Chapter 28 Final Decision Point #2
“That’s fine. We just need to discuss this without anyone else around.” Greg led the way through the dining room and kitchen to the patio door. “It’s a pretty night.”
“Yes it is,” he replied as he slid it open. “After you,” he said with a sweeping motion of the arm out the door. She stepped out and he followed then closed the door. As soon as it was shut, she placed her arms around his neck and kissed him so soft, he barely felt it. “Are you choosing me?”
“No, Greg. That’s not why I did that.”
“Then why?” he began and saw the saddening look on her face. “Billy?”
“Yes. That was goodbye. After we talked, I realized that no matter how much I loved you, we weren’t going to work out.
Too many things kept getting in the way, and I’ve grown in my faith.
I need peace and stability in my walk with God, and I can’t find that with you.
” She hugged him. “That won’t take you away. ”
“Then, you are choosing Billy?” he asked softly.
“Are you mad?” He shook his head no. “Hurt?” He looked directly into her eyes.
“A little, but I was already leaning toward choosing Veronica. I just couldn’t turn away from you if there was any chance of us.”
“And if Billy hadn’t spoken up about how he feels, I might not have realized that he makes me feel whole.”
“You two do look good together,” Greg commented. “As long as you are happy, then I’m happy for both of you Carry. That’s what love truly means. Being glad that the person you love is happy.”
“Greg,” she softly whispered. “I don’t think that kiss was the proper goodbye.”
“Then what? A handshake?” he asked extending his hand. She pulled it toward her and placed it on her waist.
“One final dance under the moonlight, then, we can kiss goodbye,” she said with sad eyes. “I’ll never stop loving you,” she started and Greg put his fingers on her lips.
“I understand, Carry. I’ll never stop loving you, but like you say, Billy makes you whole. And I’ve come to realize that’s what Veronica does for me.”
“Then I’m happy for both of you,” she said with a soft smile. “Dance with me one last time?”
“Happy to,” he said and he started to waltz with her on the patio. Billy saw it and smiled.
“What are you smiling at over there, Billy?” Veronica asked with curiosity.
“They’re dancing their last dance,” he said with relief. “I was worried about this, but it seems that Greg’s taking it better than I expected.”
“Billy? Come over here please,” Veronica called.
Billy came over and sat beside her. “Greg already figured this out. After he sent you to her, he spent that time in the hospital thinking.” She paused as she adjusted herself on the couch.
“After we got here last week, he started talking very seriously with me about what he was feeling. He was worried about having to try to decide if Carry didn’t choose you, because he felt peace with me he’d never known. ”
“That’s what Carry said to me,” he said and tipped his Stetson back on his head. “Could I ask you for a dance?”
“On the patio?” Veronica asked gently.
“Yes. That moon is almost perfect tonight. I love the harvest moon, it’s always so big and bright.”
“Almost like the way I think of my mom,” she said then looked at him closely. “Vanessa,” she confirmed. “She was my guiding moon.”
“I’m sorry about that loss,” Billy said as he saw the tears welling in her eyes.
“I miss her Billy, but now,” she said softly. “I’ve got my real mom and finally, I can rest easy knowing that Greg can finally let himself be fully with me.” She stood up. “Lead the way, William.”
“Yes Ma’am,” he said with a tip of his Stetson. He extended his left hand. “This way, please.” They made their way through the dining room to the kitchen just as Carry and Greg had a final kiss.
“Thank you for being there when I was shattered and helping to put me back together, Carry. I’ll always treasure that time in my heart.”
“Thank you for showing me that I really deserved to be loved, Greg. I’m happy that you and Veronica will be able to finally have what you’ve been looking for.”
“Hold on there,” he said and everyone stopped. Billy and Veronica were standing in the door as Greg dug into his pocket. He glanced over his shoulder. “Veronica, would you and William join us please?”
“Absolutely, Greg,” she said and moved over beside him, taking his left arm. Billy stood there stunned for a moment.
“You kissed him again?” he stammered.
“That was a full goodbye, William,” Greg said as he turned. “Come here, I’ve got a gift for you two.” Billy could barely move, but forced himself to Greg’s right side. “I want you to use this and ask this precious woman to be your wife.” Greg thrust a ring box into Billy’s hand.
