by Cee, DW
Truly, I didn’t know what to say. What the hell had happened since I was gone?
“That can all be decided later, Donovan.” Mom broke our stare-down.
“Are you staying at Grandfather’s?” I changed subjects.
“No. The hospital put us up in a beautiful hotel very close to you and Donovan. We are just steps away.”
“What do you mean, me and Donovan? I’m not staying with the two of you?” My parents were agreeing to let me spend the night with a man, when they were just a canal away?
“You and Donovan!” Mrs. Taylor exclaimed. “You’re getting married soon and will be a Taylor!” Now she was getting really excited. “Scottie, can you believe our Donny is finally getting married?”
“And to such a gorgeous and sweet gal!” Mr. Taylor smiled. “Henry,” he addressed my dad, “I promise to love Laney just as much as my other four girls.”
“Like you have a choice,” my dad stated matter-of-factly. “Look at her! How can you not love her?”
“Daddy,” I shook my head and addressed everyone at the table. “I’m unsure what happened back in America while I was gone, but Donovan and I are not getting married.”
The gasps began.
“In fact,” I continued, “I’ve been seeing someone since I got here.”
“No!” both Taylors gasped even louder. “We told you not to let her go, Donny!” They got upset with their son.
I could tell Dad didn’t approve. “You’re still seeing this Duke of England?”
I laughed. “Daddy, he’s not the Duke of England. His grandfather is a duke of an area in England and one day, Michael will inherit his dukedom.”
“Can you be a duchess even if you’re an American citizen if you marry him?”
“I don’t know, Mom. We’re not at that point in our relationship. We are taking things slowly.”
I looked over at Donovan who was seriously pissed.
“We can talk about the wedding another day,” Mrs. Taylor brushed off the last five minutes of our conversation as if she hadn’t heard a word I said. “Laney looks tired. Let’s let her get some rest.”
“That’s a good idea,” Dad said with disapproval in his eyes.
I walked next to my father and held us back a little so I could talk to him and see why he was upset with me. “Daddy. Michael’s a great guy. I wish you wouldn’t disapprove so much.”
“Baby, it’s not Michael that makes me unhappy. What I don’t like is the thought of you living in England if you were to marry this guy. We’d see each other just a few days out of the year if that happened. I was hoping you’d get married and live on the cul-de-sac, like Jake and Emily.”
I hadn’t thought of that… “Daddy.” I tried to assuage his worried heart. “Michael and I are not anywhere near that point in our relationship. We are just getting to know one another. You don’t need to worry about me living a ten-hour plane ride away from you.”
“What happened to your feelings for Donovan?” This question put me in a state of shock. “Since you were a little girl, you’ve been in love with him. How did that fall away so easily? Is it Michael?”
How did I answer this question? Answering my father would be admitting to myself that no one had replaced Donovan Taylor, and as hard as I tried to hide away my love for him, it never stayed hidden for long.
“How did you know, Daddy?”
“Sweetheart. I’m your father. You didn’t think I saw the love in your eyes whenever Donovan came around? I saw the love, the joy, the hurt; your mother and I saw and felt your every emotion. When Donovan finally came around and admitted he had feelings for you, I thought this was done. I’d gain a son and still keep my daughter.”
“I still love Donovan Taylor, but there is a mountain of issues we need to resolve before we can progress. I also can’t trust that he has actually come around to noticing me, much less that he loves me. Do you understand?”
“Keep an open mind and heart because I think he’s finally opened his mind and heart.”
“All right, Daddy.”
“Here we are,” Donovan announced. “We will see you senior citizens tomorrow morning?”
“Who the hell are you calling a senior citizen?” Dad bellowed.
“Good night. We will see you in the morning.” Donovan tried to push me into the house.
“You both are really going to let me be with Donovan…alone?”
“Donovan knows I’ll kick his ass if he tries anything on you tonight or any other night.” Dad said with a smile. “Do not worry, Baby.”
