I pay the driver and walk into the hospital as I text Jade letting her know that I’ve landed and am at the hospital. I thank her for the jet and then text my tia thanking her and Enrique for getting Leya for me. I called my mom before I got on the plane letting her know that I was heading down but she told me not to bother, something about them being discharged already. I know it has to do with that shady ass hospital they insist on going to so I offered to fly down and take them to a better hospital.
I’m not taking any chances with my grandmother, I’ll even bring her back with me if I have too.
I find my mom at the reception desk, signing papers with my grandmother and dad in a wheelchair beside her. They both look rough as fuck and shouldn’t be traveling anywhere. I go over and my grandmother smiles despite her beat up state. My dad doesn’t say anything, barely looking at me and I inwardly roll my eyes. Even with a fucked up leg and arm he’s still prideful as hell.
“Oh, baby, what are you doing here?”
“What do you mean “what am I doing here”, I’m here because mom called saying you two were in an accident. Shouldn’t you be in bed, lying down somewhere?” She laughs before coughing and gasping, holding onto her ribs.
“I’m fine, sweetheart, the doctor said so”.
“Yeah, sure you are, I’m getting you seen now, at a real hospital”.
“Oh no, those things are so expensive and how will we even get there. I’ve already been seen, your mother is going to go get our medicine, we’re alright”.
“Don’t worry about the price alright, your health is way more important. So, both of you are going to get seen and that’s that, let me make a few calls okay”. While my mother finishes her paperwork, I call the best hospital in the area and request for a transfer. Needless to say, after I gave them my information and they heard my last name, they assured me they’d be here soon. We’re all heading outside when 4 EMTs come jogging over from 2 helicopters with 2 stretchers.
“Mrs. Knight, I believe you requested a transfer?”
“Yes, this is my father and grandmother, they were just in a car accident” I hand them the paperwork that my mother got detailing their conditions and the EMTs nod.
“We’ll take good care of them, you can meet us at the hospital”. I nod and give my grandmother a kiss before me and my mother head to her car, leaving the EMTs to do their job. My mother doesn’t say anything until we’re on the highway, awkwardly clearing her throat first.
“We’ll pay you back” I roll my eyes as I look out the window. Wasn’t she just asking for money, why act guilty now?
“Don’t worry about it”.
“These bills, they can get expensive”.
“Yeah, I know” I did give birth remember, twice, I just paid that shit off when I started working for Alexia.
“Thank you”.
“Don’t thank me, I’m doing it for my abuela”. Neither of us talk after that and I’m actually grateful for the silence. I’m just here to make sure my grandmother is alright, not to build some fictional relationship with my parents.
“Your father is going to be out of work for a while. We’ll have to find someone to watch over the bar”. My mother breaks the silence again and I roll my eyes as I look at her. Here she goes, I knew that “guilt” was just a facade.
“Can’t you do it?”
“I’ve never worked in a bar, I wouldn’t know the first thing to do. Didn’t you work in a bar for some time?” I shake my head, there’s no chance in hell I’m staying down here to work in my dad’s bar. I’d rather just give them the money.
“I’m not staying here and working at the bar. I’m leaving when I know abuela is stable and taken care of”.
“What about your father and I? We are the ones that take care of your abuela you know”.
“How much do you want?” I ask plainly, done beating around the bush. They obviously only want money from me and if that makes them leave me alone then so be it. I’m over my parents and attempting any sort of relationship. I preferred it when they acted like I didn’t exist.
“It’s not about me, or your father, we are a family, Angel”. I give her a blank look before shaking my head, family my ass.
“How much?”
“W-well you know at least $20,000, because we’ll have to close the bar maybe, not to mention the bills with your father not working, the house and taking care of your abuela, you know it all adds up and-”
“How about I give you $50,000, and in return you go back to disowning me, there’ll be no need for us to communicate again if it doesn’t concern my abuela”. My mom looks stunned and wide-eyed as I cut her off with my offer. A flash of hurt crosses her eyes before it’s gone and she nods. It’s only about the money to her, I already agreed, there’s no need to keep up this act.
“Angel you know it’s not about the money” I scoff at her words and shake my head.
“Don’t bother, you wanted nothing to do with me until you learned that I’m with someone with money. But guess what, this money has nothing to do with Jade, that’s the money I worked my ass off for. I brought myself up after my parents wanted nothing to do with me. So, just like you two disowned me back then, I’m disowning you now. Take your money and think of it as my replacement”.
