Unconditional Love (Journey of Love 1)

I grabbed it and pulled it over my head and made my way to the kitchen. I opened the freezer and pulled out my new boyfriend: Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia.

I flopped down on the sofa and started digging in. My mind traveled back to every look and every word that Lark said to me earlier. I shook my head. I had been thinking about it all on the drive home. Jessie had begged me to stay with them tonight but I needed to be alone to think.

He looked so sad…almost devastated. I swore at one point he wanted to tell me something but couldn’t. I let out a deep sigh and went to take a bite of my ice cream.

Carlito Vazquez.

The name just popped into my head and I remembered the conversation Lark had that I overheard. I sat up and put my ice cream on the coffee table as I got up and made my way over to my laptop. I sat down and pulled up Google. When I typed in the name, the first return caused me to gasp.

“Most-wanted drug cartel leader Carlito Vazquez was killed by single gunshot wound to the head by a sniper on March 18. United States government denies any involvement.”

“Oh. My. God.”

I began clicking on all the links and reading. They all said the same thing and it all started to click.

Lark. Marines. Missions. Sniper. Gunshot wounds.

I picked up the phone and called Scott and Jessie’s number. When no one answered, I ran and grabbed my cell phone.

I quickly pulled up my last text from Lark and began texting him. I knew he would still probably be traveling to wherever he was going.

Me: I heard you one night on the phone talking about a Carlito Vazquez. Tell me who he is.

I stared at my phone and waited for his response. About a minute later my phone pinged.

Lark: Please, Azurdee. Leave it alone.

Me: I want to know who he is. Right after that conversation you came back with a gunshot wound and I just found out this Vazquez guy was shot. By a sniper. That’s when you pushed me away.

Lark: Please. Stop. I’ll talk to you when I get back.

Me: No! I’m tired of you pushing me away. I want answers. You’re a sniper in the Marines, aren’t you? That’s why you leave. Your missions…that’s what you do.

Lark: I’m turning off my phone. I’ll talk to you when I get back.

Me: No! Don’t turn off your phone. Lark, please. I deserve to know.

I sat there and stared at my phone. Nothing. I jumped up and headed into the bedroom. I walked in and came to a halt. I slowly brought my hand up and covered my mouth.

A red rose. There was a red rose sitting on the pillow where Lark used to sleep. There was a piece of paper under the rose.

How did I not see that when I first walked in?

I began to send him another text.

Me: When did you leave the rose?

Lark: Before I left earlier. Please stop texting me. I’ll talk to you in a few days when I get back.

My stomach dipped at the idea that Lark was here. In my house. In my bedroom. Why didn’t I just leave before him? I would have been home and would have been able to talk to him.

I walked over and picked up the rose and smelled it like I did every time before when he left one.

I picked up the letter, opened it and began reading it. Two sentences in I realized what it was, and I began crying as I sat down on the bed.

“Oh shit. I’m gonna need more ice cream.”

I walked into the living room and picked up my melted ice cream. I headed to the kitchen to get a rag to clean up the melted mess.

After cleaning it up, I called Ralph. “I need ice cream. A lot of ice cream.”

“What do you think I am? Your bitch? I worked all day managing your restaurant while you played in the country.”

I let out a sigh and said, “You can totally have tomorrow off. I’ll take care of the restaurant all day.”

He let out a chuckle. “Are you going to close it up by yourself? Meg isn’t going to be there tomorrow.”

“Yes. It’s my damn restaurant and I know how to close it up by myself.”

“Fine. Cherry Garcia?”

I smiled and said, “You may be getting a raise soon.”

“I’d be happy if you just got some action soon and stopped being such a bitch.”

“Hurry! I’m going to need it.”

I hung up and sat down on the sofa. I pulled the blanket over me and grabbed one of the pillows. I opened up the letter and took a deep breath as I began reading it.

My Dearest Azurdee,

I never thought in my wildest imagination I would ever feel the way I’ve felt since I’ve been with you. Each moment with you causes me to fall more and more in love with you. The only place I want to be is next to you. The only person I want to kiss is you. The only person I want to make love to for the rest of my life is you.

There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Nothing I wouldn’t give to you. I want to give you everything, Azurdee. Not just material things. I want to give you my love, happiness, contentment…all the things you deserve. I want to protect you from everything that could possibly hurt you. I’d lay my life down to protect you. I want to be your rescuer just like you’ve been mine, mi amor.

The day we met fate looked down upon destiny. I knew it the moment you smiled at me. The moment you touched me. We were meant to be together and I want you to always remember that. Please never doubt it or forget it.

Sometimes I think this is all too good to be real. It’s like I’m the sand in an hourglass and I’m falling deeper and deeper in love with you, yet I’m so scared my sand will run out.

Every breath I now take is taken with new meaning. I can’t wait to start our life together. I can’t wait to wake up next to you every single day for the rest of my life. To see your beautiful face first thing every morning I imagine would be some of the most beautiful moments of my life.

You’ve bewitched me, Azurdee. You’ve made me want to be a different man. You’ve taught me how to love again. You’ve showed me there is so much more to life. I can’t imagine a life without you in it now.

I’ll love you always. I’ll always be faithful to you. I’ll always protect you.

I’ve never been so ready in my life to start a new journey. I’m so blessed I’m starting that journey with you.

My love to you always and forever,

Michael.

I could barely see the words through my tears as I read the letter again, and again, and again. I folded it up and held it to my chest as I sat on the sofa and cried. When I heard my doorbell ring, I flew up and ran to the door. I opened it and said, “It’s about damn time! I’ve been…”

I stopped talking when I saw a gentleman standing there smiling at me.

“Azurdee Emerson?”

I nodded my head. “Yes. May I help you?”

“May I come in?”

I planted my foot in front of the door and smiled while I said, “No. I don’t think so. May I ask who you are?”

He turned and looked at the car that was pulling up. When I looked and saw it was Ralph I almost broke down crying again.

“Lark has a message for you.”

I sucked in a breath of air. “What?”

He took a step closer as he said, “I’d feel more comfortable if we were able to talk to you in private.”

I frantically began looking around.

“We?”

Ralph got out of his car and when I saw Mark getting out too, I let out the breath I was holding.

“What’s going on?” Ralph said as he walked up. The guy standing at my door smiled and said, “It’s a personal matter. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

I shook my head and Ralph took another step closer to the guy. “I believe the lady doesn’t know who you are and is not comfortable with you approaching her.”

My phone beeped and I realized it was stuck in my sweats. I pulled it out and saw a text from Lark.

Lark: Baby listen to me. If anyone tells you that I sent them or they

work with me, they are lying. Try to get away from them as quickly as possible.

Me: Okay.

Lark: I’ll text you when I get service again.

Me: Okay.

Lark: I hope you read the letter.