Chapter 99 - Goodbye to Riverview

Cordell couldn't believe what had happened between him and his pretty lady. He was in love with her. She had to be in love with him as well he thought. She was so sweet and attentive to him the night before. But Delia still hadn't answered his question. He desperately needed to be with her. He wasn't sure what he might do if she told him no. He was afraid to ask for fear of being rejected.  He decided to wait a couple of days and see how things progressed before saying or doing anything about it.

"Good morning, love, are you hungry? I have been practicing. I am not as good as you, but maybe you can help." said Cordell when Delia came back into the room after seeing to Jewel.

"Good morning, I am good, no thanks," she replied back a little too quickly.

Cordell knew something was wrong.

"Delia, are you okay? Was I not good for you? Is Jewel okay? Love, what can I do?" asked Cordell with desperation.

Delia wasn't so sure last night hadn't been one huge mistake. The way Cordell looks at her is so intense. Like an obsession almost and although he was wonderful to her and the sex was awesome and a huge stress reliever, it complicated things - a lot. She only wanted to take Jewel and leave town - alone. She was used to alone. Relationships made things difficult.

"No, I am okay Cordell. You didn't do anything. I just have a lot to think about. Jewel is growing up so fast and I have to get out of town. I will miss Lucas and his children," she said trying not to hurt Cordell's feelings. Delia liked Cordell but was a little afraid of him for some reason. He was just so intense.

Cordell left her and went to the kitchen to get breakfast alone.  He could sense she needed some space and she had been through a lot this past year. But this had been the best year of his long life. Living here with Delia while he looked for her daughter, even though she didn't let him touch her until yesterday, was pure heaven. He would make his pretty lady love him one way or another.

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Jewel

Delia had wanted to wait until Jewel was older to leave. It was probably more procrastination than anything else. Delia rationalized that Jewel had been through so much in her young life she didn't want to disrupt it again. The second problem Delia had was Jewel's relationship with Cordell. They absolutely adored each other. She lit up when Cordell came into the room. She remembered Cordell telling her that he didn't allow Jewel to witness her father's death - protecting her even then.

Today was Jewel's first birthday. Delia knew Cordell was expecting an answer and she knew she would probably have to take him with her. He was still living with her even though they had not had sex again since that first time. It was as if he knew if he pushed her, she would ask him to leave. It was as if he could read her very thoughts and that was a bit scary.


Cordell was always smiling at Delia and her daughter. He seemed to simply be happy with things as they were and had not forced an answer or tried to kiss her again. But the time was coming and she would have to make a decision.

Cordell  picked up Jewel and sang Happy Birthday to her. He knew the way to Delia's heart was through her daughter.  But he truly loved the little girl too. He missed being in Delia's bed, but he had waited 1,000 years, he could wait a couple of months to have his pretty lady be his forever.

After Cordell serenaded Jewell, it was time for her nap. Delia picked up her daughter to take her to her bed cooing at her along the way, "Jewel, you will soon have your own room and won't have to sleep in mommy's room! We are moving to Lucky Palms where it hardly ever snows. It is sunny and warm almost the whole year long." Jewel just babbled baby talk back to her and Delia laughed out loud.

Cordell loved hearing Delia laugh. He would do anything to hear that laugh for the rest of his life.

After Delia put her daughter down, she went upstairs to workout. Later she came back down and Cordell was there waiting for her.  She remembered what she had said to Jewel and figured he was going to ask her for her decision. At least he IS giving me a choice she thought.

"Love, I heard what you said to Jewel. You said 'we'. Does that we include yours truly?" Cordell asked and gave her his best please say yes look.

Delia wasn't surprised at the question nor at the look Cordell had in his eyes. How could she say no to those puppy dog eyes. He had proven himself to be respectful of her and her daughter. He didn't push.

She sighed before she answered. "Oh Cordell. How can I separate you and Jewel. I have been so confused these past couple of months dealing with Troy's untimely death, having my daughter back, and the fact that I am running again."

Then Delia put her arms around Cordell and continued, "And you have been here supporting me through it all. But Cordell, I know little about you other than you have been bound to a lamp for the past 1,000 years granting wishes to folks unlucky enough to summon you," she said and gave a snort, "but you know nothing about me and my past. It's complicated to say the least. Against my better judgement, I am going to say yes. Come with me to Lucky Palms. My house has three bedrooms so you will have a room to yourself just as you do here. And then we will see what happens when you learn my secrets and I yours."

Delia dropped her arms from Cordell before the closeness could get the better of her and went to put on her swimsuit and get in the hot tub. She needed to think now that she had made a decision.

Cordell was only mildly disappointed. Delia didn't kiss him, but she did embrace him which is more than she has done in the past two months since they had made love so tenderly. He would change that before they left.

