Return to Me Page 10

“You divorced my father twenty-seven years ago. If there weren’t feelings involved—it wouldn’t bother you so much after all that time. Then the fact that you’ve never remarried, although three different men proposed to you over the years...you still love my dad.”

  “I never remarried because those guys were fine to date, but they...” Her voice died and Irene released a long sigh. “Son, the truth is that I just couldn’t bear getting my heart broke a second time.”

  She walked over to the breakfast table and sat down.

  Austin joined her.

  “I met your father when I was in the ninth grade. I thought he and Jacques were the cutest boys in school, but Etienne, there was something special about him. He could just smile and I would melt. He was my first love.”

  His mother had never discussed her relationship with his father before. The only thing Austin knew about his parents was that his mother had gotten pregnant in college and they married. That child died and a few months later, she was pregnant again with him.

  “When we lost that first baby,” Irene was saying, “Etienne changed. He was happy when we found out that we were having you, but things between us was different. He had just gotten accepted into law school and I graduated from nursing school...” She shook her head. “Things just changed. At first, I thought it was because we were both in school and spent most of our time focused on finishing college. A lot of people thought we wouldn’t graduate because we were going to have a child. Your grandfather, especially. I don’t think that man ever liked me. He didn’t think I was good enough to wear the DuGrandpre name. That’s why I never went back to my maiden name. To spite him.”

  “When did you find out Dad was cheating on you?” Austin inquired.

  “The day you were born,” Irene responded. “He was nowhere to be found when I went into labor. And when he finally showed up, I could smell liquor and the woman’s perfume on him.”

  “Yet you stayed.”

  “I didn’t leave your father, but I never let him touch me after that. After I had saved up some money and had worked at the hospital for a year, then I decided it was time for me to go. I wanted to make sure I had some security.”

  “Dad said when he found out that you were in labor, it scared him. He remembered all you’d gone through with my brother, only for him to be stillborn. He went to a bar and got drunk. A woman came on to him and...”

  “I know what happened after that.”

  “He said nothing happened, but that you would never believe him,” Austin stated. “The affairs started after that and I believe him. He felt he’d already lost you and he didn’t want to be alone.”

  “Etienne wasn’t there when I needed him the most. I was scared, too.” A tear slid down Irene’s cheek. “We’d both lost a child. He should’ve been there for me.”

  Austin reached over and covered his mother’s hand with his own. “He realizes this now. Mom, he truly regrets what happened and this is why he wants to talk to you.”

  Irene removed her glasses and wiped her eyes. “What’s done can’t be undone. Regardless of any apology, Etienne can’t unbreak my heart.”

  “I’m sorry he hurt you.”

  She touched his cheek. “You have nothing to be sorry about, Austin. I know that a boy needs his father and I kept you away from Etienne. It was wrong, but I wanted to hurt him for the pain and humiliation he caused me. I’m the one who owes you an apology. Baby, I’m so sorry.”

  Austin smiled. “I don’t think I turned out so bad. You did a good job.”

  “I’m so proud of you, son.”

  Irene pushed away from the table and rose to her feet. “I need to get started on dinner.”

  “Why don’t we go out?” he suggested. “My treat.”

  She shook her head. “There’s no way my son is gonna eat somebody else’s cooking on his first night home. I’m making your favorite. Barbecue chicken.”

  After dinner Austin helped his mother clean the kitchen.

  They settled in the family room to watch television thirty minutes later.

  “Mom, I need to tell you something.”

  “What is it, son?”

  “Getting to know my dad wasn’t the only reason I moved to Charleston. To be honest, I didn’t go there to seek him out at all.”

  “Then why?” Displeasure was written all over her face. “Please tell me that you didn’t go chasing after that Jasmine. Boy, I told you that girl isn’t the right woman for you.”

  “When Jasmine left town, she was pregnant.”

  Irene gave Austin a sidelong glance. “What’s that got to do with you?”

  “She was carrying my child, Mom.”

  “You sure about that?”

  Austin nodded. “I found out the woman who adopted him lived in Charleston—that’s why I moved there.”

  “Does Etienne know about this?”

  “No, I wanted to tell you first.”

  “I never liked Jasmine and before you do anything—you need to have a paternity test. I wouldn’t trust anything that girl says.”

  “She didn’t tell me. I spoke with Cheryl.”

  “I’m not so sure you can trust her, either. Why did she wait so long to share this information with you?”

  “She was pregnant and said she couldn’t face me without telling me the truth of what happened.”

  “I heard she and Jasmine fell out. That’s why Cheryl came back to Dallas. As far as I’m concerned, this is all suspect.”

  “I believe her, Mom.”

  “Well, what are you gonna do?”

  “I intend to get my son. I never agreed to an adoption and I didn’t terminate my parental rights.”

  “Then just have the adoption nullified.”

  “It’s not that simple, Mom.”

  She looked at him. “Why not? You’re a lawyer.”

  The woman who adopted Emery is actually a friend of Jordin’s. I’ve been getting to know her.”

