Chapter 102 - And Baby Makes 5?

In the weeks following Delia's "reveal", Cordell had become more and more forward with her. Constantly wanting to rub her belly and talk to Farah, he still insisted their baby was a girl.

Delia had become accustomed to referring to their child as Farah Joy. She hoped is was a girl because if they had a boy, that was going to be mighty awkward! Delia didn't care if it was a girl or boy. She didn't even care if it was a Genie. She was overjoyed that Cordell didn't leave her and Jewel; that now she had someone in her life that accepted her for what she was. Whatever that was, because honestly she had no idea what she was anymore.

Cordell was always pulling Delia into hugs and kisses. She was becoming spoiled at all of his attention. Even Vladimir didn't dote on her like he does.

"Delia, my pretty lady," said Cordell, "Did I tell you I love you today?"

Delia just laughed and replied, "Only like a thousand times! And you mean the world to me Cordell."

Delia had yet to say the words out loud although she had said them to herself a million times. She was afraid if she said them, then something horrible would happen to him so she stopped just short of telling Cordell that she loved him.

Delia sat in her daughter's room thinking about her and Cordell's relationship. They had become much more affectionate but she still was keeping him at arm's length. She allowed him to kiss her and it took all she had to not allow it to go further. He still slept in his own room. Cordell was much older in years than she, but much younger physically. Delia knew he would still be young and virile when she was old and gray. They had not discussed this. She did have a few bottles of the aging potion that she had leftover. Maybe, after the baby was born, she would talk to him about it.

Cordell found her sitting alone while Jewel was sleeping and asked her to join him on the couch. Delia gladly followed him into the other room and sat down with him. She loved the feeling of his strong arms around her. It made her feel safe.

"What were you thinking about in there so solemn?" asked Cordell.

"Just about how lucky I am to have such a sweet man treating me like a queen. I so don't deserve it," replied Delia.

"Let me see, kiss me and I will tell you if you deserve it my pretty lady," said Cordell playfully.

Delia leaned into him and he kissed her tenderly.

"Mmmm," said Cordell, "anyone with kisses as sweet as honey deserve to be put on a pedestal. And yours, my love, your kisses are even sweeter."

Delia knew she was in trouble. She could not resist this man.

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The weeks went by quickly. Cordell never failed to demonstrate how much he cared for Delia.

  

Whether it was stolen kiss in passing or a much needed back rub, Cordell aimed to please his pretty lady and expectant mother of his child. 

"My pretty lady, how is this, does that help?" he asked while giving Delia one of the many massages that she looked forward to.

Delia could only mumble, "mmmm, so good." 

Cordell grinned at her and looked at her with eyes the color of the deep blue sea and said, "Wonderful. Your wish is my command!" 

Delia turned around horrified and said, "No wishes Cordell! That gets us all into trouble!"  

He just laughed and said, "Sorry my pretty lady. Old habit. I can no longer magically grant wishes. But I do have a wish only you can grant me."

"Oh? What is that?" asked Delia.

Cordell got down on one knee and said, "I wish for you to be my wife. Please, Delia, grant me this wish, marry me."

"Yes. Yes! Cordell, how could I not marry you. Yes!"

Then he placed a beautiful diamond ring on her finger. 

"I just have one more wish if that's okay," then he laughed and said, "I think I get three! So my second wish is for you to allow me to move into your room. I mean - I like my room and all and it is close to Jewel, but frankly you are much more fun to cuddle up with. This I know."

Delia laughed. It felt so good to laugh again. She hugged Cordell and told him he better get his things moved in quickly because this baby is just about ready to take over his room. 

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Delia and Cordell planned to be married soon, but the baby had other ideas. Delia went into labor unexpectedly a few weeks early. 

"CORDELL!" yelled Delia at the onset of terrific labor pains, "Come quick! Somethings wrong. Farah is early. She shouldn't be ready for a couple of more weeks."

Cordell came running in and grabbed Delia. 

"What? You are ready to deliver our child? It's not time."

In between contractions she grabbed Cordell crying and held onto him. 

"I am afraid.  None of  my children were ever born early. I am like clock work."

Cordell hugged her and tried to comfort her although inside he was terrified. He knew she could feel how fast his heart was beating. But as he hugged her he could sense that Farah was okay - for now anyway.

"Delia, darling, it's going to be okay. We need to get you to the hospital though. Uhhh - oh God. Delia, I don't know how to drive. 

