Slowly making my way up the stairs, my hands shook as I knocked. The door flew open and one of the most important women in my life stood smiling before me.
“Sophia!” Irene cried out. Pulling me into her arms, we both began crying.
My heart felt like a small piece of it had healed from being in Irene’s arms. “I’ve missed you so much, Irene. So very much.”
Pushing me back to give me a once-over, Irene shook her head. “The color has returned to your face. You look happy, darling. Come, let’s go inside and talk.”
Sitting in the parlor, I fidgeted in my seat. I wasn’t sure how I was going to tell Danny’s parents I had moved on and gotten married. Glancing around the room, I closed my eyes as I remembered sitting in here with Danny the day before he left for England. Taking in a deep breath, I slowly let it out.
“I … I don’t know where to start. In my haste to come see you I guess I didn’t think my words through.”
Irene reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Life moves on, Sophia.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “What did you say?”
Giving me a sweet smile, she nodded her head. It was then I noticed her eyes were missing their sparkle. It was as if a part of her was gone. “Danny would have wanted you to move on. I suspect it is Devlin?”
My heart slammed in my chest as a tear rolled down my cheek.
Reaching up and wiping it away, Irene continued to talk. “Shh … now, now there, my darling. Do not feel guilt for finding love again.”
Shaking my head, my mouth dropped open. “No, I could never give my heart to another man.” Dropping my head, I stared at my hands. “At least, not all of it. I’ve found happiness again with Devlin and we’ve gotten married. Tongues were wagging with me living with him at this plantation outside of Savannah. We thought it would be best to put the gossip and rumors to bed.”
“Of course, Sophia. Chester and I are happy you’ve found happiness.” Irene paused and smiled softly. “You deserve it. I know your heart will always belong to Danny, but Sophia, don’t be afraid to open it up again. There is room for Devlin in there. I’m positive.”
“But … I can’t, Irene. I care so very much Devlin and he has been amazing. So amazing. He has not pushed me into anything I was not ready for. I just miss Danny so much. I dream sometimes he is still making his way home to me.” Closing my eyes, I whispered, “He did promise me he’d be back.”
Irene pulled me into her arms as I cried. It had been the first time in over a month I cried over Danny. I had gotten good at pushing it aside. Burying it deep down, but being in Danny’s home, sitting with his parents, it was all too real.
After talking more with Daniel’s parents, I stood and bid them my farewell. “I love you both, I hope you know that. Never will I forget how you loved me and took care of me. I shall miss you so very much.”
“Then you shall come visit us, and often. Bring the baby as well.”
Pulling my head back, I looked at Irene and whispered, “How did you know? I haven’t spoken to anyone about it.”
Tears formed in Irene’s eyes. “I’ve seen that glow on your face before, darling. Take care of yourself, and tell Devlin right away. It’s all going to be okay.”
Feeling a sense of relief, I nodded my head. “I will.” Grinning, I gave Irene a kiss on the cheek before turning to Chester and hugging him. Stepping back, I gazed upon Danny’s parents. I saw a part of Danny standing before me and my heart felt like I was losing Danny and our child all over again. How I wanted to give them a grandchild. Danny’s child. Fighting to hold back my tears, I gave them a weak smile.
Life goes on.
Making my way back to the carriage, I decided I would tell Devlin about our baby, before the ball. I wanted to see him smiling the rest of the evening.
The carriage door opened and Devlin held his hand out for me. His silly grin caused me to laugh. “You are in a good mood, Devlin.”
Nodding his head, he placed his arm around me as we climbed the stairs to his home. Our home. “Indeed, there is something in the Savannah air that causes me to smile today.” His smile faded briefly while he asked, “How was your visit, darling?”
Feeling my stomach drop, I slowly nodded my head. “It was good. I needed to see Irene and Chester. I’ve missed them so.”
Following behind me, Devlin spoke. “I’m glad you went to see them, sweetheart. I know how much you love them.”
Walking into the parlor, I stripped my gloves off and placed them on the table. Reaching up, I let my hair down and watched as Devlin’s eyes lit up. “I think I shall soak in a hot bath.”
