by Tina Martin
He kissed her lips, then said, “Goodnight, baby.”
“Goodnight.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She smiled staring up into the brilliance of his eyes. She wasn’t sure how ready she was, but one thing she was sure of was how she felt with him. Loved. Special and cared for. Somehow, she knew a life with Royal would be one of fulfillment and joy.
Chapter 24
The family had all settled around the dinner table and after Mason prayed over the food, Romulus said, “You went all out, huh, Ma.”
She’d made some barbecue baked chicken, buttermilk fried chicken, potato salad, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and biscuits.
“Yes. It all looks scrumptious, Bernadette,” Siderra said.
Bernadette smiled. “Thank you.” Compliments about her food were always music to her ears.
“I’m going to be at least five pounds heavier when I leave here,” Siderra added.
“Me, too,” Gianna chimed in. “That’s the fun thing about being pregnant. I can always use the baby as an excuse to eat an extra plate.”
Bernadette chuckled. “Yes, you can. I want my grandbaby nice and healthy.”
“Yes, indeed, so eat up,” Mason added.
As the family dived into their food, smaller one-on-one conversations around the table ensued.
[Ramsey and Gianna]
“I didn’t even know I liked creamed corn before this evening. This is delicious,” Gianna said to Ramsey.
“Yeah, just like your cupcakes,” he told her.
“And this barbecue chicken is the best I’ve ever had. I really need to spend more time with your mama in the kitchen.”
“She’ll enjoy that. She’s always talking about getting to know you better and cooking just may be the thing that bonds you two—well, at least until the baby arrives. Then you’re bonded for life.”
Gianna smiled.
Ramsey glanced across the table at Gemma and Royal. Gemma was all smiles, and it seemed Royal couldn’t stay out of her ear. “Hey, by the way, how has it been going with Gemma helping you out around the bakery?”
It was Gianna’s turn to glance up at Gemma. She looked happy, smiling at something Royal had just whispered to her. She thought her sister looked pretty nice with her curly hair out, not hidden behind a scarf. She even wore earrings today. “She’s doing good but I feel like I’m forcing her to learn the ins and outs of baking. I don’t think it’s what she wants to do.”
“Probably not. Knowing Gem, she’s doing it because she knows you need the help.”
“Exactly.”
Ramsey wiped his mouth, took a sip of wine, then said, “And since such is the case, we’re going to need to go back to our original plan and hire some help. There’s no way around it now.”
“I know. You’re right. It just has to be somebody trustworthy with a good background.”
“We’ll discuss it in more detail later. I don’t want to interrupt your love affair with that corn.”
Gianna playfully slapped him on the arm while he chuckled.
[Regal and Mason]
“Son, seems you’re in Paris so much, you may as well have a permanent residence over there.”
Regal grinned. “Nah. It’s cool to visit and do business, but North Carolina is my home. Now, if I go over there and meet a nice, French voluptuous woman, y’all might not see ya boy no more.”
Mason laughed at his son. “I don’t foresee that being a problem.”
“Why not, pops?”
“Tell me the last time you’ve seen a voluptuous French woman.”
“Uh…”
“Exactly. What you need to do is stick around here and get you one of these cornbread-fed North Carolina women.”
Bernadette caught a part of their discussion and could only shake her head. The rest she wouldn’t hear since she was too busy staring at Royal and Gemma.
“I ain’t got time to be out here looking for no women, pops,” Regal said.
“You don’t have to look for them, son. Women are a little more aggressive than they used to be back in my day. They come looking for you now.”
Regal shook his head. “Those are the ones I avoid. I’m the pursuer. Not the pursued.”
“What about Gianna’s friend? The one you kept calling WB for some reason at Ramsey’s party?”
“Oh.” Regal chuckled. “She’s a looker, but she got this whole anti-men, Ms. Independent thing going on. Ain’t nobody got time for no scorned females with baggage.”
“You can say that again,” Mason said.
[Romulus and Siderra]
“I really, really like this family,” Siderra said. She glanced around the table at everyone.
“They like you too,” Romulus told her.
Siderra finished chewing, then asked, “Do you know what I was thinking about before you picked me up tonight?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
She glanced at him, watching him bite a huge chunk of chicken. “I was thinking about how you are my only in when it comes to the St. Claires.”
“Meaning what, Derra?” he asked right before he sunk his teeth into another piece of chicken.
“Meaning that if I get a boyfriend, I’m going to be—you know—getting to know his family. Likewise, when you become involved with someone, you’re going to be getting to know her family and she’ll be sitting here instead of me, getting to know your family.”
He grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth. “Why are you even thinking about that?” Romulus turned up a glass of Mountain Dew, taking a big gulp of it.
“It was just on my mind. That’s all.”
“Then get it off of your mind. You already know I don’t do girlfriends.”
“Yeah, but—”
“So, why are you bringing it up, unless you’ve been thinking about getting a man, which I know ain’t the case?”