I proceeded to be hugged and kissed by everyone, twice.
“Let’s go in before my parents decide to take you home with them.” Donovan, too, got his round of hugs and kisses.
“Which room do you want?” I asked. “I’m so tired from pretending to feel well. I need sleep right now.”
“You don’t want to talk?” Donovan spoke with caution. “We have a lot to talk about and I need to clear up a big misunderstanding concerning me and Jane.”
He and Jane… “Let’s not tonight. I really don’t feel well. I didn’t want to worry my parents or yours so I kept up the act, but I could collapse right now if you’d tell me which bed I can sleep in.”
“You don’t want to sleep with me tonight?” He was now tiptoeing around me. What I would have done to hear that question just a few months ago.
Rather than giving him a false answer, I chose a bed and literally collapsed.
“Delaney.” A worried Donovan was wiping off the cold sweat from my face. “Take some medicine.” He tried to get me up.
“My head is so hot and it hurts so much, but my body is freezing cold, Donovan. Help me.” I croaked.
“Take this. I went out and got some medicine for you.” I swallowed the pills he gave me and tried to get up, but couldn’t. “You want me to call your mom?”
I shook my head no. “Don’t do that. My parents will be worried. Let them sleep. Daddy has to speak tomorrow morning.”
Donovan crawled into bed with me and held my shivering body. “Princess, you’re piping hot. You want to take a shower or a bath and cool down your body?”
“No,” I cried. “I know I’m hot, but I feel so cold. Am I going to die?” I was being what Mom would call, melo, but I needed the attention.
“You and I just started loving each other and have a life-long journey of unraveling this love. You are not dying on me till you’re a very old grandma.” Donovan chuckled.
It could only be the fever that was making me hallucinate and confess what I’d confessed. “Maybe you just started loving me, but I’ve been in love with you since I was ten. I was so desperate for your attention all those years. I got sick of feeling unwanted, and I got even sicker of watching you waver between every woman but me. I decided to come to London right after we were reintroduced, but I would have given up moving here had you shown me an ounce of interest. You, Donovan Taylor are my ideal man. You are the reason I never dated. You are the reason I almost gave up on finding my happily ever after. You are the reason my heart is so wary of love and weary from loving. My heart won’t let Michael in because it refuses to forget you.” I was like a drunken woman rambling. I had to stop myself.
I wasn’t exactly sure what had happened last night, but I woke up feeling much better, and I woke up to Donovan Taylor’s body surrounding my own. I was sprawled partially over his beautifully bare chest and both his arms wrapped tightly around me. I knew this was wrong of me to be in this position with him, but it felt so very wonderful, I decided to stay and willed myself back to sleep.
“Good morning, Princess.” I heard as I stirred awake again. “How are you feeling?”
“Much, much better.” I slowly got myself up. “How did we end up in bed together?”
“You don’t remember begging me to hold you last night?” Donovan smiled the most beautiful smile.
“I did not beg you for anything last ni
ght,” I argued, trying to get away.
“I see you’re feeling better if you have the energy to argue with me.” He brought me back down to his chest. “You don’t remember confessing your undying love for me last night?” He questioned with mirth.
“I did not!” I yelped. “I don’t love you!” I lied.
“Let’s go grab a bite to eat because I need to drop you off with our mothers and get to work. Unlike you, I have to work for a living. Knowing your spending habits, I need to bill more hours.” He kissed the top of my head and hopped in the shower.
I, too, got ready for whatever the day would hold. By what Donovan had intimated, it sounded as though the day consisted of the women socializing and the men working.
“What do you want to eat, Princess?” Donovan walked out in only a towel, and I didn’t know where to look.
“I need a strong cup of coffee,” I murmured, and decided to hop in the shower myself.
Mom and “Ma” were waiting for me at the cafe. “Good morning!” They both had a huge smile on their faces. “You feel better? Did Donny nurse you back to health?”