"A whole lotta help YOU are! Come, I can get us there. It's really close. We can pull over if I have a really bad contraction, but we - owwwww - ahhhhhhh - hee-hee-hee - whew - okay. Let's just go now."

They jumped into Delia's sports car since it was faster than the old "Wilburmobile" from days long ago and took off only to be stymied by the stupid Ice Cream truck.

Delia laid on the horn and it allowed them to pass. 

Delia sped around them and they amazingly got to the hospital in one piece although Cordell was terrified.

They jumped out of the car and Delia waddled into the hospital with Cordell close on her heels.

The nurse quickly assessed that Delia was in full blown labor and ushered the two of them into the labor/delivery room.

Delia delivered not one, but two little girls, the first little girl they named, of course, Farah Joy and when the second one made her appearance, Delia said she was a gift from heaven so Cordell dubbed her Alia.  Alia was the reason she went into labor early. There simply was no more room for the two babies to grow any larger in her womb.

When the little family arrived at home, Cordell was still in shock. He couldn't believe that Delia had given him two children. How could he not have known there were two babies growing inside her. He definitely knew they were female, but two. This will be interesting he thought.

While in the hospital, Delia had the presence of mind to order another crib for Alia. They had already redecorated Cordell's old room to be the nursery. It was better this way. Jewel would be in school soon and wouldn't want to share a room with babies. It would help her feel special since the twins would take so much of their time.

Jewel woke up as they came inside and paid the babysitter. Cordell ran to pick her up, ever conscious of making her feel loved.

"Well, my little princess, you are now a big sister princess times two!  Can you say Farah Joy?"

"Fajoy!"

Cordell laughed. "How about Joy then?"

"Joy, joy joy!"

"Good, now say Alia."

"Aya!"

"Excellent. Those are you new baby sisters. Joy and Alia. Do you want to see them?"

"Baby! Yay! Jewjew want baby doll!"

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Taking care of a toddler and two infants proved to be more than a full time job for Cordell and Delia. Thank goodness Jewel could walk and use the potty by herself.

Whenever Delia looked at little Jewel she couldn't help but see Troy in her. She looked so much like him with her dark hair. She was thankful she didn't have his piercing green eyes. It would have haunted her the rest of her life. Instead when she looked into Jewel's eyes, she saw herself reflected back into her own.


Delia also took great pains to ensure that Jewel never felt neglected.

She and Cordell tried to ensure the twins were on a good schedule and napped and ate at the same time. They worked like a well oiled machine taking care of the girls. Cordell affectionately called them his 'harem'.

He never wasted nap time and took full advantage of having Delia to himself which she didn't mind.

Even though they were now sharing a bed, they didn't yet share a name.

Tired of waiting, Cordell and Delia had an impromptu private ceremony at home. They were just too exhausted to do more. Delia felt bad and vowed to make it up to him when the girls were older. They could renew their vows and take a real vacation, not to France as that brought back too many bad memories, but maybe to China or Egypt.

Delia had yet to say the three words that Cordell longed to hear from her. She needed to remedy that now that they were married, so that night, as they climbed into their marriage bed she wanted to tell him and then show him.

"Cordell, my sweet, sweet prince, I need to say something that I think you have known for a long time now. I have known too, but have been afraid to say it out loud for fear if I did, I would jinx what we have."

"Shhh, pretty lady. It's okay. You don't have to say anything you don't want to," interrupted Cordell as he leaned in to kiss his bride.

"No, Cordell, I want, no I need to say this. I love you. I love you with my whole heart and soul. I couldn't ask for a more wonderful, generous man to spend the rest of my life with."

"Ohhh, pretty lady. You have just made me the happiest ex-Genie in the whole universe. I am going to show you how happy you made me," and he lay her down and began to make sweet, gentle love to his pretty lady.

Go to Chapter 103

Go back to Chapter 101

Chapter 101 - Will He Stay or Will He Go?

Delia got dressed and went to find Cordell. No time like the present she thought. When he wasn't upstairs, she went to the wine cellar and found him sitting at the table having a morning coffee. Delia took a deep breath and said, "We need to talk Cordell." 

As she sat down with him, Cordell became worried.

"Nothing good ever follows the words 'we need to talk,' pretty lady," sighed Cordell and wanting to prolong the inevitable added, "Can I get you some coffee first?"

"No. Thank you," replied Delia, "It's just, I am not sure how to say this."

"Just say it. It can't be that bad. I have been a very good boy. You can't be kicking me out - can you?"

"No, no - on the contrary."

"You are leaving?"

"Cordell! Stop talking! Just let me say this. I - we - oh damn - you are going to be a father."

