Delilah and Sheba didn’t discuss the rumors floating around Shreveport anymore and enjoyed each other’s company for the rest of Delilah’s visit. Sheba felt sad when it was time for Delilah to return to Shreveport. She had been there a week, but now it was time for her to return home.
“I wish you could stay longer,” Sheba said after hugging Delilah.
Delilah and Sheba hugged one last time before she left. Sheba watched her get in the car. The house now felt empty. Delilah’s visit had made her see that she had to move on. She would never forget Uriah, but she had to provide a family for her unborn child. It was time she moved on and gave David a chance.
Chapter 40
David eased his chair into the upright position after his pilot announced over the intercom that they were about to land in Dallas. He had purposely kept his distance from Sheba these past two months. It was becoming harder and harder to do so as he watched his baby grow in her stomach. He loved Sheba and the baby more than anything else in the world.
His butler had alerted him that Delilah had been there for a week. He was glad that Sheba hadn’t been home alone. He sometimes wondered how she coped when she was there alone. They had developed something of a friendship. Sheba rarely gave him attitude, like she had when she first moved there or before. Now they had civilized conversations and spent time not just talking but also laughing together. Sheba had introduced him to a world of reality TV, and he had introduced her to his world. She had adapted to the life of the rich quite well.
He hadn’t seen her in two weeks, so he couldn’t wait to get home to at least hug her. She did allow him that luxury. He had been tempted to kiss her so many times, but he didn’t want to ruin their newfound relationship.
About an hour later, his driver pulled up to his house. After showering, David went to Sheba’s room. He called out to her but got no answer. Her door was ajar, so he walked in her room.
David panicked when he saw Sheba passed out on the floor next to the bed. He rushed to her side and scooped her up. “Sheba, oh no! What happened? Somebody call nine-one-one!” David yelled.
The maid rushed in. “Mr. King, what happened?”
“I don’t know. Have the driver come back out front. I’m rushing her to the hospital myself. We don’t have time for an ambulance to come.” David rushed downstairs while carrying Sheba in his arms.
On the way to the hospital, David prayed. “God, please don’t take the two most important people away from me.”
The driver broke all the traffic laws but got them to Presbyterian Hospital safely.
“I found her passed out, and we need to see a doctor right away,” David explained to one of the emergency room nurses. He watched as they placed Sheba on a gurney.
“Does she still have a pulse?” the nurse’s aide asked another nurse.
She has to be all right, David thought to himself. “She’s pregnant,” David told the nurse.
“Sir, just stand back,” one of the nurses said.
“Does she have insurance?” one of the hospital staff asked.
David pulled out his Visa Black Card. “This should take care of any expenses.”
The clerk took David’s card and handed him some papers. “Fill this out please.”
After David filled out the papers and got his Visa Black Card back from the clerk, he went to the waiting room. Unable to sit still, he paced back and forth. He checked his watch every five minutes. He was impatient. He walked up to the nurses’ station.
“Can you give me an update on Bathsheba Richards?”
“Let me check.” The nurse scanned through the computer. “She’s been taken to a room. You can go straight through those doors.”
David didn’t breathe until he saw Sheba. By now she was awake. He rushed to her side. “Sheba, I was so worried. I found you passed out by your bed.”
She looked at him with sleepy eyes. “I don’t know what happened. I felt queasy, and when I got up to go to the bathroom, I got dizzy. I tried to make it back to the bed, but I guess I must have fallen before I could.”
David reached for her hand. His eyes filled with tears. “I thought I had lost you and the baby.”
Sheba said, “I’m fine. But I don’t know about the baby.”
The doctor came into the room at that time. “Mrs. Richards, your sugar dropped. That’s why you passed out.”
“My baby?” Sheba asked.
“Well, things aren’t looking too good. You were dilating.”
“I can’t be. It’s too early.” Sheba started crying.
David squeezed her hand to let her know he was there.
“Mr. Richards, she’s going to need round-the-clock care.”
David looked up at the doctor. “I’m David King, and I’ll make sure she gets it. In fact, I would like to find out how I can get a private nurse.”
The doctor said, “Are you the David King?”
“Yes.” David was annoyed. It wasn’t about who he was. Right now he needed to make sure that his child, whom Sheba was carrying, was going to be okay.
“I’m sure I can get someone reliable to come out to your house and check on her daily.”
David looked at the doctor. “No, you don’t understand. I need someone to come stay with her until the baby is born. I’m willing to pay whatever it costs.”
The doctor pulled out a card and wrote a number down. “Then, this is who you need to call. She’ll be able to get you someone.”
“Thanks. I’ll make sure I leave a sizable donation to this hospital,” David said.
“Thank you, Mr. King.”
David’s attention was now back on Sheba. He wished he could wipe the sadness from her face. “Sheba, I know I said I wasn’t going to pressure you, and this is the last place I had planned on doing this, but in light of almost losing you and our baby ... I want to know if you would do me the honor of being my wife. Bathsheba, will you marry me?”
Sheba squeezed David’s hand. She blinked her eyes a few times. “Yes, David.”
