Black Lies White Lies (33 page)

“Don’t worry. Sandra explained everything. It’s going to be ok. Just rest, Sweetheart,” and he kissed me. “Everything is going to be alright.”

“Sandra, you couldn’t hold water.” Candice told me.

Chapter 29

I stayed in the hospital in Hawaii for the next two months until the doctors said it would be ok to fly back to New York. But Ashton had already gotten an apartment, so I stayed put. I didn’t want anything to happen to my precious babies. Marbella had been staying with Ashton at the apartment. They had been coming to the hospital in shifts to stay with me and make sure I was ok.

The doctors thought it was best to have a C-section. The babies were born Febuary14th, Valentine’s Day. They were four pounds each, Nathaniel Ashton Williams and Cameron James Williams, both named after their grandfathers.

We were finally ready to move back to New York. Hawaii had been great, but I was ready to go home. We were packed and our things had been shipped. Getting the babies and everything else together was a handful. Marbella was there helping, but we still needed extra hands. “Candice, just calm down, everything will be ok.”

“Marbella, we have to catch a flight in two hours and I’m not nearly ready.” I was breast feeding the boys every two hours and where was Ashton? In New York. Sometimes I felt like I was doing this alone. I was going to hire a nannie as soon as I got back I thought, as I ran around getting everything done. “Marbella, I’m almost ready, I just want to double check everything to make sure.”

“Baby, do whatever makes you feel safe. You’ve checked everything three times already.” Candice was driving herself crazy, checking and rechecking. “Has the car arrived? It should be downstairs?”

“Yes, it’s downstairs. The babies and I are ready.” We got to the airport on schedule. Marbella was pushing the stroller with the babies and I was carrying our things. Lord, just get us home safe, I prayed. “I must say, I appreciate single mothers more now.” We boarded the plane, everything and everybody safe. “Shit, I‘m worn out.”

After our long flight, we finally landed at JFK. Ashton was there to pick us up. “I have a surprise for you and Mother.”

“I hope it’s a massage and a pedicure, I need them both badly.” I noticed we were not heading into the city. “Where are we going?”

“Candice, just relax.” We took the Jersey turnpike. We drove to Madison County, about twenty five miles outside of Manhattan, and into the Cambridge community. We stopped in front of the most extraordinary house, “Is this the surprise?” I know my mouth hanging open.

“Yes, this is my surprise. Welcome home, Family! This is what I was doing this last week while you were taking care of everything in Hawaii.”

“Ashton! This is beautiful, Baby. I love it!”

“Before you say you love it, let’s go inside so you can truly love it.” We walked in the door. It was breathtaking. Ashton had all the furnishing in place, but I knew I would put my touches to it. It had four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a pool. I was so glad we didn’t have to go back to that apartment. It had been ok enough for me, but not for our family.

“Mother, you will be staying here with us. You’ll have your privacy, of course.”

“Maybe Marbella has other plans, Ashton.”

“I’m sorry, Mother. I know I should have asked. I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay. It’s just we’ve gotten so close since Hawaii. But I will certainly understand if you want your own place. Staying with Sofia, all these years, with no privacy must have taken its toll.”

“I would love to stay, but there’s my gentlemen friend. We plan to be married in June.”

We stood there, shocked by her announcement. We hadn’t even considered that Marbella had friends. “Mother, I didn’t know…”

“Nor did I, Marbella.”

“Did you think I spent my life with only Sofia? I do have a life but I wanted to be there for you, Ashton. I also wanted to be there when my grandchildren were born. This is a beautiful house and I know that you will be happy here. I’m not that far away if you ever need me. Plus, I’m going to stay until Candice gets some help with the babies.”

“Thank you so much, Marbella. I’m going to need the help. I’m going to get a nannie as soon as possible so I can get back to work.”

After a few weeks, Marbella was able to go back to her own life.

Chapter 30

My father passed before I could go to Memphis. It was hard, but I was glad his suffering was finally over. The last months had been the hardest for him and the family. I had talked with him as much as possible, but he had been so weak from the radiation. We all flew to Memphis for the funeral, along with Marbella. Marbella and Aunt Sally had formed a lasting friendship.

We buried Daddy next to my mother. The two most influential people in my life were now resting. Life had to go on. That’s the way they would want it.

Ashton and I visited my biological father while we were in Brownsville. He wanted a relationship with me and his grandchildren. I took the rest of the three million dollars he had given me and put it in a trust for the babies.

The year passed quickly. Nathaniel and Cameron had their first birthday. I had decided to be a stay at home mother for at least two years. Ashton agreed it would be best for Cam and Nate. I did finally hire a nannie. I had been hesitant at first, but now Katie was like part of the family.

A lot had happened this past year. Brenda and Lance had gotten married. They were now expecting their first child. We talked at least twice a week, mostly about childbirth. Her mother and father had moved to Atlanta permanently. She was so happy and she couldn’t wait to give birth. Lance had become one of the largest trucking companies in the US. Their life together was going well, and I was happy for them. They both deserved it. I made plans to visit her in the next few months.

My sisters and I were closer than ever. The twins and I had just left Sandra’s. She was busy with her designing business. She had become a designer to the stars. She’d shown her first collection at New York’s Fashion week. I was so proud of her. She was finally living her dreams. She’d always taken care of everyone else and it was her time now. She was getting ready to show her new collection in Milan and she and Bryan had decided to make it their second honeymoon.

Sabrina was doing her thing. She’d become a sports announcer for the Memphis Tigers. Who knew with her? I wanted do something I could be proud of, she’d said. I didn’t care what she did, as long as she was happy.

Marbella had gotten married. The funny thing was she had dated him for a little while after Ashton’s father had died. He was Clarence’s friend and band member, Sam. They had stayed in touch over the years. Marbella was happier than I had ever seen her. She was free to love again, her way. Marbella and Sam were always visiting the children and the kids loved being with them. Ashton and Sam became quite close. Sam was even teaching Ashton to how to play the sax. Ashton now had the father he had always longed for.

Ashton and Victor hadn’t spoken since Hawaii. He didn’t like talking about it. He constantly apologized to me about not loving me enough and I apologized to him for not telling him right away. That way we could have put the lies to rest right away.

Sofia has never seen her grandchildren, mostly due to her stubbornness. She wanted to be right and have things her way. In the end, she lost.

Life’s too short to lose family. Family is one of the most important things you have in life. Family defines who you are and what you will become.

I sit here looking at all that has happened over the years. All the friends I now have, all the love I possess. What more could I ask for? This was my journey. It’s had its peaks and its valleys. But I wouldn’t change one step.

~ The End ~