“Thank you,” he sobbed, wiping his face and nose. “I’m sorry. That took me by surprise, as did the relief that came from knowing it.” He gave a half smile. “I guess the pressure about what could happen was more than I thought. That is good news.”
He let out a puff of air. “We have a chance now.”
“We hope so, my boy,” Dad said, standing and holding his hand out to Mom. “Safe road home.”
Nathanael nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
For a split a second, a fear from him ran through me.
Mom smiled at him. “Nathanael, just talk to her. You might be interested in hearing what she has to say, and besides, you might discover some things about yourself.”
Mom was talking about Mora and he knew it as he put his elbows on his legs and folded his hands together. “Maybe so.”
“Hmm,” Mom said. “Good night.”
Dad coated her with his arm and they walked away, speaking softly to each other. Dad kissed Mom’s forehead and smiled lovingly at her. It was probably the first time they’d had a chance to be alone.
Nathanael came back to my room and poured himself a drink, then sat beside me on the couch. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?” he asked.
Shaking my head slightly, I replied, “No thanks. Can I ask you about something?”
“Shoot,” he said, then took a sip of his drink.
“Have you ever used your power of suggestion on me?”
He smiled. “No, I try not to use it on anyone. Sometimes it can’t be helped, but usually no.”
That didn’t make sense. “How can it not be helped sometimes?”
He swallowed. “I’ve never used suggestions for the forces of evil.” He put an accent on the word ‘evil,’ playing with me. Then he got serious. “No, I shouldn’t say that. I’ve had to at certain times in my life, to prove things to Father...”
You could tell he despised having to do his father’s bidding, but still, he had to do it. I kissed his hand. He smiled.
“Other than that, no, but I have used it to help someone if they were in trouble. Being who we are, you come across the paths of many people who think there’s no way out and have horrible thoughts on how to take their own lives.”
I couldn’t fathom always having such negativity in my life, and how he did it was beyond me. “How do you know they have those thoughts?”
He laid his head on the back of the couch and stared at the ceiling. “Depression, which is rampant wherever we go. However, it’s a different depression. Instead of simply being tired all the time or not wanting to be around anyone, some people go through their days quite content. But their mannerisms and some of the things they say give them away. Well, actually how they say it is usually what triggers my interest.”
There was so much about him that was deep, like his love of human beings and not wanting to see them suffer. He was surrounded by hate and darkness, yet he still found love and kindness in himself. “What do you do then?” I asked.
“Well, I give them small suggestions, really, and remind them of the small blessings that make life good.” He lifted his head and gave me a shy smile.
I loved him so much. “How come you’re so different from your brothers?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Always have been. All three of us are very close and I love my brothers very much, but Job and Joshua always had a tighter bond with each other. Many times through my life I felt left out, wishing I shared that bond, too. But as I grew up, I saw myself for who I was, different in a good way. I like helping people.”
“I like you just the way you are, too.”
Brushing his finger down my cheek, our eyes locked. The air in the room instantly changed and my heart skidded, tickling me on the inside.
Watching his fingertips, he softly moved them up my cheek and traced around the tip of my ear, then down to the back of my neck. His gaze moved back to my eyes as he cupped his palm behind my head. Putting his drink down, he shimmied right up to my side and leaned in until his mouth touched the corner of mine. “All I want is a kiss,” he breathed.
I swallowed hard in anticipation as my blood coursed through my veins like hot lava, igniting passion in every cell as it went.
“Just a kiss,” he whispered.
Our lips touched, our hearts immediately set on fire. Erupting, it intensified, forging a want, a desire... It was something I wanted from him and him alone. I pulled myself closer to him; he responded and held tighter. His hands rubbed my bare back under my shirt... He took hold of my waist and with a shove of his legs, we flew through the air and landed on the bed. The kisses were gentle but passionate, and the heat from his body sent tingles through my skin... My breath couldn’t catch.
“No!” he forced himself and jumped up. “Not like this!”
That response made me wince, thinking I wasn’t good enough. “Did I do something wrong?”
He shook his head, trying to catch his breath and sat down beside me, holding my hand. “No, you did nothing wrong. But it has to be perfect, especially for you.”
That made me feel better. “Nathanael, anywhere would be perfect with you.”
Sighing, he explained, “It’s not something I’ll take from you just for the sake of getting some.” He kissed my cheek. “I want to show you how beautiful it is, show you what it’s like to be truly loved.”
I knew it sounded like begging, but my mind, heart, soul and body wanted to be with him. “You can.”
“Not here, not with your parents in the next room. It would feel rushed so they didn’t catch us.” His breath was on my ear. “I want to take my time and love you all night and into the next day.”
“I want you to,” crept up my throat.
“And I will, but not here, not tonight. Good night.” He gently kissed my hand and stood with a smile.
I gaped at him.
Sheesh, that was quick and simple.
“It’s best I go so things don’t happen. I may be strong, but my control isn’t very good in this setting.” He rolled his eyes around the room. “Good night, sweets, I’ll see you in the morning.”
That didn’t go so well.
“Okay, bye.”
“Saydi, don’t be hurt.” He pulled me up and hugged me. “It’s the one and only thing I can give you that won’t be tainted by my father.”
It was a plea and well worthwhile.
“I understand, I do.”
“I hope so. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.” He kissed my nose, wrinkling his. “Good night.”
“Night.”
The door closed behind him.
Don’t you dare cry!
He said in my head.
Oh, it was going to be interesting when we had a fight.
