The Marriage Clause Read online

  He had no problem taking his grandmother anywhere. Brownie was a hoot to shop with because she always had a story about a building or a place. Brownie had always been a Brooklyn girl, his grandfather had died when he was still a toddler. She took care of him while dealing with the grief of her long time love. Mikael asked her once if she’d ever remarry and she adamantly said no. She’d already had an amazing life with her husband and another man could never take his place. It was Fourth of July weekend and that meant he had an extended leave. So after lunch he’d drive into the city and pick up India from work. She was working on a nursery in Manhattan and he’d made reservations at a great restaurant at the Seaport overlooking the water.

  His thoughts turned to India and their unborn child. They were still at a stalemate as to where they should live and India wasn’t pressuring him. He knew that moving her into an apartment when she had a perfectly great one there was not the way to go. But it was getting tiresome dividing their time between her place and his small base apartment. He didn’t want her driving out there all the time, especially at night as she was getting further along in the pregnancy. But when he broached taking over the rent payment to Gran and the bills she refused angrily. Her argument was that she should not have to give up her independence to stroke his male ego and a need to take care of her. She was stubborn and so was he, so what could he do?

  In the next week or two they’d be heading to the doctor’s office for her check-up and they could see the sex of the baby. The test would only confirm what he knew, it was a girl and India would owe him twenty dollars. He’d still get her the massages because when she came home from work her back ached. He heard pre-natal massages were a good thing to receive and there was nothing too good for India. Brownie was waiting outside when he pulled up in his Navigator.

  “You don’t need to wait outside, Brownie, I could’ve come in for you.” He got out and walked around the SUV to open the door for her.

  “It’s a nice day and I’m enjoying the sun,” she answered casually as he bent down to kiss her cheek.

  “I like your sunglasses,” Brownie said as he got settled in the driver’s seat.

  Mikael grinned. “Thanks for the compliment, you look very chic in those large things on your face.”

  “They are the rage in Paris,” Brownie told him. “I should get a pair for India too. Etta has a set already.”

  “Please don’t put India in those, she’s pregnant. I can’t have her tripping all over the place in those things,” he said.

  “I can see perfectly,” Brownie said. “Like over there, that cute little boy holding that brown puppy in his arms.”

  Mikael looked to where Brownie was pointing and burst out in laughter. “That’s a little girl and her bunny.”

  Brownie tilted the glasses down and looked as they passed by. “That’s not my fault, little girls should look like little girls. Why did they cut her hair like that?”

  “Gran, it’s progressive times. Little girls don’t need a bunch of hair, they can be soccer players and all kinds of stuff now,” Mikael teased.

  “If India has a girl are you cutting her hair?” she asked.

  “That will be a no, and it’s a girl,” Mikael said.

  Brownie smiled. “You’re that sure, huh?”

  “Yep, I am.”

  “Your grandfather was sure about your father too, and you when your mother was pregnant,” she said.

  “It’s a pity he couldn’t see them running off and ditching me,” Mikael said.

  She covered his hand with hers. “None of us saw that, but we’ve had a good life, haven’t we?”

  He smiled at his grandmother, the only woman who gave a damn to love him and care for him. Between India’s Gran and Brownie, he’d known more love than he had growing up as a child. Etta had no trouble going upside his head with a slap when he decided he was man enough to talk back, and Brownie, well she had her own kind of punishment and sometimes he’d prefer the slap. Like when she showed up at his high school dressed in overalls, a large floppy hat with a daffodil around it, and wearing the most outrageous shoes and make-up. He never talked back to her again, knowing full well she could do way worse if she put her mind to it. Even so, being disrespectful cost him three months of being teased at school, and she didn’t bat an eye in pity.

  Mikael found a parking spot close to the restaurant where they’d be having lunch. He helped Brownie from the car and she linked her hand through the crook of his arm as they walked to the front door. The hostess seated them in minutes, they had a good table by the windows so they could see outside while they ate.

