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“What makes you think she’s running?”
“Well, she’s got a lot of pent-up emotions about her past. I think her aunt really pulled a number on her with emotional abuse. I don’t even like the way she looks at Amber now and the way she talks to her—with no respect. Amber’s feeling more uneasy lately. I think she’s more worried about how her anxiety could affect the baby’s well-being. She even insisted that I stay with her at the condo. Which, of course, is totally cool with me. You know how I feel about her. But I could see terror in her eyes.”
“Sure thing, Jules. I’ll make sure Dion gets the guys on it. Consider it done. If it hadn’t been for Amber, I wouldn’t have Venus. Amber practically saved her life in more ways than one. Amber is family now. Don’t worry, she’ll be good.”
“Thanks.”
Jules knew he could always count on Carl and his other brother, Dion. They were the closest out of all the brothers. When Carl was in hot water, Jules was right there by his side, especially during the scandalous mud-slinging mayoral campaign that almost knocked Carl out of the game. Jules was there by his side.
Jules was going to make sure Amber was protected … come what may.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Later, Amber arrived at the main entrance French doors at Romero Manor after Jules dropped her off. “I’ll be right back, I’ve just got to pick up something for Gramps,” he told her before giving her a peck on the cheek.
“Sure.”
She noticed the door was slightly ajar and thought it was odd. But Jules had already driven off. “That’s strange.” It was late afternoon and the lights seemed to be off in the home. Her heart thumped madly in her chest. Why was she nervous? She was at Romero Manor, right? The home was safe if nothing more. She’d been there many times before including the last time they had a massive family dinner to which she enjoyed being a guest of Jules.
Amber moved the door open and the entrance was dim. She made her way on the marble stone floor towards the living room. That was often the place where everyone gathered before dinner. She frowned at not seeing any signs of life in the residence.
She reached into her bag to call Jules but stopped. Curiosity got the best of her. She walked into the study. “Hello. Anybody here?”
She only heard the echo of her voice. Was she dreaming? What was going on?
She turned around and then saw a light flash over by the study. How odd that nobody was around. The entire family was to be gathered for dinner shortly. Then she saw Jules come in from the study.
“Jules. W-what’s going on? What are you doing in the study? I thought you dropped me off and went to get something.” Was she losing her ever-loving mind? If she didn’t know any better she would have thought she was hallucinating. Oh, boy! She really needed to see a therapist.
“I did, baby,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and bending down to kiss her forehead. He was ever so tall. She was often mesmerized by his height—that Romero height, all of his brothers were over six feet two inches-and his lean, fit muscular frame. “I parked outside and used the garden entrance to get inside,” he said, his cheeks dimpled as he gave her that sweet boyish grin she adored.
“B-but why?”
“Come here, I have something to show you.”
He gently led her into the dark study where the lights were off. When he flicked on the light switch, she almost jolted with joy.
“Surprise!!!!” everyone called out. Balloons floated from the air and everyone clapped.
She read the huge banner overhead. “It’s A Baby Shower!”
“I’m sorry, hon. I really wanted to tell you but I thought I would surprise you.”
“Oh, Jules. I…I don’t know what to say,” she laughed hysterically. “This is….oh, my goodness!” Her voice was overcome with emotion.
Amber figured Jules knew she was worried about not having enough for the baby and not knowing what to buy for her first child. And look at how he responded. She had confided to him once that she never got a chance to have little girl parties or birthday parties growing up, which was all too sad.
Once her mother held a party for her and none of the kids in the neighbourhood ended up attending. It was the lowest point of her life at that time. She had told Jules that one day and he felt her pain. He kissed her and told her that would never happen again. Ever. From that day in her childhood she vowed she would never invite anyone to her party because she didn’t want the embarrassment of nobody showing up again, even for a good reason.
But here, here she was surrounded by good friends and family. Venus, her friend, walked over to her and gave her a compassionate hug. “Congratulations, Amber. You didn’t think we would let you have a baby without a shower, did you?”
Amber was almost moved to tears and fought her emotions not to burst into a sobbing river. The last thing she wanted would be to tear up at what should be one of the most joyous occasions in celebrating her new baby—even if they were tears of joy.
