Chapter 4: THE BIG RETURN

Can one man walked around and be so blessed? Only the almighty could reveal such! Bill had cut back on some of the work coming into his office! Because, he needed to start putting some time and money into the building that had caught the woman he loved eyes and then his! So he recruited some of the work-men from his work-site to work on the property! He had around fifteen of them working with him on the property he had just bought!

Bill had reserved one of the water tanks to supply water to the property he had just purchased. He hadn't reapply for the water as yet with the city; because, one, he did not know what the conditions of the pipes were like as yet and furthermore, there was a drought in season; so no water might still not come through the pipes! Therefore, the water tank was necessary and most convenient for the work-men to carry out their job!

Some of the work-men were sweeping piles of dirt and rubbles which had accumulated inside of the house for years! While others were scrubbing the walls and another set was removing debris to the street-side for the waste truck to pick them up and remove them to the dump! And the rest were removing the dated fixtures from the interior and exterior of the house; so the new ones could be fitted in their place!

Within a week, everything old, broken, bent, dried twisted and cracked was removed from the property and taken away to the dump to be burnt or dispose of!

Bill wanted nothing that looked insubstantial or shabby in or on the new property! Now, he was seeing a better vision of what he wanted the structure to look like! So raw material was bought and then brought in to accommodate that vision... bringing it to a reality!

And an additional room was constructed to the original building showing the structure to be even more humongous than it was!

The work men were busy mixing cement, putting down tiles with various designs to tickle the eyes! Some were fastening modern gun-proof windows in place, some were patching walls with mixed cements and another group was priming walls to accommodate the finishing touches of vibrant paint colors!

White crispy spray-paint was placed on the exterior grills after been sand to a state of smoothness - grills, a means of security device; causing them to pop against the dark, ashes gray color against the wall behind it!

Dated doors were sand and repainted with layers of freshly colored paint and were then placed where discarded ones once stood! And then new doors were put in their place for privacy and ambiance to upgrade the quality and character of the environment!

The house which once looked old, ruined and shattered was now forming shape!

It was looking better and better each day the work-men put their hands on it! Passers-by were taking notice and the owner was now beaming withy exuberant joy! He was on fire, thinking about how Vanessa's face is going to look when he shows the house to her! It was surely looking like a palace! Even outshining those gigantic structures situated around it! Mark you, it wasn't as big as they were, but it was now, the most beautiful house on the block! And those who were feeling, a bit jealous, started repainting their houses and scrubbing the dirt from their walls! Even though, the shortage of water was still evident! But, regardless of them being green-eyed - covetous, apprehensive and competitive! Their actions still couldn't match-up to Bill's creative work with concrete, steel and tiles!

The renovation of the structure was done!

The once dingy, decaying derelict structure was now shining bright like the sun! It was the light on the street and also in the entire community!

The brand new French design windows stood out against the pale muster yellow walls!

The rose wood red colors, popped around the exterior skirting of the house attracting the eyes to look up! And when the large tick front door open! A sea of dazzling brown tiles with specific patterns had been laid from the entrance of the house all the way to the back of the kitchen! Egg-shell white walls with a dash of gold went around the interior trimming of the living-room and dining room of the house!

And a huge golden chandelier with baby crystals in the center of the living-room and dining room to give it a luxurious finish! With the chandelier in the dining room being a bit smaller than that of the living room!

The hall-way had baked, varnished tiles stretched from one end to the other; reflecting ones image when stepped on, with linen closets at both ends for bathing and bed making convenience!

The bath-rooms had every comfort fit for royalty and whoever that would follow their blood-line! Each bed room was telling its own story!

The master bed room had natural tones; just in case the intended prospect wanted to personalize it; it wouldn't be too difficult for them to acquire such! And the other two bed-rooms; one was painted teal-blue and the olive green with dark wooden floors that lay diagonally! The kitchen! It was very huge! A chief and his crew could fit into it comfortable!

All of the modern fixtures money could buy had been installed inside of it! On-lookers were checking it out from every handle and wanted to know if it will be on the market for sale!

Bill had really outdone himself this time! And he knew when the landscape team came in and put down the plants and line to perimeter with lush green shrubs then it would be taking life!

