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"You're married!" Adelaide frowned, gripping her youngest sister's arm. "Josiah has paid nothing less than a fortune for this trip. Don't make us late."
Had Arlana betrayed her? So much for sisters.
Jaira's throat clenched, her stomach sucker-punched.
How long had they been waiting? Josiah didn't so much as acknowledge her when she stepped out of the mission, rather sheepishly, after their heavy make-out session in the kitchen.
Was she to blame? If he changed his mind about taking her, it was completely deserved, but then again, she never asked to be dragged along.
"I'm confused," Terrell whispered for her ears only, "I thought you were filing for a divorce."
Jaira held up her hand motioning for him to be quiet - she didn't want to miss a word and Josiah was speaking quietly.
"How long are you guys going for?" Terrell asked, trying to catch up on what he'd missed.
"A week," Josiah replied. "Our wedding is taking place a week from today. If you'd like to return after the wedding, just let me know. I intend to stay in Israel until our child is born."
Arlana looked like she was about to pop.
"Are you going to stay that long?" Terrell whispered against her temple, his hand sliding down her side to rest on her hip.
"I don't think so. I'm coming back as soon as I am able. I know you need me."
Terrell wasn't sure if she was referring to her cooking for the needy or something more. Either way, she had hit the nail on the head.
"I don't mind driving a carload of you guys to the airport," Terrell volunteered his services. already reaching for his keys.
Adelaide watched the exchange, her eyes narrowing, but she didn't say a word,
Isabella tugging on her skirt, "Can I go with Aziel?"
"Let's meet back here in half an hour. Will that give you enough time to pack? We are going to be leaving from Pearson airport at 9:45 pm so if you can be back here in thirty minutes, that should give us plenty of time."Josiah leaned against his car.
"Sure," Debbie nodded. "Thank you so much," overwhelmed at what Josiah had done.
She pulled out of the driveway, the boys in her car, heading to Walmart. Granny remained behind, the impromptu shopping trip would be too tiring this late in the day.
"I'll take you back home so you can pack," Terrell led Jaira to his car, wanting to have her alone to himself for even five more minutes.
A week seemed like an eternity to a man in love.
***
DEBBIE HELPED HER MOTHER buckle her seatbelt before sliding into the driver's seat.
"The cousins can ride with us," Adelaide suggested, referring to the younger two.
Amber was standing beside Arlana and Sarah shadowed her. Joshua and Peter had paired up as well, standing beside Jared who chose to ride with Lachlan. Rose and David would ride with Sheila and Mark, Rose eager to get to know her long-lost cousin. Rivkah and Isaac slid into the backseat behind Debbie and Granny.
Granny was excited to be on the road. "Where are we going? Are you coming too, Debbie?"
"Yes, Mom, you know I won't leave you," Debbie smiled over at her mother as she turned the key in the ignition.
Arlana buckled Aziel into the car seat, "Be good okay?"
She smiled at her son before joining her husband in the lead vehicle. They pulled out of the parking lot first followed by Mark, Gavin, Debbie, Lachlan, then Terrell taking up the rear.
Jaira would normally have been hurt that her children chose to ride in other vehicles, but today was different, savouring the memory of Terrell's succulent lips never thinking to let William know she was leaving the country.
***
JOSIAH LOOKED OVER at Arlana, his heart skipping a beat.
"Yafa," he winked, "Beautiful."
Arlana flushed, fingering the dangling tassels of her head covering.
Chatter from the backseat filled the car and Arlana sighed, content.
Josiah would be a fully married man within a few days if all went well. "I love you," he lowered his voice.
Arlana flushed, "I love you too."
And she meant it.
Sarah batted her eyes in the backseat, her face flushed.
"So romantic!" she giggled.
Arlana laughed at her niece remembering all too well those days. She looked over at Josiah. He was more than she had ever imagined as a child, a teenager and even an adult.
***
JOSIAH LED THE LARGE group toward the baggage check-in. Arlana and Adelaide herded the six cousins, instructing them to stay close, the older cousins holding the hands of the younger. They submitted their tickets, their luggage passing through the scanners.
Lachlan walked over, brushing his fingers on Arlana's, "At least you're not going to Victoria Island yet..."
Arlana nodded, her relief evident.
"Thank you for being here for me."
Lachlan bit back a moan, "You must know I love you, Lass. When we return...if you return, you will be fully his." He looked away hiding the pain in his eyes, "I'll always be here for you, you just need to ask."
He kissed her satin-smooth cheek before stepping away.
There was a finality between them, an emotion he couldn't shake. Clearly, they needed time away from each other and both knew it.
Josiah looked up in time to see Lachlan kiss his wife's cheek. The act was innocent enough, but it was too much for Josiah, who realized at that moment, he still struggled.
He waited until he had a moment alone with Arlana before the announcement to board the plane. Of course, they weren't exactly alone, but he had her full attention.
"Do you want to get married?"
He had been certain of her answer this morning, but now, after seeing Lachlan kiss her cheek...
"I appreciate all Lachlan did for Aziel and I over these past months," She looked out the window unsure how to begin, "But it is you that I love."
Arlana turned to Josiah with moist, sapphire blue eyes.
"I should have trusted in you - confided in you."
So what was stopping her now?
Shame.
The disgrace of who her family was. His family exuded light, hers, well, quite the opposite.
"If you knew the half of it, you'd want nothing to do with me," Arlana swiped at unbidden tears.
They had to board the plane within minutes, but right now this was his complete priority.
"I chose you, Neshama Sheli, and no matter what you could think or do there is absolutely nothing that would keep me from you. I searched everywhere to bring you back to me - to where you belong."
He had proved he meant every word he said when he'd swept her off her feet, bringing her home.
As though she'd read his thoughts, Josiah lowered his head, pressing her against the wall as he kissed her with pent-up passion. His hands braced against the wall as he fought the urge to touch her intimately.
The wedding would be soon and he shouldn't even kiss her but she needed to know how much he loved her. He kissed her till she was breathless, unable to question how much he truly cherished her as her world spun in orbit.
Rivkah walked toward them, but halted, not wanting to interrupt their passionate encounter. It wasn't necessarily forbidden as he technically wasn't touching her. Rivkah knew how much they both needed this, so she looked away.
Josiah groaned, lifting his head, tenderly brushing away the last remnants of her tears.
"I love you," she murmured from tender lips.
Josiah smiled down at her. Arlana's face flushed.
"I can't wait much longer for our wedding..." His words hung heavy with meaning.
Arlana didn't care who was watching at that moment, reaching up to draw his head towards her again. She knew he couldn't touch her now until their wedding day but kissed him with fierce passion, regardless of the rules, her kiss revealing her heart.
He returned her kiss - pent-up denial, the pain of losing her and the fear she loved Lachlan mingling in a wild kiss that left her breathless.
"Boarding flight 149," the voice ran over the intercom.
Arlana reached for her husband's hand. It was now or never. Once she stepped on the plane, there could be no turning back.
Eyes locked with her husband and face flushed, they stepped onto the plane together.
Thank you so much for reading this second book in my series. I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to send me a message on Goodreads. Reviews are really encouraging and I would be honored if you would take the time to leave on. Thank you in advance.
~ Angeline ~