Everything is Everything Book 2

  They were in the kitchen eating pie and drinking milk. Mama Rose had come in about an hour ago to make sure they had something to eat and to offer to take Crash off to bed with her. But Scotty was holding his sleeping son in his lap and wasn’t interested in allowing him to be taken away.

  Charisma had hurried into the room to shoo her mom away, which let Vanessa know that Charisma was somewhere listening. She didn’t mind—she intended to rehash the entire conversation with her best friend, anyway.

  Now it was close to ten P.M. and Vanessa and Scotty were still talking, reluctant to let the other go—even for just a few hours.

  Vanessa had recanted every anecdote imaginable about Crash. She’d discussed her morning sickness and cravings and it seemed that by unspoken agreement tonight they would keep the conversation neutral.

  “So for the last year you’ve been out of prison. What have you been doing?”

  He smiled. “I’m in college.”

  “Oh Scotty! I’m so proud of you!” She almost hugged him but remembered the baby sleeping in his arms. Instead she squeezed his arm.

  “I was taking classes in Lebanon so I’m actually ahead because I basically was able to double up. I just need one more semester and I can begin teaching.” He eyed her as she beamed.

  “And what about you Miss Vanessa White? You never told me what happened up in New York.”

  Her smile faded. “Maybe we can save that for another day.”

  He watched her in worry. “Is everything okay?”

  She nodded and gave him a slight smile. “I worked but …” she didn’t know how to put it into words. After being Crash’s mother, she was unsure if she still wanted to be a professional performer. It was hard to actually verbalize that thought since it had been one of her desires since she was a child.

  “What are you saying, babe?” He asked. She felt warm and secure at the familiar term of endearment.

  “I’m saying that I think I might want something else now.”

  “Do you want to tell me?”

  She shook her head shyly. “Not yet.”

  “Okay.” He looked down at their son. “Vanessa … will you come home with me and stay the night? You and Crash?” He quickly met her eyes. “I don’t mean—you know! I can sleep on the couch and you and Crash can have the bed. I just … don’t want to leave you.”

  She smiled to herself. “I don’t know. I don’t want to offend Charisma’s family since they-“

  Charisma called out from a different room. “Go ahead, girl. I’ll explain to Mom and Dad.”

  Vanessa scowled.

  “We don’t mind!” Mama Rose called out.

  Scotty chuckled. “They’re okay with it. Now if you’re okay …?”

  Vanessa nodded and then got up to pack a bag for her and Crash.

  Scotty had a small one-bedroom apartment within walking distance of the University. Vanessa had always liked that part of town for it’s lively atmosphere and cool shops and restaurants.

  He explained that he was a full time student and survived on a full scholarship that paid for his schooling, housing and left him with enough money so that he could afford a used car.

  The apartment where he lived was in an old yet stylish apartment building. There were high ceilings and carved moldings and a hardwood floor. As Scotty showed her around his place she saw that it was much more homey than his last bachelor pad.

  The last place had been upscale but he had not done anything to make it a home until she had moved in with him. But this time it was different. He had furnished it and decorated it from posters on the walls, matching furniture and an overflowing bookshelf. The kitchen actually looked like someone regularly used it. And the bedroom was neat and had more than just a bed and dresser.

  Scotty pulled down the covers and they put their son to bed. He lingered in the doorway watching Vanessa.

  “Sleep good. I’ll see you in the morning. Call me if you need anything.”

  Vanessa nodded. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He closed the door and she went into the adjoining bathroom and got ready for bed. As she slipped between the sheets Vanessa caught the smell of Scotty on his pillow. She snuggled against it and placed a protective arm around her son. Today felt like the beginning of everything.

  Later Scotty cracked the door open and peeked into the room. Vanessa was in a deep sleep and his son was lying on his back with his limbs sprawled out. Scotty wished he could remove the corrective bar but understood that it was necessary. Regardless, he had the cutest son in the world and Scotty couldn’t help the smile that crossed his lips when he looked at him.

  Scotty’s eyes moved to Vanessa and lingered. She was lying on her side with an arm thrown across their baby. He could see her chest rising gently and knew that she was asleep. He wanted to stand there and stare at her; at them both. But he knew that it wouldn’t be a good idea. He was already tempted to climb into bed with them just to hold them in his arms. Instead of giving in to temptation, Scotty closed the door and returned to the living room.

  He picked up the phone. It was late but he knew that the person he called kept late hours and wouldn’t be asleep yet.

  “You’re not going to believe this. I want you to guess whose asleep in my house at this very moment. No! Of course I’m talking about in reality!” Scotty chuckled. “I’ll give you one guess.”

  Scotty sat down on the couch, his smile becoming broader. “You’re brain is totally going in the wrong direction. It’s Vanessa … and my son.”

  Scotty chuckled at the response he received. He even had to pull the phone from is ear as the response was loud enough to probably wake up Vanessa and the baby if they were in the same room.

  “No, not tonight,” Scotty said. “Juan Carlos I mean it! Don’t come tonight, they are already in bed and asleep. Besides, she has no idea you’re out of prison and she doesn’t know you. Give her time to get to know you, okay. I know. I’m excited too. But I wanted to call you. Dad, my family is home for Christmas.”

