AFTER A BROKEN MARRIAGE .

chapter22

Lloyd shove the phone back in his pocket and joined the others at the counter coming to aliyah's side, odane slide a glass cross to him soon as he did,
"We starting to drink so soon won't we be too drunk for the party?" Lloyd question,
"That's not liquor, it's Irish moss with peanuts, something for the stamina and to keep the waist line in checked" odane told him,
"I think I'm good my waistline is in checked" lloyd said
"He's right about that, told you the guy has some qualities I haven't found in my first bf, or might not find in another guy" aliyah said
Mark and odane raise eyebrows, bith shelly and nelisa giggles, "cheers to the good guys, even when they ain't mine" aliyah said raising  her glass,
"Cheers" nelisa said, holding up a hand "but so you know this guy does belong to me" She turned and kiss odane and they all giggle,
"This is good" lloyd said, "keep it coming"
Mark pour him another Aliyah look at him,
Laurence pick up the pictures once more he look over them before he shove them into the envelope address to lloyd's office, on his way to see Bill he drop it in the mail he was expecting the mail man to come out tomorrow to get the nails sure by late afternoon he'll get it, he only wish he could see the look on his face when he saw them, He's not really after him but to get to her he need to reach him,
Billy was still in court for this lawyer was good but the prosecutor was the best he had the feeling if Monique didn't try to make a fool of them all for a few women in his bed, not that she wasn't receiving some tough times but he had that faith in her look how easy she got him off that case where he was charge on  fraud he would be paying back a lot of money this time or his time in jail could be lifetime, she cross the line and who ever crossed the line get to pay,
"I hope it's not too revealing" aliyah said coming down into the living room to meet up with the others,
She was dressed in a blue silk outfit strapless top  long at ankle length with split and shorts to her hips, 
They all look around at each other wasn't sure if to say
"Baby, I think you look sexy that's a stunning fit" lloyd said kissing her, shall we go?"
"Oh sure" they all said grabbing their gift bags heading out the door,
They got to Lloyd's parent's place at two fifty lloyd notice the cars park out two cars he recognized one to be his brother Jason's he and aliyah climb out from the van with mark and shelly, nelisa and  odane  climb out from her car follow them up to the house  the door was open he let them in,
"Where's everyone?" He called out as they entered the living room,
"Brother!" Someone said as they emerged from the kitchen aliyah look with a surprise,
"Jason" lloyd said hugging him hard as they crash into each other's chest, "wooh!" He said with a laugh as he pat his back,
"Monique" Pet said coming out as well
Soon to be followed by the rest of family, their sister Jessica who they call jess, came here husband Jenna Jason's wife and the children with dugal Pet's boyfriend,
"No Monique?" Pet ask as she look around,
"She couldn't make it"  lloyd said as he hugged her and Jessica together,
"She couldn't but why? Not that I'm disappointed"
"So why keep asking?" Jessica asked
"Mark how are you gorgeous?" She asked as she went to hug him, she hugged shelly as well, "barden me" she said, "it's good to see you both, hi" She said turning to odane, nelisa and aliyah,
"This is odane and nelisa" lloyd said standing between them both, "and this is aliyah he said moving to her side but his arm across her hip,
"Aliyah darling it's good to see you, Ruth said hugging her,
"Mrs Chadwick happy birthday" aliyah told her
"Thank you child it makes it even more happier to have you all here" she look to the others greeting them
"Yes darling it's always a pleasure" David said as he hug aliyah,
"That's a magnificent design" pet said looking aliyah over as she fully turned her way,
"Thank you"
"Seriously I've never seen anyone thats fit in one of these so well"
Shelly smiles remembered thats how she feels, each time she's dressed she means really dress for aliyah looks amazing in everything no matter how simple,
"It's as if you were made to fit in that dress"
"She's right" jenna said with a smile, "I'm Jenna by the way
"Aliyah, and my friends odane and nelisa"
"Hi" she said shaking hands with her, she turned to greet odane and nelisa,
The all greeted, ruth was handed  a couple of gifts aliyah was sure not to leave david out and had gotten him something as well,
"Thank you all so nuch" she said hugging them,
"I'm rather greatful my dear" David told aliyah kissing her forehead,
The door bell rang lloyd look toward the door, "we expecting others?" He asked
"I've invited the neighbors and another couple on the other block" ruth said
"I'll get it" pet  said going around them,
They all came together they came in and were introduced,
"Bessie clover" Lloyd said as he hug her,
"Lloyd it's been a while"
How is america treating you?"
