I told him I didn’t want to know!” he rolled his eyes toward the ceiling.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to cry or scream. The tears seemed to be winning the emotional battle. Micah was right, ignorance would have been better.
“Do you want to know anymore? I think if you just listen to what he told me, you won’t be so upset.”
“Would you want to hear about your mother doing something like that?”
“My mother isn’t single, and she’s 51. Come upstairs with me, baby, and I’ll tell you the rest. I don’t want your mom to walk in and catch us discussing what happened.”
I slumped against his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around me and led me upstairs. He scooped me up as we entered his room. He knew how much I loved it when he picked me up and pulled me in close, placing me on the bed and wrapping his arm around my waist. He kissed my bare neck and began telling me how they had enjoyed each other’s company so much they decided to meet downstairs after everyone went to sleep.
“They were both hurting. She got to talk about everything she has gone through with Robert. She didn’t know David was the informant that busted Robert until last night. He explained, as much as he could, about the problems he’s still facing for doing it. He’s been ostracized and it’s killing him to be out of the family. She talked to him about your dad and how much she missed him and-and she said how much David reminded her of him.”
I was thinking about the fact that she had said the same thing about Micah, but then again David and Micah looked a lot alike.
“David has never said a woman fascinated him, but she did. That’s not how he normally views women-they’re good for one thing as far as he’s concerned.”
“Well, he should be happy. He got what he wanted.” I said, wiping the last of the tears from my cheeks.
“Baby, he said he didn’t want to make a move on Nadia, but she asked if she could kiss him and he said everything just unraveled. He said she seemed so fragile and hurt by everything-he was hurting and he described it as beautiful-my brother who has never used the phrase ‘making love’ said that was a true first for him; it wasn’t just sex. She told him not to expect a relationship, especially since you and I are getting married, but he’s in new territory and I know it really messed with his head.”
“I could tell,” I began, “when I saw them last night out by the pool that she was actually happy. I haven’t seen her like that in like forever. I don’t want you to think I hate David-it’s just weird for me, that’s all.”
“I understand how you feel about the moral side of this,” he empathized, as he stroked my arm. “That’s one thing that you and your mom don’t share, but-”
“Yeah, if we shared that,” I laughed bitterly, “You and I wouldn’t be discussing this because I wouldn’t exist.”
His face descended into the pile of my hair at the back of my neck. I could hear him inhaling deeply as he nuzzled into it, “Then, baby, I’m glad she doesn’t because I can’t imagine my world without you.”
I rolled over and wrapped my arms around his glorious neck as I kissed him slowly and tenderly. He began to moan as his body covered my own. We’d been so well behaved lately that it felt good to forget the rules for a few minutes.
“I guess it proves my point about God having a purpose for everything. I wouldn’t have done what she did at seventeen and this wouldn’t be happening right now.”
“I know I shouldn’t ask this and spoil the moment, but your mom told David she was safe, as far as getting pregnant goes. She is, right?”
I finally smiled, “She had her tubes tied after Kimmy was born.” But with that said a new worry entered my mind and I had to ask, “What about David? I mean, I know he’s been around, a lot evidently, and I hate to think they had unprotected sex, but it sounds like they did. I don’t want her life to be cut short because she spent a night with him.”
“He’s always been careful about that-always. But, he didn’t come here for the night and expect to… Well, I’ll just say he wasn’t prepared. I was actually kind of worried about that because even though Nadia’s been with Robert all this time, Robert has been with Sharon and who knows who all she’s been with.”
“Micah, I’ve never asked, but have you always been safe?”
He looked at me with those deep green eyes as he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. I could tell he was getting emotional and I was suddenly afraid of the answer.
“No, not always,” he replied with his voice getting husky, “but before I came back and asked you to marry me I went and had myself tested-I couldn’t take it if I did anything to hurt you that way. Everything came back fine; we’re safe together.” Then a broad smile crossed his face, “That is if your rhythm method works. We won’t be baby-safe if it doesn’t.”
“I think we’ll leave that one up to God. All I know is in less than one week I’ll have everything I’ve ever wanted. I love you, Micah.”
He brushed his lips to mine, “So you’re okay about what happened between David and your mom? You aren’t going to let her know he told me all of this, are you?”
“No, I’m okay now. I just hope he doesn’t end up being my-my step-dad.”
Micah busted out with laughter.
“What?” I demanded, pushing at his broad shoulders, trying to wiggle free. He was still laughing, “What’s so funny?”
“He was coming up with all those combinations in the car; step-daughter-sister-in-law, son-in-law-brother, and my personal favorite, grandpa-uncle.”
Okay, I had to admit it was funny in a stupid way, and I found myself laughing with him.
Chapter 5
The days passed quickly, yet as happy as I was that it had finally arrived, I was scared. The nightmare had returned over the last few nights and I was worried something would go wrong and I’d never have the happy-ever- after I wanted so desperately. I wouldn’t feel safe until he was in my arms tonight and we passed the point of no return.
I waited nervously with Giorgio for the wedding march to begin.
He patted my arm and smiled warmly, “I never thought my son would fall in love, but you changed all that Annalisa and I don’t think he could have found anyone more perfect.”
I smiled with quivering lips. I was afraid to speak and give reason for the waiting tears to roll down my cheeks.
He pressed the back of my hand to his lips, “Be happy together.”
The wedding march began and it was time to go. He offered his arm. I laced mine through his and took one long breath and then began to move toward my future, toward my forever, toward the person I loved more than life, Micah.
The chapel was bathed in candlelight, guests filled the room, and waiting for me at the end of the aisle was the most beautiful man in a traditional black and white tux. I kept telling myself not to cry, but with every step I took, I could feel the tears building. I knew there were people present that I should have taken notice of, but I couldn’t see anyone besides Micah.
We reached the end of the aisle and Giorgio kissed my cheek through the veil and took his seat with Celeste.
Pastor Anderson from our Palm Beach church began, “Friends and relatives, we have come here this evening to share the joy of the wedding between Micah and Annalisa. Tonight is an outward expression of their love and devotion toward one another. They seek God the Father to unite them in this sacred relationship of marriage and ask you to witness this blessed event. Who here gives this woman to be married to this man?”
My mother stepped up beside me, “I give her to Micah with my blessing,” she stated and then took one step to the left.
He turned to us and continued, “The Marriage ceremony is one of the first and oldest ceremonies in all the world, performed in the presence of God, and is a gift that divides our sorrows and doubles our joys in life. This is a joining of hands, a blending of hearts, a uniting of lives not by the strength of the state nor the certificate of marriage, but by the strength and power of the faith and love you have in one another. Please turn and face each
