Forsaking All Others (6 page)

“Then one day Prince Weston, who lived far, far away, stopped by a remote palace for a brief respite for himself and his steed. When he asked the groundskeeper for water for himself and his powerful animal, he was told to see Princess Jessica, the mistress of the castle. He found her out in the Garden of Love, looking sad and feeling downright lonely.

“Princess Jessica told him she'd been praying for her Prince Charming to come along before his arrival. She asked if he was
the one.
His passionate kiss gave the answer.

“Prince Weston was the one, the one and only.

“Prince Weston then offered to take Princess Jessica for a ride on his magnificent white steed. When she asked him where to, he told her Paris, the magnificent City of Light.”

W
ith both families seated near the Christmas tree in the Harrington town house, holiday sounds by Nat King Cole played softly in the background. The tree lights and fireplace were in service. Dozens of red and green candles burned brightly, adding a dash of cinnamon and spice scents to the fresh pine.

The two families were having a grand time viewing photos from past vacations. Many pictures had been taken when the kids were younger. Jessica moaned at how pudgy she had been in her preteen years. Weston wasn't happy about the numerous photos clearly capturing his acne.

Jennifer gushed over all of the pictures of her, especially those including Samuel. Her parents had started taking him on family trips after they'd been dating a couple of years. Jennifer would've been miserable without him. Sahara and Roman had closely chaperoned the young couple, carefully monitoring all their activities away and at home.

To share something special with Jessica, Weston excused himself and asked her to come along. The couple entered the unoccupied bedroom and it surprised her to see the spacious room filled with toys and other presents. She turned questioning eyes on him. “What's all this? How did it get here?”

Weston picked up a sweet-looking baby doll and hugged it to himself. “Our dads helped me out when you ladies were shopping. I need some help wrapping these presents. Can I count on you?”

With no children in their group, Jessica gave him another puzzled look. “Of course, but who are these gifts for?”

Weston's eyes suddenly glistened with moisture. “We're taking them to an orphanage. Something I do every year. I delivered gifts to orphanages in Harlem and the Bronx before leaving New York.”

Jessica was totally bowled over by Weston's altruistic spirit, her mouth agape. “What a glorious and loving gesture. Why do you do this?”

“Just something I truly enjoy. When I'm home, a couple of my buddies and I dress up like Santa on Christmas Eve and then make a visit to the orphanages to pass out presents to children and employees. We leave the majority of the gifts for discovery on Christmas morning.”

Jessica rushed across the room and threw her arms around Weston's neck. She then pinched him. As he reacted to the pain, she laughed heartily. “Sorry, but I had to make sure you were real. You amaze me. I can't express how I feel about this. God is no doubt smiling on you.”

“God inspires me. All the glory goes to Him.”

“I'm so impressed. Well, enough of this. Let's get these presents done so you can deliver them. Where are the wrapping paper and ribbons?”

Weston opened the clothes closet and pulled out large bags of decorative Christmas paper and a bunch of assorted bows. “Think we should ask the others to help?”

“Duh! If we don't, it'll take us a few days to do it all. I think everyone would love to help. It's a worthwhile cause. Let's go ask.”

Weston pulled Jessica to him and gave her a warm hug and kiss. “I knew I could count on you. Thanks, sweetheart, just for being you.”

“You're the one who deserves the thanks. You keep earning favorable points with me. I never dreamed you'd turn out to be this special.”

“I know why that is. Sorry I was so mean to you. Do you think maybe I had a serious crush on you and didn't know how to show it?”

“I guess that's possible, but we'll never know for sure. It's a really nice thought.”

“It
is.
I can show how I feel about you without scalping you, leaving you without a shadow of doubt.”

“Another nice thought. Let's get the others before we get into some serious showing and telling. I have the desire to kiss you breathless.”

“Oh, please hold that thought until later, since I plan to take you up on it. We have a lot to show and tell each other.”

