Chapter Nineteen

I Disclaim, again

"How long do we have before you leave?" She asked as they drove home.

"I need to leave Sunday morning, but I'll be back Wednesday morning. My mom, Diane and Doug fly in Wednesday night. Michelle doesn't know if they'll come down or stay there this weekend." It was Thanksgiving and Leila really wasn't in the mood to see anyone but Dave. She loved his family but she still wasn't ready for confrontations and wedding talks. Since her return she really only talked to Dave. They had too much to work out between them and outside interference, whether well-intentioned or not, would cause problems. But on the other hand, it was a holiday weekend and everyone needed family sometimes. "My mom and Diane already said they'd cook and Doug agreed to help."

Leila nodded in reply. She stared out the window and thought of her session earlier in the day. The journal writing was a huge personal success. She felt better after each day and it helped relieve the tension within her own head. Dave looked over to her and wondered what was going on now. "You ok?"

She looked over to him and smiled. Something about seeing him in the driver's seat of her car excited her. Maybe it was the 'being in control' aspect. No, that wasn't it. Maybe it was the way he looked in the suit behind the wheel. Nope. The ability to protect her from harm? The feeling of security? No and no. Who knows but it turned her on. Too bad they took a vow of celibacy before the wedding or she'd be in his lap right now.

"Lei, what are you thinking?" He knew that look. He also knew how much she liked this particular suit, he wore it on purpose.

"Nothing, I'm fine. I'm just glad you're back." She stroked his face. He had the look of a high powered executive at a fortune 500 company, who would've thought he was a professional wrestler who rolled around on a mat with other men. "Growing a beard? And your voice sounds hoarse too." It did look sexy as hell. It was intentional because she could see he was clean shaven under his chin and on his cheeks.

"Didn't feel like shaving. I started too, but changed my mind and just cleaned it up a little. Do you like it?" He wiggled his eyebrows and gave her a smirk.

Hell yeah I like it. "Sure, it's ok I guess." Totally lying through her teeth.

They drove back to Dave's and he settled in while she looked around the kitchen for dinner items. There were a few things but they needed to shop. As she stood in front of the glass-paneled refrigerator he walked in and wrapped his arms around her. He had changed and she could feel his skin against hers. He laid his head on top of hers and rubbed her belly. She looked great for carrying a huge baby. Her doctor still questioned her on her personal information but she knew herself and the dates were correct. "I can't wait to see this baby." Dave said out loud but more to himself.

Leila laced her fingers through his and smiled. "Food, David. If your brother's coming we need to stock up." His brother ate like he did. No wonder his mother worked two jobs, she had a huge grocery bill.

"So go to the store. I'll be on the couch watching tv." He tried to sound nonchalant and serious, but Leila's laughter erupted and filled his heart.

"You are so funny!" She smacked his ass as he walked away. "Ooh ice cream." She grabbed a serving spoon and sat down in her favorite chair to feast. She closed her eyes as she savored the delicious chocolate treat. That was one thing she loved about Dave. No matter what he always either went to the store or went with her if she asked. He never complained or whined and even made it a fun trip.

Dave came back in dressed and ready to go but chuckled at the woman sitting before him. "Is your spoon big enough?" He grabbed her hand and took the next bite. Leila shot him a look that could kill a normal man.

"David, you know better than that." She replied as she loaded another spoonful. As soon as she opened her mouth he snagged her hand again stealing another bite. "I will kill you in your sleep, you know that, right?" Leila tried to sound serious but couldn't hold back the smile. Everybody knew how she felt about her ice cream and everybody knew to never touch it. The only human on the face of the Earth who could get away with touching her chocolate was Dave.

He took the carton from her gently as she tried to get another bite. "You're going to give the baby a brain freeze." He took the carton in one hand and helped her up with the other. "Let's go, butter ball." He laughed when she punched him in the arm.

After dinner they sat in the family room listening to music by candlelight with a small reading lamp next to Leila. She had her ipod earphones on her belly and played classical music for the baby. "Do you think it actually makes the baby smarter?" Dave asked yanking Leila out of her daydream.

"Who knows. I find it hard to believe, but it can't hurt. I'm not sure if I should play hair bands yet but we'll see." She smiled at him as he rubbed her belly. He could feel either an elbow or a knee and it warmed his heart. The more time he spent with Leila and their unborn baby the more he knew this was where he was meant to be. Each moment sliced away at his insecurities.

Dave grabbed a magazine and put his head in Leila's lap. He took the earphones off and read to the baby. Leila attempted to read her decorating magazines but couldn't pay attention because Dave was reading ESPN magazine like it was Goodnight Moon. "What are you doing?" She asked smiling down at him as he described a brutal hit a quarterback took from a linebacker.

