The Widow and the Orphan (4 page)

“
Make
him go.” Viv’s tone was sharp, driving another nail through Pepper’s already pounding head.

“I can’t make him do anything.” She sighed and ran her fingers through her blonde hair. Pepper hadn’t been sleeping well in the week since the shower incident and she felt a tiredness in her bones she hadn’t experienced since the time she took care of Vivienne after her mother died. She hated feeling exhausted. She was always the peppy one, full of vim and vigor. To be anxious and tired was not her general state of being and she wanted nothing more than to feel like her regular piss and vinegar self.

The women sat beside one another in pedicure chairs at their local nail salon as Pepper poured out every last detail of Gabe’s incident in the shower and their conversation following.

“Is he eating okay? Sleeping?”

“He hasn’t been eating a lot, but he seems perfectly fine except for his back. He says he banged it when he fell in the shower, but Tylenol seems to be taking care of it. I can’t help worrying, though.” Pepper hoped it was nothing serious. The not eating thing bothered her far more than his back injury.

Leaning back in the chair, she tried to relax as it massaged the knotted muscles of her back. Every thirty seconds, another chime would come from Vivienne’s phone, interrupting their girl time. Will was home alone with Jane and he insisted on texting selfie after selfie of him and the baby.

“Another one?” Pepper murmured, not bothering to hide the amusement she felt.

“Yep. Look.”

Vivienne turned the phone for Pepper. She chuckled and shook her head.

“Very cute, Viv. But it looks like the last dozen.”

“Well, yeah, but it’s making him happy.”

Pepper closed her eyes again, wanting to enjoy the feeling of having her feet pampered, but she kept seeing Gabe’s body crumpled on the shower floor. She flinched at the internal picture and sat up straight.

“You okay?” Viv asked.

“I can’t get the image out of my head.”

Vivienne reached across the space between them and grabbed her hand. “I guess all you can do is stay alert. I’ll watch him at dinner tonight and see if anything stands out.”

“Thanks.”

Since the baby was born, Vivienne and Pepper had not had any time to themselves without Jane in the mix. Even though they could afford all the help in the world, Viv and Will wanted to do everything themselves and Pepper thought they were nuts. She kept her opinions to herself and accepted the situation for what the first-time parents made it out to be. Vivienne had been the first one to blink though, demanding that a sitter be hired so she could have some time to herself.

Will had rejected using a stranger and insisted on taking care of the baby on his own so the two friends could get their nails done, do some shopping, and have some girl time. That hadn’t surprised Pepper. Will had made it clear that he felt Jane was
their
responsibility as parents, not to be shunted off to some nanny or sitter. Pepper thought that was a pretty cool attitude to have, but she sided with Viv anyway. Viv was ready for them to have couple time again and was having a hard time convincing him of that. Pepper felt awfully bad for her friend and once again wondered if she would have been willing to give up her entire life for a kid.

Later, they would meet Gabe and Will at Mastro’s Steakhouse for a date night. Pepper was shocked that Viv had been able to convince Will to hire a babysitter for the occasion, even though she had watched the entire process her best friend went through to find just the right person through a very high-end agency. The woman they chose came highly recommended and had a squeaky clean background. She even signed a confidentiality agreement and various other legal documents in order to ensure that Will, Viv, and Jane’s privacy and safety concerns were met.

“Isn’t Gabe supposed to go to Japan next week?” Vivienne had her eyes closed too.

“Yes. In light of the incident, I’m not all that happy that he’s going. He refuses to let anyone else handle it. If it wasn’t for the modeling job I booked and the Foundation, I’d go with him.”

Vivienne’s eyes opened in horror. “Oh, Pep, don’t let work stop you! I can do that. I’m totally back on my feet now and if this babysitter works out, Will won’t have an argument with me going back to work. And screw the modeling gig. You don’t need the money anymore. Go with Gabe if it makes you feel better.”

“No. When I brought it up, he just about had a fit. Told me not to ‘mother hen’ him, so I guess I need to respect his wishes.”

“Since when do you do boundaries?” Viv teased.

“Since you had a baby. And now, since my boyfriend doesn’t think fainting in the shower is something to get upset over.” Pepper rolled her eyes and smirked. “Besides, we’re not married or anything. I know we live together and all, but he doesn’t owe me anything, explanation or otherwise.”

