Chapter 35

Deja, Mort and the children had been at home for a little over a week. Deja wasn't too exhausted yet because the children slept throughout most of the day. Mort was so in love with Deja he wanted nothing more than to be intimate with her, but per doctor's orders he had to wait eight more weeks.

Deja was seated on the couch and wanted nothing more than to help Mort clean up. He made sure she didn't lift a finger. She had enough to do with the babies so he didn't want her doing anything else.

"You need any help with the dishes?" she asked.

"No. I'll be done in a second," he answered.

"I'm gonna go upstairs and check on the kids."

"Deja, please. You just checked on them not even five minutes ago. They're sleeping. Just relax. If they wake, we'll hear them in the baby monitor."

"Fine," she sighed. She knew this was a battle she couldn't win. Mort was adamant about her getting enough rest.

After finishing up in the kitchen, Mort sat next to Deja and placed her feet on his lap. He began massaging them and Deja was grateful. It was much needed. She wasn't sure when she'd fallen asleep, but when she woke up the next morning she was wrapped up in Mort's arms in their bed.

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Lexi and Tony, which they were sometimes called, were now 11 weeks old. They're sleep had decreased and Deja was running herself ragged. Mort knew she needed a break and he was happy to give it to her that evening. Deja had arranged for Lilly to watch the kids overnight while Mort treated Deja to a relaxing evening.

Deja was already going through separation anxiety and they hadn't even left for Lilly's house yet. Deja was packing their things and constantly came up with reasons as to why the kids couldn't go.

"Dang!" she said.

"What is it now?" Mort responded.

"I don't think the kids can go."

"And why not this time?"

"No milk."

"I already packed it. Look, Deja...I know you're going to miss the kids, but it's only for one night and you and I really need some alone time. I promise as soon as we wake up tomorrow morning we'll pick them up.

"Promise?" she said, looking him square in the eyes.

"Promise. Now let's get on the road.

Mort picked up the two bags and headed for the car. After placing them in the trunk, he headed back into the house to help Deja bundle the children up.

"You ready?" he asked Deja.

"I guess," she answered, still not excited about leaving her kids for the first time.

Deja picked up Anthony and placed him into the car seat. Mort, following her lead, did the same with Alexis. He carried both of them out to the car and strapped them in as Deja locked up the house.

Within 15 minutes they were at Lilly's place. Lilly was still uncomfortable around Mort, but she had to deal with it because of Deja and the kids. She was so excited when they pulled into her driveway that she bolted out of the house to greet them.

Elijah and Joshua were soon to follow. "Hi!" Lilly said excitedly, as she hugged Deja who'd just stepped out of the car.

"Hi Lilly! Thank you so much for watching them," Deja said.

"Oh, it's no problem. The kids and I have been looking forward to this all day."

Mort carried both of the children and their car seats into the house as Deja and Lilly took the bags out of the trunk. "Promise you'll call me if you need anything?" Deja asked.

"I promise. And stop worrying so much. The kids are in good hands, plus it's not even a full 24 hours that I'm keeping them. They'll be safe, I swear to you."

"I know I can trust you. It's just...hard," Deja began to tear up.

"Stop with the crying please. You and Mort need some alone time. It's nice he even wanted to get you alone."

"Oh please. He's been waiting to 'get me alone' since we brought the kids home," Deja said, rolling her eyes.

"Well, be glad. Savor every moment alone with him, who knows when I'll be this nice and keep the kids for you again." They both broke out into laughter. Deja was lucky to have Lilly. Besides Mort, she was the only friend she had in Tashmore Lake.

Joshua came back out and grabbed the two bags from Lilly and Deja. He thanked Deja for letting Lexi and Tony come over for the night, he was really looking forward to it. Mort walked down the front steps and made his way to the car. "Ready to roll?" he asked Deja.

"Yeah, I guess. Call me if you need ANYTHING," she told Lilly.

"I will, I will. Now go, have fun." The two women hugged good-bye and Lilly made her way inside.

