Chapter 5

Sarah awoke to find herself alone on the living room floor. She got up and put the pillows back on the couch and folded the coverlet. Sarah went to the office wing but Ed was not there. She went to the kitchen and found Ed sitting at the table staring out of the back window, a cold cup of coffee in front of him. Sarah said, "Good morning." Ed turned to her and gave her a little smile. "Sarah, I have to talk to you about last night." he said. "Two things." "First, there is something about my Seal experience I have never been able to talk about and probably never will." "Until the day comes that I am able to talk about it we'll just have to leave it unsaid." "Second, I had no right getting so familiar last night." "I apologize and I promise that it won't happen again," he said looking down at the table. Sarah walked up behind him, put her arms around his neck and shoulders and held him for several minutes. After a while she said, "I guess if you're never going to hold me again, I'll have to move out today." "Maybe we can discuss that later, ' he answered with a smile. Sarah pulled away and kissed him on the top of his head.

"How about some breakfast, I got some cantaloupe yesterday," she said as she walked to the refrigerator. "Just cantaloupe will be fine," he replied. "If you keep cooking like last night, I'll weight 400 pounds by the end of the year." Sarah prepared a half of a cantaloupe for him and the same for herself. She took Ed's cold coffee from him and poured a fresh cup for both of them. "We'll have to get out of here by ten this morning," Ed said. "We have to get you some suitable clothes for Shadow." "I have clothes for work," she said quickly. She wondered what he was getting at. "Sarah, Shadow Security is a company that does business all over the world," He said. "You'll be meeting CEO's from the Fortune 100, Arab princes, heads of state, and an occasional criminal or two." "The clothes that you wore at the insurance company will be out of place at Shadow." "You have to have business suites and such." "I'll just have to make do for now, I have to watch my spending," Sarah said quietly. Ed laughed. "Don't worry, you can put it on your credit card for now." "If things get too tight, I think I can afford to make one credit card payment for you." Ed stood up, took her hand and said, "Let's go shopping."

Ed and Sarah went to their respective bedrooms, took a shower and dressed for the shopping trip. Ed was waiting for Sarah in the kitchen when she walked in. "I forgot how long it takes a woman to get dressed," he said with a smile. Sarah stuck her tongue out at him. Ed suggested taking the Explorer in case they had any bags to carry home. Sarah kidded him that he just did not want her to get his Porsche dirty.

Ed pulled into the parking lot in front of the store. At first Sarah didn't notice the brass plaque at the front door identifying this as "Ester's". Just "Esters", no indication of what type of establishment it was. Ed led the way into the store. Ester immediately walked up to Ed and hugged him. She held him at arm's length and said, "That was a nice thing you did for my mother, I was afraid that old place was going to fall down around her ears." "Why did you tell her I paid for it?" Ester asked. Ed smiled sheepishly, "As proud as that woman is, you know she wouldn't let me do the work if she thought that I was going to pay for it." Ester leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, "Well the place looks like a brand new house." "She'll be able to live there the rest of her days." Ed looked at Sarah. She was shaking her head. "Strays," she said as Ester walked to the back of the store. She said it only loud enough for him to hear. Sarah suddenly felt afraid. She was not prepared for the feelings she was starting to have for this man. She resolved to put a clamp on her feelings.

Ester arrived from the back of the store followed by two young women. All three had an armload of suits and business dresses. Sarah looked them over and tried several suites and most of the dresses on modeling them for Ed. Ester's taste was impeccable. Ed liked all of them. While Sarah was in the dressing room changing Ed asked Ester to put the lingerie that she thought Sarah might need into a box. Sarah picked three of the suites and four of the dresses that she had tried on and told Ester that she would take them. As she was changing back into the clothes that she had worn to Ester's Ed called Ester over. "We'll take them all," he told her. "Please send them over to my house later today with a note that they are samples that were given to you by salesman and that if Sarah can wear them she is welcome to them." Ester smiled, "Is this woman the special one?" "You know, I have been praying for you," she added. Ed just smiled. Ester said with a smile, "See, now you have me lying for you." Sarah concluded her shopping with the purchase of several pairs of shoes and stockings. Ester had talked her out of buying pantyhose. "Dear, if you get a run in one leg you throw that one away and replace that one stocking," Ester told her. "You'll find that your stockings will last longer."

