“Dominique, I’m so sorry.”
They hugged, and Dominique wiped away a small tear that had sprang forth. “Nah. It’s the reason I was so happy when I found out he got married about five years back, remember?”
Marnie most certainly remembered. Everyone in their neighborhood talked about how beautiful the wedding was and plastered pictures all over Facebook. She wondered how Dominique was taking that so well when even she felt like she wished it was her day at the altar. The pictures were stunning and Riley definitely found himself a nice enough looking woman.
Now, it even became more clear to Marnie a few years back Dominique stopped going out as frequently and started giving Marnie a hard time about being so quick to jump in bed and fall in love every couple of months.
“Look,” Dominique continued. “I want to see you happy. And since meeting Nathan, you have been every kind of happy. You have been more than happy.”
Marnie had to smile big at that. There was no denying that fact, and now after speaking to Dominique, she had a bit more clarity as to why she was so afraid. It wasn’t so much all the amazing things that Nathan had done since they met. It was that she had never felt true happiness alongside anyone outside of her own friendship with Dominique.
“You know, I really am glad I didn’t answer the phone earlier because we wouldn’t be sitting here right now having this talk this way,” Marnie admitted. She laid her hand on her friends and gave her a warm grin. “Thank you, Dominique…again.”
“Anytime, sweetie. Always,” Dominique said, throwing an arm around Marnie’s neck to give her one more hug.
They both sighed, and then Dominique quickly perked up. “So, what are you going to do concerning Nathan now?”
“I don’t know,” said Marnie. “I keep getting this feeling he’s far deeper into what we are than I am, even though I can now admit I’ve fallen for him so much.”
“Well, it sounds to me like you two really need to have a talk.”
No sooner than Dominique spoke these words, Marnie’s phone rang. They both turned and looked toward the kitchen. Marnie quickly got up to go answer, only to return to the living room practically in a run and tossing the phone to Dominique.
“It’s him,” she shouted. “Oh God, Dominique! I’m not ready! You answer it.”
“And say what?” Dominique asked, wide eyed.
“Anything,” Marnie insisted.
Flustered but willing to help, Dominique answered the phone. “Hey, Nathan. This is Dominique.”
Marnie watched her friend’s face. She knew she needed to have the talk they just mentioned with Nathan, but she wasn’t fully ready in her gut to get to it. Not yet. She would rather do it face-to-face if she had to do it at all. She listened closely to see if she could hear what Nathan was saying on the other end.
Dominique quickly began explaining. “No, Marnie is fine. She’s in her room taking a nap. I think she tired herself out exercising earlier.”
Nathan’s voice sounded like nothing but mumbles to Marnie’s ears. She wanted to lean down to see if she could hear better with her head pressed against Dominique’s, but part of her was too afraid to do even that. Her right hand quickly went to her forehead as she stood there listening tentatively to a one-sided conversation.
“Oh. You’re glad I answered. Ok,” said Dominique, looking confused as ever.
There was a bunch of carefully spaced mumbles and gibberish coming from the other end of the phone.
“Ok, I have to run back to the house so I can’t really talk right now, but I will let Marnie know you called.”
More mumbles.
“Alright. Talk to you later.” With that said, Dominique hung up the phone and handed it back to Marnie who was still standing beside the couch looking nervous and frantic.
“What’d he say?” she asked.
“He said he was glad I answered because he has been really concerned about you and didn’t know who else to talk to.”
“Oh,” was all Marnie could say. This made her feel even worse than she already did. She didn’t want him to worry. Not anymore.
She just needed time to get her words and mind together before confessing to him how she truly felt. She wanted to tell him how he had brought more happiness to her life than anyone, even Dominique.
Before leaving, Dominique gave Marnie one last hug and told her she would be back a few days or maybe Marnie could even stop by. She gave her word that the next time Nathan called, she would speak her mind as well as her heart. She would tell she hoped it was love she was feeling and hoped he felt it too.
Chapter 7
Nathan had a sneaky suspicion that the reason Dominique hurried off the phone was because Marnie was standing right there when he called. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he was praying this wasn’t her way of running and hiding.
Nathan was never a pushy or demanding man, but he was the type of man who always went for what he wanted. Since he had gotten so used to driving from the coast to Kingston, it was nothing for him to drive to Marnie’s home and ask that they have heart-to-heart.
Still, he wanted to give her the opportunity to call him back and say something, anything.
He had left his office space and was about to making himself something to eat when the phone ranged. His heart leaped and he hoped it was Marnie calling back. No. It was Dominique. Just as well. At least he knew he’d get the truth out of Dominique as to what was causing this sense of space between him and Marnie. Maybe she’d even assure him he’s overreacting and Marnie is crazy about him. Either way, he was more than happy to answer his phone.
“Hey, Dominique,” he answered.
“Hey. Look, sorry for cutting it so short earlier. I got the feeling that maybe you had a lot on your mind and didn’t think it was best to talk about while I was right there in Marnie’s house.”
