~ Chapter 26 ~
A fire was blazing in the main room of Myrtle’s boarding
house, and the front walk was awash with Christmas lights.
Gillian was sitting on the couch, painstakingly trying to write her
name on the front of a stocking with a gold glitter pen. Jake sat
watching her, amused at the spectacle.
“Gillian,” he said, “it’s okay. We’ll finish the stockings
later.”
“Jake, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. In fact,” she said,
checking her watch, “it’s after midnight, so it’s Christmas Eve.
right now.”
“Well, in that case,” he said, snuggling closer for a kiss,
“Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too, Jake.”
He looked at her softly, then seemed to get an idea.
“You know, I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I don’t
think there could be a more perfect moment then right now,” Jake
said.
“For what?” Gillian asked, confused.
“Well,” he said, crossing the room to the Christmas tree, “I
think there’s a special present under here for you.”
Gillian looked at him suspiciously.
“Why don’t you come over here and take a look?”
Gillian walked over and joined him beside the tree.
Kneeling, he reached down and withdraw a small present with her
name on it.
“Here,” he said. “Open it.”
Gillian took the present back over to the couch and sat
down. She looked up at Jake questioningly.
“Go ahead,” he said.
She slowly unwrapped the present, revealing a jeweler’s
box beneath the paper.
“Jake,” Gillian said, “is this what I think it is?”
“Just open it.”
She lifted the lid to reveal a small diamond ring. She
looked up at him for some explanation of whether this was just a
pretty ring - or a proposal.
“Gillian,” Jake said, “you know that I love you. I want to
spend my days and nights proving that to you. I couldn’t think of a
better time or day to ask you, would you please be my wife?”
“Jake,” Gillian said, barely covering her shock, “this is, uh,
this is kind of sudden. I mean, we never even discussed -”
“I know,” Jake said, interrupting her. “But, we love each
other. And, I know we would be perfect together. The perfect
husband and wife. The perfect mother and father.”
Gillian looked at him, strangely.
“Well, I know I don’t really have Colby anymore, now that
I know the truth about her, and Adam and Liza are in a custody
battle,” Jake clarified. “But we can have children of our own.
What do you say, Gillian? Will you marry me?”
Jake knew he was piling this on her all at once. But ever
since they came back from their vacation, she’d been distant from
him, like he’d lost a part of her - or just realized he’d never had it
to begin with. Now, finally, it seemed as if she was coming back to
him. And he wasn’t going to take the chance of ever losing her
again.
“Jake, I, umm, this is really romantic and wonderful, and
you’re so sweet. But, I really, I just really need some time and
space to think about this,” Gillian said.
“Okay, Gillian. Take all the time you need. But, I meant
every word that I said. It would be perfect. I’m gonna go up to my
room, okay? You go ahead and think. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” Gillian said.
Jake went upstairs and left Gillian alone to ponder what
had just happened. Several minutes later, she still sat in the same
position. Slowly she got up and climbed the stairs. Opening the
room, she stood for a moment in the doorway, and her mind
betrayed her, taking her back to another Christmas when she stood
in the exact same place.
“Ryan. I must look awful. Do you need anything? Do you
need a pillow or something?”
“No......I need you.”
She walked further into the still darkened room, more
memories flooding into her mind, as if now that they’d started they
would never stop.
“But, you believe me, that I love you? And you, you love
me?”
“I love you so much.”
She blindly reached for the matches on the end table,
finally striking one, and lighting the candle sitting near by. Her
mind was filled with more images of the two of them making love,
all night long, by candlelight.
She put her hand on her forehead and closed her eyes,
trying to will the memories away. She couldn’t think about the
past, there was something else to think about now. Jake had asked
her to marry him. What was she going to say?
She and Jake had grown close over the past few months.
She didn’t doubt for a second that he loved her very much, or that
he’d make a good husband and provide her with a solid, stable life.
And, in her own way, she did love Jake. True, it was more of
friendship kind of love, but that was something, at least, to build
on. And, after all, weren’t friends better suited for a lifetime
together anyway? What was that saying? “Relationships come and
go, but friendship is forever.” She knew that he would never leave
her, that was certain. And, she had grown to be happy with him.
Perhaps marrying Jake was the right thing to do........
But, Ryan......Well, what did Ryan have to do with this
anyway? He signed the divorce papers. He moved on with other
relationships. He wanted nothing more to do with her. He made
that clear. Yes, he did come back in the summer, professing regrets
for the choices he’d made. But, she hadn’t believed him. And she
was right not to. He hadn’t spoken a word to her about it since they
came back to Pine Valley. In fact, he’d hardly spoken a word to
her about anything....Beside, she barely thought about him at all
anymore.....Except for moments like these, when her heart still
screamed not to let him go, not to leave him behind.
There’s was a fiery passion, an all-consuming love. A love
they’d both fought against, but they never could stay away, try as
they might. Like a magnetic field, they were drawn to one another.
No amount of resisting could’ve stop what was meant to be.
