To Love Again

Chapter three

It was snowing heavily and the whole house was quiet due to the power outage caused by a heavy storm last night. The whole family was up in their rooms when they heard a crash outside their home. They all came out to know the cause of the crash.

"Good morning, Mr. Barlow" The milkman called out. He smiled towards Selena and her siblings who in turn waved at him and went back inside. "How could you be so careless Greg, didn't you see the tree, or are you drunk again". Mr. Barlow said Greg was a drunkard and got the job out of pity from Mr. Blair who hired him to make deliveries since he promised to quit drinking. Greg hadn't been able to hold a job since he lost his job as a sales representative 3 years ago. 

"I'm sorry, the whole place is covered with snow and so blurry. I am not drunk either". He said this smilingly, both men chatted for a while and went their ways.

The snow was falling more heavily midday that the Barlow's decided to spend the rest of the day indoors. Loretta cooked her Dad's favorite meal of mashed potatoes, steak and gravy sauce. She was a very good cook and her dad never failed to compliment her and remind her that she got the skills from her late Mom. Loretta was always happy to hear this since she didn't remember much about her mom who died when she was just three years old.

When they all sat down to eat they heard a knock on the door. "Who could that be..hope no one is in danger since this weather is so bad to move about in," Francis said to no one in particular. "Loretta see who is at the door". Francis said.

"Why don't you do it, after all, you said you are the man of the house" Loretta retorted. This made the whole family laugh and as they were still trying to catch their breath the doorbell rang again. Selena, who had stood up to get some brewed coffee, went to answer the visitor.

 ***

She froze as she opened the door, and just stared at him. He was the last person she expected to see, he wore a turtle neck grey shirt with black pants and a pair of brown loafers. His hair was combed back and glittered. Selena couldn't help but admire him, she yearned to be his, her whole body warmed up despite the cold winter. 

"Good evening Mrs. Edwards. Hope I am not intruding he said". Craig handed her the bunch of flowers he came with "You look gorgeous", he complimented her which made her blush. 

"Thank you", she said, "Craig please call me Selena, and come right in, we were about to have dinner". They both walked to the dinner table and Selena went into the kitchen to get a vase for her flowers. As she returned to the table Mr. Barlow led the prayer before the meal and they all ate keeping the conversation light.

"Mr. Craig, can I ask you for a favor?" Francis said. Both Loretta and Selena glared at him but their father just smiled.

"Okay, what could that be" 

"I will tell you once the dinner is over and the girls are gone". He said as he smiled at his sisters 

"Would you like a favor to Selena?" Craig said she hadn't said much to him since he arrived. She just smiled at him and continued eating her food. But inside of her, she was in turmoil, she couldn't fathom why she desired him so much. The conversation at the table became more casual, but Selena was not at ease, Loretta watched her sister and smiled to herself. She knew her sister well enough to know when she was developing feelings for someone. She was happy knowing fully well that she liked Craig, she said a silent prayer of gratitude to God.

After the meal, Selena offered to help clear the table but Loretta wouldn't hear of it, she knew she wanted to avoid sitting with Craig and she wasn't about to let that happen.

"I would clear the table," Selena said after the meal, ``You guys can retire to the sitting room.

Loretta got up and took over immediately, "Don't mind Selena, I would clear it myself, you should join them in the sitting room". She said it with a slight grin on her face, Selena had no choice but to agree.

Craig noticed her unwillingness to join in their conversation, he didn't believe it would be difficult to woo her, he had had girls fall to his feet like raindrops, he smiled to himself if it would take an eternity to woo her then he was up for the challenge. He really hoped they would be together as a family someday.

"I would retire for the night, it seems I am coming up with the flu," Selena said as she stood up, she didn't give any one of them the chance to answer or ask questions as she went up to her room.

Craig, her father, and brother bid her goodnight and continued with their conversation, but Craig's mind was somewhere else.

