Chapter Five Three weeks have passed and Grace has been home for one. She got out after two weeks in hospital therapy. The doctors decided that she could go home after the second week because of all the progress she made. Grace still has to use a wheelchair and go to physical therapy but the doctors are hopeful. During this time, Kay has tried to help her mother as much as she could, considering the circumstances. Jessica and Charity made daily treks to the hospital to support Grace in her therapy. Kay started avoiding the times they were there because she couldn’t deal with the annoying looks Jessica gave her and the mindless chatter from Charity. What made the chatter worst is the fact that all Charity spoke about was the wedding. And everyone in the room supports it except Kay. Kay tried one time to muster a smile for Charity and it didn’t go over too well. Jessica made a comment saying that Kay still hasn’t gotten over her disillusion that she and Miguel belongs together. It took everything in her power not to choke the living daylights out of Jessica. But for her mother’s sake, Kay managed to just stay quiet. Finally Kay found out when Charity and Jessica were going to be in the hospital and decided not to go until after they left. During her time away from her mother, Kay hung out with Simone and her brother who are planning for the arrival of their first child. Kay spent numerous hours shopping and looking at baby clothes and furniture. Noah and Simone still haven’t decided on the look of the baby’s room. Kay loves watching the two of them interact because they seem so perfect together even though most wouldn’t have thought so. It reminded Kay of Miguel and herself. Over the passed two weeks, she didn’t see Miguel. It was like they were avoiding each other. The first time she saw him again after their kiss (and she never told anybody about it!) was when they brought her mother home. There was a welcome home party planned for Grace. During the whole party Kay and Miguel gave each other looks but never came within touching distance. It was like they knew that if they got close, they wouldn’t be able to keep their hands off each other. However, Kay wasn’t too thrilled to see Charity pawing all over Miguel. It reminded her too much of her childhood and eventually she went to the bench in her backyard and sat yet again in the cold watching the sky. That night she spoke to Whitney for the first time in years. Whitney came out back and sat by Kay. Kay smiled at her and said hi. They both sat there for a moment, staring at the stars. Then Whitney made the weirdest statement. “You know, Theresa got her man when everyone told her that it wasn’t possible because Ethan belonged to Gwen and he would never leave her. Yet they are together, married and happy. Sometimes the odd man out does win the game.” Whitney got up and went back into the house. Kay sat there slightly shocked and dumbfounded. She knew what Whitney was referring to but it amazed her that she picked up on Kay’s feelings. She has gotten so good at hiding them over the years. Later that evening she saw Whitney and Theresa talking and something told Kay that they were talking about her. Kay watched them until they noticed her and Theresa stuck out her hand, showing off her wedding ring. She winked at Kay and nodded in a knowing way. After that Theresa and Whitney left and Kay stood there perplexed by her support but determine in her efforts to get back the man that belongs to her. Three days later Kay came up with a plan. She is going to see Miguel at his apartment while Charity is helping Grace. Before Grace came home, the three of them with the help of her brother devised a plan to help out Grace around the house and at the business. Jessica helps her mother get ready in the morning and assists her at the craft shop. Charity comes in the evening to assist her aunt with cooking and to make wedding plans. Noah takes his mother to physical therapy and Kay eats lunch with her mother and does whatever else needs to be done. All Sam has to do is relax with his wife since the rest of his family takes care of everything else. But today Kay decided that after she eats lunch with her mother and takes her back to the store, she will go to Simone’s house, change her clothes, and head straight to Miguel’s with a bottle of wine and an ultimatum. Miguel usually comes home early on Fridays and she knew had a good chance of catching him for a good five hours. She had to do it now. She isn’t going to be in Harmony much longer because she needed to shoot and now her mother is feeling better. Since Kay and her mother have found a new way to relate to each other and get along, Miguel is the only thing keeping her in Harmony. Her mother has already given Kay her blessing to leave but Kay isn’t going anywhere until she knows whether or not she needs to really return to Harmony or stay put in NYC. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The lunch with Grace started pleasant. Kay told her mother about her plans to move again because her apartment is feeling cramp. With the success of her current film, Kay is making enough money to buy a home. Grace sat there smiling telling Kay how proud she is. “Are you Mom?” said Kay quietly. Grace looks at her daughter perplexed, “Why of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be? You have become a very successful and cosmopolitan woman. I just hope that you find somebody to make you happy.” Kay studies her mother for a moment and mumbles, “I’ve already found someone,” thinking of Miguel. “What’s that sweetie?” asks her mother. “I said that I think I will find somebody soon,” Kay lied with a smile. “I’m sure of it,” said Grace with a smile, “I just…I wish…” Grace hesitated. “What mother?” said Kay, curious as to why her mother is stammering. “I just wish you didn’t have to leave so soon. I really have enjoyed having you here. It’s like we are all a family again,” said Grace sadly, already missing her eldest daughter. Kay reaches across the table and takes her mother’s hand, “Mom, I promise to visit more often,” she squeezes and Grace returns it. Grace looks away for a moment knowing that her next statement is going to cause some difficulty. “Kay, I wonder if you’ll be at Charity’s wedding,” Kay started to protest but Grace cuts her off, “Kay please. It would mean so much to all of us if you are there, showing your support. We are a family and we are all the family Charity has got. I know that you feel like we abandoned you for her but that really isn’t true. We love you, all of us and for that special occasion, I think it would mean a lot if you are there to share in the happiness.” Kay slowly chewed her food and pressed a phony smile on her face. She takes a deep breath and slowly releases it. How could she tell her mother gently that she isn’t about to let Charity marry the man she loves? She decided not to say anything at all. All it would do is make her mother think that she is crazy. To her mother, Charity is just another sibling in the family. Grace didn’t understand that Charity is competition to Kay. Although she doesn’t dislike Charity with the same force as in her youth, she still isn’t too fond of her. And Kay will be damned if she let Charity marry Miguel. “Mother, I just don’t know where I’ll be…” she figured that it would be easier to tell her mother that she might not be in the country. “Kay, I think you’ve told me that you have made it to a position that will allow you to be anywhere you want if you have to. Kay, please. I know that you cared for Miguel but you have to see how happy they make each other. Why don’t you support their happiness by being there at their wedding?” “Mother, why is that you want Miguel with Charity so bad? Why didn’t you see how I felt about Miguel and try and support me? I have heard more times than I can count how perfect Charity is for Miguel and I still haven’t been convinced that it is true. Until then…” she started taking out money to pay the bill, “until then I can’t support it because I don’t believe he loves her.” She places the money on the table and stands up. “We have to go, you need to get back and I have to do a few things before Simone gets home.” Grace grabs her daughter’s hand again forcing Kay to look down at her mother. Grace beckons Kay to sits and she does reluctantly. Grace’s bows her head for a moment and then she raises it with a smile that never reaches her eyes, “Kay, I’m sorry to upset you. I understand that it must have been hard for you to see Miguel with your cousin. But I can’t help but want my family together regardless of our disagreement. All I ask is that you consider it. Charity is always supportive of all your endeavors. You may not know it but she is just as on top of what you’re doing as I am,” Grace smiles harder at the slight surprise she notices on her daughter’s face. “I just think that maybe we all can work towards healing our family and a good start is support.” Kay nods grimly and stands again, “Okay Mom, I’ll think about it. But we have to go.” They leave and Kay drops her mother off at the craft store. On her way back to Simone’s house, Kay starts to feel a slight pang of guilt over what she is about to do. She didn’t want to hurt Charity as much as she just wanted what she thought belonged to her in the first place. Miguel is her destiny and Kay plans to make sure that this time he doesn’t slip through her fingers. He is not going to get snatched up without