ROMANCING HER PROTECTOR (22 page)

between them. That was why, DeAndre felt, this meeting was so important.

“Have a seat, have a seat,” Matty said, noticing the awkwardness that was still there

too. He and Shay didn’t live with him. He wanted them to desperately, but Shay didn’t think

it was a good idea.

“If it was just you and me that would be different,” she had told him. “But we have a

son to consider. And I’m not shacking up with any man, not even his father, in my son’s

presence.”

So on Shay’s request, she and DeAndre moved into the old condo she briefly stayed in

when she was a college student, a condo Matty still owned. And although the separation was

understandable, he, after all, asked for Shay’s hand in marriage the day after that horrible

scene in Philly and knew they would live together soon, it didn’t help the awkwardness he and

DeAndre still seemed to feel whenever they were around each other.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” DeAndre said as he took a seat in front of

Matty’s desk.

“Never,” Matty said, standing and walking from around his desk. He sat on the edge of

his desk. “So how’s everything going?”

“Great actually.”

“Still getting adjusted to school here in Maryland?”

“Yes, sir. Especially private school.”

Matty and Shay had made the decision to put DeAndre in private school, at least for the

time being, to avoid any unlikely but possible run-ins with gang members who may know the

group from Philly.

“How’s mom?” Matty asked him, folding his arms. “I wasn’t able to come by and see

her last night.”

“She’s good. Nervous about the wedding, but good.”

Matty nodded. He was nervous too. “So what’s up? What can I do you for?”

DeAndre exhaled. Here goes. He hadn’t even discussed it with his mother yet,

although he was reasonably certain she would approve. “I was thinking about this, Dad, and

something just doesn’t seem right to me.” He looked up at his father.

Matty’s heart dropped. “About me and your mother getting married?” he asked, his

voice cracking with fear.

“No, not that,” DeAndre said with a smile, causing Matty to exhale in relief. “But like

when you come to pick me up from school, or when I come here to see you. I’m always Mr.

Cooper or DeAndre Cooper here to see Mr. Driscoll. It just doesn’t seem right to me.”

Matty’s heart wanted to soar, but he maintained his composure. “I see,” he said. “And

I agree. I’ve felt the same way. So, what do you propose that we do about it?”

“I think, before the wedding, we ought to change my name. Not my Christian name,

but my last name.” DeAndre said this and looked up at his father. “I mean, because I don’t

want there to be any misunderstandings. I’m not a Cooper. I’m a Driscoll. I’m your son and

I should have my father’s name. I mean, if it’s all right with you.”

Before he could even finish speaking, before he even got to the
if it’s all right with you

part, Matty was already grabbing him into his arms, tears staining his eyes.

“Is it all right?” he asked his son, as if amazed that he would think that in any way it

wouldn’t be. “You bet ‘cha it’s all right,” he added.

And now it was more than all right. It was here. Shay Cooper being escorted down the

aisle by DeAndre Driscoll. His soon-to-be wife with his long lost son. His heart could hardly

contain his glee.

When they arrive at the altar, and DeAndre handed his mother off to his father,

DeAndre leaned into his father and whispered in his ear: “You sure you’re ready for this?” he

felt duty bound to ask him one final time.

Matty loved his son’s take charge personality, a personality, he was convinced, that

would serve him well when he, DeAndre Driscoll, became head of Driscoll Systems, Inc.

Matty, therefore, took his son’s question to heart. He leaned over to his bride-to-be. “Are you

ready for this?” he asked Shay.

Shay’s first instinct was to scream no, are you kidding? Who could ever be ready for

this nerve-racking ride? But she smiled, and simply told the truth: “As ready as I’ll ever be,”

she replied.

Matty smiled. This was, hands down, the happiest day of his life. He nodded to his

son. “Yes, we’re ready,” he said.

And Dre, relishing his role and remembering the protocol as they had rehearsed it

before this big day, slowly but surely nodded back at his father, and then backed out of the

way.