E love series box set, p.11
E Love Series Box Set, page 11
Just as Steven was bringing her the baby to nurse again, Dr. Thorpe entered the room.
“Well, hello there, proud parents.”
“Hello, Dr. Thorpe. How are you?”
“No ma’am, Mom. I came to see how you were, and you are trying to beat me to the point. How’s it feel being new parents of the most precious sweetest baby girl in the world?”
“You probably ask all the mothers that, don’t you?”
“Why sure. You know if no one else thinks that little girl is the most precious sweetest baby girl in the world, her parent surely does. I’m only guilty of asking you all the truth.” He laughed heartily, like an old Santa.
“Well, you have spoken correctly, and I want to thank you for bringing her into this world. And for taking care of my first most precious sweetest wife.”
“You are welcome, fair gentleman. And if your girls are feeling good, I’m willing to let you all go home right now. All their vitals are good. It’s been a healthy pregnancy, and I see no reason to hold you all hostage in this place for even a night.”
“Praise the Lord! You surely read my mind because I was just about to ask you if we could go home.”
“Well, my fair lady, don’t waste your breath. Steven, get all of your belongings packed, and I will have the discharge papers ready before you can say, ‘Please let us go home.’ Just don’t say it until ten minutes after I walk out of this door.”
“Okay, Dr. Thorpe, you got that. Now, will my appointments be in the discharge instructions?”
“Why sure, my dear I would not let you go home without all the information you need. And if you or the baby have any problems before you come to see the pediatric physician and me, by all means, call my private line or Nurse Carol.”
“Alrighty, then. Thanks again and I love you, Dr. Thorpe.”
“Steven, she’s trying to either make me blush or get me beat up. But at this point, I’d risk the latter. I love you, Priscilla. And Steven so you won’t be jealous… I love you too, man.”
“I love you, too, Dr. Thorpe, and I promise to never try to take her to another doctor.”
“Aw. We already know that wife of yours would drive them nuts.” They laughed, and Priscilla held her stomach to keep from straining herself as she giggled.
Steven quickly packed their bags. A nurse came in to assist Priscilla, while the pediatric nurse put the baby in the car seat. Steven secured his wife in the car, as the nurse buckled in the baby safe and sound in the back seat. Closing the door, Nurse Carol waved goodbye. They both waved back, and Steven looked over at his wife. “Are you ready to start our new life?”
He heard her mumble, “Yes,” which transcended into her thoughts being where he wished they would never go. Steven without hesitation grabbed her hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss. He hoped he could eradicate from her memory his atrocious choice almost costing his marriage. Humiliation mixed with nostalgia stood right in alignment with elation and adoration, and Steven was nearly too discombobulated to deal with any of his feelings.
Turning the dial to satellite radio XM64, he glanced to see Priscilla’s facial expression. With her head laid back on the headrest, and her eyes closed, a stream of tears trickled down her cheek. Steven opened the compartment inside his armrest, took out a tissue, and gently placed it in her hand. Thank you, Jesus. Pastor Strong warned him this would happen. He said never stop her from crying, because her tears might be the real deterrence from bashing his head. He obeyed.
Although they’d spent months in counseling, there were still moments when without one word she made him feel like the scum of the earth. Steven appreciated the fact she remained committed to her vow until death do us apart, but her silent moments were like coals of fire lumped in his pants… killing the very piece of him, that embedded itself in the pudendum of another.
He appreciated her for staying because, truthfully, he could not attest to what he would have done in her position. Now he could only spend the rest of his life trying to rectify his deeds. His fault never reflected on her as a wife, nor was it a sign of his marriage being over, but was the result of being too far from the one who could keep him from falling.
Separation always built the most significant platform for sin, and now that the darkness of sin was over, his prayer was that the Lord would find ways to shed His light upon his family. Now was the task of learning to trust in the Lord in spite of what he thought.
As he drove, Pastor William Murphy’s song, “I’m Changing,” came on again and now flowed through the car. It just happened to be one of Priscilla’s absolute favorites, and if any song could move her from sadness to worship, it could. Steven knew because she immediately began to rock her head from side to side, and he whispered, “Thank you.”
Steven would always mimic the grandfather, but this time he decided to allow the Spirit to do what He needed to do. Indeed, he was right in the middle of his change, and although enjoyable, it was not easy.
Steven watched as Priscilla stirred a little more in the seat, and although he knew, she’d just had a baby, that still didn’t stop him from desiring her. The changed, new, and improved Steven wanted to take her in the house, put the baby in the crib, and make love to his wife as if he had never made love to her before. Sometimes, he felt that since Priscilla had no one sexually to compare him to, he could just give her a little passion and that would suffice.
Nevertheless, in a counseling session, she’d all but hinted that he did something else to Crystal that he had never done to her. Priscilla implied that nothing he did would have ever made her stalk or beg for him. The reality was, he’d barely done anything to Crystal. She just loved him from the time they were young. But from now on with her, he was going back to his college days antics.
