by Cee, DW
I stopped by home, took a quick shower and changed into a new suit. I wanted to pick up some flowers for my sweetheart, but decided I’d prefer to see her sooner. I’d get those next time. I parked across the street and found Delaney sitting on her swing thinking about something so serious she didn’t hear me slam the door, and practically run toward her. During the flight, I wondered how I was going to propose to the woman of my dreams and just now, seeing her wistfully dreaming on the swing, I realized I’d found the perfect opportunity.
“Hey.” I whispered so I wouldn’t startle her. “What has you so deep in thought that you don’t see the love of your life walking up your driveway?”
“Donovan!” I sat on my knees, inches away from her and she flung her body into me. “When did you get here? Why’d you take so long? God, I missed you.”
“Obviously, you didn’t miss me enough not to pack your bags and start med school against my wishes.”
“It was something I…” With her head partially down, she showed some remorse for her action. She was so sweet looking I placed my lips on hers and bestowed upon her a week’s worth of kisses.
“I remember the day I met a spunky ten-year-old, who looked like Goldilocks with her beautifully long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.” I began my profession of love. “There was something special about this ten-year-old that made me think of her from time to time, and look forward to seeing her again. This was the same girl who threw up on me, pushed me in the ocean while we were both fully clothed, and the same girl who followed me around with her genius-sized vocabulary. Then one day, I saw that this girl was no longer a girl but a stunning woman who made my body stir and senses come alive. She was so beautiful, so sweet, and so caring. And I wanted so much to love her, but I was never honest with myself or courageous enough to try.”
“You’re going to make me cry, Donovan,” she breathed.
“While I made this woman smile, and while I made this woman cry, I was falling in love with her, but had no freakin’ clue what these feelings were and what to do with them. Stupid me focused my energies on other women who didn’t mean anything to me when compared to this brave and beautiful woman who cried too many tears over me. No more crying, my Princess. This swing is the most fitting place for me to tell you that I know now what it means to love a woman and I know now that you mean everything to me. My life, my breath, my all, I give to you. I can only be complete with you. Delaney Grace Reid. Will you marry me?” I had the ring in my hand, but her eyes only stared into my own.
“Yes!” she answered in a loud whisper. “Yes I’ll marry you because you have been my life, my breath, my all, for as long as I can remember. There’s never been anyone else, and there never will be. I love you Donovan Taylor and can’t wait to be your wife!”
“I love you!” I professed again, and placed the ring on her fourth finger.
Delaney pulled me off my knee and wrapped her arms around my body. This always felt good, but after a week’s absence, and knowing now we’d soon be man and wife, our embrace was the most intimate yet.
“Oh my gosh, Donovan. This ring is breathtaking! What is it?” She was now only staring at her finger.
“It’s a fancy-cut pink diamond. I’ll give you all the details later. We better get in before they burst out the windows.” I pointed to the entire Reid and Taylor clans leaning against two windows to catch a glimpse of our proposal and acceptance. “There will be mutiny if we don’t get inside soon.”
“Congratulations!” Everyone cheered as we walked in the door. Delaney received much love from all the members of the Taylor family and I received my share of hugs and kisses too.
“How does it feel to finally be engaged?” My sister Kelley asked. All my sisters and their families flew in between yesterday and today, just for the weekend. The love we received was overwhelming.
“It’s amazing Kelley. I didn’t think this was ever going to happen to me. What did I do to deserve all this love and affection?” Delaney still stared at her fourth finger.
“You’ve done your share of loving and helping others throughout your life. It’s coming back to you all in one shot.” Jane was here, along with Max. “Now we can wedding-plan together!” Both women squealed.
Delaney’s parents waited to get a word in with her but the line was too long so they came to me as a consolation prize.
“That’s a stunning ring, Donovan. You did well.”
“Thanks, Mom. It’s almost as beautiful as your daughter.”
The chief asked, “What will you do now with your fiancée here while you’re in Europe?”
“Sell the company as quickly as possible?” What other choice did I have? “Can you negotiate a good price with your brother so we can be neighbors, sooner?”
The chief laughed. “My brother said he was afraid to come tonight because he didn’t want the fierce price negotiating you’ve been lobbying. He said before he knew it, he’d be giving the house away for free.”
“Free is a good price, too.” The chief and I walked over to Uncle Dave so we could work out a deal tonight.
A few hours into the party, I’d had enough of the group setting and I needed alone time with my fiancée. I abruptly announced to everyone that we were leaving and just like that, we were home, making love at our usual frenzied pace and devouring the pillow talk that had been missing for almost a week.
“How did you finally figure out I wanted a proposal?” Delaney still couldn’t stop staring at her ring. She took off every stitch of clothing but wouldn’t take off her diamond.
“It was that night after the firm party when I asked you if you didn’t want to marry me anymore. I had said that more to get you to pity me, but the look of sad resignation in your eyes when you told me you didn’t need anything from me was what got me thinking. It was then that I wondered what the hell was wrong with me. I should have known from the start that all you wanted was a confession of my heart and a proposal of marriage. You were always too fanciful and too headstrong to give in to a demand.”
