Chapter Three
The second hardest day of Jordan's life had come; it was Tommy's funeral. While getting dressed, Jordan felt her emotions hit her like a mat truck. She did not know where to place her hurt, pain, frustration, grief, loneliness, sadness or fear. Was she upset that Tommy failed to deliver the promise to come back to her and baby Thomas? Was it that someone else other than baby Thomas' father would fill the void in his life? Had yet another person that meant so much to Jordan abandoned her again? Once the program got underway, Jordan could not deal and left unbeknownst to Curtis. Before her departure with baby Thomas in tow, she left a note stating that she went to decompress from Tommy's death, for Curtis not to worry and she would be back as soon as she felt whole. As Curtis read the note, the hole inside his heart deepened.
A month later, Jordan and baby Thomas arrive back in Baltimore. Curtis was sitting in the apartment floor half out of his mind wondering where Jordan and the baby had gone. He did not understand why Jordan felt the need to leave cold turkey and not tell him directly. He thought that their relationship has reached a level of mutual respect. Jordan professes that it was not about Curtis; it was about finding herself in order to be the best mother to baby Thomas and to get in touch with who she is without Tommy. She had intentions of returning but at her own will. It was a matter of if she did not go, Jordan may not survive mentally.
Curtis understood. He was happy that Jordan and baby Thomas were in one peace. They agreed going forward that they would be open and honest with each other despite the circumstances. Over the next few months of raising the baby, working and dating, Curtis found it in his heart to take the relationship beyond boyfriend-girlfriend-parents; he wanted to propose marriage to Jordan. Curtis went ring shopping and found the one that sparkled just like Jordan's eyes. He knew she would fall madly over it; he planned to ask for her hand on a romantic candlelit dinner. Curtis asked Jordan if they could go out that night and she said yes. The instructions were to get very fancy as it was a special occasion. Baby Thomas was to accompany Jordan as well.
Curtis arrived at the local seafood restaurant and the sweat pro-fused through his clothing. He had never been nervous like this in his entire life but he never had been in love with a woman like Jordan before. Jordan and baby Thomas arrived in a matching dressy attire. The waiter comes with menus and takes their order. Curtis still sweating was beginning to question if marriage was the right thing. Jordan picked up on the awkwardness and questioned it; Curtis just went for it. He said, "Jordan I know this has being a trying time. We all adored Tommy. We all miss Tommy. He left you here to raise baby Thomas alone. It is unintentional. In the time, since Tommy has been deployed, I have grown quite fond of you. I have bonded so beautifully with my son and we work well together as life partners. I want to further extend this into a lasting connection and ask permission for you to be my wife so that I can willingly devote myself to making you and our son's lives more fulfilling. You are the one and there is no one in this life that I would rather spend growing old with than you. Will you do me the honor and become Mrs. Ashford? Tears start abundantly from Jordan's face and all she could utter was YES BABE, IT WOULD BE MY PLEASURE. Curtis dropped on his knee and put the diamond on Jordan's finger, they kiss and hug baby Thomas while gazing into each others' eyes as the sun slowly cascaded into night.