Unaware of the events about to unfold at the banquet on Saturday, and that the news she had to share may be more than they could collectively manage. Jenny went about her plan.

Her plan to use their Thursday evening to discuss a serious matter, a matter yet unknown to Marina Purposely she had raised the idea about Amura and the book reminding Marina of those she loved and why.

There really is something I need to talk to you about. Wanna go to the couch, so we can relax more?

Did you want me to bring Amuras scrapbook? Jenny shakes her head, no, and then sits down pulling Marinas hand for her to sit beside her.

With a deep sigh she begins, Marina, do you remember when I first started going to the Counselor I had to get an exam, you know, in case they wanted to prescribe meds. Marina was disappointed Jenny had so abruptly changed the subject. Theyd seemed so excited talking about Amura and her drawings, but it seems what happened in Moorea always crept into Jennys thoughts.

Anyhow, I was concerned about other things too with what happened.. on Moorea so, I had them do some extra tests, a gyn, HIV, whatever needed to be tested for… and a pregnancy test… Jenny is staring into Marinas eyes, looking for an indication that she may guess where this is going, hoping to be relieved of the need to say it, there are no diseases or anything, but Im pregnant.

Instantly Marina became concerned for Jenny, thoughts surfacing as to how this may have affected her healing, carrying the child of her assailant. What do you want to do? Do you want to get an abortion?

Thats what I wanted to talk to you about.

Its okay Jenny, I understand. Ive been told its very safe. They say safer than actually having a baby. I know there are two clinics here in L.A. I can find out where they are and well go together.

Ive thought about this a lot over the past weeks. I wanted some time to maybe get over the attack a little more, time to heal some so Id know better what needed to be done. I did some checking on things, things I wanted to know before a decision was made.

Okay. Okay. Marina listens intently trying to take it all in, feeling overwhelmed, but nonetheless wanting to be there for Jenny.

Its part of why I waited so long to tell you, I had to know how I really felt about this.

I called Temaru and had him check on some things for me. I just got the information back earlier this week. Its the main reason Ive been waiting before telling you.

I wanted to know more about him Blake Aldridge. I wanted to know if hed done this kind of thing before his background if there were any significant things in his life that we needed to know about.

Marina started to realize where this was going, Jenny Are you thinking about keeping the baby? Thats a huge commitment, a life long commitment, are you sure youre ready for that? Im not sure Im ready for that, you should have told me, so I could think about things too Unless youve already made the decision her eyes go dark, certain she had guessed right and Jenny had already made the choice.

I wouldnt say that Ive made a decision… I want to tell you what I found out and how that makes me feel about it. Its now Jenny who consoles Marina, holding her hands in her own, realizing Marina feels shes been shut out and shes hurt.

His mother died at birth. Apparently his father held him responsible. He hired a nanny who essentially raised the baby… Then as soon as he was old enough sent him off to school. He basically has always been alone away from home all his life never knowing the comfort of his mothers arms nor his fathers he grew up resentful of everyone.

You talk as though you feel sorry for him, this animal that hurt you. You speak of him when he was a baby, but it wasnt the baby that raped you, it was the man.

His mother was a villager. His father fell in love with her while visiting the island. Shes why he purchased the resort so they could remain on the island after getting married but, when she died he left it for others to run. He wouldnt sell it, but he never came back.

Marina, Im just saying I think his actions were a result of his environment, an environment where he was never loved learned he had to take what he wanted because it would never willingly be given to him.

Marina can no longer look at her, questions flailing about inside her thoughts, fears, reservations, more questions than can voiced.

hes Polynesian the baby could look like Amura or you. You love Amura. She was so good for you I want to have this baby for you for you to have your Amura.

It was too much all at once, too much to sort, too much to decide so quickly. Marina stood up and walked to the door, I need some air I need some time, to think.

*****************************

She walked along the canal for a long while finally she sat on a bench numbly watching the soft movements of the water, hoping for the calm it had brought her in the past when she was troubled.

