Another Chance Book I of III

Book II-Chapter 3, The Vow

The Vow

Bella's POV

Prince woke up very early. He got out of bed, showered, slathered himself in his lavender lotion and put on his underwear and a robe. He made up his bed and then going to the closet he selected a pair of grey pants, a purple silk shirt and grey patent leather shoes. Once he was dressed to burn some time he straightened up his desk, wiped down the bathroom sink and then he went into the kitchen. He was feeling really anxious...he wanted...he needed to see Bella. Amiir was up and dressed and was just about to start making some coffee. He said "good morning Dad". "Good morning Amiir" Prince said sounding a little distracted. "Amiir do you think it would be okay to go meet Bella this morning before we go the Communal Gathering Place" Prince asked. "I really want to see her, and I bet she will have coffee made". The words had come out in a rush and Amiir had to really work to keep from laughing, which he knew he better not do! "Of course it would be okay" he answered. With a thought the two of them were on Bella's porch. Prince knocked on the door. Bella answered it and seeing her, Prince finally started to feel less anxious. She looked beautiful. "Come on in" she said. I just made coffee. Would you like some? Prince and Amiir had followed her into the kitchen and said "yes please" at the same time. Prince poked Amiir in the side with his elbow and said..."told ya". Amiir stifled a giggle. "What was that" Bella asked. "Nothing" the two men said in a sing song kind of way again at the same time. Bella looked at them and smiled. "I see...some sort of inside joke". The two looked at each other and then Amiir did giggle. She got three mugs from the cabinet and pouring the first cup of coffee said "Prince, you are notorious for your sweet-tooth. Does that mean flavored cream and sugar". "Yes" he said. "Two sugars please". She handed his mug of coffee after stirring it for him. "Amiir how do you like yours"? "Same as Dad's but only one sugar" Amiir said. She prepared and handed Amiir his cup. "How are my two favorite men this morning" Bella asked as she stirred her own cup of coffee? "Great" Prince said! "How did you sleep" Prince asked Bella. "I hit the pillow and was out she said. Yesterday was quite exciting. " Do you want me to fix breakfast"
Bella asked? "No", Amiir said. "I am certain that Mary will be here any minute as we made plans to go to the Communal Gathering Place for breakfast. But, I would love a rain-check". "Anytime" Bella said smiling. There was a knock at the door. Bella started to rise to answer it but Prince said, "please let me. "Good morning Mary" Prince said as he gave her a Holy kiss. "Good morning all" Mary said. " Would you like coffee" Bella asked? "Yes please" Mary responded. " Just flavored crème please". Bella poured Mary's coffee and refreshed all of the other cups. "Did you rest well" Mary asked Bella? "Yes really well thank you". "What about you Prince, Amiir" Mary asked? Amiir nodded yes, while Prince said "yes, but I woke up really early and couldn't wait for it to be late enough to come here so I could see Bella". He said this as he reached for her hand and looked at her directly in her eyes. Bella smiled and said "I woke up really early too Prince and I am so glad you came to have coffee with me". Mary and Amiir smiled at the two of them. "Well let's go get that breakfast" Amiir said. Bella rinsed out the coffee mugs and put them into the dishwasher and made certain the coffee warmer was off. As they were walking outside, Prince said" it is such a beautiful day, Mary would you mind if we walked to the Communal Gathering Place"? "That would lovely" Mary said. Prince and Bella fell into step behind Mary and Amiir. " Bella you look absolutely gorgeous this morning". She had chosen the lavender floral dress with the purple accents. She thought of a Purple shrug and a perfect one materialized with a cap sleeve so that her arms would not be totally bare. "I am very partial to purples and lavenders" Bella said. Needless to say I love your purple shirt Prince. I always thought the color flattered you more than any other you ever wore". Prince smiled and said" it looks far better on you Bella". Bella looked at him and said ," I glad you find me pleasing". Pleasing ? Picking her up and swinging her around in a circle he said, "No Bella you are far more than that...for me you are perfect! She laughed and as he set her back down very carefully he noted that her laugh sounded to him like tinkling silver bells and he really liked it. He took her hand and as they walked he said, "I thought that you would be taller than me". She laughed and said "you know either you grew or I shrunk as at 5'5" I was 2 and 1/2 inches taller than you the last I knew". "And that didn't bother you" Prince asked? Absolutely not. I only knew because I had read about your height years ago. Prince, I loved you; the thoughtful way you presented yourself, the way that your mind worked through things both creatively and in other problem solving areas such as the way you executed the plan to make your albums profitable without a distributor using the internet. That was razor's edge logic, new, innovative and totally brilliant. I admire your mind very much. Prince stopped looked at her curiously for a moment and then pulled Bella to him. You have no idea how good you make me feel when you talk to me. He kissed her on the forehead and then taking her hand continued to walk. He thought to himself, don't know what happened but I am definitely taller than she is...not by much, but I am taller. Bella heard the thought and smiled to herself. I think he just grew another inch while we were talking...he