Proserpina
The familiar perfume that Daniella wore wafted up and I turned in surprise and happiness. She stood a little away, puffing away on a cigar, glaring at someone in the distance, and behind her, I could see Grace approaching. While Grace was wearing an open expression of joy at seeing me, Daniella seemed to be on her tough woman behavior this evening. But I knew it was an act. I loved to spend time with the two of them and I knew that Danielle looked out for me. She was as fiercely protective in her way but she hid it behind a Devil may care attitude.
Daniella came and stood beside me, wearing a crisp blue pantsuit, her ice-blonde hair in place in a close bob that framed her scalp. She looked tough and business-like, despite the red slash that was her mouth.
She looked at me and her lips twisted sympathetically,
' Being pregnant is a bitch, right?'
I grinned up at her easily. We had a close relationship now, the prickly, tough-as-nails Dani and I. Suddenly, I felt better, not so alone.
Lucien turned his arrogant head round to look at us and then flickering his eyes over me as though reflectively, he turned away to talk on his phone. Issuing orders, as usual, I thought rudely. Another woman sashayed forward to him, the woman Danielle had been glaring at. She was dressed in what looked to be nothing more than a G-string and a tiny towel wrapped around her small breasts. She came to Lucien and all but rubbed herself against his crotch. He absently stroked her exposed ass and she gave a hysterical laugh, snaking her arms around his neck, kissing his face greedily. It looked like she was about to dry hump him, I thought, nastily.
Turning to look at me the tall blonde sent me a look of such spite that I felt myself stiffen in alarm.
Danielle gave her a look and mouthed "Bitch''. The woman stalked away.
Glancing at me, Danielle took in my consternation and said roughly,
"Don't worry kid. That's just one of the club whor*s.She has been trying to get into the Boss' pants for years now."
Grace materialized before me and took my cold hand in her warm brown one, bending over to kiss me on the cheeks, effusively. I rose to my feet awkwardly and hugged her. Grace made me feel comfortable. Today, her tight curls hung in dreadlocks around her beautiful, oval face and she wore a sheath that hugged her slim, long body. She looked like an empress, I told her and she threw her long neck back and laughed, hugging me after that.
***
Schwartz had moved to the centre of the room. Smiling, his eyes merry with mischief, he looked around the room, tapping on a wine glass to command the attention of his guests.
When a semblance of silence was established, he grinned and began to speak. I was aware of Lucien, stiff, alert, and brooding, watching him unblinkingly. My husband had stepped closer to me, his large warm hand descending to lie on my waist as though prepared for something. I gazed up at him questioningly but apart from a gentle squeeze, he did not make any indication that he had noticed my puzzlement. But I felt as though he was alert and ready.
Ready for what? I asked myself.
Schwartz turned and grinned at us, looking directly at me as he said,
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for turning up.'
He stopped and directed his gaze to Lucien, an unusually earnest look on his face as he went on, his voice solemn and full of a note I had never heard before,
"A few years ago, I was planning to have my own house, facing the lake. it was because my wife, my late wife had wanted it. we had chosen the spot, the design for our house was drawn up, and everything had been done the way my Fiona had wanted it to be. ' He swallowed and smiled but I saw the grief that he kept tightly under control, surface momentarily, the bleak hopeless look that washed across his face momentarily and vanished.
He grinned his boyish grin as Danielle stepped towards him, standing beside him. Giving silent moral support.
' My wife, Fionella was killed, as most of you know. I would have ...I left it at that.'
He stopped, his voice hoarse with emotion and I wanted to hold his hand. Beside me, Lucien's hand tightened as he went on,
' The house no longer mattered to me. It was meant for a family, for children, for laughter and joy. Not for a lonely bachelor.'
He turned so he was facing us directly now, looking at Lucien as he said., his handsome face twisted with pain,
'If it wasn't for Delano over there, I would have probably just given up and died then. I was a lost man.'
He bowed his head and seemed to be overcoming some emotion that had made him stop. Then, meeting my eyes and turning to Lucien, he said, grinning his familiar rakish smile,
'So I want to gift this new home to my closest friend, Lucien Delano who is my brother in every sense of the word, and his lovely wife, Proserpina. And the children they have and their future kids as well.'
The noise level rose, I looked at Lucien, my mouth open in shock.
Lucien was staring at his friend, his cold grey eyes narrowed, boring into him.
It was obviously a revelation for him too.
*
Schwartz gave a short laugh as he continued,
"Actually, this is a surprise for them. But then, they are the people who are the closest to family ... f*ck, they are the only family I have .'
The simplicity and the genuineness of Schwartz's words made me still, feeling shocked. I felt Lucien's stupefaction. He had not had any clue, either.
The stunned silence that followed was loud enough to hear.
Then as people began to applaud and speak, Schwartz called out,
"I would like to hand over the keys to them. Right here, right now.' Raising his hand, waving what was apparently a bunch of keys, he grinned again, but the pleading in his eyes was obvious as he said,
"Come on, mate ... Delano.'
Lucien stepped forward and took my hand in his, helping me to stand up. Gently, he slipped his arm around my waist, helping me to walk forward. I smiled tremulously as I met Schwartz's eyes, he looked like a little boy on Christmas.
My husband looked gruff and unnerved for once in his life, I thought with a smile, sending him a look from under my lashes.
Lucien enclosed Schwartz in a huge bear hug and the room exploded in applause. I stood by, smiling, looking at two of the men who mattered the most to me. Swivelling, Lucien turned to me and pulled me closer to his chest as Schwartz beamed. He tipped my face up, his eyes burning with an emotion I could not name. There was a whimsical look on his stern face as he growled, 'So now, little one, you own a house overlooking the lake, eh?"
And before I could respond, he lowered his head and kissed me with a tenderness that made me want to melt.