A Special Summer (Love Conquers All) (28 page)

Summer would simply laugh when he’d cut off her rambling.“Woman slow down. Your mouth is moving too fast. You’re giving me a migraine.” Bringing some excitement to her day, he would answer every question as she hung onto his every word.

Summer decided to join one of those Baby and Mommy exercise classes to get her out of the house. She’d get to meet other new mommies, women she’d have something in common with. She had been so excited about the classes only to find out NJ was too young. He had to be at least six months old for them to join any of the classes that were offered.

Nick listened attentively over dinner at how thrilled she’d been about the classes only to be disappointed. “I love NJ, but sitting in the house all day is driving me bananas. You know I’m not used to sitting in the house all day.”

When he responded, “Uh-huh,” Summer felt foolish. She felt like she was complaining about nothing.

♥♥♥

Brrrrrg. Brrrrrg. Brrrrrg.

Placing the baby in his crib, Summer ran to her bedroom shoving her left breast back into her bra.

“Hello?” she breathed heavily into the phone.
I really need those exercise classes.

“Hey, baby, why you so out of breath?”

Summer smiled. She loved it when he called her baby. “I was running from the nursery and shoving my boob back in my bra to get the phone.”
He’s gonna say something smart.

Nick chuckled. “That was a lot of shoving, huh?” He loved how nursing had further filled her out. Not that there was anything to complain about before.

Summer sucked her teeth. She hadn’t underestimated him. “Do you think you can ever keep your mind out the gutter nasty boy?”

“You make me that way,” he teased.

“Yeah right. You were that way looong before I met you.

Nick chuckled again. “Girl, I was a perfect gentleman with you.” He could sense Summer’s smile as she softly said, “Yes you were.”

During the silence that followed, both Summer and Nick remembered a time so sweet. Clearing his throat he asked, “Are you busy this afternoon, Miss Summer?”

“Other than taking care of your son? No. Why do you ask?”

“It’s a surprise. Just be ready by one.”

“Okay. We’ll be ready by one.”

“Summer?”

“Yeah?”

“The baby won’t be coming with you.”

What is he talking about?
The baby went everywhere she went. They hadn’t been separated since his birth.

“Nick, what
―
”

Nick cut Summer off before she could finish her sentence. He could tell she was going to have a problem with being separated from NJ.

“Baby, don’t you trust me?”

“Yes.” Summer answered softly.

“Do you think I would do anything to harm our son?”

“Of course not, Nick.”

“Then trust me. I’ve taken care of everything. Okay?”

“Okay.”

At twelve forty-five, Summer stood looking at herself in the full-length mirror in her bedroom. Peeping over her shoulder at the baby lying on his back in the center of her bed brought a smile to her lips.

“Your momma doesn’t look so bad, huh, little man.”

The burgundy long sleeve jersey knit dress clung to every curve on Summer’s petite body. The v-neck neckline plunged just enough to show a modest amount of cleavage. The hemline stopped just above the knees showing off shapely legs. Matching burgundy pumps added three inches to her height.

Further inspecting her reflection, Summer’s attention was drawn to her hair that was pulled back in a bun.

“This won’t do.” Pulling out hairpins, she mumbled, “I look like a librarian.” After the last pin was removed, Summer went over to her dresser, picked up a wide-tooth comb and began to comb through the black silky strains that now fell slightly below her shoulder blades.

Everyone was shocked when she talked her longtime hairdresser Julie into coming to her house and cutting several inches of her hair off. She would rationalize, “It’s easier to take care of my hair this length now that I have the baby, ”to all those, especially Nick, who’d asked horrified,“ Why you cut your hair?” Each time she’d roll her eyes thinking,
my goodness one would think I shaved my head clean bald. It’s only hair it’ll grow back.

“Why am I so intent on trying to look so good for that man?”
Because you still love and want him,
the tiny voice in her head jeered at her. “Oh shut up,” Summer mumbled to herself.

Picking up a sheer burgundy lip-gloss coating her lips just enough to give them a little color, she said to her reflection, “I guess I’m ready now.”

Going over to the bed, she picked up NJ and held him close to her. She wasn’t so sure about leaving her baby. She wanted to call Nick and tell him she couldn’t go, that something had come up. “Mommy’s going to miss you. Yes I am.” Summer whispered as she kissed the soft curls on the top of her son’s head.

The doorbell rang interrupting her tender moment with NJ. Summer glanced over at the clock on the nightstand,
one o’clock on the dot.

Laying the baby in the playpen she went to answer the door. A megawatt smile lit up her face.

“Joan! What are you doing here? It’s so good to see you. How have you been?” Summer rushed all this out as she affectionately hugged the older woman. She hadn’t seen Joan since she brought NJ home from the hospital.

Joan laughed as she returned the younger woman’s hug.

“I’ve been good sweetie. How ‘bout you and that precious little baby boy?”

“We’re good. Come on in,” pointing to a corner in the living room, “he’s over there in the playpen.” Taking Joan by the hand she led her over to the infant.

“Oh, sweetie, he’s getting so big and just as handsome as ever. I swear he looks more like Nick every time I see him.”

“Thanks, Joan.” Summer stood there smiling at her son, adoring everything about him and agreeing with Joan that NJ was the exact replica of his father.

“Well, you better get going, Missy. You know how Nick hates to be kept waiting.”

Summer’s smile radiated with relief. “I’m so happy you’re keeping my little man.”

“Yep, now grab your coat and purse and go! I know how to take care of a baby!” Joan playfully admonished Summer. “Hurry up chile! There’s a car waiting outside for you.”

