Proof, p.26
Proof,
p.26
Chris stashed Carter’s gear in the back of his truck. “Listen, I have kind of a surprise for you.”
“You’re going to marry Luna?” Carter said, his eyes eager.
Chris laughed out loud. “I haven’t asked her yet.”
“Then what’s the surprise?”
“Remember I went to that car show, and I told you that I’d like to get a classic car and fix it up?”
“Yep!”
“Ready to go look at our new project?”
“Heck yeah!”
Chris started the engine and began the hour-long trip to Stillwell Center. Carter chatted up a storm about camp, what he’d learned, and the new friends he’d made. He was one very happy young man. They talked about the upcoming appointment with the psychiatrist, and Chris explained about the preliminary hearing.
“Gotcha,” Carter responded. “I’m ready, Dad.”
Chris knew he was.
* * *
When they arrived at Stillwell, there was laughter in the air. Lots of hugs, smiles, and kisses, including a mushy one between Luna and Chris. “Get a room, Dad,” Carter joked.
More laughter ensued. “Shall we take a look at your new project?” Cullen asked.
“Heck yeah!” Carter said again, and followed Cullen to the rear door. Chris lagged behind long enough to pull Luna aside.
“I missed you. And I’m sorry.” He drew her close. “I don’t want anything to come between us. Ever.”
“Me either.” She leaned her head against his chest.
“So, we’re good?” He looked into her eyes.
“Couldn’t be better.”
Epilogue
Several weeks later, the judge decided to let Carter choose which parent he wanted to live with. As expected, he picked his father. His parents worked out the schedule and signed the agreement. Chris was certain Lucinda would never speak to him again. At least not directly, which was totally fine with him.
The following months were a flurry of wedding plans for Chi-Chi and Cullen. Members of her family were traveling from Nigeria. Luna, Chi-Chi, and Ellie incorporated Nigerian traditions into the celebration and hired a special chef to prepare authentic food. Chi-Chi wore a traditional aso oke outfit made of thick fabric with long sleeves that widened at the wrists. A kaftan-like skirt was tied at the waist. Luna appreciated why Chi-Chi wanted to get married in the fall. It was a lot of clothing, including the gele headpiece. Cullen chose a customary agbada, a four-piece outfit with a matching hat. He wanted to assure Chi-Chi’s family he was respectful of their culture and show how much he loved her.
The garden was filled with hundreds of white orchids, white hydrangeas, and white roses, with a long red silk carpet. There were over one hundred guests. Chi-Chi’s auntie acted as the alaga, also known as the master of ceremonies. A drummer was positioned up front. The coming together of two families commenced, with many introductions and lots and lots of dancing. And that was just the beginning.
When the festivities moved to the atrium, there were more vibrant-colored flowers throughout. The tradition of “spraying” the bride and groom with money continued through the night, with Luna collecting the stash in bags made specially for the occasion.
At the end of the evening, Chris brought Luna over to the only quiet corner of the center. “I didn’t want to say or do anything to distract from Chi-Chi and Cullen’s big day. But there is something Carter has been asking about.”
“What?” Luna couldn’t imagine what his son wanted from her, or why it was so important to have this tête-à-tête now.
“He wants me to marry you.”
“He what?” Luna had had several glasses of champagne, but she knew she’d heard him right. “I guess the next question is, do you want to marry me?” Luna’s legs were trembling.
“More than ever.” Chris stared at her. “Will you?” He opened a small box with a diamond ring inside.
“More than ever.”
Don’t miss the fun, friendship, and romance as four lifelong friends embark on a singles cruise in a heartwarming holiday novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels.
SANTA CRUISE
At Ridgewood High, Amy, Frankie, Rachael, and Nina formed a deep bond. Fifteen years after leaving school behind, they’re back for a reunion, laughing, reminiscing, and chatting how much has changed—and how much hasn’t. Nina, once the star of every school play, moved to Hollywood and landed a recurring role on a sitcom. Amy, fondly known as “the brains of the operation,” is now a Silicon Valley bioengineer. Outgoing and compassionate, Frankie works for a New York publishing house. Rachael, always the most boy-crazy of the crew, married—mostly to please her parents—but is now divorced. All four are strong, successful, and somehow still looking for the right partner. But Frankie has an idea to help solve that: a singles cruise for the holidays.
In late December, Amy, Rachael, Frankie, and Nina gather in Miami, ready to board their state-of-the-art cruise ship. The entertainment options are endless, the food is to die for, and the passenger list includes hundreds of eligible men. The highlight of the week will be a magnificent New Year’s Eve celebration with multiple theme parties, dancing, and fireworks. The ladies are happy to give Cupid a helping hand here and there—hanging mistletoe in elevators and cheering each other on through speed-dating events and shore excursions. Holidays—like the path of love itself—don’t always go exactly as planned, but over the course of one festive, unforgettable week, all four will set sail on surprising new adventures.
Photo by M2IFOTO ©2006
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
FERN MICHAELS is the USA Today and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sisterhood, Men of the Sisterhood, and Godmothers series, and dozens of other novels and novellas. There are over ninety-five million copies of her books in print. Fern Michaels has built and funded several large day-care centers in her hometown, and is a passionate animal lover who has outfitted police dogs across the country with special bulletproof vests. She shares her home in South Carolina with her four dogs and a resident ghost named Mary Margaret.
Visit her website at fernmichaels.com.
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