“It is the only way I am going to agree to this unusual situation.” She warned him.
He sighed. “You do realize that I have enough money to take care of any and everything?”
“I do but I have been brought up to pay my own way.”
“Okay, we will work something out. Would you like to come and look at the place?”
“I would but I cannot until Sunday. Will you be around?”
“I will be.”
“I will see you then.” Shelby hung up the phone and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes in the process. She hesitated briefly before picking the phone back up and dialing her mother’s number.
“I thought you had deserted your mother.”
“You could have called too Mama.” Shelby pointed out.
“You were disrespectful- “
“You know what Mama – I don’t want to fight. I just called to let you know that I am having twins.”
“Twins?”
“Yes, and I am moving in with Gray.”
“You are shacking up with that man?” she demanded in a strident tone.
“I am not shacking up with him as you put it. We decided that it would be beneficial to both of us if we lived together. We are each going to have our own spaces, but he just wants to make sure that he is there for me and the babies.”
“What am I going to tell the church?”
“Tell them to mind their own damn business!” Shelby took a deep breath and continued. “I don’t care what people think, Mama. I am carrying twins and the doctor told me to stay away from stress.”
“And is that me?”
“Is that you Mama? You are not supportive of anything I do. When I first started out with my designs you told me that I was wasting my time and that it would never work. You were wrong then and you are wrong now. I know that getting pregnant out of wedlock is considered a sin- “
“It is a sin in the Good Book.” Her mother interrupted her forcefully. “I am sorry I have not been the kind of mother you want, a mother who condone everything that is happening in this country nowadays. I am a child of God and I intend to do as the Bible tells me. I intend to live the way of the Lord until I die. Is it wrong for me to want my only child not to suffer the fires of hell?”
Shelby lifted her brows and almost burst out laughing. “I called to let you know what I am doing as a courtesy, Mama and I do not appreciate a sermon right now. These children that I am carrying are going to be your grandkids and I would like you to be a part of their lives. It is entirely up to you though. And Grandma told me that you were not a saint Mama, she said you ran with a wild crowd and you were involved with a guy who was totally inappropriate. I have been nothing but well behaved and I would like you to remember that. Bye Mama.” She hung up before her mother could respond and turned off her phone in the process. She was done trying to please a woman who could not be pleased! She thought firmly. She was going to concentrate on the children she was carrying!
*****
He watched as she walked around the upstairs room and followed behind her each time, she exited a suite. She had not said anything since she had pulled up into the circular driveway and he had opened the doors to welcome her.
“You do not like it.” He murmured as she ran her fingers over the staircase.
She looked at him in surprise. “What makes you say that?”
“You have not said a word since you got here.”
“I am taking it all in before I say anything. Which suite will be mine?”
“Whichever you want. So, you like it?”
“What is there not to like?” she wandered back into the teal blue suite and looked around again. “I like this one better than the rest because of the view and the big ass bathroom of course” She flashed him an impish smile and he caught his breath at the flash of white against her smooth cocoa brown skin. She was starting to show and was wearing a clinging green sweater over black leggings. Silver earrings dangled to her shoulders and when she smiled, a dimple peeked out at her left cheek. “The claw footed bath in the center of the room is just classic.” She turned to face him. “I am sold Gray. Which one did you choose?”
“I have not chosen yet.”
She pulled at his hand. “Let me help you to.” She said dragging him out of the room. “How about this one? It’s masculine in color, the chestnut and tan colors really go well together. And the view from the balcony is stunning. What do you think?”
“I think you are right.” She still had her hand in his and he knew that she was too preoccupied by what she was doing to realize the effect she was having on him. He had told her that they could live together in this place, but his uncle was right! There was no way he could live with her, the woman he had an intimate relationship with and not want to touch her! Right now, he wanted to pull her towards the bed and strip her clothes off and make love to her! He shook the image away and deliberately concentrated on what she was saying.
She let go of him and walked over to the window. “I am going to be a good mother.” She said quietly.
“Of course, you are. And I intend to be a good father.” He came up behind her and fought the urge to pull her back against him.
“My mother thinks I have committed the ultimate sin. I am pregnant for a guy without the security of a wedding and I am shacking up with you.” He saw her slight smile reflected in the glass. “She does not think very highly of you. She thinks you are a player and I could do better.”
“I am sorry to hear that.” He said stiffly. “So, I take it she does not like me?”
Shelby turned to face him. “Don’t take it personal. She would not have liked anyone if they did not come from the church, she is a member of. She had this nice deacon picked out for me and I ruined her plans.” She shrugged. “My mother is a fanatic and there is nothing I can do about it. I have no intention of allowing her to ruin the joy of carrying these babies.” He took his hand and placed it onto her stomach. He jolted a little at the contact as she pressed his hand down. “I felt them move slightly today. I want you to feel it too.”
“I would like that,” he said a little hoarsely.
“Hopefully they are feeling energetic right now.” She continued to press his hand down and he went still as he felt the slight movement. His eyes flew to her face in surprise. “I feel it.”
She nodded and kept his hand there for a second before removing it. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”
“It is.” He stepped back and schooled his features before she could see how affected he was by her and the situation. “When would you like to move in?”
“Before Christmas. I will just pack my clothes and a few personal items.” She turned back to the window. “I can see them now, running around the yard and getting lost. It is a big yard.”
“Ben is volunteering to build a treehouse.” Gray said with a smile.
Shelby turned to face him. “That’s sweet. Okay, I am starving right now. How about we order something to eat and christen the kitchen?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
They ordered Chinese and sat at the massive counter in the kitchen and ate out of the cartons. He watched her as she dug into the Lo Mein carefully and tasted it before scooping it up. He encouraged her to talk about her designs and what she had planned for the future.