Chapter 10

10

Evenie

I t felt weird being out in the world so soon after coming home.

When we first pulled up to the mall, I couldn’t get out of the car. My nerves were all over the place. For a moment, the fear of being taken again crept in. I had to close my eyes and count to twenty because ten wasn’t doing it.

You’re with Nina, and she won’t let you out of her sight.

You know her crazy ass will throw hands if someone tries anything.

And you know she’s always carrying.

It was true that since my best friend became licensed to carry at nineteen, she kept her gun on her. I didn’t have to express my concerns to her. She simply opened her purse and gave me the reminder I needed before we got out of the car. I felt safe with her, and it was a relief after all I’d gone through before coming home.

Well, I guess I shouldn’t say home, considering last night’s events.

I was trying so hard not to be mad at Tyrion for moving on in my absence. I couldn’t blame him for wanting love and companionship. And I could understand that things happened so fast yesterday. He was blindsided by my return, so maybe my anger was unwarranted.

I didn’t know how long he’d been with this woman or how long he waited before dating again. I didn’t know what their relationship was like, but he had to have felt something if he asked her to marry him. What I knew was I didn’t like her. That passive aggressive shit she was pulling was going to get her feelings hurt sooner rather than later.

“You with me?” Nina asked, snapping her fingers in my face.

I shook myself out of the daze I’d been in and went back to looking through the clothes.

“I’m okay. Just a little tired. I didn’t sleep much. Every time I settled into a good cycle, I woke up with the urge to check the locks.”

I must have gotten up about four times last night because my mind wouldn’t let me rest. The last time, I had to talk myself out of grabbing a knife from the kitchen to put under the pillow. The last thing I wanted was for Summer to wake up and find it there.

“That’s understandable, boo,” Nina said. “You look like something is on your mind, though.”

“Just thinking.”

“About?”

“Tyrion.”

She nodded. “Girls, why don’t you two go try on these clothes,” she said to Jersey and Summer Rose.

They grinned and rushed over to the dressing rooms, with us following behind. I couldn’t stop myself from checking every open stall to make sure there was no one waiting inside. Once they were tucked inside, Nina and I took a seat in the waiting area. My eyes darted in every direction, surveying the area.

Nina snapped her fingers in my face. When I looked at her, she tapped her purse.

“I got us, remember?”

I nodded. “I remember.”

“What’s on your mind?”

I sighed. “Was I wrong to think I was coming home to my man, my child, and my family? He told me he loved me, Nina. We kissed, and all the while, there’s another woman.”

“You’re not wrong to think that, babe. Now, even though I don’t care for that woman, he wasn’t wrong to move on, either, and I know you know that. I’ll give her credit; she’s good to him, and she’s good to Summer Rose. If she wasn’t, I would have nipped that shit in the bud a long time ago. What I will say is I don’t really think he wants to marry her.”

“How long have they been together?”

“They met four years ago but have been official for about three and a half. They got engaged four months ago. I think he felt pressured to ask. My father always told me it doesn’t take a man years to know he wants to marry you. Jaime told me I was going to be his wife after six months. Tyrion told you after five, and we were sixteen at the time, Evenie. That man knew as a chap that he wanted a life with you.

“It took him four years to decide if she was worth it. You know how many times I heard her hint at wanting to be married? For a second, I thought she was gonna be one of those bitches that proposed to a man because she wanted it so bad. Anyway, my point is, I don’t think he’s in this for the right reason.”

I went to say something, but the girls came back out so we could see their outfits.

“Oooo, don’t y’all look fancy!” Nina exclaimed.

I giggled as both Jersey and Summer Rose struck several poses for us. My baby had a lot of personality for her age, and I was already so in love with her. Last night, as we lay in bed, she told me so many stories and talked to me about herself. The thing that made me cry was when she told me she loved me. It wasn’t just the words; it was the way she articulated it at ten years old.

“Mommy, can I tell you something?”

“You can tell me anything.”

