And the way he was with Sabrina? He was the best father. Patient. Funny. Sweet. Sabrina adored him.
They spent the mornings together. Then Sam went to work for a few hours. While he was gone she hung out with her mom and sisters. When Sam came home he would sometimes take her out, or cook them all a meal. And their lovemaking? If she imagined the perfect lover, he would be Sam. He was everything she could wish for and more.
She didn’t want to let that go. She wouldn’t.
***
When she and Sam arrived back at his house, Sam told her mom and sisters what the doctor said. They talked and argued, but Simone needed to see Sabrina. She went into her daughter’s room. It’d been done in Winnie-the-Pooh, just like her room back in Bandon, but this one was much larger.
Simone went to her daughter’s crib and peeked inside. Sabrina wasn’t asleep, but stared wide-eyed at the mobile above her. Sabrina’s eyes were ringed with red. Simone knew her daughter was tired.
“Hi, baby-girl. Can’t you sleep?” She wound the knob at the top of the mobile. The Winnie-the-Pooh theme song played as Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, and Pooh twirled in a slow circle.
Sabrina had recently learned to clap and did it all the time. She clapped and her eyes brightened as she watched the characters move.
“What, Sabrina? Are you happy?”
Sabrina smiled and cooed.
“You want Mommy to hold you?” Simone reached in and picked Sabrina up, then went over to the table and changed her. Sabrina had on the cutest pink outfit with Piglet on the front. Simone placed a clean pair of socks on Sabrina before picking her up. Her baby snuggled into the crook of Simone’s neck. Sighing contentedly, Simone sat in the rocking chair. A feeling of serenity enveloped her. Her daughter in her arms was exactly what she needed.
“Mommy doesn’t know what to do,” she said softly, rubbing Sabrina’s back. “I don’t want to leave you—ever. But if I don’t have the surgery, that’ll happen soon.” She kissed the top of Sabrina’s head, smelling the delicious smell only babies had. “If I have the surgery, there’s a chance I’ll be completely cancer free and I could live a long time, long enough to see you married and have children of your own.” Simone leaned her head against the chair, closing her eyes, trying to imagine her life as an old woman.
And that’s what made her decision for her. She wanted to be around to be a grandmother or at least around long enough to see Sam go gray.
There was a light creaking sound and Simone knew someone had come in. She opened her eyes and saw Sam. The worried expression on his face softened.
“I’ll do it,” she whispered, glancing down at her beautiful baby girl. Sabrina had finally fallen asleep.
His body relaxed and he heaved a giant breath. “Thank you, Sim. I’m so glad you decided. It’s going to be great. You’ll see.”
“I hope so,” she said and truly meant it.
Sam took Sabrina from her and laid the child in her crib.
Simone took his hands and whispered, “There’s a lot to get done in four days.”
He raised a brow. “Like?”
She needed to have a serious talk with him. She wanted to make sure everything was in order where Sabrina was concerned. Specifically, she wanted to make sure that if anything happened—like she died—Sam wouldn’t keep Sabrina from her mom and sisters. They were her daughter’s family as much as Sam was. Sabrina needed them and they needed her. They’d been in her life since the day she was born. Simone’s mom and sisters adored Sabrina. She wouldn’t let him keep Sabrina from them.
Then there were the monetary issues. Sam’s name was on Sabrina’s birth certificate, but because they weren’t married that didn’t mean much. There were two options: Do a DNA test or get married. Either would legally bind Sabrina to Sam, especially since she was his.
“We need to talk.”
Sam allowed her to tug him from the room. When the door was closed, he wrapped her in his arms. “Tell me.” He brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes. The small gesture caused her whole body to shiver.
