Princess Ces'alena (27 page)

The morning after, he had regretted it and begged her apology for acting such a beast. She had been unforgiving. However, upon finding out that she’d conceived, she felt a victory and crowed her victory before Lena. He had been unable to tell her of that night, and so the first she heard of it came from Katherine. Who now felt that she was in control. Morris would allow no one to disturb her delicate state, and she of course took advantage of it.

Lena tried to give no reaction to the news. It had hurt like the devil, but there was nothing she could do…as for Manny, he felt the brunt of her displeasure.

One thing he could not stand, was to have her displeased at him for something, and this was big. She was mightily displeased, hadn’t spoke to him in two weeks, she went so far as to bar him from her cabin. So while trying to be kinder to Katherine, he went out of his way to placate Lena.

Showering upon her more gifts, making her cabin even more luxurious than it already was, to the point of having the plantation carpenters add on to it, giving Mikey his own room, and another for the baby.

Of course Katherine knew nothing of this; she found it beneath her to even consider venturing into the area of the slave quarters. Besides that, although she was elated at being pregnant, what came with it was a dreadful head cold, right on the tail of a constant bout of morning sickness, that lasted through to the afternoon. Being a lady of privilege and prestige, it was unheard of that they venture into the public eye in such a delicate state, so she was also confined to the mansion.

This being the case, on top of everything else, the house was a war zone! Once Katherine saw Lena’s swollen belly, she exploded! To the point of wanting to attack her, but Lena wasn’t about to let any harm come to the child she carried, so felt no apprehension in defending herself to the fullest extent, brandishing a meat clever in one hand and the rolling pin in the other; the expression on her face begged for Katherine to step forward.

More than twice, Manny, Morris or Kayleen had to come between them. With Morris yelling at Manny, “Do you see what you’ve done? I cannot believe you’ve gone and knocked her up again! There’ll be no peace here ever again!” This forced Manny to lay down the law in the house. Under no circumstances was Katherine to come anywhere near the kitchen. She was appalled that he would treat her in such a way, in her own home, where she was in full right. After all, Lena was threatening her with a meat clever!

Trying to get and keep control of things, Manny reasoned that such outbursts could harm the child. “Is that what you want, to harm this child?”

“Of course I don’t! What about her!?”

“
You
- do as I say!”

“No! You get rid of that Ceś alena!!”

Unwilling to hear anymore of that, he turned to her and said very seriously, “I’d sooner divorce you. Now, make up your mind…either live with it – and stay away from this kitchen, or leave. I’ll not stop you. The choice is yours!”

“I carry your child! You can’t say such a thing to me!”

“It’ll want for nothing. Again, the choice is yours. Now make up your mind, and drop the theatrics!” Having no choice in the matter, she conceded.

Having to suffer humiliation before those who knew within the plantation was one thing…but she dare not let it go any further from there. After all, the world she lived in, as with every other woman, was a man’s world. There were no true rights to stand on…so she suffered as many of her time were forced to. Where in she had little to argue with, Morris had plenty to say; again pressing him to sell Mikey; to rid the plantation of Lena.

But something about Manny had changed over the last few months. Morris couldn’t put his finger on it, but he knew his son was up to something. Unlike before, he began threatening to leave Webster Fields and all connected to it, daring Morris to continue with a demand he had no intention on following through on. No matter how much Morris would rage in anger, and make demands, it frightened him to even think of his son abandoning the plantation and him. He had to back down, or face the threats Manny began firing back at him.

As for Manny, he was ecstatic about the coming of his second living, (so he hoped) child by Lena. Mike had said it would be a girl. He hoped to God that it would be. A little girl,
‘Hope’
, that’s what his son wanted to name her, and that would be it. Manny had a strong desire for her to look just like Lena. Although he knew it wouldn’t be to her best advantage, he even wished her coloring to be more like her mother. He often thought of the child Katherine carried, there was a tinge of excitement there as well. But it lacked the same anticipation he felt when he and Lena were expecting. He felt happy for her, but not in a way that he felt included or part of it. Even so, the child was his, and he would love it as he did Mike and the possible sister that was coming. While he was filled with joy over her, it was a devil of a fight trying to soften Lena up; showing up at one of the cabin windows, peering in, only for her to shut him out. He’d run to the other begging that she please listen, again, window shut to him. If he stood before her, without a word to him, she shoved him aside.

