“I heard you laughing and talking?” Delilah said again.
“You did? Oh, it was the television.” Goodiva shrugged.
Delilah frowned. She was confident it wasn’t. But decided not to press the issue. She was in no position to judge anyone or anything.
“Want something to drink?” Goodiva asked.
“Nope. Just wanted to talk. To sit with you before I go back in the house.”
“Okay. Sit. Let’s talk,” Goodiva said. Goodiva shared the events of her day. The small talk was light enough to relax Delilah, and she shared her makeup story with Maverick. At first, her plan was to end things with Maverick. Then Queen convinced her that she really only wanted a fresh start with Maverick.
“You ready for this? I mean the commitment and everything?” Goodiva asked.
“Not for marriage, if that’s what you are thinking. I’ll never be ready for marriage.” Delilah sighed. “I am ready to start again from scratch. Give myself a chance to know the new him.”
“He loves you.”
“How do you know? You barely know him,” Delilah said.
“I trust you. And I know you’re still holding back to protect your heart. But you are trying. After everything you’ve been through, that takes courage.”
“Look who’s talking,” Delilah chuckled.
Goodiva smiled. They spent the rest of the night chatting, and Delilah did feel better. When she finally made it to bed, she was so exhausted she slept until the afternoon. Her mother let her rest undisturbed. She only woke to the ringing of her cellphone. It was Maverick.
“Hello?” Delilah answered.
“Your security team won’t let me in,” he said.
“What’s the magic password?” she asked.
“I love you,” he said.
Delilah grinned. “You may enter!” Excited, Delilah bounced out of bed while calling her security to give him permission to drive in. She had only enough time to gurgle mouthwash and pull on some sweatpants and a t-shirt. Downstairs she could hear Noah squeal with delight. It was the first time he’d seen his father in person since he returned because of the self-imposed quarantine.
When she came downstairs, the first thing she noticed was Maverick had arrived with his luggage. That stopped her in her tracks. Had he changed his mind?
“Welcome back, Maverick,” her mother said. Delilah noticed her mother’s greeting extended to a friendly hug. Maverick accepted the peace offering like a champ.
“Thank you, Delores,” Maverick said. “It’s good to be back.”
Noah took over the conversation. He spoke so fast only a parent could understand him. Maverick carried him up the stairs and met Delilah halfway. “You made me an offer I can’t refuse.”
Delilah hugged him and Noah. They went upstairs together. Noah’s room was the first stop. As their son played and brought Maverick his turtle to hold, they sat next to each other in silence. It wasn’t forced. It all felt natural, and it all felt right.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
A RENEWED BEGINNING
Four Months Later -
The sound of the helicopter lifting her friend and newborn baby up into the sky still echoed in Delilah’s mind. She struggled with sleep, having cried herself into exhaustion. When the last of the night slipped away, Delilah turned over in a half-awake state. Her lashes fluttered then parted to complete darkness. The abyss was so deep and impenetrable she thought she remained asleep. She wasn’t because she was aware. And then there was movement. Maverick eased in closer to her, and the shadows thinned enough for her to see his face. She touched the side of his jaw and smiled.
“Hi,” Delilah said.
“I’ve been waiting for you to wake up,” Maverick said. He rested the side of his face against her palm and stared into her eyes.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked.
“Come here.” Maverick pulled her in closer, and she scooted up against his chest. He wrapped her up in his strong arms embrace and turned to his back so she could lay on his chest.
“Still angry at the world?” Maverick asked.
“Kind of,” she sighed. The image of Goodiva leaving with her crazy Saudi Prince and saying goodbye was still vividly stamped in her mind. She will never forget the goodbye because inside of her, she knew it was really a goodbye.
“It’s okay,” he said and rubbed her back.
“Is it? I’m controlling everything again, aren’t I? I don’t mean too Maverick, but I can’t stop. And now she’s gone. Queen helped her leave. It’s over. I’ve lost my friends. I can feel it.”
“No, you haven’t. The kind of friendship you three share doesn’t break that easily. You should know that.”
Delilah moved away from him. She reached for the lamp on the nightstand near the bed and added light to the room.
“Done what?” Maverick asked and put his arm behind his head.
“You can say it,” she said in a mumbled voice. “I want to grow Maverick. Be more focused on me, us, our family. But Shelly and Queen are a part of me. I can’t seem to get past it.”
“I was thinking about something. I mean, it came up in deposition in New York. I hated it at first, but now I think it might be a good idea.”
“Tell me?” She sat up and crossed her arms.
“Therapy,” he said.
“Therapy?” she repeated.
“I know, it's a big step. I did it several times. I was never ready for it, never believed it could help me.” Maverick said.
“Why do you think it could work now?” she asked.
“Before I left the force, right after Camille died, I had these day visions, nightmares, I don’t know how to explain it. Ghosts. Melissa and Camille were my ghosts. I lived with it, learned to get used to it. But now, I’m free of it. I think. I see you struggling with moving on, and I don’t know if therapy or coming to Falcon Cove helped me. I just know that you carry a lot, and it’s keeping you back.”
“Look at what I’ve done to you,” she sighed. Maverick frowned, not understanding the comment. She did her best to keep the emotion out of her voice when she spoke. “I forced you to join that investigation in New York. Now your name is all over the news. Those ghosts might return.”
“I think the ghosts are gone because you forced me to face it. You freed me.” Maverick took her hand and squeezed it. He brought it to his lips. “I want you to be free.”
She looked away. She didn’t know what to say so she decided not to speak.
“Hey,” he pulled on her hand. She looked over at him again. “No one forces me. I did what I wanted to do with your support. I’m fine. We’re doing good things here. Right.”
Delilah squeezed his hand. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Ask me anything,” Maverick said.
“Do you still want to marry me?” she asked.
Maverick’s smile faded. The talk of marriage was put on permanent hold right after the threat level against Goodiva, and her newborn child was raised by the federal agencies protecting her. Delilah refused to even consider or accept the ring and commitment he gave her. It undid all the progress they had made in their relationship. She had a new focus, her friends. Now her friend was gone. Off with some Saudi Prince to the dance, Delilah had tried to keep her from. She was empty of emotion, having spent the entire night crying about. Maverick lay next to her with his arm behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. It scared her to think that her chance of happiness had slipped away. What would become of them when the magic wore off. Already the signs of stress from both of them were pushing them into more silence than talking.