“That’s why you wouldn’t let me finish my sentence and you stuttered your way through that conversation?”
“Yes. That’s why.” I kissed the hand she stared at continuously. “You like the ring? It’s not as big as I would have liked on your finger, but when I saw this diamond, I knew it was for you.”
“I love it. When did you have the time to purchase a ring?”
“Oh, between doing your grandfather’s bidding to sell the company, keeping one irate girlfriend from being too pissed with me for not taking her on this business trip, and looking for an elusive princess cut fancy pink diamond, this week has been hell. This,” I kissed her fourth finger, “was the reason why I didn’t take you with me. It wouldn’t have been a surprise if you knew I was searching for this diamond.”
“I’m sorry. I went a bit overboard, huh?”
“Yeah! You can say that again.”
“I really am sorry, but I’m not sorry I started med school. Especially now that we are getting married, I want to move on with my life so we can start a family. I want kids with you and seeing you with the twins, I know that’s high priority for you too.”
“We’ll figure out this long distance engagement, somehow.”
“Can you tell me how this pink diamond came about? I’ve never seen a pink diamond before. It’s stunning!”
“Back in Scotland I asked your parents and your grandparents for permission to propose to you. After they approved I started talking to Gram about possible diamonds, and it was your grandfather who put the idea of a pink diamond in my head. I went all over Europe looking for THE one I thought was perfect for you. When I finally saw this one, I knew I’d found your ring.”
“It’s gorgeous. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect ring.”
“Princess, how much school work do you have tonight?” Because I had such difficulties leaving my fiancée, I stuck around in LA as long as I could r
easonably stay.
“Um...like...a lot! Why?”
“Jane and I were thinking the four of us would catch a baseball game tonight.”
“Can you get two more seats?”
“Sure. I’ll reserve them now. So you can go?”
“Max, Nick, you guys want to go watch a baseball game tonight?” she asked.
“And who will do all my homework?” I heard Nick complaining in the background.
“We’re all in. We’ll stay at the school library till it’s game time and we’ll meet you at the stadium.”
“All right, Princess. I’ll email you three tickets and a parking pass. Jane and I will pick up Bee and meet you there.”
“See you soon. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
As soon as I got off the phone with my woman, the Bauer Company from Germany called to schedule a meeting at the London office so I knew this would be my last outing with Delaney for a while.
“You ready to go?” Jane peeked through my door and asked.
“No, but I should leave now before another thing holds me to this desk. Damn! Why is there always so much work?”
“It can’t be easy trying to sell AAP Europe, and trying to take on Gimpy’s job in the US. Once you’re done with Europe, you’ll have to travel to the different offices in America.”
“When are they making your partner status official?” I desperately needed Jane’s help or I’d never see my bride.
“You just want to pass the buck, don’t you?” She accused with a smile. “This has nothing to do with wanting to see me succeed.”
“Hell yeah, I want to pass the buck. I’ll never see my woman at this rate. She has her nose in a book all night and I’ll be traveling all day. This is no way to start a marriage.”
“I think Gimpy says that the board approved my partner status and it will be confirmed very soon. I’ll do my best to hold down the fort here, but I need you back to guide me. I’ve been a lowly associate all these years. It’s not going to be easy to gain the respect of the senior partners and big-named clients.”
“You’ll do well, Jane. I have complete confidence in you. Roland should be in the office daily until I return. I need to get that damn firm off my back so I can return home.”
“Speaking of home, I saw you shaking hands with Uncle David at your engagement party. Does that mean you’ve struck a deal for his house?”
“Your uncle was beyond generous. We struck a deal and even if I don’t get a bidding war going for AAP Europe, I’ll be able to buy the house free and clear.” The night of our engagement was a fruitful one in every way. Delaney and I would be residents on the cul-de-sac once we were married. “You and Max going to join us? There are a few homes and an empty lot left.”
“I doubt it. Max wants to be his own macho man. He once said he appreciated the generosity and wealth of my family, but felt overwhelmed by it. He wants to stand on his own two feet and support his little woman with his meager earnings as a resident. No disrespect to you of course for wheedling my uncle into giving away his mansion.” It was hard not to laugh.
“There’s still an empty lot. Maybe you can build a two-bedroom shack if a grand house is not up Max’s alley, or maybe your parents’ home is deeded to you.”
“I doubt it. Since Gimpy is giving me a large share of the company, I would assume my parents’ would give the house to Nick when they pass. It’s possible we may one day join you, but for now, we are happy where we are. It’s nice to be neighbors with his brothers.”
“I’m sure when you have kids, you’ll reconsider. You can’t beat having built in playmates and a pool with the best slides, this side of Six Flags.”
We had arrived at Bee’s quicker than expected.
“Hey, Bee.” Jane greeted my aunt who was waiting for us on the street.
“Hi Jane. Thanks for the invite.”
“You can thank my brother when you see him. You two getting along well?”
“As your brother will tell you, we are friends hanging out from time to time.”
