My relationshipwith Conrad has changed. It isn’t as it was when he came to my home months ago, desperate for me to release Emma Lia from her debt. I’m lucky that he doesn’t still hold that against me. I believe that he would if Emma Lia hadn’t made it perfectly clear that I treat her like myqueen.
Conrad isn’t well. I don’t see him as often as Emma Lia, but his condition seems to have progressed a little more each time I visit. I believe that he will find comfort in knowing that a man with my kind of money and power is pledging his life to Emma Lia. Wouldn’t every father want a son-in-law who will protect and love hisdaughter?
I didn’t tell Emma Lia that I was coming to see Conrad today. And she doesn’t know that after I have his blessing, I will be properly proposing to her with a ring. No more talking about it casually as though it isn’t one of the most special moments in our lives. She deserves a romantic proposal that she’ll neverforget.
I ring the bell and stand at Conrad’s front door, catching my breath. I’m tense as fuck. Nerves aren’t something I experience often, and I’m a little surprised by my own anxiety. But I’m confident about what I plan to say to Conrad. I practiced my speech in my head allnight.
Nana answers the door. I wasn’t counting on her being here, but I guess I need her blessing as well since she has been the only mother that Emma Lia has ever had. “Tristan… you don’t have to ring the bell like astranger.”
My relationship with Conrad isn’t the only one that has changed. Nana treats me like family, even insisting that I call her Nana instead of Emma or Mrs.Grant.
“Get yourself in here, young man.” Nana kisses the side of my face as I come through the door. “Emma Lia isn’t withyou?”
“No, ma’am. She’s at home. And that’s one reason that I’m here. I need to speak with Conrad without her beinghere.”
“I hope that everything is allright.”
“No worries. All iswell.”
Nana leads me to the living room where Conrad is lying on the couch. He strains to sit up when he sees me, and I can tell that it’s a struggle. “Well, this is asurprise.”
“You don’t have to getup.”
“Ah hell. I’ve been lying down longenough.”
“I should have called before showing up unannounced.” I hate when people do that to me. And Conrad is ill. He has good days and bad days. Today could be a bad one for him. I should have been more thoughtful, but I allowed my excitement to get the better ofme.
“It’s fine. I was just being lazy today.” He points to the chair next to him. “Come around and have aseat.”
The words that I had prepared for Conrad are all of a sudden a blur. “I had this planned out—everything I wanted to say to you—but I’m suddenly at aloss.”
This doesn’t happen to me. I don’t lose control.Ever.
I get up to walk the living room. Standing over others always seems to calmme.
“As you know, my relationship with Emma Lia began because I felt that she owed me a debt. After having her as my companion for a while, I fell in love with her. I wanted to clear her debt, but she insisted upon continuing the deal that we made. She now has no debt with me and hasn’t for some time. Emma Lia has chosen to remain with me in New Orleans because she loves metoo.”
Conrad nods. “She hasn’t said so, but I figured asmuch.”
“I didn’t want to love Emma Lia, but I do. I love her with all my heart. I’m here because I’ve already pledged my life to her, and I’d like to marry her with your blessing. And with yours,Nana.”
“This is what my girl wants? To be married toyou?”
“Yes. Your approval is the only reason that we aren’t alreadyengaged.”
Conrad looks at his mother and she nods. “He loves her. Give the boy yourblessing.”
He looks at me, I think stretching out the moment for as long as possible just to make me shit my pants. “You have myblessing.”
I hope that we still have his blessing after we give him the news about thebaby.
“Thank you, Conrad. I promise to always treat your princess like myqueen.”
“I know that you will. When do you plan to askher?”
“Soon.”
“Do you have a special plan?” Nanaasks.
