An Engagement Tale

An Engagement Tale

Part I

While listening to the soothing sound of rain as it pelted the large upstairs patio, Leah lay quietly on the couch recovering from knee surgery.
As she lay there resting, a soft knock came at the door.
Once.
Twice.
She looked up at the ceiling and sighed, "Guess you're not going away huh?"
She swung her legs off of the couch and onto the floor, and then grabbed her cane.
Slowly, she limped down the stairs.
"Hold on." She called out.
She didn't stop to look out of the peep hole.
She opened the door.
There was a tall dark gentleman standing there with a pleasant smile and soft eyes.
He smiled warmly at Leah.
She smiled back.
"Hello." He greeted her.
As she was about to respond, another gentleman appeared.
He wasn't smiling.
Roughly, he grabbed Leah by the throat and shoved her back to the stairs.
Quietly, the other man slipped in and closed the door.
Leah screamed!
She was grabbed viciously by the back of her shirt and drug up the stairs.
"Shut up!" He yelled. "your being robbed, so shut up and you'll live!"
Leah's eyes were wide with fear.
Her breath was short.
She was shaking.
Quickly, the first man grabbed the television and started down the steps.
The second man was watching Leah. He had an evil smirk on his face.
"You're a pretty little thing." He commented quietly.
Leah watched him through fearful eyes.
The first man came back up the stairs.
He was breathing heavy.
He ran into the bedroom.
Hurriedly, he went through her things and found her jewelry box.
He took it.
He found her stereo.
He took that too.
As he was about to leave with his plunder, something caught his eye.
A beautifully crafted wooden frame with a picture inside of it.
Leah hugging another woman very intimately.
He noticed a duplicate frame on the opposite nightstand.
Leah kissing the same woman very intimately on the lips.
He laughed.
As he was leaving the room, he grabbed the picture and gave it to his companion.
His face twisted with disgust and he threw the picture down.
Savagely, he grabbed Leah and drug her to the bedroom.
"Oh I bet we can fix that." He snarled. "You've just never been with a real man!"
He was a large man.
He was husky.
He stunk.
He threw Leah on the bed and jumped on top of her.
He looked down at her with a wicked smile.
"Don't be stupid." He said. "This doesn't have to hurt, but it can."
He got closer and pressed himself against her.
In that moment something in Leah changed.
She was no longer afraid.
She was livid.
Sloppily, he started kissing her.
Surprisingly, Leah kissed him back.
She felt him began to relax.
Deceptively, she stroked the back of his head.
His companion came back up the stairs and peeked into the bedroom.
Deviously, he smiled.
He decided to look in the spare bedroom.
While they were kissing, Leah slipped one hand free.
She grabbed the knife hidden under her pillow.
He moved his kiss lower and reached for the button on her shorts.
He screamed.
She laughed.
She pushed the knife in further.
She ripped the knife down.
She yanked it back up again.
Finally, she pulled the knife out.
Screaming, he clutched at his side.
Still screaming, he fell forward.
She raked the knife across his left eye.
He fell off the bed twisting in agony.
His friend ran into the bedroom.
He saw the blood. He saw his companion. He dropped his loot.
He dove at Leah.
She fell back.
He punched her in the eye.
She still had the knife in her hand.
Savagely, she cut him from his shoulder to his wrist.
He grabbed the front of her shirt and threw her into the mirror.
She screamed.
She fell.
He kicked her in her injured knee.
He kicked her in the head.
She passed out.
"Fuck this!" He said. "We gotta get the hell outta here!"
He went to grab his companion.
He heard a small bark and saw the upset puppy.
He smiled.
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Part II

Slowly, Dani turned into the parking lot laughing at a joke Kelly was relating to her and Maya.
"It's really coming down out here." She commented as their laughs faded.
Dani glanced at their apartment and smiled.
"Hey thanks for the invite for dinner." Kelly said.
"Yeah, I didn't feel like cooking tonight." Maya chimed in.
"Well since Leah has to stay off of her knee for a while, I get to be the designated chef and I think she's starting to get "cabin fever" so I know she'll be happy to see you guys."
They all piled out of the car.
Dani grabbed the strawberry cheesecake for dessert.
As they walked quickly to the door Dani glanced up.
She dropped the food.
She vaulted towards the enclosed downstairs patio.
She grabbed for the railing to the second floor.
For a moment, Maya stood there in shock. Then mechanically she pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911.
Kelly ran after Dani.
When Dani reached the top railing, she pulled up the puppy's leash and cradled his limp body.
She froze. Time stood still.
"Leah." Dani whispered.
Quickly, she walked through the patio door with Kelly trailing closely behind her.
Frantically, they looked around the apartment. It was a mess.
That did not mean a thing. Then her eyes fell on the limp figure sprawled on the floor.
For a moment she felt like her heart had stopped.
"Leah!" She screamed. She dropped to her knees and turned Leah over.
She was breathing faintly.
As tears slowly ran down her face, she kissed Leah on the head and cradled her body until the ambulance came.