“Don’t embarrass her, Ma. I’ll leave my Princess in your care?” Donovan addressed both ladies. “I need to get to work before Roland fires me.” He walked over, kissed each mother on the cheek, and said his good-bye. Then he came and put his arms around my waist. “I’ll see you tonight?”
“What are you doing?” I tried to push him away. “I told you I’m seeing someone already.”
He came over and whispered in my ear, “Last night you told me your heart wouldn’t let Michael in because it can’t forget me. I’m right here, Princess. You don’t ever have to try to forget me. After dinner with the family tonight, we talk, OK?” Before I could answer, he kissed me lightly at first, then a full, open-mouth one in front of both moms. “Tonight…”
“Everything is going well?” Mom asked after Donovan left, with a smirk in her eyes.
“Mom. Nothing is as it seems. Donovan is pushing his cause, but I am still dating Michael.”
“That kiss didn’t look like you were with any other man but my son,” Mrs. Taylor giggled. “He’s a charmer, huh? He gets that from his father. My Scottie charmed the pants, the underwear, my entire outfit off of me, practically on the first date.” We all laughed. “Wasn’t Henry the same way?”
“Hell yes, he was, and he still is.”
“OK, Ladies! That was way too much information for my virgin ears. Why don’t we enjoy the exhibit instead of talking about the men in our lives?”
“Is she still a virgin?” I heard Mrs. Taylor ask my mom. “Do those still exist?”
Mom only laughed.
Dad had gone early in the morning to speak at his conference, and Mr. Taylor, who was also a retired doctor like Uncle Bobby, went with Dad. We, three ladies decided to spend our day visiting the Van Gogh and Rijk museums. Between a full day at two museums, lunch, and shopping, I thought I might collapse from fatigue. I could learn a thing or two from these moms. They were still going strong when we got in a cab to have dinner with the men at another beautiful restaurant. This time, we were slightly out of city center, eating at a botanical garden restaurant. The room was open, bright, and surrounded by homegrown food. I walked the garden while the two ladies chose to sit and drink their cocktails.
“Princess.” Donovan walked over to me with a gorgeous smile. “You and the moms had a fun day, I assume?” I stepped away when it looked like he was going to kiss me again.
“We had a fun, but exhausting day – though I seem to be the only one worn out. How was your day?”
“Very productive. The client I met with liked all I proposed and decided to have our firm take care of his company’s merger. Your grandfather showed up today, too. He’s here right now.”
“He is?” I started walking back into the restaurant.
“First,” he pulled me back, “I need to hear you tell me that you missed me today.” Though he spoke confidently, there was insecurity in his eyes.
“Mr. Taylor, every moment I’m not with you, I miss you.” I didn’t know what possessed me to confess again, but there it was. “Shit!” I added.
Donovan laughed loudly, proudly, and annoyingly. “I missed you too, I love you too, and I can’t wait to hear your entire confession. I have a feeling it’s going to be a hell of a story.”
“There will be no more confessions, Donovan Taylor!” I answered adamantly. “Last I looked, I was dating Michael and you were making out with my cousin. I don’t know what that was about, but those two facts are going to be difficult to overcome—regardless of what I once felt for you!”
“Shit!” Donovan agreed.
I walked into the restaurant with a genuine smile but had to pretend that all was well physically. If it hadn’t been for my family, I would have gone straight home and slept. In fact, I probably wouldn’t have come out at all, today. But I hadn’t seen my family in months and it was a joy to have them here.
“Hi Daddy! Your conference went well?”
“Of course it did. You going to come hear me speak tomorrow?”
“I sure will. Last night, I wasn’t feeling too well, but I feel much better today.”
“Scott, did I tell you my brilliant daughter got into med school as well as film school?”
“No!” Mr. and Mrs. Taylor called out. “You mean our baby is not only gorgeous and sweet, but she’s also a genius? We’ve got another doctor in the family?”
