No Ordinary Love (27 page)

Shawn paced the room as David exited. He noticed that David didn’t take anything with him, silently proclaiming that he’d be the one who stayed.

For the first time, he paid attention to Catrina. Her eyes had tears in them. Shawn didn’t let that sway him.

“That’s what you wanted? To be fucked on the floor like a whore?”

“Shawn, I’m so sorry,” she began. The excuses would come. “It just happened,” she added, but stayed where she was, her arms wrapped around her body as if providing comfort.

Shawn made a motion to step closer to her, in response, she retreated.

Visions of wrapping his hands around her neck played over in his mind out of rage. He would never hurt her, he concluded, but it would probably feel good to just put his hands around that neck.

“You spent an entire damn night explaining to me and hyping me the fuck up ‘bout how there is nothing between the two of you.” He took another step. “He used to be my boyfriend and I haven’t seen him in years,” he mimicked. “All that bullshit.”

“It’s hard to explain,” she stated weakly.

There was hurt beneath the fury. The fact that he cared for her made her hurt. There were no words. There was nothing that she could say or do to right the wrong.
Shawn clapped, no matter how attractive the neck looked or how forceful the urge to choke it, nothing was worth jail time. “You know what? For the first time, you don’t have to explain. I’m the fuck outta here,” he said, reaching into his pocket, quietly placing the contents onto her dresser.

Catrina swiped at her spilled tears and couldn’t bring herself to look at him.

“No point in crying,” he told her. “When you grow the fuck up, you going to wish you had made different choices.”

Without another word, he left the room. She waited until she heard the apartment door close before she moved. David stood in the doorway as she made her way to the dresser. Catrina assumed that he’d left his set of keys and was right. The key ring contained two house keys and a diamond ring that matched the earrings he’d given her on her birthday.

She eyed the diamond engagement ring, then looked down at her wrist. It was adorned only by the charm bracelet with the heart locket and key charms she was never without.
It was then that Catrina released a storm of tears.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Calling You Daddy

Casey and Daemon

“I don’t know. I still think they look good together,” Casey said to Daemon as she cuddled up with him on their sofa. After all this time, the idea of them finally being able to be together was all that she could hope for her best friend.

Daemon grunted, but smiled. “Babe, that’s because you’re romantically naïve.”

That being partially true, Casey giggled to herself. She had come a long way from the girl who thought that nothing could ever shake certain beliefs—, that situations could determine certain fates.

Though she was a far cry from the romantic girl she had been as a teen, Casey still believed that true love lasted forever. “I am, but it got me you,” she said as a matter of fact.

Daemon playfully slapped her thigh and nodded his head in agreement. “And you would be right.”

Casey turned to him and took his face in her hands. “You used to swear you was gonna break my heart. You were so set against being with me,” she teased his lips with kisses.

“I did a couple times.” He laughed.

“Not by cheating or anything to do with another woman. I want Trina to feel the way I do. I’m done writing my vows,” she offered. The smile was enticing, but would not break him. “Would you like to hear them?”

“No wedding talk on date night,” Daemon reminded her.

Taking Catrina’s advice, they reserved one night a week as date night where talk of all things related to their wedding was prohibited. At times, the mental, emotional, and financial stresses of the planning could cause a couple to forget what the celebration was actually for. The one night gave them an opportunity to just be Daemon and Casey free of all wedding frustrations.

Casey frowned and narrowed her eyes. “Okay but just answer first. Did you finish yours?”

“Yes, babe. And do we really have to watch
The Notebook
again?”
Casey laughed as she sat up and reached for the remote control. “Yes, don’t front, you love
The Notebook
.”

“It’s a cute lil’ movie, but we’ve seen it like a million times,” he told her, reaching to pull her back. “I got something better for us to do,” he whispered in her ear.

Casey shoved her elbow in his stomach. “No nookie ‘til after the wedding, remember?” she sweetly reminded.

Daemon winced. “I don’t know who made up that dumb ass rule.”

“Whatever, you agreed,” she told him pressing the play button to start the movie. “Plus, Rea upstairs.”

