“Your child isn’t going to be blind, CeCe. It’s not like your condition is genetic.” Suddenly, Jessica stopped, her hands hovering in the air. “Wait a minute, you’re talking about Emily, aren’t you?”
CeCe gave an almost imperceptible nod. “I can’t help feeling like we were meant to find each other. That I was meant to help her.”
“You are helping her, CeCe.”
“But she needs more than just a buddy to hang out with on the weekends, Jessie. She needs a mother.”
“What she needs is a family, CeCe. You can’t do it alone, and I’m too messed up to be any good with her.”
“What are you talking about, Jessica? You were like a mother to me — still are. But, I didn’t mean you would have to help with her.”
Jessica responded with weighted silence, and CeCe knew her well enough to know she was waiting for an explanation.
CeCe toyed with the bobby pins laying in her lap. “Rafe said he wished he could adopt her.”
Jessica sighed and leaned back against the bathroom counter, drumming her fingers on her torn jeans. “CeCe, Rafe seems like a good guy, but you really don’t know that much about him yet.” Jessica knew he hadn’t told her sister he was a doctor. If he had, CeCe probably wouldn’t still be going out with him. She never expected him to keep CeCe in the dark this long, and she was upset that CeCe was getting so emotionally attached to him. It would break her heart when she found out the truth.
“I know the important things, Jessica. I know he’s smart and funny, kind and tender, and he treats me with respect. He’s trustworthy and he has integrity, Jessie, and I know he’d make a good husband and father.”
Jessie harrumphed. “All you’ve seen is his good side, CeCe, but everybody has a bad side.”
“No they don’t, Jessica. Just because our parents did doesn’t mean everybody does! Rafe doesn’t have any deep, dark issues. He’s just a good guy who’s lived a normal life.”
Jessica’s face twisted with pain at her sister’s words, and she hated Rafe in that moment for deceiving her sister. That was why she didn’t want a man in her life. They couldn’t be trusted. The words hovered on her tongue as she contemplated telling her the truth, but the doorbell sent them scurrying back inside.
The scent of flowers greeted CeCe as she opened the door to him, and she smiled at the gesture. “You brought roses.”
“I’m a good listener.” Rafe leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, trying not to smudge her bright red lipstick. It made her look incredibly sexy, but all he wanted to do was kiss it off of her. “Besides, roses are every girl’s favorite, right?”
CeCe’s tinkling laugh sent flutterings up and down Rafe’s body, and he set the roses on the counter so he could reach for her. His hands smoothed over the silky black dress, starting at her back and rounding the curves of her hips to pull her into him.
CeCe buried her nose in the crook of his neck and breathed deep. “You smell better than the flowers,” she blurted and instantly felt self-conscious, but Rafe’s tightening grip and low growl told her he appreciated the compliment.
“Do you have any idea how incredible you are?” he murmured, and CeCe grinned, rubbing his neck with her nose. Her fingers wove through his hair and tickled the back of his ears. “Ah, we better go before I lose any desire to leave the house.”
His fingers slid down her arms to capture her hands.
“You probably shouldn’t stay out late, Sis; you have a speech to give tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll bring her back as soon as it’s over,” he told Jessica, who was hovering in the background. “I have to be up early tomorrow, too.”
“Have a class to teach?” Jessie asked, giving him the stink eye.
Rafe gulped as he looked at her sideways. “Uh, no, some other… commitments.”
CeCe could sense the tension between them, but she didn’t quite understand it. “I’m ready, Rafe,” she said, hoping to distract them.
Rafe turned his attention back to CeCe and squeezed her hand. “Let’s go then, we don’t want to get there late.”
Dexter started to follow after them, but CeCe held out her hand and told him to stay.
“Aren’t you taking Dexter?” Rafe asked as CeCe followed him out to the car without her ubiquitous canine. She looked different with nothing in her hands but a tiny clutch that matched her bright red high heels.
CeCe bit her lip and ducked her head. “Um, no, I thought maybe it’d be okay to leave him at home tonight, since I’m with you. Besides, the auditorium will probably be pretty crowded. Is… that okay?” She had a cane folded up in her purse, just in case.
