Chapter XXV
Love Is In the Air
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Gene and Jax were enjoying their final days in Italy. Gene had always
wanted to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Jax was happy to take her
there. They found a friendly local resident to take their photo in front of
the tower. "Oh, Jax," Gene began, "this trip has been so magical! I hate the
thought of leaving. But I have to admit, I do miss everyone back home, and I
can't wait till we tell them our news! Your mother is going to be so excited
at the prospect of her first grandchild! She has been so good to me, I'm so
happy that I can finally do something that will make her happy!" "Yes," Jax said, "I'm sure she will be." He was still scared to death of the prospect of being a father and what it meant. But he loved his wife, more than he ever imagined he could love any woman. Each day her body seemed to blossom reminding him of the fact that soon he wouldn't have her all to himself as he had hoped. He would have to share her and her love with another. He thought to himself how selfish that sounded and vowed that he would just try harder. |
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| The next morning, Leila had decided that she had to tell Mike the truth.
He was incredulous and very sympathetic as he listed to her story. She told
him that in her freshman year of college, she had been dating a boy she
thought was really nice. One night they had gone to a fraternity party and
he had too much to drink. When he brought her home that night, he forced his
way into her room and forced himself on her. It had been her very first
experience and she was still niave. She had tried to stop him, but he got
violent with her -- the alcohol dulling his senses. He smacked her and threw
her on the bed. She couldn't go on. Mike held her tenderly and told her how
sorry he was that this had happened to her. There was more, she said. Later,
she discovered that she was pregnant from the experience. When she told him,
he hit her again, and called her horrible names, swearing that it wasn't his
child. She had been devasted and didn't know what to do. Her father had died
the year earlier and her mother was still so distraught over his loss. She
couldn't add this burden to her mother as well. That's when she met Lauren.
She had confided in her and Lauren promised to help her. She was a God-send,
Leila thought. She took care of everything. They managed to keep it from
everyone - no one knew, just Leila and Lauren. Lauren had convinced Leila
that she had to give up the baby, and she found herself becoming more and
more involved with Lauren. Lauren was older, wiser she thought, and very,
very gentle with her. Most of all, Lauren was there for her. Her first
experience with a man had been a disaster and she thought it would always be
that way. She hadn't wanted to give up the baby, but Lauren convinced her
that it was the best thing for the child. But lately, all she could do was
think of that precious little girl she gave away and wonder if she was happy
and safe. She was openly sobbing..."Oh, Mike, I gave my little girl away!
I'll never see her again! How could I have done such a thing?!" Mike was speechless. He didn't know what to say. No wonder this poor girl shunned men! He held Leila in his arms and comforted her, telling her that something like that should never have happened and that he was sorry that it had. "I'm glad you told me this, Leila," he said, "I'm glad that you trusted me enough. I'm so sorry that this happened to you, but I promise you, I'll never hurt you, Leila, never. I love you very much!" |
| Mike went to work shortly thereafter. Before he left, he told her that
he had made plans for them tonight. "I'm taking you out for a special
night," he began, "So...get your prettiest dress on and I'll see you at 8!" "Oh, Mike," Leila said, "are you sure you're up to it? You've had a
rough night and you must be feeling pretty awful." "I'm just fine - yes, I
have a little headache, but I think I'll survive," he said as he kissed her
goodbye. When Mike arrived to pick her up that evening, he had an armful of roses.
When he saw her come down the stairs, he gasped at how beautiful she looked.
"Oh, Leila," he said, "you are a vision!" With that he pulled out a box from
his jacket pocket. Leila was stunned! It was a gorgeous diamond necklace and
earrings. "Oh, Mike," she said, "this is much too extravagant. I love it! Thank you
so much." He helped her put them on and then she was in his arms kissing him
and he felt like the luckiest man alive. Mike spared no expense tonight. He had hired a limousine and he brought her to this trendy new place. They entered the restaurant and were led to a private dining room. |
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The maitre'd led them to a private room where a table was elegantly set
just for them. Leila looked up at Mike and said, "Mike, this is amazing, but...." "Don't you like it, Leila?" he said. I wanted tonight to be very special
- just for us." "Mike, are you doing this because of what I told you thing morning?"
Leila asked. Mike looked puzzled, "Oh, of course not, Leila, I actually had this
planned for the past 2 weeks." With that he led her to a chair and sat down
next to her. On her plate was a single long-stem red rose. Soft music was
playing in the background, and there was a bottle of champage chilling in an
ice bucket next to their table. The waiter opened the champage and poured them each a glass. Mike raised
his glass to Leila's and said, "To us, darling." He asked her to dance then and led her to the dance floor. |
| Once on the dance floor, Mike got down on one knee. He pulled a little
black box out of his pocket and said, "Leila, darling, I love you more than
life itself - would you do me the honor or becoming my wife?" Leila was speechless. A single tear escaped her eye and rolled down her
cheek. She never thought she could ever love another man, but here he was,
in front of her, offering his heart and life to her, and she loved him. God
help her, she thought, I really do love him.
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"Oh, Mike," Leila said, "I would love to be your wife! I love you so very
very much!" In a flash, Mike was off his knees and Leila was in his arms. He put the
ring on her finger and kissed her. "You won't be sorry, Leila," he said, "I
will spend my life making you happy." "And," Leila responded, "so will I." |
| The waiter entered with their dinner, so they sat together on the
banquette, happy to be in each other's arms. "So," Mike began, "tell me my
angel, what type of wedding would you like?" Leila surprised him by saying that she wanted something small and
simple - with just their loved ones around them. He told her that it sounded
perfect, and that he had just one request - he wanted it to be soon, very
soon, because he didn't think he could wait long for her to be his wife. She
agreed and they set a Valentine's wedding date. Then to her surprise, he said, "Leila, what would you say if I told you
that I had already set the wheels in motion to find your little girl? I
cannot guarantee anything, except that I will try my hardest to find her and
bring her back to you." Leila looked at Mike. Tears welled in her eyes and for a while he thought she might be angry with him, but then she said, "I'd say I was one very fortunate woman." |
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