looked so happy with himself...and with Bella. They arrived at the Gathering Place, to find Denise waiting outside for them. Good mornings were exchanged all around and Denise said that she had saved them a table. They went in and sat down and began helping themselves to the amazing spread that was in the center of their table. The food was delicious and they enjoyed each others company. While they were chatting, Amiir noticed that Denise was watching Prince almost covertly when she thought no one else would notice. Bella had noticed it too. She made a mental note to discuss it with Mary when the opportunity presented itself and seemed appropriate. When their appetites had been satisfied, Mary decided to tie down the rest of the day. Bella would be free until 3:00 PM earth time. She referred to it that way because after acclimation, time was not tracked in the same way. You just knew when you were supposed to be some place or do something. Watches and clocks were not necessary after awhile. Bella said she would like to visit her parents and some other family then and would meet Mary at 3:00. Prince said he had his Walk with Jesus but had time to walk her to her parents if she would like the company. Bella said she would be delighted to have his company. Denise would be teaching her class most of the day and they agreed that they would meet back here for supper after Mary's visit with Bella. Prince pulled out Bella's chair and the two of them went outside and started to walk towards her parents place. While neither of them had been there, they both sensed that they were going in the right direction. They chatted about Paradise, their respective children and hopes and dreams for the future both in Paradise and later in another incarnation on earth. As they walked Prince started to sing one of his favorite songs, The One. As he did, Bella joined in as it was one of her favorites too and he stopped for a moment to listen to her and said, "I didn't know that you sang. You have a very rich and vibrant voice". Bella smiled and said "thank you. I have always sung in choirs. Although I am a second soprano, I often sing Contralto or Alto because I enjoy harmony. I minored in Vocal Music in College". "What did you major in" Prince asked? I had a double major, English Literature and Dance. They were passing a pond now that had park like benches placed perfectly to feed the swans and ducks that were swimming in it. Come sit with me awhile Bella. They sat down. Prince sat right on the edge of the bench with his hands in between his knees. Have you ever thought about performing Bella? "When I was young I thought that was what I wanted to do , but my parents did not support me which was strange because when they were young they both were involved in the entertainment world. How good of a dancer are you Bella? Bella lowered her eyes saying shyly "My instructors said all of my life that I was a better dancer than I was a singer". Prince looked at her and said "Wow! You know I believe that due to the mission the Creator has for me I will most likely be back in musical entertainment. And because of that mission, I have no doubt that I will be successful, although I hope to make better choices about both achieving that success and using it in the world. I will be able to help you to become whatever you want in entertainment. While I haven't seen you dance yet, I know that you have a voice; we could perform together Bella". Bella looked at this beautiful man and noted how old habits die hard. "Prince, while I know that you have the ability to push anyone forward in the business, I need to let you know that I have a different calling on my life". "What is that Bella" Prince asked? I want to be a Superstar as a Wife and if God wills as a Mother. Prince said "and you don't think you can do both"? "Maybe, but I think that when we stray too far from what it is we are called to do, we can dilute our effectiveness. Don't get me wrong Prince, I majored in these things because of the passion I feel when I do them. My heart seems to expand and I get great pleasure from performing and I think others enjoy my work as well. But in the end, I do it not to perform but for how I feel when I perform. However, it is not what my eternity is made for". "Prince, I want you to be my first priority. Loving and caring for you so that you can love and care for God's people through your music. I believe that especially for young people, couples sometimes get lost and actually compete against each other. That is a death knoll for marriages or even boyfriend and girlfriend relationships. No matter the talent, someone has to take care of the home fires. I could be wrong Prince, because I was clearly looking in from the outside, but I got the distinct impression that part of the issues you had with relationships in the past...and please, if this offends please tell me because it is not my intent; I sensed part of the issue you had with relationships was that the women you were with always wanted something...a push up the career ladder, money, power, prestige, something...and that something seemed to be desired more than being with you. Was I correct"? "Yes Bella you are, and know that you are not offending me at all. I never felt that any of the women I was with were with me because they loved me for who I was. I felt they loved me for what I could do for them". " Well Prince, I want something too. I want you to be whole and happy and I want you to be happy with me. I want to know that no matter where we are in the world it is home because I am with you. Putting it another way, I want to truly represent the comfort and privacy of home to you so that we can have that no matter where your work takes you or us".