Pride, like a blaze of fire, rose up through Rafe’s body, settling in his chest, and he clutched CeCe’s hand so tight he worried he might be hurting her. He knew she strived to be independent, but the man in him longed for her to rely on him. “I’ll take care of you, CeCe, I promise. I won’t ever leave your side.”
CeCe’s breath quickened at the declaration. She knew he was talking about tonight, but she couldn’t help but fantasize that he meant forever.
CeCe asked Rafe about trivial things on the drive to the theatre to keep herself from asking the big questions she really wanted answers to: Do you love me? Do you want to get married and raise a family? Could you and I be parents to Emily?
“This is my favorite theatre,” he announced as they walked towards the front of the Old National Centre, arm in arm.
“Why’s that?” CeCe had been to all the local venues but didn’t really have a preference.
Rafe was silent for a moment, afraid to answer.
“Rafe?”
“Well, it’s just… it’s because it’s so beautiful. I know you can’t appreciate that, but…”
CeCe stopped and turned to face him.
“It’s okay that you like things because of how they look, Rafe. You won’t upset me when you say things like that. Tell me what you see. What’s so pretty about it?”
Rafe’s lip turned up in a small smile, and he focused on the building in front of him, trying to come up with words to describe it that she would understand.
“Well, the outside of the building is striped, very usual looking, and there are turrets on the roof with copper caps that have turned green with age. The wall where the entrance is has a mural painted on it that looks like the inside of the theatre with draped curtains that look three-dimensional. It’s really interesting.”
CeCe tried to imagine what he was describing, but she didn’t have many memories to compare it to. “A mural on the front of the building? That sounds neat.”
Rafe led her inside and handed over their tickets. “The lobby has arched ceilings and big glass doors with mullions, but the dark walls and dim lighting make it feel cozy.”
“You sound like a narrator on an HGTV show.” CeCe giggled.
He directed her to sit next to him in one of several large, high-backed upholstered chairs with carved wood arms. “These chairs look like thrones, and you and I are the king and queen of the castle.”
CeCe giggled at the metaphor, but tried to picture a throne room around her as Rafe spoke.
“Would you like to enter the theatre now, Your Majesty?”
CeCe smiled and nodded, holding out her hand, and Rafe bowed and kissed it before pulling her to her feet again.
Their seats were in the balcony, so CeCe clung tightly to Rafe’s arm as she carefully climbed the stairs in her high heels. She rarely wore them, preferring the stability of flats, but Jessica had insisted she dress for the occasion. Rafe went slowly, keeping an eye on her footing.
“Sorry, I guess I shouldn’t have worn these shoes. I didn’t realize we’d be up so high. They’re not the best seats, you probably won’t have a very good view.”
“Quit apologizing, CeCe. First of all, those shoes look amazing on you, or should I say, you look amazing in them.” His eyes drifted up her tight calves and thighs to the round curve of her backside, appreciating the effects of th
e heels. “Secondly, it’s a concert, not a play, so what’s there to see? Besides, up here we’re closer to the ceiling, and it’s a work of art in itself.”
CeCe grinned at the compliment and the way he found the good in everything. “Really? What’s it like?”
“It’s coffered — it’s divided into sections by carved wood beams, and the insets are painted with an intricate trim. Every other section has a light fixture illuminating it. In the center of the room is a large, circular section with a chandelier and a mosaic painted around it. And the windows are all stained glass.”
“Oh Rafe, I don’t even know what half of those things look like, but the way you’re describing them is so beautiful. Thank you for that.” His words sparkled like gemstones in her imagination.
They found their seats near the top of the balcony, and CeCe settled into the velvety chair.
“Everything is red — the seats, the walls, the curtain… your lips,” Rafe said, leaning in to steal a peck. “But you’re the most beautiful thing in here, CeCe.”
When the performance started, music swelled around them, the crescendo matching the rise and fall of CeCe’s heart. “What’s your favorite instrument?” she asked during a quieter moment.