Five days had passed and the landscape team was at Bill Spence new property setting up plants in various location of the yard! And when they were done, a bit of heaven had come to earth! Beds and beds of flowers in different assortments, texture, colors and fragrance were stretched out around the yard with various pieces of art work to enhance the grounds!

Bill had deliberately request the art work for the garden and mainly plants that could endure the drought condition, like cactus plants and ever-green plants that needed very little water! Because, he knew for one, some of the plants would take up too much water; especially, in the early stages of being in the ground and if not watered frequently would wider away and die!

The house and it grounds was disgustingly beauteous! Bill Spence could now take a deep breath and relax; as he admires the shabby ruins arrive to a place of marvelous luster and eye-catching work of art... an eye-popping manifestation of his work!

With the house in completion, Bill knew he needed to focus on getting Vanessa now and he planned on going all the way out to get her! Anything it took!

He had provided a home for her already and he had something that was of great worth which he wanted to share with her! Whether or not, she would accept him into her life!

The gathering at Bill's house had reduce for some reason or the other; but he thought mainly it was because they all had gotten their water tanks and secondly, they suspected that he had the eyes for Vanessa and didn't wanted to be too intrusive at his surroundings! Some of them who came by wanted to bed him and also to be the one in his life; and probable also in his house!

But, Bill had shown great restraint and had turned every one of them down! It was not that he hadn't found them attractive but, he was too hurt and just wasn't ready for a relationship!

The Hudson's had not come by for a while now either; but Bill had called them more than once to see how they were doing! He did not mention a word to them about the house being started or completed! He wanted Vanessa to see it before anyone else did and furthermore he wanted it to be a surprise to her!

Weeks had now rolled around and Bill was not sure if this was Vanessa weekend off! So he went by her place of work to see if she was there and to enquire if this would be the week-end for her to go home! And it was!

But Bill had been contemplating a plan all along in his head of what he was going to tell her! And as he parked his car he came up with several; but which one will she believe, was to be found out!

It was late Friday evening and Vanessa was already packing to leave for the weekend! The car her boss drove was nowhere in the drive way or in the garage; and the garage doors were open!

And as he rang the door-bell, his heart pounded faster and faster! The palm of his hands began sweating profusely! And he was feeling nervous for one reason or another!

And when Vanessa opened the front door of the house; Bill jaws dropped! He was almost lost for words! He knew he had to come up with a story to tell her why he was there! So, he built on the one that he had left with her the last time! After greeting her, how you do!!!!

"Hi Bill, how are you doing? It has been a long time since I haven't seen you!"

Vanessa muttered!

"Yes I was wondering why I haven't seen you or even herd from you! I gave my numbers to you, for a reason, you know!"

Bill tried to express jokingly.

"Well I did not want to use my boss telephone to call you and I don't have any of those new gadgets... cell phone! She has given me permission to use the phone only if there is an emergency! But I did come by you more than once and your front door was lock!

Vanessa explained.

"What! Oh really! When was that?"

Bill enquired.

"To be honest with you, I can't really recall! But I know I have been around there more than twice! And others too... from the group!"

Vanessa uttered.

"To be honest, I have been really busy! Running here, running there! Doing this and that at work! And getting the water tanks! How does Janet like hers?"

Bill investigated.

"Oh, so you are the one who got the water tank for her? She said her brother was to get one for her! I thought this was the one!"

Vanessa revealed.

"She told me it did come true! She had rejected me when I had first asked her and then she called me back and told me she wanted it! I was so glad when she did! I thought I would see you when I brought it over; but she told me you were gone for the weekend!"

And with that being said, Bill touched the side of her neck gently to indicate an act of intimacy! And she put her hands on his to remove it gently!

Now, he was asking the question that would initiate his truth or his fib!

"Are you going home this week end?"

Bill asked.

"Yes, this is my weekend off!"

Vanessa replied!

"I can give you a lift if you would like! Or we could go someplace nice and have something to eat!"

Bill offered teary eyed!

"Are you serious?"

Vanessa asked.

"Yes Vanessa, I am dead serious!"

Bill fired back.

"I have not received my pay as yet! I am waiting for Ms. Clark to bring it to me! She is caught up at the office and will be a bit late!"

Was Vanessa's explanation!

Well I guess we will have to wait until she comes back! If you want to put on something different to wear you could come by my house and do so; if you want to!"

Bill offered again!

