AFTER A BROKEN MARRIAGE .

chapter28

Christmas was only in a week lloyd reminded himself and he haven't found the ideal gift for his fiance yet
"What you got for the pretty lady?" Mark ask when he call him up,
"I can't decide" he told him with a sigh he was talking to mark when odane call came
"Brother where you at?" He asked lloyd he was sitting in the office lost
"At the office" he answered
"I'm getting off early meet me at the mall gifts all us"
"Ok, that's on the highway 64 plaza"
"Yeah you got that"
"See you a bit" lloyd said killing the call
"That was odane he wants me to meet him at gifts all us"
"So now you'll have a second to back you up on your choices" mark said
"I guess catch up later man"
"Wish you luck"
"I need it"
They both giggle lloyd got up from the desk took up his jacket put it on he stop to let Mabel knew he was going out as he was turning he came to notice the Christmas tree once again it make him think of his dedicated workers he left the building but call his secretary to see how well she can gather the gifts for everyone he employs forty people that didn't include him and his secretary he will have to pick a gift up for her himself for she had been his right hand from ever since even when nothing was going on she fully understood and didn't complain things are good now he's making good money and jobs were coming in his work team are on it, sometime the even had to hired on the spot workers for a month or so depending on the type of work and how long it last, he knew now advertising is good and he wasn't the doing it the right way thanks to aliyah and her aunt Mabel who help him out,
"I wasn't sure what to get my baby for Christmas and walk into the hardware and saw this really cute tool box stock with different tools I said here's the perfect gift for that one he could keep in his van, I got him a work belt too" aliyah spilled
"So all the gifts you got him has to do with work?" Nelisa ask
"Well yes they're pretty I'm sure he's going to love them"
"Like how he love you"
"He does, doesn't he" aliyah said being sarcastic nelisa roll her eyes she and aliyah giggle
"So what did you get for odane?" Aliyah ask
"I got him watches a set with three three different colours"
"Gold silver and bronze?"
"Yes"
"That's cute"
"Its hard to do gift shopping
"I got gifts for the family like by sets which was easier for me"
"Si you bought me and odane gift together?" Nelisa ask with a frown
Aliyah giggle shook her head,"why would I?"
"You did"
Aliyah nod
Nelisa frown once more, "well I too got gift for you and lloyd" nelisa said taking her hand with a giggle "I can't believe together proposed I'm still excited and you cry that's the part"
"So I'm not imortal"
"You don't cry much"
"I wasn't expecting it he only got divorce"
"So he's committing to you now just be nice to him",
"I am nice to him" aliyah said getting up from her seat around the table "we should go to the gift store"
"Aren't you done buying gift?" Nelisa ask
"For every one but you know its coming on Christmas I find it hard to stay out the gift store"
"Ok" nelisa giggle getting up as well they drove behind each other to gift all us they seems to have it going and they love it here, since they already rig the day from work they were killing it together
Marco walk around the store he came to stand next to lloyd and odane they both look at him,
"Is that, that aliyah's, aliyah's ex?" Odane asked whispering to lloyd
"It is" he said
Marco tune their way they both turn looking the other side thinking he heard them,
They turn when they heard women voice chatting as they came up to the isle odane and lloyd look at each other when they saw aliyah and nelisa
"AA" marco said with a smile aliyah look at nelisa then back at marco,
"Nel" he said
"Hi" nelisa said
"How you girls doing?"
"We're both fine" nelisa said
"Fine-tastic more like it" he smile from nelisa to aliyah, "Ah!" He exclaimed, "am I seeing right?" He asked pointing to her finger aliyah and nelisa look down wondering how he noticed "it's reflecting it is hard not to notice such diamond"
Aliyah lift her hand and saw it shine a mong some glass
"That guy must be really something to capture your heart the way he did"
Odane look at lloyd
"You could say that?"
Marco nod "so you're shopping for gifts?"
