by Dee Dawning
Before she could finish, she laughed and cut her off again, "I hear this little speech at least a couple times a year and ninety percent of the time it involves a man."
She knew she turned as red as fresh squeezed tomato juice when a hot flush passed through her again.
Mother Superior's brows rose and she smiled. "You're in the ninety percent aren't you?"
She nodded. "He's a museum curator." Her gaze averted to the floor. "I slept with him. We had sex."
"Well don't worry about it. We're all flesh and blood. The church knows these things, that's why you don't say permanent vows for three years. You are a good sister and nurse. Certainly, if you leave, we'll miss you, however, knowing someone in the biblical sense before saying permanent vows does not preclude you from going on and becoming a full-fledged sister. I'm an example of that?"
Without thinking, she blurted out, "You-u…had an affair?"
She laughed, "Am I so old and decrepit that you cannot visualize me with a man?" The she grew maudlin. "Forty years ago I was a young, attractive woman who fell in love. I went so far as to renounce my temporary vows and shared an apartment with him. This was during the Viet Nam war and my man was a soldier. We met and fell in love between tours. Two weeks after we moved in together, he was sent on another tour—a tour from which he didn't return alive.
"I became a bumbling mess. Thank God for the sisterhood. Going back and saying my permanent vows, making the sisterhood my life saved my sanity.
"I don't begrudge any woman for seeking happiness with a man. I still think of the glorious five weeks I spent with him. Those were the happiest days of my life." A tear rolled down her cheek, matched by another on the other cheek. She brushed her tears and straightened up. "And these are the most meaningful times of my life."
What a tragedy. She couldn't even conceive of losing Julian like that.
"Now, enough about me and back to you. We understand love is a very strong emotion. If you renounce your temporary vows, there will be no hard feelings. Should you wish to return, you would be welcomed with open arms." Sue winked. "And I would be at the head of the line."
"Should you and your man go forward and get married we ask only two things. That you marry in our chapel and any children resulting from your union be raised with Catholic values."
Big Problem! Her hands became sweaty. "Ah, there could be a slight problem."
Sue cocked her head and the bottom of her wimple covered her chin. "Oh!"
Her nose scrunched from her reluctance to explain, "Julian is…" She sighed. "An atheist."
Mother superior's face contorted, evolving through a series of emotions and finally settling on condescension. "More than likely he's never been exposed to the teachings of our Lord. We must talk. Can you bring him by?"
She knew better. Her arms began to itch, something that happened when she got agitated. As she rubbed her forearms, She explained. "No, he's very smart and thoughtful. Julian was raised as a Christian, I'm not sure which denomination. However, after a thorough examination of the facts in favor and against God he decided God is a hoax, perpetrated upon the unsuspecting for the elevation of the few."
"But surely you don't agree with him?"
"He has some very persuasive arguments, but no, in my heart I can feel Him, I can feel God. Julian is a fair and honorable man and he has no problem with my beliefs."
"Still, atheist or not I would like to meet with your young man."
* * * *
"No! I see no reason to meet with your mother superior. I know there's no God. As sure as I know you are sweet and beautiful and I love you, I know there's no God. And if you'd open your mind instead of your heart, you'd know it, too."
Laurel had never seen Julian so…so pig headed! "I know no such thing. I don't want to get into it with you. My Mother Superior merely wishes to meet you. That's it."
His head shook in obvious disbelief. "Yeah right. She's not going to proselytize or discuss religion in any manner?"
Without thinking she took a defiant pose—hands on hips, feet spread. "I didn't say that. Of course, she'll discuss religion, but with the certitude of your beliefs why should you worry? You have to realize a deeply religious person has trouble believing anyone can believe any other way."
"And you have to understand a person with an open, logical mind has trouble believing anyone could buy the obvious hocus pocus, being touted in churches and even by the evangelists on TV, which by the way are the biggest frauds of all."
She wagged a finger in his beautiful face and he mockingly snapped at it with his teeth. "Fine if you're too stubborn to go to her. I'll bring her here."
Julian sat on his living room couch and crossed his arms. "Fine, I'll be waiting." He crossed his arms and gave a 'so there' nod with his head.
Laurel grabbed he purse and headed toward the front door. Julian rose and intercepted her, grabbing and holding her hand tightly. "I have one thing to say to you before you leave."
She looked up into his jocular, blue eyes. "What."
"I love you!" His other arm wove around her backside and he pulled her in close. Embracing her, his lips lowered to hers. She closed her eyes and felt the moistness of his slippery tongue on the crease between her lips. They parted and his tongue languorously washed across her teeth and into the slick trough between her lips and gums. Warmth and moisture collected between her legs, her breathing becoming a mixture of gasps and pants. She loved how his tongue felt in her mouth. Then her mind wandered to last night and how fantastic it had felt in another more personal area, not to mention the spectacular sensations his lower placed organ engendered in the same place.
She jerked away and a surprised look formed on his face. Though not as surprised as when she took his hand and led him into his bedroom. "Mother Superior can wait until tomorrow. First, I want you to teach me—I want to explore all the nuances of sex."
