IN FOR A SURPRISE

chapter ten

"Is it me or she's a little too overwhelmed with you" gwen said james look at her,
"What you saying?"  James asked
"That girl your nephew's friend, she's too caught up on you" gwen said
"I don't understand" james said
"The interest she show" gwen said
"Gwen she's just a kid"
"She's just a kid ah,that interested in you is not of a little girl" gwen told him
James shook his head
"I saw the way how she  look at you and when she hug on to you"
"She's fifteen fifteen year's old love to show affection, her hugs are so innocent"
Gwen held her hand up plop them on her lap,
"I could be her father" james said
"But your not and I'm sure she's not expecting you to be but maybe she's looking a daddy, a sugar daddy that is,
James lift his hand he kept his mouth closed,
"Drop me home can you?" Gwen asked
"Sure what ever you say"
The ride to Gwen's house was extremely quiet
"You didn't ask why I didn't want to stay at your place tonight" gwen said
"I was to ask?" James asked he didn't think it necessary for it wasn't as if she stayed at his place regularly for he's a person as this that love his space to himself, 

"It's ok, it's ok I'll call you" she got out the car and walk away,
James sigh and drove away
He wonder why gwen would even think it of a small girl what she's thinking is far from his mind and he get the girl isn't thinking on that line,
Isabelle fall on the sofa and stretch her feet leona drop next to her, and Jeana sat beside them carmen face them on the single sofa,
"It was a goodnight" isabelle said "anyone else agrees?" She asked
"Yes I had fun" leona said
"But baby I hardly saw you there we got there together and it's only when we were leaving I saw you" isabelle said
"I had to help Denoy and Abigail" leona said
"So how you didn't introduce your boy friend to the family?" Marlon ask
"He's not my boyfriend" leona smile, "I just like him he's like a cousin"
"Do you guys have the same last name?" Keith asked
"Denoy, I don't know what is last name is" leona said
"Oh ok" keith said
"The program went according and they that proformed were good" isabelle said
"Yeah i enjoy
"You did well Shelly" isabelle said taking her on her lap,
Leona grin and rub Shelly's head Shelly look at her and smile,
"Didn't we all have a good time" winston said rubbing his arms together "who else could use a sandwich like I?"
"Make mine a ham dadday" isabelle  said
They look at her,
"You don't really want a ham sandwich now do you?" Jeana asked
"After all the ham you ate today" carmen added
"The ham was good I have to have it twice" isabelle said
"It can't be that good like that lobster I had" leona counteract,
"Dinner was all good" Keith added "I'll get something to drink" he left and went after his father in law
"I know it's late but how about a game of monopoly?" Isabelle asked
"At this hour?" Carmen asked
"Maybe twister" isabelle said with a grin, "it was always good I used to love it when jame" she pause and they all look at her, carmen look at Jeana they both knew she was about to talk about her fiance,
"Twister it is" marlon said
"I'll get it" isabelle said and ran up the stairs she couldn't believe she was about to say what she was going to say she breathe deeply and ran her hand through her hair, it didn't seems no one caught her and was glad,
Twister and talk was the event for the rest of night they all were up late, leona had forgotten about the beach trip and picnic and didn't remember to ask her mom, it wasn't until Denoy called in the morning to say they would leave at ten she came  down all dress for the beach,
"Did we say we were going to the beach today?" Isabelle asked on seeing her daughter, she didn't even know that she had pack a swim suit,
"Denoy said that his family is going to the beach and I'm to come" leona said
"Did we talk about it?" Isabelle said
"We got home and with all the excitement I forget" leona said, "so can I go?" She asked
Isabelle didn't answer,
"I'll come home right after the beach" leona said
"Right after" isabelle said
"Right after" leona said kiss her mother's cheek, "bye every one" she said she kiss her grandparents and great grandma June then run out the door,
"Ain't you going to have breakfast...?" Isabelle trail off for leona wouldn't be able to hear her again
Ralf look at isabella when leona was gone,
"She's having fun" carmen said
"Well let her" auntie pat said
"Yes as long as she's not getting into trouble" Aunt Betty agrees
