At Last (32 page)

             
Cliff was elated to say the least.  I was happy, but nervous. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to have his child; it was just that it was a surprise, and everything was happening so fast.

             
A lot had changed over the course of the year.  When I discovered I was pregnant, I decided I didn’t want to be on my feet doing hair all day long, so I made the decision to go back to school and pursue my degree in English. I had three more semesters left and I would officially have my college degree.

             
I’d stopped doing hair professionally and Cliff was able to open up his Car Wash on the city’s North side. He eventually began his landscaping business when the weather broke too.  Cliff still had the barbershop and he continued to cut hair by appointment only.

             
Shortly after that Taylor and I moved in the house on Boston with Cliff. It gave us time to get know
to one another better than we already did and gave Taylor time to adjust to our new family life.

             
One night as Cliff and I were lying in the bed he’d seemed like he was preoccupied.  I could tell something was on his mind heavy. I didn’t want to push too hard but I had a feeling he needed to share his thoughts.

             
I turned to face him, “What’s on your mind baby?”

             
He took a deep breath before he went on to explain himself, “I want Taylor to have my last name.”

             
I can’t really say his statement surprised me.  I knew he felt like he was her father, and I knew she felt the same.  I just never saw the point in forcing anything.

             
Nodding slowly I responded, “I know baby.”

             
“I wanna adopt her, if that’s alright with you?” He said with certainty.

             
“That’s more than alright with me baby.” I said before kissing him tenderly. Shortly after our conversation, Cliff formally adopted Taylor.

             
We postponed the wedding until after I had the baby. On June 5, 2007, Clifford Julian Andrews III came into the world.  He was eight pounds; thirteen ounces and twenty inches long. He was the last piece to completing our family.

             
Taylor had taken a real liking to being a big sister.  She’d always try to help and hold little C.J. She adored him. Clifford really took to fatherhood too.  I knew he would.  That’s just the type of man he is.

             
Today though, life was short of a dream.  I was finally pursuing the path I wanted.  God had blessed me with two beautiful children and a wonderful man who loved me.  I couldn’t wait to get down the aisle to him.

             
The ceremony took place in our backyard. It was a modest event-just us and fifty of our closest family and friends. Cliff and his staff did the landscaping and it was simply breathtaking.

             
There were white patio chairs set up on each side of the aisle.  Purple and pink lilies and orchids adorned each and every inch of the garden.  The arch at the end of the aisle; which stood in front of the gazebo was decorated with white orchids and lilies.

             
Missy, Yvette and Chanel were bridesmaids and Taylor was my flower girl.  She wore a beautiful ivory satin, lace dress. Her hair was filled with huge spiral curls and you could tell from her face, she just as excited as me. Yvette, Missy and Chanel wore lilac strapless gowns and were a vision.

             
“It’s time.”  My mother said as she entered the room. She stopped dead in her tracks as she stared at me.

             
“You look stunning. I’m so proud of you.”

             
“Thank you, Momma.” I replied with a smile. I was trying to suppress my tears. Missy would kill me if I messed up my makeup.

             
“You’ve been a wonderful daughter.  I’m so happy for you and Cliff.”  She said as she hugged me tight and kissed my cheek.

             
We walked outside of the house to enter the backyard.  It was a beautiful warm autumn day. The day was Saturday, September 13, to be exact.

             
I watched Taylor make her way down the aisle towards Cliff dropping her flowers precisely.  Everyone smiled and took pictures as my baby walked down the aisle looking so grown.

             
Finally my time had arrived.  Etta James’
“At Last”
played over the loud speakers as I walked down the orchid covered aisle to the man of my dreams.  I
looked out and saw the faces of all my family and friends.

             
Ms. Wilma, Carmen and Mr. Andrews were in attendance.  Mr. Andrews held little C.J in his arms as he slept peacefully while my mother was on my side preparing to give me away.

             
I looked at Clifford, tears filled his eyes. He looked so handsome, wearing
a
single breasted ivory suit, with a matching ivory tie.   His mustache, beard, and goatee were shaped up perfectly as usual.  I couldn’t take my eyes off him.  He smiled at me and I smiled back as tears escaped my eyes.

             
“I love you.” He said softly.

             
“I love you too.” I replied.

             
We finally arrived at the end of the aisle. Clifford stepped away from Jay, his best man, and moved closer to me.

             
The initial ceremony only took about thirty minutes. But when all was said and done, I’d become Mrs. Clifford Andrews Jr.

             
At the end of our eventful day we spent our first night as husband and wife at home.  The remainder of the evening, we stayed in our bedroom on our king sized bed with Taylor and C.J.  The next day we were leaving for our honeymoon in Niagara Falls.

             
Everything was so peaceful and serene. It was just my husband, my babies, and me.  After C.J had fallen asleep on my chest, I placed him in his bassinet next to the bed.  Getting back in the bed lying next to Cliff, Taylor squeezed her way in between us.