thought by somebody else. She is going to make him face the fact that she is the one for him and no one else. When she reaches her brother’s house, she is glad to see that they are still gone. Kay quickly goes in, showers, and gets dressed. She does up her hair and make-up, splashes on perfume, and heads back out the house. The wine is sitting in the trunk of the car ready to drink. On the way out she takes on last look at herself and decides that she looks damn gorgeous and leaves. Here I come, Miguel. Ready or not, I am coming. And this time I plan on walking out with the man that I love and the happiness that I deserve. No matter what happens today, I WILL know the truth and I won’t take no for an answer. Kay drives top speed towards Miguel’s home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Miguel went home early to go over documents. He tosses his jacket on the sofa and places the documents on the desk. He loosens his tie a bit and heads towards the refrigerator. His eyes happen to fall on the breakfast table and he notices that the plates are still in the same place. At breakfast, he and Charity had an argument. Their first argument of a serious nature. The argument was about him and his change of attitude. Miguel takes out juice and closes the fridge door. He places the juice on the counter. Then he grabs a glass from the cabinet and pours in the juice. In three swallows, the juice disappears and he is pouring himself another. He takes a seat at the table and his mind wonders back to the earlier. Charity has come into the kitchen and notices Miguel staring out the window. She knew that Miguel like to do that because he claims it helps him clear his mind. However, lately it seems as though his does it because something is bothering him. When she asks him if there is a problem, he gives her a distracted look and shakes his head. Then he leaves, showers, dresses, and comes back downstairs for breakfast. During the meal he talks very little and soon after its served he leaves. Charity had no idea what the hell has driven Miguel into moments of distraction but she intended to find out. So when she came down and saw him looking out the window, she got his attention and demanded to know what was wrong with him. Miguel has been thinking about Kay and their kiss. He hasn’t stop thinking about the kiss but he managed to distance himself away from the thought after the lack of seeing Kay. But at the party for Grace, seeing her again ignited the feelings that he thought he had under control. Suddenly her scent was all over him. He felt the touch of her body as if she were standing in his arms again. It took everything in him to not race over to Kay, grab her, and kiss her, telling her how much he loves her. That night, he was so aware of his feelings for Kay that he could barely make love to Charity with becoming revolted. It was as if his body rejected Charity and he had to fight to keep interested in her. Afterwards he had to leave the bed because he couldn’t cuddle up with her, knowing that his body desired her cousin. Kay’s image burned into his mind and nothing he tried could distract it away from her. The next morning, Charity found him sitting by the window. Miguel went there to clear his thoughts. What ended up happening is he started daydreaming about a life with Kay. The first day he imaged Kay on her wedding day, watching her come up the isle. His heart pounded as he watched her lovely image come closer to destiny. The next day his mind flowed to walks on the beach. He could see her walking with him, laughing and enjoying the water. The thought made him smile. As each day passed he pictured a new event that might happen in his life with Kay. The more he pictured it the more he wanted it. Then today Charity came to breakfast with an attitude. She watched him for a moment and then just began breakfast. The conversation started with Charity shouting his name. “Miguel!” Miguel turns his head and faces her, “Charity, why are you yelling?” “Because I have been saying your name and you have yet to answer me. God, Miguel!” Miguel leaves the area by the window and goes to the table, “I’m sorry Charity…” “What’s wrong with you? Why are you spacing out so much? Why are you sitting in this window all the time?” She slams the plate on the table she was holding. Luckily the food didn’t fall off. Miguel moves back a bit when the plate comes crashing down. He takes a deep breath and watches Charity sit opposite him. Her face is flushed and she is obviously frustrated. Miguel leans forward and picks up the salt. As he sprinkles a bit on his food he talks to Charity. “I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind. I just need to think about a few things,” he places