Rouse Family Christmas: Sag Harbor Black Romances, #5

PROLOGUE

MADDY

Elaborate guests wrapped in furs and sequins, donning priceless, rare jewels, strutted down the red rope, filing into the building formerly known as the Ivory , for its first Christmas under new ownership.

Over their heads swung giant golden bells. Surrounding them were life-sized Black nutcrackers, and three-dimensional Black Christmas ballerinas dancing in a holographic display. A forest of white Christmas trees and snow formed a path toward the dining room.   

Black residents from Nineva, Sag Harbor Hills, and Azurest, some of whom hadn’t visited the Black Hamptons in years, oohed and aahed at the new decor, which had barely been installed only days before.

Chrissy, Adella and Maddy had worked with a design team to create an updated version of the Winter Wonderland that was reminiscent of their magical childhoods at the Ivory. Even though the friends owned it now, they would try and keep as many of Black Sag Harbor’s old ways and traditions as possible, mixed with new flavor in the modern, swank furniture, lighting and fixtures.

Oh, my God, Mrs. Page, Maddy’s mother, gushed as her gaze wandered across all the baubles and gewgaws that glistened over the ground and track lights. You ladies were not playing around, were you?

We wanted to make sure we kept to tradition and improved on it. What do you think? Maddy whispered, while her own eyes danced at all the hard work the crews had put in.

The treasures at which they all gazed now had been months in the making, since she and her friends had earned their big victory over their number one enemy. Numerous trips Maddy had taken from her Capitol Hill job in D.C., to Sag Harbor to ensure every fixture and piece of furniture was situated to deliver a digitized, three-dimensional experience. With the help of Sheldon’s technological hand, of course. So Dream Stage could indeed be dream-like.

Breathtaking. As is everything you do, Mrs. Page mused, squeezing her oldest daughter tighter to her.

As if her head needs to get any bigger, Maddy’s brother, William, said behind her, giving his big sister’s hip a push. But he also beamed from ear to ear while his attention danced from one spectacle to another.

Right behind them walked the Rouse family. Jerrell Rouse held his and Maddy’s son Chase, who wasn’t yet three months old.

Y’all could’ve taken all this money and put it into some condos, an older voice joked. It was Maddy’s father-in-law, the patriarch of the Rouse clan, Charles Rouse.

I could’ve taken this money down to the casinos in Nawlins, gotten me some dancing girls and a purple pimp suit. Roland Rouse, the oldest of Jerrell’s siblings, joined in the wise cracks.

You wouldn’t have had a wife and family to come back to, his wife, Princess, responded with quickness.

The entire group laughed as both families all stopped on the step-and-repeat to pose for photos as a group.

Maddy rolled her eyes at both men. Thank God there are people like Princess and me in the world to lead you sheep when you go astray.

That’s right, daughters-in-law, give it to ’em, Jerrell’s mother, Professor Verona Rouse, added while they still posed for the photographers.

When do we get to the part where I eat my grandmama’s cooking? Sheldon Rouse cracked. That’s the only reason I came.

Oh, really? That’s the only reason, huh? asked his fiancée Chriselle, who was headlining the event. We’ll see if that’s your story when we get home tonight.

Ooohhhh, the families crowed while busting up with laughter and rubbing Sheldon’s bald head.

But just as Sheldon had pointed out, their family matriarch, Pauletta Rouse, had the entire restaurant smelling like a baked heaven. Even from the front foyer, whiffs of southern hot delectables teased their growling stomachs. Desserts and savory stuffed goodies they’d grown up eating down in Louisiana, now excited the guests’ nostrils—Pauletta’s Pecan Fire, Red Velvet Heaven, Sweet Potato Creams and Bourbons from the Boot.

After photos, Maddy and Chrissy moved to the front of the dining room, where they were joined by their childhood friend, Adella McClain. All three women now stood as business partners, in their triumphant resurrection of the Ivory.

As they linked arms, the entire room of Black Hamptons Who’s Who, joined by well-wishers of other races and cultures, stood to clap until the roof thundered. All for the grand re-opening of one of the most historic Black establishments in America.

Once they’d taken photos for the New England Standard, the Wall Street Chronicle, Hollywood Tattler, and other national newspapers and magazines, Maddy and Adella took their seats at the side of the stage.

Their friend Chriselle took center stage.

