Moses
I QUIETLY OPENED THE DOOR, walked inside and heard voices talking about the last twenty-four hours. I stepped closer to the kitchen, trying to stay undetected. Unfortunately, my foot landed on a loose board giving me away. I looked up and all eyes were on me.
“Moses,” Mom Connie announced. Her facial expression immediately went from elation to disappointment when she only saw me. “What happened…where’s Alex?”
I took a deep breath and dropped my head searching, my mind for the right words to answer her question. “I…I…I’m not sure where to start.” As a writer, you’d think I’d be very prolific when it comes to using words. However, when it’s my private life, I always seem a little lost. I found myself faced with how much to reveal. I closed my eyes, and tossed my head back hoping for the right words.
I raised my head and cleared my throat. Staring back at me were four pairs of wide eyes filled with hope and questions. A chill shot, through my body and I knew if I gave any answer other than the one they hoped for, I’d be a candidate for an old-fashioned beat down by a group of senior citizens.
“It was bad. I did exactly as planned. I told her you and Grams told me to come get her, and she wasn’t too happy about that. I guess it was a poor choice of words.”
“You think?” Mom Connie replied with just enough sarcasm to emphasize her disappointment in me and Alex.
“Calm down Connie.” Grams turned her attention back to me. “Son, how could you mess this up? We gave you a fail proof plan.”
“Did you at least show her the ring?” Mom Connie asked.
The ring. The jaw dropping ten-carat Asscher cut diamond with a hint of pink, sitting on a platinum band. The day after I had lunch with Mom Connie and she told me to prepare for this day, I began searching for the perfect ring. I didn’t want any white diamond. I wanted something extraordinary for Alex. The ring had to bear her personality. It needed to be a symbol of everything Alex and I had been through, and it needed to let her know how precious I feel she is. I wanted something spectacular, but subtle. Although, I don’t know if it’s possible for a ring of that size to be subtle.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I knew he’d muck it up,” Mom Connie replied. “We need another plan.”
“Hold on, Connie.” Grams stood up and walked towards me. “Son, what exactly did Alexandra say?”
I stood up straight and braced myself to answer her. “She said…”
“Yes.” Shouted a voice. Alex walked around and stood next to me. “I said yes.”
“Oh my God,” Mom Connie screamed, as she ran over and hugged my fiancée. The smile on her face was as bright as Alex’s ring. “Moses, you had us scared.”
“What, you thought she said no?” I laughed.
“Moses, how dare you play such a trick on your grandmother,” Mrs. Joseph chastised me.
“I’m sorry.” I walked over and hugged Grams. “Forgive me?” Alex and I traded hugs and kisses with everyone.
“Yes.” She smiled. “Otis, get the champagne.”
“Yes, Miss Emma.”
“So what are you four up to?” Alex asked.
“We’ve been waiting to hear from you two. Now that we see everything went according to plan,” Grams said.
“Not exactly.” I wrapped my arm around Alex’s waist and she looked up at me with those beautiful dark eyes. “I wasn’t kidding about it being bad. We stood in the middle of the lounge arguing.”
“What?” Mom Connie shouted.
“Oh wait, it gets better,” Alex replied. “I left him.”
“Alex, you didn’t?” Mom Connie asked.
“But then I read his note and knew I could either spend the rest of my life with my stupidity and embarrassment, or with the man I love. So I got off the plane.” She looked up at me and I kissed her.
“Thank God, you both came to your senses,” Otis blurted out and we all laughed.
“So what time is the ceremony?” Mom Connie asked.
Alex and I looked at each other. “About that. We stopped by the City Clerk’s Office on the way home and…,” I looked at Alex and then back at Mom Connie.
“Please don’t tell us you got married?” Grams begged.
“Go ahead, tell them,” Alex urged.
“While we were getting the license, we figured why wait.”
“You didn’t.” Mom Connie’s words summed up the look on everyone’s face.
We looked at each other and frowned before answering. “You guys are so easy. You should see the look on your faces,” Alex laughed.
“No, we didn’t get married. We have to take care of a few things first. And my beautiful fiancée said she needs to get a dress. So looks like we have to wait a couple of days. Is everyone fine with that?” I looked around and all the faces were smiling.
“So where do we start?”Mom Connie asked.
I was unpacking my bag when a tap on the door grabbed my attention. I looked up, and standing in the doorway was my fiancée. Looking at her immediately brought a smile to my face. “Hey, Beautiful.”
“May I come in?”
“Sure. How was your nap?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“What’s troubling my fiancée?”
“I was thinking, maybe we should wait.”
“Wait for what?” I asked.
“To get married.”
We’ve been apart ten months, and I still know how to read her. I know the best way to handle Alex is to give her a little space while still nudging her in the right direction. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. God, it felt good to have her back in my arms. I would almost agree to anything she requested, if it meant I could keep her close like this. I gently kissed her on the forehead and looked into those beautiful dark eyes filled with uncertainty. “What’s the problem?”
She gave me a half smile. “Nothing really. I just think we may be rushing things.”
“Uh-huh.” I pulled her closer. “I thought you were fine with us getting married?”
“I was…I mean I am.”
“Okay, then it’s settled.” I kissed her and continued unpacking.
“I just think…I…”
“Okay, I am going to give you one opportunity to tell me what’s really bothering you.”
She bit her lower lip and my heart melted. “I think we need to get reacquainted. I mean it’s been ten months since we last saw each other. We’ve had more fights than kisses before you proposed to me this morning.” I felt her body tense up as she recited the laundry list of reasons why we should wait to get married. “And my friends, how do I explain having a husband, when they didn’t know I was seeing anyone? I’m still dealing with the fallout of my divorce and son. And…”
I quickly pressed my lips against hers. My ears needed a break from the windfall of things troubling her. I slowly pulled back and kissed her again. “Shhh…”
“But…”
I kissed her again. “Shhh…breathe.” She exhaled. “Do you know why I didn’t put up a fight when you asked for a little space to deal with your ex-husband?”
“Space…really? I recall you hiding out nearby.” She smiled.
“That’s not the point.” I smiled. “You weren’t the only one that needed space.”
“What?”
“I was having a challenge being around you.” She looked confused at my statement. “The first time I kissed you, I knew I was in trouble. That kiss woke up feelings I had long put to bed. Every time I kissed you, I wanted more. I had convinced myself that if I pushed things, I could deal with the repentance. On a few occasions, I was tempted to ask…”
Her eyes got wide. “What?”
“Hey, I’m not dead. You’re an incredibly beautiful woman. The first time I saw you, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. That sexy little walk of yours is mesmerizing. You had me spellbound..”
“Oh my God…”
“I was trying to be cool and keep my eyes focused on your beautiful smile, but girl…I couldn’t help but notice your other assets.”
“Is it warm in here?” She started fanning herself with her hand.
“I have had quite a few repentant nights and cold showers. Now that we’re engaged, I don’t know how much longer I can hold on. I have dreamed about how your soft naked body will feel under mine. How your full breasts will feel in my hands as I gently caress them anticipating your reaction to my touch. About the tastes my tongue will be introduced to as it slowly glides along your body. How you’ll sound calling my name as we…”
She jumped up and ran her fingers through her hair. “I…I, uhm…” She patted her chest. “Are you sure the heater isn’t on?”
“So when you ask me to wait, I don’t think I can.” I stepped closer as she stepped back trying to keep some distance between us.
“I understand your concerns, however…”
“Alexandra, you have two options. Marry me in a couple of days or we’re done.”