Chapter 36: Fireworks
*Jasmine*
Once the soup came, the conversation turned to lighter topics.
“So, what professional baseball team would you like to play for?” Jasmine asked, blowing across her Lobster Bisque and then swallowed it. It was delicious and one of her favorite soups.
“The St. Louis Cardinals,” he answered right away, then took a sip of his soup.
Her head snapped up. “Seriously?”
He nodded, smiling. “Yeah, why?”
She shrugged. “I thought you might say the Miami Marlins. Why St. Louis?”
He let out a deep breath. “Because their fans are like no other I’ve seen. The Cardinals could be completely losing a game, but the fans will still cheer them on.” He talked about the players as Jasmine listened, intrigued.
She knew she wanted to become a physical therapist to help people. But being a sports therapist might be good, too. She would still be helping people. Before this moment, she hadn’t ever really thought about it. But then again, Zain was causing her to think about a lot of things lately.
Soon, the meal came, and it was delicious. As she looked out over the ocean at the moonlight, everything couldn’t have been more perfect. But all too soon, the meal came to an end.
“Want to take a walk on the beach with me before I take you home?” Zain placed his hand on her back again as they walked out. She liked his protective, gentlemanly nature. It made her feel safe, secure.
“Sounds good.” Jasmine took his hand, and he led her down to the beach.
“The fireworks will go off over the ocean over there.” Zain pointed to a spot over the ocean. “Any time now, a boat will come up and they’ll fire them off from there.”
Jasmine nodded, a little quiet, as he led her down the stairs to the beach. The sounds of the ocean waves rushing to shore and the seagulls chirping, playing in the surf rushed to her ears. “Zain, can I ask you something?”
He pulled her to a stop as he took her hands in his. “Yes, of course. What’s wrong?”
She shrugged, hating herself for asking, but she had to know. “After this is over and we go to separate universities, will we ever see each other again?”
Zain nodded, lacing his fingers through her hair. “Jasmine, you’re not going to get rid of me that easily.”
She bit her lower lip and released it. “Are you sure you won’t get tired of me after we... get married and then divorced?”
“No. Never.” He let out a deep breath as he looked into her eyes. “Jasmine, I wanted to talk to you about that.”
Her head snapped up. “About what?”
A small smile lit his lips. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to divorce you. Once we’re married, I want it to be forever.”
“But you’ll be in California, and I’ll be in Tennessee.” She shook her head. “How’s that going to work?”
He sighed, shaking his head. “I’m not sure, but we’ll make it work.”
“No.” She shook her head. “It’s better if we get a divorce.”
“Here we are, discussing getting a divorce, and we aren’t even married yet!” He laughed as he pulled her close. “Let’s just take it a day at a time. Okay?”
She nodded as his lips crushed down onto hers. She opened for him, deepening the kiss. He held her close and then ran his hand lightly down the side of her breast and thumbed her bud over her dress, going straight to her sex.
“Zain, stop.” She pulled back, breathless. If she didn’t stop him now, she didn’t think she would be able to.
“Okay,” he breathed against her lips. “I promise not to let it go too far, but I want you so badly.”
“I want you, too,” she replied. “Let’s go to Las Vegas early—”
“No,” he replied. “Why don’t you keep your appointment tomorrow, and I’ll make reservations for us at the Circus Circus.”
Her head snapped up. “Circus Circus?”
He chuckled. “Yes... well... the chapel in the hotel is actually called Chapel of the Fountain. I thought we could get a room there, but if you’d like to go somewhere else—”
“No,” she cut him off, smiling. “That’s fine... as long as we’re not getting married in a circus.”
He burst out laughing. “Now, would I do something like that?”
She chuckled. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
He smiled as he shook his head. “No, probably not.”
Just then, fireworks burst over the ocean high above them, sending red, white, and blue sparks into the sea. Then another one shot off, piercing the darkness of the night. But all Jasmine could see... was Zain. Just being with him was all the fireworks she needed.
She pulled his lips to hers, opening for him as passion overtook them both. As her lips moved with his, she didn’t know if she would be able to wait until they went to Las Vegas, but she was going to try.
***
The next day, her mother took her to the doctor for birth control. Even though Jasmine was embarrassed that her mother had taken her, she was also glad. If things progressed with Zain the way they had been, she was sure she would need it. Even if they used condoms, they weren’t always effective.
Even though she wanted to have children one day, she didn’t want to have any right now. She wanted to go to college, but most importantly, she never wanted to stand in the way of Zain’s dream. He made a promise to his father, and she intended for him to keep it.
“So, would you like to go shopping again? Or maybe see a movie?” her mother asked when they left the doctor’s office. She was afraid her mother would harp on her about the proper use of birth control and not let it go, but Jasmine was pleasantly surprised.
“Let’s go see a movie.” Jasmine smiled as they pulled out of the doctor’s office.
Her mother looked over at her and smiled. “You don’t have a date with Zain tonight?”
She shook her head. “No. Not today. I planned to spend the whole day with you.”
“Well....” Her mother made a left turn, headed toward the movie theater. “Let’s catch a movie, and then we’ll go to dinner. Or we could go to dinner first. It’s up to you.”
“I’m not very hungry right now. Are you?” She smiled, glad to see this side of her mother. In all the time she had known her, Jasmine felt she was finally getting to know who her mother really was. Jasmine was sad that it had taken until now, when she was leaving, before she saw it.
Hannah shook her head. “No, I can wait.” She gave her a sly smile. “Besides, you haven’t told me what you and Zain did last night.”
Jasmine shrugged, glad they were going to the movie first.