"It's not what we read; it's the tone we use." He said to her as if she was the baby. Leila had to laugh at him as he continued. She put her magazines down and laid her head back against the couch. She rubbed her belly and Dave's head. She loved running her fingers through his hair. Although there wasn't much right now, she still played with his head and stroked his face. It was times like this when Leila knew she was living her dream. Who could ask for anything more? She had a man who met her every desire and a baby on the way. She couldn't help but laugh at the way Dave was reading the weekly football summaries.

As soon as Leila's ears focused on the soft gentle low tones of Dave's voice, she began to feel the effects of slumber taking over. She may have teased him about what he read and how, but it was capturing her in a peaceful realm and carrying her to sleepy land. Dave noticed her steady rhythmic breathing and he hadn't felt too much action from the baby so he knew they both were fast asleep. After blowing out the candles and turning off the tv, he picked her up and carried her upstairs trying not to jiggle her too much.

Dave wasn't anywhere near tired so he put a movie in and lay next to Leila. While the previews played he took the time to watch her. He would normally skip right to the movie but he used this time to stare at his future wife. His wife. His baby. Two of the four most important people to him were in this room. By next week he could possibly have his entire world under one roof. He couldn't remember feeling this way about Michelle or Angie. He couldn't remember whether or not he rubbed Michelle's belly when she held his two girls. Of course he was very young and worked day and night for them.

He once again thought about his life. His goals and dreams, where he wanted to be in five years, 10 years. He had always believed in marriage despite the horrible example his father set. His opinion changed drastically with Angie and he was trying to find his way back. He believed in family, he had a strong connection with his mother and despite two different fathers and years in between, he had a strong bond with his brother and sister. He didn't mind thinking about feelings, he just wasn't a talker. He had done more talking in the past six months than he cared about but knew it was all necessary for his future. He wished he could just have one big emotional chit chat and be done with it forever.

Does he want to get married again? He had asked himself this question over and over trying to find the answer. He hated the thought of dating, always had. But you had to date to find the person who fit you best. Did he even date Leila? As he thought back he wasn't really sure. It was an odd situation right from the start. He didn't meet her in some bar, the laundromat, the grocery, the gym. He was firmly planted in her life by his closest friends and she in his. It was a set up, a blind date of sorts without the date. He had lived with her in her home for several months. They went to the movies, gone to dinner, hung out at home watching movies, walked along the beach. They did date type activities but he never thought of them as dates since they'd never expressed verbal interest in eachother. He had fallen for her hard and fast but didn't know if the feelings were reciprocated for a few months.

He was going to romance her until they got married. Yes, he wanted to marry her. She was making a believer out of him. He would start buying and sending her flowers again, take her to dinners, he would show her what he couldn't say to her. Starting first thing in the morning.

Leila woke up to her favorite smell. She quickly brushed her teeth and ran down the steps as best she could. She let her slippers slide her into the kitchen and Dave laughed. Her hair was in pigtails and she wore an Animal t-shirt with the goofiest pair of slippers he'd ever seen. When she slid to a stop all he heard were gorilla sounds coming from her feet. She looked like a seven year old on Christmas morning. She snatched a few pieces of bacon from the plate and skipped to her chair to the sounds of gorilla chants. If she wasn't pregnant she could have passed for a seven year old.

She turned on the music channels and chose Dave's favorite. As she chewed her bacon she saw the most beautiful spray of flowers she'd ever seen. The deep burgundy color of the Sumatra Lilies was overwhelming. She had never seen so many and the vibrant colors were like fireworks to her eyes. How did he know? This little known flower was her favorite, but how did he know? How did he find them? She sat stunned and her eyes filled with tears.

Dave watched her from the kitchen. All she did was sit there and stare at the flowers. He did it. Score one for Dave. His quest began at five yesterday morning and they had been delivered only 15 minutes before she got up. He paid twice as much as he normally would since it required the florist to act quickly and only one knew where to get the flower.

Last night he sent her to her house to dress for an evening filled with dinner and music. He picked her up in a limo and whisked her to a private jet. They flew to Miami and had dinner in an exclusive restaurant. Afterwards they went to another exclusive location and enjoyed the soft sounds of jazz and local music. They flew back in the early hours of the day since he knew the flowers were being delivered. He had to meticulously plan the coming months so he didn't outdo himself and run out of fabulous ideas.

"David." Leila's voice squeaked out. "They're exquisite." She couldn't move, she was riveted to her seat and her eyes never left the flowers. Dave slowly walked to her and leaned over the back of the chair. He kissed her neck and shoulder softly.

"I love you, Pretty Princess." He whispered letting his lips graze her ear. Those three words and the slight touch from him sent shivers straight through her body. The tears fell and she turned to Dave. She took his face in her hands and kissed him. Kissed him with everything she could.