Chapter 18
It was late by the time we made it back to town. Natasha took a left instead of a right and I eyed her. “My hometown has like five streets. How is it you can get lost on them?”
She glanced ahead. “Meredith, what’s going on? I know you all are prone to festivals, but what could they possibly be celebrating tonight, and why didn’t Samson mention it to me?”
I looked toward the center gazebo area and smiled at the sight of hundreds upon hundreds of tiny silver and gold stars hung from the trees. White lights were strung all over the gazebo. “No one told me we were having a Twilight Festival. I love those! I haven’t been to one in years. Can we stop?”
“I don’t know,” she said, biting on her lip. “I don’t want Landry to worry about you. You did tell him you’d be home in about ten minutes when you called to check in.”
“Natasha, it’s a Twilight Festival. Pretty please.”
She laughed. “Fine.”
She found a parking space, and we got out, heading straight for the gathered group of people. Music played from the outdoor sound system and just about everyone in town seemed to be there.
I bumped into someone, and he turned slightly. I gasped. “Brice?”
He grinned. “Hey, you.”
“What the heck are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d pay you a surprise visit,” he said, taking my hand in his. “How about a dance?”
“I would love to, but my current, um, I don’t know what to call him, seems to have major jealousy issues with you, and I’d like to avoid a tantrum by him if at all possible.”
Natasha laughed. “Mer, dance with the man. Landry will be fine. I’m sure of it.”
Giving in, I put my hand in Brice’s and allowed him to lead me through the crowd to the dance area in front of the gazebo. I was all smiles, looking up at the stars and lights, remembering how much I’d always loved the celebration. Brice pulled me to him and began to dance slowly. I was still caught up with the stars.
“Can I cut in?” a familiar voice asked.
I twisted slightly, and my jaw dropped. “Lucas?”
He grinned. “Hi, Mer.”
“What are you…?” I couldn’t even get the question out before Lance was there, taking my hand in his, confusing me. He turned me in a circle and suddenly Sherman was there, taking over for him. I was dizzy by the time I got to my brother, who was all smiles.
He danced with me a second before kissing my forehead and handing me off to my father, who looked as though he might cry. “Daddy?”
He hugged me tight. “He loves you, Meredith. He did this all for you.”
“Who did what?”
My father turned me, and I found Landry standing there. He took a deep breath and went down on one knee. I gasped and grabbed his shoulder. “Get up. What are you doing?”
“Quiet, Meredith,” Peggy said from the sidelines.
Landry looked at her. “Thanks.” His gaze returned to me as he pulled a tiny, black box from his back pocket.
My heart started beating at a rate that couldn’t have been healthy. I tried and failed to control my breathing. He opened the box, and the second I spotted the Asscher-cut diamond center stone surrounded by a row of four diamonds on a white gold band, I swayed.
“Meredith, you’re eccentric, offbeat, beautiful, intelligent, and I’m so in love with you that I can’t see straight. Will you marry me?”
One moment I was looking at Landry and the next I was falling backward, literally seeing stars on my way down. Someone caught me and eased me to the ground. Blinking, I tried to catch my bearings.
“Meredith!” Landry bent over me. “Honey?”
“The idea of marrying you is too much for her, son,” Sherman teased.
Izak was suddenly there, bending, checking me over.
I pushed on his hand. “I’m fine. I just, well, I’ve been getting dizzy the last few days. I didn’t mean to… I’m fine.”
Izak shot me a questioning look. “What else have you been experiencing? Upset stomach?”
“A little. Why?”
“Meredith, are you pregnant?”
My eyes widened more. “What? No! I can’t be…”
Landry grabbed me to him, kissing me gently. “Um, honey, do I need to explain how these things work?”
“Landry?” I pushed on him. “Stop it. Let me up.”
“Nice and slow,” Izak said, helping me stand.
Landry dragged me against him and held me tight. He was grinning like a damn fool—again. I swatted his arm. “Jerk.”
“So, is that a yes or no to my question?” he asked, making the people around us laugh.
I glanced around at the people I loved and saw the support and encouragement in all their eyes. Natasha nodded to me, crying softly. Samson put his arm around her and nodded to me as well. “Tell the poor guy yes, Mer. He spent the day putting this together. Hell, he even got in touch with Brice, knowing Brice could find a ring that you’d like.”
“You called Brice?” I asked, staring up at Landry.
“I took one for the team, yes.” He kissed my cheek. “Can I get an answer?”
“Yes.”
He took a deep breath and stiffened. “Okay, I’m ready. Tell me. I can take it, Mer. If it’s too soon for you, I’ll wait and ask again, and again, and again.”
“Landry,” I patted his cheek, “I already answered you.”
“You did?”
“She said yes!” Marsha shouted.
“Yes?” Landry questioned.
Laughing, I nodded. “Yes.”
He lifted me and spun me in a circle, hugging me tight. When he set me down, he dipped his head and kissed me to the point I was dizzy again. Thankfully, he spotted me the entire time. He drew back and took the ring from the box. He slipped it onto my finger and closed his hand around mine, kissing me again.
Another song began to play, and I laughed into his mouth as I heard it. It was the same one we’d had our witty banter about when I’d first collided with him.
Landry began dancing slowly with me and I couldn’t be sure, but I don’t think there was a dry eye in the area. Wrapping my arms around Landry’s neck, I let him lead me around the dance area. Before I knew it, I was tearing up too. I cupped his face and kissed him thoroughly. The song came to an end, and another started. Others joined us, dancing as well.
Izak appeared, holding a cup of punch. “Here, Mer. Drink little sips of this, okay?”
“I’m fine, Izak, but thank you,” I said, taking the drink from him.
“Actually, your friend Natasha nabbed me and told me the last time she saw you faint, you were pregnant.”
“I didn’t… I’m not…” I gulped.
Landry chuckled and put his head to mine. “Breathe, Mer. I had a feeling you might be. I know what’s taken place between us, and I know what wasn’t between us, if you get my drift.”
I swallowed a sip of punch and handed the cup to Izak. He winked and kissed my cheek. “Set up an appointment with me. If you’ll have me, I’d love to be the one who helps.”
I hugged him, and then he left Landry and me standing there.
A slight moment of panic came over me.
Landry shook his head. “No. I see it in your eyes. This is something entirely new, Mer. It’s not history repeating itself. You and I were made for each other. Think about how many times our life paths have crossed. I can’t think it’s just random happenstance that left you meeting my mother when you did, talking to her, hearing her confession, and her telling me, that’s right, Mer, me, that she picked you for me. I pick you for me too, Mer. For now. For always.”
I touched my stomach lightly, worry still etching my face.
Landry smoothed my brow. “Whatever will be, will be, honey. I’m not getting any younger and I want a family. I want a full life with you. I just hope our children take after me. I’m not sure my heart can take it if they’re all as eccentric as you.” He winked and kissed me.
“Landry,” I whispered.
“Yes, hon?”
“I love you so much,” I said, kissing him.
“Mmm, I love you too.”
THE END