Ed asked Sarah for her credit card. He took her credit card and went to the counter to settle up with Ester. He used his own credit card, signed for the purchases Sarah's card back to her. "I signed your name, OK," he asked. Sarah nodded her head yes. Sarah was exhausted from shopping and trying on clothes all morning.

They left the store and started the drive home. "What's in the bag," Sarah asked. "Ester said it was samples, and if you could use them you were welcome to them," Ed replied. "I forgot to ask what the damage was," Sarah said. Ed replied that the bill was a little over $700 not telling her that the bill was really a little over $10,000 dollars and that he had really put the clothes on his credit card. Sarah started looking through the bag that she and Ed were talking about. Her face got red and she quickly closed the bag. "What's wrong," Ed asked. "I think Ester is a bit kinky, ' she said. "It's a bunch of lingerie." "Straight out of Frederick's of Hollywood," she added. Ed grinned, "You modeled the dresses and suites, are you going to model what's in the bag." She punched him in the arm. The rest of the ride home was quiet. Sarah was thinking about the shopping trip. She had never shopped at a store such as Ester's. Her shopping trips were at K-Mart or Fashion Bug. There was never enough money, when she was married, for the type of clothes that Ester sold. Sarah concluded the Ester's store was very reasonable based on the "damage" the Ed told her.

Ed opened the garage door and pulled the Explorer into the garage. He asked her to go in and fix some sandwiches while he unloaded her packages and took them to her room. When he returned to the kitchen he found that Sarah had fixed sandwiches and had thrown a salad together. They ate with Sarah marveling about how reasonable Ester's store was and how the clothes were excellent quality. After eating Ed said that he had to get some work done and went into the office wing. Sarah cleaned up the kitchen and followed him into the office. Eve was working on the computer and Ed was behind her checking a specification book and giving instructions. Occasionally, he would go to the phone and call someone to get prices or find the availability of an item. Sarah watched them for a few minutes and marveled at the way they functioned as a team. Ed looked up and noticed Sarah in the doorway. "Sarah, would you like to help?" Ed asked. Eve looked up frostily. "Sure," Sarah replied. "You know that I have never done anything like this before, but if you think that I can help, I'll be glad to." Before Ed had a chance to say anything else, the front door bell rang. "Would you get that pleas?" Ed asked Sarah. There was a man standing there with boxes stacked to just above his knees. "Can I help you?" Sarah asked. He looked at his clipboard, "Is this the Sensa residence?" "Yes it is," She replied. He handed Sarah the clipboard and set the stack of boxes on the entryway floor. Sarah let him out and went back to the office. Ed took her to the print table and unrolled a set of prints for a three-story office building. He showed her where the symbols were for the light fixtures and how to count the fixtures needed for the building. Ed pulled a clicker/counter from under the print table and showed her how to count the fixtures and how to make sure her count was right. Sarah started counting the light fixtures and writing the number down on the pad that Ed had provided. Sarah completed the task in about an hour and rechecked her count. She looked at the print to try and familiarize herself with what Ed did for a living. She looked at the title block on the drawing and saw that the building was called Cedar Offices. The customer was Sensa Developers, Inc. The architect was Ed Sensa, AIA. Ed noticed that Sarah was finished counting and gave her a list of five phone numbers and a person's name next to each number. "Called each of these supply houses and get a "buy" price from each," He instructed. "When they give you a price just confirm the price and say that you'll get back to them," Write the price down next to the person's name and we'll decide who to get the fixture package from." Ed went back to working with Eve and Sarah made all five calls and got the prices. The fixture sales people did not even question who she was or when she had started with Sensa. Ed gave her a list of plumbing fixtures and showed her who to call and how to get the quotes on the plumbing fixtures. Eve left the office about 6 o'clock and Ed and Sarah continued working. Later, Sarah looked out the window and saw that t was dark. She looked at her watch and saw that it was 9 o'clock.

