The Fashion Designer

Chapter 12-One Hell of a Surprise

MICHAEL

Today's the big day. Dana and I got up early to prepare ourselves. I had offered to help but it was said that help was not needed.

Though my tuxedo and Dana's dress were not custom made it was from the same fashion designer that Bailey and her grew fond of.

"Hon." I called out to Dana.

"Yeah?"

"Does your parents even know Kanna's back?" I know that question was going to upset her but I had to know. For some odd reason I just had to know.

"What the hell Michael, we are going out and your thinking about her."

"Don't start with me, it's just a question." I countered.

"For your information mom didn't mention anything to me and as for dad, he's been acting weird lately." She rolled her eyes. "Now hurry up let's go, we have to be there before it starts."

Fixing up my tie, Dana stood before me, "Well?"

"Well what?"

"My dress, how does it look?"

"Um," my eye traveled down her long figure. "The dress is beautiful as always."

"That's it?"

That's what? What did she want me to say? I complemented it.

"Michael, I meant how do I look in the dress?"

"Why didn't you say that in the first place?"

"I did say that."

"No, you said how does my dress look."

"How can you be so handsome, smart, yet oblivious at the same time." Her eyes narrowed at me.

"I don't want this to be the start of another argument...now come on let' go where late as it is."

The ride was long and quiet. Dana has been sulking for whatever reason. Did she expect me to compliment her every time we go out? She already knows how beautiful she is. Even after giving birth to Lacy, her figure never faltered.

Finally arriving at our destination, we parked our car. Thankfully there was one parking spot that we found considering the amount of cars parked. I'm sure she's bound to notice.

Walking through the door we were silently greeted by the guests.

"Finally, you guys arrived." Brandon straddled towards us with a drink in one hand.

Looking around, I, well Dana and I were in awe. The room was amazing. Especially the decor. In fact, the decor looks oddly familiar but I just can't place my finger on it.

"Dad, this is something, this is wow." I was amazed Dana can appreciate such arts. Yes, the walls were filled with flowers as well as the tables, there were pole like statutes and candles.

"When, who; how did you manage this all by yourself?"

My thoughts exactly.

"Well when Brandon sets his eyes on something he gets the job done." My father Ed roughly patted his back.

"Who knew a man with such talents can create such exquisite designs." My mother Susan teased. But we all know Brandon was anything but creative.

"I had helped." Brandon gave off a quirky smile. "But let's talk later and come take your places. They'll be here any minute."

Without a second thought Dana and I took our places with the other guests and we counted the seconds that went by.

Suddenly the door flew open revealing Jack, Bailey, and Linda while every guest here including us yelled, "Surprise Happy 54th Birthday Linda!"

Lindas eyes watered as she had that stunned look on her face "Oh my, I can't believe this. NO wait I can, honey this is wow." Linda embraced Brandon, "I love you."

"Is this why you have been so secretive. All this time." She sobbed.

"Shh it's all in the past." Brandon reassured her. To those of us who know of his affair we knew what he meant.

"This is so beautiful. But honey who help you decorate because I am sure you are talent-less in that category.

Brandon had a look of guilt for a split second but soon was replace with a smile "Come let's greet the guests."

The party went on throughout the night. There even was entertainment which made this party less boring.

Jack and Bailey where on the dance floor. Brandon and Linda where talking to some of the guests while Dana and I made small talk with one of my cousins Mark.

When suddenly I felt a bump on my right leg.

Looking down a child was bent over my foot. I didn't know there were kids here.

This boy gave out a sniffled. Bending down I help him back up, "Hey there."

He looked at me fearful looking like he was about to cry. He looked just a little over one.

"Where are your parents?" He began to sobbed.

"Mike, who you got there?" My cousin Mark asked.

Standing back up, I picked the boy up in my arms, "I don't know he just ran into me."

"Well put him back down, we don't know where that thing came from." Dana sneered.

"Dana, he's just a boy." Seriously what's her problem. Her jealousy is over the top. She won't even let me entertain other kids afraid that Lacy would be neglected or so she says.

