Delia, Cordell and Jewel arrived at her new home in Lucky Palms. It wasn't as large as the one she had in Riverview but was more than big enough, plus it already had a wine cellar which Delia easily excavated further to hide her "room of doom" as she now thought of it.
As they got ready to walk inside, Delia had a hard time being happy which didn't go unnoticed by Cordell.
"What's wrong pretty lady. This is what you wanted - no?" asked Cordell.
Delia was worried. She had decided before they left Riverview that she would not share a bedroom with Cordell and she would once again try to distance herself from him. He would simply be a roommate. Nothing more. Delia knew he would be unhappy, but it was for his own good. Nothing good ever happened to any man that she loved.
"I am good. Let's go inside," said Delia, "I will show you your room." Then she quickly turned and walked into the house and waited.Cordell was confused. He assumed he would be sharing a room with his pretty lady. His heart sunk. He hurriedly put Jewel in the playpen and followed Delia to the bedroom that he assumed was to be his. He had to find out what was going on. He found her with her back to the door and she didn't turn around when he walked in.
Cordell couldn't hold his temper in and said angrily, "What is this? Am I not good enough to sleep in the same bed as you? I LOVE you! And you play with me like this, like I am nothing but a live in nanny - with - how do they say it - benefits!"
"No. Cordell. Not anymore. It has to be over. I am sorry. I didn't mean to take advantage of you. This is your room if you wish to stay," said Delia sadly. "I told you before we left Riverview that this house had enough bedrooms for all three of us. But, we, us together, it is a mistake," whispered Delia holding back tears, "Nothing good can come of this. We talked about this before. We don't really know each other."
"NO!" said Cordell as he grabbed Delia by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Look at me and tell me you don't care about me. You don't have to say you love me, but I know you care. Don't deny it Delia!""Cordell, don't. Please don't do this, let me go." begged Delia.
But instead of releasing her, Cordell was desperate to do something that would bring her to her senses so he pulled Delia to him and kissed her against her will.
When he released her Delia turned away from him. She was afraid to look at Cordell for fear he would know that she really was falling in love with him.
Cordell began to apologize. "I am sorry pretty lady," he whispered, "that will never happen again. You don't need to fear me. It's just, well, never mind. This room is excellent and is right across from the sweet princess Jewel so I can tend to her easily."
There he goes again thought Delia, saying all the right things. Delia turned around and went to him and hugged him. "Please, you sweet man, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have let you back into my bed. Yes, you are right, I do care for you. I care a lot. But maybe it's just the circumstances that threw us together that has caused these feelings of dependency, but Cordell, I don't know that it is love. Please, don't hate me. Jewel and I, we do need you and I would miss you terribly if you left. I feel so selfish even asking you to stay. We have to stop what we started. Everything about me is not as it seems Cordell."
Cordell stroked Delia's back as she spoke and replied, "I wouldn't dream of leaving. I am here and we can take it slow. It's okay."
Delia was relieved that it was over and felt badly for hurting Cordell. She was deathly afraid of falling in love again. She didn't deserve to be loved. She wanted to simply take care of her daughter just has she has in her past - but this time, grow old and finally join her family in the afterlife, if they would have her.
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Delia and Cordell settled into a comfortable, friendly relationship. Cordell was true to his word and never tried to kiss her or made any advances. He knew it would have to be on her terms when she finally realized she was in love with him and let him fully into her life.
Delia agreed that it was a good idea and that she too, wanted to get a job once Jewel started school. It would be good for all of them to begin to meet the townspeople.
Of course Cordell never missed an opportunity to show Delia how much he cared for her. He was so cute, like a little puppy dog waiting for a scratch behind the ears from his master.
The more Cordell treated her like a queen the more confused Delia became. She really was falling for him, but they could NOT be together. She refused to let another man into her life until he knew everything. And that was her problem. Could he handle her everything. The only man that could was Vladimir - but probably because he too had secrets that he shared with her. Tragically, loving her had cost him his life.
She had thought since Troy was a witch that he would understand her secrets, instead he freaked out and ran. And therein is yet another problem. She also indirectly caused his death simply because she wanted to be loved.
Then there was Goodwin. He also died because of her secrets. Granted he was a 100% creep, but still, she caused his death too. Nicholas and Francisco both met untimely deaths, but at least they weren't her fault, or were they? Now Delia doubts herself. Maybe she is cursed.
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Delia began to gain a little weight over the next month and realized she had skipped her cycle. As she looked at her reflection in the mirror she was afraid of what she saw. That little hard knot in her abdomen could only mean one thing. 
Delia bought a pregnancy test and brought it home. She wasn't surprised when it came up positive, but she was distressed. She was hoping that it would be negative. For all of the distance she was trying to put between her and Cordell, they just became bound together for life. How can I protect him now? I am already nearly 4 months pregnant with his child, thought Delia, I have to tell him soon. And that means, oh God, that he will have to know everything. Heaven help us all.
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