Devlin’s mouth parted open as he nodded his head. “It would relax you before the ball, that is most certain.”
Walking over toward, Devlin, I gave him a naughty grin. “I know something else that would relax me.”
Leaning against the piano, Devlin raised an eyebrow. “What naughty thoughts are running through my wife’s mind right now?”
Slowly licking my lips, I stopped in front of him. His chest was moving up and down and I could hear his breathing increase. He pretended to not be affected, but I knew better.
“Mr. Covington, I think you should join me in the bath.”
Closing his eyes, Devlin let out a moan.
Taking a step closer, I pushed my body against his, feeling his hard cock pressing into my stomach. My heartbeat increased and I was not sure how Devlin would react to the news I was about to share. I knew he would make an incredible father. It was evident with how much he loved Annie and was so good to her. Swallowing, I slowly breathed in as I took in the smell from his toilettes. “Then after our bath, I think you should make love to me all afternoon to celebrate.”
Devlin’s eyes danced with desire and lust. His voice cracked as he asked, “Celebrate what, my dear, Sophia? How you bewitch me with your eyes, your voice, and your breathtakingly beautiful body?”
Wiggling my eyebrows up and down, I said, “Hmm, your words will get you extra attention this afternoon, Devlin.” Moaning, Devlin’s eyes rolled back in his head and my body came to life. “But no, that is not why we celebrate.”
Laughing, Devlin asked, “Why do we celebrate then my love?”
Casting my brown eyes upon his, I whispered, “I’m with child, Devlin.”
For a brief moment, he seemed confused. Then the knowledge of my words spread across his face. “Sophia, you have made me the happiest man in the state of Georgia.”
Reaching down he picked me up and carried me to our bedchambers, where he placed me gently on the bed and spent the rest of the afternoon showing me just how happy he was.
“Mother, she is weak. I’m frightened for her and for the baby. With the epidemic sweeping through Charleston, I worry it will be in Savannah as well.”
Devlin’s mother peeked over to me as I placed my hands on my stomach. I was almost nine months pregnant and I would not deny that I was tired. “I’m not weak, Devlin. I’m tired. You carry around this baby and tell me how you would feel.”
Devlin’s frown vanished as he walked over to me. Leaning down he kissed me … passionately. Pulling back he said, “I’m glad we came back to Savannah. I feel better knowing the doctor is close by.”
Nodding my head, I said, “Everything is going to be fine. Go enjoy the company of your father and his friends. I promise I shall be okay.”
Leaning further down, Devlin placed his mouth next my ear. “You shall also be waiting for me in our bed … naked. I want to kiss your entire body from head to toe.”
Looking into his eyes, I gave him a seductive look. “I’ll be waiting.”
Standing straight, Devlin turned to his mother. “Mother, I shall return no later than an hour’s time.”
Chortling, she nodded her head. “I promise to keep her safe behind the confines of this house. Locked up tight with no access to the outside world.”
Laughing, I felt the baby kick, and boy did he kick hard. I let out a gasp and Devlin was b
ack by my side, holding my hand. “What is it? Are you okay?”
“The baby kicked. Hard. He really gave it his all that time.” In the two seconds I moved to adjust myself, Devlin had decided I needed to be in bed and resting. He picked me up and carried me up to our room. “Devlin Covington. You are being too overprotective. Put her down at once.”
“I’m sure you can show yourself out, Mother. Good-night.”
Smiling, I wrapped my arms around Devlin’s neck. “Does this mean you’re not going out this evening to the gentlemen’s club?”
“Yes, I intend on staying home and giving my wife multiple orgasms.”
“Mmm, I like the sound of that.”
Devlin gently placed me down on our bed. This pregnancy had been hard on both of us. I had gotten sick twice and was scared to death at one point I would not be able to carry the baby. Devlin was very attentive. My every wish was his command. Although I did not take it for granted, it had been nice being looked after. I often found myself lost in thought. I would think about the little girl I lost. What would she have looked like? Would she have had my eyes or Danny’s? My curly hair or Danny’s unruly brown hair? There were moments I found myself crying as I mourned the loss of Danny and our child. The moments began coming farther and farther apart, but they were still profound. With my hand on my stomach, I felt one child move, while I dreamt of the other child I would never get to hold. At least not until we were all joined together in heaven again.
