All I Want... Mama’s Birthday
This is a request for some more DeeDee & Erik from @shaekingshitup. ENJOY!
DeeDee stretched out her arms and legs in her seat. Erik looked over at her as she curled into herself and put her legs down before she sat straight up. He rubbed his face and yawned while DeeDee bounced in her seat, waiting for the plane to roll to a complete stop.
They got on this flight at 6 am PST and it was now 2 pm CST in Louisiana. When the seatbelt light turned off, Erik slowly stood up and stretched himself out. He reached up and grabbed their carry-on luggage, then waited for DeeDee to move past him. They walked hand-in-hand through the airport terminal to pick up their rental car.
DeeDee was excited to be home. Yes, her life was now in California with Erik, but she would always call Louisiana home. They were here for a week and she planned to make the most out of it. It had been almost a year since she left, and she was excited to make her return in such a grand fashion.
Erik took his hand off the steering wheel and reached out for DeeDee’s. He laced his fingers with hers and kissed the top of it. The diamonds gleamed in the afternoon sun. DeeDee giggled and squeezed his hand.
“So, are we headed to the Juke Joint first? Or did you want to get settled in our hotel room?” Erik kissed her hand again before settling it in his lap.
“I’m hungry, E.”
“And so am I, Dee.”
“For food, man.” DeeDee shook her head, “If we go to the room, who knows what time we’ll surface.”
“Can you blame me?” Erik stopped at a red light and looked at her.
“Erik.”
“Oh, I’m Erik now?” He pouted at her.
“Don’t you start that.” She rolled her eyes, “At least, feed me before you try to put me out of commission.”
Erik focused forward as the light turned green. He released her hand and gripped her thigh.
“As long as you know what you’re in for.”
“Boy, stop.” DeeDee pushed his shoulder and looked ahead as they drove to Miss Carrie’s restaurant.
---
“My babies are home!”
Miss Carrie yelled when she saw Erik and DeeDee walk through the door. They all shared hugs and Miss Carrie showed them to their booth.
“How have y’all been?” She spun DeeDee around, “Let me get a good look at ya.” She smiled at them, “Love looks good on you, child.”
“Thanks, Mama,” DeeDee responded as she sat down.
“And you?” Miss Carrie looked up at Erik, “What do you have to say?”
“It was definitely worth the wait.” He slid into the booth and picked up DeeDee’s hand.
Miss Carrie’s eyes went wide. She reached across the table for their hands.
“I am so happy for you two.” She glanced at DeeDee once more, “Anything else you need to tell me?”
“MAMA!!! You and my mom need to stop that.” DeeDee covered her stomach.
“Girl, your hips have spread. But don’t pay me no mind. I only had 6 of my own.” Miss Carrie shrugged and picked up their menus.
Erik smirked at DeeDee. She punched his thigh under the table.
“So, I know what I want-”
“Smothered pork chops, with home fries and fried eggs. You still eating that nasty wheat bread, Erik?” Miss Carrie threw out.
“How do you do that?” Erik shook his head, “Yes, ma’am. But for you and today only, I will do sourdough.”
“Sourdough, huh?” She tapped her pencil on the table, “So, DeeDee is rubbing off on you. Thank god.”
DeeDee and Miss Carrie shared a laugh while Erik frowned.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed that weight you put on either, young man.”
Erik lifted his hand to cover his mouth and pointed at DeeDee.
“Not my fault. He loves your cooking, Mama.” She shrugged at him.
Miss Carrie smiled at her knowingly. “I taught you well, child.” She slapped a towel onto her shoulder.
DeeDee bowed her head at her great-grandmother. Erik laughed at the two of them.
“Mama, I’ll have the -”
“Cheddar, spinach, and mushroom omelet with a side of bacon and sourdough toast.”
“And what are we drinking?” Erik asked Miss Carrie.
“You like that god-awful black coffee and she loves her cranberry juice.” She picked up the menus. “So, how long are you two here for? You’re a few days early for my birthday party.”
“We’re here for the entire week, Mama.” DeeDee answered.
“Great. Can you be here tomorrow at 9am?”
“Ma’am?”
“No need for you to be locked up in some hotel room. Come help me organize my files in the office.”
DeeDee laughed at Erik’s frown. “Sure, I can be here.”
“Wonderful. I’ll be back with your order.” Miss Carrie looked over at Erik, “I’ll make sure you don’t have to go back out to eat tonight.” She winked at him and walked away.
---
“And you were worried about me overfeeding you?” DeeDee says as she put multiple containers of food into the fridge in their suite. She returned to the counter and folded up the bags.