"Not as good as how home is you you're looking nice, new girlfriend I presume"
Lloyd smile, he greet her parents with a hug shake hand with her boyfriend,
"You're from another state?" Aliyah asked
"No I just don't live this side of town so we don't get to see each other often why he's saying that"
"Oh" aliyah said with a smile,
They were later  offered a seat then a drink,
"Water will be fine" aliyah said when jessica was handing her the wine,
"None for me" nelisa said
"I don't have a problem fill me up" lloyd said emptying his glass stretched it for a refill,
"What happened to Monique?" Pet ask she took a seat next to Lloyd,
"I didn't tell her I was coming"
"What happened to your wedding band?" Jessica question
Aliyah look for she noticed he wasn't wearing it he haven't some of the time,
"I'm not wearing it"
"I've noticed" Jessica said
"What's the significant of  a wedding ring without a good marriage"
"Ma not now"
"What does she mean?" Pet ask
Jason had already learned that things were bad with them his mother had told him sometime back,
"Why am I the last to learn about everything?" Jessica said
"What is there to learn?" Lloyd asked
"Someone please tell me what happened" pet said
"Can we talk later after this is over" lloyd said
"Sure" ruth said "We fix some delicious menus  to have for dinner"
"Mrs Chadwick, is there any of that bake  pumpkin stuff on the menu for tonight?" Aliyah cuts in,
"Oh sure dear when my son told me you were coming I had to"
Aliyah grin,
"And I think we can eat right about now"
"Can I use your bathroom I got to pee and I don't hold it very well" aliyah said as she got up,
"I'll show you" lloyd said
"I can" his little niece malia said with a smile,
"Well thank you that's so sweet" aliyah said malia took her hand leading her to the bathroom upstairs,
"She's your girlfriend?" Jessica asked
"Who aliyah?" Lloyd ask
"Yes her of course who else, you're dating her or not?"
"You don't need to hear it from his mouth" pet said "didn't you notice the way he hold her I've never seen him  held his wife that way, not that she deserves it anyways"
"We all knew how he loves his wife"
"There's no sense in loving someone who heart set and minority things that are vanity and would do anything to have the things of the world and don't treat her husband with care"
"Mom" Lloyd called
"What?" His mother said hold up her hand, odane look at nelisa who look at Shelly and mark next to them,
"We are friends  can we keep it this way?" He ask
"She's your friend and  that's it?" Jessica  ask,
"Yes I can't have a friend?"
"Who said  you can't?" Jessica  go on to asked
" for I am sure my thoughts are right, no other woman apeel to you but your wife" Jason said
Lloyd had thoughts that too but aliyah was more different she's no other woman she is a perfect  woman  one that gave him a new perspective,
"Your friend  seems like a nice person" jenna said
"That's because  she is" ruth declear with a smile, "she's such a great woman"
"We saw how you react towards her like a big acceptance  to the family  I've not seen neither of us spose gotten  such welcome" Jessica  said
Ruth smile, "we should  just take our seat at the table"
"We probably should " pet said 
Jessica  being the first  to got up, they all went to the living room to have their seat, they look to ward the door as they heard Malia chatting away, she entered the dinning room holding hand with  aliyah  talking  and skipping happily, "Sit over here malia" jenna said
Malia smile up on aliyah before letting her go going around to her mom, aliyah sat next to Lloyd he look at her and she grin,
"You OK?" He asked
"Oh yeah I am fine"
"Good we will eat let us pray" Jessica said at the time aliyah's cellphone rang "oh I'm sorry" she said took it out her purse,
widen her eyes at the strange number as she ignored it,
"Who is it?" Nelisa ask
"I'm not sure,  it's not save"
"You should answer maybe it is someone who is save but got a new number"
"Well they going to need to see me face to face to tell me that"
"It's a waltom call" lloyd said that's the beginning of their number, it is close to my wife office"
Aliyah widen her eyes
"Laurence" she thought  doing  so with a hiss wondering how did he get her number"   she put the  phone on airplane mode to prevent  it from ringing  another  time then  put it a side,
"So aliyah  you're not  from around here are you?" Pet ask
"I'm from paulding born and raised"
"Oh it's no wonder you're pretty paulding ladies grew with the pillows of  lillies"
"How did you and brother met?" Jason asked
"We bumped  into each other at the food court So we kinda just became friends"
"Her aunt and I ran the enterprise  now we're co-owners she is  using  at least five percent of the company"
"What does  your aunt do?" Pet ask
"She interior designer" lloyd said  and that  makes it good for business"
"Yeah I've noticed the sign in town I meant  to asked you about  it, I  agree having a interior decorator  is good for  business"
"And you what do you do?" Jessica  ask
"Who me? Not much really " aliyah  said and saw when her best friend look at her lloyd  also turn and look at her he leave it at that especially  because  no one else speak on the issue,
"What about sisters, brothers?"
