Chapter Four
I disclaim
Dave turned and looked at Leila. She had a look of nervousness mixed with fear. He gazed at her with a mix of sympathy and regret. Kissing her was one thing, taking this next step would be delving into a world he wasn't sure she was ready to experience. Stephanie had told him her history although he knew she only shared half. He could tell when he spoke to her that night she was holding back something so crucial yet so painful for Leila. It would explain who Leila was today and how she got where she was. "Leila, baby girl…"
She cut him off, "Just lay with me?" She knew talking about it and dreaming it was one thing, actually having the courage was another. She knew Dave would be the right one for her, but was she ready tonight? No, too nervous. Kissing him made her feel secure and hopeful. She also knew he would have to know her history first before they made love.
"I really want too." Dave walked over to her placing his forehead against hers. "I don't know if I can just lay with you." He reached for her hands and held them tight.
"Will you try?" She almost sounded like a child.
"I'll do anything for you, Pretty Princess, but if you feel uncomfortable at any time you tell me right away." Leila shook her head. "And if I think you're overwhelmed I'll leave on my own." Again Leila shook her head. They stood there for a while and just held eachother. After a few minutes Leila broke the hug and led Dave into her bedroom. They both climbed in and he was glad she had a king size bed otherwise he'd take up all the space. They lay facing eachother still holding hands, millions of things running through their heads. Leila leaned forward and kissed him lightly, holding her lips to his, loving the way his lips felt on hers. Dave couldn't help himself and let his hands roam to her face. "You are so beautiful." His thumb rubbed her lower lip and her tongue instinctively snaked out and played with his thumb. "God, Leila. I need to talk to you." He broke the hold and rolled to his back. He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes as if it helped compose thoughts. How do I say this? Am I going to scare her away? Shit. Just say it and see what happens. He turned his head and looked at her. "I am falling in love with you." Dave's voice shook as he tried to control his emotions as he looked at the tears pooling in her eyes. Leila sat up on her knees and let the tears fall silently. She fiddled with her nails and Dave knew this was a nervous habit. He sat in front of her and held her hands. "I want to be with you and see what the future holds for us." He lifted her chin so she'd look at him.
"Dave…I…" She looked at him with fear, hope, pain, anticipation, desire, want, need. Leila took Dave's face in her hands and kissed him. Soft and delicate, answering him with her kisses instead of words. "I'm so scared." She couldn't hold it in anymore and more tears fell. "There are things you should know about me." Dave silenced her with a searing kiss. He held her so tight she thought he'd suffocate her yet she loved it.
"I know enough for now. Tell me when you're ready. It doesn't have to be tonight, let's just see where time takes us and we'll figure this out as we go, I just want to be with you, baby girl." His last sentence came out a little more desperate and whiny than he intended but what could he do now. "We have another six weeks together before I head back out on the road and another two with the girls before they go back; let's just keep going on the path we're on." He wiped her tears as she shook her head. They both knew this was exactly where they wanted to be forever but held back that tidbit for now. They resumed kissing and let the heat build. Leila felt relief and for the first time in years she wasn't afraid of what might happen. Dave slowly laid her on her back and covered her partially, not wanting to crush her. She let her right leg snake around his left and her arms wrapped around him so she could feel the expanse of his back. He broke the kiss and roamed to her neck, his hands resting on her ribs. He continued further and lifted her tank top to just under her breasts. He gently nibbled on her neck, ears and chin. He kissed all he could without going lower. His left hand drifted around and grabbed her ass twisting her lower body into him. He pulled a little on the waistband at her hip and his hand rested there while he contemplated more. Her hands grabbed his face and pulled his lips to hers. Dave lost control of his left hand and let it move feather-like to her ass only this time as he gripped her; his fingertips grazed her center. Leila gasped and thought he had lit her on fire. Her hands gripped Dave's hair and she blocked out all thoughts but Dave. His tongue left a damp trail across her neck as he moved to the other side. He let his hand rest on the back of her thigh as he continued to hold her against him. His index finger could feel the heat he was creating in her core. He fought the growing desires in his boxers by trying to think of anything but the beautiful woman in his arms. What to make for breakfast (Leila in her panties eating ice cream), fantasy football (Leila in a cheerleading uniform). He groaned and stopped completely. He rolled her to her left side and pulled her flush against him. He nuzzled into her hair and loved her scent. She always smelled fresh and clean. As they were laying together thinking of eachother wide-awake, Leila's home phone rang. She looked at the caller id but didn't recognize the number and looked quizzically at Dave. He immediately knew it and answered.
"What do you want?" Dave sat up and listened for a few seconds and she noticed the angered yet pained look on Dave's face. He stood and started to pace, rubbing his head as if that would slow the rage building inside. "I haven't spoken to you in almost a year. We do our talking through the lawyers. I will not listen to you anymore. Do not call here ever again; do not call me or anyone in my family ever again. If you have something to say tell your lawyer." Dave hung up and had the urge to throw the phone. He looked at Leila and tossed the phone onto the bed. Dave stormed out of the room only to run smack into his daughters knocking them both to the floor. Maggie and Abby sat on the floor looking up at their father. Leila came running out when she heard the squeal from the girls when they hit the floor. She locked eyes with Dave and saw so many emotions on his face. She helped the girls to their feet and held them as they looked at the big man before them. Maggie moved first and hugged her Dad. Abby and Leila followed and they all stood in the hall hugging, offering Dave silent support.
The following morning, Leila phoned Stephanie and decided to move forward with getting Dave a house. He needed a place for him and the girls and she had no right to be selfish. They needed to move on with their lives and mend their relationship. She didn't want to be a rebound or something Dave thought he needed for the day. She wanted more; she wanted to be with him and his girls. She wanted to be a family. Stephanie tried to ease her mind and tell her Dave wasn't on the rebound. She told her Dave had been speaking to Paul about what to do and not to do, he sincerely wanted Leila. She shared with Stephanie what happened the night before and how he had reassured her immediately that he meant what he said about being with her. Leila was breaking inside but felt he needed to still heal inside. He got too angry and upset when Angie called.
Dave made sure over the next two weeks he spent every moment he could with the girls and spoiled them senseless. He finally sat them down and talked about Angie and the downfall of that relationship. He never confirmed her cheating but didn't deny it either. Maggie and Abby opened up about how they felt and Dave truly listened. All three cried and mended their broken hearts together. Dave realized how badly the girls were affected by Angie's behavior and he vowed to never allow that again or be blind to it. When they all felt a little better they let the conversation drift to Leila. Dave told them honestly how he felt and the girls shared their opinions. They called in Leila and informed her she was stuck with the three of them and there was nothing she could do about it! He also wanted to make sure Leila knew how he felt about her other than words. He pampered her, did little things like place his hand on her lower back when walking with her, bought her flowers at random, spent the evenings talking and cuddling. He still slept with her in her bed but nothing else happened since the night Angie called. Sure they kissed and let them deepen, but nothing extra.
Leila found a few homes near her and took them on tours. Maggie was interested in interior design and stayed glued to Leila asking question after question. They discovered a new neighborhood still in progress and found homes about 75 complete. If he chose one of these they could custom design the home to Dave's needs. He agreed and they toured all of them that day. Just when they were giving up hope for this neighborhood, they walked through the final home. A two-story craftsman (very un-Tampa), five bedroom, 5.5 bath, media room, weight room (or at least a space for one), den; it had everything. The girls loved the fact they could decorate their rooms from scratch. 48 hours later the house was Dave's.
"Here ya go!" Leila gathered everyone in her office and gave them stacks and stacks of catalogs and magazines filled with furniture, cabinets, bathroom amenities, etc. Dave made it through about five catalogs and he gave up.
"Leila, baby girl. I trust you with the entire house. Whatever you choose will be great for me." What he really meant was I want you to decorate it as if you were living there so when you do move in, you won't have to change anything. That and I have no clue what I'm doing and I'm overwhelmed so you do it all. Leila believed the latter so she vowed to herself to drag him all over to find what he liked and needed. The girls realized how hard it really was and asked for Leila's help. She simplified it and gave them Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn magazines. The girls were leaving in two days and wouldn't be back for a month, their Mom agreed to let them come back for a quick visit before Dave went back on the road. They had those four weeks to choose what they liked or give Leila ideas.
They spent the last two days doing whatever the girls wanted. Leila was surprised when they included her in everything. Shopping, watching movies, she loved being a part of it all. Maggie wanted to get started on decorating her new room and picking out her new things. Dave took this as an opportunity to have alone time with each daughter. While Maggie and Leila went to different stores for decorating ideas, Dave took Abby shopping. They all enjoyed their last two days together and tried to make every moment special. It had been a long time since the girls had their dad around everyday. Dave had missed them both terribly, but wanted a better life for them and if traveling was the thing he had to do to give them that life, he would do it. He explained that to the girls and they understood. He shared with them the things he did for their Mother before she met her husband to make sure the girls had enough. He lived day to day in a studio apartment and worked two jobs giving Michelle almost all his money. Michelle in return to show her appreciation never argued with the time Dave wanted to spend with them, even if it took them from her on holidays.
He still gave Michelle more money than necessary, he didn't care if she had remarried; they were his kids. He would never expect or rely on another man to provide for his children, whether he liked him or not.
Abby phoned her Mom on their last night to finalize tomorrow's flight. She told her everything that had been happening the past two weeks and the bond the four of them created and deepened. Michelle asked to speak with Leila, which made them all a little nervous, but Michelle thanked Leila profusely and had to admit she hadn't heard Abby this excited about something in a long time. She asked if Leila would fly back with Dave and the girls and invited them to dinner with her and her husband.
"I'll check with Dave, I'd love too and thank you, but I wouldn't want to impose on Dave's time with his girls…yes, I will ask him and again, thank you." Leila said her goodbyes and passed the phone back to Abby. She looked at Dave with a shocked smile. "Michelle asked if I would fly back with you and we'd all have dinner." The girls immediately started begging Dave to let Leila come back with them and meet their Mom.
"We could fly up to Connecticut and visit with Paul and Steph. There are a few other things I'd like to ask you also." Dave threw out there. They agreed to discuss it later.
After the girls went to bed, Dave and Leila sat together in the family room and shared ice cream. They listened to music and didn't say anything, just ate the ice cream and cuddled. Dave could feel Leila getting too comfortable; sleep was near, so he knew he had to ask her now. "Baby girl, I need to ask you something. I know it's a little sudden, but I'd love for you to take a trip with me." Leila looked at him funny.
"I thought we'd already decided I'd go with you to take the girls back tomorrow." She responded.
"This is a different trip. A grown-up's trip." Dave started to get nervous. Maybe it was too soon. Paul said he should just ask her so if this backfires, its Paul's fault, right? He looked at Leila's big eyes. He could lose himself in her eyes; he thought that every time he looked into them. "Ric's getting married in Mexico and I'd like you to go with me." He said it so fast Leila started laughing. "What? Why are you laughing?"
"That totally sounded like it was the first time you'd ever asked a girl anything." After Dave's shyness went away and Leila actually pondered what Dave just asked, she suddenly felt scared. He noticed her expression change.
"You don't have to answer now, it's in a few weeks, you can think about it." Dave said suddenly wondering if he had moved too fast.
"No." Leila responded as she looked at Dave. Before she could continue she froze when she saw the look on his face. He looked heartbroken.
"Ok, I thought it was too soon." He sounded like a wounded puppy.
"No, I mean I don't need to think about it. I spend too much time thinking about it and I talk myself out of things. I have to stop letting my past dictate my future." She sat on Dave's lap and kissed him with so much passion they both thought they'd explode. "I'd love to join you and I'm excited you asked me." He could barely hear her. Now who was acting like a schoolgirl. Just as they found that place where only they existed and nothing mattered but the kisses they were sharing, the mood was broken by the sounds of teenage girls clearing their throats. Dave left his eyes closed and let his head fall back on the couch. Leila followed and laid her head on his shoulder. His daughters giggled.
"We're sorry Daddy." Abby said.
"No your not." Dave said as he smiled and looked at them. He motioned for them to come in and sit on the couch. "What's wrong Magpie?" He said when he saw tears in her eyes.
"Nothing, Daddy. I'm just going to miss you." Maggie's voice cracked and Dave's heart broke. Leila moved from his lap and gave Maggie a little push to take her place. She gave Dave a slightly lingering kiss and then kissed each girl on the forehead. A bath was in order while Dave got those last few quality moments with his two biggest fans. She smiled as she looked back, definitely Daddy's girls and nothing would change that.