For Better or For Worse (23 page)

Grant broke the silence out
of nowhere. I looked at him puzzled as to what he was going to say.
“You see Greg, your mom was driving late one night and she happened
to spot this handsome man along the street.” He said pointing to
himself, Greg smiled but I looked at him like he was crazy. “Now
she wanted to meet me so bad that she purposely ran her car over
broken glass so I would feel compelled enough to help her out.” I
damn near choked on my water at the sound of that. “In your dreams
that happened.” He waved up a hand to silence me. “Let me finish,
so after she stepped out of the car I walked over to lend my
assistance she said, Oh my… it’s not every day I get to meet a
strong handsome man like yourself, can you please take my phone
number and give me the underserved honor of going out on a date
with you.” Greg and I were dying laughing we knew that never would
have happened in a million years, but Grant wasn’t finished. “So I
said, usually miss I don’t date random women I happen to meet on
the street, but there is something about you that I feel is
deserving of a date with me.” I shook my head almost in tears. “No,
no that is not what happened.”

Greg was delighted. “You
tell me what happened mama.” I took a deep breath and cleared my
throat. “You see sweetie, on the way home from work I decided to
take a short cut so I could get home early. Now I ended going
through a pretty rough neighborhood and I was desperate to find my
way out. Out of nowhere I see someone jump out in front of my car
and me not knowing I accidently ran him over and backed up and did
it again; in a panic I stopped to see what happened, and there was
a strange man lying in the middle of the street.” Greg gazed at me
in awe while Grant twisted his lips and looked at me like I was
talking complete bull. “I asked this strange man sir now what
compelled you to jump out in front of a moving vehicle, and he said
well miss I knew one thing and one thing for sure, when I saw you I
had to meet you or die trying.” “Wow” Greg exclaimed. Grant shook
his head. After we all calmed down he decided to tell the real
story of how we met. “Ok son this is the real story, your mom was
coming home for work and she got flat tire. I went over to help
her, I saw how incredible beautiful she was and still is and I knew
I had to have her.” I couldn’t help but be flattered by his words.
“And then you were born.” Greg laughed as Grant tickled him, I
laughed too. “That’s a cool story.” Greg said. “Yes it was.” I
looked right into Grants eyes and reminisced about all of it, it
had been sometime but I still remembered it like it was
yesterday.

Grant glanced at the clock
on the bannister. “Well kid it’s about your bed time huh? Kiss your
mama good night.” Greg leaned over and kissed me on the cheek as he
slid off the bed. “Goodnight mommy.” “Good night baby.” They made
their way to the door and the dog followed. “C’mon sparks.” Woof,
the dog followed behind. As Grant tucked Greg into bed I couldn’t
help but think about the night we met. How I he helped me when I
was scared, how I thought he was so handsome, and how I loved
hearing his voice. It almost brought tears to my eyes. “Knock
Knock.” Grant said coming into the room. “You ok in here?” I
blinked back the wetness in my eyes and straightened up as he came
in. “Yeah I’m fine. Dinner was great.” He nodded and stared me down
with those dark eyes. “Well you know me I’ll do anything to make
you happy.” I stared into his eyes feeling the sensuality he exuded
through them. “Well I enjoyed myself, it was fun.” “Good. I’ll take
this tray out of your way.” Grant grabbed his tray and headed for
the door. “Goodnight Grant.” He looked back at me shocked that I
was being pleasant toward him. “Good night miss.”

Grant

“
Hey Dad is breakfast
ready?” Greg yelled from the TV room, he and sparks were dancing
around to the theme music of Power Rangers. I swear that kid stayed
glued to the television. “In a minute kid...” I was preparing
breakfast for the day and still trying to wrap my head around last
night. Little Greg really brought up old memories from back in the
day of what used to be and what should be. Even Lucy‘s heart warmed
to the memories of how we met, that in all led me to believe that
maybe there was a chance, even a glimmer of hope that our marriage
could survive.
Well only time would
tell,
I thought. “You alright in there
kid?” I yelled to the TV room. Greg turned around from the
television and looked at me. “Yeah dad.” “You too sparks?” Woof the
dog barked. “Ok I’m going to check on mom now so be good you two.”
I don’t know why my heart pounded as I got closer to the door. I
guess I was hoping that once I appeared she would realize she loved
me and loved our family and want to do anything to stay together,
but then again that was wishful thinking. I knocked twice to get
her attention.

