To Love a Man (25 page)

“
I talked to Zack a couple of days ago and he and Maddie both are thrilled at the thought of us being a family.”

Desiree looked at Zack.

“Zack?”

Zack turned
towards his mom and smiled.

“I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time. I think Ramón is a great guy and can make you very happy.”

“But what about transferring?”

“
I am ok with it. You have made so many sacrifices for me I don’t mind making this one for you. I have been reading up on it and from what Maddie has told me and what I have been reading I really think I am going to like the school.”

Maddie walked closer to her.

“And I have always wanted a big brother to pick on. And I think you would be a great mom. Its ok if I call you mom isn’t it?”

Desiree felt touched
at her question.

“I would love that.”

She hugged Maddie and smiled as Ramón and Zack had joined in on the hug. Desiree looked around feeling complete at what was soon to be her new family and she felt blessed.

***

“Let me see the ring again.” Britney smiled while she looked at the ring.

“It’s so beautiful. Kelli look at it.”

“I never knew my brother had such good taste. In jewelry and women.”

Desiree smiled
touched at the comment.

“Thanks for that.”

Nikki took Desiree’s hand.

“That’s for sure it's like the ring was made for you Desi.”

Desiree smiled over to Nikki, Kelli and Britney. The women seemed to genuinely accept her and Nikki into their family.

“I wasn’t expecting this at all. It came out of nowhere. And to be honest I am as happy as I am scared.”

“Scared?”

Desiree smiled as she noticed the similarities between Kelli and Britney. If it wasn’t for the age difference
Desiree would have asked if they were twins. The differences were subtle though. Kelli was a little more defined, being a police officer kept her in great shape. Kelli walked over to the fridge and brought her mother’s cheesecake and began to slice everyone a piece. She handed Desiree a slice and frowned.

“
Ok so I am not as up to date on this whole you and my brother thing so why are you scared?”

Desiree grabbed a fork and sighed.
“I knew my ex for over ten years I have only known Ramón for 6, 7 months.”

Kelli smiled.

“My brother sees what he wants and goes for it that is how he has always been.”

Brittney nodded in agre
ement as she swallowed her bite. “You right Kel he has always been that way, but I will tell you this. Out of all the women who have been in Ramón’s life I like you the most. You are the most down to earth, fun and honest woman he has ever brought home.”

Desiree blushed at the complement. She swallowed hard and then looked at the ladies.
“You think everyone will feel the same way you guys do? I mean your mom was excited well at least she said she was.”

“My mom adores you and Zack. I think Nikki is growing on her too.”
Britney said nudging Nikki. Nikki smiled.

“Well I love this family too. I love the closeness
and the way you guys welcomed my girl and me.”

Rachael walked into the room and smiled
her heart filling with joy at the sight of the women in her kitchen laughing.

“It has been a long time since I have seen my kitchen filled with girls. What are we talking about I hope the menu for dinner?”

“Nope talking about that rock your son put on Desi’s hand.” Nikki smirked.

“It is beautiful isn’t it? He looked at fifteen rings before he picked that one.”

Desiree lifted her eyes to meet Rachael’s.

“Wait how do you know that?”

“I was there.” Rachael boasted. “He was a wreck but when he saw that ring. Something lit up within him and he knew that ring was made for you.” Desiree glanced down to her ring as Nikki took a bite of the cheesecake and smiled.

“So you are really ok with this engagement?”

“If I wasn’t I wouldn’t have been there. I am gonna tell you like I told Ramón when he said he wanted to marry Desiree. I don't think he can find better. I married my husband after only dating for 9 months and we are about to celebrate our 35
th
anniversary.”

Britney elbowed her mom
“She said she’s scared.”

“Of what?”

Desiree shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know that’s the thing. I guess it's just nerves.”

Britney walked to the fridge
grabbed the milk. “Nikki grab the cups please.”

Nikki nodded taking another bite of cheesecake before she stood.

Kelli accepted the cup from Nikki. “Well when is the wedding?”

Desiree took a sip of milk.
“We haven’t discussed that yet but I want to do it as soon as possible. I love him so much I can’t wait till I become Mrs. Ramón Norris. Can I ask you girls a question?”

They all nodded
.

“Do you think I should ask him to sign a prenup? I love him but I don't want him to think it's all about that money.”

Rachael reached over and grabbed Desiree’s hand. “He knows it's not we all know it's not.”

“I just don’t want money to be a problem. I have heard about a
ll the drama associated with these guys and their money.”

“Do you plan on divorcing my son?”

“No. I don’t. I wouldn’t do this again if it was going to have the same outcome.”

Britney placed her hand on Desiree’s other one.
“Well then no worries. So let’s get this list together so we can go get the food and start cooking.”

***

Ramón grabbed the ball and shot it. The ball hit the rim and it went in. Aj caught it mid bounce and tossed it back to him.

“I can’t believe you asked her to marry you.”

“Why? I am in love and I want to make her my wife. Wasn’t it you Aj who told me to open myself up to her.”

Aj tossed the ball up and clapped his hands together as he made the shot.
“You always told me you wouldn’t get married until you were in your early thirties.”

