“I know you tried to kiss her on the lips and she turned away from you. When are you going to get it through your skull that she likes men? She is not a swinger like you,” he said cruelly.
“You know Jake, every time you speak I think about slapping the taste out of your mouth but then I realize that it will be a waste of energy. Yes, I find her attractive but I’m not in love with her. She’s my best friend and nothing more.
“Just because your mind is warped doesn’t mean that mine is. You talk about me being a swinger like that’s something wrong. Now who’s being hypocritical? You’re a swinger too, or have you forgotten how we first met and how we reunited?
“Have you told Camille that this is your lifestyle of choice or is that one detail you’ve failed to share? If I were you I would be careful how you treat me. I’m just a few feet away from her and who knows...the truth may find its way into her ears.
“All I need to do is tell her that I think she’s making a mistake by marrying you and the wedding would be called off. She knows that you’re a liar and a cheat. You know you haven’t changed. If I asked you to come back and sleep with me again you would do it,” she said confidently, arching her back and pushing her ample breasts toward him.
“All I know is you better not mention anything to her about us. We both would lose out and I know you don’t want to do that,” he said, leaning in close to her.
The tension between them mounted as heat blazed between their eyes, now inches apart. They both leaned forward and began kissing passionately on the stairway. After a few seconds they pulled away, both surprised at their reactions. They murmured embarrassed apologies and rushed to leave the foyer.
They never noticed Camille at the top of the stairs. She was just about to call out for Candace when she heard their voices. She heard most of their conversation and when they kissed, she almost fell down the stairs. She stood in shock. She tried to say something but no sound would come out of her mouth.
Before they could notice her, she ran back into the bathroom, breathing heavily and trying not to vomit. She didn’t know what to do. I don’t believe this. How can they do this to me? I feel like a fool, she thought to herself.
She quickly had a flashback of the night when she first met Candace. She thought that night had been behind them. When she and Candace became close friends she never thought her confidant would continue to sleep with Jake.
All she thought about was the three years she trusted the both of them. She locked the bathroom door and started crying. She knew she should not marry Jake after this betrayal and she knew that she and Candace would never be friends again.
She then began making excuses for him.
He did say that Candace came on to him. After all, she does like sex and she has slept with a lot of men. If he didn’t love me, he wouldn’t have planned all of this. I know he loves me and will make a great father. I cannot believe she kissed him on my wedding day. She never cared for me. She only remained my friend to make sure Jake and I would never be together. That explains why she kept insisting that I break up with him. She wants him all to herself.
Well, I have been waiting for this day for three years and I’m not going to let Candace ruin it for me. We will be getting married today.
Besides, a man is going to be a man and cheat every now and then; your girl is supposed to have your back no matter what.
I knew he dated other women so I can’t be mad at him but Candace is a backstabber. A true friend would never do this. Pull yourself together, girl, and go get your man,” she rationalized.
She wanted to march down the stairs and slap the both of them, but decided that she would deal with them after the ceremony. She pulled herself together and fixed her make-up. It was now 2:40 p.m. and she had only twenty minutes before the wedding would begin.
She yelled out for Candace, pretending as if she had been in the bathroom all that time getting ready. When Candace knocked on the bathroom door, Camille took a deep breath and let her in. She pretended as if everything was fine between the two of them.
“What took you so long? Did my aunt and uncle make it yet?” she asked.
“I had to find Jake. He said they haven’t arrived at the house yet. His friend Ken seems like a nice man—too bad he’s married,” Candace nervously tried to change the subject.
“Calm down, girl. Remember—you’re here to help me. What about Timothy? Aren’t you two still an item? Is he coming to the wedding?” she asked, trying not to go off about Jake.
Candace smiled, “Yes, he’s coming. I can’t wait for you to meet him. I think he may be the one.”
“That’s good. It’ll be nice to finally meet him. Zip up my dress for me and hand me my shoes,” she said.
“Oh my goodness, Camille, you look like a princess. Jake is a lucky man,” said Candace staring at her.
“Thank you. What time is it? Is it time to go downstairs?”
“It is 3:00 p.m. exactly. When the music comes on, that’s when we go downstairs and wait in the den,” she said.
As soon as she spoke, the music started playing. Since the wedding was at Jake’s house and it was a small gathering, the program was very short.
As Camille waited in the den alone, she started thinking about everything she had heard. She was starting to change her mind about marrying him but didn’t want to embarrass herself or Jake. She did not know what to do.
After ten minutes there was a knock on the door. It was her aunt. Her uncle was scheduled to give her away. He was waiting outside the door.
“Hey, baby girl. You look so beautiful. I’m so sorry we’re late but we got lost and your uncle didn’t want to pull over and ask for directions. You know how he is. Come over here and give me a hug,” said her aunt, filling Camille with love.
“It is so good to see you, Aunt Joan. I wish you could have come earlier. I could have used some motherly advice,” she said as tears started rolling down her face.
