Twelve Days of Pleasure (16 page)

There was suddenly another loud shout coming from the adjacent room. Kendrick smiled, recognizing his best friend's deep voice. Zak suddenly came through the door, holding his framed photo above his head.

“It's a boy!” he shouted.

Kendrick laughed, moving to high-five his partner.

Maitlyn moved into the room behind her husband. “Uh, it's a baby. We won't know if it's a boy or girl for a few weeks now.”

Standing off to the side Vanessa was overwhelmed by the wealth of happiness that had painted the home with so much love. Kendrick's face was alight with sheer joy. She knew that he had missed times like these with his family and he was quickly trying to make up for lost time.

Looking around the space she found herself grinning widely. This was now her family and she felt completely at home. She turned her attention to Gabi. The little girl was fighting to keep her eyes open as she rested her head against John's chest, her thumb pulled into her mouth. He leaned to kiss the top of her head, brushing her curly locks from her forehead. Marah stood on the other side of the room watching her husband. There was a look of love and longing in her eyes. Vanessa saw her swipe a tear from her eye and imagined that her new friend was feeling as happy as she was. The two women exchanged glances and both smiled.

* * *

The morning excitement flew. In the kitchen, dinner preparation had begun and they'd all been shooed out of the space. Kendrick had disappeared someplace with the men and Vanessa was helping the other women clean up the remnants of wrapping paper strewn throughout the family room. The children had all been sent to the nursery, new toys and nap mats in hand. The last time Vanessa had checked Gabi had fallen asleep but she knew it probably wouldn't last for too long.

“You need to relax,” Katherine said. “You worry too much. That baby's going to be just fine.”

Vanessa nodded. “I know but since her parents died I just want to make sure I do right by her.”

Katherine nodded her understanding. “Babies just need a lot of love. Everywhere she goes in this house, that's all she's going to find.”

Juanita smiled. “And with all these men around she is definitely safe.”

“I just checked on her,” Marah said, moving back into the room. “She's still sound asleep.”

Vanessa nodded her gratitude.

Kamaya changed the subject. “You two pick a date yet?”

Vanessa shook her head. “Not yet. Everything just happened so fast.”

“Well, we can't wait to help you start planning your wedding,” the woman said.

“We do great weddings!” Maitlyn exclaimed.

“And baby showers!” Marah added.

“Lord, have mercy!” Katherine exclaimed. She fanned her face with her hands, fighting not to cry.

The women all looked concerned.

“What's wrong, Mama?” Katrina asked, moving to her mother's side.

“I'm just so happy!” the older woman exclaimed. “God is good!”

“All the time!” everyone chimed in reply.

 

Chapter 17

K
endrick found Vanessa in the small chapel. The space had been adorned with wreaths made of pinecones spray-painted white and tiny red bulbs. The rustic setting was calming, the quiet feeling almost Zen-like. She sat alone on a front pew, deep thought creasing her brow.

He eased into the space and took the seat beside her. “Hey,” he said, leaning to kiss her forehead. “Are you okay?”

Vanessa smiled. “I'm happy.”

He nodded as he reached for her hand, entwining her fingers with his own. “I missed you. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I know our two families can be overwhelming. It can take some getting used to.”

“Actually I've loved every minute with them. Everyone's made me feel so welcome.”

“They love you. They know you make me happy.”

She took a deep breath, his comment warming her spirit.

Kendrick squeezed her hand. “I want to talk to you about something,” he said.

She turned to meet his gaze. “Is something wrong?”

He shook his head. “No. Everything's fine. It's about Gabrielle.”

Vanessa felt herself tense.

Kendrick wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I was thinking about what you said this morning.”

“About not being ready to be a mother?”

He nodded.

“I'm being selfish, aren't I?”

“No, you were being honest. And if you don't think you're ready, then I support that. If you told me you wanted to adopt Gabi and a dozen other kids I'd support that, too.”

Vanessa suddenly found herself fighting back tears. She took a deep breath. “I know that Gabi is going to need a lot of attention and I keep questioning whether or not it's fair for me to be thinking about school, knowing that's going to take attention away from her. Is it going to be fair of us to move her to New York, then as soon as she gets settled to up and move her again? And is it even fair to put that burden on you and our relationship? I just have so many concerns.” She exhaled a heavy sigh.

Kendrick nodded his understanding. “I know you have concerns, which is why I think I might have a solution.”

He spent the next hour sharing his thoughts. And then they prayed. Vanessa found herself smiling, her spirit suddenly feeling rejuvenated. Everything about their decision felt right.

“So, should we run it by them? See what they think?” Kendrick asked.

Vanessa nodded. “I'm so excited,” she said. “It would be a little Christmas miracle.”

