They talked some more and then Jimmy headed over to the University. He went to Patty's dorm room and knocked on her door. There was no answer. He left and got into his car. Before he drove away Professor Blackman stopped him. Jimmy remembered Leah talking about him and how sweet he was.
"Excuse me are you looking for Ms. Jacobs?" He asked.
"Yes I am." Jimmy said.
"She left here an hour ago to see Ms. Reynolds in the hospital. They are very good friends." Professor Blackman said.
"I know they are." Jimmy smiled at him.
"Are you Mr. Rockford?"
"Yes."
"Tell Ms. Reynolds that I hope she feels better and take her time coming back to school. Make sure she rests next week during Spring Break."
"I will and thank you." Jimmy said pulling out of the parking lot.
He drove to the hospital and went to her room. He found her sitting up and talking to Patty.
"Hi ladies." He said walking in.
"Hi Jimmy." Patty said smiling at him.
"Patty I need to talk to you." Jimmy said looking at her.
"Sure." She said.
"Are you willing to testify against Jason Phillips?" He asked looking at her.
She looked at Leah and then at him and said, "You better believe I will. I want him put away for life."
"Thank you." He said smiling at her.
She got up and left. She headed back to her dorm. When she got there Halley greeted her.
"May I speak to you Ms. Jacobs?" Halley asked smiling at her.
"Sure." She said letting her in.
"Leah are you ok? You haven't said two words to me since I came back." He said looking at her.
"I'm fine." She said typing a way on her laptop.
"I saw Professor Blackman today." He said breaking the silence.
"Oh?" She said looking at him.
"He said he hopes you feel better and wants you to take your time coming back to school."
"That was nice of him." She said looking back at her computer.
The tension was thick in the room.
"Leah."
"Hmm."
"Are you ok? You seem far away."
"I'm fine Jimmy. I'm just working on my history paper that was due two days ago." She said typing a way.
"Ok. I brought in some Oreo cookies."
"Oh good. Just leave them and I'll eat them later." She said.
"I spoke to Beth today."
"That's nice. Could we talk later I want to finish this so Patty can pick it up in the morning."
"Sure." He said sitting down and reading the paper.
Rocky then came in. She was very distant from him too.
"Leah. Dad and I are going out to dinner. Do you want anything?"
"No." She said looking up at him.
"Bye."
The guys left.
"Jimmy you ok?" Rocky asked looking at him.
"No dad. Leah doesn't seem herself. She's very distant."
"Did you talk to her?"
"I tried to talk to her but she said she was busy with her history paper." Jimmy said as they drove to the Sand Castle.
"Don't worry about it. She'll be fine." He said looking at him.
After dinner they headed back to the hospital. When they got into her room she was talking to Professor Declan. She introduced him to Jimmy and Rocky. They all said 'hi' and then Professor Declan left. Patty then came by and she told them that when she arrived at her dorm room Halley greeted her.
"What did she want?" Leah asked.
"She wanted me not to testify against Jason." She said.
"Oh really?" Jimmy said looking at her.
"Yeah. Don't worry I told her off." Patty said looking at him and Leah.
"Did you finish the history paper?" Patty asked walking over to Leah.
"Yup!" She handed her the disk.
"Great! I'll print it off and hand it in tomorrow." She said hugging her.
"Well I better leave and get moving on this paper. Leah let me know if I can do anything else for you." Patty said.
"I will. Thanks again." She smiled at her.
"Bye." She said leaving.
"Jimmy we need to talk." Leah said getting out of the bed.
"Ok. What's up?" He asked looking at her.
"I'm sorry that I was rude to you earlier. It's just that I wanted to finish the paper." She said walking over to him.
"It's ok." He said.
"No it wasn't." She said.
He got up and took her into his arms and gently hugged her. They then looked at each other and then kissed.
"Jimmy."
"Yeah." He said hugging her.
"How about you and I getting away from here. No school and no interruptions."
"Where to? The cabin?" He asked looking at her.
"I was thinking somewhere where it is warm and sunny."
"That sounds nice. Where?"
"How about Hawaii?" She said sitting down on her bed.
"Hawaii sounds good." He smiled at her.
"We'll go next week." She said.
"Sure."
He leaned down to kiss her but was interrupted by Beth and Dennis.
"Hi!" They said coming in.
"Hi." They both said looking at them.
"Sorry." Beth said looking at them.
"It's ok." Leah smiled at her.
"We've got a court date for next Thursday." Beth said walking over to them.
"That was fast." Leah said looking at her.
"That's the way we want it." Beth said.
Beth went over all the preliminaries with Leah and Jimmy. Rocky then came in and Jimmy filled him in on what's going on.
"I can't wait until this crap is over with." Leah said.
"I know. By the way Leah we have two witnesses that want to testify against Jason." Beth said.
"Really? Who?" Leah asked.
"Your roommate Patty and Professor Blackman."
"Professor Blackman? Why him?" She asked looking at Beth.
"He said that he heard you and Jason arguing in the hall and he saw how he treated you. He's willing to help you out anyway he can."
"Wow!"
Dennis got a call.
"Really? That is great! I'll tell her…Bye."
"Well it looks like we got two more witnesses." Dennis said with a smile.
"Two more?" Jimmy asked.
"Yes the two people who met us at the beach. They witnessed what Jason did to her and they want to testify against him."
