Jessica lay in Nick’s arms savoring his caress. She had made her decision long ago, but had since been unable to detangle herself from his arms. The warmth and security they provided for her was inexplicable. Just being in his arms, feeling Nick next to her was enough to make her rethink her decision. In her heart of all hearts though, Jessica knew that she couldn’t prolong her decision any longer. She had to move quickly.

Delicately, she traced the outline of Nick’s bruised face one last time. She closed her eyes shut as she ran her fingers over his skin. For a moment, she was unable to move. Nick’s arms were almost molded to her it seemed. They fit against her body like a puzzle of some sort. Unwillingly, she untangled herself from his arms slowly, careful not to wake him up. “I love you,” she whispered to his sleeping figure.

Rising to her feet, her body shivered slightly from the lack of warmth. She rubbed her hands over her arms repeatedly in an attempt to keep herself warm.

Without any further hesitation, she marched determinedly over to her bureau. She absentmindedly threw a few pairs of mismatched clothes into a pile on the floor. Tip-toeing slowly over to the closet next, she retrieved an old well-worn duffel bag. Stuffing the clothes roughly into the bag, she grabbed her wallet and threw it in before zipping the bag closed. Slinging it over her shoulder, she rose unsteadily to her feet. She kept her eyes on the ground willing herself not make things more difficult by looking at Nick.

She crept soundlessly over to the door. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the doorknob. The brass felt cold and unfamiliar as it turned easily beneath her grasp. She opened the door without even a glance back at Nick. She flipped light switch flooding the dark hallway with light. She knew that if she turned around to say goodbye, she would be rendered helpless. One look at him would have such a profound effect on her that she would be unable to leave.

Jessica stood outside her door staring at it. She had no idea where she was going or what she was going to do. All she could think of right now was what she was leaving behind. The enormity of that realization sent her reeling.

Picking up her duffel bag, she knew however she had to do this. With no idea where she was going or what her final destination would be, she trekked down the hallway. She willed herself to be strong and not to cry. ‘Goodbye Nick,” she whispered as she approached the front door.

Brian stood amidst the dainty glass cases, marvelling at the immense selection. There seemed to be something for every taste imaginable there. However, Brian wasn’t intimidated by the vast selection. He was confident that he would find the perfect one for Lila.

“Excuse me sir?” inquired an elegant looking woman from behind one of the glass counters. “Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for a ring,” Brian replied simply.

“For your girlfriend I presume,” the woman asked with a smile.

“That’s right. It has to be perfect,” Brian added.

“Well, I’m sure we can find something special for her,” she assured him. With a perfectly manicured hand, she beckoned to him to follow her. She moved slowly down the length of the shop and paused in front of a large display case. Using a key, she expertly opened the case and retrieved a small velvet box. “What about this?” she asked opening the box carefully.

The box revealed an overly shiny large diamond ring set against a pattern of gold swirls on a thick band. Brian knew right away Lila would hate it. She would prefer something simple yet classy. He shook his head politely.

A large square cut cubic zirconium was next. Set against an extremely thin gold band, the diamond looked so big it would overpower Lila’s slender fingers.

“Do you have anything a little less showy?” he asked with a polite grimace.

“Less showy? Let me see…” She removed another velvet box.

“Something like this?” The box opened slowly to reveal an exquisite sapphire diamond ring. It was a thin gold band encrusted with delicate tiny sapphire diamonds. The ring seemed to shine as the light caught it. It was beautiful.

“That’s perfect,” Brian breathed slightly awestruck. “I’ll take it.”

Lila sat in the safety of her Mazda Miata rubbing her temples slowly as her tears fell from her eyes. She sat for a few minutes distractedly watching through her tears as cars exited and entered the parking lot.

She couldn’t remember ever feeling so confused before. She wasn’t sure whether to be happy or sad or if she should be out celebrating or at home crying.

All she knew was that everything would surely seem less complicated with Brian by her side. He always knew exactly what to say to her to make her feel better or ease her fears. This was supposed to be one of the most joyous occasions of her life yet all she could feel was sadness. Sadness that continued to tear at her heart with each passing second.

