Something startles me awake. Drowsy and a little disoriented, I walk in search of the ringing phone. It stops and starts again, then again and again.

Who's calling back-to-back like that?

I yawn, frowning as I pick up the phone.

This better be important.

Saturday is my sleep-in day.

Who's calling from the Chateau Luxury Hotel?

"Hello?"

"Ari! You up? Get dressed you need to come to the Chateau. Phoenix is here, girl!"

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "What do you mean? Phoenix is there?"

Mia whispers. "I saw him driving, some woman in his passenger seat. From the way you describe Nora, I think it's her. You need to get here. Fast!"

Blood pumps through my veins at a feverish pace. "Where are they now?"

"Listen, get dressed. Make sure you look presentable. You know it's the Chateau. Don't come here looking bama. But get here. Don't rush. I'll keep an eye on them. I followed them to a room. Call me when you get here."

Rubbing my forehead, I contemplate what to wear. "OK. I'm on the way."

"Ari, breathe. Take a deep breath, get dressed. I got this. Love you, bye." Mia hangs up the phone.

I stare at the phone for a minute and slam it down. "Feel it Still" by Portugal echoes in my mind. It's a race against time sort of moment right now.

What thee fuck?

Is Phoenix cheating on me?

There has to be some sort of explanation.

And why was Mia telling me to make sure I'm well dressed?

Because it's the Chateau and she doesn't want you up there looking a fool. Like you were last time!

Yeah. OK.

I roll my eyes as I go to my closet to pick out something comfortable and cute. Some grey joggers and a fitted athletic tee. I slip on a pair of white tennis shoes, brush my teeth, wash my face and let my curlies down. I make sure to slick my edges in little cherub like scallop designs near my hairline. I put on a little face moisturizer, eye liner and lip gloss.

There, you look cute. Now let's go bust this boy out!

I grab my keys and handbag and head out the door, heart racing. Pulling up to the Chateau, I valet my Range Rover and call Mia once I'm out the truck.

"Hey, so I'm here?"

"Yes, sis. Meet me in the lobby."

I walk through the automated doors. "I'm in the lobby," I tell her looking around. She's nowhere to be found. "Mia?"

"Yeah, one sec." Mia seems to cover the phone as muffled talking comes through.

"What's going on, Mia?"

Mia comes walking out of a ball room? I hang up.

She hugs me and puts her arm around my shoulder as she guides me back to the ball room she just left.

"Mia, what's up? Where's Phoenix? I ask.

"This way." Mia opens the ball room door.

"Surprise!" A huge crowd of people scream and jump up and down laughing.

I nearly jump out of shoes. My hand instinctively grabs my chest. "What the?"

Everyone claps and laugh. "Surprise! Baby shower!"

A grin slowly becomes a huge smile planted my face. I turn to Mia and slap her shoulder. "You!" I wag my finger at her.

Phoenix comes walking out of a corner clapping and smiling. He kisses my forehead. "Surprise baby."

Mia turns to Phoenix. "I need to borrow her for a quick sec!"

Phoenix holds his hands up. "OK."

Mia rushes me to the restroom and locks the door. "Brought you a dress to change into. Your hair and makeup are perfect. Light and airy. Here." She hands me an ethereal, flowy chiffon dress with spaghetti strap and a sweetheart neckline in watercolor hues of blues, turquoises and pinks.

"This is gorgeous, sis. Color me impressed." I change my clothes. "Shoes?"

"Got you these." She sits white flats down on the ground.

I put them on. "You're awesome, you know that? Scared the shit out of me, but you're the shit."

"Yes! Feel free to tell me more!" She laughs excitedly. "Turn around. Make it flow."

I turn like a little girl in a princess dress.

"Beautiful. Here let me zip you." Mia pulls the zipper up my back. "There. Perfect."

"This was the last thing I expected when you called."

"Thank me later. Get out there, everyone is waiting."

We exit the restroom.

Phoenix grabs me as soon as I enter the room. "Hmm. You look, good. I got somebody, no somebodies, I want you to meet."