“Awe, Pep,” Viv said softly. “Gabe loves you to death. I think you’re being silly.”

Pepper felt the little seed of fear in her heart bloom into a full garden. It was true. She and Gabe were only living together. All they had was their agreement to be together, but no real responsibility for or to one another. Sure, he sprung for the fancy trips they took and a few extravagant gifts here or there. But Pepper paid her own way for the most part. She kept working as a model and she received a salary from the Foundation. She didn’t need his money. If they broke up tomorrow, she had enough in her bank account to rent herself a little apartment somewhere and keep going on with her life, no harm no foul. She couldn’t very well expect him to share his medical information or issues with her if he didn’t want to, right?

The thing was, Pepper
did
want more from him. He was the first man she ever truly loved with all of her heart. Gabe was the first man to ever make her feel special and valued. She didn’t want to break up with him and she sure as hell didn’t want to lose him because of her typical Pepper pushiness.

“I don’t think you’re giving Gabe enough credit.” Viv studied the lady who was trimming the nails on her toes.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“He knows who you are, Pep. He knows what you’re like. This is the first time you’ve ever really pushed him on something and now he’s pushing back. I think he’s waiting to see if you follow through or back down.”

“Who’s the one being silly now?” Pepper snapped. “Gabe has never told me no before. Not to anything. My wanting him to see a doctor is too intimate for him and if I push too hard, he’s going to dump me quicker than shit. There are a million other starlets out here in Hollywood who would die to take my place.”

Vivienne snorted and her lips curled in disgust. “I can see this conversation is going to spark a big fight between the two of us. Then you’ll not only be upset with Gabe, but with me too, so I’m going to drop it. I’m here to listen, whenever you need. I’m finished offering unsolicited advice.”

“I call bullshit,” Pepper muttered. “Neither one of us has ever butted out of anything where the other was concerned. I appreciate what you’re saying, Viv. Really. I promise I will figure out a way to work this out with Gabe. If I have to back off, I will.”

“I just– nope, I said I wouldn’t.”

Pepper laughed hard and sent a little punch over to Viv’s arm, the familiar back-and-forth between them easing her headache. “You don’t have to. I can guess what you were going to say. I said I’d back off
if
I have to, but not until then.”

* * * * *

The rest of the afternoon was spent avoiding the topic of Gabe’s health and shopping along Rodeo Drive instead. If someone had told Pepper five years ago that she would be stopping every two or three hours for Viv to pump breast milk and then deposit it into a cooler in the car for preservation purposes, she would have laughed her ass off. But that’s what they did in between nails, lunch, shopping and having their hair done.

“We’re going to have to go home at some point, Viv.” Pepper reminded after she piled the last of the shopping bags into the trunk of her car.

“But I don’t want Will to see me until we get to the restaurant. And I don’t want Gabe to see you either.” Viv sat in the front seat, frustrated. “This is the first time I haven’t felt like a big, fat cow since Jane was born.”

Pepper couldn’t help it and she burst out laughing. It wasn’t that what Viv said was terribly funny. But she was sitting in the front seat with two suction cups attached to her breasts while she pumped milk for her baby.

Vivienne’s mouth hung open as Pepper laughed. The reality of what she said seemed to cut through the fog of what she had often and grudgingly referred to as “placenta brain.” She looked down at her chest and shook her head. “I can
not
believe I just said that. I can’t. I
am
a big, fat cow!”

Pepper thought for sure she might burst into tears or exhibit some huge display of post-partum depression. Instead, she began laughing too.

“I don’t care!” Viv stammered through her giggles. “I’m gonna pump until these puppies are flat on my chest if I have to. I so need a glass of wine tonight.”

“Hell, we need a bottle.” Pepper winked at her. “All right, we obviously did not think this through.” She reached into her purse and grabbed her cell phone, tapping the speed dial button for Gabe. When he answered, his voice was warm and strong and, for the first time in days, Pepper didn’t listen extra hard for anything out of the ordinary. “Hello, darling!”

“Yes, my love,” Gabe replied, in a silky, smooth tone.

“Viv and I are finished shopping and now we want to get all dolled up for dinner. Could you please head over to Will’s house and hang with him so we can surprise you guys at the restaurant?”

“But of course. I can be there in half an hour.”

“You’re the best, babe.”

“Did you buy something new to wear?”

Pepper chuckled. “Now what the heck do you think?”