"Where are you taking me or where are we going, I should ask! This is my work! I don't have dressing clothes here! They are at my home!"

Vanessa gave off!

Bill was enjoying every moment spent with her! He felt as if he was getting somewhere with her! She was getting to let down her guard and he was trying very hard for her to accept him and trust him without questions!

"Okay we will go someplace casual and the next time you come to work you can bring something formal­­ - more dressy, to go out in! So when we are going out you have something nice to wear!"

Was Bill suggestion!

"So you are going to start taking me out on my week ends now and how am I going to see my family if you are going to take me out?"

Vanessa asked.

"Well I don't work on weekends; so I could always ride with you to the country! A matter of fact what state do you go to on your week end off?"

Bill offered and enquired.

"My parish is in the east! I come from the east, form a parish call St. Thomas!"

Vanessa informed him!

"Oh, I see! St. Thomas in the east! Well that is not so far! It will take us thirty-five minutes, the most; for us to get there! That's an easy ride! Don't you think? Even though, the roads are a little bad!"

Bill expressed.

"A little, bad, Bill! They are very bad!"

Vanessa exclaimed!

And the more the conversation grew the more she took an intimate liken unto him! Now they were giggling and laughing and he was telling her stories from his past and she had some of her own to reveal to him; but refrain from telling them to him now! And then they were from one subject to the other and then another until a pair of bright head lights hit the drive way and shun on them brightly, causing them to shield their eyes with their hands! And then the lights went dead... it was off!

It was Janet Clark! She exited from the vehicle and was heading to the front door of the house; with piles of papers in her hands as if she was a school teacher taking home students home work to be marked! And, as she got closer and closer to them she began greeting them... good evening, good evening, good evening... until Vanessa opened the front door for her and took some of the papers from her hands!

Once she got inside and sat down! She apologized for being late and expressed to Vanessa; she had to call a taxi to take her to the bus stop because, she was too tired to go back on the road!

And Vanessa and Bill looked at each other; they automatically, began to think the exact same thing! That his presence there was meant to be!

And candidly, Bill expressed to Janet Clark that she don't have to worry about taking her to the bus stop; because, he would take her! Janet Clark handed Vanessa an envelope with her two weeks' pay and an additional hundred dollars for taxi fare just in case; Bill was unable to stick to his word for one reason or another!

Which Janet knew, he hardly ever did! Everyone knew him to be an upright and upstanding human being and a man of his words! And Vanessa would come to learn, that he was a perfect gentleman!

Vanessa told her employer, Janet Clark, good-bye, she will see her Monday morning! And hoped she had a good weekend!

Her employer told her thanks and wished her the same! Bill made the same gesture and they both were through Janet Clark's front door giggling and looking at each other with wonderment!

Bill placed Vanessa weekly bag onto the back seat of his car and they both got in the car and were on their way! Bill suggested that they stop by his house, change and freshen-up a bit! But Vanessa was attired in her best... she had nothing better to put on!

So Bill decided to change into a sport shirt and jeans pant! He didn't want to look too dressy while Vanessa was attired causally! He then dabbed a little cologne here and there on his body! He got some cash and they were on the road again!

He wanted to take her some place special on their first date! But, since she wasn't prepared for it, he opted for someplace less fancy; but still with good taste! And so he planned on taking her to Matthew Grant restaurant; the man who had appraised the house and con him out of quite a few dollars! And as they drove, all Bill was drumming into Vanessa's head was how much he wanted her in his life... how he had great admiration for her and needed her for more than just a weekend rendezvous! He was very serious and every now and then; he took his eyes off the road to observe her facial expressions! And all she did was looked at the road in front of them, avoiding every eye contact until he took a hand from the steering wheel; and reached out to squeezed hers, tightly but, passionately!

They were now, at their location and Bill told Vanessa to wait as he got out of his car! He went to her door, opened it for her and took her by the hand! He had his hands in hers as he escorted her to the door of the restaurant; and they were inside the establishment and needed to be seated!

Being the gentle man he was, Bill pulled out a chair and had Vanessa seated comfortable; before he had himself seated! He was all about the romance! There was a candle jar at an unoccupied table opposite to where they were seated!

And Bill removed himself from the table and brought it to their table! He then called the waiter to have it lit for them!

He wanted her to remember every moment of the evening!