Erik walked up and wrapped his arms around her, “But you do. Miss Carrie just feeds me differently.” He nipped at her ear.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay over there?”
“But you were so far away from me. I hate being alone.” He kissed her neck.
DeeDee turned around in his arms, “I really wasn’t looking forward to helping, but maybe she has a point.”
Erik lifted DeeDee up and wrapped her legs around his waist. DeeDee squealed as his hands found her ass to hold her up.
“Then let me make sure you sleep well tonight. Don’t want you to be late for your first day back at the restaurant.”
---
DeeDee walked into the office the next morning and put away her keys. Miss Carrie and the rest of the staff were in the kitchen getting their day started. She sat down at the desk and took in the moment.
She officially stopped working at the restaurant almost 5 years ago. Miss Carrie wanted her to focus on her Ph.D. program and knew she needed a job in her field. DeeDee would help during the holidays and summer when things were busier than usual, but that was it.
It felt weird being back in that chair after so long. Dee hadn’t done her great-grandmother’s office work in years. But she knew how meticulous she was with her records. So, it should be easy enough to finish today.
DeeDee looked up when she heard a knock on the door. Miss Carrie walked in as she tied her apron around her waist and made her way to the desk.
“Good morning, baby. I wanted to get you started for the day. Just like old times.”
“Thanks, Mama.” DeeDee stood up and kissed her great-grandmother. “So, what do you actually need me to do in here?”
“Well, you know I’m good at keeping all the receipts and such together. But everyone wants me to back it up online.” Miss Carrie pointed to some filing folders on her desk.
DeeDee nodded her head, “Of course. It’ll be easier to update any documents if you have a spreadsheet for your expenses and revenue.”
“Yeah, that’s the stuff they be sayin’. So, can you do that for me?” Miss Carrie looked up at DeeDee. “You already know my filing system so it makes sense to have you create any report I may need.”
“I can definitely do that for you.”
“Great, thank you, baby. I’ll let you get to work.” She walked to the door and turned, “Oh, and I’ll send Brenda by with some milk and a freshly baked cinnamon roll for you.”
“Thanks, Mama.” DeeDee smiled at her as Miss Carrie closed the door behind her.
DeeDee sat back down, grabbed the folders of receipts, and turned on the computer.
---
DeeDee worked for a few hours and then took a break for lunch. She walked to the kitchen and placed her order before going outside to take a stroll around the property.
She spotted the old house in the back, which is more like a museum now. The house that started it all. Miss Carrie learned how to cook in that house. She taught all her children and grandchildren how to cook there. When they built the current house/restaurant, she started teaching her great-grandchildren how to cook. DeeDee was the only one who took to it and began working at The Juke Joint when she was old enough.
DeeDee stood in front of it and smiled at the memories of running through the house with her cousins.
“Were you lucky enough to spend time here?”
She turned to find Erik standing beside her. “Not a lot, but it was enough.” DeeDee hugged Erik, “What are you doing here?”
“I came to tell you lunch was ready.” She looked at him confused and he shrugged.
“Mama.”
“Who else? Now, come on. She said she had something new for me to try.”
DeeDee shook her head and laughed as they walked back towards the restaurant.
---
On her way back to her seat after a quick bathroom break, Deedee knocked a blue folder off the desk. She bent down to pick up all the papers that fell out and the first page caught her eye.
“Ownership? Why would she have these papers out?”
She sat down at the desk and looked through them. DeeDee knew that her great-grandmother was the sole proprietor of The Juke Joint. Miss Carrie completed the restaurant side after her husband died, so she never had a partner.
As she read through the document that was updated in August 2014, her hold grew tighter and the paper crinkled in her hand.
“What the fuck?” She slammed it down on the desk. “How could they keep this from me?”
DeeDee ran her hands over her face, then sat back in the chair. Staring at her on the page were the names of the current owners of The Juke Joint, Carrie Ann Taylor and Erik Stevens.
She knew Erik had money from being royalty, and she knew he cared about this place as much as she did. During all those chats about how much she loved it here, how did this never come up? It would be different if he had helped with a few thousand dollars to help rebuild and keep the restaurant afloat.
But he shares ownership with her great-grandmother. This is bigger than that.
She sighed, “Dammit, Mama. Why didn’t you just tell me?”
DeeDee shoved the paperwork back into its folder and tried to clear up the desk. She was done for the day. The reports were created and she filled in all the expenses. Her great-grandmother could have someone add the revenue later.
“I can’t believe they lied to me.”
She got up and grabbed her things just as the door swung open. DeeDee looked at her great-grandmother.