Chapter Ten – Engagement
Love is a many splendid thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love! ~ From the movie Moulin Rouge ~
S he twisted and stretched as slivers of morning light penetrated the window coverings giving the dark room a warm rosy glow. She put a hand to her mouth and her yawn gave way to a blissfully happy, top of the world smile. her world was wonderful, made even more wonderful with the addition of Julian. She glanced his way.
He was awake and watching her. "You are the most exquisite creature in the universe."
She looked at the ceiling and laughed. Then she rolled on her side and touched his nose with a forefinger. "And you sir, are an unabashed flatterer, whose nose by now should be at least two feet long. However, I am hopelessly in love with you."
Julian rolled over toward her and leaning on his elbows bent over and kissed her. "You make me so happy I could scream. So I think I will, Julian Peters loves Laurel Adams!"
She covered her ears from his loud exclamation and laughed. "Now that I made my mind up to be a wretched sinner, I've never been happier."
"There's nothing wretched or sinful in what we did. Even if I believed in God, I find it hard to believe he would find fault with two people deeply in love, sharing intimacies and finding fulfillment with each other."
"You may be right. A week ago, I would have cringed at the thought of what we've done, now I believe I've done nothing wrong. No regret, no remorse." She suddenly choked up at the thought of the life changing transition she was making.
A tear rolled down her cheek and Julian wiped it away with a finger. "What's the matter baby?"
"Loving you so much scares me. I would die if I lost you. Promise me you'll never leave me."
Now Julian's eyes grew watery. "I love you more than life itself. I would never leave you."
"Swear to G—" She paused at the absurdity of an atheist swearing to God.
"I so swear on the Atheist Creed."
She jumped into him and squeezed so tight he couldn't breate. "Ooh. Careful."
"I'm sorry. Is it okay if I get mo
ther superior and bring her over now, Mr. Atheist?"
"Of course."
"How about Father Brennen?"
"Sure, bring forth all your heavy ammunition. You have inspired me. I feel like debating, but not until I fix you breakfast."
Julian insisted she stay in bed. She heard his busyness in the kitchen, while he fixed her, what he called 'a gourmet' breakfast.' Recalling the previous evening and all the sensuous things they did, she knew she wouldn't be satisfied unless they made love one more time before she went to the dormitory.
Even though she never experienced sex before three days ago, she seemed to have become addicted to it.
Initially, wearing only an apron, Julian brought coffee and that day's LA Times. "What I have planned will take a few minutes, so I hope this will help you pass the time."
She giggled quietly when he turned to leave the room and his cute buns were revealed to her.
After roughly thirty minutes, her love returned carefully carrying two trays. He set one down on the nightstand. "Sit up please."
She did and it exposed the upper half of her body, including her breasts. Initially embarrassed, she thought about pulling up the sheet, but decided against it.
"Thanks." He folded the tray legs down and set the tray across her thighs. Then he got in bed and did the same with the other tray.
"The first thing she noticed was a bud vase with a beautiful two toned pink and red rose. She leaned over and smelled it. "Thank you. This looks wonderful."
He smiled. "You're welcome, dig in before it gets cold."
The meal consisted of two pieces of cinnamon swirl French toast, blueberry compote, three sausages and a bowl of mixed fresh fruit. "That was scrumptious," she said as she finished. "You are really a great cook."
He bowed his head. "Thank you milady. Here is the last course of breakfast."
To her shock, he set a ring box on the tray. "What's this?"
"I'm not going to tell you. You're going to have to figure it out for yourself."
She knew she wore a silly lopsided grin as she picked up the box and examined it. She glanced his way to reassure herself.
"Go ahead. Open it."
She flipped the box open and gasped. The dazzle of an enormous diamond engagement set took her breath away. "Oh, Julian, it's breathtaking, but you shouldn't have spent all this money on me."
He grabbed the box and took the engagement ring out. Then he reached for her left hand a slipped it on her ring finger. It truly was beautiful…and big.
"It's only four carets and I can't think of anything I rather spend my money on than you. I think by now you've probably figured out I want to marry you." He bent down and kissed her hand. "Laurel Adams, will you marry me?"
"Oh yes!" Once again, she jumped into him and squeezed the breath out of him. "Julian."
"Yes?"
"Can we make love all day? Today, I feel naughty and I don't want to bring religion into it."
"I would love to make love all day and for starters I think I'd like a taste of you for dessert. Let me show you another way we can do that."
After round two, counting the round before breakfast, they took a break. She couldn't wait to tell her sister and father so she called them and she thought Julian did the same.
"Hello?"
"Teresa. It's me."
"Hi baby. How did it go with your order?"
"It went fine. She's very understanding. I guess a couple sisters renounce their vows each year. She herself renounced her vows once. The only thing she asked and I haven't had the nerve to discuss this with Julian, is she would like us to marry in their chapel and our children to be raised with Catholic values."
"You're talking like marriage is a sure thing."
