Til You Come Back to Me Again - A Love Story

Chap - 4

Four

Falling

"I had a date last night," I said, casting my line into the water."

"Wait a minute," Kate said. "You . . . went on a date?" She pressed her hand to my forehead and I snorted. "You don't have a fever."

"We're talking a date, date? Like, with a woman and everything?" Lee said.

"Okay, you guys, I am not sick, and yes, I went on a real date. And . . . we are going out again tonight."

"With the same girl?" Kate squealed.

"Yes, with the same girl, and calm down, you're going to scare the fish."

"Who cares, this is awesome!"

Lee grinned. "I knew you had it in you, bro. She must be something."

"She is pretty amazing."

Kate pulled her chair closer. "Tell us all about her and your date, and leave nothing out."

"Good grief, can't a guy keep some things to himself?"

"No," Lee and Kate said together and I laughed.

"Her name is Suzanne and you will love her." I told them how we met and shared what I had learned about her.

Kate heaved a girlish sigh when I told them about our date. Lee said I had forever ruined things for him because now he would have to start romancing his wife again. She said it was about time they did something more than pizza and bowling. I laughed as they went back and forth for a minute before kissing and making up. They were a good-looking couple–Lee with his wheat-blonde hair and hazel eyes, and Kate with her dark brown locks and chocolate eyes. Other than my parents, I had never seen two people more in love.

"So, when do we get to meet her?" Kate asked.

"Well, that depends on how tonight's date goes."

Lee handed me some lemonade, clicking his cup against mine. "We'll keep our fingers crossed for ya."

* * *

The rest of the summer flew by in a whirlwind of fun and romance. Suzanne and I saw each other almost every other day, and my feelings for her quickly grew. Many of our dates were spent at my home, cooking dinner together, going for a swim or watching movies. Sometimes we would sit out by the lake and talk. Suzanne always insisted that we take a blanket, on which we would lay and kiss, though I always had to call forth a great deal of willpower to keep things from going further. I tried to limit our time by the lake.

A few times we even invited her roommate Lila and her little girl to spend time with us at my place, or I went to theirs. Lila was very nice and looked exactly like her photo, and she was indeed too thin.

Katia was absolutely beautiful and I completely adored her. She had just turned four, and when she looked at me with those big gray eyes, she could get me to do anything. I even babysat her a few times to give Lila and Suzanne some time out together. Each time I did, I could not resist taking her shopping, and I usually brought her home with a few new outfits and toys. Suzanne and Lila were always giggly when we arrived, a sign that they had really enjoyed their time.

I fell in love with Suzanne that summer, and I wanted to be with her always. One night in late August, we ordered dinner in at my place. It had been a week of pondering for me and I'd finally come to a decision. I quickly set the wheels in motion, preparing for this night.

Over dinner, I told Suzanne I loved her. She said she loved me too. Placing a ring box in front of her, I asked her to marry me and she gave me an ecstatic yes. She quickly moved from her chair to my lap and kissed me hungrily, and my response was equal to the passion she exuded. I had grown used to the slightly-sweet taste of wine on her lips. The flavor was a part of her, and because she always limited herself to just two glasses, I was okay with that.

* * *

The following day, I told my friends the news. Kate was slightly subdued, but she and Lee congratulated me and said they were happy for us. Kate said we would have beautiful babies and I agreed. I couldn't wait to start a family.

I received congratulations from Sylvia as well.

"So, this is it, I guess," she said.

"You guess?" I laughed. "Yes, this is it. I have met the woman I want to spend my life with and I have you to thank for it."

"All I did was step into the elevator with you two. It's all about timing."

"Well, time was definitely on my side that day."

"I am happy for you, Angelo. I hope that you will be happy." There was a tone of graveness in her voice. I always called it her 'mothering tone.' "Be happy, Angelo."

"I will be." I squeezed her hand. "You will be there, right? For the wedding, I mean."

She smiled. "I wouldn't miss it."

* * *

We were married during the week of Christmas. Suzanne said she had always dreamed of having a Christmas wedding. The ceremony was held in the church she'd attended growing up. Lance and Theresa Haynes–though not well off–spared no expense, wanting to give their daughter the perfect wedding. They were two of the kindest people I had ever met and we got along great. It had been a pleasure getting to know them over the months, and it was easy to see how much they loved Suzanne.

Lila was Suzanne's maid of honor and Katia was the cutest flower girl anyone had ever seen. Suzanne's dress was sleek silk and lace that hugged her curves. The train was long, as was the veil. She looked wonderful. I wore a classic black tux.

We exchanged vows and rings and were pronounced husband and wife. The kiss we shared was tender, and I marveled that we were really married. I was a lucky man.

During the reception, we mingled a bit, deciding to forgo a receiving line. There were endless congratulations and well wishes. We ate, danced, and reveled in our happiness. Suzanne had three glasses of wine.

Afterward, we flew down to Key West for our honeymoon. It was a wonderful beginning to the rest of our lives.