Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
A fter closing the office door behind Antonio, Scarlett almost wanted to call him back in. But this was something she needed to do by herself. Her mother deserved to hear everything from her. Yet, the hurt on her mom’s face was almost too much to bear. Still Scarlett needed to tell her everything and hoped she understood.
“Are you pregnant?” her mother asked before Scarlett made it back to the sofa where she was sitting.
“No, Mom, I’m not pregnant.”
The question reminded her of when she’d had to tell her mother over eight years ago that she was pregnant. It had been weeks after learning of Ezra’s death and turned out to be one of the most difficult times in Scarlett’s life. She’d only gotten through that time with the help of her mother and Mahogany.
“Then please explain to me why you eloped. What was the big hurry to get married, and why didn’t you tell me?”
Scarlett almost groaned out loud. If her mother was hurt now, she’d be devastated to learn they hadn’t eloped. That they’d had a small, intimate wedding with their immediate family… with everyone except for her.
Scarlett felt worse.
“Just so you know, the decision to not tell you was all me. Antonio thought I was wrong, but I did what I thought was right at the time.”
Her mother sat on the edge of the sofa cushion and looked at her confused. “Why would you think you couldn’t tell me? We’ve always been able to discuss everything. Ever since you were a little girl, you’ve known you could talk to me. What’s changed?”
“You’re right. You are the most amazing mother who has been there for me at every turn. Because of that, I’ve tried to never do anything to disappoint you or anything that would embarrass you.”
Basically, Scarlett had tried to be perfect. The perfect child who never gave her parents any trouble and who always did what was expected. The only time she had let her mother down was when she’d had to tell her she was pregnant out of wedlock.
“I didn’t tell you because of the reason why I got married. I didn’t want you to talk me out of it. I didn’t want you to think less of me for the decisions I made that I thought would be best for me and Bella.”
Scarlett shared everything, including conversations with Cynthia and her run-in with Alberta. She begged her mom not to share the information with anyone. She wanted everyone around them to think she got married for the usual reason people married—love. Not because she was trying to shield her child from Ezra’s parents. Parents who had caused emotional trauma and abandonment issues within their son. Grandparents who she didn’t want anywhere near Bella, and she had just proven the lengths she’d go to see to that.
Hearing herself say everything aloud made Scarlett realize just how impulsive she’d been, but she was standing by her decision. She felt deep in her heart that if she’d had to choose a father for her child, it would’ve been Antonio.
Ultimately, if this ended up being the stupidest thing she’d ever done, or the worst decision she ever made, she’d have to live with it. It gave her comfort that there wasn’t a person on the planet who hadn’t done something wild and unpopular at some point in their life. And that’s what she told her mother.
Scarlett’s mother sat back on the sofa and crossed her legs at the ankles. Casually dressed in a yellow blouse and dark pants with short heels, she looked her cool and confident self. But Scarlett knew she had hurt her.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. Not including you was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. If I had a do-over, I’d make a different choice where you’re concerned. I wanted you there beside me, standing in support of my decision, but unfortunately, it’s too late. I’m so sorry if I disappointed you. I hope you can forgive me.”
Her mother met her gaze and frowned. “Of course I forgive you. You’re my daughter, my heart. I have always loved you and your sister unconditionally, and there is nothing that will ever change that, Scarlett.
“You were right. I would’ve tried to talk you out of getting married. Not because I don’t think you love Antonio, but because of the reason you decided to marry him.”
Discomfort clawed through Scarlett. She hadn’t mentioned she wasn’t in love with Antonio. And to set her mother straight would just cause more questions, more drama. Besides, she didn’t want anyone, besides Antonio and her sister, to know she’d married him though she wasn’t in love with him.
It was okay for people to think less of her, but Scarlett didn’t want anyone to think less of Antonio or to judge him for marrying someone who didn’t love him.
“I would’ve loved to witness you getting married, but…” She shrugged. “Like you said, it’s too late. You’re a grown woman who can make her own decisions. Just know I’ll always support you, and I’m glad you found someone like Antonio. He’s a wonderful man who will treat you and Bella right. I’m also glad he’ll be Bella’s father. She’s a lucky girl to have two parents who love and cherish her so much.”
