Diamond Revelation (24 page)

“We've never had a problem communicating in the bedroom. It's outside the bedroom where we could use a lot of help.”

“Okay, so we'll go see a marriage counselor. I'll do whatever you want me to, only don't go. Please, don't go.”

It pained him to hear her begging him to stay, but he stood his ground. “You know, I've been wondering if our marriage is based on sex.”

“Sex?” Topaz thought about what Germain just said. “It is that, but so much more. It's the love we have for one another, it's our beautiful babies. We have a wonderful family and you're my best friend. I know I've made mistakes, but somehow we've always gotten through them and we'll get through this.”

Germain was silent, and Topaz was quiet, allowing him to think. It was very chilly in the December night air. She found the room key and opened the door.

“Come inside with me, baby. I don't want you to catch a cold.”

“I never catch cold except from the children.”

“Germain.” Topaz was beginning to get frustrated with him, which usually led to a fight.

He looked at her with the most vulnerable eyes. “I'm scared, Topaz.”

There were tears in her eyes. “I'm scared too.” Without thinking she pulled him into her arms and kissed him. They were breathless when they finally pulled apart.

Germain pushed her into the bungalow and closed the door. He grabbed her and, holding her close, looked at her with eyes full of intensity. “Promise you won't keep secrets from me anymore?”

“I promise,” Topaz managed while they kissed.

They fell into the bedroom as they undressed each other, knocking paintings out of place on the walls and leaving a trail of clothing all the way to the bed.

Topaz smiled as Germain held her in his arms. “Baby, you know you've got whip appeal.”

“What?” Germain was surprised because she had never told him anything like that before.

“You are an incredibly sensitive lover. Why do you think I lose my mind when you're not with me?”

“Because you're a spoiled brat.”

“Germain.” Topaz played with his hand, putting it next to hers, stroking his long smooth fingers and twisting the platinum band on his ring finger. “You know you're da bomb.”

His mind drifted to the countless messages Sabre had left on his cell phone. She had it returned by messenger service. She also apologized profusely for her misconduct and promised it would never happen again, and she couldn't wait to see him. There was something very desperate about her, and Germain couldn't help wondering if she was okay. What he didn't understand was that only Topaz could handle him physically and emotionally, because she was his wife and the marriage covenant sanctified their tumultuous and passionate union. Any other woman would fall prey and become a victim of his tender lovemaking, like Sabre, who thought she was in love.

“I haven't done any shopping and Christmas is only days away,” Topaz said later.

“Me neither, and Baby Doll gave me a long list.” Germain laughed.

“You let me see that list before you buy one thing. You're such a softie when it comes to her.”

“What do you want for Christmas?”

Topaz leaned her head against his chest. “Just you…and all my beautiful babies.”

“You already have that.”

“Then I want more of you than I already have.”

Germain sang softly. “I'll give all that I have.”

“If you give all that I need,” Topaz finished.

“I want to groove with you,” they sang together.

“I love that song.”

“I know, baby.” Topaz hopped out of bed, rambled through her bags, and pushed a CD in the player. Momentarily, the song was playing. She pulled Germain out of bed. “Come on, baby. Let's dance.”

“Dance? Girl, are you crazy?”

“Only for you.”

“How did you manage to bring that CD?”

“It's magic, baby,” Topaz whispered as they danced in the nude to his favorite Isleys tune. “I'm the only one who always has exactly what you need.”

The song ended and Topaz reflected on the words. “Germain, what do you need?”

The truth.
He heard from deep within, but that was already settled and there was no reason to rehash their conversation. It would take time to learn to trust again, and she was more than willing to work on their issues.

“All I need is you, baby. All I need is you.”

I
t was warm enough to go swimming in Santa Barbara. The sky was a perfect blue and the sun was bright and warm. But looks can be deceiving; the Pacific was too cold for swimming, but the sparkling heated pool at the Ross ponderosa was a tepid eighty.

