Stolen Fate (17 page)

Two weeks later, out of the blue, Drayden informs me he’s having his family over for a cookout. I’m shocked at first, seeing as how I’ve only met his older brother Eli and, briefly, his mother. He said it’s time his family meets me and gets to know me because I’m going to be a permanent fixture in his life going forward. I won’t even allow my mind to go there. If I do, I’ll work myself up into some story where he and I somehow live happily ever after, becoming a real family. And I know it’s not what he meant by that. There will be no happily ever after for the two of us. There is too much bad blood between us for him to ever forgive me enough to actually want to be with me.

But at least he’s happy about the baby. I can be thrilled he’ll be an active part of our child’s life, and after all, isn’t that what’s really important?

I’m in the kitchen helping his cook Donna get ready for the party. He said I don’t have to do anything, that he wants me to sit back and relax, but I tell him I want to be productive. I don’t want his family to think I’m sponging off him¸ even though it’s exactly what I’m doing. But then again, he didn’t really leave me any choice, locking me up here in the first place.

Finally, when he sees I’m getting upset, he relents. He does that a lot lately. He goes out of his way to not upset me which I think is odd yet comforting.

Again, I won’t overanalyze.

His mother Vivian is the first to arrive. She comes in carrying a huge tray of homemade pasta salad. My mouth is already salivating as soon as she puts it on the table.

“Hi, sweetheart,” she says as she envelops me in a big, motherly hug. Just like last time, she is dressed to kill. She exudes class, from the tips of her designer heels to the top of her blonde-highlighted hair. She chose to wear a beautiful, warm ivory sundress, complete with hat and shades. She actually looks like she stepped right out of an old-time movie but with the air of current sophistication.

“Hi, Mrs. Warner.”

“Essie, please, call me Vivian.” She fakes an annoyed look before winking at me, making me relax instantly. I’m sure she knows I’m on edge, and her warmth does wonders for my nerves.

“Sorry. Vivian.” She holds me at arm’s length, her eyes going right to her soon-to-be grandchild. I know she’s secretly hoping things will develop further between me and her son. I don’t want to be the one to burst the bubble for her, though. No, I’ll leave that up to Drayden.

“How are you feeling, honey?” She takes a seat at the kitchen table, gesturing for me to join her.

“I’m doing well, thank you. We went to the doctor’s a couple weeks ago and found out the sex of the baby.” Her eyes get wide but before she can pressure me for an answer, I tell her my side of things. “I don’t want to know, not before he or she is born. I want to be surprised. But that son of yours just had to know beforehand. So if you want the information, you’re going to have to go and talk to him. But can you do me a favor? Please don’t let it slip in front of me.”

“Of course not. My lips will be sealed. I’m so happy this is happening for you both. Now, if only there was a way to get that son of mine to make an honest woman out of you,” she says as she starts to laugh.

Ready to respond to her crazy statement, I’m halted by Drayden strolling into the kitchen. He’s followed by a barrage of people. I instantly notice Eli, who walks around the table and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. Drayden doesn’t miss his actions, instantly looking like he wants to hurt his brother.

Can he actually be jealous of Eli? Does that mean he feels a certain type of way about me? Even though I’m curious, I’m not even going to question him about it because I know for sure we’ll start to argue. And it’s been going pretty good between us recently, so I don’t want to rock the boat.

I’m not so sure who the other people filing into the kitchen are, but I know they’re his family members. Drayden actually has the decency to formally introduce me to his two younger brothers, Dexter and Calhoun. Or Dex and Cal for short. I shake hands with them and exchange genuine smiles.

Man, these guys have some very unusual names.

Dex is next in line in the family tree right after Drayden, making Cal the baby of the family. The two younger men look more alike than any of them, causing many a heartbreak I’m sure. Both are adorned with dark waves but while Dex’s hairstyle is short and close to his head, Cal’s hair is longer and wavier. Today, they look like they are getting ready to go on a photo shoot, dressed in preppy-casual attire. Long board shorts, polo shirts and loafers make up their ensemble. While the clothing is more attributed to carefree playboys, there is no mistaking the seriousness and warm feelings these two emit to everyone around them.