Nothing could relinquish the flame. But, their relationship had
been tempestuous and stormy, exciting, but at best......well, at
best...... heaven. She’d loved him with every last piece of her heart
and soul, and he’d loved her back the same way. The time they
spent together was sheer bliss.
The emotions they felt for one another seemed to be too
strong for either of them to handle, yet they could never get
enough of each other. She never tired of making love to him, or
falling asleep in his arms, afterwards, listening to his heartbeat and
knowing that was her life’s blood, just as much as it was his.
She had never felt that much alive, before or since. Their
souls connected in such a miraculous way. With Ryan, alone, she
shared a current of electricity that was unparalleled by anything
else she had ever known.
But, the fact still remained that he didn’t love her now, and
Jake did. Yes, she still felt the same fire, even just thinking about
Ryan. But was that a good enough reason not to marry Jake?
Love Conquers All ~ Chapter 27 ~
Sunbeams softly streamed down through Gillian’s window,
illuminating her bed, as she peacefully slept. Jake slowly opened
the door and peaked inside, noting the almost ethereal picture of
Gillian lying there in the sunlight. He knew he had promised to
give her time and space, but it was Christmas Eve, and he wanted
to be there with her when she first woke up. He quietly tiptoed
farther into the room, but was immediately halted by Gillian’s
stirring.
“Mmmm,” Gillian breathed, slowly turning her head to the
side.
She was unaware of Jake’s presence in the room, and was
still deeply immersed in a dream........
Ryan slowly ran his hand down her shoulder, drawing her
body closer to his. He lightly nuzzled at her ear, before turning his
attention to her neck, placing a string of kisses along her
collarbone.
Gillian again shifted in the bed, audibly sighing. Jake
moved a footstep closer, watching her. He finally realized she was
in the midst of, what seemed to be, a rather enjoyable dream. Now
he was sure that she wouldn’t be upset. He wasn’t sure whether or
not she had decided to accept his proposal, but, at least she was
dreaming about him, he thought with a smile. Surly, that was a
good sign.
Ryan ran his tongue along her ear, then airily left a trial of
kisses along her jaw line.
“Mmmm.....Ryan,” Gillian, softly sighed.
Jake stopped dead in his track. She was dreaming about
Ryan, not about him, which seemed to epitomize their relationship
thus far. He hastily turned and walked out of the room.
Still in that delicate place between asleep and awake,
Gillian turned her mouth to meet Ryan’s. Finding only air, she
slowly opened her eyes. Gazing across her room she saw the small
Christmas tree, and her mind slowly awakened, sending her
hurtling back into reality.
She and Ryan were divorced. He was not there, sharing the
bed with her. It was Jake who had proposed marriage last night,
not Ryan. Gillian slowly pulled back the covers and got out of
bed.
Walking over to the Christmas tree, her mind was again
filled with memories that made her heart ache. What was she
going to do? Jake had promised her time, but there was no
avoiding him. They lived just down the hall from each other.
Today was Christmas Eve, and she was sure by tonight Jake would
want an answer.
She reached up and touched a branch on the tree. She
knew she was a fool for even thinking it. After all this time, and
everything that had happened, it would only show weakness to do
it. But she couldn’t help it. It was Christmas Eve, and nothing
could’ve stopped her. She was going to see Ryan.
Love Conquers All ~ Chapter 28~
Gillian stood outside, in the hallway, and gently knocked
on the door. After a moment, Ryan emerged. The look on his face
told her she was right to come.
“Gillian,” he said softly, barely above a whisper.
The way he said her name reminded her of the gentle way
he used to speak to her late at night, when they were in bed
together.
“Hello, Ryan,” she said.
“Uh, come on in,” Ryan replied, stepping back from the
door way.
Gillian walked inside the loft, taking in her surrounds as
she walked through the room. Her eyes finally rested against the
far wall, where a large Christmas tree stood. There were
ornaments and garland scattered around it - giving the impression
that it was being trimmed - and soft, slow Christmas music was
playing.
Ryan followed her gaze, and thought he should explain.
“I was just decorating the tree,” he said.
Gillian turned from the tree and looked into Ryan’s eyes.
“I thought you always hated Christmas,” she said.
Ryan held her gaze.
“Not anymore,” he said, with meaning.
Not knowing how to respond to that, Gillian turned away.
Walking over to the couch, she sat down.
“Would you like something to drink?” Ryan asked her.
“Uh, some water would be nice.”
She was nervous and, if truth be know, more then a little
scared. She had no idea what she was going to say, or why she
was there. She only knew she had to come.
Ryan stood at the counter and poured her a glass of spring
water. Gillian glanced at the label and noticed it was her favorite
kind. Back when they had lived at Wildwind together, Ryan had
always called her a “pampered princess” for refusing to drink tap
water. Now he kept a stock of the very same brand in his own
apartment. She glanced up at him as he walked over, wondering if
the water was just a meaningless habit or a remembrance of her.
Ryan handed her the glass and sat down beside. Gillian
nervously took a sip as he watched her, waiting until she was ready
to say whatever it was she obviously wanted to say to him.