"Don't you want something to eat?" Sarah asked. Ed looked at the clock above the print table. "I don't want anything to eat, but I have to get something to drink," He answered. "I'm about dehydrated." Ed and Sarah started for the kitchen. Sarah remembered the packages in the entryway hall. "Ed, I forgot to tell you, some packages came for you while you were in the office," she said. Ed went over to the boxes and showed her a note taped t the top box. "The note is to you," he said, handing Sarah the note. Sarah read the note. "These are some samples that were laying around." 'It seems a crime to just throw them away." "I think that you have the figure to wear these." The note was signed Ester. Sarah looked in the boxes, "These are samples?" "I can't believe it." Ed picked up the boxes and asked her to fix him a glass of iced tea while he put the boxes in her room.

Sarah was sitting at the table when Ed came back downstairs. "Ed, why does Eve hardly speak to me and look at me like she wished the earth would swallow me up?" Sarah asked. Ed looked at her for a minute and smiled before answering. "Sarah, it's not what you think," he started. "Eve is married to a third year medical student." "She has been working with me since she was about fourteen years old." "Her parents used to live in the house next door." "She was here all during the breakup of my marriage and knows almost everything that went on." "She's become very protective and I think she's afraid that you'll hurt me again." "I'll talk to her," he added. "How often does she come in to work for you?" Sarah asked. "She works whenever her studies allow," he said. "It's normally two or three days a week." "She comes by to use the exercise room occasionally, but that has slacked off since she's been married." Sarah thought to herself that that explained the women's shampoo, conditioner and lotion in the exercise room shower. "When do you use the exercise room?" Sarah asked. "Everyday," he said. "Come on," she retorted, I've never seen you use it since I've been here. "I normally use it before you get up," Ed replied. "Well, when do you sleep?" she asked, "Your always in the kitchen on your second or third cup of coffee when I get up." "I try to avoid sleep," he said looking away. "Too many nightmares or laying there looking at the ceiling." It was all Sarah could do to keep from crying.

Ed got up and said, "You remember, you have lunch with John Barrett tomorrow." "I'll make you a map so you can find the place." He added, "John is a good person." "Don't be nervous about meeting him." "He'll bend over backwards to help you." "Wait a minute Mr. Sensa," Sarah said sharply. "I have a few more questions for you." "First, Eve's husband, he wouldn't owe his education to the fact that Ed Sensa can't hold onto his money can he?" Sarah asked. Ed grinned, "I just can't be handing out money to every Tom, Dick and Harry can I?" Sarah said, "I thought so." "Second, I see that today I was working for Sensa Developers, Inc." "You wouldn't know anything about that company would you?" "I hear that it's a pretty good company to work for," he replied. Sarah was exasperated, "Ed Sensa, I think that I know less about you now than I did before we sat down." Sarah walked over to him and kissed his lips. The kiss started small and grew. Her tongue licked his lips and found his tongue and the kiss grew in intensity. After a minute they broke the kiss and held each other. "Ed Sensa, my man of mystery," she said into his chest while trying to catch her breath. "I think that I had better go up and get ready for my lunch tomorrow with John Barrett before I get in trouble," Sarah said with little conviction. Ed kissed her softly on the lips and released her.

Sarah looked at Ed for a few seconds and went to her bedroom. She was upset that she had initiated the kiss but was pleased that Ed seemed to enjoy it as much as she did. Sarah's emotions were in turmoil. She did not want to get into a relationship but she missed having a relationship. She knew little about Ed but she felt that she was falling in love with him. She was terrified that he would reject her. She knew that her emotions were too fragile to accept his rejection. She wasn't sure that she could that she could give him the things he needed. She was afraid to give her heart fully to a man. She knew that both she and Ed had demons that they had to deal with. Sarah's mind was going a mile a minute. She thought of a hundred reasons not to get involved with Ed Sensa and a hundred reasons why she should get involved with him. Sarah tried to turn her thoughts to preparing for her lunch meeting with John Barrett tomorrow. She took the tags off of the clothes and selected the suit she would wear tomorrow. She hung the rest of the clothes in the walk-in closet. She started going through the lingerie that Ester had put in the bag. The lingerie was much more feminine than Sarah would have picked for herself. Sarah had always wished that she had the guts to wear such nice things but she didn't feel that she was that sexy. Sarah went into the bathroom and took a shower.

