(Chapter Four)
Mom?" Dee Dee called from her bedroom. "Can you help me with this clasp?"
Anna entered the room and commented on how nice her daughter looked in her yellow pastel pantsuit. "I like the pleats in the blouse. It's very cute." She smiled at her daughter.
"Thanks. I was hoping they wouldn't make me look that much fatter, but I guess it works."
As Dee Dee lifted her hair off of her neck, her mother began to fasten the clasp on her necklace. "You're nervous about seeing him, aren't you?"
Dee Dee sighed. "It's that obvious, huh?"
"Just a little." Anna smiled as she smoothed her daughter's hair over her back and shoulders. "I'm sure he's nervous about seeing you, too."
"Maybe." Dee Dee replied softly as she sat on the bed. "I'm glad you told me about him coming over to talk to you after I got married. I hope he can look at me and not be angry or hurt anymore."
"I'm sure that won't be a problem." Anna sat beside Dee Dee. "He knew he had to do what was best. He was hurting then, but he's either learned, or is learning to live with the fact that you're Alex's wife."
"Well, I don't know how I'll manage if the feelings I still have for him began to build even stronger." Dee Dee sighed and shook her head. "Maybe this whole thing was a mistake. I should have gone on a vacation someplace else."
"No, you shouldn't have. You need to talk to Rick. If you don't, you'll always be worrying and wondering if anything could have come from your feelings, and if going back to Alex was truly the right thing."
"I suppose you're right. I'm just scared."
"It's okay to be scared, honey. This is all a very tough situation for you. But just so you know, I'll be here to support your decision, whatever it is."
Dee Dee looked at her mother in surprise.
"Yes, I know I haven't been very supportive in the past." Anna admitted. "But I want to start being more a part of your life, and the life of my grandchild." She took her daughter's hand.
Dee Dee suddenly felt the love and protection she'd always wanted from her mother when she was younger. She felt her eyes well with tears as she lay her head on her mother's shoulder. "Thank you, mom. I love you."
"You're welcome, sweetie. And I love you, too." Anna smiled with her own tears. "We still may have some disagreements between us, but I think we'll survive them." She sighed. "Now, come on. Let's not have those pretty eyes all red when Rick gets here."
Just as Dee Dee dabbed her eyes with the tissue Anna handed her, the doorbell rang.
"There's your date." Anna smiled. "You finish getting ready, and I'll let him in."
As Anna went downstairs, Dee Dee grabbed a bottle of eye drops from her cosmetic bag and silently willed them to work quickly. When she was happy with the results, she checked herself in the mirror once more, and headed downstairs.
When she entered the living room, she saw that Rick was sitting with his back to her. She stood silently, and without Anna giving any indication that she was behind him, Rick obviously sensed Dee Dee was there. He stood and turned to see her.
"Dee Dee." He nearly whispered.
"Hi." Dee Dee's stomach filled with butterflies.
"It's great to see you." Rick smiled broadly. "Come here."
Dee Dee went quickly into Rick's open arms. "It's great to see you, too." She sighed. "I've missed you so much, Rick." She'd missed the smell of his cologne, the gentle strength in his hug, …everything about him.
"I've missed you, too."
Anna sat and watched how her daughter seemed to melt in Rick's arms. She knew the love was still there, and could only hope they could work out something that's best for all concerned.
Finally, Rick spoke again. "Let me look at you again." He stepped back and took a long look. "Pregnancy definitely agrees with you." He smiled, and for a split second, he smiled broader as he imagined what it would be like to see her carrying his child, the smile faded slightly at knowing he'd missed the chance. "You look beautiful, as always."
"Thank you." Dee Dee blushed slightly.
Anna stood up to get her camera. "Let me take a picture."
"Mom…." Dee Dee shook her head. "It's not our senior prom."
Rick chuckled at the comment. "Come on, Dee Dee. Humor her. Besides, I'd like a little souvenir. Who knows when I'll get to see the Goodyear blimp again?"
"Excuse me? Blimp?" Dee Dee poked Rick in the ribs with her elbow. "Watch what you say. I still know how to use a gun."
"Yeah, like I'm afraid of you." He laughed.
Anna managed to get the two to pose for two shots, and then she set the timer in order to have a picture taken with them. Rick was more than happy to stand between the two petite and beautiful women, and he commented on them both, watching them light up with their very similar smiles.
"Shall we go?" Rick asked his date.
