Chapter 16 The Road Ahead
Chapter 16: The Road Ahead
Jack
I almost couldn”t believe that in the space of twenty-four hours, I’d heard the worst and best words from Mr. Smith.
After waiting outside the airport for over an hour, I’d finally seen him. He had been visibly shaken by the robbery. I’d held out the door, ushering him into the car. This time, the drive wasn”t quiet. He had spoken first.
“Did you tell them?” he asked with a trembling voice.
“I wish I did. I wouldn”t be here now.”
“Thank you,” he muttered. I kept mute.
“You know, I”m amazed by your showing up here to rescue me after all I said to you some hours ago.”
“I”m not amazed about all you said some hours ago. Every dad would want to make sure that their child is in safe hands. If I was still a dad, I would watch out for my daughter. But what I wouldn”t do is call someone else a failure.”
“You are right, and I”m sorry,” he apologized.
“I”m glad the robbery was easily resolved, or we would have had to cook up a suitable story to calm your wife. That is, if she isn”t dead with worry by now.” I could see his lips twitch in a smile. The first smile I had seen on him since his arrival at Serenity Springs.
“Do you think you can speed it up?” he requested. It was my turn to smile as I pressed on the gas.
“What did you do to my dad?” Emma was asking for the third time as we got into the room.
“Babe, I told you, nothing. So, I met him at the front lawn while I was leaving for the meeting. His car had issues and I offered him a ride. He said some hurtful things to me on our way and when I went back to pick him up this evening, he apologized for the things he had said earlier and that was it.” The disbelief stood its ground on her face but I was sure that eventually, she”d forget about it.
“Was that why you asked me to leave?”
“Yes. Because he said that if I loved you, I”d tell you to return to the clinic. I didn”t have a choice. I”m sorry.”
“I don”t want to be at the clinic, Jack. I want to be here, with you.” She cupped my face.
“Yes, I know. And I want you here as well. I want to be close to you every night when I sleep and every morning when I wake up. I want to live the rest of my life with you, Emma.”
“Now, that”s sweet.” She resumed the kiss from where we”d left off.
* * *
At dawn, the Smiths were ready to leave with their bags packed. I helped Emma in preparing breakfast. We were seated around the dining room table eating as a family when a knock came from the front door.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Emma turned to me.
“No. Don”t worry, I will check who it is,” I said, sauntering off to the door.
Zain stood in my face as the door flung open. There was a look of excitement written all over her. I could tell whatever had brought her was good news. I stood aside and ushered her in.
“Why do we have all these bags packed? Emma, are you traveling?” Zain asked.
“It”s my mom’s; they”re leaving today.”
“What!!! Mrs. Smith, why would you be leaving without attending the town”s annual festival?”
It had completely slipped my mind about the festival. Zain joined us at the table as Emma dished her a plate of bacon and eggs. She then filled in Mr. and Mrs. Smith with the details of the festival and how it was celebrated. By the time she left, she”d succeeded in convincing them to postpone their trip to the next day.
So, we got ready to attend the town”s annual festival as a family.
The town hall was set to be the venue and it was filled to the brim. Being summer, there was a mixture of summer guests and the locals. It felt strange being in the midst of so many people again after being isolated for four years.
I had sent an invite to Jeff and he had promised to come around. I was surprised at how popular Emma had become in Serenity Springs. We stopped at every table we passed, saying hi to each family or tugging at a kid”s cheek playfully.
“You have to relax, Jack. You’re acting so tense,” she observed.
“I”m trying.” She shot me a glare that said trying wasn”t what she wanted. “Yeah, I need to relax,” I added.
She didn”t fail to invite the people we greeted to our art exhibition that was happening at the end of the week. I couldn”t be prouder of this woman and I was so blessed for this second chance of love in my life.
Emma
The people of Serenity Springs now felt like family. It was easy chatting and sharing ideas with several people at the festival. Zain had explained that the festival was specially created for all sons and daughters of Serenity Springs to gather at least once a year and reunite to strengthen their bonds.
I caught sight of Tarry, the gatekeeper at the guest house. He was dressed nicely and seated at an empty table.
“Excuse me, babe, I need to invite someone over,” I said to Jack, who had practically loosened up at the sight of his longtime friend Jeff. He had given a brief introduction, saying that Jeff had been his colleague in the service. I was glad for his timely arrival. They both laughed and talked about old times as they drank from bottles of beer.
“Hey, Tarry.”
“See who we have here, Lady Emma—”
“Just Emma,” I cut him off.
“Yeah, right. It is nice seeing you again. I thought you left?”
“I did, then I came back.”
“At least you will get to see Lady Catherine finally.”
I smiled warmly at first, thinking it was our usual joke. When the smile on the old man”s face lingered for quite too long, it dawned on me that he meant it this time.
“Goodness gracious! Is she here?”
“Yes. She”s the organizer of every year”s festival,” he announced proudly.
Just then, the hall erupted with applause and shouts. I turned to the stage to see the Lady walking out. She was elegant in every sense and radiated with beauty. She was definitely Lady Catherine. I could fully understand the old man”s obsession with her.
“She”s beautiful.”
“I told you.” He smiled back. “You should see your cactus plant. It is even more beautiful now.”
“You kept it,” I replied, surprised.
“I did,” he whispered.
“Do you want to join my table?” I asked him.
“Yes, I would like that.” He stood up at once as if he’d expected the invitation.
Jack was standing when I got back to our table. “Are you going somewhere, babe?”
“No… Er… Actually, I was waiting for you. Emma, there”s something I want to tell you.” His voice was shaky, which surprised me.
“What”s going on, Jack, did something happen?”
He was going down on his knee. The whole hall had now focused their attention on us.
“Emma, my life has changed beautifully since you came into it. I have made so much progress in a very short while since I met you. Now I don”t really know how to live without you. I can”t bear to wake up without you or sleep with the knowledge that you are not with me. Emma, I want you permanently in my life. Please, will you marry me?” With that, he presented a ring and awaited my response.
The hall was filled with cheers and murmurs. I could see Zain mouthing a big “Yes.” Flora was beaming beside her. My mom held her chest with both hands as her face held admiration. Even my dad had a grin on his face.
“Yes!” I half-yelled in excitement.
Again, the hall vibrated with shouts and applause.
Then there was a clearing of the mic and all attention returned to Lady Catherine.
“I”m glad to be a witness to this beautiful proposal. I”ve heard so much about you, Emma, and I want to say thank you for bringing Jack out of his shell.” A few laughed and others clapped.
“To support your project going on in the town, the antique store, I wish to contribute by paying for a quarter of the goods you”ve ordered.” Screams filled the hall at her pronouncement.
“And, I want to be informed when the wedding date is picked. I would like to send a little gift.”
“You are my good luck charm,” Jack whispered into my neck.
“Yes, I do believe I am your good luck charm,” I said with a smile amidst the shouting and clapping and then I kissed him with a feverish wave of excitement.