Cordell was confused. "I don't understand. I am going to be a father? Jewel - no - YOU!  You are pregnant?"

"Sadly, yes...about 4 months along now."

"Not sadly. DELIA! This is wonderful news. Me, a father! And you are the mother of our child. How can you be sad? You don't care for me? You won't leave me will you? No - you can't. Please Delia. I know I promised not to push but you know I love you even if you don't love me."

"Oh Cordell. I am sad because now we are bound together in spite of how hard I have been trying to protect you from me. You don't know my secrets. They are ugly. Everyone I fall in love with seems to die tragically. Look at Troy. I care too much for you to allow that to happen to you."

"Hmph! You didn't love him and anyway Troy was stupid fool. He kidnapped Jewel and tried to kill me when I went to get her back. How is that your fault? Delia, pretty lady, please. Let's get married. Let's raise Jewel and our baby together. We can be a real family. It's what we both want, no?"

Delia got up and started to pace. "I won't marry you, not until you know everything. Then, if you are even still here afterwards, we can talk."

Cordell got up and walked over to Delia. He wanted so badly to take her in his arms and comfort her yet he was afraid to approach her. But she hadn't said no to him. He looked at his pretty lady and quietly asked the one question he wanted to know, "So, you do love me then?"

No sooner than he said it, he knew it was the wrong thing to say.

"Cordell! Don't ask me that. This is hard enough already. I said I wouldn't marry you - at least not until you know all my secrets locked away in the other room."

"Please, forgive me for being so forward. It's no secret how I feel about you - and Jewel too. I adore her. And now you are carrying my child. I couldn't be happier. It's a dream come true."

Delia knew she was hurting him and took a calming breath before she spoke again. "No, forgive me. All I ever wanted was someone to love, raise a family and grow old with. Unfortunately, my life has been a turmoil of the supernatural and unexplained. Even you!
I was lonely when I found your lamp. That is why I said I wanted to find my one true love. Maybe fate is what caused you to set in motion the things that resulted in where we are now. But right now, emotionally, I am a wreck. I need some time."

Jewel began to cry upstairs.  "My little princess is unhappy. Let me go see to her. We will figure this out Delia. I will make you very happy," replied Cordell as he turned to go take care of Jewel.

As Delia watched him go she knew she was in love with him. He was so good to her. She was afraid her love would destroy him, but now she needed him more than ever.

Cordell could hardly contain his excitement. He picked up Jewel and began to talk to her. "Little Princess, you will soon be a 'Big Sister Princess'!  Hah! Your mommy is going to have a baby! And we are going to get married so I can be your Daddy forever."

Jewel laughed at Cordell and repeated what he had just said over and over, "Daddy - baby - daddy - baby," and dissolved into giggles.

Delia followed Cordell upstairs to Jewel's room and stopped outside the door when she heard him talking to her daughter. It made her feel awful that she told him she was sad. He was just so happy. But things are not as they seem and he may just leave her once he finds out.

Cordell put Jewel down when he saw Delia and asked hesitantly, "Can I feel - the baby? I mean, if it's okay."

"Of course," said Delia gently. She didn't wish to hurt him anymore than she had or was going to in the days to come.

Cordell put his hand on Delia's growing baby bump and squealed when it kicked his hand. Delia couldn't help but laugh. He looked up at Delia and exclaimed, "Oh - it's a girl! Joy! Pretty lady, we should call her Farah - it means joy. She will bring us nothing but joy - Farah Joy!" Then Cordell began to talk to the baby growing inside Delia, "Hi Farah, this is Daddy. I love you!"

Delia almost began to cry. "Cordell, stop it. You can't possibly know the gender of our child."

"Oh, but I do. Another sweet little girl. I will have two little princesses."

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Delia and Cordell began to prepare for the new baby and added another crib to Jewel's room. Delia still hadn't allowed Cordell to get close to her and he hadn't pushed her. But now, she was in her 6th month and he didn't want to wait any longer for Delia to do what she need to do so they could be together. He didn't care what her secrets were, she had freed him from a life of enslavement and he owed her all that he had to give.

"Delia, you are beautiful pregnant," said Cordell as he rubbed his hand over Delia's ever growing abdomen. He took a breath and continued, "little Farah is growing fast inside you - it won't be long now. I think you and I have some unfinished business that we must deal with before she decides to make her appearance."


"Do we have to do it now?"

"It's time my pretty lady - or should I say ladies?"

