To Love a Man (31 page)

Ramón awoke feeling
Desiree move beneath his head. He looked up to her just as the nurse was removing her breathing tube.

“How are you feeling?” the nurse asked with concern in her voice.

“Sore.” Came out as a whisper as Desiree looked over to Ramón.

Desiree tried to smile. Her lip was busted and her hair was a mess but Ramón couldn’t see past his love for her, and how no matter what in his eyes she was beautiful.

“
This should help with the soreness I will give you guys a moment and come and check on you in a little bit.” The nurse placed a needle inside the IV then walked out the room placing the needle inside the hazard bin. Ramón moved closer to Desiree and kissed her lips gently.

“Baby
, how are you feeling?”

“Well I am tired and hurting but other than that I am fine.”

“Baby I am so sorry about the fight. You were right. I was being selfish and I won’t from now on.”

Desiree tried to sit up but couldn’t. Ramón helped her.

“You ok?”

“Baby I'm ok. And it wasn’t your fault accidents will happen.”

Ramón sat on the side of the bed.

“I know but I was driving.”

“Yeah you were and we were at a red light. You didn't do anything wrong I know what happened.”

“So do I.”

“Huh?”

“I was wrong and I know that now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You were right about being upset with me. I should have paid more attention to what you needed. I have been so busy with the therapy and all these events and I know you have been busy too. I know you have been taking the kids to all the places they need to go and coming home taking care of me and instead of doing something special for you, I invited you to another charity event. “

“You are busy and so am I. I just wanted sometime alone with just us.”

“You deserve that. But the thing is I never had this problem before. I never had to worry about making time for someone because I could just take her to an event or award show and she would love it but you don't seem to.”

“I don't really care about all that stuff I just care about being with you.”

“I know that now.”

She laid her head back on the bed and sighed as Ramón caressed her head.

“I was so worried about you. When I saw you lying there with all that blood I didn't know what to do. I finally understood how you felt when you saw me on the ground. I love you so much and if I would have lost you I don't know what I would have done.”

“Ramón I know you love me.”

“Do you? Because I haven’t acted like it.”

“Ramón I know you love me because I love you. I have never felt this kind of love before.”

“I realized something through all this.”

“And what's that?”

“I don't wanna wait until next year or the next year to make you my wife. I don't want to go into this new season without you as my wife.”

“What?”

“I want you to marry me now.”

“Ramón are you serious?”

“I am.”
Desiree could see that he was and suddenly all the pain she felt wasn’t so bad.

Ramón
stood and pulled out his IPhone.

“How about
we get married the last week in July? That gives us four weeks.”

She smiled.

“You’re not playing are you?”

“I love you. And I know that I will love you for the rest of my life. I was so scared today when I thought I lost you. I couldn’t think of anything but you and our kids. You see I say our kids because what's yours is mines and mines is yours.”

“You mean that?”

“I do…please marry me now.”

“Can we do this?”

“We can do whatever we want. How about when you get out of the hospital you and mom get together and plan everything and whatever you want me to do I will. So what do you say?”

“I say let’s get to it. I can’t wait to become your wife.”

He pulled her into a hug but she winced.

"Oww.”

“Baby I'm sorry.”

“It’s noting a kiss can’t fix.”

He pulled her lips to his and kissed her.

“You have no idea how happy you have made me.

Desiree sighed as she was shown another dress. Nothing she saw made her look as beautiful as a wedding dress was supposed to. Rachael, Nikki and Britney sat in the waiting area waiting to see Desiree’s most recent choice. Britney looked at her watch.

“We are supposed to meet Ramón at the bakery in half an hour and I don't think we are gonna find the dress she is looking for in here.”

“Desi knows what she wants she just doesn’t know where to find it.”

Desiree walked out of the dressing room fully dressed.

“I give up I am never gonna find a dress.”

“You will. Let’s get to the bakery and we can try again later.”

“I have three weeks to find a dress. Why did I agree to this? I don't know what I am doing. I can’t plan a wedding in three weeks. I need my mom but she isn’t gonna be here for another week.”

Rachael grabbed her hand.

“Take a deep breath sweetie we are here for you just breathe in and out.”

Desiree did as she was told, and took a couple of deep breaths Rachael smiled at her.

“You know what you need? A full body massage and total make over. This is not supposed to be a stressful time for you. It’s supposed to be the best time of your life. So let’s go to the bakery and see what kind of cake you are getting then we will head to the spa. You deserve a night off.”

Nikki smiled.

“I love the way you think Rachael. I can be child free in an hour all we have to do is tell the guys we wanna go out I am sure they won’t mind. And if they do well I can play the pregnancy card and Bryant will eat out of the palm of me hand.”

As they arrived to the bakery Desiree felt relief as she saw Ramón standing at the door with Aj. She hugged him.

“I missed you this morning.”

“I know babe I had early therapy.”

“And how did it go?”

