“Girls what were you doing out there so long. I know you’ve missed each other but neither of you need to catch a cold before CeCe’s big day.” Bev said, handing us towels.
“Christian, honey, here’s a towel.” CeCe said, handing him a towel. “Where are my manners?” CeCe joked. “Christian, this is Eric, Char’s boyfriend.”
I draped the towel around me as I still felt chills running up my neck.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Eric said extending his hand out to shake Skylar’s briefly.
“Hey, let’s get you warmed up sweetie.” Eric hugged me and began rubbing my back. I caught both CeCe and Skylar watching us. CeCe’s eyes were fixed on Eric as I turned my gaze back to Skylar. Skylar locked eyes on me while he dried his hair.
“Wow, you got soaked.” A woman with bronzed blonde hair in her early fifties said as she walked over to Skylar.
“Char, this is my soon-to-be mother-in-law, Christine La Fleur. Over there is my soon-to-be father-in-law, Sidney.” CeCe pointed towards the sitting room.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” I gathered up the strength to say.
Her face was warm and gentle and she reached out to hug me despite the pool of water I had created all around me.
“It’s so nice to meet you. We just love CeCe.” She said with a light southern accent.
“Auntie Ce, do I get my present now?” Lucy asked as she stormed the back entryway.
“Lucy? That’s rude to ask.” I said bending down to her height. “Use your good manners Lu.” I instructed.
“Oh it’s okay Charlotte.” Bev took Lucy by the hand. “Somebody has a birthday coming up.”
“I have a birthday coming up.” Lucy jumped excitedly.
“You do? Maybe you’ll like this present I got for somebody who’s turning three.”
“It’s for me.” Lucy smiled with her dimples darting out on both sides.
“She’s really cute.” Christine smiled.
“Thank you.” I said, feeling an irony within my reply.
“Her name’s Lucy?” Skylar spoke for the first time.
“Ahhh,” I paused, “Yeah. Her name is Lucy Grace.”
I saw his eyes follow her and Bev into the other room before he looked at me again. I hadn’t eaten much today and with this disbelief I was suddenly feeling very weak.
“Hey guys let’s come in the dining area. I think dinners ready to be served.” CeCe announced happily.
She came over to me and locked her arm with mine. “You don’t mind if I steal her just for tonight—do you Eric?” She smiled at him.
“Of course not CeCe; I expected it.” He smiled back warmly.
“Thanks.” She smiled back. “I didn’t know you still had this sweater.” CeCe said, pinching a small piece of the material. “I would have thought you’d thrown that away by now.” CeCe said, looking back at Eric.
“Oh my goodness!” I was wearing Skylar’s sweater. “Yeah, I was trying to hurry and just grabbed it quickly.” I said trying to mask my embarrassment. I did not want to clue Eric into whose sweater I was wearing or remind Skylar that it was his.
“Must be an old boyfriend’s sweater?” Skylar grinned.
“Nope.” I said, pursing my lips slightly together.
“Nah—just some guy that meant something to her once. But she’s got a better guy now.” CeCe said, smiling at Eric.
I was crushed. My best friend was in love with my Skylar. And apparently, he was in love with her enough to be marrying her the day after tomorrow. This was not the Prince Charming I envisioned for CeCe. With every word, I felt a strange mixture of illness and anger brewing inside me. Not that anyone other than Skylar or I knew that he was the owner of that sweater. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through this night let alone the next two days or for that matter—the rest of my life watching CeCe be affectionate with my Skylar. How in the world, the whole wide world, did CeCe find Skylar? The one guy I ever truly loved and the father of my child. How could this be happening to me? CeCe was floating amongst the clouds while I was barely hanging on to the life raft. I prayed to see Skylar again but this was not part of my prayer—this was not right. It was not fair. But how could I say anything to my best friend who was the happiest she’d ever been? And how could I deny myself the future I rightfully deserved?
