Edmund had, of course, offered to pay for Jada’s father’s surgery, and the transplant had been a success. In fact, her parents were coming up from Arizona to visit this weekend, and Jada was eager to introduce them to Edmund. They had heard all about him over numerous phone calls, but meeting him in person was an entirely different matter.
Edmund had overhauled his business and begun investing in a number of charitable causes, especially those recommended by Jada, and they had worked hard to create a women- and diversity-friendly environment at the office.
Soon after quitting her job, Jada had set up her website where she sold paintings she made on the weekends, and quite a few of them had already been purchased, and not by Edmund either.
Jada walked back to her classroom, grateful for the extreme 180 her life had taken. As the students piled in, she directed them to their tables and told them they had free time to work on their projects from the previous week. They got to work, and Jada sat at the desk in the back corner to grade past assignments.
After a few moments, another teacher, Ms. Davis, entered and sat down next to Jada at her desk.
“So, this weekend is the big dinner with your parents, right?” Julie was a total gossip, but a sweet one.
“That’s right. Why?”
“Well, come on, the parents get to meet Mr. Perfect CEO guy. I’m curious how you think it will go.”
“I think it will go fine. They’re really excited to meet the guy who helped save my dad’s life, and Edmund is glad to be meeting my family. He doesn’t really have any of his own.”
Jada smiled, happy that the one-time orphan was finally finding a family of his own.
“So, where are you going?”
“Julie, you’re insufferable. I’m trying to grade papers!”
“It’s Friday, and you have the rest of the weekend for that. Humor me.”
“Fine, fine.” Jada abandoned the papers on her desk and turned to face Julie directly. “We’re going to Café La Lune. It’s where Edmund took me on our first real date, and he suggested it be the first place he meets my family as well.”
“Oh my God, that is so sweet! How do you handle so much sweetness?!”
“He provides the sweet; I provide the sarcasm. It’s a good balance.”
“Oh, Jada. So that’s a fancy place. What are you going to wear?”
Jada laughed.
“Actually, Edmund had me go to this great store and pick something out. I’d been eyeing it for a while, but it was so expensive I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it.”
“But your boyfriend’s a billionaire, right? Or am I not following?”
“It’s important to me that I don’t just go crazy because I can. I’d rather that money go to someone who—”
“Really needs it. Yeah, yeah I know. I’ve heard the speech. Well, anyway, I’m very excited for you, honey.” Julie stood up to leave. “Tell me all about it on Monday, yeah?”
“Definitely, and thanks.”
Ms. Davis left Jada’s classroom, and for the remaining twenty minutes, Jada graded what assignments she could.
As soon as Jada entered her apartment, just over an hour later, her phone beeped with a message. It was Edmund.
“Hey, so I’m stuck at the office for a bit. I’ll meet you at the restaurant. Get a cab and I’ll take you home afterward. I’m really excited. See you there!”
Jada smiled at the screen like he could see her. The man was always running late at work as he tried to save the world through his business. He’d taken on so many projects designed to help those less fortunate, and his reputation had changed from Mr. Hard-Ass to one of the most genuine businessmen to ever be called a CEO. He always blamed it on her, a responsibility Jada happily accepted.
Jada rushed into her bathroom when she saw the time. She had just over an hour to get ready, and that would be cutting it close. She hopped in the shower, a little before it was actually warm, and lathered up with the amazing soap she loved so much. With her hair and body cleaned, she turned off the water and stepped out into the steamy room.
As she toweled off, Jada requested a cab to pick her up at her address just in time to make it to the restaurant on time. Dry as she could be with a pile of long hair, she changed into her dress and admired the fabulous garment in the mirror.
It was a long black number that scooped daringly low at the small of her back, with a similar neckline to the wedding dress she’d chosen all those months ago. It hugged her beautifully. Jada finger-combed her hair and chose to wrap the curls into a loose coil at the back of her head. They spilled over on the right side, making her look a bit like a mermaid.