“I think I just asked you the silliest question on earth. Truthfully, I’m more interested in what will be underneath whatever stunning outfit you choose to wear this evening.”

Pepper’s arms dimpled with gooseflesh and she shivered.
He gets me every time
.
With Viv sitting beside her, Pepper couldn’t find anything innocent enough to respond with.

Gabe’s laughter rumbled through the phone. “Try not to be late, love. The reservation is for seven.”

Breathing deep, Pepper smiled. “We will amaze you with our punctuality.”

All the way to the restaurant, Viv and Pepper tittered and giggled like teenagers, going over the clothes they bought and checking their lipstick in the backseat of the limo Gabe had sent to surprise them. They even took a couple of selfies to send to the guys, who waited patiently at Mastro’s. The place was hopping and, as the limo pulled to the curb, the people on the street stopped to stare, hoping for a glance of celebrity. Pepper and Viv rolled their eyes at the obvious disappointment on the crowd’s faces when it was just two unknown but dolled-up women. “How sad for them,” Viv muttered as she elbowed Pepper in the side.

“Yeah. Just a couple of nobodies.”

They breezed inside to the hostess stand and were immediately recognized by the girl behind it. “Welcome Mrs. Foster, Ms. Taylor. The gentlemen are waiting for you.” She then escorted them up a set of stairs to the dining room on the second level. Pepper and Viv gave each other stumped looks.

“How did she know who we were?” Viv whispered.

“Dunno. Guess Gabe must have put out our descriptions.” She snickered at the thought. “How are you doing? You haven’t mentioned Jane in the last half hour.”

“Don’t have to. Will took care of everything.” Vivienne’s air of confidence was sublime. “Besides, he was texting me every two minutes with pictures and updates. He even sent me a video of the babysitter and how good she was with the baby. I am determined to have a good time tonight and not freak out about
anything
.”

“Atta girl.” That was music to Pepper’s ears.

When they arrived at their table, it was in farthest corner of the restaurant, right near the window with a nice view of the bustling street below, glinting in the evening’s low sunlight. The soft lighting of the single candle on the table was just enough to bathe the area in a warm glow. Gabe slid out of the booth and Will stood up from his chair to welcome them. Pepper’s skin warmed at the sight of Gabe in a charcoal gray suit and soft, butter yellow tie. His eyes were full of lust as she approached and she could tell he liked her dress and how she had gone the extra mile for him. She couldn’t help noticing how Will ogled Vivienne too. He probably hadn’t seen her in anything but sweats in forever.

“Good evening, darling,” Gabe whispered into her ear as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. The feel of his hand on the small of her back as he guided her into the booth made Pepper shiver.
Now this is what I’m talking about
, she thought as she looked around the restaurant. The décor was modern but cozy and the soft leather of her seat made her feel like curling her legs up and snuggling with Gabe instead of preparing for a fancy meal.

“Good evening,” she said as he sat down beside her.

“You look smashing.” He nuzzled her ear as his arm snaked around her shoulders. “That dress is perfection.”

“Thank you. I feel wonderful.” Pepper touched the bubble-cotton fabric hugging her body in the most flattering way. The dress was an asymmetric one-shoulder sheath in black, sleeveless on the right and one shoulder on the left with contrasting daisy inset.

It was the first time the four of them had been together since a few weeks before the baby had come. Pepper sighed, a little wistful that those times were gone and repeats would be few and far between. But, true to their natures, she and Viv fell right back into their old pattern of lively conversation. They teased the men and chatted about the clothes they bought that day. They compared themselves to other women in the restaurant and commented on the other dresses or shoes they noticed. They talked about how well
The Widow’s Path
movie was doing, in spite of Vivienne having almost given birth on the red carpet. Will and Gabe managed to have some manly conversations to themselves here and there, all while their dinners were consumed along with several bottles of wine.

“Who wants dessert?” Gabe asked, as he leaned back against the booth, looking satisfied from the porterhouse steak he’d only half finished.

“Oh, I do!” Vivienne giggled. She slapped a tipsy hand across her mouth. “That wasn’t too loud was it?”

“You’re fine, baby.” Will nuzzled her neck and kissed her gently.

Pepper leaned against Gabe’s side and pressed her head into his shoulder. She sighed as she felt him kiss the top of her head. “This is nice. I’m so glad we could do it. I honestly don’t think I could be any happier than I am right now.”