Delia knew this time was coming and was prepared, at least as much as she could be. "Cordell, please know that after we do this, you may want to leave. If you decide you don't want to be a part of my life, I will understand. You and Farah may leave and I promise not to stop you. You will never have to see me again."

"That won't be necessary. I love you."

"Love doesn't conquer all Cordell. I won't blame you if you want to leave. Are you ready?"

"Yes, lead the way pretty lady," said Cordell with a smile.

How bad could it really be? he thought to himself as he followed Delia through the secret bookcase door into her hidden room.

When he stepped into the room it brought back memories for him. It was in her secret room in Riverview where he was hidden away, locked in his lamp. It was also where she released him from that same wretched lamp. He never really thought much about what was actually in that room before now.

This time as he took in his surroundings, the hairs on the back of his neck began to rise as a shiver ran down his back. He was speechless with a huge lump in his throat.

He was startled by the sound of Delia's voice.

"Come please. Let's start here - at the beginning. This is my first husband. I have had four husbands. Troy would have been my 5th. This is Francisco and our three children, boys, that he sired before he died. He froze to death outside our house. That is his urn and my mother's is here too. She died when I was 17."

"I am sorry, where are your children now?"

"Just wait. Please let me finish. Do you believe in ghosts?"

"Well, I have never seen one, but I have heard a lot in my years so I suppose there are spirits that don't leave. Why?"

"See the girl in the picture? That is our daughter, conceived after his death. He actually gave me two children after he died. She, Francie, was the first. I was convinced that I dreamed the whole thing. When I realized I was pregnant Francisco had been dead for a year. I panicked and ran, leaving my grown sons behind but still wasn't convinced it was a postmortem pregnancy."

"Over here. The boy in the picture is my son, Aiden. Nicholas Riverhawk was his father. I met him in Hidden Springs where I went to have my baby, Francie and hide. Nicholas married me when I accidentally got pregnant," then Delia laughed to lighten the mood and said, "I seem to have a bad habit of forgetting about birth control. My relationships are not normal to say the least. Nicholas was a witch but I didn't know until he died of electrocution. Aiden was quite young when he passed. It turns out Aiden inherited his tendencies and could do magic with his hands. I was so distraught and began to have dreams of Franscisco again. And well, a year before Aiden graduated high school I found out I was pregnant with Francisco's child postmortem. And I ran again. This time to the swamps of Twinbrook."

"Wait," interrupted Cordell, "this is not possible. You are a mortal and do not live this long. All of this must be a lie. It cannot be true."

"Cordell, please - just wait. It will make sense. Now, let's go to my life in Twinbrook. This was possibly the worst my life ever was. I was despondent when my little boy Alexander was born. He was a ghost child. Doomed to be forever trapped between two worlds. I know how to create powerful potions and began to research how to cure him. Francisco appeared to me again, no doubt wanting some love, but I had already figured that one out. But he wanted to see his child. It was so sad. Long story short, I met Goodwin Goode, a real creep. He was greedy and never loved me. He knew about ghost babies and wanted to 'help'. I fell for him but we did cure Alex. He was a teenager when we finally cured him. Then we got married. We had two children together whom he could have cared less about. He died using that thing - the Philosopher's Stone - to make gold. I had to run again. But he gave me two of the most beautiful children I ever had. Hope and Pierre. The three of us moved to Bridgeport."

"Okay...Delia...these potions...they are why you are not-"

"Old - or dead? Yes. I can make many potions. They are powerful. Some are harmless, but others, well, in the wrong hands, could be deadly. I promised myself I would never share them with anyone."

"The man I am kissing - that is Vladimir. He is the only other person that ever knew about this room, except for Goodwin who found it accidentally. Vladimir was a vampire with his own sordid past and agenda. But he accepted me and all of this," said Delia chocking back tears.

"You loved this man very much - and he you," whispered Cordell. "Vampires live longer than Genie's Delia."

"He was murdered by a rival vampire clan. They tried to kill me to get to him, but he rescued me and then they killed him. I made him vulnerable."

"And the girls. Your children. Vampires too?  Where are they now?"

"Oh God. This is so hard. I discovered a cure for vampirism but not before Vlad was killed. He was going to turn me since our daughters were vampires - that and a number of other reasons. The vamps that tried to kill me turned me instead. We were in danger so we fled to Roaring Heights. After we got there I found out my youngest daughter was pregnant. She had a very hard time with her father's death and turned to a boy at school. She drowned in our pool shortly after her son was born."

"His name was Lucas. Over here are pictures of him and me. We were very close. I raised him as my own."