She put on her nightgown and lay down on her bed and turned the light out. She looked at the clock radio and saw that it was midnight. Sarah lay in bed for what seemed like hours. She looked at the clock radio and saw that it was only one o'clock. Sarah went to her window and saw Ed get up from his desk in the office and turn the light off. She could hear him come up the stairs and heard the shower in his bathroom. Sarah went back to bed. Sleep just would not come. After awhile Sarah got up and opened her door. She walked down the hallway toward Ed's bedroom. She was more afraid than she had ever been in her life. She had not turned on the hallway light and she could see that the light was still on in Ed's bedroom. Sarah gently tapped on the door. "Ed?" she said. The loudness of her voice scared her. Ed opened the door. She pushed into the room and walked into his arms. He put his arms around her and held her tight. Her fear started to grow. She was terrified that he would push her away. He didn't. Ed lifted her chin and kissed her passionately. Their tongues were dueling. Sarah pulled away and walked to the bed. She grabbed the hem of her nightgown and pulled it over her head. She stood there naked waiting for his reaction. Ed walked over to her and lifted her gently and laid her on his bed. He stripped his pajamas off and pulled the covers back to reveal Sarah's beauty. Sarah noticed the large scars on several parts of Ed's body. Ed got into bed next to Sarah and took her in his arms. He kissed her deeply and she kissed him back with equal passion. His head went to her breast and she gasped as her nipple was sucked into his mouth. His lips teased first one nipple and then the other. His teeth raked her nipples just hard enough to send electricity through her body. Sarah's passion grew until she felt that she was floating on air. Ed's kissed started down her stomach until he reached her cunt. His tongue flicked over her clit and her hips rose to meet his tongue. Every time his tongue touched her clit she moaned deep in her throat. All of a sudden Sarah felt her body explode with passion as she came for the first time. She grabbed Ed's head and pulled him up to her. She held him away and looked into his eyes. "Ed, I'm terrified," she said, "I haven't had sex in about three years and I want to make it perfect for you." Ed leaned down and kissed her passionately. "It's been longer than three years for me," he said through the kiss." "I need you inside me," Sarah said hoarsely. She grabbed Ed and guided him into her. She cried out as she felt him sliding into her cunt. Sarah rose to meet his thrusts. Ed matched his rhythm to hers. Suddenly Sarah cried out, "Fuck me hard Ed, I'm so close." Ed started thrusting harder and she increased her rhythm to match his. Sarah cried out loudly as her organism hit her with wave after wave of ecstasy. Ed could feel his balls tighten and he released his essence into her at the same time and Sarah came again. Ed stayed inside Sarah until he started to soften. He pulled out of her and lay beside her. He pulled her into his arms and held her.

Sarah raised her head from Ed's shoulder and looked into his eyes. "Thank you for not rejecting me, she said. "I don't think I could have handled your rejection." Ed pulled her close again, "How could I reject you," he said. "We only known each other a few days, but it seems very natural having you in my bed and in my arms." Tears started rolling down Sarah's cheeks, "Oh, Ed." We've both been so hurt." "Maybe we can be good for each other." "Let's just take this day by day and see where it goes." Ed started kissing the tears from her cheeks and started caressing her. "Her passion started to rise and she got on top of him. He was hard and she guided him into her cunt. She started to rise and fall on his cock with a steady rhythm. As their passion grew she increased the rhythm. Sarah cried out as a small orgasm swept through her body. Ed started thrusting hard up into her and Sarah came again as Ed did. They lay joined together for a long time. Sarah was content to lie on top of Ed and hold him tightly. Sarah broke the silence. "I forgot how good sex can be," she said softly. Ed got serious, "One thing Sarah." "I didn't use any protection for you" Sarah got off Ed's chest and lay down beside him. "You don't have to worry, I can't have kids." "I'm only half a woman," she cried with tears flowing down her cheeks. Ed held her tightly. "Will you stop beating yourself," he said. "Your more enough woman for any man." "I think that is probably why my ex started running around," Sarah said. Ed and Sarah held each other and just enjoyed being together. Sarah rose on her elbow and looked at Ed. "Ed, I've never done this before, I'm a one man woman," she said. Ed pulled her to him and they kiss until they coupled again with greater passion than before. When the separated both had been sated and Ed pulled her to him and put his arm over her and cupped her breast. Sarah fell asleep spooned for the second time with Ed.