Next, I’m introduced to their wives, who are also very warm and welcoming. Dex’s wife, Dela, is a petite blonde with a spunky personality. But Cal’s wife, Bridgette, is the complete opposite. She is tall and has long, fiery-red hair, her personality not matching her physicality at all. She seems very shy and reserved but friendly all the same.             

Thankfully, Drayden has gone ahead and informed me ahead of time his whole family knows we’re not a couple, so no one should be asking any inappropriate questions or putting me on the spot. But if I know anything about women, it’s that they are going to try and get some kind of dirt out of me anyway. I’m going to have to deflect all of their questions to him, though, because I don’t know what I should and shouldn’t say at this point in the game.

I get up from my seat and have to shuffle to the side quickly so I’m not run over by some overly-excited kids barreling through the kitchen. There are six in all, ranging from twelve all the way down to two. Their names are rattled off so quickly I can’t even begin to remember what they are. Dex and Dela take ownership of four of them, while Cal and Bridgette claim the other two.

I’m jealous over the fact I’ve never been part of a family like this. A family who clearly loves one another and actually wants to be around each other. I longed for this my whole life, and the fact it’s still out of my reach is something which digs deep into my heart.

Vivian interrupts the beautiful chaos, drawing all attention toward her. “So, Dray, Essie tells me you know the sex of the baby.”

That gets everyone’s attention.

“I do.” Those two words are all he says before going back to gathering some utensils for the grill.

“Well, come on, man. Spill it.” Cal is the one who is trying to get the information from him. I’m praying he doesn’t blurt it out with me right there in the room. I’m hoping his thoughtful streak will at least continue until I’m able to excuse myself.

“Nope. Essie wants to be surprised, so my lips are sealed.” He looks over in my direction and gives me a subtle wink. A wink. Who is this man and what has he done with the stubborn, infuriating, challenging one known as Drayden Warner?

There is a collective, playful groan of frustration from his family, but they respect his stance and don’t press him further.

“Uncle Dway,” a tiny voice calls out. It’s one of his nephews, Isaac, I think his name is.

Drayden leans down and picks up the boy so they’re both at eye level. “What’s up, buddy?”

“Mommy says you having a baby. Where is it?” The boy is fidgeting in his uncle’s arms, clearly full of boundless energy.

“Well, your mommy is right. But the baby isn’t here yet. It’s still cooking in the oven.” The boy’s eyes go big and he wiggles to get out of Drayden’s arms. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he runs over to the actual oven and tries to peer inside.

“I don’t see it, Uncle Dway.” He’s still looking when all of the adults bust out laughing. The boy’s mother, Dela, smacks Dray on the arm before heading over to grab her son away from the appliance.

“Nice one, Brother,” Dex says. “Now we’re going to have to explain to a three-year-old where the baby is really housed.” He’s laughing the whole time, which is amusing all by itself.

“Have fun with all that,” Dray responds, delighting in his brother’s new predicament.

“You wait until
your
child asks those questions. Then see what happens.”

There is such joy and happiness permeating through the kitchen I’m instantly caught up in it. I’m smiling as wide as can be, even laughing harder than I think I ever have before.

This feels like home, but I know it’s someone else’s fantasy.

My life will surely take the turn it always does, down the dark road of bad luck which seems to always find me.

The festivities are in full swing and everyone is having a great time, myself included. The women all huddle around me, asking me all sorts of questions about my pregnancy but not once touching on anything from my past. I’m very grateful for that. I don’t want to lie to them, but I also don’t want to delve back to such a dark time in my life.

They would surely be able to see me for the opportunist I am.

Well, the opportunist I
used
to be.

“So, Essie,” Bridgette swings her attention to me. “Have you guys come up with any baby names yet? Can you at least tell us that?” Her mass of red hair is blowing in the slight breeze. She is quite a beautiful woman, her pale-green eyes in direct contrast to the color of her long waves.