the salt back on the table. Charity snatches it up. “What is it? Is it the wedding? Are you nervous about that? Are you having doubts?” Miguel shrugs a bit and picks up his fork. He picks up a mouthful of eggs but he never eats it. Instead he watches Charity who is watching him. “I don’t know. Charity I really don’t know. Maybe it is the wedding that I am nervous about. I don’t think I have doubts…” “You don’t think? Miguel what is happening to you? You have been weird since my aunt has come home from the hospital. Is there something you should tell me?” “No, Charity. There isn’t anything I need to talk…” “Then why are you barely touching me at night? Why are you up every morning looking out that window like you are searching for something? Why can’t you talk to ME about it!” she slams down her fork. Miguel places his fork on the table too. Then he gets up and walks over to Charity. He places his arms around her and hugs her from the back. “Look I promise to tell you but I need to think it out alone right now.” “You said we didn’t have any secrets,” she whispers angry. “We don’t…” “Then what would you call your behavior” she moves out his arms so that she can face him, “Miguel, tell me what’s wrong.” Miguel just looks at her, “I can’t right now because I don’t understand it myself.” “Well if you talk to me…” Miguel threw up his arms exasperated, “Charity, you can’t help me right now okay. Please, I will tell you when I understand myself.” He kisses her quickly on the head and leaves the room. “Don’t bother,” she mumbles. She gets up and heads to the front door. Grabbing her coat, she exits slamming the door behind her. Miguel steps out the bedroom and stares at the door. He looks at the plates and then begins to clean up. He knew he had to apologize to Charity but he isn’t ready to tell her that he may be in love with somebody else. A somebody that is her cousin who threaten to kill her all those years ago. A cousin who did everything in her power to break him away from her. Miguel scraps the plates and places them in the dishwasher. He leaves the kitchen and heads to his bedroom. He removes his tie and starts to unbutton his shirt when there is a knock on the door. He sighs and heads to the living room wondering who it could be. He opens the door quickly and his eyes almost fell out of his head. “Hello, Miguel.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Charity sat in her job, tired and annoyed. She couldn’t stop thinking about this morning. She just felt like everything in her world is about to come to an end. She glances over at a picture of her and Miguel, taken three months ago when everything seemed perfect. They look very happy in that picture, full of love and caring. But lately, Miguel barely looks at her with any real interest at all. Somebody has taken his mind away from her and she can’t figure out who it could be. She keeps refusing to believe that it is another woman but thought is becoming more prominent in her mind. It seems like he has just started becoming weird this week. Or has he? Charity tries to think of another day when Miguel acted strange. Just as her mind is about to attach to a particular event, an attorney asks for her assistance in a case. When she finally returns to her seat a hour later, she has lost the thought. She becomes frustrated because she needs to know what is bothering Miguel. Her phone rings. She hopes it is Miguel. She answers the phone to only hear Jessica’s voice. “Hey Charity.” “Is everything all right?” says Charity thinking something is wrong with her aunt. “Yes, why?” “I just thought that you were calling because something bad happened. Sorry. How are you?” “I’m fine but you don’t sound so good. Are you all right? You sound stressed.” Charity started to lie but she couldn’t. She told Jessica about what is happening between her and Miguel and how she is worried that another woman may be involved. “Charity, that’s crazy. Why would Miguel want anyone else? I think it has more to do with marriage jitters.” “I want to think so too but I have a feeling that it is not jitters but doubts,” Charity begins to rub her head. “Charity, jitters can be doubts. Most of us have them. But we think about it and realize that we really want something and push the doubts aside. Don’t worry. I think that Miguel is just starting to get nervous, that’s all. Remember how his brother got when he was about to get married to Sheridan.” They both laugh, “Yeah, he got so nervous that he got sick,” said Charity. “Yet he managed to get down the isle,” said Jessica. “You’re right. He is just unnerved. Thanks Jessica.” “No problem.” They talk about a few other things and then finally hang up. Charity is feeling better after the call and her mind is at ease. As she works she smiles and then thinks, Maybe I’ll leave work early and go see Miguel. No, I will leave early. I can then go and ease the nerves of my future husband. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kay stands in the door looking at Miguel. He hasn’t invited her in yet because he seems to be in some sort of shock. “Hello, Miguel. Can’t I come in?” She grins a bit. Miguel blinks and then shakes his head. He waves her in and closes the door. He watches her walk over to his sofa. She looks beautiful and her smell is making him more aroused at the moment than he would like. As she takes off her coat, he notices that she is wearing a long wine color dress with spaghetti straps. It hangs nicely in the front, showing off just enough cleavage. Her hair is all back to accent the beauty of her face. She doesn’t have on a lot of make-up but what she is wearing accents the darkness of her eyes and the fullness of her lips. She looks exotic and sensual. She doesn’t have the small town innocence of Charity but the regal look of a woman clearly in acceptance of herself but with enough bashfulness to not appear vain. In short she is imperfect, like most people in the world and that imperfection makes her glamorous. Kay takes a seat on the sofa and looks over to Miguel. He is just staring at her. His shirt is open revealing his tight white tank top. Kay looks over his chest, enjoying the way the shirt emphasizes his strong chest. She looks back into his eyes and she can see the desire for her mixed with confusion. First we talk, she thinks. Miguel snaps out of his trance and walks over to a chair. He pulls it out and takes a seat. He lowers his head and runs his fingers through his thick hair. When he looks up again, he is better able to deal with the vision of beauty on his sofa. “Kay, why are you here?” he says softly. Kay smiles a little and says, “Miguel, we have to talk. In a few days I am leaving and I need to resolved what is between us once and for all.” Miguel nods and looks away from her again, “You needed to talk to me dressed like that?” he turns back at her smiling. Kay laughs a little, “Well I wanted to make it harder for you this time to push me away,” she becomes serious, “That kiss we share stirred something in me that I thought I had under control. And I know you felt something too. But I want to know if what you felt is the same as what I felt.” Kay leans forward and when she does, her dress dips a bit revealing more of her chest. Miguel blinks at her slowly. He sits back a bit, enjoying the view of her and thinking. Finally he stands up. He could feel himself already semi-hard and he is slightly embarrassed. He walks briskly out the room and goes into the kitchen. He takes out another glass from the cabinet. Kay comes to the kitchen. She lifts the bottle of wine and her eyebrow. Miguel looks at it and then takes the bottle. He takes yet another glass from the cabinet. He opens the wine and then pours Kay and himself a glass. He watches her sip the wine seductively and he can’t help but smirk with satisfaction. He takes a drink from his glass and then sets it on the counter. He turns and leans onto the counter. “Kay, how can you come here, dressed like that, bringing wine and expect to have a serious conversation?” She blinks innocently, “What do you mean? I am wearing clothes and so are you. What is the problem? Besides you are dodging my question.” Miguel is watching her mouth as she speaks and then he lifts his eyes slightly. “What question?” Kay steps close to Miguel, places the glass on the counter. “Tell me how you feel?” she whispers, her lips inches from his. Miguel’s eyes moves from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes. Then he leans forward. Seconds later, they are kissing. At first it is a soft passionate kiss but then it becomes more intense. Miguel slips his arms around Kay’s waist and pulls her tightly to him. Kay can feel his hardness and it excites her more. The kisses become deeper, his tongue exploring her mouth. Kay is feeling like she is in heaven. Her hands run over his body and through his hair. Miguel lifts his mouth from hers and lets his lips trail her jawline and neck. He kisses both sides of her face until his mouth reaches hers again. They begin to lose their balance and they stumble, ending up against the refrigerator. At first it isn’t a problem but then the handle begins to dig into Kay’s back. She pushes Miguel gently away from her and moves away from the fridge. They are both breathing hard and feeling very intense. But Miguel just walks out the room leaving Kay there feeling confused. She follows him into the living room and watches as he grabs her coat and purse. He comes back to her and