Scarlett smiled for the first time since arriving for Sunday brunch. She and Bella were both lucky to have Antonio in their lives, and she hoped he felt the same.
* * *
Scarlett’s emotions were all over the place as she freshened up in one of the bathrooms. She was thrilled to be at the covenant Sunday brunch with her new family. On the other hand, she still felt awful about disappointing her mother.
After freshening up in one of the bathrooms, Scarlett made her way to the kitchen, hoping it had cleared out some. Talking to her mother, and apologizing over and over, had been emotionally exhausting, but she was glad she’d done it.
Thankfully, only Gram, Makena, and a couple of Antonio’s aunts were in the kitchen. One being, Martina’s mother, Carolyn.
“Hey, sweetie. You doing okay?” Makena asked, giving Scarlett a hug and a squeeze.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking,” she said to her mother-in-law, then turned to Gram. “Mrs. Jenkins, thanks so much for distracting Bella for us earlier.”
Gram kissed her cheek. “It was my pleasure. I’m thrilled to have you join our family, and I love having another great-granddaughter to spoil. Bella is a sweetheart.”
“Hi, we haven’t met. I’m Mary, one of Antonio’s aunts.” They hugged, and Scarlett learned she was visiting from Chicago. Her and her three sons, who owned a tech company, were thinking about moving back to Cincinnati.
Mary was the spitting image of Gram except younger. They both wore their hair long and pulled back from their face, had smooth brown skin, and friendly smiles. While Carolyn looked like a perfect size six, her sister and mother were a bit thicker around the waist and hips.
“Even though Antonio didn’t give us much time to plan Bella’s celebration,” Gram said, “I think she’ll be happy with what we have planned.”
“Wanna see her cake?” Carolyn asked, and before Scarlett could respond, she brought it from the pantry.
Scarlett’s mouth fell open as Martina’s mom set the three-tier cake, that looked like something straight off one of the food channels baking shows, on the counter. “Wow.”
It was big and beautifully decorated with pink, yellow, and white flowers at the bottom of each tier. The cake topper was a black ballerina wearing a pink tutu and looked so much like Bella, Scarlett almost thought it was her.
“Yeah, Martina has skills. She really should give up construction and open a specialized bakery,” Gram said, and that news shocked Scarlett even more.
“Wait, MJ cooks and bakes?”
Mary snorted. “Girl, yeah. She’s not just a pain in the ass, she’s actually…” Mary’s voice trailed off. “Oops, sorry, Mama. That slipped. Anyway, MJ’s very talented.”
“Clearly,” Scarlett said.
They explained what they had planned for Bella’s celebration. It included gathering everyone into the ballroom, playing some kid games, then singing happy birthday to Bella before cutting the cake.
“She is going to love that,” Scarlett said, though she knew, like Antonio, Bella didn’t like being the center of attention. But the gesture was one of the sweetest things anyone had ever done for her child. “Thank you all for welcoming me and Bella to the family. This means so much.”
Gram smiled warmly and patted her hand. “Thank you for making Antonio so happy. I have never seen him smile as much as he does when you and Bella are around.”
Guilt stabbed Scarlett in the chest. What would his family think of her if they knew why Antonio married her? Hopefully, they’d never find out.
A short while later, Scarlett loaded her plate with barbecue chicken, the most delicious looking mac and cheese she’d ever seen, and collard greens. There were so many different types of food, but she was determined not to overeat. Still, she planned on hitting the gym in the morning, especially since she wanted a slice of the pecan pie. Then there was Bella’s cake that she’d have to taste.
She took her plate and a bottle of water to the dining room where Mahogany was eating with a few of Antonio’s cousins.
“Get up, Toni. Make room for the family’s new rebel,” Martina said, nudging her cousin and laughing.
Scarlett rolled her eyes and sat across from Martina and next to Mahogany. “I’m almost afraid to ask what she’s talking about.”
“She’s ranked you into the Jenkins family thug category for not telling Mom you were getting married,” Mahogany volunteered.
Scarlett sighed. “I make one mistake, and it sounds like I’m going to hear about it for the rest of my life.”
