BirthStone

by Sydney Addae

Last night her lover had been insatiable. They made love in the living area of the suite, against the wall in the bedroom as if the bed weren’t a few steps away, and then he took her again in the shower. Goosebumps flew over her skin just thinking about it. By the time they fell asleep, her voice was hoarse from all the screams that were ripped from her throat with each orgasm. And there had been plenty. A tremor ran through her at the thought of the last one when they lay in bed whispering their love to each other. It had been…magical. She never knew it could be this good.

  “Um hmm, I was wondering what was with the cowboy walk and all that…”

  Jasmine laughed so hard at her sister’s wild comment that a couple of staff members stopped and looked at her. When she could speak, she hugged Renee. “Girl, I miss your crazy. I’m glad you’re here. I had them bring lunch to this room. Mama’s going to join us in a few.”

  “Sounds good, and I’m glad to see you finally happy, even if it’s with a man.”

  Jasmine shook her head at her sister’s jibe. When she had been miserable over Davian’s treatment, Renee had advised her to give up men and go the lesbian route. And since Renee and her lover, Mandy, were happy avoiding male drama, they assumed she might be interested in giving up hard chests, hairy faces, and permanently attached penises. A few choice words had corrected the matter and now her sister openly teased her about men, but never suggested she give women a chance again.

  “Hey, he made you look…more than once.”

  Renee stared at her and laughed. “You’re right he did and I did. There was something…primitive about that man.” She eyed Jasmine, whose face was on fire. “He won’t be a pushover, that’s for sure.”

  Pushover was not a word you would use to describe Silas Knight, although she usually got her way in most matters. Jasmine hugged his love close to her heart as she thought of all the concessions Silas had made to make her happy. Walking into the suite set aside for her sister’s use, Jasmine pointed to a door on the far wall. “They put your luggage in there, that’s the bed and bathroom.”

  “Okay.” Renee sat on the love seat and gazed at her. “What do you think of mom’s new man? I only ask because she’s taking it further with him.” She paused, shook her head, and then spoke as if the words were stuck in her throat. “She is actually thinking of starting over, having a baby with this guy.”

  Jasmine’s jaw unhinged. “You’re kidding me?” Her thoughts rushed back to last night. Mark was attentive, loving… but no more than the other men her mom had dated and later married. Over the years, her mom had been adamant over not having any children. “Something weird is going on.”

  “What?”

  Jasmine bit her lip trying to decide how much to say. This morning’s discussion with Julie had been a dismal failure. The woman refused to look up at her, let alone speak. Silas had rifled through Julie’s memories and came up blank, well almost blank. There was a name that kept resurfacing, Corrina Griggs. Silas had Tyrone researching for information on the woman.

  “Remember when I had you and mom on the phone and we talked about my engagement?”

  Renee nodded.

  “She forgot all of that. She called Silas my boyfriend.”

  Renee’s brow furrowed.

  “I apologized, but I see you still hold grudges,” her mom said, strolling into the room wearing a white sundress that showed her curvy figure. She looked well-rested and much younger than her sixty years.

  Jasmine felt ten years old again beneath the rebuke. They had been common when she was much younger. Remembering her journey to adulthood and life’s lessons, her chin raised a notch. “Yes, you did. I was just bringing Renee up to date.”

  Renee had risen when their mom walked in and held onto the woman with an extended embrace. Jasmine wondered if her mom held Renee with the same tenacity as she’d held her the day before. When Renee and her mother broke apart, her mom placed a kiss on her cheek, grabbed her hand and squeezed.

  Concerned, Jasmine stared at her mom for another minute, and just as she thought to ask questions, the food arrived.

  “Did you and Silas enjoy your evening?” her mom asked as they ate grilled salmon on top of a salad of fresh greens.

  Her throat and face caught fire in remembrance of the loving Silas threw down last night. Her man had been relentless, taking her to the edge and then drawing back. She had become a babbling idiot begging him to stop so she could gain her release. After teasing her mercilessly, he'd slammed into her with such fervor the heavy, solid wood bed had danced as it bumped against the wall. She withheld her dreamy sigh…last night had been the best since the babies were born. He didn’t stop loving her until the wee hours of the morning, when she simply gave out.