Cordell figured the best way was to join her in the hot tub. As Delia lay there relaxed with her eyes closed, Cordell stripped and quickly got in beside her.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. Lay back and relax pretty lady," said Cordell when Delia opened her eyes and saw him sitting next to her.

When she didn't ignore him, he continued, "I just want to say that I am VERY happy you are going to let me go with you and Jewel to Lucky Palms. And no matter your past, I know you now and I love what I have come to know about you pretty lady. Come, let me hold you."

Delia scooted closer to Cordell and let him put his arm around her.
"I am sure Jewel would have been heartbroken if you were not with us. Honestly, I would have missed you calling me pretty lady," she said with a sad smile.

With that, Cordell pulled her closer and said, "Ahh, I will always call you that because you are my Pretty Lady."

Delia leaned into Cordell letting fears and doubts melt away in his embrace and the soothing warmth and pulsating waters in the spa.

"And you, Cordell are my "Handsome Prince". I never would have thought in a thousand years, it would be you that stole my heart when you first materialized to me after I rubbed your lamp."

"Pretty lady, I thank all of the Gods in the Universe that it was you that polished the lamp," laughed Cordell, "Let us get out. I would like to show you how much I thank the Gods for you."

Delia and Cordell got out of the spa and he kissed her passionately but before their lips met, he said, "My pretty lady, I love you." Delia could only say, "mmmm" as his lips claimed hers.

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"Ahhh, there are my beautiful girls. I woke up and your side of the bed was empty and then I noticed, so was Jewel's bed. I confess, I was a little nervous," said Cordell upon finding Delia and Jewel outside by the pool.


Cordell worried that she would get frightened and take his sweet baby girl and run. Delia was so unpredictable but he loved that about her. Never a dull moment.

"We were just taking one last look at the place before we leave. I wanted to try to remember how it is. I remodeled this house when I moved here with Lucas from Roaring Heights. You have seen my wine cellar and - uh - my - well - my hidden room," Delia said as she laughed nervously before continuing, "I just wanted to spend one last beautiful summer day by the pool before we all left for Lucky Palms."

"Of course. You have so many wonderful memories. When we get to Lucky Palms, you will share them all with me so they will be my memories as well, no?"

Delia put her daughter down so she could hug Cordell. How did he always know the exact right thing to say to her? He can't possibly be that perfect.

Cordell wasted no time when Delia hugged him and pulled her into a kiss. He wanted nothing more than to kiss and make love to his pretty lady. And her daughter, well, she was special because she belonged to Delia.

"I will say it again and again my pretty lady, I love you always and forever," whispered Cordell in between sweet kisses.
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Moving day came sooner than they expected. Delia's house sold quickly because she listed it cheap. She wanted nothing more than to leave Riverview before Sherman found out she had Jewel.


Cordell picked up Jewel and yelled to Delia, "The cab will be here soon. I will get Jewel. Is there anything more I can help you with pretty lady?"

"No. I am as ready as I will ever be," Delia yelled from the other room as she packed the last of her clothing into her suitcase.

Soon they heard the horn and Delia ran outside and jumped in the cab and looked at the house that had been hers for the past several years, watching as her new lover carried her daughter and walked towards the cab to join her.

Cordell got in the cab with the love of his life and they set off to the airport, their belongings already sent via moving van to Lucky Palms, each lost in thought.

So much had happened in Riverview thought Delia. She had become an accomplished architect which no doubt would serve her in years to come, but more than that, she had cured her grandson Lucas of lycanthropy and he had married and had children with his true love. Now, through circumstances that are no longer unusual to her, Delia has given birth to another child and fallen in love again with a Genie now Human-ish. She still didn't know the extent of Cordell's powers.

Cordell wanted nothing more than to make sure his new love never left him. He was alone for 1,000 years and now he vowed he never would be again.

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Chapter 98 - Reunited with Love

Delia couldn't believe it when Cordell arrived carrying her little Jewel. She was totally perfect. He had done as she asked. Delia just stared in awe at the little girl that Cordell held with such tenderness and love. She was unable to move for a minute she was so overcome with joy.

Finally she looked at Cordell, who looked very pleased with himself. One thing bothered her. She had a scare when Cordell drove up in what she was sure was Troy's car. She thought it was Troy coming to threaten her and that Cordell had failed.

"Cordell, please, give her to me. I need to hold her. Thank you so much for finding her, said Delia. Then she asked, "But I have to know...is that Troy's car you drove up in?"

Cordell reluctantly handed Jewel to Delia as he responded to her question. "Ah yes. The 'getaway car' as they say. Troy won't need it any longer and it was easier to return in the car with my precious bundle than to try and float back."

"Cordell," said Delia worriedly, "Why won't Troy need his car? Did you pay him off or threaten him?"

