From This Moment (17 page)

Marc was ready to take his plate out of the room. “So it looks like the marriage is working out for you two?”

Jonathan beamed with pride. “We are solid. I told her that we would be fine.”

“You really do love her. I can see it now. The way your eyes sparkle when you talk about her. How the tone of your voice changes when you say her name.”

Marc raised his hand. “Many blessings to y’all, man.” They slapped each other a high five.

Jonathan picked up his platter and Marc lifted his from the table. Neither of them saw Lili when she came in through the side door of the kitchen. She’d heard their whole conversation.

* * *

“Well, it’s about time you came back,” Rose told Lili when she walked into the dining room.

Lili waved. “Evening, everybody.”

Leaning over, Lili whispered in Rose’s ear. “Come upstairs with me. I need to tell you something.”

Rose looked puzzled. “What is it?”

“Just come upstairs.”

“But we’re getting ready to eat and I’m already nauseous.”

“It won’t take long, I promise.”

Rose watched as her guests took their seats at the table to enjoy the feast that Marc had prepared. They dined on crab cakes and scallops for the hors d’oeuvres, then clam chowder. He served a gourmet meal of delicious steak and tender salmon while she and Lili were in her bedroom upstairs.

As soon as they entered her bedroom, Rose closed the door and turned to Lili. “What have you done?” she whispered.

Lili frowned. “Me? What have I done? Not a thing, it’s your other sister.”

It was Rose’s turn to frown. “Stop it, Lili.”

“No, really, Vee is the one who’s in the hot seat this time.”

“Vee? What did she do?”

Lili put her hands on her hips and sashayed over to the dresser and stared at herself in the mirror.

“Spill it, Lili. I know you didn’t bring me up here to play a game of dress-up. So tell me what you were told or what you heard. I know it was either one or the two.”

“Vee got married.”

Rose squinted, trying to process the information she’d just been given. “Wherever you heard that, it can’t be right. Don’t you think we would have known if she’d gotten married?” Rose started walking back and forth in front of the door. “Who would she get married to? She just started dating Jonathan.”

Rose stared at Lili, who stood silently.

Slowly, Rose said, “Jonathan?”

Lili nodded slowly.

Rose moved purposefully over to Lili and grabbed her arm. “Let’s go,” she said, anger in her tone, as she dragged her sister out of the room.

“Where are we going?” Lili asked, struggling to remove herself from her sister’s grip.

“You’ll see in a minute.” They walked swiftly down the stairs, and as soon as they walked into the dining room, Rose pushed Lili in front of her.“I want you to tell them what you just told me.”

Lili stepped back, but Rose just pushed her forward again.

Louvenia glared at both her daughters before saying, “Will one of you please tell us so that we can eat? We have been waiting long enough; the food is going to get cold.”

Lili stared at Ivy, her face turned up. Then she looked at Jonathan before glancing at her parents.

Hunching her shoulders, she said, “We’ve got something else to celebrate.”

Louvenia fell back against her chair. “Please don’t tell me you’re pregnant, too.”

Lili waved her right hand vigorously. “No, no, nothing like that, Mother.” She glanced at every person sitting at the table one by one. “You could congratulate me, though.”

“Baby girl, you are stalling,” Andrew said, pointing his fork at her.

Lili turned to Rose and said, “Okay, congratulations to me, I’m going to be an aunt and I found out I got a new brother-in-law, all in the same day.”

Ivy scowled. Throwing her napkin on the floor, she pushed her chair back in a hurry and yanked her arm back when Jonathan tried to stop her.

She walked directly over to Lili. “Who told you?” Her nostrils flared. “I have told you that your mouth is going to get you into trouble one day. Well, today is the day.”

Jonathan jumped up from his seat as their parents looked on in amazement. Once again Ivy snatched her hand back when he tried to catch her hand. “I want to explain what happened,” he said.

Louvenia stood to her feet. “Somebody better explain, and quick.”

