Chapter Sixteen
Lucifer came into the bedroom in a great mood. He grabbed Aries up and swung her around. “You’re gonna meet my parents, dinner at your aunt’s at four this afternoon. My mother called, and I said we went down on the bike last night. I hate lying but sometimes you gotta lie. So what are you wearing, beautiful?”
“My aunt will expect us to be well dressed; I have a black dress and pearls. What will you wear?” Aries wondered what he’d wear? He had a closet full of all kinds of clothes, but he rarely dressed in anything but jeans and tee shirts.
“I’ll wear a nice pair of black jeans and a black button-down shirt. My parents and your aunt will have to deal with me as I am; they’re used to me. You’re going to look great and I’ve got something you can wear that will make my mother very pleased.” He disappeared into the closet.
Aries stood there wondering what he was getting and why his mother would be happy if she wore it? Lucifer came out with a square box in his hand. He held it out to her to take and realized she couldn’t open it one handed. He put it down on the bed and opened the box and took out a ring.
“Stick out your good hand baby, and shut your eyes, I want it to be a surprise.” He slipped a heavy ring on her fourth finger. “Open your eyes.”
Aries opened her eyes and looked down at her left hand, a diamond and onyx ring twinkled up at her. A square piece of black onyx with a round diamond in the center, surrounded by diamonds and rubies around the edge of the onyx in white gold, encircled her finger.
“It’s lovely Lucifer, are you sure you want me to wear this?” Aries knew the ring had to be expensive and most likely had been in his family because it looked like it was an antique.
“It was my grandmother’s favorite ring, and I’ve never wanted anyone to wear it before. I know my mother will be thrilled to see you wearing it. It means a lot to me, babe, so please wear it for me.” His voice was gentle sounding, and his smile was endearing.
Aries understood immediately this was a big step for him and she knew she would wear the ring. It would impress her aunt too, and she wanted to make everyone happy today. “I would love to wear it, and I can’t wait to meet your parents. What are they like?” She sat on the bed and waited for him to tell her about his mother and father.
“My mother looks kinda like Sophia Loren; she’s beautiful. My dad met her on a trip to Italy. She still has an accent, and it bothers her. However, I think it’s charming. My dad is tall like me; he’s a nice guy until he doesn’t have to be. He doesn’t say much if he doesn’t like you but if he does, he will talk your ear off. They’re good people, don’t let anyone tell you different. They will love you and Jewel, trust me.” Lucifer spoke proudly about his family. “I need to shower and shave, are you going to get dressed now?”
“Yes, and I wanted to ask you if you mind Leigh staying here for a few days. Her mother tossed her and Lizzy out, and she has nowhere to go. Luc, I could really use the help. Like when I shower, you don’t know how hard it is for me to comb out my hair and you’re not always here.” Aries used her most pervasive voice and hoped he’d agree. “Jewel is going to stay with my aunt for a few days, and they can stay in her room.”
Lucifer turned around and looked at her. “Arabella, Jewel is coming home with us. Why would you think she can stay with your aunt and not ask me what I thought? Do you want my parents to believe that we drop her at your aunt's all the time? Leigh can crash here; I don’t mind her staying for a few days. Ask Charlie if they can sleep in his room and he can use the couch. Babe, don’t make decisions without asking me when it comes to Jewel, I missed her all weekend.” He continued to the bathroom, leaving her stunned.
Aries sat still and wondered how she felt about Lucifer’s demands. On the one hand, she was happy he loved Jewel, but she felt she was losing more and more control of her freedom. She had to have a long talk with him after this dinner, and he had to back off a bit. She moved her hand, and it hurt. Shit, fuck and damn! She thought of Frog and Devil’s Grime MC and wondered what the hell she’d do now. She realized she wasn’t going to be leaving Lucifer for a while with those bastards after her. Sighing, she went into the kitchen to ask Leigh to put her hair into a French twist and to tell her that she could stay for a few days.
Leigh was sitting on the balcony watching Sleaze hanging out by the garage. He wasn’t even looking her way, and Aries wondered if he knew Leigh’s problems.
“Hey you, Lucifer said yes to a few days, and after dinner, I’ll talk to him about renting you an apartment here. Would you mind putting my hair into a French twist?” She waited for her friend to answer.
“Sure, you want to do it inside? He is ignoring me anyway.” Leigh took one last look at Sleaze before going inside.
“Luc said to ask Charlie if he’d take the couch since he wants Jewel to come home with us. He was mad at me for not asking him if she could stay at my aunt's. She and Lizzy can share a bed if you don’t want to ask Charlie for his room, you could sleep out on the couch.”
Aries sat down on a kitchen chair and let Leigh fix her hair. They didn’t talk, and it bothered Aries that Leigh refused to tell Sleaze her problems. She sure would have been filling his ear and making him help with Lizzy. Leigh was finally done and said she was going to get some clothes and her daughter. She didn’t want to put Charlie out of his room and chose to sleep on the couch.