"Oh no! I have no money. He was the complication I told you about. Troy tried to kill me with his useless witchcraft.  I kindly told him to stop, that it wouldn't work on me - but well - he kept on trying to cast a spell on me and well, it reversed and....um....let's just say Troy is no longer a threat."

"Why Cordell? What exactly happened?"

"Pretty Lady, I didn't let the little one watch. I turned so she wouldn't see."

"CORDELL! I am putting Jewel to bed then you are going to tell me the rest of this story."

When Delia came back into the room, she figured she already knew what happened but needed to hear it from the genie.

"Troy is dead, isn't he? You killed him. What about Sherman? Did you kill him too?" asked Delia.

Cordell was incensed. He didn't kill anyone and he knew he was now on shaky ground with his pretty lady. Evidently she wasn't happy that Troy would no longer be a threat.

"I did NOT kill Mr. Troy nor his lover Mr. Sherman. I tried to be careful, but your Troy snuck up on me while I was calling you."

Cordell began to plead with Delia to understand, "Pretty lady, please, I did nothing to Mr. Troy. He did it. It was his magic. It backfired. I told him to stop and he wouldn't. There was nothing I could do. I thought you would be happy that he is no longer going to be trying to steal your child. I know why you love her. She is precious and I think I love her too. Please, forgive me, there was nothing I wouldn't do for you or your sweet child."

"Stop. Just stop! Troy is dead? Yes or no?"

Cordell looked at his feet then finally met Delia's eyes and said simply, "Yes."

Delia took a deep breath as she began to tear up. "What about his body. Where is it? We need to - uh - dispose - ugh - of it."

Cordell smiled. "Oh - there is no need.  I have his ashes. There is nothing left!"

Delia turned and went to throw up then to her room. Cordell let her go. He had to think how to fix this. He had fallen in love with her and her little girl. He could see himself being a family with them. He grabbed something to eat and then as he was going to his room, he heard her in her room crying and it broke his heart. He couldn't do nothing.

Cordell knocked on her door hoping she would let him in. He was surprised when she did.

"Oh Delia. Please don't be sad. You have your angel back. I am sorry. You know I would never, ever do anything to hurt either of my two pretty ladies."

"Cordell, I never wanted to hurt Troy. He was innocent in all of this."

"Ahhh, no he wasn't. He didn't want anything to do with you. He shunned you when you told him you were carrying his child. Then he kidnapped her from you and tried to kill me. How do you say he is innocent?"

Cordell gently turned Delia to face him and continued, "Pretty lady, look at me. I am here and will protect you forever. Sherman will think Troy took the baby and left the country. There is no evidence to the contrary. No one will ever know what happened."

"Do you think so? Really? So maybe I don't need to leave?"

"Sherman is still alive, love. But he will not bother you for now, but if he finds out you have the little one, it may arouse his suspicions."

Cordell drew Delia into a hug and said quietly, "Please, let me leave with you so I can help look after the two of you. You freed me from eternity locked in a lamp and I am forever indebted to you. I know you don't want to hear it, but, pretty lady, I have fallen hard for you and your beautiful daughter. I am different now."

Cordell's hug was so comforting to Delia. She was beginning to believe he had changed. Having his strong arms wrapped around her made all of the bad feelings dissipate.

Cordell was overcome with joy when Delia allowed him to put his arms around her and comfort her. She felt so right in his arms.

"Cordell, I think, maybe I owe you an apology. I, well, I am sorry that I thought you killed Troy. You were only doing what I - uh  - wished for. I guess wishes come with consequences. But there are no more - right? I never have to worry about that again. I was selfish, but you were right. Troy should never have taken my daughter. That was wrong on his part."

"It's okay Delia. You are a complicated pretty lady. And as long as I live, I will protect you. Don't forget that," replied Cordell.

Delia grasped Cordell's hands not yet wanting to release contact with him.

"I need to go to bed now. But I don't want you to leave yet. Can you stay in here with me until I go to sleep?"

"Of course. Anything for you. But, you haven't answered my question. I want to go with you and Jewel to Lucky Palms. Will you allow me to accompany you?"

"Please, I need to think about it. I believe you are changed, but the reminder of what we went through is still strong and I am not sure if I can..."

Delia let go of Cordell's hands and walked into the bathroom to wash her face. She didn't expect Cordell to follow her. She looked up and he was standing there watching her.

"Cordell, have you been there the whole time?"


"Why yes. I love watching you. You are beautiful."

Then Cordell pulled her closer.

Delia's breath hitched at his touch and she fell into him. She couldn't believe he had such power over her. It was different than Troy. He was charming, but Cordell, well, the way he looked at her with such love in his eyes.

Cordell backed away and began to stutter a quick apology.  "I apologize for being so forward pretty lady. I have been alone for so long and you are beautiful and sweet and good and charming. I just want to hold you and comfort you and just be near you and..."

