My apologies for the long hiatus, I never abandon my characters before their story is finished...they won't let me. Thanks for reading. DW
*
Tabitha pulled the gold-tasseled cord that opened the blue velvet curtains. Light flooded into her room, over the antique armoire, the Persian rugs, and the four-poster canopy bed. Her room faced the front of the estate so she could take a moment to appreciate the perfectly manicured lawn. There were topiaries shaped as dolphins in mid-jump, meticulously landscaped trees, flowers along cobbled walk paths.
Tabitha had known that the Solomon estate outside Birmingham was impressive—Rick was from old money after all—but this sprawling, picture --perfect mansion was more than she'd ever expected. The house itself was over thirty thousand square feet. The family only used part of the home; the rest of it was used for guided tours.
At first, Tabitha didn't understand how Rick and Dion could raise curious kids in a house that was half untouchable, but the kids didn't miss the other parts of the house since they never even saw it. The older ones knew the curator by name and they understood that the part of the house that was for show generated income. It was as if that part of the house didn't exist.
Tabitha had taken the tour out of curiosity. The rooms were incredible—her favorite was the ballroom with ornately carved moldings, six crystal chandeliers, heavy oak floors, and a domed ceiling. The eight foot tall portraits were enough to keep her attention for hours.
Tabitha dressed and made her way downstairs for breakfast. The kitchen was one of three; the one included in the tour was twice as big and the one in the guest quarters was half the size.
"Good morning!" Dion said kissing her cheek.
"I'm going to need you to have someone include coffee on the breakfast menu."
Dion shook her head. "It's tea or nothing."
"Fine, then I want an extra big cup."
"We'll pour yours into a soup bowl with then, you can drink it with a straw."
"Sounds good."
"We have another guest," Dion sang.
"Really?" said Tabitha trying to sound interested.
"Yes. Vick."
"Rick's brother...the soccer player?" Now Tabitha was slightly less interested.
Dion nodded.
"What's he doing here?"
"He has a game next week in Germany and he's stopped here for a visit. He likes the quiet."
"Good for him," sighed Tabitha.
"I think you'll like him." Dion's smile made what she was thinking obvious.
"No!" screeched Tabitha.
"What?" Dion's eyes went wide.
"You are not setting me up with your brother in law!"
"Why not? When you got here last week you said you'd broken things off with Wes. Why wouldn't you want to spend some time with a wealthy, handsome, funny man?"
"Handsome?" Tabitha repeated.
"Drop-dead," said Dion.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to get to know Rick's brother. He'd only be there a week...nothing too serious could happen in a week and she could use something or someone to distract her from all those thoughts about Wes.
As if cued, a tall, broad-shouldered, blonde man walked into the kitchen.
"G'mornin' sis!" he said pulling Dion to him with one arm. He planted a kiss on the top of her head and put a hand on her baby bump. "How's my nephew?"
"He's heavy," Dion grumbled.
"Good thing he has such a strong mum to carry him around. You must be Tabitha!"
Before she could confirm or deny, Vick pulled her into a hug and Tabitha was marveling at the warm, hardness against her cheek.
"It's nice to meet you, Vick."
"You're more beautiful than your photos!" he said with a brilliant smile.
"Thanks," said Tabitha making her way out of his grasp.
"Why don't you take Tabitha shopping at the Bullring? She's been dying to go out but I'm afraid to be too far from home for very long in my condition."
Tabitha rolled her eyes. Dion was subtle like a Mack truck.
***
"I'll be honest, when my big brother told me he was in love with an American woman he'd met in a bar, I was concerned." Dion had left the kitchen and Vick was watching Tabitha sweeten her tea.
Tabitha bristled. "Would it be better if he'd married some heiress with a drug habit and a trust fund?"
"Easy," Vick said holding up both hands. "All I meant was that I was completely mistaken. Dion is beautiful and smart and she's the kind of mum I'd imagined having."
"Dion is amazing," Tabitha agreed, "but I've only heard good things about your mother."
Vick nodded. "My mum is a wonderful woman, but Dion is warm and patient. She's a lot more hands-on. I spent most of my time with the nanny. Dion's nanny is more support staff than alternative parent."
Tabitha sipped her tea.
"So," Vick said after a beat of silence. "What time will you want to leave?"
Tabitha grabbed a chocolate muffin and smiled. "How about eleven?"
"Right then, I'll just get ready. We'll take the Bentley."
Tabitha sighed after he walked out of the kitchen. She pulled a chunk out of her muffin and stuffed it into her mouth. It was going to be a long day.
***
They'd been walking around the massive mall for almost and hour. Dion wasn't exaggerating when she said Vick Solomon was drop-dead handsome. He was easily 6'6", with wide shoulders and blonde hair that fell in his eyes. His nose was slightly crooked, but his smile was wide and warm. Unfortunately, Tabitha didn't exactly feel comfortable shopping with him. She'd only gotten a pair of shoes for herself and a dozen outfits for the baby that would be arriving any day now. Dion's doctor insisted she'd go early. It was nice having Vick to talk to but she couldn't stop thinking of how much more fun it would be with Wes. Vick wrinkled his nose when she suggested they go into the Krispy Kreme donut shop and get a dozen hot plain glazed.
"I'm in training," he said, "best not gorge myself on fried dough and sugar."
Tabitha knew Wes would have split the dozen with her without missing a beat. She shrugged it off and agreed that a sandwich would be a better choice.
"Will you be much longer?" Vick asked when they were standing on line to order a sandwich from a vendor outside. "The limousine is set to pick us up on New Street in less than an hour."
"I want to go to the flea market end," said Tabitha.
"Why?" Vick asked.
Tabitha smiled. How could Vick understand that she was more comfortable in a flea market than in the upscale shopping arena they'd just left? It was like a giant yard sale, with no snooty sales clerks watching her down their noses. Sure she could afford whatever she wanted these days, but walking through rows of multipacks of socks and knock off purses, was comfortable. "I just want to check it out."
Vick shrugged, paid for their meals and led her to a lounge chair that faced the most incredible view she'd ever experienced. They sat together facing the steeple of Saint Martin's Church, a marvelous piece of architecture. She gazed at it as they ate. "It's beautiful here."
Vick didn't answer. He just grunted and chewed slowly. "Would you like me to take a photo of you?"
"I didn't bring my camera," sighed Tabitha.
"We'll come back another time, then."
Vick was already done; he waited patiently for her to finish before disposing of their garbage. With an extended hand, he helped her to her feet and they continued to the not-so-upscale retail area.
***
A few days later, Dion had the baby; an impossibly tiny café-au-lait colored boy with wide blue eyes, his father's nose and his mother's full mouth. Tabitha cried and held her sister's hand through labor—completely unable to speak. Thankfully, her seasoned brother-in-law held his wife's other hand whispering encouragements. Rick told her she was beautiful, and how happy she was making him by giving him another child, and how lucky he was to have her, and over and over he told her he loved her. That was what made Tabitha cry, Dion didn't seem to be suffering but Rick's words twisted Tabitha's heart into knots. She'd never seen a man let himself be open to a woman like that. Her brother-in-law was so ideal and her sister was so lucky.
When the nurse put the bundled baby in Rick's arms, he turned to Dion and said, "Thank you, my love."
Tabitha stared at the picture they made, parents with their new, squirmy child so in love with each other and their baby. Her tears streamed faster.
"Oh, honey," Dion said when Tabitha hiccupped. "Are you okay?"
