“Hey baby—how are you feeling? Are you hungry?” asked Monica’s mother.
“I’m fine. I am a little hungry. What did you make for breakfast?” she asked.
“I fixed you an omelet and toast along with a glass of orange juice.”
“Sounds good. Thanks, Mom,” she said.
While her mother went to get her breakfast, Monica decided to nurse the baby. She planned on talking to her mother after breakfast about what to do with her marriage.
“Here is your breakfast, dear. Give me the baby. I’ll hold him while you eat,” said her mother.
“Thanks. I’m glad you’re here. It means a lot having you take care of us,” Monica smiled as she handed her son to his grandmother.
“No problem; that’s what mothers are for. Monica, I want to ask you something. What are you and Ken going to do? I hate to get into your business but you don’t have to raise these two kids by yourself.
“I know he made a huge mistake but you need to find it in your heart to forgive him and put your family back together. He is a good man and he really feels bad about everything,” her mother said.
“I wanted to talk to you about that anyway. I do love him but it’s hard to just let everything go and forget all that has happened. I could probably forgive him and take him back faster if there were not a baby involved.
“If he comes back then we will have to raise the baby together. I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to do that. That’s a lot to ask. He is the one that cheated and yet sometimes I feel like the bad guy. That doesn’t seem right.”
Monica set down her fork and looked her mother in the eye, “I must admit I’m surprised to hear you say you want me to take him back. I thought you and Dad would be angry with me for even considering it,” she said as tears rolled down her face.
“I know it’s going to be hard, but if you really love him and want him back then you will get whatever help you need to put your marriage back together.
“I never told you this but I think now is a good time. Your father had an affair when you were around seven years old. It hurt me to my soul. I never thought I would be able to forgive him. You never knew about it because he never moved out. He did sleep in the guest room for a while until we were able to discuss it.
“We went to marriage counseling and were able to put our marriage back together. I knew he still loved me and that he had made a terrible mistake.
“He promised me that it would never happen again and we have been together now for thirty-five years. Looking back, I’m glad we worked things out because no other man was meant for me. Remember, baby, everyone makes mistakes.
“When you gave your wedding vows you said before God and man that you promise to love and cherish in sickness and in health, for better or worse until death do you part. Right now you are going through a bad situation that became worse with his illegitimate baby. As long as the both of you are willing to work things out then you should consider marriage counseling,” said her mother.
“I can’t believe Daddy had an affair. He is such a great man and you two seem so much in love and so happy with each other. How long did it take for you to get over everything?” Monica asked her mother as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
“It took some time. We went to counseling for about six months and after that it took about a year for us to start putting the pieces back together again,” she said as she rocked the baby to sleep.
“I am sure it was easier for you because Daddy didn’t have a baby with his mistress,” said Monica.
“I’m sure that’s true. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. I have to give Ken credit for stepping up and doing the right thing by getting his son. The baby is an innocent victim in this mess.
“At least you don’t have to worry about him sneaking out to see her. I’m not saying I’m happy she is in prison but at least she’s out of the picture for good,” her mother leaned over and kissed Monica’s forehead.
“That is true. Besides Marci misses him so much. She and baby Adam are also innocent victims in all of this. I do love him and I miss him so much.
“I think maybe I’ll talk to him when he brings Marci back in two weeks. But I’m still not ready for him to move back home until we start marriage counseling.”
Her mother began putting the breakfast dishes away, “That sounds good, sweetheart. I know things will work for you. Remember your dad and I love all of you and we want to see you happy. All you can do is try. If things don’t work out at least you can say you gave it your best. That is all God requires of us—that we do our best.”
Monica felt so much better after talking to her mother. She decided that she would ask Ken if he wanted to go to marriage counseling to attempt to work things out.
Two weeks passed and it was time for Marci to return. When Ken rang the doorbell, her grandmother opened the door. Marci was so happy to be home.
She had missed her mother and baby brother so much. She kissed her grandmother and ran into her mother’s bedroom looking for her and the baby.
“Hello, Ken. It’s good to see you. Do you have the baby?”
“Hello, Mom—he is at the babysitter’s. Why do you ask?” he questioned.
“Monica wanted to talk with you before you left and I needed to know if I should go sit with the baby,” she replied.
“Where is she? I did want to see Adam while I was here,” he said.
“Come in and have a seat in the den. I’ll go upstairs and get her. Maybe you can see Adam before you leave.”
While she went upstairs to get Monica he sat in the den trying to figure out what she could want. He thought maybe she would tell him she wanted a divorce. He didn’t know what to expect.
When she came downstairs he could not help but stare at her. She was looking so beautiful. Her hair was down and she had on his favorite dress. He wasn’t sure how to greet her. He wanted to hug her but decided to follow her lead.
“Hello Ken; I’m glad you had time for us to talk,” said Monica.