Jane and I laughed because we knew where that attitude would land him—heaven or hell, the choice was his for the taking.
When we got to the stadium, we found our counterparts already enjoying themselves.
“Hello, Princess.”
“Donovan!” I could taste the beer on her lips. “What took you so long? We’ve been here for almost an hour.”
“I got a call from the German buyers and that took longer than expected. I have bad news, Beautiful.”
“No!” She whined and kissed me again. “You’re not leaving are you?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Donovan.” She nuzzled her head into my body. “What will I do without you? Why do I get myself into these no-win situations?”
“You regretting med school?” I was trying to make light of our sad situation.
“No, but I’m going to have a difficult time without you. I feel like you’re leaving me this time and I don’t know when you’ll be back. What if you can’t sell the company until next year—then what?”
“First of all, I’m not leaving you. We will visit each other every chance we’ll get. Secondly, I am very close to selling the company. I just need to push up the price a little higher. It’ll be my life’s goal to sell the company before our wedding on Christmas Day. I promise. By then, we will be completely moved into our new home.”
“New home?”
Shit! I didn’t realize what I’d said. “You know what I mean. A new home with you and me.”
“Is there no way to sell the company from LA?” I could tell she was close to crying. I thought about telling her the bad news after we’d made love tonight, but I didn’t want to keep anything from her.
“When’s your next break?”
“I think we have a random Columbus Day off in October.”
“You can take another day or two off and come see me then.”
“But that’s in a month.” She made it sound as if I had told her we’d never, ever see each other again. She was despondent. I hated seeing her unhappy.
“We will be all right. We’ll talk, skype, sext—you name it, we will be fine being apart.”
I lasted all of eight days! Not seeing my fiancée, coupled with all the sexting and phone sex, I couldn’t stand it. I needed to see my woman.
“You really couldn’t stay away for a few more weeks? You had to come back the very next weekend? What does my grandfather think of all this?”
“You wait till you’re at that stage with Bee. You won’t ever want to leave her side.”
“I’m not holding my breath. You shouldn’t either.”
Nick had no clue what was about to hit him and how hard it would hit him. This was going to be fun to watch him fall flat on his face.
“Thanks for bringing Delaney to school today. I owe you one.”
I walked into my fiancée’s favorite library and saw her perusing a magazine against the wall. I snuck up behind her, placed my arms around her waist and lustily kissed that juncture between her neck and shoulder she so loved.
She screamed, frightened at what was happening to her. “Donovan!” She courted the attention of everyone in the library by making out with me after hollering my name.
“Let’s get out of here before we’re kicked out,” I whispered and pulled her outside where I could kiss her more thoroughly.
“What are you doing here?” she asked between kisses.
“I missed you.” I couldn’t get enough of her lips.
“I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Dinner or sex?”
“Sex and more sex!”
I picked the right woman!
This was how our three-month separation survived. I’d fly in for three days without anyone knowing and we wouldn’t come up for air until Delaney dropped me off at LAX. Delaney visited me a couple of times in London, and we met halfway in Ne
w York.
Both potential buyers were playing a game of chicken with me and so we were all in a holding pattern. During that time, I gunned for big clients and was successful in drawing in a few big-named companies. Figuring it could only help, I traveled to major cities in Europe and “sold” AAP Europe as the legal firm of choice. Adding to the bottom line and to the eventual selling price became my only goal while I waited for someone to bite.
“Roland. I may need you to go to Germany with me.” Life without my fiancée continued to suck. I was so lonely without her; I resorted to moving back into Belgravia to be around the Reid family.
“Have they come to the table?” Roland had a wicked smile knowing this was winding down, finally.
“They have. And the crazy thing—somehow the Eggleston Group found out and called me right after.”
“Ha! I love it. It was a brilliant move on your part to court the Germans. So what’d you tell the Eggleston Group?”
“I told them you and I were unavailable till next week because we will be in Germany with the Bauer people.” I was pleased where this was heading.
“They must be pissing in their knickers.”
“I think panic was an understatement as they insisted they had an offer we wouldn’t refuse.”
“Let’s get the hell out of here and go see the sights in Germany. I don’t give a damn if Bauer doesn’t meet with us. I’m willing to stay out there just to make Paul Eggleston as anxious as possible.”
I was thrilled this was coming to an end. With schoolwork piling up, it was harder for Delaney to fly anywhere and I had just as hard a time leaving Europe. Damn, I missed my fiancée. At this point, I didn’t care for any extra money. I just wanted to be home and in bed with my soon-to-be wife, every night.
Jake and his family kept me company, but Ellie and James and our ice cream outings made me feel even more homesick for my fiancée and our future family.
“When are you guys planning on going back home?” I asked Jake once Roland and I were done with our business.
Jake answered, “I’m done first week of December. We will go home as soon as we are done packing—maybe right after Thanksgiving? The more important question is, when will you be done? You’ve got a wedding in a little more than a month. I hear you’re doing a great job wedding planning from here.” Jake was making fun of what the two mothers have called my “meddlesome ways.”
