by ADAMS, J.
She's as sweet as the heather, The bonnie bloomin' heather,
Giselle, ma Scotch Bluebell.'
How I love it when he does that with a song! It's his way of letting everyone know his heart is completely taken.
Julian sings to me frequently and I never tire of hearing his deep, soulful voice, especially when he is singing a romantic Scottish tune, but having him look at me this way in the crowded reception hall is nearly my undoing, and I fight the urge to jump up on stage and yank him off, then drag him into a back room for some serious loving. His grin widens, and I know he knows what I am thinking. Before he reaches the chorus again, he mouths, Later, darlin', and my face grows warm.
Once the reception is over and Mark and Sara leave for their honeymoon, Julian and I decide to take a little tour of the bed and breakfast next to the reception center before leaving. The old Victorian home is for sale and owned by the same family friend. We both fall in love with the place the moment we walk in. There is cherry wood trim and molding throughout the house, and all the flooring is hardwood. It has ten large bedrooms, each with a private bath, as well as a large formal living and dining room, and a huge kitchen, fully equipped with every modern convenience.
“It's beautiful,” I say. “I really love it, but I think I love our home more. There's just something about the plantation style that I have always favored.”
“Me, too. Our home really feels like home.” Wrapping his arms around me, he presses his nose against the curve of my neck. “An' speakin' o home, I cannae wait ta get ye back an' make mad passionate love ta ye in our own room.”
“I'm looking forward to that, too,” I breathe, soaking in the warmth of his body against mine. “After that performance today, I long for that more than I can say.”
“Weel, shall we go back an' pack then, love?” His voice is husky and full of longing.
“I'll race you to the car.”
Julian and I are walking through a Scottish meadow. The grass is the perfect shade of green and wildflowers dot the countryside, their colors vivid and crisp. My hand is tucked in his as we walk and we are talking, but he never looks at me, he just stares straight ahead.
We end up at the crest of a large hill. A crowd of people suddenly appear and Julian smiles, pulling me onward.
“Julian, look at me. Why won't you look at me?”
He doesn't answer. When we are a few yards away from the crowd, a strong gust of wind surges forth, lifting my hair. Then my long locks begin to peel away from my scalp and float upward with the breeze. The crowd begins to laugh and I touch my head, gasping to find all of my hair gone and I'm completely bald. Julian finally turns to me and smiles before throwing his head back and laughing loudly.
“This is why I willnae look at ye, Giselle. Wha' man could stand ta look at someone so repulsive.”
“You can't mean that, Julian. You can't.”
“I can an' I do.”
As the tears begin to trickle down my cheeks he laughs even harder. I again try to speak, but no words come forth and I am struck mute. Then a beautiful blond takes Julian's hand. He pulls her close and kisses her passionately, burying his fingers in her thick hair. When they part, he takes her hand and they walk away.
“Julian, please! You can't leave me! Please don't leave me?” I silently scream his name until he and the blond are but a dot in the distance. I drop to my knees and sob.
I awaken, moaning, my face wet with tears.
“Giselle, darlin', are ye all right?” I can't answer. “Giselle?” I try to turn away from him, but he stops me. “Wha' is it?”
“It was just a dream,” I finally manage.
“Com' here, darlin'.” He draws me to him and I bury my face in his chest. “Tis all right, angel. It wasnae real.”
It was real to me. He kisses my brow and continues to hold me close. I desperately cling to him like a woman drowning in the sea, and try to calm my emotions. After a long while, I finally drift off.
Chapter 8
Beauty is not caused. It is.
Emily Dickinson
Dad informs us that he is planning to stay a while longer and spend more time with Cassie, and I couldn't be happier. She is an amazing lady, and after getting to know her more, I can't imagine a better person for Dad. He is happier than I have seen him since Mama passed away. Watching the two of them over the past week, I have seen their affection for one another grow, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things will continue to go well.
When Dad comes back two weeks later, it is with ecstatic news. He and Cassie are engaged. I tearfully hug him as he shares with us how much they love each other. He hadn't ever thought he would feel this way again about another woman. I remind him that God has a plan for each of us. We simply need to open our hearts and let it happen.
He shares his decision to put one of his employees in charge of his architect business and settle in Utah. They have even found a home and it turns out to be the Victorian home we walked through after Mark and Sara's reception. They want to have a few kids to help fill the place. The thought of him being so far away and no longer seeing him as much makes me sad, but I could never begrudge them the happiness they deserve.
Dad also tells me he would like to take me away for a week for some father-daughter time. While I am excited to go–he won't tell me where–I have never been away from Julian and Aidan for more than a day. Julian assures me they will be okay, and says though he will miss me to distraction, I need to spend this time with Dad since he will be marrying soon and moving away.
Dad has me wait with Julian while he checks our luggage and picks up our tickets. He is still keeping our destination a secret for as long as he can. I cuddle Aidan, noting the smile on Julian's face.
“You know where he’s taking me, don’t you?”