David had to ask her to repeat herself, because her response surprised him. “What did you say?”
“David, I’ll marry you,” Sheba said, with a gleam in her eyes.
David didn’t realize he had been holding his breath. He exhaled loudly. “Sheba, I promise you will never want for anything. You and our child will be well taken care of.”
Sheba said, “All we need is your love.”
David touched his heart. “You already got that. I love you, Sheba. I always have. From the moment I laid eyes on you.”
David planted a kiss on her mouth. Sheba kissed him back.
The nurse walked in. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”
David smiled. He was finally getting the woman he wanted. Sheba would be his, and now he had to make it official. While the nurse helped Sheba get dressed, David sent Nathan a text message, informing him of his upcoming nuptials. David wanted Nathan to marry him and his queen.
David said a silent prayer to God, thanking him for saving Sheba.
Chapter 41
Sheba looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. She was nervous as she thought about her rash decision two weeks ago to marry David. She had grown to care about David, but was now having second thoughts about marrying him. She turned in front of the mirror. The white wedding gown she wore did little to hide her big pregnant belly. Delilah’s reflection appeared next to hers.
“You make a beautiful bride.”
“But white? I should have chosen another color,” Sheba said.
“Girl, forget tradition. You look beautiful. Don’t you agree?” Delilah turned to face the wedding coordinator, Georgia Vanguard, one of the best in the country.
Georgia said, “I do agree. Especially since she chose the wedding dress I preferred.” Georgia had had to rush and put together a wedding in a short period of time. The nice sum that David was paying her was enough for her to forgo normal protocol and drop everything to handle the wedding of
David King to his beautiful bride-to-be, Sheba.
Sheba moved her body in different directions to view herself in the mirror. “You ladies are correct. It does look good. Baby bump and all.”
They all turned in the direction of the door when they heard the knock.
Georgia said, “It’s time. Are you ready?”
Sheba looked at Delilah and then back at Georgia. “If I wait any longer, we’ll be having the ceremony at the hospital.”
“I’ll let everyone know we can get started,” Georgia said as she turned and walked away.
Delilah and Sheba were now alone in the study. A lone tear threatened to fall from Sheba’s eye. She could feel a crying session coming on. She sniffled.
Delilah said, “No, we are not having this. Not today. Today’s a happy occasion.”
“But I feel so guilty. I’m not supposed to be happy. I’m not supposed to be in love with another man so soon after losing my husband.”
Delilah patted the tears flowing from her eyes. “Baby girl, let the dead bury the dead. You have to live your life.”
“The people back at home are talking about me. You know it, and last night Annette told me what folks at the hospital are saying about me.”
“Annette can go back and tell them to kiss your you-know-what. They are all just jealous. They wish they were in your shoes. Women all around the world today will be in mourning because you, my dear, are becoming David King’s wife. Many have tried, but they all failed. They don’t have that Baker girl charm.”
Sheba laughed at Delilah’s last comment. “Well, this is it. I just need a few minutes alone and I’ll be ready.”
Sheba would do her best to push the negative thoughts to the back of her mind. She had to live her life and stop worrying about what other people were saying about her.
Delilah said, “Don’t make us wait too long. As your maid of honor, I want the first dance with the best man.”
“Nathan is not your type.”
“Oh, I thought you knew. I love a man of God.” Delilah winked at her and walked out of the room.
Sheba closed her eyes. She rubbed her stomach. “Father God, thank you for sparing me and my child’s life. Thank you for having his father be a part of our life. I never would have dreamed of a day like today. Thank you for your grace and mercy as I prepare to walk down the aisle.”
Sheba heard the music. She said out loud before leaving the room, “Uriah, just because I’m marrying David, it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. You were my first love, and I’ll never stop loving you.”
Georgia returned to the room. “It’s time.”
Sheba followed Georgia out into the foyer, and the small, intimate crowd of guests, who were sitting in the white chairs outside of David’s and now Sheba’s mansion, all stood. The pianist played the customary bridal music, and Sheba seemed to float down the aisle.
She had wanted something small and intimate, and David had obliged her. The hundred guests she saw standing up were mostly David’s closest friends or colleagues. The only people in attendance that Sheba knew personally were Delilah and Annette, and they both were part of her small wedding party.
David’s smile was a mile wide as he reached for her hand and they stood face-to- face with the minister. Nathan had decided not to officiate over the wedding, because he still had misgivings about how David and Sheba ended up together. After David pleaded and begged him, Nathan finally agreed to be David’s best man.
They exchanged vows. David planted a long kiss on Sheba’s lips as the crowd cheered. He whispered in her ear as he embraced her, “Bathsheba Marie King, I promise to love, cherish, and honor you all the days of my life.”
“I love you, David,” Sheba said right before kissing him again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you David and Bathsheba King.”
They walked down the aisle as husband and wife. David insisted that Sheba sit as the wedding processional took place and they personally greeted each guest.
Sheba kept hearing, “You make a lovely bride.” She wanted to believe them, but she knew they were all wondering why David was marrying a pregnant woman, since they all thought the child belonged to another man. David appeared noble by marrying her.