The freshly cut, long needle pine in the middle of the foyer had been professionally decorated with red opaque glass bulbs and gold bows that Jade had constructed out of metallic ribbons. Fragrance from the fifteen-foot tree filled the entire house.

Guests invited to the ranch for the annual Christmas party were asked to buy or even make an ornament for the family's Christmas tree. Jade sifted through a box of ornaments, pausing to reflect and savor the memories from Christmases past. She picked out a photo of Nina, Kyle, and Niki that had been expertly placed inside a ball of blown glass; an engraved Santa Claus from Keisha, Eric, and the kids; and a snow globe from Topaz, Germain, and the kids. The miscellaneous ornaments hung by their donors gave the tree more character. There were more decorations, but Jade didn't want to see them. She closed the box of memorabilia and took crystal ornaments out of another container and carefully began to hang them on the tree. There wouldn't be a tree-trimming party this year since all of the drama escalated between the friends.

Jade's six-year-old son, Kobe, ran into the room and turned on the television.

“Want to help Mommy with the Christmas tree?” Jade yelled over the noise of his video games on the television.

“Okay, Mom.”

Jade smiled and handed him a collection of wooden ornaments. She watched as he carefully placed them all around the tree. She was pleased to see that her son had inherited her artistic eye.

“That looks wonderful, baby. You're a great helper.”

Kobe was a perfect blend of his parents. He had Jade's Asian eyes and full lips and Sean's athletic physique. When he was born, Sean had said he wanted four more sons so he could have a basketball team, but there had been no further additions to the Ross roster or even a discussion about having more kids. Jade knew her husband wanted a daughter, which was probably why he had been so obsessed with Niki.

Sean came into the room. “The tree is looking really good, you guys. What can I do to help?”

Jade pointed to the upper half of the tree. “You could finish putting the lights on, then we could use your help with the ornaments.”

Sean laughed. “I did ask, didn't I?”

Jade smiled and continued hanging ornaments on the lower half of the tree. The couple worked in silence as they decorated. Things had been rocky between them ever since Sean's birthday party. But Jade had no intention of divorcing Sean because of his infidelity; she just had to get over the fact that the other woman had been Topaz.

Of all the women in the world, why did Sean have to sleep with
her? Every time Jade thought about the gorgeous singer being intimate with her husband, she became extremely angry.
Thank God Niki isn't his daughter.

“Did you hear me, Jade?” Sean moved the stepladder away from the tree.

“What? Did you say something, Sean?”

“I said if we're going to make it to the Valley in time for the Christmas play, we need to be out of here in the next half hour.”

“I was thinking about letting him miss the play. It's not like he's the star or anything.” Jade stepped away from the tree to scrutinize her work.

“That's true, but what kind of message will we be giving our son? If he's not the star, it's not important? Kobe went to all the rehearsals and I want him to learn that whatever he does is important, and no matter how big or small, he'll always have our support.”

Jade made adjustments to several ornaments. “You're right, Sean.” She let out a loud sigh that sounded almost like a moan. “I just wish we had left him in the other school.”

“Why? The curriculum is much better at Buckley and he loves going to school with his cousin and friends.”

“Niki is
not
his cousin,” Jade lashed out.

“You know, you're right, Jade. Technically she's not, but as far as Kobe's concerned, she is his cousin, and don't ever let my brother or Nina hear you say that. They'd be terribly hurt.”

“Are you sad that Niki isn't your daughter?” Jade asked nastily.

“No, Jade, I'm not. Actually, I'm glad she's not my daughter. Things are already complicated enough,” Sean said as politely as he could.

 

Nina turned off the blow-dryer and sighed with the satisfaction that comes with the completion of an arduous task. “Wow. I'm glad that's done. You've got a lot of hair, baby, and it's thick and long. From now on, you're going to get your hair done with me.”

Niki, oblivious to all of her mother's hard work, sat on the stool and hummed. “I want a pretty hairstyle today, Mommy.”