We arrive at the hospital as I finish my little speech and I don’t wait for her to park, hopping out of the car as soon as she stops. It felt good to get that off of my chest. I thought I would feel hurt and regret speaking to my mom like that but instead I feel relieved.
I don’t have to live up to their expectations or worry about their blackmail and pressure anymore. I don’t have to care about what they think of me or my kids. I’ve made it this far without them, I don’t need them any more. I sit in silence while we wait for my grandmother to finish her testing. My father was more or less finished at the hospital so he joined us about 10 minutes ago. I don’t know if my mom told him what we discussed in the car or not, frankly I don’t care. He hasn’t tried to make any type of conversation since he kicked me out, unlike my mother, he doesn’t see the point in acting fake as hell.
I spend the majority of my time waiting on my phone, texting Jade, my friends, and my tia to check on Leya. My tia said she was pretty upset when she learned that I wasn’t picking her up and went out of town. She’s been fussing all night, but I suppose that’s my fault. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own problems I haven’t spent much time with her like I used to. Since A.J has his first game tomorrow, I can take Leya and we can go out afterwards, I’m sure my aunt and uncle wouldn’t mind.
An hour later, my father starts grumbling about being hungry, and naturally my mother does anything to appease him. “We’re going to grab some dinner and I’m going to drop your father off at home, would you like anything?” I shake my head, not bothering to look at my mother. I hear her sigh before they leave and I relax back in my seat.
“Soria family?” I stand and go to the nurse when I hear my grandmother’s last name.
“Yes, I’m her granddaughter, Angel”.
“Nice to meet you, Angel. I’ll get right into it, your grandmother suffered severe bruising to her 4-7th ribs on her left and right side, she also mentioned a flare up of her osteoarthritis so we’ve prescribed her new medication as well as pain medicine. She has some more scratches and bruises but nothing broken and no internal bleeding which is good. We will keep her for tonight as observation but if all is clear, she will be ready to go home tomorrow. There will be paperwork, of course, detailing what I have told you as well as the instructions for her medication. She is resting now but you are able to see her if you like”.
“Yes, thank you”. The nurse leads me to my grandmother’s room and I thank her again, before going inside. Instead of resting like the nurse said, my grandmother is lying in her bed, watching telenovelas on TV.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” I smile in relief, seeing that my abuela is alright and the accident wasn’t worse. I don’t even want to think about losing her.
“Baby, what are you still doing here? Your wife and my great-grand-baby are probably worried sick”.
“It’s alright, my tia is watching Leya and Jade is probably working”.
“Mm”.
“What? Why’d you make that noise?” I ask pulling up the seat next to her bed, watching TV with her as we talk.
“When are you going to let that wife of yours watch Leya, she is her stepmother now?”
“I don’t know, I never really thought about it, I’ve never asked if she’d be willing to watch her alone”.
“Well, why wouldn’t she? She loved you enough to marry you, surely she knows that you two are a packaged deal”. I shrug because deep down, even though we agreed to a real relationship, we never discussed motherhood or her watching Leya alone. They’re great together, but I guess I didn’t want to bother her.
“Tell me how the accident happened?” My grandmother and I talk for the next couple of hours. She tells me about the accident and I tell her about the discussion I had with my mom on the way here. Needless to say, she was upset that our family isn’t really a family but I’m not begging them for a relationship when all they want is money. We talk until she starts falling asleep. The last thing she tells me is I need to be home by the morning and she doesn’t want to see me here tomorrow.
I cover her with a blanket, before slipping the check I secretly wrote for her, and a note letting her know that I left, in her Bible where I know she’ll see it when she wakes up. I don’t trust my parents to give a dime to my grandmother, or do anything to help make her life easier, so I’ll take care of her myself. I’ve been saving up for that money as well, 100k, I promised her when I was a kid. At the time I’m sure she didn’t think it’d ever happen, but I promised if I made it, I’d take care of her. I give her a final kiss on the cheek, before sitting outside her room and calling a car to take me back to the airport. My mother shows up a few minutes later, hovering awkwardly next to me until I look up and acknowledge her presence.
“She’s sleeping right now”.
“Angel, I really want us to have a better relationship. I don’t want to leave things off like this”. I sigh and shake my head.
“Well I don’t, I’m over the drama and toxicity. There were times that I needed you as a child but all you cared about was your image. I hadn’t heard from you or dad since you disowned me, but when you find out I’m dating someone successfully I’m invited back into the family again. The people that I need in my life are already there, but thanks”. I leave as I get a message that my ride is outside, not looking back once.
