole house herself, apart from some of the bigger jobs. She had lots of time on her hands, and she was always keen on learning new things.
“I offer discounts to friends and family on interior design,” Mom said to Elijah as he examined the woodwork.
“I’ll keep that in mind for next time,” he said as he turned and joined me on the couch.
“I see you two are getting close then?” Mom aimed at Elijah.
“Yes, I like you daughter very much. She has been a great help to me since I had my accident,” Elijah explained.
“She told me you were a complete dick before.”
“Mom, do you have to?” I said quickly.
“No, it’s alright, your mom has her opinion. I’m not proud of the fact that I was a complete dick before,” Elijah answered.
“I have spent weeks not liking you Elijah, and it’s only Kendall who has convinced me otherwise,” Mom said.
“Yes, she has that effect on people, she convinced me I was wrong about myself, and I’m so glad and happy she stood by her decision,” Elijah said in honesty.
“I taught her well. I always told her to be true to herself, even if she was wrong. You have to stand by your choices,” Mom said.
“I couldn’t agree with you more, that is the way I look at things. Sometimes there’s a wrong choice, but this helps to make you the person you are, so it’s no good dwelling on the past, just learn from your mistakes I say,” Elijah said.
“Dear God, that is exactly what I had said to Kendall, have you read my book?” Mom said.
“You wrote a book?” Elijah asked.
“Of course not. I’m just joking again,” Mom replied with a chuckle.
“So, then Elijah, tell me what your plans are with my daughter…”
“I have to take things slow. I’ve learned so much about myself in such a short time, and there is no way I want to go back to the person I was before. I admit, I may have some rough days if my memory comes back, but with Kendall’s help, I’m sure I can get through it,” Elijah explained.
“I see, so you see this as a long-term relationship then?” Mom asked Elijah.
“Yes, definitely.”
I listened to Mom and Elijah chatting, and they had become oblivious to me sitting beside them. They had not even noticed I had blushed on a few occasions at their comments. I could see something between them had clicked and they started to get on like the proverbial house on fire.
“So, Kendall, I can see you sat there wondering why we have ignored you, but you should know me better than that, for one I would never ignore you and two Elijah and I were just getting to know each other,” said Mom.
She was an observant woman for her age, and she definitely showed no signs of slowing down. Elijah had lost all sense of his nerves and had not just answered Mom’s questions, he had provided her with quite a bit of insight into his background without her quizzing him.
“So, Elijah, tell me about this company of yours. Is it stable?” Mom said as she winked at me. I could see she was now playing with Elijah and her questions.
“Well, my old self would brag about the size of the company, but I no longer find any solace in doing that anymore. Now if anyone talks about it, I actually get a little embarrassed. It’s valued at around a billion dollars, or it was, before we took a major online store as their preferred carrier,” he said.
“So, you can provide for my Kendall in the years to come?” she asked.
“I do have a little nest egg tucked away for a rainy day and yes, she will be looked after just fine.”
“Well, as I can see it, Kendall has no father figure, so the duty is down to me. I take it you wish to have my blessing so you can date my daughter,” Mom said.
“Geez, Mom, that is a bit old-fashioned, isn’t it?” I commented.
“Quiet, Dear. This is between Elijah and me. I have to do it properly,” she replied.
“Yes, I do seek your blessing, for me to continue dating your daughter if you can accept,” Elijah said.
“Of course, you can. I may have been right in what I said, but I may also have misjudged you slightly as well.”
***
We headed back to Elijah’s house and relaxed for a while, we cuddled together on the couch and reflected how well the meeting with my mom had gone.
“She’s not as bad as you made out. I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous,” Elijah said.
“She was being gentle with you,” I replied. I huddled close to Elijah and looked into his eyes. “I’m very happy the way things are going, and I want to just say-“
“Go on. Spit it out, but before you do, I just want to say that I love you,” Elijah said as he held me.
“I love you too,” I answered.
Chapter 39
Elijah
“Wakey, Wakey sleepy head, breakfast is ready,” I said to Kendall. “It’s already downstairs.”
“I’ll be down in a few minutes,” she replied.
I looked at her as she rolled over in bed, even first thing in a morning with her hair all twisted and knotted she looked beautiful. I always smiled when I saw her like this. It made my day start on a good note. I sat at the table and poured the coffee and juice and waited for her to come down the stairs. After a couple of minutes, I could hear her slippers shuffle across the floor.
“God damn, that is a breakfast and a half, why is there so much?” she asked.
“Ah, it’s payback time,” I said with a chuckle.
“Payback for what?” she said as she rubbed her eyes as munched on her toast.
“Well, you remember the day we went to visit your mom?” I said.
“Yes, so what, she isn’t coming, is she?” she asked with a giggle.
“No, today we are off to visit mine,” I replied.
