by Dee Dawning
Sue nodded. "I only want what's best for my women and I no longer believe the sisterhood is what's best for Sister Laurel. Now, which one of you wants to tell me what the truth is that has Laurel so upset?"
Tess nodded toward him. "Julian, sweetie, why don't you make coffee, while I tell Sister Sue about our little hoax?"
When he came back into the living room, Tess sat on the love seat, Sue on the end of the couch and they were both laughing. He set the tray down on the coffee table near the empty end of the sofa and served coffee to everyone. "What's so funny?"
Sue took the cup and saucer he offered her and took a sip. "It's not funny, really. You were in bed with Sister Laurel who was naked and helpless and could easily have forced yourself on her, but chose to fake it instead." She shook her head. "What I find endearing is when she wanted you to make love to her to see what she'd missed, you kept putting her off until her reason was more romantic. Julian, you are a prince. We just have to find a way to get you two back together."
"Yes, but I know my sister. She's as stubborn as a mule. It needs to be her idea or she'll pull in the opposite direction."
"Well, we have around two and a half weeks until she says her final vows. I have an idea, but first I need to have a long chat with the fiancé."
* * * *
Waking up the next morning was the complete opposite of the previous morning. Yesterday, she couldn't have been happier if she'd won the lottery. Today, she didn't care if she died. Was she being a pig headed idiot? The man she loved and happiness were still available—at least she thought they were—and like a masochist, she fought it. Yes, he did something he shouldn't have, but who put him in that position?
Did she, by committing herself, as a virgin no less, to God. She had never even been interested in a man—any man at that time. 'Don't you understand? I needed something to compete with God.' Yes, snippets of yesterday's altercation continued to float through her mind. How was she to know that there was a man for her and she would fall in love with him within five minutes of seeing him for the first time? And the sex. God the sex was so fantastic. How was she to know?
There was a knock on the door. She was still in yesterday's clothes so she rushed to the door and flung it open. It was Sister Juanita. "Mother Superior wants to know if you will speak her this morning."
Not, exactly what she wanted to do. She probably wants to talk about her vows. "Do I have a choice?"
Juanita shrugged. "It sounds like it's up to you."
"Tell her, if it's all right, I'd rather do it tomorrow."
Instead of getting back in circulation, she stayed in bed feeling sorry for herself the whole day. She didn't even eat. The idea of food made her nauseous.
The next morning, she put Sister Sue off again.
That afternoon she was surprised when Teresa walked through the door. She handed her a bouquet of lilies. "Who died?"
Tess pursed her lips to the side. "Hopefully, not your marriage. Laurel we need to talk."
She'd been sitting and reading. She set the book down and crossed her arms. "I really have nothing to say."
She wagged her forefinger her way. "Well, I do, so just sit there and listen. I warned Julian not to tell you about our little trick, but no, he was too ethical. The whole operation was mine."
"I had a suspicion you were behind it."
She scrunched her nose and frowned. "Thought you had nothing to say?"
"Just get on with it."
"All right. I even undressed you. Julian didn't even see you naked unless he did the next day. All he did is let you make assumptions."
"Humpf. He told me it was all his idea."
She lifted her hands shoulder high. "Baby sister, he would, and that's one of the reasons you shouldn't let him get away. He may be an atheist, but he's a saint. You could search through three lifetimes and never find such a man again. It makes no sense because I love my husband dearly, but damn if I'm not jealous of you."
"Are you through?"
"Why?"
"Because you are right, he's gorgeous, intelligent and talented more than you even know. I wish you could have listened him singing, 'Some Enchanted Evening' the other morning. His voice is unbelievable. And don't think I don't know how decent he is. I know he didn't have to tell me about the first night, but I told Mother Superior I wanted to say my vows and now I'm stuck."
"No, you're not. Have you talked to her?"
"Not since I told her the wedding was off and I wanted to say the vows."
