Immediate Family (16 page)

“It appears they can.”

“We’ll fight this. We’ll get a lawyer.”

He shook his head. She knew what he was thinking: He couldn’t afford a lawyer and was too proud to let her pay.

“But…” She started to protest, but he put a finger to her lips.

“There is another way.” He eyed her gravely, and she understood at once what he was getting at.

For a wild moment she seized upon it. Of course! They’d get married. That would solve everything.

Just as quickly she realized it would only complicate matters. She had her daughter to think of. Much as Ainsley adored Reggie, it would be wrong to spring it on her without warning. And she didn’t even want to consider the consequences where Marjorie was concerned. Whatever anyone else might think, she knew the threat of imminent death was real. She couldn’t have that on her conscience. She was having a hard enough time dealing with the guilt Marjorie had heaped on her in her lifetime.

“Oh, Reggie. I wish it were that easy.” She put her arms around him, burying her face against his shoulder and breathing in his strong, earthy scent. “If it were a year from now or even six months…” She lifted her head to search his face for some sign that he understood, that he didn’t hate her for being weak. “I’d marry you in a heartbeat if I had only myself to think of.”

“I know. I was wrong to suggest it,” he said gently.

“We’ll fight this,” she vowed again through gritted teeth. Suddenly she was all business. Reggie might lack the resources, but she knew her way around the system. In her line of work, she dealt with government agencies all the time. Okay, so it was mainly just booking public rooms for parties, but from the red tape involved, it might as well be lobbying Capitol Hill. She wouldn’t let Reggie’s pride stand in the way either. This was too important. “I’m calling my lawyer.” Henry would be able to recommend someone who specialized in immigration law. “Don’t worry about the money, you can pay me back.”

But Reggie was shaking his head, looking stricken. “It’s too much to ask. It could take years.”

“You’re not asking, I’m offering.” She spoke briskly, brooking no argument. “If you’re going to live here, you might as well get used to the fact that in this country, it’s not always the man taking care of the woman. I get to take care of
you
some of the time.” She took him by the arm, steering him over to the sofa. “Now sit tight while I call Henry….”

C
lose your eyes,” Keith ordered.

Franny did as she was told. “Can I open them now?” she asked after a few seconds.

“Not yet.”

“The suspense is killing me.”

It had been ever since she’d arrived in L.A., the Friday before. In the days since, each time Keith cleared his throat or let his gaze linger on her a beat too long, she’d wonder,
Is this it? Is he going to ask me to marry him?
Only a short while ago, having him pop the question would have been her heart’s desire. And why not? He was wonderful and caring. Best of all, the fact that she was pregnant with another man’s child didn’t make her marked-down goods in his eyes the way it would with some men; amazingly he viewed it as a plus. In short, he was everything she’d ever wanted in a man. There was just one problem: Marrying Keith would put a continent between her and Jay.

Now the moment of truth had come. Today was her birthday, and she knew that it was now or never. Listening to the rustle of paper—something being lowered onto the table, where she sat—she felt as if her heart would explode.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now,” Keith said.

Franny opened them to the sight of a large gift-wrapped box tied with a pink satin ribbon. Her first thought was that it was too big to be a ring. A strange mixture of disappointment and relief washed over her. “You shouldn’t have,” she said, grinning up at him.

“Nothing’s too good for the birthday girl.”

“What’s in it?” she asked, giving the box a little shake.

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“I’m not so big on surprises.”

“Why not?”

“They’re not always the good kind.”

“I’m pretty sure you’ll like this one.” He smiled at her, looking adorably scruffy in his jeans and Lakers sweatshirt, unshaven and barefoot.

“Okay, here goes.” Franny couldn’t decide whether it was the baby or butterflies making her stomach flutter as she gingerly untied the bow. She pried off the lid and dug through layer upon layer of tissue paper, only to discover the box was empty. “What is this, some kind of joke?” she asked, smiling up at him in puzzlement. “I know I said I didn’t want anything for my birthday, but isn’t this going a little far?”

Wordlessly Keith drew a small velvet box from the pocket of his sweatshirt. “I told you it was a surprise.” He lifted the lid to reveal a diamond ring that flashed in the sunlight pouring in through the large picture window overlooking the bay. He sank down onto one knee before her, asking solemnly, “Franny Richman, will you marry me?”

Franny immediately burst into tears.

Keith gathered her in his arms, not an easy feat considering how much of her there was. With a laugh that was more of a hiccup she said, “If you were hoping to get laid out of this, I’d have settled for a foot rub.”

He drew back with a grin. “Shoot. You mean I went to all this trouble for nothing?”

“What can I say? I’m a cheap date.”

“And I’m a guy who knows a bargain when he sees one. I figure I’ll be getting two for the price of one.” He placed a hand on her belly, which formed a fuzzy mound in the borrowed terry-cloth robe she had on, his expression turning serious. “That is, if the answer is yes.”