Kendall coughed and had to fight to keep her toast in her mouth. “What, we are going to see her today? Crap and double crap. I thought it was next week,” she said.
“I just said that as I knew you would worry too much, today, is the big day,” I said as I smiled.
“Can’t we just go to work instead,” Kendall asked.
“It’s okay, work is doing just fine without us, our shares have risen over 20 percent in the last few weeks since we took on that large online store,” I said.
“I know the company is doing well, but visiting your mom is a major issue, what if she doesn’t like me?” Kendall asked.
“Kendall, have you not realized, there is no one who doesn’t like you, you are the friendliest person in the world. Anyway, she’s not as bad as your mom. She may be a little nervous also. Don’t forget I have only just started to speak to her myself,” I replied.
“This breakfast is fantastic by the way. You will make someone a good husband one day,” she said with a giggle.
“Yes, put me out of my misery. If you find a good woman, let me know,” I replied laughing.
“So, Mr. Perfect, you going to get ready or not? The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get it out of the way,” Kendall said as she laughed from the stairs.
I finished washing the dishes and headed upstairs. I slipped off my robe and joined Kendall in the shower.
“I’ll soap your back, and that is it. I’m just about finished,” she said as she smiled at me and flicked water into my face. “You arrived too late.” She got out from the shower.
We readied ourselves and headed out on the long drive to my mother’s. It would take us quite a while, so we went in the four-wheel drive for the extra comfort. We finally arrived at suburb where my mom lived, we turned into the street, and I could see that Kendall was busy looking at all the houses.
“I was thinking your mom
would be in a house larger than these?” she said.
“No, when I said they got nothing from the will, I meant they got nothing,” I said.
“And Peter is the same as this?” she asked.
“Yes, he’s the same. So, you can see why I’m not proud of what I did, or the situation,” I replied.
“I’m sure you can make it all right,” Kendall said as she took hold of my arm.
“Well that is what I’m hoping to do,” I replied as we approached the door.
Mom opened the door, and we entered into the living room. Mom went into the kitchen and returned with a jug of freshly made lemonade and placed it on the table. She was just about to sit, and someone knocked at the door.
“Look who has just arrived,” mom said as she walked into the living room with Peter. “What a surprise.”
I looked at Peter and smiled. I had planned this as it had been too long since we had sat as a family. I could see the happiness on mom's face that we had after years been reunited.
“First things first. Mom, this is Kendall, and Kendall this is my mom, and Peter you already know,” I said.
“Hello Dear, it’s a pleasure to meet you, I have heard so much about the good things you have done for Elijah,” she said.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Kendall said as she smiled at mom and placed her hand on hers.
I looked at mom and could see she was holding back the tears, there had been many years of pain while Dad was alive, and from me also, once he had died. It had not been easy for either of them, and I was just about to drop a bombshell on them that neither of them would realize.
“Now, I have some news that may come as a shock to both of you,” I said to Mom and Peter. “So I hope you are both sitting comfortably?” I asked.
“What’s it Dear, nothing bad I hope, have you heard something from the doctors?” she asked.
“Not at all, it’s nothing like that. In fact, it’s very good news, and it’s something that should have been done a very long time ago, or should I say, putting something right that should have never happened in the first place,” I explained.
I looked at everyone, and they all sat confused, not even Kendall had an idea what I was about to say.
“Go on, Dear, what’s it you were going to say?” Mom asked.
“Well, I have had meetings with my own personal lawyer, Mr. Rodenberry. I gave him instructions to investigate something, and to see what the implications would be,” I said as I looked at Kendall and smiled.
They all listened intently.
“He came back with positive answers to my question. So, as soon as the paperwork has been signed, both you and Peter will be partners in the company. On top of that, I have instructed my bank to take whatever money is in my personal account and split it three ways,” I explained.
I could see both mom and Peter both sat in shock. I had just given them what they deserved and had deserved for all these years. I had checked everything, and the difference it would make to me was negligible.
“Are you serious Elijah, this is a big thing?” Peter asked.
“Of course, I’m serious, you took care of me when I was younger so now it’s payback time from me to you,” I said.
“I don’t know what to say. It’s just too much to take in,” Peter said.
“Neither of you has anything which needs to be said, I wanted to put things right, and I hope this goes some way to actually doing it,” I said. “Oh, and Peter, there’s one more thing.”
“What could top what you have just done?” Peter asked.
“The choice is up to you, but if you want it, there is a chair at the company for you,” I said.
“You mean work together?” Peter asked, his eyes filled with unshed tears.
“That is exactly what I mean, who better than you to help manage that monster that has been created,” I said as I hugged Peter.
“Thank you, Elijah, you are a true brother and a true friend,” he whispered.
I turned around. I could see both mom and Kendall were in tears of happiness, it was a lot for both of them to take in, Mom had just found out she had become a multi-millionaire and Kendall was overjoyed at what I had just accomplished.
