Love overflows
A broken female rabbit found her true love. * I have the only key to your heart, I can stop you falling apart *
_ Thanks to StGeorgesHorse for editing and proofreading my story. _
_ English is my third language, please correct me if I am using Chinese-style English. Please feel free to comment ^_^ _
Love overflows
This started as one of those days when things just didn't seem to go as planned. School had let out, and the pretty white rabbit in the long skirt and starched blouse was walking home from her job at the local school. The wind was whipping up the dust on the pavement as gray clouds rolled in. The looming storm threatened to hit before she made it home, so she stepped up her pace, looking for some place that offered shelter.
There was a coffee shop where others were ducking into with the same thought; keeping safe and dry. She barely wedged into the doorway when the clouds ripped open, spilling forth a torrent of rain. As the crowd found seats, the available tables disappeared. One of the wait staff greeted her.
"Sorry, Miss, this place is almost full. Do you mind sharing a table with someone?" the waiter asked.
She nodded.
She followed the waiter to a table, where she was faced with a sudden mix of emotions. The person she was going to share a table with was a near copy of herself.
White fur, long ear, lovely front teeth; the only difference that was obvious was the clothing. It was typically masculine dress, from the formal business attire to the pressed light blue shirt. She sat down in front of him, feeling her heartbeat quicken as he smiled. She tended to hate guys and she had no use for a boyfriend. She refused to trust guys anymore.
And yet.
He was just an ordinary looking guy and in spite of her barely contained hostility, she found she was attracted to him. It was the common theme to her life. Feeling the need for companionship, and yet not trusting the any of the ones who could give it.
She was startled out of her reverie at that moment as the waiter put a dish on the table. Fruit salad, she thought, my favourite!
The gentleman across from her nodded to acknowledge her and pointed to the bowl. "They always serve so much, and I cannot eat it all. Would you care to join me?"
She was feeling very bashful with her emotions in turmoil, but her stomach grumbled and she could feel her mouth begin to water.
"Yes I would, thank you very much!"
Soon the two rabbits were eating the mix of wonderful fresh fruits in silence. She would glance at him from time to time, thinking that she should say something, but the words failed to form. Her embarrassment and nervousness increased but she was uncertain why. She managed little peeks at him from time to time, judging his face and his looks as being quite handsome. He is so good looking, she thought, and he must have many girlfriends.
They had finished the bowl, setting down their utensils and they both stared outside the window. The rain was still coming down, and was likely to continue for some time. "I can take you home if you like. Would you like a ride?" His words were quiet and sincere.
She hesitated for a moment before answering. She was tempted by the offer, but in her heart she felt she knew better than to accept. "My car is at the workshop not far from here."
"Well, then, let me lend you my umbrella."
She meant to say no, but for some reason her head nodded with a yes. She didn't want her clothing soaked, and she could always return it to him by leaving it here at the shop. He stood and went to the coat rack, returning with it in his paw. He smiled quizzically at her, and when he did, she was suddenly self-conscious.
"Why are you grinning like that?'
He let the smile fade. "I don't know. I was smiling because you were."
In truth, she had been watching him walk, and on his return, had been engaged in a little light fantasy. She just hadn't realized it until he noted her smile. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
He was still holding the slightest of smiles on his face. "Here's my card. Now you'll know where to find me. I am honored to meet you." His smile grew until he figured he was making a fool of himself, so he coughed to cover his nervousness.
She took the umbrella and name card from him. "I'm just a kindergarten teacher and don't have a card. My name is Danielle," she replied, holding out a paw. "It was nice to meet you."
She stepped out into the rain, opened the umbrella and directed her steps towards workshop. Thankfully the work was completed on it, so after paying for the repairs, she drove the rest of the way home, her mind stuck on one thing. He was white; he was handsome, and she now had his umbrella.
Danielle got home and inside, managing to keep dry the entire time. She hardly thought about the subtle irony in the fact that she then proceeded to get undressed and take a warm shower, soaking her soft fur and drenching herself to the skin. When she was done, she picked up the business card again. She wanted to simply throw it away, but she could felt a rise in her heartbeat as she thought back to the man who had given it to her. She sat down and typed his name into the search engine and looked at what came up. She mumbled out loud the information, knowing that hearing it would help her remember it better.
"Adam is thirty. He looks young considering his age. Peace Bookshop Manager. Really? A manager who eats fruit salad at a coffee shop? Hmm...he is handsome and well-mannered as well as being the same age as me." She felt rather ashamed as she detected her subconscious placing herself in these speculations. She turned off the computer and walked out from the bedroom.
