Loving You (Remembrance Series, Book 2) (14 page)

“Your father and grandfather will be meeting us for dinner afterward.”

Lorraine excused herself to the ladies room, leaving Gregory and I to talk.

“When did Ray visit?” Gregory asked.

“Right as your mom was talking about us joining her on Friday. One minute I was listening to her and the next I was looking at Ray. He told me that the answers we seek are hiding in treasures of the past. He wants us to go to the exhibit. Apparently, the final pieces to help us search for our past life are held within the exhibit.” I wanted to explain further, but his mom rejoined us.

When he dropped me back at the office, I whispered, “I’ll let you know what else he said when we get home, tonight.”

He gave me a chaste kiss on the lips before we parted ways and I entered the elevator. When I got off on my floor, I was surprised to be greeted with a flurry of questions, “Hey, Jordan. Did you enjoy your lunch? Your future mother in-law seems so sweet. Where do Gregory’s parents live? What did you all do over the weekend? We heard something about party planning?”

I was surprised by the 180 degree shift in the attitudes of everyone. One minute I was being called a traitor and a snitch, the next I’m being asked questions about my fiancé and his family. Wow, this office was changing moods so fast it was making my head spin.

I noticed Pamela’s coupe was hovering around the corner, so I made my remarks quickly, yet audible. “They live in a very nice, gated subdivision on a lake. My mother joined all of us for the weekend and we spent it relaxing and planning the Engagement Party my mother in-law is throwing in our honor. To our surprise, Gregory’s brother and his wife flew into town for a conference and we were able to meet up with them. It was an amazing weekend.”

Sydney and Eleanor seemed to sulk a bit as they moved back toward their cubicles. I excused myself from the front, citing a need to handle some priority items.

The rest of the afternoon went smoothly, allowing me to open my door without the threat of sarcastic remarks aimed in my direction. It was approaching seven when I decided to call it a day and head back to Gregory’s.

“How did the rest of your day go at the office?” Gregory bombarded me as soon as I walked in the door.

I had to smile. “You purposefully planned on stopping by to put some of the assumptions to rest, didn’t you?”

He held his hands up in surrender, smiling like a person in love. “Guilty, as charged. I hadn’t planned on my mom being able to make it, but when I told her what was going on she insisted on helping. Did it work?”

“It worked like a charm. Thank you.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling his face down to my lips, kissing him firmly, hoping he could feel how much I loved him.

One of his hands reached around my shoulders, while the other arm extended down to my lower back, pressing me firmly against his body, molding me to him. He angled his head to deepen the kiss as his teeth scrapped over my lower lip, nipping on it until I opened my mouth for his tongue to press forward, seeking to devour every inch.

I felt myself relax in his arms, for the first time in days. Feeling lightheaded, I broke the kiss and just leaned into his chest for comfort.

I spoke just above a whisper. “Pamela’s biggest followers had been giving me the hardest time, trying to turn the office against me since she left.”

“Did they treat you any differently, today?” His arms rubbed up and down my spine in a circular motion to comfort me.

“Well, there are no more crude innuendos.” I paused to look up into his eyes. “You know you are my knight in shining armor,” I teased.

“Happy to be of service, my lady,” he said jokingly back, before kissing me on my temple. “How about we get some food and watch some TV before turning in for the night?”

I nodded in agreement and then offered to cook, but he insisted I rest on the sofa while he prepared dinner.

I couldn’t stand not doing anything, so I whipped out my laptop, sat with my back to the kitchen and, leaning against the arm of the sofa, I began to update my journal with what Ray had told me earlier, today:

August 3, 20- -

Our dreams seem to be more intense and focused on two potential threats, rather than one. I question whether the dreams of the past are just that or if they are warning us of the future.

To date we know that our names from the past are:

Victorian Era:

Angeline Olivia Carlson

Daniel Anthony Whitfield

Colonial Era:

Hannah _____ Clark

Aaron _______ Williams

Present Era:

Jordan Olivia Carlisle

Gregory Anthony Riley (Worthington)

Our names, both first and last, seem to be popular during the Revolutionary period. There are several locations, throughout the thirteen colonies, where we could have existed. The names Franklin, Jefferson and Washington have come up in some of the dream dialogue; but, we couldn’t possibly have associated with the likes of our nation’s Founding Fathers. Could we?

I wish we could figure out what our middle names were. Although, now that I look at the listing, I’m beginning to wonder if the answer hasn’t been staring us in the face all along. Could it really be that simple, that our middle names are always the same throughout history?

Ray popped in on me today to let me know that some of the answers we seek would be found in the Revolutionary Exhibit at the History Center. Lorraine and the curator are going to give us a private tour of the items on display this Friday. I hope that something there either belonged to one of us or will at least trigger our memories. We need to be further along in discovering our past, if we are to have a future together.