Just as Jessica had thought, the others were eager to help wrap the packages. An assembly line was quickly established. Weston, Roman and Jacque opted to measure and then cut the wrapping paper. Jessica, Sahara, Sandra and Jennifer wrapped the gifts. Once gifts were handed to Samuel, he placed the bows on them.
Boy
or
girl
name tags were also added by Samuel to show the gender intent.

The variety of toys Weston had picked out was sure to delight all the boys and girls. Baby dolls, stuffed animals, footballs and basketballs, board games and a host of other entertaining items would make someone's day.

Jessica would love to see the smiles on those little faces.

The sudden chiming of the doorbell had Jessica scrambling to get up. Since no one was expected, Weston got up and went with her as a safety precaution. These days no one ever knew who might be on the other side of a door.

The moment the door was opened a group of men and women began to carol softly. Weston instantly called for the others to join them. Jessica, forgetting about the presence of everyone else, laid her head back against Weston's chest, overwhelmed by the Christmas carolers. Normally her family and their neighbors were a part of the caroling festivities back home. Like the special gift-giving, it was something the Harringtons loved to do.

One of Jessica's favorite holiday tunes, “The First Noel,” was sung beautifully. She couldn't be happier about her decision to join her family. Though she had remained undecided up to the last minute, she was aware of how much she would've missed out on. Although she loved spending time with her friends, what she missed most was the group shopping sprees they took.

“Shop until you drop” was their motto during the holiday season.

Each female in Jessica's circle hosted a girls-only breakfast, brunch, luncheon or dinner during the holiday season, beginning on the fifteenth of December and ending Christmas Eve. The guys did something similar, but their events were held in the evenings. The two groups joined together for the last event, a potluck dinner held at the home of the host person for that year.

Once Jessica realized she and Weston were giving the others cause for further speculation, she moved slightly away from him. Before she got out of his reach, he grabbed hold of her hand. Squeezing her fingers was his way of letting her know he understood. Jessica fleetingly contemplated making their feelings known to the others, but then she thought better of it. There'd be no peace for either of them if their families got the idea they were falling in love.

Falling in love.
What an interesting choice of words, Jessica mused.

Jessica had to wonder if she
was
falling in love with Weston. It didn't take her long to deliberate. Even though she suspected she was already in love, she wouldn't allow herself to admit it. The reality of such a magnanimous occurrence was scary.

Once the carolers moved on down the outside corridor, Roman closed the front door. His offer to fix drinks and snacks was met with loud shouts of approval. Jessica quickly offered to help her father. After Roman nodded his agreement, she followed him into the kitchen, where she retrieved a box of assorted crackers, a summer sausage, apples and two blocks of cheese.

While Jessica cut the snacks into bite-size cubes and slices, Roman began mixing up a variety of drinks. Preparing a pitcher of strawberry margaritas came first; Jessica's preference. Since Sahara loved apple martinis and Sandra loved cosmopolitans, he planned on mixing those, too. His choice in drinks was a white merlot or a zinfandel, which Jennifer and Samuel also liked. Scotch on the rocks was Jacque's.

Roman suddenly realized he didn't know Weston's drink. “What does Wes like to drink? I see how cozy and comfy you two have gotten with each other.”

Jessica rolled her eyes. “Why ask me? How would I know?”

Roman chuckled. “If you both would stop trying to prove you don't like each other, you'd do a better job convincing us. You aren't fooling a single soul. You guys can barely keep your eyes and hands off each other.”

Jessica's cheeks flushed with color. “That's simply not true.”

Roman took Jessica into his arms. “It
is
true…and we all know it. Stop fighting the feelings, honey. It is okay to be attracted to each other.”

“What's not okay is for you guys to put so much pressure on us, Dad. Wes and I could become great friends if everyone wasn't expecting anything more to develop. We
are
enjoying each other's company, but we're both fearful of the high expectations. We're not interested in our parents setting us up for marriage.”

Roman looked concerned. “I can see you're really upset about this. What can we do to make the rest of your vacation more enjoyable?”

