The next week was a blur. We spent the weekend at my parent’s ranch and told them that we were getting married, I called the manager in LA and set up an appointment with her for the week after next, went to the office and filled out the transfer paperwork and packed up my things, and went shopping for Vin’s ring. He already had the matching wedding band that went with my ring, so I bought him a two-tone white and yellow gold band that has a row of 5 round diamonds in the center, and started packing up my apartment. While we weren't out running errands, Vin was working and I rested. Before I knew it, he was getting ready to go back to LA.
"When is Tony coming to pick you up?"
"My flight leaves at 9:00 tomorrow morning."
"You're flying commercial?"
"Yeah. I'll still make the occasional trip that way, but when you're with me, we'll use the jet."
"I'm going to miss you, but at the same time, I've got a million things to do before next Friday."
"I figured as much. Pack what you plan to take to Cozumel and what you need for the following week, then ship the rest to the house. We'll leave the furniture here for now, and come back for it later. When we get back next Sunday, while Tony is refueling the plane, we'll come back over and pick up some of your things, including the cat."
“I’ve been thinking about that. The cat, I mean. I’m thinking about giving him to Mandy.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want your dog having him for one of his snacks.”
“Gwen, he won’t eat him.”
“Does he come into the house?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I don’t want to chance it. Mandy will take care of him.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yeah.”
Later that afternoon, Vin drives me to my doctor's appointment. We're both relieved when the doctor gives me a clean bill of health. That night we celebrate. Vin lights candles all around the apartment and runs a bath for me.
"Dinner should be ready in half an hour, so take your time," he says, leaving me in the bathroom.
And I do. The hot water relaxes my sore muscles, and I stay in the bath until the water starts to cool off. Quickly shaving my legs, I rinse off and step out, drying my body with a thick towel. Pulling on a pair of shorts and muscle shirt, I join Vin in the kitchen.
"Dinner smells wonderful. What it is this time?"
"Broiled chicken breasts, vegetables, rolls, and dessert."
"Dessert?"
"Yeah, I figured that since we're celebrating, might as well go all out."
He has the table set and has two candles in the center.
"Planning on seducing me?"
"Would it work?"
"It already did. Can I help you with anything?"
"No, it's all finished. Sit down and I'll make you a plate."
Vin joins me at the table a few minutes later. Everything is wonderful.
"Can I ask you a question?" I ask during dinner.
"Sure." Vin replies.
"When did you know?"
“The night before we left the cabin. We were sitting on the pier watching the moon come up. It's like all of a sudden, it was so clear to me. I mean, here is a woman who loves the simple things in life like coming to a cabin in the middle of nowhere, hiking through the woods, sitting in a swing and enjoying the quiet, or just watching a sunset. What about you?"
"On the pier before we left. I was standing there looking out over the lake and I felt so peaceful. I thought to myself that here is a man who is taking a chance by showing me who he really is, letting me into his life and trusting me with what I've learned. The trip to Cozumel was the icing on the cake."
"Speaking of cake, sit here and I'll get the dessert."
Vin walks to the refrigerator and pulls out a strawberry cheesecake.
"Oh, man. My favorite."
"I figured as much. I found it in the pantry, along with fresh strawberries in the refrigerator."
Slicing a piece, he puts it on a small plate and hands it to me. Picking up a fork to dig in, he stops me.
Picking up a strawberry, he holds it to my lips. Slowly I open my mouth and take a bite. His gaze never leaves my lips. He takes a fork and scoops some of the cheesecake onto it, and lifts it to my mouth again. I take it into my mouth, and he slowly pulls the fork out. A little ends up on the side of my mouth, and he leans over to lick it off. It's more than I can take. Turning my head slightly, I kiss him. It started off innocent enough, but sometime during the kiss, it turned into much more.
Breaking apart, he takes my hand and leads me into the bedroom.
"What about the dishes?" I ask.
"I'll take care of them later. Right now I want to make love to you."
And he did, several times.
The following day was Friday, and I take Vin to the airport to catch his plane. Saying goodbye was hard, but knowing the next time we'll see each other will be for the wedding makes it a little easier. I drive back to the apartment and clean up last night's dishes since we never made it back into the kitchen, then I collapse on the couch. Calling Kay, I invite her to come shopping with me and Jennifer tomorrow, and then ask if I can come over that evening to tell Mandy the news and invite her to come with us.
“Sure, dinner is at 6:00. See you then,” Kay says.
Arriving back at home after our visit, Vin has left a message and I call him back.
"Where were you?" he asks.
"I went to tell Mandy the news."
"Was she upset?"
"A little, but I explained that she can come see us and we’ll come see her. She's going shopping with us tomorrow."
"How are you feeling?"
"A little tired, but it's ok."
"Then I'll let you go. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Ok, love you."
"Love you too."
Saturday morning, Jennifer, Kay and Mandy arrive around 9:00 and we go shopping. Mandy is in heaven with all of the pretty dresses. I have an idea of what I want, but finding it is going to be the difficult part.
"Since it's going to be outside, I want something light weight and no sleeves, maybe something with a halter top."
I find exactly what I'm looking for at the first store. It’s a white, tea-length dress with a halter bodice and illusion neckline. Not the typical wedding dress, but beautiful just the same. Mandy goes into the dressing room to help me change.
"Aunt Gwen, that's beautiful."
"Thanks Mandy. Let's go see what your mom and Jennifer think."
Walking out of the dressing room, they don't say a word.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's just we're not used to seeing you in a dress." Kay says.
"Well, do you like it?"
Nodding to each other, Jennifer says, "I think we're finished shopping."
"Well, Mandy, it looks like our job here is finished." my sister tells her.
Mandy pipes up. "No more dresses?"
Bending down, I give her a big hug. "No, we’re finished. Thanks for helping me today."
"You're welcome."
We head back to the apartment and Kay takes Mandy home, while me and Jennifer go shopping for the good stuff. Victoria's Secret never knew what hit them.