“Okay, I have you and Eric sitting over here. Lucy’s going to sit by Bev and James on the end and Skylar and I will sit across from you so we can catch up.” CeCe instructed.
“Mommy, look what Gigi Bev got me.” Lucy waved a French-looking Barbie doll in my face.
“Wow, that’s really nice Lucy. Did you say thank you?”
“Of course! Isn’t it pretty—it’s my first Barbie doll.” She said dancing the doll around on Eric’s knee.
“That’s cool.” Eric said, dancing the doll back and forth causing Lucy to let her giggles slip out.
“Dinner is served.” Bev announced as several wait staff arrived with platters of food.
“Thank you.” Christine said sweetly to the wait staff and to Bev for her excellent hostess skills.
Skylar’s dad, Sidney, was talking with James about the stock market while Bev and Christine were busy talking about the wedding. CeCe was surprisingly talkative with Eric and seemingly very comfortable. Lucy was transfixed on her newest doll—and already taking the clothes off to dress her in another outfit. As I sat cutting up Lucy’s food, randomly, I caught Skylar eyeing me and observing Lucy. He was quiet talking very little unless prompted by CeCe. She was busy talking about how they met while she was volunteering for the girl’s home that gave her peace and purpose. It was one of the organizations that Skylar’s family helped to support. He had finished school and became involved in gathering financial support from donors all around the world for various non-profit organizations. He sought out contributions, managed their distribution and reported on the financial administration of these funds to the numerous agencies they helped support. Every once in a while when she wasn’t talking a million miles an hour, CeCe looked at me with a big smile. I smiled back when I didn’t feel like throwing up. I was still in shock. I decided to get some fresh air for a moment to catch my breath or call Richie—the only person that I could possibly tell my trauma to.
“Oh I forgot to mention that Char is an inspiring writer and just finished her first book.” CeCe said proudly to Skylar.
“Really?” Skylar looked up.
“Well, yeah. I actually just got my first book deal. CeCe—I haven’t even had a chance to tell you that they are going to publish my book.”
“Wow, that’s wonderful! I know it will be a huge success. Honey, she’s an incredible writer.” CeCe said, bumping Skylar’s arm softly.
“Thanks Ce. I’ll be right back. I have to use the restroom.” I quietly interrupted CeCe and Eric’s conversation.
“Are you feeling okay dear?” Eric reached for my hand.
“Yeah, my stomach’s a bit upset and it’s catching up to me. I’ll be okay.”
“Okay, I’ll keep an eye on Lu.” He smiled, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.
“You do look a little pale.” CeCe said.
“I’ll be fine.” I said, grabbing my purse before I made my way to the powder room.
I stood hiding around the corner a moment to catch my breath. As I stood there, I heard Skylar say “I bet your mom and dad’s going to love the flower girl dress we got you. It’s pink—Auntie CeCe picked it out.”
“I don’t have a dad—except for God—he’s my daddy my mom told me.”
“That’s right. He’s the best daddy in the world.” CeCe replied before whispering to Skylar, “We don’t really talk about that. Eric is not Lucy’s dad. Char only met Lucy’s dad once and couldn’t get a hold of him. She never heard from him again.”
Feeling a small lump swell up in my throat, I walked down the long hallway towards the living room where the powder room sat adjacent. I opened the door and locked it quickly.
I unlatched the window for fresh air and inhaled deeply. I stood still, collecting my thoughts, for a few moments before I pulled out my cell phone. I dialed my home number and waited for it to ring, hoping that Richie was home to help talk me through this.
“Hello?” I heard my mom pick up the phone.
“Hi mom, is Richie there?”
“Yeah, is everything alright?”
“Yeah, I just need to talk to him a minute.”
“Okay, hold on while I get him.”
“Thanks mom. I love you.”
“I love you too dear. Hold on.”
A minute later Richie picked up the phone, “Yello”. He said in a silly southern accent.
“Oh good, Richie, I have a really big problem.”
“Are you pregnant again?”