"I'm an only child, but I have cousins aunts and uncles children who are all sons"
"You're the only girl for the close family?" Pet ask
"Mm mmh"
"You must be special"
Aliyah  smile, for indeed  she was she was the queen of the pack, lloyd saw the way they treated her
"None for me" aliyah  said holding  up her hand when ash try to serve wine took water instead,
Nelisa refused  too for some grape juice,
Lloyd got another  refill  he noticed  how hard nature was up on him and it wasn't  the birds or the trees he pushed the glass away to try and gain control,  he knew he was a man to get arose after a few hard liquor but this was massive on him,
he got up from the table  with their excuse, as he went  to use the bath room he got to the bathroom  to flash water in his face hoping to cool his urge,
"I probably  should 
use the bathroom, again" aliyah said  seeking their approval,
"Since you need to you got to" Jessica  told her,
Aliyah  met lloyd  coming  from the stairs he caught  her at the waist, aliyah  noticed his eyes seeing his emotions on his face he alwaysgot caught up in his drinking but now he look to be emotional disturbed,  "what?" She asked
he shook his head clear his throat "nothing" he lean in to kiss her a long deep suffocating kiss, one that make her felt each nerves in her body react
she ease  him off, "lloyd" she said
He shook his head widen his eyes,  "I can't  kiss you?"
"Not like you just  did, I'm going  to use the bathroom and wipe that look off your face  you look crazy"
"I think I am" he said  walking  away,
"Maybe I should  use the bathroom too" Bessie said 
"It seems dinner is over we might as well clean up" ruth got up clearing  away the table,
Bessie  found the bathroom  in which  aliyah was in push it for she didn't know it was occupied aliyah turn in the sound of the door "so sorry" Bessie  said
"We're  all woman  what's there to be sorry for, go ahead,
Shelly and nelisa finally wanted to give to the bathroom found their way into the same with Bessie and aliyah
"Oh you're both here" nelisa said
"Yes I was about to come down you ok"
"Dinner  was good" shelly said
"Yeah" nelisa  agrees
"I'm sure we can all say the same" Bessie said
Aliyah nod,
Her phone rang she didn't look at it for she was with feelings it was Laurence again,
"Can you believe this guy?" She said
"Lloyd?" Nelisa ask
"Not Lloyd he's caught up in his own corner now"
"Is he drunk? For he look to be, we saw him like he was spinning" shelly  said
"He's  not really  drunk what he really needs is some cooling off but for now he just got to wait the guy got too much emotions, not that I mind  for he's  good really  good, the kind that leave you shaking  like crazy"
Shelly and Bessie  giggle, nelisa shook her head,
"But actually I was talking about Laurence"
"What about him"
Remember Lloyd  said  at the table  the number  is a Walton number I got the feeling it's him calling"
"But how would  he get your number?" Nelisa ask
"Laurence deer?" Bessie asked
"Yes" shelly, nelisa and aliyah answered turned full attention to her,
"You know him?" Aliyah said
"Form court I had to defend  a guy in court  who claimed to say  he took millions of dollars from him for a land he didn't produce"
Shelly, nelisa  and aliyah look at each other
"It was monique  who was his lawyer they won the case for there was no paperwork so we lost"
"Monique?" Shelly ask
"Monique Lloyd's wife"
"I had the feeling  it was so" Aliyah said
"But she told her husband she didn't know him" nelisa said
"She knew him for I saw her out with  him, when I stop to say  hi he said  he took her out to thank her for the case"
"Was it more than once you saw them together?" Aliyah ask
"It was but don't remember how much time"
"We have the feeling he was the one who had some one break into Lloyd's  home"
"I heard of that, but why?"