“Would you care to wager on that, my love?” Gabe took her hand in his and whispered the words into her knuckles. In spite of the heightened conversation in the restaurant, Pepper could hear him loud and clear.
That’s what happens when you’re really in love with someone
.
You get so attuned to sound of their voice you can always hear it no matter what
.
I hope I never lose that with him
.

“Okay,” Pepper conceded, “dessert would probably be the cherry on top, pun intended.”

Viv giggled again. “Hey now, I’m the writer, not you.”

Gabe smiled and reached into the inside breast pocket of his jacket. “Well, I have something for you for dessert, something with a little ice in it.”

Pepper froze and stared at the little black velvet box that appeared in Gabe’s hand. It was way too small to be a bracelet or a necklace.
Earrings. It’s gotta be earrings. Right
? She couldn’t speak as he reached to flip the box in her direction and open it.

“Pepper, my love, would you marry me?”

Inside was a sparkler the size of which she had never seen in person. She should have been mesmerized by the way it glittered in the candlelight, but it was the words he’d spoken that stole her attention. Was it a dream? This wasn’t the same kind of “ya wanna get married?” offer from one of the redneck lovers of her past. This was an honest-to-goodness proposal with a genuine diamond ring being offered. She looked from the ring to Gabe and back again. Then she looked over at Vivienne, who was trying hard not to cry and failing miserably. Will just grinned that boyish grin he would probably never lose. What the hell else was she going to say?

“Yes!” Pepper shouted. “Yes. Yes, absolutely yes!” Ignoring the ring, she threw her arms around Gabe’s neck and kept repeating the word into his ear, along with “I love you” and “I can’t believe this.”

When she finally was able to let go of him, Vivienne and Will began clapping. Pepper could feel the tears filling her eyes and she dabbed at them desperately with her napkin before she made a complete mess of herself. She tried to find some words to say to the group, but nothing came out. The only thing she could think was,
he really wants to marry me
.
I can’t believe this
!

“Let’s see if it fits,” Gabe said, getting her attention by pulling at her hand. He plucked the ring from the box and slid it onto Pepper’s finger. Only then was she able to notice just how beautiful it really was. The weight of it on her hand kept her from looking away and she studied it carefully, enthralled by how the light flashed off of every diamond. The center stone was emerald cut and Pepper had to guess it was around three carats. It was flanked by two smaller emerald cut black diamonds that were about a third of the size. The band itself was pave style, giving it an antique look. Pepper knew jewelry after having spent hours looking at pretty, sparkly things on the web for years, wishing and dreaming that one day something as wonderful would be hers. This ring absolutely took her breath away.

Pepper had thought she was as happy as could be just a few minutes earlier, but Gabe had been right. She now was somewhere about a gazillion miles past cloud nine. It took forty some years, but she’d finally found her prince charming.

* * * * *

Jeffrey brought the limo to a halt beside their driveway, then hopped out to open their door. Pepper took his hand and gave him a dreamy smile as he helped her stand. She took a few steps away from the car as she stared at the dazzling diamond ring which sparkled on her finger. When she turned back, Gabe was shaking hands and handing over some bills for a tip. They both waved to Jeffrey before walking hand in hand to the front door.

Gabe punched the alarm code on the keypad and reached for the door. He pushed it open, but then blocked Pepper’s way into the house. “Wait, love.”

Pepper cocked her head to the side and gave him a questioning look. She laughed with delight when he swept her into his arms and carried her across the threshold. “You do that on the wedding day, sweetie, not the engagement day.”

“I’ll do it every day for the rest of our lives, if that’s what you wish.” Gabe pressed his lips to hers and Pepper wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. She could feel the blood in her veins heating up as he carried her up the stairs to their room, wishing he would hurry.

As if he could sense her urgency, Gabe quickened his step and in only moments he was placing her gently on the bed. His hands found their way to the zipper on her dress, while Pepper worked at the buttons on his shirt. Hot fingers found their way to flesh. Lips continued to devour one another.

The way their bodies fit together was always a source of sublime pleasure to her. His knees right below hers. His chest pressing against hers. Their hips molding together as they moved in unison. Climbing to new heights of passion, Pepper’s hands gripped Gabe’s shoulders. The flash and twinkle of her engagement ring sent her over the edge and she moaned with joy. It was the perfect culmination for the most wonderful day of Pepper Taylor’s life.