Nina laughed. “A pretty hairstyle? And what's a pretty hairstyle, baby?”

“Curls.”

“Curls?”

“Baby Doll always wears curls.”

“Baby Doll goes to the hairdresser.” Nina knew Topaz couldn't manage Baby Doll's coarse thick hair, so she allowed her stylist, who had a standing appointment at the house, to put a mild perm in Baby Doll's hair. Now her hair was silky and down her back. Niki's hair was naturally curly and thick like Topaz's. Nina looked at the clock. Time was quickly running out.

“How about this?” Nina brushed Niki's hair into a bun and pinned it to stay in place on top of her head and handed the child a mirror.

Nina hopped off the stool and carefully watched her daughter inspect her hair.
What a little diva.
She watched Niki primp in the mirror and tried not to smile.
Between me and Topaz, she had to be a little anal over her hair.

“I like it, Mommy.” Niki smiled, exposing two missing front teeth. She was so adorable.

Nina smiled. “I am so glad you approve, Miss Nicole Ross.”

Kyle appeared in the bathroom door. “Here are my glamour girls. Are you guys ready to go?”

“We will be as soon as I finish getting dressed.”

“Well, hurry up,” Kyle said with twinkling eyes. “I can't keep my daughter's public waiting.”

 

“Okay, Sean. Thanks for calling, sweetie.” Keisha hung up the phone and looked at Eric with sad eyes.

“What's wrong, baby?”

“That was Sean.”

“And?” Eric asked with baited breath.

“I called to see if they would be interested in getting together for dinner after the Christmas play, and he said no.”

“What did you expect, girl?”

“I expected our friends to be mature and put this thing behind them.”

“Keisha, you are the kindest, sweetest, and the most forgiving person I know. But you can't expect everybody to be like you.”

“I can hope, can't I?”

“Yes, you can, but when things don't go like you want, I have to be around to see your beautiful eyes looking so sad.”

“I'm sorry, baby.” Keisha tried to smile.

“You don't have to apologize to me.”

“Sean said Jade didn't even want to come to the play. What is wrong with that girl?”

“She's hurt, baby. People have to heal in their own way and time.”

“It's the holidays. I'm just disappointed that we're not spending them with our friends. Jade cancelled the tree-trimming party. Nina said they're going to Philly to spend some time with Kyle's parents. And I don't know what Topaz is doing. I haven't heard from her in days.”

“Maybe no news is good news, you think?”

“She'll be at the play. Chris and Baby Doll are in it too. But this is going to be so strange with all of us together and no one talking.”

“It's going to take time, Key. Things like this always have a way of working themselves out.”

“I miss my friends. They've been our family ever since we moved out here. Maybe we should think about spending Christmas in Atlanta with my family. My parents would love it and your grandmother could come down from Jersey,” Keisha suggested.

“Sounds like a plan, baby. Now let's get our prima ballerina out to the Valley.”

“Isn't it funny that Rick is the only kid out of our group not in the play?” Keisha finally smiled.

“He's a jock like his old man. He ain't got time for foo-foo stuff.” Eric laughed, and Keshia did too.

Keisha was surprised to see Topaz standing front and center when they walked into the school's auditorium. Topaz was already smiling, but she lit up like a neon sign when she spotted Keisha and Eric and waved them down front.

“Girl, you look fabulous,” Keisha remarked as the two childhood friends embraced. Topaz did look beautiful in a classic red pantsuit with her hair in an elegant updo.

“Why haven't you returned any of my phone calls? What have you been up to?”

“Handling my business.” She was unable to contain her smile. Germain appeared from nowhere and slid into the seat next to Topaz.

“What's up, Keisha girl?” He planted a kiss on her cheek and exchanged pounds with Eric.

“Now I see why I couldn't find you. You two made up and you're both glowing.”

Topaz shook out a sable fur coat the same color as her hair and carefully folded it before she sat down.

“Details,” Keisha demanded.

