Come Share My Love

chapter Eighteen





It took Zackary exactly three weeks to decide that enough time had passed from the time he accused her of getting busy with his brother and her walking away not looking back. He was more than ashamed of his actions. He was mortified with himself and knew he had acted stupidly. Zackary had driven by her house a few times after work, when he came back into town but he didn’t have the determination to stop and walk up the stairs. Besides the house was pretty dark and he hadn’t seen her car in the adjoining drive either time. The best he could hope for was that she was home this morning when he got there. It was a quiet Saturday morning and she didn’t work on Saturdays. He turned on her street and knew immediately that something was wrong. He slowed his pace as he drove down the street and saw a moving van across her drive, furniture was being carried out. He stopped the car and jumped out to go investigate.

“Can you please be careful with that crystal while you’re wrapping it?” he heard a voice say. It wasn’t Shyla though. It was Kemah.

“The owner has had that in her family for years and if one piece is even chipped she’ll have my butt and then I’ll own yours,” Kemah yelled. She turned around and ran smack into Zackary’s chest.

“Why can’t you watch-” when she looked up, surprise not fury settled in her eyes.

“Hi.”

“Hey. What’s going on here? Where’s Shyla?”

Kemah walked back out onto the porch. “What’s going on is that Shyla is selling her house.”

“What? Why? She loves this house.”

“And she can get another one. Her words not mine. She wants a fresh start, away from this city, this state.”

“Away from me?” he asked.

He wasn’t surprised when Kemah turned away. He already knew it was true.

“As for where, I can’t tell you. I’m only here to supervise.”

“What about work? I’ve called a couple of times but she’s never in, or at least that’s what I’m told.”

“She’s not there. She took an indefinite leave of absence, put me in charge.”

He stuffed his hands deep in his pockets. “Will she be returning?”

“Shyla hasn’t decided on anything. I would hope that she does. That place is her baby but she’s still hurting. We don’t talk about what happened much. She’s much closed mouth. I only got bits and pieces. If she ever wants to talk to me about it, I’m here for her.”

“All I can say is that everything was a mess and it was my fault.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe how civilized you’re being to me right now.”

“As I’ve said she’s been closed mouth about it all and I don’t want to get involved with something I know nothing about. It would serve no purpose.”

“Well thanks for telling me at least that. I was hoping that she would let us talk this thing out. It was a long shot, right?”

“Yes. But now really isn’t a good time to talk things out. She’s going through some things right now she’s even blaming herself for getting involved with you. She put her guard down for one second and you pounced. Again her words, not mine.”

“She really feels that way?”

“Yes. More and more, every day. If she’s not crying about one thing or another, she’s crying about your daughters.”

“They’ve been crying about her too. They ask me when I am going to bring Shyla home to them. How do you tell your children that you hurt the woman they love like a mother, that love them right back? They hadn’t spoken to me in two weeks. So now I have three crying females to worry about. Can you let Shyla know that the girls miss her, very much? I know it won’t do any good to tell her that I miss her just as much.”

Kemah shook her head in the negative.

“Kemah I know this is asking a lot but I need to know. Can you please tell me where she’s headed?” he pleaded.

“I wish I could, Zackary. She’d really hate me. This isn’t like when we were in Jamaica. I’d give in, in a split second. But now, she’s just hurting too bad to just say, okay you can make things alright. I just can’t do it.”

Zackary took his hand from his pockets and rubbed them across his face. “I understand. For what it’s worth, I do love Shyla and I would give anything if I can make her aware of that.”

“I believe you, wholeheartedly, but there’s nothing I can do. She’s not even contacting Essence and that’s blood.”

“I know. According to Felton, Essence is devastated. I just hope that the two of them can patch thing up.”

“We’ll see. As you can see we still have a lot to do, but I have your number just in case.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. Look after her for me. Please?”

“You already know I will and will do my best.”

He pulled Kemah into a soft long brotherly hug then he stepped off the porch into the hot summer sun well aware that he had lost the woman he loved.

Kemah felt for him and Shyla too. They had both been through so much but she couldn’t betray her best friend, not after all they had been through.

That afternoon Zackary drove to Napa Acres. He knew that his children would be asking non-stop questions regarding Shyla. He had gotten full the weekends before. They were throwing questions at him so fast he had to make a special date for them to go see the new Ariel movie. That proved to be a mistake.

They began crying about the mother dying, and then asking if that was the reason Shyla hadn’t called them or come to visit them. He had a time trying to console them. They didn’t finish the movie nor did they want to go to the beach the following day. Nothing had been the same when Shyla left. Zackary wasn’t sure that it ever would be again.



It had been close to six months now, since Shyla last had any contact with Zackary or Felton and her cousin Essence. But she kept in contact with Mama V and the twins until three months ago. Sending them gifts and just calling because she missed them. She had missed them all very much, especially Zachary and the girls. She had instantly fallen in love with them.