With a peek at the clock, Jada saw she had just a few minutes to do her makeup, so she hustled through her classic black winged liner and red lipstick. She then reached into the back of her closet for the black peep toes and grabbed a small black clutch as well.
On her bed, Jada dumped the contents of her large purse and grabbed only the necessities, tucking them into the clutch along with a bit of powder and red lipstick for touch-ups. The cab pulled up outside her door, and Jada was out in a flash, locking the door behind her. She’d totally forgotten to turn the light off in the kitchen, but she had no time to run back in.
Jada scooted into the cab and gave the man the address to the restaurant. The drive was a quick one, and Jada paid the driver once they arrived, leaving a nice tip. As she walked up to the entrance, Jada was excited to see that her parents had already been seated. The host greeted her at the door and led her to the table. Hugs were exchanged, and her parents told her how beautiful she looked. She couldn’t help but beam at the fact that all the people she loved were going to be eating dinner together.
As she sat, Jada’s attention was finally able to fall on the rest of the restaurant. It was completely empty, and the lighting inside was darker that she would have expected. The light present seemed to be coming from a few candles, one on their table and a few scattered about nearby. The space was very quiet as well, the only voices hers and her parents.
“What’s up with the restaurant? Did Edmund have it closed for us?” She looked at her parents, who just smiled. “Where is Edmund, anyway?”
They continued to sit, speechless but smiling, at the table. Jada was thoroughly confused, and her heart quickened inside her ribcage.
“Seriously, guys, what’s going on?”
With that, the sound of stringed instruments echoed behind her near a set of stairs that led to a second floor of the restaurant. Jada watched as candlelight from the second floor lit up an old chandelier hanging low. Someone was lighting the candles with a taper, taking their time to ensure that each of them stayed lit.
When the light in the area gave off enough illumination, Jada recognized Edmund.
“Edmund? What’s happening?” She looked from him to her parents, who gestured for her to go over to the stairs.
The music of the string quartet played on, and Jada realized it was a slowed down version of “Walking on Sunshine.” Jada looked around the room, her heart thundering. Could this all mean what she thought it did?
Edmund turned to her and looked down from the balcony of the second floor. He smiled at her and began to slowly walk down the stairs.
“Jada Marie Phillips.”
Tears were already threatening at the corner of her eyes, and Jada covered her mouth with her hands.
“I know we haven’t known each other for all that long, but for me, these past six months have been the best of my life. From the first moment I met you, you challenged me, changed my thinking, and warmed my cold soul with your own. You are the best person I know in this universe. I love you because you’re loud and you’re brash, and I want to hear the vows you wrote when you were thirteen. I want to marry you because you hate horror movies and clowns and fancy haircuts. I want to marry you because you love stubble and sleeping on Sundays. I want to marry you, Jada Marie Phillips, because you took this orphaned boy and gave him a family. I wa
nt to marry you because you took this hardened businessman and made him soft enough to feel loved. I want to marry you, Jada, and I can’t wait any longer to ask. So please, will you please do me the honor of being my wife, for real this time?”
Streams of warm tears ran down Jada’s cheeks as Edmund reached the last step, went down to the floor on one knee, and held out a ring before her. The world was gone, and this charming, funny, strong man was all that existed for her.
“Uh-huh.”
Jada barely squeaked out her answer. She couldn’t speak. She simply let Edmund slide a ring onto her finger and then jumped into his arms as he stood.
Behind her, Jada heard clapping. When she turned, smiling through her tears, she saw the host, the quartet, and her parents all cheering at the top of their lungs.
“That’s a yes, right?” Edmund smiled at her.
Jada laughed, throwing her head back. “Yes, you silly man. Yes!”
Dinner went by in a blur. The lights had come up and they enjoyed the most delicious food, but Jada couldn’t have told you what she’d eaten for the life of her. They laughed and joked and smiled until her parents were too tired to carry on and Jackson had a limo take them back to their hotel. They would meet up again for lunch tomorrow and go over the details for the wedding.
