Love’s Goodbye (Part 4)

By: Nanju Francisco

“Jackie?”

“Y-Yes, darling?” Jackie replied as tears were falling down her cheeks. She was shaking now, afraid that David would send her packing and out of the house immediately.

“Why did you come back to me?” David suddenly sat up and looked straight into her eyes. “I thought you would never come back.”

“Y-You knew about it?” Jackie was caught by surprise. “How?”

“I heard everything on the extension phone,” David looked uneasy and defensive. He scratched his head and said, “It was unintentional though. I was looking for little David and found him playing with the extension line. Somehow he managed to get it off the hook without anyone—Rick or you—knowing it. Anyhow, I was about to put it back when I heard you crying on the phone. I couldn’t help it because I thought someone was threatening you or something. Then, I heard everything. That’s how I found out about it. Forgive me, Jackie. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop…”

David reached out and cupped her face with his hands. He looked directly into her eyes and Jackie wasn’t sure what he would do next.

“But still you did not confront me,” tears were now falling freely from Jackie’s eyes. “Why?”

“It’s because I love you,” David said heavily. “And I wanted you to make your own decision and not to force you to stay with me if you would rather be with Rick. That’s how much I love you, Jackie.”

“Oh, David,” Jackie cried out aloud. “David! I love you more than I love Rick. I realized that a long time ago that’s why I married you! The real reason why I went to the airport was only to say goodbye to Rick because he wouldn’t stop bothering me unless I met him at the airport this morning. I wouldn’t trade you even for a hundred Rick. Whether you believe it or not. You are the one for me, David. I love you…”

David's heart swelled with happiness. He knew Jackie's words were true. He pulled her into a close embrace. "I love you too, Jacqueline," he whispered, kissing her hand.  At that moment, with Jackie in his arms, everything felt right. He was ready to begin their new chapter together. Forever. 

-The End-