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Part III

Shortly after, they arrived at the hospital.
Kelly and Maya sat together in silent support of the pacing Dani.
Although she knew it wasn't true, Dani blamed herself for not being there to protect Leah.
She broke out of her dark thoughts when her name was called by the surgeon. She looked up and watched his face intently.
He gave her a small smile.
"She's going to be fine." He told her. "I was able to repair the damage to her knee, but she's got a pretty nasty cut on the side of her head which required twelve stitches."
Dani exhaled heavily in relief. "Can I see her now?" She asked her voice slightly shaky.
"Sure, go on in. She's resting." The doctor told her.
Dani walked down the long white hallway saying a silent prayer of thanks.
When she reached Leah's room, she stopped at the door.
Hesitantly, she peeked inside
She looked at Leah and smiled.
"My love," she whispered.
Slowly, she walked to the bed.
Leah looked like she was resting comfortably.
Dani stood by her bedside.
She picked up Leah's hand and gently kissed it.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered.
Leah stirred just a little.
With her other hand, Dani caressed her cheek.
It was still raining outside.
After a little while Kelly and Maya came in.
The looked relieved.
They asked Dani if it was anything they could do.
"No, but thanks for being here. She answered. The police will be here in the morning."
They knew she would be staying with Leah at the hospital.
They went downstairs to the cafeteria and brought Dani back something to eat.
They told her they would be back in the morning.
They said there goodbye's.
Wearily, Dani sat in the chair next to Leah.
Tenderly, she kissed her on the lips.
Some time later, she let sleep claim her.

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Part IV

The sound of thunder woke her.
Leah had a moment of fear.
Not realizing where she was…
Slowly, she looked around.
Fuzzily, she remembered what happened.
She clenched her fist in anger.
It was then that she realized her hand was being held.
Hesitantly, she looked to the right.
Her world began to right itself.
She smiled.
Tears began to fall down her face.
"Dani." She whispered.
She brought the fingers wrapped around hers up to her lips.
Dani stirred.
There eyes met.
Dani quickly jumped to her feet.
"Oh, sweetheart." She gasped.
Leah reached for her.
She melted in Dani's gentle embrace.

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Part V

Later the next morning, Leah was sitting in the bed with Dani tucked securely behind her.
They were discussing what happened.
To say that Dani was angry is an understatement.
However, she was also very proud.
She already knew how important Leah was to her, but it also helped her to realize that she wanted to make a lifetime commitment with this woman.
She wondered how Leah felt about that.
As they were talking, the detective knocked on the door.
Leah and Dani exchanged brief looks.
He was a nice and pleasant man.
He took Leah's statement with a smile.
Surprisingly, he had good news to report.
The description Leah gave matched the description of two males that they picked up the previous day with the same gruesome wounds.
Leah was relieved.
Dani wanted revenge.
But she was also glad…

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As the detective was leaving, Kelly and Maya walked in.
They had balloons.
They had chocolate.
They had food.
Their visit was very much appreciated…

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As they were eating and talking, Dani excused herself to make a phone call.
As she was getting off of the line she glanced up and saw the doctor.
He told her he wanted to observe Leah one more day and then he would sign the release papers.
Home…
Dani thought about that.
She smiled.
She went back into the room and grabbed Leah's hand.
She kissed it.
She caressed her cheek.
She told her that she wanted to go get cleaned up and she would be back later.
They kissed and with one last look into her lover's eyes…
She left.
Maya and Kelly decided to stay and keep her company.
So they did…

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Part VI

Very late that night, Dani walked into Leah's hospital room.
She smiled at the sleeping figure.
Dani was tired.
She had worked most of the day.
Getting the apartment cleaned.
Packing their belongings
She closed out the lease.
She purchased a new home.
On a ranch
With 5 acres
With horses
With ducks
A beautiful pond.
She only had two things left to do
Take Leah to their new home
Make a life with her ….

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Part VII

Early the next day, it was still raining…
Leah woke early.
She was ready to go home.
She thought about that.
She didn't want to go back to the apartment.
Her most recent memories not pleasant
She wondered how Dani felt.
She decided she would wait to bring the subject up
As she lay their thinking, Dani woke smiling
"Ready to go?" She asked.
She already knew the answer by the smile on Leah's face.
"Let's get moving then." Dani said.
Shortly after,
They left the hospital.
As they were driving Leah was starring out the window
The rain was still coming down pretty hard.
Dani was watching her from the corner of her eye
She grabbed Leah's hand and held it
They smiled at each other
Leah noticed that they missed the exit to their apartment
As she was about to ask Dani about it
Fingertips touched her lips
"It's a surprise." Dani whispered.
Thoughtfully, Leah sat back in her seat.
Dani just smiled.
Before the next turn Dani told Leah to close her eyes
Leah did so a little hesitantly
"Don't open them until I say so."
"Okay." Leah smiled.
Dani stopped the car
She opened Leah's door
She took her by the hand
"Open your eyes." She quietly commanded.
Leah did so
"Wh. What's this"
"It's our home." Dani said.
I figured you might not want to go back to the apartment.
You figured right.
She grabbed Dani and hugged her tight.
Dani returned the hug with much enthusiasm.
She felt Leah start to shake lightly
She was crying
Tears of joy…
"I did good." Dani thought.
"Come on lets go inside," Leah willingly followed
They toured the downstairs
They went upstairs
The went out the patio doors which led to the back of the house
Dani lead Leah to the lake
Their was a beautifully crafted, bench swing near it
She gently settled Leah on the swing
Lightly, the rain was still falling …
Hesitantly, Dani pulled a small velvet box out of her pocket
She heard Leah's intake of breath
It made her smile
She knelt and took Leah's hand in hers
With her heart she asked,
"Leah will you spend the rest of your life with me?"
She waited.
Patiently.
Slowly, Leah caressed her cheek.
"I thought you'd never ask." She whispered.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes."
Impulsively, Dani scooped Leah into her arms and stood.
They kissed.
The rain continued to fall….