“What is the matter, baby? You’re supposed to be happy, not sad. Unless these are tears of joy? Did that young fellow you’re supposed to marry hurt you?” she asked, putting her hands around Camille.
She did not know what to say. She wanted to tell her aunt everything but she knew she did not have enough time. She shared bits and pieces of the conversation she overheard.
“Well baby girl, let me say this. There is nothing you can do to change the past but you have the power to create your future. I can’t tell you not to marry this man; that is a decision only you can make. I will love you either way,” said Aunt Joan.
As they were talking, her uncle knocked on the door signaling it was time for Camille to come out. She kissed her Aunt Joan on the cheek, thanked her, and walked out of the den. Her uncle took her by the arm and escorted her into the living room where the ceremony was being held.
As she walked in she looked over at Jake. He stood there with a big smile on his face. Then she looked over at Candace, who was having difficulty looking her in the eyes.
Her uncle handed her over to Jake and, as custom dictated, was asked who gives this woman to this man. Her uncle replied that he did, and then took his seat.
As the ceremony continued, Camille became more and more nervous. She was finally marrying Jake after three years of waiting, but was no longer sure it was what she wanted. Her thoughts raced and she found it difficult to concentrate on the ceremony.
The minister did something a little differently. He failed to ask if there was anyone who sees fit that they should not get married to speak now or forever hold their peace. Since he knew the couple had their own vows, he skipped to this part of the ceremony. Candace was not pleased. After Jake kissed her she had made up her mind that the two of them were meant to be together—not him and Camille.
He was right all along. She was in love with him. She thought telling him they could no longer see each other would make him realize that he wanted her and not Camille. She was angry that Camille had become pregnant. She wanted so de
sperately to tell Jake about Camille sleeping with Paul but she did not want to hurt him.
She had planned on stopping the wedding when the minister asked for any objections. Since he skipped that part she didn’t know when she could protest.
Jake wanted to go first and say the vows he had written.
“My dearest Camille, you have come into my life and changed my world. The past three years have been the best years of my life and that is because you were a part of them. Thank you for having faith in me and for not giving up on us. I’m not perfect but with you in my world, I promise I will strive for perfection.
“I can think of a million reasons why you should be with someone else but I can only think of one reason why I should be with you and that is because I love you.
“Since we have been back together I have kept my word and no other woman can ever take your place. You complete me, baby,” he said, trying to hold back the tears.
Camille paused for a moment, and then knew what she had to do. She spoke clearly, making sure everyone in the room could hear her.
“I had written down my vows but after hearing yours, I’ve decided to recite some new vows to better express my feelings for you.
“Jake, you have also changed my world. Being with you and knowing what is about to happen right now with us brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.
“I thought that marrying you was the best thing that could ever happen to me. I didn’t think that I could love someone as much as I love you. There is no doubt in your mind that you’ve been faithful to me and committed to us.
“You said that you could think of a million reasons why I should be with someone else and only one reason why I should be with you. As sweet as that sounds, the only thing I can think about is you and Candace sleeping together behind my back for the past two years.
“I suppose I should thank you for letting me see the real you before making the biggest mistake of my life. I can’t marry you now or ever. You two deserve each other—the backstabbing best friend and her lover. Thanks Candace, for being a true friend or at least acting like one,” said Camille, holding back tears as she ran from the room.
Everyone sat in stunned silence. Even the minister was shocked and looked over at Jake, wondering what to do next. He then told everyone to give them a few minutes to sort things out.
Jake was furious. He looked over at Candace, who was standing there in tears. Candace found Timothy in the audience as he put on his coat and left. Jake ran after Camille, her Aunt Joan hurrying behind him. Ken urged everyone to stay seated until he found out what was happening next.
Jake tried talking to Camille but she refused to speak to him. When her aunt approached the door, she told him to go downstairs and give her a minute with Camille.
When her aunt entered the room she gave Camille a big hug. She told her that she was proud of her and that she would be okay. Camille was so hurt that she could not talk; she sobbed in her aunt’s arms, trying to make the pain disappear.
After about fifteen minutes, her aunt went downstairs and told Jake the wedding was off and Camille was upstairs packing her belongings. She told him to inform the guests that they could take the gifts they brought with them as they left.
Jake was stunned. He stormed over to Candace and confronted her. He accused her of telling Camille about them. She insisted that she hadn’t said anything. Ken sent his wife home so he could stay with Jake and make sure he was okay.
“Damn, Candace! Why did you have to open your mouth? Now I’ve lost her forever. You did that shit on purpose. I know you did,” Jake said angrily, trying to keep his distance from her.
“I promise you, Jake, I didn’t say anything to her. Why would I tell her today of all days? If I were to say something I would have said it before your wedding,” she said, fighting back her tears.
Jake paced back and forth, “Why should I believe you? Damn! I can’t believe this. I wonder how long she has known?”
