One Year Later

One Year Later

Billie and Quentin cut the ribbon on BD Industries (formerly Dupree Industries), bought back to life when H-tech was brought to its knees by the loss of funds to Harrison's ex-wife who had very well-documented accounts of his infidelity including several ex-secretaries who had testified on her behalf.

Billie's innovative tech revolutionized the industry. She rolled out a prototype a few months after her return home from Paris. It was met with much fan-fair and launched her company into the Fortune 500. Ranking her personally among the top ten-woman billionaires in the States.

Quentin had even found uses for her tech, that could be modified for medical use, giving them an even broader clientele to sell their product to. 

Quentin had announced that he was no longer a Harrison and took his mum's maiden name as his own. So, Mr. and Mrs. Braxton were being called upon to make a quick exit or they would be late for a very important event neither of them wished to miss.

They pulled up in Billie's SUV, and Carlos came out of the house to meet them. "Hey their gorgeous, pregnancy agrees with you, you know," Carlos said kissing Billie's cheek and rubbing her rounded belly. Billie swatted at his hand.

"No touchy," Billie said and Carlos laughed.

"Quentin, you know I am counting the days until you become a father, my friend. You will never get a full night's sleep again, and good luck getting any more sex with a kid wedged between you."

Elena swatted her husband. "The way you talk. Don't worry Quentin. He's far from celibate."

Quentin was nervous enough worrying over Billie, her health, and the baby's health. As much as he enjoyed sleeping and sex, his mind was elsewhere these days.

Elena had the birthday girl on her hip. "Madrina!" Isabelle cried and Elena set her free but not before warning her to be gentle. Isabelle hugged Billie's rounded belly and she place upon her stomach a kiss. "Hi baby!" she whispered. "I can't wait to play with you."

Billie stroked the little girl's hair. She missed the days she could catch Isabelle in her arm and lift her with ease. Now she had to have help from Quentin to get in and out of a chair or the car.

William and Amelia got out of the backseat of the SUV carrying gifts. Elena eyed the presents suspiciously. What did you do? Did you buy out the toy story? You will spoil her rotten," she complained.

"There is no such thing," Amelia said giving Elena a kiss on the cheek and William asked, "Where is my favorite little peanut?"

"Abuelo! Abuelo!" Isabelle said jumping up and down. "Here I am," Isabelle said waving her hands in the air to get his attention.

"No, you can't be mi nieta. You're all grown up. Mi nieta is just a little girl," Billie's father said to Isabelle.

"I'm going to be four today," she announced proudly.

"You are?" he said with just the right amount of surprise to be rewarded with her giggle before he scooped her up and gave her hugs and kisses.

"I swear he does that on purpose just because he likes her calling him grandfather," Billie said.

"Can you blame him? Your father has become a much happier man since his retirement," Quentin observed.

"This is true, your mom too. They've been spending a lot of time together," Billie said observing her father putting Isabelle down to help Amelia with the presents and the way Amelia smiled up at him.

"No, I forbid it," Quentin said watching with Billie at his side.

"Why not? I think they'd make an adorable couple," Billie said innocently.

"Don't even think of it, Mrs. Braxton. The last thing I want is a wife who is also my step-sister," Quentin informed her.

"Ooh, yeah. Didn't think of that? But if it made them happy?"

Quentin gave Billie a stern glance and she giggled. "Alright, no interference from me."

"Thank you," Quentin said, "Now, let's get inside and join the party."

Inside Isabelle and Olivia were playing together while Travis annoyed them both.

"Stephen! Anna! How are you?" Quentin asked seeing the Davis'. "All settled in?"

"It's taken a little while for Travis and Olivia to get into the swing of things with school. They miss their old friend but I think they are starting to enjoy it here more," Stephen told them. They opted for a house right in the same development as Carlos and his family.

"So glad to hear it," Quentin told them.

"Travis! What did I tell you about pulling your sister's hair?" Anna yelled across the room. "Excuse me," she said to Billie and Quentin and raced across the room.