Stolen story; please report.
That’s one hurdle I’ve jumped, the next is the interview with Shana. Once these two weights are gone and Jade handles Donovan, we can go about our lives in peace, at least that’s what I’m hoping. I’m sure the reporters or assholes like the Mitchell’s will never end, Jade calls those people vultures for a reason. She was less than thrilled when I told her about the interview I set up with Shana, but I reassured her that it wouldn’t be a problem. Now I have to meet with her P.R team, just in case.
I spent the flight home, looking over the email the P.R team sent me of the do’s and don’ts of interviews. Unlike the interviews Jade’s father forced us to do, the one with Shana will be more personable. Obviously I can’t mention the contracts, but I have to stick as close to the truth as possible. We’ve never given details of our relationship or even our feelings to the public before so I’m sure it’ll be interesting. Especially if the rest of Jade’s admirers are as enthusiastic as Shana Rogers. It’s barely been a day and she’s already sent me a 2 page list of all the possible and probable questions she’ll ask. I’m sure she’s had it for a while, the woman is obsessed with Jade’s life.
I land around 1 a.m and find Nate already waiting for me. I thank the pilot and crew before walking off of Jade’s jet. I hadn’t even told her I was coming back today, because I wasn’t sure at the time. On the flight I figured she’d be asleep by now, but she still managed to send Nate.
“Thanks for picking me up Nate, but it’s 1 in the morning, I feel bad for having you out so late”.
“Ah, don’t worry about it, I was just taking Mrs. Knight home when Jackson called and said you were landing around 1. She sent me to retrieve you with the entire weekend off afterwards, believe it or not”.
“I wonder if she has something planned, she doesn’t usually drive that much”.
“Mrs. Knight has many cards up her sleeve, you never know what that mind of hers is thinking”. I hum my agreement, that’s definitely true, even after all this time spent together, I’m constantly learning something new about Jade.
“How has she been?”
“Very busy and focused. I haven't seen her work like this since her early years as C.E.O, but that being said she doesn’t seem as stressed as she used to be. There’s a different air around her, she smiles more these days, I believe that’s on account of you”. I smile, feeling my cheeks heat at Nate’s assessment. I can’t take the credit though, I’m sure she’s just less stressed having full control of the company now.
“I’m sure she just feels more in control than she did before with her parents off of her back, well mostly off her back”.
“Hm, partially yes, but even before then I’ve noticed a change in Mrs. Knight, I’ve been driving her for many years, and I’ve never seen her so happy and content. You’ve impacted her life and I know she feels strongly for you”. If anyone knows Jade well it’d be Nate, but hearing that Jade could feel for me what I feel for her, solidifies the choice I made to sign that first contract. Even after I requested for her to stop the payments I knew she was who I wanted to be with.
“Does Jade talk about me, Nate?” I smirk at the idea of Jade venting about me to her driver. I wonder if she does the same with Alexis and Nikita, they seem to know her well too, despite Jade’s reserved nature. He laughs, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
“Now, I can’t very well tell you that”.
“Oh, come on, you can tell me, I’ve been wondering how Jade feels about me”.
“Then why not ask her, Mrs. Knight, you too are married after all”.
“You know this marriage isn’t exactly…conventional, it was just a last option for Jade and I was happy to help”.
“Do you truly believe that was all it was? Jade had plenty of options, and while marriage may have seemed like the easiest it wasn’t the only option for Mrs. Knight. She graduated from an ivy league school, top of her class, and even has a Masters in business with a minor in psychology and economics. She is clever and could’ve found other options, yet she chose to be with you. It was her who wanted to try something real, as well, correct?”
“Hm, that’s true, I guess it’s hard to believe that someone like her would want me”.
“Oh, and what’s wrong with you? You are a beautiful strong young mother, with a clear head on her shoulder, real intelligent as well, anybody would be lucky to have you, just as I tell my own daughters”.
“Awe, Nate, that was really sweet”. I smile at his words, he’s like the grandpa I never had. My Abuelo died before I was born, so I’ve never had a chance to meet him. As for my father’s side of the family, I never met any of them.
“It’s the truth, don’t let money intimidate you, character will always outweigh money”.
“I’ll remember that”. Nate and I continue to talk on the ride home and he gives me a lot of advice on how to deal with people like Donovan and stories about Jade. I get home at around 1:40 and thank Nate before grabbing my bag and going inside. I stretch and crack my neck as I go inside the dimly lit house, locking up behind me. I go upstairs to our room but find it empty. I put my bag down and go to her office since it’s the only other room with the light on. I find Jade at her desk, peering over paperwork and the computer. I guess Nate wasn’t kidding when he said she’s been focused.
