Southern Heat Ch. 02

He remembered that she had told him she loved the beach, so that didn't surprise him, but the rest of the picture did. He shook his head, something pulling at his heart that he didn't understand. Anthony looked up to see the other pictures that were around the one he had picked up.

In the next one, there was a cute little boy at her side and she was pregnant, again, it had been taken at the beach. Then, there was another photo with the same little boy, who looked to be about five and a little girl, she was maybe three, and Jen was pregnant again, looking as if she was ready to explode. Then there was another with Jen, pregnant, and the other three kids standing around her.

He glanced up behind those and saw a progression of the children as they aged, mostly school photographs, some with her, some together. There were a few of her holding the babies, one of her and a man with the two oldest and a newborn, it looked to have been taken at the hospital.

The last one he noticed was of Jen and her children as stood at the walk, just before the steps of the house, the dog at their feet. They were all huddled together around Jen, laughing and smiling.

He looked at each of them, starting with the youngest boy, then the two girls, who looked almost identical to Jen, then Jen, and then a man that towered over her, with his arms wrapped around her neck.

His heart lurched into his throat when he looked deeper at the man. "No, it couldn't be." he whispered to himself, looking at all of the pictures again.

He held the one in his hand up to the one with the little boy with Jen when she was pregnant again, and then moved the one of all of the kids over next to it. Realization slapped him in the face, and his heart beat fiercely in his chest. "Oh, Jeana."

"Hey, Mom was calling for you, she wondered if you got lost." Andy's voice came from behind him. "I saw your bags at the door, figured you were in here."

Anthony turned to look at him, holding the photographs. Andy saw the look on his face and walked over, taking them from his hand, and began explaining.

"Ok, so this is mom," he looked at Anthony, "Yeah, you know that already, so, this was after she moved down to Florida, she was about four or five months along with Tony, I think. And this is Tony with her when she was pregnant with Mandy. And this is her, and them, and me in her belly, and this is all of us after I was born. This one is all of us when she was going to have Anna. And this, a friend took this a few weeks ago."

"Andy, when was Tony born?"

"June tenth, eighty-six, he's twenty-three now. Mandy was born in eighty-eight, I came in ninety, and Anna was ninety-one. My dad's a real dick, but Anna's dad, he hurt mom really bad, and they weren't even a couple." Andy glanced up at him, wondering if he said too much, not really knowing what else to say, "But mom has done a good job taking care of all of us, especially Tony, since she was by herself for a long time." he swallowed hard, and pointed at another picture, "see this, that's when she first moved to Florida. Gran put her out of the house. She didn't have anywhere to go, so she packed up her car, took her money she had saved for her new car, and moved away."

He waited to see if Anthony was going to say anything then went on, "Her best friend from high school lived in Panama City Beach, so she moved in with her, and Shawn helped her with Tony. Then she met my dad, well, he's Amanda's dad too. Tony was born in Florida, so was Mandy and Anna. I was born in Alabama, mom went into labor unexpectedly, that explains the green around the gills look here at Orange beach." He held up the photograph again. "My dad divorced mom a long time ago, and well, here," he picked up a photograph of the four of them, "That's Tony, Mandy, Anna, and me. Mom took that down there by the carriage house."

Anthony took the picture and stared at it, "Why did your Gran put your mom out of the house?" he ran his fingers up the glass, swallowing back tears.

"Something about her being trash, and she didn't want trash in her house. Mom said it was because she was pregnant with Tony, and when she tired to tell his father, no one would let her. I never understood that. Why wouldn't you want anyone to know about their kid?" Andy shrugged his shoulders, "Then when she found out mom was pregnant with Anna, Gran told her it the same thing, that she was trash, and to get an abortion. She told Gran it wasn't Anna's fault, just like it wasn't Tony's, and said that at least Tony's dad loved her, unlike that sorry bastard." He thought Anthony was going to bust him for cursing, but he just looked at Andy. "Anna's father was a client that hurt mom, beat her up, and hurt her really bad. But with everything he put her though, she still love's Anna."

"He raped Jen?" the angry look was harsher than his words, "That son of a bitch!"