"No I'm done with that I'm just doing something"
"You want to make sure you don't miss anything"
"Hm-mm"
"I won't keep you"
"Have no plan on letting you" aliyah said
Marco smile shook his head,
She walk away pulling nelisa, he turn to watch her walking away he still misses her at times but what he really want was to be sure there's no bad blood between them then he would feel free he knew he haven't done what was to be done probably never show her the needed love he can't change that now but in the future they don't have to go by without a hello once they start walking towards odane and lloyd they both turn away marco has started to make his way down the isle
"Marco" aliyah called
He stop and turn to look at her,
Lloyd and odane look around too
"Merry Christmas" she said
"Merry Christmas" he said smile and nod he walk away feeling much more free
They got to where odane and lloyd stood neither taking time to notice them standing there and neither of the guys turn their way, they walk from them to stand a little further from them
"Can't find what you're looking for?" Lloyd ask coming up behind them
They both turn and saw them neither girls could believe they were the ones standing there lloyd smile as he leaned into kiss her,
"You skip work to but gift lloyd lift his hand to show he carries nothing odane held a vase in his hand, for the other gifts they left them to pick up once they're out their company,
"We have none for the living room" odane said when nelisa look at the vast in his hand,
"You carry on nelisa and I are looking around"
Lloyd nod kissing her they walk away and leaving them and lloyd went back to pick up the things they bought they cash and went out to the parking lot
They were waiting when aliyah and nelisa came out stock with bags,
"You need us to call in a truck?" Lloyd said
"I could use one" nelisa said with a grin"
"You waited?" Aliyah ask
"Yeah I did, we did" lloyd points to odane
"You ladies ready to go home?" Odane asked
"Not yet" aliyah answered
Nelisa look at her she too shook her head,
"Should we keep waiting?" Lloyd ask
"No" nelisa said
Aliyah look at her then to lloyd "we'll catch up at home"
Lloyd nod he kiss her
"So see you later" odane told nelisa kissing her softly
"Did you see how quickly they accept no not to wait" nelisa grumbled
Lloyd look at odane
"We told them not not to, it wasn't like we had planned to shop together they probably want to do their own thing maybe they asked praying we didn't said yes" aliyah hug nelisa "don't look but they're just standing there watching us"
Lloyd giggle "let's get out of here" he opened up the car door for him odane got in still watching them as they look around at what was displayed on the out door of the mall"
"Do they do anything else but to shop?" Odane asked
"I already told you it's in their nature, let's go to Macy's then grab a drink"
Odane nod,
They drove to Macy's shopping around odane bought some lingeries in panties and bra for nelisa half dozen of them but lloyd just got got three sexy night gowns
Odane look at him,
"What she doesn't even wear panties often besides I love her with out" he grin
Odane smile,
They were walking around when lloyd turn into someone it was his ex wife monique who look shocked on him it's a month she haven't seen him come to the house she stood looking at him "I'm sorry I didn't see you there" he said walking around him
She turn to look at him she Can't believe him to be out shopping "architect" someone said they turn to see Laurence coming towards them he came up to greet lloyd he smile and lloyd smile back
"I want to thank you again man I'm enjoying my place"
"That's good" lloyd said
"I got a friend in new York whose looking for a guy to set up a space for him I told him about you but I'm not sure if you would want to go"
"I could get back to you" lloyd said
"You do that" he turn to look at monique who was now looking at him he pay lloyd's shoulder nod to odane who he gave attention for the first time since he got to where they were,
Monique look at lloyd who finally walk away pulling odane
"What you think?" He asked
"About new York?" Odane asked
Lloyd nod
"Does sound like a good trip"
"I will talk to aliyah"
"You think she will agree?"
They look at each other,
They walk around some more they ran into Laurence once again few minutes later monique lloyd went by her once again this time not looking
Aliyah thought lloyd would be at her apartment when she got home but he wasn't she call nelisa to ask if he was over there but not even odane was,
After two drinks at the bar lloyd make it over to aliyah's place it was already ten and she was sleeping he put the things away in the closet at the very top then took a shower he soon to climb into bed he sat over her leaned in to kiss her, she shift and her eyes open "hey" she said "you ok?"
"Yeah I am" he said
She could tell he was drinking the liquor remained on his breath "you were out this long?"