“Pretty much,” Christina said with a laugh from the far end of the table.
“Mixing up salt and sugar is a mistake,” Martina continued. “Not inviting your own mother to be a part of your nuptials is straight up gangster. Especially when yo momma looks like she don’t take shit from nobody.”
A few chuckles went around the table, and Scarlett couldn’t help but join in. Her mother was petite with the kindest demeanor of anyone Scarlett knew except for maybe Gram. She rarely raised her voice, even when they were growing up. So, Martina’s depiction of Amelia Rowsey was comical.
“ Sooo, are you pregnant?” Toni asked, and Scarlett groaned while the others laughed. “Hey, I’m asking because everyone else is thinking it.”
Toni Jenkins-Logan was one of the managers at Jenkins & Sons Construction, as well as a master plumber by trade. Considering she was part of a male-dominant career, she looked more like a college student or maybe a schoolteacher. Then again, the T-shirt she was wearing—which read, I’m a plumber. We take care of sh#% —probably put her more in the gangster category that Martina alluded to.
“Not that it’s any of our business, but why the secret nuptials?” Christina asked. “And if I’m being too nosey, just say so. I don’t want to be another MJ.”
Scarlett glanced at Martina who kept eating and didn’t look put off at all. Someone as bold as her, with no filter, probably didn’t offend or embarrass easily.
“It was the way Antonio and I wanted it,” Scarlett said. She and Antonio had agreed to keep their responses similar to that.
“You’re right, CJ, it’s none of your business,” Martina said, pointing her fork at her cousin. “I can’t believe you asked her that.”
The cousins stared at Martina as if seeing her for the first time, and Scarlett wondered why.
“Oh. My. God. You knew about them getting married!” Toni accused, glaring at Martina. “And the reason must be huge if your big mouth didn’t tell everyone.”
“You’re right!” Christina added. “Otherwise, she’d be giving Scarlett a hard time right about now.”
Martina went back to eating as if Toni hadn’t spoken, and Scarlett wondered just how much MJ knew about her situation. And when the woman winked at Scarlett on the sly, she knew in that moment that Martina knew way more than she was letting on.
“Now I really want to know what happened. If Martina is being hush, hush, it means this is juicy,” Toni said, and Christina agreed.
“Antonio is my favorite cousin. Even if I knew why he got married without telling anyone, I wouldn’t tell y’all nosey asses. Y’all always trying to get into someone’s business.”
“Nosey?”
“Seriously?”
Toni and Christina said at the same time.
“You’re the one who is always in everybody’s business,” Toni snapped. “You’re the last person who can call someone nosey. Now, spill it, Scarlett. What are you hiding? We’re going to find out eventually.”
“All right, leave Scarlett alone. We wouldn’t want to scare her away from the family, would we?” Jada asked as she sashayed into the dining room with a small plate of food and looking like she just stepped off the cover of Vogue magazine.
Scarlett wondered if she ever dressed down because the woman looked as if she was going out on the town, not having brunch with the family. Her hair was pulled on top of her head in a messy, but cute, ponytail with long tendrils framing her face, but it was her outfit that was the real showstopper. The hunter-green, bodycon, one-shoulder dress was gorgeous against her dark skin. She wore her own designs, and Scarlett planned to see if she had the outfit in red.
“All, hell. Who let her bougie ass back in the house,” Martina grumbled. “Shouldn’t you be in Paris or whatever hell the fashion capital of the world is these days?”
“Shut up, MJ,” Jada said without missing a beat as she sat at the head of the table and to Scarlett’s left. “The only reason I’m not going to tell you what I think about you is because I saw little Bella’s birthday cake. You did your thang girl. It is too cute.”
Everyone started talking at once, giving Martina props on her cake decorating skills. Scarlett didn’t know how they could hear each other considering how loud they were talking.
Jada leaned over to Scarlett. “And that’s how you redirect this group and get the attention off yourself.”
Scarlett grinned. “Noted. Thanks.”
Considering the way the visit had started, Scarlett could admit she was looking forward to future Sunday brunches. Especially if she wasn’t the center of attention.