The Brothers Everhart - Pres Ch. 17 May I Introduce...

When Sofia opened her front door the love of her life, Pres Everhart, was standing there but he was looking absently over at her rose bushes beside her door. Instantly he turned his head and smiled that killer smile that had always reduced her knees to jelly. His stance was casual, one hand in his back pocket while the other hand beat a staccato rhythm on his thigh. His long muscled thigh, Sofia sighed. The drumming was an unconscious "tell" of his so Sofia knew he was nervous, too. But, why? She was the one with the guilty secret, she was the one he'd pushed aside to be with Arlene Jankowski, she was the one still so desperately in love with him that she couldn't see straight. So, why should he be nervous?

"Hi. Come on inside--it's so hot out today--want some lemonade or ice water?" she smiled. It was a relief to Sofia that she could at least put words together; he took her breath away.

"Oh. No, I'm fine," he stepped inside and looked around the room with curiosity and appreciation, "Wow, hon--um, I mean Sofia! This is really nice."

She nodded,

"I was lucky to get it. It's really a rent-with-an-option-to-buy so maybe eventually I can be a home owner. Who knows?"

"You're doing that well? Where are you working now?" Pres asked although he knew perfectly well what the name of the salon was and where it was.

Telling him about her fellow hair stylists and her customers at "Golden Shears" she went on to talk about her burgeoning designing/clothing business. While listening Pres took inventory of her home and of Sofia herself. He'd never seen her looking better. It was evident that she had an inner self-confidence she'd never had before. Still the compassionate, sweet-natured girl he'd met almost 7 years ago, she was much more than that now. She'd only been 20 years old when he'd met her and had been hustling since she was 16 at that point. It was now 4 years since she'd stopped hooking and started beauty school with Pres' help. He was so proud of her.

Physically she was more beautiful than ever, but then her personality and her heart had always made her gorgeous in Pres' eyes. She was explaining to Pres what she hoped to accomplish with her designing. Even though she wanted it be a success she was not aiming at a career in New York. She just wanted to be able to design and sew clothing and make a modest profit at it. Her voice was the same soft and gentle voice he remembered and hearing it soothed his soul as it always had.

Pres had not yet worked up the confidence to ask her if she would consider taking him back. His plan was to convince her to see him again so he could show her how much he valued her and how sorry he was about hurting her and go from there.

Meanwhile Sofia was running out of steam on the narration of her future plans. She couldn't go into any more detail since her future revolved around the son he didn't know he had. Now she began to get nervous again as to how to approach the subject. Whether she should just drop the bomb or maybe work up to it. She couldn't decide.

If she'd thought that she was getting over Pres she was clearly very wrong. He looked so delicious as he listened carefully to her plans. As though her hopes and dreams were the most important thing in the world. That was how he'd always been with her, though. Suddenly she felt worse than ever about deceiving him all this time.

"And how are things going for you?" she asked, stalling.

"I've been on the swat team for a couple years now, it pays better than being a detective does. I've been building up my investments through my brother, Prince, and been thinking of building a house. My parents came down for Perry's wedding and now they're thinking of moving here and selling their house on St. Simon's island. They also have a vacation home at Twikkii. That's about all the news for now."

Just then Dion, having woke up early from his unnecessary nap, sang out in his childish treble voice,

"Mommy! I'm uh-up!"

He always said "up" like it was two syllables with the accent and high note on the first one.

"Who's that?" Pres was clearly startled, "Are you baby-sitting, too?"

"That's Dion and no, I'm not babysitting," she said,"He's mine, Pres."

Speechless for a moment, he then asked in an astonished voice,

"You...you have a baby?"

"Well, he's not a baby so much anymore,he's two. Come upstairs with me and meet him."

Sofia stood up and started toward the stairs, then paused and looked back to see if Pres was coming. He got up and followed her, feeling numb. He was still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that Sofia had given birth to a baby and he hadn't even known. Why hadn't Jerri told him? He tried to mentally prepare himself to see a child that would, undoubtedly, look just like Dana, who had black hair and strong features. The numbness faded as he felt his heart breaking a little. His mouth was dry and he really wished he could just give some excuse and take off. What a coward he was.