She was stretched out on the sofa doing nothing in particular. Her heart was rent by conflicting emotions. "May be I should trust him, but what if he is also..." In her agitation she got up and heading for some fresh air.
She had planted some flowers on the balcony that projected over the street. She looked at the lovely flowers and inhaled their perfume, using their soothing abilities to calm down her mixed up emotions. After day's rain the sky looked blue and was dotted with flimsy white clouds. It was last afternoon, but she decided to return the umbrella to him and remove any reason to think about him ever again.
She entered her bedroom to change clothes. She picked out a dress; one she hardly ever wore for the lack of having an occasion to do so. It was white, like her, with lots of lace, and the hem came to the knee. It was a pretty dress, and even more importantly, she felt very pretty when she wore it. She knew she was acting strangely. A pair of solemn pants and a crisp clean shirt was all she really needed.
She drove across town to the bookstore, having passed it many times, and even on occasion having shopped there. But she had never seen this gentleman before. After parking her car near the shop, she stepped out on the street carrying the umbrella. She approached the information counter with a certain amount of trepidation.
"Hello, I want to return this umbrella to Mr. Adam, and say 'thank you' to him."
"Yes Miss...? Who shall I say left it for him?"
Danielle was already on her way back out the door.
"Boss, someone brought in this umbrella for you. She said it was yours."
"Where is she now?"
"I don't know. She didn't stick around."
"Did she say anything else?"
"Nope! She looked like she was ready for a party or something though. She had a very nice dress."
"I don't think she's the party type."
"Maybe not, but she was dressed to try and impress someone!"
Danielle sat in her car for a little while, trying to determine what to do next. Despite her desire to be rid of this fellow, she found that she was the one pursuing him. Even now she could just drive away and be done and yet she lingered. What good would come of this?
She was there longer than she realized. She finally drove away just as he was leaving to go home. His sharp eyes noted the driver and he made quick work of memorizing the car make and the license number. He had a slight smile on his face as he ran to his own car. With the way traffic was at this time of day, he might be able to cut her off by taking a side street.
As it turned out, he got in line behind her. He was careful not to get noticed, but he kept close to her until she pulled into a great shopping plaza. It was hardly where he figured she would go, but then again, perhaps she had purchases to make. Who was he to judge?
He followed her as she went to several shops, seemingly distracted as she searched the racks for clothing. She made several purchases before heading out into the common area. When he realized that he had nowhere to hide, he simply took the expedient route and walked straight towards her. Her eyes went wide. He acted as if it was a happy, chance encounter.
"Good evening Miss Danielle; what an unexpected honor!"
She stuttered a little. "Hello to you too! What are you doing here?"
He thought up a pleasant little lie. "I came to look for some new shirts. But now that I am here, I find that the fruit is no longer sustaining me. Would you care to join me for a meal?"
"No thank you. I think that I should be heading home now and..." At that moment her stomach started to growl. It was embarrassing how her body could be so vocal about something she would have preferred to be dishonest about. She was hungry, and eating a meal with him sounded wonderful, but....
"I insist. Our brief encounter earlier has sparked my interest in you, and I think an hour or so of conversation might go far to satisfying my need for more information."
"Information? About me?"
"Let's call it a trade. I ask about you, and you ask about me."
"Well..."
"Miss Danielle, let us sit down before all the seats are taken. Dinner is on me."
"Thank you," she sighed her reluctant agreement to the proposal.
The food came, making both of their stomachs growl audibly. They both laughed in mutual embarrassment, hardly noticing than no one in the crowd paid them the least bit of attention. Danielle was torn between eating and asking the questions she wished to ask before she lost her nerve.
"Mr. Adam, would you mind if I asked a private question: Are you single? I mean, you are young, handsome and most likely well off. I am sure plenty of girls are interested in a great guy like you."
He chuckled, nearly spitting out his food. "That's quite the opening question. I'm not sure how to answer such a straight forward question except with a straight forward answer. I only really started going out with girls during my college years, but I found many of them to be not the sort that I could settle down with. It's one thing to date another species, but entirely another to consider having a life with them. Outside of the obvious fact that there would be no children involved, there is the matter of differing habits, food requirements, and a host of other problems I simply preferred to avoid. So no, at the moment, I am dating no one."
"Neither am I. I have had back luck in the past. IT has made me a little shy around men."
