Family Reunion (66 page)

"You see!"

"No, I think I will simply have to settle with the grandchildren you will provide and Mike has provided." Hope looked down. "Yes, well, Mike maybe, not I." Lena took her hands in hers and squeezed. "Look at me Hope." She did.

"The moment that you stop worrying about it, the minute that other things start becoming of interest to you, when you relax and enjoy your husband, the darnedest thing is going to happen. This incredible little being, is going to just up and impose itself into your lives."

"You really think so?"

"I know so. After our third it was quite a long time before I conceived again and I too feared as you fear now. I think it actually delayed and lengthened the time because I wanted another one so badly. The minute I gave in and accepted it as so, guess what and who happened?" Hope was smiling. "I don't know, who?"

"Ohhh, this adorable little being of gold, who touched my heart, and made me want to hold her there always...you."

"I love you mama." Hope murmured softly, hugging her mother.

"Of course you do, and I won't have it any other way." They pulled apart, staring at each other when Hope suddenly grinned. "What's so funny?" Lena asked.

"I was just thinking ... are there any questions you'd like to ask me, about your wedding night?" Lena chuckled shaking her head. "Hope. You are terrible, positively wicked!" She laughed.

"Now, that's the look a bride should have before her wedding." Lena grinned but immediately sobered as another thought occurred to her. "Hope! Manny and I getting married…will it be legal?!"

"Yes, very much so, here that is. Should it ever be challenged in court, that's another matter, but for now…it's legal and will stand if never disputed. Of course you know, if anyone who didn't approve found out, daddy would have a time on his hands." Then something occurred to Hope.

"Does it bother you mama, that it's something that would have to be kept secret?" Lena sat silently giving it thought.

"I suppose, in circumstances such as ours, one would have to ask themselves what is more important? Being publicly noted and claimed as his wife? Or being his wife? For me, it is more important being his wife and making it right before God, we owe man nothing, it is our creator who must bless us, man has no say in the matters of God. This is between the three of us, our creator, Manny and I. That in itself is enough for me."

"Oh mama, I am so happy you two love each other. I wish you knew how proud it makes me." Lena smiled and stood. "Good, I suppose I should begin readying myself ... are we the only ones up?"

"Mike, Rory, Esteban, Papo, Leon and my dear father, your future husband are already gone to make sure everything is ready to run smooth and clear. Francis went with them to help Carmine and his family prepare the restaurant. Sandra is already here in the family room with Maria, getting the girls ready, while Felix is sitting with his bottom lip on the floor and his arms crossed because he got left with the women!"

Lena gasped. "Aaah, my poor baby, why did they leave him?" She asked, brushing through her hair. Hope took the brush from her mother and continued for her. "You will find your grandson has a liking to his bed. Since he is often slow to rise, he gets left behind, the case today."

"Poor child." Lena sympathized just as Gaitsu knocked on the door.

"Come in." She called.

He stuck his head in. "You bath hot and ready, all finish for you ...I would bring here, but no help, all gone you know."

"That is fine Gaitsu, I will go there, thank you." He went to leave when Lena called. "Oh Gaitsu!" He stuck his head back in. "You will be there won't you? You weren't at the ball for me the other night; please tell me you'll be there with us today."

Gaitsu smiled and nodded. "Gaitsu not miss boss wedding day…I be there."

After her bath, Lena, dressed in the garment she would wear to the restaurant, joined Sandra, Hope and Maria in the family room. Upon her entrance, Sandra stood with a small box in hand. "Before we leave, I suggest you put this away." Lena looked at the box and took it. "Thank you, for getting this for me, I'm not sure what I would have done without it."

Hope went to Felix, coaxing him up from the sofa so she might dress him. Maria preferred to ignore him before she lost her temper.

"Lena, um - the doctor ... well-…" Sandra started unsure, feeling uncomfortable with what was on her mind.