Closing my eyes, I let Devlin take me to heaven and back … three times. I was spent and quickly fell sleep wrapped in his arms. I soon found myself in a dream that would wake me up and cause my entire world to turn upside down.
Standing on the dock I looked out over the water. The fog was so thick I could barely see. The ship was coming in fast as my heartbeat sped up. I had run down to the docks when I found out the ship from London was coming in. Something told me this ship was different. Special.
Standing there, I peered out through the fog, desperately trying to make everything out. Someone was walking toward me. I couldn’t see his face, but he had a giant bag thrown over his shoulder and he wore a hat. As he drew closer my heart beat faster. Who was this man? Why did he have such a pull on me? I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.
As he drew closer, I saw his face. His smile nearly knocked me off my feet.
Danny!
Moving as quickly as I could, I ran into his arms as he dropped his bag. “Sophia, my darling, Sophia. I’ve missed you.” Pulling back, he looked into my eyes. “I promised you I’d be back.”
Crying, I nodded my head. “I knew you would come back to me! I knew you would.”
His eyes turned from happiness to sadness. Looking away, he whispered, “You didn’t wait for me Sophia.” Turning slowly, he began to walk away.
Frantically, I began calling out his name. “No! Danny! Wait! They told me you were gone! They said I’d lost you forever! Daniel stop!
Running up to him, I grabbed him and turned his body to me. “Kiss me, Danny. Kiss me so I know this is not a dream.”
Leaning down, his lips stopped right above mine. “Sophia, my darling. I’m coming home for you. Wake up now … this is just a dream. Wake up, Sophia.”
Sitting up, I let out a scream. Devlin sat up quickly and looked at me. He looked scared to death. “Sophia? Sweetheart, what is it?”
Feeling a pain move across my stomach to my back, I knew what was happening. Oh God. The baby is coming. Pulling in a deep breath, I looked at Devlin and smiled. “The baby is coming.”
“One more push, Sophia. I know you are tired.”
“Devlin. I want Devlin!” I cried out. The doctor finally turned to the midwife and said, “Bring the father in.”
Quickly moving to the door, she opened it. Two seconds later, Devlin was rushing in. He immediately came to my side. Leaning down, he kissed me and whispered against my lips, “My sweet Sophia, I’m here, darling. I’m here.”
Smiling, I whispered back, “Devlin, I love you.”
Tears filled his eyes as he leaned down and kissed me again.
“Devlin, I need for Sophia to push again. Just a couple more pushes and the baby will be here.”
Taking my hand in his, Devlin looked into my eyes. “Sophia, can you do this for me, sweetheart? Will you push once more?”
Nodding my head, I leaned forward and pushed with all my might. Having Devlin by my side made all the difference in the world. He had been with me through so much; I knew he had to be here for this as well. “One more push!” The doctor called out.
Devlin helped me sit up as I gave one more push. Dropping back onto the bed, I called out. “I’m so tired.”
The sounds of our baby’s cry filled the air. I began crying as Devlin placed his hands on my face and turned my eyes to his. “Do you hear that my sweet Sophia? Do you hear our baby’s cries?” Nodding my head, I watched as tears made their way down my husband’s face. “Oh, Sophia, you have just made me the happiest man in the world.”
My heart was about to burst open. The words I longed to hear Devlin say, he had just spoken. The doctor looked up and said, “It’s a girl. A very healthy baby girl.”
Placing my hand over my mouth, I tried to keep my sobs within.
A girl.
The midwife had wrapped our daughter up in a blanket and placed her in my arms. Grinning like a fool, I could not stop crying. Tipping my head back, I gazed upon Devlin. “Thank you for loving me.”