"Well, they wouldn't do anything to him because he's some kind of affluent foreigner who said she came on to him during their meeting, and offered her services beyond that of what he was requesting."

Anthony looked shocked. My god, his Jen, treated like that, and the result was a child that she wouldn't give up, no matter the hell she had gone through.

He looked back through the pictures again, thinking about how strong she had been. Andy's voice echoed in his ears, "But out of all of her kids, Tony is mom's rock, and he takes good care of mom, well, all of us. They sure had a few hard knocks together the first few years. It's too bad his dad didn't know, I'm sure he would have helped her out, and made things a lot easier on her." He glanced at Anthony, wondering if he understood what he was hinting at.

"Yes, I'm sure if his father knew, he would have taken very good care of both of them, and loved them more than anyone would ever know."

"Mom always told him it wasn't his dad's fault. She loved him very much, and I think she still does."

"Andras!" Jen's voice echoed through the house.

"Yeah MOM!" he looked at Anthony and put the pictures up on the shelf, turning to walk away.

"Come on, it's time to eat." her voice flowed back to him.

"Is Mandy and Anna home yet!" he yelled as he got to the door.

"No, they'll be here in a little while."

He turned back to Anthony, "I don't think it was fair of Gran to treat mom and Anna that way. Gran knew what she went through with Anna, and there was no call for her to do that to mom and Anthony. His dad never found out, because even his parents sent the letters back to her. I know, because she still has them in a box in her room." He saw Anthony's expression change, feeling sad all the sudden, "Come on, before mom has a duck."

He left the room, leaving Anthony to his thoughts.

"Oh Jen, baby, I'm so sorry, so sorry I wasn't there for you, to protect you." He put the photographs back, taking one last look at the young man that held his arms around his mother. If only he had known, things would have been different.

Anthony picked up his bags and made his way back up stairs to her bedroom. Yes, he wanted to stay with her, he would be dammed if he left her side again if he could help it. There was so much to make up for with her, and now, even more.

He put his luggage beside the chair in the master bedroom and walked into the bathroom to freshen up. He washed his hands and face, looking at himself, suddenly feeling as if he aged ten years.

He felt so good when he read her letter, and when he saw where she was, and that she wanted to see him after all this time. He remembered what she had written, her words of love and care, how she never stopped loving him, and hoped that he still cared for her. If not, she just wanted to have some closure in her life with him, and wanted him to understand that.

Why hadn't she mentioned Tony? Did she think that maybe he knew already and just didn't acknowledge his son, or maybe she just didn't think that it was something she needed to say right then, waiting to see if he contacted her. By god, he was here now, and he would love her the way he should have been since the beginning. He heard a rustling behind the door and opened it to see her standing there.

"I thought you may have fallen in." she smiled, her hands on her hips again. It was funny, he really liked it when she stood in front of him like that, her eye brow raised and the look on her face. Damn he had missed her.

"No, I took a detour, and almost ended up in the guest room."

"Anthony, if you really want to sleep in there, I, maybe I thought, I don't know what I thought, what I wanted." she turned away, walking to the balcony again.

He followed her closely, putting his hands on her shoulders."Jen, I don't want to be anywhere but here with you. I was only teasing you about the other room. It would break my heart if I had to be away from you even this close."

She put her arms around his waist, "Anthony, I don't want to push things too fast, its been so long, there is so much to tell you."

"Start by telling me about my son." he looked at her, she swallowed hard.

"I wasn't sure how, or if you were ready."

"When I got your letter, I was more than ready to hear about your life. Jen, baby, I'm so sorry you have had to go through so much all this time."

"Anthony, I wouldn't know where to start."

"Well, why don't you start by telling me about the letters? Andy gave me some insight, and so did the pictures, tell me about Tony, and then tell me about everything else."

"I wasn't trying to hide anything from you, I hope you understand that."

"It sounded just the opposite, from what Andy tells me. And after what happened that night, I can believe him."

"I wrote you, so many times, right after I found out, after I got to Florida, and a few months after he was born. I even sent you pictures of him." she looked at him, sadness in her expression, "he has your eyes."

"I saw his pictures in the library. God Jen, I can't apologize enough for not being there for you. If I would have known, oh baby, I'm so sorry." He held her, feeling her chest rise and fall.