  “Can I have a Perrier water with lemon please,” Brownie said with a smile to the waitress.

  “I’ll have a Sam Adams summer ale,” Mikael said.

  “I’ll be right back with your drinks,” the waitress replied.

  “At least she’s smiling, most of the people in the hospitality department seem angry lately,” Brownie commented.

  “It’s the city, the cost of living has skyrocketed here and they have to hustle to make rent and pay bills. A two bedroom apartment is almost two thousand dollars now,” Mikael sighed. “I think India may be right, and I’m being a dumbass about moving in with her.”

  “You are being a dumbass, but we raised you to be independent,” Brownie replied. “I can still remember your grandfather taking you with him to the newspaper stand when I had to work. I know you don’t remember it, but those were very good times.”

  “I remember the pictures in the albums, I wish I could remember Granddad though,” Mikael said.

  “He’s who got you calling me Brownie because you wanted them with breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” she said.

  Mikael laughed. “I still do.”

  “In any case, I’ve solved the dilemma of your housing argument and I already brought Gran in on it,” Brownie said.

  The waitress brought their drinks back and they ordered lunch before Mikael spoke again.

  “You solved it, how so?” He took a sip of ice-cold beer. The honey wheat ale taste was wonderful on the hot summer day.

  “You and India will be taking my house and I’m moving in her apartment with Etta.” Brownie opened her purse and handed him an envelope. “The deed has already been made out to you both, and my lawyer has handled the transition paperwork. All you and India have to do is sign and it’s yours.”

  Mikael looked at her in astonishment. “Brownie no, you love that place, it’s what you and Grandad worked for…”

  “No,” she cut his words off. “We worked to provide for our grandson who was more like a son in every possible way. That place is too big and I’m alone in it. It will be nice living with Etta again. Whatever mementos I need I will take with me. The memories will never fade. Darling boy, it’s time for a new generation to make new memories in there.”

  “I don’t know what to say, Brownie.” Mikael’s voice held husky emotion.

  She patted his hand. “Tell me you’ll take it, that you and India will make wonderful memories and more children there. Tell me you’ll fill it with love.”

  “We will Grandma, I promise you,” Mikael said.

  He saw tears mist her eyes and her smile trembled a little bit. “You very rarely call me grandma, so when it happens it’s very special.”

  “That’s because you are special and the most awesome chick in the world,” he explained.

  “I like that, awesome chick.” She patted her hair. “I like that a lot.”

  He laughed and soon after their food came. He spent the afternoon with his grandmother going into the stores and stopping her from buying every piece of baby furniture she saw. But every minute was a pure enjoyment for him. He looked down at Brownie more than once and wondered what his life would have been like without her. He never wanted to know and prayed to the almighty that both she and Etta would be around for a long time. They didn’t make women like them anymore, and both he and India were blessed with them as parents. They were bat-shi
t crazy on occasion, but he’d have them no other way.

  * * * *

  It was much later when he was sitting across from India and the breeze of the river was warm. They’d chosen to eat outside of the little restaurant they were in while watching the Fourth of July festivities. Live bands and concerts at the seaport were a usual thing to see in the summer. But tonight was special, because he was with the woman he loved, and his grandmother’s engagement ring was burning a hole in his pocket. Tonight he was going to ask India to marry him and then kiss the hell out of her in front of everybody when she said yes.

  “I can’t believe Brownie gave us her house.” India shook her head in amazement. She twirled her chicken Alfredo around the fork as she talked.

  Mikael took the last bite of his steak. “Yep, she and Etta planned this out and again went to lawyers and did stuff, telling us after the fact. Even though so far they are batting a perfect score in their plans.”

  India laughed. “Should we be worried about them living together? I can see them bringing back an illegal gin joint and starting a gambling ring in the basement.”

  “If that happens we definitely are putting them in a time out.” Mikael grinned. He sat back and took a sip of his beer.