"Odane and I grabbed a few drinks"
Aliyah lift off the pillow to look at him she wonder for how long he's been here for she could smell shower gel also from his appearance he just took a shower "sorry I'm late"
"You're not I became tired"
"For me too?" He ask
She shook her head accept him as he came to love her,
"Hmmm!" Breakfast smells good" lloyd said hugging aliyah from be hind kissing her neck she felt his hardness and his body heat,
"I see you did a lot of shopping" lloyd look at the bags put away on the counter
There weren't any thing in them now,
"They aren't all from yesterday" she said
"So you walk around all day in the store and you didn't buy nothing at all?"
He didn't reply she look at him he smile then move away "I have to talk to you about something"
"Go on I'm listening"
"I saw Laurence yesterday"
Aliyah look at him in question,
"He told me of a job in new York"
"A job?"
"Someone he said want to set up a space"
"So you going to go to new York?"
"What you think?"
"You might thrust him I don't but if you want to and plan to remain safe"
He nod she smile and cuff his cheeks "I want you to feel free to do what you like and if going to new York is a choice take it, I want you to be safe"
"I will be" he said
"So when?"
"I have to get back to Laurence"
Aliyah nod
He kiss her then left,
He was in his van when he call Laurence he gave him the number and lloyd call up the person he was expecting a man but a woman answered to gather his information and to give him details she invited him to come out and see to it, and he make arrangement to go on Saturday,
He ran it by mark then by odane later he told aliyah who didn't object as long as he's returning for Christmas,
Saturday nelisa, odane and aliyah drove lloyd to the airport he left with promise to be back in two days
Saturday night aliyah stay with her parents Sunday visit church with them, in the afternoon she drove to nelisa they later went for a walk on her block the two of them for odane was at work, they walk to the corner near the basketball field right next to it was a open lot and aliyah marveled at the sight of it it was the ideal place she wanted to build her house she wonder who own it and if they were selling it for her to buy it, nelisa never knew they clean it away like this for it was always with trees she didn't have the idea who owns it either they stood for some time to admire it before they leave and walk back to nelisa's house
Aliyah kept thinking about the particular piece of land the way it looks and how she would love to have it the phone rang and she got distracted from her thoughts she answered but at first she didn't know who she was answering the number was strange and was a out of town number,
"Hey baby" lloyd said
"Ha!" Aliyah laugh "it's you"
"My phone died and I left my charger back in the van, so I'm calling from where I'm staying"
Aliyah heard kids and a woman voice,
"Who are those?" She asked
"The lady I'll be working for"
"You're staying at their place?" She asked with a grasp
"Yes I am"
"Oh, she had a husband?"
Lloyd laugh
"Yes but he's a military so he's away at camp now she has a son who's nineteen, a fifteen year old daughter and a eight month old daughter"
"Oh and she what does she do?" Aliyah asked
"She's choreographer and a theater director"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, so you miss me?"
"I miss you"
"Ilk be coming on the six o clock flight"
"In the morning?"
"Yeah in the morning, I love you and I'll see you"
"I love you"
They end the call and he got up to take a walk on the back lawn where the pool was and the rest of house almost surrounding it he had the feeling aliyah would love the way it curve took some pictures a three stories building would look nice like this,
"Mr Chadwick I'm heading out to the mall would you like to come?" The son asked lloyd nod he thought maybe he could see something else to buy he never in Atlanta,
The malls they went to was much bigger and more beautiful than those in Atlanta with so much variety of things he picked up a couple of things cash it with his bank card and got some discounts, he pack them when he got back have super with them then went to bed he was leaving early and wanted enough rest,
Shelly was surprised to learn lloyd was in new York glad his job was taking him places
and he was making money again like usual she wonder what monique think of him now for now that lloyd leave her and Laurence want nothing to do with her much as she is a lawyer and got a name she must be feeling lonely still especially when she thinks back on how bad she had treated him,
Monday morning as early as could aliyah got to the airport to wait for lloyd he smile when he got out and saw her she came to him and he kiss her
"I missed you too" he said as he hug her to him they came bringing his luggage to pack in the trunk of her car aliyah wonder how he ended up with so many luggage he only leave with a grip and left for two days he didn't waste anytime it seems she wonder if he brought anything from new York for her she haven't been to new York but she heard it was a big city and the town of it was nice the big apple,
"How did you enjoyed it?" Aliyah asked once they were seated in the car,
"I am not sure" he said aliyah nod start the car they were out the airport and on the main road from there when lloyd speak, "maybe when I get back and have to stay for a month or two"
Aliyah grasp took her eyes off the road and almost ran in a park car lloyd grab the staring wheel to control it,
"You ok?" He ask when she pull over,
"I'm sorry" she said
"Want me to drive?"
