“You’ve come to mean so much to me. As you know, I don’t have a mother and never really had much of one. I was hoping that you would want to continue to be part of my life.”
Freda gasped then used her free hand to cover her mouth as her eyes filled up with tears.
“Of course I want to be part of your life. I won’t let those two dominating men keep us from getting together. You call me whenever you need to talk or you want to go shopping. We can do all the things that—”
“That a mother and daughter do?” Mariana completed her sentence, and they both smiled.
Freda covered Mariana’s hand with both of hers.
“I would be honored.”
Mariana stood up and so did Freda, and they hugged.
She pulled back and looked up into Freda’s eyes.
“Freda, how do you feel about being a grandma?”
Freda gasped with her eyes wide open and then looked from Mariana’s eyes to her belly then back to her eyes again.
“Are you?”
She nodded her head, and Freda cheered out loud then danced in a circle. Mariana laughed as Alvin came running into the room.
“Freda, is everything okay?”
“Yes, Alvin, everything is wonderful,” she said as she grabbed Mariana’s hands and squeezed them. She looked at Alvin who appeared utterly confused but smiled.
“Alvin, grab some champagne and some sparkling water for Mariana. I’m going to be a grandmother.”
* * * *
Jameson was holding Mariana’s hand and looking at a very provocative painting as Jax and Roldolpho discussed something that looked very serious.
Jameson spoke into the hidden mic on his sleeve to someone named Spider. The event was a complete success, and they were preparing to leave in just a little while.
“We’re going to head out. I just wanted to say how wonderful it was to see you again, Mariana. You’re simply glowing,” Theo Centurion stated as he leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He was escorted by a pretty blonde he had as an escort for the evening.
“It was nice seeing you again and thank you,” Mariana replied. He stepped away from the blonde whom Jameson spoke to a moment while Theo whispered to Mariana.
“She can’t compete with you or your love and knowledge of the arts. I wish Roldolpho had hired you for his gallery, but I guess since he sold it, that’s out of the question. Good luck, dear, and see you soon.”
Marian watched them walk away, and immediately Jameson was pulling her close.
“What did he whisper to you? I hope he wasn’t making a pass.”
“No, silly, he was complimenting my knowledge and love of the arts. He also said that Roldolpho sold the gallery. I can’t believe it.”
She felt kind of sad, but then, she wasn’t serving hors d’oeuvres anymore, and come spring she would have her degree and look for a job for the time being.
“Hmm, that’s interesting,” Jameson said then looked back toward the painting.
“Do you mind if I use the ladies’ room before we head out?”
“Of course not.”
Just then Jax made that bird sound and Jameson immediately looked concerned.
“You can go see what’s going on, I’ll meet you up front, by the fountain?” she asked.