11 New Love at Dover 1

“Stop crying. You have been through a lot.”

After a while, she raised her head, looked at his face and assured, “I love you too, Denise, and I promise to be your Angel.”

(Sobs)

“It is all right. Thank you for accepting my love. Don't cry again.”

They disengaged and took the luggage back to the house. When they settled down in the parlor and Denise noticed that she was calm, he asked, “What are your plans for marriage, Angel?”

Angel composed herself and explained, “I had wished to get married at once because of the pregnancy. Now that I miscarried the baby, I will take my time.”

Denise, who had maintained some distances from her and was not contented with her response, inquired more.

“What do you mean by take your time?”

Olivia searched his countenance to see if he did not really get her explanation. She continued when she could not get any clue from his face.

“I will return to Sevenoaks and continue with my plans to set up my Information and Communication Technology firm.”

To Denise, returning to Seven oaks may be precarious for their relationship. He had searched for a mate for a long time, and would not allow the bird at hand, that was worth more than thousands in the bush, to slip off his hand. He relaxed his principle that was against premarital sex and moved closer to her swiftly. Not only that, he drew her closer and made her to rest her head on his thighs before they shared a deep and affectionate kiss. Then, he queried.

“Do you believe I can make you to forget your past?”

She looked at him passionately with tears in her eyes and nodded in the affirmation. Then, Denise continued,

“Then, I won't allow you to take your time or return to Sevenoaks. I want to marry you at once. Just say yes.”

Olivia allowed her tears to flow freely. That time, they were tears of joy. She sat up and crossed her left hands across his neck and kissed him longer than the first and consented.

“Despite my past, you still love me. I say yes, to your proposal.”

“Your past does not define who you are. Your present and your features are the most important. I love you no matter your past.”

“I love you too.”

“I will take you to my Mom this evening. You will stay with the family and come back after our wedding.”

She showed disappointment, but Denise allayed her fears by asking, “Do you have a problem with that?”

“I will miss you.”

“It won't be long. Just thirty days from today.”

Olivia smiled and kissed him again, and Denise raised a point,

“Permit my unplanned proposal without an engagement ring. I will make it up to you.”

“It is okay.”

Thereafter, they drove to the nearby registry and gave the notice to register their marriage, which will last for twenty-eight days. They returned home for lunch. At the lunch table, Olivia, who was nervous, asked, “Will your Mom and dad feel offended with my past?”

Denise, who was about to bite his chicken, stopped abruptly, dropped it back into his plate and assured her.

“She would not. You were only a victim.”

Now, Denise paused, and scanned her face before he continued, “What if you were her daughter? As for my dad, he died seven years ago.”

“Oh! Take heart.”

“It is okay.”

“So, I'm not going to have a father-in-law?”

Denise chuckled and assured her, “You will not notice his absence.”

“It is okay. What time are we going to meet her?”

“This evening.”

“You should be at work by then.”

“No. I'm off today. By the way, you were holding a phone the day I picked you up on the road.”

“Yes.”

“Where is it?”

“I have not set my eyes on it since I recovered. Did you see it when you picked me up?”

“I can't remember. We will get a new one. You need to be mobile.”

“Thank you dear.”

Monday Evening - The Bailey Native Home

Notwithstanding, Freya, who lived with her family in another part of Dover had paid her Mom, Mrs. Nichole Bailey, a visit at the Bailey Native Home. Mrs. Nicole Bailey was a professional nurse who worked at the Government Hospital. She was a fifty years old widow of seven years. She cherished her two children, Freya and Denise, so much, likewise their cousins, Julie and Louis, whom she brought up after their mother's death. Freya, who was so familiar with the house, walked into the parlor from the Kitchen holding a cup of tea, which she served her mother before she sat down. Nichole thanked her as she sipped her tea.

“Thank you for the tea, Freya.”

“Don't mention. Mom.”

“Yes, Freya.”

“You have not said anything.”

Nichole dropped the tea cup on the saucer beside her and inquired, “I have not said anything about what, please?”

“About what we discussed.”

“But we have discussed many things, Freya. Which of them are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Denise and Angel –his wife to be. When do you think the marriage processes should begin? I suggest that we hurry before her pregnancy becomes obvious.”

“You mean the girl is already pregnant?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“What nonsense! Call Denise for me. How can he do such a shameful thing? I don’t think she is from a good background.”

Then, Freya smiled and advised, “Mom, you cannot conclude until you see her. I don't blame Denise if he could not resist her.”

Freya picked her handset to make a call, but she stopped in her track as she heard a ring from the doorbell. They fixed their attention on the door while the janitor walked to the door.

“See who is at the door, please.”

Nichole instructed. But before the janitor could get to the door, Denise opened the door and walked in with Olivia.

“Wow! Mom. See who we have here. Talk of the Angel…”

Denise completed the sentence with, “And she appeared.”

Freya walked up to the door, gave Olivia a hug and offered her a seat.

“Kindly take your seat, Angel.”

Denise walked up to his mother, who could not take her eyes away from Angel, and gave her a hug.

“Hello, Mom.”

“Hello, Denise. Who is this pretty girl with you?”

Denise released his mother and turned to Olivia, who was already seated on the couch.

“Angel, come and give Mom a hug.”

Angel got up and walked to Nichole. She gave her a passionate hug before she released her and said.

“Welcome to my home. Make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Bailey.”

Olivia appreciated and walked back to her seat, while Denise sat beside his mother and examined the tea on the table. Now, Nichole was admiring Olivia, who had already taken her seat. At this point, her countenance changed, and she gave an approval look at Denise.

“How is work, Denise? You have not bothered to see me since this week. You must have been very busy, I guess.”

They laughed at Nichole's euphemistic use of 'very busy' in her joke. Freya dropped her cup of tea and asked, “Mom, which week are you talking about? Is it the one that began yesterday?”

Denise laughed and defended, “Mom, when you talk like this, you sound as if the week had gone far. Today is just Monday. Anyway, Mom, meet my fiancée. Her name is Olivia McGregor, but just address her as Angel because of me.”

“Your sister had told me about her.”