He was going to keep his hands somewhere on her body, touching, holding, caressing, and making her feel like she was always getting the best that he had. No longer would he allow her complaints of headaches to stop him from getting his due benevolence. It was going to be just as much pure romance and sexual healing, as it would be breastfeeding and diaper-changing.
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32
Chapter Seven
By the time they reached their home, so many emotions had stirred in one ride, and just as they pulled into the garage, the little bundle of joy began to make her presence known.
“This is surely your daughter, Priscilla, because she has some lungs that command your attention.”
“Why sure, blame it on me. But that is all good because I want our little girl to be able to speak her piece or desires wherever and with whoever.” And they both laughed.
Priscilla had ridden in absolute silence as she tried to figure out her thoughts, putting each into perspective. Steven’s kind gesture of kissing her hand and giving her tissue seemed sweet, but he was the cause of her tears. Sometimes it was hard to wrap her mind around loving the man who’d caused her so much grief. Loving him was especially hard when the nut he cheated with left boxes at their front door.
When they pulled into their driveway, Priscilla felt a sense of relief. She unbuckled her seatbelt and slowly departed the vehicle. As Steven wrapped his free arm around her waist and guided her in the house with the carseat covered in his other arm, Priscilla allowed him to feel needed and wanted. When he sat the baby carrier on the sofa, making sure to uncover the baby, she touched him on his arm.
“Yes.”
She could tell she startled him by his facial expression. “I want you to know that I thank you. And Steven, I do still love you, and I always will.”
Steven instantly pulled her into his arms and kissed her as passionately as he had when the pastor declared them husband and wife. Priscilla kissed him back, praying he would never step out on their marriage again. The process to forgive him was easy, especially when she considered her role in the catastrophe. The healing process, however, was taking more time than she expected. When the woman he’d cheated with left boxes at their front door, she questioned staying with him.
As the song “I’m Changing” played in the air, she began to feel the music. God changed her even when she did not know she needed changing. He caused her to think on Him versus Steven’s infidelity. He made her focus on her faults and what authentic forgiveness means. All of this kept her home with Steven and made her commit to becoming an even better wife. Their lives would never be the same, a fact Priscilla accepted. At least they had enough common sense to realize there was no such thing as a perfect marriage.
Nathan was growing more anxious by the minute. He longed to hold her in his arms, just to feel her body against his. It had been a while since he’d even touched a woman outside of UMC. It had taken Nathan a while to sift through some of the ex-baggage in New Orleans. He went back with one goal in mind: to rid himself of all the women rallying to be his wife. And one mission: to come back to claim Regina. As he sat waiting on her, he fumbled with the notion of moving too fast.
Maybe I need to give us time to be in each other’s presence before I unload all of my business on her. Or had Jacob just gotten into his head? The white boy, who had been his locker mate in private school, still knew how to pick his mind. What he loved was he could trust Jacob with his money and his business. However, concerning Regina, his mind was made up. She was the one.
Nathan wanted her to know everything there was to know about him, but maybe he needed to give it to her slow. She had spoken to him via phone call or text for the past months but still did not know what he did. Of course, she probably thought he was also a waiter at the La’Shelle’s in New Orleans. Usually, the only thing he did there was check in on his sister, Lydia, and her husband, Patrick Broussard, who ran the restaurant.
He was also good at ordering whatever he wanted. Even wining and dining women in the establishment, but in the last few months, the only woman he thought about was the one he left five hours away. The one he laughed at when she made corny jokes or snored when she fell asleep with him on the phone. The one who was loyal to her friends and their friends, and went out of her way for the people she loved. The girl with huge ambitions.
He could tell by the way Regina walked that she was ambitious. At first, he wondered if it was in a go-getting or a pushy kind of way. Several phone conversations confirmed that she was neither, but instead aspiring and motivated. She was on a mission to prove to herself and the world she’d left behind, Regina was worth God’s love. She wanted every no good guy who’d wronged her in the past to know she came out on top, in spite of them throwing her under.
So many times during conversations, he warned her about trying to box him into her past. She would say things like, “all guys,” and he would quickly correct her because he was different and nothing would block him from showing her the world and so much more.
Nathan knew he was probably different from any person she had ever gone out with, and his lying by omitting who he really was bothered him. He wanted nothing more than to be the man she dreamed of. The one who would protect her, unlike her father, and would love her as much as her mother. Now he sat not knowing if she would allow his real identity to destroy what they had or become the enhancement for their future. He was distracted from his thoughts by the intercom.
“Mr. Nathan, you have a call on line two.”
“Jamecia, didn’t I tell you that dad is Mr. Nathan. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She laughed before hanging up the intercom line.
“Yes, this is Nathan.”
“Man, you still there waiting like some girl who is waiting on Prince Charming? We could be playing ball right about now.”
“Jacob, what do you want?”
“Man, I left the restaurant, got down by the Walmart, and some crazy broad almost hit my car. Then she had the nerves to drive up on me and throw the middle finger. Man, I almost followed her crazy butt and flipped her off. But I didn’t. I just called my buddies at the station and reported her car. These people already shooting folks for road rage and people like her are making the decision to do it much easier. I promise if I were the old me, I would have put a bullet in her tire. Anyway, call me as soon as Regina leaves so I can get all the details.”