Shyla had now reached the middle of her second trimester of pregnancy. She had tried relentlessly to contact Zackary on more than one occasion to give him the news; that was over two months ago. Things didn’t go as she had planned.

Shyla drove to Zachary’s house one day to speak with him and that’s when she saw that he wasn’t alone. He had a big bay window in the front of his house and you could see all the activity inside. He and the girls were playing and laughing. Shyla missed that. When she went to get out of the car she saw another figure come in view. It was Connie. They wrapped themselves around one another and then gathered the children with them. They looked like the perfect family.

It wasn’t until after she left that she realized things aren’t always what they seem. She could have misunderstood the hug and the gathering. For all she knew other members of his family could have been in the area. Or it could have been that Connie was the one to bring the children down for the weekend. It was a Saturday afternoon. But when Shyla called the following Thursday she got her answered.

A sleeping Connie answered the phone, stating that Zackary was showering. They had an early flight out to his parents and would be unavailable for the next few weeks. If she wanted to leave a message she could. She’d see that he got it. Shyla declined and gave up all hope.

For the last couple of months Shyla has had to deal with wondering if she was going to get through the next few months without any incident. She was pregnant with twins and her doctor informed her that she was a high risk pregnancy. She had lost weight which was normal in early pregnancy but she lost twenty pounds and it was very noticeable. She continued to be under a tremendous amount of stress but it had gotten better over the last month. Her best friend had been there with her throughout the whole ordeal.

She worried about her parenting skills. She had never been a mother before but she could be a good one, with the help of Kemah. She knew what not to do as a parent. She would love her children unconditionally. She also knew that she’d have to be mommy and daddy. It was only fair.



“Key, what took you so long?” Shyla was in a panic. She didn’t want to see her doctor on her own.

“Girl, traffic was a grizzly out there this morning. If it hadn’t been for Mr. Anderson’s cancellation, I would still be at the office.” She hugged Shyla and noticed her trembling. “What’s wrong? Why are you shaking?” She rubbed her stomach. “How are the babies doing in there?”

“These two are doing fine it’s me that’s a nervous wreck.”

“What are you nervous about? Last week when you went to the doctor she gave you a clean bill of health, said the babies are developing wonderfully and you even gained your weight back. You just need to continue taking you pre-natal vitamins and keep the stress level down.”

“I’ve been trying. It’s just that I’ve been thinking of Zaria and Zhaniya. Wondering how they and Essence are doing. I know that we had that big fall out, but I miss my cousin so much. I want her back in my life. I just don’t know if she wants me back in hers.” Shyla hunched up her shoulders. “That was the problem. She didn’t want Felton and Zackary to have any problem if we didn’t have a good relationship.”

“I’m sure that she misses you too. While Essence shouldn’t have said what she did-”

The rest of Kemah’s speech was cut off when the nurse called for Shyla.

“Miss Wilkes? Doctor Leone will see you now.”

Kemah helped Shyla up. They both laughed then followed the nurse in the back where she was weighed, vital signs taken and blood drawn. Then they waited for the doctor.



“How have you been this week, Shyla?”

“I’ve been doing pretty well.”

The doctor looked at Kemah for confirmation. She nodded her agreement.

“I’ve tried not to stress myself but I can feel myself leaning towards that way some days because I’m missing some of my family.” Kemah glided her hand up and down her back in a circular motion.

“I know it’s hard when you lose someone but you have to be strong and concentrate on bringing not one but two healthy babies into the world. No more crying, understood.” It wasn’t a question but an order.

“Understood?” She wanted to tell her that no one had passed away they were just away from her, separated.

“Now before we do this ultrasound, do we want to know the sex of the babies?”

“Yes!” Both Kemah and Shyla said in unison and then began to laugh.

“Okay here we go.” She placed the cold gel on her belly then took the wand and rubbed it across the lower part of her abdomen. “What do you and the father want?” Shyla didn’t answer. She didn’t see how she could. She just stared at the monitor. When the doctor looked to her for an answer she saw her reluctance and said nothing more about the children’s father.

“I think I would like two little boys. They would have each other to play with and share a room. They can do everything together.”

The doctor continued to move the wand around hoping that the babies would cooperate. She was able to see one but it was hard to see the other. Then that one started moving. They continued to watch the monitor closely.

“Is that what I think it is? Kemah asked, pointing to the monitor. “Both of them?”

“Yes. Shyla, looks like you’ll have your heart’s desire. You’re going to be the proud parent of two beautiful baby boys.”

She and Kemah both screamed.

“You got your wish sweetie.” Kemah kissed her cheek, and then turned back to the monitor. “Will you look at that?”