"I hope she won't"isabelle said
"After the end of next week and you leave who knows when you'll come again" maybel said
"So true honey" winston said
Carmen clap her hands "we have no where to be now I so want to catch up on that game if twister" she said
" Bring it on" Jeana said and ran to get the board where isabelle had left it when they went to bed early morning,
Gwen sit a side and watch as leona took over james it seems she didn't want him to have time for any one else but her she hardly stay by the children for much long and seems to find james where ever he was what ever he talk with her about that kept her grinning it was upsetting to gwen she squeeze next to him at the picnic table and was all join in conversation with him up in his face gwen boil to say something in address to the matter of this little girl trying to take over her man,
"Leona I got you a sweet proposal" james said
Gwen sat back to hear it
"What is it?!" Leona excitedly question
"You want to go to opera house that's what you said right?" James ask
Leona nod furiously
Lula smile and hug her shoulder
"I am thinking that we could go together but that is if you promise me a duet" james said
"What's  a duet?" Leona question looking around her eyes landed on Denoy and mouth to him "what's a duet?"
"A duet is when two proformers do a song together, just like two pianist that will play together, you and I" james said
"You can't be serious" leona said, "I'm not going to do that" she declined
"It will be fun" james said
"I know it will be fun but when it's in our living room" leona said
"You got talent and to say you never study to play some one else need to hear that talented" victoria said
Leona shook her head
"You can do it, you and I are getting up there were doing it and you better not left me waiting I'm not getting studded up again" james said before he even know it was coming out"
Alton look at him,
"Did someone stud you up?" Leona ask
"It's a long story" james said
"He was to get married but his fiance got cold feet" carleen said
"That must me awful" leona said
James sigh, "it was"
"Have you for given her?" Leona ask
"I don't know I haven't seen her since" james  said
"She didn't know what she was doing who would want to not turn up for a wedding with you" leona said
Gwen frowns
James look at her,
"I'm so sorry" leona said holding on to james hand,
James nod and smile at her,
"I'm not interested in relationship now I'm not going to have one running off on me I'll rather to sketch one for myself and hang him on my wall" leona said after a while of quietness
They laugh hearing her said that
"I'm sure you'll find one that's perfect for you" carleen said
Leona smile
Gwen hope in her mind it's not her james, for she's not letting some under age girl from out of no where come and steal her man,
"LET'S PLAY  SOME GAMES... SHALL WE?" james said in a harder time than his usual tone
"YEAHHH!" The children bellow
"What game?" Alton ask
"Rugby football would be great" leona said
"There goes someone talking my game" james said "yeah" he slap hand with leona and they grin
"You like rugby?" Abigail asked
"Yes she does she told me" Denoy said
They all look at her,
"The game is fun" leona said
"It is right" james nod held her head pull her close and kiss her forehead, "I think I love you" he said
Gwen widen her eyes and james saw it, but didn't care having this girl around him have him feeling again like when isabelle was around he needed that feeling and was making much of it,
"Oh shoot I left my ball" james said after looking through his van
"I got one" isabelle said going in her bag"
"There's someone to back me up" james said
Lula smile
"I hope you play as tough as how you love the game" james said when leona came with the ball,
"Come on guys who's up for the game?" James asked
"She reminds me so much of isabelle" carleen said Alton look at her "I remember her like it was yesterday I saw her"
"Who isabelle James's client?" Gwen asked
"Isabelle was james fiance dear" Lula said
"Three other day I walk into his office and he called me isabelle and told me she's a client" Gwen said
Alton, carleen, Lula, ema and Megan look at her
"Hey aunt carleen aren't you joining the game?" Leona said
"Aunt?" Carleen whisper
Alton smile
"Of course sweetie" carleen said going off to join them
"Let's go uncle Alton" leona said
Alton got up,
Luna and David went a long before she called
