If Only It Were A Dream

There I stood with the man I vowed to love forever. If anyone had told me this would have been possible a year ago, I would not have believed it. He held me so tight and kissed me so deep I could hardly breathe, but I didn’t care. I loved being in his arms after so long. Not wondering any longer, speculating whether or not he loved me. Andrew had just asked me to marry him, and before I could answer he buried his tongue in my mouth. He was sweet, warm, and inviting. Remembering daddy and momma were in the house and may be watching, I gently broke our passionate kiss. Andrew's eyes were a brilliant hazel, as he gazed into my own, while cupping my face in his hands. “I missed you, Roxie, you have to promise me that you will never do anything like that again. Baby, you can always talk to me about anything, I thought you knew that.”

“I’m sorry.” “No need to apologize, I know you probably felt trapped. I’m here for you, Roxie, remember that.” He placed the palm of my hand to his chest. “Feel that. Baby, it beats for you, our love is the only thing that kept me going while you were gone.” “I love you too, Andrew, you were all I could think about. That’s why I left.”

He was confused. “I didn’t want you to feel obligated. I know we had made plans, plans that didn’t include me bringing extra baggage.”

He threw up his hand. “Hold on. Did you think because the situation had changed that I would stop loving you?” I couldn’t look him in the eye; half the reason being that I was ashamed that I thought that was shallow of him, and half because his eyes had turned a cocoa brown, and I knew he was upset. He ran his fingers through his curly black hair and released a sigh.

“Come here, baby.” He pulled me to him. “I’m sorry, you’ve been through hell. I have no right to judge the decision you made. I can’t say that I wouldn’t have done anything different if faced with the same situation. I’m sorry.” He planted a kiss on my forehead, then my cheek, gently placing his lips on mine, forcing my lips to part. I thought about daddy and pushed away again.

“I’m sorry. I know you probably aren’t ready for anything like that.” “No — it’s not that; daddy and momma are inside and I—.” “Yeah, we don’t want to give anybody a show.” He smiled that shy smile that I just adored and it gave me chills. “So — what did we have?” “Huh?” “What did we have, a boy or girl?” “Oh, a girl.” I beamed just thinking about my Angel. “A girl” I said again with pride. “Well, show me my daughter.” Andrew’s words sounded so natural that it made my heart swell, to think he would be willing to take on the responsibility.

I led Andrew into the house and up the stairs. “She’s asleep but you can —.” Momma was at the top of the steps with two large suitcases and a shoulder bag.

“Momma, where are you going?”

Daddy appeared from the kitchen and offered his explanation.

“Mabel thought you young people should have some time alone.” My head snapped back to momma. “What’s that suppose to mean?” “Well, I know you and Andrew will probably want to stay here after you're married until you both are on your feet and —.” “But I need you here with me, I don’t know anything about raising a baby. I need you.” I climbed the remainder of the stairs and removed one of the bags from her hand, placing it back in her room.