"I'm uh-up, Mommy!" Dion repeated.

"Mommy's coming, baby,"

"I guess Dana must be crazy about him," he offered.

"Yes, they're very close. Dana helped me a lot."

Sure he did, Pres thought grimly, he's got a son who, no doubt, is beautiful and who wouldn't want to help Sofia?

Sofia walked ahead and they entered a cheerful room where a towheaded youngster was enthusiastically bouncing up and down on his crib mattress. He stopped jumping when he saw his mother and reached toward her.

"Mommy, get me!"

"Well, did you have a nice nap, Little Man?" Sofia smiled as she lifted him into her arms.

As Pres moved into the room, the child looked toward him as he suddenly became interested in this new and unknown person. Pres could not believe how much the toddler looked like Sofia with his big beautiful brown eyes, thick blond hair and his skin was smooth and golden just like hers.

"He doesn't look very much like Dana, does he?" he remarked like an idiot; he was just so surprised that Dana's black hair and Italian features weren't in evidence that it just slipped out.

"No, but that's not surprising," Sofia answered, looking directly into Pres' green eyes.

"Hey, fella," Pres couldn't help but grin at Dion, he was so cute, then he said to Sofia,

"Look, I heard Dana moved out, but I'm sure you two can work things out for the sake of the boy."

It made him almost sick to say that, but he could never try to come between the parents of a small child. Even he was not that selfish.

"Pres, he doesn't look like Dana because Dana is not his father."

He was momentarily perplexed--he had found no indication of a man in her life other than Dana.

"Look closer. Look at his sweet little mouth. Those are not Giallelis lips. They're firm, but slim, clearly defined and quite aristocatic," she smiled and waited.

Pres did look closer and realized he was looking at his own mouth in miniature.

The truth washed over him like a wave of seawater.

"He's mine," he looked at her and then back at Dion, his eyes suddenly glittering with wonder and unshed tears and it was not a question but a statement, "Isn't he. I mean, yeah. He's my child."

Then he felt a surprising rage, hot and fierce, flaring in him for a moment. His jaw flexed, and he repeated but in a different tone,

"He's mine--he belongs to me. You should have told me. How could you not tell me?"

"Yes, he's your son," Sofia murmured watching his face closely, "His birth certificate reads Dion Prescott Everhart. I named him after my father and after you."

His resentment and indignation dissipated as suddenly as it had come. He had never been angry with Sofia in his life before and as for that mischievous little blond angel looking at him, all sweet smiles and brown saucer eyes...well...

"Why didn't you tell me, baby?" he asked in a gentler voice, "I should have been there for you; I should have been there for him."

"You were going with Arlene, Pres, I thought you would marry her. Anyway, it was my decision to get pregnant, I didn't want to screw up your plans for the future. I was going to tell you eventually, but I just didn't know how."

"Arlene and I broke up over three years ago and it was a mutual decision. I went to see you but you were gone by then and Thalia wouldn't give me any information."

"I didn't know you talked to Thalia, but it's true I asked her not to tell you anything, Pres. I know you're such a responsible man that you'd offer to take care of me and be with me and I didn't want you on those terms. Like I said, you were practically engaged to Arlene from what Thalia had heard."

Pres shook his head in regret and frustration,

"When I went to Thalia I told her I'd broken it off with Arlene and she knew it was because I realized I was in love with you. She still wouldn't tell me. The fact that she didn't tell you I was trying to find you--before you had Dion evidently--doesn't surprise me. She called me every name in the book that day; she hates my ass. I guess, looking at it from her perspective, I can't blame her."

Looking startled Sofia said,

"You broke up with Arlene because of me? I didn't know that you two weren't together anymore until Dana mentioned it to me before he left, a few months ago. I didn't realize you'd come looking for me, honest. Thalia should have told me. I'm truly sorry that she blocked any communication we might have had, Pres. It's my fault though really. She knew I almost..." she stopped abruptly.

