Tura’s face lights up even more with her smile broadening across her face. “Yes, they now know about Gerry” and quickly pull off her gloves “and that we are engaged!!!” She waves her hand in front of Lena’s face so she can see her beautiful engagement ring. Lena’s mouth falls wide open. Lena pulls Tura from the chair she’s in and holding her hands begins jumping up and down with Tura following her lead, and she yells “Really you got engaged too? Oh my god!! Your ring is so elegant. Gurrl!! We’ve got us some phenomenal fiancés. They’ve proven just how much they love us even choosing the right designs for the rings they’ve given to us. They are very special men made just for us.” “Tura head nods up and down agreeing and says “Girlfriend, let me tell you how Gerry propose to me,” and proceeds to give all the details of his loving proposal.
After they both have finished with the specifics of their men’s proposals of marriage and discussing Tura’s parent's reaction to her news of being engaged, Lena sighs and says “I’m happy your parents are accepting who you’ve chosen to love and spend the rest of your life with Tura. I knew deep down inside they love you.” “I think I did too, but they are so traditional with their lifestyle and not liking change. But they do love me and only want my happiness. Have you told Moma Elsie, Zelma, and your other siblings your good news about finding love?”
“No, not yet. I tried to contact Mom and Zel earlier but had no luck. After I pick up Tamisha from daycare and we return home, we will try to skype them again at Zach’s, and I will give them all the details then. Hopefully, I can connect Mari on the chat as well, so I won’t have to repeat telling everyone. Fahim will also be logged on before I start the video chat with the rest of the family. It should be interesting. When he gets back in town, his family will all be here as well, and we’re all having a big dinner at Robin, and Rodrigo’s the day before Christmas to celebrate our engagement. If you want I can ask Robin if it’s okay to invite you and Gerry as well.”
“Lena, that is your time to shine. Besides, after I tell Gerry our other news, we will probably be celebrating the rest of the week. His last day working is Wednesday, and he won’t return to work until the following Monday. We may see if we can catch a quick flight to see his parents and get back in time for the Stewarts family dinner. “Whoa! Hold up Tura. What other news do you have to tell Gerry?”
Tura eyes sparkle again and mumbles “I’m pregnant I think.” “Seriously. You wait until now to tell me you’re going to have my niece or nephew in a little over eight months.” “My period didn’t show up over the weekend, and as you know, I have my monthly like clockwork. I had a few cramps but nothing else. So this morning I went and got a few of that early home pregnancy test, and they all were positive. I couldn’t believe it. I’m going to be a mother. Me a mom, Lena. Just a couple of weeks ago I was this party hopping college preppie. Now I’m in love, engaged and if these tests are correct, I’m about to bring a child into the world created from mine and Gerry’s love. It’s all so surreal. I’m scared sometimes I’m going to wake up, and it will all be a dream. Man, Old Saint Nick and Cupid must be working together to get these unimaginable deeds accomplished. I mean really, I wasn’t looking for love. It wasn’t on my to-do list. But as you can see here we are.”
“I feel the same way, Tura; like the universe is manipulating our lives for the better. Remember I was so apprehensive about dating and falling in love. Now, look at us. We are both getting married to the men of our hidden dreams. Fahim and I are working on having a baby. You and I will be having our babies close together.”
A crazy thought runs through Lena’s mind causing her to giggle and then begin laughing hard. Tura looks at her oddly thinking Lena is having a moment. Once Lena gets her laughter under control she says “You remember last Monday I was telling you about the trouble I was having choosing between Fahim and Gerry?” “Yes, I remember vividly. What’s that have to do with what’s going on in our lives now?” “I’m getting to that. Before I called you, I sort of asked the man upstairs if one of my gifts for Christmas would be to find true love like my friends Lovely, Robin and Lesa. It looks like I got my wish and the powers at be seeing in your heart you were truly looking for love as well.”
Tura sucks through her teeth and looks at Lena astonished. “Lena you and your silly ideas. Santa and Cupid are fictional characters, and the man upstairs has better things to do than play matchmaker. Really, I wonder about you sometimes.” Lena just smiles knowing her wish was granted and deep down Tura believes it too.
CHAPTER 38
Outside flying high above the clouds in the sky, Old Saint Nick and Cupid watch the two women who they chose to bring love and happiness into their lives, disagree over how and why their lives have changed so rapidly, finding unexpected love.
