Serena, p.8
Serena, page 8
Hand in hand, she followed him into the living room on shaky legs. All the while worried they were not going to support her. Even the music playing in the background seemed to be in tune with the mood. Just as he stopped in the middle of the room to pull her into his arms to dance, a new song began to play. Shirley Murdock’s AS WE LAY set the sensual slow dance. As the song ended, she found herself sitting on the couch. For the life of her, she didn’t even remember how. Elray was way too tempting of a man for a woman with her limited experience. When had he retrieved the pudding or sat on the couch next to her?
“Where are the spoons?”
“We don’t need any.” He replied using her finger to scoop up a small amount that he sucked off tenderly. Mesmerized, she watched as he took his own finger and scooped up more. He put some on each corner of her mouth, then licked it off. That brought shivers traveling down to her spine. Chocolate was her favorite flavor of pudding, but if someone offered her a million dollars to tell them the flavor they were eating right now, she’d still be broke tomorrow.
The phone rang several times in the background, but Serena barely recognized the sound. Elray must have because he reached over and turned the volume down to let the machine get it.
“I know you’re home pick up the phone,” his father said into the machine.
His face if not his voice showed had it been anybody else, there definitely would have been plenty of attitude in his voice.
“Hey pops.” A minute later, he had Serena’s full attention when he said, “Which hospital are you going to?”
Grabbing her chest as though she were in pain, Serena screamed. “Oh my God, what happened, what’s wrong with my baby?”
He hadn’t even said anything to her and Serena knew the call involved Raiena. “Calm down, she has a fever, my mother just wants to have her checked out,” he tried to reassure her. Ten minutes flat, they were both dressed and in Elray’s car and heading for 285. Raiena was going to Children’s hospital on the perimeter.
When they arrived at the hospital, his mother was at the nurse’s station talking to the triage nurse.
“I’m the grandmother, what do you mean I can’t consent to treatment.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Carter, but if you are not the legal guardian. You cannot legally consent to treatment. Can you have the child’s mother meet you here?” the nurse responded.
From what Serena had seen and heard, it was a good thing they arrived when they did. Rushing up to the nurses’ station, she said. “I’m the baby’s mother”
“Do you have ID ma’am?”
“Yes of course I have my ID.” Serena indicated pulling it from her wallet. Finally, after all proper ID was shown, the nurse took all the information Mrs. Carter originally tried to give. Before the triage nurse completed her examination of Raiena, she had fallen asleep in her father’s lap. Never in her life had she felt as helpless as she did at this minute with her precious daughter lying peacefully asleep.
A few minutes later the admissions rep called Raiena’s name.
“Ms. James we’ll need your daughter’s insurance card.”
“We don’t have any insurance.” Serena replied.
“How will you be taking care of tonight’s visit?” The rep inquired.
At that moment, Mr. Carter walked up to the window and handed the rep his American Express card.
“Mr. Carter, I can’t let you do that.” Serena protested. “I have some money I can take care of the charges.”
“Serena, this is our granddaughter. It’s no problem.”
Resigned to accepting his help, she added. “Thank you. I’ll pay you back every penny.”
“Nonsense, it’s the least we can do after missing out on her first six months.”
When they sat back down, while waiting to be called into an exam room, Elray told his father. “You can send me the bill. I’ll take care of it.”
The look his parent’s gave him was priceless. She already knew he would never see that bill. As it turned out, there was nothing seriously wrong with Raiena. She had a minor ear infection coupled with her teething that had caused her fever to rise. The doctors gave her an antibiotic and told them to give her over the counter Children’s Tylenol for the fever and follow up with her pediatrician.
”Both Sherice and Kimble Jr. have the same pediatrician, I can get their doctor’s information and make the baby a follow up appointment tomorrow.” Elray said to her as they all walked out to the parking lot. “We shouldn’t have this problem again after court tomorrow, because Raiena will be added to my insurance.”
After they got in the car to leave, Serena could tell that something else was bothering him, so she said, “Yes, it will be nice to have her covered by insurance in case anything does ever truly happen.”
“Baby, after what happened tonight, do you think it might be a good idea to see if Uncle Walt could have papers drawn up giving my parents the right to make medical decisions for Raiena. I mean just in case we can’t be reached or something.”
“That’s a great idea. I don’t want Raiena to have to wait.”
Since there was no way she was going to sleep well tonight anyway, Serena didn’t mind at all when Elray suggested they all spend the night with his parents.
“Hey Mom, Serena and I are going to go home and get clothes for tomorrow. If you guys don’t mind, we’ll all stay at your place tonight,” she heard him say into the phone.
Instead of keeping Raiena up longer than necessary, she had already got in the car and went home with her grandparents.
After getting a change of clothes and putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, she and Elray hurried back over to his parent’s house. Raiena was asleep in his parent’s room when they got there.
“It’s okay let her stay in there with them.” Serena said, when he said he was going to get the baby.
