Chapter 59
Looking into his daughter's eyes, AJ said, "You do know that Tom is my oldest friend and the he is only a year younger than I am, don't you, daughter?"
"Si Papa, I know you are friends and the he is your contemporary," Francesca replied as they danced around the patio.
AJ knew that if he said any more it would just make Tom all the more attractive of a temptation for her. She had enough of her mother in her that she would do something like seducing Tom just to defy him, so he chose to say no more, and hoped that Tom would keep his word and leave her alone!
As AJ and his daughter danced, Miranda had approached Tom as he went into the house. She'd had another of her visions and knew that she had to nip the attraction between those two in the bud. Waiting for him to come out of the bathroom, she asked if they could talk in AJ's study. Once there, she closed the door and turned to him, "Tom you know that you're my dearest friend, but you and I need to talk about AJ's daughter!"
"Randi, save it! AJ's already given me a lecture about leaving his daughter alone, I don't need you doing the same."
"I know that you're attracted to her, but nothing should happen between you, Tom, no good can come of it!" Miranda warned.
"Is this the worried step-mother or the psychic speaking?" he wanted to know.
"A little of both," she replied.
"What was it that you saw, Randi?"
"You know that I can't tell you something like that Tom."
"You have before," he responded.
"Yes, but this is different, you would just say that you wouldn't do anything like that and…"
He interrupted with, "Anything like WHAT?"
"Tom…" she shook her head sadly. "You just aren't' going to listen to me are you?"
"Why is it that suddenly both of my closest friends feel that they can no longer trust me?!" he growled. Tom turned and left the room. He spent the rest of the evening avoiding all three of them. When he could finally leave without causing a stir about going early, he quietly left without saying good-bye to any of them
The guests were leaving one by one and both Miranda and AJ were glad to see the last of them leave. Even though Francesca would be spending the night at the house and not leaving for Italy until the next day, she was still family and not really a guest. They would be going to the airport with her, and after seeing her off, would be boarding a flight to Florida where they would then board the ship for their honeymoon cruise to the Virgin Islands.
Francesca tactfully said she was tired and retired to the guestroom as soon as the three of them entered the house. AJ had smiled at his bride and swept her up into his arms, carrying her across the threshold of the house. As soon as Francesca disappeared into her room, he took Miranda to the bedroom door. "Are you ready to begin your married life, Mrs. Chegwidden?"
"The sooner the better, my darling!" she smiled up at him from his arms.
"I still don't know what it is that you see in me, my love, but I am certainly glad that you do!"
"I see you through the eyes of love, my darling AJ. You are my heart, my light, my life, and I love you so very much!"
"As I do you, my love. You are my future, and it is looking brighter all the time!"
THE END