His First Lady (15 page)

“I’m sorry, First lady, I was just thinking about something.”

“Please call me Evan.”

Greg looked over at her. “I’m just going to admit that I don’t remember to do that so if you don’t mind, I’d like to just call you First lady.”

Evan appreciated his honesty. “I don’t mind.”

“Look why don’t you go ahead and I’ll finish looking around. I know this place is a bit uncomfortable and I’m kind of used to situations like this,” Greg said.

“Oh, okay,” Evan said not wanting to leave even if it felt a little weird being there. It was something about Greg that made him easy to talk to. “Can you keep me posted if you find out anything?”

“I will. Go home and get some rest,” He said giving her a quick look before focusing his attention back to the kitchen.

Leaving Emily’s home left Evan feeling a bit nervous. She didn’t know for sure if it was the eeriness of Emily’s house or how she seemed to feel like a school girl when she was around Greg.

The bedroom was dark except for the flickering of lit ivory candles placed around it. The site of which and the sounds of Luther Vandross playing softly in the air were a shock to Evan’s senses. Her initial reaction was to turn the lights on when she first entered but after realizing that the ambience was purposeful; she looked around trying to understand what was going on.

“Do you like it?”

Leon’s voice startled her. She looked over at the bed where Leon sat. She could see through the candle lit setting that Leon had a smile on his face. That alone was strange enough seeing as she couldn’t remember the last time he had smiled at her or initiated intimacy with her. She just stood unable to move; perhaps to protect herself.

“I started a bath for you,” Leon said standing up and walking toward her.

He cupped her face in his hands, bent down and kissed her. “I know that this is a surprise and I don’t blame you for being speechless. I wanted to let you know that I love you.”

“Leon,” Evan said before he placed his fingers on her lips. He began kissing her face then her neck. Evan closed her eyes remembering how it used to be with her husband forgetting that he had unexplained absences, neglected her calls, yelled, degraded, humiliated, hit, and ignored her. She wanted to forget that man and just wanted to remember the man that used to kiss her hand like she was the Queen of England; the man that had gotten down on one knee and proposed to her; the man like the one kissing her now.

“You are the reason I breathe and I apologize that I haven’t been available to you lately.”

She motioned and looked him in the eye. It all seemed so odd but her heart melted hearing Leon’s words. She closed her eyes. He spoke them gently causing her to remember how much she did love him and this was what she had wanted and waited for; for so long. She opened her eyes and saw his looking back into hers. Swooping her up in his arms, he carried her into the bathroom.

With her eyes closed and feeling as safe as she’d ever felt, Evan lay on Leon’s bare chest with his strong arms wrapped around her tightly in their bed. He kissed her forehead and it was just like when they had first married and was so in love. The way he held her, the way he touched her, the way he smelled reminded her of how it used to be and how she had always wanted it to be with her husband. Nothing could compare to the way he had made her feel like at that very moment, she was the only one that mattered. A tear rolled down her face as she thanked God that he had heard every cry and saw every tear that she shed.

“Are you crying?” Leon asked.

Evan said nothing; she couldn’t explain to him what she was feeling; only God would truly know how deep her tears originated. He lifted up her face and wiped her eyes.

“I love you, First lady.”

Evan swallowed and tried to hold her tears in. She forgave him. She was ready to start over. They had made it through the hump in the road. She suddenly hated herself for doubting Leon and ogling Pastor Greg. She loved Leon and that’s where she needed to place her energy.

“I love you too,” Evan said managing to get the words out.

Leon began rubbing her hair. “I want us to have a baby,” Leon said.

What would normally have taken Evan back no longer did. “I want that too,” She answered.

Leon smiled and sat up with his arm still around her. “Are you sure?”

Evan smiled. “Yes.” Suddenly, all of her earlier angst about a baby with Leon was gone. She was ready for them to have a family.

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I know you might need to think about it but I think we should consider adopting.”

Evan’s smile dissipated. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the two of us starting a family. You know it’s what we both want and we’re ready. We are stewards of God’s church,” Leon said with overwhelming joy, “and it’s time that we glorify God with fruit. If it’s not God’s way with our own children then we can bless a child in need to be our own.”

Evan sat up; unable to form words to react to Leon’s suggestion and feeling as if she’d been hit with a ton of bricks.

“Adoption?”

“Yes, I’ve thought about this. We’ve tried, we’ve prayed, the mothers have laid hands on you and God hasn’t blessed us with a child. I believe that this is the way that God may be leading us.”

Evan hated what she felt especially since Leon had worked so hard for the evening. “I think that we should keep trying. It can happen.” She believed it could happen and would stop taking the pills immediately to make certain it did.

Leon nodded. “Yeah baby, it can happen and it will. But since it hasn’t, I want to start the process. There might be a young girl who’s pregnant and in need of a good family for her baby or,” Leon said climbing out of bed with excitement all over his face, “I don’t know, maybe a woman just wanting to give her child the kind of life that she can’t provide. This is what God calls us to do.”

Conviction overwhelmed Evan. Her heart thumped with it. She was ready to have his baby. She was ready to flush every birth control pill down the toilet. Yes, she originally had her reservations but he was here and he loved her and he wanted a family. Who was she to deny him what God had ordained? “Can we try though? I really think we should keep trying before we make such a big decision.”

Leon sat on the bed beside Evan cradling her hand. “Ev, I’m not blaming you. That’s not what I’m doing by suggesting we adopt. I know that I’ve been angry and blamed you for us not having our family and I’m sorry. I just want us to share our love and our family with a child. We can keep trying. We can have ten more if you’re willing.” Leon laughed. “However many you want.”