When Ryan heard the knock on his door, Gillian was the
last person he expected to be on the other side. He was completely
caught off guard by her sudden visit, but he was thrilled that she
there with him, on Christmas Eve. They both knew the
significance of that day, and he wondered if that’s what brought
her here tonight.
“So,” Gillian began, “where is Scott?”
“He went to a Christmas party with Becca,” Ryan said.
“So, then, we’re here alone?”
“Yeah.”
A tense silence followed their exchange, as Gillian tried
desperately to think of something to say. Exactly how does a
person say, “My boyfriend asked me to marry him. How should I
answer? You tell me”.
Instead, she said, “So, you were going to spend Christmas
Eve here, by yourself?”
Ryan picked up on the hint of sadness in her voice and
wondered if she felt sorry for him.
“Yeah, um, Scott and Becca invited me to come along with
them, but I just didn’t feel like partying. So, I decide to stay here
and decorate the tree.”
Gillian’s mind was filled with images of Ryan decorating
his tree, all alone, while she spent Christmas at a cozy, Martin
family get-together. Did he not want to celebrate the holiday
because of her? Was he staying at home and reliving the
memories, like she had the night before? Her heart ached at the
thought.
“Why?” she asked. “Why didn’t you feel like going to the
party?”
He looked over at her tenderly, picking up on what she was
hinting at.
“Well, I just didn’t think anything could top last
Christmas.”
Ryan and Gillian’s eyes met, and everything else in the
room faded away. Gillian could feel herself being pulled into his
eyes, into his heart. Just like a moth drawn to the flame; she
couldn’t fight it if she tried.
Ryan shifted closer to her on the couch, until their bodies
were touching. Then, before Gillian had time to think, his hand
was on her check, caressing her face the way he always loved to
do. Her mind was getting hazy, and she tried desperately to get
some grip on the situation - to stop it before it got out of hand. She
had come there to see for herself if Ryan still loved her. She
hadn’t planned on this. But she was powerless to stop it.
Ryan tilted his head, moving his mouth closer to hers, and
Gillian knew she was about to be kissed. No, this wasn’t what she
wanted. Kisses and caresses had never been missing from their
relationship. Feelings, love, the words, that’s what she wanted
from him. If she made love with him tonight, which is what she
was sure would happen if she didn’t stop things now, it wouldn’t
solve anything. In fact, it would only add to the confusion.
Gillian quickly stood up and moved away. Ryan walked
over and stood beside her, looking at her tenderly. She could see
the desire in his eyes.....But was there something else in them? Did
he love her?
“Ryan,” she said, her voice shaky, “is there something you want to
tell me?.....Anything you want to say?”
Ryan looked at her, unsure of what to say - or, of what she
wanted him to say. I want you to stay, he thought, forever. But all
he could say was, “Merry Christmas, Princess.”
Gillian’s heart sunk as she heard his answer. Leaning over,
she gently kissed him on the check.
“Merry Christmas, Ryan,” she said, then walked out the
door.
Love Conquers All ~ Chapter 29 ~
Gillian opened the door of the boarding house and was
shocked to see all the people. It seemed as if Myrtle must have
invited half the town to her Christmas party. Scanning the crowd,
she picked out Jake and walked over to him.
“Hey,” she said, putting her arms around him. “Merry
Christmas.”
Jake didn’t respond and Gillian noticed a look of, what
seemed like, anger cross his face.
“What’s wrong, Jake? she asked.
“Nothing,” he said, shaking off the feeling.
“Well, good, because it’s Christmas, and we’re supposed to
be happy.”
“You’re right,” he replied, smiling. “I am.”
“Listen, Jake, I have something I want to tell you,” Gillian
said.
“Good or bad?” Jake asked, worried.
“An answer to your question. Come here,” she said, pulling
him over into the corner. “Last night you asked me to marry you,
and I’ve been thinking a lot.”
Jake looked at her, carefully, waiting for the answer he
dreaded.
“The answer is yes,” Gillian said.
“What?”
“Yes. I’ll be your wife.”
“Oh my God, you’re serious?” Jake asked.
Gillian laughed.
“You are!” he shouted, hugging her. “What made you decide
so fast? I mean, after last night, I wasn’t so sure what kind of an
answer I’d get. Where have you been all day that made you change
your mind?”
Gillian’s face darkened, and she tried desperately to
overcome the emotions that were flooding her heart at the memory
of exactly where she had been. She was excepting a marriage
proposal. It wouldn’t be right if she didn’t look happy. She forced a
smile, and tried to answer him as honestly as she could.
“I drove around town, just thinking,” she said. “And, I
couldn’t find a single person who would give me any reason not to
marry you. That’s when I knew that this - you - are the right choice
for my life.”
In his happiness, Jake overlooked the oddity of her answer.
“This is perfect!” he said. “We are going to have the best
Christmas. And this means you’ll be coming to the Crystal Ball
with me.”
“Yeah,” Gillian said.
“What better way to start the new millennium then together,
as man and wife?” Jake asked.
Gillian only smiled.
“Let me go get the ring!”