“You good? I heard some banging around in here.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m exhausted. I forgot what it was like to stare at spreadsheets all day.” She walked to the door. “I’m gonna call it a night. Everything’s done now. You just need your people to work on it.”
“Oh ok. Thank you, baby.” Miss Carrie turned to DeeDee, “I wanted to tell you Erik was here.”
DeeDee’s face fell, “Oh.”
“Hey pretty girl.”
“I have to go to the bathroom.” She shoved her bag in Erik’s hands. “Be right back.”
DeeDee rushed out of the office. Erik watched as she turned the corner and quickly disappeared from his view.
“What happened?” He asked.
“I don’t know. I heard a lot of noise coming from here. So, I came in to see what was going on.”
“Did I do something? She wouldn’t even look at me when she ran out.”
“No, baby. I don’t think it was you.” She pointed to a chair, “Have a seat and we can wait for her.”
Erik took a seat on the small brown armchair in front of the desk while Miss Carrie looked around the office.
“Oh, shoot.” She exclaimed.
Erik looked over at Miss Carrie, who was staring at an open folder on the desk. She frowned and met his stare.
“Erik, we have a problem.” She lifted the top sheet and handed the slightly crumpled page to him. “She knows.”
“Fuck,” he shouted and then lowered his voice. “I’m sorry, Miss Carrie.”
She waved away his apology “As much as I wanted you to keep this a secret. I guess it’s time for you to tell her.”
“I was really hoping I would never have to explain this, honestly.” He stood up.
“You and me both. She doesn’t do well with deceit.” Miss Carrie sat down at the desk. “Sure, she’ll understand why you helped. But that’s not gonna matter.”
“I’ll try to fix this tonight.” Erik took Miss Carrie’s hand, “Hopefully, she’ll talk to me because she definitely did not look happy to see me standing there.”
“I know you will.” She squeezed his hand, “Don’t let her show up to my party mad at the world.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Erik stood up and walked out.
He walked to the front of the restaurant in search of DeeDee and found her outside waiting by the car.
“DeeDee.” He called out to her.
She stared at him as he came around to her side and unlocked the door. Then she hopped in and reached out for the door handle. Erik stood in front of the open door, blocking her.
“DeeDee say something, please.”
“Move Erik.”
She reached out again, and he grabbed her hand.
“I know what you saw. So talk to me.” He rubbed her hand, “What are you thinking?”
“Why? It’s not gonna change anything?” DeeDee said and pulled her hand away. “I’m ready to go back to the hotel, please.”
“DeeDee.”
“I’m ready to go, Erik.”
He moved away from the door and stepped out of the way as DeeDee slammed it shut.
“It’s gonna be a long night.” He got in the car and drove off.
---
Erik watched as DeeDee walked to the bed.
She was quiet on the ride back to the hotel. She didn’t talk as they ate dinner at the restaurant. And DeeDee made herself scarce by staying in the bathroom most of the night. He sat on the chair in the corner of the room.
“DeeDee, please.”
“Please what? I have nothing to say to you right now.” She punched the pillow and pulled back the covers.
Erik sighed, “DeeDee, you know we have to talk about this. And I would prefer now rather than later.”
“Later, much later.” She mumbled into the pillow as she turned her back to him. “Good night, Erik.” She turned off the light on her side of the bed.
Erik sat there for a moment with his phone in hand and pressed send.
Erik: Can you and Serena meet me for lunch tomorrow? At Miss Carrie’s place.
Quis: Yeah, we can be there. It’ll be nice to see DeeDee before the party.
Erik: She’s not coming.
Quis: You good?
Erik: I’ll explain everything when I see you.
Quis: Alright, man. I’ll see you at 1 after my class.
Erik: Kool. Night Quis.
Quis: Night E.
He got up and went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Erik looked over at DeeDee as she faked sleep.
“I love you, pretty girl.”
---
DeeDee woke up the next morning and sat up in the bed. She looked over and saw that Erik’s side was made up. He was already gone. She sighed and climbed out of bed to get ready for the day.
DeeDee looked at her phone as the call connected.
“DeeDee, Mama told me you and Erik were here. How are ya?”
“Ma, are you free today?” she muttered.
“Dee, is everything ok?”
“I need to talk to you. It’s important.” DeeDee’s voice cracked.
“Yeah, come by the house. I’ll be here.”
20 minutes later, DeeDee arrived at her mother’s house.
“Hey babygirl.” Gloria pulled her into a hug and DeeDee burst into tears, “What’s wrong?”
“‘He lied to me. They both did.”
“Who lied to you? And why does it have you so upset?”
Gloria held DeeDee’s hand and led her into the house.
“Go sit down and start from the beginning.”
