Chapter 19 - Night of the wedding

Sherman walked back into the kitchen to set the table and soon Joanna walked by him in her wet bikini, heading for the bathroom. She smelled of chlorine and flowers and her hair was completely straightened by the water in it. He took the food off the stove and placed it on the table. He had put out a nice white tablecloth, candles, and folded napkins, before getting the wine onto the table.

Joanna walked out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel and dressed in a light blush pink silk robe, tied with a big bow. Sherman noticed that the robe was slightly see-through in some areas when she moved. He found himself quite incapable of speaking as his eyes rested on her wonderful body. The robe complimented her body so well, hugging it in all the right places and flowing off it to leave him wanting to see more than he could.

He cleared his throat and walked over to pull the chair out for her, "my dear." He felt an urge to smell her hair but resisted it.

Joanna smiled as she sniffed in the smells around her. "Can I know what we will be eating now, or should I try to guess it?" she asked.

Sherman sat down in front of her and handed her the big spoon, "take a look, you might guess it." He lifted the lit and Joanna leaned over the, getting the steam and the smell right in her head.

"Smells… Foreign…. But I haven't travelled much." She took a big spoonful on her plate and poked in it to see what it consisted of.

"We must change that if you want to of course," Sherman said as he observed her. "Alas, it is dal."

"Hmm," Joanna closed her eyes and enjoyed the rich smell and flavor of the food. "You're a great cook."

Sherman thought he might blush as a result of her compliments. "Thank you, darling. I promise to cook for you every day I have the time if it makes your life easier or more enjoyable."

Joanna tried not to let these words affect her too much, but if he spoke the truth, this could mean that her life would be incredibly improved. She could have enough time to study, without stressing about food on the days where she would be falling behind, or the days where she felt defeat. Perhaps Sherman was just the support she needed when she felt alone and thought that she had to be tough towards the rest of the world. Perhaps he could be the part of the world, where she didn't have to pretend to be stronger than she was or pretend that nothing could hurt her or put her down. "That means a lot," she said trying to keep the tears away, for though she told herself it would be alright if she cried, she wasn't quite ready yet. "Thank you." She looked down on her plate and took another bite.

Sherman smiled and reached out his hand to her over the table, "I hope I can be a great positive impact in your life. I hope you will allow me to be that. Today you showed me that you will. It is I who must thank you."

Joanna took his hand. "Let's finish eating, I have made plans for our evening."

Bailey and Cameron were watching a sports game. Bailey lay in his arms, half asleep, as Cameron watched the rest of the game. It had been the compromise Bailey had been willing to make so far. At least the time spent in front of the tv was somewhat productive to her, but it wasn't easy to sleep to the noise of a stadium, so Cameron had agreed to turn the sound off.

Bailey, in her almost sleeping state, decided that when the game was over and she woke, she might just have enough energy to reward him for his sacrifice. She smiled at the image in her head, and Cameron noticed and let his hand pat her head and stroked her hair. Bailey was smiling because she imagined it might as well be a reward for herself and not Cameron but that wasn't really the point though. She turned around and looked sleepily up at him.

"You ready to go to bed?" Cameron asked as he turned off the tv.

"You know... I think I am," Bailey mumbled.

Cameron lifted her carefully as he stood up and carried her into the bedroom, placing her carefully on the bed. He supposed she would already be asleep when he returned.

Sherman decided to leave the dishes for later. He wasn't normally the person to leave them for the next day, but just this evening he thought this decision was the right one. He walked over to Joanna and took her hand.

They looked into each other's eyes and felt a strong feeling pulling them closer to each other. Whether it be butterflies in the stomach or a feeling of their hearts speeding up the rhythm, they moved closer to each other and embraced in a kiss. They collided quickly before either of them had the chance to think, and before they knew it, Sherman was carrying Joanna towards their bedroom.

He felt the softness of the silk robe against him. And the little bow was so close to untying itself. Her hands around the back of his neck, gently pulling his hair, her legs swinging around in the air, and her lips against his.

Sherman had kissed women - and a few men - before, but never had experienced someone like Joanna. She was strong, knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to go for it. He considered her the most seductive, desirable, tempting person he had ever met.

Sherman dropped Joanna down on the bed and climbed up next to her. The bow around her robe had been untied…

Joanna woke up the next day in bed next to Sherman, and she remembered the previous evening and day. Her head was spinning with excitement and slight anxiety.

Sherman kissed her on the top of her head, "good morning dear. Still happy to be here?" He smiled and laughed, almost ready to jump out of bed and prepare a cup of coffee for them both.

"I am," Joanna said somewhat to her own surprise. "However…" She stopped him from leaving the bed. "I do need to know…" Joanna paused as she cuddled up in Sherman's arms, "what happened that night in your hotel room?"