"This is looking great." Leah said with a smile.
"Let's not get too excited." Beth said.
"Why not? We have four people who are willing to testify against him." Leah said.
"Leah right now they are willing to do this but at the trial they could back out." Beth said.
"I hope not." She said looking at Jimmy.
Later that day the doctor came in and checked Leah out. He advised her that she could definitely go home on Sunday.
"Thank you." She said with a big smile.
She looked over at Jimmy and noticed that he was sleeping in the chair. She got up and walked over to him. She gently kissed him on the lips. He opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"The doctor said I can definitely go home on Sunday." She said looking at him.
"That's great." He said stretching.
"Jimmy why don't you go home and get some rest."
"No that's ok. I want to stay here with you until Sunday." He said looking at her.
"Thanks." She smiled at him.
She went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. While she was getting ready he moved his bed next to hers. He got undressed and climbed in. She came out and got into her bed. He leaned over and kissed her good night.
"Good night." He said.
"Good night. I love you Jimmy." She said kissing him.
"I love you too." Then he shut off the lights.
He wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep. Over the next two days Leah, Beth and Jimmy discussed the trial. Sunday finally came and she was able to go home.
When they got home she went into the bedroom and changed into her shorts and tank top. She went outside to get some fresh air while he gathered his fishing gear together.
"Are you coming down with me?" He asked her.
"Sure am." She said putting on her sunglasses.
They walked down to the beach with their arms around each other. While he set up his stuff she walked down to the water. She let the water wash over her ankles and feet. He cast his pole and then walked down to her. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked putting his chin on her shoulder.
"Us and how much I love you." She said looking out at the ocean.
"Leah how about after the trial is over we leave for the cabin." He said.
"That sounds good." She turned around to face him and said, "I love you."
"I love you too." He smiled at her.
She then hugged him. It started to rain. They quickly headed back up to their stuff. He reeled in his fishing line and packed up his stuff and they headed back to the trailer.
"Well that stinks." She said as they got into the trailer.
"I'm kind of glad it's raining." He said looking at her.
She looked at him and asked, "Why?"
"Because I want to take you in my arms like this and carry you into our bedroom and make love to you." He said picking her up.
She laughed when he picked her up and gently placed her on the bed. He left the room to make sure the door was locked and then returned and locked the bedroom door. He also made sure the ringer was shut off on the phone.
"Peace and quiet." He said kissing her.
"That's the way I like it." She said unbuttoning his shirt.
"We'll take this nice and slow. I don't want to make you uncomfortable." He said.
As he watched her get undressed he saw the black and blue marks around her ribs. He gently put his arms around her and kissed her down her neck. He then gently kissed every one of her bruised ribs until Leah could bear it no longer and pulled him down to her. Afterwards, as they lay with their arms wrapped around each other Leah said, "Jimmy."
"Yes." He said looking down at her.
"I'm scared. I don't know if I can handle the trial."
"Honey. Dad and I will be with you all the way. Beth is a great lawyer." He said.
"I know you guys will be and Beth is very nice but seeing him and what he did to me I don't know if I can handle it."
"Honey you can handle it. I know you can." He said getting up and taking a shower.
She just laid there thinking about the trial. The phone then rang.
"Hello….Hi Tay!…Huh?….Um. Well it's a long story. You got like an hour or so?" She asked.
She went into detail about Jason and then she told her about Jimmy and she becoming engaged. While she was talking to Taylor she was crying. Taylor told her that she'd be out at the end of June to see them. Leah was happy to hear that. After they hung up she just cried some more. When she looked up she saw him standing there in his bathrobe.
"Who was on the phone?"
"Taylor. I told her the whole story. She's coming out at the end of June." She said wiping her eyes.
"Good. You two need each other." He said hugging her.
Thursday came.
Before they walked into the courtroom Leah saw Jason and Halley walk pass them. He stopped and looked at her and smiled. Beth walked in front of Leah and said, "He's trying to intimidate you. Don't let him do it."
Then Jason went up to the stand and gave his version of the story.
"Your honor I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't mean to hurt her. I'm truly, truly sorry for what I have done. But I don't remember any of it. Leah could tell you that we both smoked a little pot and we did coke together from time to time. I was high that day and so was Leah. I'm so sorry that this has happened." He said looking innocent at the jury and the courtroom.
"THAT'S BULLSHIT! I NEVER SMOKED POT OR DID COKE IN MY LIFE! LET ALONE WITH YOU! YOU SON OF THE BITCH!" Leah yelled.
The judge picked up her gavel and banged three times.
"Ms. Davenport! Please calm your client down!"
Beth looked at her and said, "Leah calm down. Let me handle this."
"But Beth he…"
"Look at me! I'll handle this! Sit down. Jim come and sit with her."
Beth then got up.
"Mr. Phillips so what you are telling us is that you and Ms. Reynolds smoked pot together and then you beat her?"
"No we didn't smoke pot we did two lines of coke." He said looking at Beth.
"THAT'S BULLSHIT!" Leah yelled again.
"That's enough Ms. Reynolds!" The judge said banging her gavel.
Beth looked at Jimmy and Jimmy then calmed Leah down.
"Mr. Phillips what was your reaction when Ms. Reynolds told you she was pregnant."
"I was shocked. She told me it was my kid. I asked her how are we going to support the baby? She said don't worry about it. I have it all worked out."