“I’ll make time to talk to you. It’s been a long time since you wanted to talk to me. Is everything okay with the baby?” he asked.
“Yes, the baby is fine. Thanks for keeping Marci—I’m sure she had a great time. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about us and our next steps. I have one question for you: Do you want to stay married?”
“Yes I do. I know I messed up big time and I pray every day that you’ll give me another chance. I miss you and our family. Do you want to stay married?” he asked nervously.
“The question I ask myself is not ‘do I want to stay married?’ but rather ‘can I forgive you enough to stay married?’ When I married you I thought it would be forever. I never imagined we would be here trying to figure out what went wrong or if we should remain together,” she said as tears started rolling down her face.
“I never thought we would be here either. I don’t know how many times I can say I am sorry but I will say it as often as I need to if it will get you back.
“I am so sorry for hurting you and tearing up our family. I’m just happy that you are talking to me and letting me see our children.
“I brought shame and dishonor to you and you did not deserve any of it. I just pray that one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I never stopped loving you, Monica,” he said, sobbing into his hands.
“So why did you do it? Why did you take the chance of losing me, losing our family?” she cried.
“As I wrote in the letter, I never intended for any of this to happen. I should have never befriended another woman. We started off as strictly friends. I’m not sure when everything changed.
“It just happened and when I realized it had turned for the worse, I tried to end it but it wasn’t that easy. She wouldn’t let it go. All I can say is that I was stupid.
“I later learned that she had slept with a lot of married men before me and for some reason I was the one she chose to hold on to.
“I’m not trying
to blame her because I am just as guilty. Throughout this entire ordeal the one thing that I know for a fact is that I love you and no matter what happens with us I will always love you,” he said, trying to gain his composure.
“Well I’ve been doing a lot of praying and thinking. If you are willing to go to marriage counseling with me then I’m willing to work on fixing our marriage. Of course I’m not ready for you to move back in. I still have to get used to the baby.
“I was thinking once counseling is over and if everything goes well, you and the baby should come home,” she said, wiping the tears from her face.
“Yes baby, I’ll go. I will do whatever you want to get us back together as a family. I love you so much. Thanks for giving me another chance.
“Thanks for being so understanding with the baby. I don’t know what to say other than thank you so much. I love you, baby.”
Monica went over to her husband and for the first time since learning of his affair with Susan, she hugged him and they cried together.
They agreed to look for a marriage counselor within the next thirty days so they could start their counseling right away and get their family back together.
Her mother came downstairs with Marci and the baby. She handed the baby to Ken and told him to do whatever he needed to do to get his family back and then she kissed him on the forehead and walked out.
The four of them sat down and enjoyed some quality time together. It was at this moment that he realized that everything he ever needed was right before his eyes.
Prologue
Jake and Camille
“I’ve been in love with you since we first met. The moment I looked into your eyes, I knew we were meant for each other. I would never treat you like he does. You are a queen and should be treated as such. You don’t deserve to be treated like this. I hope one day you will realize that you deserve to be happy and respected,” Paul said, gazing deeply into her eyes.
“Paul, I don’t know what to say. I know Jake does not treat me right and I know I should have never agreed to give him a second chance,” Camille said as tears filled her eyes.
Paul gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, “Don’t cry, baby. I promise you things will work out. When you’re ready to leave, I’ll be here waiting for you.”
“You are a wonderful man and I’m so glad you’re in my life,” she said, smiling despite her despair.
“How do you feel about packing your things and coming to stay with me at my house? I want to show you how a lady should be treated. If you’ll allow me, I want to please you in every way possible. Can you trust me?” he asked.
“Yes, I can trust you.”
“Good. Now let’s go and get your luggage. I promise if you trust me you will experience feelings you’ve never felt before. I want to take you to a place of ecstasy. I want to give you pure unadulterated pleasure beyond your imagination. I want to totally and completely please you.”
Just the thought of what he had in mind turned her on. She started getting sexually aroused. She began imagining what he wanted to do to her, with her. She wanted and needed to feel loved and wanted again.
When they arrived at his house he took her by the hand and escorted her into his bedroom. He told her to lie down until her bath was ready. He then prepared a bath for her and lined it with small white candles.
Once the tub was filled, Paul went into the bedroom and started gently undressing her. As he slowly pulled down her stockings she cooed in anticipation. He then unhooked the clamps of her garter and began inching down her panties. She sighed deeply, which started getting him aroused.
“Are you okay, baby?” he asked.
“Mmmmm…yes I am,” she moaned.
Once he pulled down her panties and skirt, he gently unbuttoned her blouse and began to lightly caress her breast. After removing her blouse he unsnapped her bra and she gave a slight sigh.
After she was completely undressed he began caressing her, starting with her inner thighs, then her stomach, all the way up to her neck; he touched every part of her as he worked his way up her body.
