Derrick and Erica walked through the crowds of guests that gathered to celebrate Teddy and Jane's nuptials until they were outside standing in front of Mr. Adler's townhouse. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and the city was quieter in this part of town.
"Where do you want to walk to?" Erica asked as Derrick took her hand.
"Let's just stroll around the neighborhood." Derrick had no particular destination he just wanted to be alone with Erica. The past few days were hectic helping prepare for the wedding and he became so accustomed to their peaceful, easy lifestyle that he craved some alone time with her.
They strolled along in no particular direction. A few blocks away from Mr. Adler's townhouse was a church. Derrick and Erica stood at the bottom of the steps looking up at the beautiful stained glass window over the front entrance.
"Let's go in." Derrick placed his foot on the first step and pulled Erica with him.
Once inside they walked up the aisle and sat in one of the wooden pews. Seven people holding various instruments sat at the front of the church. They talked as they shuffled through music sheets set up on metal stands in front of them. An eighth person came from behind the altar and stepped in front of the seven others. The group exchanged a few words then the music began.
Derrick and Erica looked at each other and smiled. He grabbed her hand and rested it on his lap. She moved in closer, brought her other hand across his body and rested it on his knee. They sat there for the next hour listening to this small orchestra practice. A few others joined them in the pews enjoying the free concert.
When it was over Erica moved up out of the pew. Derrick didn't follow.
"We should get back." She whispered.
"Come here, Erica." He whispered back and stretched out his hand to her.
Erica sat back down and Derrick wrapped his arm around her shoulder. They sat there quietly for a few more minutes until Derrick whispered in her ear. "Erica, I want you to be my wife."
Erica turned to look at him as tears dropped from her eyes. "Really?" She whispered back.
"Really." Derrick reached into his pocket and took from it a box.
Chapter 15
From the Beginning
"Well, I wasn't always a fan of yours, but I'm happy for you both," Rebecca said to Derrick as they watched Erica move around the room talking to the guests.
"Thank you I appreciate it, and I don't blame you for once feeling that way about me."
"You made up for it," Rebecca said.
"How's that?" Derrick wasn't sure what Rebecca referred to.
"The ring." Rebecca turned to look at Derrick. "You know she has no clue what that thing costs. I mean neither do I, but I'd guess close to fifty G's."
"You didn't tell her, did you?"
"No, she's under the impression it's only a few thousand."
"Yes, because that's what I want her to think. She'd break out into a panic attack if she knew how much the ring on her finger cost." He paused. "She'd want me to return it."
"So we let her believe a lie." Rebecca's questioned his motive.
"Yes, we let her believe a lie. If she believes her four-carat emerald cut diamond ring in platinum is a few thousand dollars than who am I to tell her differently?" Derrick wrapped his arms in front of his chest.
"How could she be so clueless?" Rebecca asked.
"I don't know, but it's one of the many things I love about her." Derrick looked over at Erica, who leaned forward to show two of Derrick's aunts her ring while her too short skirt almost revealed her panties to the entire room. "And that's the other thing I love about her."
Derrick and Rebecca watched as Erica's mom came up behind her and with futile effort attempted to pull down on Erica’s skirt. Erica turned around smiling. "Oops." She brought her hand up to her mouth and shrugged her shoulders.
Later that night, Derrick sat in the back seat of a taxi with Erica straddled across his lap. "Did you enjoy yourself, my love?"
"I did. I mean but I have nothing to compare it to. I should ask you if you enjoyed yourself. Was our engagement party better than your first one?"
Derrick didn't answer right away. He looked up comparing the two. "I'm not sure."
"What do you mean? You're supposed to yes."
"Well, the first one I got to see a great set of tits, I've yet to see them tonight."
Erica turned and looked at the taxi driver. "I'm only doing this because our driver is a female." And with that Erica opened her blouse and flashed her fiancé.
"To quote the words of a great waiter, your tits are the hottest tits I ever had in my mouth," Derrick said as he pulled the lace down under her breast and sucked her nipple into his mouth.
The In-Between Girl Page 17