Chapter 40 Jessica
Jessica
The fire roars, giving warmth and a golden glow to the room, and I feel so snug and cozy. I never want to leave.
“Seriously, Jay Jay, these Christmas cookies are amazing.” My aunt grins as she sits opposite me, drinking a warm cup of cocoa and eating the cookies I made for everyone.
“Hmmm, delicious,” Uncle Bob agrees with her, and I smile.
“Thank you. I love to cook and bake; it’s my new hobby.”
“One I am very supportive of…” Donovan says, throwing a cookie in his mouth, and I laugh.
We’re in Lake Placid. Uncle Bobby closed the shop, Donovan whisked us all away, and while Jimmy and Marcus are in a cold cell somewhere, I'm here. In the safety and comfort of my family.
"Heard from your parents?" Uncle Bobby asks.
"No. I texted them my festive greetings and left it at that." I sigh. I have too many other things going on at the moment to worry about where they are or what they’re doing.
“Donovan, I’ve said it all day, but it is absolutely beautiful here,” Aunt Vivian gushes.
The house was stocked with food and a big, beautiful Christmas tree installed before our arrival.
Once we arrived, Donovan took my uncle straight out for some fishing while Aunt Vivian and I made some food to be ready for Christmas lunch tomorrow.
But I was surprised to see a plastic mistletoe already hanging from the kitchen, just like the ones at home.
“I know presents should probably wait until tomorrow, but since we’re all here…” Donovan stands and looks at me before he hands over an envelope.
“What’s this?” I frown, grabbing it before I sit up.
Donovan hasn’t left my side for days. After being interviewed by the police multiple times and briefing his lawyers, he promptly flew us all here to Lake Placid so we can spend Christmas and have some time away from the city.
The media are even more intrusive given the new headlines and the company busier than ever even though it is the holidays.
“Open it,” he encourages me, and I rip open the envelope, pulling out the paper.
“Thrift on Third? Museum? What?” I look up at him in confusion.
“I’ve been speaking to Mabel. It’s quiet the vintage shop she has and a vast collection of vintage fashion she owns.
So we went into business together. Thrift on Third is being turned into a Vintage Fashion Museum by York Enterprises and Bentley’s company.
Mabel will be the curator, Bentley and I the money, and it’ll feature her extensive collection of fashion history.
All proceeds from the entry tickets will go to kids’ fashion scholarships, with both York Enterprises and Bentley’s Group opening up annual internships and graduate programs specifically for those kids in Mabel’s name. ”
“What?” I’m in shock.
“Well, I want to ensure that kids in foster care, kinship care, or those who don’t have the family support that many kids in the country do, have an opportunity to build a career in fashion if that’s something they wish to do.”
My throat is dry, my mouth agape. I have no words.
“That’s beautiful.” I look at my aunt Vivian, seeing her eyes water.
“Donovan, I don’t know what to say.” I’m flabbergasted. “Thank you. This means so much to me. To Mabel—Oh, she would be so excited.” I grin, thinking of my friend.
“She is. She and Bentley have been working on it together for a few weeks. We’re hopeful to get it off the ground in the New Year.”
“You’re so special to me, you know that?” I rise from the sofa and walk to where he stands, giving him a hug, and he wraps me up tight.
Uncle Bobby clears his throat, and I roll my lips in a smile.
“I have something else for you.”
“Something else?” Surprise and confusion take over.
“It’s no secret that you have completely changed me for the better.
Meeting you was without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t want to spend every minute with you.
You make me smile, make me laugh, make me think, and have made me a better man in all the ways that matter.
Now I know you’re someone who likes to cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i,’ so I spoke with your uncle today, and he’s given me his blessing… ”
I look to Uncle Bobby with wide eyes, seeing his cheeks red, his smile bright, nothing but pride on his face. I turn back to Donovan in time to see him fall to a knee.
“Oh my God…” My eyes start to water, my hands shaking. Is this really happening?
“So, my love. Will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you be with me every day? Will you cherish me with the same fierce tenderness you’ve always shown?
Will you laugh with me when life is light, will you cook pasta with me in the kitchen, and let me hold you when life gets heavy?
And build a life with me, together by my side? ”
“Oh my…” The words are a mere whisper as he presents a black velvet box, opening it to reveal a diamond, a big one, glistening in the lights.
“Yes, Donovan, yes, I will marry you.” I barely get the words out before he lunges, grabbing me around the waist and lifting me to him. I loop my hands around his neck and kiss him fiercely.
I hear my aunt and uncle clap and chuckle as Donovan puts me down on my feet and slides the ring on my finger.
“Forever mine, baby,” he tells me, and I melt into his embrace.
“Forever yours,” I agree without hesitation. Knowing here with him is where I was always meant to be.