King Solomon's Journey (The Dominguez Adventures) (40 page)

            In reality, after all of the emotion, he wanted to leave and be alone with Amanda. Maybe, he could return to see his family tomorrow. She would balance him and make it easier.

            In an attempt to substitute, he covered her lips with his emotions. Her tender taste would have to suffice his needs. His arm clutched her waist, as he escorted her back into the ballroom.

            On their way back to the ballroom, Amanda was sure she saw a man trying to appear discreet about observing them while standing in the corridor.  She nudged Antonio to take notice.

            He whispered, “I see, we’ll stay alert. Amanda, don’t taunt these guys.”

            José saw their return. “Antonio, come over here. We placed you and Amanda between me and Pop. Are you both all right?”

            Antonio responded. “We’re fine. I couldn’t resist sneaking down the hall to accost the beautiful lady. It’s juvenile, but she does that to me.”

            José gave a hearty laugh. “I understand. The necklace you gave Rosie . . . thanks, Antonio . . . it means a lot to me. She loves it.”

            “We wanted to give Rosie a special gift.” Antonio told him.

            José was such a man, the older brother, an amazing archetype. His wife embraced his role, and complemented it with her own style and grace.

            José directed the server to them with Champagne. Antonio insisted on a private toast.

            “To the Monatomic State,” as crystal glasses around the large tables pinged; it was as if a symphony of bells rang out in approval. She sipped the Champagne. Good Lord, if she drank much of this without eating, Antonio would have to carry her out on a stretcher.

            Just then servers entered with large trays covered in elaborate plats of food, and the feast continued, with laughter and toast all around. Antonio was glad that his family stayed true to the moment and the day was once more focused on Rosie.

Chapter 45

"The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart."

~Julien Green

            As the dining ended, the party guest broke up into a moveable event. People wandered from table to table, hugging, and laughing and sharing memories. Antonio stayed by her side, and Amanda felt it was time to remind him that now was the time for building bridges between him and his family.

            “Antonio please, go mingle with your other siblings, I am fine.”

             “Amanda…”

            “Please, Antonio. They want, and deserve to interact with you. I am a big girl.”

            He left her side. Following all of the emotion, a small break appealed to her. Not to mention, she wanted to hunt for the strawberries dipped in chocolate.

            She glanced up to see Antonio with his brothers. It was perfect. Her eyes closed for a moment to thank God for the beautiful day. Over the years, he had seen his mother and siblings. Even so, the impact would not be the same as having the family as a whole again.

            Antonio’s parents visited with some of the guests. They were not as old as they seemed to her, earlier in the atrium. Both of them appeared ten years younger than during the previous moments.

            José was also relieved. A load lifted off him. It showed, apparent in his body language. What a remarkable family Antonio had. She knew this same bond had separated Antonio from his father. It would not happen again. These people valued family first, and the standard they set was high.

            Amanda felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and smiled. It was Antonio’s father.

            “May we sit down and talk, Amanda?”

            “Please, your honor.”

            “Thank you. Please, call me Judge, or Maurice. Even Pop would be fine.”

            She smiled, “I was admiring your family. I hope this does not come across as insincere, but I am overwhelmed by them.”

            “You are kind, Amanda.” He clutched the top of her hand.

            “This is the happiest day of my life.”

            “I believe it is Antonio’s, too.”

            “No that day for him will be yours, Pop knows. The day José came and told me of his brother’s Amanda, I knew my son would come home soon.” His eyes were misty again.

            “Really?”

            “Honest. He would understand when he found his own love. José told me you were a mama. I knew it would not take long.”

            “I’m in awe, Judge.”

            “You knew things, Amanda.”

            “Maybe.”

            “You did.”

            “I knew you had not forgotten him. You remained his guardian, always in the background. The hardest day of your life was the day your beautiful son left to make it, independent of you. I suspected him to be the child most like you.” Her boldness intrigued the Judge.

            “I’m impressed.”

            She looked at the Judge and smiled.

            “With all due respect, that did not touch me, or pull at my heartstrings as much as the potential I saw in him.”

            “Please, Amanda, I love my son.”

            She teared up.” I know Sir…I saw a grown man, strong and successful, with more honor and humility than any other person I have ever met. Yet, he remained in a constant state of turmoil beneath the surface.

            In his mind, he failed the person he most admired and loved. He felt angry with himself for still loving and admiring that same person the most, his Pop.”

            She smiled at the Judge. His face, once again revealed his unwept tears.

            “Judge that was yesterday, today, everything has changed.”

            They sat in a few moments’ silence.

            “Amanda, thank you. I see why you have my son’s heart.”

            “Thank you, Judge. I want to say one thing.”

            He nodded.

            “I don’t enjoy coming here, being personified as if I am perfect, I’m not. I do not want to leave the impression that I think I am. I am far from perfect.

            You see, I have shown up on a day, which often manifests that aura. I trust you will not allow it to become that way when I leave. I don’t want to be sainted for a single day’s situation.”

            “You can trust me, Amanda. I know there is more to you than meets the eyes; although that is quite pleasant!"

            “This is life changing for Antonio. I thought he should come home. He made the decision. I only offered a different perspective. It was an easy problem to solve and he fixed it. That is all.”

            “Welcome to my family, Amanda.”

            “I am honored.”

            “Maybe you will save an old man a dance later?”

            “Absolutely!”

            Amanda beat herself up, she said more than she intended to. Her mouth ranked amongst her greatest downfalls. She made her way to the ladies’ room to check her face. In the lounge area, she took a seat. It surely wouldn’t hurt to hide here for a few moments.

            Antonio searched for Amanda, not seeing her anywhere.

