Page 62 of Almost Paradise

“Is it scary?”

“Of course not. You have a grandma, aunt, and uncle waiting to meet you.” I try not to snort or roll my eyes at that. The driver opens the door, and after I unbuckle Carter from his car seat, Drake takes his hand.

“Like my papa, Grandma, and Uncle Ray?” Carter asks.

“Just like that,” Drake replies.

“Hardly,” I whisper. He whips his head around to look at me, and I scoff and look away in disgust.

It’s with my heart in my throat that I follow them inside. Drake stops walking, and I almost bump into his back. He picks up Carter and faces me.

“I don’t want to fight today,” he says. He never wants to fight. I guess when you always get what you want through bullying, you don’t need to fight.

“As long as no one starts anything, I’m cool. If they do, a fight will be the least of your problems.” I tilt my head toward Carter so he knows my meaning. He looks into my eyes and opens his mouth to say something, but he blinks and the moment is lost.

The front door opens, and a young woman comes running out. I know it’s Hannah Paradise. I’ve seen pictures of her online, and Drake had tons of family pictures on his phone. She has dark hair and blue eyes just like him. She hugs him and pulls away. Carter reaches for me, and when I take him, he wraps his legs around me.

“It’s okay, Carter. This is my sister and your Auntie Hannah.” He lifts his head and looks at her. She smiles warmly at him.

“It’s nice to meet you.” She touches his back. He relaxes in my arms, but he doesn’t engage. “Drake says you like Spiderman.” That gets him to finally smile. “I have a surprise for you inside.”

He looks at me, then at her. “Really? Is it a Piderman?” His mouth hangs open while he waits.

“Come and see.” He kicks his legs and I put him down. He takes my hand and starts to pull me inside. Drake opens the door, and when I step over the threshold, it’s like I’m transported to a world of opulence. Drake’s penthouse is big and fancy, but it’s contemporary. This house has old bones and is designed differently than Drake’s.

“Wow,” Carter says as he looks around. In the entryway there’s a double staircase, and right above us is a chandelier.

“Are they here?” I hear another woman’s voice. Drake follows it, and an older woman with dirty-blonde hair flies into his arms. He kisses both her cheeks. She smiles at him, but her smile seems sad. In fact, everything about her seems sad, despite her designer clothing and impeccable makeup.

She sees me and Carter standing there, and her hands fly to her mouth. “Is that my grandson? Why did it take you so long to bring him?” She leaves Drake’s side and comes to stand in front of Carter. She crouches down to his eye level and he stares at her. Drake might have his father’s height, but he has his mother’s bone structure and eyes. He looks a lot like her, and so does Carter. She runs a shaking hand through his hair. He stands there, frozen. She smiles at him, but her eyes fill with tears and they slide down her cheeks.

“Don’t cry,” I hear my son say. I move closer to him to let him know I’m here if he needs me, and that I’ll walk out the door with him. Drake’s reaction be damned.

“Oh, I’m just so happy to meet you, sweetheart,” Mrs. Paradise says. “They are happy tears. Can you give your grandma a hug?” Carter turns back to look at his father. Drake nods at him, and that’s all he needs. She opens her arms to him, and like the loving child he is, he walks in. She wraps her arms around him and holds him close. She closes her eyes and softly cries.

“You are just about the handsomest little boy I’ve ever seen,” she says when she pulls away. “You remind me so much of your daddy.” She cradles his face and kisses his cheek. She stands and lifts him, spinning around with him in her arms and kissing his face.

Another man walks in from the back of the house. I know it’s Langley Paradise, Drake’s younger brother. He’s just as tall and has the same dirty blonde hair. He looks more like their dad, but he has his mom’s blue eyes.

He leans against the wall and watches his mother. There’s an expression on his face that I can’t read. Hannah stands next to him, wraps her arm through his, and rests her head on his shoulder.

I look away from them to look at my son, who appears to be comfortable for now.

“I’m so rude,” his mother says. She puts Carter on her hip and smiles at me. “I’m Maggie Paradise.” She extends her free hand to me. “You must be Nia.”

I shake her hand and nod yes. She continues to smile, even though I’ve yet to return it.

“Yes, this is my wife,” Drake says. I don’t react to that. Not in front of his family. I don’t even consider myself his wife, so there’s no point in arguing with him about it in front of these people. “Nia, this is my brother Langley.” Langley finally pulls himself away and shakes my hand. I don’t smile back at him, but his hand is warm and his smile genuine.

“Carter, this is your Uncle Langley,” Drake says.

“Like Uncle Ray?” he asks.

“Like him but much cooler.” Carter just stares at him, probably not sure of how to respond.

“Uncle Ray is nice,” he finally says.

“Does he let you have dessert before dinner?” Langley asks.

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