CHAPTER 26
There was a knock on the front door, and Robert answered it. A driver delivered a foil-wrapped pink Christmas poinsettia. He brought it into Lainey’s living room.
She was curled up on the couch with a blanket. Vivian was beside her, and Robert sat on her other side after placing the poinsettia on the coffee table.
They’d found a Christmas movie and baked a lasagna. Robert and Lainey hardly ate, still rattled from the night before.
Bruises and scratches marked Lainey’s face and body. They’d told Vivian she’d had a nasty fall.
On the ride home from the station, she couldn’t figure out how to tell a six-year-old someone had abducted, beaten and nearly murdered her mother. It was Robert’s idea to white-lie it as a bad fall. Six-year-olds understood accidents and skinned knees.
“Who was it?” Lainey asked.
He handed her the card with her name written on it. “I’m not sure.”
She sat up and opened it.
Dear Mrs. Wickham,
With regret, I apologize for the pain and suffering the
search for my uncle’s missing coins may have caused you.
I’m officially giving up the search and returning to my
home in Arizona.
I leave you in peace and wish you and your daughter
the happiest of holidays.
Again, I’m very sorry.
Respectfully,
Jan Bingman
* * *
Robert reluctantly attended Christmas Eve service with Lainey and Geoff’s family, followed by dinner at Mike and Denise’s home. He’d sensed Denise’s misgivings since Halloween and had kept his distance.
Learning of Geoff’s actions and infidelity was a tough pill for Denise to swallow.
Lainey could see the sorrow on her face as the grandchildren opened presents around the tree that evening.
She too mourned Geoff all over again. Lainey realized Geoff had not only betrayed her, but his family too, his parents and his upbringing.
When it was time to go. Robert made two trips taking opened gifts and Lainey’s empty hors d'oeuvre platters to his truck as it warmed up. When he came back in the house the second time, Lainey and Viv were buttoning up their coats and putting gloves on.
They said their goodbyes to Geoff’s family. “We’re going to miss you tomorrow, but...” Denise sighed, “I understand.”
Lainey and Vivian were spending Christmas Day at Robert’s parent’s home. They’d be meeting his sister, brother-in-law and their children for the first time tomorrow.
Lainey planned on bringing a tiramisu for dessert and was looking forward to talking with Robert’s mother again.
She was a tenderhearted woman, and Lainey had received the warmest reception from both his parents when Robert had brought her and Vivian to dinner last week. They’d met at the same steakhouse where she’d first met Robert. The steak dinner was much more enjoyable this time around though.
Lainey hugged Denise, who’d always be her mother-in-law in a sense. “We’ll be here for Sunday dinner after church. You’ll see us again soon enough,” Lainey reassured her.
Denise turned to Robert. “You’re welcome to come too,” she said with a soft smile. This was the first time she’d ever spoken directly to Robert.
“Thank you, I would love to come,” Robert said.
To everyone’s shock, Denise hugged him and said, “Merry Christmas. Take good care of our girls, okay?”
Robert smiled, hugging her back. “Yes, ma’am.”
It was a Christmas miracle. Lainey witnessed two worlds coming together, laying down arms. A peace treaty, made.
* * *
“Cora, I know you said, you didn’t mind, but it’s not fair I get to ring in the New Year at a fancy ball and you’re stuck here with the kids,” Lainey said straightening the chiffon skirt of her sea foam green ball gown. She glanced in the mirror. The bruising was gone, and the scratches had healed.
“Lain, I’m exactly where I want to be,” Cora said, handing Lainey her white fur shawl.
“I was Mom and Dad’s wild child while you had your nose in a book.
I’ve partied and had my moment in the sun.
” She tossed her hair back, basking in imaginary sun rays.
“It’s your turn. Plus, you’ll see Robert in his dress uniform, AND probably for the last time. It’d be a sin if I kept you from that.”
