Over the Hedge: Part 2- The Finale (Lucky in Love) Page 11

  Shit, she must be late.

  Did Brian know something I didn’t? Maybe Lashawnda confided in her sister; who then told her husband? But, based on the way Crystal and Brian were acting toward each other; I couldn’t see that being possible. Was she pregnant and just hadn’t gotten around telling me yet?

  I stopped at the second door on the left side of the hallway and placed my hands on the handle to test if she locked it. Not surprisingly it was. I sighed heavily and rested my forehead against the door. I needed to calm down. Now, I was faced with two decisions; finding Brian and tearing him a new asshole or convincing the distraught woman, locked behind the door, to let me in so I could find out exactly why she had gotten so upset.

  I rotated my head to the side and caught a glimpse of Lashawnda and Crystal in a picture sitting on the beach as children. I found myself grinning. Lashawnda’s small rounded face was scrunched up to block the sun as she grinned toothlessly into the camera. I chuckled as I thought about how vibrant her face looked when she smiled now. And, even with her two front teeth missing, she was still lighting up the picture. Hell, every smile she gave me lights up my world.

  Straightening from my stance, I let out a long steady breath before knocking on the door.

  “Sweetheart?” I called out in a calming voice. I counted to ten but received no reply. Instead, I heard a few sniffles.

  I tested the door handle, again.

  “Lashawnda. Sweetheart, please let me in,” I pleaded. Yet, I still got no response. The irritation was building in my voice. “If you don’t open this door, I will remove it from the hinges or better yet just barrel straight through it.”

  I was about to knock again when I heard the lock clicking. I sent up a silent prayer of thanks. I turned the door handle and pushed it open. I found Lashawnda standing at the sink with the faucet running and tears shining in her eyes. The image brought back visions of me wanting to pummel Brian’s face. But that would have to wait for another time. I stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind me.

  I walked up behind Lashawnda and wrapped my arms around her body, desperately needing to be close to her. I looked at her tear-streaked face in the mirror and felt my heart constrict. Pulling her shaking frame close to my chest, I rubbed my hands up and down her side in a soothing motion until I felt her tension ease. I loved when I got to hold her like this. I just hated it was to sooth her sadness.

  We stood in silence for a while. My arms wrapped around her and my body molded to her frame.

  “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” I asked gingerly.

  I wasn’t sure what to make of her behavior. If she was carrying my child, shouldn’t she be happier than this?

  “I’m not pregnant.” Lashawnda sniffled twice and took a few soothing breaths before she answered.

  A hush fell over the bathroom as we both contemplated her words.

  I felt relieved. I thought something more catastrophic than this was troubling her. Her tears were a good sign. Yes, the fact that she wasn’t pregnant was disheartening, but if she was howling with glee because of it, then it would mean something completely different to me.

  I pulled away from Lashawnda and sat down on the toilet seat. I grabbed her around the waist and settled her on my lap. After her announcement, I became even more agitated than before. So, I did as before and used my hands to calm her down—tenderly caressing the exposed skin on her neck and chest. When I reached the middle of her chest, I felt the rapid beat of her heart.

  “I love you so much,” I said in a whisper. “And, knowing you are not pregnant doesn’t change how I feel about you. You are still the woman I’ve been falling in love with each and every day we are together.”

  My words had the effect I was hoping for. I felt her rapid heartbeat slow down underneath my fingertips.

  “Did you think all this time I was sweet talking you because I thought you might be pregnant?” I asked, hoping my suspicions weren’t right.

  “No, it’s just you’ve been making comments about it and you seemed so happy about the idea. I didn’t want things to change between us,” Lashawnda explained between sniffles.

  “Stop questioning our love for each other, Ms. Price soon to be Mrs. Colcord.”

  My attempt to lighten the mood was slight, but Lashawnda smiled just a little at my joke.

  “That better not be a marriage proposal,” Lashawnda said teasingly.

