Authors: Vera Roberts
There were many horrible things about Caprina Scott could detail and it would’ve been a grocery list for anyone who wanted to listen. But he would never forgive her for the damage she had done to his family. Seven years later, and he was still cleaning up her mess. He wouldn’t have cared if it weren’t for the fact he was serious about the love of his life. He had a love for Mariana so strong, he wondered if he was able to stand it sometimes.
“Do you plan on staying out here all night, honey?” Mariana quietly asked.
“Sorry,” Scott shook his head to relieve his thoughts, “I was in deep thought.”
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, Scott,” Mariana pressed.
“No, I have to,” Scott let out a deep breath, “I can’t avoid my family forever.”
“Okay,” Mariana nodded, “but if you don’t want to be here, we can leave.”
“No, I’ll be fine,” Scott wrapped his arms around Mariana, “I got you here so I’ll be fine. Go inside and help Mother set up. I’ll be right in.”
“Okay,” Mariana kissed her boyfriend goodbye, “don’t take too long, now.”
“I won’t,” Scott smiled and watched Mariana walk inside. He looked up at the starry sky. “All right, Big Man, I’m going to need Your help tonight. I know it’s been a while since I’ve prayed to You, but I really need Your help. Please just heal our family tonight. Please? Amen.”
Scott began to head inside when he suddenly stopped. He turned and looked around. Scott wasn’t entirely positive but he had the feeling that someone was following him.
But who?
And why would they follow him to Decatur out of all places?
He convinced himself he wasn’t getting enough rest and it was making him loony. He was on vacation with the love of his life and things were going wonderfully. All he needed was peace of mind about his family and everything would be settled.
****
Caprina sunk down in the driver’s seat of her rental when Scott spotted her. Her heart was racing and pounding through her chest. She waited a few minutes for him to suddenly show up by her car but was relieved when he went inside his mother’s house instead.
She needed to be more careful.
N
INETEEN
Deborah looked around as she set the table. Her home would soon be filled with love once again. Scott and Mariana would sit next to each other. Andrew and Tim would be seated at the head and foot of the table, with Jasmine seating on Andrew’s right and Deborah would sit on Tim’s left. Hassan and Christine would sit next to each other
Deborah waited for her Firecracker to show up.
Christine was always pretty stubborn as a child, though she had never given Deborah and Andrew any problems. She was always firm in her beliefs, no matter how right or wrong they were. It was that quality that made Christine special and authoritative. She had the take-charge personality, and it showed when she was a social worker and even more so when she became a teacher.
It was that quality that also caused a rift between Christine and Scott. They were close growing up and remained so even when Scott moved to California. But Caprina…the Great Disaster…she caused more than her fair share of grief in the family.
Bless her heart.
Scott never defended his relationship with Caprina and avoided talking about her at all costs. Christine, however, kept bringing up Caprina every chance she got.
It used to be Scott would come home every six months. Then it became every year. Then every two years. Now it was whenever he had time. But Deborah knew better. Scott had the wealth and ability to fly home; time wouldn’t have been an issue.
He didn’t want to see her or his sister. That killed Deborah.
Deborah prayed to God every night hoping He would ease their hearts and find their way back to each other. Deborah just wanted her family back.
She saw Scott entered her home and he greeted everyone with a hug. He warily approached his mother. “Mother,” he politely addressed her.
“I’m glad you came back here on your last night,” Deborah nodded.
Scott shoved his hands in his pockets. “I almost didn’t.”
“I know,” Deborah breathed a sigh of relief. “I know.”
“Do you need any help in the kitchen?” Scott asked.
“No, it’s fine. Mari helped me,” she added.
Scott nodded in agreement. “She’s a good woman.”
“I know this, and even though you don’t believe me, I think she’s perfect for you and you two will have a wonderful marriage.” Deborah admitted. She couldn’t see her son with anyone but Mariana. “I only want the best for you, son.”
“I know that, Mother,” Scott admitted, “but I need you to trust me.”
“Trust you? Don’t be silly, Scott Christopher! I do trust you and –”
“And leave my relationship out of your concern,” Scott politely warned his mother. “I need you to accept my choices and let me make my own mistakes, Mother.”