“There's not much to tell. He came home one night, we talked. Then we went out on the most wonderful date. The ambience was wonderful, but we almost didn't connect. We talked a little more, I promised no more secrets, and we're going to counseling to work on our issues.”

“Oh, T. That's the best news I've had in weeks.” There were tears in Keisha's eyes as she hugged Topaz.

“Thanks, Key.”

“I was about to make plans to go home for Christmas.”

“No way. We're having Christmas at our house, especially since my cousin and I aren't talking.” Topaz had a serious look on her face, and Keisha looked around just in time to see Nina and Kyle finding seats on the opposite side of the auditorium.

Keisha sighed unhappily. “You two will be friends again.”

“Humph.” Topaz rolled her eyes. “Not anytime soon.”

Topaz watched Nina wave Jade and Sean to seats by her. Jade looked like she was mad at the world as she zipped by like a quiet storm, and Sean, who saw them, waved as he passed by.

“Their husbands
are
brothers,” Keisha remarked.

“Whatever,” Topaz whispered as one of the teachers walked out on stage and the audience applauded.

“We're very pleased to welcome you to ‘Christmas Our Way,'” she announced, and left the stage.

“This is supposed to be really good,” Keisha whispered.

“I know it's good,” Topaz whispered back. “My babies are in it.”

Keisha smiled as the lights went down, and she saw Germain take Topaz's hand. Their son Chris walked out on stage dressed in a Victorian costume. A makeup artist had applied thick, bushy eyebrows, a beard, and mustache. Those who knew him couldn't help laughing. He read from a very tall book and walked offstage as a small troupe of ballerinas garbed in pink tutus, white tights, and pink satin toe shoes graced the stage to music from Tchaikovsky's “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”

“There's my girl.” Eric sat up in his seat and grinned as Kendra danced and twirled across the stage.

“Look at her,” Keisha whispered to Topaz. “She's getting so tall and she's so pretty.”

Topaz whispered back, “Did you see my baby boy? Pretty soon he'll be taller than me.”

When the ballerinas were finished, Chris returned to the stage dressed as an older man in a flashy suit. He did an excellent impersonation of Steve Harvey. Germain doubled over with laughter.

“He is so good.” Keisha wiped a tear from her eye. “But he came about it honestly between you and Germain. The king and queen of drama.”

Topaz laughed. “Didn't he?”

Mariah Carey's “All I Want for Christmas Is You” came on, and girls and boys dressed in the cutest Santa outfits complete with Santa caps pushed a sleigh filled with beautifully wrapped gifts onto the stage, where they executed a tightly choreographed hip-hop routine. Baby Doll, front and center, was clearly the best dancer.

“She is so good,” Keisha whispered as the audience cheered and clapped.

“I'm so proud of her,” Topaz smiled.

The Santas left the stage to thunderous applause. Chris made several other introductions including Hanukkah and Kwanza and then the final production number, the nativity.

Chris appeared as a shepherd and read from a scroll as the curtain opened on a small group of students portraying Jesus, Mary, wise men, angels, and shepherds.

“Look at Kobe and Niki.” Keisha pointed them out. “Aren't they the cutest little angels?”

Kyle focused his camcorder on Niki.

“Kobe looks so cute,” Nina whispered to Jade.

“All he does is stand there,” Jade whispered back.

When the lines to the scene were done, Niki began to sing.

“O holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of dear Savior's birth.”

You could hear the audience gasp, astonished by her rich clear voice.

“She is fantastic.” Keisha gripped Topaz's arm tightly.

Topaz couldn't speak as she held her breath. Tears rolled out of her eyes as she continued to listen to the little girl sing.

“Fall on your knees, O hear the angels' voices. O night divine. O night when Christ was born.”

The other children were singing the chorus, but the audience was already clapping.

Nina wiped tears from her eyes and so did Jade.

“I didn't know she could sing like that,” Jade whispered to Nina.

Nina sniffed and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “I didn't know she could either.”