Ruthless (18 page)
Authors: Shelia M. Goss
Chapter 41
Sheba looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. She was nervous as she thought about her rash decision two weeks ago to marry David. She had grown to care about David, but was now having second thoughts about marrying him. She turned in front of the mirror. The white wedding gown she wore did little to hide her big pregnant belly. Delilah's reflection appeared next to hers.
“You make a beautiful bride.”
“But white? I should have chosen another color,” Sheba said.
“Girl, forget tradition. You look beautiful. Don't you agree?” Delilah turned to face the wedding coordinator, Georgia Vanguard, one of the best in the country.
Georgia said, “I do agree. Especially since she chose the wedding dress I preferred.” Georgia had had to rush and put together a wedding in a short period of time. The nice sum that David was paying her was enough for her to forgo normal protocol and drop everything to handle the wedding of David King to his beautiful bride-to-be, Sheba.
Sheba moved her body in different directions to view herself in the mirror. “You ladies are correct. It does look good. Baby bump and all.”
They all turned in the direction of the door when they heard the knock.
Georgia said, “It's time. Are you ready?”
Sheba looked at Delilah and then back at Georgia. “If I wait any longer, we'll be having the ceremony at the hospital.”
“I'll let everyone know we can get started,” Georgia said as she turned and walked away.
Delilah and Sheba were now alone in the study. A lone tear threatened to fall from Sheba's eye. She could feel a crying session coming on. She sniffled.
Delilah said, “No, we are not having this. Not today. Today's a happy occasion.”
“But I feel so guilty. I'm not supposed to be happy. I'm not supposed to be in love with another man so soon after losing my husband.”
Delilah patted the tears flowing from her eyes. “Baby girl, let the dead bury the dead. You have to live your life.”
“The people back at home are talking about me. You know it, and last night Annette told me what folks at the hospital are saying about me.”
“Annette can go back and tell them to kiss your you-know-what. They are all just jealous. They wish they were in your shoes. Women all around the world today will be in mourning because you, my dear, are becoming David King's wife. Many have tried, but they all failed. They don't have that Baker girl charm.”
Sheba laughed at Delilah's last comment. “Well, this is it. I just need a few minutes alone and I'll be ready.”
Sheba would do her best to push the negative thoughts to the back of her mind. She had to live her life and stop worrying about what other people were saying about her.
Delilah said, “Don't make us wait too long. As your maid of honor, I want the first dance with the best man.”
“Nathan is not your type.”
“Oh, I thought you knew. I love a man of God.” Delilah winked at her and walked out of the room.
Sheba closed her eyes. She rubbed her stomach. “Father God, thank you for sparing me and my child's life. Thank you for having his father be a part of our life. I never would have dreamed of a day like today. Thank you for your grace and mercy as I prepare to walk down the aisle.”
Sheba heard the music. She said out loud before leaving the room, “Uriah, just because I'm marrying David, it doesn't mean I don't love you. You were my first love, and I'll never stop loving you.”
Georgia returned to the room. “It's time.”
Sheba followed Georgia out into the foyer, and the small, intimate crowd of guests, who were sitting in the white chairs outside of David's and now Sheba's mansion, all stood. The pianist played the customary bridal music, and Sheba seemed to float down the aisle.
She had wanted something small and intimate, and David had obliged her. The hundred guests she saw standing up were mostly David's closest friends or colleagues. The only people in attendance that Sheba knew personally were Delilah and Annette, and they both were part of her small wedding party.
David's smile was a mile wide as he reached for her hand and they stood face-to- face with the minister. Nathan had decided not to officiate over the wedding, because he still had misgivings about how David and Sheba ended up together. After David pleaded and begged him, Nathan finally agreed to be David's best man.
They exchanged vows. David planted a long kiss on Sheba's lips as the crowd cheered. He whispered in her ear as he embraced her, “Bathsheba Marie King, I promise to love, cherish, and honor you all the days of my life.”
“I love you, David,” Sheba said right before kissing him again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you David and Bathsheba King.”
They walked down the aisle as husband and wife. David insisted that Sheba sit as the wedding processional took place and they personally greeted each guest.
Sheba kept hearing, “You make a lovely bride.” She wanted to believe them, but she knew they were all wondering why David was marrying a pregnant woman, since they all thought the child belonged to another man. David appeared noble by marrying her.
Everyone assumed it was her late husband, Uriah's child, but she, David, Nathan, and Delilah all knew the truth.
Chapter 42
David wanted to surprise his bride with a honeymoon, but she was on bed rest, so he promised to take her somewhere exotic as soon as the baby was old enough to travel. He thanked God again for allowing Sheba to be his bride. He knew that he still had a lot of making up to do for how he had set things up with Uriah, but today he felt that the favor of the Lord was upon him.
“Baby, are you tired?” he asked as he helped Sheba sit on top of his king-size bed.
He had her work with an interior decorator, and she had revamped the entire master bedroom. He didn't complain, because he liked the brown and maroon colors she had chosen. It was a room fit for a king and his queen.