"I think they started  a relationship"
"Monique and Laurence you think sexually?"
They nod,
Bessie  widen her eyes,
"Something went down for she and Lloyd  was going  off that he had to seek counseling"
"I didn't  know that"
"Yes what I'm thinking  it was this she started  going with Laurence for she found him to be able to give her things a husband couldn't  she didn't tell him of her marriage  stop wearing  her ring and started seeing him personally, she was staying out late getting  mad at her husband  spending weekend work related weekend"
"That sounds odd" Bessie said
"Very odd" aliyah said
"You ladies  alright up there?" A voice echoed
"That must be mark" shelly  said "we're coming" she said
"Ah ladies" he sigh as he sat in the living room with the others
"You can call me" Aliyah said  and gave her her number,
Bessie nod they all left and went back down each sitting next to their significant other
"What happened you were filling a tank up there, what do you find to talk about so much?" Lloyd  asked  aliyah giggles lean her face on his arm, he was still  holding  a glass "you're still  drinking?" She ask
"Just apple juice I push the liquor glass away a long time now" he rest his head back and sigh, aliyah  rub his chest, "I'm good" he said  lift his head to look at her "I am good really"
"You say  so, I'm just going to have to take your word for it", Malia came across to sit next to her she turn from Lloyd  to pay attention to her, "now here is my kind" she said  pinching on her cheek the little girl smile up on her rest on her
"You rather  girls?" Jenna  ask, "you're going to have a son" Lloyd  lift his head to look at aliyah
"That is if I ever  became pregnant, you can't  shed hope on a married  man to be your baby daddy that's even more bad luck than just sleeping with  him"
They all look at her,
Lloyd  roll his eyes,
"I can't remember if I ever heard brother talk family before is it you don't want kids or what?"
"He probably don't want them" aliyah said
He look at her again
"I think I want to dance" ruth said getting  up
"That sounds like a good idea mom" lloyd said  getting  up from next to aliyah to turn the stereo on, they left the children on the sofa  each making space in the living room to dance  Lloyd  was still at the stereo when aliyah  came to hug him taking him to dance too,
"Aliyah  I don't want to dance" he said
"Why not"
"I'm not in the mode" shelly and mark who was right next to them look,
"Is it because of what I said?"
"I'm use to you talking  a lot what you say don't bother me it's what you do, you're driving  me crazy  now that heat pouring from your body"
"Are you an horse, shut up and dance" she turn him  around  only to see shelly and mark smiling
The dance went on they switched partners Lloyd  sat on the sofa with  his mom who didn't now have a partner for her husband dance with aliyah and Lloyd refused to, she rest her palm on his cross thigh "it's wonderful  to have you all here I'm so happy"
"I know mom I know you are" he kiss her cheek she smile turn to clap once the music stop and the others stop dancing
"That was just beautiful" she said
"I think I want to go now" Lloyd said
"You just got here" pet said
"Maybe mom want to open up a few of her gifts" Jessica said
"I should right" ruth said  getting up
She was happy  with all she got each gift came in handy
"Look honey a atrocious coffee  pot" David smile nod "now that's what I'm talking about"
"I'm so thankful that you share this day with  me" ruth said
"It's  always better to share it mom especially with  good family and friends" Jessica said  hugging her mom,
Are you staying over tonight, you'll  drop your friends and come back?" Jessica ask after awhile
"I won't come back tonight"
"Come on  brother it's been a while" Jason said
"I'm sure we can fit into nelisa's car if your family needs  you" aliyah said
"You're not going  to leave  are you?" He ask grabbing hold of her hand
"We will  see you at nelisa's in the morning  when you came for us to drop them"
"Why can't you stay?" He asked
"She can if that's what you want" Jessica said
Nelisa  look at aliyah  still bounded by Lloyd's grip she turn and smile saw shelly doing  so too,
Aliyah  sigh "alright already" she hiss pulled away  from him
"So we're  going  to leave now" mark said
"Its so good to see you mark" pet hug him Jessica hug him they both hug shelly and markWayne to bid them good by, they thank them all for coming, "we'll   see you  in the morning" Lloyd said but aliyah walk with  them to the car leaving Lloyd  inside with the others