He sighed, playing with his food. "I, on the other hand, seem to have been struck with love's arrow. Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"No, but I believe that Cupid makes a lot of mistakes and is absentmindedly irresponsible as to where he lets loose his darts. Eros ordered a thousand targets per day, and so he shot at anyone he saw - such as the likes you and I. That's why many couples divorce after only a year together."
She could see that he was genuinely having feelings for her, and that scared her into a rash statement. "Mr. Adam, I'm a lesbian. You seem nice enough but I don't trust guys at all, so please leave me alone after tonight." She wanted to leave but she was too hungry and her food was still unfinished.
"Miss Danielle, I don't believe that you are a lesbian. But on the other hand, if you don't trust me, I'm not sure how we can proceed. Despite this, perhaps we still can be just friends. Tomorrow is my off-day; would you like breakfast tomorrow morning?"
"You are very persistent Mr. Adam." She was trying to sound cross without succeeding. "If you insist, I will join you tomorrow, for I have nothing on my calendar either. But please don't go getting any ideas."
"Ideas? I have plenty of ideas! What I lack is suitable companionship. Even my male friends are few and far between my dear. It is nice to have someone who has a different viewpoint than my own. I think that it helps to broaden your horizons, don't you agree?"
"Uh, I guess so. I do it for my students all the time."
"And never for yourself? What a pity!"
"I did not say that. I am just cautious how and when I do it!"
"There isn't a thing wrong with that! Shall we exchange numbers and contact information? I'll even make you a deal. You call me if you wish to, after our breakfast tomorrow. That way I won't seem like a nuisance."
She nearly blurted out that it wouldn't be a nuisance at all, but remembered that she was trying to be coy. He handed her his phone, and she hers, and they programmed the information into them.
They handed the back, glancing through to see the new data stored inside. Her heart raced a little, wondering if his was doing the same.
"So, shall I pick you up around seven AM?"
She shivered a little. "That'll be fine. Should I dress special?"
He looked her up and down, trying to be respectful and still convey his appreciation of her dress. "What you have on is quite fetching, but since it's just breakfast, wear something comfortable. It's just a meal between friends after all."
That night, Adam puzzled over her strange behavior. She was very pretty, and the fact that she had such a nice dress means that she at least used to be more social. And she seemed to like him, despite her attempts to say and show otherwise. He wasn't trying to be nosy or invasive into her life, but such manners deserved to be investigated.
After changing clothes, he sat down in front of the writing table. She is a mystery girl and he was going to solve the mystery. He decided that if she were interested, maybe after breakfast they could do some sightseeing. There was plenty to do, but he had failed to do much of it on his own, feeling it was better shared than experienced alone.
Bright and early the next morning, Danielle woke to a racing heart. She felt she was acting foolish, but she wasn't certain if it was because of the upcoming date or because she had fears that he might do something to her, like slip her some drugs and drive her to a hotel... She had a lot to tell. Some of it was none of his business, and yet...
She turned on the radio to listen some songs. She tuned in during the middle of a song to hear the words,... have the only key to your heart, I can stop you falling apart, try today, you'll find this way, come on and give me a chance to say, let my love open the door, it's all I'm living for, release yourself from misery, there's only one thing gonna set you free, that's my love, that's my love, Let my love open the door...
At that moment, she was left to wonder if those words were meant for her. She walked to the window in time to see a nice blue a car parking outside her building. She could tell who it belonged to. She quickly turned off the radio and left the house. She had on no make-up on but she still managed to have a glow about her that was more natural and far superior to anything she could have applied to her face and fur.
He was standing outside the car as she came through the door. He opened her side and closed it again when she got in.
"Nice car, Mr. Adam. What is our agenda for today?
"Breakfast of course. Then, if you would be willing, I thought a little tour of the city would be in order."
She found the courage to smile. "Public places I assume?"
He grinned back. "Of course. There are several museums I have never had the opportunity to see. I think having someone like you with me would make the experience even more pleasurable."
She found herself enjoying his company far more than she knew she should allow heart her to go in this fresh relationship. There were things that just might cleave it apart. Still, even a day of enjoyment was better than none.
The art museum was a wonder and she mentally slapped herself for having never gone there before. But he was right; it was much better with someone with whom you could discuss the fine paintings and sculptures. A few times she felt a little dizzy, but blamed it on the emotions she was wrestling with, and the fact that her breakfast wasn't holding her. She was just about to suggest they get a snack when she passed out.
