Chapter Forty Three

After Henry fed the dogs and went to bed, he couldn’t sleep. His thoughts went over the date and how the evening went. He was aware of how everyone turned their head towards Jenny as they made their way to the table. It made him recall a similar scene of the day when he made a special plan for Julean and him at the Hotel Saskatchewan for their 18th anniversary. All the men having a business lunch had turned their heads that day too as Julean was escorted to the table. He knew what a lucky guy he was then and what a fortunate man he was now. He looked at the ring on his finger as it caught the moonlight that was entering through the window.

What happens when Jenny and he marry? Should he take the ring off?

Henry didn’t think he ever could.

Henry wondered about James and the phone call he had received from him. How was this all going to play out? He knew that they needed to talk about it, but tonight wasn’t the time.

But when would there ever be a good time? He loved Jenny so much and didn’t want to ever lose her again. And, and…here was her former husband wanting her back, too.

Henry could feel an anxiousness stealing away the wonderful evening that still lingered in his heart. He searched for Julean’s rosary in the darkness. As soon as he found it, he pulled Julean’s pillow towards him and began to pray. One of the similarities between Jenny and Julean was they both had a solution for every dilemma that came up. He looked at his ring again and knew one or the other would have an answer to his concern.

Perhaps he would wear two. Yes, two rings; the two sweethearts in his life. He thanked his dear wife for guiding him back to Jenny and for being such a wonderful understanding wife.

Normally he would fight tooth and nail for Jenny’s love, but this was a special case with so many others involved.

They had briefly talked about her and James at dinner. But it was too soon, too uncomfortable to discuss. Was he interfering? Would a marriage between Jenny and him estrange her family, especially her son whose love she wanted badly and also, her grandson and daughter-in-law? It would not be easy for Jenny, that was for certain and…on his part, what was the morally right thing to do? He began to feel tense…

He pulled Julean’s pillow close to him and rested his hand with the rosary on the pillow and began to pray. And just before sleep overtook him, the thought of his teacher came to mind. Yes, Father Engelmann would know what to do…yes, his mentor was always there. Thank you Jesus and thank you Julean and thank you to my guardian angel…

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with… his prayer trailed off.

Oh blessed Mother, Mother of God, you know families, you and Joseph and Jesus were a holy family, pray for me. Let me be sensitive to the needs of others. Let me allow my Jenny to be free to make decisions that are true to her heart. Let me know what the Church requires in situations like this. Does the Church recognize Jenny’s divorce? Oh, blessed Mary, ask your son, Jesus to guide my steps in the following days, so there are no regrets, no hurts. Help us all to be compassionate and understanding with each other…and most of all dear Lord, let Your will be done in this situation.

Jenny tossed and turned in bed. It was so late and yet she knew sleep would not come easily. I love Henry so much and there are so many obstacles in the way. What would happen to her relationship with J.J. and James if she married Henry? James seemed to be changing and coming around in such a wonderful way. She had always seen him so different when they were married; refusing to be affected by some of his inconsiderate actions and words. Jenny wondered if he was touched by all the miracles that happened, too. It was such a sudden change for him to be so considerate and to admit that he was wrong and plead for her to come back. It was a miracle. He was such a proud man.

Jenny rolled and tossed again, the dilemma was growing in her mind and she saw no real solution in sight. All she had thought about over the years was to be reunited with Camilla and Henry and now it had finally come true! She thought she would be free when it finally happened and yet, was she really? Could she just sever her relationship with James and the rest of the family?

“And I love Henry so much.” Jenny whispered into the darkness. “I can hardly wait to get married and so want to give him a child. How I wished and fantasized that it was Henry who had fathered Camilla!”

In the early stages of her pregnancy, she had wished it so deeply it was the only way she could keep the child within her womb. But then she learned to love the baby growing within her. And slowly, she began to accept the baby as her own, and even allowed her mind to dwell on the man who assaulted her. But now, everything could be a reality, if only the road was clear for her and Henry to get married.

Jenny began reliving those minutes before Henry left. She could tell that they both desired to make love. Their bodies ached to be together and yet, there was that something special that kept both of them in check. To do so outside the bonds of matrimony seemed to equal losing something…it was more for themselves. To be married was such a holy and sacred sacrament. A wedding day, was such a wonderful day when it would all come together and begin a momentous journey. Courting was a time of enjoying one another and getting to know one another and yes, it was not without sacrifice. And yet that seemed to be the wonderful part about it all; that willingness to wait for that special day.

She had never given in to James all the time they had dated. She was certain it was because of Henry and the restraint he showed. No, she would wait. She knew that was what Henry wanted, too, even though their desire for one another was so strong. Henry showed his strength again tonight.

Oh dear guardian angel, clear the road ahead of all obstacles so we are free to carry out our hearts’ desire.