AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“As a matter of fact, I did. I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, Jessica, but my Daddy’s cousin, Nora, who just so happens to own that land, is selling it to me.”
“You? That can’t be possible.”
“I’m afraid so.”
Jessica seemed speechless. For once. Nate had to admit, he was impressed, but he also knew that unfortunately, it wasn’t going to last, either.
“But—”
“Jessica,” Lauren said sweetly, “I’m afraid you’ve left me no choice, really. I’m going to have to play hardball here. Nate has made it perfectly clear to me that he’s just not interested in you anymore. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s for the best. Trust me, one day, you’ll be on your knees thanking him.”
Her parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary party took place on a clear cool December evening. Lauren and Felicia had decorated the pool side area with over a thousand Christmas lights. There were tables set up with food and a small jazz trio played everything from holiday classics to Sinatra oldies. They’d opted for a small, intimate group, but there were still plenty of people. Doc was there, of course, and his wife Arlene and all the office staff, and Momma’s friends from the country club and most of the Bunco Babes, Tom and Allie, as well as Nate’s mother and his sister Lanie, and Dhara, too.
A lot had happened in the last six months. After Lauren sealed the land deal with Nora and Vince, Ted Ferguson had scurried off into the sunset to lick his wounds, and thankfully, no one had heard from him since. With the land deal blown, South Side Ventures had decided they didn’t need a legal presence in the Florida panhandle and Simon and Simon recalled Jessica back to Miami. The last Lanie had heard (because Lanie liked keeping tabs on the “enemy,” as she called her), Jessica had been dating her plastic surgeon. Good riddance, as far as Lauren was concerned.
Baby Got Bump was doing far better than anyone could have predicted and, besides a renovation, they were already adding on to the building. Dhara and Lanie were still together, and Momma, being Momma, took credit for it, although no one could recall that she’d actually done anything to get them together in the first place.
The November elections had been brutal. Despite the Billy Brenton flop, Bruce Bailey had refused to go down without a fight. But despite his attempts to discredit Mimi, she’d come out victorious and next month she’d be sworn in as Whispering Bay’s new mayor. Lauren and the rest of the Bunco Babes couldn’t have been prouder.
The past six months had proven to be a challenge for the Handy family, as well. Daddy’s bouts of confusion were coming on more frequently, but he still had his good days, too. Like today. He wore a crisp navy blue suit and a lemon colored tie and he looked so handsome. Momma, naturally, looked beautiful. Lauren had convinced her to wear a vintage outfit—a tea length nineteen-sixties champagne satin dress that made her look not only elegant, but “incredibly slim” as well (Momma’s own words), so it had been a win-win all around.
As for Lauren, she wore the same lime chiffon dress she’d worn that night on her date with Ted to The Harbor House almost a year ago. It was only the second time she’d had an occasion to wear it. And it wasn’t the dress’s fault that evening had ended so miserably. On the other hand, that was also the evening she and Nate’s lives had begun to intersect, so maybe the dress was a good luck charm, after all.
Momma’s eyes glowed with happiness and Lauren was grateful that the evening had been a success. Henry acted as host whenever Daddy wasn’t readily available. Her almost thirteen-year-old son looked every inch the budding young man in the dark suit and tie Nate had helped him select.
Lauren was the first one scheduled to make a toast. As their friends and family gathered around them, she felt her palms dampen. She’d rehearsed her little “speech” for days now but she still couldn’t help but feel nervous. The band quieted down to play The Way You Look Tonight softly in the background.
The servers they hired for the evening made sure everyone had a full glass of champagne. Everyone watched her, including Nate, who stood next to her father. He smiled at her in encouragement and there went those dimples! Lauren sighed. In contrast to the other men in the room, Nate wore an old-fashioned tuxedo, complete with black pants and a white jacket. The outfit had been a total surprise. He looked unbelievably gorgeous and Lauren couldn’t wait to get him alone tonight.
She cleared her throat and raised her glass. “First, I want to thank each and every one of you for joining us in this lovely celebration tonight. All of you mean so much to me and to my parents and we’re grateful for all the love and support you’ve shown us over the years. Today, my parents celebrate forty years of marriage. It’s a feat not easily accomplished.” She paused and eyed the crowd. Mimi, who just last month had won the mayoral election (in a landslide, no less!), nodded in agreement.
“I might not have the wisdom of my parents, at least, not yet,” Lauren said to a smiling crowd, “but I do know that life is made up of lots of different moments. Some, like today, are moments that we cherish and remember forever. Some moments, however, a lot of moments, are the stuff of everyday life. The ups and downs…the sad times. Those are the challenges we all face. It takes a great love to live through those challenges. To flourish through them, actually. I’m happy and proud to say that my parents have that kind of love.” She could feel her throat begin to tighten. Just a few more seconds, and she’d be done. “Please, raise your glasses with me and join in this tribute to my Momma and Daddy.”
The crowd raised their glasses in salute and everyone began to cheer.
Nate winked at her and Lauren felt a weight lift off her shoulders. There just wasn’t any way that tonight could get any better.
Then, suddenly, Daddy came to stand beside her. Lauren felt a moment’s hesitation. She had thought that Momma was going to speak on their behalf.
“Thank you for that lovely speech, Sweet Tea,” he said softly. She kissed him on the cheek. Daddy put his hand in the air to get everyone’s attention.
“On behalf of my beautiful wife Maureen and myself, thank you.” It was all he was supposed to say, but instead of stepping back to join Momma, he looked as if he was going to continue. Lauren held her breath, afraid of what might come next. “A while back, Lauren’s beau, a young man both Maureen and I have come to love and admire came to me with a question. I said yes.” He smiled at Lauren. “And I hope you will, too.”
The crowd began to hum with excitement. Nate came forward and shook Daddy’s hand.
Lanie edged her way to stand in front of them and raised her cell phone in the air. “Just so you know, bro, I’m taping this,” she said gleefully.
Nate shook his head at his sister and grinned. Then, with a serious expression on his face,
he took Lauren’s hand and went down on one knee.
Oh My God. Lauren began to hyperventilate.
“Not only did I ask for your father’s permission, I want you to know that Henry has given me the green light, as well.”
Lauren glanced up in a daze to see Henry give her a big thumbs up, causing the spectators to laugh.
“You asked me once, well, maybe more than once, what the world would be like if I hadn’t been born.” He turned and explained to the crowd. “It’s a game Lauren and I play from time to time. In case you don’t know, it’s from her favorite movie, It’s a Wonderful Life.” His gaze zeroed back on her. “I don’t think I’ve ever come up with a really good answer. Not until tonight, that is. You told me once you would only marry again if you were crazy in love with someone who was crazy in love with you.” He reached inside his jacket pocket to produce a ring. It was a platinum band with a row of five diamonds set side by side that nearly made her eyes pop out. Yet, it wasn’t gaudy. It was elegant and utterly beautiful.