"How comes you said  she's not your girlfriend but she has to stay to make you stay" pet said
"She's  not just my  girlfriend  she's  having my baby"
"She's  pregnant oh really?" Jessica asked surprised "so why she said if she became pregnant"
"I kinda got upset  when she told me so since we don't talk about it"
"But she's still pregnant right?" Pet ask
"Well yes"
"So why did you got angry?" Jessica asked
"For I learn that Monique took an abortion for she is sick and couldn't bring the baby"
Everyone in the room was shock that no one could  speak they all just wondered,
"Call me soon as you are back at your place" Aliyah said
"It's  only an hour aliyah  I know where I'm going" Nelisa said
"Think I don't know that" aliyah said  smiling as she hug her, she hug the others as well kissing  Markwayne, "see you in the morning"
They nod got in the car nelisa blew the horn drive away aliyah went back in and from the way they all observed her she knew something was said  about her,
"How about a game of chest?" Jason ask
"One game" Lloyd  said
They did a double  game and get to talking  aliyah  ask if she could  lay down  Jessica  show her to the room Lloyd  became even more uncomfortable needing to be where she's at quit at mid night and rush off, aliyah  was almost a sleep when he came in woke her for love loving her for a while before she could  actually  get some sleep he was holding her tightly breathing down her neck when she woke
"Did you sleep ok?" He ask
"Yes I did" she turn in his arms to face him, "you?"
"With  you next  to me what else  did you expect"
"I love you" she said  kissing  him, she then first him, "I love when you ravish me like you do"
"Soon we'll have to for the baby"
"I don't want to talk about the baby  Lloyd,  you told them why did you it isn't like you want it apart  of you" she hiss got up to use the shower got back in her clothes
Lloyd  use the shower as well then went to the kitchen he and aliyah
"Hey they all greet  them both his sisters hug him and his brother embrace  him,
"Breakfast" Jessica  said  handing aliyah  a glass of milk  she took it smile  and said "thank you"
The combination of fruits on vegetables on one dish make her turn to look at Lloyd  who close his eyes,
They were all going away  after breakfast they bid  ruth and David  goodbye
"Nice to meet you aliyah I hope  next time we get to spend more time together" Jessica said  hugging her,
"Same here" aliyah said  she and pet hug too, she hug  malia kissing her forehead
"Am I going to see you again?" The girl ask
"Well yes I'll come see you when you're in town"
Malia hug her tightly Jason smile, he kiss her cheek as they all prepare to get going
They all drove away  before  aliyah  turn eyes to look at him, eyes Lloyd believe to be angry eyes,
They drove to nelisa's on silences neither  speaking  to each other they walk to the
Kitchen to find the others
"You're here early" nelisa  said kissing  Lloyd's cheek moving on to hugging aliyah,
"Hey" she said
"Bad night?" Nelisa ask in a whisper
Aliyah  shook her head, I'll go change" she said  turning out the kitchen,
"What happened with  you two," nelisa asked
"I told my family about the baby" lloyd said
"And it causes the long face?"
Lloyd nod,
Nelisa widen her eyes shook her head, "I probably should go to work"
"I am not going to work I should take the day"
"You're not going to work?" Lloyd ask, "are you feeling sick?"
Lloyd asked going to her side,
"I am ok"
""So why you not going to work?" He asked
"Can't I not go?"
"I want to know why is it somethingshould I stay back from work too?"
Nelisa look at odane and they both look at mark and shelly
"You don't have to I'm not a baby I've doing a fine job takingcare of me for a long time"
"Why are we even arguing aliyah?"
"We're not I'm just in my mood a bad one so it's best you don't talk to me right now" she said lloyd held up his hand, "and I also want to ask you please if you can drop me home so I can get my car, on our way back from dropping mark and shelly"
Lloyd shrugged nod his head,  "here let me take that" he reach for his ove night bag to take from her,
"Leave it Can't you see I'm already taking it"
Lloyd hands went up in defence followed her out she put them in the back of his van "I'll call you later nelisa" aliyah said, "see you later odane" she got in the van close the door shellyclimb in the back with mark lloyd got in look at her she side look him,  for the time they drove to the station neither speak to each other, shelly and mark sat in the back tightlips too as they watch them side look each other every now and then.