We’re sitting at one of the tables specifically set up for today, shadowed by a huge umbrella. I lean over to whisper some of the names I’ve come up with to the ladies who are sitting with me, but I’m interrupted before I can reveal the first name.

“Don’t be so secretive, Essie. I want to hear what crazy names you plan on naming our child if it turns out to be a girl.” Drayden is standing close by, helping man the grill with his brother Dex, but I didn’t think he was paying any attention to me.

Thrilled to know I’m wrong, I look up and glance over in his direction. I’m gifted with the sight of him smiling over at our table. I would like to say he’s smiling specifically at me, but I don’t want to delude myself. I know he’s in a good mood because he’s surrounded by his family, who he obviously cares a lot about, even though this is the first time in months he has had them over for a visit.

Or maybe, he’s just good at putting on a front for everyone, not wanting to reveal the true nature of our relationship. The only other person who is privy to that is Eli, who, by the way, has been not-so-subtly glancing back and forth between the both of us and smirking.

Does he know something I don’t?

Drayden is dressed in tan board shorts and a nice, fitted white T-shirt. He’s wearing a baseball cap, something I’ve never seen on him before, and a black pair of designer sunglasses. I’m distracted because I’m checking him out and being pretty obvious about it, too. Once I scan his whole body, I realize he’s barefoot. How can I think a guy’s feet are sexy? Well, his are.

He’s fuckably-sexy.

“I was riddled with those horny hormones, too, honey,” Dela says before I can correct my full-on-stalker stare. “How do you think we ended up with four children?” She laughs, which instantly puts me at ease, causing me to smile.

It is then I realize his family probably assumes we’re still having sex, a thought I’m now suddenly self-conscious about. We aren’t. I wished we were, but we just aren’t.

“Well? I’m waiting,” Drayden says, still grinning as he takes a swig from his beer.

I totally forgot he had even said anything.

“Okay, well, I was thinking maybe either Blythe or Blanche.” I rattle off the two names with some reservation, not sure exactly what he will think or say in response.

“What is she, eighty? Uh, no. What else you got?” I guess I was right to be wary.

“Hey, I
like
Blythe,” his mother says, reaching over and gripping my hand. I squeeze back and smile at her.

“Then you can convince one of these other two to name their next child that.” Both Dex and Cal shake their heads in unison, as if the very thought is going to send them running for the hills. Their wives laugh and give their men
the
look
. The one which says
if I want another baby, you will damn well give me one, without argument.
Anyone with eyes can see these men are very taken with their women and would definitely cave and give them anything they want.

I want to find someone who will look at me with the same love and intensity.

Maybe the man standing twenty feet away from me could have been like that for me. But I had to go and mess it up by just being me, always looking for the easy way out in life instead of actually connecting with people.

But the more I’m able to experience a different way of life, the better I want to become. I don’t want to be a deceitful, hateful, sad woman anymore.

I actually want to be better. And here now, with his family, I’m able to see a small glimmer of the life I can have.

“What names do you have if it’s a boy then?” I blurt, trying to get out of my own head.

“Well, that’s easy. I was thinking if it’s a boy, we can call him Theodore, or Theo for short.”

“Uh…this isn’t
The Cosby Show
. No son of mine is going to be called Theo.” I say it faster than my brain is able to filter the words. But apparently, I said something very funny because everyone busts out laughing, including Drayden.

“All right, all right. I guess I have some homework to do, but so do you,” he says, pointing over at me with the spatula in his hand.

I wish he wasn’t wearing those sunglasses right now. I want to look into his eyes and see if I can tell whether or not his banter back and forth with me is genuine or just for show.

I’ll never really know for sure, I guess, so instead of dwelling on the unknown, I make the decision to believe he’s being genuine. I’m going to enjoy this day because I don’t know how often I’ll get the pleasure of his family’s company.

About an hour after we eat, I start to feel not so hot. I didn’t eat a lot, sticking mainly to nibbling on the different types of salads and fruit displayed all over the place. I stayed away from the meat only because the sight of cooked flesh has turned my stomach in the most recent weeks.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” his mother asks as she leans in to feel my forehead. “You look rather ill.”