Lainey glanced at her phone. “Where is he? He said, he was on his way.”
The Eisenhower Presidential Library hosted a 1950s era inspired New Year’s Eve Ball every year. They had Dwight and Mamie look-alikes greet people and a big brass band play. Everyone wore fifties fashion, and the library decorated its grand hall in mid-century décor.
She’d always been curious about it, but tickets were expensive and sold out quickly. Somehow, Jake and Robert had acquired four tickets. Emma and Lainey ordered their fifties inspired ball gowns the very next day online.
Her gown arrived only two days ago, and she had to dig her sewing machine out to take it in. Lainey had begun her New Year’s resolution early with a twenty-minute workout four days a week before work.
Robert had never complained or made snide remarks as Geoff once had about her body. Actually, Robert was quite the opposite. He always complimented her on how pretty she was. But she wanted to eat right, work out and feel better for herself and no one else.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Finally,” Lainey said. She turned to Vivian, who was giggling as she blew a long paper whistle, smacking the extending end into Dylan’s face. “Viv, be nice. I want you to go to bed right after midnight.”
“Okay, Mama.”
Lainey opened the door expecting to see Robert. Instead, it was a man she’d never seen before. A chauffeur, hat and all, greeting her. A black limousine sat behind him in the driveway. “Hello Ms. Wickham. Sergeant Lane sent me.”
“Where is he?” She glanced back at Cora, who didn’t seem as puzzled as she was.
“My orders are to deliver you to the Presidential Library. That’s all I know,” he replied, holding out his arm to escort her to the car.
She retrieved her phone from her clutch bag. “I’m calling him.”
Cora yanked the phone from her hand and shoved it back into the sequined clutch. “Lainey, just go. Trust him.”
From Cora’s smirk, she knew more than she was letting on. Lainey DID trust Robert. And she trusted her sister too. “Fine,” she rolled her eyes and went.
* * *
The limo pulled onto the plaza grounds of the Presidential Library. The chauffeur came around and opened her door. Lainey stepped out into a light snowfall. Glitter-like flakes floated in the night sky.
The chauffeur stopped her from joining the other arriving guests on the main walkway. “I’m sorry. Sergeant Lane instructed you were to walk this path.” He pointed to a wide stretch of pavement leading towards the museum instead. “He’ll meet you at the end.”
Lainey opened her mouth to protest, but shut it. Cora was right. She trusted Robert, and whatever craziness this was, she’d go along with it.
This evening, she was wearing the teardrop aquamarine earrings Robert had gifted her for Christmas. Given that he’d only asked for black polos for his KBI job starting in two weeks, the earrings were overly generous.
She rounded the back side of the grand hall, coming out into the center of the outdoor mall. Robert was standing in front of the five pillaring monument pylons at the end of the pathway.
In his dress uniform and beret, he stood at parade rest. Cora was right. Lainey didn’t want to miss him wearing his uniform for the last time. With a suppressed grin, he waited for her to come to him, clean-shaven and looking more handsome than ever.
Emma and Jake were standing off to the side. Emma’s dress was a soft pink A-line satin with chiffon draping. Jake was wearing a tux with his hair slicked back into a ducktail.
“What is going on?” Lainey asked, ten feet from reaching Robert.
His grin grew, showing his teeth. The falling snow shimmered in the monuments’ up-lighting behind him. She wished she’d taken a picture with her phone, but she was too curious about this alternate route to the party to think of it before now.
Taking both of her hands, he drew her closer. “Robert, what is happening?” She peered over at Jake and Emma, who were smiling but silent. When she turned to face him again, he was no longer standing, but kneeling in front of her.
“Oh my God,” she now understood.
“Lainey, I love you. From this day forward, I don’t want to live life without you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He opened a small velvet box with a sparkling princess-cut diamond inside.
She gasped, and her eyes watered. “Yes! A thousand times, yes!”