"And this, this is your spell book?"

"Not spells, potions. Like medicines. Only more powerful. Cordell, Lucas was a werewolf. Evidently the boy that Victoria was sleeping with was one."

"And I suppose you cured him as well?"

Delia looked at her feet before answering. "We didn't know until the onset of puberty. We had to go to Riverview to find the herbs and ingredients needed to produce a cure. He wanted it badly. He is happily married with a little girl now."

"So, are we almost up to date now?" sneered Cordell as he spied Troy's urn. His stomach was churning. He couldn't believe the wild stories she was telling him. "You found me in Riverview."

Delia was crying now. "Yes. These are Troy's remains."

"What is this cauldron? I thought you weren't a witch. WHAT are you?" demanded Cordell as he stirred the contents of the pot, "and what about the fairy house? What of it? Do you have a stash of fairies trapped in here?"

"I, I don't know. I am just a mortal with the ability to read people and create powerful potions. The house was here. My mother. Well, there is more."

"MORE!" exclaimed Cordell who had never seen anything like this before. He had seen a lot in his thousand years, but never anything as bizarre as this. "How can there be more?"

"Over by the desk. This old PC belonged to my mother. As did most of the things in this room. The alchemy station, cauldron, books and the fairy house. I didn't know about it until after her death. I accidentally found her hidden room. She tried to tell me before she died. She muttered things about the supernatural. I thought she was delusional. But Cordell, in all of these years, I have never read her journals. I was afraid."

"WHAT? You - Why? Delia! Are you fucking crazy?"

Cordell suddenly began to rise in a stream of smoke and Delia jumped up.

"Cordell! What are you doing?"

"I am trying to calm myself before I leave. Delia - assuming all of this is true, and I have a bad feeling it is, why didn't you read her journals?"

"I was afraid!!!!  I had no one to share it with and children to care for. Vladimir was the first person that would have helped me through it, but he was KILLED before we could do it! God, I need to get out of here."

Delia turned and ran into the other room in tears.

Cordell ran out after her.

"Delia, Stop! Stay here. Let's talk. Please just calm down. I just need to think. It's a lot to digest."

Cordell reached for her arm and begged, "Please, look at me."

Delia didn't want to look at Cordell. She was afraid of what she would see. She thought she was prepared for him to leave. But she wasn't. She wanted him to stay with her whole being.


Delia looked at him and began to cry harder.

"Cordell, please understand, I didn't want to have to tell you this. But the baby, Farah, I couldn't let you both stay with me without you knowing the truth about my sordid past. After she is born, I will sign my rights away and you can take her and go or I will leave and you can stay here. You decide."

Cordell turned and walked away to clear his head. There was no way he was leaving.

"Come here pretty lady."

Delia walked over to him hopeful. He didn't call her Delia.

Cordell reached up and began to wipe her tears.

"Here, let me dry those tears. Your face is too beautiful to be filled with sadness. Let me and Farah and Jewel replace that sadness with joy.

"You - you aren't leaving? I thought you were angry."

"Oh Delia, darling, it was a lot more than even I ever imagined. Yet, what I see in front of me is a scared yet strong woman trying to do what she thought was right and thrown into a world she knew nothing about."

 Delia threw her arms around Cordell.

"You are staying?"

"Yes pretty lady. I love you."

Delia began to cry harder, this time tears of joy. She knew that the name Cordell had picked for their child was perfect. Farah Joy. For this child is bringing nothing but joy to her life.


Then she thought about her 'curse' and pulled back from Cordell.

"Cordell, all of the men in my life, well they - - -"

"What? Died?"

"Yes! They all died a premature death. I am afraid for you. I am a curse."

Cordell burst out laughing!

"My pretty lady, if I only get to spend one year in your arms, then I will die the happiest man on earth. You did not kill these men nor are you a curse. Either they were greedy or it was an accident. Please don't worry about such trivial nonsense."

Delia looked at Cordell and said honestly, "I don't deserve you."

Go to Chapter 102

Go back to Chapter 100

Chapter 100 - Hello Lucky Palms

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.

There was also a park directly across the street where Jewel could play when she got older Delia and Cordell could easily keep an eye on her.

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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The next couple of months were uneventful. Delia reestablished her garden while Cordell looked after Jewel.  He helped her learn to walk and talk and how to go to the big girl potty. They were becoming great friends.

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.

They made small talk - about the weather, the grapes and the wine. During one of these conversations, Cordell mentioned he might like to get a human job.

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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