  I shook my head and pulled her closer.

  “Nope. There is no doubt it will happen though.” I didn’t need to sugarcoat anything. I knew what I wanted.

  Lashawnda squeezed my forearm that was wrapped around her waist.

  “I kept thinking about the night when we first said, ‘I love you’. I remember how excited you were about the possibility we could have created a child together. And, by the way, this wasn’t a big secret. I planned on telling you when we got some alone time later,” she said in a disheartened voice.

  “Sweetheart, I’m confused right now. Why were you so upset?”

  “I kept feeling nauseous all morning. It wasn’t like the urge to throw up immediately; more like an icky feeling after eating something slimy. I kept assuming I was having morning sickness. It was weird to think I could be experiencing a symptom of pregnancy. Me, the girl who was preparing to live the life of a cat lady just a few months ago. But when I went to the bathroom earlier; I saw my period started.” She shrugged her shoulders, looking dejected.

  “Is that why you were looking like that when I came in to use the bathroom?” I asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me what was wrong when I asked?” Her way of handling all of this annoyed me. If she had opened up earlier, I would have been able to handle the situation in the dining room differently.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t think the reality had entirely settled in for me.” Lashawnda leaned her head against my shoulder.

  “I don’t know how to feel about this. I’m relieved it’s one less thing I must take into consideration now that I’m finally taking steps to start this graduate program. But, at the same time, I feel sad. I feel a bit of emptiness right here.” She took my hand in hers and placed it between her breasts.

  “Aww, sweetheart. It’ll be all right.”

  I pulled Lashawnda into a tight hug. She returned my embrace, wrapping her arms around me so tight, I felt unable to take a full breath.

  “I hate to admit it, but on some elemental level, I feel cheated. You don’t understand how much I’ve thought about it these last seven days. I was going to take a pregnancy test when my period was three days late. I kept telling myself it would be too soon; I’d wait another week. All that hype, all that anxiety, it feels like a letdown.”

  “Why? It’s not that big of a deal,” I offered.

  “Well, maybe to you. But I wanted this. For years I never thought about having children, just being the best auntie ever to whatever children Crystal had. And, then you came along and started loving me as you do. Then, I thought, I can dream as other women do too. So, you see, finding out it wasn’t a reality was very upsetting.” She tried explaining, but honestly, she was overreacting.

  I pulled Lashawnda around and readjusted our position, so she was straddling my lap. Settling my elbows at the back of the bowl, I looked up at her with an endearing smile playing on my lips.

  “Why are you smiling?” Lashawnda asked, unable to keep the infectious action from her lips.

  I reached out and touched her stomach, lightly moving my thumb over her innie belly button.

  “Well, there are a lot of reasons why I’m smiling. For one, our families seem to be getting along pretty well. That’s if you don’t count your brother-in-law’s attitude. But I don’t see him being part of this family much longer. I might have to fatten his lip for bringing tears to your eyes.”

  Lashawnda shook her head. “Don’t even think about hitting him.”

  “Are you for real?” I asked. What woman doesn’t want
her man defending her honor?

  “Brian’s got more problems than me. It’s not even worth it. And, if by some strange miracle he and Crystal end up sticking this out, I don’t want our significant others having animosity between them,” she explained with a heavy sigh and a roll of her eyes.

  I shrugged my shoulders, realizing Lashawnda’s passivity would never make her jump to physical violence as a way of dealing with discourse. I continued rubbing her stomach as I thought about the primary reason for us sitting here.

  “And, two, you want to have my babies,” I sang, playfully.

  Lashawnda grabbed my wrist to stop my hands.

  “So, you’re not upset?” she asked.

  “No. I’m not upset. Maybe a little bummed out. I know this is just one missed opportunity. There will be plenty more to come. Trust me. We have time to get our ducks in a row. Remember what you told me before about people settling into their lives before starting a family. You didn’t want to have any regrets. Well, look at the bright side; this gives us time to take care of those things. My mom struggled while raising me. I know we both make a decent living, but I want so much more for my family.”

