She turned to him and put a quick kiss on his lips.
“OK. I’m done here,” she beamed. “Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful! But not as beautiful as you are. Now, I have the first gift for you,” he said, handing her a small box wrapped in silver paper and pink ribbon. “I know it’s premature, there is one more week until Christmas, but I want you to open this one now.”
“I also have an early Christmas gift for you,” Vivien announced. Wearing a mysterious smile, she produced from under the sofa a present similar in size with his. Only the wrapping paper was pink, and the ribbon was blue.
Giggling happily, they exchanged the gifts. Vivien eagerly tore the paper and discovered a pregnancy test inside. She burst out laughing. Timothy took her in his arms and lovingly kissed her face.
“Lili is as crazy as one could get. That’s a sure thing! But she’s right about us. We can make beautiful children. And I told myself that if we are alone here, just the two of us, no in-laws, no friends, no office work or piano lessons, not even your piano which I’m so jealous on sometimes, we should use this precious time very efficiently. Starting right now,” he said, and his voice sounded choked with emotion as he looked intensely into her deep blue eyes. “What do you say, my love?” he asked impatiently.
“I say… You hold that thought for a few seconds and open your gift from me,” Vivien urged him, glowing with love and joy.
Timothy hurried to tear the wrapping. Another pregnancy test, already opened, appeared in his hands. It was his turn to break into laughter.
“This is telepathy. We have similar thoughts.”
“Yes, only… you’re a bit late,” she specified.
“What do you mean?”
“Open the box.”
He did. In a tiny transparent plastic bag, embellished with two thin pink and blue ribbons, the used test stood proudly exposed to his view.
“You’re already pregnant?” he asked happily.
Vivien nodded, smiling.
“What do the pink and blue ribbons symbolize? Are we going to have twins? A girl and a boy?”
“No, silly! That means that I don’t know what is going to be, because it’s too early to tell.”
Timothy gathered her at his chest. He took the remote control and dimmed the lights in the house. As he started to undo the pearly buttons of her featherlike cashmere sweater, he whispered dreamily in her ear.
“You make all my dreams come true, Vee. You are the most wonderful Christmas gift I ever got. Words can’t even begin to describe the way I feel right now and every time I hold you like this. I love you, baby,” he told her, as his hungry lips descended upon her skin.
“I love you too, Tee,” she moaned softly, under his caresses. “So very much, my darling.”
* * *
Six thousand miles away, the newly elected governor of California was paying a secret visit to a woman’s prison in San Francisco. She left a pile of documents at the entrance office and demanded to be taken immediately to the cell of inmate Lauren. The officer in charge escorted her through the maze of hallways and automatic gates to her sought destination.
The woman in the cell seemed rather petite and feeble, a natural blonde with her hair styled simply in a ponytail. She was lying on her back on that narrow iron bed and was reading a manual on raising and educating children.
“Miss Lauren, you have a visitor,” the lady officer addressed her respectfully.
The inmate moved the book slowly out of her view. When she discovered who the visitor was, she quickly jumped on her feet.
“Greetings from all of us, My Queen! Your lawyer will also be here shortly. I have an early Christmas gift for you,” the governor told her proudly. “I just signed your release. I also took the liberty of buying a ticket for you with destination Charles de Gaul, Paris. If problems were to arise here in the states… There is always a chance with these pardons, unfortunately. You must continue your divine work for the womankind. No matter where. You’re safe in France. They don’t extradite. We’ll find a way to keep in touch with you and maintain the Amazons on the rise. That’s how we’ll reach our goal.”
The woman took the papers. Silently, she took her time and looked through all of them.
“Thank you, governor,” she finally said. “Merry Christmas to you too.”
She studied the plane ticket unenthusiastically and then placed it among the documents in her hand.
“I’ll think about the trip.”
“But, Queen, it’s for your own safety…”
The woman’s answer sounded firm and cold.
“I said, I’ll think about the trip…”
♫♫ The End ♪♪
Dorina Stanciu grew up with a passion for literature, reading, and writing. As a student, she was involved in many literature and poetry competitions. She has a degree in Economics and International Trade Relations.
Dorina was born in Romania, on the border of Danube, in a beautiful family with four daughters. From her parents and sisters, she learned that love and respect for the person besides you are the only things that can get you closer to Heaven.
She currently lives in Virginia with her beloved husband, Ion. He shows Dorina every day, that Heaven is here on earth, near wonderful people like him...
Broken Serenade Page 28