"But you didn't, and it wasn't our fault that you didn't. I knew that when the letters came back, and they had a woman's handwriting on them, 'return to sender, not at this address, don't write here anymore', some of them never even came back." she watched his eyes, trying to read his feelings.

"Andy told me you're mom threw you out? How could she be so cruel!"

"Because I was evil, trash, a slut for having sex with you, and then finding out I was pregnant by you just made it all worse. She knew it was yours because Donny and I hadn't seen each other in months, and I hadn't been with anyone else sense. I told her I was going to tell you, and she told me not to ruin your life, it was bad enough that I ruined mine."

"What a bitch!" he expected some reaction from her, but nothing came of it.

"Anthony, I promised Tony I wouldn't say anything because we weren't sure if you were married, or had kids of your own, or what your life was like. But when I moved back here, and found out that you were still there, I took a chance to let you know where I was. I needed closure between us, to go on for Tony, for all of my kids. I promised our son that I wouldn't tell you until we were sure you could understand what had happened, so you wouldn't be angry about it."

"Angry! My god, I lost the most beautiful woman in the world, and my son because of someone else, there is no reason to be angry with you. Jen, god, I love you, and now, I have a son!"

"Yes, Anthony, you have a son, a beautiful, strong, smart, wonderful son."

He smiled, thinking of his reactions earlier, "When you were dropping hints earlier, talking about Tony, when he pulled up in the driveway, and you said his name, I was actually jealous before you told me he was your oldest. And then I was trying to figure out why you called him Tony."

"Because, Anthony is your son, and I wanted him to have his father's name, even if I couldn't, he was all I had left of you, of our love."

"Baby, not anymore, I'm here now, and I plan on staying, if you'll have me."

"What about your family?"

"My wife and I are divorced, my kids are grown, and my job doesn't matter."

"But Anthony, I can't expect you to..."

"Let's just spend the next few days together, and we'll go from there. Deal?"

"Deal."

Another vehicle coming into the yard distracted them, Jen looked down to see the red car pull up and stop. "That will be Mandy and Anna." she turned back to Anthony, "Well, let me introduce you to my children, and your son."

"I would like that baby, very much, but first," he gathered her up, kissing her long and hard, entwining his tongue with hers, taking all of her in, like he had before. "I love you Jen."

Tears ran down her cheeks as she kissed him. Relief and love over coming her as she felt his love once again. They broke the kiss and she snuggled into his chest as he wiped her tears away.

"I'm sorry you had to suffer with them, alone with Tony, and Anna, my god Jen, if I would have been there, if I would have known, if I..."

She placed shaking fingers to his lips, shaking her head, "Anthony, please, we can't change that now," she scanned his face with her eyes, "we can talk about that later."

"All right, but you have to promise to tell me everything, no matter how much it hurts."

"I will. I promise." they held each other close, he gently kissed her again. Voices came from below them, drawing their attention down from the balcony.

"Mom!" the younger of the two yelled.

"What? I'm old enough to have company in my room."

She laughed as she went inside.

Jen and Anthony met them at the top of the stairs after Anna and Mandy came to put their things away. She quickly introduced them and Anna gave him a cute, flirty smile, Mandy raised an eyebrow and grinned. They hurried off chattering, talking loud enough to be heard.

"Oh my god, do you really things that's Tony's dad? Mom said he looked liked him but do you really think?"

"I don't know Mandy, but he's hot! That's for sure." Anna added, glancing back.

"Mom's not gonna like you talking about him like that."

"Why not, it's the truth." and off down the hall they went.

Jen looked at Anthony, smiling, "Girls, what are you going to do?"

"I know what I want to do with my girl." He swung his arm around her, kissing her cheek.

"Soon enough lover boy!" she put her hand on his chest, "we have all night."

"Yes, baby, we do."

***

The dining room was huge, the table nicely set, Jen and Anthony sat together and waited on the children to trickle in. They chatted about little things, not getting to in-depth about anything. She promised to tell him about Anna when they had some private time, but right now, she was too happy to bring up something so sad.