"Who, am I meeting?" I ask as we walk across the ball room.

"Flora and Franklyn."

I tug at his hand with a question in my eyes.

"My mom and dad."

"I thought your stepdad's name is Frank?"

"It is! And my dad's name is Franklyn. Apparently, my mom has a thing for Franks." He chuckles.

"Sorry, but where's your stepdad? He here too?"

"You won't believe this, but they divorced last year. Didn't tell anybody. And get this, my mom and my dad are remarried. Secretly eloped, a few months ago. I only just found out." He turns to me, looking as if he's still processing.

"Huh?"

He laughs. "Yeah. That's what I thought."

We walk up to a table with an older, fair skinned woman, in her sixties maybe? Her high cheek bones, heavy-lidded eyes and ruby red lips are complimented by her cute 1960's pixie cut. She sits, legs  crossed, facing a man. Her body language conveys confidence and self-assuredness. She's wearing a fitted black wrap dress that stops at the knees with matching heels.

She was a fox in her day. No question about it.

Seated next to her listening intently, is an older, handsome gentleman, in his sixties, fit, he looks very debonair with a low-cut greyed out beard, black mustache, shaved bald head. He's wearing a crisp button-down navy top and charcoal slacks.

No doubt, he too was a stunner in his time.

"Aria, I want you to meet my mom and dad, Flora and Franklin Prescott."

"It's wonderful to finally meet you. You two look amazing. Thank you for coming!"

Flora Prescott reaches out her hand warmly. "Welcome to the family, dear." Her smile is like sunshine.

I reach out my hand to greet his dad. Franklyn stands and gives me a hug instead. "Welcome, welcome." He grasps both my hands. "We're excited for your two. Phoenix tells us great things. Now don't you worry about his . . . sticky situation. It will be settled soon enough."

Wow. So personal, so fast. But that's family, I guess.

"Thank you for the encouragement. I can sure use it." I laugh uncomfortably and tuck a curl behind my ear.

Flora stands and hugs me. "I like you already. Treat me like a second mom." She looks at Franklyn. "Trust me, I know a thing or two about complicated. We support you two."

Phoenix stands proudly and holds my hand. "Thanks, Mom. Dad."

https://youtu.be/oZOU306yv2g

The DJ turns on music and cranks up the "Peaches" Remix featuring Ludacris, Usher & Snoop Dogg by Justin Bieber.

"Now get out there, son. Enjoy the celebration." His dad smiles and sends us off.

As we step away, Leon, Phoenix's driver walks up to them and puts his arms around them.

A little confused I ask, "What's Leon doing here?"

Phoenix gives off a half smile. "You know he's family? He's my cousin."

"That's news to me. I thought he was just your driver slash personal assistant slash bodyguard?"

"No, he's more than that. He's family. I only keep people around I can trust. He knows all my moves, where I go, who I'm with. I can't entrust that information with just anybody."

"So many surprises today." I smack his arm. "I knew you were mixed!"

Phoenix walks in line with me, his hand on my lower back. "People call me Blasian, but I'm just me." He shrugs it off.

"So your mom, is she Chinese?"

"Yep, my family on her side is from mainland China. I've visited maybe once when I was too little to remember."

But she seems so . . ."

"Black?"

"Well, hey you said it not me," I reply.

"That's because Black culture embraced her. Let her tell it, she's mixed like me." Phoenix laughs.

"Oh!" I sit with the thought. "Wow. So, our baby is like twenty-five percent Asian?" 

Phoenixnods his head to the music. I dance-walk towards the dance floor and dance off the stress of the pretend Cheaters episode. My mom, Mia and Penelope join me. We all dance in a circle as Phoenix stands on the sideline watching. Someone taps me on my shoulder. I turn to see Aunt Paige!

"Aunt Paige! You came? All the way from Greenwich?" I wave her into our little circle, she joins us dancing. Aunt Paige looks amazing. She's in her early fifties but doesn't look a day over thirty. She takes incredible care of her body. I only hope to look as amazing when I'm her age.