  Scotty rubbed his face in disbelief at how quickly his life had changed. “Good night old man. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Chapter Ten

  Scotty felt something poking at his eye and he almost jumped out of his skin. He looked over and saw a toddler peering at him and trying to wedge his eyes open.

  Scotty relaxed and smiled at his son. Well it didn’t look like that bar on his feet kept him from exploring. He had climbed down from the bed in the other room and had wandered into the living room.

  “Good morning buddy,” Scotty yawned.

  “Cheese!” Crash replied.

  Scotty sat up and looked at Crash’s smiling face.

  “Do you want some cheese?”

  “Cheese,” Crash confirmed.

  Scotty lifted him into his arms. “How about we change your diaper first.”

  Scotty located the diaper bag, his eyes sweeping the apartment for anything out of sorts that his son might have fiddled with before he’d poked him in the eye.

  He made a mental note to baby proof the apartment and then got his son’s diaper changed.

  “My cheese!” Crash reminded.

  “You eat cheese for breakfast? How about eggs? Daddy will make you eggs.”

  After his son was changed he lifted him and the two of them went into the bedroom where they found Vanessa curled up in bed, still asleep.

  “Is mommy’s sleeping?” Scotty whispered to his son from the doorway.

  “My mommy.” Crash shook his head no but Scotty figured he meant to nod yes.

  “We have to be quiet and let mommy sleep,” Before they left the room Scotty saw one of the toy cars that belonged to Crash. He picked it up and his son squealed happily and grabbed for it.

  “Cheese!”

  Scotty closed the door with a chuckle. “So this is the ever popular cheese.”

  Scotty spent the next few minutes trying to teach his son to say car. However his son refused and was adamant that h
is toy car was called cheese.

  Vanessa rolled over in the unfamiliar bed and then sat up. She felt for Crash who was not in the room. Vanessa quickly climbed out of bed and hurried out the room.

  Crash and Scotty looked up from the kitchen table where they were enjoying their breakfast of eggs.

  “Mommy!” Crash kicked to be put down so that he could properly greet his mother but instead of letting him down Scotty carried his son over to his mother.

  “Good morning.” He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss onto her lips. Vanessa quickly rubbed down her messy hair and then she lifted Crash from his arms.

  “Good morning,” she replied. “How long have you two been awake?”

  Scotty returned to the kitchen. He was wearing a t-shirt and a pair of athletic shorts and Vanessa admired his ass and legs.

  “About half an hour. Our son is an early riser, I see.”

  Vanessa couldn’t help but to smile at that. No one had ever been able to say ‘our’ son to her before today.

  “I hope you’re hungry. Crash and I made bacon and eggs for breakfast.”

  She followed him into the kitchen. “I’m starving. Sorry I slept so late.”

  “You’re fine.” He turned to look at her and his eyes swiftly moved across her body.

  She felt a tingle travel up her spine. She was wearing sweats and a loose shirt which was her normal sleepwear these days. But that one look made her feel like a Victoria Secrets model.

  There was so much for them to get caught up on before just jumping into bed together. Because as much as she was attracted to Scotty, Vanessa worried about just assuming that they had to get back together just because that’s where they had come from.

  She couldn’t forget that there had been a time when the man she thought she’d spend her life with had faced a devastating problem and instead of allowing her to face it with him had pushed her away. And obviously she had retreated without giving the people she loved the benefit of change and forgiveness.

  Scotty placed food on a plate for her, chatting about how amazing Crash was and she watched him falling in love with him all over again.

  “I’m not going back to New York.” She said, out of the blue.

  Scotty paused while buttering her piece of toast. “Are you sure?”

  “I have people here that need to be around Crash and vice versa. So, yes, I’m sure.”

  Scotty brought the toast to her and then he lifted her hand and swept his thumb across the engagement ring on her finger.

  “I noticed that you were still wearing it.”

  She was suddenly uncomfortable. She wanted a future with Scotty but there were things that had to be repaired before that could happen.

  “I think we have a lot to talk about … before we talk about the ring.”

  Scotty nodded but he bent and kissed her hand.

  “What are your plans for Christmas?” He asked while taking his seat across from her..

  Christmas was in two days and suddenly she had people that she wanted to spend the holidays with.

  “I’m not sure. I came to spend the holidays with Charisma’s family but then me and grandma made up so I definitely want to spend it with her. But “now,” she reached out and held Scotty’s hand. “I want to spend it with you, too.”

  “I’m happy you included me because I’d like to take you and Crash to visit the family-“

  She slapped her hand across her mouth. “Oh my God I forgot to ask about Phonso and Beady and Miss Gloria and everyone else-“

  “It’s okay honey. There’s no rush to talk about everything that needs talking about. If its okay I’d like to have dinner with the entire family tonight and then we can figure out Christmas later.”

  “We can do that. But how is Phonso?” She loved the entire family but Phonso was like her brother and she wondered about him most of all.

  “He’s good, better than good. Phonso got a job at a distribution factory and now drives a truck.”