“Now, Shyla, you will have to take it easy for the next few months. There’s no danger but there is a lot to be cautious about. Most women, more than half that have multiple births don’t go the full term. If you do I’d be very surprised.

“The babies have developed very nicely and they are a little bigger than I would have anticipated, but their organs have to develop as well. If they come at thirty-six weeks that would be good because you will be just starting your ninth month but I want them to stay until at least thirty-eight weeks. Right now you’re at twenty two weeks.

“I don’t want to have to put you back on bed rest, but you know that I will,” she smiled. “So, just take it easy. If you insist on going back to work, four hours a day, 3 days a week is all I’m allowing you. If it gets too strenuous then you stop all together. Kemah, you make sure Shyla stick to my orders.”

“I will definitely make sure she follows orders.”

“Do either of you have any questions?”

They both shook their heads, no.

“Okay! Get dressed and I’ll give you a break this time. I want to see you back her in three weeks instead of one. If you have any problems before hand you make sure to page me and I’ll expect you over to the emergency room when I tell you. Don’t wait.”

“Yes ma’am.” Shyla saluted. When the doctor left and Kemah went to go make a phone call she got dressed. She thought back to what the doctor had said. ‘Looks like you’ll have your heart’s desire.’ Almost she thought. Her heart would never be complete unless she had her girls and Zackary back in her life.

When she reached the lobby she stood at the nurses’ station waiting on her next appointment. When she turned she jumped because she almost walked into someone.

“Excuse me.” She never even looked at the person. She went and sat in a seat waiting for Kemah.

“Shyla?”

She looked up. It was her cousin.

“Essence?”

“What are you doing here?” She sat down next to her and reached out to hug her. She wasn’t sure if that was a good idea, but she didn’t care. She hadn’t seen her in months and she needed the contact. Shyla wrapped her arms around her cousin as the tears rolled down her face.

“I had an appointment with Dr. Leone.”

“She’s my doctor too. I’ve missed you. We all have. And you’re having a baby.” She rubbed her stomach.

Shyla raised two fingers. “Two actually, both are boys.”

“Oh my God, Shy. This is great.” Essence began to cry too. We are both having boys. Felton is going to be…Shyla, Zackary doesn’t know, does he?”

She put her head down and shook it before answering. “No.”

“I’m not trying to get into your business, Shy, but are you going to tell him?”

“That was my intentions when I first found out. I tried a few times but Halle Berry was always around,” she softly chuckled.

Essence looked confused for a minute but then remembered that that’s what Shyla called Connie when she first laid eyes on her. “What happened?”

“I went to his house a couple of months ago and saw him and the girls playing, and realized how much I wanted that and them in my life. When I went to get out the car she came into view. The hugged and kissed and played with the girls.” Essence frowned. “Then I decided not to make assumptions. I’d try again.” Essence nodded that she agreed with her. “I called on a Thursday evening and a woman, a sleeping woman, answered, said he was showering and would not be available for several weeks because they were going to his parents. I didn’t leave a message. I didn’t see the point.”

“Sweetie, Zackary isn’t with anyone. And if Connie insinuated that then she was lying. You know his kids don’t like her all that much. She was there because she was helping him around the house. He was putting his home up for sell. He had been staying with me and Felton for a couple of weeks.”

“Selling his home? Staying with you and Felton? But why?”

“You don’t know. Well, after he found out that you sold your house he realized that you didn’t want to have anything else to do with him, so he decided that he would take his family up on their suggestion of being the city’s veterinarian in Napa.

“He’s still partners with Felton here, but he took over his practice almost two months ago there. When we’re there, Felton helps out.”

“But I saw them together. She answered the phone in the middle of the night.”

“Sweetie they are not together. In fact she got married two weeks after you saw them together. She married one of the partners at her law firm on Napa Acres. Zachary gave her away.” Shyla felt relieved and stupid all at the same time. “Sweetie he had been trying to find you since a couple of weeks after we got back.”

“I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay. We’ll figure it all out. Will you come to lunch later or sometime this week? I would really like to spend some time with you. I won’t invite Zackary. This will be just between the two of us.” She nodded. She had missed her cousin.

“I still can’t believe this. We are both having babies,” Essence said jovially.

“Boys at that. I bet Felton is happy.”

“Happy isn’t even a strong enough word to describe that mans feelings. Girl he is about to drive me crazy. The man doesn’t let me out of his sight.” She took a tissue and wiped her eyes, offering Shyla one as she went. “This is a rare occasion and that’s only because he had an emergency this morning. Don’t think that if he had been free he wouldn’t be here.

“Felton watches my food intake, so much so that he does the cooking now. He makes sure I have breakfast before he goes to work, he makes lunch and dinner days in advance, he count how many times I go to the bathroom. The man is a mess.”