"Cordell, it's okay. You don't need to apologize. You are being so sweet. Not like you were before in the lamp. I understand. In fact, I liked it when you held me and comforted me. It was - well - nice and made me feel better. Feel safe."

"Really, you aren't mad at me?"

"No."

Then Delia leaned in and kissed him gently.

Cordell had never been happier in his entire life. At least not in the last 1,000 years. His dreams were coming true.

When Delia kissed Cordell, it was meant to be a gesture of kindness but somehow the electricity between the two of them took over and it became a prelude for more to come.

Delia whispered suggestively in Cordell's ear that he promised to stay with her until she fell asleep.

Cordell picked up Delia and carried her to to the bedroom and laid her down in her bed. He hadn't really intended to do more but Delia reached up and grabbed him around the neck and pulled him to her.

That was all it took and the two partners in crime spent the remainder of the night desperately making love to each other.



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Chapter 97 - Reunited - At a Cost

Delia was full of nervous energy after Cordell left. She thought working in the garden might help and besides, Cordell had drank so much of her wine she needed to harvest the grapes before they went bad so she could make more.

After the finished in the garden she grabbed something to eat. It was that or pace back and forth waiting for the phone to ring.


After she cleaned the dishes, she showered and changed clothes and sat down and turned on the laptop, but she just read the same thing over and over again without knowing what she had read. All she could think about was her daughter and if Cordell would be successful. She couldn't believe she was actually trusting that man-genie to do this for her.

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When Cordell arrived at the address, he knew by the fancy car parked in the driveway he was at the right house. He could see lights on even though it wasn't dark yet and wondered if maybe he should have waited until later.

Inside the house Troy was getting ready to put his daughter to bed. She had been in her swing and fallen asleep. He gently removed his little girl and placed her in her crib before joining Sherman who was waiting patiently for him in the bedroom.

Cordell peered through the bedroom window and saw the two men getting in bed.

Then he walked over to adjoining window and looked inside. How lucky he thought! I have found the baby's room already. And she is sleeping in her crib. I just need to wait until the two men are in the throes of passion and go get her and slip out. Then the pretty lady will love only me! 

As he waited he heard the front door open and ducked. Evidently their passion was short-lived because the one named Sherman had left. He checked and the green eyed man was still in bed.

It's now or never thought Cordell as he magically opened the front door and waltzed inside.



As soon as he saw the baby, he stayed true to his word and called Delia. "I am here. Your pretty baby is in front of me. I will be back soon with your daughter."


Suddenly he was startled by Troy who always checks on Jewel. Troy yelled, "Who are you and what are you doing in my house?  Get out now before I call the police!"

"I gotta go, love.  Complications." said Cordell into the phone and then hung up with Delia screaming in the background.



Cordell turned to his aggressor and calmly told him to call the police if he liked. He was just here to take back what didn't belong to him.

Troy grabbed his phone and started to dial 911 then remembered, no one knew about him and Sherman and the baby. It would ruin his career.


Cordell already knew he wouldn't call and just laughed at him when he put the phone back in his pocket.

"Now, I shall take the child and you can just move out of the way if you know what is good for you," said Cordell in a friendly but menacing tone.

Troy resorted to his witchcraft but for some reason it fizzled out when he tried to cast a spell on Cordell. Troy kept trying and Cordell just started laughing.

"Troy, Troy. You magic isn't as strong as mine. I am a Genie and Witchcraft is no match for age old magic like mine. I have 1,000 years of experience."

Troy kept trying anyway.  Determined to burn the man that was threatening to take his daughter and ruin his life.

"Troy - I told you to stop," said Cordell calmly as he reversed Troy's spells and they hit Troy full force. When they hit him, Troy spontaneously combusted. Cordell just continued laughing and said, "Okay, now that you are busy, I need to get what I came for."

Cordell picked up the still sleeping infant and held her in his arms while Troy was screaming in the background.

"I will hunt you down and make you pay!  You will NOT - aughhhh - get away with this.  Delia - Delia that bitch - she put you up to this!" yelled Troy in agony.

Cordell rolled his eyes. "No. You are the one that stole the baby. The pretty lady tried to get you to be a part of her life, but no, you ran and hid and stole her child. Now she will love me instead."

Cordell glared at Troy as he was leaving the room with his prize. But then he heard death coming into the house and decided to wait. Maybe he would bring his pretty lady proof that Troy would never bother her again. His ashes....then he laughed to himself...




Sure enough, Grimmy himself came for Troy. Cordell turned away. He figured a small child shouldn't have to watch death at such an early age.

Once Cordell collected Troy's urn he left to go back to his pretty lady. He knew she would fall in love with him now. And besides, when Sherman gets back, there would be no trace of Troy or the baby. He would think Troy took the child and left him. I love it when a plan comes together thought Cordell.

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