I took a few steps toward her and seated myself in a large chair diagonally from her. Gripping the glass, I peered into it for a minute and let my words come to me. Celine waited patiently. She knew I typically thought before I spoke on anything.
“I said a lot of things to you. I was hurt, angry, and… it was disrespectful. I’ve always had nothing but the utmost respect for you.” My emotions betrayed me.
My childhood played out right in front of me. There were so many times when she looked out for me, and I thought she was being a good employee. Lifting my eyes, they connected to hers.
“You have every right to how you feel in this situation. There were so many times I wanted to come out and tell you. But my fear came true that day. The way you reacted, I always knew it would come.” She shook her head. I could tell she was on the verge of tears again.“I love you. I always have. In my heart, you have always been my son. I stuck around all these years so that I could be there for you because I knew you needed it. Kutlass and Karrin washed their hands of you long ago. Somebody had to be there. I know you have Knowledge, but let’s be real, that boy got his own issues.” We laughed together. “And then Ivana came along. It was light and brought out a side of you I don’t even think you were aware of. She gave you Ivy. Then she was taken?—”
“Only she wasn’t.” I tossed back the last of my drink and eased myself into the pillows of the chair.
Bewildered, Celine continued to rake her auburn orbs all over me.
“What do you mean?” she questioned.
“Ivana. She’s alive. She’s been alive this entire time.”
“What the hell? How? Are you sure?” Celine questioned, disbelief still dripping from her tone.
“Positive. Seen her with my own two eyes, so has Ivy.”
“Where has she been?”
“She doesn’t talk about it. She was staying at the house for a little bit. She moved out and went to stay with her sister. Ivy’s been visiting her. Everything seems normal.”
“Normal?” Celine asked, shaking her head. “Ain’t nothing normal about this. Does Harbor know?”
“Harbor met her. Ivana isn’t what I remember?—”
“How can she be? How canyoube after seven years, Quency?” Celine ranted.
A half smile came to my lips. I missed having these conversations with her.
“I mean, what is she expecting?”
“I haven’t talked to her about it. There was some static when she first got here because I found out she was dealing with an enemy of mine. I can’t take her away from Ivy after she’s just getting her back. That’s not right.” I needed to really talk to Ivana and dig a little deeper.
She had a goal; that was for damned sure. I just needed to find out what it was. Unfortunately, that required me spending time with her, and Harbor was sensitive right now, so I didn’t want her getting the wrong idea.
“I can tell you one thing: she sounds like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. You better keep an eye on her.” Celine rose, and I watched her go over to a large window and stare out of it.
“We need you,” I voiced, tone low and somber, forcing her eyes to find mine. “Harbor is dealing with a lot, with Ivy, the babies, and the house. And she misses you too.”
“So what about you?” she asked.
“I’m good,” I answered simply. “I had a chance to cool off. Dealt with my own parental issues, and I’m trying to make the best of my life. Been thinking about retiring, finding something else to do with my time. “
She seemed surprised by that and also cracked a small smile.
“Sounds like a few other things have changed.”
“Come back and see just how much. Meet your grandchildren. I haven’t told Ivy yet, but Harbor is aware.”
“So you and Harbor, that’s?—”
“As real as it gets,” I assured her, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. “One day soon she’s going to know just how legit this shit is. She’s going through her hormonal shit right now, and with Ivana back in the picture, I can tell she’s tight about it, even though she isn’t saying anything. She’s trying to keep the peace, for Ivy more than anyone. She loves that girl with her whole fucking heart.”
“Sounds like you love her too,” Celine piped up, grin stretching a mile wild across her face making her eyes crinkle in the corners and sparkle like two stars.
“I love her. I’m fucking in love with her. I think about her and the future and all the shit I want to do with her all the time. Waking up to her just solidifies that there is a God. Gotta be to make something about as perfect as her.”