"Well, Nobody can make you do what you don't want to. Talk to her."
She took her hands and kissed her. "I have to go and pick up the girls now. Think about it. It's not too late."
On day five of her self-imposed isolation, she decided it was time to see Mother Superior. She took the stairs down and walked to the chapel building. Her office located in the back of the chapel was next to the Head Priest's office. She wasn't there so I turned around to leave and there she was, walking toward her. "Hi Laurel. Feel like talking yet?"
She nodded.
"Good. The bug man just sprayed my office. I'm supposed to stay out of there for awhile so why don't we go to the hospital cafeteria for coffee and if your hungry, I'll buy."
"All right. But I haven't been very hungry lately."
"Not surprising, with the emotional roller coaster you've been on lately."
She grabbed iced tea instead of coffee and sat down while Sue went through the food line. When she sat down, she noticed Sue had soup, salad and a bowl of oatmeal. She slid the bowl of oatmeal toward her along with a cup of milk. "This is for you if you want it. Sister Celeste, who seems to be looking out for your welfare has told me you haven't left your bed in four days, which means you haven't eaten. Whether, you become a permanent sister or marry your man, you have to eat."
She shook her head. "I don't think I can eat yet."
"That's fine. Sorry to eat in front of you, but I got too busy to take a lunch today."
"No problem."
She kept quiet while she ate. With nothing to do, she picked up a spoon and scooped up a tiny amount of the warm cereal. Then she scooped up a full spoon. It tasted good so she added milk and a little sugar and began to eat it. Oddly, by the time she finished the oatmeal she was starving.
Sister Sue saw her looking toward the food line and said, "My eyes are bigger than my stomach. You wouldn't want this clam chowder would you?"
Laurel nodded and she set it in front of her. It may have been hospital cafeteria food, but it was delicious.
When she finished her salad, she pushed her tray away. Sue watched her eat and when she was almost finished, she asked, "I'm going to get dessert. Would you like something else?"
"Please. I didn't realize how hungry I was."
"Don't worry about it. What would you like?"
"Is a hamburger all right?"
"Of course. With fries?"
She nodded. "And a slice of chocolate cake."
Sue smiled. "Just what I was going to get."
When she'd finished the hamburger and they'd both finished their de-elicious chocolate cake, Sue leaned forward ready to talk, "I'm glad you came to chitchat with me. Under the circumstances, we need to iron things out. The sisterhood is generous about sister renouncing their vows until they say their permanent vows. When a sister becomes a permanent sister, they don't allow it except in cases of extreme hardship.
"To be honest since we talked briefly five days ago, I've talked with Julian and your sister."
Laurel did a double take, but didn't interrupt her.
"They told me about the deception that they played on you and frankly you have good reason to be angry. Nevertheless, I believe you love Julian and he loves you. Would it be less upsetting if he'd forced himself upon you in your helpless state? I doubt it.
"Tricking you was wrong and he knew it. That's why he confessed to you. Anger is understandable, but depriving him of you forever to punish him when you love him is not. It's pu
nishing yourself."
She'd heard enough. "That's not why I'm taking my vows and you know it. If I'd never met Mr. Peters I'd be taking the vows, so since he's no longer part of my life, I'm back to the original plan."
"Laurel. Take hold of the crucifix hanging on your chest and swear to God Almighty that you do not love Julian."
She grasped the crucifix and tried to speak, but nothing would come out. She was so confused, she didn't know what to do. Sue was watching her, waiting for her. She stood. "You're right! I do love him, but I can be a sister anyway. You'll see." She ripped the chain from her neck and after throwing the crucifix on table, ran back to her dorm. Up the stairs and into her room, she ran past her startled roommate and once more threw herself onto the bed. Sobbing she pounded her pillow as she bellowed, "Why can't I have both!" repeating it so many times she lost count.
All of a sudden, a tender hand stroked her hair. "Because it's against the rules, sweetheart. You have to pick one. You have two weeks to make the choice you will be stuck with for the rest of your life."