They walked over to the couches in the living room. Gloria sat across from DeeDee.
“Erik and Mama lied to me. Well, Erik lied but Mama kept the truth from me and I’m mad at the both of them.”
DeeDee explained how she found the ownership paperwork while helping Miss Carrie.
“That was Mama’s choice not to tell anyone about how she got out of trouble.” Gloria said.
“Wait! Everyone knew the restaurant was in trouble? See this is what I mean. Why couldn’t she tell me about that, too?”
“DeeDee, your great-grandmother is just like you. Do you think she wanted anyone to know that she was having issues keeping the family business afloat?”
DeeDee shook her head.
“Right. And no. We knew nothing until we noticed she was slowly putting the place back together after the fire.”
“HA, the fire. I asked her if she needed me to come back and help her again after the fire and she said no.”
“DeeDee, you’d just started your research. Mama was not gonna let her issues hinder anything you were working on. You are the biggest worrier we know. Taking on the entire world’s problems like they are yours.”
“Ma-”
“Tell me, you wouldn’t have placed your doctorate on hold for Mama?”
DeeDee hesitantly met her mother’s eyes, “I- I can’t.”
“Exactly. Now, what does this have to do with Erik?”
“He’s the other owner.”
“Wait a minute, you mean to tell me that your young man is the one who helped keep The Juke Joint open?”
“Yeah, he’s a-” DeeDee sighed, “His family has money, so it makes sense that he could help Mama.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“He didn’t tell me about it.” Gloria gave DeeDee a blank stare. “Mom, we are supposed to be getting married and he can’t even tell me that he’s co-owner of my great-grandmother’s restaurant?”
Gloria looked at her daughter and shifted over to the same couch as her. “DeeDee, have you and Erik ever had a fight?”
“Not really. We’ve always talked things out.”
“So, why are you talking to me about how you feel and not Erik?”
“I don’t know what to say to him. I keep thinking if he kept something like this from me, what else would he keep from me.”
Gloria nodded and grabbed DeeDee’s hand, “He is not your father, Deidre.”
“Wh-what?”
“Erik is not your father. You can trust him, Dee.”
“But what if the only reason he is with me is because of Mama.”
“Girl bye.” Gloria sighed, “I’m so sorry, DeeDee. I never thought that my relationship with your father would have such an impact on you.”
“I- I don’t get it.”
“My lovely daughter. I have no idea how you could trust your own feelings for Erik and then not trust him to be completely honest with you.”
“It’s not the same thing.”
“Really? Because you were floating when he came into town, for you, might I add. And then when those offers from Cali rolled in, you knew exactly where you wanted to go. You wanted to be near and have a relationship with him. Look at what the two of you have built over the last year and some months?”
“Then why am I so mad about it?”
“You don’t do lies, of omission or otherwise. I am sure there is a perfectly good reason that Mama and Erik kept this from you and everyone else. But you also let the fear that he would turn out to be a compulsive liar like your father seep in.”
“Oh.” DeeDee breathed out.
“Have you spoken to him about this at all?”
DeeDee shook her head, “No, every time he tries I shut him down.”
“Don’t make him pay for something that you won’t let him explain.” Gloria squeezed and released her hand.
DeeDee sighed, “Yes, ma’am.”
Gloria stood up and stretched, “Now, you hungry? I got some gumbo on the stove. I just need to make some rice.”
“Yeah, I could eat.”
“Come on, then.”
---
Erik showed up at The Juke Joint before Marquis and Serena. When they arrived, he walked over to Miss Carrie and asked her to join them for lunch. She filled a pitcher with sweet tea and handed it to him.
“How did it go last night?” Miss Carrie asked Erik as they made their way to the table.
“She wouldn’t let me explain at all.”
“What did you do, Erik?” Serena interjected.
“Now, now. It’s not his fault, suga.”
Serena and Marquis stood to give Miss Carrie hugs. Erik pulled out her chair before they all sat back down.
“Thank you, baby.” She bumped his shoulder, “He was honoring our agreement and keeping his promise to me.”
“What agreement?” Marquis jumped into the conversation.
Miss Carrie nodded at Erik.
“About the restaurant. Miss Carrie and I are partners.”
“How can that be?”
“Since when?”
Serena and Marquis spoke over one another.
“A few years back, I was having a lot of trouble keeping things together here. Business was steady, but not enough for when I needed to repair the kitchen after that grease fire. I was barely breaking even and didn’t have enough to cover all the costs. I couldn’t take out a second on the property because of the original deal.” Miss Carrie picked up glasses and poured everyone some tea. “So, I called in a favor. Erik said if I ever needed his help to give him a call.”