Her wedding, a real one, with guests and everything. It was really happening.
“So, can I take you home?” Edmund smiled as he ran a hand down Jada’s back. His eyes were hazy with desire and joy.
“Yes, you can, sir.” Jada leaned in to kiss her fiancé and took in the heavenly scent of his cologne.
Edmund called for another limo, and together they left the restaurant to be dropped off at her small apartment. The ride was as passionate as their ride to the airport in Qaresma had been, and the kisses they shared were never dulled by the number of times they enjoyed them.
Edmund helped Jada out of the car when they arrived at her home, and he even carried her across the threshold after she’d unlocked and opened the door. With the kitchen light still on, Jada went around lighting candles instead of turning more lights on, then Edmund shut off the kitchen light and walked with Jada to her bedroom. The space was warm and quiet.
Edmund guided Jada to her bed, and as they kissed and kissed and kissed, he reached for the coil of her hair and let it fall loose. The waves rolled down across her shoulders, and Edmund slid his hand beneath them, grabbing Jada lightly at the base of her neck and pulling her close to him. Between kisses, they struggled to undress each other. The suit jacket and shirt Edmund had on were tricky, unlike the dress Jada wore. The slinky item fell from her shoulders and revealed her braless breasts in moments.
The warmth from Edmund’s chest seeped into her as he pressed it to her own, which moved with her heavy breathing. Jada managed to work the belt off his pants, and Edmund quickly removed his remaining clothing. Jada slid her lace panties off, leaving them in a pile on the floor.
In moments, Edmund’s hand was on her face. He cradled her jaw so delicately, but she saw the control he was forcing himself to maintain reflected in the tension of his forearms. That control seemed to be hanging by a thread, Edmund’s posture on the edge of the bed very like if he were standing at the edge of a deliciously inviting cliff. His powerful legs pressed down into the bed as he covered her body. She was trapped between them and she didn’t mind in the slightest. For all Jada’s inner strength and stubborn behavior, Edmund was much larger and stronger than she was, and the thought that he was willingly giving her the power in this situation was unbelievably exciting.
Edmund was breathing hard and staring into Jada’s eyes with a sexy, lidded gaze. Jada watched as his gaze traveled along her neck, down to her breasts, and back up to rest upon her lips. She felt devoured by it, consumed by just his hungry eyes. The center of her flared, and Jada wondered if she would actually burst into flames.
Edmund shifted farther onto the bed as he continued to kiss her. He wants to be closer, she thought, so much closer. Jada’s mind was racking itself for reasons why he was moving so slowly, but the animal stare in Edmund’s eyes told her everything she needed to know. His gaze never left her face as he moved to touch all his body to hers. They were flat against each other now, but the contact was so light, and Jada wanted more. She wanted Edmund to take her, to use the immense strength of his muscles to possess her body in this celebration of their love for each other.
“Jada, I love you.”
“I love you too.” Jada rubbed herself against him. “Now, hush.”
Edmund growled in delight and lowered himself to meet her. The union created between them was again amazing, their movements a now familiar dance that always held a new step. It was a new ocean with waves yet to be explored.
They found a natural rhythm in moments and let the happiness of their engagement overthrow any thoughts that may have lingered. Their skin was hot, and Jada’s dark curls created a pillow for her head on the queen bed. Each time they came together like this, they grew closer and closer. The rain of kisses continued as Jada and Edmund matched their slow, yearning rhythm to the steady thud of their hearts.
Edmund slid a hand behind her head to pull her up farther, and Jada wrapped her arms around his neck as he used one arm to hold her close to him. The blue of Edmund’s eyes would always be a miracle she dreamed of seeing every day, and as they stared at each other in the bonds of their love, the joy of the future seemed endless. From where they had started to where they were now seemed light years apart. They had been through so much, but together they were becoming the people they’d always hoped to be. They were stronger as a pair than they ever were apart.