"Thanks again, Lilly," Mort called out.

She turned slightly, a chill running up her spine. "No problem...Mort," she said as she entered the house.

Mort and Deja got into the car and drove back home. "So what's on the agenda?" Deja asked.

"It's a surprise," he said with a mischievous smirk on his face.

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Walking into the house, Mort made his way upstairs. "Where are you going?" Deja asked.

"To get dressed," he answered casually and continued up the stairs.

"Well, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise, I told you."

"Well, how can I know what to wear if I don't know where we're going?" she began to follow him to the bedroom.

"Put on... that long, silver and black gown."

"I don't own a silver and black gown," she said, confusion on her face.

"Sure you do," he said nonchalantly.

Sitting on the bed, she said, "Well, I sure would like to see this dress."

Mort walked to their closet and pulled out the most beautiful dress Deja had ever seen. It was a colored in creme and pale yellow. The top half was a strapless bustier and the bottom was ruffled with satin feathers. It was exactly her style. "Where did you get that from?" Deja asked.

"Uh...your closet."

"Seriously Mort. Where did you get this?"

"A store."

She walked to Mort and took the dress out of his hands. She examined it and noticed it was made by one of her favorite designers. "Mort! This is an Yves St. Laurent!"

"Yeah, something like that," he continued to pull clothing from the closet.

"Mort, please pay attention to me. Where did you get this?"

He let out a long sigh, almost as if he was annoyed with all of her questioning. "You remember when I went to the city about five days ago, to see my agent?" She nodded. "Well, she wasn't in her office when I got there. She had a meeting across town. Her secretary said she would be there in about 45 minutes. I didn't feel like sitting in the lounge and waiting, so I went walking. I came across this great little dress shop and that dress was in the window. I knew you and I had plans tonight and that dress was perfect for our plans. The icing on the cake was the fact that it was an...an..Yves..."

"Yves St. Laurent," Deja interjected.

"Yeah, that. All those fashion magazines and designers I was forced to listen to you talk about ended up coming in handy. Anyway, go ahead and put it on and get ready."

"Well, that explains the dress, but not where we're going?"

"It's a surprise!" Mort said.

"Fine, fine. I'm going to get ready.

They had both showered and Deja was in the bathroom applying her makeup and doing her hair. Mort had his tux on. He'd worn this tuxedo a few times to different industry events and was glad he could still fit in it.

He sat on the couch, checking the clock on the wall every two seconds. Finally, Deja made her entrance. She was truly a vision to behold. She literally took Mort's breath away. She made her way down to him.

"So, what do you think?" she asked, twirling around to let Mort give her a once over.

"You look...amazing."

"Thank you," she said, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. "I'm just glad the dress fit."

The dress was like a second skin on her. It hugged her body in all the right places. And because it was a short dress, stopping right above her knees, her petite frame was accented beautifully. Mort was actually surprised at how fast she was getting her pre-baby body back. She was determined to be married soon and the only thing holding her back was her weight. She wanted to look perfect on her wedding day. She'd been on a diet and excersize routine not long after she came home from the hospital.

Her makeup was flawless and made her face glow. Her hair was elegantly pulled back into a half ponytail. It showed off her beautiful facial features. Mort wasn't sure if he'd be able to keep his hands off her. He almost hated having to go to this event. He wanted to take her right then and there.

"Let's say we skip my plans and just stay here," he said as he pulled her close to him and began nibbling her ear.

"Yeah right! I want someone to see me in this dress," she said, pushing herself back.

"I see you in it, and I'd like to see you out of it."

"No sir. I want to see what you have planned for this evening." She grabbed her black shawl as Mort took the keys and escorted her to the car.

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They pulled up to a restaurant in the city around 6:30 pm. An attendant walked to the car and held it open for Deja. She exited and Mort walked around and led her inside. "We're having dinner at Tavern On The Green?" she asked.

"Not quite. More like attending a party."