Franny dried her tears on a napkin. How could she not love this guy? He was cute, smart, funny, and he loved kids.

The thought of Jay intruded, but she pushed it aside. Whatever she was feeling for him right now, it wasn’t love. Not
that
kind of love. It was just that her emotions had somehow gotten tangled up in his being the baby’s father.

She blew her nose into the napkin, saying with a wobbly smile, “In that case, mister, you’ve got a deal.” A chance like this came but once in a lifetime. She’d be crazy to pass it up.

“You won’t regret it. I promise.” He wriggled the ring onto her somewhat swollen finger.

“My mother is rolling over in her grave right now,” she said, with a teary laugh.

He arched a bow. “Because she wouldn’t want a goy for a son-in-law?”

“You’re talking about a woman who thought a Christmas tree was one step from hanging a crucifix on the wall.”

“Mine goes all out—theme sweaters, plastic Santas, reindeer on the lawn, the works. And guess who has to put up all those outdoor lights each year?”

“What am I getting myself in for here?” Franny asked with a mock groan.

“A guy who adores you. Plus a lifetime of mind-blowing sex.” He rose to his full height, pulling her to her feet and wrapping his arms around what was left of her waist.

The sex
was
good, she thought. At least as good as it could be given her swollen state—these days, their lovemaking felt more like a Jacques Cousteau special on the mating habits of whales.

All at once her elation faded and she thought of all that she’d be giving up. Not just Jay, or the chance for her baby to know its father. Her whole life was in New York; she’d be leaving behind a job, friends, not to mention Zabar’s and the Carnegie Deli.

Keith must have sensed something, for he drew back wearing a look of consternation. “You’re not having second thoughts, I hope.”

“Are you kidding? Until the swelling goes down, you’d need a hacksaw to get this ring off my finger.” She gave it a little tug to demonstrate that it was on tight. But her lighthearted words did nothing to dislodge the tiny pebble that had settled in the pit of her stomach.

She was heading off to the bathroom—lately, it seemed as if she had to pee every five minutes—when Keith said, “Hold on. I have something else for you.” He disappeared into the next room, reappearing moments later with another gift-wrapped box. “It’ll have to wait until after the baby comes, but I couldn’t resist.”

She unwrapped it to find a lacy silk teddy from Victoria’s Secret, in a size that might have fit her when she was around ten. What did he think, that she was going to magically shrink to a size two after the baby came? But she thanked him anyway, adding, “Just don’t expect me to be able to squeeze into this anytime soon.” Even at her smallest, she’d have been lucky to fit it over one thigh.

They spent the rest of the morning calling everyone with the good news. Keith’s parents made all the right noises, though given the slightly cool reception Franny had gotten from them, she suspected it had more to do with her willingness to relocate than anything else. His three sisters, all married themselves, seemed genuinely thrilled, however. And Emerson equally so.

“Have you told Stevie yet?” she asked, after Franny had filled her in.

“We’re having lunch at her mom’s. I thought I’d wait until then.”

“What about Jay?” A cautious note crept into Emerson’s voice. She was no doubt thinking that a move to L.A. would have long-lasting repercussions as far as their child was concerned.

Some of the wind went out of Franny’s sails. “Not yet. It can wait till I get back.” She didn’t want to tell him over the phone.

“By the way, I had dinner with him the other night,” Emerson reported.

“How did he seem?” Franny worried that in her absence he’d revert to his old habits.

“A little out of sorts, to be honest.”

Franny felt her chest constrict. “I’m sure he misses Viv.”

“I don’t think that was it.”

“What then?”

There was a brief pause at the other end, then Emerson said, “I could be wrong, but I think their marriage is in trouble.”

Franny had suspected as much herself. Even so, she asked, “What makes you think so?”

“It wasn’t anything he said. Mainly it’s what he
didn’t
say. He barely mentioned her the whole meal.”

“Can you blame him?” Franny quickly rose to Jay’s defense. “He’s hurting, too. And it doesn’t seem as if she’s in any hurry to get back.”

“You know Viv.” Emerson was referring to her penchant for disappearing.

Franny knew that Emerson had never particularly cared for Vivienne, though she tried her best for Jay’s sake. Emerson’s heart had genuinely gone out to her after she’d lost the baby, but it was obvious now that her charity was starting to grow thin. Maybe Vivienne’s self-centeredness reminded her of her mother’s…or she didn’t consider her a good match for Jay. Probably a little of both, Franny guessed. Either way, she decided it would be best to change the subject. She’d had her own issues with Vivienne in the past and didn’t want to say anything that would make her appear unsympathetic.

She asked instead how it was going with Reggie.

Emerson filled her in on the latest chapter in her ongoing soap opera. So far, they’d come up against a brick wall in trying to get his visa reinstated, but she had a lawyer on it, supposedly one of the best in his field, and she was confident he’d get to the bottom of it.

“I’m sure it’ll work out,” said Franny, hoping she was right.