Simone wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled into his chest. “It’s about Sabrina. I want to make sure she’s taken care of. That if anything happens, she’ll be safe. I don’t want—”
Sam put a finger under her chin and tilted her face up to meet his. “Simone.” He kissed her softly, tenderly, his lips massaging hers. “I love her. I’m in love with you. Nothing will happen, but if something does, she’ll be taken care of.” He kissed Simone harder, pushing her mouth open, exploring with his tongue. She clawed at his back, begging with her body that he move closer. He lifted her into his arms and walked them into his bedroom.
It was twice the size of the one she’d wakened in a month ago. It was lush, decorated in white and gold and black. An enormous chandelier hung in the middle of the room. There was a king-sized bed and a sitting area with a fireplace directly across from it. To the right was the in-suite bathroom and next to that was an enormous walk in closet.
When he’d first shown her the closet it’d been empty, stark, and she immediately thought of Laura, his dead wife, and cried for him.
Now it had clothes hanging in it. There were shoes, jewelry, and lingerie.
Sam laid her on the bed. “I’ll be right back.”
Simone watched him, her lids half closed, as he walked into the closet. She sat up and quickly pulled off her shoes. Then slid her dress over her head and lay down, in only her red bra and panties. A few moments later he came back, his hands behind his back.
He took in her barely concealed body and she watched his eyes grow hungry, lustful. One side of his mouth quirked up, and he knelt beside the bed. “Were you hot?” he asked, his finger teasing her skin.
Simone blushed. “A little.” She sat up. “Aren’t we… I wanted…”
Sam placed a finger over her lips. “Oh, we will. I want that too. But first I want to give you this.”
From behind his back he moved his hand and held it out. In his palm was a black box.
Her eyes went from the box to his face and back again. “Sam?” she asked in awe.
He flipped the velvet box open. Inside was a large oval diamond with three rubies lining each side of it. The setting was platinum. The diamonds and rubies sparkled in the light.
“It’s beautiful.” Simone clutched her hands to her chest, barely able to believe what the ring might mean.
“Simone St. James, you’re the woman of my heart and soul.” He pulled the ring from the box, setting the box on the floor. “The diamond represents my everlasting love for you and the rubies represent the fire in my soul. For you and only you, forevermore.”
Simone covered her mouth with her hands, unable to believe what he was doing. Her lips twisted and funny noises came from her throat. At any second she knew the ugly cry would happen. Tears lined her lashes.
Sam continued, “The moment I saw your beautiful face in the Bandon library I knew I wanted to date you. And then when you recommended The Count of Monte Cristo as a light summer read, I knew I wanted to know you.”
Simone laughed-cried at that. She remembered the look on his face. He hadn’t been convinced when she handed him the eleven-hundred-page novel.
“On our first date you took me to the beach. It was windy and cold but so beautiful. The tide was out and you walked me around the giant rocks, pointing out the anemones, starfish and different sea creatures. Your hair was down and kept blowing in your face. You took a hair band from your wrist and whipped your hair in a ponytail. The sun was setting and the rays hit the red in your hair, making it shine like fire. I was mesmerized by your beauty.”
She swallowed. She remembered that day, remembered going into the bathroom when she got home and being shocked at her appearance. No makeup, her hair a tangled mess.
“At that moment I fell in love with you. I wanted to be with you, spend every waking moment with you. When we weren’t together I was thinking about you.”
Simone
nodded, understanding exactly what he was talking about. She’d felt the same way.
“The eight weeks we spent together were some of the best of my life. Leaving you nearly killed me, but I had to do it, to make sure. I didn’t want to be a broken man. I wanted to be whole, complete, and able to be the kind of man you deserved.”
Tears leaked onto her cheeks. She couldn’t stop crying.
“Seeing you again, the night at the beach, I knew. Knew. I loved you more than ever. And I hope you love me too.”
Simone nodded, unable to say anything, too filled with emotion to speak.
His eyes watered. “Will you marry me, Simone St. James?”
She wiped at the tears on her face. “Sam, I want to say yes, more than anything, but are you sure? I might be dead in four days, or paralyzed. Are you sure you want to be burdened with that? You’ve been through so much.”