“You’re the one who is going to be loud. Just let me get in that one last time before you become Mrs. Daemon Hicks.”

“That does sound interesting,” she said biting her bottom lip.

“Stop playin’ and let me get that,” he invited.

Casey rolled her eyes. “You’re so sneaky. We watching this movie and the we’re going to eat.”

“I wanna eat something all right.” he teased.

Casey pushed at him. “Stop being fresh and come on.”

“You sure? He hard as a rock.” He rubbed himself through his jeans. “Won’t you put him down for me?” he teased again.

“Let me get the popcorn,” she told him. Casey got up and moved quickly. She could already image herself face down, ass up over the sofa, so she put some distance between them before she ended up that way. “You want a beer?” she called out to him from the kitchen.

“Yup,” he answered. She retrieved the beer from the refrigerator.

The cordless phone rang just as she was exiting. She placed the popcorn bowl and two beer bottles on the table to answer it. “Hello?”

“Casey!”

“Wassup, Trina? You know it’s date—” she began telling her friend but was stopped by Catrina’s sniffling. “You okay?”

Casey listened quietly as her best friend told her of the events that had transpired at her house. “You aren’t staying there, are you?” she suspiciously questioned suddenly unsure if Shawn was as stable as he seemed. “You need to come here?” she offered.

“No, I’m going to stay with Dave. Go back to your date. I’ma talk to you in the morning. Love you,” Catrina told Casey before ending their connection.

Damn,
she thought.
As much as I love Trina, I’m so happy that I have what I do
.

Picking up the popcorn and beers, she headed back into the family room where the man she loved was waiting for her. The news of Catrina’s situation died on her lips as she noticed that Daemon had lit candles and turned off the TV, replacing it with the radio.

“You, swear—”

Daemon shook his head and pulled her into the room. “Unt uhn. Sit right here and listen.” Daemon sat her down and stood in front of her, looked directly into her eyes, and said, “God has gifted me with the job of taking care of your heart, and I swear to never treat it carelessly, or disregard its needs or wants. I’m here to protect you, and love you through anything and everything, always. I promise to love you with all that I have; with all that I am; with every breath, thought, and deed. I promise to be your best friend, your lover, knowing that you’re no less than that to me. You showed me what real love between a man and a woman is, and with God’s blessing and guidance, I wanto spend the rest of my life showing you the same in return. I love you more, because you love my child the way you would if you’d had her yourself. The way you would love the ones we’ll make. So today, here before our God, our family and friends, I’m declaring that I, Daemon Karon Hicks take you, Casey Aaliyah Moore as my wedded wife for all the days of my life.”

Daemon smiled as Casey stood up and rushed into his arms. The flash of tears in her eyes didn’t surprise him, but caused him to tighten his hold on her. “I love you, Casey.”

“I love you, D,” Casey sighed. “I have something to tell you,” she said, her head still on his shoulder.

“What? Would you like to say yours now?” He laughed as he patted her back. He’d expected her to be emotional after hearing it.

Casey laughed and shook her head. “I was waiting to tell you, but after that, there’s no way I can hold it in.” She stepped back and looked up into his eyes. Casey took his hands and placed them over her abdomen. “We’re gonna have a baby,” she laughed, cheerfully.

Originally, her missed period went unnoticed in the midst of all her wedding planning. A routine trip to her doctor’s office this week uncovered the unexpected, unplanned but highly enjoyable news of pregnancy. She was ecstatic with joy because the abortion and miscarriage had left her with feelings of uncertainty. Her happiness radiated and transmitted from her to him.

“My baby is in there?” he questioned, and he molded his hands to her stomach. He fell before her to put his ear to her stomach.

Casey’s head fell back in excitement as she held his head to her. “Yes, your baby’s in there.” she confirmed. “I’m eight weeks.” She giggled.

Daemon stood up and pulled her face to his for a long kiss. “She’s having my baby, what a lovely thing.”

Not sure if those were the words to a song, Casey shook her head. “I’m calling you Daddy,” she teased.