Andy was the first to come in and sit down, playing his PSP until they were ready to eat. Anna and Mandy were next, sitting across from where Anthony sat, still chattering, Jen mentioning that they were only quiet when their mouths were full. Still, no Tony.

"Where is your brother?" she asked in general.

"He was in the back, I don't know mom." Andy mentioned, putting his game up, "Can we eat yet?"

"No, you know we all eat together."

"Come on mom, I'm starving!"

"Then I'll go find your brother so we can eat." she excused herself from the table and went to the sunroom.

The girls struck up a conversation with Anthony, asking where he was from, how he met their mom, why he was there, and many more questions. He politely answered them, taking in the girls features, admiring how much they looked like Jen.

They were very attractive, Anna's darker skin tone and hint of green in her eyes, set her facial features off nicely. Mandy's long hair enhanced her face and he noticed that she had mannerisms like Jen.

Andy sat back and listened, playing his game again. Anthony looked over Andy again, his pale blonde hair and highbrow made him look long and lean, he was over six feet tall, and his gray eyes were interesting, but Anthony wanted to see his son. What would he look like beyond those photographs? Her children were beautiful, and he wanted to see his son.

"If you ladies will excuse me, I'm going to go find your mother."

"Tony is in the sunroom, or on the back porch," Anna mentioned, "He goes there to sulk when he's upset."

"Thank you." he got up from the chair and found his way down the hall. Voices echoed from the distance and led him right to them. He listened before he knocked.

"Come on mom, I asked you not to tell him."

"I had to, he saw your pictures and asked. I didn't tell him in the letter, I just told him where I was. I had no idea he'd drive all the way out here to see me. And I'm not sending him away after all this time."

"Fine, then I'll go. I'll go to David's or something. Mom, I'm not ready to meet him."

"Tony, he wants to see you. What, do you think he's a monster that will hurt you?"

"Why not, Jack was, and..."

She cut him off, "Anthony isn't like them, and I'm not defending Jack, but he is your sister and brothers father. I'm sorry he was a bad choice, but I didn't know that when I married him."

"How can you trust him after all this time? Damn it mom, he didn't want anything to do with me before. What makes it any different now!"

"Because now he knows about you, he didn't then, and you know it Anthony! You have seen all the letters, and you know what happened. I have told you the truth about your father since you were old enough to understand!"

"Then why wait this long? Huh mom? Because now you're older, you're lonely? Gran can't lead you around by the nose, telling you what to do, holding your children's welfare over your head because of past mistakes, like the one you made with Enrique?"

She broke down in tears, "Damn it Anthony! He beat me up, he almost killed me! He was expecting favors that were not part of the client agreement. And your grandmother hated me because it was all my fault, saying I led him on, once a whore always a whore. You know why she said that? She said that because I didn't marry her first pick! That's why she liked Jack, because he was her pick, and Jack about killed me too! Your father was the only man who ever loved me, and ever cared for me!"

"Fine! But I don't want him here now!"

"I don't care! I love Anthony. I never stopped." she was sobbing harder, almost hysterically, "If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have you baby. If it wasn't for you, I don't know what I would be doing, I may even be dead."

"You don't know that mom! Hell, I could have belonged to any man you slept with!"

"That's enough!" a deep voice jolted them. Jen looked up to see Anthony standing in the doorway. She got up and ran to him, he swept her into his arms telling her it was all right. Tony stood up, facing him. "Don't ever talk to your mother like that!"

"What, now you think you can come in here and boss us all around!"

"No, but I won't let you hurt Jen like that, there's no reason for you to act that way."

"Oh, so now you're going to be my dad! I don't think so."

"No, I wanted to get to know my son for the man I was told he had grown into, not the spoiled child I see upsetting his mother." Anthony's ice blue eyes cut through Tony as he looked over his son.

He was tall and buff, dark shoulder length hair, crystal blue eyes, sharp features, it was almost like looking into the mirror, only twenty years younger. He tightened his grip around Jen and whispered to her, she nodded as he looked back at Tony.

"I didn't know. I didn't know until I saw your pictures. Your mom kept her promise to you, until I asked. Your brother is the one who spilled the beans when I was looking at the pictures. Damn it son, if I would have known you were alive, I would have been there for you, and her."