Shyla laughed. “He’s been reading those articles in those pregnancy magazines?” Essence nodded. “That will do it, but I’m glad. I know you both wanted this for a long time.”

“Yes we did and now we have it.”

“Mrs. Childress.” The nurse called. “You’re up.”

“Thanks, Patty.” She turned back to Shyla. “Can you hold off for a few minutes? Maybe we can go get a bite afterwards.”

“Essence?” She looked around.

“Hey Kemah,” they hug. “Don’t go anyplace. I’ll be right out, we’ll go to lunch.” She kissed her cheek and then Shyla’s. “Please?”

Shyla smiled. “Sure. I have time.”

“Good.” Essence went into the exam room. Her first instinct was to call Felton and have him get Zackary over there pronto but when she pulled out her phone to make the call she thought back to all that had happened and her instigation that kept her and her cousin apart. She dropped the phone back into her purse. She had to trust that Shyla would do the right thing and she also needed Shyla to trust her. She said a little prayer, just between her and God, to heal her relationship with her cousin but to also heal her relationship with Shyla’s baby’s father.

“You okay?”

“Yes. Just a bit shocked to see Essence here. It’s been a long time.”

“I know. She looks good. Are you sure there’s nothing else?”

She couldn’t get much past Kemah. She was a good friend and a very good observer.

“You know me so well.”

“So, what is it? You don’t need to be upset.”

“I’m not really. Just thinking about what Essence said.” One of the babies kicked and she had to sit back and rub her tummy. “Hey little fellas, I need you to give mommy a break here. I know you’re hungry and I will feed you momentarily. I promise.” The baby didn’t stir again so she felt confident that he was listening.

She explained her conversation with Essence. The more she talked about it the sadder she felt.

“Maybe it’s time Shy. I know that you’re a very independent woman, but it’s time that Zackary know that you are carrying his babies. I don’t think he’ll be upset. If anything he’ll be overjoyed. And his precious daughters will need to know that they are going to be big sisters.”

They continued talking about what she and Essence talked about. Kemah was happy that Zackary hadn’t been with this woman Connie, because the outcome of what she had just done would be disastrous. She hoped Shyla would forgive her.

“Okay ladies, I’m ready. Let’s go get some food. I’m starved.”

“We can’t leave right this minute.” Kemah looked sheepish.

“Why not?” Shyla asked. “I haven’t eating since that piece of dried toast and marmalade this morning.”

“I have a confession to make.” She kneeled down in front of Shyla.

“What kind of confession?” Shyla asked.

Just then the bell over the door chimed and all the women looked to their right. Felton and Zackary stood in the archway.

“Shyla, I swear I didn’t call,” announced Essence. “I was going to but this is for you to tell not me.”

Shyla continued to look at the doorway. Tears stung her eyes.

“As I was saying, Shy,” Kemah patted her knee.

“You called him.” It was a statement. Kemah admitted to it.

“Why?”

“As I mentioned only minutes ago it’s time, past time. I couldn’t let another day go by and see the misery in your eyes or hear it in your voice. You miss him and the twins and you miss Essence. And even though you won’t admit it you miss Felton, too.” Shyla nodded.

“And after Leah made her diagnosis today I decided it was time to get you into better health and better spirits. I can’t do it alone.”

“Did you tell him about the babies?”

“I didn’t have to. Apparently several women including his mother had been dreaming about fish. And in a few of those dreams Zackary had been holding four of them. I only told him that you needed him. He announced that you were pregnant and I didn’t agree or disagree. I just told him to get to this address.”

Essence walked into her husband’s waiting arms, while Zackary advanced towards Kemah and Shyla.

“You love him right?”

By now Zackary was kneeling beside Kemah, in front of Shyla.

“Absolutely,” she said expelling a deep shaky breath

He took her hands in his. “Then it’s time to come home,” he said.

“Home? That sounds really good.” Zackary kissed her temple, allowing his lips to linger there for all eternity.

She raised her hand to the back of his head so that he wouldn’t move away. There was no chance of that.

“You’re here, really here.”

“And I’m not going anyplace.”

“Do you promise?”

“Baby I promise you that and so, so much more.” They kissed.

He rested his hands on her stomach. “Tell me about this. Introduce me.” He sounded excited.

She rubbed her hands across his. “Zackary Trellis, meet your sons, Zackary the third and Zavion. Boys, this is daddy.” As she finished the introductions one or both babies kicked. It was felt on both sides.

He was a very proud man at that moment. “I guess I meet with their approval.”

“There was never a doubt in my mind.”

He kissed her again. “Have you eaten?”

“No we were going when we left here.”

“Well let’s hit it then. I don’t want my woman and my babies to have to wait any longer to be fed.” He stood and pulled Shyla into his arms. She walked out happier than when she walked in. Now, she had her heart’s desire.