In the past ten days, Lisa felt as if she’d won the lottery, taken a trip to the moon and become queen of the universe! Okay, maybe she was exaggerating a little, but not much. As she stood in the ballroom of the Rocky Ridge Country Club, her hand in Alan’s, she was so happy she thought she was going to burst.
Christina rushed over from one of the many linen-covered tables. “Your dress is an absolute hit. All the women are talking about it. Even Mom.”
A few days ago, when Alan had flown them back to Texas to get ready for their engagement party, Christina had gone shopping with her to choose a dress. It was pink with a western-style bodice, long sleeves and fringed hem.
“Do I want to know what they’re saying?” Lisa asked.
Alan wrapped his arm around her waist. “I’m sure they’re commenting on how lovely you look. You’re beautiful tonight, Lisa. No woman here can hold a candle to you.”
Lisa stroked Alan’s jaw. “Thank you.”
She was thanking him for so much more than the compliments and she could see he understood that. Ever since he’d proposed, he’d made sure she knew exactly how much he loved her. On Sunday evening, when Neal and Maude had returned, he’d called a family meeting to announce their engagement. Sherri and Neal had been astonished. Maude and Christina, who had seen the ring the day before had just looked happy for them. The next day, they’d flown back to Portland to talk with Carrie and Brian.
Brian had looked Alan square in the eyes and said with a smile, “I know you’ll take good care of her.”
Carrie had added, “I know Lisa will take good care of Alan.”
Not only were Brian, Carrie and Timothy here today, but Jillian, Craig and Ariel were, too. Alan had sent his plane back for them. He didn’t want anyone important to Lisa to miss this happy celebration.
As Lisa’s gaze fell on Timothy, who was rubbing his eyes, she felt a surge of love for him. She and Alan had had several long discussions about him. Alan had insisted he understood the role Lisa would play in her son’s life, and that he’d support her one hundred percent. He’d apologized to her again for not accepting her past from the moment she’d told him about it. But she’d understood what a shock her news had been. She’d enjoyed showing Alan over and over that she’d forgiven him.
Now, stepping a little closer to Lisa, Christina said in a low voice, “I know Mom and Uncle Neal were shocked this afternoon when you told us about Timothy. But they came tonight, so I think they’ll get used to the idea.”
“Of me marrying your dad? Or of me giving up Timothy for adoption?”
“Eventually, both,” Christina answered honestly.
The band began to play. To Christina, Alan said, “Honey, if you don’t mind, I think I’m going to dance with my fiancée.”
His daughter grinned at him. “I don’t mind. But I do think I’ll talk to the band leader and make sure they play something up-to-date sometime tonight.”
Alan laughed as Christina headed for the dais and he guided Lisa to the dance floor. When he drew her into his arms, their guests clapped.
“We’ve got to set a wedding date,” he reminded her. “How about June? Is that enough time for you to be sure you’re making the right decision?”
She could tell he was partly teasing and partly serious. “I’ve made my decision, Alan, when I accepted your ring. I’m sure I want to marry you and build a life with you. In fact, I was a little disappointed when I used the pregnancy test and found out I wasn’t expecting. I know you were relieved….”
“I was a little disappointed, too. I didn’t make a big deal out of it because I don’t want to push you into having children. I know you want to pursue your career.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. Brian already found a replacement for me so I can start working with you. But there’s no reason I can’t do both, is there? I was thinking I could work part time until our kids are school age, then dig in more. What do you think?”
“Kids?” he asked with a grin. “Like in more than one…”
Suddenly she wondered if she’d read him wrong. “If you only want one…”
Disentangling their hands, he covered her mouth with his index finger. “I was teasing. I know an only child can be a lonely child. Christina has often told me she wishes she had a brother or sister. And I believe if you want to raise kids and work, too, you’ll figure out how to do what’s best for everyone.”
“The more I consider it, I guess I’d want to give my full attention to our baby for at least the first year…maybe two….”
He laughed. “The great thing about being married to me is that I can be flexible! And we don’t have to figure it all out this minute. We have until June. Unless you want to try to make a baby before then.”
“And shock your family even more?”
“They’ll get used to us shocking them.” He seemed to think it was inevitable.
Lisa cuddled closer to him as they danced.
When the song ended, he said, “We really should make the rounds of our guests. There are a few friends I haven’t introduced you to yet.”
As Alan guided her toward the bar, Sherri approached them.
“Uh-oh,” he whispered in Lisa’s ear. “I know that look. She has something on her mind.”
Sherri gave them both a forced smile, then asked Lisa, “Can we talk for a few minutes?”
Protectively, Alan stepped closer to Lisa. “Why don’t you say what you have to say to both of us?”
Lisa patted his arm. “It’s okay.” She motioned Sherri to an alcove in the back of the room where no one was standing. Then she kissed Alan’s cheek. “I won’t be long.”
Still, Alan looked worried as Lisa followed his ex-wife to the corner of the room.
Once there, Sherri appeared to be…nervous. “I know I haven’t been very gracious about you and Alan. After all, everything happened so fast.”
“Yes, it did,” Lisa agreed, not knowing what to expect. Truth be told, she wanted Alan’s family and friends to like her. Yet if they didn’t, she was going to love him and make a life with him, anyway.
“Then this afternoon, when you told us about the baby you gave up…”
Lisa tensed.
“I can only imagine how hard it was for you to give up your child. I saw you with Timothy earlier and it’s obvious you still care a lot. I just wanted to tell you how I admire the way you stay in his life, yet allow the Summers to be his parents. That’s got to tear you up sometimes.”
“It does,” she admitted, hoping she wouldn’t be sorry she had.
To Lisa’s surprise, Sherri extended her hand. “I know Christina likes you a lot. And I’m going to warn you, I probably won’t be the best ex-wife you’ll ever find. Nevertheless, I want to welcome you to the family. Maybe we can learn to be…friends.”
In Sherri’s eyes, Lisa saw sincerity. She shook her hand. “Thank you.”
“Neal will come around. Just give him some time. I think he can already see how happy you make Alan. I know I can.”
Apparently unable to restrain himself from watching over Lisa, Alan joined them. “Everything okay?” he asked, looking from one woman to the other.
“We’re ‘cool’ as our daughter would say,” Sherri joked. Then she moved away, leaving them alone.
As soon as his ex-wife was out of earshot, Lisa beamed at him. “Everything’s wonderful! Sherri welcomed me to the family.”
“Only Sherri would have that much nerve,” he muttered, shaking his head.
“I’m glad she did. Who knows? We might even become friends.”
“That’s a disturbing thought,” he said dryly. “If you compare notes on me, you’ll discover all my flaws.”
“Flaws? You mean you have flaws?” she teased.
“You know I do,” he said, seriously now.
Sliding her arms around him, she responded, “What I know is that I love you. I love everything about you and I always will.”
Alan enfolded her in his embrace. “And I love you. For now until…”
“Forever,” she breathed.
“Forever,” he agreed.
Then he kissed her, and they both forgot they were in the middle of their engagement party.
They were the only two people in the world—a man and a woman who would be in love…who would love each other…for a lifetime.