“I didn’t expect you back so soon, how’s your grandmother?” Jade doesn’t look up from her work and I smile going over and start massaging her shoulders. She sighs and moans as I knead the knots on her shoulders; suddenly grateful for that random massage class Taylor, Karla and I took years ago.
“She’s alright, nothing that a little rest can’t help, thanks for the referral”.
“Of course, only the best for your family. I know how much your grandmother means to you”. I smile at her sweet nature, never would I have imagined Jade would be such a dotting and caring wife.
“Thank you Jade, I also noticed that 200 thousand dollars was deposited into my account after I wired the money to my parents”. Jade grumbles before turning in her chair and pulling me down onto her lap.
“You shouldn’t have to pay off your parents to find peace” I shrug and wrap my arms around her neck as she holds my waist.
“I just wanted to be done with the toxicity. I don’t want anyone else to bother us, not my parents or yours or, Shana and Donovan. I just want to be in peace with you, living our lives and watching you succeed, raising Leya and building a relationship with A.J, that's all I want”. Jade holds me close, kissing my jaw and cheek, brushing my hair from my face.
“I promise you will have that peace soon, besides, we still have our honeymoon”. I smile and nod, leaning down to brush our lips together. I move back as she tries to kiss me, teasing her and loving every second of her growing impatience. She grabs my neck to stop my teasing, giving me a slow drawn out kiss that leaves my body tingling. Jade kisses my lips a few times before moving back, staring into my eyes, searching for something I don’t know. But I hope she finds it in me.
“What? Why are you staring at me like that?” Jade moves my hair again, cupping my face in her hands. Her eyes are expressing more than I know she will say. This is real for her and I know that even if she doesn’t feel as deeply for me as I do for her, she’s well on her way. And I’m more than willing to wait for her. I smile in understanding before throwing her a mischievous smirk.
“Join me in the shower?” Jade lifts me without another world, I wrap my arms and legs around her frame, connecting our lips again. Her kisses move from slow and sweet to deep and toe-curling as she holds me against the wall, using her body to hold me up as she strips off my shirt. Her hands run up and down my body, grabbing my breast before lifting me from the wall and continuing her way to our room, kissing along my body on the way. I hum as her lips leave goosebumps on my skin, reaching behind me to discard my bra, throwing it aimlessly to the side. Jade attaches her lips to my breast in an instant and I moan, holding the back of her head. My core soaks at the expert work of her tongue against my sensitive nubs as I clench my legs around her waist.
“Mm, Jade, that feels…so, good” I moan and grip her hair as she tugs and sucks my nipple, biting softly before pulling back. I cry out at the pain and pleasure as she moves to my other breast, giving it the same amount of treatment. She sets me down, before grabbing the back of my head giving me a deep kiss, fueled with so much emotion I stagger back. My heart pounds in my chest and blood rushes through my veins straight to my pussy as Jade pours her feelings into this kiss.
These times with her have been feeling differently lately, but this, it’s like she just told me she loves me with the way her lips consume mine. It’s thrilling and addicting and gives me reassurance that she is well on her way to loving me.
“Let me take care of you tonight” Jade says, making me smile as she looks into my eyes. I kiss her a few times before pulling her to the bathroom.
“Let’s take care of each other”. I start the shower, using one of her aromatherapy shower bombs as the water heats up. I turn around in time to watch Jade strip out of her pants and expensive lace underwear, leaving her bare in front of me. She stands with absolute confidence, letting my eyes commit every curve to memory. So fit, beautiful, milk chocolate skin that looks flawless and delicious, her body is just perfection.
“You’re so beautiful, Jade” I stare at my wife in awe and she smiles, coming to stand in front of me.
“Thank you, Kitten, are you going to join me or just stare?”
“I don’t know yet” Jade smirks, giving me a dirty languid kiss that has me moaning and shifting where I stand. Jade grabs my hand, trailing it down her body to her pussy that’s just as wet as mine. I silently curse as I feel her soft flesh beneath her fingers. I love that she wants this as much as I do. I love that I can affect her past the stone cold wall that most people expect. I insert a finger into her tight wet heat, moving in and out, going deeper every time. Jade moans my name before removing my hand from pussy, holding my dripping fingers up to her lips.
