After The Wedding (5 page)

We began to talk careers and Robert told me that he’s a judge. You could have blown me away like a feather, because I was so not ready to meet anyone involved in law.  Jessica never told me what this man’s career was. I’m sure he knows Justin, at least I think he might, if only in a business, and not personally.  However, I’m sure he might know about his past records with the law and any other unsavory things. Now I’m getting paranoia and thinking that he could have heard my name somewhere in the mix, and to make matters worse, once again we’re on the dance floor and he is tapped on the shoulder by some guy, and when I focus in on the person, it is another very familiar face and voice, as I heard him say,” Hello judge.” He began to smile and said, “oh, hello Justin,” where have you been hiding man, I haven’t seen you in over two years, how’s everything?” Justin’s reply was “Everything is great, and hello Elizabeth.” I’m certainly glad he didn’t call me “Liz;” I acted as though I never heard him; he then told Robert that he would talk to him later. I thought to myself, “This is all I need.” He acted as though he meant what he just said, they will talk later. He probably wants to know Robert’s interest in me, which he will quickly find out, there’s none, for either of them and good riddance to both.

If I had any thoughts of anything developing from this blind date, I can put it all behind me now, without the possibility or hope of any kind of relationship. Robert asked how did I know Justin, and my response was, “Through a divorce attorney in the past”, and his remark was, “Well it seems that you certainly made a big impact, because he still remembers your name.” I hoped that it would not go any further. I can’t be drawn back into such bad memories. My thoughts were to give a reason to make my exit home. I suddenly said, “For some reason, I have a slight headache, it must be the music and wine, and since it’s getting a little late, I’m going to leave.”  “It was very nice meeting you Robert and I enjoyed the evening, good night.” Robert suddenly asks if I will permit him to call me, and before I could answer, Jessica, intruded and said “I will give it to you since Liz has a headache.” I continued to walk ahead; the valet brought my car and I drove home, actually with a real headache by then.

I’m glad my mom listened to me and didn’t wait up. I have that old feeling of being sick again, and it’s been so long since I’ve felt this way. I wrapped myself up in the businesses and had no time. Now, look what I’ve gotten myself in to. I will talk with Jessica in a few days to see if she saw Justin on the dance floor talking to Robert. If she did, why would she volunteer and give my phone number to him?  My feeling was, sometimes friends try to help a little too much, and screw things up.

Since today is Saturday, and I have no plans to go out, unless my mother wants to go shopping.  I certainly hope that she doesn’t, I’m just not feeling into it today. I would rather keep it family day and stay inside. She and my father seem to be enjoying themselves from the loud laughter, probably watching one of their favorite shows. I have furnished their suite with everything they could possibly want or need and she knows where everything is in the kitchen. I decided to go back upstairs to my room and read a little and not think about last night; just grab a good book from the study.

However, after an hour into my book, my cell rings, (I forget to turn it off) and it’s Robert; I thought he would give it at least a week or so before calling, or not at all would be better.  “Hello Robert, yes, I’m great, I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.”  “Right now is not a good time to talk, can you call me later?” He wanted to know what my plans are for the day, which is why I ended it so abruptly.  I have a lot of thinking to do, after I finish my book, or get half way through it. I turned my phone off for the rest of the day.

My parents are leaving on Sunday, but they know there are no limits on when they can visit, it’s just whenever they want. 

CHAPTER 20

A new beginning

When my parents left, I turned my phone back on to check on them and make sure they made it home safely; everyone was fine. I had three messages from Robert, checking on me, to see if I was okay, and asked if we could have lunch or just meet and talk later during the week. I went against my thoughts and returned the call. We confirmed a date on Wednesday. We met at my favorite place, the “let your hair down” social club. He expressed his interest in me and wanted to know if we could meet occasionally, and just hangout and explained that he was not trying to put me in a bad place, only that he would like to see more of me because of his interest. I took it for what it was worth and agreed.  I explained to him that he should not expect too much from me, because I was not searching for anyone when we met. I told him that Jessica was so insistent that I get back into socialization again, and I accepted, even though I told myself that it might not be the best decision right now.

Robert and I have met exactly three times in one month, because I would not allow anymore than that.  I think I have surrounded myself in a protective shield.  It’s like “I’ve been burned once and don’t want to make it twice.” He is not pushing me in any way, which is very good for him; not taking the chance that he might never see me again.

As time passes, I occasionally invite Robert to my place, and he does the same. He’s a very good cook and says the same about me, knowing that he’s only being graceful. Since we’ve dating, for over three months, the days seem to be passing so quickly. I was at Robert’s two nights ago and suddenly, while we were watching a movie, I leaned toward him and gave him a passionate kiss, he looked at me so intense, and his eyes were saying “I’ve been praying and waiting for this day.”  We’ve kissed before, but not like this, and he always initiated it. I realized that I was ready to have love back in my life again, and wanted Robert to make love passionate love to me, right then and there, and he did. It seemed as though we had been transported to another world, all by ourselves, as he whispered in my ear that he loved me almost as much as life itself.

I could see tears in his eyes, as he said that he waited for me for such a long time, and could never visualize or think of losing me, and would know when I wanted his love. His body was very warm and his lips were soft as he continued to kiss and caress my body all over in such a way that I certainly knew he meant every word, from deep in his soul. He was so gentle, that it gave me a new definition to the meaning of love. It seemed as though I had grown in a way that was unexplainable and had a new perspective on loving someone. I can appreciate him for not showering me with gifts, or trying rush into a sexual affair, just to prove his manhood, but just allowing our relationship to cultivate and grow into something very warm, enjoyable and special. To me, Robert is a man among men and is not only manly on the exterior, but also in his heart, which is where it really counts.

