She put the book down and held out her arms. He smiled and walked over to the bed. He needed comfort, and that’s what she would offer him.
“Marry me,” he said, when he was lying with his head against her chest.
While he’d taken a moment, she’d not expected that it would come to this.
“Are you sure?” she asked. “Are you absolutely sure?”
“Mama told me something today that I’ve been thinking about all evening. She said that when I’m in love, I’ll know I’m in love. And that’s it, simply said. I love you, Aaliyah, and I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
She smiled, nodding her head. “Of course I’ll marry you. I want to be in your life forever.”
Epilogue
Aaliyah watched as her sisters and Cheryl cooed over the babies. She was an aunt. Her nieces, Gillian and Alana Grayson, were growing nicely and were adorable. Aaliyah had fallen in love with them that day at the hospital when “the aunts” had finally been allowed to see their nieces.
Today she was celebrating her three-month anniversary. She glanced down at the diamond ring on her hand. She couldn’t believe she was married again.
She glanced across at Cindi. She’d grown to love her newfound sister as much as she loved Eboni. Cindi’s personality hadn’t changed much. She didn’t talk much, didn’t have time to spend on triviality, was focused on her work and didn’t appear to have time for love. Even getting her to come to the monthly girls’ night out was a challenge.
Aaliyah knew her sister enjoyed being with them, but she knew Cindi would much prefer to be at home planning her classes or working on her latest bestseller.
Keisha was another story. Their youngest sister had come home from Europe and the reunion had been an emotional one. But Aaliyah was worried about her youngest sister. Keisha had remained quiet and reserved, but Aaliyah had noticed a haunted look in her eyes when she thought no one was looking.
However, the reason for being here tonight was to tell them her good news. They all thought that they were at a routine girls’ night out.
“Okay, ladies, I want to talk to you about something important.”
“Can’t you see we are playing with Gillian?” Cheryl chided.
“Yes, I can see, Cheryl. I think it’s about time you marry one of the hunky men who always seem to be attached to your arms and get your own little bundle.”
“Oh, girl, the temptation is there, but none of them qualify. I used to think that marrying for security would be enough, but yours and Eboni’s marriages have made me think differently. Why shouldn’t I wait for a man to fall deeply in love with? Hopefully he’ll have a sexy body, a long tool and want to make love every night!”
“Cheryl, I’m going to bet you that some man is going to come along when you least expect it.”
“Okay, I’m going to stop making fun of this institution you ladies hold so dear. I’m not holding out hope for me. I’m just very picky.”
“Cheryl,” Cindi chided, “I want to hear what Aaliyah has to say.”
She hesitated briefly.
“I’m pregnant.”
“Oh, my God, girl. Another one! What’s wrong with you married women? Enjoy your honeymoon before you start putting buns in the oven.”
“Well, it’s what Dominic and I wanted. We didn’t want to wait. Brandon is totally approving. He wants to be a big brother.”
“How is he adjusting?”
“He’s doing well now. Just went back into school, but he misses his grandmother. Heard him crying the night of the funeral, but Dominic was there for him. He’ll be fine. We’re just waiting for the adoption papers to be finalized.”
“So when is the baby due?”
“It’s just the beginning of the third month so we still have lots of time to go.”
A wave of happiness washed over her. When her sisters and Cheryl all moved toward her, arms outstretched to offer hugs and kisses, she thanked God for giving her this life. For years she’d felt abandoned and lonely. He’d given her Andrew, who had come into her life and given her hope, which had been shattered. Now she remembered that day she’d seen Eboni leave the foster home, her face unsmiling.
Eboni’s family had been good for her. She’d blossomed into a strong, confident woman. But she’d also make a great mother. Her stepdaughter Kenya adored her.
When she returned home, she planned on making love to her husband. He’d just returned from Los Angeles after auditioning for a role in an upcoming movie, something he’d only dreamed about.
She was definitely living her happily ever after.
* * *
Dominic heard the unlocking of the door. Aaliyah was back and his heart soared with the joy of seeing her. He’d missed her. She’d wanted to stay in New York to spend some time with her family and he’d been slightly relieved.
While he’d loved to have had her with him in Los Angeles, he’d been cautious about expecting to get the role. He’d wanted to prove that he could do it. And he had.
He couldn’t wait to tell her he’d been offered the role of a lifetime, playing alongside his idol, Denzel Washington.
Aaliyah stepped into the bedroom and walked slowly over to the bed. She crawled onto the bed and straddled him, bending over to place a soft kiss on his lips. Immediately she felt the familiar charge of energy and wished she could strip her clothes right off and make love to him, but she knew he wanted to tell her his news.
“So are you going to make me wait all night?”
“I got it,” he said without hesitation.
Her squeal of happiness reflected how he was feeling inside.
“Aaliyah, you don’t want to wake Brandon. He’ll think that something is wrong.”
“At ten o’clock I’m sure he’s still watching television or on his iPad reading a book.”
“He probably is.”
“But he’s happy. I know he felt good when we told him about the baby. He’s as excited as we are.”
“So we have a few things to celebrate tonight. Want to go take a shower?”
She glanced down, noticing his arousal.
“You’re sure you want to take a shower?”
“I could postpone it for an hour or two,” he replied, his hand finding its way under her skirt. He pulled her panties off, his fingers slipping immediately inside her moist warmth.
“I can see you’re ready for me.”
“I’m always ready for you.”
Without hesitation, he flipped her onto her back where she lay, her eyes smoldering with flames as she looked up at him wantonly.
He spread her legs and positioned himself between them. When he slipped inside her, he cried out with joy.
He paused for a moment. He loved this woman with all his heart and soul. She’d touched his heart in a very special way. She’d healed him.
He smiled at her and whispered softly, “I love you.”
She smiled in return, and then he gave in to his passion. Tonight he didn’t plan on sleeping much. He had every intention of making love to his wife all night long.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460322963
TOUCH MY HEART
; Copyright © 2013 by Wayne Jordan
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touch my heart Page 16