“But he would have given that to you freely. No questions asked.” Serena said.
“You are right about that. And if I still had DeeDee around, it would have turned out differently. But I wanted her to focus on school and getting out of here like she always wanted.” Miss Carrie sipped her tea.
“Silent partner?” Marquis spoke up.
Erik nodded, “I wanted to make sure that Miss Carrie never ran into any issues ever again. After speaking with my lawyer, he said that the best way besides just giving her the money was to build an agreement with her.”
“Erik quietly flew out here to meet with me and we set up our partnership. I run the business and Erik financially backs everything. To everyone else, it appears as it always has. Miss Carrie’s place - The Juke Joint with one owner.”
“So, what happened and why is DeeDee mad?”
“Yesterday, she found out.” Erik mumbled.
“DeeDee didn’t know?” Serena shook her head.
“No one knew besides the two of us.”
“It was the only way she would accept long-term help from me. No one was supposed to know, not even my wife if I ever got married,” Erik shrugged.
“But you have a fiancée and she -”
“Is my great-granddaughter, yes. So, now you see the issue.” Miss Carrie took another drink from her glass. “She’s mad at the both of us, but she is taking it out on Erik.”
“And when she’s mad, there is no talking to her, which I was not aware of.” Erik sighed, “I don’t know how to fix this, especially if she won’t let me explain.”
Serena looked at Marquis and they both laughed.
“Finally, some flaws. Thank you, Jesus.”
“You love to see it.”
Miss Carrie smacked their hands, “You two stop that. The boy don’t know it yet.”
“Uh, what don’t I know?” Erik asked, confused.
“I bet she was quiet all night.”
“Stayed in any room that you weren’t in.”
“Probably scooted to the edge of the bed as far away from him as she could.” Miss Carrie added.
“Miss Carrie, we’ve never had a fight.” Erik whined.
“WE KNOW.” Everyone responded.
“And it shows. Oooh boy, does it show.”
Erik rolled his eyes at Serena’s comment. “I need to get her to speak to me. I just need her to understand.”
“Good luck with that.” Marquis mumbled.
“Just accept that you are going to a party with a madwoman.” Serena said.
“I can’t. Not when that madwoman is also mad at the birthday girl.”
Miss Carrie pinched Erik’s cheek, “He called me a girl, so sweet. It’s ok, baby.” She tapped his arm, “As long as you can still get her to come tonight, it’ll be alright.”
Serena touched her arm. “Everything will be fine, Miss Carrie.”
---
Erik was sitting in the living room area. DeeDee was in the bedroom, still getting dressed.
“DeeDee. The party starts in 20 minutes. Are you ready to go yet?”
“Yeah.”
He stood up and walked to the doorway. DeeDee was in front of the full-length mirror. She smoothed out her dress, checked her gloss, and grabbed her clutch.
“Don’t forget Mama’s present.” She said as she walked past him to the front door.
“I got it.” He followed her as she walked out of the room.
He picked up the present and locked the door behind him. Shaking his head, Erik knew not to expect her to be waiting for him at the elevator. DeeDee would be at the car on the passenger side.
Erik clicked the unlock button as he entered the 2nd story garage. He heard a door open and close. She let herself into the car.
He put the present in the back seat and got into the car. He turned to face her.
“DeeDee.” He waited until she turned to face him, “I know you are mad at me. But we need to talk about this.”
“Can this wait?” She looked at him, “Not tonight.”
“Then when? Because I was hoping we could have this resolved before the party.”
“We are good right now. So, just drop it.”
“But you won’t talk to me. How are we good?” He asked her.
“Erik, please let it go.”
“We can’t go home like this. You know that, right?”
“Just drive, Erik.” DeeDee turned forward, “We’re already gonna be late for her party.”
---
Music was blasting from outside the house. They could hear it as they drove by. Erik parked in a spot further down the block. He locked the doors before DeeDee could jump out.
“Really?”
“Can we at least act like we’re happily together?” He reached behind him and handed her the gift.
“We’re fine, Erik.” She unlocked the door and hopped out. DeeDee walked in the center of the road back to Miss Carrie’s.
Erik jumped out of the car, hit the alarm, and ran to catch up with her. He pulled up in front of her and stopped.
“You know this is the most words you have spoken to me in the last 24 hours?”
DeeDee tried to move around him, “I know. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“And why can’t we talk about it?” Erik moved again, blocking her path.
“Erik.”
Erik folded his arms over his chest. “Why can’t you talk to me?”
DeeDee looked at him, then down at the present in her hands. “I don’t trust you.”
Erik shook his head, “I don’t -”
“There you guys are.”
