When I woke up this morning I think about how my day is going to go. First is to get Jaden fed and bathed then for him to play until lunch and then his nap time which means my nap time and then dinner. It's not a plan because it isn't going to go exactly like that but it's a start.
I don't hear him up yet so I decide to go ahead and take my shower. After my shower I put on my lotion and underwear. I'm in the middle of picking out a shirt to go with the shorts I picked out when the doorbell goes off. I wonder who it is, I'm not expecting anyone to come by today.
Throwing on my clothes I quickly go to the door. Looking out the window I see it's Chris.
My best friend in the entire world.
Throwing open the door I jump into his open arms with a giggle.
The last time I saw him was in February, he's been busy ever since what with his dad getting ready to step down from his empire and hand it off to his only child. I'm surprised he's here.
"Chris, what are you doing here?", I ask pulling him inside so I can hug him some more.
"It's been over a month since I've had the delightful pleasure of seeing your face".
I smile up at him giving him a full view, "Hows that?".
He smiles as he takes my face in his hands, "I've missed this face very much". He says as he leans down to place a kiss on my lips.
This is nothing new for us. We've known each other our entire lives, he knows all of my deepest darkest secrets and I know his.
Thinking of how much I've missed him I deepen the kiss. Moving my fingers into his dark hair that he's let grow out. His arms wrap around me pulling me closer to his lean body.
Not being touched this way in so long my body responds to his touch. I noticed it a long time ago that Chris makes my body come alive a lot stronger than anyone I've been with. I sometimes wonder why that is but I never thought it out.
Feeling my influence on him I pull away before it can get too difficult for either of us to stop.
"I missed you too. Come have breakfast with us", I say pulling him up the stairs.
Nanny has her head poked out the door and when she sees Chris she came out, "Christopher, what are you doing here?".
He only waves, "Hey Nanny, how have you been?". She walks in to hug him. Aside from Chris being my best friend he is practically part of the family.
I go into the kitchen to look for something to make for breakfast when Chris announces he is going to treat us out for breakfast. We have no problem with that. I go to get Jaden washed off and put a outfit on him. An hour later we are in Chris's car on the way to the Cheesecake Factory.
At the Cheesecake Factory and seated, I watch Chris play with Jaden which always puts a smile on my face. He's been that way with Jaden since he was born. Chris spent that summer with us and he took a real liking to Jaden. He's like his godfather. If I ever need anything Chris is there to the rescue.
When our food comes Chris's attention turns to me. "So I need your attendance for when dad makes me CEO. It's going to be a big dinner with all these important people there and the press and so forth".
Nanny and I stare at him for a few seconds, then I put two and two together, "So that's why you're here?. You want me to be there for your big day".
He smiles a smile that tells me there is more to it than that but he isn't going to let me in on it until he's ready.
"Well yeah, I want to share this amazing day with my best friend".
I look to Nanny but she won't return it. Something is going on. "Well okay. I'll go for you, when is it?".
He smiles again, "It's next Saturday but we have to leave today".
My eyes narrow, "Why?".
He doesn't answer me, he only begins to eat his omelet then points to my plate gesturing me to eat.
As I we eat, I try to figure out what he is up to. I don't come up with anything. Jaden and I are going to Seattle and there isn't much I can do about it. Chris always gets what he wants.
After breakfast we take Nanny around to the stores, he bought me and Jaden a couple outfits as he proceeds to let me know Jaden is going to his dads for the week. The way he dropped that on me is annoying, like he couldn't give me all the information at once.
At our last store Chris and I stay in the car with a sleeping Jaden. "Are you going to tell me what's really going on?", I ask playing with his fingers.
He watches me with the same look I see on his face when it's just us and we're having a moment. It's the look I wanted to see on Troy's face when he looked at me.
Chris leans over the council to kiss me, "I'll tell you when the time is right".