Sarah awoke to find that Ed was still asleep with her in his arms. Apparently, neither had moved much during the night. Ed woke when he felt Sarah moving in his arms. He squeezed her a little tighter and kissed her neck. Sarah turned and kissed his lips as her passion grew again. She pulled him on top of her and they made love instead of having sex. They showered together and Sarah went to her bedroom to get dressed for her meeting with John Barrett. She put on one of the bras and panties and a garter belt that Ester had put in the bag. She pulled on a pair of the stockings she had picked out to go with her suit and clipped them to the garter belt. She put on a pair of the high-heeled shoes that she had purchased yesterday. Sarah put on her bathrobe and went down stairs to the kitchen. Ed had his back to her and was pouring a cup of coffee for her. "Is this alright to wear for my meeting?" she asked holding the bathrobe open. Ed almost dropped the coffee cup. "My God, you are about the sexiest woman alive," he said with a big grin. She rushed into his arms making him spill the coffee all over the counter. "You don't know how great it is to know that you find me sexy," she said. Ed held her and kissed her tenderly for a long time. He thought to himself that this is a very fragile woman. "You had better get dressed or we will have to schedule your meeting for next month or the month after," he grinned. She stuck her tongue out at him as she left the kitchen to finish dressing.

The map that Ed had given her showing the most direct route to Shadow Security, Inc. was clear enough that Sarah had no trouble finding the building. As she walked into the building she noticed that it was impossible to enter the offices without passing through the receptionist and guard She was finger printed and her picture was taken. An ID badge was made for her immediately and John Barrett was called. Within minutes John Barrett appeared in the lobby. He was a tall man and well built. He walked with an air of confidence. John took Sarah's hand and shook it firmly. He led her past the receptionist to the offices on the upper floors. He told her that the area behind the receptionist on the first floor was mainly a warehouse for the equipment that the company used. That way if someone did get past the guard and receptionist they would not be able to see the security plans and proposals that were already in place. He told her that the most important part of a security installation is to keep everyone ignorant of was the security was. He made a point to tell her that even she would not see the security proposals very often. It was on a need-to-know basis. John took her to what would be her office and briefly told her what her duties were. He told her that he was not 100% happy with the setup of the human relations department and that he would welcome all suggestions. John Barrett looked at his watch. "It's 1 o'clock are you ready to eat?" he asked. Sarah said told him yes and they left the building. As they were leaving she noticed a bronze plaque indicating that Sensa Developers, Inc owned this building. Sarah nodded toward the plaque. "I see Ed owns this building," she said. "Oh yes, he owns all four of these office buildings in this business center," John volunteered. The restaurant that John took Sarah to was about a mile from the Offices.

The restaurant was a high-end restaurant and obviously John Barrett was known here. Sarah and John sat at a table away from other diners. The waiter came to the table, left menus and took their drink order. Both ordered iced tea. John apparently had no intention of talking about Shadow; instead all he talked about was Ed Sensa. They ordered and John started talking about Ed again. When he came up for air, Sarah interrupted him. "John, What happened with Ed and the Seals," she asked. John face got serious. It took a full minute before he said anything. "Uh Oh, what happened?" he asked. "I asked what Seals do and he went ballistic," she replied. John started talking quietly. "Well, that has a lot to do with me," He said. "I can't tell you details, because we are not allowed to ever talk about what our missions were." We were in a country that you never thought we were in, doing something you thought that the U.S. would never do." "Things went bad almost from the git-go." "It wasn't anyone's fault really." "We were discovered by a patrol that wasn't supposed to be there." "I was shot up pretty bad and Ed carried me and one other guy for two days." "We were almost out of the mission when we came under heavy fire." "Ed hid me and the other Seal and gave himself up to keep the heat off of us." "They didn't know how many of us were on the mission or where we were." "They tortured Ed for 12 hours with electricity and hot knives, but he never told where we were." "Ed escaped somehow and got me and the other Seals to the sub and to safety." "We didn't even know that he had surrendered until a second Seal group went in to complete our mission" "They captured one of the torturers and he agreed to talk to us." Sarah shuddered; she knew that the torturer had not talked willingly. "How did Ed escape?" Sarah asked. "He never told any one." John said. "He wouldn't even tell the Navy brass or the medics." "Ed spent months in the hospital with internal injuries and deep cuts." "The Navy gave him a medical discharge because they said they don't know how he would react in a combat situation." Sarah wished that Ed were here so that she could hug him. "Don't tell him I told you about this," John said. "Ed still won't talk to anyone about this." "He even blows up if I mention it."