“Miss Carrie has been looking for the two of you.”
Erik turned around while DeeDee looked up to face the voices. Marquis and Serena walked up to them.
“Come along, you two. The birthday girl is ready for cake and presents.”
Serena grabbed the present from DeeDee and pushed her into Erik. Marquis flanked Erik’s other side and nudged him into DeeDee.
The group walked to Miss Carrie’s house together. Serena led them to the side of the house into the backyard where all the action was happening.
Erik reached for DeeDee’s hand and she pulled it away. She followed closely behind Serena and never looked back.
Marquis clapped Erik on the back, “Let’s go get a drink.”
Erik watched as she greeted everyone before walking in the house. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
“Has it gotten any better?” Marquis led them to the outdoor bar along the back wall.
“Nope. In fact, it may have gotten worse.”
“Worse. How is that possible?” Marquis grabbed two tumblers and filled them with whiskey.
“She told me she doesn’t trust me.”
“I’m sorry, man,” Marquis handed Erik a glass.
“First, she won’t talk to me,” Erik knocked the drink back and refilled it. “And now, she doesn’t trust me,” he knocked back the second drink, “I don’t know what the hell’s going on.” Erik refilled his drink again and downed it.
“Okay, that’s enough for you.” Marquis took Erik’s glass away. “Don’t need you drinking your feelings.”
“One secret, Quis.” Erik lifted up his index finger, “One. I have never lied about anything else or kept anything from her. Hell, I told her I’m a fucking prince, and she didn’t flinch. But this is the breaking point?”
“Erik, lower your voice, man. People are starting to stare.” Marquis looked behind Erik and waved.
“You’re right. It’s not about me. It’s about Miss Carrie.” Erik rubbed his temples, “Is there a water cooler around here?”
“Yeah, we passed it on the way back here.”
---
Serena and DeeDee walked over to the gift table.
“How long have you guys been here?” DeeDee asked.
“We got here about an hour ago.”
“Early birds. Should have been us.” DeeDee looked over at the bar where Erik and Marquis were standing.
“So, how are things with you two?” Serena grabbed DeeDee’s hand and inspected the ring, “This is some beautiful craftsmanship.”
DeeDee pulled back her hand, “We’re good.”
“That’s not what it looked like when we found you.”
“We are fine, Serena,” DeeDee gritted out. “So, drop it okay.”
“Then why isn’t he here?” Serena pointed next to DeeDee, “Erik’s always at your side.”
DeeDee stared at the space next to her then back at Serena, “Reena.”
“Don’t Reena me.” Serena glared at DeeDee, “Sweetie, what is going on?”
“He lied, okay. Erik lied to me.” DeeDee bit out.
“Okay and have you talked to him about it?”
“No.” DeeDee deflated, “I mean I can barely look at him, Serena.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, it just makes me mad and sad all over again.” DeeDee’s voice cracked, “He didn’t trust me enough to tell me and that hurts Reena.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“That I don’t trust him? Right, before you two came up to us.”
“DeeDee. You know that’s not true.” She shrugged at Serena, “Wow. That’s how you really feel?”
“I don’t even know. Mom told me some stuff today and I just- I can’t bring myself to talk to him about everything yet.
“But if you won’t hear him out, then how can it be resolved?”
“Whose side are you on, Serena?”
“The side that wants to see a summer wedding next year.”
DeeDee rolled her eyes, “I’m gonna go inside. I’ll see you around.”
“Don’t make me come find you, DeeDee.”
She waved off Serena’s comment and went to the backdoor of the kitchen. DeeDee walked inside, saw a pile of dishes near the sink, and started to wash them.
“So, this is what we are doing now?” DeeDee looked up to see Miss Carrie. “Hiding out in the kitchen?”
“Hi Mama.” DeeDee dried off her hands and pulled her great-grandmother into a hug, “Happy Birthday Pretty Lady.”
“Thank you, baby.” Miss Carrie pulled away, “Now, where is that handsome fiancé of yours?”
“Somewhere. I don’t know or care.” DeeDee nonchalantly replied.
“Deidre Marie Chabert! What is wrong with you?” Miss Carrie looked at DeeDee and groaned.
“ME? Shouldn’t I be asking you two that?” DeeDee yelled.
“Little girl, who do you think you are talking to?” Miss Carrie snapped back, “I know you are mad at us, but you will respect me in my own damn house!”
DeeDee turned around and focused on the dishes.
“You got some nerve.” She spun DeeDee back around, “Why are you so angry, child?”
“Mama, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
“That The Juke Joint was in trouble.” DeeDee pulled on the edges of the dishrag.
Miss Carrie waved her off, “If that’s why you mad, then get in line.”