I frown, what does that mean. I don't ask. When Nanny finally comes out the store it's after three, we take her home where she wishes us a good trip. Chris drives to the airport where his private jet waits for us. "Next stop, Roanoke, Virginia. We'll be spending the night there", he tells me this after we board the jet and take off.
I am beyond tired and the flight will only last about two hours, Chris said I can shut my eyes while he watches Jaden so I do.
When I open my eyes a couple hours later, Chris is sitting next to me with Jaden passed out in the middle of us. He sits there on his laptop, his expression serious. His green eyes glued to the screen.
I am well aware that Chris and I come from totally different worlds, but because Chris is white and attracted to me even though I'm black, I know I can attract men of all races, but I am mostly interested in white men. I am mostly interested in him.
We've been best friends since I was born. We have shared a bed before we actually shared it and made love to each other for the first time. The only time we slept together.
I am happy that didn't tear us apart. I actually think it brought us closer together. After we slept together he became a lot more concerned about my happiness. He won't spend more than a month away from me, even when I was with my ex boyfriend, Troy.
He doesn't like Troy very much, I never understood why.
The speaker next to the bed comes alive and the pilot spoke, "Sir, we will be landing in Roanoke in fifteen minutes".
Chris reaches over to press the call button, "Thank you Simon". His eyes slid to me, he's not surprised to see me awake.
"Almost home. It's just before seven so I took the liberty of inviting Von, Troy and Victoria out to dinner. You okay with that?".
I nod as I sit up, careful not to wake Jaden, "How long has he been asleep".
Chris shrugs as he closes his laptop to sit it aside, "About twenty minutes give or take. I kind of tired him out".
I smile as I climb over so I can straddle his lap. He takes my waist as he licks his lips, he knows that drives me crazy. "I can't wait to be alone with you. I think we both need this".
Sometimes it scares me just how well he knows me. I feel his growing want for me and all I can do is kiss him, show him just how much I want him in return. Just how much I've always want him.
The kiss gets hungry, his lips run scorching kisses down my throat. His hands claiming my body like they did the first and only time we slept together. Before we can go any further I pull away, "Later", I smile.
He takes a deep breath as he leans against the head bored. "We should talk first". He sounds excited.
"Oh yeah?, about what?", I ask crossing my arms. Maybe he'll tell me what he has planned but that smile that I'm beginning to hate comes back and I know he isn't going to say a word.
"We'll talk about it when we get to Seattle, dad has some things to tell you". That doesn't sound too good and it worries me a little. I mean, I think of Mr. Harrington as the best father figure a fatherless girl could ask for, but he didn't take it to the level of actually parenting me.
When we touch down in Roanoke a car is waiting for us. We get in the back and ride to my moms. It's been a couple months since Chris had seen her, I know he misses her
We pull up to her house and get out to knock on the door. When she opens it she throws her arms around Chris before letting us in. "Come here booka shoo. Come give G.G. a hug", she cood to Jaden. Chris wrappes his arms around my shoulders as she smothers Jaden with kisses.
This oddly feels right. Like Chris and I are together and we have come to town so my mom can see her grandchild. Our child.
But Jaden isn't Chris's and we aren't together. My mom hands Jaden off to me when she was through kissing him, "Let me get my purse. Say hi to Darren".
I put Jaden down so I can. I poke my head in his door, "Hi Darren. How are you?", I ask.
He grunts that he's doing okay and that he wants us to have fun. My mom came in behind me saying we're gone and we left.
Piling into the jeep that was left for Chris we head to pick up Troy and Victoria.
I sit up front with Chris where he takes my hand lacing our fingers together. He pulls my fingers towards his lips so he could skim them across my skin. It does things to me that I don't want to happen in front of my mother. I pretend he isn't effecting me like he and said, "So where are you taking all of us Mr. Big Shot?".
He chuckles as he pulls into their drive way, "I know a place in Salem".
I take my hand back instantly missing his touch. Getting out the car I try not to look like a idiot as I go to get Troy and Victoria.