As expected, Serena hadn’t slept well that night. They were already up, dressed, and in the kitchen having a bowl of cereal when Mr. and Mrs. Carter came down the next morning. Serena reached for the baby as soon as Mrs. Carter sat down next to her. After hugging and kissing her several times, she passed her to Elray for a dose of the same.
Traffic in Atlanta was always unpredictable and they did not want to chance being late.
“Dad, I was thinking maybe we should actually take separate cars today just in case. That way no one person is stuck if the other has something to do.”
His parents agreed. Taking just enough time to pack a diaper bag, Mr. and Mrs. Carter got into their car to follow them to the courthouse. Uncle Walt was already there, he signed them all in then went over what they wanted to accomplish in the hearing. Serena was shocked to learn that Elray was also petitioning to have Raiena’s name legally changed to Carter.
“Elray, we didn’t discuss changing her name.”
“I know, I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“I don’t. I just wish you’d told me that’s all.”
Uncle Walt was still going over all the petitions when their names were called. Because Elray traveled a lot with his job, a petition for guardianship for his parent’s was filed, so they would have the authority to consent for medical treatment in the event neither of them could be reached. All the petitions filed were granted and as the judge brought up the issue of child support Serena leaned over and asked Uncle Walt to decline.
Even though she didn’t want the child support, she did agree to have a trust fund set up for Raiena that Elray would put the money in. However, having reservations about this, Serena also agreed to have her name added. It did make sense that if she needed the money for the baby’s care, she would have access to it. After all the necessary papers were signed, Uncle Walt informed them that he had even set them up to be officially tested for paternity. It was nearly noon before everything was completed.
“I didn’t expect it to take this long. Can we go and check on my mother?” Serena asked.
“Of course, I’m sorry I didn’t expect it to take this long either, but I really wanted to get as much done today as possible. I don’t know about you, but I’d just as soon not have to come back.”
Now that was definitely something they agreed on. If she never saw family court again, that would be fine with her.
Chapter Seven
Elray’s parents expressed to Elray and Serena that they would like to meet their granddaughters other grandmother. Serena wasn’t sure it was a good idea, but it wasn’t as though she could put it off forever. His mother suggested that she call her sister and see if it would be okay for them all to stop by the hospital. After finishing the call, Serena turned to Mrs. Carter.
“My sister said Mama just woke up so now would be a good time. I told her we’d be there in less than an hour.”
“Wonderful. After that, let’s have lunch, and of course, it would be our treat.”
“That sounds good to me,” Elray said then took Raiena from her and strapped her in the backseat in the car seat.
“We’ll meet you at the hospital. I need to stop for gas,” Mr. Carter said before opening the door for his wife to get into the car.
“Okay Dad. We’ll wait in the lobby for you.”
Twenty minutes later, Serena was sitting in the lobby of the hospital nervous about how this first meeting with her mom would go. Elray must have sensed her insecurity because he reached over and grabbed her hand and squeezed it; then brought her hand up to his lips. He turned it over and kissed her palm before resting his face in her hand.
“Everything will be fine Serena.”
She smiled and nodded but that didn’t really make her feel any more at ease. She hadn’t asked if Jerry was there and truthfully she hoped he wasn’t. Just as she was about to tell Elray what she was thinking his parents walked in. Well there was no backing out so she got up and they went to the elevator.
“Hi Mama,” Serena said when she entered her room. “I’ve brought your grandbaby to see you and Elray and his parent’s are here too.”
Starlett got up from her chair and greeted Elray who introduced his parents.
“Hi Star. This is my mom and dad.”
“Hello. It’s nice to meet you both,” Starlett replied shaking their hand. She moved aside to allow them to get closer so Serena could introduce their mother.
“Mr. and Mrs. Carter this is my mother, Lorinda James.”
Mrs. Carter stepped forward first.
“Ms. James I’m pleased to meet you, please call me Sherry and this is my husband Brandis.”
“Nice to meet you Ms. James,” Mr. Carter said.
Serena didn’t know where Jerry was and frankly, she didn’t really care. It was just nice to see their mother so happy, and, most importantly, sober.
Her mother and Elray’s parent’s spent the better part of an hour talking. She was so grateful for the kindness the Carters showed her mother, they treated her like she was somebody; an equal. Since she hadn’t checked Raiena to make sure she wasn’t wet or hungry, Serena excused herself to go down to the hospital cafeteria to get her changed and fed – Elray followed.
“Hey baby, I’m gonna check my messages while you change the baby.”
“Okay. I’ll go change the baby and meet you back here.”
When she returned, Elray had a huge smile on his face.
“Guess what,” he said as soon as he hung up the phone.
“What?”
“My agent called to tell me all the details for that Tyra project.”
“What Tyra project,” she responded.
“That’s right, I didn’t get a chance to tell you before did I?
She sat and listened while Elray told her the details of the Tyra project.
“That’s great, Elray. I’m very happy for you,” Serena told him sincerely.
“Thanks. Let me know if there’s anything you need before I leave. Serena, I still don’t want you staying at your mom’s place while I’m gone. You can stay at my place or I’ll talk to mama and arrange for you to stay at my parents.”
“Elray, I’ll be fine. I did take care of myself for years before I met you.”