She'd very nearly blurted out the truth: that Thalia had known Sofia almost died when she'd found out--for sure--that Pres was seeing someone else and it was serious. That he didn't want her anymore. For a couple days she'd mostly stayed curled in a fetal position on her bed. Finally Thalia had hustled over to the trailer and reminded Sofia that she had a baby on the way and that she needed to get her big butt outta the bed, suck it up and figure out what she was going to do with the rest of her life. It had worked. The truth was that Sofia already cared for her unborn child more than herself and she pulled it together and started to live for him.

"Knew you almost what?" Pres probed.

"Um, that is, I mean...well, she knew I was pregnant by that time and I guess she went into her super protective mode."

Pres was a cop and he knew when someone was being less than forthcoming, but he let it go for now.

"Mommy?" Dion turned to Sofia, squirming to get down; he was restless listening to the adults talk about who knew what.

"We're going downstairs in a minute, sweetheart."

He reached toward Pres--maybe if his mommy was too busy this nice man would take him downstairs and play with him,

"Peek-a-boo?"

Looking at Sofia Pres asked quietly,

"I don't suppose he'd come to me?"

She laughed,

"If you promise to play with him he'll pretty much be putty in your hands," she turned to Dion, "Little Man, this is your daddy--can you say Daddy?"

He contemplated Pres for a moment and then his eyes met his mother's as he shook his head no.

"Don't feel bad," she advised Pres, "he doesn't understand the word daddy; he's never heard it before. He just needs to get used to you."

Frankly Pres was relieved to hear that. It meant that Dana had never been referred to as a father figure.

They headed downstairs where Sofia put Dion on the floor. Pres crouched down in front of him and said,

"Hey, chief, I hope we're going to be friends," he ruffled Dion's hair and the child reached up to him.

"He wants you to pick him up, it's okay," Sofia nodded, "You know you can see him whenever you want, Pres."

Dion laughed delightedly when Pres held him in his arms and talked with him.

"This is Daddy, Dion. Can you give him a kiss?" she prompted.

Giving kisses was no problem for Dion; he'd only known happiness and love for his entire little life and trusted people automatically. Just like his mother, Pres thought. This worried him a bit but it made it much easier for him to get to know Dion.

"He's so beautiful," Pres couldn't help saying to Sofia, "I can't believe he's ours."

Sofia's heart soared to hear Pres refer to Dion as being "ours". She still didn't want him to be with her out of duty or just to be with Dion, but she wanted him.

"He'll get the hang of 'daddy' soon," Sofia assured him, "The more often you see him the better. Will you stay to supper tonight?"

He put Dion back down on the floor and he toddled over to the play station.

Pres had been hoping she'd ask him  to stay longer and  he looked over at her and winked,

"Still making burnt macaroni and cheese?"

"Oh! I'll have you know I've become a very skilled cook!" she pretended to be miffed, "Besides I know you like your steak medium rare and I've gotten quite adept at that and a baked potato and salad."

Pres laughed,

"Fair enough. Count me in...I need more time to play peek-a-boo with my kid here."

Next blog update: Lalique Flynn Ch. 14 Belle Isle

 The Brothers Everhart - Pres Ch. 18 Starting New

The Brothers Everhart - Pres Ch. 16 Sofia On Her Own

Sofia was lonesome with Dana gone; more than she'd thought she'd be. Right away she hired a sitter for Thursday and Friday evenings the two days she worked until 8 pm. Then she started going in on Wednesday morning for about 4 hours so she could shorten her other days. She was able to go home now at 6:30 pm on Thursday and Friday, and Saturday she finished around 2 pm instead of 4. But it wasn't so much that she'd had to reschedule, nor that she didn't have his help at home; she just missed sharing her life with someone. Talking things over, eating meals together and playing video games, she realized now how healing Dana's presence had been.

So she began calling her sister Thalia more often and she even phoned her baby sister, Anneliese from time to time. Anneliese had made it clear years ago that she wanted to distance herself from the world her two sisters lived in, but now that Sofia was working hard to start a new life on the up and up Anneliese seemed to be warming. It also helped that Sofia had a couple of coworkers she was close to at the salon as well as her many clients.