Knocking on the door, I look down at myself. Before we landed I changed into one of the many outfits Chris bought me.
It was pretty expensive. He bought me a beautiful royal blue long sleeve dress with a low cut back. I have on a strapless bra and matching panties. He completed the dress with charcoal grey heals, and jewelry. I still have my old black coat from a couple Christmas's ago. I love how he dresses me.
I knock on the door until Victoria answers, "Are you guys ready?".
"Yeah, come in", Victoria gestures.
I step inside following her to the living room. Troy is just coming out of his room when I round the corner.
When I look at him I don't feel sad, or angry. I'm not even hurt anymore. I wonder if that's because of Damien.
"Ready to go eat?", I ask sliding my hands in my coat pocket.
He puts on his jacket as he nods. I nod back leaning on the frame. I will admit it is awkward to be around him.
Victoria comes out her room putting on her jacket, "Lets go". I turn for the door and walk out. Outside my mom climbs out the car so Troy and Victoria can get in the back then we were off.
Chris for my hand agian making me wonder if it was for him or to show Troy he got me. I'm not very sure but I'm starting not to care. Troy doesn't want me anymore and I'm starting to think Chris does.
Chris pulls up to a fancy restaurant and we all get out. Troy gets Jaden and we head inside. Chris hasn't let me go.
As we walk in he keeps a hold of my hand. Quite tightly I might add. We are seated immediately in the private part of the restaurant where dinner goes quite well. Chris keeps up a steady conversation that make things more bearable. When everyone is finished we sit around some more enjoying each others company. Jaden is in my lap asleep, Chris's arm around my shoulders and I get that familiar feeling that this is how it should be.
When we finally leave the restaurant we drop everyone off back home. I leave Jaden with his dad, we are leaving for Seattle first thing in the morning.
Chris and I are now alone with in our hotel room. We don't bother turning on the lights, he wraps his arms around me pulling me close into a hug.
I wrap my arms around his neck as he begins to hum a soft melody. He sways us back and forth as we move around the room. This is the only time I can dance at all.
He rests his mouth on my shoulder as he slows down. I feel the shift in his mood. He wants me, his arms tighten around me as he leans back so he can see my face.
"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?", he asks leaning towards me again.
I giggle as his nose rests against mine, "Whenever you get the chance".
"It's true. For some reason every time I see you, you are more beautiful than the last time".
His complement makes me uncomfortable although it shouldn't, he's always been like this with me. "Thank you", I mumble.
He touches my face, his thumb caressing my cheeks, "I want to make love to you tonight".
I bite my lip as I recall our first time. It had been slow and romantic and everything I could have wanted my first time to be. My fingers play with his hair as I wait for the "but".
It doesn't come. He takes my hand leading me to the bedroom. As I follow I wonder what can be going through his mind. Usually I wouldn't have to ask.
He always said his thoughts and feelings are my thoughts and feelings. Same goes for me, he is the only person I'm completely open with.
Body and soul.
In the bedroom he sits on the bed pulling me between his legs. His hands take my waist as he looks up at me. "I want to so badly Gabby, you've honestly no idea but we should wait until after we talk".
I take his face in my hands, "Why can't we talk now?". He kisses my palm before he rests his forehead against my chest.
"Because dad isn't here and its better if this happens in person".
I don't understand what he is talking about but I can't ask for information this time. I have to wait.
Chris reaches around unzipping my dress, "But, just because we aren't going to have sex tonight doesn't mean we can't go to bed naked".
I laugh as he pulls my sleeves down. He undresses me then I undress him then climb in bed.
He pulls me close so I can rest my head on his chest. His fingers skim up and down my waist as we lay there in silence.
WHEN I WAKE up the next morning, I am facing the window. Early daylight streams through the blinds. Chris is wrapped around me like always when we sleep together. His arm is wrapped around my waist, his legs tangled with mine. I am so hot.