What are the chances that Jenny really is doing this just for me? Could that mean Jenny may someday resent us both? What if the baby is a boy, a boy who looks like his father? How would we feel about him then?

Besides weve only been together a short time. Weve only known each other a short time. Yes, today our relationship is healthy, as healthy as it can be, given all weve been through. But now this how will this play into it? Weve only just made a commitment to each other. This, this is life-long, someone completely dependant on us.

Is she well enough, shes still in counseling, can she truly handle this? What does her counselor say about it, does she even know?

I dont know I dont know

*****************************

Jenny thought about what she told Marina, justifying her reasons for not telling her sooner, she knew she had to get her to understand. Two hours had passed and Marina still wasnt back, Jenny grabbed a jacket and went looking for her. She knew shed be on the docks somewhere, and they had to talk this through.

Not far from the house she found her on a bench, elbows resting on her knees with her head resting in her hands and deep in thought. Jenny sat beside her, Marina. I think a baby would be good for us.

All along youve been telling me Im the winner I think I finally understand what that means… Its what we make of it that matters. Not the bad or injustices were handed, but what we make of them.

I think this is our chance to make it right, to have this baby and love them totally and completely… our chance to make up for other wrongs… this is the good to be found… Please… try to understand what Im saying.

Do you really think we can do this?

Yes, yes I do.

They sat for a while longer, looking over the water, holding hands and coming to terms with the decision that had been made, their choice to look ahead not back.

*****************************

Shane had been in rare form at the bon voyage dinner, happier than she had been since Cherie, I think Shane is so damn cute. Maybe if I hadnt captured your heart, she would have.

Marina wondered what had happened to cause this change. She had not been at The Planet much over the past months so they werent able to have their morning coffees, not since the auction. She missed her friend, but was glad to know her spirits ran high again.

Shane is cute, yes very cute Jenny is toweling as she speaks standing in the doorway of bathroom, silhouetted by the light. Marina lies on her side, head up on one arm, watching her from the bed, smiling.

Are you nervous about tomorrow? You know, no one is going to be upset with you, dont you? I am the one they are upset with

Yes, Im nervous about tomorrow. I think thats probably natural given the circumstances. She walks close to the bed and playfully grabs the towel lying across Marina.

You, uh, didnt need this anymore did you? I just thought I would put it up for you. She grins as she drops Marinas towel to the floor. I guess I should put mine up too, her eyes turning warm and smiling at Marina, she unwraps and lets it fall to the floor.

Marina, promise me something Marina reaches for Jenny as Jenny climbs on the bed standing on her knees.

Anything, Marina begins to kiss her stomach as she runs her hands tenderly along Jennys legs.

Promise me, well still have our Thursday nights alone together. Jenny runs her hands through Marinas hair as she continues to kiss Jennys stomach and sides.

Of course. Marina takes a nipple between her lips, pulling softly causing Jenny to catch her breathe.

Soft moan escapes her, and well bathe together? Jenny leans into her and her runs hands along Marinas back and shoulders.

Marina refuses to take her mouth away from the ripe fruit it has found, pressing her lips and face against the soft flesh, mmmmm.

Jennys voice quakes at Marinas touch, Even when my belly gets big like a house? She leans to kiss Marina on the head wrapping her arms around her neck, breathing in her fresh scent.

Marina leans back looking up at Jenny, especially, when your belly is as big as house… Smiling, grinning, they gently pull each other to them enjoying the familiar lips, soft skin, and uninhibited heat.

*****************************

Isnt it great guys, Shane stares out the window, looking at the night sky, smiling.

What? Isnt what great? Al and Dana glance at each other wondering what Shanes talking about. Both thinking maybe the wine got to them all a little more than they realized.

How happy Marina and Jenny are, they give me hope

*****************************

They spent much of that Monday in airports, flying first to New York with a two hour delay, then into Paris with another two hour delay, then finally they would go on to Malaga. It wasnt long before Jenny realized how much, yet how little, English was spoken. Never letting Marina too far from her sight, she went everywhere Marina went, to get a newspaper, to get a coffee, to go to the bathroom.