Oh, Jules.
She looked up at him again with warmth in her heart and appreciation in her smile. Her heart fluttered inside her chest. She was overcome with unbridled excitement and love. So this was what it felt like to come from a large, close-knit family with tons of support.
She looked around and thanked everybody. She saw Antonio with his wife Lucy, Lucas with his wife Maxine, Zack and Blue and Carl and Venus, Toni and Shelly, Pamela, the family’s press secretary who was more like family, Dion and Troy, Jules’s other brothers. She noticed Dr. Alonso was absent. He was probably overseas again since he had opened new clinics in Haiti. Oh, what a family!
Amber walked into the study with wonder, like that proverbial kid in a candy store as everyone greeted her. Over near the fireplace, some beautiful children, Jules’s nieces and nephews, were playing with toys.
And speaking of toys, there was a table near the fireplace that was brimming in Disney-designed gift bags tied with beautiful large red, blue and pink shiny bows. She saw boxes with baby clothes, diaper genies, newborn diapers, and even gorgeous looking designer maternity clothes laid flat on the grand table, adorned with metallic bows. Not to mention the festive helium balloons everywhere.
Amber covered her mouth with her hands, in awe, overcome with emotion.
“Oh, come now. That’s okay,” Toni said, hobbling towards her with his cane. He reached over to her and patted her back. “You deserve this, my dear. It’s just our little gift to you and your baby. You’re family now.”
“Th-thank you. Thank you so much, I…I don’t know what to say.”
“You shouldn’t have to say anything,” Shelly said with compassion in her voice and her smile. “You’ve done so much for everybody else, especially Carl and Venus, whose idea this was, and it’s okay to get some of that back.”
Oh, how wonderful of them to say. They made Amber feel as if she wasn’t a mere charity case, but a friend. She wished in her heart she was enjoying this shower as Jules’s fiancée, or better yet, his wife! But she had to remember that it was she who didn’t want to get physically close to Jules in the past and well, Jules wasn’t ready to get serious then, or emotionally close.
“You know, I thought you were having one of your family dinners,” she said, looking at Jules with a mock scowl as she placed her hands on her hips.
Amber had already dined with the Romeros at their “big” family dinner not long ago, so she was surprised that the Romero clan was meeting up again so soon. Now she knew why.
“It’s the truth, right, Gramps?”
“That’s right. We’ll be having dinner in the dining room after we play a few games.”
“A few games?” she mouthed, totally taken aback.
“Oh, you didn’t think I would arrange this baby shower without all the fun, did you?” Shelly beamed. “Come here, Queen Mom, you sit right here on the Mommy Throne.” Shelly lovingly guided Amber to a comfortable plush seat that was reminiscent of French provincial furniture that happened to be decorated with beautiful pink and pinker, if possible, ribbons and a few balloons.
Amber gushed.
“Oh, you guys are so amazing. Thank you. You really didn’t have to do all this.”
“Nonsense. That’s how we do things. In style,” Toni added.
Jules watched Amber and it seemed as if he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. He seemed genuinely thrilled that she was happy. A warm smile relaxed his handsome face. He stood by Amber with his arms crossed over his chest feeling a great sense of satisfaction.
They ended up playing a few fun games as part of the “Jack and Jill” baby shower where a few of the men took part, but mostly the women, Shelly, Lucy, Maxine, Blue and Venus along with Pamela, were involved. The room echoed with laughter, music and chatter. Most of the time, Jules was by Amber’s side, sticking closer to her than Velcro. Hugging her and rubbing her arm tenderly. She felt a close connection with him. It was the perfect way to spend her evening. If only they were getting married. If only she was his wife but she wouldn’t raise the issue. She was grateful to have his company and his affection.
“Thank you so much. The dinner was delicious,” Amber commented to Toni after the baby shower and dinner, rubbing her belly as she sat beside the stone fireplace in the grand family room. The “room” looked more like the size of a luxury hotel lobby. It was her second massive family gathering and she enjoyed it very much. She was beginning to feel more comfortable around the entire Romero clan.