His head rests on my shoulder, my only free arm is my right arm looking for somewhere cool to lay. I shift and it makes him groan, I smile as his head lifts off my shoulder, "Good morning you. Ready to get going?", I ask.
He untangles himself from me so he can stretch. "Yes, lets shower first, then get on the road. I'm starving".
We shower together then get ready. I had expected to eat down stairs but instead we check out. Seeing my confusion Chris says, "They'll serve us breakfast on the jet".
We're quiet on our way to the airport. I'm still sleepy and even in this state, I can tell something is on Chris's mind. Of course I want to know what it is but I learned my lesson yesterday. He isn't going to say a word to me without his dad.
On the jet we have a big breakfast as we talk. He fed me strawberries watching my every move as I ate. I notice how observant he was being towards me.
After breakfast I tell him I want to take a nap and he follows me to the back room. "I'll do some work while you sleep. When we get to Seattle we have to hit the ground running".
I climb into the bed resting on my stomach. I close my eyes ready to drift off when I feel Chris lean over me. "You're not going to give me a kiss goodnight?".
I wait a beat before I turn over to look at him. He leans down skimming his lips down my forehead to my nose. He kisses it before pulling away to look deep in my eyes. I reach up to take his face in my hands pulling him close again.
My fingers smooth over his lower lip before I kiss it softly. Teasing him, tasting him, wanting him. He rests on top of me as he tries to deepen the kiss. I keep him at bay.
His knee nudges my legs open and I don't fight it. I wrap my legs around his waist as he pushes himself against me. Making me feel how much he wants me, he gives up trying to kiss me and moves down to my neck as he pines my hands down on the pillow.
It's getting hard to breathe when he lifts my shirt up to kiss down my stomach to the top of my jeans. "Say you love me", he whispers against my heated skin.
I look down at him a little confused. "You know I love you", I say leaning up on my elbows. Chris moves off of me making all thoughts of taking a nap go out the window.
"What is it you're not telling me?", I ask sitting up completely. He sits on the edge of the bed with his elbows on his knees.
I move to his side placing my hand on his shoulder, "Hey, you can tell me no matter what it is. You know that". He breathes in a heavy sigh before he gets up to pace the space.
"Fine I'll tell you but you can't tell Dad I told you. He wanted this conversation to happen between the three of us", he paces a few seconds more before continuing.
"As you know your mom used to be my Nanny and she was a good one. The best my parents have ever seen. I mean she was babysitting the entire time she was pregnant with you". He pauses as he leans against the wall.
"then she stole a couple thousand dollars from us", he stops again to let that sink in. When he felt it has he continues.
"Dad wanted her arrested and thrown in jail but mom knew a child needs its mother so she convinced dad to do something else, so he did".
My eyes narrow in wonder to what my mom had to do for them. He continues to say, "Mom had a suspicion that she was carrying a girl so my dad made a deal with your mom. In order for them to drop the charges, she had to promise her daughter to me".
Wait, what does that mean?. I open my mouth to ask but my face must have said it all for me, "They made an agreement that after you turned twenty I am to take your hand in marriage. You are to be my wife".
I'm too stunned to say anything. My mind is totally blank, I can only stare at him. I know he isn't lying, the truth is all over his face.
I sit back on my heals looking away from him. A lot of things are beginning to make sense. Why he's always there, not all friends stay together for their entire lives. Why he's the one who took my virginity, why he's never missed a holiday with me. He paid for my prom, the dress, the limo, the hotel. He was there every step of the way for my pregnancy and after to make sure I transitioned into motherhood ok.
He made sure to come to graduation, he had wanted to take me and Jaden on a trip that summer and I turned him down for Troy. Who he's never liked.
Chris came back to sit next to me, "I know this is a bit much but we love each other. We are best friends and sometimes best friends end up together", he put his arms around me pulling me in close so he can rest his head on mine.
We are quiet for a very long time. I laid down as Chris sits next to me doing his work. Rubbing my back ever so often, he's trying to comfort me. It's just not working.