“Mama, I’m serious.”
“And so am I.” Miss Carrie took the dishrag out of DeeDee’s hands, “You aren’t the only one who is upset that I didn’t tell anyone when I was in financial trouble. Hell, ya mama just stopped asking me who gave me the money like six months ago.”
DeeDee looked over at Miss Carrie, “But you pushed me away, Mama.”
“The Juke Joint has always been my responsibility, not yours DeeDee. I wanted you to earn your degree without worrying about me or this ole place.” Miss Carrie leaned against the counter, “I knew Erik would help, but I never imagined he would be there for me and our family like that. So, if you want someone to be mad at, then it should be me and not him.”
“But he lied to me.” DeeDee mumbled.
Miss Carrie walked to the door and yelled through the screen, “Erik, bring your ass in here.”
“Mama, are you ok?” A voice called out.
“I’m good, suga. I just need to speak with these two. Keep everyone outside.”
She opened the door for Erik, who slowly walked up the steps.
“Is everything ok, Miss Carrie?” He asked as he walked into the kitchen.
“Could be better. How is she treating you, baby?”
“How am I treating him? He’s the one who lied to me.”
“For me, Deidre.” Miss Carrie rolled her eyes at DeeDee, then turned to Erik. “I’m so sorry, Erik. If I thought for one second -”
“There the two of you go. I’m right here. What about me?” DeeDee whined.
“What do you want me to say, DeeDee? I have spent the last two days trying to talk to you and you shut me out.” He walked towards her, “I have nothing to say to you. We have nothing to talk about. We’ll talk about this much later.” Erik mocked DeeDee. He stopped a few feet away from her, “Oh, and my new personal fave - I don’t trust you.”
DeeDee crossed her arms over her chest. Miss Carrie stood back and shook her head.
“Is there anything else you need to say to me? Please let me know if anything else I have done has changed the way you feel about me.” His voice rose.
“Erik, I-”
He clasped his hands in front of him and waited for her to continue.
“I didn’t mean that.” She watched him roll his eyes at her, “Okay, fine. I meant it.” DeeDee rubbed her temples. “Why did you lie to me?”
“Did I lie? No. Did I keep something important from you? Yes.”
“Why? I thought we could tell each other everything. And as many times as we have talked about Mama and The Juke Joint, this should have come up.”
“It wasn’t my business to tell. And don’t you think if I could I would have?”
“What was stopping you from being honest about owning my great-grandmother’s restaurant? Tell me why you couldn’t say that part.”
“First of all, Miss Carrie is still the owner. I am only a financial resource and that was all it was ever meant to be.”
Erik looked over at Miss Carrie, who nodded at him.
He continued, “She only agreed to let me help her and with those terms if I never told anyone. We added it to the contract, and I never thought about it or what it meant again.”
Erik took a few steps forward and grabbed DeeDee’s hands. He stared at the ring on her finger and grazed his thumb over it.
“And then I met you.” He sandwiched her hands between his, “The love of my life. My heart and soul. The person I knew I would share my life with and have the kind of forever love I desired.” Erik entwined their hands together.
“When she told me you were her great-granddaughter, I couldn’t believe it. Even though I told you how special this place was to me.” He looked back at Miss Carrie, “I couldn’t break her trust or our agreement without talking to her about it first. But we spent so much time together that week I spent here, I never got the chance.”
“What about when I came to Oakland for New Year’s?” DeeDee spoke softly.
“I was so excited to see you again so soon. I figured it would’ve been months before I got the chance. And then when you shared your news with me -- told me that you were moving to Cali and wanted to give us a chance.” He chucked her under the chin to make her look at him, “I know it’s no excuse, but I honestly forgot about it.”
“How do you forget something like that?” She asked him.
“Have you seen you?” Erik smiled at her.
DeeDee laughed. “I’m serious.”
“And so am I. Do you remember when I finally came clean about thinking I didn’t deserve a love like my parents had?” Erik swung their hands together and his voice softened.
She nodded at him.
“I wanted to make sure that you knew that you did not make a mistake by giving us a chance and trusting me with your heart. So, I focused on building our relationship and truly forgot until a few weeks ago.”
“What do you mean a few weeks ago?” DeeDee looked at him.
Erik shrugged, “This was supposed to be her announcement to make.”
“Whose?” She followed his line-of-sight back to her great-grandmother.
“We dissolved the partnership, DeeDee.” Miss Carrie said.
“Wait. What? Why? What’s going on?” DeeDee pulled away from Erik and walked over to Miss Carrie.
“Calm down, child. It’s nothing you did.” She winked at Erik, “Ok, that’s not true. You are the reason for the change, but it’s not a bad thing. I promise.”