"I'm sure grampa max you want in on the game" leona said coming to hold Maxie's hand
Maxie laugh "I'm too old for this game" he let her lead him
Later on he was glad he did it was a long time he haven't had e these type of activities
"Thank you dear I'm glad I join" Maxie said hugging leona who giggle
"So what next?" David asked they were packed up at the beach ready to go
"We can go for pizza" Abigail said
"I can't" leona said
"Why not?" Denoy asked
"I promise my mom to come right back after the beach" leona said
"Can't you call and let her know you're going?" James asked
"No a promise is a promise" leona said
James nod, "We'll see you then" james hug her and kiss her fore head "love you" he said
"Gwen turn her back and frown
"If it's ok can I come on Sunday?" Isabelle asked looking around on the family, "I want to know where you live" leona told james,
"You can but I made plans for Sunday" james said
"What you doing on Sunday?" Gwen asked
"Ivano and I had plans" james said
"How about Saturday?" Denoy asked "I can take you then"
"I can drive you there" Abigail said
"Saturday it is" james said
"Saturday is good, I'll be there" leona said she hug them and got in the cab waving
Isabelle check her time it was almost five and she was thinking her daughter would be back, they had call to order pizza and when the door knock and isabelle went her daughter was on time with the pizza guy,
Isabelle collect the pizza paid and she and leona went in together
"Look who is back" carmen said when leona comes
Jeana hug her, "did you have fun?" Jeana asked
Leona smile she nods
"Go get fresh" isabelle said
"Yes mom" leona said and ran off
"Who's isabelle and don't lie to me james" gwen said
"What you saying?" James asked
"The other day I walk in your office and you called me isabelle, you said it was your client but that's not what your  family said" gwen said
"What did they say?" James asked
"You know what they say?" Gwen said
James look at her
"You don't need to say it but I'm sure if she asked you'll be willing took tell her, what because she reminds you of isabelle too?" Gwen asked
James almost lost control" and had to swing from a car,
Gwen hiss,
They went quiet and james drop her at her place they were park in front her place when she look at james
"What?" James asked
"I thought we would go to your place"
"You didn't say, I only assume the was what you wanted"
"Why because of last night?" Gwen asked
James look at her
"Thanks for the ride" she said she got out walk away and didn't look back,
James shrugged and drove away
Tonight they enjoyed more games before they went off to bed, isabelle went with leona to her room
"It's good you're keeping in here so they" isabelle said
"Much better than you did an" leona said
Leona and isabelle giggle
Leona lay in bed and isabelle sat
"So you know it was my room" isabella said
"It must had been grandma June that told me" leona said
Isabelle smile,
"Mom is it ok to go to Denoy on Saturday? he and Abigail is driving me to their uncle"
"I guess you could" isabelle said"thanks mom
She want to give her time to have fun for soon they'll be gone and for sure she don't know when again,
"Mom Denoy's uncle is saying I can go to opera house with him"
"Really what kind of man is he?" Isabelle asked
" He's nice he's loving and caring, and good looking" leona said with a smile
Isabelle nod she started thinking about james who she had believe was everything her daughter describe that what she felt he was thought they were young and wasn't sure where marriage would go why she left, isabelle remember Marsha saying the other night that james love her and that their marriage would have worked out, she blew a good thing and that ended in the results of her daughter not knowing who her other sets of family are,
""I would love to go mom" leona said
"I want you to and have fun" isabelle said
They both smile, and share a hug,
"Good night honey" isabelle said kissing her forehead twice before leaving the room,
When she got to the bedroom Ralf wasn't a sleep
They had a little made out not for long and isabelle drift back into thoughts,
James sat up in bed after dreaming of isabelle he sat rubbing his  face he can't puts her out his mind no matter how he tries Ivano said he's to think less of her but could be and with leona around it becomes more than defficult to stop,
"I might get to go to the opera house this year" leona announced at the table while at breakfast on Friday