“Yeah, I don’t feel so good.” And as if my body is registering my words, a shooting pain tears right through my stomach, making me grimace. I don’t want to alarm everyone, drawing all the attention, so I breathe through it.

When I start to get up, his mother grabs me by the arm and helps me get out of my chair. I’m a bit dizzy, clutching on to her for some balance.

“Dray, honey, please come over here and help Essie in the house. She’s not feeling well.”

Before anyone can start to fuss over me, I try to tell them I’m fine. I just need to lie down for a bit. The last thing I want or need is for Drayden to hold me in his arms, even though it will be just to help me get into the house and into bed.

Purely innocent.

But with everything running through my head today, his physical closeness is going to push me over the edge of sanity, forcing home that this can never really be my true life. I know whatever he’s doing for me is solely for the benefit of his child.

Our child.

That’s going to be the only connection we’ll ever have.

He briskly walks over to me, breaking away from his brothers without a second thought. Replacing his mother’s hold on me, he grips me tightly. His one arm sneaks around my waist while his other hand grabs mine, leading me toward the house.

“Are you okay? You look really pale, Essie.”

I can’t even glance up at him because just as he finishes speaking, another sharp pain radiates through my body, slicing through my abdomen. This one is worse than the last.

Thankfully, we’re facing away from everyone so they don’t get to witness the look of utter pain playing on my face.

I can’t even answer Drayden. I’m too focused on what the hell is going on right now. Of course, my first thoughts fly to the baby but I dismiss it almost immediately, not wanting to even go there.

I’ve grown in love with this child so much, the mere thought anything can be wrong is almost inconceivable.

He leads me down the hallway toward my bedroom. However, I have to stop him a few times on the way because the pain is really starting to hurt me, cutting down my legs as well this time around.

Drayden’s hold on me intensifies. “Essie, I’m taking you to the hospital. I don’t like this.”

“No, just let me lie down for a bit. If it keeps up then I will let you take me.”

He shakes his head at me, not quite sure what to do himself. Neither one of us has ever been put in this situation before.

Once we are in my room, I have him lead me toward the bathroom. I have to check myself and make sure there are no outwards signs of distress.

“Will you stay out here until I’m finished?” I don’t tell him why I’m going in there. I let him assume I have to use the toilet.

“Of course I will.” He reaches over and grabs my hand, giving it a small squeeze. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Once I close the door, I walk over to the toilet, grab a hold of the end of my sundress and start to pull it up. I don’t get very far before another blaze of agony cuts through me, sending me straight to my knees.

I cry out this time.

The door comes crashing open and Drayden is on me before I even realize it. I try to get up but am too focused on trying to rid my body of the pain, breathing in and out like I read about.

Nothing is working.

And it’s then I feel something warm and sticky between my thighs. I don’t even think about it. I reach under my dress and feel around, bringing my hand back out in front of me.

My eyes bulge wild and I really start to panic.

There is blood on my fingertips.

A lot of blood.

“Oh, my God, Drayden! The baby.” I’m pawing at him, smearing the blood all over his shirt. But he doesn’t even bat an eyelash. He picks me up in his arms and starts back down the hall toward the front door.

“Mom!” he bellows as he’s practically running through the house. His scream catches everyone’s attention, people rushing into the house to see what the hell is going on. His mother and his brothers are the first ones to get to us, their eyes going from me straight to the blood smeared across Drayden’s chest.

“Honey, we’re right behind you.”

There are no other words spoken between anyone. I see the fear in their eyes. I know it well because I’m sure I mirror their look.

Once he puts me in the car and buckles me in, he races around to the driver’s side, gets in the car and takes off as soon as he turns the engine over. He doesn’t even bother securing himself in but at this point, I don’t blame him. Every precious second counts.

“Hold on, baby. We’ll be there very soon.”

I’m not quite sure if he is talking to me or the actual baby. But those are the last words I hear before I pass out, glorious darkness pulling me down kicking and screaming into an unwanted escape.