“
Lucy are you awake?” I
asked as I entered her room. She was wide awake and looking
luminous in the morning light, I could tell there was something
different about her this morning… something softer. Instead of
looking at me like she wanted to put me in a wood chipper, she
smiled. “Good morning.” Her voice was soft and low…a change from
her screaming banshee vocals. “Good Morning. I made breakfast. I
just need to get Greg settled and I’ll bring your tray up.”
“Actually...” She said cutting me off. “I am kind of tired of being
cooped up in this room …I was hoping I could come downstairs if you
don’t mind.”
Thank you God, thank you,
thank you, thank you.
This was a huge
step…..Ok it was a little step but a step nether the less.
“Yeah…Uh…Yeah…I would love for you to come. It’s just….” I paused
for a second and she looked at me puzzled. “Just what?” I looked to
from her to the stairs. “You can’t do it by yourself.” Even with
Lucy’s progress in her strength, she still wasn’t strong enough to
make it down the stairs. She caught my drift and nodded. “Well are
you going to help me?” My eyes perked up and I think I got that
stupid look on my face when I get excited. Lucy pulled the covers
back and I raced over to help. “Ok, now easy…Easy.” I slowly
brought her up to her feet and we both stared at each other. Her
bruises were fading but her body was still fragile and so was her
heart. There was something different in her eyes though, instead of
hatred and bitterness I saw vulnerability. “Do you mind if I...” I
was trying to ask her can I carry her downstairs hoping she would
comply. “Oh…yes its ok.” I nodded and reached under her legs and
brought her close to my chest. We had not been this close in long
time; the feel of it alone was stimulating us. I brought my face
closer to hers and when she didn’t resist I ran my lips across her
cheek taking in the smell of her hair. How I missed that smell, the
feel of her body, the taste of her… “Dad, is breakfast ready yet?”
Greg yelled from downstairs causing us to both break away from the
trance we had put each other under.
Damn
kid,
I thought.
We really need to work on your timing.
“We should probably get downstairs.” Lucy whispered. I nodded
unwillingly.

“
Hey Greg I’m on my way
down, I got a surprise for you.” I could hear little feet running
to the bottom of the stairs. “Yay, mommy is coming downstairs.”
Little Greg yelled as I carried Lucy to the living area and gently
put her down on the couch. “Good morning mama.” He said while
running to give her a hug. “Be easy little man, I don’t think she
ready for power slam hugs yet.” She laughed. “Its ok, Good morning
honey.” I ran in the kitchen quickly got breakfast and returned.
“Alright, I have a surprise for you guys. Check this out.” I
appeared before them with three plates of triple stacked pancakes
topped off with cherry sauce and whip cream. Greg stared in awe
while Lucy looked suspicious. She stared at me accusingly while
inspecting the plates. “Alright where is she?” I was taken aback by
her statement. “Where is who?” “Where is the secret chef you got
stashed some were because I know you didn’t cook this.” I pretended
to be offended as they both laughed.

“
Listen I’ve been taking
classes, and watching The Food Network.” Lucy tripped out laughing.
“Not even the greatest chef could help you in the kitchen.” I
shrugged at their mockery. “Well I have never been good over the
stove…I’m more of an over the table type of man.” She shook her
head and smiled trying to ignore my dirty comments. “C’mon y’all
let us dig in.” As we indulged in numerous pancakes and family feud
on TV, I couldn’t help but feel amazingly good. It felt just like
old times to have my family with me and enjoying each other
company, I just hoped this feeling would last…at least for a little
while.

Chapter 25

Surprise…Baby

Grant

As the week past things
progressed better for us, Lucy and I were spending more time with
together and with Greg. I was helping her learn to move around
better and heal from the accident. We even found ourselves outside
enjoying the fresh air. Greg and I played football while she
watched and cheered us on from the sidelines. “Whew. Boy I’ll tell
you keep playing like that you will make it to the pros.” I said
tossing Greg the ball. He grabbed it and threw it on the ground.
“Yeah!” he yelled. I laughed at his game face. Lucy was sitting on
the patio and she seemed to be taking it all in. I don’t know what
had gotten into her, she seemed eager to be around me now, it mad
me feel like we were back together again. “So how was he doing out
there, is he NFL worthy?” She nodded in approval. “I would draft
him.” Lucy a gave thumbs up to Greg. He ran over and hugged her. I
heard my phone going off in the house and already knew who was
calling. “Hey you guys give me a minute I’ll bring out some
snacks.” I went through the patio doors to the kitchen to retrieve
my black berry.
One missed call…One new
voice message,
I read. I played my voice
mail, it was Alexia.