***
Aries carefully slipped her dress over her head and was thankful she had no zipper. She needed help putting her pearl necklace on and went in search of Charlie.
Sleaze and Charlie were out on the balcony drinking beer. Aries nodded at Sleaze and asked Charlie if he’d help her with the clasp on the necklace. He got right up and helped her. He also wrapped her hand in a new ace bandage, hiding her wound from her aunt’s eyes.
“You look good, real classy and you’re gonna impress Luc’s parents.” He sounded proud of her and Aries kissed his cheek in thanks. She turned and stared at Sleaze with a sour expression.
“Sleaze, Leigh will be staying here with us until she can find a place to rent, I doubt she told you her mother is tired of them living with her and babysitting Lizzy. I don’t know why she couldn’t stay with you, but I need her here anyway.” She walked back into the apartment, leaving him bewildered.
Lucifer was in the closet looking for clothes as she went into the bathroom to put on some light makeup. She didn’t bother with eyeshadow, just mascara, and a lightly tinted lip gloss. She came out of the bathroom to find Lucifer looking very handsome, and he whistled when he saw her.
“Aries, you’re breathtaking. I knew you were the one for me when you walked into the shop. You look so different, all dressed up, with your hair up and in that black dress. I love the way you can go from mommy to a dancer, to a biker babe and now to a society chick.” He looked her up and down and smiled approvingly. He moved toward her and kissed her lips lightly.
Aries quivered and felt herself glowing at his praise. It was nice to feel appreciated and beautiful.
“Lucian, you look handsome yourself. I think we’d better get going; it’s better to be early than late.” She looked at him again and smiled. They did make a stunning couple. She hoped his parents would like her as they left the apartment for her aunt’s house.
***
They made small talk and used each other’s correct names on the way over. As they pulled into the driveway, Aries felt herself getting nervous and although she had said she didn’t want to use drugs, the need to calm down was intense. She looked at Lucian helplessly, “Do you have a valium? I’m scared to meet your parents.”
“You have no reason to be nervous babe; you should have asked me back home for a pill. Have a drink to calm down; I didn’t bring anything.” He cursed to himself; he should have thought to give her a pill to calm down. Aries worried needlessly, but a pill wouldn’t have been a bad idea.
He got out of the car and walked over to open the door for her. He took her good hand and watched as she correctly slid out of the car. She was classly, that was a given. They walked hand in hand to the gate that led to the garden. Jewel saw them immediately and ran over to them. Her long blonde hair was curled, and she wore a beautiful pink summer dress.
“Mommy and Daddy are here finally!” She ran to Lucian and put her arms up for him to pick her up. She leaned over to kiss her mommy’s cheek. “Luc’s mommy and daddy said I could call them grandma and grandpa. I’ve had an aunt but never grandparents.” Her voice was animated and her green eyes shined with happiness.
Aries was shocked at hearing Jewel calling Lucian daddy, but he didn’t seem to be. She made herself smile and look poised. Jewel was a different child since they’d moved in with Lucian. She stopped having nightmares and was barely sucking her pinkie anymore.
Lucian spotted his mother walking toward them and carefully put Jewel down. His face was filled with love as he looked at his mother.
“Mama, this is Arabella, but she would prefer to be called Ara. Honey, this is my mother Anna, but you can call her mama, everyone does.” Lucian looked adoringly at his mother who was holding Jewel’s hand. His father was coming toward them, and Jewel ran over to grab his hand.
Anna looked at Ara and gave her a welcoming smile. “Your bambina is beautiful; she looks much like you. My son has told me good things about you.” She moved forward and kissed Ara on each of her cheeks.
Ara was nervous and smiled back shyly. “It is so nice to meet you. I hope Jewel hasn’t been annoying.”
Lucian kissed his father on his cheek and pulled him aside so that Anna and Ara could speak.
“She’s beautiful huh, Pop? I’m serious about this one. I want your honest opinion before we leave.”
“I want to meet her, Lucian. Helene has been praising her skills as a mother, and the bambina is sweet. I like her better already than any of the other women you’ve had.” His voice was gruff, and Jewel tugged at his hand.
“Grandpa Tony, you need to meet my mommy. She doesn’t have a grandpa either.” She tugged on his hand as both men smiled down at the little girl.
Helene watched from her chair; satisfied her nieces impressed the Giovanni’s. Lucian came from a decent family and Arabella would have a good life with him, if he didn’t end up in jail. She planned to leave her nieces her estate and had been making changes to her will to tie the money up in trusts that would give them a decent income. She wished she could see her half brother’s face when he found out he’d be getting practically nothing from her estate. She stood up and pushed her thoughts away as she rose to greet her guests.
Ara broke away to and went to kiss her aunt's cheek.