Nathan figured as much. Now that he had her on the phone, however, he got right to the heart of the matter. “I know Marnie has a habit of getting really distant when it comes to our relationship. I have learned to…cope with it for the most part.”
Nathan chose his words carefully. He trusted Dominique but still had the common sense that close friends tend to repeat everything between each other. The last thing he wanted was anything he hadn’t said to Marnie herself to get misconstrued.
“I wanted to know what I could do to make it alright and it stay that way,” he said earnestly.
He could feel Dominique take a deep breath on the other end of the phone and exhale slowly.
“Nathan, the only thing in her way is her fear. She is truly happy, and although I can’t tell you all of what she had to say to me on the matter, I can tell you she wants things to be ok too.”
He was glad to hear these words of encouragement but still needed a more in depth answer as to the best way to get them to the place they apparently both wanted to be.
“I needed to hear that. I really did, Dominique, because I was thinking about taking a big leap to make it happen, make it right,” Nathan said.
“Oookay.”
He could tell by her tone that she had already come to some kind of conclusion, so he decided to just spill the beans and get right to the point.
“I want to ask her if she’ll move in with me, here to Ocho Rios.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone. He couldn’t help but worry if that was a bit of weariness at her best friend possibly moving so far way or elation that he was wanting to take such a big step with her.
It was the latter.
Dominique let out a loud yes on the other end of the phone. “Yes! Absolutely, you should ask her! She should get away from here all the past of just being with the same men and the same problems that are stuck here!”
Nathan couldn’t help but smile at Dominique’s enthusiasm. He really had to admit Marnie was fortunate to have such a caring friend. He could even go so far as to say he envied that she had someone who cared so much. He couldn’t say that of any
of his childhood friends or colleagues.
“I wanted to call her back, but I’m glad you returned my call instead,” he said. “With that said, I really want to make asking her super special and I’m not sure how.”
There was more silence, then Dominique’s quick thinking took over.
“Where was your first date?” she asked.
“It was at this wildlife preservation type park. We had a picnic at night during a classic film viewing.” How could Nathan forget? It was the night he got to kiss the most amazing person who had come into his life since he and Hilary split.
“Well,” Dominique continued. “Why don’t you set up a date there again and find a unique way to ask her? You could hide it inside a bowl or cup or something or have it written on a piece of paper in the bottom of the basket.”
Nathan thought about that suggestion for a moment, then he realized hiding the message for her to discover was a perfect idea. “You might be on to something,” he told Dominique.
She laughed and said, “That’s why I’m here.”
They ended the phone call and Nathan quickly made arrangements to be there in Kingston that weekend. He was still going to be patient and give Marnie a chance to get back in touch with him, but he knew that weekend he was finally going to make probably one of the best decisions he had made in his life in a long time. He was going to let himself fall in love fully, no matter the cost.
*****
The next day Marnie had been called away to assist with a birth a few blocks down the street from her home. It was amazing that what her ancestors had done traditionally in homes to heal the sick and bring new life into the world was now popular in mainstream society. You had couples in modern Kingston that were looking to get in touch with their ancestral roots more by enlisting healers and midwives like Marnie more and more. She was very much appreciated as it was, but the past few years her community truly made it a priority to let her know she was not only needed but also wanted.
As she knocked on the door, the father-in-law of the young wife answered.
“Marnie, love, come in,” he welcomed her.
Marnie stepped in and was instantly greeted by a living room full of smiling faces. The family was already a large one with two kids, both sets of parents and grandparents, siblings, as well as nieces and nephews all in attendance.
She smiled to the expectant and exhausted looking mother with her husband who were both squeezed into a small kiddie pool in the center of the living room.
“Looks you almost started without me,” she joked with the two of them.
Despite the obvious pain the woman was in, she let out a small laugh, which was immediately followed by a low groan, then a pained scream.
Marnie hurriedly asked a nearby a relative where a room was that she could change clothes. After being pointed to a tiny room with a curtain for a door, she was changed and back out to somehow squeeze herself into the kiddie pull with the couple.
The pregnancy was one of the fastest she had every witnessed and a huge baby boy was in the world. He had swum right out into his father’s arms, kicking all the way. When the father lifted him up out the water, Marnie took her surgical snips and cut the cord.
The young man’s mother had a towel ready and the father quickly wiped and wrapped his son up. The new mother was crying tears of joy and relief as he looked upon her newborn son. Marnie let her know there was still a bit more to do before all rejoicing and went right into assisting with the afterbirth.
After the small child was cleaned up a bit better in a separate small bath, the father returned and handed him to his mother. The infant was no longer crying but looking around curiously at all the new faces in his life. Marnie always loved this part of what she did for new parents. It was triumph after all the birth pains. The end of a new beginning, in a way.
As she looked upon the boy, nestled securely in his mother’s arms she heard the mother say to him, “I love you, Nathan.”
Months ago, that name would not have had any more meaning than the names Johnny, Daniel, Elijah, or Justin. But hearing at this moment made Marnie give a stunned glance up at the mother.