  “That sappy look on her face says she more than enjoyed it,” Renee said with a smirk.

  “You should have seen them last night; I thought he was going to pull her dress up right there. I mean the room got hot.” Victoria fanned herself. “Temperature-wise it was like somebody turned on the heat.”

  Embarrassed, she placed a fork full of lettuce in her mouth. Silas had wanted to take her right then. If somebody hadn’t spoken to break their concentration, who knows what would have happened.

  “I hear your fella’s pretty hot, too.” Renee winked at Jasmine, letting her know the conversation had been veering into muddy waters.

  Victoria’s face reddened as a huge smile rose on her face. “Yes…yes he is.” She looked up and met Jasmine’s gaze. “I love him. Mark is wonderful. So smart, handsome… but I’m scared.”

  In her entire life, Jasmine had only heard her mother admit her fear twice. The first time was when her daddy died and the second had been when she returned from a trip overseas. Both times her mom refused to discuss the basis for her fears, she simply admitted to them and dropped the subject.

  “Why?” Renee asked.

  Her mother turned slowly as if she had forgotten Renee was in the room. “I’m going to share some things with you girls…no, not girls.” Her lip curled in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Women.” She exhaled.

  Butterflies filled Jasmine’s stomach. This nervousness was so out of character for her mom.

  Renee sat forward and placed her hand over her mom’s. “Go ahead, Mom. Talk to us.”

  Victoria nodded. “I was raped after you were born and got pregnant with Jasmine and Jacris, her twin. Jacris had some horrible birth defects and died. That was the main reason I refused to have any more children. George…” She looked at Renee, who looked gut-punched, and patted her leg this time. “Your dad never knew about the rape, never questioned why you and Jasmine look so different. Not once. He accepted you.” She pointed at Jasmine. “As his baby, his daughter, and loved you.”

  The fierce look of devotion to a man who'd died a decade and a half ago surprised Jasmine. “I know, Mama. I know daddy loved me.”

  Her mom nodded and exhaled.

  “Raped? You were raped and never told anybody?” Renee asked, her voice rising with each word.

  “I told one person. But that’s not what I want to talk about right now. I was scared and didn’t want any more children. The thought of another child struggling to live and not making it would make me sick to my stomach. Plus, I never had the love and support of another man like your father.” She shook her head. “None of my exes came close to George.” She inhaled and then released it slow.

  Jasmine’s heart raced as she realized where her mom was going with all of this.

  “Until now,” her mom whispered into the quiet of the room.

  “Mark?” Renee said in a remarkably calm voice that Jasmine envied since she couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

  “Yes, Mark.”

  Jasmine cleared her throat, wondering what to say. “So why are you scared? You love him, he seems to love you.”

  “Something is wrong with me,” her mother said softly.

  “What?” Renee asked, eyeing Jasmine. “What’s wrong with you?”

>   Her mother raked her fingers through her perfectly styled hair. “I don’t know…I just forget things, like an old woman. I am not old,” her mother snapped when Jasmine and Renee remained silent.

  “No…no, you’re not old,” Jasmine agreed.

  “Not at all, Mom. You’re just getting into your stride. I hope I look as good as you when I’m your age.”

  Her mother’s face fell at Renee’s comment. Jasmine’s heart dropped with the realization that Renee would age and die before her or her mother.

  “He asked me to marry him, but he wants children, at least one,” her mom continued, and Jasmine was glad the dark moment regarding her sister’s mortality had passed.

  “And that makes you afraid?” Renee asked, sounding confused.

  Jasmine flicked her eyes over her mother, wondering how she intended to navigate the choppy waters of this discussion. The plea for help she read in Victoria’s eyes went unanswered. The reason Jasmine had never told her sister the truth about Silas before was because there is no going halfway with Renee. She wouldn’t stop asking questions until she got all the crumbs as well as the main scoop. Her mother must have forgotten.

  “I’m sixty-years-old, damn it.”

  Jasmine turned away to hide her grin at her mom’s response. It was a stall tactic, but she knew Renee wouldn’t be deterred.