“A little,” Sheba responded.
“Here, let me help you.” David eased her legs up on the bed. He propped the pillows up behind her. “Is that better?”
“Much. Thanks, David.”
David sat on the bed next to her. “Thanks for making me the happiest man alive today.”
Sheba smiled. David loved to see her smile. Her whole face seemed to light up. “A queen has to marry a king.”
She leaned toward him, and they shared a kiss. The kiss started off slow, but David ended up ravishing her mouth with his. “Baby, I want to show you how much I love you, but I'm afraid to hurt the baby.”
Sheba said, “Did you feel that? The baby just kicked me.”
She took David's hand and placed it on her stomach. David's eyes teared up as he felt their baby move. “He knows his daddy's voice,” he said. “Daddy loves you.” He kissed Sheba's stomach.
“We love Daddy, too,” Sheba said.
David felt loved. With his previous two wives, David hadn't felt like this. He had hoped and prayed that Sheba would love him, and she did. The child she was carrying had brought them together, and for that he was grateful.
They hadn't been this close since the night their child was conceived. This was the moment he had been dreaming about. Even after she accepted his proposal that night in the hospital, they had remained in separate rooms. He shifted in the bed as Sheba laid her head on his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair. He inhaled the peach scent.
“I love you,” David said. He kissed her on the top of the head.
They fell asleep in each other's arms. It was the most peaceful sleep David had had in months. If he were to be honest, it was the most rest he'd had since Uriah was killed.
David held Sheba in his arms the entire night. The sun beaming through the curtains the following morning woke David up. Sheba shifted her body and squeezed him tight. David would enjoy waking up next to her every morning.
He smiled. “Good morning, my queen.”
“Good morning, King David,” she responded.
David and Sheba stayed in bed most of the morning. They entertained some of David's friends for lunch.
When Sheba was taking her afternoon nap, David decided to go outside and enjoy the nice, cool spring air. He found Nathan and Delilah enjoying each other's company on the patio.
“You two look a little chummy out here,” David said as he sat in one of the patio chairs.
“Delilah's been keeping me entertained,” Nathan said, smiling.
“Better watch out. You don't want to get caught up in her web,” David said.
“I can handle Delilah.”
“Boys, I'm sitting right here. I don't need to be handled, okay?” Delilah held both of her hands up in the air.
“What goes on between y'all is none of my business,” David said as he poured himself a glass of lemon iced tea.
Delilah stood up. “I'll be inside. Nathan, come see me before you leave.”
David watched Nathan watch Delilah as she twisted back into the house. David said, “Nathan, don't get caught up.”
“Oh, she's harmless.” Nathan grinned.
“I don't think Samson Judges would agree with you,” David said.
“Touché.”
“Mr. King, would you like me to bring you something to eat?” asked the butler, who had just come outside.
“No, I'm fine. Nathan, would you like anything?”
“I'm still full from lunch.”
“You can check with Ms. Delilah. Otherwise, we'll be fine until dinner.”
Nathan had a pain-stricken look on his face. “David, man, I don't know how to say this. I've been trying to avoid telling you, but God won't let up on me, so I have to.”
“What? Spit it out.” David was sure that God had forgiven him and that he was back in God's good graces. He was curious to know what Nathan had to say.
“Remember when I told you about how God felt about you sending Uriah overseas so that you could get access to his wife?”
“Yes, but that's not exactly how it happened.”
“David, we both know you sent that man out into a war zone. and it was just as if you had pulled the trigger yourself.”
David turned beet red. Nathan was ruining what was a beautiful day. “Spit it out, man. Tell me. What did God reveal to you?”
“Your baby is cursed. Your baby was conceived in a way that wasn't pleasing to God, and I hate to say this, but Bathsheba will not deliver a healthy baby.”
“So are you saying something is going to be wrong with him? The doctors said he should be fine. We just have to keep Sheba calm and relaxed.”
“No, David. God has shown me that your son will not live. I didn't want to tell you, but I didn't want you to be surprised when it happened, either.”
“Get out. Get out of my house now. You just can't stand me being happy. You're just jealous that God continues to bless me.” David stood up, knocking the glass on the table over, and the tea fell on to the patio.
Nathan stood up. “You can kick me out, but it still doesn't change the facts.”
David watched Nathan walk away. In the doorway stood Delilah. Their eyes locked. Had she heard their conversation? David would figure out a way to find out. He had to. He couldn't risk Sheba ever learning of his past plans that resulted in Uriah being sent to Afghanistan.
Chapter 43
Sheba sensed the tension between David and Delilah. She had hoped that her sister would get along with her current husband. Up until the past few days, they had. She wondered what had happened to cause the rift.
“David, why are you and Delilah always going at it?” she asked when Delilah left to go shopping.
“Delilah has to realize I'm the king of my castle, and if she wants to take over something, she needs to go back to Shreveport, to her own place.”
“But, baby, having Delilah here helps me out a lot.”
“I know that, and that's the only reason why I haven't asked her to leave.” David went inside the master bathroom.
Sheba sighed.