            “Carmen, have you seen Amanda?”

            “I think she’s in the ladies’ room.”

            Waiting for her to come out, his concern grew. She was taking too long. “Carmen, I think she’s been in there too long.”

            “Antonio, she’s probably hiding from all of this.”

            “I can’t go in there Carmen…  What if she’s sick?”

            “Okay, okay, I’ll go check.”

            Carmen found Amanda in the lounge, holding Cecelia. Cecelia’s mother, Elisabeth had just entered one of the bathroom stalls. Carmen smiled.

            “You don’t look sick.”

            “No, I am not sick. I am holding a glamorous little baby girl. Antonio sent you to check on me.”

            “Guilty.”

            “Elisabeth, if you don’t mind, I’m going to take your Cecelia to meet her Uncle Antonio.”

            “That will be fine.” She called back.

            Antonio had begun to pace, Carmen should be out with her by now, something must be wrong. The door opened. Stunned, he saw Amanda holding a baby.

            “Antonio, meet your latest niece, is she not gorgeous?”

            “She’s beautiful.” Amanda handed him the baby. “This is Celia.”

            Antonio spoke to the baby. Amanda felt a pang in her gut. The thought that Antonio had missed fatherhood hurt her for some reason. The baby reached up to her uncle and placed a huge, open-mouthed, slobbery kiss on his cheek. The cameras went off around the room simultaneously. It was precious.

            Elisabeth came out of the bathroom. Talking to Antonio, she retrieved her baby.

            Antonio went to Amanda, “I’m sorry I sent Carmen to check on you.”

            “It is fine, really.”

            “Walk with me, Antonio. I’m hunting strawberries with chocolate. I have seen evidence that they exist.”

            He laughed. “I hope they are organic.”

            “I imagine when your brother gets the bill he will swear they were organic.”

            Antonio laughed again as he spotted the strawberries on a side buffet, groaning beneath the weight of ornate dishes filled with exotic treats. He snatched a couple and pulled Amanda to the side.

            She bit the chocolate off the strawberries.

            “You get the rest.”

            He smiled. “No chocolate?”

            “Sorry, I cannot help it.”

            “Amanda…  I hope you’re having a good time.”

            “It is one of the best days I have ever had, honest.”

            They went back to their table, chatting along the way. Rejuvenated, Antonio felt lucky and happy today. Amanda was right about everything. He didn’t think once he made the decision to come, that he ever doubted what she had said.

            Her encouragement gave him strength. Amanda, so impressed with his family, made him feel great. Hell, even he was impressed with his family. It felt good to be a part of it again.

Amanda sat next to José and Antonio. They had seated Antonio directly to sit next to his father.  José seemed genuinely interested in Amanda. “Amanda, you have a son about Rosie’s age, don’t you?”

            “Yes, I do. Sam is sixteen.”

            “You must be very proud. I understand he is quite the achiever.” José said.

            “I am.

            Antonio’s mother asked. “Do you have to share your sons over holidays?”

            The question made her uncomfortable, and she did not want to answer it.

            “No, I do not. My sons have me, and that is all. The circumstances are complicated.”

Amanda feared she had come across as rude. Antonio didn’t even know the circumstances. Her answer was incomplete. Still, she could see his awareness of not knowing the details.

            As soon as possible, she found a door and walked outside onto the veranda. The evening humidity had started to drop. She looked out over the country club grounds and golf course, and noticed the symmetrical esthetics.

            “Amanda.” She turned to face Antonio, and still did not want to speak to him.

            “You shouldn’t come out here alone. You know we’re being followed, what’s wrong?”

            “I hurt you, and there is no excuse.”

            “I have felt you keep the boys separate from me, I thought it was because you wanted to separate me from them this early in our relationship.”

            “No, it is not because of you. In fact, until earlier this day, I failed to see the reason.”

            “What’s the reason, Amanda?”

            “First of all, what I said in there about my boys is true. They have identified with a Dad before. Not now… and not in a long time. I am not prepared to talk about that part. They all came to me, independent of a man. That is all true. I want to get that straight.

            This is not about them. It is about you. The guilt comes from an assumption that is not mine to make. I feel guilty about being a parent, when you are not one, and I will never be able to do anything about it.”

            “Sohu, we’ve talked about this.”

            “I know, and I humiliated you.”

            “Amanda, they didn’t know that I didn’t know.”

            “You did, and I knew it.”

            “Amanda, forget it today. We’ll work through it. Look at what happened today, we’ll make it work out.”

            She put her arms around Antonio. They kissed and walked back inside. He squeezed her hand. She knew what he hinted and whispered to him.

             “Dance with me, Antonio.” He escorted her to the dance floor and felt her against him.

            “Can I tell you a secret?” he whispered.

            “Yes.”

            “I’m bushed… and ready to have you alone, all to myself.”

            “I know, I agree.”

            As long as they danced so closely, he would take full advantage. “I want to take you out of this dress.”

            She loved how he talked in her ear as they danced. He kissed her ear lobe with his tongue and made her shiver.

            “When I get you alone, I’m going to do that all over you. My fingers are going to crawl slowly, all over your body.” He held her close. “Amanda, I want you.”

            “Antonio, we have to stay here a while longer, your family deserves this time.”

            “I’m on overload. All I’m thinking about is taking that dress off of you.”

            “You will have to think of something else.”

            “How can I, when I’m thinking about it, nonstop.”

            Amanda laughed as she whirled in Antonio's arms. His problem was alleviated shortly by his father's interruption, as he claimed his promised dance. The hours sped by as they each danced with other family members and old friends of Antonio's family.