"Oh my god Kyle there you are." A man that looks very familiar ran up to us gently taking the boy out of my arms. "I'm sorry but," he paused when he glanced at me and Dana, "Oh Mr. and Mrs. Black."

"You? What are you doing here? And with child." I looked at the man whose name is Greg. The same Greg who we met when we had met Jack's wedding coordinator.

"Isn't this party for family, since when have been part of the family?" Dana glared at the boy.

"Ummm..."

"Is that your kid?" I raised my eyebrow.

The boy whose name is Kyle threw his tiny arms around Greg, "Ummm..."

"Is that all you can say?" Dana annoyingly asked.

"Chill guys, you're scaring the poor kid and the child." Mark patted Greg.

"You know him."

"Of course, who else help with the decorations."

"Are you telling me you helped with the party?" I could see Dana's brain turning. "Does that mean, is he here? The fashion designer?" Her head whipped 360 degrees. I'm sure if she was an owl her head would literally do a full circle while her body stays in place.

Before answering, Greg only gave a hesitant smile before leaving.

My eyes following his movement when Brandon decided to call for everyone's attention.

Lifting up our glass he gave a toast to Linda as a huge cake was being brought out.

After the speech, one of the hostess began cutting the cake when the same boy from earlier was pulling on the table cloth trying to reach some frosting.

"Get that boy away from my cake before he spoils it."

Running up, I gently carried the boy in my arms, "Do you want some cake."

"Michael, don't tell me he's your son from some w***e?" Linda laughed. If that was supposed to be a joke well then it was a terrible joke. The only person laughing is her.

"Dear that's enough of that non-sense." Brandon sweetly spoke.

Hearing Brandon's voice Kyle appeared to be reaching out to him. However, my grip on him never loosen not wanting to let him go. It felt calming just holding him in my arms.

Soon the room that was once full of chatter became awkwardly quiet.

"Oh, come on now, do you see any other kids here and Michael happens to be carrying a child."

"Mother please. Michael's only child is Lacy. After all that child doesn't no remotely resemble my handsome husband." She just insulted and complimented at the same time.

Linda was completely drunk otherwise she would not be making a fool of herself.

"Come now Linda, let's not make a fool of ourselves." Susan attempted to pull her away but Linda was not having it.

"Kyle." A woman possible his mother called out to him.

Kyle opened his arms reaching out for her when she came up took him from me. "I told you to stay with uncle Greg."

"Kanna." My breath hitched at the sound of her name.

She looked at me as if realizing where she was before her eyes roaming around the room.

"What the f**k, who invited you to my birthday party?"

"Darling please not now."

"NO! You know how I feel about her." Brandon looked at Linda. While we all had a surprise and shocking look, Brandon looked unphased.

My parents on the other hand remained quiet.

After our last dinner together as a complete family that we had years ago, my parents spoke highly of Kanna. As a matter of fact, they wanted her around more often because my parents were such good judge of characters. Unfortunately, the rumors began. And though my parents dislike Dana, they were sorely disappointed of me being unfaithful before I even said I do.

"If you think you can crash my birth..."

"I invited her." Brandon blurted out.

"Dad what? After what she had done, you invited her. Dad I want her out now."

"Dear, she's your sister, my daughter."

"No! What happen to England? I thought you sent her there."

"I did but I brought her back."

"Wait so all this time she was here. Where you seeing her behind our back?" Linda seethed in anger.

England? Sending her there. I was baffled by the new news I was hearing and I am sure so was everyone else. I mean those rumors. Well there goes those speculations.

"What the hell is going on?" I barked. All eyes turning towards me.

Dana looked guilty, Linda angry and Brandon remorseful.

"Michael maybe we should talk about this when everyone leaves." Jack looked between me and Kanna.

"Mama." Kyle called out.

"Um I'm sorry to ruin your birthday party but Happy birthday Linda." She pulled out a tiny box out of her pocket and handed it to her.

Linda stood there for a second before taking it from her and immediately dumping it in the trash.

"Linda." I bellowed. The room was beginning to whisper in hush tones.

Kanna gave a sad smile before taking her leaving along with Kyle and Greg.

"Good riddance." Dana snarled.

At that moment I felt nothing but sheer disappointment.