“I love you. I know I don’t remember you, but Daddy talked about you so much it’s like I do. Like when he made up bedtime stories about you, I closed my eyes and pictured you there. I could almost feel you and smell you. He said you were a good person, and even though you weren’t here, you still loved me.”

I swiped a tear from my eye. “I’ve always loved you, baby. From the moment I knew I was carrying you, I loved you. There is no time or place in space where you would exist and I not love you. I hate that we missed so much time together, Summer. All I want is a chance to be your mother.”

She giggled. “You’ll always be my mommy, silly.”

She’d wrapped her arms around my neck and smothered my face with kisses. I was so blessed to have this little girl.

“Do I look pretty, Mommy?” Summer asked.

“You look absolutely beautiful, my love.”

She blushed as she and Jersey ran back to try on the other clothes.

“She is so happy you’re home,” Nina noted. “When she stays over at my place, I hear her pray for you all the time.”

I smiled. “Tyrion has done a great job raising her. I’m so thankful that he made sure she knows who I am.”

“I’ll give him that. He never let your memory fade. If there is anything he loves more than you, it’s her.”

“You think he really still loves me that much, Nina?”

“I know he does. Iona… I won’t doubt he loves her. She came in at a difficult time, and she’s shown them both a lot of love. But it’s not the same as his love for you. You’re that man’s soulmate.”

I shook my head. “I’m not gonna beg him. I’m not going to fight him on this—”

“Baby, you don’t have to fight for what’s rightfully yours. You’re still legally his wife. That house is still legally yours too.”

“He has to divorce me to marry her.”

She waved me off. “That man isn’t filing for divorce. Mark my words.”

“Well, he can’t have both of us.”

“Damn right he can’t.” She sighed. “Listen, I’m not one to step on anybody’s toes. I just think you two need a chance to reconnect. You didn’t leave him. You weren’t having problems or anything like that. You were taken from your family. You two deserve the chance to see if all that love is still there… which I know it is. I say fight for your man.”

I was quiet. Did I have the right to mark my territory when I’d just gotten home? The last thing I wanted was to fight with another woman over a man. But Tyrion wasn’t just any man. He was my husband and had been my husband for almost fifteen years. He’d been the love of my life for close to two decades. My absence never changed the love I carried for him. If anything, it made it stronger.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted the smoke I knew came along with taking my family back, but I knew for sure that I wasn’t ready to give them up.

My father’s money had been well spent.

I’d told myself not to go overboard in buying a new wardrobe. Originally, I was just going to buy a little of this and a little of that and just wear what I had at the house. That was until I went through the boxes this morning. If it didn’t stretch, it wasn’t going to fit me. Then my father called Nina’s phone to see why the charges were so little.

“Are you not spending any money?” he fussed.

“I don’t want to overdo it, Daddy.”

“It’s a black card. Ain’t no limit, so you could never overdo it.”

I palmed my face. “Daddy.”

“Evenie Marie. I told you to get what you need. No questions asked. You’re an authorized user on the account. Spend what you want and give it back.”

“I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too, baby. Let me talk back to Nina.”

I handed the phone to her. “He wants to talk to you.”

“Hey, Mr. David… Yes… I can do that… Just so we’re clear, you’re giving me permission to take off my belt if she doesn’t act right and spend this money. Got it. Love you too!”

I rolled my eyes. My father loved to treat Nina like she was the big sister and I was the little sister, even though we were the same age.

“All right. You heard what Daddy said. Swipe that card, friend.”

Swipe I did. By the time we left the mall, I had a new wardrobe, a new phone, and a couple of other things. We loaded up the trunk of Nina’s car and piled in so we could head to see my parents. When we pulled into the driveway, I noticed the fleet of cars parked along the road and the big smile on Nina’s face.

“What is going on?” I asked.

“Well… you had to have a welcome home party, babe. Your father called me this morning and told me they were putting a small get-together in place so the family could see you. I hope it’s not too much.”

I smiled. “It’s not. I’d love to see everyone.”

“Good. ’Cause my parents are here, too, and you know Ava Loren would have thought nothing of pulling up at the house.”