The meal came and the subject changed to what Shadow Security, Inc. did and who the customers were. John went into detail about how hard it was getting the business off of the ground. He said that the traveling was the worst part of the job. "Where did you come up with enough cash for an operation like this?" Sarah asked. "This is a big investment and I know the Navy doesn't pay this good. "Well, Ed's a big investor," he said with a grin. They finished the meal and John paid with his credit card and they went to John's car. John looked over at Sarah before getting into the car. "Sarah, I am way off base with this, but you have a glow about you like a woman in love," he said. "Would that glow have anything to do with Ed Sensa?" he asked. "Sarah smiled and said, "It might have." "I don't know about Ed but I am working on it, but we both have demons to deal with." John started grinning from ear to ear. "Great, your just what he needs," he said. They drove back to Shadow and John said goodbye to her outside. "I'll see you Monday," he said. "Don't forget your badge, no one gets in without it, not even me."

Sarah didn't know why she didn't crack up the car on the way home. Her mind was sure not on her driving. Sarah pulled into the garage and parked the Explorer. Ed was not in the kitchen so she walked into the office. Ed was standing at the print table and smiled at her when she walked in. Sarah rushed to him and put her arms around his neck tightly. "Hey, what's this all about," he asked. Sarah looked into his eyes, "I don't care if you do step all over my heart, and I'm going to say it anyway." "I love you and I'm going to fuck your brains out tonight." Ed pulled her closer. "Alright, I'm going to let you fuck my brains out and I love you too," he said into her neck. "And don't worry, no one is going to step on your heart." Tears were streaming down her cheeks. "Ed, this is crazy." "We've only known each other a few days." "Well let's see where this takes us," he said. That night neither of them got to sleep until dawn.

Sarah dove into her job so hard that Ed was accusing her of being a workaholic. She saw immediately what John was talking about when he said that he was not happy with the human relations department. Within a week she had a meeting with John Barrett and had outlined a sweeping reorganization saving the company a lot of money. She phased the reorganization slowly so that no one's feathers were ruffled. In one month she oversaw the opening of the new European Branch and supervised the hiring of all of the European Branch personnel. John kept giving her additional duties, some of which had nothing to do with human relations. Sarah enjoyed working for Shadow. Her confidence had grown to where she felt that she could perform any task in the company. John instructed everyone in the company to show Sarah what they did so that she could fill any vacancies that arose. The company started growing each month and Sarah's duties grew also.

Sarah's home life changed too. Her old bedroom became a changing room as she slept with Ed every night. The first night of her employment at Shadow, Sarah came home and she and Ed ate dinner and went right to bed. Sarah still had her suit on and made Ed completely undress her. She loved that Ed found her incredibly sexy. Even after three months together they were having sex every night like newly weds. Sarah never allowed herself to think about marrying Ed, she was just willing to rejoice in each day and to savor every moment with Ed. Ed introduced her to John's wife Marie and the two women hit it off right away. Marie told Sarah that she was always worried about Ed until recently. She hugged Sarah and told her she was good for Ed. One night after Ed and Sarah had been together for three months John and Marie were over Ed's house for dinner. As Sarah and Marie were cleaning up the dinner dishes, Marie grabbed Sarah by the shoulders and asked her, "Something's different about you, are you pregnant?" Sarah explained that she couldn't have children. Marie looked at her, "I don't believe it." "I think you're pregnant." "I wish," replied Sarah as they walked into the living room.