"What did she mean when she said that she had it all worked out?" Beth asked him.
"She told me that while Mr. Rockford was out she went through his things and found his bank book and saw that he had a couple thousand dollars." Jason said looking at Beth then at Halley.
Leah was seething with anger. Jimmy looked at her to see if this was all true. She looked at him and whispered, "I would never, ever go through your things."
"Then what else did Ms. Reynolds say?"
"She then told me that she will tell Mr. Rockford that she was carrying his kid. I said but what happens if he wants to marry you? She said that she'd tell him that she doesn't want to get married. Just give her the money and she will be gone. Then I said do you think it will work? She said it better or else he'll be brought up on rape charges." Jason said.
Beth then said, "I see." She looked at the judge and said, "No further questioning your honor."
The judge said, "Ms. Kittredge."
"No further questioning."
"Mr. Phillips you may step down." The judge said.
Jason stepped down and sat next to Halley. Halley then got up and called Leah to the stand. Leah went up and swore in. Leah went into detail about what Jason did to her the first and second time he attacked her.
Halley then started questioning Leah about her past loves.
"So Ms. Reynolds how many boyfriends have you had since you've been out here?"
"I've been involved with one man. He's sitting right there." She said pointing to Jimmy.
"Hmm. That's not what I was told. I was told that you had six men and at least a dozen one night stands." Halley said looking at Jimmy then at her.
"That's a lie! I'm not that type of person!" She said angrily.
"No? From the men I spoke to say otherwise. You're just out to trap any man. The richer the better. Isn't that right Ms. Reynolds?"
"No it's not!" Leah said looking at her.
"Ms. Reynolds. Tell us how many abortions have you had?"
"None! Zip! Zero! Nada!"
The courtroom laughed.
"Cute Ms. Reynolds." Halley smiled.
"Your Honor. I object to this line of questioning. After all Ms. Reynolds is not on trial here." Beth said.
"Sustain." The judge said.
"Your honor Ms. Davenport is correct Ms. Reynolds is not on trial here but her previous lover and father of her unborn child is."
Beth stood up and said, "I object. Your Honor this is circumstantial evidence, Ms Reynolds has previously stated she has only had one lover, whom surly by deduction alone would be the natural father of the child."
Halley then said, "I must strongly object here your honor, I believe I now have the stand.
The judge said, "Yes Ms Kittredge you do but if you could reframe from diversing I would be grateful."
Halley then continues, "Now Ms Reynolds would you say, you were fond of men."
Beth again objects. "Your honor I must appeal to you here, Ms. Kittredge is obviously trying to discredit Ms. Reynolds, I feel this line of questioning is invasive, and still has no bearing to the original case which we are here for today."
The Judge agrees with Beth. The judge says that the last question should be struck from court records, the stenographer nods to the judge having heard what she has said.
The Judge looks at Halley and says, "Ms. Kittredge if you need warning again about your baiting of the witness, then I will have no alternative but ask you to step into my chambers, do I need to tell you how to perform your job?"
Halley looked at the judge and says, "No your honor." She then looks at Leah and says, "Ok Ms Reynolds, what would you say if I was to say to you I have lets say friends, as I would not wish to apply the word past lovers here, who are willing to stand on the very same spot as yourself and to tell the court about your said friendship?
Leah jumps up and shouts to Jay, "You are a liar! How could you put me through this? You say you loved me; well this is a funny way to show it, even if you are no better than a stalker.
The judge bangs her gavel and says to Leah, "Ms Reynolds I must ask you to refrain from these out bursts, I can understand how you must feel, but really for justice to be best served here we need your full cooperation."
Leah looked at the judge and says, "Sorry your honor."
The judge said, "Ms. Kittredge where exactly is this questioning going, do we intend to get anywhere soon, you see my daughter is due to get married in November and I was kind of hoping to be there."
The courtroom fills with laughter.
Halley says, "Yes your honor I am trying to prove to the jury that Ms Reynolds here is not as lily white as she is portraying. I have six gentlemen lined up outside all willing to testify that she has done this type of thing before, not just once but twice, all for the same motive money and greed."
Leah again jumped up again and told Halley that she's wrong. The judge told Leah to leave the courtroom to calm down.
Halley called in the first four men. Roger Thornberry, William Kenny, Craig Watson and Arthur Klein.
The judge seems to recognize them, but doesn't say anything, when the fourth man came in she defiantly knew him. She calls for an adjournment, while she goes to her clerk and asks for certain files, when she resumes later, the judge asked her to bring the rest of the men in, each time asking Jason does he know them and has been aware of there existence.
The judge called the bailiff over and asked him to bring in Leah. The bailiff went out and brought Leah back into the courtroom. When Leah came in she asked Leah if she's seen the six gentlemen before. Leah told her no.
The judge then says; "Would you six gentlemen please stand up."
They stood up. The judge opens up their files, looks them over and said, "Ms. Kittredge I'm not quite sure what you are pulling here today but I find it appalling and very beneath your skills as a lawyer."
"Your honor I don't understand." Halley says looking at her.