Everyone assumed it was her late husband, Uriah’s child, but she, David, Nathan, and Delilah all knew the truth.
Chapter 42
David wanted to surprise his bride with a honeymoon, but she was on bed rest, so he promised to take her somewhere exotic as soon as the baby was old enough to travel. He thanked God again for allowing Sheba to be his bride. He knew that he still had a lot of making up to do for how he had set things up with Uriah, but today he felt that the favor of the Lord was upon him.
“Baby, are you tired?” he asked as he helped Sheba sit on top of his king-size bed.
He had her work with an interior decorator, and she had revamped the entire master bedroom. He didn’t complain, because he liked the brown and maroon colors she had chosen. It was a room fit for a king and his queen.
“A little,” Sheba responded.
“Here, let me help you.” David eased her legs up on the bed. He propped the pillows up behind her. “Is that better?”
“Much. Thanks, David.”
David sat on the bed next to her. “Thanks for making me the happiest man alive today.”
Sheba smiled. David loved to see her smile. Her whole face seemed to light up. “A queen has to marry a king.”
She leaned toward him, and they shared a kiss. The kiss started off slow, but David ended up ravishing her mouth with his. “Baby, I want to show you how much I love you, but I’m afraid to hurt the baby.”
Sheba said, “Did you feel that? The baby just kicked me.”
She took David’s hand and placed it on her stomach. David’s eyes teared up as he felt their baby move. “He knows his daddy’s voice,” he said. “Daddy loves you.” He kissed Sheba’s stomach.
“We love Daddy, too,” Sheba said.
David felt loved. With his previous two wives, David hadn’t felt like this. He had hoped and prayed that Sheba would love him, and she did. The child she was carrying had brought them together, and for that he was grateful.
They hadn’t been this close since the night their child was conceived. This was the moment he had been dreaming about. Even after she accepted his proposal that night in the hospital, they had remained in separate rooms. He shifted in the bed as Sheba laid her head on his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair. He inhaled the peach scent.
“I love you,” David said. He kissed her on the top of the head.
They fell asleep in each other’s arms. It was the most peaceful sleep David had had in months. If he were to be honest, it was the most rest he’d had since Uriah was killed.
David held Sheba in his arms the entire night. The sun beaming through the curtains the following morning woke David up. Sheba shifted her body and squeezed him tight. David would enjoy waking up next to her every morning.
He smiled. “Good morning, my queen.”
“Good morning, King David,” she responded.
David and Sheba stayed in bed most of the morning. They entertained some of David’s friends for lunch.
When Sheba was taking her afternoon nap, David decided to go outside and enjoy the nice, cool spring air. He found Nathan and Delilah enjoying each other’s company on the patio.
“You two look a little chummy out here,” David said as he sat in one of the patio chairs.
“Delilah’s been keeping me entertained,” Nathan said, smiling.
“Better watch out. You don’t want to get caught up in her web,” David said.
“I can handle Delilah.”
“Boys, I’m sitting right here. I don’t need to be handled, okay?” Delilah held both of her hands up in the air.
“What goes on between y’all is none of my business,” David said as he poured himself a glass of lemon iced tea.
Delilah stood up. “I’ll
be inside. Nathan, come see me before you leave.”
David watched Nathan watch Delilah as she twisted back into the house. David said, “Nathan, don’t get caught up.”
“Oh, she’s harmless.” Nathan grinned.
“I don’t think Samson Judges would agree with you,” David said.
“Touché.”
“Mr. King, would you like me to bring you something to eat?” asked the butler, who had just come outside.
“No, I’m fine. Nathan, would you like anything?”
“I’m still full from lunch.”
“You can check with Ms. Delilah. Otherwise, we’ll be fine until dinner.”
Nathan had a pain-stricken look on his face. “David, man, I don’t know how to say this. I’ve been trying to avoid telling you, but God won’t let up on me, so I have to.”
“What? Spit it out.” David was sure that God had forgiven him and that he was back in God’s good graces. He was curious to know what Nathan had to say.
“Remember when I told you about how God felt about you sending Uriah overseas so that you could get access to his wife?”
“Yes, but that’s not exactly how it happened.”
“David, we both know you sent that man out into a war zone. and it was just as if you had pulled the trigger yourself.”
David turned beet red. Nathan was ruining what was a beautiful day. “Spit it out, man. Tell me. What did God reveal to you?”
“Your baby is cursed. Your baby was conceived in a way that wasn’t pleasing to God, and I hate to say this, but Bathsheba will not deliver a healthy baby.”
“So are you saying something is going to be wrong with him? The doctors said he should be fine. We just have to keep Sheba calm and relaxed.”
“No, David. God has shown me that your son will not live. I didn’t want to tell you, but I didn’t want you to be surprised when it happened, either.”
“Get out. Get out of my house now. You just can’t stand me being happy. You’re just jealous that God continues to bless me.” David stood up, knocking the glass on the table over, and the tea fell on to the patio.
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