“No, I’m not pregnant. By the way, I’d throw my shoe at you if I were there right now. I called because I don’t know what to do.”
“About?”
“Are you sitting down?”
“Are you okay?”
“I guess. I feel like throwing up and passing out.”
“Are you sure you’re not pregnant?”
“My shoe is coming through the phone if you say that again.”
“Settle down Betsy.”
“Richie, this is serious.”
“Okay then—what is going on?” He said with a tone of frustration.
“Christian—CeCe’s fiancé.” I could barely get anything else out.
“What about him?”
“Christian is Skylar—my Skylar, Lucy’s dad?”
“What did you say?”
“Christian is…”
He interrupted before I could repeat myself. “I heard what you said I just can’t believe what you said?”
“Richie, I don’t know what to do.” I said, feeling tears build up.
“Did you say anything? Does he remember you?”
“No, of course I didn’t say anything. What was I supposed to say—hi, by the way, my name’s really Char and this is your daughter, Lucy?”
“Yeah, I see your point but it would have made for interesting conversation the rest of the night.”
“Richie, I called you for help not to entertain you.”
“Where are you right now?”
“I’m standing in the bathroom, with my head pressed to the window for some fresh air because I can barely breathe! My heart hurts and I’m angry and confused. Why Richie—I mean how can this be happening to me? I’m a good person—why is the only person I’ve ever loved marrying my best friend? I don’t get it.”
“I don’t know. Maybe CeCe meeting him was the only he could ever make it back to you?”
“His name’s not even Skylar. He never called me and now he’s engaged to my best friend. I thought there was something special but I was just someone for that night.” I said wiping tears carefully away.
“Did he recognize you?”
Suddenly, I heard a light tapping at the door.
“Someone’s outside of the bathroom, I have to let you go.”
“Wait, Char, did he recognize you?”
“Yes, the moment I saw him we both froze.”
“So awkward; I miss all the good stuff.”
“I’ve got to let you go.” I whispered to Richie. “I’ll be out in just a minute.” I called to the person on the other side of the door.”
“Okay, you don’t have to hurry.” I heard Skylar say.
“Oh my goodness Richie—Skylar’s standing outside the bathroom door.” I whispered again.
“Then you are definitely not hanging up on me.”
“Richie, I will tell you all about it later.”
I opened the door and saw Skylar standing there with one side of his lips curled up. His intense blue eyes and damp hair ran goose bumps up my neck.
“Char? Char? Do not hang up on me. Char—just keep the phone on so I can listen!” Richie hollered from the cell phone before I snapped it shut.
“So, it’s not really Lucy?” Skylar smiled.
“I’m not sure—who’s Skylar?”
“Me. It’s my middle name. It’s what I went by before I got into the business world.”
“Really? And the phone number which wasn’t really your phone number?” I asked, feeling a little anger for his coolness.
“I gave you my number—my real number. I can explain what happened too if you let me.”
“Why bother—obviously, you’ve moved on.” I said, feeling the tears fighting to fall.
“I’ve never stopped thinking about you and I tried to find you so many times.”
“Really—you’re marrying my best friend in two days.” I felt a tear slip down my cheek.
“You’re still wearing my sweater.” He said gently, wiping the tear off my cheek.
“It was cold.”
“Cold in June…in Georgia?” He smiled.
“Do you find this funny? I’ve been a single mom working hard to raise my daughter all alone while the man I loved—I thought I loved abandoned me only to return engaged to my best friend.”
“You loved me?” He asked leaning his head down to be closer to my eyes.
“I thought I did but I was so young.” I started to say.
“Mommy, I have to go potty right now.” Lucy said, running into my leg on her way to the bathroom just behind me.
“Lucy, I mean, Char—I need—we need to talk please. You’ve got to let me explain what happened.” He pleaded holding onto my arm. “Please.”
“I have to help her. I really can’t talk right now.”
“Please can we meet somewhere then—maybe tomorrow—or maybe after the Bachelorette party?” He asked with his eyes burning into mine.