hands it to her. “You have to leave,” he said turning away from him. “Why?” she said surprised. “Because you can’t be here and I can’t do this?” Miguel said running his hands through his hair again. “What?” Kay begins to shake her head. “What the hell! Miguel why are you doing this?” “Kay, you know why,” Miguel throws his hands down and walks over to the door and opens it. Kay tosses her things on the floor and looks at him, “Miguel, I am not going anywhere. You damn well better tell me why a second ago you were ready to make love to me and now you are trying to kick me out?” Miguel slams the door making Kay jump a bit but she held her ground. She is still flushed and aroused by their actions a few minutes ago. “What don’t you understand? I am about to marry Charity. You know your cousin. This is our home. I can not hurt her like that.” “Oh I see. But you can hurt me like that, huh? And you can hurt yourself the same way? Miguel, I know that you love me. Why are you fighting it? You can feel it like I do. That kiss we shared…” “It was a mistake Kay,” he said walking passed her into his bedroom. Kay follows him. Miguel turns around annoyed. “A mistake? How can you tell me that? You mean that you can just turn off your feelings like a faucet?” “Kay, please get out of this room…” Kay steps up to him and grabs his shirt. She pulls him into a kiss. He pulls away. They stare into each other’s eyes and then suddenly he grabs her and pulls her close and they kiss again. Losing all abandon, they start rubbing up against one another. Their kisses are fierce, full of love and power. It is like they are trying to make up for time lost. Miguel lifts Kay and places her on the bed. He stands up and removes his shirt and tank, tossing them in a corner. He lies on top of Kay and begins kissing her again. At first he is ravishing her but then he slows down. His kisses become exploratory, roaming first over her face, then her neck and shoulders. His hands move the straps from her shoulders, lowering her dress. As her chest becomes more exposed, his kisses go lower. Eventually he is kissing her breast, first the right one then the left. Kay is moaning with pleasure and desire. For the first time in her life, she is enjoying the pleasure of a man loving her. She knew all along that only Miguel could make her feel this intense. But suddenly she becomes scared. What if this is just a moment of lust for him? She gets nervous and rolls away from him. Miguel moves and lays beside her, running his fingers through her hair, “Kay what’s wrong? I thought this is what you wanted.” “What I wanted, Huh? It is like we can’t get on the same page isn’t it?” she mumbles. Then she rolls and faces Miguel. Her hand reaches up and strokes his cheek. “Miguel, how do you feel about me? I can’t do this without knowing if I mean more to you than this” She waves her arms indicating the room and the situation they are engaged in. He gazes into her eyes and knows that what he is about to say are the truest words he ever uttered in his life. “I’m in love with you Kay,” he leans down and kisses her. “Really?” she said quietly, gazing into his eyes. He smiles and kisses her forehead, “Yes really.” His begins kissing her lips. Eventually they are in each other’s arms. Kay is on top of him, her dress to her waist. Miguel admires her upper body, running his hands down her back and over her chest. He smiles at her and says, “I have wanted you for so long. Every since I saw you at the wedding. I have never felt this way before” “What about…” Miguel places his finger on her lips. She smiles down at him and reaches down. She pulls him up and they kiss. Miguel loves the way her skin feels against his. They hold each other tight. Then Miguel pulls away. “Kay we can’t do this here.” He is thinking about Charity again and knowing that he would have to tell her how he feels about Kay. He didn’t feel right about having sex with Kay in the same bed he used with Charity. “I know, Miguel,” but she kisses him again. She didn’t want her first time to be in Charity’s bed either. They get so involved in what they are doing that they don’t hear the front door open. “Miguel! Miguel are you here?” shouted Charity. Miguel and Kay break apart shocked. Kay hops up pulling up her dress and Miguel stands up looking for his shirt. Charity walks in the room just in time to see Kay put her arm through her strap and straighten out her dress. “Miguel, what is going on here?” said Charity her voice shaking. Miguel just stares at her. Kay slowly faces Charity and when she looks into her eyes, she can see the tears starting to develop. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What should happen in the final chapter? Email me at jocenicole@excite.com