Not déjà vu. First, Uriah and now David
. Her baby kicked. “Little man, what are we going to do with your daddy and aunt?” Sheba's stomach felt like a knot. She doubled over in pain. “David!” she yelled.
Not déjà vu. First, Uriah and now David
. Her baby kicked. “Little man, what are we going to do with your daddy and aunt?” Sheba's stomach felt like a knot. She doubled over in pain. “David!” she yelled.
David ran out. “Sheba, hold on, baby.” He pulled her up in his arms, but Sheba couldn't sit up straight. David yelled, “Where's your nurse? I'm paying her all this money, and she's nowhere to be found.”
“I heard you down the hall,” the nurse said as she entered the room.
“What's wrong with her?” David shouted.
The nurse asked Sheba, “Were you experiencing pain prior to this?”
“It came all of a sudden. I feel like someone hit me in the stomach with their fist,” Sheba said and cried out in pain.
“We should get you to the hospital,” the nurse advised.
Sheba looked at David. Fear was written across her face. She could feel something wet in between her legs. “Yes, get me to the hospital now.”
“What's wrong, baby?” David asked.
“I think it's time.”
An hour later Sheba had her heels in the stirrups. Due to the medical complications and David's overbearing personality, which seemed to irritate the hospital staff, the doctor had convinced David that it would be best if he waited in the waiting room. The pain shooting through Sheba's body had subsided some, but not completely, after they gave her a shot in her spine.
The doctor said, “I need for you to concentrate on something good and close your eyes and do as I tell you.”
Sheba's mind was only on her baby. She couldn't think of anything else. “God, I know at first I didn't want this baby, but now I do. I love him more than life itself. I love him. Please don't let anything happen to him. Take me, if you have to, but please spare my baby's life,” she pleaded.
The doctor whispered, “He's not breathing.”
His whispers weren't low enough that Sheba couldn't hear him. “No, please don't tell me my baby's dead,” Sheba said as a bout of pain hit her body. A few seconds later she heard her baby's cry. “Let me see him. I need to see him.”
The baby was cleaned up and then handed to Sheba. She cried as she held her five-pound baby in her arms.
The doctor said, “He's not breathing like I would want him to, so we're going to need to examine him and put him in an incubator.”
“What do you mean, he's not breathing right?” Sheba asked as the doctor took her baby and began examining him more thoroughly. “What's wrong with my baby?” Sheba yelled frantically.
“Nurse, give her something to calm down,” the doctor requested.
The nurse did as she'd been told. It took two of the nurses to hold Sheba down so they could administer the shot.
Sheba, calmer, said, “My husband. Where's my husband?”
David was escorted in. “Sheba, I could hear you outside, but they wouldn't allow me in.”
Sheba held on to his hand. “Our baby's in an incubator. He wasn't breathing. I need to see him. I got to hold him only for a few seconds.”
David said, “I'm going to check on him. You just get some rest, my queen. Little David is going to be okay.”
Sheba didn't believe that her baby was going to be okay, and she could tell by the scared look in David's eyes that he didn't, either. She had to hold on to his words, though. Little David had to be fine. She'd already lost two people she loved; she couldn't lose another one. God wouldn't be so cruel as to let her carry him eight months and then take him from her. Not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Moses. No, he wouldn't do that to her.
Sheba fell into a deep sleep. She woke up a day later and demanded some answers. “Where is my baby?” she asked David.
“Little David's not doing too good, Sheba.” David's voice shook.
“I want to see my baby. They can't keep me from my baby,” Sheba yelled.
“Mrs. King, we need you to hold it down. You're disturbing the other patients,” one of the nurses said, peeking her head into the room.
David stepped in to intervene. “Can you get a wheelchair so I can take her to see our son?”
“I'm afraid we can't do that. We have strict instructions that she's supposed to remain in her bed.”
“Please. If this was your child, you would want to see him,” Sheba said.
The nurse showed compassion. She looked at Sheba and said, “Fine. Don't tell anyone I did this. If you feel dizzy at all, let me know.” The nurse then looked at David. “Mr. King, I'm going to need your help.”
David assisted in getting Sheba in the wheelchair. He took a blanket out of the closet and placed it around her. The ride down the hallway didn't take long. The nurse showed them little David. Sheba wasn't allowed to hold him in her arms, but she was able to touch him.
“Your mama is right here. I love you. I love you so much. You're going to get stronger. You're going to grow up and be just like your daddy.”
David said, “And you're going to marry a woman just as beautiful as your mama.”
Sheba didn't know she could love a man as much as she did at that moment. Watching David being gentle with their baby touched her. “Little David, you have to get better because Mama needs you.”
The nurse reappeared. “I have to get you back. The doctor's making his rounds, and I don't want him to find you here.”
David said, “You go on, baby. I'll stay here with little David, and then I'll meet you back in the room.”
“Okay.”
Sheba squeezed his hand. David leaned down and gave her a peck on the lips. Sheba looked back at David, who stood by the incubator, rubbing little David's leg. She loved them both.
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