"You two, do yourselves the favor and stop after one. Siblings are the worst," Stephen said with a shrug of his shoulders before he scurried over to help his wife separate their children.

"You sure we're ready for this?" Quentin asked of Billie who put her hand protectively on her baby bump.

"A little late to be asking that question don't you think?" she teased.

"I guess so," he told her.

"I think your fan club is mourning you though," Billie said pointing out the group of single moms who were now pouting since Quentin was married and his wife expecting.

"They never had a chance anyway," Quentin told Billie giving her a wink.

"Well not with Elena around," Billie taunted.

"That woman is scary when she is wielding a knife," Quentin agreed.

Billie gave a disapproving look and Quentin laughed.

"That's all I'm saying. Not another word."

The party went off without a hitch. Soon it was time to sing Happy Birthday. Once again Isabelle sought out Billie to sing by her side. It struck Billie as she looked over at Quentin's smiling face at how much difference a year could make.

Isabelle blew out her candles and announced, "Present time!" And everyone laughed.

Amelia helped Billie bring the presents over to Isabelle who tore through them, as usual, this time Quentin gave her a different chest. This one was filled with magician props as Isabelle fancied herself one.

She immediately placed on the hat and cape and waved the magic wand around.

"You know what a hat like that needs don't you?"

"Billie Braxton!" Elena hollered as Carlos brought over a white rabbit in a cage.

"Can I keep him?" Isabelle asked with wide-eyed wonder.

"Your father said you could," Billie told her.

Elena's eyes went wide and the stream of rapid-fire Spanish had her husband cringing. "I'll take care of it," Carlos tried to reason. "It can live in the garage."

Soon everyone had left and the clean-up had begun. Billie came in to find Isabelle and Quentin curled up together again on the chair. She snapped their picture and saved it to her phone.

Mr. Dupree, gently lifted Isabelle from Quentin's arms startling him awake. "Sorry, Son. Just thought maybe I get this little one to bed. I also think Billie's pretty dead on her feet, why don't you take her home? I'll make sure your mom gets home safely."

Quentin eyed Mr. Dupree suspiciously. "You'll take my mom home?"

"Quentin? Look at my girl."

Quentin immediately relented; Billie really did look tired. "Okay."

William gave Billie a kiss on the cheek and Billie returned it and gave Isabelle a kiss on the top of her head. "Happy Birthday, Chiquita."

"Love you, Madrina!" Isabelle said sleepily.

"Love you too, little one," Billie told her.

"You ready to go?" Quentin asked Billie and she nodded. Billie took a moment to say goodbye to the rest of them. She had nodded off in the car and Quentin gently shook her awake. 

"We're home."

"Home," Billie said groggily looking over the brownstone that was their home now that they were preparing for a bigger family.

Quentin helped her out of the car and up the steps. He opened the door and Billie kicked off her flats as she entered. Quentin threw his keys in a bowl on the entryway table and then grabbed Billie turning her around in his arms.

"How is it that another day passes and I only find that I'm even more in love with you than I was before?"

"Some men are lucky I guess," Billie said as Quentin pulled her close.

"This man certainly is."

Billie stood on her tippy toes so she could kiss him. What started out as a playful kiss turned into something much more as the two shared the love, they had for one another.

Billie took Quentin by the hand and started up the stairs to bed. "Billie, are you certain it's safe? You're so close to your due date. We don't want you going into early labor."

"Well, then I guess we're just going to have to get creative," Billie said with a wink and a smile.

"Oh, I can do creative," Quentin said grinning back.

"You most certainly can," Billie said giving him his come-hither-stare.

Quentin followed his wife into the bedroom with a smile on his lips and love in his heart. Knowing he finally had the family he always wanted.

The end. 



*** Thank you to everyone who had read, voted, and commented, while taking this journey with me. I really appreciate your love and support of my story. Hugs- Ruechari

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