Beautiful in My Eyes (11 page)

“I miss you so much. I just woke up and thoughts of you have been swimming in my head.”

He grins, imagining her dreamy smile. “Great minds thin' alike.” He wishes he could be there
beside
her, holding her warmth against him.

“How is Aidan this morning?”

“He’s fine. He just finished
eatin
' breakfast with its usual sogginess.”

Giselle laughs. “He always has to apply the finishing touch on his meal before he even gets started.”

“He definitely does.” Julian leans back against the wall and closes his eyes, enjoying the sound of her voice. “How was
yer
night?”

“It was wonderful. Dad had a limo pick us up and take us to dinner. Then we took a drive around the city.”

“A limo, huh?” Tell the auld man
tha's
goin
' ta be a hard act ta follow. Does
tha
' mean I should
hav
' one
waitin
' at the airport when ye return?”

“No, thank you. I would much rather ride up front next to you. Besides, what would I do with my back seat drivers license?”

Julian grins. “We definitely
cannae
let
tha
' go ta waste. So,
wha
' are ye
doin
' today?”

“I don’t know. Dad wouldn’t tell me. I guess I am in for another surprise . . . unless you know something. Do you?”

“No,
darlin
'. But even if I did, I
wouldnae
tell ye.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“Sure.” He chuckles softly. “You
hav
' a good day today an'
donnae
worry
aboot
anythin
', all right?”

“You have a good day, too. I’ll be thinking about you.”

“And I ye. I love ye more than
anythin
', Giselle.”

“I love you too.”

After hanging up, I
lay
in bed a minute longer and speculate about today’s activities. I know it
is  pointless
to ask Dad what he has planned, so I decide to just go with it
and let myself be excited about being surprised. I also decide a relaxing bubble bath would be a great way to start the morning. I can’t remember the last time I indulged myself with a long soak.

I finally get up and head to the closet to pick out an outfit for the day.
It would help if I knew what we were doing.
  I quickly put the question out of my mind and settle on a knee-length white floral skirt, a red crochet top with a matching cardigan, and gold gladiator sandals. This is an outfit for anything.

Heading to the bathroom, I place my clothes on the bed and freeze. Hesitantly, I approach the head of the bed, shocked to see a lock of my hair lying on the pillow. I reach up and bury my fingers in the thick tresses, startled to feel a large bare spot on the back of my scalp.

No, no. This can't be happening!

Hurrying into the bathroom, I grab a hand mirror from the vanity and turn to examine the back of my head. There is no need to separate the hair. The two-inch wide bald spot is hard to miss. Sitting on the edge of the tub, I drop my face in my hands, tears slipping through my fingers.

My hair has been continually thinning a little each day, but this . . . I never expected it to get this bad. I am really losing my hair. I'm losing the thick tresses Julian loves so
much. I have had long hair all my life and have never had it cut, not even a trim. Never!

Just a couple of days ago, I finally broke down and searched the
internet
, researching hair loss. Alopecia.
Or in my case, severe Alopecia
Areata
.
I found a list of things a doctor can prescribe, but they may not work.

Taking a deep breath, I mentally review what I found.

In the worst cases the condition progresses (gradually or quickly) until large areas of hair have been lost. These cases naturally bring distress to the people affected.
When the condition first appears, it is not possible to predict whether it will be mild and recover soon or become severe. Apart from the uncommon
type which
is accompanied by eczema in children, no information is available about this. Everyone hopes that early treatment will stop the progress of the condition but if the alopecia is destined to be severe, this course may still be followed despite treatment.

Every link I followed said the same thing.

I'm losing my hair. What will Julian think?
Reaching up, I comb my fingers through it, releasing a soft sob as more comes out in my hand. Wiping my face, I grab a couple of hair combs and some Bobbie pins and style my hair in a loose up-do, turning my head one way, and then another, making sure the bald spot is concealed. Having been pretty
much satisfied with my looks for most of my life, right now my emotions are thrown out of whack and I suddenly feel like an ugly duckling.

I turn the water on and pour in some fragrant bubble bath, compliments of the hotel. Rinsing away the rest of my tears, I undress and get in the tub. A few minutes later, I absently turn the water off and sit back, staring off into space, and try to calm my thoughts.

Like it will make a difference.

Chapter 11

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.

Kahlil
Gibran

D
ad surprises me with a day of shopping in Manhattan. He takes me up and down Fifth Avenue, making sure we enter almost every store. I am speechless with each purchase he make
s
for me. In one store, I try on evening gowns. Normally, they would make me feel elegant, but not today. When I tell Dad can't decide between three of them, he buys them all, making sure I pick out shoes to match. Our last stop is Tiffany’s, where he buys me a beautiful pair of diamond earrings.

“Dad, you're spoiling me,” I say with false cheerfulness as we get back in the limo.

“I know, and I love spoiling my daughter.”

“Where exactly are you planning to take me?”

“You'll see.”

Later, I change into a dark green velvet gown, adding the diamond earrings. Normally, I would wear my hair down with something so dressy, but I can't. I should feel beautiful,
but all I can think about is the large concealed bald spot. I give myself another look over,
then
go out to the main room to wait for Dad. A moment later, he comes out of his room and whistles.

”Oh, Gisell
e! If Julian could only see you right now!
You are beautiful.”

“Thank you, Dad. You're very handsome, yourself.”

“Thank you.” He is wearing a classic black tuxedo with a dark green bow tie. I silently admire him, thinking what a lucky woman Cassie is.

“Are you ready?” he asks taking my hand.

“Yes.” I have been looking forward to this evening and I am going to do my best to leave my worries at the hotel.