"What I'm saying Ms. Kittredge is that these six gentlemen that are here today have a record as long as my arm. They range from burglary, muggings, grand theft auto and other things that are too much to talk about now. I have no other choice here to do but to dismiss this case and fine you, Ms. Kittredge with $25,000 and to suspend your license. And Mr. Phillips I find you guilty for going along with Ms. Kittredge in false accusations and you will be serving 25 years to life in jail for manslaughter. Case dismiss." The judge bangs her gavel three times. Gets up and looks over at Leah and says, "Ms. Reynolds I'm sorry for your loss." Then she walks out.
Leah looks at Jimmy and Beth and asks, "What just happened here?"
"We won the case." Beth said smiling at her.
Jimmy got up and hugged Leah and then Beth.
"How about we go out and celebrate this wonderful victory." Leah said looking at them.
"Why not." Jimmy said hugging her again.
Beth, Jimmy, Leah and Rocky went over to the Sand Castle for a victory dinner. Leah got up and excused herself to use the ladies room. On her way to the ladies room she saw a jukebox and looked at some of the songs. There was one song that caught her eye. She put money into the machine and played it. As she listened to it she loved the song. She said to herself, "That's definitely our wedding song." The song that played was called "My Best Friend." By Tim McGraw.
After dinner she and Jimmy headed down to the beach to walk and talk.
"I'm so glad that the trial is over." She said looking at him.
"Me too honey."
They sat on some rocks and looked out at the ocean.
"Jimmy."
"Yeah." He said putting his arms around her.
"I want to get married this summer. I don't want to wait until after graduation."
"Really? What changed your mind?" He asked looking at her.
"Having you with me at the trial. Also knowing that you never doubted me during the trial." She said looking up at him.
"I always believed in you. Not once have I ever doubted you. Being with you everyday has been the best thing that ever has happened to me. When you smile you send a warm feeling through me. Leah I cannot function without you in my life. I would be honored if you were my wife."
"Jimmy ever since that day I met you on the beach my whole life has changed for the better. Just being with you and making love to you has been a beautiful experience that I would never in a thousand years change. I would be honored to be your wife."
"Well I guess we're getting married." He said smiling at her.
"I guess so." She said kissing him.
Over the next two weeks Leah and Jimmy were planning their wedding.
"Leah!"
"Yeah!"
"Do you want the reception at the Sand Castle or at Romano's?"
"Romano's. But if you want it at the Sand Castle we can have it there." She said coming out of the bedroom.
When she came out his back was to her. He was leaning over the counter to get something off his desk. She walked up behind him and smacked him on his butt.
"Hey! What was that for?" He asked rubbing his butt.
"It was there and I wanted to do it." She laughed.
"Oh really?" He grabbed her and kissed her and then smacked her butt.
They both laughed.
"We are all set then. Romano's is where we'll have the reception." He said looking at her.
"Oh good." She sat on the couch and picked up a bride's magazine and flipped through it to get ideas on a wedding dress.
He heard her comments.
"I wouldn't be caught dead in that one. That is ugly! What the hell where these designers thinking!" She closed the magazine and threw it into the garbage.
"Didn't like what you saw?" He asked looking at her.
"Nope. Not a one." She said.
The phone rang.
"Hello…Hi Taylor…Yeah she's right here. Hold on. Honey Taylor is on the phone." He said.
She got up and took the receiver from him. She was just about to say hello when he grabbed her playfully. While she was laughing she dropped the phone. She picked it up and apologized to her sister.
"Sorry Tay. What's up?…You are!… That is so great!…Is mommy coming with you?…She is?…Great!…See you on the 20th….Bye." She hung up the phone.
"So what's up with your sister?"
"She and mom are coming out here. Tay's got a commercial to shoot out here. She's coming out two days early." She said washing the morning's dishes.
"That's nice. Maybe you two can find your wedding dress." He said coming out of the bedroom.
There was a knock on the door. Jimmy opened the door and Angel came in.
"Angel what do you want?" Jimmy asked looking at him.
"I need you to do me a small favor."
"What is it?" Jimmy asked.
"Just a small favor." He said looking at him.
"How small?" Leah asked looking at him.
"I just need Jimmy for two hours that's all. Can you do it Jimmy?" Angel asked.
"If I do it will you leave me alone?" Jimmy asked looking at him.
"Yeah man. I will not bother you ever again." Angel said looking at him and Leah.
"Wait for me outside Angel." Jimmy said.
"Sure." He went outside.
Leah looked at Jimmy and stormed into the bedroom.
"Leah. I won't be long." He said walking into the bedroom.
"You're going to be gone for two hours that leaves me taking care of all the wedding plans! Damn it Jimmy! I thought we were going to do this together?" She said angrily.
"We are going to do it together. When I get back." He said looking at her.
"Jimmy we are suppose to be at the florist at 3pm. It's almost 1pm."
"I'll meet you there ok?" He said kissing her.
"Yeah whatever!" She said leaving the room and walking outside glaring at Angel.
Jimmy came out and told Angel to get into the car.
"Honey I promise I'll meet you at the florist."
"Forget it Jimmy! I'll take care of it myself! Just go and help Angel! You would rather be with him instead of me!" She got into her car and drove off.
"DAMN IT!" He said getting into his car.
They drove off to where Angel had to go. Leah drove to Rocky's house. She got out and walked up to his door and knocked on it.
"Hi Leah." Rocky said opening the door.
"Hey Rocky." She said walking in.
"You ok?" He asked looking at her.
"No. Jimmy just left to help Angel with something. I can't believe he did that! Of all the days. He has to go to the florist with me to pick out the flowers." She said sitting on the couch.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Rocky asked sitting next to her.