Rafe shrugged. “I don’t really know that much about music. I probably couldn’t tell a trombone from a tambourine. What do you like?”
“I love them all so much; I could never choose. Listen — can you hear that airy trill? That’s the flute. And that high, vibrating hum is the violin. Those mellow tones are the french horn.” She hummed along with each of them for a few bars so he could catch the notes, happy she could show him something.
Rafe tried to pick out the distinct sounds she was describing from the melee, and he grinned as his ears started to differentiate. He enjoyed trying to listen to each instrument individually for a while, and he closed his eyes, trying to experience it like she did, but his attention kept diverting to CeCe.
She listened to the music like a gourmet chef eats a meal or an art lover explores a museum — every inch of her was engaged in the experience. She swayed her shoulders and bobbed her head, drummed her fingers and bounced her knees as the music filled the air around them. She was like a mermaid, and the music was the water. She floated in it, letting her body flow with the rhythm of the current. Rafe watched her, fascinated. She was his siren.
Her spell was only broken when the music stopped for intermission. “Would you like something to drink, CeCe?” Rafe asked as the lights came up.
“Yes, but I need to go to the ladies’ room. Would you mind guiding me?”
“I’d be happy to.” Rafe took her hand, guiding her back down through the surging crowd towards the bathrooms and concessions. He got in line for soft drinks while she used the restroom, promising to come collect her in a few minutes.
“Doc Rafe?” a familiar voice called to him from the back of the lengthening line as he collected his refreshments. Rafe turned to see Zeph Arella.
“Hey Zeph! Or should I say Dominion?” Rafe quirked his lips in a wry grin and Zeph responded with an eye roll. “How are you? Are you enjoying the performance?”
“It’s pretty good, actually. I didn’t really want to go, but Eve begged me, so…” He gave a shrug. “What about you? Are you here by yourself? I didn’t take you for the classical music type.”
Rafe chuckled. “No, the only classical music I ever listen to is classic rock. But my girlfriend had tickets, so…” He gave the same shrug.
Zeph raised an eyebrow. “Girlfriend?”
Rafe smiled sheepishly. “Yeah, I’ve been seeing this girl named CeCe. She’s… special.”
Zeph smirked. “I know what you mean, man. They have to be pretty special to get us to go to stuff like this with them.” The guys shared a laugh.
“So how’s Eve doing? She should be due for a check up soon. I feel like I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Oh, she’s doing great. She just has to pee every five minutes, though, so she barely made it to intermission without a bathroom break.”
Rafe’s eyes widened and he grimaced as he realized that Eve was probably in the bathroom with CeCe right now. Not that they knew each other, but CeCe was waiting for him to come get her, which meant that Eve would probably see him and say hello. What if she mentioned that he was her doctor? Rafe started to sweat.
Fortunately, Eve showed up just as Rafe’s stress level was hitting its high, effectively plunging him into a tank of cool water.
“Hi Rafe! Good to see you!” she said, reaching out to give him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders awkwardly, trying to avoid her protruding belly.
“Hi Eve. You look like you’re about ready to have that little guy.”
“Not tonight, hopefully.” She wiped her brow and patted her stomach. “Although I wouldn’t mind if he came a little early. It’s getting really hard to balance with this beach ball in front of me.”
Rafe chuckled at the accurate analogy. Eve was naturally stick thin, and the only place she’d gained any weight was in the middle.
“Hey, it’s great to see you guys, but I need to go help my date, she’s waiting for me at the bathrooms.”
“Wait a minute, are you here with the blind girl?” Eve asked.
“Yeah, you saw her?”
“She looked a little lost, so I asked her if she needed help and she said no, her boyfriend was coming for her. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone, Rafe. She’s really beautiful.”
“I think so, too,” Rafe said with a grin then gave Eve a quick kiss on the cheek before scurrying off.
CeCe was waiting by the bathroom door when Rafe approached, looking stunning in a shimmery black dress with her bright, blonde hair piled on top of her head. Her painted red lips stood out like a rosebud against her pale face and begged him to kiss her. He snuck his head into the curve of her neck and whispered, “Hi, gorgeous.”