“I haven’t decided on med school, yet, Mr. Taylor.”
“Pa! I keep telling you, call me Pa!”
“Pa,” I whispered at his insistence.
“So when will you get married if you go to med school?” Mrs. Taylor asked with much concern.
“I haven’t decided to go to med school, and last I checked, I don’t have any plans to get married in the near future.”
“Don’t you worry about a thing, Laney. When you and Donny decide on the wedding date, your mom and I will take care of everything. You can go to med school, film school, or don’t do anything at all. My Donny will take care of you. You don’t have to work if you don’t want to work.”
This conversation was going in circles and I couldn’t convince anyone that I was dating Michael and that Donovan and I didn’t exist.
“Hello, Grandfather.” I kissed my wonderful grandfather on the cheek and chose to sit next to him. Thanks to my dad who scooted down a seat, Donovan placed himself right next to me. “Your home in Amsterdam is breathtaking. I don’t think I’ve seen a more beautiful sight than that of the canal from your bedroom window. I could sit there for hours and read or write.”
“You and Donovan can base yourselves here if you like, while Donovan works in Europe. I trust you’ve given Michael his eviction notice?” With a wicked smile, my grandfather was putting me in a difficult position.
“No, Grandfather. Michael is still very much in the picture. As soon as I get back to London, I’ll go see the Bennington family in the countryside.”
“Donovan?” Grandfather questioned. “What the hell’s happened? You promised to bring Laney back to us.”
“I’ve only been with her for a short two days. After we talk tonight, all will be where it should be.” Donovan spoke confidently, but I could tell by his shifting around that he didn’t wholly believe what he’d said.
Dinner was an elegant but simple three-course meal. Dad discussed his conference with “Pa,” Donovan talked shop with Grandfather, and Mom and “Ma” were actually talking wedding—as in my wedding.
“How do you feel?” Donovan whispered.
“Tired. I’m still not recovered, and both moms really wore me out today. I love being with my family, but I need to sleep.”
“Roland, will you be joining us at your home tonight?” Donovan asked.
“I’m going back home tonight to my wife. We will all be back very soon, though, and residing in Belgravia.”
“Would you all excuse us and allow me to take Delaney back home? She’s still not a hundred percent well.”
“Oh no! Go. Take her home.” Mom and Ma began fussing, and Donovan smoothly excused us before it became severe.
“Donovan, will you give me some more of the medicine from last night? I’m really beginning to feel ill again.”
“Of course, Princess. You’re not using this as an excuse to get out of talking to me, are you?”
“No.” I gave him my most exasperated-sounding tone.
“Will you let me sleep with you again?” I looked up at him with a dubious stare. “You know, just in case you get delirious again?” He smiled a most delicious smile. “Your tongue gets awfully loose when you’re delirious,” he teased.
“You may...NOT sleep with me and I’m not sure what my tongue confessed, but delete it from your memory. I claim no responsibility for what was said while hallucinating.”
“You know damn well what you professed, and I know you meant every word of it. You want me to recite point by point what you said?”
“Um...NO!” And once again, I was saved by the bell. I picked up my phone. “Hey, Michael.”
“Duchess! I’m so glad I finally got a hold of you. I was in a remote area where I couldn’t call, and we were delayed getting home. What’s this about you being in Amsterdam?”
“My parents are here.”
“They are? That’s wonderful. Should I come out and meet them? Then we can go to Grandfather’s together.”
“Well...it’s a little more complicated than that, Michael. I’ll just meet you at your grandfather’s as soon as I can.”
“Like hell you will.” A furious Donovan spit out.
“Who was that?”
“That was the complication I was mentioning...”
“Do I get an explanation?” Michael sounded worried. This was what I didn’t want happening. I didn’t want to make this good man wary and insecure.
“I am in Amsterdam with not only my parents, but also with Donovan and his parents.” I wanted to give Michael the simple and honest truth.