After they had ordered their desired meal, Bill took moments at a time and fed her! There were moments when she had refuse his gestures; he took some of her meal from off her plate; putting it to his mouth! And then, at other times, he carefully put some food to her mouth while reaching for her hands across the table and kissing them gentle!

Now, the caged mentally was slowly diminishing from her! Her feminine desires were being awaken and she was feeling like what she had only seen in movies or red in books! Her romantic sense... her sexual hormones­­­ were erupting inside of her... in front of a man she had not dreamt would love her the way she wanted to be loved!

Her walls were coming down and her tender and fragile heart was now being exposed! And she looked steadfast, with dancing pupils searching for honesty... searching for the truth into Bill Spence eyes, and asked...

"Do you really love me? Do you have the love in your heart for me that you would die for me? Take care of me if I was sick and immobile!"

With his hands in hers, Bill expressed all his desire he had been anticipating for so long! And so he started listing every dream and vision he hope to share with her! And with tears in his eyes, he revealed his gut and all that was lodged inside his heart for quite a few months now!

"V I love you more than that! I love you so much that I want you to carry my off springs! I want you to watch every sun set with me! Have moments like this; whether in fancy restaurant or not! Be in my home every moment of every day! I want you to sleep with me every single night and awake with me every single morning! Takes hikes with me to the mountain tops and strides with me in the valley and splashes with me in the rivers! Ride the salty waves of the oceans with me and at other moments dance the night away with me on every dance floor! And least, but not last, when I am broke and bankruptcy hit my way! I want you there, to share the moments of all we had done wrong and what right decisions we will make the next time!"

And the both of them giggled with tears seeping down the side of their eyes and unto their cheeks!

It was late when they had left the restaurant! They were the last ones out the door! And as they walked back to the Bill's car they were rap in each other's arms like baked pretzel! Bill was still a gentle man because, he walked Vanessa to the passenger side of the car, opened the door for her and made sure she was seated properly before he closed the door to the car!

Now it was after mid-night and Bill offered Vanessa a room at his house to sleep for the night! Or, if she wanted him to ride her home in the wee hours of the morning! It was a decision she had to make! And she knew, it would be safer for either of them to go by his residence! And so, she decided to take the spear bed room at his house for the night! And so they both took the forty-five minutes ride home holding hands as if they were two seasoned couples who had been newlywed!

And as they pulled up in the drive way of Bill's house; Bill got out first and went to open the car door for Vanessa! He let her out and walked her to the door and opened it and let her inside.

She was pretty much familiar with Bill's house but, not all of it! She had never been to any of his bed-rooms before! So he took her by the hands and brought her to one of the bed-rooms he thought best for her to sleep in!

He changed the linen for her, assisted her to the shower and gave her one of his t-shirts to sleep in for the night! And before she rested her head on the pillow, he hugged her! Squeezing her with every ounce of passion he felt in his being! He then kissed her cheeks as if he intended to suck her smooth skin off her flesh! And then help her with the covers up to her shoulders, he then kissed her on the forehead and closed the doors behind him! And as he walked to his room, he told her to have a good nights' rest and please remember to dream of him! And she laughingly replied!

"I will!"

With bodies tired from a week of work and ups and downs, they both slept past noon! Bill initiated the knock on Vanessa bed-room door! She told him she would be right out! And when she did, they hugged passionately, had breakfast together and ready themselves for the trip to see her relatives in the country side!

Vanessa introduced the handsome strangers to her mother and other siblings who welcome him into their humble dwellings! Bill loved the country atmosphere! He made himself useful as possible around Vanessa family! He was no pro at manually labor; but he gave a hand to Vanessa mother with chopping the wood for making fire for boiling coconut oil and for cooking the family dinner! They all ate and chit-chat about everything they could recall to talk about making Bill admire Vanessa even more and took a deeper liken to her family! And when the evening had come to a close, Bill wanted Vanessa to take the trip back with him to the city! He wanted her there with him! He did not want her to leave his side! He was falling deeper and deeper for her! He knew she was the right one for him and her being by his side means the world to him! And she agreed to take the trip back to city with him! After all, it would be much easier for her getting to work come Monday morning!

Once in the city and in their community...Bill purposefully drove by the refurbished house to see if Vanessa would recognized it! But, she did not! He knew if she did she would have made mention of it! And she was looking at every house as if she wanted to see it because for her it was a land mark!