The moment the doctor had confirmed her suspicions, instead of happiness, Lila had been overcome with guilt. It was a feeling so powerful and intense that even the doctor had observed the change in her facial expression. Lila had remained tight-lipped but ascertained that she was fine or at least would be in time.

From the second the doctor had told her she was pregnant, the world had changed in Lila’s eyes. Every breath she took, every step and every decision big or small was no longer just for her. It was also for the little boy or little girl growing inside her that she and Brian had created. The child she was consciously bearing now would have to be her main focus. She couldn’t and wouldn’t allow anything to endanger its well being.

At this point, the details of the manner in which their child was conceived weren’t important to Lila. In her mind, their child was a product of she and Brian’s love for one another plain and simple. She wasn’t willing to consider it any other way. She just prayed that someday Brian would see it that way too.

Mya and AJ walked side by side down the beach. She was completely exhausted, but too happy to care. Spending the day with AJ today had been a real eye-opener for her. His company made her realize just how much she needed someone like AJ in her life. Someone she could be herself with, someone she could share her life with and someone who made her happy. That’s exactly what AJ did. He made her happy.

Sure for a few brief uncharacteristic moments in her life, she had been happy – or at least thought that it was happiness. Today she had realized however, just how contrived that happiness had been. She hadn’t experienced real happiness until she’d met AJ.

Mya was on such a high she was just worried that it would soon come crashing down on her. After all, nothing good ever lasted forever. She made a decision right then to relish every moment she and AJ had together from now on.

Interrupting her thoughts, AJ reached over and grabbed Mya’s hand. The sensation of AJ’s hand in hers was still a new one for her. Mya felt a chill of excitement race up her spine as she clutched AJ’s hand tightly.

They continued their journey down the beach in silence each unwilling to ruin the moment by speaking. Just being with each other was enough for the time being.

As they approached the parking lot, suddenly AJ stopped. Mya’s hand fell from his grasp as his eyes stared off into the distance. Mya followed his gaze and to her surprise her eyes landed upon a sleek forest green accord. She stared at the car in confusion for a few moments until she realized it wasn’t the car that had captured AJ’s attention, moreover the person inside it.

She watched curiously as AJ’s facial expression evolved slowly from one of happiness to confusion. “Elizabeth?” he inquired, his voice barely audible.

Elizabeth. Mya recognized her name instantly. During the early stages of their ever-blossoming friendship, AJ had mentioned her name constantly. Mya knew her as the girl who had ruthlessly broken AJ’s heart and led him on a tumultuous emotional roller coaster. During their various conversations, AJ had always maintained that being with Elizabeth had always given him an amazing emotional high. Just the thought that Elizabeth had been the one to send AJ crashing down from that high made Mya sick to her stomach. Anyone who could toy with a person’s emotions in such a callous manner couldn’t possibly care about them or value their feelings.

Mya’s thoughts were interrupted as AJ began moving towards the car. She followed quite awkwardly behind him feeling uncertain. She followed him secretly eager to get a glimpse of the girl that had put AJ through so much emotional trauma.

Lingering awkwardly behind him, they approached the car. As they drew nearer, their presence was immediately detected. Elizabeth dabbed at he eyes roughly with a Kleenex taking in large gulps of air as if to regain her composure.

“Liz?” AJ inquired.

“AJ…” she said her voice feigning surprise despite the obvious fact that she had seen him approaching.

“Are you okay?” he asked timidly, half-unwilling to hear her real answer. It would be like a knife straight to his heart to hear the truth. The truth being that she was still hurting from the way he had treated her a few days ago.

“I’m fine,” she replied rather curtly.

“Are you sure?” he asked with disbelief.

“I’m fine,” she repeated coldly. “Don’t you have more important things to worry about than me?” she replied with a pointed glance at Mya.

AJ stood speechless unable to look at Elizabeth or Mya. He shifted is weight from foot to foot unable to bring his eyes from the ground.

“I figured as much,” she said haughtily as she revved the engine leaving a surprised AJ and Mya in her wake.
[Next Chapter].[Table of Contents].