“Yes, Jason, and that is what marriage is all about. Things happen but we love each other and I am not going to leave him.”
“She said the same thing,” he muttered.
“Lord, you are so dense,” Leah said in exasperation. “Michael and I spoke at length and we are going to be there for that girl. He is my husband and I am going to stand by him.”
“She is not answering.”
“I don’t blame her. Go and bang on her door until she opens it, you big idiot.”
*****
She thought about not opening the door but the knocking persisted so she had no choice. She dragged her robe around her and went to get the door. “What do you want, Jason?”
“May I come in?” he asked her softly, his heart twisting as he saw the tears on her cheeks.
“Why?”
“I need to clear things up, please.”
She stood there for a moment and then stepped back to let him in. She turned her back on him and went to the kitchen to get her tea. She sat at the counter and did not say anything, waiting for him to do so. He sat opposite her around the counter. “Leah and Michael worked things out.”
“That’s good,” she said coolly, blowing on her tea.
“She lit into me when I told her we had a fight.”
“You mean where you told me that the wedding was off?” she asked him coldly.
He winced. “I am sorry. I was hurting and I was not thinking straight.”
“You actually did me a favor. You showed me that you are not ready for that kind of commitment and it is best we find that out now before we actually tied the knot and things got messy.” She dug into her pocket and took out the exquisite diamond solitaire he had given her. “I am thinking of going to the UK to be with my mother.”
He stared down at the diamond winking up at him and then at her. “No.” He gripped her hand on the counter. “I made a damned foolish mistake and I am sorry! I hurt you and I promise that I will never do anything that stupid again. He is my big brother and I always looked up to him. I took it out on you and I should not have done so. Please don’t hold it against me. I want to marry you so badly. I love you, please don’t go. Please.”
She blinked back the tears as she looked at him. His hand was gripping hers so tightly that she could feel his blunt nails biting into her flesh. “Jason-”
“No. I love you, , and I have known that for some time but never got the chance to say that to you before. I cannot afford to lose you. Whatever happens I want to be with you for the rest of my life.”
She heaved a breath and blinked furiously. He took up the ring and opening her hand he slid it onto her finger. “Please marry me.”
“Are you sure?” she whispered.
“As sure as I am sitting here in your kitchen.” He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it slowly. “I cannot wait to marry you.”
*****
“It’s good to see you up and about,” told Michael two days later when she saw him at the apartment. They had pushed their trip back home until after the wedding. The children would be out of school for a little bit, it was almost spring break, and their teachers had sent them material to look over and work to be done. Michael and Leah had explained to them that they had a big sister and they had been pretty excited about it. The papers had gotten hold of the information and had had a field day with it. But it had died down in the wake of the upcoming nuptials between Jason and . She and Jason had come over to have dinner with the family.
“Thanks,” he said quietly. “Give me a minute?”
She nodded and followed as he went into the living room. Jason and Leah were in the play room with the children which gave them some privacy. Kaila was still at the hospital but she would be coming out in a couple of days. She was going to be living with them from now on.
“What’s up?” she said as she sat on the stool.
“I want to apologize for the way I came across recently.”
“That’s cool.”
“You are the real thing and I am glad my brother has someone like you.”
“Oh, Michael, are you getting mushy on me?” she teased him. He was still a little banged up but at least he was getting better and he looked better.
“Yeah.” He grinned at her. “You are okay and I am going to enjoy having you for a sister.”
She stared at him. “Thanks.” She got to her feet and came over and kissed his cheek.
“Are you honing in on my woman?” Jason demanded from the doorway.
Michael caught her around the waist and held her fast. “We were thinking of running away together,” he said with a grin. “Sorry, honey,” he said as his wife came alongside Jason.
“That’s okay, Jason and I was just talking about running away together too.”
“Not a chance.” He squeezed and let her go.
She went into Jason’s arms and he held her close. He looked at his brother over her head. “Thanks,” he mouthed.
Michael nodded with a smile. “Okay, let’s get some wine.”