  “Does he know the truth? About your age I mean,” Renee asked without missing a beat.

  “He knows I can still have children, thanks to my monthly. I’m not sure he knows my true age.”

  “Tell him how you feel. Please do not marry or date anyone you cannot be open and honest with, it never works out in the end.” Renee glanced at Jasmine before returning her attention to their mom.

  “I did. But he says we can do it together. Having a child means a lot to him.”

  “What about you? What about you're not wanting to go through this again? Does that mean anything to him?” Renee snapped.

  “Tone. Watch it,” their mother reprimanded with a pointed finger at Renee.

  “Sorry, but please don’t do this,” Renee continued in an unapologetic tone. “Don’t marry this man, have a baby, and be miserable, Mom. Just don’t. Think about yourself for once.”

  “I did, and for years I denied the man I loved the family he wanted. He died and I can never prove to him how much he meant to me.” Victoria’s chin dropped to her chest at her outburst. “The feelings I have for Mark are the closest I have ever come to loving anyone like I loved George. I don’t want to mess this up.”

  Renee stood, knelt in front of their mother and took her hands. “I know you love Mark. But he’s not dad. Having a baby for him won’t make you or dad feel any better. A man who loves you won’t push you to do something like that. He would respect your decisions.” She looked at Jasmine and tipped her head a couple of times.

  “She’s right, Mom. As much as you love each other, things will go sour pretty quickly if you have a child just because he wants one. You need to want to give birth and then be prepared to raise the child. Think about that before you jump into this marriage,” Jasmine said, watching her mom struggle to remain dry-eyed.

  “I’m tired of being alone,” she whispered brokenly. “I want this to work, it may be my last chance.”

  Concern ripped through Jasmine. This was not how her mother talked, at least she had never heard or seen her mom this defeated. And over a man…never happened before.

  “What’s going on, Mama,” Renee said softly. “This isn’t like you. Has something been going on that we should know about?”

  Jasmine nodded her agreement, glad Renee spoke what was on her mind.

  Her mom rested her forehead in her palm. “Some days are so dark…I have a tough time getting out of bed. It’s unbelievable what getting old will do to you.” She snorted. “No matter how desperately I cling to the days of yesterday, they still slip through my fingers. What can I say, I’m getting older, just can’t do the things I used to do.”

  “Mom, you’re only sixty. Old is another twenty-five years. Stop talking like this, you’re scaring me,” Renee said, grabbing her mom’s hand, tethering them together.

  Her mom’s gaze flicked over at her and then returned to Renee. “I’m having a bad day, that’s all. It’ll get better…just as soon as I see my grandbabies.” She smiled brightly as if the gloomy discussion had never happened.

  Jasmine eyed the older woman a second longer, honestly debating if she should take her mom around her kids. Something was off but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

  “You didn’t see the kids last night?” Renee sounded surprised.

  “No.” She glanced at Jasmine.

  Exhaling, Jasmine explained what'd happened and ended the story with Mark leaving after her mom’s slip up.

  “You told me the same thing, that you met him on the cruise. What’s Cathy’s phone number?” Renee asked, standing.

  “I don’t know it.”

  Renee and Jasmine stared at their mom. “She’s been your best friend for the past twenty years, how can you not know her phone number?” Jasmine asked.

  “I don’t know. We haven’t talked in months.” Victoria frowned. “I’m not sure why.”

  “Um hmm…what does she think about Mark?” Jasmine asked, her opinion of Mark taking a turn.

  “She likes him. We’ve had dinner together with her and Grant a few times. But she’s been busy with her new grandkids and hasn't had a lot of free time.”

  Renee had been fiddling around with her cell and yelled. “Got it.” She pressed a button and eased back onto the sofa while keeping her eyes on mama. She smiled. “Hello Cathy? This is Renee.”

  Jasmine watched her mom as Renee talked with Cathy. Her mom appeared interested but it wasn’t as if the conversation mattered, which again was strange. Renee’s face changed from being happy to one of boredom. Cathy could talk the length of a movie without breaking for air.