“Okay, Okay, I’m getting my stuff.”

As Summer grab her things she informed Joan there was milk in the fridge for the baby’s two o’clock feeding as she ran out the door, down the steps into the black Lincoln Town Car waiting at the curb.

♥♥♥

Nick watched as the maitre d escorted Summer to the table. A hint of jealousy coursed through him as he observed a few drifting eyes. He held his composure, refusing to reveal an emotion that was foreign to him. Standing, he took a few steps forward closing the gap between Summer and himself. Reaching out he possessively splayed his hands on her waist pulling her closer giving her a quick peck on the lips. His eyes scanned her from head to toe. “Baby, you look sexy, too sexy. You see all eyes are on you?”

Summer looked around the posh restaurant as Nick helped her into her chair. Just as she sat a middle-aged man smiled at her. Politely she returned the smile.

“Is that what that little kiss was all about?” she asked as she lifted an arched brow.

“Damn straight.”

“Come on Nick half these men are old enough to be my father.”

“And?”

“Possessive, aren’t we?” she asked teasingly, a smile dancing around her lips.

The expression faded as Nick stared at her through dark, piercing eyes before responding. “Beautiful, I don’t know any other way to be with you. Especially when you look the way you do right now.”

“Oh.”

Over lunch, the couple enjoyed each other’s company immensely. For the first time in months, Nick was able to free an entire afternoon to do whatever he wanted that didn’t pertain to work. Spending time with Summer was where he wanted to be, where he needed to be. With every passing day the gravitational pull to be near her grew stronger and stronger.

As they talked, he noticed every little nuance about her. From the way she tilted her head when she was interested in something he said. To the way she nibbled her bottom lip when she was deep in thought. To how she threw her head back and laughed when he said something amusing. He also picked up on the fact she missed their little boy each time she glanced at the gold Bulova watch on her slim wrist. She attempted to camouflage the gesture by twirling the stem of her water glass.

He covered her hand to still the twirling. “You miss him don’t you?”

Giving up a weak smile she responded, “It’s that noticeable?”

Nick nodded. “Yes.”

“I love him so much. I can’t imagine being without him.”

“What are you going to do when it’s time for you to go back to work?” Nick was curious to know as he held both her hands in his.

Summer shrugged a slim shoulder. “I don’t know.” She answered truthfully with sadness in her voice.

The six-week maternity leave was officially over three weeks ago. Summer was living off her savings because the Family Leave Act she’d taken didn’t provide any sort of income. The only thing the Act did was secure her job for the next twelve weeks. Summer was a saver; she would be able to stay home with NJ until he was at least two years old without having to dip into her 401B plan. It certainly didn’t hurt she had inherited a trust fund from her paternal grandfather when she was twelve years old. It wasn’t enough to make her rich; however, it would allow her to pay the bills for a few years without having to work. Besides, if things got really bad she could always go to her parents for help without a problem.

For several seconds, Nick held Summer’s hand. It was apparent she was in deep thought. If he had to guess, she was most likely thinking about eventually having to return back to work. He treaded cautiously as he approached her with an offer she was going to accept, whether she wanted to or not.

“Do you want to go back to work?” Nick asked breaking the silence.

Summer hesitated before answering. She did not want to admit the words she was about to speak. “At some point, I have to go back to work.”

“That’s not what I asked you. I asked if you want to go back to work.”

“No, Nick, I don’t
want
to go back to work leaving NJ at some daycare all day. I’m his mother. I should be the one taking care of him.”

Bringing her hands to his lips, he gently kissed them.“Then that’s what you’ll do.”

Summer’s heart thumped not just from the tenderness of his touch, but also from what he was offering.

“Nick, I can’t. I have bills
―
”“Don’t worry, I got you.”

“Nick, I can’t allow you to do that.”

“Why?”

“Because, it’s not right. I don’t want to take money from you.”

Nick softly chuckled. Didn’t she realize he had enough money to comfortably live several lifetimes? Providing for her and his son would not be an issue by any stretch of the imagination.

“What’s so funny?”

Summer’s feelings were hurt. How could he make light of what he was offering? What would she have to give in return for such generosity?

“You are. I know inside that pretty little head of yours you’re wondering what I want in return.”

A frown marred her pretty features. As Summer opened her mouth to refute him, Nick held up his hand.

“If it makes you feel better I can have my lawyer draw up a contract stating that my offer is free of any conditions.”

“No, I don’t want to complicate things. You already buy everything the baby needs as is.”

“Summer, I bring my son a bag of pampers every week. Your mother is constantly sending him clothes. You breastfeed him, so that for now eliminates buying formula. Look baby, all I want to do is take care of you and my son. I don’t want you worrying about how your bills are going to be paid. And to be honest with you I’m not at all down with a stranger keeping my son.” Summer nodded her head in agreement. She wasn’t thrilled with the idea either of leaving her helpless baby alone with a stranger. She’d heard horror stories about babies having diaper rashes so severe they’d gotten skin infections from laying in soiled pampers all day. The thought of it sent chills through her. She didn’t want to think about the other innocent babies that were sexually abused by some sick psycho freaks.

“So, Beautiful, are you going to let me take care of you and my son or what?”

What he was offering would allow her to continue to nurture her son during the most critical time of his young life. An offer of this magnitude could not be turned down. “All right, but how long should this arrangement last?”

She was hoping at least until NJ started pre-school. He’d be four years old and then she could definitely return to work. If someone did do anything to her baby, he could at least tell her about it.

“I was thinking until little buddy is… uh…at least eighteen.”