“I need a glass of wine, Aunt Helene; I’m so nervous about tonight. I hope I dressed up enough. I’m not sure how I will cut anything with my hand.” She sighed in frustration.
“I’m asking Mary to bring another tray of hors d'oeuvres out.” Helene went into the house without answering her niece.
Ara moved to the bar that was set up near the house. So far it seemed to be going well, and she was very thankful. She poured herself a glass of wine and watched her daughter interacting with Lucian and his family. Maybe this was her destiny; she sipped the wine and let her mind wander to life with Lucian.
Lucian watched Aries and thought how well she was taking meeting his parents. She hadn’t blinked an eye when Jewel called him daddy, and it had surprised him also. He liked the sound of it, and suddenly he wanted to have children with her. He had planned to knock her up to keep her tied to him, but the way things were working out he was positive she would stay with him no matter what. He made a mental note to get rid of her birth control pills as soon as he could. The idea of seeing her pregnant with his child turned him on. He would adopt Jewel once he married Aries and she’d make an excellent big sister. Having Aries in his life was a good career choice too. She had education, had perfect manners and with Helene Saint James behind her, people who mattered would take him more seriously. He wanted to buy more real estate in Glidden, and he wanted to get the park made in honor of his nona. Aries would be a very good asset to his future. He watched her as his father began to talk to her and turned to speak to his mother.
“Jewel, go inside and see if your aunt needs your help.” The child skipped her way inside to do his bidding.
“Mama, what do you think of Ara? Does she meet with your approval?” He kept his eyes on her face to see what her true feelings were.
Anna watched her husband and Aries talking together and heard Ara laugh. “She is young, but yes for you, I think that is a good thing. She will fit in our lifestyle and from what Helene has said she fits well into yours. Her dancing at your club, I don’t like that. She should be home with the bambina, and you need to have a family soon. Your papa seems to like her; he is laughing. That is a good sign; it’s a shame she isn’t Italian and Catholic. Do you think she’d convert? Lucian, I want to see you married in a church, you promised me that.” She turned her face to look at her son. “Nona Lucia’s ring looks beautiful on her. I had a feeling I’d see her wear it tonight. I will speak to your father later and see what he thinks. Let’s go join them.”
Lucian tucked his arm around his mother as they walked toward Ara and his father. His mama’s approval had sealed the deal as far as he was concerned. If she approved, his father would, and he’d find a way to get Aries to convert to their religion. The thought of dealing with the marriage classes and the time it would take Aries to convert made him unhappy, but for his mama, he’d keep his promise. He hoped Aries would go along with his plans for their future. One way or another, he’d make sure she did. He’d been faithful to her, and that fact amazed him. None of the women who had thrown themselves at him since he’d met Aries had turned him on. She satisfied his every need, and just looking at her, he wanted to make this dinner short and get her and Jewel back home.
***
The dinner was delicious, and everyone enjoyed the fine food. Helene had hired help to come in to do the serving and clean up so they could sit and have coffee and dessert in the garden. The adults watched as Jewel tried to catch fireflies and when she caught one, she’d bring it over carefully to show them before letting it fly away. The heady scent of roses, Helene was so proud of, and the moonflowers blooming made their time on the brick patio splendid. Aries looked worn out, and finally, even Jewel seemed to be tiring. Lucian nodded to his father and the two men excused themselves from the ladies.
Lucian lit a cigarette before speaking to his father. “So what do you think, Pop? Mama likes Ara and Jewel took to both of you right away.”
“She’s young but seems to be a good mother. I’m more impressed than I thought I’d be. Lucian, this woman won’t put up with you cheating on her. She’s smart; she would be an asset to your future. Make sure you are serious about her. I don’t want your mother getting attached to her and her child, and you fuck it up. The dancing at the club, it bothers your mother and her aunt. From what Ara said she doesn’t plan to stop dancing, she likes to make money. Probably got that from Helene. Not a bad thing, making money. I don’t see this one letting you control her, that will be a problem for you. Go slowly with her. You’ll do as you want, though, you always do. I like her, so I don’t want to hear you’ve hurt her. That thing you asked me about with her ex-boyfriend, it will be handled by one of our own. The less you know, the better. I’m glad you came to me about that matter and not your club. I think you should be taking them home soon.” He flicked the ash from his cigarette and left Lucian to smoke by himself.
Lucian smiled evilly. If his pop had Gunner handled, there would be no blowback on the Devious Jokers MC. Juba couldn’t link him directly to it if he even had an inkling he might be involved. Lucian made sure to keep as much of his other life as private as he could. However, he was sure most of his club had a good idea of his family and who they were. He felt good as he walked back to the patio to collect Jewel and Aries.
Goodbyes and plans for a dinner soon at the Giovanni’s house were made. Lucian carried a tired Jewel to the car as Aries promised to have lunch with her aunt and his mother during the week. It had been a pleasant dinner and Helene, Anna, and Tony watched the couple depart with smiles on their faces.