DeeDee gave her a hug, “So, then what is it?”
“I’m giving up my ownership, DeeDee.” Erik said.
“Don’t do that. You don’t need to do that for me. I’ll get over this.”
Erik walked over to DeeDee and Miss Carrie. He took each of their hands.
“I just felt that The Juke Joint should go back to being family owned.” He squeezed DeeDee’s hand, “I’m relinquishing my ownership to you, baby.”
“You’re the only one who has ever loved this place more than me. Even more than Erik.” Miss Carrie interjected.
“I never meant to keep this from you or hurt you in the process. You were only supposed to accept when Miss Carrie offered you co-ownership and then I could share my part.” Erik spoke.
“I can’t just become an owner of the restaurant. My life is in Cali with Erik.” DeeDee looked at Erik and her great-grandmother, “Mama is something wrong?”
“Erik, talk this girl off the ledge, please. I have guests to entertain.” Miss Carrie tapped his arm and hugged DeeDee, “Let him finish explaining everything.” She whispered to her.
Erik led DeeDee to the kitchen island and pulled out a stool for her.
“You want some water or something?”
“No, I’m fine. I just want someone to tell me what is going on.” DeeDee rushed out.
“DeeDee, nothing about the arrangement changes. You will be Miss Carrie’s financier while she continues to run the day-to-day as she always has.”
“With what money, Erik? I am still paying off grad school loans.”
“You wouldn’t be if you would let me help you. But I don’t want to start another argument.” He grabbed her hands, “DeeDee, you will be my wife. You will have access to everything I have. Which will allow you to do exactly what I have done for the past 7 years; wait until Miss Carrie calls with a need or concern.”
DeeDee looked up at him, “You mean I’ll be a silent partner like you.”
Erik laughed, “No, absolutely not. Miss Carrie wants everyone to know that you are the other owner of the restaurant. The Juke Joint is a family run operation.”
“But you will be family, too. Why give all that up for me?”
“Because then I would have to continue to keep this from you. It wasn’t worth that for me.” He pulled her up from the stool. “I didn’t want this to ever become an issue. But we never thought you would find the paperwork either. She had it out for me to come by and pick it up. I was dropping off the new agreement that you would sign.”
“Oh.” DeeDee looked down.
“DeeDee, I love you.” Erik wrapped her in his arms. “What did I tell you before I left Baton Rouge?”
“That you found me and you weren’t letting me go.”
“And I mean that shit.” DeeDee giggled into his chest, “So, do you forgive us for keeping this secret? She thought this would be the best time to do it with all your friends and family around for her birthday. A dual celebration in her honor.”
“Uh huh, I forgive you.” She leaned up to peck his lips. “But that old woman has got it coming.” DeeDee wiggled in his arms.
“You better leave Miss Carrie alone.”
“Let me go.” She turned around and tried to pull his arms away from her.
“Woman, what did we just say? You ain’t going nowhere.” He tightened his grip on her, “You’re mine now.” He whispered in her ear.
“Ewwwww.”
“Get a room.”
DeeDee and Erik look up to see Serena and Marquis standing there with looks of disgust on their faces.
“Oh, you two can go to hell.” Erik barked at them.
“What did we do?” Serena asked.
“Nothing. Absolutely, nothing.” Erik said.
“I gave you water. An irresponsible friend would have let you keep drinking.”
Erik shook his head. “I had it under control.”
“No, you did not. You were going to drink away your pain.” Marquis explained.
“Pain? What pain?” DeeDee froze, “OMG. My trust comment.” She turned around to face Erik. “Baby, I am so sorry. I really didn’t mean to say that. I was projecting my feelings about my father to you. And you don’t deserve that.” She reached up on her tippy toes and kissed him, “I am happiest when I am with you. I do trust you and I can’t wait to become your wife.”
“Say it again.” Erik said.
“I love you and I can’t wait to become your wife.” Erik lifted DeeDee up and spun her around as she squealed.
“Glad to see y’all are all happy again.”
Everyone turned toward the new voice. Miss Carrie walked back in with a knife in her hand.
“Now, let’s go have some cake and enjoy the rest of my birthday party.”
Taglist: @teakturn @ghostfacekill-monger @shaekingshitup @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @woahitslucyylu @ladymac82 @bugngiz @eyeknowmywrites @ajspencer1892 @arafatih @issimplyaamazinggg @tchallasbabymama @killmonger-fics @beautifullmelodyxx @raysunshine78 @fd-writes @ljstraightnochaser @just-peachee @kaleidoscopeofsoul @sincerelykas