Giving up for the time being, with all the events taking place at Webster Fields, Manny had things taking place elsewhere as well. Now more than ever, he was leaving the plantation on business. This perplexed Morris. He’d already gone to town trying to snoop about for any information into what he was up to; but to no avail. Charles was the main source, but trying to get information out of him was like trying to catch a hummingbird with your bare hand. Sometimes his business trips lasted for the day, then a few days, and into weeks. Lena of course could not stay angry with him for much longer, especially when she missed him so much from his trips into town, or out of town. He was up to something, and whatever it was, brought him more and more happiness with every return.

He always brought back gifts for her and Mikey…and trying to be considerate, he brought presents here and there for Katherine as well. He loved his homecomings, because now, he always let his son know about the time when he would be returning, and Mike would ride so far down the road to look for his father, accompanied by Jordan or Amos. Sometimes, they’d hunt in the fields near the road until they spotted him coming, then join him.

Something he noted right away; his son was a natural when it came to riding. He was fearless and executed control of the horse that some accomplished riders didn’t have; and this at just ten years old. The first time he saw him jump a wide ditch from out of the woods to ride up to him, he’d almost swallowed his tongue. Mike only laughed and challenged him to a race. And of course, being that his horse was tired, carrying his weight, he always lost. But to see the boy lay low and give the animal full reign, scared him to death. Yet, he never lost control, and if he did, he knew it would break his neck. Therefore, he had to reign his son in, he’d lost two already… there was nothing that could help him get through losing Mike; just the thought of losing him, sent him into a panic. He’d just returned from a business trip, in the barn talking to his son and Jordan, who volunteered to rub his horse down and water it, when he went looking for Lena with a new gift. She wasn’t in her cabin, so he left the gift on her bed, and decided to get changed before he located her. Out of consideration, he went to check on Katherine, who began questioning him as soon as he sat on the bed next to her.

“I don’t understand why you leave so often on business?”

“Well I’m doing something that requires my careful and constant attention. Therefore, trips must be made.” He answered throwing his vest and suit jacket on the chair next to her bed. He was hot and needed to cool off. She now slept in her own room across the hall from his. “Well what is this business?!” She asked propped up against the pillows at the headboard.

“I tell you what…don’t bother yourself by matters that are of no concern to you. Besides, it’s too much to explain that you’d understand.”

“I think I would if you gave me a chance.”

With his knee raised half on the bed to face her, he patted her hand affectionately saying, “You just be concerned with the baby. Don’t worry about anything else.”

“Don’t patronize me!” She snatched her hand away from him. “I don’t need your condescension! I’m not a child! You think me thick!? I’m not! And I’m tired of you disappearing and reappearing like this! Then you give me nothing of your whereabouts when you return! I’m sick to death of this room! Sick of this bed and having to stay in it looking at nothing but these four walls.”

“How about I have some books brought up for you to read?” He offered, struggling already to be patient, feeling his temper rise.

“Read a book? Me? Surely I’m too thick for that! I’m pregnant with your child! You did this to me! The least that you could do is spend some time with me! My back aches, and I’m always nauseated, so I can’t keep any food down. My ankles and legs are swollen, and I’ve a need to use the chamber pot…but there’s never anyone around to bring it to me. I have to ring that stupid bell over and over, calling out - no response! They do it on purpose! I know they do! And do you care?! Does anybody care!? That I’m hungry, so hungry my head hurts-…” She went on to list her complaints, bringing the back of her hand to her forehead as if to test how high her temperature was, following that was all of her pregnancy woes. Manny sat staring at her. She was pale, except for her red nose from blowing. Her eyes were red and tearing…and her mouth, with all the afflictions listed, was the only thing that still worked on and on and on.

