Three

Brayden spoke to his mother over dinner that night about Jada. “Mom, I have fallen for this girl. I don’t want to do the contract with her anymore after getting to know her. She’s different than any woman I’ve ever been with, Mom. She appreciates every little thing I do for her, every compliment, every gift is a big deal. She is very kind and considerate, and always thinks of others before herself. She’s beautiful and she doesn’t even know it, Mom. She’s the kind of woman I want to marry for real, not a fake marriage,” he said.

“Brayden, my son, you are a DeRoya. Your father came to this country and made his fortune from his wisdom in agriculture and business. He started small, he faced much discrimination and dealt with many obstacles, but he overcame them all because of his hard work and determination. It was his dream to pass the empire he has built to you, his only son. You can’t let that fall into the hands of this girl from the slums, Son. I won’t permit it. That is why, once this girl, this breeder has the child, she must leave our lives. Your child will carry on your name and your fortune, not her,” Evelyn DeRoya insisted.

“Mom, have you heard what you said? My father came here with nothing but his own wisdom and work ethic. He built this empire from scratch. He didn’t have anything. He was looked down upon because of who he was. You might even say he was from the wrong side of the tracks himself. But he overcame all that because it was his dream. Jada’s dream is to have a better life. And my life is better with her in it. I will marry her, and if she is happy to stay with me, then I will destroy the contract, because I think I love her, Mother,” he told her with determination.

Evelyn sighed deeply. “I have told you how I feel, Brayden. I will not accept this girl as a DeRoya. She is nothing but a surrogate to me. As I said before, she will not live in this mansion with me. She will live in the old mansion with her family. We will take good care of her while she is pregnant, but once the baby is born, I want her gone,” his mother said, lifting her chin in the air.

Brayden was done talking to his mother. The wedding would be in two days. Once she was his bride, there was really nothing Evelyn could do about her. She would have his name, and he planned on her keeping it for the rest of her life. She would have his child the natural way, and she would be the one to raise him by his side as his wife,” he determined in his mind.

“Do you have a bicycle?” He texted. “Yes, I do,” she replied. “Can we go cycling?” He asked. “Now?” He asked. “Sure, I’m free,” she texted back. “Be there in fifteen minutes,” he wrote.

Brayden came by in spandex shorts and shirt looking like a professional cyclist. Jada checked him out and raised her eyebrows, pleased with his appearance. “You’re checking me out!” He teased. “Maybe,” she said, blushing a little. She wore a form fitting tee shirt and short cutoff jean shorts. That showed her lovely legs. Brayden liked what he saw as well.

They went on a six-mile ride and stopped at a fast-food restaurant to cool down. “That was exhausting but fun”, she said, sitting down outside with him, drinking a bottled water. “It sure was. I haven’t been riding in a while and it was exhilarating,” he said, taking her hand in his. “I enjoy everything better with you, Jada,” he said, looking into her sparkling hazel eyes. “I enjoy spending time with you too, Brayden,” she said, staring into his heavily lashed brown eyes and holding his hand. They smiled at each other, enjoying the moment.

“Our wedding is tomorrow, are you excited or nervous or scared?” He asked. “Yes,” she said. “Which one?” He asked with a chuckle at her. “All the above,” how about you?” She asked. He thought about it and said, “me too.” “I’m a little more scared of the clinic thing than marrying you,” she admitted. Brayden looked at her and his heart softened for her.

“Well…. there is another option,” he suggested with a grin, winking at her. Jada blushed, pulling her hand back and placing it demurely in her lap. “I know the contract says that we won’t have a relationship, and you’ll get pregnant by artificial means…. but we can, well you know. If you want to, I mean, I’m willing if you are,” he nervously explained. Jada looked away, her face glowing red.

“I’m sorry, Sweetheart, I didn’t mean to embarrass you. What I’m trying to say is…. we can just forget about the contract and try having a real relationship, if you want. My mom is against it, but if you want to give it a try, I’ll deal with my mother,” he promised.

Jada looked at him, surprised at his suggestion. Getting down on one knee before her, he took her hand. “Jada Marie Pence, will you do me the honor of marrying me and letting me be a true husband to you and stepfather to Charity and Charley? Will you be my bride for real and let me treat you like a princess? Will you let me love you and make babies with you and spend my life loving you?” He asked.

Jada looked at him and realized that he was being sincere. “I care for you a lot, Jada, and I think we would be happy together,” he said, still on one knee. “You can get up,” she suggested. “Not until I get an answer to my proposal,” he said. “You really mean it? You want someone like me when you could have any woman you wanted to marry?” She asked incredulously. Brayden smiled and kissed her hand. “I would take you over any woman out there,” he said. “Then, yes of course I want that! I care for you too, Brayden,” she said, leaning forward to kiss his lips softly.

“Mmm good kisses!” He said, moving up beside her on the picnic bench. “Can I have some more of those good kisses?” He asked, placing her arms around his neck and his hands on her hips, kissing her again. “Now I’m really looking forward to tomorrow,” he said, grinning. Jada smiled, thinking the same thing.

They walked back to their bikes with their arms around each other. “I suppose we should ride back since the sun is going down,” he suggested. “You’re right,” she agreed, getting on her bike. They rode uphill the last part of the ride, and that was really a workout for them both, so they were laughing when they got to her house.

“I really enjoyed our evening, Jada,” Brayden said, walking her to the door with his arm around her shoulders. “I did too, Brayden,” she told him, sitting down on the porch swing beside him. They sat there in silence, snuggling in each others’ arms, watching the sun go down. Brayden turned around to her and started kissing her again. “I don’t want to go home,” he said. “You have to, you’re not supposed to see your bride until the wedding,” she said, smiling and kissing him again.

“Don’t stand me up tomorrow,” he teased. “I’ll be there,” she promised. “One more kiss,” he said, giving her a lingering kiss before leaving her. Brayden hooked his bike up on the back of his car and waved. Jada blew him a kiss and waved. Once she came inside, Auntie teased her about their show of affection. Jada laughed and told her about their day and the things Brayden had told her. Marilou squealed and hugged her with excitement. “I told you he would change his mind about you,” she said. “I’m so happy for you two,” she said, holding Jada’s hands in hers.

Jada went to kiss the children goodnight. They would be staying with Auntie for a week so Jada could have time alone with her new husband. “You take care of your sister and listen to your auntie, okay?” She told Charley. “And help your sister with her homework, and do your chores,” she added. “I will, Sis. Don’t worry,” he said as she kissed him goodnight.

She laid down in Charity’s bed with her and answered all her questions about getting married and being “like a princess,” to Brayden being her “prince”. She told her that they would all live in a mansion and Brayden would take care of them all. Charity liked Brayden and was excited about it all. “Goodnight my little princess,” Jada said, kissing her and tickling her. “I love you,” she told the child.