"What?" Lena questioned curiously. "Well, when I asked for this ... he, kind of asked, why... why are you still taking it? He said something about ... well, he said it wasn't good for you to take over a length of time. He said a person could, could begin to depend on it ... and ... well, that's not happening to you? Is it Lena? You take it a lot." She asked, sincerely worried.

Lena smiled shaking her head. "Sandra please, you know the only reason I take it is because of the headaches I have. It keeps the pain at bay. You know how I get when I don't have it."

'That's what worries me!'
Sandra thought, but kept silent. "Anyway, thank you. I'll be right back, let me go and put it away." Sandra felt uneasy, but was helpless when it came to Lena and the medicine. On the way to her cabin, Lena met her son-in-law in the corridor. "Good morning Joe, I thought you might be with the others." Joe smiled having just awakened, in no hurry to dress.

"I'll be there in time for the ceremony." He replied, exhausted from a busy week. With Manny's focus on Lena, he left a great deal on Joe and some of his other men. That had been the first morning he was able to sleep in since joining Ramsey Fleets. "My goodness, you look exhausted, get some more sleep." Lena urged him, continuing on her way.

By the time she returned, Mike was there to escort the women to the restaurant where Madame Biquay waited with Lena's gown. In the carriage, Felix sat beneath his grandmother's arm for safety reasons.

His
father was eyeing him with threatening intent for his behavior and so he knew under his grandmother's wing was by far the safest place for him as she whispered promises of letting him be the ring bearer.

"Mama… I don't know about that. Maybe I should keep a hold of them." Mike offered, expressing doubts. "Until it starts son ... then you will hand them over into Felix's care. How will he learn to be responsible, if he's given no responsibilities? If you continue to suggest he cannot be trusted to behave or be responsible, he will continue to prove you right. Any child will always strive to live up to their parent’s expectations, whatever they are."

Mike and Maria shifted uncomfortably as Lena eyed them. "When the ceremony starts, your father will hand you the rings and you will take good care with them until you must hand them to us, okay?"

"I will grandma." Felix found himself sitting just a little bit straighter, eyeing his parents with his grandmother protecting him.

'Hmph! They can kiss those rings goodbye!'
Lolita thought glaring at her little brother.

The coach pulled up behind the restaurant and everyone piled out, with Lena, Sandra and Maria heading straight up the back stairs to Carmine's apartment. There, waiting in the living room was Josey, Francis, Madame Biquay, her assistant seamstress, Carmine's wife Lettie and their oldest daughter Virginia. A breakfast buffet was laid out for them to enjoy. Lena entered smiling and excited as Josey was the first to greet her with a cheer.

"Here comes the bride to be!"

"Oh look at her, she already glows bright as a star!" Lettie piped in gaily. Lena was grinning as she went around receiving greeting kisses on the cheek from her friends. "My goodness, I hadn't expected to see so many here already this morning!" Lena beamed.

"Why not?! Everyone is here to attend the bride!" Sandra informed her.

"Yeah, so get with it lady, a little celebrating adds to this breakfast!" Josey waved toward the long table with orange juice and wine waiting. Lena gaped and looked at them as if they were crazy.

"Is that wine!?"

"Of course it is!" Josey answered then giggled. "I'm afraid I've already had a bit!" She turned red and chuckled. Lena stared at her in disbelief. "I'm happy Lena, if this is not a reason for celebration, I don't know

what is. Here stands the best friend I ever had, who dared to dream and now, it's about to come true. I for one am celebrating!"

Maria and Francis looked at each other giggling as all loudly declared a, "
Here here!!
"

"Oh wait! That should have been a toast!" Josey thought too late.
Lena laughed as Lettie passed the wine to all the women present. "I can't believe it! Josey, Lettie, this is positively scandalous! I can't believe we're doing this!" Lena laughed taking the wine and sipping it.

"You better believe it! Isn't it wonderful, positively sinful!" She then turned to Francis. "Francis! Don't just sit there staring at it, drink it down. Sandra, you too!" Josey was on top of the world and was pulling all present up with her. "Would it not be oh so wicked were we to make Lena positively sauced for her wedding?!" Lettie suggested.