“Pay up Eros, my friend. I told you Tura wouldn’t believe we were the cause of the two of them finding true love and happiness.” Eros, “aka” Cupid, wasn’t happy he would have to help his friends Santa “aka Old Saint Nick” deliver gifts on Christmas Eve even if it was for a good cause. “Nicholas, sometimes I think you’re notified ahead of time who is going to believe and who isn’t. It’s the third year I’ve lost on Christmas love requests.” Santa chuckles. “You’re just a bad loser. You will win next year. Besides, I’ve lost our Valentine’s love requests bets for the past three years as well. So I do believe we’re even!” Santa boasts.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right!” Cupid agrees. “Man, didn’t you love little Tamisha and her grown-up wrestling explanation. That was a hoot! I’ll be laughing about that for years to come.” “Yes, little Tamisha will be keeping everyone on their toes as well when she grows up. She’s has a bright future ahead of her” Santa agrees. “Yes, she does! Yes, she does!” Cupid repeats.
All right my friend, don’t forget to be on time Christmas Eve. We barely made it getting all the gifts delivered on time last year due to me having to wait on you to arrive.” “I’ll be on time Nick, I promise” Cupid states with his fingers crossed. “Besides, when we arrive at Ivan and Lesa’s to drop off Michael and Labrina’s children's presents, I have a special gift for Michael Gideon. It’s time for Mr. Flirty to become Mr. Faithful.”
“Aaah. So Labrina has made a request, and you’ve decided to give one more gift of love?” “Sort of. Let’s just say he’s going to be reminded why he chose Labrina to be his true love. His dose of potion will be just enough to keep him from ever straying again.”
“That’s why they call you the love master. No one can escape from the hypnotic magnetic seduction set in motion by you, Eros.” “And they never will! Cupid replies conclusively.”
EPILOGUE
CHRISTMAS DAY
Thorpe and Madeline Stewart look around the room at family and friends, new and old, as they all are gathered together enjoying the delicious meal prepared by their restaurant staff. Thorpe squeezes his wife’s hand as they feel the love and happiness everyone is experiencing in the atmosphere.
They look at their own children, Thorpe Jr and Deverell with their girlfriends and smile knowing they would be seeing their sons marrying soon. Next are their daughter Lovely and her husband Patrick, their marriage still going strong and getting ready to cross the two-year threshold as their love for each other grows stronger and stronger each day. Their journey together is about to take a different path in a different part of the country, but as long as they have their love, they will survive whatever awaits them in their new venture.
Across the room, they see Lesa and Robin beaming with happiness at their husbands Ivan Morrison and Rodrigo Zavala as they continue to enjoy their marriages and family life.
But the most amazing Christmas joy they’ve witnessed is seeing Lena Campbell happy, in love and engaged to Fahim Zavala, admitted playboy and the last person they believed was suitable for the girl they consider their second daughter. She’s survived a nightmare and in the end was gifted with finding true love.
Thorpe Sr kisses Maddy’s knuckles with a sly smil
e on his face. When he and Fahim make eye contact, it is understood all eyes were on him. Fahim responds with a nod and a smile. Point taken!
Tura Figest and Gerard Conway were the newest friends to attend the family gathering, and as you watch the young couple, you know their young love is strong and will endure whatever springs up during their lifetime.
Thorpe Sr stands and clears his throat to get everyone's attention including all the children. Once the room is quiet, he says “I want to make a toast to first thank each of you for being a part of our Christmas celebration. There is much love in the air radiating from young love and matured love for us older couples present, ” and a few chuckles are heard throughout the room.
Our time together is not only a Christmas celebration but also a going away gathering as well. Our daughter Lovely and her husband Patrick are relocating to New York so he can help run his family’s business. This isn’t for us to say goodbye but to wish you good fortune, godspeed and safe travels. We look forward to you both returning home soon.”
Everyone raises their glasses saying “Hear, Hear!” “So Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and always keep love in your hearts.”
THE END
News
Book Updates
Hello, everyone. I hope you enjoyed Hypnotic Magnetic Seduction as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you for all your support. It is greatly appreciated.
Tempestuous Entanglements Series and Complicated Love Affairs Series are in the process of being revamped. Torn Between Love or Lust, The Finale will be released soon. I hope you enjoy the new covers revealed below for Tempestuous Entanglements Series.
Hypnotic Magnetic Seduction Page 22