             
“Are you happy, Mrs. Andrews?” Cliff said smiling showing off that smile that I feel in love with the first time I saw him.

             
“I am, Mr. Andrews.” I said smiling back.

             
“That’s what I like to hear.” He pulled me closer to kiss me.

             
“Daddy!!
You’re squishing me!!”  Taylor said giggling.

             
We both laughed.

             
“Sorry Suga.  Daddy ain’t
mean
it.”  He tickled her some. Then he leaned in and kissed me on my lips.  A tear rolled down my cheek.

             
“What’s wrong, Mommy?”  Taylor said as she sat up and rubbed my cheek with her little hand.

             
“Nothing, baby,” I grabbed her little hand and kissed her palm, “I’m fine.  Mommy’s just happy.”

             
“If you’re happy Mommy, then why are you crying?”

             
I had to laugh a little at her logic. It was so simple, but made so much sense. Everything in my life had finally fallen into place.  There was no reason for me to cry.

             
I smiled.

             
“You’re right baby. I’ve got no reason to cry.”

The following is a sneak peak to the sequel to
At Last
,

Here and Now

This book will be released
Winter
2012

Prologue

             
Standing on the other side of the door my nerves were bad.  I wasn’t quite sure what I would say once it opened. I just knew that I needed to see and talk to him. The door opened slowly revealing his six-foot four frame.

             
"Hey," I said simply before cracking a smile.

             
He looked so good.  He'd finally let the beard go. I’d missed seeing his smooth light caramel skin. I guess he got tired of hiding behind it. His mustache and goatee were shaped up precisely just the way I loved.

             
Wearing a white t-shirt, black jogging pants, and house shoes he appeared rested, but his almond chestnut brown eyes looked weary. His body language was off. I could tell he was completely thrown off by my presence.

   
             
He stood against the door with his left hand rested on his chin and his right arm across his body looking down at me. I tried to read his eyes, but to no avail.

             
He stepped aside and ushered me into the apartment after grabbing my bags and closing the door in one swift motion. Looking around the apartment, memories flooded my mind.

             
I thought back to when Cliff and I left Detroit for New York looking for a place to stay. His father had moved out of his Harlem brownstone but never was able to sell it. He eventually gave it to Cliff even though the apartment only had two bedrooms. We preferred more space for the kids, but for the time being it was home.

             
We stayed there with dreams to move into a nice house someday-something we could call our own. With a little patience, we finally saved enough money to move out to a beautiful residence in Mt. Vernon, NY.

             
It was surreal knowing Cliff was back here with our kids where it all started, while I stayed alone in what was supposed to be our dream house. It was bothersome. It just showed how far apart we’d been growing.

             
The lights were low, but I could see he did a good job dressing up Christmas for the kids. Though it wasn’t heavily decorated like I would have done at this time of the year, I could applaud his effort. There was a nice sized tree adorned in small colorful lights that glowed brightly.

             
Red and silver garland complimented the lights beautifully. The lights reflected off the shiny wrapping paper he’d used for Taylor and C.J.’s gifts.

   
             
We kept our distance from one another. I stood between the foyer and the living room while he placed my bags on the love seat.  I could tell he wasn't sure what to make of me being back. He wasn’t the only one. 

             
The only thing I was sure of was that I wanted my family back, and that I wasn't leaving until I accomplished that.

   
             
"Take your coat off. Stay awhile." He said cracking a smile. I couldn't help but smile while slipping off my coat and holding it out for him to grab. As he walked towards me, a jolt of electricity ripped through my body. 

             
I watched his every move intently.  I couldn't remember the last time I'd looked at him like that. I'd forgotten how watching him stroll made me feel.

             
I always loved the way he walked. His stride had such a manner about it. He walked as if nothing would get started until he arrived. It was so confident and so sexy.

             
I longed for him to hold me in his strong arms and to rest my head within his muscular chest and
become engulfed by his scent which brought my senses alive.

             
Being in such close proximity with Cliff further proved that I would never be over him.
He was my husband.
My husband
.
And I was
his wife
.

  
             
"You came all this way to check me out?" He asked directly.

             
I ignored the question initially as I sat on the couch and glanced out the window at the snow covered Harlem streets below the third story apartment. Soon I focused my attention back to the lights on the Christmas tree. I didn’t know how to answer.

             
I knew why I'd come all this way, but I wasn't quite sure of how he’d respond to it. After all, it was my decision to separate in the first place. Now I was sitting in front of him yearning to put the pieces of our marriage back together. I knew Cliff loved me, but I was unsure if he wanted the same thing.

             
He sat down next to me and slouched slightly, "Why you back so soon?
Thought you wouldn’t be back til the twenty-sixth."

             
When I called him from the airport earlier, I just said that I’d be there in about an hour-nothing more, nothing less. I didn’t give him a reason. And in typical Cliff fashion he didn’t ask any questions.