  Irene frowned. “Know her how?”

  “I’m dating her, Mom.”

  “Do you think this is a good idea, son? What happens if you two don’t work out? What then?”

  “Emery will be my son regardless of my relationship with Bree.”

  Irene shook her head. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “Emery loves Bree,” he responded. “She’s a good mother and I really care for her. If you want to know the truth, I think it’s the perfect solution for us.”

  “Then why haven’t you told her the truth?”

  * * *

  While his mother was at work, Austin decided to have lunch at one of his favorite Dallas restaurants.

  While he waited for his food to arrive, he made a call. “Hey, sweetheart.”

  “How are things going with you and your mom?” Bree asked.

  “Great. She was a little stiff when I first arrived, but she’s fine now. We sat down and had a really good talk yesterday.”

  “I’m sorry I missed your call last night. After I got Emery settled in bed, I took a shower and fell out.”

  “I called you because I was missing that sweet voice of yours.”

  “I miss you. It’s a bit strange to not see you every day. I think I’ve gotten a bit spoiled.”

  Austin chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back in a couple of days.”

  He paid the check and left.

  “Austin...”

  He turned around to the sound of a familiar voice.

  Jasmine Reynolds.

  “I heard that you left town.” She looked around as if suddenly anxious to escape his presence.

  “Is that why you’re here?” he asked. “Because you didn’t think you’d run into me.”

  Awkwardly, she cleared her throat, arms folded across her chest. “Why would I worry about that?”<
br />
  “Because I know about Emery.”

  Her smile disappeared. “Cheryl told you. I wish that witch would mind her own business.”

  “You should’ve told me that you were pregnant.”

  “Why? Nothing would’ve changed between us, Austin. You didn’t want to marry me.”

  “So, you leave town with my child to punish me?”

  “I left to raise my son alone. I needed to start over someplace fresh.”

  “Raise him,” he uttered. “You gave him up for adoption.”

  Jasmine looked as if she was searching for a plausible answer. “Once I had the baby, I realized that I couldn’t handle being a mother. I tried reaching out to you, but you’d changed your number and I didn’t know where you were,” she responded. “I placed an ad in the newspaper.”

  He knew she was lying. “You expect me to believe that? This was all intentional. I’m not even named on the birth certificate as his father.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I have a copy.” Austin glanced down at the wedding ring on her finger. “You finally got the husband you wanted—at Cheryl’s expense.”

  “I knew she was in her feelings, but I can’t believe Cheryl would betray me like this.”

  “Are you really going to pull the betrayal card? You married the man she was dating.”

  Jasmine shrugged. “It’s not my fault she couldn’t keep him.”

  Shaking his head, he stated, “You’re something else.”

  “Austin, I don’t know what you’re planning, but listen to me...you really don’t want to pursue this. Cheryl never should’ve gotten you involved.”

  “This is my son. Do you really think I’m going to just sit back and do nothing?”

  Jasmine looked him straight in the eye. “I don’t see where you have much choice, Austin. I hate that things went bad between us because I really loved you. If you want to know the truth... I still love you.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t do what you did and claim to love someone.”

  “Sometimes you have to make hard choices—this was probably the hardest one I’ve ever had to make, but I felt it was for the best. I hope that one day you’ll be able to forgive me.”

  “Hardly,” he uttered. “Do you ever think about him?”

  She glanced down at her watch. “I have to pick up my mother, but I’d like to finish this conversation, Austin. Can you meet me for dinner tonight?”

  “How will your husband feel about it?”

  “He’s in Los Angeles in the studio all week. I married a record producer.”

  “Sounds like your type.”

  Jasmine’s jaw tightened. “I guess I deserve that. Austin, I know that you think I’m a terrible person, but I did what was best for Emery. Please, Austin...have dinner with me. We need to talk and I promise I’ll tell you everything. I owe you the truth.”

  “What time?”

  “Six o’clock. Meet me at Copeland’s. It used to be our favorite spot.” Jasmine pulled out a piece of paper and wrote on it. “Here’s my number. In case you change your mind.”

  * * *

  “What’s wrong, son?”

  “I just ran into Jasmine.”

  “What? Has she moved back to Dallas? If so, I’m so glad that you live in Charleston now.”

  “I didn’t ask, but I guess she’s here visiting family. I never expected to see her again, especially not so soon.”

  “What happened?”

  “She said that she didn’t tell me about the pregnancy because it wouldn’t have changed my mind about marriage. She wants to have dinner with me tonight to discuss everything.”

  “I heard she got married, but I don’t know if it’s true.”

  “She had on a wedding ring,” Austin responded. “She told she married a record producer.”

  “Is her husband here with her?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Then you better stay home with me. That girl just trying to get you someplace and seduce you. Boy, you don’t need that kind of trouble.”

  Austin wasn’t sure what Jasmine was plotting, but he thought it better to listen to his mother and stay as far away from the woman as possible.

  He picked up his cell phone to call her, then changed his mind. He didn’t want her to have his number, so he called from the landline.