“I’ll take you however I can get you, for as long as I can have you.”
“Then, yes. Yes. Yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”
Sam slid the ring on her finger and kissed the palm of her hand. He got off his knees and kissed her lips, hard and full of passion. He put one knee between her legs and laid her back on the bed. Her tears immediately halted as hunger bloomed in her belly.
“Wait, wait,” she gasped, putting her hands over his.
Sam growled. “I thought this is what you wanted.” He smirked and leaned down, kissing each cheek.
His mouth was incredible. “I know. It is. But not right now.”
Sam stopped and gazed into her eyes. “Why?”
“We’re going to be married in two days. I have a bajillion plans to make and you are going to have to resist my womanly charms until our wedding night.”
In response he ran his fingers along her shoulders and down her arms. Simone closed her eyes, moaning at his touch. “You aren’t playing fair. How can I think when you’re doing that?”
Sam chuckled, kissing her neck. She put her hands in his hair.
“Don’t think, just feel. Let me show you how much I love you.”
About A Dress
Twelve
After Sam and Simone dressed, they went downstairs. Simone’s mom and sisters were in the large Tuscan-styled kitchen. They were speaking quietly and putting oatmeal raisin cookie batter on baking sheets.
When the two of them came in, the ladies turned to them.
“We heard,” Simone’s mom said, indicating the baby monitor.
“I’m so glad you’re going to have the surgery,” Liz clarified, which Simone was grateful for. She had a momentary surge of humiliation when she thought her mom meant she heard what they’d been doing afterward.
Heather and Sara came over and hugged Simone tightly. “Us too,” Sara said. Heather nodded as she fought not to cry.
After they hugged her, they went over and hugged Sam. Simone noticed her sisters lingered with their hugs. She laughed. It was understandable. The man was so good looking it was almost a crime.
“Thanks,” Simone said, placing her left hand on the counter.
Simone’s mom noticed first and screamed, scaring the crap out of her.
Heather, Sara and Liv flanked them. Simone’s mom held up her hand for them to see.
“When did this happen?” Simone’s mom asked.
“Just now,” Simone replied. Her sisters took turns holding her hand and exclaiming how beautiful the ring was.
When they were finished, Sam said, “We’re getting married here in two days. We’re going to need your help.”
Simone’s sisters clapped their hands and squealed with glee. Her mom sat on one of the chairs and started to cry.
“Mom?” Simone wrapped her arms around her mom’s shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
Sam handed her a tissue. She wiped her eyes and kissed Simone’s cheek. “It’s just I’m so happy. So happy for both of you. For Sabrina. You deserve it. You both do. This is what I hoped would happen.”
Simone squeezed her tighter. “Me too, Mom.”
She patted Simone on the shoulder.
“What am I going to do about a dress?” Simone asked, kissing her on the cheek.
Sam cleared his throat. They all looked at him.
“I may have a connection or two. Let me make some calls.”
Sara fanned herself. Liv whispered in Simone’s ear, “You better hold on to this one because if you don’t, I’m going after him.”
Simone laughed. “I’ll remember that.”
Sam came over and kissed Simone on the forehead. “I’ll be down the hall in my office. Will you be alright without me?”
“I’ll manage,” she said hugging him.
He kissed her full on the mouth, tongue and everything right in front of her mom and sisters. Simone responded as though they weren’t watching. When he lifted his head, he smirked, and she blushed.
“Be good,” he said, tapping her on the nose.
As soon as the door to his office closed, Simone’s mom and sisters screamed and laughed and started talking all at the same time. Sara grabbed a pen and paper from a drawer near a computer in the kitchen. She wrote across the top: Simone’s Wedding Plans.
“Where should we have it?” Heather asked.
“That’s easy,” her mom said. “We’ll have it here. Outside. The ceremony will happen on the gazebo.”
