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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