  “Phonso’s a truck driver?”

  “Not a cross country trucker. He has a local route but he does drive a big rig.”

  “Does he like it?”

  “He complains but I don’t think my brother could ever settle down to an office type job. He really does like it despite what he says. Oh, and get this; he has been too busy to date. He even has his own apartment--alone.”

  “No children?”

  Scotty shook his head no.

  “And Beady?”

  “She and I will be graduating at the same time. The twins graduate from high school next year. EJ wants to join the army and Erica goes to a trade school for nursing. Tyrone makes the honor roll every year and Ginger still struggles but she does good at her school.”

  “Was it tough for her?”

  “Things got better once I was released but she has learned to adapt to change. She goes to a regular school and sometimes that’s good and sometimes its bad. But she’s made friends and that goes a long way for her.”

  “Wow. I can’t wait to see them.”

  Scotty licked his lips. “There’s another thing. While I was in prison I got to know Juan Carlos.”

  “My father?”

  “Yes. We even ended up in the same cellblock,” Even though Scotty knew that JC had been behind that move.

  “How did you two get along?” She asked.

  “At first, not so good. But later we got along much better.” He described how they spent time each day playing board games and how he would make dinner almost nightly. Scotty described J.C. as a man that had a lifetime worth of regrets.

  Vanessa huffed and got up to take her dishes to the sink. “That’s easy to say after the fact, when all the hard work has been completed and its time to just sweep in and reap the benefits.”

  Scotty’s heart fell a bit. Vanessa watched him taking in his look of disappointment.

  “So you really think he’s changed?” She asked.

  “I really do. He’s out of prison now and he actually has a real job. Although he thinks pimping is a real job. But I know it’s a job that he doesn’t want any longer. Anyhow, he knows you and Crash are here. He’d like to see you both.”

  Vanessa nodded. “I don’t want him to have any expectations, Scotty. I don’t know this man and the time when his presence in my life would have meant something has long past.”

  Scotty looked away but held a half smile on his face. “That’s almost exactly the same thing I said. I told him that he hadn’t earned the right to be my father.”

  “And what did he say?”

  “He said that his life was pretty pitiful that the high point of his life was just getting a few words from a kid that wasn’t really his and that hated him.”

  Scotty stood up and closed the space between them. “I told him that I didn’t hate him. And I realized that I was telling the truth. And if J.C. could admit that he wanted a family; including all of my mother’s kids—then I could admit that I wanted a father.

  Vanessa stared at him. After a moment she nodded. “This is very Wuthering Heights.”

  Scotty laughed. He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Gee, thanks for equating me with an insane, egotistical tyrant.”

  She hugged him quickly. “You know what I mean.”

  He scooped her up and swung her around.

  “Go get ready.” He released her. “There are a lot of things we need to do today.”

  “Alright. Keep a close eye on Crash. He likes to put coins in his facial orifices and is intrigued by silverware and how well they fit into outlets.”

  “Yikes. He gets that from your side of the family.”

  She hugged Scotty and placed another kiss on his lips. This time she felt his erection rise between them. He smiled sheepishly and pulled his pelvis back.

  “Sorry. He has a life of his own sometimes.”

  She watched him with a grin. “Has he been very lonely?”

  The smile fell from Scotty’s lips. “I haven’t been
with anyone since you.”

  Vanessa touched his face, running the tips of her fingers over his lips.

  “Careful,” he whispered. “I told you he has a life of his own.”

  “Then maybe you better be the one to take that shower Scott Tremont.”

  He nodded his head and took a step back, but still wore a smile on his face.

  “By the way,” she called after him. “Did you read Wuthering Heights as an assignment or for pleasure?”

  He winked at her. “Both.”

  He stripped out of his shirt as he headed for the bathroom and her eyes settled on the cut of his broad back.

  “Oh, yes. He’s a keeper …” she whispered.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Where are we going?” Scotty had loaded them into his car and was driving them to some unknown destination.

  “I told you. We’re going to visit Juan Carlos.”

  Vanessa looked around. “Well why are you pulling up to a restaurant parking lot? We just had breakfast.”

  They were at a steakhouse. It looked to her to be pretty upscale.

  “He works here.” When they entered the restaurant, Scotty said something to the hostess.

  They were still preparing for opening because the wait crew was bustling around but there were no customers. Scotty led them to the bar where the female bartender cooed at Crash and gave him a pretzel.

  A man came from a door near the bar. He was wearing a pristine white jacket and a tall chef’s hat on top of his head, which had short salt and pepper hair.

  Vanessa’s smile faded when she noticed the resemblance to Tino--Valentino Tremont; her half brother and the man who had once kissed her and threatened to pimp her out when she was just a child.

  The man in chef clothes was watching her and when Scotty saw him he stood and greeted the man enthusiastically.

  “J.C.” They slapped hands and hugged.

  Juan Carlos looked from the little boy held in Scotty’s arms to his mother who sat looking scared and stricken, perched stiffly on the bar stool.

  The look saddened Juan Carlos. She was absolutely beautiful and reminded him of her Mother. He could see a bit of himself in the girl, but he mostly saw Leelah.