  She put her fork down and wiped her mouth. “I doubt they’d stay put for a time out, Honey.”

  “You called me Honey,” he pointed out.

  “You call me that too,” India answered. “Do you have a problem with that? Should it be my Big Soldier man, my Boo-boo bear?”

  “How about no to both of those, Honey is fine,” Mikael answered. “Are you all full?”

  “The little bun is getting big in there, I can’t eat a lot or I feel over stuffed. Don’t worry, I’ll be hungry in two hours.”

  “I have a surprise for you,” Mikael said.

  “What is it, cheesecake? Say it’s cheesecake, I’d love a piece later,” India said hopefully.

  He laughed. “Only you could get excited over food.”

  “I’m pregnant,” was her simple reply.

  “The surprise is, we’re staying at the Omni hotel in Times Square for the holiday weekend and you can have as much cheesecake as you want there,” Mikael said. “Gran packed you a bag and we’re going right from here.”

  She sighed. “That sounds heavenly, I hope they have a Jacuzzi tub.”

  “They probably do.”

  “Not that I’m complaining, but why the hotel stay?” India asked.

  “It’s to celebrate,” he said.

  “What are we celebrating?”

  Mikael stood, and as he moved close to her he took the ring box from his pocket.

  “It’s to celebrate this,” he said huskily. “You are already the mother of my baby and I’d like you to be my wife. I love you India, I’ve always loved you. If our grandparents hadn’t meddled with our lives or the baby never happened I’d of found my way to you because it’s always been you. Marry me.”

  Her smile only enhanced her beauty and when she nodded and whispered, “Yes.” Mikael was on top of the world. True to his word, he grabbed her and kissed her like his life depended on it, while people passing cheered at his proposal. They were officially engaged when he slipped the ring on her finger and he pressed a kiss to her lips once more.

  “Let’s pay the check and head to our suite at the hotel,” Mikael murmured.

  She used her fingertip to wipe the tears away. “Okay, I’m sorry I’m crying, the hormones don’t let me stop.”

  He put the money for their dinner in the leather case the waiter placed on the table making sure to leave a large tip. Mikael helped her up from the table and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

  He kissed her temple as they walked. “Baby, you cry as much as you want. I’m just happy you said yes.”

  India leaned against him. “I’m happy you asked me.”

  Even though they were in the city, it took almost forty-five minutes to get from the Seaport to Times Square. Outside the hotel he opted for valet parking, not wanting to deal with more traffic trying to find where the parking deck was.

  As he checked them in the receptionist smiled at India. “How far along are you?”

  “About five months,” India answered.

  “Boy or girl?” she asked as she worked on the keys.

  “We don’t know yet but we find out soon,” Mikael said.

  The receptionist patted her own flat tummy. “Eight weeks, is it really hard to be carrying a baby? It’s my first.”

  India leaned forward on the desk. “It’s my first too, and after the morning sickness finally left it’s been nothing but great.”

  The receptionist beamed in happiness. “Thank goodness you said that, my sisters are always talking about the pain and how sick they were. I’m glad to know everyone doesn’t feel that way.” She handed Mikael two key cards. “Happy Fourth of July and enjoy your stay.”

  “Congratulations and you enjoy your pregnancy,” India said.

  They took the elevator to the sixteenth floor and once there Mikael pulled the blinds apart to reveal the amazing view of the river. From here they would be able to see the fireworks of Fourth of July without having to brave the heat or the crowds.

  India came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Did I mention how happy you make me?”

  He loved feeling her warm body against his. “It couldn’t possibly be as happy as you make me.”

  “How about you check out the Jacuzzi tub and I’ll order you some cheesecake,” Mikael invited.

  She pressed a kiss against his back. “Okay, but you get two pieces and we get in the tub together?”

  He turned and kissed her nose. “You have the best ideas.”

  She winked as he walked away. “I know.”