***

The church bells were ringing, the choir were singing Christmas carols, the streets were alive with Christmas lights. You could hear the birds singing. The atmosphere was electrified with jubilation. Gifts were shared with love and contentment.

"Wow, Selena exclaimed with excitement as she opened the gift her father gave her for Christmas. "I've wanted this for so long". She went over and hugged her dad. She immediately put on the fur coat on her pajamas and went to the mirror to admire herself.

Francis got a pair of signed jerseys from his favorite player Messi, and Loretta got a pair of new shoes from the Blue Ivy collections. They all knew their dad must have spent a lot to get this for them and they all reminded him of how much they loved him for being there for them. 

Selena got a wristwatch and sandals from both Loretta and Francis and she in turns gifted Francis a pair of sneakers from Yeezy and her sister got some pairs of Victoria secret lingerie. For their dad, they got him some motivational books to build his library.

Craig sent Selena a parcel through his father's steward son, he instructed him to ensure he makes the delivery specifically to Selena, and no account must he return with the gifts.

"Merry Christmas ma'am", Steve greeted Loretta.

"Merry Christmas, Steve", "come right in" she opened the door for Steve to come in and that was when she noticed the parcel in his hands.

"And who might that be for?" She asked when she noticed the parcel with him. As she spoke she went into the kitchen and got him a plate of cookies and hot chocolate drink. Steve sat and devoured it all, amidst bites of the cookies he remembered what he came for and asked for Selena. "Am to deliver this to Ma'am Selena personally", he emphasized. And took a sip of his delicious drink.

She smiled at him and called her sister down to the sitting room. "Loretta, how many times have I told you to stop yelling my name, can't you come to my room or call me on my phone", Selena said before she saw Steve and wished him a merry Christmas.

"Merry Christmas ma'am, this is for you" he handed her the parcel. He was used to the Barlows and wasn't in a hurry to leave, he had his cookies and hot chocolate drink to finish". Thank you ma'am Loretta for the cookies, I loved them. He said after some minutes, he stood and left for home.

***

"Good morning, isn't it a beautiful snowy day," Craig said, not looking at Selena. "I love it when it snows". 

She didn't know what to say, her thoughts had been about him since she came to the park. "Yes, it is, though I can't wait for summer." 

"What are you doing here, alone?"  She said as she stole a quick glance at him.

"I should be asking you that," he replied. "I asked first, so what's the catch". 

He knew she wouldn't relent, "she is so fierce yet delicate", He thought. "I was just passing by, I came over when I saw you". 

The reply he gave was nothing near the truth, he had asked Loretta about her. He has not been the same since after the Christmas Eve party.

"May I sit", he asked. When he got no reply he took her silence as approval and sat. "Selena…", he reached out and took her hands in his. 

She felt the butterflies in her stomach and dared to look into his eyes. She found herself drowning in his luminous eyes, her heartbeat quickened 

"Am falling deeply in love with you", " I have never felt this way before, my heart yearns for you", "I love the way you breathe".

As she opened her mouth to speak, he stopped her " please don't say anything, I know it's too early for me to conclude am in love, and you might feel rushed. But I can wait, I will wait an eternity for you. I love you and this is my truth, give me a chance to love you".

He gently pulled her to himself and placed a kiss on her lips, her lips gently parted and he trusted his tongue into her mouth as their lips moved in a gentle caress.

It felt like magic, he had kissed before, he couldn't even count it, but the way he felt now was different. He could taste her, she was sweet, fragile, and strong all at once. He knew at that moment that she was the one he would spend the rest of her life with.

Since Peter's death, Selena hadn't dated anyone, she couldn't even remember what kissing felt like. But today's memories flooded back so sweet she didn't want it to stop.

"I can't, sorry". She said, drawing back from him, she walked back to her car and drove home.

Craig just stared at her as she walked away, he felt his heart walk away with her, he felt as if he just lost his most valued treasure. His vision blurred with unshed tears and at that moment the answer stung deep in his heart. He was in love and this time for real.