She now became hooked on reading paranormal romances even though the lovelife of vampires and werewolves and otherworldly beings had slowly but surely jacked up her libido. Currently her favorite authors were Laurann Dohner and her "New Species" series which was more like fantasy rather than vampire or werewolf stories, Christine Feehan and the "Dark" series, and, for a change of pace the more lighthearted and funny "Argeneau Vampires" series by Lynsay Sands. Devouring story after story she debated buying a Kindle but then decided it was just too much money to fit into her budget. Her days were busy, but at night she was so lonesome.

She'd been able to keep Pres out of her thoughts while Dana was there, but now she found herself thinking back over every moment she'd spent with him in her little mobile home and every moment she'd gone out with him as in the movies and dinner dates, she'd cataloged every kiss, every smile, every caress. From the moment she'd met him Sofia had fallen hard. When he'd invited the gang to a get together at his house that time he'd specified that Thalia be sure to bring her sister. That had been the first night they'd talked for any length of time and the first time he'd kissed her. When the others left at the end of party, Pres had kept her with him. She held on to all those memories right up until the last time they'd made love. For her, nothing had changed the way she felt about him. Nothing could.

Dion was the light of her life and she spent as much time with the baby as possible when she was home. He was a happy baby, obviously reflecting the love showered on him by anyone who came to the house and from his mother.

She'd also begun to sew as a hobby, something she'd done as a girl when still living at home. She wanted to make him some onesies and when she couldn't find anything she liked in patterns she decided to make her own pattern. After all, onesies were simple and easy. Before long she'd begun making a few other things for him.

Once Dion had his birthday and was toddling around Sofia began to realize he would need her home more than ever. Besides, she wanted to be home; when Dion had taken his very first steps while at daycare Sonia had cried quietly into her pillow that night feeling that she had missed a special moment in his life. How many more would there be?

Potty-training was having mixed results, but according to her mother whom she talked with long-distance in New York City, it took time and patience to toilet train a child.

"Boys always seem to take longer than girls to train," Athena Giallelis maintained, "I should know; with you three girls it was a breeze, but when your brother arrived, I thought he'd have to go to kindergarten in diapers."

Sofia giggled at the thought of her baby brother, who had just finished college via a sport scholarship, sitting on a potty chair and thumbing his nose at their mother.

Dion loved to color and play with his blocks so Sofia found a play station for him when she took off work one Saturday morning. She'd brought him with her and Thalia as they took in some yard sales.

Things were looking up because Sofia had progressed rapidly with her sewing and had taken to designing some clothing for adult women. Often she wore her own creations and a couple times her customers had inquired where she got them. She ended up making a few items for one of them and was thrilled when the woman insisted on paying her above and beyond the cost of the fabric.

Beginning to get orders from people that she didn't know personally when they saw her clothes on the woman, Sofia was encouraged by Thalia and her boss at the salon to make some items and put them on sale at the shop. Money-minded Thalia showed her how to calculate prices based not only on the cost of materials but also her time and the fact that the clothes were handmade originals. She often customized her own patterns for certain customers. There was a chance that she might be able to work eve shorter hours at work and be home with Dion more. But she was afraid to do that until she was sure the orders would keep on coming.

When Thalia came by for her weekly visits it was a revelation to see her get down on the floor and play with Dion. She absolutely adored being "Auntie Thalia". She even took him to the potty when necessary, something no one who knew the flamboyant bulldozer of a woman could have imagined.

                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

 
Time passed. Pres still lived in the small house he'd rented, working long hours as much as he could. The upside of that was that he was building up quite a nest egg.

Winter had blown through Halcyon County; snow coating not only Three Lakes up in the mountains, but all of Pleasantview, Crystal Creek and Bluewater. It seemed that it would stay forever. He thought about building a house of his own at times, but he couldn't muster up the enthusiasm. Without Sofia who cared?

Finally the winter gave way to a spring studded with thunderstorms and unusually cool temperatures for the area. A scorchingly hot summer followed and it was deep into that summer when Pres' friend and former coworker, Jerri Rasmus, showed up at his door with a goal in mind.