  India left and he made two calls. First it was to tell Etta and Brownie that she had said yes to his marriage proposal, to which they squealed and started talking wedding plans. That was his cue to say goodbye, and his next call was to order cheesecake. When it was delivered he joined her in the Jacuzzi and there they soaked while the jets relaxed their bodies. India made the announcement that they’d be sleeping naked on the sheets that felt like clouds. Who was he to disagree? If the woman he loved wanted to sleep naked she could have whatever she wanted. With the air on a very cool sixty-two, they snuggled under the comforters and he pressed kisses on the skin on her neck. He loved the way she squirmed when she was getting aroused. She gasped and went still which set him on alert instantly.

  “Are you okay, did I hurt you?” Mikael asked.

  “No, I felt the baby move!” she said excitedly. “Put your hand here.”

  She took his hand and put it on her firm, round tummy and they both laid still. He felt an almost imperceptible bump and then another one.

  “Oh my God, I feel her!” He laughed in amazement and joy. “There she goes again, she’s getting strong in there.”

  “I think she was happy with the cheesecake!” India laughed. “I used to feel the fluttering kind of movement for weeks now, but this is the first kick.”

  He kissed her stomach. “That’s daddy’s girl, my sweet baby girl.”

  They kept their hands on her tummy and felt nothing more.

  “I guess she fell asleep,” India said. “But that means….”

  She turned and pressed herself closer and ran her hand down his thighs and when she cupped his cock and stroked it Mikael knew exactly what she meant and got hard instantly.

  “I know I’m getting bigger, I hope it doesn’t disappoint you the way I look,” India said insecurely.

  “Can’t you feel how much I want you?” Mikael met her gaze. “You’re the one that I want, the one that has my heart and my future bride. I love very inch of you.”

  “Then show me how much,’ she whispered and pulled his head down to her.

  Their eyes met, and like every other time he lost himself in her gaze. How could they have grown up together and he watched her grow up and not see h
er as she is now? There was more than once when he went back through their lives and he saw her laughing, crying or upset. He recalled how he wanted to fight or protect her and thought it was just being a best friend. It was much more than that, he loved her for that long and didn’t know it. But now, looking into her eyes was like being pulled by a magnetic force. When their lips met her eyes closed, and India made a soft sound of pleasure that made him ache. He wanted her so much that it went past wanting to make love with her. He couldn’t imagine not waking up next to her or hearing her voice. This was the kind of love Brownie always told him he’d find and he literally found it with the girl next door. Mikael deepened the kiss until the sound of their breathing filled the air.

  He pulled away and cupped her cheek gently. “How could I ever exist without you?”

  India smiled. “You never have to find out. You got me babe.”

  “If you break out in song, I’m running away.” Mikael chuckled.

  “Come on,” she teased and then sang huskily. “I got you babe.”

  Mikael grinned. “I got you babe.”

  India laughed in delight. “You are so crazy, I love it!”

  He kissed her gently. “I want you, India. You feel so perfect in my arms, you were always meant to be in my arms.”

  “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” India whispered.

  Mikael rained kisses down her neck and all over her breasts.

  “Make love to me,” she begged huskily.

  A soft growl escaped his throat and he submitted to the overwhelming desire that raged through him. Still, Mikael was infinitely gentle because knew that in her belly his child grew, and he would rather die than hurt either one of them. Their next kiss was hot and intense and he felt his arousal grow. They were naked, flesh to flesh, and he could feel the tiny shivers of her body run through him.

  She had the taste of strawberry cheesecake on her lips, and when her tongue slipped inside his mouth he could not help the moan of pleasure. India was lying on his side and he ran his hand up her inner thigh and cupped her mound. India moaned and moved against his hand. He gently played with her clit watching as her lips parted in pleasure and her hips moved against his hand. Her hand tightened on his shoulder as he slipped his finger inside her and she bent her to he could have better access to her core. Mikael bent his head to the smooth globes of her breasts and deftly found her hard nipple with his mouth.