His smile widens, his pride in being able to keep the secret so long apparent. I give him an impatient smirk and he laughs.
“I can’t believe you, keeping secrets from your own wife,” I say, pretending to be hurt.
“Och, sweetheart, I wouldnae keep secrets from ye, just a secret.” I give him my best pleading look and he averts his eyes. “Come on, darlin', giv' me a break. Yer da made me promise.”
“But Julian . . .”
He silences me with a warm kiss. “Yer goin' ta find oot soon enough. He doesnae wan' ye ta know til ye are ready ta go through security an' I gave him ma word I wouldnae tell ye. No matter how guilty ye made me feel.” A minute later Dad returns, carrying the tickets and Julian heaves a sigh of relief.
“I see I’m just in time,” Dad says, chuckling.
“Aye. Yer daughter was wearin' me down.”
“I would never do that,” I innocently protest.
“Wha'ever ye say, love.”
We walk to the security entrance and Julian draws me into his arms. “I'm goin' ta miss ye, mo nighean donn,” he whispers against my ear.
“I will miss you, too.”
Before getting in line, Dad hands me my ticket and I gasped. “New York! Really?” I have always wanted to go to New York. I jump into his arms and he laughs.
“I knew you would be pleased.”
I kiss Aidan's cheek and hold him close another moment. “I’m going to miss you, little guy. You be good for Daddy, okay?”
Julian pulls me close, kissing me tenderly. “I’ll miss ye, angel,” he breathes into my hair.
“You too,” I say again, caressing his cheek.
“Hav' a good time. An' donnae worry aboot anythin'.”
“Okay,” I sigh. “I’ll call you as soon as we get settled.”
I wave one last time on the other side of the security area before heading to our gate.
Chapter 9
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; but still will keep a bower quiet for us, and a sleep full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing...
John Keats
Dad booked a suite for us
at the Waldorf Hotel. Just the sight of the building leaves me in awe.
“Wow!” I whisper as we enter the elegant suite. “This is beautiful, Dad.”
“I'm glad you like it. I wanted everything to be special.”
“It is,” I say, hugging him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But there are still many surprises to come.”
“I'm sure there are, Mr. Big Spender.”
He smiles at my use of Mama's pet name for him. “Well, when it comes to spoiling spouses, from what I've seen, your husband could give me a good run.”
“True, true.”
We take a few minutes to unpack. When I am finished, I call Julian.
“Hi, I made it.”
“How was yer flight?”
“It was good. How’s Aidan?”
“Och, he cried a wee bit, but he will be okay.”
“How are you?” I ask, wishing he were here with me.
“I'm missin' ye, darlin', but I’m all right. Just hav' a good time. Aidan an' I are goin' ta do some male bondin'. T'will be fun.”
“Okay, but no wild parties, all right? I wouldn't want the neighbors calling the cops or anything.”
“Weel, tis no fun if we cannae make a wee disturbance, but I promise ta keep Aidan from servin' any jail time, all right?”
“All right,” I agree, laughing. “Will you tell him I love him?”
“Already don', darlin'.”
“I love you, Julian.”
“I love ye, too, an' I’ll be thinkin' o you, alwa's.”
“Me, too.”
I'm just returning to the main sitting area of the suite when there is a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Dad says with a smile.
“Sir, your limo is ready.”
“Thank you. We will be right down.”
“Dad, a limo?”
“Yes, a limo.”
“I can’t believe you did this!” I hug him, kissing his cheek.
“Believe it. While we are here, we are going to travel in style.”
“Where are we going?”
“Well, first we are going out to dinner. Then we'll go for a drive around the city and see some of the sights before it gets dark.”
I glance down at myself. “Maybe I should change . . .”
“No need. You look great.”
We dine at an Italian restaurant and I can’t remember eating a better Italian meal. I love everything, from the main dish of stuffed Chicken Marsala to the rich Tiramisu I have for dessert. In fact, the dessert is so good, I order an extra one to go.
“Dinner was great, Dad. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I am glad we could do this. There won’t be many opportunities like this after I’m married.”
“I know. And I won't allow myself to be sad thinking of you being over a thousand miles away.”
His smile is somber. “I'll try not to be sad, too.” He pauses, silently looking at me for a moment.
“What is it?”
“You look so much like your mother. You have her beautiful smile and her soft spoken manner.” He kisses my hand. “You mean the world to me, and I don’t know how I would have made it through this last few years if you hadn’t been here for me. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Dad. And repeating what you what you told me, you are much stronger than you think you are.”
“But a large part of that strength comes from you. I have been so blessed to have you as a daughter.”
I struggle to keep the tears at bay. “I have been blessed to have you, too.”
“I want you to know that even though my life is changing, I will always be here for you.”
“Thank you.” I smile, not trusting myself to say more for fear that I will start crying and not be able to stop. I will miss my dad more than I can say.
A few minutes later, our waiter is back with my boxed dessert and the check. Dad pays him and thanks him for his great service. Then we leave.