Suddenly, Sister Sue stopped stroking her hair. When she rolled over, she was gone.
Chapter Fifteen – Plan B
Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile. ~Franklin P. Jones~
"H ello?"
"Is this Teresa?"
"Yes."
"It's Sister Sue. I had my talk with Laurel and it's obvious she still loves Julian. Under the circumstances, I'm convinced she would make a much better wife than sister."
"I know. What now?"
"I'm afraid we have no choice. It's time to implement Plan B."
"I agree. I'll get going on it. And Sue."
"Yes?"
"Thanks."
"Thanks are not necessary. I want my girls to be happy, whether they're sisters or not."
* * * *
The next two weeks flew by. Mother Superior pulled some stings and got her relieved from work while she memorized her vows and read up on her future duties. Almost everyday she had a visitor. The parade of visitors included, Julian's three sisters, but not Julian. Teresa came four more times and pretended to be neutral, but sbe knew what she wanted. She even brought little Stephen the last time, obviously a ploy to appeal to her motherly instincts. If anything, her ruse backfired. She may not have realized it, but Stephen being the youngest and the only boy was somewhat of a spoiled brat. Any of her darling girls would have worked better.
Laurel's problem was for the last seven years, after Dad's miracle operation, she dreamed of being a sister, the last three of which she'd lived being a sister and, until meeting Julian, she loved it. Meeting and falling in love with Julian didn't change that, but it sure changed her priorities. Maybe it was her hormones taking over, but if she hadn't made a commitment, she'd probably chuck the sisterhood for the perfect mate and have three darling babies as her dad would have liked.
The pressure was on. For the sisterhood the pressure came from within—the principle of honoring a long-term commitment no matter what. For marriage the pressure came from within and without. She longed for Julian. He was her ideal man. Just thinking of him would make her stomach flutter and do warm, wet, wicked things to her lower regions. Yes, she loved him. More than anything and lest she forget, the parade of visitors were there to remind her. Daddy of course played it cozy.
"You know whatever you decide, I'm behind you one hundred and fifty percent."
"I know Daddy."
"And don't let my request for grandchildren influence you. Thank God, Tessa has already given me four beautiful grandchildren including the little rascal, Stephen."
She hoped he didn't notice that she rolled her eyes. "Thank you Daddy. Yes, they are darling."
"Darling that the word. I'll bet you and Julian could have the most darling children ever. What a stunning couple you make. But, you know me. You're the boss so whatever you decide."
He nudged her. "Can you tell an old man, have you decided?"
"No Daddy, I haven't decided, but I'm leaning toward my vows and fifty-six is not old."
"Oh, okay, well you know me. I'm neutral. Well, I have to go. I'm meeting Julian. We're going to drive some balls at the stop and sock. Boy, is he a good golfer."
She couldn't help smiling. "I'm not surprised. Julian is good at everything."
"I'll bet." He waggled his eyebrows and winked.
Daddy winked at me. Could he mean—nah!
The visitors who surprised her the most were her potential in-laws, Juliet, and John. After hugging John, she nodded at Juliet, who to her surprise, smiled.
"Thank you for coming, both of you. Too bad you didn't come about an hour earlier, because my dad was here and I would so have liked for you to meet him. I didn't say anything before, but John reminds me very much of him."
John's eyes sparkled. "That is too bad. I would have liked that. Laurel. I guess it's sister Laurel, isn't it?"
She nodded.
"We didn't know that when we met at Jessie's, but she filled Julie and me in. Anyway, Julie insisted I bring her here. She said she needed to talk with you."
Laurel was flabbergasted. She would never have guessed Juliet wanted to speak with her. She turned to her. "Yes Juliet?"