Kendrick smiled his agreement. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and called up to the main house. And then they sat waiting.

“This would be a beautiful place to get married,” Vanessa said, breaking the silence that had settled around them.

He chuckled softly. “I think so, too.” He kissed the side of her face. “But any place you choose will be beautiful.”

Minutes later, John, Marah, Katherine and Katrina joined them in the sanctuary.

Marah laughed. “You two want to get married here, don't you?”

Kendrick laughed. “We're thinking about it but that's not why we asked you to join us.”

“What's going on, Kendrick?” Katherine asked, dropping onto the pew beside her son.

Kendrick took a deep breath. “Vanessa and I want to talk to John and Marah about something. Katrina, we asked you to join us for your legal advice, and, Mama, Vanessa and I both respect your opinion. We're hoping you'll give all of us your guidance.”

John and Marah slid into the pew behind them. Katrina took a seat on the other side. Everyone was eyeing them both curiously.

Kendrick squeezed Vanessa's hand, urging her on. Vanessa suddenly became emotional and bit down against her bottom lip, fighting not to cry. Marah reached out a hand and squeezed her shoulder. John leaned forward in his seat, concern creasing his forehead.

Vanessa blew out the breath she'd been holding. “You all know that Gabrielle's parents were killed last month. Her grandparents aren't able to take custody of her. Her mother was my best friend and I was asked to assume guardianship if they weren't able to care for her. I love that baby so much and I really want to do what's best for her.” Vanessa lifted her eyes to stare at Marah. “Kendrick and I want to know if you two would be willing to adopt her and give her a home.”

John and Marah exchanged looks, shock washing over them both.

“But you and Kendrick...” John started.

Kendrick shook his head. “We love Gabi and we want to be in her life but we think, right now, you and Marah would be much better parents than we would be.”

“I want to be able to see her grow up,” Vanessa added. “I'm a really great Auntie Nessa but I need some time to work up to that mommy title.”

John and Marah still stared at each other, a silent conversation being held between their eyes.

Katrina chimed into the conversation. “Legally, with you having guardianship, it would just be a private adoption. I would need to see the parents' will, of course, and then I can draw up the paperwork and file it with the courts for a judge's signature. They'd require a home study but I see no reason why it wouldn't be approved.”

Kendrick and Vanessa turned toward his mother. The matriarch had folded her hands in her lap, her eyes closed. Kendrick reached out and gently touched his mother's arm. She opened her eyes slowly, a smile filling her face. Moving onto her feet she kissed her son and then wrapped her arms around Vanessa.

She reached out for Marah's hand and held it. “That baby would be in good hands with you two. She couldn't find a better mommy and daddy to love her.”

Marah's tears finally fell past her thick lashes. John wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. He kissed her mouth, his own tears shining in his eyes.

“Vanessa, I don't know if anyone told you, but Marah and I can't have children,” he said, speaking for the first time.

Marah shook her head. “
I
can't have children.”

“
We
can't have children,” John repeated, the subtle reminder to his wife that they would forever be a team. “I think that both of us had decided that whatever God willed for us, we would accept. But every morning Marah comes out here and asks God to bless us with a child. She didn't think I knew that but I did.” He gave his wife a smile before he continued.

“I think I speak for both of us when I tell you Gabi will want for absolutely nothing. We will love her with everything we have in us.” He came to his feet and shook Kendrick's hand. “Thank you.”

Marah and Vanessa were both sobbing. Tears turned to laughter as they hugged, jumping up and down with excitement.

Katrina clapped her hands. “I'll get started on the paperwork first thing tomorrow.”

Katherine fanned herself, fighting back her own tears. “God is good!”

* * *

They made love slowly, a sweet, easy pairing that touched both their souls. As Vanessa lay beneath him she was consumed with pleasure and clung to him, needing to feel him against her. She moved with him, matching him stroke for stroke, and they both felt themselves slipping toward the highs of ecstasy. She was suddenly lost in the spasms of bliss.

They clung to each other as they reveled in the sweetest sensations. When her breathing had calmed and his heartbeat returned to normal, he planted a gentle kiss against the back of her neck.

“Why are you crying, baby?” Kendrick asked softly. He brushed a tear from her cheek.

She thought back to their first Christmas together. She and Kendrick had pledged their commitment to each other and she anticipated being his wife before the new year. Gabrielle had fallen asleep in Marah's arms and she and John had slipped right into their new roles with ease. The support of the Boudreaux and Stallion families had been abundant and as Kendrick's mother had reminded them all, family was nothing without love.

Kendrick lifted himself up on his elbow. He rolled her gently, staring down at her. Love was like gold in his eyes. “What is it, baby?”

Vanessa smiled. “This has been the best holiday I've ever had.”

* * * * *