Ivy’s anger was apparent. She turned to Jonathan and yelled, “You had no right to tell my business. I wanted to tell my parents, and you took away that right.” Jonathan reached out to her and she turned her back.

Marc got up from his seat and went to her. “Ivy, don’t blame Jonathan, it was my fault. Lili must have been in the kitchen listening to our conversation earlier.”

Ivy twisted her head to the side, but her back stayed to Jonathan. “I don’t care if it was your fault. He had to be the one to tell you.”

Marc looked down at his hands. “He didn’t actually tell me, Ivy. I guessed.”

She turned to face him. “He didn’t deny it. Did he?”

“No, he didn’t, but he was defending you, and I guess it just slipped out.”

Jonathan hadn’t moved from where he was standing. He attempted one last time to reach out to Ivy. This time he touched her shoulder. “Can we talk about this in private?”

Ivy rolled her eyes and turned to face him. “In private? For what? All you’re going to do is put our business out on the streets anyway. What good would it do if we were in a room all by ourselves?”

Silently, Ivy walked from the room and got her coat. Once she was at the door, she remembered she came with Jonathan. She walked back in the room and beckoned for Violet.

“Will you take me home? I forgot I didn’t drive my car.”

Jonathan stepped over to her. “I’ll take you home. We can talk on the way.”

Ivy threw her left hand in his face. “I’m done talking to you.” She looked at her sister for an answer.

Violet got up from her chair and retrieved her coat.

Rose went to Marc and asked, “How long have you known Vee and Jonathan were married?”

“Not long.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

Marc pulled Rose into his arms and kissed her. “We’ll talk about this later. Right now I need to see about my brother.”

* * *

On the way to Ivy’s condo, the only voice that could be heard was the disc jockey on the smooth jazz radio station.

Violet glanced over at Ivy. “Vee, you can’t really get mad at him. You told me.”

Ivy jerked her head in her sister’s direction. “That was different, it was my right.”

“It’s his marriage, too, so he has equal rights.”

“He took mine away when he told his brother.”

“Marc said he didn’t tell him, he guessed.”

“Who gives a damn? We don’t care how we get a dollar, ten dimes, four quarters, it all equals a dollar. That’s how I feel about this situation.” Jonathan’s promises of secrecy played over and over in her mind.

“Just drop me off, please, and we don’t have to talk about Jonathan Damon ever again in this lifetime.”

Trying to reason with Ivy, Violet said, ”You don’t mean what you’re saying. I know you don’t, Vee.”

Ivy turned to Violet. “I can’t trust the man. That was the very reason why I didn’t want to get involved in the first place.”

Violet pulled up in front of Ivy’s condo. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Violet, you know better than I do that trust is the foundation of a relationship.”

Violet carefully reached over and patted Ivy on the thigh. “Vee, trust is very important, but I think love and trust go hand-in-hand. And I don’t think you’d be this upset if you didn’t deeply love Jonathan.”

“I’ll get over it.” Ivy reached for the handle to open her door.

As she was getting out, she heard Violet ask, “Do you want me to stay for a while?”

“No, I’ll be fine.” Ivy slammed the door and went into her house.

* * *

Standing in front of the window in the den, Jonathan attempted to smile, but his heart was broken. He wanted to be angry at Lili, his brother and everybody else, but the truth of the matter was that he betrayed her trust. He wanted to shout to anyone who would listen that Ivy Hart was indeed his wife. But after she’d explained to him her past and how hurt she had been, he understood why she wanted to sort things out.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around slowly, he faced his Aunt Rachel.

Rachel embraced him and whispered in his ear, “Things will work out. You’ll see.”

Jonathan retreated. “I’m not going to let her go, Auntie.”

She rubbed his back. “That’s right, baby, you fight for your wife. If you think she’s worth it and your love can sustain this, then fight.”

“I’m going to take your uncle home, but once you’ve calmed down and can think straight, I want you to come by the house. I want to give something to you.”

Jonathan only nodded and bent to receive the kiss she placed on his forehead.

