Seeing Jesse laughing and chatting with her father was a wonder for Pearl. She'd never brought a man home before and she definitely wasn't regretting it. Jesse seemed to be a hit with both her mom and dad. Of course, he was Vivienne's son, so that made things a little different, but Pearl was sure it wasn't just that.
Every time she saw them together, Jesse had an easy smile on his face or her father's brown eyes were twinkling, even if his expression was serious. Her mother had said it was because her father had found someone worthy in intellect and intent. His upbringing, who his parents were and his chosen career path said something about his mind. The fact that he was ready to adopt as a single father spoke a lot about his heart- and she knew the heart was important to both her parents. But particularly to her father.
She loved the fact that although the trip was mainly about her and her health, Jesse would still take time for Pablo. Just the two of them. They'd go off on adventures almost every day.
After one such excursion, Pablo had returned with a crab hidden in his pocket. When he took it out to show Jesse, it'd taken a while for his papa to convince him to let it go. Franklin had watched the exchange and laughed about it later, telling Jesse that Pearl had been the same way, making them worry whenever she brought home animals. From that point Jesse had been even more open about discussing how he was experiencing fatherhood. Franklin liked that. Pearl knew Franklin had enjoyed the couple nights this week that Jesse had stayed up with him and spoken on an array of topics.
Her reflection was cut short because her mother leaned over and said in a low voice, "Pearl, doll, you're staring at him."
The flush that travelled up her neck into her cheeks caught his attention. The smile he gave her in return as he sat down was way too sexy for lunch with her parents and a child.
Kissing her cheek, he asked how their morning had been. Regaining composure, she told him a quick summary of what they had gotten down to.
He took hold of her hand to inspect the nails and then looked up into her eyes saying, "You look beautiful."
She blushed again and thanked him.
"Did I see you boys on the water, just now?" Corra asked, tickling Pablo, who was seated in a high chair beside her.
"Yes, dear, that was us. This young man has quite the arm."
Pearl knew it was true, but she found her eyes wandering to his well-formed biceps only slightly visible in the cardigan he'd put over his shirt. He was looking very much like the preppy yacht boy, she thought, amused.
Her mother kicked her gently under the table. With a sigh, she met her mother's gaze. The woman gave her a dry look and mouthed 'focus'. Pearl couldn't help laughing.
She really should have been used to his looks by now, but there was something about him today… Out loud, she said, "How were the visits to the Hinley's and the Butler's?"
"Good. Pablo was our star today. Just what the doctor and the pastor ordered." Franklin smiled. "Something about a child lifts an ailing spirit."
It happens that Pablo had sung the song he'd learnt from Hermano to both sick people. They'd enjoyed his company immensely.
"So whose footsteps is he going to follow?" Pearl asked Jesse teasingly, without realising at first what she'd implied. Jesse was halfway through his sentence when her blush became more pronounced.
His smile widened. "Pablo can be whatever he wants to be. If he wants to save lives like his dad or save souls like," he looked at her knowingly, "your father... that's a noble endeavour." He turned to the little boy and ruffled his slightly curly hair. "But he doesn't have to. He could be a skateboarder, I'd still love him."
Pearl chuckled. "I might have to remind you of that in a few years."
Jesse looked at her with warm eyes. "I'd like that."
Pearl cleared her throat. "Okay." Pause. "We should order now."
"I love you."
She heard the words and the next thing she knew, Pearl was tripping on her own two feet.
"What?" she stammered as Jesse held her up and steadied her.
Leading her off the dance floor, Jesse took Pearl outside. The moon was bright in the night sky. A warm breeze teased their hair and light clothing. The faint sounds of music carried onto the beach. It was something right out of a romance movie. Right down to the tall, gorgeous blond guy making declarations.
He sat her down on a bench in a secluded spot. Sitting next to her, he smiled.
"What did-?" she began.
"I love you," he cut her off, his eyes never leaving her widened brown ones. "I'm in love with you but it's also more." Caressing her hand with his thumb, he said, "So, I just wanted to give you one more thing tonight."
"Jesse!"
He'd already given her a gold watch with mother of pearl inlays on the face and a chain with a cage in which to hold the pearl Pablo had given her.
"It's nothing material," he quickly assured her. "But-" he hesitated, "-it's the most important to me."
Any protest died on her lips when he said that.
"I tried to think of something that would totally show you what you mean to me. I came up with superficial and physical solutions," he smirked, "but everything failed to completely illustrate where my head is now."
