Lesley had indeed accepted the ring and his proposal of marriage. She and Pullo had several quiet conversations for the remainder of the afternoon; considerations as to whether Valerie should know of her mother’s plight, discussions regarding the girl’s school and needs. These were things Pullo must know and understand. It was important for him to carry out Lesley’s hopes for her child … and these things occupied his mind so that he did not need to face the true issue of losing yet another love. Already the pain swelled in his chest and often he stepped away, using the excuse of fetching something from the kitchen or using the bathroom.

And he wondered. How would it go for Lesley? Was he strong enough to bear this? To help little Valerie through? Together they had decided that Valerie would participate in the small, quick marriage they planned … and that she would be told about what was to come.

“But … can we tell her after we’re married?” Lesley asked, stoic, not a tear in her eye.

“Of course, and perhaps we should tell her together?”

“Yes … together. Um … Pullo? May I tell you something?”

They were close on the sofa; he tucked the blankets tighter around her chin and smiled sadly. “You may tell me anything, everything, whatever you like.”

“I want you to know something. It’s not real important but I’d like to tell you. See, I never dreamed I’d get married. I thought it was something other people did and I was always, secretly a little jealous. What you’re doing for me is amazing. You’re not only securing a loving future for Valerie, but you’re … giving me something I never had. The dream of love and a family, a whole family.”

A tear slid to her chin and he tenderly kissed it. “And you are giving me the same. I only … I wish …”

“That … we can’t wish for, Pullo. By the way … what’s your first name?” she chuckled and looked into his eyes. “I really should know before I marry you.”

“Titus Pullo, my love.”

“Titus, listen to me and please listen good. You don’t need to pretend you love me. I won’t insist that we consummate the marriage. I swear, I won’t ask much of you at all for myself. I only ask that you love and care for Valerie after I’m gone.”

“I see,” he grunted. “Well, now listen to me and listen good, woman. I do love you … and if you are willing … if you are strong enough … I fully intend to consummate our marriage. We’ll have normalcy and intimacy as long as we can, Lesley.”

“Is that an order?” Her deep eyes sparkled.

“It is. And about Valerie … I adore her, my love. I’ll do everything I can to be a good father to her. I swear it on Jupiter’s stone. But for now, we must marry soon to assure all goes as you wish.”

And marry quickly they did … within days. By the next week, the home nurse would be coming regularly and things could soon become complicated. They wished nothing to be concerned with but the adoption proceedings. Lesley explained that it should be simple, a few papers to be filed and a long wait … far longer than she had. But with the process begun, she assured him that there was no one to contest and that the approval would come. It would soothe her mind to know everything was in play; perhaps make it easier for her to go.

Pullo took Lesley, lovely in a deep green gown she said she’d worn as a bridesmaid, to the courthouse. Valerie was in her finest holiday dress, a deep red velvet that made her pale blue eyes glow aqua. The bride carried a bouquet of white roses and Pullo was please to see that Antony and Claudia had arrived on time.

Time. It was so short and everything seemed important. The ceremony was brief and ended with a happy squeal from the child. But after the ‘I dos’ and after kissing his bride, Pullo noticed the deep compassion in Antony’s eyes. It had been clear that Claudia would be caring for Lesley and the Roman General knew what was to come. Antony’s head dropped back and his eyes closed tight.

“It will be fine,” Pullo whispered, embracing his friend. “It will be fine.” But would it? A tremble shook Pullo from his belly to skin and Antony embraced him tighter, as a true familial brother, not a soldier, not a friend.

“Yes, it will be fine, brother.” Antony turned to kiss Lesley lightly then lifted little Valerie in his arms. “What say I take us all for a celebration dinner at the Inn?”

“The Inn?” Lesley asked. “That beautiful place near the mountain? The 1876 Manor?”

“Yes, the same. I’ve arranged a lovely dinner. Claudia and I know the owners and the chefs and it will be beautiful.”

Pullo leaned close to Lesley’s ear. “Are you well enough for a celebration?”

“Yes,” she whispered through a smile that brightened her eyes and brought color back into her face. “Titus, you have to feed me before you make love to me.”

But he was not amused. “Do you have your medication?”

“Yes, and I have an empty stomach.” She turned to Antony and Claudia, both waiting patiently and desperately trying to hide their concern. “I’m fine … and I’d love to have dinner at the Inn!”

***

John held the baby as Riley carried a beautiful flower arrangement into the formal dining room. He followed, glanced at the table.

“Fancy dancy. Who’s got the reservation for this table?”

“Antony. He wanted it to be gorgeous, romantic. The best crystal and china and silver we have. The flowers are perfect, aren’t they?”

“Romantic? Riles, this is a five top. How romantic can five people get? Shit, I didn’t even know he had that many friends.”

“Don’t be mean. Antony’s got friends. I’m sure Claudia will be here. Maybe Pullo’s got a date.”

“And the fifth chair?”

“No clue.” Riley lifted a butter knife and polished it before setting it carefully into place. “Maybe he did something crazy and married Claudia.”

“Huh, another wedding we got to miss.”

“Get over it, John. I can see you being disappointed over Colin and Carrie’s quicky marriage, but it’s not like Antony is your best bud or anything.”

John shifted the baby on his shoulder. “Gonna take this one upstairs to bed. You coming?”

“Yup, let’s go. Hey, Antony’s here. Now you can solve that riddle about who his friends are. There’s Pullo. Oh, who’s that?” Riley grinned as they neared the party. “Everything’s all ready for you, Antony.”

