Epilogue #2
Tatum, observing the change in Nadine’s mood, grabbed her hand. “Wanna go into the solarium to talk?” she suggested. “Just us girls.” Tatum signaled for Alisa to follow them. Alisa gave a wink of acknowledgement, excusing herself from a conversation with her in-laws.
The three of them grabbed another glass of passed champagne and entered the jungle-like solarium of the mansion. The sun gave the space a comfortable warmth as they settled themselves on the wicker couches.
“So, the dark side isn’t so bad, huh?” asked Alisa as she plopped down on the couch. “I saw the way Zaire looked at you.”
Nadine smiled. “She makes me very happy.”
“So, are you all dating? Exclusive? Or what?” asked Tatum. “You’ve been kind of radio silent about it.”
“I mean, we aren’t defining it. She’s young. She has her studies to focus on. I’m not trying to tie her down, but I am enjoying our time together. And she’s a godsend with EJ. It’s been an adjustment with him at the new Montessori school, but without Zaire, I am sure I’d be a wreck.”
“And what about Eddie?”
Nadine smiled. “Eddie is happy that I am happy. We are in a good place. Therapy helped. Talking is helping…”
“And letting him watch you get your coochie ate is also probably helping,” quipped Alisa.
“Jesus, why are you always so freaky?” laughed Tatum, shaking her head.
“Because it’s probably the truth! Deanie, am I lying?” asked Alisa.
Nadine shrugged. “I mean, Alisa isn’t lying. The sex has been everything, but it’s more than that. We’re fulfilling our fantasies and desires in a safe, healthy way. This whole thing forced us to really talk about things. I am happy and so is he.”
“And that’s all that matters,” Tatum said, placing a hand on Nadine’s knee. “You deserve it.”
“We deserve it all,” Alisa said, putting her hand on top of Tatum’s. “And we got it!”
“We sure as hell did,” Tatum smiled.
There was a soft knock. All three ladies looked up to see a plume of graying curls peaking around the corner. Tatum’s face instantly lit up.
“There you all are,” said Deacon, camera in hand. He walked over to Tatum, placing a soft kiss on her lips before turning to Alisa. “Everyone is looking for you, proud mommy!”
“Deacon, I just needed a little breather,” Alisa sighed. “Besides, it’s about the babies, not me.”
“Yeah, Deek, can’t we slip away for a little girls’ time?” asked Tatum.
“Darling, y’all always have plenty of girls’ time. Besides, I haven’t gotten all my shots of the prettiest people in the room yet.”
“And who’s that?” asked Alisa, brow raised.
Deacon smirked, adjusting the lens of his camera. “You three, that’s who.” With the quickness, he took a candid shot of the ladies mid-laugh. Nadine made a mental note to ask him for a copy of that. She knew it was something she’d want to treasure.
Alisa rose from the sofa first. “Come on, before the wardens come looking for us.”
“You know, Chris and Kadeem hate when you call them that,” teased Nadine.
Alisa rolled her eyes. “It’s foreplay for them at this point.”
“Girl, with that talk, you’ll be pregnant again in no time,” teased Tatum. “Six weeks be damned.”
Alisa whipped her honey blonde bob in Tatum’s direction.
“Please do not wish that on me. I love my babies, but nearly dying during childbirth woke me right the fuck up to any thought of having more. I am too old. I got my tubes tied immediately afterwards. If either one of their super sperm bypasses all that to make another kid, I am going to have to renegotiate my prenup.”
The three of them howled with laughter.
Eventually, the ladies made their way back to the main atrium to their family and friends. As she took in the scene, Nadine spotted a familiar face in the crowd, holding a massive bouquet of flowers and a large box from Tiffany and Co.
Tatum nudged Nadine. “Deanie, is that who I think it is?”
Inexplicably, Nadine’s heart skipped a beat, maybe two. She could feel herself smiling like an idiot.
“Don’t just stand there, girl, go over there and say hello!” Alisa whispered.
The trio of friends walked over to a very nervous Allison. Nadine extended her arms first, inviting her in for a hug. As they embraced, she kept willing herself not to embarrass herself by holding her too long. Eventually, they let go, and the other ladies quickly embraced Allison as well.
“Ally Alston! It has been ages, girl!’ exclaimed Alisa. “I am so glad to see you!”
“Me too,” Allison smoothed down her shirt dress. “Nadine invited me when we met for lunch the other day. She said she put me on the list. I hope you don’t mind.”
Alisa waved her hands. “Of course not! It’s all family and friends, and you are both.” She took the box and flowers from Allison, handing them to Kadeem’s assistant, Bresha. “Anyone who brings my babies Tiffany’s is alright with me.”
“I just wanted to give you my congratulations in person. I got a quick peek at the babies before their grandmothers scooped them up. They are beautiful, Alisa.”
