The Side Effects of You (20 page)

I had on my champagne pantsuit, and I had managed to slam-dunk my hair and makeup. I had had to use a little extra gel to lay down my tapered sides and nape, but my makeup looked damn good. Charles had asked me to meet him at the courthouse, because, he said, he had to make a stop, so I headed there alone, with my stomach doing flips. After I parked the car in the courthouse lot, I texted him.

I let down my visor and did another mirror check, and then I prayed. Before I took the leap with this man again, I asked God to give me a sign if that wasn't His will. I relaxed, with my eyes closed, and a sudden tap on my window made me jump.

I undid the lock, and Charles opened my car door and helped me out.

“Wow, baby. You look amazing,” he told me.

“Thanks, handsome. Are you ready to do this?”

“More than ready.”

He took my hand, and we walked into the courthouse. We followed the signs to the clerks' office, approached the counter, and handed over our IDs to one of the clerks.

She examined our IDs. “You two have the same last name?” she asked, looking at us over her glasses. I had kept Charles's last name.

I nodded. “Yes, we were married before.”

“Second time around, huh?” she said.

I smiled. “Well, yeah.”

“Don't worry. I've seen up to the fifth time around.”

I looked at Charles.

“Well, this is it for us,” he said.

She processed our request, and he asked, “Where do we go to see a judge? We want to get married today.”

I held on to his arm, nodding.

“Oh, I'm sorry. You two didn't do any research on this. You have to hold on to this paperwork for twenty-four hours, and then the judge will marry you,” the clerk explained, handing us our paperwork.

“Why?” I asked like an idiot. Policy was policy; there was no why.

“Really, ma'am? Really?” she said smartly.

I smiled politely. “Well, can we sign up for tomorrow?”

“No. You can come back tomorrow with this paperwork. It's a first-come, first-served type deal. And FYI, we don't have a photographer, so you can dress down if you'd like.”

Bitch
, I thought, but I smiled. “Thanks.”

Charles and I walked back the way we had come. “So what now?” I asked him. I was so disappointed.

“We can check into our suite. I mean, we did reserve it.”

“I guess.”

“Baby, it's only twenty-four hours. It's not the end of the world.”

“I know, but I was excited,” I said, pouting.

“I know, but I'll still marry you tomorrow.”

I nudged him. “You'd better.”

We walked out to our cars, and I followed him to the hotel. Our suite was beautiful. It was so private.

“I'm going to take a bath,” I announced after touring the suite.

“Good. I'll bring this champagne and this lovely tray of chocolate-covered strawberries into the bathroom.”

I gave him a quick kiss, undressed, and hung up my clothes. I didn't care what that stupid clerk had said. I was going to wear the same outfit again the next day.

Not long after I got in the bathtub to soak, my husband came in with two glasses in one hand, the champagne bottle in the other, and the tray of strawberries balanced on his forearm and held in place at the crease of his elbow.

He set the glasses down first on the tiled tub surround and then the tray and the bottle. He moved the little seat from the vanity over and sat next to the tub. He popped the bottle, filled our glasses, and we toasted to our love. Afterward, he fed me one of those delicious strawberries.

“Um, that is so good,” I moaned. My mouth was in chocolate-strawberry heaven. The berry was so juicy and sweet. “Oh, baby, let me get another one of those.” He obliged, and I sipped and moaned as I chewed.

“So, I got something for you. I wanted to give it to you today, but since we had to wait, I couldn't. I know I should wait, but I'm too anxious,” he announced.

“What'cha got for me, Daddy?”

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a black box. “I upgraded you,” he teased.

He opened the box, and my mouth dropped open. It had to be at least five carats. I wasn't sure, but it was huge, the kind of ring that would cause conversation. I was speechless.

My eyes watered. “You got that for me?”

“You like it?”

“Are you crazy?” I put out my finger. “It's beautiful, Charles. I didn't think we'd exchange rings today. I thought we'd go shopping later. I didn't get you one.”

“No worries.” He pulled out another box and opened it, revealing two matching bands that complemented the hell out of the rock he'd just given me.

“Oh, Charles. Oh, Charles, you have to give me the invoice for yours. No way should you have paid for both.”

“Well, I wanted them to match.”

“I know, baby, and you did good. I just wanted to buy your ring.”

“Well, they are paid in full, but I can think of a reimbursement plan for you if you'd like. I mean, you can always pay me back in head.”

“Well, I plan to give you head whenever you want, Mr. Cooper, so I need an invoice.”