Daemon picked her up. “You damn sure will,” he said as he carried his future wife up the stairs.

No nookie till when?
Casey laughed to herself. That’s what they were about to celebrate with.

Chapter Twenty-Five

It’s now or never

The Rehearsal

Emotions and nerves running high, Catrina paced the now transformed ceremony site. The moment Casey had seen it in childhood she’d declared the location as hers. Even then Catrina had seen its potential to be a place where couples said their “I do’s.”

It would take a dreamer to see past the weeds and trees all but growing inside and outside of the structure. The broken window frames with cracked wooding and rain beaten bricks all served as a discouragement to the passing eye. The worn down backdrop served as a blank canvas to be designed and cultivated into something breathtakingly special for the dreaming and romantic eye.

Everyone had joked and even gasped at the idea of such a thing. The owners were surprised at the inquiry to rent it as a wedding ceremony venue. In the end, a deal had been made that the rental fee be waived in lieu of the rehab and landscaping. Thanks to Casey, the owners had a new source of revenue.

Catrina had spent some time using that as her defense to strike a deal. Due to the potential earnings and free advertising, Catrina had convinced the owners that they should pay for the renovations, and as long as Casey and Daemon did the majority of the work. The owners would then allow them to use the site free of charge.

For Catrina, the idea of being a part of a reality TV show was another potential stressor. Shit, was a very real stressor as it was her chance at nationwide success. She could already imagine all the new clientele that they’d be blessed with. All her professional aspirations for a much larger version of success could be wrapped up in the outcome of her best friend’s wedding. It was the fact that though she had planned it down to the very smallest detail, due to her maid of honor duties, she would not be overseeing the day of the event and was leaving it in the ever capable hands of her sister, Charine, and assistant Anita, that made her nervous. Their perceptions of what counted as perfection would be displayed and although Catrina had faith in their abilities, the last thing she wanted to do was leave it in their hands.

They are just as good as you are. They learned from the best. And they will not let you down
, Catrina told herself as she tapped her foot on the newly put together flooring and her hand to the speaker of the megaphone she carried. The thought of it threatened to make Catrina bite her nails, but she’d never ruin a manicure, not even for nerves or reality TV.

One look at her watch told her they had fifteen minutes to go before show time. She briefly scanned the area for all participating members, most importantly, bride and groom. Catrina found them standing in front of where they would be exchanging their vows speaking into the camera. She smiled when Casey excitedly jump onto Daemon back. The camera man, taken off guard, stepped back a little too.

“He said yes, Trina,” Casey said, letting out a giggle as she repeated it into the camera.

Catrina shook her head, “Must be love,” she murmured. It didn’t surprise her that he’d agreed to stay at the ceremony site overnight to allow Casey her beauty rest before her big day.

“Look at you.” Daemon motioned to Catrina. “What you plan on doing with that megaphone?” Daemon asked when he noticed that she carried it.

Charine walked up behind her and took it from her hands. Before Catrina could respond she quickly said, “Nothing. I’m the Megaphone Queen ‘round here today.” Charine placed a smacking kiss on Catrina’s check and hugged Casey before she danced off with Catrina’s megaphone.

“Ten minutes, Charine,” Catrina warned.

Catrina answered a few questions from the interviewer, but maintained a watchful eye on her troops. Credit was given to both Charine and Anita for being able to dramatically round up the wedding rehearsal party participants with the use of the megaphone.

Disappointed, Catrina sucked her teeth. “I really wanted to use it,” she admitted to Casey. Her smile brightened. “You ready? Are you nervous?”

Nervous? If the butterflies in her stomach represented nervousness, then the answer was yes. If her heart’s steady beat counted for anything, it wasn’t nerves, but complete and utter contentment. And today was only practice for the one day that would change all the rest. So no, she wasn’t nervous; she’d leave nerves alone until the next day. That’s if they decided to show up then.

“Hey, Honey,” Briannah walked up and swatted Casey on the behind. “Don’t be scared now; you been planning for this since you were like ten.”

“Please! Do you know who I am? I ain’t never scared!” Casey declared stretching her arms out.