“Calm down, man. Yelling isn’t going to change anything,” said Ken, trying to keep the peace between Jake and Candace.
“Stop thinking only of yourself! You’re not the only one who lost someone. I lost my best friend and my boyfriend. I’m out of here. I can’t take this,” Candace stormed out of the room and slammed the front door behind her.
“Ken, what have I done? What have I done? I messed up big time. She was the one woman who ever gave a damn about the real me,” Jake said, shaking his head in disgust.
Ken tried to cheer him up, “Hey Jake, don’t give up yet. I mean right now it seems like there’s no way in hell she’ll come back but give her some time. Right now she is mad and hurt. You two have been here before and managed to get back together. Maybe now won’t be any different.”
“I don’t know. This time I think I’ve gone too far. I never should have been with Candace. I knew better. There’s no excuse for being with her. I just hope Camille will let me be a part of the baby’s life,” he said despondently.
Camille and her family finally gathered her things and left Jake’s house. He tried to talk to her before she left but she refused to even look at him. Her uncle told him that it was best that he not contact her and that she would call him when and if she was ever ready to speak with him again.
Seven months had passed since Camille had called off the wedding. She decided that she needed to be alone during that time to get herself together and to prepare for the baby. The baby was due on July 31st.
She had not had contact with Jake or Candace during that time, although they both attempted to call her. She and Paul had spoken. She told him about everything that happened, including the pregnancy and the strong likelihood that he was the baby’s father.
Naturally he was excited with the possibility and asked her if he could be there during the birth. She was very happy that he wanted to be present. Since she was no longer speaking to Jake and Candace, she wanted to have someone she was close with there for support.
They agreed to have a paternity test done at the hospital right after the baby was born to see if he was the father.
It was July 26 around 7:00 a.m. when she started having mild contractions. Paul was scheduled to arrive in town on July 28. She called him that morning and told him that she was having contractions. He was pleasantly surprised and told her that he was going to change his flight for later that night.
She was happy to hear that and decided that she would take it easy for the rest of the day. She had made up in her mind that the only way she would talk to Jake again would be if Paul were proven not to be the baby’s father.
Since the contractions were very mild she decided that she would fix a light breakfast and attempt to read a baby book she had purchased several months before and never finished reading.
Throughout the day the contractions would come and go. She remembered the book mentioned this would happen so she was not worried. They were so mild that there was no need to time them.
Around 8:00 p.m. she received a call from Paul telling her that his flight had just arrived and he was on his way to her apartment. The initial plan was for him to stay there but he did not feel too comfortable there so they decided that he would stay at a hotel.
When he arrived to her apartment he was amazed with how beautiful she looked pregnant. He had not seen her since his last visit to Chicago in November.
“Hey baby, you look so beautiful. How are you feeling? Are you still having contractions? Have they increased?” he asked as he gave her a hug.
“Hey sweetheart; I feel good. I’m a little nervous but other than that I feel fine. The contractions are about the same as earlier today when I spoke to you,” she said as she went to the sofa to sit down.
He helped her ease into the sofa and put a pillow behind her back, trying to make her more comfortable. “Camille, I just want to say that I never stopped loving you. I know this may not be the right time, but I’m so glad everything turned out the way it has. I’m not just saying that to get
you to run to me, but because I know in my heart that you have always deserved better.
“God has a strange way of working things out for us. I know what you went through was painful and difficult but it’s over and I’m here to support you and you’re still here looking as beautiful as ever.”
Camille took a deep breath as she gazed into his eyes. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about my life and my relationship with Jake. Now, I’m able to see that the only reason I was still willing to marry him despite the many times he cheated, was I had convinced myself that this is how love is and supposed to be. I made myself believe that this type of love was healthy and so was the relationship.
“And then you came along and showed me that love doesn’t have to hurt to be real. That love can be simple and not complicated. If I never said thank you, I’m telling you now. Thank you, Paul, for helping me see how love was meant to be,” she said as she hugged him very tightly.
That evening they decided she should stay with him at the hotel; it was closer to the hospital and they thought she would be more comfortable. He planned to stay there until the baby was born.
Later that night, around 11:45 p.m., her contractions sharpened. They were getting more intense but were still too far apart for her to go to the hospital. She was starting to feel uncomfortable and the contractions were getting more painful.
The next two days proved to be even more challenging. Her contractions were becoming more intolerable. Once they began coming every five to eight minutes apart, it was time to go to the hospital. On the way there, her water broke. When they arrived, the nurse immediately put her into a private room.
Paul was very excited. He had decided that he was going to propose to her even if the test proved that he was not the baby’s father. He had purchased an engagement ring when she told him that she did not marry Jake.
He had planned on proposing when he was initially scheduled to arrive on July 28, but when she went into early labor he decided to wait until after the baby was born to do it. She had no idea that he was going to ask her to marry him and move to Los Angeles.
Simply Complicated Page 20