It was time for him to go as well. He’d decided not to go over to Ivy’s house tonight, but, bright and early in the morning, he’d be ringing her bell.

As he walked to the coat closet to retrieve his jacket, Lili approached him.

“I’m sorry, Jonathan. I didn’t know Vee would react that way.”

Jonathan turned around. “Yes, you did, Lili. We know how private your sister is and that she wouldn’t have wanted that information blurted out like that.”

Lili dropped her head.

Jonathan rested his hand on her shoulder. “This should be a lesson to you. You just can’t go around telling other people’s business, especially when it’s not your story to tell.”

With that, he put his coat on and left her standing there alone.

Jonathan didn’t speak to anyone else; he walked out the door, climbed into his truck and left.

Ivy’s phone had rung so much in the last twenty-four hours that she turned the ringer off. Each time she saw Jonathan’s number, she’d delete his voicemails unheard. She didn’t want to explain, answer any questions or talk to anyone, period. She pulled out her portfolio and tried to concentrate on the tasks she must complete next week, but she couldn’t. Each time she attempted to read the couple’s bio, her eyes would get so watery that she couldn’t see.

Laying the notebook aside, she slid down under the covers of her bed and closed her eyes. She didn’t usually allow things to get her so depressed that she was confined to her bed, but she didn’t have the energy to do anything else.

Closing her eyes, all she could see was Jonathan’s dark face. She opened her eyes and shook her head as if the action would get him out of her head.

The doorbell rang and Ivy didn’t move. It had to either be one of her sisters or Jonathan, and she didn’t want to see any of them. She wanted to be alone so she could think things through.

There was no way she could function as a businesswoman with her head all messed up.

Pushing herself out of the bed, she went to the drawer to get clean underclothes. Maybe if she stood in the shower, she could muster up some energy.

Opening the drawer, she saw the white envelope lying on top.

Tears immediately filled her eyes. She picked up the flimsy paper, walked back over to the bed and flopped down. Shoulders slumped, head bowed, she covered it with her hand and sat quietly for a while. After exhaling, she opened the envelope and pulled out their wedding picture.

Tracing his face in the photo, she thought that they were strangers to each other when it was taken. Now, she had to resign herself to the fact that there was no getting around loving Jonathan. As badly as he hurt her, she loved him; but what if he told her other secret?

A look of horror showed on Ivy’s face. She didn’t want to think about the aftermath if that bombshell were revealed. Even though it was an accident, she never told anyone in her family about her pregnancy, not even Violet.

The single person she bared her soul to was the one who betrayed her. Placing the picture back inside, she didn’t dare remove anything else from the pouch. She was determined now more than ever to finish her filming schedule and get out to Vegas to get an annulment.

* * *

The final taping of Ivy’s show was over, and she was elated. She didn’t think she could continue to act bright and cheery when she was sad and miserable. The feeling of loss plagued her. She could barely function normally; everything she did reminded her of Jonathan. She was relieved that they didn’t have any meetings scheduled any time soon.

It had been three days since she’d spoken to him or her sister Lili. Even though her mother reminded her that she wasn’t raised to stop speaking to her sister, Ivy didn’t feel it was her responsibility to come to apologize first. Lili was the blabbermouth; she should be the one to apologize.

Driving to the office, she heard the ring tone signaling she had a call. With her Bluetooth securely in her ear, she answered.

“Ivy Hart speaking.”

“Vee, where are you?”

“Why, Rosie?”

“Because I need to talk to you.”

“Are you and the baby okay?”

“Yes, we’re fine.”

“Is it about the business or a bride?”

“No.”

“Well, then, we don’t have anything else to talk about.”

“Are you coming back to the office?”

“Why?”

Rose groaned. “Okay, Vee. Have it your way.”

Ivy ended the call without saying goodbye. She recognized Rose’s ploy to find out what time she was coming back to the office so she could possibly have Jonathan there or something.

Ivy turned on her music and relaxed all the way back to the office.