“Nathan,” whispered Marnie.
“Yes,” the young woman said. “After his great-great-grandfather.”
Marnie looked taken aback for a moment then she had the biggest smile on her face anyone had ever seen. The night before she had prayed and asked the good spirits of Creation and the All to send her a sign that she was indeed doing to right thing by finally confessing to Nathan how much she loved him. They hadn’t spoken yet, but the last thing she remembered before dozing off to sleep was begging Them to give her a sign of what she should say.
I love you, Nathan.
She was never more ready to get home after a birthing than she was right then. Except for this time it wasn’t to escape the pain of seeing someone seem to have the thing she was lacking her life but to run to the very thing that had finally arrived within it.
When she made it back home she didn’t even go straight to the shower but took her cell phone out and began dialing Nathan’s number.
It rang once. Then, twice. By the third ring, she was worried he was maybe angry about the other day and wasn’t going to answer. She was so relieved when she heard his voice on the other end.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said warmly.
“Hi.” Marnie’s voice was dreamy and slow.
She was floating on cloud nine. Never had she been so sure of love in her life and she couldn’t wait to tell Nathan how much she did indeed love him. Maybe not right this second, but she already had it set in her mind she wanted to meet him to tell him face-to-face.
“How are you?” Nathan asked.
“I’m doing a lot better. I’m glad you answered.”
“I’m glad you called back.” He chuckled.
Marnie began walking back to her bedroom, phone still up to her ear. His voice had never sounded so sweet until this day. All she wanted now was to see him. Look up in his eyes. Tell him she wanted nothing more than to be with him today, every day, and every night.
“I wanted to know what are you doing this weekend,” she said.
“Glad you asked. I had wanted to plan something really special for this weekend.”
Her face lit up when he said those words. He had already surprised her so much already she couldn’t imagine what else he could possibly come up with.
“Special? Special like what?” she teased.
Nathan wasn’t going to take the bait apparently. “I can’t say,” he laughed.
“Aww. Not even a hint?”
“One hint. It’s going to be where we had our first date.”
That didn’t really tell Marnie much, except the setting. Now her curiosity was definitely peaked. For a moment, she even considered if this was his way of considering a marriage proposal. To Marnie’s surprise, she didn’t completely freak out at the thought of being married to Nathan.
“So,” said Marnie. “Does this mean I’ll be seeing you on Friday or Saturday?”
“Saturday,” he confirmed. “And just like last time I’m going to have everything prepared beforehand. All you have to do is be as close to ready to leave by two that afternoon.”
“Hmm. Well, I’ll see what I can do,” Marnie teased. Of course she was going to be ready by two. As excited and hopeful as she was, she was liable to be ready by ten a.m., if it meant he had something special in store for her.
They gave their goodbyes, but Marnie could tell there was a lingering sense, this time, they both wanted to say more than goodbye. Deep down what they wanted to say was goodbye, and possibly even I love you. Marnie hoped this weekend would be their chance to say those words they had been holding back.
Chapter 8
It was only Thursday and Nathan was more than ready for Saturday to get here. He had taken the time to look up an online map of the wildlife preservations park and picnic seating for his special date with Marnie on Saturday. His plan: a t
reasure hunt. He hadn’t ever planned anything like that before, but he knew he wanted to make it fun and light-hearted despite it being a such a major milestone in their relationship.
He had just got through marking different areas he thought would easy to access and hideaway notes when he received a message on his phone. It was Hilary.
Rather than feeling reluctant to answer, he was more than excited to see it was her. He wanted to tell her he was following her unspoken advice. He wanted to let her know he had chosen to be happy and was doing the one thing he never thought he’d be able to do, and that builds his life around someone, not simply drag them into his.
His excitement soon crashed when he read that the message was sent from Hilary’s phone, but it was her lawyer, Donald. He said it was urgent.
When he called, the phone rang for a moment, then he heard a solemn Donald on the other end. “Hey, Nathan. How goes it?” he asked nonchalantly.
“It’s going good, Don. How’s Hilary? What’s going on?”
The silence on the other end was deafening. Nathan’s stomach felt like stones had suddenly dropped into it. “Don, is everything alright?”
“Hilary’s got cancer, Nathan.”
The words shattered every bit of sense Nathan thought he had about Hilary’s life back in the states. She was supposed to be doing the things new agers do in Colorado. She was supposed to be feeling more alive, free, happy. She was not supposed to develop cancer.
Nathan plopped down on the edge of his bed. His hand simply held his phone stiff against his ear as he stared out into space. “Where is she, Don?” he asked.
“In San Diego.”
Nathan had to sit there and just let it all sink in before he said or asked anything else. “Is she going to be alright? How bad is it?”
“It’s stage two breast cancer.” The matter of fact way in which Donald answered made Nathan sank even lower into disbelief. The last time he spoke to Hilary had she already been diagnosed? Was that why she was wishing him well?
Have My Child: BWWM Romance (Brothers From Money Book 14) Page 20