“I’m counting on it. But, listen, don’t let me rain on your parade.” Emerson spoke with forced cheer. “Congratulations again. Oh, and by the way, happy thirty-sixth. With all the excitement, I almost forgot it was your birthday.”

“I wish I could say the same,” Franny replied with a laugh, remembering when getting older was cause for celebration. Now each advancing year made her want to turn back the clock.

After she got off the phone, she showered and got dressed for the barbecue at Stevie’s mom’s. She’d told Stevie in advance that she didn’t want a big fuss made over it being her birthday, but Stevie had said it was too late, she already had a surprise in store. As soon as Franny and Keith pulled up in front of Nancy’s house, Stevie came dashing out to meet them.

“So what’s the big surprise?” Franny asked as they were on their way into the house.

“You’ll see,” Stevie said mysteriously, hooking an arm through Franny’s.

But inside, Franny could see nothing out of the ordinary. Just people milling about, and Nancy in the kitchen stirring something on the stove. She gave Franny a peck on the cheek and greeted Keith warmly, introducing them to the other guests, most of them neighbors.

Afterward Franny was pressed into service cutting up celery for the potato salad while Keith husked the corn. In all the confusion, she scarcely noticed when Stevie slipped out the back door.

Moments later she looked up at the sound of the door banging shut to find Stevie walking toward her, accompanied by an older, weather-beaten man in jeans and flip-flops and sporting a gray ponytail. “Guys, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Stevie said, sounding shy all of a sudden. Even from across the room, Franny could see she was blushing. “Franny, Keith, this is my dad.”

The ear of corn Keith had been husking slipped from his hand, landing on the floor with a thud. He looked as astonished as if it were Jim Morrison risen from the dead. But he quickly recovered and stepped forward, thrusting out his hand. “Mr. Tobin, it’s an honor.”

“I know only one Mr. Tobin and that was my dad,” the man said. “Please, call me Grant.”

“Nice to meet you.” Franny wiped her wet hand on her pant leg before shaking his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I’m sure you have,” said Grant, with a rueful look that spoke volumes.

Within minutes he and Keith were deep in conversation at the other end of the room. Grant had to know that Keith was writing a book about him. She’d seen the initial guardedness on his face when they were introduced, but whatever reservations he’d had seemed to have abated. Knowing Keith, he was jiving with Grant on his favorite subject: rock and roll. Even if Grant remained gun shy about being interviewed, the two would never run out of things to talk about.

“So this is your big surprise, huh?” Franny commented to Stevie as they were carrying platters of food out to the picnic table. “And all this time I thought it was a birthday cake.”

“There’s that, too,” Stevie said, shooting her a wry glance.

“So did you have to twist his arm to get him to come?”

“You could say that. I told him Keith was the only one who could set the record straight and unless he wanted to spend the rest of his life trying to live down the rumors, he’d better come meet him.”

“Sounds more like bribery to me.”

“Whatever, it worked. For some reason, he listens to me.”

“Maybe because you’re his daughter.”

“Maybe.” Stevie seemed to ponder that fact as she set out plates and napkins.

“So have you two worked it out?” Franny knew Stevie was still troubled by his dark past.

“Let’s just say we’ve arrived at an understanding,” Stevie said. “I know he’s far from perfect but I also know he’s trying, in his own way. And he knows I’m not going anywhere.”

“It’s a start,” Franny said.

“Yeah, I guess it is.” Wearing a small smile, Stevie tipped her head back, momentarily basking in the sunshine filtering through the trees. Overhead, smoke from the barbecue rose in a thick gray plume and nearby insects attracted by the food darted and spun.

The meal was as delicious and eclectic as Franny had come to expect from Stevie’s mom. In addition to hamburgers and swordfish steaks, there were tofu dogs and veggie burgers for the nonmeat eaters, which included husband and wife glassblowers and the man Nancy was currently seeing, a yoga instructor who’d recently converted to Buddhism.

When the table had been cleared, Nancy brought out a cake with candles on it and they all sang “Happy Birthday.” While she passed out slices, Stevie poured the champagne—sparkling cider for Franny, Nancy, and Grant—and everyone lifted their glasses in a toast to the newly betrothed couple. Franny sat there grinning, feeling self-conscious about being the center of attention. Or maybe it hadn’t quite sunk in that she was engaged. Each time she looked down at her left hand and saw the diamond ring glittering on her finger, it came as a mild shock.

Her gaze fell on Grant, and she thought about Stevie’s growing up not knowing her dad. Franny wondered if one day her child would feel the same way about Jay, that he was a father in name only. Was she doing the right thing in moving so far away? And what about Jay? How did you tell a guy who’d lost one child that he was about to lose another?

It was several days after she returned to New York before Franny got up the nerve to phone Jay. But any apprehension she’d felt vanished at the sound of his voice. He seemed happy to hear from her and they chatted just like old times. When he told her he had a belated birthday present for her, she didn’t hesitate to invite him over.