When she woke up, she was on a hospital bed. She felt her heart jump, but there was little she could do. She heard the doctor and Adam talking outside the room.
"Doctor, what happened to her?"
The doctor's tone was severe. "Sir, you are a very careless husband. With her being at least two months pregnant, you should have known better than to take her on such a long tour without making sure she was well hydrated and fed."
She winced at those words. It was a secret she hadn't wanted to tell him. She knew she was pregnant, but that since he had nothing to do with it, that it was none of his business. Until now. Now, it had just become his business. She should have just stayed home.
Adam sat on a sofa inside the waiting room. She is going to give birth to a baby in three months. That seemed to negate the idea that she was a lesbian. Oh, it was possible, but highly unlikely. So what wasn't she telling him? Was she a prostitute on the side, making more money for some lavish lifestyle she didn't let on about? Or had she been raped? He would just have to ask her himself..
When he finally entered the maternity ward, a serious look passed over his face. She was sitting up in the bed, looking very uncomfortable.
This is not a good end to this day, Danielle thought.
"Miss Danielle, I was right in assuming that you are not a lesbian; you lied to me last night."
"I'd apologize, but I didn't want us to get connected in the first place. My problem is hardly your problem."
"The doctor said you are going to have a baby."
"Do you think I don't know that?!" She nearly screamed out the words.
"Please tell me the truth. I want to help you," he lovingly embraced her and her heart melted the way butter melts near flame. She returned his warm embrace.
"A few months ago..." she gulped down her sobs and was resolved to be firm. Now she broke down and sobbed aloud. "...I finally found a guy that was everything I wanted. He liked me and I liked him. It was, what you would call, love at first sight. But it was only that way for me." She forced herself to regain control of her emotions.
He noticed.
"Crying can make your mood better, so please don't stop on my account. But I am very interested in your story. You may not believe this, but I am drawn to you more now than before. You have deep emotions, and I think I'd like to be part of them. Let me share your fate from now on."
She felt better knowing he was willing to share in her misery. Five minutes later, she gently released herself from his arms.
"Sorry, I messed up your suit."
"It's OK," he dried her tears with a handkerchief.
"This started five months ago..."
"Wait a moment," he said. "Are you sure that you are really fit to discuss things?"
"I'm alright. Five months ago, I met this guy. About three months later we started playing every night. But when I told him that there is a baby inside my womb, immediately he disappeared and moved away. One day I was driving and saw him playing with another girl. I was feeling very angry and thrown over. Apparently I wasn't the only one. He was murdered not long ago by another jealous ex-lover. The cops said that he was a playboy and that was a simple case of revenge. I felt so sad and alone that I moved across the city to a place where no one knew me. Since I would deliver during school break, no one would find out. At least that's what I hoped would happen.
"That's why you rejected me."
"You are a very nice person, Mr. Adam and not one who needs to be subjected to the follies of someone else. You are very nice, and I'm sure you will be able to find a nice girl to settle down with in the future. I will hold nothing bad against you if you walk out that door and never return."
"What will you hold against me if I decide to stay?"
She felt the color rise in her cheeks."Whatever do you mean?"
He was smiling so much his face had to hurt. "I mean, if I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?"
She got the double meaning and went into a stutter of confused words. He saved her any more embarrassment.
"Miss Danielle, you don't need to worry anymore If you are willing, I will marry you tomorrow if you like, or next week, or the week after that. Let my arms be your shelter and your hiding place forever."
Her eyes sparkled with happiness. "Mr. Adam, I am sorry about last night. I thought men are all the same; that they are liars and they only liked one night stands."
"You may be right, but that is a broad generalization my dear. For now, we will work on the matter of trust. I might suggest we start with taking the doctor's recommendation that you stop working. He says that you are a bit at risk in your pregnancy. I'd like to suggest you come live with me. No one knows whether or not I have been dating, and even if the neighbors stick their noses into my business, I will not care."
"But what about my place? And I can't quit teaching just yet. It will be over soon enough I think, and I can manage until then."
"As you wish. But the offer stands. Just name a day."
One week later they got married.
Around three months later, she gave birth. The baby girl was the near perfect image of her mother, small, white and perfectly formed. She still had lingering doubts though about his ability to love her as his own.
"What do you think of her Adam?' She said with just touch of nervousness.
"What do I think? I think that my daughter is the spitting image of my lovely wife, and that I am the luckiest rabbit alive."
She heard the "my" and knew she had found love at last.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
The end.