"STEPPING OUT OF PARADISE" by Kitty Yacomeni
© 2003 by Kitty Yacomeni emmawright480@hotmail.com http://www.oocities.org/personal_war/home.html
STORY LAST UPDATED ON 23/01/2003
This story contains characters created by V.C. Andrews.
Stepping Out of Paradise Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Epilogue
CHAPTER FIVE: MY FUTURE DECIDED
Once again in my bedroom, I answered the door to Momma, who had brought me up a mug of milky coffee and some cookies. This astonished me, because
Momma never did things like this herself. Sometimes she would send one of the maids up with something, but she never bothered otherwise. It was too much trouble for her. But not this time.
"I'm proud of you, darling," she said, placing the tray on my bedside table, and sitting beside me on the bed. "You behaved like a real lady, and Mr VanVoreen was obviously highly impressed with you. It's such a shame that you had to meet him under the circumstances, otherwise I know he would be perfect."
"He IS perfect, Momma. He's wonderful."
"Jillian, tell me about the walk you took with him around the grounds. How was it? You didn't say anything about it after he left, you just retreated up here, as usual."
"It was as perfect as he is." I sighed, a far-off look in my eyes. Until that moment, I had always dismissed the idea of love at first sight. "Momma, before he left did he… did he say anything about me?"
"Yes, Jillian, when alone with your father and I, he showed a great interest in getting to know you further. In fact, Jillian, he wants to marry you. He asked your father for permission to do so. A real gentleman, I thought, asking your father before he even considered asking you."
I was astounded, flabbergasted. I opened my mouth, and yet no words came out. Marry Cleave? Be the wife of the man in charge of his own fleet of ocean liners? Travel the world on such wonderful ships? Dance all night with that wonderful man I had met only that day?
The idea shocked me at first, but I knew right away that I would gladly marry Cleave. There was something about him. He was a gentleman, yet without being as prudish as most of Father's business companions. Yet again, he was several years younger than all of them.
I finally found some words. "Momma, I would love to marry Cleave, really love to! What did Father say?"
"Your father told him to give it a week, to spend some more time with you, and if he remained as infatuated with you at the end of that time, he was welcome to ask for your hand."
I was so happy and excited, that I had to remind myself to breathe.
"Now don't you tell your sisters about this. You know how jealous they are of you already. And don't tell your father either. He doesn't want you to know yet."
"Of course not, Momma. I won't say anything to anyone."
For a moment, I felt closer to my mother than I had ever done before. But this was spoiled when I reminded myself why I had been introduced to Cleave in the first place.
Stepping Out of Paradise Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Epilogue