Chapter 18: CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Make sure that Nicky takes his medicine every night. I packed his nebulizer machine and the directions on how to use it. The prednisone is in the inside pocket of this bag. It’ll help with the inflammation. His Flovent is in there too. Make sure he takes that twice a day. I wrote down the number for the hotel, my cell, and the receptionist desk. I wrote down Dwight’s number too, just in case you cannot reach me on the other phones. Make sure Jake gets to school on time.” Savannah rushed through her house, handing Thomas things as she passed them.

“I got it Savannah. I am their father.” He walked behind her, juggling the bags, teddy bears, and extra sweaters in his arms. Jake and Nicholas were bouncing around in the living room.

“I know.” She was really going. When Dwight called her to ask, she was apprehensive. Rightfully so.

“I’ve never been away from the boys for that long or that far away.” She twisted the phone cord around her fingers.

“Trust me, I know what you’re feeling. I made myself sick when I had to travel for work and leave Izzy with my uncle. But I think it will be good for you.” Dwight reassured her. “For us.”

“I don’t even know where we’re going.”

“That’s part of the allure. I want to whisk you away and having you know about my plans will take away from that. Please go with me Savannah.”

In the end she had agreed. It would give her a break from all the issues she was facing. And she had to admit that even though she loved her boys, the idea of not having to be a mother for seven days was appealing. She had never really travelled much when she was younger. She spent so much time fantasizing about life that she often forgot to live it. Savannah promised herself that she would go abroad to school and that she would never have a home because she would never be there long enough to enjoy it.

A college degree and two children later, she was stationary in Maryland her passport unused and tucked into a drawer. Traveling was long overdue for her.

***

Dwight inhaled the scent of shampoo from Savannah’s long hair. She was leaning against his shoulder, reading along with him as he scanned the magazine that the plane provided. It had taken him an extra half an hour to get her to hang up the phone and stop badgering her sons’ father. She called everyone she knew and then she called her sister who had kept her talking for 15 of those 30 minutes. Kim had threatened him with the long arm of her law if something happened to Savannah and in the same breath thanked him for taking her. It was nice now, just the two of them, waiting to arrive at their destination.

“That water is beautiful.”

“Hmmm?’ He was hoping that she was quiet because she was tired.

“The water. It’s beautiful.”

“It is. Nothing like clean ocean water. The Bahamas has some remarkable water. When I took Izzy, we could see our bodies in the water. That’s how clear it was.” He paused. “Have you ever been?”

“No.” She nuzzled further into his shoulder. “I was waiting for Jake to get old enough and then Nicholas came, and it just got pushed back. Eventually, I said forget it.”

“Well, I’m going to take you guys. I promise.” Dwight closed the magazine and kissed Savannah’s head. His chest burned with yearning for her. He grabbed her hand and closed his eyes. He pictured the ring where he had tucked it, inside one of his dress shoes. She was in for the surprise of her life.

Savannah watched as the flight attendant walked down the aisle. She had grabbed some pretzels and a soda for Dwight and nibbled quietly on her own. His soft breathing soothed her as they glided along the air. She still had one hand closed around his. An extraordinary man, he was. Amazing with his daughter and wonderful with her boys. Not everyone can experience such a man. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep both her hands off him when he smelled so good and felt so wonderful on her body.

“Excuse me,” she whispered to the stewardess. “can you tell me where we are going?”

The stewardess gave Savannah a weird smile and before she could answer, Dwight opened his eyes, sat up and dismissed the stewardess. “You little sneak.”

“I couldn’t help it. I feel so out of control.”

“Because you need it. I don’t want you to get so wrapped up in what’s going on that you lose yourself as a woman.” He winked.

Her middle melted. Savannah hoped the seat wasn’t wet beneath her. She kissed his full lips. “How long will it take?”

“Patience grasshopper, patience. You have got to do a better job of relaxing.”

The truth was that she was relaxed. The pain in her back from tension had eased up. Her headache was gone and because she wasn’t thinking about cancer or death or chemo, she was able to focus on the beautiful man next to her. Dwight spent a lot of the flight reading Common’s book and pointing out parts he found interesting. “I just love how he talks about his relationships, not out of negativity but from a place of personal reflection.”

Savannah smiled. They played a few rounds of tic-tac-toe. Or slept. At one point they were watching the feature film about a man learning to become a better husband and a father when he learns that his wife is pregnant. Dwight had hardly said a word while it was on.

“You okay?”

He turned to face her. “Yes, why?”

“You’re really into the movie.”

“I like this movie. It takes me back to when Sandra was pregnant with Isabella.”

“That’s surprising.”

“I suppose I don’t look like the type that would like this kind of movie, huh? I only watch Boyz in the Hood and Friday, right? We Baltimore dudes can’t be sensitive.” His eyes were serious, but she couldn’t help but notice the twitching at the corner of his mouth.

“Well, you have to admit that if I had to make a guess, I wouldn’t take you for someone who would be this into it.”

“You should know by now that I’m one of the special ones.” He locked eyes with her, his hand reaching for hers. Dwight tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her forward. He pressed his lips to hers, applying slight pressure before edging his tongue against her lips. A shallow breath escaped her mouth as his hand moved up and brushed against her nipple.

Savannah sighed softly. “You better be glad we’re on this damn plan.”

“We’ll be landing shortly. Then you have to keep your promises.” He whispered into her mouth.

Savannah giggled and squeezed his hand. Just then the loudspeakers were humming with the captain’s voice. “We will be arriving at our destination in ten minutes. We ask that you move your tray tables into the upright position. Please shut down all devices. If you are going to Venice, the weather is a nice comfortable 80 degrees. If you will be staying in Tessera, the weather is also a comfortable 80 degrees. Thank you for flying Air Italy.”

Savannah looked at Dwight, her face frozen.

“Savannah?” Dwight shook her carefully.

Suddenly a small shriek erupted from her mouth, which caused the people nearest to them to turn around with varied expressions. She looked frantically out the windows and the city appeared before her eyes. She was really in Italy.

“You didn’t?” She said over her shoulder.

“I did.”

Savannah melted back into his arms and tried to contain her joy.