“Well, since you've twisted my arm, I'll in-box it to you. If you need to pay in installments, there will be interest.”

“Well, my ex-husband has paid me a substantial amount in alimony over the years, so I think I can cover it.”

“Ooh, speaking of alimony, I don't have to pay that anymore.” He pumped his fists in the air.

“Yeah, yeah. Now, please slide that bad boy on my finger.”

He put the boxes down and slid the ring on. It was beautiful but a tad bit too big. We agreed it was best to get it fitted before I sported it. I definitely didn't want to lose it.

I soaked while Charles showered, and then we put on the soft, comfy robes. We wanted to go out on the terrace and enjoy the downtown view, but it was too chilly out, so we started a fire in the fireplace and got comfortable on the sofa. We talked, devoured the strawberries, and called down for another bottle of champagne. We decided to wait until after we had exchanged vows again to make love. That night we slept naked in the luxurious bed, holding each other.

The next morning we ate, dressed, and headed back to the courthouse to get married. My band fit nicely. Afterward, we went by the jewelers to size my ring and then headed home.

We arrived home to find an envelope taped to the front door.

“What is it, baby?” I asked.

“It's a letter from Shana.”

“What does it say?”

“Hold on, babe. Let's get inside.”

We went in, dropped our overnight bags, and removed our coats. I met him at the island in the kitchen, and he opened the envelope. I watched his eyes as he scanned the letter.

“Charles, baby, what does it say?”

“It says that I'm being sued for child support. Shana is claiming that I'm the father of her one-month-old little girl.”

“What? Let me see that!” I snatched the papers from him. “Charles, what the hell is that about?”

“Sammie, baby, calm down.”

“Calm down?” I went from one to twenty.

“Yes. I have no idea what she is talking about. I never knew she was pregnant.”

“Charles, don't lie to me.”

He looked me in the eyes. “After everything we've been through, Sam, do you think I'd stand here and lie to you? Come on, baby, you know me better than that. I'm not that guy. I don't abandon the ones I love, and I certainly wouldn't abandon my kid!” he yelled. “I didn't know.” His eyes were sincere.

I believed him. “I believe you, babe, and I'm sorry.” I walked into his arms. “We'll figure it out.”

“Sam, this is new news to me, I swear.”

“I know, baby, and we will figure it out,” I assured him.

I had to start trusting him. I had remarried him for a reason, and I wasn't going to start my marriage on the wrong foot. Not trusting and not listening had landed us in divorce court the first time. I loved Charles, and whether he was the father of Shana's baby or not, I was there to stay. This all had happened when we were apart, so I wasn't going to let this news ruin it for us.

He grabbed his phone and dialed Shana. He put the call on speaker and laid the phone on the counter. It rang about six times, and finally, her voice mail answered.

Charles left a message. “Shana, I know you know it's me. My wife and I got the letter from your attorney. I don't know what this is about, so we really need to talk. Call me back.” He hit END.

I was proud that he had said “My wife and I,” and I was happy he had made it clear to her that I was more than just an ex.

“So what now, baby?” I said.

“We wait. I'll call my lawyer tomorrow and let him look over these papers to determine how legit they really are.”

“Okay. I know all of that, baby. I mean, what if the baby is yours? Is there a possibility that it could be yours?”

He looked down, but again, he was honest. “There's a strong possibility. I mean, we lived together, and we behaved like a couple.”

“I see. What then if it is?”

“I don't know, Sammie. I mean, the baby is a month old, so there aren't many options. She's here, and you know if she is mine, I have to be a father.”

I was sad, but the truth was that he had to be. “I know, babe. I just hate this entire situation. I mean, I thought finding out I had herpes was the worst thing that could happen to me, but my husband having a daughter outside of our marriage trumps that, I think.”

“We are not strapped, Sam. I can take care of her if she is mine. This isn't the worst thing that could happen, so don't think like that. The only thing that would trump this would be if one of us was deathly ill, not herpes. If one of us died, not a little girl's birth. In spite of it all, Sammie, we are fine. We are going to be fine. All the heartache and pain are behind us.”

“I know. It's just that today, when we remarried, I had visions of being a mother. I thought I'd be the one to give you children.”

He pulled me to him and held me. “And, baby, you will. This isn't the end of the world.”

“I know, baby. I just hope it doesn't get any worse.”

“As long as we have each other's back, everything will be fine, baby. We are going to be fine. Nothing, I mean absolutely nothing, will ever tear us apart again. Absolutely nothing.” He kissed me.