  When she answered, Austin went straight to the purpose of his call. “Jasmine, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to have dinner.”

  “Is this how you really feel or how your mother feels?”

  “Why do you always have to go there?” he asked. “Leave my mom out of this.”

  “Miss Irene never liked me. I believe that’s why you didn’t want to marry me.”

  “You’re wrong,” Austin stated. “We weren’t getting along, Jasmine, and things were not getting any better. That’s why I didn’t want to get married. I didn’t want to end up in divorce court.”

  “Austin, I really want to sit down and talk to you face-to-face. I know Cheryl’s probably told you a bunch of mess. She—”

  He cut her off by interjecting, “She only told me about Emery. I didn’t want to know or hear about anything else.”

  “How can you be so cold to me? Austin, we were together for over three years.”

  “I know that.”

  “So, you have no feelings for me whatsoever? They just vanished with the wind?”

  “Jasmine, you’re married or so you say. You’ve moved on and I wish you all the happiness you can muster. What I feel or don’t feel shouldn’t matter.”

  “It does to me,” she insisted.

  “The only thing we have to discuss is Emery.”

  “Austin, I wasn’t ready to be a mother. I thought I could do it, but after he was born—I realized that I wasn’t Mommy material.”

  “So why didn’t you just bring him to me? You have to know that I would’ve taken my son.”

  “I was still angry with you. I was hurt and I acted out of that hurt. If I could do things differently, I would, Austin.”

  He didn’t respond.

  “He is with a good family and he’s happy.”

  “How do you know?” Austin asked. “Do you even know where he is?”

  “He’s in Vegas.”

  He didn’t bother to tell her otherwise. From the sound of it, Jasmine wasn’t interested in her son. As much as it grieved him, she had done the right thing by terminating her parental rights. Emery was with a mother who adored him. He deserved someone like Bree.

  “I hope you don’t hate me.”

  “I don’t,” he responded.

  “Austin...”

  “I have to go,” he stated. “Goodbye, Jasmine.”

  Chapter 12

  “How was your trip?” Jordin asked. “And your mother? I’m sure she was thrilled to see you.”

  “It was interesting,” Austin responded. “My mom and I had a good time together. I have a wedding gift in my car for you—it’s from her.”

  “Oh, that’s so sweet.” Jordin sat down in one of the visitor chairs. “What made your trip interesting? I got the feeling that it didn’t have to do with your mother.”

  “Jasmine was in town. She’s Emery’s biological mother.”

  “And your ex-girlfriend.”

  Austin nodded. “I was not prepared to see her.”

  “How did it go?”

  “She claims that she didn’t tell me about the pregnancy because she knew I didn’t want to marry her. Jasmine invited me to have dinner with her that evening to discuss it further. She said she owed me the truth.”

  “Did you have dinner with her?”

  Austin shook his head. “There wasn’t much else she could tell me. Nothing she would’ve said could change this mess she caused
. She lied to the courts and gave up her son for marriage to some record producer. I guess it was a pretty good trade-off.”

  Jordin shook her head. “How did you ever get involved with someone so heartless?”

  “I didn’t see her true colors until much later.”

  “You didn’t tell her that you found Emery?”

  “No, there’s no way I would do that—I don’t trust Jasmine at all.”

  “Do you still love her?”

  “No. Those feelings went away long before I knew about Emery. She and I were toxic. That’s why I ended the relationship.”

  “If you’d known about the baby, do you think you would’ve made the same decision? To break up with her?”

  “I honestly don’t know. I never would’ve abandoned my son. I do know that Jasmine and I never would’ve gotten married, but I would be in Emery’s life.”

  “So, what happens now between you and Bree?”

  “I don’t want to hurt her, Jordin. Like you said, she’s an innocent party to this drama. Things are good between us. I won’t just snatch Emery from her. She’s his mother. I want what’s best for him, and right now that’s Bree.”

  “He loves her.”

  “I know,” Austin said. “I see the way his eyes light up whenever he looks at her. It’s the same for Bree and she’s good to him.”

  “I can see how much this hurts you,” Jordin said. “I can see how much you love your son. Trust me when I tell you that this will work itself out. Look at Ryker and Garland. Their daughters were switched at birth and now they are one happy family.”

  “I like Bree, but I can’t say we’re heading toward marriage. Not yet.”

  “I hear the two of you are spending a lot of time together. I’d say it’s a little more than just like.”

  Austin broke into a grin. “I enjoy her company and I admit, I’m very attracted to her.”

  “Don’t play with her heart.”

  “I wouldn’t do that,” he assured Jordin.

  “I’m holding you to that. Bree is my best friend and I don’t want to see her hurt. When she finds out that you’re Emery’s birth father—I’m not sure what it will do to her, but knowing that you don’t intend to rip him out of her arms will help.”

  * * *

  Austin enjoyed spending time with Bree and Emery. Some evenings they would order out for dinner or settle in with grilled cheese sandwiches. A few times he’d brought work from the office and while she stretched out on the sofa reading some psychological journal, he would stretch out on the floor with his laptop.