We laughed as we got out of the car and made our way around back. The music was already bumping, and I could smell my father’s famous ribs on the grill. When we stepped through the back gate, I was greeted by the smiling faces of so many of my family members yelling “Surprise!” My heart swelled at the feeling of being completely loved. I went through hugging every person in attendance.

“Mama, Daddy. You didn’t have to do all this,” I said, walking over to them.

“Yes we did,” my mother said. “You deserve to be surrounded by people who love you, baby.”

“I appreciate it. Gosh… so many of the kids have grown up!”

My father chuckled. “They don’t stay babies long. Summer Rose always has a lot of kids to play with when she comes over. Since your disappearance, the family gets together a lot more often. We just want to love on each other while we still have time.”

“I know what you mean.” I rested my head on his shoulder. “This is love.”

The DJ they hired began playing music. When the sounds of “Anything” by SWV came on, Nina came over and grabbed my hand, pulling me into the middle of the yard. We started dancing, and it wasn’t long before our girls and most of the guests joined in. I was having a good time until the back gate opened, and Tyrion walked through.

I would have been a lot more upset if he hadn’t walked in looking so damn good. He was dressed in a plain black T-shirt that hugged his frame, black cargo shorts, and a black and white pair of sneakers. A white gold chain hung from his neck, and an iced-out watch glistened on his wrist. Tattoos peeked from beneath the sleeves of the shirt, and he walked like he smelled like heaven.

When Summer Rose saw him, she ran over and jumped into his arms.

“This smooth bastard,” Nina said, giggling. “Coming in here looking like that. I should fight him.”

I couldn’t pull my eyes away from him. Even though he was on my shit list right now, I had to give him credit. He looked amazing.

Nina snapped her fingers in my face. “Earth to Evenie.”

“I’m here, girl, damn.”

“Uh-huh. I see you eyeballing that man.”

“Well, he is my husband.”

“And he’s coming over here.”

Tyrion smiled as he placed Summer on her feet. She ran off with the other kids, and he made his way over. I took a deep breath as he came closer.

“I’ll give you a minute,” Nina said.

“Wait, no!”

I tried to grab her, but she slipped from my grasp. I groaned as she disappeared into the crowd, leaving me behind. Tyrion came to a stop in front of me and shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Hey, love.”

“Please stop calling me that.”

“That’s what I always call you.”

“It doesn’t hit like you think it does.”

He sighed. “Can we not do this right now?” he pleaded. “I just want to celebrate you being here. We shouldn’t be fighting two days into you being back.”

I crossed my arms. “We aren’t fighting at all.”

“You’re mad at me.”

“With reason.”

He raised his hands in surrender. “You’re right.”

“I know I am.”

He stood there for a moment. The music changed to “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder. I closed my eyes. This was my song. I played this song on repeat for my baby when she was first born. There were many nights I played it while I danced with her, to get her back to sleep. She would always look me in the face while I sang and bounced around the entire duration of the song.

She didn’t know what the hell I was saying, but she was tuned in. From the time she was born until I disappeared, that was a regular routine. When she got to the point of smiling and cooing, I got a kick out of what I said were her adorable attempts to sing along.

“Daddy, it’s our song!” Summer Rose yelled, running over to us.

I glanced up at him, and he smiled.

“It’s still our favorite song,” he said to me as he reached for her hand. “Why don’t you ask Mommy to dance with us, princess?”

“Please, Mommy? Daddy said you used to sing this to me all the time.”

I glared at him for using our child to get on my good side right now.

“I did,” I said, looking down at her. “I’d love to dance with you, baby.”

She grabbed my hand, and he grabbed the other. Together, we danced with Summer Rose, doing a little two step and taking turns spinning her out and pulling her back in. Her giggles made my heart smile. I had no doubt that we would have had a lifetime of dances like this if things had been different. Music was a staple in both of our homes growing up, and it was something we carried into our own.

When Tyrion and I had finally finished renovating our home, we celebrated by popping open a bottle of wine and dancing in every room of the house. It had been one of the happiest moments of our lives. We’d put so much hard work into making an older house into our forever home.

Who knew forever would end so soon though?