Two weeks after that conversation with Marie Sarah went into John Barrett's office. "John, I'll be gone this afternoon, I have a doctor's appointment." John smiled, "Marie already told me." "Don't get your hopes up," Sarah said, "I can't have any children." "Just let me know what the doctor says tomorrow," John replied. Sarah left the office at 2 o'clock and drove to the doctor she had selected from the yellow pages. After sitting for about 10 minutes in the waiting room she was called into the doctor's office. What can I do for you Ms. Lashely?" the doctor asked. "I've been nauseous and have been tired a lot," she answered. "Can you be pregnant?" he asked. "I can't have children," she said with a catch in her throat. "When was your last period?" he asked. "Sarah thought, "About three months ago, but I'm thirty-Eight and I might be starting menopause early. "Well let's pull a few tests just to make sure," he said as he called the nurse in. After about 20 minutes the doctor walked back into the room. "I'm sorry to leave you like that, but I had a patient on the phone," he said. "Well, Ms. Lashely, you are pregnant and if you can pin point your last period we can have a better idea when to expect the new member of your family." "That's impossible," she cried, "I was told that I couldn't have children." "The doctor smiled, "Ms. Lashley either someone made a mistake or we have a miracle." Sarah left the office in shock with a couple of pages of instructions for prenatal care and list of her future appointments and some vitamins. Sarah leaned her head against the car and thought, "How can I feel so elated and so sad at the same time?" Sarah sat quietly in the car for several minutes trying to figure out what she should do. No thoughts would come.

Sarah picked up the cell phone. She knew that she shouldn't do this but she had to. Marie picked up the phone, "Hello?" "I'm going to strangle you," Sarah yelled into the phone. Marie started jumping around her kitchen, "I knew it, I knew it, I knew it." "How far?" Marie asked. Two and a half months," Sarah told her. Sarah got serious, "Listen, don't tell John yet please." "I don't know what I am going to do yet." "I can't use a baby to trap Ed into marrying me," she said. "We have never even discussed marriage." Sarah held the phone away from her ear because Marie was yelling so loud, "You idiot, just go home and tell the man." "Can't you see how much he loves you?" "I can't talk to you anymore I am so mad, go home with your husband," she said and hung up. Sarah didn't know if that last remark was a slip of the tongue or if she was trying to tell her something. Sarah drove home. As she drove up the driveway she opened the garage door and then pulled into the garage.

Sarah sat in the Explorer for several minutes trying to figure out what she was going to do or say. The thoughts just would not come. She went into the kitchen from the garage and saw Ed sitting at the table. He looked worried. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Come into the living room Sarah," Ed said seriously. Sarah's heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. She wondered if the doctor had called him, because Ed seemed to know everybody in town. Ed sat down on the couch and patted the spot next to him. Sarah sat down fearing whatever was about to come. Ed started slowly, "Sarah you know that I love you." "I don't want to go on like we are." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. Ed opened the box and pulled out a huge diamond engagement ring. "Will you marry me Sarah?" Ed asked. Ed slipped the ring on her finger. Sarah had never seen such a large diamond. She didn't know diamonds came that large. She covered her face with her hands and wept. "What's wrong Sarah?" "Was I wrong in assuming that you loved me too?" he asked. Sarah looked up at him, "No crazy man, these are tears of joy." She hugged him around the neck until he had to pry her arms off of his neck before she strangled him. "I stole a ring out of your jewelry box about three weeks ago so I could find out what size ring you wore," he said. Sarah stared at him for about a minute before speaking. "Three weeks ago, then you don't know?" she asked. "Know what?" he asked as if he might have missed something. "I'm pregnant, I thought that maybe the doctor had called you," she said with tears streaming down her face. Ed jumped off of the couch and started jumping up and down whooping. Sarah finally reached up and pulled him back on the couch. "I take it your not upset then?" she asked. "Of course not I'm ecstatic, but I thought that you couldn't have children," He said grinning from ear to ear. Sarah hugged him closer, "I guess someone made a mistake." "I just found out about 3 hours ago." "Are you sure that you still want to marry me?" she asked. Ed answered with a kiss. "I will sign a prenuptial agreement of course," she told him. Ed looked at her seriously, "They don't make such things anymore." Sarah pulled away, "That is the only way that I will marry you Ed." Ed pulled her back to him, "Sarah you are a different type of person than my first wife." "I wouldn't even consider asking you to sign such a thing" "I have a feeling that any money that I do have is even less important to you than it is to me," he said. "As long as I have you," she said with a kiss. Both of them looked toward the living room door at the same time. Eve was standing there leaning on the doorjamb with one leg crossed in front of the other grinning from ear to ear. "It's about time you two got that out of the way," she said. "Now maybe we can get some work done around here." Sarah got up and walked over to Eve. Eve met her half way and threw her arms around Sarah's neck and said, "Congratulations, and I am tickled to death for you two." "I think you realize that I have been worried about Ed," Eve said. She smiled, "I think you are just what he needs."