"That's what I called about. As of two hours ago, it is a sure thing. Julian asked me to marry him and I accepted."
"Oh, shit!" She heard what sounded like the handset falling to the floor, then silence.
She hung up, then ten seconds later the phone rang. She answered, "Hello?"
"It's me. Sorry, I got so excited, I started to jump up and down and the phone slipped. Anyway, you getting engaged is fantastic. I never thought I'd see the day when you walked down the aisle. God! I wish I were there so I could hug and squeeze you."
She held her left hand out in front of her gaze and wiggled her fingers. "I wish you were here too, so I could show off my enormous engagement ring."
"Well, come on over and I'll break out the bubbly."
"I would love too, but I want to spend the whole day in bed with Julian making mad passionate love. Tess, I think I've become sex addict."
She laughed "All I can say is we all are when we first fall in love. After a year or two it slows down so enjoy it while you can."
She didn't like to think about it slowing down. She knew Tess always bragged about the great sex life that she and Seth had, so she asked her, "You've been married a while and have four kids. I hate to get personal, but this is important to me. How often do you and Seth ah…do it?"
She laughed. "Don't worry. It doesn't drop off that much. The babies put a crimp in our sex life, but now that we're through with babies we have sex three or more times a week when I'm not indisposed."
"Indisposed?"
She giggled. "The curse."
Phew. "Thanks sis. I can live with that. I better call daddy now. Oh one more thing before I hang up. I want you to be my maid of honor."
"I'd love to. I accept."
"Good, I'm going to go now. I'll get back with you about celebrating."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too. Bye."
She ended the call and quickly punched in Dad's number.
"Hello?"
"Daddy, it's Laurel. I have big news."
"Hi Pumkin. Let me guess. You're engaged."
She was deflated. "How did you…never mind. Yes, Julian asked me about an hour ago. Daddy, I'm so happy I could scream."
"I'm very pleased. Julian seems like a fine young man." He laughed. "One that's capable of fathering three darling grandchildren."
"Daddy."
"Just teasing. I love you very much and I want nothing but happiness for you."
Julian walked in the room a lustful twinkle in his eye and a naughty smile on his lips. "And I love you very much. Daddy, I have to go, but you, Teresa and I will all get together to celebrate. I'll call you. Bye."
"Who were you talking to?"
Feeling just a little mischievous, she smiled coyly. "That was your future father-in-law."
Pursing his lips, he shook his head. "Well, I have some bad news for my future father-in-law's youngest daughter."
It took her a second to figure out what he was talking about, she made a face. "You want the ring back?"
He chuckled. "No way. You're not getting out of marrying me that easy. I got called into the museum."
Longing to make love again, she was disappointed. "Why, I thought you were on vacation."
"I am, but in my position, I'm on call. Apparently there's some emergency regarding a shipment. I'll tell you what though. When I'm done, I'll take you to dinner and we'll celebrate."
"Doesn't the museum close early today?"
"Yes, on Sundays they close at six."
"Well, how about we celebrate before you get done."
Julian's brows dipped. "Celebrate? Where? How?"
"For starters, after everyone leaves, I want to make love where you kissed me. In the Hominid exhibition."
"You want to make love in the museum?"
She nodded. "Ah-huh. Is that all right with you?"
His smile was simply devilish. "I can't wait."
Chapter Eleven –Natural History and Love Museum
Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
~ by Elizabeth Browning ~
"H ello?"
"Sarah?"
"Yes."
"It's Laurel. I hope this doesn't upset you, but Julian asked
me to marry him."
Her reaction was not what she expected. "Honey, that's wonderful. You accepted didn't you?"
"I did and he and I are going to celebrate tonight."
"That's fabulous. Love must be in the air, because I have some amorous news of my own to tell you about. Come on down and let me do your hair."
"You're a mind reader. Do you have time?"
"For you, I'll find the time. It'll be my engagement present."
In less than thirty minutes she sat in front of Sarah. "How would you like it?"
Watching herself in the mirror she raised a forefinger to her lips. "Could you do it like last time? I want to dress up and look exactly like our first date."
Sarah nodded, then tilted her head. "Sure that'll be easy." She felt her hair. "Don't even need to shampoo your hair."
As she began to style her hair Laurel asked, "You had some amorous news of your own, I believe?"
From the size of her grin it seemed obvious she was dying to talk about her new love interest. "Oh, baby, you're going to think I'm crazy, but I've been corresponding with a special man over the internet. His name is Gil, short for Gilbert and I met him through Matefinders."
She was a little skeptical, but tried to maintain a modicum of enthusiasm. "How interesting, you must tell me all about him."
She roared with laughter, "With an invitation like that I may talk your ear off. I tend to overdo things. I think I did that with your fiancé. With Gil, I'm really watching myself. Anyway, Gil lives in Flagstaff, Arizona—He's a professor at Northern Arizona University. We'd been corresponding for five weeks. A little over a week ago he drove down here and we met in person. Laurel he was even more gorgeous than his picture."