Unconditionally Single (24 page)

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tomach pains, spotting. The timing was horrible.

Valentino paced from the vanity to the tub. “Lace, I should take you to the hospital. Please let me,” he said, standing in front of me.

“I’m not having my babies in Los Angeles. These pains will pass.” I’d spent the last hour on and off the toilet. The contractions were sporadic but more than an hour apart. I prayed this was a false labor and that they’d go away. I didn’t want some strange doctor delivering my babies.

“Can we weigh on the side of caution? Please, Lace,” Valentino pleaded.

“I’m getting up. I’m getting dressed. And we are going to the screening. That’s final.”

“Lace, we’re already late. I think our boys are coming tonight.”

Valentino was happier than me when the doctor had said there were two heartbeats. When the ultrasound showed both were boys, he’d shouted, “Yes!” like they were his seeds.

“Late is relative. I’m sure there are preliminaries. The screening probably won’t start for another hour. I can’t disappoint Velvet on her big night.”

“I understand, baby, but by the time we get dressed and get there, they’ll have started.”

I stood, washed my face for the tenth time. I reapplied my makeup, removed the band from my ponytail, and slung my hair left, then right. I stepped into my boy shorts, tucked in a sanitary pad. In the bedroom, I took my red spaghetti strap ankle-length dress off the hanger and over my head, then slid on my five-carat engagement ring.

“Fine,” Valentino conceded, escorting me out the door.

W
e arrived at the theater just as an usher was preparing to close the doors. My being pregnant gave us an advantage. The usher had refused to seat a couple ahead of us, but she looked at my stomach and said, “Follow me,” leading the way.

Holding my hand, Valentino followed her.

The usher said, “Excuse me, sir, these people need to be seated quickly.”

Grant looked up at me, down at my stomach, then stared at Valentino. Jada stared at my stomach, then at Grant. I sat in the seat next to Jada; Valentino sat to my right. I decided to sit next to Jada for two reasons. One, to keep Valentino from kicking Grant’s ass if Grant got out of line. Two, in case my contractions became too intense, I’d be closer to the aisle.

Sapphire tapped my shoulder. “Hey, Honey. How are you? Hi, Valentino.”

I turned around and smiled. She looked fantastic. “Hey, we have to get together after the screening. A lot has changed,” I said, rubbing my stomach.

“For me too,” she said, holding up her ring finger. “This is my husband, Santonio Ferrari.”

The lights dimmed. I whispered, “Nice to me you, Santonio.”

Valentino held my hand throughout the movie. Velvet was remarkable. She played the role of CoCo so well I prayed she’d win a few awards or at least get nominated her first time out. Forty-five minutes into the movie, I moaned, “Owww.”

Valentino whispered, “Lace, you okay?”

“I’m good,” I lied.

I heard Jada ask Grant, “She changed her name back to Lace?”

He replied, “I don’t know. I haven’t talked with her. I told you that.”

I whispered, “Hush.”

Jada spoke to me. “I know you’re not hushing me.”

“Baby, it’s okay,” Grant and Valentino said in unison.

I chilled. Another forty-five minutes and the lights came on. Velvet was so wonderful I was glad we’d come.

“Baby, look,” Valentino said.

“Oh, my, gosh. I cannot believe my ears.” Tears filled my eyes. I let them fall.

Jada whispered, “Hush.”

I ignored her. She was not ruining this special moment. Brennen Mosely was proposing to Velvet. As he concluded with putting the ring on Velvet’s finger, the audience gave them a standing ovation.

While everyone stood, I alone remained seated and stunned. My water broke. Not wanting to spoil the moment, I sat in a soaked seat, fluids streaming down my legs to the floor.

“Move, Grant. Let me out,” Jada said, tilting her ass in my face.

I hissed, “Inconsiderate bitch,” as she slipped on my fluids.

“What the hell?” she yelled.

Grant caught her. Regaining her balance, she pushed him away.

I whispered to Valentino, “Baby, my water bag broke. We’ve got to go.”

“I’m going with you,” Sapphire said, then shouted, “We’re having a baby!”

People behind us divided their attention between clapping when Velvet said, “Yes, I will marry you,” and the mama drama I’d suddenly found myself starring in.

Grant didn’t move.

“Nigga, best you get your ass out the way,” Valentino said.

Sapphire said, “Grant, what is your problem? Move!”

Grant stepped into the aisle, stared at my stomach again. Tucked his tongue between his teeth and upper lip. Jada stood beside him, then sarcastically said, “Congratulations.”

I was cool. Wasn’t going there with her insecure behind. I stood in front of her and Grant, then said, “Yes, congratulations are in order.”

“Baby, don’t talk to him,” Valentino said.

“Can we just get to the hospital?” Sapphire said, standing behind Valentino.

Jada sternly said, “Grant, let’s go.”

“Wait,” Grant said, looking at me. I held my stomach as he asked, “Honey, is that my baby?”