"It's ok" she said she start the car once again driving slow and steady
"Baby I have to stay on so it won't cause so much coming back and forth" lloyd said as he entered the apartment behind aliyah
"I didn't say anything" she said
"You almost ran us off the road that is something enough"
"I'm sorry"
"Its ok" he said "come here" he reach for her taking her in his arms holding her,
"I should go to work and check on things I have a meeting to call the holiday is in two days"
"I know go a head"
"Later we'll talk"
Aliyah nod"
He took up the key to this van then left leaving his luggage to the corner of the living room, aliyah didn't move them she wonder though what was in them he leave with one came back with two more than one she left them there she too went on the road as she was going to do some Christmas shopping, lloyd family was hosting dinner as they had come over for Thanksgiving, every one would be going to the Christmas pageant at church hall after dinner she grab some wine and and stuff to bake then chicken and ham dishes of strawberries and blueberries she went back to her place and put somethings together she later went to a baby section
Lloyd came to find she wasn't there and took the opportunity to wrap the gifts he haven't yet and put them back he already drop his gifts off at his family home thinking to bring over for aliyah's family he gave Mabel for her and her husband and gave her cat a collar he thought of a dog for aliyah but plan on waiting until she's in her own home, he was on the couch pretending to be sleeping when she got home she saw that his things had been move she went to the room they were back away and the suitcases put to the top of the closet, she took a shower before she set her laundry to a start then went to the kitchen he got up when he heard her rumbling in the kitchen
"You're home" he said rubbing his eyes as if just waking up,"You ok?"
"I am"
He came to her side looking at her he was close to her she ease him away, he giggle lean in and kissed her neck she hand him a cup of coco, they drank it together he wash the cups once they were finish they went to bed lay together and talk, they make love then fall a sleep,
Tuesday afternoon while lloyd was browsing the website just going through it he saw the land for sale, it was in nelisa's area he thought of going to see it he call odane to ask about it, he did know where it was and heard nelisa mentioned it saying aliyah was wondering if it was up for sale, Wednesday afternoon he left the office early and they went out to see it, he call the number he found on the internet luckily the people who owns it were just about to put up the for sale sign they planned to meet it was Christmas eve tomorrow is the family Christmas dinner then the church pageant,
"I know it's a short notice but if we could meet and settle this agreement I would be glad"
The woman agreed to meet him for coffee at Sarah's place she already have the documents she and her husband came together as odane had followed him, they signed off on the documents exchange a hand shake then they went their separate ways
Aliyah got home to find it was just the gift she had put under the Christmas tree wondering if lloyd haven't bought any gift for her she saw he wasn't even home they are to go to the Christmas eve ball
that should be starting in a hour and fifteen minutes the door open and aliyah turn to see him standing there all he carry in his hand was a half bottle of Budweiser beer he came turn her to fully face him kiss her "am I late?" He ask
"Not yet but will be soon if we don't get ready now"
"Ok let's take a shower" he said leaving the bottle on the centre table he pulled her to the bathroom where they share the shower they got dress then left for the ball
Nelisa came to meet them as she saw them came to the door lloyd greet odane as if they haven't spent the last couple of hours together earlier
They went to get something to drink aliyah and nelisa took water and punch for lloyd and odane they leave the girls to go there own way while they chatted
By midnight mark and shelly got on the line to call them up thought they were out at a Christmas eve ball too, they talk for sometime before saying goodbye aliyah barely hang up from shelly when Bessie call to wish them a merry Christmas she was out of town at Chris family telling aliyah Chris send his love for them all they in return send their's
"I had fun" nelisa said
"You said that at the end of every thing" aliyah grumbled
"What if I did?"