“What if it is the case?” she asked, then tasted the potato salad.
He looked at her, frowned slightly and shrugged casually. “Then we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he told her. He wasn’t about to get in his feelings off of something that hadn’t happened yet. The thought of her having a boyfriend had crossed his mind before and made him play through the logistics of their friendship, but he never took it seriously since Siderra was one of those business-focused women. The creative type. She had her own little store where she made handmade items – pillows, blankets, curtains – all sorts of trendy home décor. And the business was such a success, she had other local artisans display their items in her store, to which she received a commission off of every sale. And with hours from nine in the morning to seven in the evening, when would she have time to date?
[Royal and Gemma]
Royal looked around the table. Several times, he’d caught his mother’s gaze and smiled at her. They were situated on opposite ends but her constant stares made it seem like she was right there beside him. “Seems like everyone is having a good time,” he said to Gemma.
“Yeah. I’m glad we all got together before you and Regal left. I still don’t want you to go, though.”
“My mother doesn’t either. Don’t know why she’s so protective over me more than with my other brothers.”
“Duh, Royal. It’s because you’re the youngest. You’re her wittle baby.”
“There’s nothing little about me, girl. You should know that by now.”
“Can’t argue with you there,” Gemma said laughing. After taking a sip of water, she said, “I really wish you wouldn’t go, though.”
“Why?”
“You know why,” she said nudging his thigh.
He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Because you love me.”
She looked at him, quickly glancing at his lips before making eye contact. “Yes.”
Still breathing in her ear, he said, “You don’t know how much I want your lips in my mouth right now.”
“Royal, stop it,
” she said, blushing.
“Pretend you have to go to the bathroom,” he told her. “I’ll find an excuse to get up then I’ll meet you down the hallway and shove my tongue inside of your mouth. I need to hear you moan as badly as I need to taste you.” He looked at her face and saw it reddening before his eyes.
“Royal, stop,” she said breathily with her pulse quickening. “You’re drawing attention to us.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “So. The bottom line is, you’re mine. I should be able to do whatever I want to you whenever I want to do it.”
“But you’re making me nervous.”
He was still staring at her when he said, “Am I?”
“Yes.”
“You’re going to wish I was here staring at you when I’m thousands of miles away next week.”
She connected her gaze to his and said, “Yes. That’s true.”
He saw the worry in her eyes. “But I’ll be back soon enough. For now, just enjoy this time with me and my family, okay, beautiful?”
She smiled. “Okay.”
To Royal, it seemed like the entire room lit up when she smiled. It automatically made him smile and move his hand over to cup her thigh. And she placed her hand on top of his and threaded their fingers together underneath the table.
* * *
Bernadette stood up.
“Where are you going, dear?” Mason asked.
“Oh. I have to turn off the oven and take out those pecan pies.”
Mason stood up, too, and said, “Let me get the vanilla ice cream out of the deep freezer.” He left the dining room along with her.
“Now’s a good time for me to make a run to the bathroom,” Gemma told Royal.
“I’ll come with you.”
“No, you won’t. Stay here.”
“But I want lips.”
Gemma grinned. “Royal, I’ll be right back.”
He sighed evenly. “A’ight, but don’t stay too long or I’ll be coming to look for you,” he said, looking her up and down as she stood up and subsequently walked away.
Gemma made the bathroom visit a quick one as she promised Royal she would. She gave herself a good, long appreciative look while she was still in the bathroom, threading her hands through her curly hair, thinking that it wasn’t as bad as she thought it was. Now, all those weeks of hiding it seemed silly. The short curly hair suited her and best of all, Royal loved it.
She stepped out of the bathroom and was coming down the hallway toward the kitchen when she heard Bernadette say, “I’m telling you, dear, Royal’s in love with Gemma. Have you noticed how he’s been staring at her all night? They’re sitting beside each other and he still stares at her. And they were just whispering and laughing it up.”
Mason grinned. “So what. They like each other. She’s a good woman. A beautiful woman.”
“I agree with you. She is a beautiful woman.”
“Then what’s the big deal about them seeing each other if that’s what’s happening? We don’t even know for certain.”
“I’ll tell you what the big deal is. We’ve already had to suffer the pain of watching one of our sons lose someone he loved to cancer. I do not want to go through that again, let alone put my youngest through it.”
“Dear, we agreed that we have to let our boys live their own lives. Did we not?”
“Yes, but why let them go through heartache when we can spare them, Mason?”
“Do you really think Royal is not aware of Gemma’s condition and what he’s signing up for if they are dating?”
“Of course he is. He was in the hospital with her for goodness sakes.”
“Then let the boy—I’m sorry, man—live his life, honey.”
“And then what?” she asked with a broken voice. “We’re going to allow our son to fall in love with a woman who’s sick? Our same son who was diagnosed with depression in high school and who almost died in a car accident five years ago?”