“Nigga, if I have to tell you—” Valentino began.

I reached behind me, placed my hand on Valentino’s side. “It’s okay, baby.” I wasn’t sure who was listening more closely for my response, Grant or Jada. I said, “Baby, he should know the truth,” then told Grant, “No, it’s not your baby.”

Grant exhaled. Jada answered her cell phone, “Hey, sweetheart. I’m sorry I forgot to call and cancel for dinner. I’m okay…no really I am….”

Grant nodded to me as if saying, “Get going.”

I stood one inch from his face and said, “It’s not your child but these babies are your twin boys.”

Jada lowered her phone, then said, “Grant, she’s lying. You told me you didn’t fuck her without a condom,” pressing the phone back to her ear. “I’m sorry, Darius. I didn’t hear you, baby…. Grant, let’s go.” Jada proceeded to walk off.

“You mind moving out of my way?” I said. “I’m the one in labor.”

“Grant,” Jada cried. “Fancy was hit by a drunk driver. We’ve got to go to the hospital.”

“Give me a minute,” Grant said as if he hadn’t heard her. “Honey, why didn’t you say something?”

I backed away from him. “Would it have mattered? Say something just so I could hear you tell me how I trapped you? How I planned this? So you could blame me for ruining your chances with Jada? So you’d stay with me because of the kids? What would you have done if I had told you, except call me a liar? Huh?”

“Grant! Did you hear me? Darius’s wife was hit by a drunk driver! Let’s go.”

“I’ve gotta go,” Grant said to me, then told Valentino, “You’re not raising my boys. Those are my twins.”

Sapphire hopped over the back of the seat, moved Grant aside. “Come on, Honey. We’ve got to get you to the hospital.”

Grant seemed confused. A part of me was relieved that he knew. The other part wished he’d never known.

Honey

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welve hours in labor, stitches in my vagina, and seven days in the same hospital with Darius’s wife, Fancy. Valentino stayed with me the entire week except short periods of time to go to our hotel room to shower, change clothes, and snag a few hours of sleep.

Valentino kissed me. “Baby, it’s time to feed again,” he said, holding Luke.

I eased my pinky finger at the tip of my left areola, handed him London.

Luke latched on to my right breast immediately. I could tell Luke was more like me and London was more like Grant. Luke was my firstborn. He fed first and he’d only nurse from my right breast. He slept an hour at a time as though he’d miss something if he slept longer.

London was mellow. As long as he ate he was fine. London didn’t fuss. He took his time coming out, an hour after his brother. He slept peacefully. London ate slower but his reflexes were faster than Luke’s. I was happy that they both smiled a lot.

The boys were identical and had my green eyes, slick dark hair, and my skin color. They were long like Grant, both twenty-three inches. Handsome like Grant too.

“What do you think they’ll grow up to be?” Valentino asked, rocking Luke.

“London will design spaceships and Luke will be an astronaut,” I said, not knowing if that were true, but I believed they’d be street smart and extremely successful.

Valentino was great with the boys. A part of me hoped we’d get his twins and his son Anthony together but Summer had moved and no one knew where she was. The last time Valentino called her, the number belonged to someone else. He feared Summer had gone crazy after Sunny was killed. Perhaps one day he’d see his kids.

“You’re a great mom already,” he said, kissing my forehead. “You should’ve seen how wide your pussy opened,” Valentino said, stretching his hands apart. “I almost passed out but I refused to give that nigga Grant bragging rights about how he saw the boys first. Still say you should’ve given them my last names.”

“I know, but he is their father,” I said. “And when I recover, you’re going to get this good pussy for the second time in your life every which way.”

Valentino smiled. I studied his face.

“What?”

“Can’t believe you’re the same man. You’re so gentle with the boys.”

He kissed my forehead, took London, who’d fallen asleep in the middle of eating. “I’ma take the boys to the nursery, grab a bite, and I’ll be right back. You get some rest.”

Valentino walked out. I closed my eyes, trying to find my “reserved” seat in the corner of my mind. A few minutes after sitting down with myself, I heard, “Hey, Mommy. How are you?”

Opening my eyes, I said, “I’m good,” then asked Grant, “How’s Fancy?”

“Not, good. She’s in a coma. Darius is freaking out. Jada had to make him go play ball, said there was nothing he could do at the moment. She’s staying by Fancy’s side and texting Darius every hour on the hour with a report.” Grant held my hand. “I still wish you would’ve told me.”

I shook my head. “Stop it. Please. I know I did what was best.”

He nodded. “You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.”

“Maybe you can tell me,” Jada said, standing in the doorway.

Grant released my hand. “Don’t come in here like that. You know I love you.”

I smiled, recalling the times Grant and I shared those words. I also remember telling him, “Sometimes love isn’t enough.” Like musical chairs, I’d gotten up, and Jada had sat in my seat. Better her than me.