He slipped the ring on her finger and stood up. He leaned in to kiss her, but stopped himself. “You don’t mind becoming Lainey Lane?”
She laughed, dabbing away a tear. “I love you so much. I’d be proud to be Lainey Lane.”
They locked lips, his breath hot on her chilled skin. He kissed her until there was nobody and nothing in the world except them.
Champagne, dancing, and many, many more kisses filled the rest of the night.
As people at the ball congratulated the happy couple, including the Mamie and Dwight look-alikes, Jake and Emma beamed with pride, taking credit for their engagement. However, they both agreed this was the first and last time they’d ever set anyone up again.
* * *
On New Year’s Day, Robert enjoyed breakfast with Lainey, Cora and their children.
Cora oohed and awed over Lainey’s engagement ring while Robert volunteered to make the pancakes.
“I’m fixing these tiles sooner than later,” he commented, shifting his feet on the wobbling floor tiles.
“Cora, what time are you heading back with your boys today?” he asked, flipping a flapjack.
“Probably around noon. Why?” she said.
“I have one more surprise for Lainey, which you don’t even know about,” he said. Robert included Cora in the engagement plan. He needed her help with both watching Vivian and getting Lainey’s ring size.
“Another one that involves beautiful jewelry?” Cora said. “Because I think I need a commission if you want my help again,” Cora chuckled.
“No jewelry this time,” he smiled, flipping another pancake. “But we’ll have to load everyone up and drive to it.”
Lainey made eyes at Cora. She’d had a smile plastered on her face since last night and had barely got any sleep. But she didn’t mind. She was on a high. She was happier than she had ever been.
Cora smirked. “Robert, did you hire a plane to fly over with a banner declaring your undying love for my sister?” She laughed, “Because there're no leaves on the trees. We should be able to see it from here.”
“That’s an idea I’ll have to remember, but no. You’ll see. It’s a surprise for Vivian too,” he said.
After breakfast, snow boots, stocking caps, and coats were distributed. Cora and her boys drove behind Robert’s truck, following them through town. “Where are you taking us?” Lainey asked.
Robert turned into the historic district behind the Sealy Mansion and patted her knee. “You’ll see,” he said, smiling.
He parked in front of the same house she’d given tours of during the Christmas homes tour. Cora parked behind, and everyone unloaded from both vehicles. He led them up the walk and knocked on the door.
Lainey didn’t know why Robert was disturbing this older couple on New Year’s Day. Their property was supposed to go on the market today.
Theresa opened the door. “Right on time,” she said. “Hi Lainey, how are you?” she asked as Lainey stepped inside.
“Fine,” she answered, but it sounded more like a question.
The older couple stood beside Theresa, smiling. “Happy New Year,” Lainey said to be polite as the children and her sister continued to pour into the entryway behind her.
Cora shut the door behind her second son. Her expression was just as confused as Lainey felt.
“Have you told her yet?” Theresa asked Robert.
He smiled. “Nope.”
He turned to Lainey and Vivian. “Ladies, how would you like to call this house, home?”
Vivian scrunched her brow. He elaborated, “Viv, I’d like you and your mom to move, and live here with me.”
“Really?” Vivian asked, smiling. “We’d live here in this big dollhouse? ... Together?” To her, all the houses in this neighborhood resembled bigger versions of opulent dollhouses.
“Yep, as a family,” he answered.
“Wait a minute,” Lainey said. “Robert, did you buy this house?”
“Officially not yet, but they accepted my offer this morning.”
Lainey couldn’t believe her ears. Her mouth gaped.
“We’re here to sign the papers, but only if you’re okay with it, Lain,” he said.
Lainey looked back at Cora, who was surveying the same beautiful woodwork and architectural details Lainey loved about the place.
Robert said, “It’s up to you, Lainey. I want you to be happy, so if this isn’t ...”
She jumped into Robert’s arms and kissed him. “Yes! Again, a thousand times, yes!”