I trusted him more now than I'd ever trusted him before. I knew we'd be fine.

Things were quiet. We'd heard nothing from Ana. I wanted to turn off her phone, but the police had advised me not to. They'd said that if she called, they could pick up the tower she was on. But she hadn't called. I loved staying at Jayden's, but the commute in the mornings was killing me and Angelica, and my shift at work seemed off, because I was so used to living on the property.

I wanted to go home, but Jayden was totally against it. My window had been repaired, and I had managed to get my place back in order. And I was homesick.

I went to join him in the kitchen and took a seat at the island. “Jayden, I was thinking that Angelica and I should go back to our place. I mean, it's been three weeks. Maybe Ana has given up on her mission to hurt us.”

“I don't know, Josie. I don't feel comfortable, babe. I mean, if something happens to you girls, I'm going to hate myself.”

“The commute is killing me, babe. Angelica and I have to get up an hour early just to make sure she makes it to class on time. And living out of a bag is getting old,” I whined. I wasn't afraid of Ana. I wanted to go home.

“Okay, but if you and Angelica go, I go.”

“No, Jayden. You've done so much already. I mean, I feel horrible that you have to carry our burden.”

“Josie, don't you recognize love?” he asked me.

I put my head down. I honestly didn't. I was used to going out of my way to do for José, to help him and be there for him. I'd never had anyone do that for me.

“I guess I don't,” I said softly.

He lifted my head. “I know we haven't been together long, but you are the one. I want us to be together, Josie. I don't want you to be just my lady or my woman. I want you as my wife. I'm in love with you, Josie, and Angelica, she is so sweet, she just melts my heart. I've been single for a long time. And I recognize love, Josie, so please marry me.”

My mouth dropped. My eyes bulged, and my heart raced. “You want to marry me, Jayden?”

I was shocked. We were great together, and I did love him. We never argued, he was a peaceful person, and he always compromised. He was gentle when he had to be and a rock when he had to be, and I did want him. I wanted him more than I'd ever wanted a man.

“If you'll have me,” he replied.

“Of course I will.” I leaped off the bar stool and wrapped my arms around his neck. We kissed, and he held me close and rocked me.

“I will get you a ring. I didn't expect to ask you like this. It just happened this way. You know I'm a romantic.”

“I know, baby, but your proposal was perfect. I wouldn't change it for the world.”

We kissed again.

“Well, let me go and pack some things,” he said. “We can come back during the weekend and get the rest of your and Angelica's things. Oh, and please don't forget Oscar. Angelica would make us drive all the way back for him.”

I smiled and gathered a few things, making sure to pack Oscar. We picked up Angelica from school, and when we got back to the hotel, I started dinner. She and Jayden sat at the table, talking science. I couldn't stop smiling. My world was better than I'd ever imagined it would be, and I couldn't wait until Ana was off the streets. That would make things perfect. When dinner was ready, we ate, and then we watched a little TV.

An hour later I told Angelica to go shower and get ready for bed, and her smile faded. With a scared look in her eyes, she asked. “Mr. Jay, are you staying with us tonight?”

“I am going to stay tonight and every night if I have to. Don't worry, Angelica, sweetheart. You're safe. Your mom and I would never let anything happen to you.”

With a sigh, she smiled. “Okay. I'll go shower.”

“She is still afraid to be here,” I said after she had left the room.

“I know,” he said. “We need to find a house. I can sublet my condo, and we can get a house out this way, so she can feel safe.”

“A home? Wow, Jayden. I live here rent free. I don't know what a lawyer makes, but I don't think I can afford a mortgage, and my credit is embarrassing,” I said, being completely honest.

“And that's why you have me. Stop worrying so much, Josie. I wouldn't suggest anything if I didn't have your back.”

“I don't know what to say.”

“Just say okay. I wouldn't put myself in a position that I couldn't handle.”

“But your place is so nice.”

“It is, and if I lease it as is, furnished, I can probably make more in rent than what our mortgage would be in this area.”

“You are heaven sent.” I exhaled and let my man take care of me.

I was so used to being the pilot, and now I could be a copilot. With Jayden, my world was perfect. I thanked God for finally giving me better days. I had thought José going back to prison again, leaving me alone to take care to the girls, was the side effect of my loving his dumb ass, but it wasn't. Having a loose cannon of a child lurking around somewhere, waiting to hurt me and my baby, was. My world would be perfect if it wasn't for Ana still being on the loose.
God, please let them find her soon
, I silently prayed.

We went to kiss Angelica good night.