As they sat down at his dining table she told him she had information that she knew he would want but had promised people not to give him.

"I'm sorry about not coming over to see you before this, but I was afraid it would be too tempting to tell you."

"Well, no offense, but why have you decided to divulge this now?"

"Because it's time, past time, for you to make a move. Two people's happiness is at stake and so you need to go see Sofia immediately. I came to tell you this and to give you her address and phone number."

"I already found out her address," he admitted, "I've known it for a long time."

"Well, doofus, why didn't you go see her?"

"Because Thalia told me Sofia didn't want to see me and that Dana Conadera was with her," he said irritably, "You know that. He's a right guy and I didn't want to mix in if he can make her happy and he's who she wants."

He looked so miserable that Jerri would have told him that Dana and Sofia had not been romantically involved, but then she didn't really know that for sure. No one did. She was fairly sure that Sofia was not in love with Dana, but it didn't take a genius to see that Dana was crazy about her. Whether or not Sofia had succumbed to her loneliness and the admittedly attractive and fun Dana was anybody's guess. That was one of the things that Pres and Sofia would have to work out, but if they never talked to each other it would never happen. Not to mention Pres finding out about the baby, and she certainly was not going to be the one who told him about Dion. Let him go see Sofia and he would find out soon enough.

This way she was not breaking her promise to never reveal Dion's existence and to leave it up to Sofia. Well, okay, she told her self guiltily, she was bending the promise by urging him to go see Sofia and providing the address, but not breaking it.

"I don't know if he made her happy or not, but I do know that he moved out a few months ago," Jerri hedged.

Pres couldn't hide his elation, but then doubt came over him and he said slowly,

"I guess I could call her; I wouldn't want to just shove my way in her front door."

"Well, don't wait around until some new idiot shows up," Jerri said dryly and was a little amused when Pres looked appalled and then ticked off at the thought of another guy in line behiind Dana. 

Although he liked Dana and considered him a good man he was also envious of his place in Sofia's life. Still he knew Dana would care for Sofia and protect her. But the thought of some unknown slimy creep skulking around her filled him with uncharacteristic jealousy and even anxiety. That was not going to happen; he would not let that happen.

Seeing that she'd hit the mark Jerri warned,

"That's right. Sofia grabs attention from men wherever she goes without even trying so you'd better step on it, ace."

Jerri left, wishing she could have told him about his son, but had to hope he'd do as she asked and go see Sofia as soon as possible.

It was one of her days off and Sofia was belatedly bringing in the newspaper when she got a call that totally blew her mind. The moment she heard Pres' deep voice on the phone her brain seemed to slip sideways while her heart started thumping loud and hard as though she was having palpitations like her mother sometimes did.

Pres sounded almost hesitant,

"Hi, Sofia, it's Pres. I was wondering if I could some see you today. I mean just to talk."

Sofia knew she had dragged her feet about contacting him since Dion was born. Now she realized that her procrastination had resulted in the decision being taken away from her. The time had come and she might as well meet it head on. Besides, truth to tell, part of her couldn't wait to see him.

"That would be fine," she replied, thinking how formal they both sounded and how breathless her voice was even to her own ears, "Just give me about an hour, if you don't mind.

"No problem, I'll see you then."

He sounded relieved.

She threw the phone in her handbag and grabbed up little Dion from where he'd been playing in the living room. Running upstairs to his room she kissed him and put him down for his afternoon nap a little early. He looked mildly surprised but, to her great relief, fell off to sleep with no arguing. Dashing into the bathroom to check her makeup and hair and she brushed her teeth longer than usual. As she did she muttered to herself,

"It's not as if he's going to kiss me, but better safe than sorry."

Going back downstairs she cast a quick look around the house and compulsively decided to run a dust rag over the furniture even though she'd done it only that morning. What could they say to each other? And how would she tell him that his child was sleeping upstairs?

And then...the doorbell chimed.

Next blog update: The Brothers Everhart - Pres Ch. 17 May I Introduce You...