"Aria, sweetheart! It's been so long." Aunt Paige comes in for hug. "Hmm. You're a new mama, now." She releases me and holds me at arm's length. "Let me get a good look at you. Oh!" She grabs me for another hug. "You're all grown now. I'm so proud." She gives me a final squeeze before letting go.

Mom smiles. "My baby is having a baby. Can you believe it, Paige?"

"No! I can't." She stares at me. "You look beautiful." She does a two-step to the beat and we all join her.

"You're gonna love all your gifts, Ari," Mia says. "Phoenix and I agreed, no presents, just donations to your favorite charities. You know Unicef, Shriner's, St. Jude and Save the Children."

"You sneaky little—"

"We had to figure out a way to get you here right away," Penelope interjects.

"Oh, really? And saying Phoenix is cheating is the way to do that?" I roll my eyes. Hard.

"It got you here didn't it?" Mama asks.

"You helped them plan that?" I ask, stunned.

Mama blows her nails. "Did what we had to do." She pretends to shine her nails on her blouse. "So, you know."

"You dirty bird!"

Aunt Paige raises her hand like a kid saying the pledge of allegiance. "Well, I, for one, had nothing to do with that."

Mom smacks Aunt Paige arm. "Snitch!"

"Ouch! Well, the girl needs to know who's really Team Aria, right?" Aunt Paige winks at me.

I shake my head. "You guys! I love this, but right I need a drink. A girl is thirsty."

Mama points to the bar. "Over there."

I leave to grab a bottle of cold, refreshing green tea. Glancing around the room, it's like my greatest hits. Everyone I love and care for is right here in this room. Nick from the Lotus is here.

"Nick! You came!?"

"Baby girl! I wouldn't miss this. Look at you." Nick walks up to me with open arms. He kisses me on both my cheeks, like he's just stepped out of the Godfather. "How ya been? I see you're doing good." He looks down at my belly and smiles. "You and Phoenix, huh?" He elbows me.

I snicker and look down. "Yeah."

Nick grabs a bottle of peach green tea and takes a long drink. "That's good. That's electric impulse, in action. The bee, sensing how much pollen a flower has by the electric aura it emanates. I see he chose his flower."

"Oh." I laugh. "I remember to well. Bees will go to the flowers with the strongest aura because they have the most pollen."

"That's right. Electric impulse is like a key that fits perfectly in a keyhole. The pieces just come together. Life takes care of itself."

I nod.

"Hey, Ari. Who's that?" Nick asks. He looks enamored with whoever has caught his attention.

My gaze follows the direction he's signaling. "That's my mom and Aunt Paige, Nick! What? You have googly eyes for my mom or my aunt?" My eyes are wide.

"Electric Impulse, right?" He laughs and dismisses it. "I'm gonna go over and say hi." He strolls off exceptionally optimistic.

"Sasha? How'd they get you here?" I yell over the music.

"Hey girl! Nick told me about it. When I reached out to your sis, she said it was cool to stop by. Come here, girl." Sasha squeezes me. "You're a whole grown girl now!"

I put my baby bump on display and dance to Usher's "Hey Daddy."

"Aye!" Sasha shuffles back and forth to the beat. "Aye, aye!"

We giggle as I try to get it in, dancing holding my baby bump. Suddenly, I can feel someone standing behind me. I turn to find Troy standing there with a huge, Cheshire cat smile on his face.

"Daddy's home!" He teases.

I roll my eyes. "Hey you!"

Troy holds up an envelope. "Got you something. Where should I sit it?"

"You just got here?" I ask above the music.

He nods.

I look around. "Over there! That table has a bunch of envelopes."

Troy dance walks to the table singing, "Daddy knows what you like."

I can't help but laugh. His timing is always on.

My eyes land on Phoenix, off to the side talking to Sheila, of all people.

Who invited her?

I don't like her body language. Hanging on Phoenix's arm like that. All in his face.

"Be right back, Sasha."

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter! As always, feel free to leave your thoughts on the page. Muah!