As Juliet fidgeted, she ran her tongue across her bottom lip, and then apologized, "I wanted to tell you I was sorry. I didn't give a very good account of myself when we met. For years, on the few occasions I've met the women in Julian's life, I've been disappointed. Then, with only a few hours notice, Jessie called and wanted us to come to a dinner to meet Julian's fiancée. I didn't even know Julian was seeing anybody and all of a sudden he's engaged.
"You can't imagine the emotions that went through my mind. I was to meet the girl my Julian was in love with and wanted to marry. I'm afraid I was so sure Julian had picked one of his floozies to marry, I prejudged you. When Jessie explained that you were considering breaking off the engagement, I figured it was because of me, so I made John bring me here. I needed to straighten out the record.
"Laurel, I know I didn't act like it, but I was very pleased with Julian's choice. You are a fine, bright, attractive girl, who I would be proud to have for a daughter-in-law. Please don't cancel your engagement because of me."
Laurel was at a loss for words. Juliet looked so maudlin, she had no idea what to do or say. She reached for her and pulled her close for a warm embrace. Sotto voce, She explained, "And I would be proud to have you as my mother-in-law. My uncertainty has nothing to do with you."
She pulled away, looking confused. "It doesn't. Then why?"
"I can't go into that. But I'm very glad you came by."
Like everyone else who visited her, John and Juliet left disappointed.
The visitor who had the most influence on her was her new friend and beautician, Sarah. Poor Sarah. Her heart went out to her. Her heart wasn't into it, but she put her best foot forward.
Sarah's mouth stood open. "So he really didn't sleep with you that first night?"
"Right. My sister cooked up this scheme and together they tricked me."
Sarah gave a solo nod. "Good, it worked didn't it. You had sex with him and fell in love."
"In a way, but in reverse order. I fell in love and then had sex."
She scrunched her lips into a tight smile and wiggled her head up and down. "And it was extraordinary, wasn't it?"
Her hands rose chest high palms up and outward. "Well, since Julian was my only lover, I have no basis of comparison. I will say this though." Her fingers and thumb cupped her chin. "What's that saying…Oh, yeah. Julian knocked my socks off."
She laughed. "I don't even know why you're hesitating. If I had Julian wrapped around my finger the way you have, I'd be enjoying him bopping me under a grove of palm trees on our honeymoon in Aruba or some other tropical paradise."
Imagining her scenario, the area between her legs grew warm and she flushed. Snickering, she said, "Sarah. You're terrible."
"Well it's t
rue. I've been out with a dozen men since Ju and none of them made me feel even close, except Gil."
"What about Gil? Did you stop seeing him?"
She shook her head. "Maybe. Before he left last time we had a tiff. I'm afraid I may live an unfulfilled life." She turned to her, a huge smile on her face. "But you can have Julian. What the eff are you waiting for? I'm so jealous of you, but, I like you so I'd rather see you with him then anyone else. Like the Nike ads say, 'Just do it'!"
Tomorrow was the big day. Numerous people have given her their opinion and all said she should marry Julian. She had a feeling even Mother Superior wouldn't mind if she picked Julian, too.
Had she made a decision yet? No, Sister Sue told her she could wait 'til the last minute and she may just do that, because no one, not even Julian has as much influence on her as her Lord Jesus. He will surely help her to make the right decision—won't he?
Chapter Sixteen – D (Decision) Day & Celebration
Where there is great love, there are always miracles. ~ Willa Cather~
T he time had finally arrived and words cannot express how nervous she was. Seated next to her convent sisters, what surprised her was all her friends and family who'd pushed marriage, came to watch her take her permanent vows. Moreover, they were all dressed up so nice you'd think they were attending a ball.
Tess even brought her nieces and nephew, who fussed as usual
Sitting in front with the rest of the sisters, and trembling like a California earthquake, Laurel was more nervous than the first time she went out with Julian. Mother Superior and the Head Priest walked in and stepped up to the pulpit. The Priest walked to the podium while Sue brought a cushion for her to kneel upon and placed it a few feet in front of the Priest.