"Oh yeah, Mom got you a ticket"
"So it works out after all ah kido" keith said
Leona smile at him,
"I didn't get a ticket" isabelle said
"So how are you going?" Jeana asked
"Denoy's uncle is taking me there"
"His uncle?" Carmen asked
"Yes"
Leona answer
"Well I'm off to work" carmen said kissing her man and her daughter,
Jeana did the same and left
Keith and marlon walk out both at the same time the rest of family members were left at home
Leona engaged the three children into outdoor activities and they spend hours doing so,
They have take in for dinner in for later in the evening and again  games and talk,
Saturday morning early Denoy call to see if leone was ready she left her home at nine anxiously awaiting going by james,
"What you doing?" Gwen asked when she saw james tidying up,
"She's coming by and the place is a little messy"
"You never clean up for me in such away" gwen said
James look her way
"Maybe you're to fram her and hang her on the wall"
"Gwen ok don't what got into you" james said
"The fact you are giving her more attention that you ever put towards me"
"I hope you're not getting it the wrong way" james said
"I hope it's not the right way the way I'm thinking"
James continue to fix up
Abigail got there with leona and Denoy at mid day james prepared lunch for them  fish and mash potatoes and they talk through lunch
Leona love his house "it's pretty nice here" she said
"Yeah it's comfy too" james said
Leona look around the living room she caught hold of a painting like one from his family home, the family portrait and one of james that she could tell was by the same person and he did say it was a friend that did the family portrait,
James caught her looking around  " after lunch I'll give you a tour" he said
Leona nod Denoy and Abigail wash up and james took leona around the house,   himself with gwen behind she wanted to catch every move that was made,
Leona took a few pictures for memories,
"Who is that?" Leona asked seeing a painting of a blonde hair woman over the bed in the master's bedroom,
James didn't say makes gwen look at him leona walk in to have a close up look,
They went from there to the gallery he didn't just have painting but some collective pieces and leona took pictures of that two, there was a copy of the painting of the woman there too but she was able to tell it was duplicated añd the original was place in the master bedroom, the pool side was marvelous from the garden setting to the patio
""Wow nice" leona said as she took some more pictures james got in view and through her camera lens leona admire him he was charging and sexy it make her wonder what woman in her right mind left a man as him standing, she move the camera away to look at him and he smile at her she caught it quickly before that magnificent smile disappeared,
Denoy and Abigail came out as they were going in,  they went in and  watch a little television before it was time for leona to leave,
"So you thought about letting me see a few of the work you've done?" James cut in
"I'm thinking about it"
"But the auction is soon"
"Why I don't know" leona said
"You can chose one you love and I'll put a price on it for you and see how it goes" james said
Gwen look at him
"Really, one?" Leona ask
"Yes" james said
Leona agrees
She and james shake on it,
It was getting to a time where they had to leave
Gwen couldn't wait,
"Can I come a gain?" Leona asked
"As long as you can no problem"  james told her leona grin and hug him,
"And I'll fix it and take it to you" leona said
"Great looking forward" james said
He watch them off he wave he  was glad to have her  for the time and looking forward to seeing her again. She won't be here for much more long and it was as if he anticipate the day she'll go away again an the presence of isabelle won't be felt,
Leona was quiet as she go through her pictures from james the painting of the woman caught her the picture of james caught her and she put them together then she was standing in the midst, she shook her head and trash loudly  making everyone look at her,
"You alright dear?" Winston asked his granddaughter
"I am" leona said getting up stretching and yarning,  i am tired, going off  to bed now , good night" she hug around the room "love you mom" she said kissing her mother, isabelle smirk and kiss her forehead
They all watch her go off they soon too got up and were all saying goodnight,