“I guess her having your babies could be a good thing,” Jada said, standing by the door, inside my room. “You have your sons, we don’t have to adopt, and we’ll have joint custody,” Jada said, as if the decision was hers.

“You will not touch my boys unless I say so,” I told her.

“You, my dear, are an unfit mother. You don’t deserve those boys. Keep it up and I’ll make sure they’re taken away,” she said, excusing herself from my room.

I pointed at Grant. “You had better put that bitch in check. She does not know who she’s fucking with. I don’t give a fuck about your marrying her but if either of you fuck with my boys, I will kill you.”

“Mommy, calm down. She’s not serious,” Grant said, holding my hand again.

I told him, “Let me say, you’ve been put on notice.”

“Honey, you and I were never right for one another but…” He paused, pressing his fingers into his tears, then continued. “Now that you’ve had my boys, I will always have a place in my heart for you. Honey, you have given me the greatest gift a woman can give a man.”

“Knock, knock,” Sapphire said, walking in with Velvet and lots of flowers.

“I did not die. I had two babies,” I said, laughing. “Y’all making me hurt my stomach.”

“That’s why we brought you two bouquets,” Velvet said. “We know Luke has to have his own everything.”

“And six ballons,” Sapphire said. “You should’ve named one of the boys Bleu. But I do like the names you picked.”

I frowned, tilted my ear toward the door. “Do I hear Luke crying?”

“Girl, you need some rest. This is a maternity ward. All babies cry,” Sapphire said, sitting on one side of my bed while Velvet sat on the other.

“Grant, please. Go check on the boys,” I said to his back. Grant was already on his way out the door.

“Let me see your ring, girl,” I told Velvet, reaching for her hand. “You think it’s big enough? Sorry about interrupting your proposal. Damn! Congratulations are in order. You are one bad bitch.”

Sapphire said, “I second that emotion. I’ve seen her make a full water bottle disappear in her pussy and come out empty.”

Velvet’s smile was wide and bright. “Yeah, I guess stripping has its benefits.”

Sapphire said, “If anyone would’ve bet that the three of us…each of us, would be in happy meaningful relationships, I would have told them they were crazy. I’m married to a wonderful man and both of you are happy and engaged. Honey, when you get settled back in Atlanta, we have to celebrate.”

I held their hands, smiled. “I want both of you to be godmothers to my boys.”

“I got Luke. He’s a lot like you,” Sapphire said.

“I guess that means I’ve got London. I’m going to teach him how to act.”

Grant rushed into the room, interrupting our conversation. “Honey, did Valentino take the boys?”

“Yes, to the nursery.” I sat up.

Sapphire and Velvet stood.

Grant shook his head. “The boys are not in the nursery.”

“What!” I placed my feet on the floor. My vagina hurt so bad I had to sit down.

“Velvet, you stay here with Honey,” Sapphire said. “I’ll find them.”

Velvet held me. I cried until Grant and Sapphire came back to the room with the nurse. Valentino walked in behind the nurse. “What’s going on?”

The nurse said, “A woman came into the nursery after you left.” She pointed at Valentino. “Said she was with Child Protective Services. We were obligated to…”

Valentino and Sapphire ran out of the room. Grant rushed out too.

“Get out!” I yelled at the nurse.

Velvet sat on the side of my bed facing me. “Luke and London will be back shortly. I’m sure it was a simple mix-up….”

As Velvet continued talking, I got up, gathered my open gown in the back. I held my stomach, dragged my feet two steps from my bed.

Valentino entered my room. “We’re on it, baby.”

A police officer opened the door, then asked, “Honey Thomas?”

“Yes, I’m Honey Thomas. Where are my boys?”

The officer asked, “Do you have knowledge of the whereabouts of Anthony Valentino James?”

My heart dropped to my stomach. My body tensed. I closed my eyes.

Valentino said, “I’m Anthony Valentino James.”

I looked at him, at my BFF, and wanted to cry but I didn’t.

The officer gripped his cuffs, locked Valentino’s hands behind his back, and said, “You’re under arrest for grand theft auto. Anything you say can and will be held against you.”

“Velvet, go find Sapphire!” I cried.

Velvet ran out the door.

I removed Valentino’s ring from my finger, placed it in his hand, then said, “Don’t worry. Sapphire will have you out in no time.”

Valentino dropped the ring on the floor, then asked, “Lace, why?”

Not responding, I watched the officer escort him out, praying Valentino hadn’t betrayed me. Did he know where my boys were? If he didn’t, was Valentino the kind of man I wanted to raise Luke and London?

We both knew Valentino had stolen that car. What I didn’t know was how the police in Los Angeles knew about the car theft in Atlanta. As upset as I was about Valentino, I was furious not knowing where my boys were. Alone in my room, I could not continue to lie in bed doing nothing but worrying. I had to do something. I made it to my door, opened it.

Jada stood in front me, shrugged her shoulders.

The space in front of my eyes faded to black.

Silently I prayed.

Brain? Courage? Heart?