“I know, but I want to take care of you now; you and the baby,” he told her and she could feel that he meant it. She realized for the first time it wasn’t just her body or making love to her that he loved; he loved her completely.
“Raiena is your only responsibility. We’ll see what happens between you and me okay?”
“Okay, for now,” he said before leaning over to kiss her gently.
Before leaving the hospital, Elray discussed with Serena and Starlett the arrangements for their mother’s homecoming; as she was being released tomorrow. Elray, was glad he would have plenty of time to get them all settled before he left. As promised, his parents treated them out to lunch. He had some errands that really needed to be taken care of, so he told Serena to go home with his parent’s.
Dillon looked surprised to see him when he walked into the shop a short time after leaving Serena and his parents. He knew that Dillon was aware he and Serena had court that morning.
“What brings you down here today?” Dillon asked him in that older brother worried or annoyed tone.
“Happy to see you too big brother, where are the twins?”
Dillon laughed pointing upstairs and told him, “Rayden is upstairs in my office with Mrs. Williams. Rayvon went to pick up some supplies I ordered, but couldn’t get for three days, unless someone drove to Orlando to get it; he volunteered.”
“Rayden is going to get the hell beat out of him if he doesn’t leave that woman alone. Doesn’t that fool know her husband is in the NFL?”
“I don’t think he cares, she certainly doesn’t, and in all fairness she’s the one chasing him. Not that he’s trying to get away. Besides, I’m sure you are not here to discuss Rayden’s love life, what’s up?”
“I’m doing a photo spread with Tyra Banks for a lingerie line. I’ll be leaving in two weeks, for about a week. I want to know if you all can keep an eye on Serena and the baby.”
“Sure. You really care about her don’t you?”
Elray took a deep breath and nodded before he replied, “More than I wanted to admit at first.”
“You wanna talk?”
Since Dillon’s office was already occupied, they went outside and sat on the bench out front, to have a brother-to-brother talk. He went into details about his feelings for Serena, as well as why he wanted them to keep an eye on her and the baby.
“Jerry sounds like a real joy. He’ll find out soon enough you don’t mess with the Carter’s, if he gets out of line, we’ll handle it.”
Elray laughed. “I knew I could count on you Dill. I appreciate it. Tell the twins thanks for me too.”
“Will do, but I’m sure we will see you before you leave.”
As it turned out, he was so busy with Serena getting her mother settled with the nurse and looking at houses that he didn’t see his brothers, except briefly in passing at his parent’s, until the night before he was leaving. He’d spoken to them on the phone several times and set up a schedule for them to help with Serena. Alex and Venice also offered to help but he wasn’t sure he wanted them around Jerry any more than he did Serena and the baby.
Each day Elray had gone to the James house in the last two weeks; Jerry had actually been on his best behavior but he wasn’t fooling him. The lusty looks he caught him giving Serena several times made him want to beat the crap out of him on principle alone. He put Jerry on the back burner for now, because he had total confidence in his brothers, as he boarded the plane for LA while Serena, Raiena, Venice and Dillon waved goodbye. The good bye that stuck out in his mind was the one Serena had given him last night. She might consider herself a woman of limited experience, but he must have taught her well, he doubted if he could get it up again anytime soon even if he wanted to. Serena whispered in his ear when he kissed her bye at the terminal that last night had been to hold him until he came home to her. She then joked and reminded him that she didn’t share. She was such a contradiction; on one hand she didn’t consider them a couple then in the next breath she was telling him she didn’t share.
He had never met anyone like her before. Once he got back home, he intended for them to move to the next level in their relationship.
Early the next morning breakfast was ready when Rayden arrived at Elray's place. Rayden was first up for Serena duty. Raiena, like her cousins Sherice and Little Kim already had all her uncles twisted around her little finger. He and Raiena played on the floor in the living room while Serena showered and got dressed to go over to her mother’s house.
“Rayden I really don’t need you to stay at Mama’s with me. I’ll call you when I’m ready to go since you insist on taking me.”
”It’s okay it’s not like I have anything else I’d rather be doing anyway.”
Rayden smirked to himself when he saw her roll her eyes as she followed him out to the car.
When they got to her mother’s house, he got out of the car to get Raiena. Serena entered first and he followed her in carrying Raiena.
Before she had a chance to introduce him, a man whom he assumed had to be Jerry looked him over, then smirked, “Just how many baby daddies have you got?”
Rayden looked at Serena and smiled then turned back to Jerry before he replied, “Oh El was right about you.”
It as obvious Jerry didn’t like his comment one bit. “Right about what may I ask?”
“That if he didn’t kick your ass, one of us would.”
“Just who the hell are you anyway, you can’t come in here and disrespect me in my house.”
Serena answered, “He’s Raiena’s uncle Jerry and you started this.”
“Jerry can you please help me go in the other room and lay down,” her mother said then added. “Serena, bring my grand baby in to see me.”
“Alright mama I’ll be right there. Rayden I’ll probably be here most of the day, I’ll call you when I’m ready to go.”