Deborah wrapped her arms around her son and held him close to her. “It doesn’t matter how old you get, Scott, it doesn’t matter,” she whispered as tears fell down her face. “You’ll always be my little boy.”
“I know, Mother,” Scott whispered as he held her, “but your little boy has to grow up sometime.”
****
“I know Chrissy may seem like a hard-ass and she can be at times,” Hassan addressed Mariana as they set the dining table, “but she’s a real sweet person.”
“Are you a racist, too? Because I don’t see any other reason why you would accept your wife like that.” Mariana replied.
Hassan smiled as he took the insult. “No, I’m not, and I’m not saying you should accept what Chrissy has said to you. But she’s going to take some time to warm up.”
“Whatever,” Mariana no longer cared, “if she doesn’t want to accept me, that’s fine. But she’s going have to accept changes in the family sooner than later.”
“She will,” Hassan nodded. He heard a car pull up and recognized it was his wife. Christine decided to come to dinner after all. “Look, she’s here. I’ll go outside and meet her.” He left to meet his wife.
“Yay,” Mariana quietly replied, “this should be a
fun
last night.”
****
Christine entered the home and saw Scott and Deborah still wrapped up in their embrace. “I hate to break up this dance, but I would like to speak to my brother alone for a minute?”
Deborah let go of Scott and wiped her eyes. “I bet my makeup is just ruined! I’m going to go upstairs to freshen up and will be back down to start prayer! Your father and Jasmine should be here any moment.” Deborah left the siblings alone.
Christine waited until their mother was out of earshot before she spoke to her brother. “Scott, I want to apologize about the other night. It was wrong of me to accuse you for destroying the family and I was a complete bitch about it. I hope you will forgive me.”
“I forgive you, Chrissy,” Scott nodded, “but just like what I told Mother, you need to let me live my life. I don’t meddle into your life or what Mother is doing and I respect you both. I need the same respect towards me.”
Christine slowly nodded. “It’ll be a while before I accept your little girlfriend.”
Scott swallowed his real thoughts. “Her real name is Mariana and I suggest you learn it.”
“Fine.” Christine gritted her teeth. “It’ll be a while—a long while—before I accept Mariana.”
“That’s better,” Scott nodded, “and I don’t expect it to be instant, as long as you eventually do.”
Christine dropped her stance. Scott wasn’t the lovesick puppy who followed Caprina around everywhere. He was a grown man and confident of his decisions. “You really love her?”
“More than anything.” Scott had never been surer of his feelings.
“You really want to marry her?” Her voice was quiet.
“Soon.”
Christine shrugged. “That’s good enough for me,” she walked over to her brother and gave him a hug. “I don’t want you to get hurt again, Scott. We all love and care about you very much.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take, Chrissy,” He hugged his sister back. “You and Mother have to trust me.”
“We do trust you, Scott,” Christine whispered.
“Then prove it to me,” he rubbed his sister’s back, “and to Mari.”
****
Dinner was wonderful. Everyone got along and the conversation was pleasant, and touched on social issues to dishing about the latest celebrity news, to which the men rolled their eyes in disgust.
“If everyone has a moment, I would to make an announcement,” Christine lifted her wine glass full of water and others followed. “I think it’s great that we all could gather around here for the holidays. I know it was tense at some moments, but it’s good to know that we all love and respect each other.
“I wanted to take this moment to let everyone here know that Hassan and I are having a baby!” Christine beamed as she patted her stomach. “There will be another generation of Reeds coming!”
“Perfect! I finally have something to brag against those snarky women at bingo!” Deborah smiled. “This is a blessing!”
“Congrats, Chrissy,” Scott smiled. “I can’t wait to be an uncle.”
Andrew lifted his wine glass. “This is great news! I’m going to be a grandfather! Firecracker, your news couldn’t have come at a better time!” Andrew motioned for Jasmine to stand up. “We’re also expecting a baby!”
Christine’s glass slipped from her hands and spilled over the table. “You’re…you’re…you’re…what?”
“You’re going to be a big sister again,” Jasmine cooed as Andrew kissed her temple. “I hope to see you at prenatal yoga soon.”
