Chapter Thirty-Eight

 

Darius escorted Melissa to the waiting limousine. For the past two months, he’d wanted all the attention focused on Melissa. She deserved to be treated like a princess on a pedestal. The last two years of his career had driven him to become someone he hardly recognized; no wonder she was ready to walk away from their marriage.

“Darius, you said dress casual. Now, I think I’m under-dressed,” she said.

The driver held the car door open and they slid into the back seat.

“You look perfect. I’ve never seen another woman wear maternity clothes so well.” He put his hand on her stomach.

“You like feeling him kick, don’t you?” She put her hand on top of his.

“When I feel him moving, he’s Darius Jr., not just a baby. Plus, you can’t fuss when I’m just trying to feel my child versus trying to feel you up.”

She gave him a playful swat. “So, where are we going, and what is the surprise?”

“Let me see. Should I tell you now or make you wait?” He pretended to think about it. “I think you should wait.” He put his hand back on her stomach. “How is the gallery?”

“I sold my second piece today, the abstract of the Brandywine River. Even though the guy could have obviously paid more, I let him haggle me down. I’ll need to bring in some more artists soon or the walls will be bare. I didn’t take into consideration the lead time to get quality work. But, I know you don’t want to hear about the gallery.”

“I really do, Melissa.” He rolled his hand over her belly. “Thank you for putting up with me. I know I’m damaged, but I’m trying to be better.”

She bit down on her lip and nodded.

“We’ve both got some stuff to deal with. But, you have way more than me.” She laughed and cut the tension.

The car slowed in front of the small, family-owned steak-house restaurant they’d found one night when she had to eat something and it had to be good. His stomach roared like a turbulent ocean. After two months of shining the spotlight on her, tonight, he wanted to showcase their love. The public needed to see them as a couple. Even though divorce was still a possibility, his world would always revolve around her, and if the world knew about them, then maybe, one day, she would too.

“Darius, I’m not dressed for this place. Look at me, in maternity Capri pants and a knit top. I should have worn a dress and heels. I’m wearing flats that barely match my outfit.” She stuck out her foot in protest as he held the car door open for her.

“You look perfect. I’m wearing jeans, so we’re fine.”

The driver hurried to the restaurant entrance and pulled the door open for them. As soon as they entered, he could hear the buzz of people inside. Once they walked past the bar into the large dining room, the clapping began.

“What is going on? What are we celebrating?” Melissa stopped, the puzzled expression on her face demanding an explanation.

Before he could explain, Dan materialized from the group gathering closer. “Did he tell you the good news?”

“Not yet, I wanted to tell her with everyone present.” He put his hand around her fast disappearing waist. Never had she felt so good in his arms.

“Do you see your sisters?” He pointed them out in the crowd, along with Pam. “And see, everyone dressed casual. Even Asa is wearing jeans.”

Dan clapped his hands and everyone quieted. “I wanted to throw a little party for Darius. His second album - Liquid Gold - just went multi-platinum. He has sold over two million copies.” The crowd roared with applause. Dan hushed them by waving his hands. “Wait, there’s more. Tomorrow, we’ll sign the biggest endorsement deal ever recorded for the record industry. I won’t mention who the lucky endorser is since we don’t ink the deal until tomorrow. Let’s just say they’re so happy to have him on board they’re sponsoring this get-together tonight and they want us to have a good time. So with that, bring it on.”

The music grew louder just as a stream of servers with loaded platters pushed through the double doors leading from the kitchen. The choreographed scene came straight out of Dan’s play book. The two of them were crushed by a wall of people. He refused to let her slip away.

“Please stay by my side tonight. The only reason I allowed Dan to throw this party is because I thought you might come with me.”

She cupped his face and kissed him on the mouth. Instead of the peck she intended, he deepened the kiss, savoring her essence. Her stomach kept him from holding her as tight as he wanted.

After a few moments, she pulled away. “Congratulations, baby. You’ve worked so hard and you deserve this. I see your dad and mom are both here too. That’s great. This is your moment. Go mingle with everyone; I’ll be fine.”

“Nope. I’m not leaving your side.” He held her hands as the crowd gathered around them.