CeCe turned and graced him with a wide smile, her white teeth matching the strand of pearls at her neck. “Hi,” she breathed.
“Sorry it took me so long; I ran into some people I know.” He handed her a drink and she took a delicate sip.
She shook her head. “I didn’t have to wait long.”
Rafe wrapped her arm around his and led her back to their seats for the second half. He held her hand and tried to enjoy the music, but his attention drifted back to her since there wasn’t much to watch, and he satisfied his eyes by staring at her face and her body. It was strange to be able to look at her all he wanted without feeling awkward, but he appreciated it. She was so perfect she took his breath away.
“This was so nice. Thank you for taking me.” CeCe gave him another one of her glorious smiles as they made their way back down the stairs at the end of the performance. Rafe knew he would go to a million symphonies with her if she looked at him that way every time.
Suddenly she bit her lip, marring her perfect smile. “Rafe, I’m sorry, but I think I need to use the restroom again before we leave. Do you mind?”
“Not at all, I could use to go, too.”
They joined the lines winding down the stairs towards the bathrooms, but Rafe’s went a lot quicker than CeCe’s. He disappeared into the men’s room as she neared the bottom of the stairs.
Suddenly, a loud thumping sound repeated several times, and a wail echoed in the stairwell. CeCe stiffened at the commotion, not sure what was happening. The people around CeCe jostled her as a woman tumbled down the stairs, clutching her round belly as she screamed. She landed at CeCe’s feet, and CeCe gasped as she dropped to her knees, her hands hovering uselessly over the woman’s body.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” CeCe asked as the crowd surged in around them. The woman rolled on the floor, sobbing, her voice repeating the same words over and over again. “My baby!”
“Somebody call 911! Is there a doctor here?” a few voices in the crowd yelled out, but the woman grabbed at CeCe.
“My doctor is here! He’s with yo
u!” she cried, but CeCe was baffled. Did she know this woman? She didn’t recognize her voice. Of course, it was distorted by her agony.
“Please, you have to get him. Where is he?” she begged, her hands raking at CeCe’s arms.
CeCe shook her head, wishing she knew how to help the woman. “I don’t know who you’re talking about. You must have me confused with somebody.”
“No, your date is my doctor! Dr. Rafael DiAngelo!”
Surprise turned CeCe into a statue.
Rafe emerged from the restroom just as his name echoed in the hallway. He pushed through the crowd to find CeCe kneeling over Eve, a look of confusion on her face.
“Rafe! The baby!” Eve called out as soon as she saw him, and Rafe rushed to her side, all thoughts of CeCe forced to the background.
“Eve! I’m here, I’ll help you. What happened? Did you fall down the stairs?”
Eve nodded, her panicked breaths gradually decreasing in intensity.
“What hurts?” He ran his fingers up and down her limbs, feeling for injury, but everything seemed normal.
“Just my stomach. Please don’t let me lose my baby, Rafe!” She started to shake, large tears spurting from her bright green eyes.
“Shh, shh. It’s okay, he’s okay. I’ll take care of you.” Rafe wrapped his arms around her shoulders and rocked her gently, stroking her belly, healing power flowing from his fingers into her womb. “Let’s get you to the hospital so we can check you out, okay?”
Rafe dared to glance at CeCe, and one look was all it took to know that it was over. She stared at him, and even though he knew she couldn’t see him, her gaze bored into him like a laser. “CeCe?”
She shook her head and stood up, backing away from them. “You’re a doctor? You’re her doctor?” The words rattled out of her shaking body.
“Please, I’ll explain everything, CeCe. But first I need to take care of Eve. Will you come with me?” He tried to make his voice as soft and soothing as possible, but it didn’t matter.
“I don’t… I can’t… You lied to me, Rafe.” Her voice was cold, dead. Like it belonged to a stranger. She turned and ran, pushing through the crowd, her hands held out in front of her, swinging wildly to avoid obstacles.
Date with Destiny Collection: Angel Romance Series: Books 1 - 4 Page 55