The other thing Ray mentioned, which gives me alarm, is that my limits will be tested and to not fall for tricks, deception and lies. If Gregory and I stand strong together, we will get through it all. But, I don’t understand his comment about how if someone has the ability to hate within their heart; they have the ability to let in evil. What does that mean?

Gregory has been searching for a linguistics expert to help decipher the prophecy. He had copied a couple of the lines and faxed to some different people. To date, we haven’t had anyone respond who could read the ancient dialect. The language seems to pre-date all other forms of language. So, we are left wondering what the prophecy fully predicts.

I can hear Gregory moving around and know that he will not be happy seeing me on the computer, instead of resting. I need to wrap….

My computer was lifted out of my lap. Gregory had somehow snuck up behind me. “You’re supposed to be resting. You look like you’re ready to pass out.”

He quickly scanned the contents of the journal entry, getting the full jest of what Ray had stated, along with my thoughts. “I hope he isn’t going to test you much further. I don’t know how much more you can take.”

I was a little furious and raised my voice at his comment. “I’m stronger than you think!”

“I’m not saying you aren’t, love. I just don’t like to see you pushed. I’m sorry if I am a bit overprotective. But, I’ve loved you for a lifetime and I’m determined that I. Will. Not. Lose. You. This Time!” He made sure to enunciate each word loud and clear. “My heart and my mind couldn’t take it, again. You are everything to me; I only half exist without you.”

He leaned down, giving me a chaste kiss on the lips, before powering down my laptop and letting me know dinner was ready. I followed him into the kitchen to see the food on the plates and candles lit on the table. “How did I ever luck out in finding the most romantic man on Earth?”

His quirky half-smile crept across his face. “You bring out the romantic side of me. I want to be everything you’ll ever need.”

“You are everything I need and then some.” I reached up to stroke the side of his face. He leaned into my touch. “I love you for all that you do and are for me; but sometimes you can be a little overwhelming with your devotion.” I saw his eyes widen and his face begin to frown. “Gregory, you are an amazing protector; however, if we are to defeat the darkness this time, I need to learn to stand on my own two feet, as well. Besides, who will look after you?”

He laughed. “Sorry, Jordan. When I’m around you, I let my heart speak for itself, rather than my mind. I agree; you should learn how to stand up to the darkness, too. Maybe that’s part of the problem in our past. I always tried to protect you, rather than letting you stand for yourself. I’ll try to not be so controlling; but only if you promise we stand together, as one.”

“Always, babe.” I said, smiling, as we sat down to eat.

As we were clearing the table, Gregory began talking about what he had read in the journal, “I want to see what Friday brings, but I think you might be onto something about our middle names. It seems odd that twice, now, we have had the same middle name. But, I am also concerned about some of the things Ray said. I want to know what he meant about your limits being tested and exactly what that entails.”

The rest of the night was spent enjoying one another’s company. We didn’t talk of the past or the future; we only paid attention to the present, wrapped up in each other’s arms.

I was so happy that the attitudes in the office have finally shifted. Sydney and Eleanor still steered clear of me, but at least the negativity and hateful words had ceased. Most of my other co-workers seemed to have a pleasant attitude and it returned to a somewhat enjoyable working environment.

At the end of the day Friday, we finally had time to focus on learning more about our lives as Hannah and Aaron.

Lorraine had given us specific instructions on where to park, so we wouldn’t have to walk far. I got to the Center first and Gregory texted that he was only about ten minutes away. I parked where we were told and decided to wait for him by my car.

“Are you Jordan?” I heard a weak voice ask.

I turned toward the voice to discover Angela standing there with her arms crossed. Her body was completely surrounded with a red aura and her eyes had a tinge of glowing red in the centers.

My mind quickly told me I was in a dangerous situation. I tried taking a couple of steps toward the entrance, but Angela quickly blocked me. She started yelling in a hateful tone, “You aren’t going anywhere.”

“What do you want, Angela?” I countered.

A treacherous smile spread across her face, as she stepped toward me. “So you know who I am; that’s good. It should make this conversation go rather quickly.” Her eyes glared at me. “You will NEVER marry Gregory! He belongs to me and I’ll let no one else claim him.”

Normally, I would have flinched and maybe run away from a confrontation like this. But something inside me told me to stand my ground.

“Gregory is a grown man capable of deciding who he wants to be married to. I’m not going to run after him, chase him down or force him into a farce of a marriage, against his will. Frankly, I could care less that he comes from money and what his last name is. But, I do love him with all my heart and that will never go away.” I insisted.