“Thank you. Let me introduce,” he turned to the frail woman with Pullo when the little girl began to jump up and down.

“My mom got married!”

John and Riley’s eyes slid to Pullo. “Well,” John again shifted the baby. He gave the big man an awkward embrace. “Congratulations, man. And this is?”

“Lesley,” the woman smiled and shook John’s hand. “And the little loud mouth over here is my daughter, Valerie.”

“Hey, Val,” John winked. “You old enough to baby sit?”

“Mommy says soon. Sorry I was a loud mouth. I know better than to be like that in a fancy place like this.”

“Well,” John lowered to a knee, spoke softly. “I’m always a loud mouth around here, so don’t worry about it.”

Riley embraced the bride, eyed Claudia curiously then tugged John’s elbow. “Let’s let these happy people get to their dinner.”

***

Long before dessert was served, Lesley’s hand had slid along Pullo’s thigh and her eyes begged.

“Well,” Pullo said, quickly standing and reaching to shake Antony’s hand in farewell. “Thank you for all this. Good of you. But we’re going to leave for home now. Lesley is tired and little Valerie has school in the morning.”

“Of course, of course. Thank you for sharing your special day with us, it was an honor.”

They left quickly, Valerie in the back seat spouting questions a mile a minute and Pullo trying to concentrate on the road; get Lesley to the comfort of her home and bed and remain seemingly calm throughout.

“Are you going away for a honeymoon?” Valerie asked, her feet kicking as she spoke.

“No,” Lesley smiled. “Maybe we’ll wait until summer so you can go with us.”

“I can go now, mom. I’m doing good in arithmetic and Mrs. Marlis won’t mind if I leave for a while.”

“I’m sure she would mind.”

Pullo turned to look at Lesley. She smiled softly, like him, ignoring the ugly facts.

“Does this make Mr. Pullo my daddy?”

Lesley drew in a deep breath, turned to her child and grinned. “Yes it does.”

“Cool. Are we going to move to Mr. Pullo’s … I mean … daddy’s vineyard?”

“Yes,” Pullo answered. “But not just yet, little love. I do hope you are burning energy back there, kicking your feet like that. You’ll be heading to bed straight away when we get home, Valerie.”

Her feet suddenly stilled and she sighed. “Yes, daddy.”

A tear rolled down Lesley’s cheek. This man, this stranger, this amazing good soul had in one fell swoop made her life full and complete. If she had to die, she was ready now. But not that night. Her warm palm again found his thigh, slid slowly up and rested with the slightest touch to his growing heat.

“Are you feeling ‘the bride’ tonight, love?” he grinned, his face more relaxed as he turned into the driveway.

“I am. Are you feeling ‘the groom’?” Lesley bit her lip and smiled.

“Are you two going to have sex?” came the voice from the back seat.

***

He stood at the door and watched Lesley tuck her daughter into bed. The light was low and the forms, barely visible but he listened as they spoke a language only mother and daughter know and wondered about what poor Valerie will miss when there’s no one but him. Wondered how he could ever fulfill that need. Valerie was still a child, but eleven years of age soon turned to fifteen and then soon to a woman. Was he at all prepared for what lie ahead?

But Lesley was coming toward him, slowly closed the door between them and the girl and led him to her bedroom. Pullo looked around. A peaceful room, a lonely room, but no more. Never again. He gathered her into his embrace and held her tight against his heart, kissed her softly and worked at the zipper and hooks of her dress and undergarments. His fingers were big and had never become nimble enough for that task; Lesley chuckled and assisted.

Her hands moved smoothly as she unbuttoned his shirt, slid her fingers along the warm flesh beneath his tee shirt then tugged it from him. Pullo was beautiful. Muscular and strong, his body well defined and healthy. Her mind spun with the amazing feelings that soared through her. To have had this man for a lifetime would have been heaven, but to have him for a while, just a short blessed while … was a miracle. And her daughter would have this man with a good soul for a lifetime. It was worth it all just to know that. But tonight, she’d dream. Imagine. Believe with all her heart that they were starting a new life together. Is was in a way true. Her life, short as it would be, would begin that night and her smile was heartfelt and genuine.

He laid her on the bed and touched her skin, so tender were his hands she feared she’d cry. Was he being careful? Afraid to hurt her? Or was he loving her the only way such a man could? Did it matter? She was his and this is how he felt about her that night. She may have foolishly wanted him to use his strength and vitality on her, push and prod, be as rough and tumble as his body said he could be … but this was what he offered. Warm. Gentle. More loving than she’d ever imagined.

When he entered her, Lesley felt her heart swell. What she thought would be a convenient, most important arrangement had somehow altered everything; the way she saw her situation, her past and her very brief future now blazed bright in a different light. All her life she had been waiting for this man and she suddenly knew it. She wanted to feel anger at how late he was, how long he waited to find her, but somehow it seemed absolutely correct. Exactly as it was meant to be.

Pullo strained against his animal urges, pulled the reigns tight and held himself at bay. To take her as he wanted would be wrong, disrespectful in a way. This was his wife, his love and his most precious possession. His body throbbed in unison with the pulse in his aching cock, and still he moved carefully, slowly, with deliberate tenderness and adoration. As he felt himself grow closer and closer to the moment of release, he looked down into her eyes and spoke clearly between gasps to control himself.