“Seriously?” he said in shock. “YOU want ME to propose to CARRY?”
“You love her don’t you?” Greg asked and Billy just nodded. “Then, take the gift. I want to make sure the two of you get off to a good start together, and that requires a proper ring and proposal.”
“How?” Billy stammered.
“I saw it in the hospital Billy,” Greg said.
“I wasn’t certain until tonight, but I thought she had chosen you without even knowing it.
You are her Jacob, just like Veronica is my Leah.
We were always meant to be together, but she needed to be with me to find you, and I needed her to show me how much I needed Veronica. ”
“Well, William?” Veronica insisted. “Get down on one knee and ask her. Billy found himself dropping down involuntarily. His hands were shaking and his chest was getting tight.
“Caar,” he started as his voice was trembling. He dropped his head and took a deep breath. “Carry Mitchelson, would you do me the honor of consenting to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
“ABSOLUTELY BILLY!” She screamed with giddiness and her hands around her face. She leaned down and kissed him deeply. Billy took the ring out and slid it onto her finger. Carry was just mesmerized as she looked at the ring, not noticing that Greg was dropping to a knee.
“Veronica LaFayette,” he boldly pronounced and suddenly everyone froze.
“I have finally found the other part of my heart. You complete me like no woman ever has, and I dare not risk losing that, so I am asking you to marry me and let me spend the rest of our days together having our family starting with you and I.” Veronica was shocked in place watching in disbelief as Greg brought out a ring box and opened it.
Five jewels in a row, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire. “Please say yes to becoming my wife.”
Her voice shuddered as she fumbled out “Yes,” slowly and softly.
Greg grabbed her hand and started sliding the ring on when she finally found her voice.
“YES GREG GARRLSON. I’LL MARRY YOU!” she shouted so loud that everyone in the house heard.
Greta and Thomas had just arrived and immediately headed toward the sound, being followed by everyone else.
By the time they all arrived, Greg was kissing Veronica and Billy was kissing Carry. They stood and watched.
“What’s going on here?” Tessa nearly demanded when they stopped kissing.
“We’re engaged,” Carry said showing the ring as she stood close to Billy.
“And Greg’s finally made his choice,” Veronica said with glee.
“He’s going to marry me,” she said extending her ring toward the group.
Everyone rushed out to congratulate the couples.
The rest of the evening went along with games and conversations until Veronica tapped Greg.
“I know she has another conversation with you. Why don’t you two go to your office and finish that conversation. ”
“Alright, dear,” Greg said and kissed her. “Carry,” he said. “I know there was more you wanted to say. We can speak in the office,” he pointed and headed that way. She followed him, and closed the door behind her.
“What are we going to do about Jenny?” She asked in near fear. “Jason and Philip get arraigned in the morning,” she paused taking a deep breath, “but she’s still out there.” She moved over in front of him, looking him straight in the eyes. “Greg, she’s dangerous.”
“And when Norikuko gets here in the morning, with Tanaka-San, we may finally have the evidence we need to take her down,” he said softly. “Keith and Brick never gave up and Danny has been leaning on contacts around the globe.”
“So, there’s still a working plan for her?”
“Yeah,” he said with a chuckle. “They call it,” he laughed. “Get this,” he laughed again. “A ton of Bricks,” he burst out laughing.
“That’s not that funny,” Carry said starting to laugh.
“It’s Brick’s idea and plan,” he laughed harder. “He’s going to hit her with everything like a ton of bricks. Maybe it will work. We’ll have to see,” he said as he stopped laughing.
“Alright. But when they go to trial, I want to be there.”
“And we’ll all be there beside you. Everyone needs Jenny taken down before any of us will feel completely safe.”
“Thanks, Greg,” she said and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for the ring you gave Billy for me, but we need our own, not the one you were going to give me.”
Greg smiled and pulled out the drawer to his desk. She looked down as he reached in and pulled out a ring box. “You mean this one?” he asked and handed it to her. “Sell it or keep it, that’s up to you. It was always meant for you.”
“Then where did this ring come from?” she asked, confused.
“Veronica bought it. We knew what was going to happen, and we wanted to make sure both of you knew we were genuinely happy for you.”
“Veronica bought it?” she said in a whispering admiration. “Really?”