“You know that running off with your best friend’s fiancé is a major offense in the south, right?”
“We had something special and you have to know the truth.” He persisted.
“Ahhh, okay; I can pick you up on the corner of Oak and Main—it’s about a block away from here, midnight tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” He smiled as I felt my breath fade away again.
“Mommy!” Lucy insisted again.
“Okay, sweetie, I’ll be right there. “I’ll see you tomorrow Skylar, I mean, Christian.”
“Wait, Charlotte…” Skylar paused, “is Lucy mine?” He asked reaching towards my arm once more.
I hesitated a moment not sure how to answer.
“Is she?”
I nodded yes and turned to help Lucy in the bathroom.
I helped Lucy finish up and we made our way back to the dining room with the rest of the party. Christine and Bev were now talking with CeCe about the spa day planned for all the bridesmaids and mothers of the bride and groom tomorrow. I couldn’t wait to tell Richie about the spa day—he was going to love hearing about a day to get pretty with all the girls. James had planned a day of golfing for all the groomsmen and Sidney, Skylar’s dad. I was feeling nauseated with all the plans. I watched CeCe interact with Skylar and kept a close eye on him as he equally observed my exchanges with Eric. And Eric was nothing more than kind and sweet during all of the evening and seemed clueless to the truth behind my facade. He reached out to hold my hand during dinner and anything that had been there before was nothing more than purely friendship now. My heart ached, watching CeCe revel in her joyous upcoming nuptials with the man my heart knew was the only one I’d ever given it to. I sat making small talk to get through the rest of the evening. Lucy was the most animated I’d seen her in a while and provided entertainment for all. Skylar watched her almost ceaselessly as she bounced around, speaking articulately for a three year old. She warmed the hearts of everyone around the dining table with her smile and humor. I glimpsed over several times to see Skylar grin at her vibrancy.
“I’m so glad to be home and that you got to meet my man.” CeCe said in a funny voice, to me, just before we got ready to leave.
“I’m so glad you’re home too CeCe; I’ve really mis
sed you. Thank you for the dinner invitation.” I smiled faintly. “Your hair is very pretty too.”
“Thanks. Eric has gotten even better looking since Christmas.” CeCe smiled, hitting my shoulder in a playful manner.
“Yeah he has.”
“So, tomorrow we’re going to meet Christine and Bev at the spa. My dad and Christian will drop me off at your house before they go to the clubhouse. You don’t mind driving do you? I figured you, Richie, and I could all drive together from there.” CeCe looked for my consent.
“Ahhh, sure, that’s fine.” I said, hoping that Richie didn’t say anything to our family.
“Perfect, we’ll be over at nine in the morning.” She said, kissing me on the cheek.
“It was a pleasure to meet you.” Skylar said, extending his hand towards Eric’s.
“It was nice to meet you.” Eric smiled. “CeCe you look beautiful and we’re happy for you two.” He continued.
“Thank you Eric.”
“It was really good to finally see you. CeCe’s told me so much about you.” Skylar grinned as he leaned in to hug me goodbye.
I remembered how he held me in his arms so long ago. I never thought I would feel it again and after years of wondering I was not sure if I ever wanted to. But now, face-to-face unexpectedly, I wavered in my angst against him. As his arms wrapped around mine, I could feel the heat from his warm embrace fall over my body. His muscles clinched tightly around me and I felt my body go limp. I straightened up quickly in my moment of weakness and said, “it was nice to finally meet you too Christian.”
“Lucy dear, are you ready to go?” Eric called.
“I’m coming. I just need more hugs first.” She said as she squeezed CeCe’s neck once more.
“I love you Lucy Grace.” CeCe said kissing her rosy red cheeks goodbye.
“See you at nine CeCe.” I said, hugging her goodbye.
“See you Char; we are going to have so much fun the next two days.”
Southern Belles, a Novel About Love, Purpose & Second Chances (9781310340970) Page 30