“Boy, you crazy, but I’m glad you straight. I’m also glad God delivered you from the old you. Man, I would be at the police station right now bailing out one of their finest, since they made you their honorary doctor. That would have been a mess.”
“Yes it would have, and I would definitely be endangering my already damaged reputation.” Jacob laughed so hard it caused Nathan to laugh. He usually tried not to laugh at Jacob when he was silly, but this time he had no choice.
“And about Regina… What Regina does is my business. You just better go find you a tux and be ready to walk down whatever aisles she wants you to walk down.”
“I told you once and I will tell you twice. You better have a destination wedding or your daddy will be your best man. I want to be on a beach where some pretty women are, and I don’t care what color they are. I just want them fine with white teeth, fresh breath, and with pretty feet. I can’t have no girl who’s feet look as rough as mine. You dig.”
“I can’t wait until cupid’s arrow hit you smack dead in the tail. I also hope she is nothing like you imagined her to be, because you think you in control of everything.”
“Whatever, man. I am. Cause God made me a priest in my own home and I’m going to run it well.”
“Jacob, get off my phone so I can win this woman over.”
“Bye, dude.”
“Later.” Nathan mashed the button on the phone to disconnect the call. He looked down at his watch. He’d been waiting for quite some time. Regina still hadn’t shown.
He figured she should be pulling in by now. Nathan closed his planner. He was a thorough and complete by-the-book type of guy. Everything he wanted to say to Regina, was outlined in the flow he thought their conversation would move. After some sections, he’d placed—in bold ink—three question marks. These were the places he expected Regina to question his decision.
Nathan, now anxious, decided to walk to the front of the restaurant. He figured he’d walk out the door and maybe see Regina walking up the sidewalk or parking her car. Just as he made it to the door, he could see Regina’s car getting ready to turn into their parking lot and could tell she saw him, too, judging by the smile plastered on her face.
Regina smiled so hard when she saw Nathan walking out of the door as she was turning into La’Shelle’s. That was the last thing she saw.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18
Chapter Eight
Bang! Bang! Bang! Beep! Beep! Beep!
“Regina! Regina! No! God, no!” Nathan screamed and then ran so fast, hurdling over the hedges aligning the sidewalk. He had lost all sense of caution.
“Regina! Regina!” He approached the wreckage. The back of her car was just inches away from the electric pole it had already hit, after hitting another vehicle and spinning around a couple times.
“Someone call 911!” He yelled, reaching the red smashed BMW.
“Lord, please. Please don’t do this to me.” Nathan yanked at the door. The driver’s door was locked. Glass was everywhere.
Nathan threw off his gray Armani suit jacket and slung it towards the sidewalk. He noticed the shattered glass from the back door window. It was the opening he needed. He slid his hands through the window to unlock the driver’s side door, trying not to cut himself. He opened the driver’s door.
“Lord, please don’t let her die. Call 911!” Nathan shouted again and soon heard the sirens.
Regina was slumped against the airbag on the steering wheel, lifeless. He could see her car beginning to smoke. His quick reflexes took over, causing him to snatch her door open. Nathan reached between Regina and the airbag to try to unhook the seat belt. When the belt would not bulge, he screamed for someone to get scissors.
A woman in a nurse’s uniform ran towards him with some surgical scissors. He snatched the scissors, cut the seat belt, and returned them, thanking her with his smile. Nathan placed one arm around her back, and one under her thighs, cradling her like a broken baby to himself, lifting her from the wreckage.
Nathan could hear the sirens closing in on him, so he tore his eyes from Regina to watch where the ambulance parked. He gently carried her lifeless body to the stretcher, where the EMTs were.
“She’s in her early thirties, and I need you all to get her there quickly. I am Dr. Stallone and her future husband. Regina has a femur fracture and several obvious deformities, with agonal respirations. Please wrap a covering over the protruding bone and get her there quickly!” Nathan screamed at the EMT who immediately started hooking Regina up to his machines, covering her body, and all while talking.
“Rescue to Cannon. We have a patient for med control,” said the EMT.
“Go ahead rescue,” responded a voice on the other end.
“We have a priority one trauma for you. A female in her early thirties involved in a vehicle accident. Car said to have been traveling at a slower rate for turning when struck by a car doing eighty to ninety miles per hour.”
“Was patient lodged in vehicle?”
“No. Patient was taken out by a physician on site, Dr. Stallone, after the car began to smoke. She was wearing a seatbelt. Patient has agonal respirations, an obvious femur fracture. Several other obvious deformities as well. We’ve got a pressure of 195 by palp and a pulse of 110 right now.”
“What’s your ETA?”
“We have an ETA of eight to ten minutes.”
“See you in ten minutes,” was the last thing Nathan heard before the EMT yelled, “We got her, Dr. Stallone,” and closed the door.
