Guillaume, Her French Husband

“That good, huh?” she asked.

“Yes,” Ashley was nodding. “That good…no great.”

“So what about you? How is life after your parents in law met MJ?” Lara asked as she opened her bottle of water. “I don’t know about you but I would be looking out for men in hoods and burning crosses on my lawn almost on a daily basis.”

Ashley forced out a laugh.

“Honestly, I had to beef up my security. I got more cameras…and this system is connected to this smart device. I get to see what is happening in every angle of my house at any given time. So…yeah. There’s that…oh and the whole system is laser secured.”

Lara smiled. For anyone else, this would have been considered extreme but as far as Ashley’s in laws were concerned, that was almost too easy. She was still not convinced that they had all changed. She could not help but smell a rat as far as Michael’s parents were concerned.

“At least my son came back home unharmed. That was my number one worry,” Ashley went on and Lara nodded.

“Honestly, I am still having a hard time believing that someone who flies the confederate flag a little too proudly suddenly accepts her daughter in law and grandson who are not Caucasian.” Lara shrugged. “I honestly get why everything was messing your head up when Michael and MJ were up in their house.”

Ashley shrugged.

“Tell me about it. They even had the audacity to ask if they can come visit sometime,” she added.

“They what?” Lara asked in a louder voice than she intended to use. “Why? What do they have planned?”

“I have no idea but whatever it is, I am not interested in being in the mix in that weird family drama.”

“I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want to be in that mix…let alone touch that drama with a hundred foot pole,” Lara said in a soft voice.

“I’m just happy I got Michael in my corner. He told them out right that he is going to put them up in a hotel and everything. Which I understand…if they were my parents I wouldn’t want to have them around people I know….or even my kid. Because honestly, children are impressionable,” Ashley explained and Lara nodded. “But every single time I think about this whole idea, I can’t help but wonder what the hell is going on…I mean, why now? It is not like Michael and I just hooked up.”

“Maybe they just want to reconnect with their son,” Lara pointed out matter of factly and Ashley shook her head.

“They have had all the time in the world to do that. And bottom line is that they still think I should be in a field picking cotton.”

“Hey, Michael chose you,” Lara said as she placed a reassuring hand on Ashley’s hand. “There is nothing that they can do about that. He could have chosen to marry a Southern Belle but he wanted you.”

“Yeah he likes his women like he likes his coffee. Black,” Ashley said smiling.

“And proud,” Lara pointed out laughing.

“And proud,” Ashley echoed.

“So,” Lara said as she took another sip of her water. “You mentioned getting more spots as far as The Broken Elbow is concerned.”

Ashley nodded.

“Yeah, we have become pretty popular ever since that article in the tabloid came out. And I am thinking it is going to be even bigger when the film hits the Box Office and I want to get ahead of that. Hopefully, with you as our brand ambassador.”

“Brand ambassador?” she asked and Ashley nodded.

“Yes…you could host or something…” Lara put her hand up before she could finish her sentence.

“Ash, The Broken Elbow is a bar. Hosting calls for a club…that’s a whole new different business world,” she pointed out and Ashley shrugged.

“It wouldn’t hurt to venture out into something new. Something that challenges me and if it means more money then why not?”

“I really support this move, Ash but…a club is a little going all out of it. I mean, it is a little like going from zero to a hundred in seconds.”

“I know that and I have been doing my research. And clubs are the next big thing…I mean, I had the same thoughts when I thought of incorporating a restaurant at The Broken Elbow but it turned out to be a great thing. Now The Broken Elbow is a bar and bistro and it all worked out great,” Ashley said proudly and Lara nodded.

“Yeah, I guess it did.”

“So, maybe this is why I am just willing to take this leap…even if it seems like such a big risk, I am willing to do it. I think it could be really great,” Ashley said nodding and Lara nodded.

“Well, I support you every step of the way. Emotionally and financially,” she said as she pushed her chair away from the counter. “Right now, I think I just need to lie down. Call Guillaume and tell him we landed safely and then lie down,” she corrected herself quickly.

“Wait,” Ashley said before Lara could get away. “Financially?”

Lara nodded.

“I already got my signing bonus for the movie and needless to say it is so much more than I ever expected so I guess I am always going to be part of The Broken Elbow one way or another,” she said smiling.

“I will need some help before I can get used to the traffic,” Ashley said and Lara shrugged.

“Give me four hours and we can do this all over again. Details and everything,” she said before she walked away leaving a smiling Ashley standing in the kitchen. And she could only think of one way to celebrate.

After making sure all the doors and windows were locked, she made her way upstairs to the master bedroom.

“Honey,” Ashley said as she patted Michael’s shoulder. “Wake up.”

“What…what…” Michael muttered as his eyelids fluttered open. But before he knew what was happening, Ashley had stripped down to her birthday suit. “What are you doing?” he asked as she pulled off the covers and then his pajama bottoms.

“I want you,” she said as she got on top of him, straddling him. “Right now.”