Love after loss

Chapter 14: The "L" word

The next morning Jessica woke up, Leland was not in the bed with her, she went around the house looking for him, he was in the kitchen making breakfast for Sarah, Jessica just stood there and watched. After a little while Sarah noticed her standing there..

"Mommy!" she said running to give her a hug.

"Good morning, did you sleep well?" She asked

"Yeah, Leland talked to me this morning and told me everything is going to be ok, he said you were going to make the house safer, right mommy?"

"Of course I am, I am going to call the alarm company today ok sweet heart." Sarah went to her room to go and play. Leland walked over and gave her a kiss.

"Good morning." She said to him.

"Good morning, I called some alarm places and looked online at some options, this palce security tech has the most to offer, they can come by tomorrow to give you a full hook up."

"Oh my goodness, you did all of this already?" She said so surprised.

"Yeah it wasn't that hard. I know a guy that works here, he is giving you a deal on installation."

"Ok that is good, I can afford that."

"Do you want me to call him back?"

"Yes please, lets get this done." he gave her a kiss, then went to the other room to make the call. She couldn't believe that he was doing all this for her, she was so happy, she thought to herself 'I think I am falling in love with this man' she wasn't going to tell him that though, did not want to seem too foward. He came back in the room all she could do was smile at him.

"So, did you have anything planned for today?" He asked her

"No, I have to get Sarah to school then I guess I have to go look for a new front door, I hope I can get that installed today."She replied.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"You don't have to do anything to do today?"

"Nope, not anymore, finished the hunt yesterday so I am free."

Jessica smiled then went to get ready, then she brought Sarah to school then brought Leland to his house to shower and get changed, then they headed to the hardware store. They looked for a little while and Jessica found the perfect door, she talked to the guy and they said they could send someone there today but it was going to cost a little more, she agreed to that. She needed a working door. She paid then headed back to the house.

"Well at least I got some things accomplished today." she said to Leland.

"Yes that is a good thing." he replied.

"Do you want to stay for dinner?"

"Sure I would love to, when is dinner?"

"I was going to have Sarah eat around 6 but we eat around 8 how does that sound?"

"Sounds great, do you mind if I go back to my house, I am going to get some things for tonight?"

"What do you mean?"

"I am going to stay again tonight, just to make sure you are safe, would you like that?"

"I would love that, you can stay whenever you want. Do you need a ride?" She replied giving him a kiss.

"No Dakota is here to pick me up. I will be back by eight." He said as he closed the door, Jessica waited for the door people, they came about an hour later and installed the door, after Amanda came by to drop off Sarah, she came in she saw what happened to her. She stayed with her for the afternoon, talking about what happened and helping Jessica make dinner. She helped put Sarah to bed as well, when she came out Leland was over, Jessica introduced them.

"Amanda, this is Leland. Lelalnd this is my best friend Amanda, I've hired her to take care of Sarah while we are on the road or when I can't be here." Leland shook her hand

"Hi Amanda, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, I've got to go, but take care of her ok?" She replied grabbing her bag.

"I promise." he said with a smile, Jessica walked her to the door and gave her a hug.

"Love ya girl! See you soon, thanks again, take care." Jessica said.

"Love ya too, be safe. If you need me call me." She answered and walked to her car.

Jessica went and got the table set for dinner while Leland put his things away in her room. When he came back he saw a beautiful meal prepared and set at the table by candle light. She had put together a roasted chicken breast served with squash and sauteed veggies. She motioned for Leland to sit down and enjoy, he sat down and they started to eat. After the meal was done he looked over at her.

"That was delicious." He said with a big smile.

"Thank you. I love to cook, it is nice when I don't have to fight with a six year old to eat the veggies. I am glad you enjoyed it. It is the least I can do for you taking care of me last night and today, I really appreciate it." she replied.

"You are welcome, that is what I am here for." He said, he reached into his pocket and put a box on the table, "Here,this is for you." he said with a smile.

"For me?" she said grabbing the box, she opened it and found a beautiful bracelet with charms on it, one said Hawaii, one was her birthstone, and the last was a heart. She gasped when she saw it. It was beautiful. He helped her put it on then she put her arm around his neck and kissed him.

"Oh my goodness thank you so much! It is beautiful."

"You are welcome, thought you needed a smile."

"You make me smile everyday, you didn't have to get me anything."

"I wanted to." They kissed again. Leland picked her up and brought her to the bedroom, he helped her out of her clothes. he laid her on the bed then took off his clothes, he got on top of her and kissed her again, Leland made love to her. After they were done they just laid next to one another.

"I Love you," Jessica slipped, she immidately covered her mouth, she couldn't believe that she said that, it was too soon to be saying that to him. What was he going to do.

"You do?" he said proping himself up to look her in the eye. She looked up at him, she could tell he was surprised by this.

"I do, I'm sorry if I said this too soon, if you don't I understand, I know we haven't been dating long, I just feel such a connection with you, I can't...." Leland kissed her.

"I love you too," He said gazing into her eyes. Jessica was so happy, she pulled him in and kissed him again, they kissed for a while and ended up making love again. they laid in eachothers arms for the rest of the night.