"Yes, please…before mom pulls out the video camera." Dee Dee laughed and grabbed Rick by the hand and pulled him out the door.
Rick quickly stuck his head back inside. "I'll have her home by next Thursday."
Anna laughed and told them to have a great time.
When they pulled up to the restaurant, Dee Dee began to smile. "This is really nice…right on the beach."
"I thought you might like it."
"I do. But, I thought for sure you'd take me to Biff's Burger Barn." She laughed aloud.
"Nope. The roaches took over as new management and staff at Biff's. It seems the old crew got into a big brawl with the roaches, gunfire was exchanged…well, to make a long story short, Biff lost out and well, the rest is history. Oh, and the burgers just haven't been the same since." Rick grinned and raised his brows.
Dee Dee tried to stifle her laughter. "You're still so silly."
"One of my great qualities." Rick answered with a smile. "I figured we'd try surf-n-turf. We'll both be happy, right?"
"Right." Dee smiled. "Let's go in. I'm hungry."
"I'm sure you are." Rick sighed and playfully rolled his eyes. "I knew you before you were pregnant, and you were always hungry."
"Shut up." Dee Dee laughed and pinched his forearm.
Rick quickly exited the car in order to open the passenger door for Dee Dee. He extended his hand to her, and Dee Dee smiled at familiar gesture.
"I don't think I mentioned earlier, but you look quite handsome tonight." She admired the dark blue suit and white dress shirt.
"Thank you. You don't mind that I'm not wearing a tie?" Rick adjusted his jacket.
"Of course not. I think a tie would actually take away from the look. I love the open button at the top." Dee Dee smiled and tugged at his collar. "You've had enough flattery." She giggled. "You've got an expectant mother with a healthy appetite."
"Then let's get a move on." Rick laughed and gently linked Dee Dee's arm around his as they walked toward the door. "Maybe we can take a walk along the boardwalk or the beach after dinner."
"Sounds like a great idea."
Once inside, the two were immediately seated at their table. Though she didn't admit it aloud, Dee Dee was glad that Rick suggested a booth. It wasn't as if they were having an intimate dinner in a room all to themselves, but it felt very close to being so. She thought of how it'd been a long time since she'd felt close to her own husband, even during evenings when she'd prepared a romantic candlelit for the two of them.
Rick noticed that Dee Dee seemed to be in deep thought, so he put down his menu. "Penny for your thoughts."
Dee Dee laughed when she realized what Rick said. "Believe me, my thoughts are worth way more than a penny."
"Alright. I'll pay whatever the price."
Dee Dee sighed lightly. "Oh, it's nothing, really. Just the average thoughts of life, I suppose."
Rick knew she was troubled, but wouldn't pressure her about what it was. "Okay. Well, you know I'm always one to listen if you need me."
"Thanks." She smiled. She felt secure in knowing he'd listen, but insecure about whether or not she could actually talk to him about the truth. She missed the times when she could approach him with anything, and without any hesitation. For whatever reason, she felt she'd changed and couldn't open up to him; at least not now.
"I can't get over how beautiful you are." Rick commented.
"Thank you." Dee Dee blushed.
"You've always been beautiful, and you always will be."
"Keep it up. Flattery will get you into and out of trouble." Dee Dee laughed.
"I don't mind getting into trouble, as long as it's with you and the way we like it." Rick answered with a grin. He suddenly hoped he hadn't overstepped his bounds. After all, Dee Dee was now a married woman.
"Oh, and I do remember liking certain types of trouble with you." Dee Dee laughed.
Rick laughed with a sigh of relief. He knew then that he hadn't overstepped his bounds; that Dee Dee was comfortable with joking about their past romantic relationship. It wasn't like he'd washed those thoughts away for good, and he knew it'd be impossible if he tried. He'd wondered how hard it'd been for Dee Dee to deal with their past romance, but considering she'd married Alex, it must not have been that hard. Rick had mixed emotions on that. He wanted Dee Dee to still have those feeling for him, but he knew it would be wrong if she did. He couldn't help but wish that things had worked out in his favor. He never thought that Alex deserved her, and he'll never think that he will. Dee Dee was supposed to be with him, but Alex had been the one to take her heart. "Has he taken it completely?" Rick wondered to himself.
"Are you ready to order?" The waiter asked.
Rick was shaken from his thoughts by the question. As Dee Dee gave her order, Rick had one more thought to himself - "I have to know. How does she feel about me, now?"
(Continued...)