* * *

Jonathan had taken the day off from work. He needed to do some soul searching, and he wasn’t focused anyway. His brother suggested he take a few days off. He assured Jonathan that his assistant could handle things until he got back.

Jonathan rested in his black leather recliner listening to Sade. After a while, he had to get up and put on something else, because the music was making him feel worse. Being depressed didn’t fit him. He couldn’t think, rest, share, or anything else when he was sad.

He recognized the fact that for the last three days Ivy hadn’t returned his calls or responded to his text messages or e-mails. He just wanted a chance to talk things out as adults.

Each day he would hope against hope that she would give them that chance. When she didn’t, he would pull together the courage to keep on believing that tomorrow she would share a conversation with him.

He jumped when his cell phone buzzed. He quickly pulled it from his belt clip, hoping it was Ivy. His heart dropped when he saw the caller was Rachel.

“Hey, Auntie.”

“Hey, baby, why don’t you come on over here? I really need to talk to you.”

“Aunt Rach, I don’t want to hear . . .” Rachel interrupted him before he could finish.

“I’ll see you in fifteen minutes.”

She hung up the phone and Jonathan sat for several minutes more before he decided to leave.

* * *

“Come with me,” she said as she headed to her bedroom. “Sit over on the bed, son.” She lifted the lid of the window seat in her room.

“I wanted it to just be me and you when we had our little talk.” She pulled out a gray box and brought it over to the bed.

“Auntie, what is this about? I’ve got a lot on my mind already, so if either you or Uncle Zeke is ill, please just tell me.”

Rachel patted his hand. “Be patient, honey. I just need to find something really important I put in this box,” she said, sifting through its contents.

“Do you want me to help you look for it?”

“No, I found it,” she said, pulling a sealed envelope from the bottom of the box and handing it to him. She then went back to her chest of drawers, apparently looking for something else.

“Auntie, what are you looking for now?”

“There is something that goes with the letter.” She continued searching until she found a small blue velvet box. Returning to the bed, she handed the box to him.

He finally realized that his aunt was giving him a letter and gift from his mother. Ever since Marc had received his letter and gift, he had wondered what his letter would say. But seeing his name on the envelope in his mother’s own handwriting was completely unexpected. She’d been so ill, so it must have taken a lot of strength and determination to write.

“Go on, sweetheart, open the letter,” Rachel urged.

“Why now?” he asked.

“Because it’s time,” she said, moving away to give him some privacy.

He ran his index finger along the envelope’s flap, opening it and pulling out a sheet of paper. Unshed tears stung the back of his eyes.

My sweet baby boy,

I’ve asked your Aunt Rachel to hold on to this letter for you until she felt you were ready to read it. If you’re reading it now, she thinks you’re ready.

Oh, baby, you’ve always been so brave. I’ve never seen fear in your eyes, and that says a lot for a little boy. You are such a loving person. I know you’re too young to understand what’s going on, but never forget that I’ll always love you.

You know, it has been said that when we look at our children, we see a mirror image of ourselves. I wonder, I really do, if I could be as brave as you. I am sad that I won’t be there to protect you as you grow up, but I know that even though your father is in pain, he will be there for you.

I do feel guilty leaving you and Marc at such tender ages, but I’m sure that your Aunt Rachel will do her best to love and nurture you and your brother. I keep thinking, what do I have to leave you? Will you forget about me? That is why I decided to write you boys a letter. I wanted to leave some lasting words of advice and encouragement in my own words, not just something somebody will tell you.

The best thing Momma can tell you is that forgiveness goes a long way. I hope you and Marc will forgive me for leaving you. Son, when you forgive, it helps you heal as well as helping the person you are forgiving. Live life to the fullest and love just as hard. It’s okay to show emotion, and sometimes something or someone will hurt you. Before giving up or walking away, think about forgiving that person and yourself. That way, if you find that the end result is walking away, you’ll be able to do so with a clear conscience. I’ve also asked your aunt to give you a gift to give to your wife someday. It is an heirloom brooch that my momma gave to me. I want you to have it, along with the remembrance of my love and devotion to you.

