Chapter 33

                                    

                                          
Shana's birthday was in exactly one week, five hours, and six-minute. I've been counting down the days of her birthday since the shooting. Unfortunately, this would probably be her first and last birthday with me, and I wanted it to be the best, the most memorable one she's ever had.
                          
I've planned a surprise weekend getaway to Paris. With the help of Judge Wells, we got her boss to give her three days off, and I might have used the cancer card to get them. Those three days would give her some time to recoup and unwind, in spite of what happened at the gala two weeks ago. 
                          
She was stressed, unnerving, and most distant, and I think the shooting had something to do with that, also her studying and taking her bar exam added to it.
                          
She's been to work today, and I've planned a romantic dinner for her for when she gets home. To make the dinner more special I've hired the chef from Gordino's who made our dinner on our first date. He eloquently prepared her favorite meal Gumbo. 
                          
As I wait for the door to be opened, I heard the jingle of her keys and the dragging of her heels outside the door. I could tell my baby's had a rough day. I grab a single rose from what I've ordered, to surprise her as she enters the door.
                          
"Welcome home babe, this is for you." I hand her the rose and gave her a passionate kiss.
                          
"Wow, Thanks," She smells the air, "Is that what I think it is?"
                          
"Yes, its gumbo." She looks over my shoulder and saw the table already prepared with the dish plated. She springs from my arms and to the table and takes a big spoonful. Her face seems to melt at the taste of its thick saucy goodness.
                          
"Mmm, I'm starving." She scoops up another spoonful. I've never seen Shana ate so fast like she's been starving for days. "I'm sorry you probably planned a special night." She said with her mouth full of food.
                          
"It's okay, I did intend to feed you. I hired Chef Ramon from Gardino's to come in and prepare this for you. He was the chef who prepared our meals for the night we had our first date."
                          
"That's lovely and so delicious. Thank you."
                          
After dinner and a shower, she joined me in the living room to watch Face off a reality tv show I've been obsessed with since I announced my resignation. She curled up in my arm, with her head resting on my chest.
                          
"How are you feeling?" She asks during a commercial break.
                          
"Fine now but earlier I had headaches, nausea, as usual. How was your day?"
                          
"It was," She inhales deeply, "Strange."
                          
"Strange?"
                          
"I was on my lunch break and Israel came by to visit me..."
                          
"Israel? How is he?" 
                          
"He's great. His boyfriend moved in after Mark got deployed. But anyways, he brought my mail that has gotten mixed in with his, and in that few, was a letter from Daryl Dante."
                          
"Daryl Dante? Isn't that your dad? Why is he reaching out to you now? What did he want?"
                          
"I don't know," she pulls out a heavily wrinkled envelope from her robe pocket, "I haven't opened it yet. At work I kept staring at it, deciding whether or not to shred it or open it. I couldn't decide." She gives me the envelope. "Can you read it?"
                          
"Are you sure?" She nods. "Okay." I open the envelope and read her the letter. " To my daughter, I saw your picture in the newspaper this morning. You look so beautiful just like your mother. I haven't seen your face since I packed up my things and left in my pick up. I've regretted every bit of my decision to leave but I'm so proud of the woman you've become, you seem to have really done well without me. I always knew you would excel in the law business. God could only tell how much I'm sorry for leaving as I did; I was a coward, now learning about your mom's condition, I should have never left you guys with her..."