Robert has been a very patient man so far and is very aware of everything he says or does. He has never disrespected me in any way and has always been available to listen whenever needed, and I have also been here for him as well.  My days of waiting to be “plucked” are long gone. It’s only about love now, which is a very calming and rewarding experience. 

He has finally asked me about Justin, and apologized if he was asking too soon, or whether he should have asked at all. I told him no, and there was no reason to apologize and didn’t mind at all, since time had played a big part in discussing Justin on another level and in a different frame of mind.

I told him about the relationship and how it led to our marriage, and the ugly details that ended it.  He revealed that he could understand that it ended on a bad note, because he was aware of Justin’s background, and was so sorry for what he had done to me, and held me close, as if he never wanted to let go. We never discussed Justin again. That was two years ago. Robert and I feel so confident in our relationship that he has proposed to me, but I haven’t accepted yet; I need to give it a lot of thought. We are in a very good place in our relationship right now, and I just don’t want to have it shaken in any way, out of fear, because I don’t want it to end. He told me he understood and will be as patient as long as it takes, as he has been in the past.

CHAPTER 21

Back home to a new beginning

My father called today, but usually it’s my mother who calls, and hearing his voice instead of hers was almost shattering. He said my mom was ill and hospitalized. I never gave him the chance to say another word, I calmly said, “I’m on my way.” I called Robert and said, “I’ve got to leave, my mother is ill!” He quickly said I’m leaving the office right now, don’t leave. He drove over and said he called his secretary to make flight reservations and a limousine is on its way to carry us to the airport. I fell in his arms and said, “I love you so very, very much” and he said, “I fell in love with you the first night I met you, and I will be, for the rest of our lives.” “I just want you to include me in yours, for the rest of your life.”

The limousine is here and we have to go. I composed myself and we left for the airport; I never said a word, but Robert totally understood and held me in his arms, from the limo to the plane and when we boarded, he never took his arms from around me and kept reassuring me that everything would be alright and he would stay with me and my parents until everything was okay, and my mother fully recovered. He phoned his secretary, and told her to take him off the court calendar until he contacted her, and to reschedule his court cases to another Judge and not to ask any questions, because it was personal and he would contact her later. Just listening to him made me feel so confident that he truly meant every word he had ever said to me. Now, I only need to get to my mother. I phoned my dad; he gave me the name of the hospital and we went straight there from the airport. Robert waited in the hallway as I entered my mom’s room.  She looked at me and said, “I knew that you would not stay away and probably didn’t give your father a chance to tell you reason I’m here.” “It’s just my sugar, my meter was giving readings in decimals and when I called the manufacturer, a representative told me to box it up and mail it to them right away.”“The meter was old, so I bought a different meter and the reading was off, then I panicked and had your dad drive me to the hospital; I’m ok and will be released tomorrow.” I felt so relieved and asked her if she felt like meeting someone who was very special, and was there for me when my dad called. She said she would love to meet the lucky man. I stepped to the hallway and brought Robert in and said, “This is Robert mom, and we’re engaged, since yesterday. Robert almost passed out, because I never gave him an answer until now. Mom was released, and Robert brought the engagement ring with him, it was 20 carats, set in platinum and was beautiful.  He said that he had observed the jewelry I wore and knew that I didn’t like gold, and thought I might not have a problem with platinum. Robert wanted to marry before we left, in the house that I grew up in. I bought a simple cream colored silk dress off the rack, that was beautiful, a small and very colorful bouquet, with my hair in an up do with my mother’s glittery pin in it, and Robert wore a soft gray suit. We exchanged our vows, with my mother, father and two sisters who had flown in to visit my mother and stayed for the wedding.  

Robert wanted to marry in my parent’s home, because he said we would be making many trips there with their grandchildren.  My mother cried and said, “You’re the son-in-law that I’ve been waiting for, I love you Robert, and always stay by my child’s side and always love and respect her and your vows, because she’s my baby.”

We flew back to New York and Robert sold his condo and gave me the proceeds, since he moved into my place, and told me it was his wedding gift to me, $550,000.

I called Jessica when we arrived and gave her the news and informed her that I will be her matron of honor whenever she gets married, whether it’s now or ten years from now. She has decided to marry Alan, in a small ceremony, saying that maybe the smaller they are, the longer the marriages might last, and we laughed. 

I was her matron of honor and Robert was her husband’s best man, as well as his best friend, with our marriages being a month apart.  It has been five years; Robert and I have two children, both boys, a one year old and a two and a half year old.  Jessica and Alan have a three year old daughter. All of us visit my parents, because we’re such close friends. Robert kept his word and we visit often, and also take my parents on vacations with us, his are deceased and have been for a long time, before we met.  Robert says he always wanted a family and took his time to meet the right person and is so blessed to have met me.

I now have a total of six stores, and an annual income of over $1.5 billion, with more opening in other states, including one in my hometown, at my mother’s request, but with a population of just under five hundred people, I don’t know who going to shop there, except my mother, but, one of the things on my to do list is to inform the staff that my mother, Tennie will always have carte blanche and to bill me, in New York.  Jessica left her career and has since become a new business owner also.

As I reflect back on my life, I recall only one bad decision, a hasty marriage, by not allowing myself time to find a real man, one who would cherish and love me forever, for better or worse, with all of his wealth, ‘til death us do part and Jessica feels the same.