Derek Russell second string forward laughed.

“I myself never took you for the marrying type at all.”

Ramón shot the ball again.

“Why not?”

Derek caught the ball and
tossed it up. “Why would you give up all your hard work to play hubby?”

Aj walked to the bench and grabbed his water bottle.

“What are you talking about? Ramón isn’t giving anything up that means more than Desi does to him.”

“
How do you know?”

“I trust my boy I have never seen him like this and I like her so does Gia.”

Ramón and Derek walked over to the bench and grabbed their own water bottles. Derek laughed.

“Oh AJ get off it I don’t understand why you did it either. We are super star athletes. We have magazine covers, commercials, movies it's the life. Ladies line up to catch our sweat and you are giving it up.”

  Ramón wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I never bought into the attention like that anyways. Desi is the most amazing woman I have ever met. I love her and I know life would never be the same without her in it. And Zack that boy is so talented and I am a proud to step in as his father.”

Derek tossed his towel at Ramón.
“Far be it for me to say anything against your future wife.”

Ramón tossed the towel back at him.
“Then don't.”

“I’m just saying we can have the sexiest women in the world and you’re settling for average.”

Ramón looked at him hurt at the conversation.

“Average? She is beautiful, smart, loving, attentive,
strong, independent, kind, a great mother, caring, sensitive, sexy, and she loves me for me. Not for anything other than that.”

“
And I am happy that you found someone who is all of that but my question to you is knowing how great you think she is are you gonna make her sign a prenup?”

Ramón laughed at him.
“Why would I do that?”

“Aj please talk to this man.”

“Why Gia and I don't have one? When you’re in love you don't need it.”

Derek frowned. “
Do you guys not realize that you are worth millions? Women will be whatever they need to be to get you caught up. A prenup allows you to hold all the cards.”

Ramón grabbed his bag.

“What’s going on here why can’t you just congratulate me?”

“I just don't want you to make a mistake.”

“You know me better than that Derek. I have never rushed to judgment or tried to push anything onto myself that I wasn’t a hundred percent sure about.”

“I know. But how is this gonna affect our season?”
Derek asked grabbing his bag.

Aj stood and
packed his gym bag.

“Derek just because every woman you have met has used you doesn’t mean that’s how all women are. You look for your women in clubs and at parties you ever think that could be why?”

Ramón tied his shoes tired of this conversation. “Look guys you should know how I feel about Desi. You both said you liked her.”

Derek sighed.

“I do like her but it's just I don't want you to get hurt. We have been friends for years.”

“Yeah well I am making a great decision and if you two clowns don't mind I am gonna go home to my beautiful fiancée.”

Ramón walked out the gym placing his bag over his shoulder as the guys looked at each other. Ramón walked into the house and his senses were over taken by the smell of something sweet and tangy coming from the kitchen. He shut the door and turned to see Desiree smiling up to him.

“How was practice?”
she said kissing him on the cheek.

“Really good I stayed after with Derek and Aj I hope that is ok.”

“You have a game tomorrow it's not a problem.”

“Yeah but it's our first thanksgiving and I have a game that’s gotta suck.”

Desiree walked back towards the kitchen. “It would if it was an away game. Zack, Jamie, and Maddie can’t wait till the game. Nikki and Bryant are almost as excited as I am.”

He pulled her to him.
“I can’t wait to make you Mrs. Ramón Norris.”

She stood on her tippy toes and gave him a kiss. “And I
can’t wait till the honeymoon.”

“Why wait?”

He pulled her close as Maddie and Zack ran into the room.

Maddie hugged Ramón.

“How was practice daddy?”

“
It was great we are ready for tomorrow.”

Zack folded his arms
. “Mom, do I have to go?”

Ramón walked over to him
.

“Go where?”

“Charles asked to see him and as much as I don’t want him too they do need to talk.”

Ramón smiled.
“I agree I would love to be your dad Zack but if you can work things out with your real dad then you should.”

“Fine
.” He huffed and sat at the counter.

Desiree hugged him. “Zack I know that
this can’t be easy for you but you were so happy to see him a few months ago.”

“
He wasn’t there for me. I got hurt and he was no were to be found and I don’t know why I should want to see him if he doesn’t want to see me.”

“I understand that but Zack he is your father tell him how you feel and if once you talk about everything you still don’t want to see him then you don’t have too.”

Nikki knocked on the door and walked in with Jamie.

“Hello are we ready to go?”

Maddie jumped and ran to greet Jamie who she because instant friends with. She walked back into the kitchen with her hand in hand.

“
Mom can we go shopping now?”

Desiree smiled at Maddie. Her heart filled with
pride at the sound of mom coming from her.

“Yes we can
as long as your dad doesn’t need anything.”

Ramón pulled her to him and kissed her passionately.
“Ok after that I’m good.”

Desiree wrapped his arms around her and Maddie and
Zack looked at each other smiling and both thinking the same thing…for their new found parents to get a room. Desiree kissed his check then grabbed her purse.

“
Ok Maddie lets go.”

Ramón reached in her pocket and stopped them. “W
ait up as the future Mrs. Norris and the mother of a shopaholic Madison I had this delivered for you.”