“
Hey, we are about to get
started soon. I thought you would be here by now. I hope you’re not
having second thoughts. Well anyway call me when you can.”
Damn,
I thought.
I forgot all about today. What am I going to
do?
I walked back to the patio. Lucy
looked up at me as I came out. She looked more beautiful as the
days passed, with her hair up, skinny jeans and a tank top. “Is
something wrong?” She asked. I wouldn’t dare tell her the truth.
“Actually I got a call from work to pick some packages up…You don’t
mind if I take off for a minute.” “No.” She said straightening up
in her chair. “It’s fine.” “Are you sure, your still not well and
Greg can be a handful. I can’t leave you…” “Grant. It’s fine. I can
handle my own child. Besides I’m starting to get around a little
bit better now. So you go do what you need to do.” I nodded but I
still felt hesitant. “I’m not going to be gone longer than an hour.
Ok.” “Ok” She agreed. “Greg I need you to keep an eye on your mom
for me and help her with anything she needs ok.” Greg was out in
the yard teaching sparks how to catch the football. “Ok, bye dad.”
He yelled out to me. I looked back to Lucy, “Just one hour ok.”
“I’m fine. Go please go.” I grinned at her loving the atmosphere
between us. “Try not to miss me too much.”

I pulled of the exit ramp
into the city; I managed to change in the car into some dress
casual clothing. A dark red button up shirt, some jeans, and
timberlands seemed to do the trick. I pulled into the Gardens
apartments and made my way to the elevator. Amazing I could still
feel the heat from this place from when Alexia and I had her first
fling. Now thinking about all the damage it had done filled me with
regrets. As I arrived on to her floor I hesitated to go to her
apartment. I wanted to stop but my feet kept moving, I guess they
figured I was already here.

I knocked twice on the
door before it opened. “I thought you would never get here.” Alexia
smiled at me. Her beautiful face remained the same although her
belly had grown tremendously. “Everybody’s waiting come on in.” I
followed behind her; she was wearing a dark blue wrap around dress
that really showed a beautiful side to her pregnancy. As I came
into the living area I was introduced to a cluster of Spanish
women. “Everyone this is Grant Smith.” They were a variety ages,
sizes, and complexions but the overall vibe was very welcoming.
“Well it nice to meet you, bonito” The eldest woman of them all
embraced me first. I could hear that Brazilian accent from a mile
away. “Bonito. What?” I was confused knowing I didn’t know a damn
word of Portuguese other than
Olá
, tudo bem, which was hello how
are you. Alexia smiled at my ignorance to her native culture. “She
means handsome.” “Oh.” I nodded. Another lady approached me at the
same time; she wasn’t as aged or just didn’t look it. In fact she
reminded me of an older version of Alexia. “Hello Grant, I’m
Ramona… Alexia’s mother.” She took my hands into hers…I knew it.
“Oh. It’s nice to meet. You’re just as beautiful as your daughter.”
Alexia smiled at the flattery. “Smooth talker are you. Alexia I
think I like this one.” We all chuckled as Alexia nodded. “I do
too.”

As time passed the women
introduced me to multiple Spanish foods to me like tamales,
churros, and frijattas. They talked the day way about baby names,
gifts and birthday celebrations. It was all knew to me, I usually
stayed away from female social gatherings like these. “So Grant…”
Aunt Ruth asked. “What baby names have you thought about?” I shook
my head. “I have absolutely no idea. My main thought is that the
baby is taken care of.” The women all awed. “Hmmm. Finally, we have
found a man who knows how to provide. If I were in my younger day’s
bonito you would be all mine.” Everyone burst out laughing. I eased
back on the couch and watched the women mingle around while Alexia
sat right beside me. Uneasy about the entire friendly atmosphere I
thought it was time to ask her a few questions. “They seem to
really like me.” She laughed. “And you thought that they wouldn’t.”
“Well given the fact that I’m still married and that we had an
affair that resulted in you getting pregnant. That doesn’t really
warm people’s hearts, especially not women.”