The rocking that moved them back and forth made Jada’s hair sway gently, and she felt her internal fire grow stronger because of this incredible man. The buildup was different to before, having been given a new level of joy thanks to the amazing proposal she’d received.
Between kisses, Edmund whispered, “I hope you liked tonight. I planned it for so long. I just…I love you, Jada. I really do.”
“I love you too. Tonight was amazing. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.”
The words spurred on a new roaring passion behind Edmund’s eyes, and Jada rode out the even more potent rhythm. They picked up the pace but maintained the tight connection between their mouths. Jada let tears of joy roll down her cheeks, and Edmund showered her with innumerable kisses. The room was a still escape in a world of noise and fury. Here, they could just be them. The sky was always blue and the moon shone full on them, each and every night.
As the sensations crested and took them to new heights, the lovers rode out the explosion between them with joy and love, dancing to an unheard waltz in their hearts.
Epilogue
A year had gone by since Edmund’s proposal, and Jada was still the happiest girl on the planet. They had taken to planning a real wedding like pros and loved the ability to share their news and joys with those closest to them. Even as their issues with the caterer and photographer played out, Jada was simply too happy to be marrying the man of her dreams to care much.
Jada had taken up a quiet, unofficial role in helping Edmund run the company. The changes he’d implanted had been accepted, the philanthropic side of the tech firm grew and grew, and honestly, Jada had never seen Edmund so happy. The Scrooge he’d once been had disappeared without a trace.
Jada enjoyed supporting her fiancé’s decisions when he felt stumped, though it didn’t happen often. Mostly, she enjoyed spending her time teaching and selling her artwork on her site. In the time they’d been planning, Edmund had even gotten her a gallery space at a local art show, and each weekend when the crowds gathered, Jada sold at least two of her paintings. The success was strange and amazing.
Edmund commented each day on how wonderful a silent partner Jada was, though she was never very silent in reality. She would laugh and playfully punch him each time, reminding him that he could have just let her te
ach.
“Never. You are a great foil to me. Your heart and personality balance out my logical side. Plus, as a direct result of your input, the company is doing better than ever!” Edmund had smiled as he’d spoken, and Jada felt her heart warm deep to its core.
“The big day is coming soon. Do you feel ready?” Jada asked Edmund one afternoon in his office.
“Completely. I have bit more I have to do here though. Want me to meet you at home?”
Jada nodded, and after a lingering kiss goodbye, she rode with Jacques to their home. Edmund had finally purchased a place away from the office, and the large house was certainly a home fit for a CEO and his down-home princess.
Jada walked through the halls to the master suite, humming “Walking on Sunshine” to herself. She truly felt as though she were. Their shared room had an amazing bathroom attached to it, and Jada started the taps in the exquisite tub. Once it was full, she submerged herself in warm bubbles, enjoying the relaxing soak. She’d taken the week off from work to prepare for the wedding and then the following two for the honeymoon.
Thankfully, no one at the school minded her absence, and the substitute they had found was a good fit. The whole thing was working out better than she’d imagined, and it was amazing to see that sometimes in life, things really did go right.
Edmund and Jada slept that night in a tangle of arms and legs, as they always did. The following day, they finished their preparations for the ceremony, and Jada finally received her henna. She and her female family members and friends gathered to apply it, and it was a joyous celebration with laughter and tales of embarrassing childhood pranks.
Her mother spoke to the room, “It’s said that the deeper the color of your henna, the stronger the bond between husband and wife.”
Jada let the henna dry for eight hours to ensure a deep, deep color that would last throughout the wedding festivities. Her favorite part was that the names of the bride and the groom were “hidden” in the artwork. Jada had watched as they’d been crafted into the images, and it was tradition for the groom to locate them. Poor Edmund was going to have a hell of a time.
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