"Would you? I would love it." She smiled at him.
They both left to go to the florist to take care of the flowers. When they got there they looked around and Leah picked out the flowers that she liked. They were pink carnations with baby's breath.
"Leah what type of head piece are you wearing?" Tina the florist asked.
"Gee I don't know." She said.
"May I make a suggestion?" Tina asked.
"Sure go a head." Leah said.
Tina brought her to the mirror and showed her what she would look like with a veil and with a crown.
"Leah I prefer you in a carnation crown. What do you think?"
"You know Tina I love the crown. What do you think Rocky?"
Rocky looked at her for a moment and then said, "You look beautiful in the crown."
"The crown it is." Tina smiled.
Rocky then walked around the shop while Leah and Tina were finishing up the sale.
"Tina I need a special flower for Rocky." Leah whispered to her.
Tina went into the refrigerator and pulled out a small delicate red rose. She put it together with baby's breath.
"Tina that is perfect. Put it on the bill."
"Anything special for Jimmy?" Tina asked.
"What do you have?" She asked.
"How about a soft yellow carnation."
"Sounds good."
Tina put it together to show Leah.
"Perfect." She said.
"Oh Leah. One more thing we need to do."
"What's that?"
"We need to put together the bouquet for tossing." Tina said.
"Right! I almost forgot that."
The girls picked out the flowers as Rocky watched. He also helped out.
"Well that's it then. See you on Sunday the 23rd of June." Tina said.
"Yes. At 9am." Leah said leaving with Rocky.
As they walked out of the florist Leah turned to Rocky and said, "Thank you. This meant a lot to me."
"You're welcome sweetheart." He said as they were getting into the car.
They were just about to pull away when Jimmy and Angel showed up.
"Hi Honey. I told you I would be here." Jimmy said.
"It's too late Jimmy. Rocky and I took care of everything." Leah said pulling away.
Jimmy and Angel stood there watching her drive away.
"Looks like you're in the dog house." Angel laughed.
"Shut up Angel." Jimmy said walking away from him.
Leah drove back to Rocky's house. They got out and walked inside.
"Leah you want anything to eat?"
"Um, sure dad." She said looking over her wedding notes.
It then dawned on her what she said.
"I'm sorry Rocky. It just came out." She said looking at him.
"It's ok. I kind of like it." He smiled at her.
She got up and sat in the living room. He looked over at her and saw that she was upset.
"Leah is there anything wrong?" He asked sitting next to her.
"You're going to laugh when I tell you this."
He could see her eyes fill up with tears.
"When I was about twelve years old my dad and I were walking past a church. I saw this big white limo pull up. This guy got out in his tux. He was the most handsome man I ever saw. He had gray hair and he looked about 65. He leaned into the car and helped out the most beautiful bride. She had on the most amazing wedding dress I have ever seen and pink carnation crown. She looked at the guy and smiled. Then I heard her say, "Thanks daddy." I looked at my dad and said, "That's us." My dad looked at me with a smile and said, "Someday it will be." I never knew that someday would never come." She then started to cry.
Rocky put his arm around her and hugged her. There was a knock on the door. Rocky got up to answer the door while Leah went into the bathroom to freshen up.
"Hi dad. Is Leah around?" Jimmy asked.
"She's in the bathroom. You know she's mad at you." Rocky said.
"I know she is Rocky." Jimmy said sitting down and waiting for her.
When she came out of the bathroom he noticed she had been crying. He got up and walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her and held her for a long time.
He picked up her head and looked straight into her eyes and said, "I'm sorry that I hurt you. I had no right doing that to you."
She looked at him and said, "I forgive you."
She walked over to Rocky and hugged him.
Rocky then looked at her and said to her, "Leah I know you had a dad and all and I don't mind it if you, um, you know, if only you felt alright with it."
She looked at him and said, "I feel alright with it. You have a lot of the same qualities as he did. So I don't mind and if you don't mind and if Jimmy doesn't mind I would be greatful if I could call you dad."
Rocky looked at Jimmy and he said, "I don't mind."
Then Rocky looked at Leah and said, "I don't mind either."
"Good." She smiled at them both.
"Now let's eat lunch. I'm starved." Rocky said with a laugh.
They all sat down and ate their lunch while going over the wedding plans. She looked at her watch and said that she was late meeting Patty. They were going to the bridal shops to look for her dress. She then left.
"So what did you have to help Angel with that you couldn't help Leah with the flowers?" Rocky asked cleaning up the dishes.
"Dad. Angel and I went looking for Leah's wedding gift and I also put money down on our honeymoon." Jimmy said helping him.
"Really? What are you getting her and where are you going for your honeymoon?" He asked.
"The wedding gift is just between Leah and me. The honeymoon I was thinking of taking her to Maui." He said looking at his dad.
"She's going to love the both gifts." Rocky smiled.
"I sure hope so dad."
Rocky went into his bedroom and came out with two small boxes and handed it to Jimmy. Jimmy opened the first box and smiled.
"This is grandpa's pocket watch. I remember him wearing it." Jimmy said looking at Rocky.
"I want you to have it. He always knew you liked it." Rocky smiled.
"What's in this box?" Jimmy asked.
"Open it."
Jimmy opened the box and saw a pearl necklace and earrings.
"These were mom's favorite."
"Yes they were and I want you to give them to Leah." Rocky said looking at him.
"I think you should do it dad because I know she would want to thank you in person." Jimmy said with a smile.
"You're right sonny."
Leah and Patty went into four bridal shops and not one dress Leah was happy with.
"This absolutely stinks!" Leah said getting back into Patty's car.
"Leah the last dress you tried on was perfect. The price was right." Patty said looking at her.
"I don't know?" Leah said looking at her.
"Come on. Let's go back inside and try it on again." Patty said getting out.
"Maybe I should wait until Taylor gets here." Leah said.
"She won't be here until the Thursday before the wedding. By that time it will be too late. So get out and get back inside." Patty said pulling her from the car.
Leah went back inside and tried on the dress again. She stood there looking at it and looking at it. It fitted her nicely.
"I don't know." She said to Patty.
"God! What don't you know? It fits you perfectly. Jimmy is going to love it on you. You can see every curve in your body." Patty said.
"Maybe I should get a traditional dress." Leah said.
"And what? Look like a beached whale? No way! I love this dress on you and so will Jimmy."
"You think?"
"Yes! Now let's pay for it." Patty said.
They were about to take the dress off when the dressmaker came by and saw Leah in the dress.
"That dress looks absolutely beautiful on you miss. I will need your measurements to take it in a little bit." The dressmaker said.
"How much more do you have to take in?" Leah asked.
"Don't mind her." Patty said.
Patty and the dressmaker were looking over the dress and talking while Leah was getting uncomfortable standing there.
"I'll take it in on the sides. That way you can see her waist more."
"What about the neck line?" Patty asked.
"Um. Yes. I think that would be great too. She's got the perfect bust line for this dress."
"Great! Can I take this dress off now?" Leah asked.
"Yes. Yes. Please do and be careful. Oh you're going to look amazing." The dressmaker said smiling.
"Thanks." Leah smiled at her.
"Oh miss what are you going to wear?" The dressmaker asked Patty.
"I don't know." Patty said.
"I'll be right back. I have something for you." The dressmaker then left.
Five minutes later she came back with several dresses for Patty. Patty tried on two pink dresses and two blue ones.
"Dear. This pink one looks fabulous on you."
"You know I kind of do like it. Thanks." Patty smiled at her.
"Then it's settled." The dressmaker took Patty's measurements and Leah's.
"Come back next Wednesday at 11am and I will have everything pinned in the right areas. Then when that's done I will be able to stitch it all up."
"Great! We will be here with bells on." Patty said smiling at her.
They then left.
"Now aren't you glad that we went back inside." Patty said as they got in.
"Yes I am." She smiled at her.
"Now shoes." They both said.
By the time they were finally finished with the running around it was 6pm.
"God! I'm so tired." Leah said as they pulled up to the trailer.
"Yeah me too. I had fun though."
"Me too. Want to come in for something to eat?"
"Oh no. You and Jimmy should be alone. Besides I have a date with a nice warm bath and a good book." Patty said looking at her.
"Ok. See you Friday." Leah said hugging her.
"Yes." Then Patty took off.
She walked up to the trailer and let herself in. She found a note.
"Hi honey! I'm at the Sand Castle waiting for you. Love Jimmy."
She put her things in the bedroom. As she was leaving she saw a box leaning against the wall.
"Oh gees! I forgot to get Jimmy his wedding gift." She said to herself.
She walked over to the box and went to sneak a peek when she heard the door open.
"Leah! You home!" Jimmy yelled.
"Um. Yeah. I'll be right out!"
She walked quickly out of their bedroom.
"Hi." They both said kissing.
"Ready for dinner?" He asked.
"Sure. Let me get my pocketbook."
"Ok. By the way dad said he's coming by with a gift for you."
"Really? What is it?" She asked coming out with her pocketbook.
"I don't know." He said looking at her.
"Oh."
After dinner they came back to the trailer and met Rocky outside.
"Hi. This is for you Leah." Rocky said handing her the box.
She opened the box and couldn't believe what she saw. A pearl necklace and earrings.
"Rocky. These are absolutely beautiful." She said hugging him.
"They belonged to Jimmy's mom. I wanted you to have them." He said looking at her.
"Thank you! Thank you very much. I will take extra care of them." She hugged him again.
"After you wear them I want you to keep them. When you and Jimmy have a child and if it's a girl I want you to give them to her on her wedding day." Rocky said.
"I will dad. I will." She said.
"Now I have to run. See you two tomorrow." Rocky said getting back into his truck.
"Thanks dad." Jimmy said.
"Welcome. You made the right choice there Jimmy. She's a great girl." Rocky then took off.
"How about a cup of coffee?"
"That sounds good." She said looking at him.
He put up the coffee.
"Honey you seem very quiet tonight." He said looking across at her.
"I'm sorry. I'm just thinking about the wedding." She smiled at him.
The next day Taylor and their mom arrived. Leah went to the airport to pick them up.
"Hi mom. Glad you came for the wedding."
"I'm not staying for the wedding. I'm going up to Oregon to see my friend Kathy." She walked away from them and sat down.
Leah walked over to her and sat next to her and said, "I'm sorry that you don't approve of my relationship with Jimmy but we honestly do love each other. I'm staying in college to get my degree and then we will work on starting a family again. Can't you stay until Monday? It would be great to have you at my wedding."
Marie looked at her and said, "That was a great speech. You are a good bullshitter. Don't think that you or Jimmy are welcomed back to my home. You are not. I don't ever want to see, hear or have anything to do with you or him."
Her plane was called and she got up without saying good bye to Leah.
Leah walked over to Taylor and said, "Well at least I tried."
"That's all you could do Leah." Taylor said hugging her.
The girls drove over to the dorm to drop off Taylor's things.
"Oh good you two are here. I just got off the phone with the Malibu motel and booked a room for us for Saturday night."
"Excellent!" Leah said.
The girls went through their things to take to the motel. Leah then made appointments for the three of them to get their hair, nails and makeup done.
"Leah what do you want to do for a bachelorete party?" Taylor asked.
"How about we all go to the Rocking Horse." Patty said.
"Patty. You and I can get in but Taylor can't." Leah said.
"Sure she can. Saturday night is when everyone can get in." Patty said.
"Ok cool!" Leah said.
"Thanks guys." Taylor smiled.
"So Leah what did you get Jimmy for your wedding night?" Patty asked looking at her.
Leah went into her suitcase and pulled out the sexiest nightgown that she could find at Frederick's of Hollywood.
"Gees Lee. Couldn't you afford the whole thing?" Taylor asked looking at it.
Leah bought a very see through shortie nightgown in white.
"Tay that is the whole thing." Leah laughed.
"Wow!" She said looking at it.
"Now that is sexy." Patty said.
The girls just laughed. Leah looked at her watch and said, "I have to go. Jimmy and I are taking Rocky out for dinner and then we are spending our last night together as boyfriend/girlfriend. I want to make it memorable.
"Ok. I'm going to take Taylor out to dinner and then I have to pick up a few things for the wedding." Patty said hugging her good bye.
"Ok good. Tay I'll see you tomorrow." She hugged her good bye.
"Night!" They said.
Leah drove back to the trailer to get ready for dinner. She heard a knock on the door when she came out of the shower. She put on her robe and answered the door.
"Hi Dennis." Leah said letting him in.
"Hi Leah. Is Jim around?"
"No. I haven't seen him since I got home." She said as he walked in.
"Oh ok. Peggy and I got you guys a little gift." He said.
"Oh Dennis that was sweet of you." She said taking the bag from him and kissing him on the cheek.
"It was nothing." He smiled and blushed.
Dennis was about to leave when Jimmy came in.
"Hey Den."
"Hey Jimbo. I just brought over your wedding gift." He said.
"Oh thanks Dennis. You didn't have to get us anything." He said.
"Peggy actually picked it up and told me to bring it over tonight. Well I better leave you two alone. See you on Sunday."
"Thanks Dennis. Tell Peggy thanks!" Leah said as he was leaving.
"What time are we picking dad up?" Leah asked walking back into the bedroom.
"7pm. Why?" He asked walking in on her as she took off her bathrobe to get dressed.
"Just wondering. I don't want to rush to get ready." She said looking at him.
He just stood there staring at her and not listening to her.
"Jimmy! Earth to Jimmy!" She said looking at him.
"Oh sorry." He said looking at her.
She just shook her head and continued to get ready. He walked over to her and gently laid her down on the bed.
"Jimmy we will have plenty of time to do this after dinner. Right now I want to get ready." She said looking at him.
"Ok." He said getting up and walking into the bathroom.
She laughed at him as he went into the bathroom. She took out the blue sequence dress that she bought that day. When she put on the dress it had thin spaghetti straps and the dress came up above her knees. She wore black stockings and her good black shoes. She put on her makeup and put up her hair. She had side curls hanging down the side of her face. She lightly sprayed herself with perfume and then put on the pearl necklace and earrings that once belonged to Jimmy's mother. She went out to the living room to wait for him to get ready.
"I'm all set." He said coming out of the bedroom in his navy blue suit.
When she got up he couldn't believe what he saw.
"Honey. You look beautiful." He said looking at her.
"Thank you. You look handsome." She said looking at him.
They left the trailer and got into her car to pick up Rocky. When they arrived at Rocky's he was waiting for them. He wore his brown suit.
"Don't you look handsome Rocky?" Leah said as he got in.
"Thank you. You look very pretty." Rocky said looking at her.
"Just wait until she gets out dad." Jimmy said sitting in the back.
"Behave yourself." Leah said looking in her rearview mirror.
They pulled up to Romano's and she had the car valet parked. Rocky looked at her and could see what Jimmy meant.
"Leah I take it back what I said. You don't look pretty you look stunning." He said.
"Thank you dad." She kissed him on the cheek.
"I think I should marry you." He laughed as they walked inside the restaurant.
When they walked over to their table Jimmy noticed that a lot of the guys in the restaurant were staring at her. The waiter came over to take their drink orders.
"Miss would you like something to drink?" The waiter asked looking at her.
"I'll have a diet coke please."
"You sir?"
"I'll have a Bud." Jimmy said.
"You sir?"
"I'll have a Bud also." Rocky said.
"Thank you." The waiter said still staring at Leah.
Leah saw Jimmy's face and she asked him what's wrong.
"Nothing." He said.
She excused herself to go to the ladies room. Jimmy saw all the men look at her again when she past by.
"Jimmy."
"Yeah dad." He said with a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"Remember she belongs to you. So stop getting jealous." Rocky said looking at him.
"I'm not jealous." Jimmy said looking over his menu.
"Yes you are. I can see it in your face."
"I'm not jealous dad." He said looking at his dad.
"Yes you are. I saw it when the waiter looked at her taking our drink orders." Rocky smiled.
"Ok dad so I'm jealous. Big deal." He said looking at her talking to some guy.
She came back to the table and sat down.
"Leah."
"Yes." She said looking at him.
"What did that guy want?" He asked looking at her.
"He wanted to give me his phone number." She said looking at her menu.
"What did you tell him?" He asked angrily.
"I said I'm engaged." She said looking at him.
Now she can tell something was bothering him.
"Jimmy what's wrong?"
"What makes you think something is wrong?" He asked angrily.
"You're getting mad at me. I didn't do anything wrong." She said looking at him.
"He's jealous because when you went to the ladies' room all the men were looking at you." Rocky said.
She looked at him and asked, "Is it true?"
"I don't want to talk about it anymore. I want to have a nice peaceful dinner." He said closing his menu.
The waiter came over with their drinks and took their orders. During the meal Jimmy was very quiet. After dinner they drove back to Rocky's for some coffee and cake. Jimmy left the room to use the bathroom.
"Rocky I think I shouldn't have bought this dress." Leah said looking at him.
"Don't worry about it. It's bound to happen. If it weren't in that dress it would be in another outfit. He's got to just deal with it. You are a very beautiful young lady. Never hide your looks and don't change your appearance for anyone especially Jimmy."
"Did you go through the same thing with your wife?" She asked drinking her coffee.
"Oh yeah. All the time. In the beginning it bothered me but then I said to myself, I'm the one who gets to go home with her, sleep with her and wake up next to her every morning. So it never bothered me again. I knew when my wife looked good." He laughed.
Jimmy came out of the bathroom and sat on the couch. He was still annoyed. She walked over to him and sat down.
"Jimmy please talk to me."
"What do you want to talk about?" He asked looking at her.
"Please don't be angry with me."
"I'm not angry with you." He said looking at her.
"Then what's wrong?"
"Nothing! Just leave me alone." He got up and walked outside.
"Jimmy! Get back in here now!" Rocky yelled.
He walked back in and sat down.
"Now you listen to me sonny and you listen good. You have the most beautiful woman here. She went out of her way to look good for you and only you. She's the one you are marrying on Sunday. If she turns heads that's not her fault. Remember. She's the one you are waking up with every morning." Rocky said getting annoyed with him.
"Yeah ok." He said.
"Well guys it's getting late and I need some rest. I had a very busy day today." Leah said.
Jimmy got up said good night to his dad and left. Leah said good night to Rocky. Rocky told her not to worry about it. He'll get over it. Then she left. The whole ride home Jimmy didn't say a word to her. When she pulled up he got out and went inside the trailer. She sat in the car for a couple of minutes and then went inside and let him have it.
"James Scott Rockford! Come here!" She was mad.
He came out of the bedroom and looked at her.
"What the hell is wrong with you? You are acting like such a baby! And how dare you leave me in the car like that?"
"Leah I'm sorry. It just bothered me that all the guys in the restaurant were looking at you and then that guy tried to give you his phone number." He said looking at her.
"Jimmy I told the guy I was engaged and why should you let staring bother you? I'm yours and yours only. No one and I mean no one can make me feel the way you make me feel." She said cooling down.
"I don't want to loose you. I'm afraid that a guy your age is going to take you from me." He said looking at her.
"First of all guys my age are idiots and second they have to try very, very, very hard to take me away from you. No one in my eyes can measure up to you." She smiled at him.
He looked at her and smiled. Then he asked, "Are you still mad at me?"
"No I'm not still mad at you. But you have to not let the staring bother you." She said wrapping her arms around him.
"I know but it's hard." He said wrapping his arms around her and looking at her.
"Just say to yourself she's mine and only mine." She then kissed him passionately.
He then unzipped her dress and it slowly fell to the floor. He gently picked her up and laid her on the bed. He carefully pulled off her stockings and undergarment. Then he undid his shirt and pants with help from her.
He looked at her and said, "I have to…"
"Just let it be." She said kissing him passionately.
Later, Jimmy slid out of Leah's arms, put on his bathrobe and put up the coffee. She rolled over and saw it was 4am. She put on her robe and went out to the living room.
"Hi." She said sitting next to him.
"Hi." He put his arm around her and kissed her on the head.
She then got up to make herself some coffee. He got up walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her and said, "I love you very much."
"I love you too Jimmy." She said hugging him.
That morning Leah and Jimmy finalized their wedding arrangements. He then went into his desk draw and pulled out her wedding gift.
"This is for you." He said handing her an envelope.
She opened it up and saw two tickets to Maui and their hotel reservations.
"We're going to Hawaii? That is so cool." She hugged him.
"That's why I left that day with Angel. I used him as an excuse to leave. I didn't realize that you were going to leave quickly to the florist." He said looking at her.
"I'm sorry. It's just that every time Angel comes by it's always to get you into trouble." She said looking at him.
"I understand. I also got you this." He handed her a white box.
She opened the white box and started to laugh.
"What's so funny?"
She got up and walked into the bedroom and came out with the same white outfit. He started to laugh.
"I'll bring this back to Frederick's." She said laughing.