***
We headed back toward home and made the long drive back.
“You know, today has been a good day, if not a real eye-opener,” Kendall said.
“It had to be done, it was only right, they deserve what’s rightfully theirs,” I said.
“Tell me one thing though,” Kendall asked.
“Shoot, ask anything you want,” I answered.
“Your Lawyer, Mr. Rodenberry, he called while you were off with your accident, what was this about?” Kendall asked.
“I won’t lie, I asked him to check Peter’s background for any dirty information, but don’t ask why, that I don’t know,” I replied.
“Did he find anything?” Kendall asked.
“Not a thing, he didn’t even know that Peter was gay,” I replied.
We arrived home and relaxed on the couch after the long drive.
“You know Elijah, I’m so proud of what you have done today, it must have been hard to decide?” she asked.
“It was an easy decision, believe me,” I replied.
“I’m sure you could never be like you father, you are the perfect man,” she said. “No, let me re-phrase that, you are my perfect man.”
Epilogue
Kendall
I rolled over on the bed and looked at Elijah, the sea breeze flooded through the open windows and the sun shone through the fine white curtains. I had always wanted to visit Greece and Elijah had made that dream come true for me.
“Good morning Sleepy,” I said to Elijah as I shook his body.
“What time is it?” he asked.
“Ten in the morning, we have to get up and get out. Come on,” I said as I shook him again.
“Relax Kendall, the ruins have been here for thousands of years. They’ll be here for another couple of hours?” he said laughing into his pillow.
I picked up my pillow and hit him over the head. Elijah quickly sat up and swiped his pillow against me. We were happy and had one hell of a pillow fight, what could be better? We fought more, and Elijah finally rolled me onto the bed, He stared deeply into my eyes as we regained our breath.
“Kendall, I just want to say, I love you so much. I hope I can make you very happy,” he said.
“You already make me feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world,” I replied.
We readied ourselves and headed out and visited all of the ruins for the afternoon. I was in Heaven. It had always been my dream to be amongst all of the ancient ruins, how the Greek gods of men pleased their women.
We stood amongst the stone columns which had been hand carved and had indeed stood there for thousands of years. I posed for photos with my long blonde hair flowing over my shoulder. I felt like Aphrodite the Greek goddess who was well known to be able to entice both men and the gods to her to fulfill her carnal pleasures. Elijah truly was my Greek god, and he had pleasured me on more than one occasion since we had been in Greece.
We had ventured around, and the heat had become unbearable, so we decided to head back to the hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing by the pool.
I laid on a lounge chair and basked in the late afternoon sun, my skin ever so slightly going darker and would leave me with a golden glow.
“We are going to a special dinner tonight, so we need to dress up,” Elijah said just before he dove into the swimming pool.
“Where are we going?” I asked as soon as he came up.
Elijah knew I hated surprises yet he wouldn’t tell me our destination. I laid there and watched him swim and tried to think where he could be taking me.
“You will see later,” he replied, a smile on his handsome face. He had something up his sleeves for sure, but he wasn’t going to divulge anything. I could tell. I was stuck wondering about all of it for the r
est of the afternoon. It was naughty of him, but I figured I would make him pay later. I giggled at the thought.
The sun started to dip toward the horizon, and we returned to the coolness of our hotel suite. We had a few hours before we had to go on our secret date, so we cuddled together on the crisp white bedsheets.
We chatted about the life we had left at home while we were on vacation and how everything that had gone on over the past two years. Elijah had not recalled much of his memory, and he was happy to remain this was as he said that had gone and he only looked toward the future, and a future he wanted with me by his side.
We got dressed and ventured into the cool evening air as we headed to our secret date. We walked toward the beach and across the beach front, I held onto Elijah’s arm as we walked. We stood and gazed toward the ocean, the darkness broken by the crashing of the waves and the final parts of the sun as it slowly set.
We could see all the happy couples who had journeyed here for either vacations or honeymoons, they all looked happy, and I had thoughts of one day being one of them. That could end what would so far be my perfect vacation.
I could see up ahead there was something going on. I thought Elijah had decided a meal on the beach would be special, but as we approached, I could see there were many tables.
“I thought that was for us,” I said as we neared the tables. “There are way too many tables out here. Maybe we can find a quiet, more secluded part of the beach to spend the evening on?” I gave him the cutest pouty face I could muster.
“You’re right, baby. There are too many tables. Come on, let's stand on the beach for a few minutes,” he replied and grabbed my hand. We walked down to the beach and he smiled down at me. “Have I told you how beautiful you look? How you make my heart beat fast and my body ache for far more than I’ve ever ached for before?”
I smiled up at him. “Are you trying to butter me up? Do you want something? Just ask if you do. You know I’ll give you anything you want.”
“And if I just want you?” He pulled me closer and wrapped a strong arm around my shoulders.