“Remember your speech about love and respect, Chrissy,” Scott smiled. He was getting a kick out of his sister’s reaction.
Hassan quickly handed his wife another glass of water and she quickly downed it. “Congrats,” Christine forced a smile.
“Thank you,” Andrew smiled.
“You know, after seeing all of this,” Scott stood up as he began to gather plates, “I think we’ll be back here to visit more often.”
****
“Mari, can I talk to you for a moment?” Christine asked.
Mariana looked at Christine for a long while. The last time the two of them were together in a room, Mariana was convinced the heavens saved Christine from the beating of her life because she almost gave her one. “Okay.”
Christine pulled out a chair and sat down. She gestured for Mariana to sit before her but the young woman preferred to stand. It would be easier if she had to do a sudden hand-slapping movement. A table would merely be in the way. “I want to apologize to you. I know what I said was harsh and I came off as a bitch to you. It was wrong of me to judge you so quickly. However, just because I’m apologizing to you, it doesn’t mean we’re going to be best friends and hang out. But as long as you’re with my baby brother and he loves you, then you’re cool with me.”
Mariana smiled. She knew it took a lot out of Christine to apologize. “Thank you for that,” she replied.
“I know my brother loves you and I know you love him. Scott went through a whole lot with the last one, and it took him a long time to recover,” Christine had to simmer her growing temper. She still hated Caprina years later. “I don’t want him to go through the same shit again.”
“I’m not his ex,” Mariana defended.
“You better not be,” Christine was curt. She extended a hand. “For Scott.”
Christine was offering a truce. It was the closest thing Mariana was going to receive in terms of friendship with that woman. She accepted it. “For Scott.” Mariana shook her hand.
*****
After dinner and emotional goodbyes, Scott and Mariana headed back to their hotel. Mariana began packing up for the trip back home while Scott played on his phone. “I’m glad everything ended on a positive note. I really like your family, honey,” Mariana commented.
“You do?” Scott checked another text message from Alan. The ring selection was getting better with each message. “I’m glad you do. They can be a handful.”
“You’re a handful,” Mariana replied back.
“I have my moments,” Scott conceded.
Mariana finished packing up their suitcases and crawled into bed with her boyfriend. “I can’t wait to be a part of the family one day.”
Scott put away his cell phone and cuddled with Mariana. He turned over to look at her, caressing her face. “You are a part of the family already, baby.”
“It feels like it,” Mariana whispered.
“Get used to it,” Scott promised.
*****
Caprina hurriedly packed her items in her suitcase. She had a long day ahead of her. She had to time her arrival at Scott’s terminal perfectly.
She was getting excited just thinking about it.
T
WENTY
Days turned into weeks. Weeks morphed into months. The next thing Scott knew, the New Year arrived. It was time for a fresh start.
It had been six months since he started dating Mariana and things were moving at a rapid pace. She moved in with him and they both survived meeting with each other’s families for the first time. The trip to Decatur was an adventure within itself, but it would be a humorous story to tell the children later.
Children.
Scott had babies on the brain. He had never thought about kids nor did he consider having any, but the feeling had grown. He wanted children. He wanted Mariana to have
his
children. He wanted her to have his last name. It was time to make it official. Scott had already promised Mariana he would marry her, but they never talked marriage past Mariana’s not-so-subtle threat when Scott asked her to move in.
I won’t be the forever girlfriend.
Prior to Mariana moving in, Scott had made a trip to Tiffany’s that had proved disastrous. He ended up having a panic attack in the middle of the store as he browsed engagement rings.
Damn that bitch.
He hated how Caprina still had a reeling affect on him. He wanted to trust Mariana, and he probably could trust her. She had proven to be trustworthy and responsible—the complete opposite of the Great Disaster. The nagging feeling inside his soul reminded him of what happened the last time. The last time he trusted someone, he made the tabloids.
He was willing to take a risk with Mariana. She had the key to his home and his heart. She was a willing submissive who wanted to please Him no matter the cost. She was his partner who supported his ideas and had his back at the end of the day. She was the Alpha to his Omega.
She’s perfect.