We spend an hour driving around the city, just talking and enjoying our time together.
“So did you and Cassie decide where you are going on your honeymoon?”
“Yes, we have. She has always wanted to go to Europe, so we're going to travel and see the whole country.”
“That’s so exciting! How long will you be gone?”
“About a month. We want to take our time.”
“Be sure to take lots of pictures.”
“We will. Cassie is very much into scrap booking, so I’m sure we will be bringing back a suitcase full of photos.”
By the time we make it back to the hotel, it is 11:00 and we're both pretty tired. I place my packages on the sofa and hug Dad. “Thank you for a wonderful day.”
“You're welcome. Now go and get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“Bigger than today? Is that possible?”
“Just wait and see.”
“Okay, since I have no choice.” He chuckles and kisses my brow. “Goodnight, Dad.”
“Goodnight, honey.”
Chapter 10
The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller
Julian
Having finished his breakfast, Julian smiles as he watches his son eat his soggy toast, dripping with the milk he'd dumped on it. “Tha’s definitely an acquired taste,” he says, clearing off the table.
As he fills the dishwasher, Julian's thoughts wander to Giselle. It has only been a day, but he misses her immensely. The only time they have ever been apart is the one day each year that she spends with her father. The two have always been close and Julian can tell she is more heartbroken about the move than she is letting on. But Giselle is strong that way, the strongest woman he has ever known, and he loves her to distraction. Being without her for a whole week is going to be tough. But she and her dad need this time.
We will have plenty of time to make up. The thought makes him smile and warmth spreads through him.
Giselle is everything to him, the light of his life, the very air he breathes, and her very essence keeps him steady. Even now, knowing she is in New York with her father, he subconsciously wanders through the house looking for her, feeling a part of himself missing. It's as if his heart is driven to seek her out. The final verse of her favorite Scottish song comes to mind.
Tho' ‘twere ten thousand mile, my love
Tho' t'were ten thousand mile,
And I will come again my love,
Tho' t'were ten thousand mile.
Julian could never have guessed when he went to work that night at his pub in Glasgow that his entire life was about to change. The moment he walked up on the small stage with his guitar, then turned around and looked into her eyes, she captured his heart and soul, and he had felt driven to make her his. Never in his life had anything like that ever happened to him. He hadn't dated anyone in over a year, and it hadn't been because of lack of opportunity. The way women threw themselves at him regularly had been both nauseating and off-putting. But Giselle had been different. He felt different just being near her. He knew she would most likely think he was using a line to pick her up, but somehow his heart had spoken to hers, and he knew if she hadn't been open to him and the words he spoke–words that hadn't come to him until the moment he approached her table–he would have been lost. She possessed complete power over him and she hadn't even known it.
Drawing his thoughts back to the present, Julian turns as Aidan holds out his plate, and he quickly takes it before the little boy becomes impatient and drops it.
“All don', laddie?” He cleans his son up and takes him up to the playroom. Then he heads back down to finish cleaning the kitchen, missing the finishing touch Giselle normally adds. He is wiping off the counter when the phone rings.
“Hello.”
“Hi, it’s me.”
“Hi, me,” he says, happy to talk to her.
“How are thin
gs this morning?”
“All right, darlin', except I’m missin' ye somethin' fierce.”
“I miss you so much. I just woke up and thoughts of you have been swimming in my head.”
He grins, imagining her dreamy smile. “Great minds thin' alike.” He wishes he could be there beside her, holding her warmth against him.
“How is Aidan this morning?”
“He’s fine. He just finished eatin' breakfast with its usual sogginess.”
Giselle laughs. “He always has to apply the finishing touch on his meal before he even gets started.”
“He definitely does.” Julian leans back against the wall and closes his eyes, enjoying the sound of her voice. “How was yer night?”
“It was wonderful. Dad had a limo pick us up and take us to dinner. Then we took a drive around the city.”
“A limo, huh?” Tell the auld man tha's goin' ta be a hard act ta follow. Does tha' mean I should hav' one waitin' at the airport when ye return?”
“No, thank you. I would much rather ride up front next to you. Besides, what would I do with my back seat drivers license?”
Julian grins. “We definitely cannae let tha' go ta waste. So, wha' are ye doin' today?”
“I don’t know. Dad wouldn’t tell me. I guess I am in for another surprise . . . unless you know something. Do you?”
“No, darlin'. But even if I did, I wouldnae tell ye.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“Sure.” He chuckles softly. “You hav' a good day today an' donnae worry aboot anythin', all right?”
“You have a good day, too. I’ll be thinking about you.”
“And I ye. I love ye more than anythin', Giselle.”
“I love you too.”
After hanging up, I lay in bed a minute longer and speculate about today’s activities. I know it is pointless to ask Dad what he has planned, so I decide to just go with it and let myself be excited about being surprised. I also decide a relaxing bubble bath would be a great way to start the morning. I can’t remember the last time I indulged myself with a long soak.