I know we will all be together again one day.

Yours forever,

Momma

Putting the letter aside, Jonathan picked up the blue box and opened it. Inside on a bed of blue velvet was a diamond brooch.

“Wow,” he exclaimed. It was one of the most exquisite pieces of jewelry he’d ever seen.

The delicate piece consisted of pave-set diamonds with a teardrop dangling below a bar at the top. It was accented with an inlay of iridescent pink mother-of-pearl.

Jonathan looked up and saw the tears streaming down Rachel’s face.

“Auntie,” he said, looking back at the brooch. Overwhelmed, he didn’t know what to say.

Rachel pulled Jonathan into her arms. “Sweetie, your momma was in so much pain. One day she told me that she wanted to write to you and Marc before she got to the point where she didn’t know her name. You know, from all the medication she was on.”

Rachel gently caressed his face. “Right away, I got her paper and a pen so she could put her thoughts down on paper. It was important to her that she say what was in her heart without any interference from anyone, so I left her alone.”

“You didn’t know what was in the letter?”

“No, she only asked that I give you boys the gifts,” Rachel said, getting up and going over to the chest of drawers, where she pulled out another small box and brought it back to the bed.

“See, I have a brooch very similar to the one your mother left you. In fact your Aunt Anna and Aunt Bertha have one, too. The difference is my mother-of-pearl is white, Anna’s is yellow and Bertha’s is sapphire blue. Our mother gave us each one for our thirteenth birthdays.”

After a moment of silence, Jonathan spoke. “She said she wanted me to give it to my wife, but my wife really doesn’t want to be my wife. I can’t give it to her.”

Rachel got up from the bed and stood in front of him. “Jonathan, you still haven’t spoken to Ivy yet?” she asked, her voice a mixture of disbelief and concern.

“No.”

“Why?”

“I’ve reached out to her, but she won’t respond. I’ve tried everything. I sent her flowers, I called and emailed her, but she just won’t answer me.”

“Have you tried talking to her in person?”

“I thought about it.”

“Jonathan, I’m not going to ask you when you got married or why you didn’t tell us. I want you to be happy, so I think you need to go and talk to her.”

Before Jonathan could respond, his uncle entered the room.

“Hey, Johnny, my boy, I saw your car outside. You know you should have told us you were getting married.”

Rachel grabbed her husband’s hand and pulled him along when it seemed as if he was getting ready to scold Jonathan.

“Come on, I left the tea kettle on the stove.”

“I turned it off when I came in,” Isaiah said, still waiting and watching Jonathan.

Jonathan dropped his head. “All I can say is I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

Rachel took Isaiah’s hand again, and this time he went with her.

* * *

Ivy stopped at the receptionist’s desk to pick up her mail. Gwen still hadn’t come back to work, so she wanted to check up on the receptionist.

“You have six messages, Ms. Hart, and three I transferred to your voicemail,” the young woman said.

“Thanks so much, Belinda. I’m going to my office. You know how to buzz me if you need me, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

As soon as Ivy walked away, Belinda called her name. “Ms. Hart, I forgot, you had several floral deliveries.”

Ivy walked back to the station. “Did you tell Rose? She’s the floral designer. I don’t handle that.”

“No, these were personal flower deliveries for you. I didn’t look at the cards, so I can’t tell you who sent them.”

“Thanks, Belinda.” As she strolled down the hall, Ivy could smell the exotic fragrance. Once she got closer, she could see the shadows of about a dozen arrangements through the frosted glass.

Several bouquets of roses sat on the floor just inside the entryway. Beautiful yellow, purple, and pink tulips, snapdragons, and freesia in a glass ginger vase sat on her desk, along with a crystal vase with pink French tulips, oriental lilies, seven pink snapdragons and seven stemmed diamond eucalyptus.

The sender was evident, so there was no need to look at the cards. Jonathan had to have spent a fortune on the flowers, since she did notice that they came from an outside vendor.