Evan turned away and stared off at the candles that were still burning. Leon continued to rub her hand then he moved up to her arms. He then scooted closer to her and began rubbing her neck then kissed it. He leaned her back on the bed. She closed her eyes and whispered the word, “yes” to him.

Leon sat in his Mercedes in the mall parking lot when his cell phone rang. It was Evan. He wasn’t going to answer it but he had her in a good place and he needed to keep her there.

“Hey baby,” he answered tapping his fingers on the dashboard.
He was not in the mood for Evan right now.

“Hey, I wanted to make sure that you were on your way because Mimi and her date are a few minutes away.”

Leon closed his eyes and groaned. He had completely forgotten that Evan have invited Mimi and some guy to dinner. “Awww, that was tonight?”

“Tonight.”

Leon hit the steering wheel and swore under his breath. “Um, I have a lot going on; can you do it without me?”

“No, I cannot. I told you about this and she just called to say they’re on their way. I grilled some burgers so it’s really informal. You can take your tie off and relax. But I need you to be here like now.”

Leon winced. Evan had started to whine which would only incense him so he decided to stop it before she continued. “I’ll be there in a little bit.”

“Please Leon,” Evan said before Leon hung up the phone.

Leon grunted as he sat the cell phone on the dash. He had no time to carve out for some dinner with a date that Mimi wouldn’t date for long; he was supposed to be meeting with the contractor when he left this meeting with Ariel. So much was going on with her that he had to make sure that she was doing what she needed to do. Ariel’s SUV pulled up beside him. He unlocked his passenger side door and she quickly switched from her vehicle to his.

“How did your appointment go?” He asked as she slid in the passenger seat beside him.

“Fine.” She sighed as if it was all too much for her. “They’re starting me on my pre-natals and I have a due date; February 11. Why did you pick a doctor so far out? I don’t like the drive,” She fussed.

“You look very nice today,” Leon said not wanting to waste time fussing. He loved when she wore body flattering cuts. Her face was pretty but her body was incredible, he had always thought.

“Thank you,” She said taking a cue from Leon to calm down.

“What did the doctor say? Is everything okay?”

Ariel nodded. “She said that everything looked fine. Do you have my money?”

Leon frowned and reached beneath his set and pulled out an envelope. “Yes, what else did she say?” He asked handing it to her.

“Look, I’ve been through this before,” Ariel said with a scowled look on her face. “I know you haven’t but that’s not my fault. I have an ultrasound next week and you’re more than welcome to come.”

Leon frowned and turned away from her. “You know I can’t do that. Is there anything else you need?”

Ariel opened the envelope and began fingering through the one hundred dollar bills inside. “Yes, I don’t see the credit card.”

“Keep using the one you’ve been using.” Leon said.

“I hate doing that because your name is on it and there are just too many questions.”

“Fine, I’ll have one put in your name.” Leon reached over and held her hand. “I want to see you.” Leon knew that it was all he needed to say for her to know what he meant.

Ariel rolled her eyes at Leon. “I can’t. I’m sick all the time. This morning sickness is killing me,” Ariel said.

Leon looked out the window. “Take a pill for it but I need to see you.”

Ariel clasped her hands together. “Look Leon, I love you and you know it but it’s not like I’m stupid enough to think that you’re going to leave the First lady for me and we’re going to run off into the sunset. I’ve got to hold on to what I have.”

“You think that’s all I want?” Leon asked her.

She just stared at him.

Leon shook his head. “Look, I want you to work on my campaign maybe even be my campaign manager.”

“What?”

“I’m about to be deep in my city council run. You have a business degree and you’re a former beauty queen. You know about campaigning.”

Ariel looked out the window as if giving it some thought. “No.”

“No?” Leon watched her. “I’ll pay you.”

She looked over at him. “Seriously? I’m pregnant.”

Leon looked out of the window. “Stop using this as an excuse. You didn’t with your other pregnancies. Just maybe assist with pictures, ads, venues?”

Ariel stared at him then stared straight ahead. “I’ll think about it.” She frowned.

“And I haven’t mentioned any of this to the church yet or…to Ev.”

Ariel gasped. “Wow Leon.”

“I do what I need to do. Anyways, you need to start preparing Rick for you to go look after your Uncle Ed. His condition needs to be deteriorating at this point. I’m looking at some places in the city. It’ll be closer to your doctor’s office and far enough out for us to be away from everyone.”

Ariel nodded. “I am. But he keeps wondering why I’m sick a lot lately. I’m putting him off but for how long?”

Leon stared straight ahead. “He’s not that smart of a guy, Ariel; so relax.”

Ariel took a deep breath. “It doesn’t matter.”

Leon tapped the steering wheel. “Okay, well I’ve got to be somewhere. I’ll call you.” His indirectness was his direct way of telling her to get out of his car.

Ariel made a face at him.

“What’s that for?”

“What’s that for?” Ariel repeated sarcastically. “You don’t get it do you?”

Leon threw his hands up. “Get what? I need to be somewhere. I don’t want to hear it from you and from her?”

Ariel held tightly onto her envelope as she opened Leon’s car door. Leon didn’t look at her as she exited. The last thing he needed was guilt and aggravation. He did care enough to make sure she got back into her SUV and that it started. He looked to see what time it was and knew that Evan was not going to be happy.

Although they had all been having a great conversation and Evan was enjoying Mimi and Aaron’s company, she was relieved when she heard Leon pull into the garage; he had kept his word. She, Mimi, and Aaron had been in the living room passing the time waiting for Leon. She kept apologizing to Aaron who seemed unbothered assuring her that he understood; being a pastor was all encompassing, he imagined.