“Really well. If I keep to it I should be able to start when the season does.”

“That’s great I am so proud of you but don't push yourself to hard.”

“I won’t. So let’s go find a cake I am thinking something like a three
tier cake.”

“
Uh yeah about that. I was thinking no. Ramón I know you want a huge wedding but I don't.”

“
About what? Are you having second thoughts?”

“
No not about you.” She said with a slight mumble.

“
You said you were ok with it.”

She sat down at the table and he sat next to her as they were handed a tray of different cakes.
“Ramón most of the people you invited we don't even know.”

“I'm trying to make everyone happy.”

“It’s not about everyone it's about you and me and I would rather you make us happy than anyone else.”

Ramón pulled her
hand to his lips.

“I love you so much it is about us and I want a three tier cake.”

“Ok whatever you want.”

She took a forkful of the first cake and frowned grabbing her napkin.

“As long as it’s not this cake, it’s too fruity.”

***

Desiree sighed lying on massage tables.

“This is what I needed I'm still so sore from the accident.”

“You’re still not feeling well?” Rachael asked looking at her.

“Oh I am it's just every now and again I feel a little weak.”

“Well like they say momma knows best and I knew you needed a break. I think we all did.”

“Tha
t we do. I just hope I find a wedding dress.”

“And you will. Tomorrow is a new day. Have you picked what colors the bridesmaid’s dresses are?”

“Apple Red. “

Britney smiled.

“Is that the color of the groomsmen’s vest?”

“Yeah.”

Nikki groaned loudly as she turned to Desiree.

“And have you decided where you are going to get married?”

“I don't know. I want somewhere private where I know we won’t be disturbed. I don't want it to be all about the media I want it to be all about us. I told Ramón doing it in the back yard would be fine but he wants a big hoopla. He wants to invite any and every one he has ever met.”

Britney laughed.
“Yeah my brother always said when he gets married he’s gonna do it right. So what do your parents have to say about it?”

“They will be here next week and they are excited. They like Ramón and think he is a great catch. I can’t help but agree. I am so lucky.”

“Well I did raise a great man.” Rachael boasted.

“That you did.”
Desiree said agreeing with her.

Nikki smiled.

“You know I just had a brilliant idea.”

“Which is?”

“If you can’t find a dress that you love make one.”

“What?”

“Design your own. Write down what you want and have someone make it.”

“Are you serious?”

“Never been more serious in my life it's a great idea.”

Britney smiled.

“It is a really great idea. And I know the perfect person to do it too.”

***

“Ramón I don't need doves released as we say I do. Why are you wasting all this money on one day?”

“Because this is the day! I want this wedding day to be so big and I don't care the cost.”

Desiree glanced down at the list of things Ramón wanted and sighed, “But I don't. It’s not me. I don't want to say I do in front of thousands of strangers plus a TV crew. This is an intimate time between me and you.”

“I thought because your first marriage was at the court house you would want a big wedding too?”

“Well you thought wrong.”

Desiree sat on the bed. Ramón sat next to her.

“Baby what's wrong?”

“Ramón I don't need all of this. I am a woman with simple taste. I know this is a big event for you but shouldn’t love take center stage and not out doing any other weddings.”

“I am not trying to outdo anyone I just wanted this day special for you.”

“You show up looking handsome in your tux and it will be. All I want is you I don't need anything else I'm good. But if you want the big wedding then I can learn to accept it.”

“You would do that?”

“For you anything.”

“Ok how about this. I invite only my closes friends and teammates that’s about 300 guests can you live with that?”

Her face lit up as she looked at him.
“I don't deserve you.”

“Yes you do.”

“There is something else we have to talk about.”

“Ok what?”

“These pre-wedding interviews you set up.”

“It’s just three and they wanted us as guests on their shows
its great.”

“I don't do TV so well. you know I have been working so hard on creating a more healthier wife for you it's bad enough I have to get married looking like this I can’t go on TV the camera adds like fifty pounds.”

She stood and turned away but Ramón walked up behind her and held her.

“First off its ten pounds and that is just a myth and second you are beautiful. I wish you could see what I see if you did you would want to share it with the world too.

“I just don't want to embarrass you.”

He turned her towards him.

“You won’t. Come on you are going to become Mrs. Ramón Norris in less than four days. You are going to have to get used to being in the spot light sometimes.”

“Fine I know I know.”

“If it will make you feel better I will call Connie, she is this amazing stylist and she will help create a great look for you.”

“I don't know.”

“What’s to know you get a makeover and I get to show you off? Sounds like a win, win to me.”

Ramón kissed her and walked out the room. She stared at herself in the mirror. She wanted to find a flaw any flaw but with Ramón by her side she was becoming less self-conscious and more
self-aware.

***

“Welcome back to the show. Once again I am your host Michelle Willis and I am sitting her with soon to be newlyweds Ramón Norris and his sweetie Desiree Holloway. So guys how are you?”