Marina pulls her close against her, Jenny resists putting her arms between them, What are you doing?

Just thinking, weve spent so much time in airports, its Paris, I thought we could get creative she turns and walks into the stall, holding the door, waiting for Jenny to join her.

*****************************

During the flight to Malaga, Marinas elation grew as she began to tell Jenny of the Spain she knew and wanted to share.

Jenny, I promise you this visit will not all be grim. I want to show you Spain, the Spain I know. Malaga has a wealth of art galleries beside my fathers. The gardens of Andalucia are extraordinary and the villages are charming and picturesque peppering the hillsides.

Its September so there is the Flamenco Festival in Sevilla. I want to take you to Marina Square, and out to eat at Marbellas, El Palo, and shopping for clothes cause soon you will need a different kind of style. Maybe we can even take a day or two to go to Madrid, to Le Rosas a womens nightclub.

Oh, and I want you to explore the Moorish streets of Malaga, where we can pop into old fashioned bodegas and sample the local sweet wine from one of the huge oak casks.

There are monuments and historic buildings in and around the city including the 16th century renaissance and baroque style cathedral, the Roman theatre and the Alcazaba Moorish castle and Gibralfaro fortress, both have fantastic views of the city and the Mediterranean coastline.

Jenny was amazed by the glow in Marinas eyes. She had never witnessed this kind of euphoria and contentment in them.

*****************************

Marinas father had Palo, his groundskeeper, and the only permanent resident on his property other than himself and Ana, pick Marina and Jenny up at the Malaga airport. As he drove them to the villa, 45 kilometers north of Malaga, Marina began to picture the property for Jenny.

The Villa is near a township dating back over 2,000 years, a quiet locale miraculously preserved throughout time. The villa is a unique medieval style meticulously restored to perfection. It has six bedrooms, four bedrooms located in the main two-story house and two bedrooms in servants’ quarters located in the exterior building. There are six full bathrooms, one in each bedroom, and two guest bathrooms.

There is a two and one half centuries-old underground Bodega, accessed from the central courtyards interior Spanish Patio. The bodega is hand-carved by ancient artisans amidst five Roman arches, also hand made. The bodega is where my father and I would play pool for endless hours together. There is also a studio adjacent, I wonder if its still there for me to paint?

The central courtyard includes a natural skylight with boundless view of the sky. The balconades from two of the bedrooms have a view of the hillside thats very impressive. There is a 16th Century iron rod veranda on the lower floor. The courtyard is very inviting for entertaining and star gazing, a place for peace and calm, to collect thoughts.

Jenny is fascinated by Marinas description of the villa. But at the same time, shes feeling intimidated by this apparently indulgent wealthy lifestyle never known to her.

*****************************

Marinas parents are waiting at the entrance to the villa, rushing out to the car to welcome their daughter home. Only initially do they use Spanish in their welcome, realizing Jenny does not understand, they quickly switch to English, You are Jennifer, yes. Welcome to our home. Ana Heredias arm is tightly wrapped about Marina as they turn to walk up the stairs and into the villa. Jenny follows closely behind with Adn walking silently beside her.

As they step inside, Jenny eyes become wider, artwork can be seen everywhere as they take a step down into a sitting lounge. I trust your trip was uneventful and pleasant. Jenny observed his quiet deep speak with a slightly heavier accent than Marinas. He was handsome and absolutely enchanting.

But it was Marinas mother that held her spellbound, her softly aging beauty was captivating. It was not to be denied that she was the source of her Marinas charm, beauty and elegance. Adn, we must get Marina and Jennifer to their room shortly. Im certain they would like to freshen and rest. I will have some food sent up, and we will talk in the morning. With that said, she rose from her chair, went to Marina and while holding her face in her hands kissed her softly goodnight.