Sarah got out of the car and slowly walked to the front door of Shadow Securities, Inc. Last night, once she had convinced Ed that she wouldn't break if he touched her, they didn't get much sleep. This morning she had to pry her self out of the house because Ed wanted to plan the baby's entire future this morning. Sarah wouldn't be surprised if Ed wasn't on the phone with Harvard asking how much Harvard would pay him if he would let his child go there. As Sarah was signing in at the front desk she heard someone say, "Oh my God." Sarah looked up and saw the receptionist staring at her engagement ring. "Is that real?" she asked. "I think so," Sarah replied, "I just got it last night." Sarah punched the elevator button for her floor and the elevator doors closed. When the doors opened about ten young women were waiting to see the ring. She pulled away after a few minutes and walked to her office. Before she had a chance to sit down her secretary told her that John Barrett wanted to see her in his office. Sarah went into John's office. He looked up from his desk and smiled. "Well how did he take the news?" he asked. Sarah held out her hand. "You all didn't pick that up last night?" he asked wide-eyed. Sarah laughed, "No he ordered it three weeks ago." "When's the wedding?" John asked with a grin. It suddenly dawned on Sarah that they had not discussed that John saw her confusion. "You had better get ready, Marie is on her way over," he said. "I know that when she gets done with you, all of the wedding plans will be done." "That woman can't stand for any man to be happy," he added. With that he came around his desk, took Sarah in his arms and kissed her. "Sarah, I don't think that you will understand this or even believe it, but you are saving Ed's life," He said. "No," Sarah said, "he's saving mine." Just then there was a commotion in the outer office and Marie burst into John's office. "Let's go, we've got things to do," she said dragging Sarah out the door.

The next week was a blur to Sarah as Marie took Ed and Sarah and pushed them to the alter. Marie was a beehive of activity. Ed and Sarah were married on a Sunday afternoon with Marie as Matron Of Honor, Eve was a Bride's Maid and John gave Sarah away. John had taken care of the reception and had invited everyone from Shadow Security, Inc. Ed had chartered a plan and had flown all of the employees of the European Division and their spouses in for the wedding. Sarah had called her mother to tell her about her upcoming marriage, but her mother was only interested in seeing if Sarah had come to her senses yet and would crawl back to the Lashely family. Sarah decided not to invite them to the wedding. Sarah knew that if her parents found out that Ed was wealthy they would be camping out on the doorstep. Sarah and Ed spent a glorious month-long honeymoon in Tahiti and when they got back home Ed started making huge plans for a nursery. Sarah had to constantly downsize his plans. If Ed had his way he would have doubled the size of the house. Marie was acting like a grandmother-to-be and was constantly checking on Sarah and bringing baby clothes and books on how to raise children. Whenever Marie came over to see Ed and Sarah she would make Sarah sit and not do anything for fear of hurting the baby. Sometimes Sarah was glad to see her friend leave. Ed could not have been prouder that Sarah was pregnant. Marie said that he acted like he did it alone.

Edward Phillip Sensa III was born To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sensa on February 7^th. Weighing 7 pounds 2 ounces. Ed refused to hold the baby until the nurse convinced him that he wouldn't hurt it and then it was hard getting the baby away from him. Ed had to be chased out of the hospital after visiting hours. After Sarah was discharged from the hospital, Marie moved in for two weeks to help her with the baby. John finally got Marie to come home by telling her that he was going to get a young secretary from Shadow to take over Marie's duties. The night after Marie went home Ed and Sarah were lying in bed watching the baby sleep in his bassinette. Sarah hugged Ed and pulled him closer. "Ed, I'm afraid," she said, "I feel so much love for the two of you that I am afraid I will burst." Ed turned to her and kissed her. "Don't be afraid," he said, "I promise both of you that I will do everything humanly possible to care for you, love you and protect you. Thirteen months later, Marie Ann Sensa was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Sensa.

The End