“I’d like that,” Simone said, wishing she could have her wedding on the beach. That was her favorite place and that was where she’d always dreamed of having it. But she was getting her dream guy; she could be okay without having her dream wedding too.
“We need a priest, chairs, flowers, food, a cake.” Sara put her hands on her head and pulled at her hair. “There’s so much to do.”
They all laughed.
Simone took Sara’s hand. “I have all I need. I can get married in this as long as you guys are there as well as Sabrina and, of course, Sam.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” her mom tutted. “We can get something together in two days.”
“Right,” Liv agreed. “There are wedding shops that have dresses we can just go in and buy.”
“Absolutely, and if it needs to be altered, I can do it,” Heather said.
“I can make a cake,” Sara said. “It’s what I’m good at. Baking.”
Heather rolled her eyes and they laughed.
Sam came back in. “I’ve a friend who’ll be over in an hour to show you some of her wedding dresses.”
“Really?” Simone asked, worried.
“Yes. I also have someone coming with cake samples as well as a party planner.”
Her mouth fell open. “On such short notice?”
“I’ve never used my position for anything, ever. It’s about time I started calling in favors.”
Simone walked around the granite countertop and jumped into his arms. “You’re amazing.”
“I know.” He winked. “I’ve got a tux and the priest. I told him we wanted an evening wedding on Wednesday. That’ll work, right?”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“Hey, hey, hey,” he said, kissing her cheek.
Simone wrapped her body around him, clinging to him. “I love you, Sam.”
“And I you. Always.”
Waiting Limo
Thirteen
Simone dreamed about the surgery. She was on the table, lying on her stomach. She could feel the blade go into her back, feel the doctor cutting away the tumors, and she was screaming.
“Sim. Simone. Wake up.”
She opened her eyes afraid she’d find herself on the table.
Sam touched her face. “Get dressed.”
“Why? What’s wrong? Did something happen to Sabrina?” She scrambled out of the bed they shared.
He smiled sweetly. “No, Sabrina’s fine. I’ve got a surprise. Wear something warm.”
“Okay.” She tossed back the covers and went to the closet. She put on jeans, a thick cable-knit sweater, and a pair of cowboy boots Sam had bo
ught her. Then she went into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and pulled her hair into a messy bun. When she finished she came out of the bathroom. Sam was sitting on the edge of the bed, one knee bouncing up and down. “Is there something you want to tell me?” she asked walking toward him.
He stood and grabbed her hand, dragging her down the stairs. “It’s a surprise. Remember?”
“Right.”
When he opened the front door, she pulled them to a stop. “Are we leaving? What about Sabrina?”
Simone’s mom came around the corner. She had on a silk bathrobe and pink, fluffy slippers. “Me and your sisters will take care of Sabrina. Go.” Simone realized her mom was crying.
“Mom?” she asked, a nervous wave washing over her.
‘I’m fine. Happy. Just go.”
“Come on,” Sam tugged her through the door and into a waiting limousine. He was bubbling over with excitement.
“What time is it?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Like seven-thirty in the morning.” He helped her in and climbed in after. The limousine started moving. “Can you give me a hint about where we’re going?”
He shook his head. “Then it wouldn’t be a surprise. Sheesh.”
She started to ask another question and he stopped her with a kiss. When it was over he said, “We’re flying somewhere, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Oh?” Simone thought it was sweet he wanted to surprise her, but she didn’t want to be away from Sabrina or her mom and sisters. She’d spent all day yesterday trying on dresses until she found one that was perfect. It was a simple white dress. The bodice was sleeveless and had folds of material that went in a diagonal. At the waist was a “belt” made of real diamond flowers. The bottom half was straight and puddled around her feet. The designer had clapped her hands and exclaimed loudly that she’d made the dress for Simone, that she looked divine and had to have it. Simone had asked her how much it was. The designer pressed her lips together in a tight line. “Not to worry. Mr. Merrick is handling the expense.”
Summer Love Page 6