He lifted her hand and placed it on the left side of his chest. "Do you remember the night I first put your hand here? When we started dating?"
She nodded, afraid to speak and break the spell.
"So you recall me saying the way I care for you is that constant."
Pearl nodded again.
"Good. Tonight I am just taking it a step further. Last time my heartbeat was an example. This time my heart is a gift." He swallowed. "For as long as you want it. It is- and all I am- is yours."
Tears pooled in her eyes, and he kept going. "I know that might make me sound like I'm putting you before God, but if I'm honest I think it's because of Him that I'm here pouring the truth out like this. I know I'm in your life for a reason…and unless I am proved wrong, I will always be here for you. To take care of you and love you."
"Jesse," Pearl said through tears. "Wow." Half laughing, she brushed her fingers under her long lashes.
"I don't expect you to say-"
"How can I not?" she laughed again. "I'm crazy about you. Everything you're saying has made this the best birthday I've ever had." She put her hands on either side of his face and kissed him.
It wasn't like a kiss he'd ever gotten from her before. It was deeper, slower, more meaningful and its value doubled- trebled- when she broke it off to speak.
"I'm inextricably in love with you, too. Your heart, your face," she giggled, "your personality, your little boy… I love all of it."
"Say that again," he whispered, in shock.
She kissed him again. "Jesse Murray. I love you."
He closed his eyes and let out a breath he hadn't noticed he was holding. "Honey, that brings such relief and happiness- you have no idea."
She smiled up at him, her hand still against his chest, where she could feel his heart beating faster than normally. It didn't matter because hers was ready to burst through her ribs.
"That's a great present, by the way," she said softly. "I gladly accept it."
"Thank you," he said solemnly. Pause. "There's something I think I can say now…"
Her eyebrows went up. "What is it?"
"I want- very badly want you to be my wife."
Pearl gasped. Her heart leapt into her throat and she couldn't speak.
Jesse made a face. "I shouldn't have said it like that." Pause. Pearl watched several emotions flicker on and off his face. "Pearl Guthrie, I want," he began sincerely, "to be your husband. To hear you admire me, for you to keep me on speed dial, for you to be the mother of my son and other children," he said quietly.
She was still incapable of speech.
Jesse was saying he wanted to marry her. He'd just knocked her socks off with a declaration of love and now he was taking it up another notch.
He watched her eyes widen. Jesse knew he'd surprised Pearl with the suddenness of what he'd just said. But she didn't look unhappy.
Now came the hard part.
"I want us to be together completely, entirely," his voice was husky, "biblically even."
Pearl blushed and averted her eyes shyly.
"But that can't happen."
Her eyes snapped back to his in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked, frowning slightly.
Jesse smiled. His stomach had done a flip as he'd told her the truth but now it was melting with adoration for the woman in from of him. She was saying she had a problem with not marrying him. That brought him indescribable joy. But it also made the next part unbearably difficult.
"I don't want to marry you until I have full legal custody of Pablo."
Her perfect eyebrow barely moved but he knew he had her full attention.
"I don't want anyone thinking I married you because I wanted to keep the boy who became my son the day I picked him up for the first time. They need to know I am marrying you because you're the woman I love. And for no other reason."
The tears were back. "That's so sweet. I don't care what people think."
"I know you don't," he said wiping a solitary tear off her smooth skin. "And I don't care what people- like our family or friends- may think but I do care how the Bolivian government will see it. I'm not a citizen of the country, but I'm going to appeal… the process has already started and I need everything to be transparent."
Pearl understood. "We better start praying the adoption goes through fast, then, huh?"
Jesse leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. "I've been praying, honey. I want this- Pablo and you- more than I want a job."
She chuckled. Her hand caressed his face. "That's not a good selling point. Don't tell the Bolivians that part. I think they're expecting you to better the child's situation at least."
Jesse laughed. Then he got serious again. "Pearl."
"Yes, Jesse?" she teased.
"Thank you. For being patient and kind, and for loving Pablo even though I never really gave you a choice. And," he kissed her once, "for loving me. I don't take that for granted."
"I did have a choice," she said. "I could've walked away from you and Pablo weeks ago." She giggled. "Or I could've chosen Richmond Grett."
That made him laugh out loud. He stood and pulled Pearl to her feet. Hugging her against his chest, he murmured, "Thank God you didn't choose him."
Thank God you chose me, she thought, hugging him back.