“Thank you,” beamed Alisa. She motioned toward Nadine to say something besides standing there looking like a mime with a smile plastered on her face.
“Yeah, so glad you came Allison,” Nadine eventually said. “Uhm, would you like a glance of champagne or anything?”
Alison shook her head. “No, thank you. But I sure would love one of these cupcakes I’ve seen folks devouring. Please tell me they’re yours, Nadine.”
Nadine’s smile could light up a Christmas tree. “They are. Is your favorite flavor still red velvet?”
“Wow, you remember that?” Allison’s brown skin blushed. “That was forever ago.”
“Of course, I mean, you always devoured two slices of Mother Jenkins’ cake on first Sunday after church. My cupcakes may not be as good as hers, but I think they are damn close.”
“Well, I'll be the judge of that. Let me have a taste.” Allison winked and Nadine bit her lip, trying not to focus on the phrase “have a taste.”
Tatum put her hand on Allison’s shoulder.
“Unlike Mother Jenkins, Nadine isn’t stingy with the icing.
Let me take you over to the dessert table so you can get a couple before folks devour them all.
” Sensing her friend’s awkwardness, Tatum looked over her shoulder, mouthing “be cool” to Nadine, who simply shook her head.
Alisa turned toward Nadine, who had a very pointed look on her face.
“What?” asked Nadine, feeling her face redden with embarrassment.
“You still got it bad for that girl.”
Was it that damn obvious?
Nadine shrugged. “It was a childhood crush, Alisa. We’re friends now.”
“You know, you could date her too,” Alisa suggested. “I mean, if Eddie and Zaire are ok with that. Like I said, the more the merrier.”
Before Nadine could object, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist, and the smell of jasmine and sweetness engulfed her. She relaxed into the feel of familiarity.
“Date who?” Zaire asked, kissing Nadine on her nape.
“Well, on that note, let me go look for my babies before Mother Miller tries to baptize them,” said Alisa, winking at Nadine.
Nadine gave Alisa a stare down as she watched her swiftly move out of her vicinity. She could kill her for being messy for no fucking reason.
“No one,” Nadine said, turning to Zaire. “Alisa was being messy.”
“Uhm, if she is talking about that thick, fine sister with the bob and glasses you keep staring at, then I approve,” said Zaire. “Who’s that?”
“Allison.”
Zaire’s eyes widened. “Wow. So, that’s the Allison? Shit, I understand the obsession. She’s fine as hell.”
Nadine's eyes watched Allison take a bite out of her cupcake and seem to moan in delight. Best review of her food to date, she thought. “Yeah, she’s still very beautiful.”
“Yeah, I can’t even be mad if you want to ask her out, Cookie.”
“Oh, really?” Nadine chuckled. “I’m still new to this polyamory thing and can only handle one woman and one man at a time. Besides, Eddie may combust.”
Zaire raised her brow. “How do you know? He may like the variety. Besides, I think the three or four of us could have some fun.”
“You got a thing for older women, huh?” asked Nadine, wrapping her arms around Zaire’s waist.
“Maybe,” Zaire teased. “But right now, you’re the only vintage wine I want to drink right now. Remember that.”
Nadine kissed Zaire on the lips, tasting the faint hint of caramel icing on her lips. “I better be, baby girl.”
Eddie joined the two of them with EJ on his hip. “Hey baby,” he leaned down and kissed Nadine. “You two behaving?”
“For now,” Nadine winked. She let Zaire go, taking a glimpse at her watch. “Have you seen Alex? She should have been here by now.”
“Yeah, she came in a few minutes ago. But…” Eddie’s voice trailed off, his face twisted.
Nadine frowned. “Is the new boyfriend that bad?”
Alex told her parents that she’d be bringing her new boyfriend to the event.
Nadine wasn’t entirely comfortable meeting him in this setting, but Eddie assured her it would be fine.
Alex had five other “uncles” who could vet this dude.
Christophe had become especially fond of Alex and said he’d beat the dude’s ass if necessary.
Kadeem backed him up with a similar sentiment.
“Uhm. That ain't it.” Eddie sighed. “Here she comes.”
Nadine looked up to see Alex walking hand in hand with a very handsome, full-bearded, dark-skinned guy with locs up neatly in a bun. When they got closer, Nadine’s eyes widened with recognition, but she tried to play it very cool.
“Hey Mom, sorry I’m late. I wanted to introduce you to my, I mean, Malcolm.”
Nadine blinked, trying her best not to throw up the rest of her champagne as she stared at the face of the bartender from Secrets.
The one that she declared she’d fuck. Right in front of him.
“Uhm, hello. Nice to meet you, Malcolm.” She extended her hand toward him, and he shook.
Nadine wasn’t sure, but it seemed like there was a glimmer of something in his eyes. He definitely recognized her.
“Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Moody.” Malcolm flashed his signature panty-wetting smile.