“My God!! What in hell have I done!? Is there anytime ever, that you count your blessings? Does nothing please you!?” He roared springing up from the bed as if something had stung him. “You do nothing but complain, whine and cry! Nag, nag, nag, nag, nag! For God’s sake – my trying to be kind to you is to no use! I’m sick of it — and I’m sick of you! I have to get out of here!!” He finished shaking his head as he raked his fingers through his hair. Turning, he slammed out of the room. He passed his father out in the hall, receiving a look that could kill. “You don’t like it?! You tend to her then! I’m done!!”

He needed to blow off some steam, and sprinted off toward the pond within the woods off the field behind the house, it had always been his and Lena’s favorite place. He slowed down once he entered the cooling shade of the crop of trees; strolling, he wondered once again, where was Lena?

It wasn’t long before peace descended on him being surrounded by the birch, poplar and oak trees. The lush softness underneath his feet joined by the fresh air and smells, did wonders to calm him. He came to the clearing by the pond, which was covered with a carpet of bluebells, clovers and rich green grass. He smiled, on the opposite side of the pond to where he came into the clearing, he saw her. Slowly, quietly he crept to the other side where she lay. Gently he eased himself down beside her, sitting at first, and then leaning to one side bracing himself up on his elbow, palming his cheek.

A few moments passed with him there, watching her sleep; taking in her slow even breathing, and the peaceful smooth look of her face. Her skin was lightly misted and dewy. Her lips slightly parted, as if awaiting his kiss. She stirred, gently turning her face toward him and took a deep breath, a moment later, she softly smiled.

She didn’t answer, just reached up and caressed his cheek; then scooted closer to him, her body cozily touching his. Next thing he knew, she was pulling him down to her, her lips softly caressing his.

His hand slowly began a journey down her body, freely exploring her swollen breast, where he gently squeezed and then further down over her rounded abdomen. There his large hand stilled as his fingers spread wide to completely examine the entire protected enclosure of his growing child, who chose that moment to move as if expecting him. They both laughed. Manny leaned down pressing his face to her stomach. “Hey little one… I love you.” He looked up at Lena, and soon they were making love, gently…right there. It wasn’t long before they were both flying high from dizzy amazement. Later as he lay beside her, looking into her eyes, without thought, he stated simply. “I love you. God help me…but I love you.”

Her eyes grew huge, filling with moisture as he leaned over her; continuing to her surprise. “I am so much in love with you…I cannot think straight. I’ve tried so hard, so hard to – to deny this, what I feel – for you. Not anymore, I cannot, I cannot fight this; you were meant for me, every beat of my heart tells me so! Tells me, that I – I love you. You are…my entire world…and all I want is you. Just you…and our children; if they would just let me be! Why can’t they let me be!?” His head fell to her breast, as she held him close to her. She couldn’t believe it…over ten years of her life, she’d lived for and loved this man. Knowing that almost from the very beginning; and now, hearing him confess his love for her, she didn’t know what to say. For some reason, hearing it…frightened her.

He lifted his head from her breasts looking down at her, “Why are you so quiet? Did you not know? Surely you have always known? That I have loved you, from the moment I laid eyes on you! Didn’t call it that at the time…but everything in me, came alive that day in the warehouse. It overpowered me and I fought it with all my might, failing often, failing constantly. I knew then, and I know it even more so now.
I am
, in love with you – Princess Ceś alena!”

Tears streamed from the sides of her eyes; gently his fingers caught them, wiping them away. He pulled her into his arms and held her as she held him - tightly, squeezing as more tears fell. After holding each other for countless minutes, he further spoke his mind, “I cannot go on like this Lena. Not anymore. I need you, and not just - in my bed. I want you with me, not as my slave…but - as … my wife.”