The Veil (32 page)

“Bernard, we have a lot to do before your family gets here.” Misha rushed around her apartment trying to organize everything. Bernard held Courtney as he rocked back and forth in the rocker. Courtney twisted her lips at him, trying to make sounds as he made faces and talked to her in a high-pitched tone. “You're spoiling her. Don't hold her all the time.”

“Look how cute she is. Besides she wants me to hold her.”

“She wants you to hold her? How do you know that?”

“She told me.” He held her close to his face. “Tell your mama you asked me to pick you up.” He smiled and continued playing with the baby, who kept her focus on him.

“I'll remember that when she's screaming in the middle of the night. She'll be screaming just for you. Now I've got to go to the grocery store to make sure I have food in the apartment. A lot of people are going to be in and out of here in the next few days for the wedding. I've got to have something to feed them.” She looked at Bernard ignoring her. “Bernard, are you listening to me? Bernard?”

“We've got to get some groceries,” Bernard repeated.

Misha shook her head and walked out of the room. There was so much to do before their wedding in two days and all Bernard wanted to do was play with a two-month-old baby.

It had been a whirlwind two months. In that time, she and Courtney flew to Washington to meet Bernard's family and announce his engagement to his church. Then, the media came knocking with questions about her sincerity with their relationship. Before, no one knew who she was. Now everyone had something to say about her on the Internet. She learned to ignore the hype. There were a couple of engagement parties given by his celebrity friends. She had to withdraw from Clark Atlanta and apply to attend graduate school at University of Maryland. She had to do all this in addition to planning a wedding and packing to move to DC.

She stopped and took a deep, relaxing breath. Her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. It was Eric.

“Hey, Eric. I hope you're calling with good news.”

“I heard from the attorney representing the consulting firm. They have offered to settle with you. Since the paternity test showed Heckler was the father of your baby, they have agreed to pay all your medical expenses. I have already forwarded them the bills.”

“That's good. It's about time.” Misha folded a baby blanket and tossed it into a laundry basket.

“They also offered to settle your claim.”

“For how much?” Misha walked to her kitchen and lifted the top off the bottle sterilizer.

“Three million dollars.”

She stopped. Her hand stayed in midair above the sterilizer.

“Say what?” Misha was stunned. “I don't think I heard you. How much did you say?”

“Well, they want to give you two million for the attack and one to take care of Courtney. So in all, they offered three million to settle your claim.”

“Three million dollars? What do you think?” Misha tried to hold back her excitement.

“I think it's a fair settlement. But, it's up to you.”

“If you think it's fair, then I'll take it.”

“Now we haven't heard from the Workers' Compensation Commission. I'll send them an offer. The school district could still want to go to trial. They probably won't since the consulting firm is settling. I should hear from them before you get back from your honeymoon.”

“Eric, thank you so much for your help. I appreciate all you did.”

“That's my job. I'll see you at the wedding.”

Misha hung up the phone and began jumping up and down, praising God. Bernard stepped out of the nursery, still holding Courtney in his arms. “What happened? Who was that on the phone?”

“It was Eric. They gave me three million dollars. The consulting firm settled for three million dollars. Praise God. I can't believe it!”

“I'm so happy for you.” He reached out his free arm and hugged her. She continued her praise. She looked up at him and it looked like he wanted to cry. She pulled back.

“What's wrong with you?”

He held her close again. “I'm so happy. Now you can pay for the wedding.” He started to laugh.

“Get away from me.” There was a knock at the door. “You better make sure you have your checkbook tomorrow when we have to pay the last of the vendors.” Courtney whimpered. “I'll get the door. Did you call Bishop and tell him about rehearsal Friday night?” Misha asked as she walked toward the door.

“He'll be here early Friday morning.”

Misha opened the door and saw Bernard's family standing in front of her. “Dr. Taylor. I didn't expect y'all here until this afternoon. Come on in.” They hugged Misha as they walked into the apartment. “I thought your flight came in this afternoon. Let me take your coats.”

“Spanky chartered an early flight for us so we could all come together. Where is my granddaughter?” She watched Bernard's mother race through the apartment, looking for Courtney.

Matt Sr. settled into the sofa. “Misha, you don't have to call us Dr. Taylor. You're going to be a part of this family in two days.”

“Misha, look at all the weight you lost. You don't look like someone who gave birth two months ago. It took me months to get rid of that baby fat.” Bernard's sister said, noticing Misha's weight loss.

“I got a personal trainer,” Misha replied. “Where are your husband and kids?”

“They'll be here tomorrow.”

“Look who I have,” Bernard's mother sang as she entered the room holding Courtney, who was wide-awake and looking at her.

Bernard followed her into the room and greeted his family. His father and sister walked to greet Courtney.

“Bernard, if I didn't know any better, I would think you fathered this child. Look at her blond hair and those big blue eyes. She looks just like you when you were a baby.” His mother sat down on the sofa, holding the baby while everybody else surrounded them.

“That's what everybody says. But we have the results of the paternity tests. She's not my biological child. But she's all mine. Funny how God works things out.”

“Can I get y'all some coffee?” Misha asked them. They ignored her and she decided to go into the kitchen and start the coffee anyway. She smiled as she peeked into the living room, seeing her new family cooing over the baby. Her beautiful little girl whom God blessed her with had no resemblance to her or Heckler; for that she was thankful. Ironically, she looked like Bernard: blond hair and soft blue eyes. She literally jumped whenever she saw him and cried when he was not around. There was a special bond between the two.

Misha was at peace. She was in a great relationship and was about to marry the man God had spoken to her about so many years ago. Bernard had helped heal her and understand her ministry gift. He even mended the rift she had with her mother and taught her how to forgive. He loved her unconditionally. She loved him and her baby tremendously.

She leaned against the counter, waiting for the water in the coffee to be brewed. She glanced at her new family. She was happy. Long gone were the trials of the past. Each event led to this moment. The Bible was right—all things do work together for the good of them who love the Lord. She loved the Lord with all her being. Without Him she would not have made it to this day. His strength and guidance gave her what she needed and gave her unexpected blessings.

Laughter rang out from the living room. “What's so funny?” she asked as she walked out of the kitchen, holding the tray filled with cups of coffee and setting it on the table in front of them.

“You know how Bernard is always telling those silly stories. Talking about Courtney looked like she was robbing a bank,” his sister said.

“What?” Misha didn't understand.

“I was telling them when Courtney was born she looked like she was robbing a bank,” Bernard answered.

“I don't get it.”

“When she was born, you couldn't see it. But she had this piece of thin skin over her face. She looked like she had a stocking over her face, like a bank robber.”

“Oh my God no!” Misha felt faint. Not her child too. She stumbled. Bernard ran to catch her before she hit the floor.

“Misha. What's wrong?” he asked.

The Veil
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K. T. Richey is the bestselling author of the Lady Preacher Series. K.T. is a former pastor and social worker. Her books have been featured in Black Expressions and are listed as Amazon.com Indigo Love bestsellers. She has been nominated for author of the year by several book clubs. She is the recipient of several writing awards including the L.G. McGuire Literary Award in poetry. She holds a bachelor's of arts degree in social studies and a master's degree in counseling.

K.T. Richey is a prolific speaker, popular with women's groups, churches, and book clubs. In her spare time she enjoys travel, photography, and reading. She currently lives in Maryland.

For speaking engagements, book clubs, et cetera . . . go to
www.ktrichey.com
, www.facebook/ktrichey, or on Twitter @AuthorKTRichey.

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The Veil Copyright © 2013 K.T. Richey

 

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