  “Okay. I agree,” she conceded.

  “Hey, why didn’t you just go off on Brian for trying to talk shit about you?” I asked.

  “Oh, please, Brian’s not worth it.” Lashawnda shrugged and looked off to the side. “Besides, that’s not who I am as a person. I recognized why he was trying to deflect the moment he started talking. Going off on him wouldn’t do nothing but set you and Crystal off at that table. Her, because I knew she wasn’t about to have him acting crazy at our parents’ table. And, you because you weren’t going to have him talk trash to me.”

  I nodded. “Damn right. You can’t have people talk to you like that.”

  “I know.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m too passive. I let people get away with too much. I’ve heard those words a million times growing up with Stacy and Crystal as my best friends. Even Daddy used to tell me all the time not to let people walk all over me.”

  “So, why do you?” I asked, seeing another side to Lashawnda. “Your dad said you act more like your mom.”

  “I’m not as passive as people like to think. Maybe, because I’m surrounded by so many people with aggressive Type A personalities, it might seem that way to you all. But, trust me, I’m not one to be a complete pushover.”

  I furrowed my brows not understanding where she was coming from. “Explain.”

  “Yes, I allow people multiple chances. Probably way more than most. But I also have a limit depending on the circumstance. See Brian has pushed the limit with me. Trying to call me a hoe or whatever because he thought you knocked me up. Now, that I know who he truly is, he won’t have to worry about me being friendly to him ever again,” Lashawnda explained.

  I understood what she was getting at now. But, in this world, one needed to have more backbone. Lashawnda was constantly getting walked on and I don’t think even she realized it. Her and everyone else probably thought she was just being nice. Well, I guess that’s why the universe found it fit to make me the man in her life. I’d be damned if I allowed anyone to take advantage of her.

  “Woman, you’re seriously too good to be true. But I’m letting you know, now, there will be no bullshit coming your way as long as I’m your man. Got it?” I asserted with a little more force than necessary.

  Lashawnda bit her bottom lip and smiled down at me. “Just for the record, I think you’ll make a great father.”

  “I’ll have you at my side, so I have nothing to worry about,” I replied. “So, we’re good? You’ve calmed down, now?”

  “Yep. I’m good, a little sad, but good.”

  “You ready to get out of here?” I asked, playfully bouncing her on my lap.

  “Not yet,” Lashawnda said before leaning down to capture my lips in a heated kiss.

  “Are we going to try again. Right now?” I laughed. The way Lashawnda was hungrily attacking my lips was making me hard—fast.

  “No, silly. For obvious reasons that’s not possible.” She said, then shimmied her hips playfully. “I haven’t been able to kiss you like this all day with the family around. Give me a few minutes…okay?”

  “Okay. But you’re explaining to our moms what took us so long in the bathroom,” I stated before sucking on the sensitive spot behind her ear.

  “Mmm,” Lashawnda moaned. “That won’t be a problem. I’ll be honest. You were comforting me.”

  “Give me your tongue.”

  I placed my hands on her hips and pulled her down firmly as I ground my hardened shaft into her core. Damn, I wish I could strip her naked and take care of business. But a little dry humping would have to do for now.

  CHAPTER 10

  PHIL PRICE

  Since the day Crystal was born, I’ve been asking my wife how we should go about raising two girls to be well-rounded women. I didn’t grow up with anything closely related to a stable home environment. My father ran out on us when I was young. My mother took to the bottle and a few other vices to cope with the abandonment. Hell, the only thing she didn’t take to was parenting.

  I was that one kid in the family that was passed from house to house. When one auntie got tired of raising me, she pushed me off to an uncle. When I cramped his dating life, or his new woman got enough of the snot-nosed kid hanging around, he handed me over to a second cousin. When the measly checks from the government couldn’t cover the expenses of a growing teenage boy, he set me out to find my way.

