Page 76 of Earl
She was a size twenty Black woman who was far from being petite. Her breasts were large, so were her hips and thighs. Yes, her stomach was flat because she worked out whenever she had the time.
Comments had been made about her flawless caramel complexion and her almost waist length hair, as if her critics were trying to find something to explain why Earl had chosen her.
His lawyers, the damn sharks had plied her with questions and legalese before handing her a thick enough document that could rival the Great American novel and curtly instructed her to consult her attorney before signing.
Earl had firmly intervened and demanded a less daunting document. She had signed with relish, knowing without a doubt that she wanted the man, not his money. Never his money.
She also knew he had had experiences from money hungry women who did not bother to look past his wealth and see the man. But she did. And because of that, she would have signed every document they handed her.
She had seen the gratitude and apologetic look on his handsome face and was rewarded for her effort.
She was going to become Mrs. Earl Drummond and was unapologetically ready to shelve her name and assume his. The man who had used his sperm to form her had long since disappeared and the woman who had birthed her had not care one way or the other. So, getting rid of the name Delgado was no hardship at all.
A sound inside the doorway had her looking up to see Justin standing there. He had spent the night with her. Teresa had been here last night but had left to go over to Byron’s place.
Earl had not been pleased that she was staying away from him, worse when he discovered that Justin was going to be there. “Doesn’t he have a place of his own?”
“Please don’t start that again.” She had begged him.
“You look…” he shook his head as he gazed at her. “I had my doubts about the dress, but it’s uniquely you.” He came further into the room. “I wanted to give you my gift now.”
“You didn’t have to.”
He gave her a look. “Please do not insult me. Of course I have to.” Reaching into the pocket of his dark blue sports jacket, he took out an oblong box and opened the clasp. Cathy went still as she stared at the stunning diamond and emerald bracelet.
“Justin, I…”
“You are my family.” His voice was rough with emotions. “When I started making a ridiculous amount of money, you would deny me the pleasure of showering you with it. When you wanted to buy the material necessary to start your company, you would only accept a loan, and it pissed me off.”
Taking the bracelet out, he tossed the box on the love seat and clasped it around her wrist. “You have been my rock, myeverything and I love you so much.” There was a suspicious brightness in his eyes. “I only want to know that I will never lose you.”
“You bastard.” She sniffed as she went into his arms. “That flake Bernard just now finished doing my makeup and you are about to make me ruin it.” She hugged him, her throat tight. His arms came around her and they stood that way for a few minutes.
“You keep saying you hope you will never lose me.” Lifting her head, she stared at his beautiful face. “How can I lose an essential part of me?” One hand lifted to touch his cheek. “That can never happen.”
“Waterproof?” He tilted her chin up, his thumb pressing her shimmering nude lipstick.
“Kiss proof as well.”
“Perfect.” Bending his head, he kissed her deeply. “Still nothing?” He arched a brow at her and made her laugh.
“Just a little something.”
“Good enough. Ready darling?”
She nodded.
“Then let’s go.”
*****
They had decided that instead of the soulless courthouse, they would get married in a church. At first, Cathy had been hesitant. Years ago, she and Justin had been forced to endure long and boring ceremonies where several men who called themselves messengers from God would make their obligatory appearances on Sunday mornings to impart the ‘good news.’
They had been nothing more than thrill seekers who had preached fire and damnation and drilled fear into children already traumatized by their circumstances.
When she got out, she had stayed away from anything to do with a church building, declaring that they were all hypocrites. But one Sunday, feeling the need to reexamine herself, she had decided to start attending the Baptist church in her neighborhood and found it to be quite pleasant and different from what she was used to.
The pastor was nice and nonjudgemental, his preaching leaning more to the wonderful and abiding love of God. When she approached him, he had immediately agreed to perform the ceremony and had insisted on a few days of counseling.