“Darius let me get you a drink; what are you having?” Dan yelled as Darius’s mother approached.

“I’m drinking the same thing Melissa’s drinking, soda.”

“Son, I’m so proud of you.” His mother kissed his cheek. “Melissa’s pregnancy agrees with you. And obviously, it agrees with the two of you. I never believed that nasty old business about you getting divorced. You two are so in love I can feel it.” She placed her hand over her heart.

****

Melissa absorbed his mother’s words without responding. She’d made the statement with such certainty she left no room for doubt. Melissa caught a quick glimpse of Darius, his face was expressionless. Were the two of them pretending for the sake of the baby?

“I hate to pull him away from you, Melissa, but I need him for just a moment,” Dan said. “I’ll make sure I bring him right back.”

“Do you mind, honey?” Darius released her hand for the first time since they arrived. He looked reluctant to leave her side.

“Go, please. I was beginning to wonder how I was going to get into the ladies room with you.” She laughed.

As soon as he disappeared in the crowd, she found her sisters. “Meet me in the bathroom now,” she ordered.

“Is everything okay?” Dakota’s husband, Bishop asked.

“Yes, fine.” She jerked her head towards the restrooms and narrowed her eyes.

“We better go now.” Dakota handed her drink to Bishop and pulled Asa along.

“You too, Pam,” Asa yelled over her shoulder.

As soon as the four of them were inside, Melissa locked the door.

“What’s going on?” Asa asked. “You look like something just scared the color out of you.”

“I don’t know. I feel like I’m having a panic attack, but I’ve never had one before, so I don’t know.” She dropped on the bench in the lounge just outside the stalls.

“Did something happen?” Dakota sat beside her and rubbed her arm.

The alarm in the three pairs of eyes staring didn’t help. Pam fisted her fingers.

“I can’t explain it. I was fine when I left home. I’m excited for Darius. He deserves this party, but I feel like we’re being dishonest. People are congratulating us and giving us antidotes about marriage and babies like everything is normal. His mother swears she can see our love. His father is making plans for Darius and me to spend the weekend at his place once the baby gets here.” She stopped for a deep breath.

“From the way the two of you are smiling and touching, I thought you two had settled your differences too,” Asa said. “I don’t think his parents meant any harm.”

“But don’t you see? I was just beginning to find myself again. The gallery just opened. I have a condo that I adore. I’m making new friends. I’m living a life that I like, not one Darius forced me to accept. And now, everything is spinning out of control. I’m pregnant and Darius is living in the apartment. I feel like someone else is mapping my life again.” She took a deep breath.

“What are you saying?” Dakota’s eyes widened. “Are you wishing you weren’t pregnant?”

“Oh, no. Not at all. The baby is the best part of all of this.” She made a circle with her hands. “But, with the baby comes a whole lot of other stuff, and I’m not sure I want to sign on for the extras. Suppose Darius wants to move back to San Francisco or has some crazy notion that I should close up the gallery? I was finally in control of my own life, and now I feel like my control is slipping away.”

“It doesn’t have to,” Dakota said. “We come from tough stock, Melissa. If you’re happy with your life now, fight for it.”

“Melissa, can’t you tell by the way Darius is focused on you that his feelings for you are genuine? If I could find a man willing to do half the stuff he’s done for you in the past few months, I’d stick to him like glue.” Pam knelt in front of her and placed her hands on Melissa’s knees. “Maybe your hormones have interfered with your intuition.”

Melissa shook her head with such force her vision blurred. “No. I can’t assume he’s doing all this stuff for me. We’re both committed to making sure the baby is loved and nurtured in a positive environment. And I know I’m willing to do anything to make sure we live up to our commitment. But, for me to interpret our actions as anything more would be crazy. Foolish. How could I have been so foolish again?”

Dakota squeezed her arm. “Miss. Tough-As-Nails, I think you and Darius need to have a real conversation. Mim always told us you can’t hide from the truth, and I think for months you’ve done exactly that.”

“What if my truth doesn’t match his reality?” She fought back the emotion.

“Then you’ll just have to accept the outcome, but at least you’ll be making a decision with all the facts,” Dakota said in a soft whisper.