"All right, none of that!" Lena laughed, while Francis, for the first time ever in her life sat sipping wine and was instantly tipsy. She covered her mouth giggling in disbelief that she was in the middle of it all. Lettie was quick to refill, relishing getting everyone sauced, Lena shook her head covering her glass. "Oh no you don't! That's enough for me. I will not be sauced on my wedding night!"

All eyes bucked as Lena realized what she’d said, "I mean my wedding day!!!” She squealed.

"Ah ha! So that is what's on your mind!" Madame Terra Biquay simpered as she sipped her wine. Lena couldn't believe she'd said it. "I didn't mean that!" Lena denied. "Admit it woman, with a man like Manny waiting at the end of the day, you said exactly what you were thinking! Remember, I know what he does for you!" Josey teased, winking.

"Josey, shush!" Lena felt as if her face was on fire.

"Shush why? Pah! We are all women! Oh, I remember my Carmine on our wedding night! I-yih yih - yih yih!" Lettie admitted, embarrassing her daughter.

"Mamah! Don't!"

"What?! Go - help your papah!" She ordered in her heavy Italian accent. "Go on with you
now
!" Her daughter stood and left the room. "Ah! She is still young; love has not hit her as yet!" Lettie waved her off and turned to Lena. "Like it has grabbed you!" Lena blushed. "So come on, tell us… what you have in store for him, hm?! Come on, you can tell us!"

"That's for me to know, and you all to wonder at." Lena grinned.

"Ah! So you do have plans, you admit it!"

"As was mentioned, a man like
that
… of course I do."

They all roared with laughter, Josey cheering, "Yes!" On her third glass. "Well, to help you obtain your goals, I had a little something made for you." Sandra rapidly flexed her brows at Lena. Lena sat down taking the gift, as all urged her to open it. Untying the fancy lace tie and removing the delicate sheer wrap she uncovered the garment.

Picking it up,
her eyes grew huge as all in the room gasped at the turquoise blue silk gossamer negligee. The garment was so transparent she could see everyone right through it. Stunned, she quickly dropped it back to the box, folding the wrap back around the garment and staring with embarrassment at a grinning Sandra.

"Sandra!! Why didn't you tell me what it was before I picked it up!?!"

"I told you it was to help you with your plans for tonight. Wait until he sees you in that."

"I cannot believe you gave me this!" Lena screeched.

"Tis nothing to be ashamed of; to have a man such as he, ah, he is very enamored with you. Oh the money he has paid for such an exquisite gown and that it be done today. I cannot wait to see you in the creation. He picked it out himself from various designs I displayed before him. He even made a few changes to suit his taste. You will be a beautiful bride, Ceś alena. I think you are both fortunate."

Lena smiled at the woman, wondering why she wasn't opposed to the marriage seeing the difference in her and Manny. "It doesn't bother you, or strike you funny, that he, a white man, is marrying me?" Terra smiled wondering how much she should say, having known Manny for as long as she had.

"Not in the least. You see, I am
very
accustomed to this. I, myself am the result of one." All were stunned and it showed on their faces. "Ah, I see, this is hard for you all to believe, eh? I do not look as one would say, of a blend? But I am, my grandmother and my mother were both courtesans. Ah ah, do not look so, I admit it. It is no shame for me, because there was no shame for them. My grandmother was called upon by many men and when my mother was born, though she tried not to follow her mother's footsteps she too became a toy to them. One of them was my father; until I grew and developed many of his features she was not sure. She decided that I was to be the end of the courtesans. She went to my father and told him her wishes. He paid for my education. Since I have always loved sewing, this is what I do; I still don't know who he is, but no matter. My mother, she still lives in France, and I visit when I can. So you see, this thing with the two of you, it does not surprise me…not at all…it is more common than you know." She finished.