[26] Epilogue: Summer Love

"Tony, I'm heading out!" her excited voice echoed through the house.

"Mmm..." I mumbled as my lips were quite busy at the moment. My hands pulled the pillow underneath her head.

"Tony, she might come here." She gasped and squirmed underneath me.

"Hmm."I sighed as I sat up and stared at her bewildered state, lying restfully on my bedroom couch. "I like this look on you, suits you well." I laughed as I saw her red pouty lips and her rosy cheeks blushing with that delicious color.

"TONY!" The voice screamed again echoing through the hall, and I stared at my room's open door as Felice fixed herself.

"I can't believe you attacked me like that." I could hear the smile and embarrassment in her voice as she glided her fingers in her hair.

"It's healthy for you to feel these things for me." I said as I faced her. I inched closer to her face again as I muttered, "Not that I could do anything about that... at least not right now." Maybe in another few years after she says I do.

"I feel weird." She frowned as she crossed her legs and stared at the open door.

"Why won't you answer me?" Antoinette said as she was suddenly in my doorway with both her hands on her hips. "I said, I'm heading out. I left some food on the table; drinks are in the fridge. Lights and sounds are going to arrive in a little while. Guests are coming by 7."  Antoinette eyed Felice's bashful expression as she assessed us on the sofa.

"Alright, Nettie." I laughed at the nickname as Antoinette's eyes narrowed. "What? You seem to have no problem with Emerson calling you that." I laughed again as I remembered how she met Emerson in California, he accidentally called her "Maya".

"Whatever." Antoinette smiled at Felice. "I fixed the decorations, don't go down yet okay. It's a surprise. I'll be back by 7!"

"With Emerson?" Felice teased and we both laugh.

"Right, laugh all you want." And Antoinette left.

"Happy Birthday, Tony." Felice smiled and gave me a very startling deep kiss that smacked me.

"Mmm..." I smiled as I looked at her. "Happy Birthday to you too." It was a joint party, even as our birthdays were a month apart. But I wanted to give her a party and this was the only way she'd allow me to. And it was a perfect chance to give her what I wanted to give since that confrontation with Karen. "I have something for you."

"Another gift, Tony?" She laughed. "You can't open my gift for you yet. It's in the car. I'll give it to you when the party's over." I took out a long velvet box from the bedside table and opened it in front of her. Her eyes widened in shock.

"Someday, I'll make you my bride." I laughed. "But it's probably too early for that, and it might scare you away." I took the necklace with a 3-carat ring as a pendant and brought it around her neck. "For now, I'll settle as your boyfriend. I love you, Felice, more than anything in the world, more than myself."

"Don't you think it's too much, Tony?" She said as she held the pendant in her thin elegant fingers. "But, I can't give you..."

"After," I said. "After you say 'I do' in front of a priest, then decide if you can give me what you think I want." I smiled at the thought and gave her a feather-light kiss on her forehead.

It is because of Karen that from time to time Felice thinks that all I want from her is to have sex with her. I've assured Felice time and time again that I won't take her virtue from her. Sometimes, even as Karen disappeared off the face of the earth... the nightmare never left us.

I didn't hate her as much now; I kind of took pity on what she had become. Her future now went up in flames as she was placed in a mental institute just a month ago for sociopathy. After the confrontation that morning, she found out that she was already a month pregnant. The father might be Rico, but she had her doubts as well.

Prematurely, she decided to have an abortion, and the illegal abortion didn't only cause her an infection but it has taken its toll on her mind as well as emotional self.

As for Felice, I'm contented with what I have for now. I know I have such desires but it can wait. As long as I'm concerned, it can wait forever.

It is in the River of Lies that you find
A man's wisdom beyond his years
seeking all good,
which will promote Honesty.