Three months had passed by and Bill and Vanessa tied the knot! It was a blissful moment for everyone who was involved! All of Vanessa friends and relatives from the country side were there for the merry occasion! Every soul from the community who walk to Bill house twice or three times a week; burdening him with their problems were there also!

And they all seemed happy about the occasion and if they weren't they kept it to themselves and flourish their plastic smiles!

And at the end of the ceremony Bill took Vanessa for a walk with the keys to newly furbish house inside his pocket! And when she hit the corner and saw the house she gave out a hilarious wow!!!!!!!!!!!! My god!!!!!! My goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't this the run-down house? Looking around in the meantime to see if she was in the correct place!

"Someone has bought it and fixed it up, it looks like? Right, Bill!"

She uttered with a gush of surprise!

"I don't know! Probable!"

Bill replied.

And the both of them stood across from the street for a moment before Bill took Vanessa hands and walked her to the gate of the yard and eventually through it; and to the front door of the house! He then went into his pocket... took out the keys and opened the door with it! With Vanessa standing beside him looking wild eyed, surprise and puzzled! She did not know what to think! Because Bill had a house already!

Various thoughts were racing through her head!

She was confused, shock and shaking like leaves in a hurricane!

Bill held her hand and took her from room to room! Showing her all decorative details with the various paint colors on the walls and ornate and antique fixtures throughout the house!

Vanessa loved the floors and the chandeliers in the kitchen and dining room! But, she still didn't know what to think! And after the tour on the interior, Bill brought her outside the back yard which was very spectacular as inside! She now looked up at him and asked...

"Do you know the person who had bought this and fixed it up or did you do the work for them?"

"Well, I do know the person who bought it and I did fix it up for her!"

Bill replied sheepishly!

"Who is she?"

"She is my wife!"

"You meant your ex-wife bought it?"

Vanessa asked with a tone of contempt in her voice! She thought she would be living beside Bill's ex-wife and what problems that might cause!

And to ease the tension that was boiling up inside of her! Bill left her off easy!

"No Vanessa it is not my ex-wife's house, it is my present wife's house! The wife I just got married to today!"

Bill stated, wearily!

Vanessa still was not clear of what he was saying to her! He had to explain...

"When I saw you observing the house, as if, you had to have! I decided to secretly buy it and fix it up for you! It would be yours whether or not you had married me! But I fell in love with you and thought I should surprise you with it! And not only that! I had found a gorgeous piece of jewelry on the grounds here! Having a v shape; just like your name! It is worth a reasonable fortune and half of it is yours! You see, why I had to marry you! You are my lucky star!"

"Bill Spence you are crazy!!!!!! Thank you and I love you very, very much!!!!

The truth is, there were nights when I thought about how I would save the money and fixed it up little at a time! And here you did it all for me! Plus you put a ring on it!?

She expressed!

And the both of them hugged each other and laugh all the way back to the house! She realized how lucky she was!

Vanessa had continued working until her boss found a replacement for her! Bill did not want her working at all; except at his office or in their house! And sometimes, when she accompanied him to his office; she would joke about the job he had stated he would get for her, from some new business prospective who intended on opening some form of business near him! Where she could work as a receptionist there! Causing Bill to feel silly that he had to lie to her so as to get her attention! But she had forgiven him for every wrong intention he had display in order to win her!

Well, five months had now rolled by and Vanessa found out, she was expecting with child... possible twins, at that! After visiting the doctor's office for the past four months it was confirmed!

Because, prior to that, she had found herself not having a normal appetite and was often-times sleepy!

A month after the doctor had confirmed that she was expecting; the rain came down in full force! And it would not stop falling! Every single day, there was a huge shower of rain until eventually, every wider plant began coming lush and green again day by day!

With babies on the way, the Spence rented the house Bill had occupied and moved to a bigger house... the beautiful eye-popping renovated house that turned heads, warmed hearts and made passers-by wondered what the inside looked like! And neighbors gush with envy even though they were living in much huger house mansions than they were!

As time went by, Bill Spence had no regrets! He now knew for sure he had made the right decision; in buying the house and putting his mark on it! It was more than luck! It was more than passion! To Bill, it seem very divine because he had found a fortune behind the house and most importantly, he has found his wife, the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with! And so he continues to stand behind the house!