“
Back off,
Dad, please. You guys need to give us our space. I have enough pressure in my life without thinking about marriage. Actually, you and Wes's dad are more on this kick than Mom and Ms. Sandra. Someone is always hinting about Wes and me. I'm totally sick of it.”

Jessica hadn't intended to go off like that. Her frustration had gotten out of control. Wasn't it bad enough that she was falling or had already fallen in love with Weston? Where they lived was a major obstacle, a painful one. A long-distance relationship was impossible to maintain. She wished everyone else knew that. Jessica just wanted to enjoy the holidays and move on.

Jessica looked up and managed a believable smile. “We only live on opposite coasts. I'm not moving to New York. He's not moving to L.A. We have established that much. We both love where we reside. Compromise just isn't in the cards for us.”

Jessica didn't feel it necessary to explain they planned on seeing each other beyond Aspen. It would only add more fuel to the bonfire. She couldn't stand the stressful situation as it was.

Regretful, Roman nodded. “I'll tell everyone to back off. Good enough?”

“It has to be. But if it doesn't happen, I'm leaving. I didn't come here to make a love connection.”
Yet it happened. Big-time.
“I came to relax and have a good time.”

“That's
just
what you'll have. I'll see to it. Okay?”

“Okay.” Jessica smiled nervously as she gave Roman a warm hug.

Weston walked into the kitchen as Jessica resumed her duties. He immediately noticed her discomfort. With Roman there, he decided not to ask what was wrong. Showing concern wasn't an option, either, since their every move was closely scrutinized.

Roman made small talk with Weston while mixing up the remaining drinks. After pouring the green liquid into two martini glasses, he plopped in green olives. Once the frozen-strawberry margarita mix had blended well with the tequila and triple sec, Roman poured it into a margarita glass, with a powder-sugared rim. Pouring the white wine came next. Before leaving the kitchen, Roman gave Jessica a margarita with a lime wedge.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“You're welcome.” Roman leaned over and kissed her cheek.

Finished up with the snack platters, Jessica placed them on a serving tray. She asked Weston to carry them into the living room, but Roman offered to come back for them once he served the drinks.

Weston watched after Roman until he disappeared. “What was going on in here?”

Feeling sorry over her earlier behavior, Jessica sighed. “I sort of lost my cool with Dad. I'm sorry about it, but maybe it'll stop the nonsense once and for all. Dad promised to have everyone back off.”

“Do the hints and suggestive remarks upset you that much?”

“It's more frustrating than anything.”

Roman reentering the kitchen caused Jessica to go mum. Feeling that he had interrupted something important, he grabbed the snack tray and left.

“As you were saying?”

Jessica waved her hand in a dismissing way. “Don't want to go there. We're supposed to be having a good time. Everything will be okay now. I'm sure of it.”

“Are you positive you don't want to talk about your feelings? I'm here for you.”

Jessica smiled sweetly. “I know that…and I am sure.” She crossed the room and stood up under the mistletoe. She then pointed up at it.

Weston rapidly closed the distance between them. Tenderly, he pulled Jessica into his arms, looking down into eyes filled with a gentle spirit. His mouth instantly covered hers, causing her to shiver with pleasure. Her hand sought out his hair, entwining her fingers in its softness. Jessica first flattened her palm against his chest, then stuck her hand inside his shirt, meeting up with a thatch of thick hair.

Jessica moaned softly, conjuring up a nude image of Weston. What she imagined was nothing similar to his teenage body. There hadn't been chest hair, or rock-hard abs and rippling muscles back then. Jessica loved the great changes.

Knowing she was quickly losing the battle over her desire to touch Weston all over, Jessica groaned inwardly. She enjoyed touching him, loved the way his skin felt beneath her fingertips, craved the jolt of electricity she felt every single time they joined hands. “Please kiss me again. All day long I've been thinking about our lips engaged in passion. Kiss me, sweetheart. Kiss me again and again.”