“Not even if I tell you it tastes better than it looks” Jade sucks my finger into her mouth, lapping up her juices with her tongue. I lick my lips, watching her mesmerize even as she steps back and turns around, showing me her round ass before disappearing into her luxurious shower. I strip out of my clothes and follow her under the steaming, Vetiver scented water.
Jade has a loofah with body wash ready for me as she reaches for me, lathering up my body. I begin to do the same and we settle into an intimate silence of kissing and washing each other, using any excuse to touch each other more than necessary. When we’re both clean and the teasing has us dripping despite the running water, I disregard my loofah and back her into the wall.
“I want my taste now” I lick my lips as she lifts her brow with a smirk before grabbing my neck and biting my lip. Even trapped against the wall Jade maintains control of every situation. I love that about her.
“Ask nicely, Kitten” I shudder at her sultry command, licking my lips as I give her a heated look.
“Can I please taste you? I want you to drip down my tongue”. Jade bites her lip, running her hand through my hair, gripping it tightly as she stares at me with fire in her eyes.
“Kneel” I do as she says, staring up at her waiting for her permission to indulge myself with her.
“Please baby, let me taste you and help you relax”. I reach out and caress her thighs, ignoring the water beating down behind me. The only thing I care about is loving the woman standing in front of me in the best way possible. She smiles down at me, putting one leg over my shoulder and drawing me closer. I inhale and soak in her fresh scent, gripping her thighs to keep myself from attacking her.
“Have a treat, Kitten”. I don’t need to be told twice, as I attach my lips to her pussy, sucking off her drip juices before working my tongue around her core. She moans above the water, gripping my hair in her hands and I glance up at her, watching as she tilts her head back in pleasure. I use one hand to spread her lips and rub her clit as I use the other to insert a digit into her core.
“Ahh, fuck, Kitten, just like that” I use her encouragement to drive my finger deeper and work my tongue more diligently. Her moans fill the bathroom as she starts moving her hips against my mouth.
“Ah, fuck me, Angel. Harder” I add another finger, doing as she wishes moving my fingers more vigorously against her spot, taking a moment to breathe. I feel my own climax coming as Jade clenches around my fingers, dragging my head back to her core. I suck and lap up her juices as I work my fingers in, out, and around her pussy, hoping not to miss a single drop.
“Ooh, I’m coming, right there baby” Jade moves and her legs shake as I find a new spot that has her crying out in pleasure. Her juices cascade down my fingers, onto my tongue, and down my chin as she shakes and moans my name and praise. I continue working my fingers as I kiss up her body, addicted to the way she shivers at my touch. She is completely vulnerable and trusting right now, I want to repay her by giving her every ounce of pleasure that I can.
I suck at her nipple, feeling her shudder and clench around my fingers again. I continue my way up, marking every spot I can on the way until I get to her lips. I kiss her fully on the lips, letting her taste her delicious musk again as I pound into her pussy.
“Ahh, fuck, I’m going to sq-” Jade doesn’t finish her sentence as she grabs my hand, her juices shooting out of her as she trembles in my arms. I slowly pull out my fingers rubbing her sensitive clit, unable to help myself but she grabs my hand, sighing and leaning against the wall. I kiss her lips a few times before we clean each other off again before I help her out of the shower. I smile as she lets me dry her off before we moisturize and head to the room. We change into our pajamas, turn off the lights and get into bed.
The urge to say those three words is strong and I bite my tongue, relaxing in Jade’s arms and trying to force myself to sleep. What happens if I say those words? Will it change things? Will it push her away? That’s the last thing I want, I just got Jade back. I don't want to lose her.
“I can hear you thinking, Angel. What’s wrong?” I don’t answer her right away, thinking back to Nate’s words. If he’s right then me telling her I love her shouldn’t change anything, right?
“You can tell me anything, you know that right?” Jade moves my chin and I glance back at her before nodding.
“I know, I just get nervous, I suppose. I don’t want to push you away”.
“The only thing that would push me away is dishonesty and disloyalty. Say whatever’s on your mind”. I turn back around and cuddle into her chest, taking a deep breath.
“Well, since we’re on this little path to peace I guess it’d be the right time to tell you that I love you Jade”. I exhale, feeling better revealing my true feelings to Jade, even if she doesn’t reciprocate, it felt good to say. She doesn’t say anything for a moment, holding me tight against her chest.
“I can’t say the same yet because I’m not sure if that is what I feel. I’ve never been in love before, so how can I tell you if I don’t know myself? However, when I do know, I promise I will tell you and you will never forget. That is what I can guarantee.