  And, so it was from the age of five to seventeen. A week on a friend's couch, a night at a rest stop; even a few cold nights in a shelter when the weather got too bad to sleep on a park bench.

  Meeting Elizabeth Atwater changed my life. Elizabeth was an only child who was sheltered—spending most of her life in the church. The woman didn’t know the first thing about how harsh the real world could be until she met me. Quiet and soft-spoken when we first met, a true beauty of southern grace. But, naïve all the same.

  Now, just because I didn’t have a good example growing up didn’t mean I lacked common sense. When the good Lord blessed us with these two beautiful children, and then, he threw Stacy in the mix; I kept praying we were doing everything right by them. Teaching them the basics. Emboldening them with self-assured pride. Raising strong, black women. We bought books, attended parenting classes, even sought counseling from the elders in our church.

  I loved my girls—all three of them. I was damned proud to call myself an over-protective, helicopter dad. Anyone that didn’t like that about me—tough.

  From the time I first met Sean, I knew Lashawnda had found herself the right man to spend her life with. But, as her father, it was my responsibility to remind him now and then that Lucky still had someone looking out for her. I never wanted him to feel too comfortable. At the beginning, I reminded him I’d always be there if he ever slipped up. The last few weeks of getting to know the young man made me feel less inclined to have those conversations.

  Stacy’s boyfriend, Will, was a decent young man. I was concerned with him being a few years older than her, but he proved to us he had her best interest at heart. He encouraged her to graduate early and to pursue her MBA. With him being a pediatric plastic surgeon, he was destined for greatness and wanted the woman on his arm to have the same potential. They’ve been dating long-term for quite a while now, and I appreciated they were taking things slow before diving into marriage.

  However, the knuckleheads my youngest daughter had married, not once but twice, was an entirely different matter. I won’t even allow myself to think about the faceless idiots she’d brought home.

  Crystal got married straight out of high school to a boy that had dreams of playing in the NFL. When things didn’t work out for him, she got annoyed with his antics and divorced him. Then she found Brian and up and married him before the ink was dry on her divorce papers. By the looks of things, my daughter was acting as if she was despe
rate for love. As a father that deeply loved his daughters it made my soul ache knowing my child was crying out for affection. With the fiasco in the dining room earlier, I couldn't think of a reason she was still attached to this boy.

  I was never a man to take any kind of disrespect lightly. I was a firm believer if you give someone an inch, they will take a mile. Watching Brian act as he done lost his mind at the dinner table was enough to put me on edge. It was more than enough to end whatever charade he and Crystal were playing with this farce of a marriage.

  “Sitcho’ ass down!” I yelled before slamming my office door shut.

  Brian shuffled further into the room and slunk his body into the high leather back chair. He blanched. His usually cocoa brown skin suddenly appeared ashen as he watched me pace back and forth in front of the door. I had a good mind to sic Sean on him.

  “Now, I don’t think you answered Sean’s question,” I said coming to a stop in front of Brian.

  “I don-n’t know w-what you mean, Sir,” he stuttered.

  I shook my head in distaste. Brian was shaking like a leaf in a late summer hurricane. The boy looked like he was about to piss his pants.

  “Sean asked you what the fuck is your problem?” I said taking a step closer to Brian. I shook my head from side to side in disdain.

  Lord, I’ve been working on being a good, Christian man and this boy got me in here cussing’.

  “I-I don’t have a problem…none at all…honest,” Brian replied hurriedly.

  “Then what the hell was that all about?” I asked, getting even more irritated because of Brian’s fidgeting and jumpiness.

  What the hell was Crystal doing with this little boy?

  Brian moved farther back into the chair. “It came out the wrong way, Sir. I didn’t mean to upset Lashawnda.”

  “Then what did you mean to do? Because it damn sure wasn’t to make everybody smile with joy and happiness,” I retorted, voice heavy with sarcasm.