“And each time he came out stronger than he was before. Each and every time. Our sons are strong. Strong minded and strong-willed. As their parents, we need to trust their decisions.”
Bernadette sighed, not wanting to admit that her husband was right.
“Listen, sweetie. I know how much you love our boys. I love ‘em, too. But we have to let them live their lives. If Royal loves Gemma, who are we to stop him? We can’t tell our children who to love. The only thing we can do is hope they bring a good woman home to us and by all accounts, Gemma’s a good woman. Okay?”
Bernadette released a heavy-hearted sigh. “Okay.”
Gemma was so distraught by what she’d overheard, she walked back to the bathroom and eased the door closed behind her. She leaned against the sink and tried not to give into tears. Surely Royal would know something was up if she had. So, she got herself together as best as she could and came out of the bathroom again, returning to the dining room. She noticed Bernadette and Mason had made their way back to the dining room table.
She sat next to Royal.
“I started to come looking for you,” he whispered to her.
“It didn’t take me long, did it?” she asked, plastering a smile on her face.
“It did. Are you okay?” he asked, examining her further, noticing something with her demeanor was different.
“Yeah. I’m okay. I just feel tired all of a sudden.”
“Should we go?”
“No. We can stay. I’m fine.” She took a sip of water while feeling Royal’s eyes analyzing her.
Chapter 25
Very early the next morning – like 4:00 a.m. early – Royal attempted to wake up Gemma to say goodbye. He’d spent the night with her, at Ramsey’s place, since it was more convenient to pick up Regal and roll out to the airport. He spent most the night observing her. She had said she was tired at dinner and almost immediately when they returned last night, she passed out. In fact, even now, she was sleeping so good, he didn’t want to wake her but he had to see those eyes one more time before leaving.
“Gemma, wake up, baby.”
She slowly moved, stretched and then opened her eyes to see him. “Hey. Are you about to leave?”
“Yeah. I’m going to pick up Regal and then we’re rolling out.”
“Okay.” She reached for him, wrapped her arms around his torso and squeezed.
“Oh, baby, I’m going to miss you, too,” he said. “Take care of yourself while I’m gone.”
“I will.”
“Make sure you take your medicine every night.”
“I promise.”
“And you can call me, text me…whatever. I don’t care what time of day it is.” He touched her cheek, then nudged her chin up. “You hear me?”
“Yes.”
“I love you, Gemma.”
“I love you, too, Royal.” She squeezed him again. “Be safe.”
“I will.”
When Royal left the room, Gemma sat on the bed replaying Bernadette and Mason’s conversation. When she was at their home, standing in the hallway, it all felt surreal like she wasn’t sure if she was hearing things or not. But she heard Bernadette loud and clear – she didn’t want Royal getting mixed up with a woman who had cancer. With a woman who had a greater risk of dying prematurely. The bottom line – she didn’t want her son with her. As harsh as it sounded, Bernadette had a point. Those were the very same concerns Gemma harbored concerning a relationship with Royal. What if she got sick again? She didn’t want to put him through that. But she loved him, and maybe that was selfish, but she couldn’t help it. Couldn’t stop herself from needing his love. Still, in the back of her mind, she also knew that there was some other woman out there who would be better for him. Someone who was perfectly healthy. Someone more on his level in life. Someone his mother would be satisfied with.
Chapter 26
The rest of her day pretty much sucked. Gemma thought about Royal and his parents – this dilemma that kept her questioning herself and her worth. Was she doomed to a life of lon
eliness after her diagnosis and if she was, how was that any different from dying? Now that she had a good outlook on life, she wanted normality – to fall in love and have a home, a career and start her life. Right now, she was stuck living with Gianna and Ramsey. She didn’t have a home. A career. A life. She didn’t have anything but Royal and his mother didn’t want her to have him.
She sighed, placed a bowl of soup on her nightstand, unable to eat. Maybe she was over-thinking everything and driving herself crazy in the process. She was only twenty years old. Who said her happily ever after had to happen right this instant? What was wrong with taking her time and getting to know herself – her adult self – then creating new experiences? Learning from her mistakes. Discovering other people outside of the bubble of people she knew. And she could meet other men, possibly, although no man could ever compare to Royal.
And there was no need to rush into love. She especially didn’t want him to since, in her opinion, the only reason he fell for her was because she was sick. They wouldn’t have met if Gianna hadn’t met Ramsey. If she was any other woman walking down the street with a head scarf, Royal probably wouldn’t have said a word to her. There was nothing about her that screamed, hey, look at me, with the exception of the scarf and freckles. Otherwise, she was just a plain, ordinary woman.
In addition to the current problems that ailed her, there was unfinished business with her mother. It was different to watch Gianna confront Geraldine but it would be interesting now that it was her turn to talk to her. Did it have to be a confrontation though? Was there any chance the woman could be civil? She wondered…
Gemma picked up her phone noticing the missed call from Royal, followed by a text message:
