Chapter Twelve

I disclaim

Sure they made love earlier, okay quickie love, but Dave could still tell Leila was reserved, holding back from him. Not a test, just holding back enough to keep some walls up. She agreed after much pleading to spend the night with Dave. They joined the rest of the group on the back patio and Michelle knew things obviously went well, she could see it in Dave's eyes. She also knew Dave never looked at Angie, or herself for that matter, the way he looked at Leila. Dave was so happy she was back in his bed he held her all night thankful she was there.

Michelle, Mary and Diana wanted to know all about Leila's business so the following morning they went to her house while Dave had his therapy and training session. Leila lightly touched on Mary moving to Tampa and was pleasantly surprised when Mary said she'd been thinking about it a lot lately. She offered to show her around to see if it peaked her interest a little more and she agreed. Diana had recently separated from her husband and was considering the move also to stay near her mom and be closer to Dave. This was going much better than Leila expected.

Paul and Steph were arriving late afternoon and the evening plans were coordinated while having lunch at a lovely beachside bistro Leila adored. Mary and Diana had commented to Michelle when Leila stepped away they couldn't believe Dave's good fortune. Michelle agreed and although they never said anything about Angie it was clear what they meant. Leila was settling some issues with a homeowner and builder and had stepped outside, she knew this wasn't a quick conversation. Tim had called and was falling asleep at his conference so he was sneaking out to meet everyone for lunch and he pulled up at the same time as Dave.

Each girl got a kiss from both men and as soon as Dave sat down Mary commented, "You and Leila will make beautiful babies, David."

"Nice, Mom, get to the point." Dave said as he ordered lemonade and signed an autograph for the waitress.

"I'm just observing things, son, nothing intended." Michelle laughed and knew Mary was pushing for answers.

"She's right, Daddy." Abby spoke up.

"Thank you for helping me, Abs." Dave said sarcastically wondering if they'd already pressured Leila. He was surprised his Mom lasted this long before making a comment.

"Do you want more children, dear?" Mary asked gently not quite giving up. He looked around for Leila or anyone, even someone wanting an autograph would work great right now. "David?" Mary refused to quit.

"Mom, we've been together only a few months, we haven't had this discussion." Now Dave was looking for a scapegoat.

"You married Michelle after only six months." Diana stepped in quickly.

"Yeah, but I was knocked up." Michelle spoke without thinking.

"Nice, Mom, thanks." Abby retorted. She knew all about it, but being reminded was not her favorite thing.

"I'm sorry, baby and you know how I feel about you." Michelle replied and kissed Abby's hand.

"Mistake, surprise, oops, it's all the same thing." Abby looked at the ground and crossed her arms on her chest.

"No they're not. Surprises are happy things we get when we least expect them." Dave hugged his daughter tight. "And you are the best present I've ever received."

Leila returned to quizzical looks and was immediately asked, "Do you want children, Leila?" Mary asked her as if discussing her family planning with Dave's Mom was something she would want to do.

"Um, sure, one day, but it's not something I'm considering right now. I'm fine if it doesn't work out that way for me." Leila struggled for answers and looked around as if someone were coming to rescue her from this conversation. Dave knew that was a loaded answer on many levels. It put things squarely in his lap.

"I need more grandbabies and these two beautiful girls need a brother." Dave and Leila looked pointedly at Tim who struggled for a response. Right on cue lunch arrived and caused a welcome distraction.

Leila whispered to Dave, "Damn, where was he three minutes ago." He had to laugh. The subject was dropped for the rest of the afternoon as they walked around the outdoor shops and along the boardwalk. Leila and Dave both knew when Steph and Paul got there it would start all over again.

"You would make beautiful babies, Lei." He whispered as they loaded back into the cars. He gave her a lingering soft kiss and they said their goodbyes for now. Dave drove everyone back to his house and Leila went to the airport to get Paul and Steph. She couldn't help but think of his comment. Did he mean in general, with him, what was he getting at and did it include a future?

After settling into Leila's house Paul, Steph and Leila went to Dave's and the prodding began again. Everyone pushed for answers to a wedding and babies. Steph tried the 'my baby needs a friend' angle and the girls offered to babysit. His mom tried the 'I'm getting old' ploy and Tim tried to hide. Paul sat back laughing and had not even offered to help his friends. The assault continued in the cars and at the restaurant. Dave decided that was enough and ended the topic, "How about this. Leila and I agree to think about it."

"No, agree to talk about it and we'll stop." Steph sure was tough to bargain against.

"Fine, now can we please focus on something else?" Dave replied and knew what the next topic would be. "Something other than Leila and myself." The group looked around at eachother.

"I got nothing." Michelle stated and everyone shook their heads, nobody could think of anything else to discuss. Leila and Dave just rolled their eyes and were willing to talk about Tim's conference, anything other than babies and weddings.

The rest of the evening was filled with small talk and they agreed to go back to Dave's to play cards and shoot pool. This way the girls could go to bed and Steph could rest. Steph, Diana, Mary and Michelle rode with Leila giving them a chance to speak to Leila alone while they drove back.

They had a nice candid discussion about the topic du jour and Leila didn't reveal too much but admitted she'd thought of a family with Dave; all they had to do was get answers out of him. Only Michelle and Steph knew what had happened the past few days and it was affecting Leila's choices. Dave had a lot of recovering to do to save his relationship with Leila and he was well aware of that fact. They both caught the slight flinching Leila did when Dave placed his hand on her back or leaned in to whisper to her. What puzzled Michelle as why. Dave's feelings for Leila were blatantly obvious, he was always tender and attentive, so why would she flinch at his slightest touch?

A few hours and a few drinks later and Dave was talking to Michelle again about the topic of the day. He admitted over the previous weekend he and Leila touched on it and he wasn't sure he wanted to ever get married again. It had nothing to do with Leila, Leila was all he was certain of; it was the prospect of failing again, failing her. Michelle pointed out if he didn't want more children he needed to tell Leila now. After the past three days Dave had done a lot of soul searching and it had changed his mind about a lot of things.

"That's it, Michelle. I'm not talking anymore. That's enough emotion for one day." And with that Dave got up and went to find Leila. He was going to discuss these things with her if it killed him. His sister and ex-wife were right. He couldn't lead Leila into a false sense of security if he wasn't willing to give it. The thing was, now he was willing to give it. The threat of her leaving him scared the shit out of him and he didn't like that at all. But does Leila want a future with him? Does she want a family of her own and does she want it with him? He was about to find out. He hoped the past few days wouldn't hinder her choices.