Hi, Mommy! her daughter Kara called out from where she sat in Sheldon Rouse’s arms. Do a good job and I’ll give you a cookie, okay?

The audience broke into laughter as Chrissy’s face brightened at the sound of her daughter’s voice.

Hi, Baby, Chrissy gushed from the stage. I’ll try my best. You know how I love Grandma Pauletta’s cookies. She turned to the musician leader and gave a quick nod.

What a difference a year makes, Maddy thought to herself at this sight.

The last time they were all gathered here for Christmas, complete and utter chaos had unfolded between Chrissy and her now ex-husband, with their son Blake throwing fits. Then, with the year of bidding wars and betrayals between Maddy and her childhood enemies, they’d almost lost this precious piece of Black history.

Now, as Chrissy sang Celine Dion’s rendition of O, Holy Night, the stars truly did appear to be brightly shining again in Sag Harbor.

Finally.

Southampton’s Episcopalian Church Choir moved into the stands, led by children, all carrying fake candles. Maddy and Adella held hands and wiped the shared emotion welling up in their eyes. They began to sing the chorus backing Chrissy up. Not a single other sound or movement disturbed the room.

As Maddy’s heart filled up with all the love and preciousness in that song, she stared toward the center of the dining room, at her new husband and baby. The last few weeks had been rough for them. Ever since that fateful October day, when she’d received an ominous visit.

Since then, she and Jerrell had been trying their hardest to work through the fallout.

When Maddy’s eyes rested on the loves of her life, Jerrell was already staring back at her.

I love you, she mouthed.

A moment passed. Even in the dim lighting, she might have sworn she saw his face flinch. Perhaps a flicker of pain darkened his eye. But nevertheless, he managed to mouth back, I love you.

His hesitation emphasized the new wall between them. She batted back tears, returning her attention to her longtime friend, Chriselle, who was singing her heart out.

You all right? Adella whispered, pressing life back into Maddy’s arm.

Maddy gave a slight nod. Barely.

After the opening song, a peaceful glow fell across the room of entranced attendees.

Pastor Arnold came to give the opening prayer and remarks.

"We couldn’t be more proud of these ladies and this community for coming together in such a loving and glorious way. The Ivory has been through so much this year, but we never doubted for a moment that the strong arm of the Lord would pull us through. And hold us all together."

Amen, many attendees called out from the audience.

Will every head bow and every spirit reflect? Pastor Arnold said. But before the Pastor’s head dropped, his eyes shot to the back of the room. Oh, what a blessing we have with us tonight. Praise God. Come on in, young brothers.

Every head in the dining room turned to the entrance at the top of the stairs. Hushed murmurs swept across the audience.

Maddy and Chrissy swapped stares of silent resentment.

The nerve of them to come here, Adella muttered.

Maddy fought to appear unaffected. But on the inside, she was seeing red, and not from the decorations. She couldn’t believe they had the audacity. As well as the gall of the woman who now stood alongside them.

Standing at the doorway was Solomon. Martin. Keenan. And Kevin. At his side, her arm nestled comfortably inside his, stood Chrissy’s cousin Cher.

This time, when Maddy’s gaze tripped back to her husband, no love could be found anywhere on Jerrell’s face as he glared at her, and then cut his gaze away…

To the man who stood between them.

"What are you doing here? How dare you show your faces when you were not invited," Maddy hissed at Kevin after she’d strutted down the aisle and slipped behind the Christmas trees. Now, she moved only her lips.

Kevin’s piercing eyes now pierced her.

"You might be the owner of the Ivory now, Maddy—"

"Dream. Stage. It is Dream Stage," she returned.

"And regardless of its ownership, it is still a piece of history that belongs to us all. Not just you," he answered.

Maddy, we only came to support this place, Cher chimed in. We all grew up in this building, just like you did. Come on. Don’t act like this.

Maddy ignored Cher and focused her ire on the man she’d once thought was the man of her dreams. Throughout this entire year, he’d only brought nightmares. Especially to her brand-new marriage in the last few weeks.

She stared around, at him and all his business partners with whom she’d warred over the last few months. I couldn’t tell from all the magazine and television interviews where you put us down and questioned if we could bring this place back from the ashes.

But you did it, Adella’s brother, Solomon, said. And now we’re here to salute you.

That’s right,