by Wayne Jordan
After they’d showered, they stretched out naked on the bed.
“It’s almost six. I’ll soon leave. Don’t want your mother to see me sneaking out of your room.”
“You know my mother won’t have a problem with that.”
“I know. She has always liked me.”
“Yes, she was really disappointed when we broke up.”
“Oh, I was quite aware of how she felt. The call I got after you left the island left my eyes stinging for a few days.”
Rachel laughed.
“So you’re ready to talk?” she asked.
“Why don’t we just let things go,” George replied, “unless there is something you want to say in particular? I’m ready to let bygones be bygones.”
“You’re sure? I know that you must still be angry at what I did.” Her eyes focused on him, as if she were searching for the answer in his face.
“At first I was, but why rehash that same anger? Nothing we say now will change the events of the past few years. I have my son now. That’s all that matters.”
She grimaced.
“I didn’t mean it that way. You matter so much, I don’t know if I can articulate myself as I should. I love you, Rachel. I’ve loved you from the day you walked into the classroom and didn’t even notice I was there.”
“I did notice.”
“Then you must have pretended not to see me.”
“I did wonder ‘Who is that arrogant, spoiled brat?’”
“Me? Arrogant?”
“Yes, you were. Still are, but in a good way.”
“Okay, I can live with that. I think I just call it confident.”
“Yeah, confident.”
“However, I prefer us not to talk about me and my flaws. I have something important to say.”
“I’m listening,” she replied.
“You want to marry me?”
“So that’s how you plan to propose?”
“I’m not the traditional kind of guy, but I could be,” he responded, bending to kneel on the ground.
“So, Rachel, love of my life, will you marry me?”
She hesitated, a smile on her face.
“You do look so adorable down there. Almost humble,” she teased.
“Woman, are you going to give me an answer?”
She placed a serious look on her face, scratched her head and then spoke. “I’ll marry you—” she paused “—as long as Gregory approves.”
“So it’s only because of him?”
She looked at him, wondering how he could ask such a question, then realizing she had not told him.
“I love you too. I already married one man for convenience. I have no intention of doing that again.”
He reached for her, pulling her to him until her breasts rested again him. She felt safe and wanted.
His hand caressed her hair, his touch comforting.
“I’ve waited so long to hear you say those words. For years I was angry with you, but that day I saw you in the courtroom, I knew I still loved you.”
“I didn’t dare hope for this. When I returned home, I knew it would be inevitable for us to come into contact, but I thought you’d hate me.”
“I could never hate you. I was angry when you left, but the truth is, I didn’t give you much of a choice. Based on the circumstances, you made the best choice for you at the time. But we must thank God for second chances.”
“So how long do I have to wait to become Mrs. George Simpson?”
“As soon as we can get things planned. Two weeks?”
“In two weeks? No, George. This time I want a wedding I can remember. Last time, I did it in court.”
“Then your wish is my command. I’m sure Sandra and Carla will be delighted to help you. You still need to meet them. And of course, Tamara can’t wait to see you. You’ll get all the help you want. And you know, your mother will be there to give her input too.”
“Oh my God. I can imagine her now. She’s going to leave you broke.”
“I doubt that will happen. I can afford to give the woman I’m marrying the wedding she wants.”
He placed a finger over her lips when she started to speak. “No more talking for now. Let’s seal this with a kiss.”
Epilogue
Shayne, sitting next to his wife, Carla, watched as George walked his stunning bride, Rachel, down the aisle. The wedding had been a touching affair, and memories of other weddings he had attended over the years, in this church, stirred the happiness he was feeling.
He’d seen his two best friends, Troy and George, and his younger brother and sister find their soulmates and for that he was grateful.
Carla’s hand slipped into his and he knew she was feeling the same powerful emotions.
He’d had a good marriage and every day he knew he loved his wife even more. A little more than thirteen years had passed since he’d been a guest at the newly constructed Hilton hotel. He remembered vividly that warm night—he’d seen this sexy, beautiful woman and immediately he’d known that he wanted her.
A weekend of passion had led to an unexpected pregnancy and the birth of his preemie son, Darius. His life had changed forever.
He sent a prayer upward, acknowledging the part the Almighty had played in giving him that special love.
Love was incredible and the wedding today was testimony of its awesome power.
When the beaming groom and blushing bride reached his pew, George glanced in his direction, his smile stretching even farther across his face.
He nodded, smiling in return, then he turned to Carla, who looked up at him, her hunger blatant and bold. He knew what she was thinking. Tonight they would make love. Of that he was sure.
He squeezed Carla’s hand and she smiled coyly at him. A spark flared in the pools of her eyes.
Tonight, he would show his wife that after all these years he still loved her.
* * *
George placed his arms around his new wife. She rested against him and the fresh scent of peaches titillated his nose. They had made love in the shower and already he wanted her again.
To the east, the sun peeped over the horizon. It was a new day, a day that held the promise of his happily ever after.
The wedding had been thirteen years late, but he had no plans to dwell on past mistakes—only to look ahead to the future.
Rachel turned in his arms and looked at him. In her eyes he saw the same love that he knew she saw in his.
She loved him, had always loved him, and for that he was grateful.
“I love you,” she said, her words echoing his thoughts.
“I love you too.” He nuzzled her neck, and she giggled, a sweet girlish sound.
“I think we’re going to have another baby,” she whispered.
“Already?” he asked. “We’ve been careful.”
“No, I mean tonight. I feel it here,” she said, touching her stomach. “I know we made a baby tonight.”
“Girl or boy?” he asked.
“It’s a girl.”
He placed his hand over her, knowing that she spoke the truth. “I’m sure Gregory will be glad to have a sister.”
“And you?”
“Do you need to ask? You know it doesn’t matter. I’m going to love any child we have.”
She looked up at him, tears pooled in her eyes.
He placed his arms around her again and held her tenderly.
In the distance, the sun, its gentle rays now caressing the land, seemed to smile at him.
He smiled back.
He’d found his sunshine again.
* * * * *
ISBN: 97814592
26180
Copyright © 2012 by Wayne Jordan
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