"Nothing, I had a good time too"
"Merry Christmas so I'll call you tomorrow, have fun"
"You have fun" she hug her and odane
"See you on Monday" lloyd said as he embraced nelisa
"You take care" nelisa said
"We'll catch up" lloyd told odane pating his shoulder they got in his van as they drove away aliyah look around to see if he has any gift on the back seat but didn't see any thing lloyd wonder what she was looking for he saw her look at him once her eyes were done looking around,
He open the door once they got to her floor she look under the tree for anything added thought they left together and didn't see him put nothing under it,
"Need anything?" She asked
"No I don't"
"Ok I'm going to use the bathroom and climb into bed"
"I am just going to fit up some paper works I'll just join you shortly"
She nod and he kiss her,
Lloyd pour a drink then sat at the counter with his laptop, he has a picture of the land and some of that house in new York he got out his print sheet and started drawing up his blue print he was leaving for two months and was leaving some of his men to work on it till he gets back in less than six months aliyah will have her baby he is hoping to have her new home ready for them,
Aliyah lay in bed waiting for lloyd to join but up till the time she falls a sleep he was still out there working on some papers as he said
Lloyd walk in to find her a sleep took down his gifts to put under the tree he look at the three gifts under the tree as they has been since the other day he refused to be tempted to shake one to see if he could guess what was in it he went to bed to lay next to her, for a while he lay watching her sleep he always love to watch her sleep he can't believe this rather beautiful woman is now in his life she's having his baby and he's going to marry her one day soon he hope, he lift the sheet to look at her tummy lift his shirt she wore from her body, "hmmm" she said as she opened her eyes
"What time is it?" She asked
"It's not yet morning" he mumbled she lift the covers and he climbed beneath his hand cuff her naked but cheek and felt her shiver as his emotions started rising up, he didn't see why he should bought her underwear when he love finding her this way, she move closer lifted her leg about his hips taking him in it was always about the warmth feeling of her inside that thrills him he kept coming back he never got less he could always expect more from this woman always crave her body and it wasn't a doubt that she crave his she never the less than to give,
Lloyd lay next to aliyah on Christmas morning soon as her eyes started opening he close his she thought he was sleeping she took a shower got in to some clothes she lean in to kiss him "merry Christmas hot lips" she whispered before going out the door he got up too drag on a sweat pants avoids the shower to wash his face and brush his teeth she came to the Christmas tree surprised there were presents with her name on it, she grasped
"While you were sleeping Santa came" lloyd said from the doorway,
Aliyah turn to giggle at him she really thought he didn't get her anything
"So you think I wouldn't get you a gift?" He ask coming by her side "shame on you" he said
"Yeah, shame on me, I look for them"
"Not in the right places" he reach to take up a small box "Merry Christmas baby" he said ripping it apart "I want to open this one for you"
Aliyah watch him as he did open the box and came out with a fancy pair of earrings dangling ones that glisten just like her engagement ring,
"Lloyd you didn't have to"
"I know its because I know you care less for these I wanted to get you this one special one you can wear it for ever" she turn to look at him,
He reach for another gift opened it the same this time a necklace the next was a bracelet and a ring with a watch
"A whole set lloyd you didn't have to"
He smile and kiss her
"You never hesitate its payback"
"I'm not asking you to pay back for nothing"
"No you're not, let me get one gift for myself" he reach out to take up the large box, "Mm this is heavy, what's in it?" He ask as he open it up his mouth flew open and he laugh a loud "yeah this is me I love it baby you always know what I want" he kiss her smacked on her lips he got a coat and a set of watch she had bought him a scarf too, "those are for your trip to new York" she said he giggle kiss her again "Thank you so much"
"You're welcome"
"She open up her gifts of well he got like six stuff toy animals a beer a tiger a giraffe which she love a dog a cat and a monkey
"Mostly for the baby you can keep them on the bed for the time I'll be gone"
Aliyah grin as she hug him she got her night dresses too fancy and revealing "i can see you through these" she said holding it up,
"I want to see you through these things" he smile
Aliyah knock him "let's have breakfast" she said they got up put the things away then went to the kitchen she fix a lovely breakfast for them both, then sat right next to each other feeding each other as they enjoyed their meal.