"A party? For who?"

"My agent. She's throwing a party here tonight and I told her I'd make an appearance. We'll only be here an hour tops, then I have more in store."

"More? Jeez, Mort. This is more than enough."

"I know, but how often are we going to be able to sneak away to the city, just the two of us?"

"You've got a point."

They walked into the restaurant and were escorted to where the party was held. "Wow, this place is decorated so extravagantly," Deja whispered.

"I know," Mort whispered back.

They made their way into a room full of strangers, to Deja at least. "Mort!" a voice from behind them called. It was Debra Hunter, Mort's agent. "So glad you could make it," she gave Mort a warm hug.

"Hi Deb. This is my fiancee, Deja."

"Nice to meet you...finally," Debra said.

"Likewise. I've heard so many great things about you."

"Likewise." Both women began laughing.

"So let me see the rock," Debra said, grabbing Deja's hand.

Deja immediately became embarrassed. "Oh, Morty boy. You did good on this one," Debra laughed.

"I tried," he said modestly.

"Well, I'm going to mingle some more. Glad you could make it and nice to meet you Deja." And as quickly as she appeared, Debra was gone.

"She's a character," Deja said.

"I know, you have to love her though."

"So, now what?" she asked.

"We mingle for another 30 minutes or so and then we sneak out," Mort answered.

"Naughty boy," she playfully scolded.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to the appetizer table. They snacked on pate, an assortment of desserts and wine.

Deja was introduced to a few other writers Mort had become acquainted with and made polite conversation. Truth be told, she was bored out of her mind. She didn't mention anything to Mort because she didn't want to upset him. He seemed like he was enjoying himself so she would let him have this moment.

She stole glances at him from across the room. She was in the middle of a dull conversation with a self-help writer and Deja couldn't wait to escape. She had lost sight of Mort and hoped he hadn't gone too far.

While pretending to be interested in the conversation, she felt a hand wrap around her waist.
Turning around she was surprised that it wasn't Mort. "Excuse me," she said pulling the arm from around her, "do I know you?"

"Not yet, but I plan on changing that," the man slurred drunkenly.

Deja felt very uncomfortable and all eyes were on her. "I think you've had a little too much drink. Excuse me."

Trying to move past him, he grabbed Deja by the wrist and pulled her back to him. "Let go!" she yelled, "You're hurting my arm."

"I've been watching you all night. I just want to talk." The foul stench of too much alcohol breezed across her face.

"Look, I'm not interested. Let me go!"

"I just want to talk!" he yelled back.

"I think the lady said for you to let her go," Mort's voice said calmly from behind Deja.

"And who are you? Her boyfriend or something?"

"Yes, he is!" she said, pulling her arm free of his grasp. "Let's go, Mort."

They turned to walk away, and the man walked behind them and pushed Mort forward. After stumbling a few paces, Mort turned and something overcame him. He balled his hand up into a fist and threw a punch directly across the man's face.

The man flew backward and hit his head hard on the floor. Luckily for him that area of the room was carpeted, so the damage couldn't have been too serious. Mort's hand was in excruciating pain. He began to rub it and hoped he could ease the pain away. Deja ran towards the appetizer table and filled a cloth napkin with ice from the buckets filled with champagne bottles.

She ran back towards Mort and wrapped the ice filled napkin around his hand. He was grateful for the tender care she was taking of him. "Come on, let's get out of here," he said.

"You ready to go home?" she asked, concerned.

"Are you kidding? The best part of the evening is about to happen. This was just a pit stop."

"I'm so sorry about this."

"It's not your fault. How could you have known that creep was going to put his hands on you?"

"I know, but I hate that he was able to put a damper on our perfect evening," she said.

"As far as I'm concerned this evening is still perfect. Had he punched me, it might've been a different story," he laughed.

Deja smiled back and they made their way outside to the car. The valet brought the car to them and Mort began driving to their second destination.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going now?" she asked.

"Nope. Guess you'll have to wait and see."