Once he made it to her lips he kissed her passionately and then picked her off the bed, carried her into the bathroom, and placed her in the steaming tub.
As she reclined in the bath he began washing her, starting with her back and ending with her toes. As he caressed each part of her body, he gently kissed it, which made her coo and moan even more.
After bathing her for thirty minutes he helped her out and carefully toweled her dry. He then carried her back into the bedroom and laid her across the bed where he continued to take care of her.
As he rubbed oil across her body he expertly massaged every inch of her. Camille could not help but make sounds of pleasure and enjoyment.
When he started rubbing her inner thighs and the surrounding area, she experienced a sensation she had never felt before; she moaned louder and sharply inhaled.
“That’s it, baby, relax and let go. Let me please you,” Paul said.
“Oh Paul, something’s happening to me,” she said as she involuntarily sighed.
“That’s it, let it go. It’s natural. Go ahead and release it. It’s okay. Wow baby! That’s it,” he said as he watched her flow.
“I’m so embarrassed. That has never happened before. I don’t know what’s going on,” she said shyly.
He smiled broadly, “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Come here baby. Let’s get under the covers. You are a queen and you need to move to a spot that’s not wet.”
Once they were under the sheets, he made love to her in ways she never imagined. She knew that the next few days in Los Angeles with him were going to be the most amazing days she had ever experienced.
For the first time in years she felt special and loved. She could tell by the way Paul treated her that he was in love with her. And to her surprise, she was starting to fall in love with him as well.
It was at the coffee house near the office building where Jake worked where he and Camille first met. Jake was there with his friend Ken when Camille walked in.
The moment he saw her he knew he had to have her. She noticed him looking at her, but unlike most women who see Jake, she glanced over and turned away.
After ordering her coffee, she left without giving him a second look. He couldn’t believe it. Normally when a woman saw him checking her out she put forth an extra effort to get his attention.
He could tell that there was something different about her. He wasn’t sure if he would see her again so he decided to take drastic action. He went after her.
As Camille started to get into her car, he stopped her.
“Hello! I’m Jake and you are?” he asked, flashing his charming smile.
“Hello Jake, nice to meet you,” she replied.
“What’s your hurry? Perhaps you can come back inside and drink your coffee with me,” he said.
“I’m sorry but I’m in a rush. But if you give me your number then maybe I could give you a call so we could meet another time.”
Jake was not accustomed to being turned down but he agreed and gave her his number.
“I promise I’ll give you a call as soon as I get a chance,” said Camille.
As she drove off, Jake stood there wondering what had just happened. For the first time he had to wait for a woman to call him. He went back inside the coffee house and told Ken what had happened.
“I can’t believe it. She brushed me off,” said Jake, bewildered.
Ken laughed.
Jake joked back, “Man, that’s not funny. I’m not used to that. You know how I do it. I have the ladies chasing after me.”
“Well I guess this is the type of woman you need. She’s already figured you out. Did you at least get her name?” asked Ken as he continued to chuckle.
“I don’t believe this. She didn’t even tell me her name.”
They both started laughing.
“Oh well, I guess it was bound to happen,” said Jake.
“What?” Ken asked.
“That I get played,” he said.
A few days passed and Camille had yet to call Jake. He didn’t know what to think. He knew that whenever he waited to call a woman it was done intentionally so he could maintain control. He did not want to seem as if he was waiting for her to call so he made sure to go out every night with one of his other women.
When he returned home from work the following weekend, he checked his voicemail and there was a message.
“Hello Jake, this is Camille. I apologize for not calling sooner but I had to go out of town on business and just returned this evening. Would you like to meet for coffee in the morning? If so, give me a call at 266-7231. Talk to you later.”
He was glad to finally know her name. He called her back and told her that he would love to meet for coffee.
When they met the next day, Jake couldn’t help but stare at Camille. She looked more beautiful than he remembered. They sat and talked for hours. He was so mesmerized by her. She was funny, beautiful, nice, and down-to-earth. He felt as if they had known each other for years.
She wore a strapless bright pink dress that accented her small frame. Her long dark black hair glistened under the café light and her olive skin was a perfect hue. He wondered if she tanned to get her skin to such a perfect color. She wore a lightly scented fragrance that smelled of vanilla and jasmine. Everything about her seemed to match her perfectly. Camille worked as a Buyer for a major clothing line. Her job required that she travel all over the country. She was very attractive and took good care of her physique.
Before Jake she was solely committed to her career. She never made time to get involved with anyone. She dated a few men in the past but nothing serious.
Jake was an investment broker like his friend Ken; they worked for the same company. He was a true ladies man. He was very handsome and knew it. He had a big ego and no problem approaching women.
After their first date in the coffee shop, Camille and Jake began seeing each other regularly. The affair was good in the beginning. They both agreed to keep their relationship open and there was no pressure to commit to each other.
Simply Complicated Page 9
