Page 53 of Dreaming

Then she was crying and he suddenly realized why Nia didn’t want a big wedding.

Wrapping her in a hug, he told her, “She won’t be there and anyone who wants to know why can talk to me or your mother. Let me give you a storybook wedding. Let yourself enjoy it. The days where you sacrificed are behind you, baby. Those days are over. From now on, the load isn’t on your shoulders.”

Leaning back, he took the box from his pocket. “I picked this up from the jeweler after you left. I ordered it weeks before. Dad brought it from my safe today.”

She took the box, her hand trembling, and opened it. It was a classic style in platinum with clean lines. The rectangular diamond in the center would sit flush to her finger, with smaller rectangular diamonds on either side.

“This is beautiful, Dennis.” Lifting her face, tears slipping free, she smiled. “You really want a big wedding?”

“Oh yeah. All the bells and whistles.”

“Alright.”

“Fucking fantastic.” He put the ring on her finger, kissed her breathless, and slipped her sundress slowly up her legs. “My mouth waters for you.” He kissed her again. “Can I lick your pretty pussy, Nia?”

“Yes, oh yes.”

“I love when you say yes.”

Chapter Eighteen

Cedric didn’t return with Nia’s mother for two days. They walked into the house laughing.

Nia looked at the man currently rubbing lotion into her feet and mouthed, “Holy shit.” He grinned. “Hey, Mom! You look great…are you wearing a new dress? That is stunning. Did you have your hair done?”

“When your mother told me she hadn’t walked into a boutique in a decade, I couldn’t allow it to stand. I took her somewhere special. They always took care of Clara and I knew they’d love dressing Nellie. Her bone structure, her flawless skin, her delicious curves…”

“Too much, Dad,” Dennis murmured.

“You’re right, son. Gotta know the room and I got carried away. Anyway, we adored several swaths of fabric and decided to go retro. Didn’t we?” Cedric kissed her mother who hadn’t looked as relaxed in way too long. “I ordered a few forties-style suits and I demanded Nellie pick a dozen dresses and accessories. We need dancing clothes!”

He pulled Nellie into his arms and spun her around the room while he hummed a jazz tune.

“This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” Nia said softly to Dennis. “I don’t care if she’s high. I haven’t seen that smile in so long.”

Cedric spun her several times on the tile in the kitchen and pulled her close. Nellie was breathless and wrapped her arms around his neck. He grinned down at her.

“Let’s check on our sweet kids,” he told her with a light kiss on her lips. “Maybe we’ll invite them dancing with us after the dust settles in a few days.”

“Nia loves to dance. She especially loves dancing with Dennis because he’s so strong. Makes her weak in the knees.”

“Mom. Sweet mother of mine. I’m begging you to stop.”

They came into the living room and Nellie lowered to perch on the coffee table. “You look lovely, darling. Did you want to make a hair appointment? I love it like this but you’ve always been a creature of habit.”

“No. I want to wait. Too much time in the salon, all the fumes...” Nia looked up at Cedric. “You left so quickly the other day that we didn’t get a chance to share the news. I’m pregnant. It wasn’t an accident.”

Eyes wide, he asked carefully, “It’s sure?” She nodded. “Boy! You’re making me a grandfather with Nia?”

“Yeah, Dad.”

“You hear that, Nellie? Grandparents!” He pulled her to her feet and hugged her tightly. “Our kids are having a baby.” She nodded with a smile. He narrowed his eyes. “How did you keep that secret?”

“I told everyone I know but I knew they’d want to tell you themselves. It was hard not to scream it.” She held his hand tightly. “We should talk about names! What are you thinking Nia? Something classic, unique…?”

Staring between them, Nia asked carefully, “Did something happen? You look like you’re trying to distract me.”

Twisting her fingers together, Nellie lowered to the coffee table again.

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