Ch. 7: A Song for Someone
A week passed until Jennifer contacted Duke and informed him she had time to visit him. Duke was overjoyed, but when they finally got together, she seemed rather pensive. Jennifer didn't know how to tell Duke that during that week Nathan was informing her on what he knew, and had found out about Duke. It made her question if he was suitable for her, but she also didn't want to be heartbroken and to literally break his heart. So she stayed quiet as she pondered what to do with the information, and how to approach Duke about it.
Duke seemed to sense something was up, but something told him to wait to ask her. So instead, he invited her for a walk; and she accepted. They stopped on top of a small hill that overlooked Rouge Pond, and sat down. The view was beautiful, especially seeing the stars' reflection in the water of the pond. After a while, Duke moved his hand on top of Jennifer's hand, causing her to look at him when she felt his touch.
"Duke," she started. "Better get this over with." "What Nathan said when you met him, was that true?"
"He said a lot of things about me," Duke said, smiling trying to make light of the conversation.
"About how you bedded—"
"Oh, that," Duke said and let out a breath of air. "Well, if you must know—"
Duke looked around a couple of times, like someone was spying on them, before he leaned over and whispered in Jennifer's ear. She giggled when he was done.
"Does that answer your question?" Duke asked.
"Yes, thank you," Jennifer said, smiling. "And . . . thank you for being honest with me."
"I've never like talking about my past because . . . you know, it's the past," Duke said.
"But I need to know you, Duke," Jennifer said, making him look at her. "I want to help you break your curses . . ."
Duke's eyes widen a bit as Jennifer continued talking.
". . . I mean, I don't need to know every detail of your life, like when you lost your first tooth, or what were you afraid of as a kid . . ."
"Bananas," Duke said in a soft voice.
"What?"
"I'm secretly afraid of bananas," Duke whispered. Jennifer made a face.
"That's not true!"
"It is," Duke calmly replied.
Jennifer playfully slapped Duke's arm.
"You hit me," Duke said. "Well, if you can hit me, then I can do this."
Duke began tickling Jennifer, who burst out laughing. She retaliated by tickling Duke back, making him laugh as well. After a few minutes, they stopped and caught their breath, as they laid on the grass.
"You want to head back now?" Duke asked. Jennifer nodded and he helped to her feet. They walked back to Rouge Pond, holding hands.
"Duke," Jennifer said, as they walked across the stepping stones along a creek. "Do you really think I'm beautiful?"
Duke looked back at her. "Why are you asking me difficult questions after a week apart?"
"I had a lot of time to think," Jennifer said. "Well?"
Duke stayed silent as they entered a grove of trees.
"I think you're beautiful inside and out," Duke said, and he moved a low-hanging branch out of the way for Jennifer, "in fact, your beauty inside makes you more beautiful on the outside."
Jennifer just stared at him in astonishment, and Duke noticed. He was paying more attention to Jennifer that he didn't realize that he let go of the branch too soon and it covered his head.
Jennifer and Duke laughed as he escaped the branch, and found his hair covered with leaves. He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair to remove the leaves.
"Let me help," Jennifer said and brushed the leaves out of Duke's hair.
As she did this, she realized how . . . attracted she was to Duke's fine features. How his bangs framed his face, how his short hair curled up at the ends, how deep his brown eyes were, and how his smile seemed to make her warm inside.
"Did you get all of them?" Duke asked, bringing her back to reality.
Jennifer realized she was just combing her fingers through Duke's hair now.
"Yes . . . they're all gone," Jennifer said, as she removed her hand, blushing.
Duke smiled and they continued walking.
"May I ask you questions now?" Duke asked.
"What?"
"You asked me personal questions, so I think it's fair that I should ask you a couple," Duke said, smirking.
"Well . . ."
"I'll give you a prize if you answer them," Duke said, grinning.
"I guess . . . okay," Jennifer said.
"Thank you," Duke said and stopped to face her. "After everything you have heard about my family and my history, are you afraid I might hurt you?"
This was unexpected. Jennifer carefully thought over the question.
"I believe you are the type of man who would push me away to protect me," Jennifer said. "But only for that reason."
Duke found himself smiling hearing her answer. "You're right. Now, answer this one, you'll get your prize. Would you stay with me even though it might put you in danger?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because . . ." Jennifer held Duke's hands tightly. "After everything you've been through, you deserve to have someone with you."
Duke was deeply touched.
"So . . . do I get my prize now?" Jennifer asked with a sight tease.
"Oh . . . yes," Duke finally answered.
He reached up to a flowering tree and picked a dark pink blossom. Duke then placed the flower in Jennifer's hair and she smiled. He had to smile as well, seeing how the flower looked in her short dark brown hair.
"Like it?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Good."
They soon reached Rouge Pond, and Jennifer stopped, causing Duke to look back at her.
"Duke," Jennifer said when he was close to her. "If you really want my honest opinion about you: you're the least selfish man I've ever met."
They just stood there, looking at each other, but soon Duke moved his hands and cupped Jennifer's face. He then kissed her and she returned his kiss.
Jennifer rapidly blinked when they were done. "You kissed me."
"You kissed me back," Duke said, smiling.
"True," Jennifer said and she put her hands around his neck and kissed Duke.
They were smiling at each other when they stopped, and they kissed again, as they wrapped their arms around each other. This kiss spoke the words humans usually say, but for them, it was unnecessary.
"I love you."