~ * ~
After a very sleepless night, knowing Nathanael was in the building, we all met for breakfast. There was no doom and gloom, wars or battles, Pyre or Tovs. It was simply a family enjoying each other’s company.
Nathanael talked about growing up and the fun they had as kids. One time they went camping with friends and Job was showing off on a dirt bike for some girl, doing wheelies, when he lost control. Instead of hitting the break, he hit the gas and drove right over a cliff into the river. Of course he wasn’t hurt, well, physically anyway, but it bruised his ego. Not to mention, Mr. Braxton was none too pleased when he had to buy a new dirt bike for their friend.
Nathanael had tons of those happy memories. I don’t know why I pictured his life as always being dark and covert, nothing fun, yet it was sad that all of those happy times were overshadowed by the ugly things they had to do for their father—those things he never discussed.
Nathanael left and we spent the whole day shopping. Dad spoiled me with tons of presents, much to Mom’s dismay. She kept scolding him, telling him to wait until Christmas. He didn’t listen, smiling and kissing her, making her blush. The whole time we were there Nathanael didn’t talk to me and I couldn’t feel him. He had closed me off completely.
~ * ~
Monday morning Angie, Becky and Norma met me at the steps. “So how was your weekend?” Angie asked, linking her arm in mine.
I wasn’t sure if I should mention Nathanael, because if he hadn’t talked to his Dad yet, it could get him to some hot water. So I opted to keep it to myself, letting them believe it was the gifts I got that had me so excited. “It was great! Dad spoiled me rotten, and I practically got a whole new wardrobe. Look!” I said stepping back and showing them my boots.
“Wow, those are gorgeous!” Becky breathed.
“I know!”
“What else happened?” Angie eyed me.
I smiled crookedly. “Why? What do you mean?”
The three of them jumped up and down squealing and making me jump in the process. “Come on, Saydi...Nathanael!” Becky was more excited than the other two. “Joshua told me how he won your parents over... Come on, you gotta be over the moon.”
Getting caught up, I bounced too. “I am!” Throwing my head back, taking a deep breath. “It’s hard to believe.”
“What’s hard to believe?” Todd asked from behind, giving me a little poke in the side, then putting his arm around me.
Norma’s eyes shot down to the ground. She still liked him like crazy and still hadn’t told us what happened that night he went to her house, but they seemed better afterwards. I sidestepped away from him, as I did every time he tried.
Becky had no problem telling Todd what was going on. “Nathanael finally”
“Saydi Gardiner!”
We all whipped around to the voice. Nathanael was coming up the walk. Angie nudged me, then stepped away, yanking Todd with them as he groaned.
With a huge smile on my face, I nodded once in a greeting.
The look on his face was nothing short of determination, and in one quick stride, he took my hand and got down on one knee. I gasped, then peeped at my girls. They all had their hands up to their mouth, with big eyes.
“I asked your father if it would be okay to do this. It is my ultimate promise to love you always.” He dug in his pocket and pulled out a ring.
I sobbed and gasped all at the same time.
Holding it out to me, he presented a small diamond with two sapphires on each side.
“This is a promise ring, proving to you that I love you and only you. Eventually an engagement ring will replace it.”
I could feel his emotions, what he was presenting was real, a true promise. It wasn’t just a plan, it was an undying promise from his heart.
He loved me.
His eyes darted when it seemed that I faltered. “Please, let me promise to love you.”
There were happy cries coming from all around me, along with a ‘you’ve got to be kidding me’ from Todd.
“Yes, of course, yes!” I blurted. Tears started to flow for me and him.
He jumped up and twirled me around, then slid the ring on my finger and kissed me.
Some more languishing sighs came from around, then cheers, which abruptly put an end to our kissing.
Nathanael’s face was pure red as he licked his lips and hugged me tight. “Thank you for accepting. Your father was most gracious allowing me to show you what you mean to me.”
“How could I not accept it? You’re all that matters.” I cupped my hand around his neck and brought myself close to his ear and whispered, “Without a doubt, you are all that matters.”
“Oh! What? Didn’t your itty bitty girlfriend give you enough last night?” Todd provoked from out of nowhere.
Nathanael was gone, leaving me to fall forward almost onto my face again. All I heard was a gasp and gurgle.
“Oh my God! Nathanael!” I freaked.
“Nathanael!” Becky cried.
He had Todd by the throat three feet off the ground. Nathanael’s facial features were twisted in such anger he was barely recognizable. His forehead protruded out in a very ugly way and his breath came fast and furious. And his eyes...his eyes were fire. The voice came from a different realm, deep, slow, and quiet, like a growl. “You would do well to heed what I am about to say. This is your second chance. There will be no strike three, you’re out. Next time, you won’t even know I’ve struck. Got it?” Todd gripped Nathanael’s arm, trying to loosen his hold and nodded quickly. Then he tumbled to the ground.
Nathanael pivoted and with angry breath said, “He’s okay.”
We all ran to Todd.
“Are you okay, Todd?” Angie asked, helping him to his feet.
He shook her off. “I’m fine!”
Becky handed him his books. “You really have to stop antagonizing Nathanael.”
Todd sneered hotly. “Becky, shut up!”
“Todd!” Nathanael boomed.
Todd stumbled back a bit, not sure what to do, then huffed and went in the school.
My girls all gave Nathanael a quick wave, me a small hug, and followed Todd.
Nathanael moved closer to me and cautiously kissed my head. “I wouldn’t have hurt him.”
“I know, it was just a shock to see that side of you.”
“I’m sorry. That’s not the side I ever want you to see again.” We held onto each other for a minute, then he said, “Do you have any exams today?”