Devlin had been staring at our daughter when his eyes moved to mine. “Thank you, Sophia, for giving me a piece of your heart.” Kissing me gently on the lips he turned and kissed our daughter’s cheek.
Life moves on.
TEARS STREAMED DOWN my face as I tried to gain control over the emotional rollercoaster I was on. Several times, Gael had paused and I’d silently urged him to continue on while he read. But this time, Gael had stopped. There was more. There had to be more.
“Why’d you stop reading? Gael don’t stop. I’m fine. I promise.”
Sitting up, he cradled my face in my hands. “There isn’t anymore, Ashlin. That’s all there is.”
“What? No!” Desperately, I grabbed the journal from Gael. There were only blank pages. I kept thumbing through them, hoping ink would appear. “Gael, he promised! He promised! Love didn’t win!”
I could barely breathe and felt a heavy knot form in the pit of my stomach. Thinking about the enormity of what Sophia had experienced, Devlin had sacrificed, and all of the loss had me feeling hollow.
Calmly, Gael spoke and put his hands back on my face, “Ashlin, sweetheart. Love did win.” I shook my head in protest. “Love did win, sweetheart. Danny and Sophia had that once in a lifetime love. Devlin was there for Sophia and opened her heart back up to love. Sophia loved Devlin, Ashlin. He was able to give her the baby she lost—the little girl she dreamed about. It wasn’t Daniel’s, but she knew the joy of motherhood.”
Staggeringly, I took in breaths, trying to calm myself. Through this journey, part of me felt like Sophia and I were on parallel paths in some instances. My nerves settled as Gael continued to stroke my cheeks with his thumb. “I’m so sorry, I got that upset. I feel connected to them. It was as if the love of Daniel and Sophia leapt off the pages. The kind of love that stories are made of.”
The logs shifted in the fireplace, jolting my eyes from Gael’s face temporarily. I got lost in the crackling sound.
After a few minutes, Gael shifted my focus back to him. He continued to speak soothing the raw nerve that was exposed, “And that love still lives in both of us. They loved. Ashlin, if I had the choice of having you for one day only or never having known you, because of the loss I would feel without you, do you know what I would choose?” I shook my head, then he continued. “I’d choose to have you one day and be able to feel the love we shared for the rest of my days. Life without love is no life. To chance your life on love is everything.”
I closed my eyes and let his word
s absorb. When I opened them, Gael watched me closely. “I love you, Ashlin. We are not Daniel and Sophia. In the few short months they had, they loved a lifetime’s worth.”
Nodding, I knew his words were true, but my heart still felt slain for them, knowing what it was like to lose everyone you loved. “Promise me, Gael. Promise me that you won’t break my heart. You don’t only have a piece, but the whole thing.”
Gently, his lips brushed mine. “I promise, Ashlin. I will guard it with every fiber of my being. You’ve had mine all along and I know it’s safe with you.”
“Please, make love to me. I need to feel you.”
Laying me back on the white rug, Gael adored my body, showing me how true our love was.
Taking a few minutes to myself before we left for Gael’s parents’ annual clambake they had the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I stared out into the ocean. Gael’s family and friends would be there tonight. I’d met some at the restaurant and they all seemed like normal, down to earth people. Instead of stuffy arrogant asses like Harris’ friends, I now surrounded myself with people who were compassionate, caring, and normal. Nerves hummed underneath the surface. This morning, I’d heard Gael talking about the firework show from the other room with his mom. It was all part of the big tradition they did every year. Before the show started, I planned on excusing myself and going to the bathroom. I’d probably curl up in the corner with my headphones and think of anything but the sound.
Bang!
An involuntary shudder came over me and I closed my eyes trying to drown out the sound of the gun when my father shot himself. He’d killed himself while someone ignited fireworks and the noise of the round going off would be forever linked together. Needless to say, I was not a fan of the Fourth of July. I hated all the fireworks and would turn my television up loud to try and drown out the sound.
“What are you thinking about?” Startled, I flinched as Gael spoke.
Being yanked to the present, I floundered on my words. “I was—umm—thinking.”
Predestined Hearts Page 25