  “Okay, Cathy, I will tell mom when I see her. Bye.” Renee shook her head when she disconnected and placed her finger in her ear, jiggling it a bit. “She said you told her you met him online and flew to Miami to meet with him. She didn’t remember meeting him on the cruise. She thinks he’s great, yadda, yadda. She was his personal cheerleader.”

  They had finished eating when there was a knock on the door. Surprised the staff would return for the tray without her call, Jasmine stood and went to open it. When she saw who was on the other side, her eyes widened before she screamed.

  “Jacques.” She launched herself into his arms and hugged him tight. He stood shorter than Silas, with a round barrel chest, and thick arms. It took a moment before he returned her embrace. “I am so happy to see you. When did you get here?”

  She stepped back to look him over. The last time she had seen him, he had been sick and on bed rest. Long, thick wavy brown hair shining with health touched his wide shoulders. Sharp, milk chocolate brown eyes beneath bushy brows returned her inspection.

  “An hour ago or so, Madam. I was with Silas and he suggested I come greet you. How have you been?”

  “I am good. Come, meet my mom and sister. We just finished a late lunch, but I can have another plate brought for you.” Holding his hand she pulled him into the suite.

  “No, I ate with Patron, the twins, and Cameron. I just came to say hello.”

  “And you will as soon as you speak to my sister and mom. Stop dawdling,” she said, laughing at his reddened cheeks.

  “Mom, Renee…this is Jacques, Silas’ best friend. They go way back. We named Jackie after him.”

  Renee nodded. “Pleased to meet you. They named the other girl after me.” She laughed.

  “I guess Victoria is too old-fashioned,” her mom said in a petulant tone.

  “Victoria is a beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” Jacques said, taking the seat near her mother. Jasmine grinned at the older man’s antics. Her mom glanced at him and then looked away, but not before Jasmine saw the pleased smile on her
face.

  Maybe Jacques would be what the doctor should have ordered but didn’t.

  Chapter 16

  Silas sat at the conference table waiting for Dr Passen to enter information into his computer regarding the device he and Matt confirmed could be placed in Julie with little effort. The plan was to put her asleep, insert the device, and return her to her cell without her realizing what had been done. Leonidas and Tyrese would then take her to the hospital. She had lost weight after refusing all food and water for the past two days. Silas hoped she would escape from the hospital and return to her group. Although his mate never said, he knew it bothered her to see the woman in her present state of decline. Last night, when he went over this plan with her, she'd disagreed. Jasmine believed Julie was willing herself to die.

  “Julie will never leave the hospital. She is done,” Jasmine had argued. But they both agreed the woman needed medical care, so regardless whether she became his unwilling pawn or not, she would be leaving the compound as soon as the doctor could set things up.

  “Here it is,” Dr. Passen said, his voice rising in gleeful satisfaction as it always did when he discovered something new.

  Silas glanced at the paper the doctor took from the printer. “Good news?”

  “Yes, Sir. Most definitely. I found the device to fit inside the Miss. The military has been using for years with their operatives. It has great range and is precise in terms of locating its subject. I just special ordered it, should be here within three hours via special courier.”

  “Good,” Silas said nodding, pleased with the progress. “Will it require a lengthy surgery?”

  Dr. Passen shook his head while pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. “It can be done in less than an hour and she should be fine within five hours max. The surgery is not too invasive, I will go in through her nose to place it and then secure it. After the anesthesia wears off she may be groggy for another hour or so. Five hours gives me a cushion.”

  “So she can leave sometime tomorrow?” Silas asked, calculating the time in his mind. The christening was day after tomorrow and he would be busy with that a large portion of the day. His jaw clenched as he thought of what bad timing it was to have house guests and an event. Despite this being a small family gathering, Silas was still uneasy. Jennings was a cop who had been taken and then used to destroy others. It was a slap in his face that his enemies had pulled it off right beneath his nose. When Jasmine’s mom flew in early with no security he had been afraid someone might grab the woman to use as leverage against him. There was no doubt in his mind that his mate would do whatever was necessary to ensure her mother’s safety. The twins would walk through fire and brimstone for Jasmine, so it must be a family trait.