“Jennifer…” he whispered like a prayer, “will you…”
“Yes! Yes!” Her arms came around his neck and in the tiny space between tables he picked her up, never breaking his glance until he kissed her—-finally—before lowering her to the ground.
He felt her arm around him while she sought her sister’s eyes across the table.
But Lisa and Mike were already coming over, hugging, kissing, shaking hands with him.
“Welcome to the family,” said Mike. “I couldn’t be happier…because Jen is happy. Make sure she stays that way.”
Doug studied the other man’s features. His last words carried more concern than threat. “I will do my very best.”
“Despite the legal definitions,” Mike continued, “I’ve been in loco parentis since she was sixteen….”
“Thank you for that,” said Doug. “It couldn’t have been easy, but you did a magnificent job. She’s perfect.”
“Now that’s a man in love!” Mike laughed and gathered his wife to him. “Looks like we have a wedding to plan.”
Lisa stood on tiptoe and kissed her husband. “You mean, Jen and Doug have a wedding to plan.”
“Plan is the word,” said Doug, shaking his head. “You’re off the hook on this one. But who knew that Maguires would be…”
“Perfect,” said Jen. “Good memories here, and you just added to them.”
A deep voice added, “You should thank me, son. Without me, you’d still be hemming and hawing.”
“Get the duct-tape,” sighed Doug.
“My father can be…ah…trying at times.” Evie leaned over to kiss Jen. “I’m so glad about this. Doug’s never looked happier. And that you’re right here in town is great. If I ever have five minutes again…”
“Absolutely,” said Jen, glancing at Lisa. “We know how to do sisters, don’t we?”
“We certainly do. Welcome to the family, Eve.”
Maybe if the best-laid plans often went astray, they left room for the unexpected events to work out well. Doug had no complaints as they made their way to the Charles River Esplanade for the concert. Jennifer’s hand was snuggled in his, and he supposed they had a pair of dopey smiles on their faces.
“Hey, Jen?
“Yes?”
“Independence Day, huh?”
Her delightful laugh sprinkled the air, and Doug wanted to capture it forever.
And he would. With the rough patches behind them, the road ahead would no doubt be smooth.
Chapter 13
Jen had never been happier. The weeks since the momentous holiday weekend seemed to fly by and all too soon, summer was in her rear-view mirror. Emily came home from Tanglewood, the twins drove back to Florida and their junior year at school. Mike’s NFL season had started, and baby Brianna continued to grow and thrive while her big brother, Bobby, started pre-school. Most importantly, Doug’s new play would be premiered in a week.
To his dismay, she’d started a scrapbook for his work, cutting out the print ads and printing out the on-line ads promoting The Sanctuary. Sitting at her kitchen table on the first Sunday evening of September, she adhered the latest promo onto a page in the album.
“The boys used to keep a scrapbook for Mike when they were little,” she said.
“Maybe they still do. Or maybe Lisa’s taken over. It kept the kids focused on something fun.”
“It’s keeping you focused on nonsense,” he complained. “One sample ad is enough. Let’s hope you’ll have some good reviews to save soon.”
The poor guy was as jittery as a bride the day before her wedding. She smiled, then stood to give him a kiss, sneaking a glance at the vintage emerald ring on her finger. A gorgeous piece that fit her perfectly. The family connection to Doug’s grandmother wasn’t lost on her either. The man had simply loved his grandma.
“It’s beautiful,” she’d whispered when he put it on her finger.
“But not more beautiful than you,” he’d said, before emitting a big sigh. “I-I wasn’t sure…it’s not the usual thing.”
She smiled at the memory and refocused on the job at hand. “I will have many good reviews to save,” she said. “The play is wonderful. The cast is excellent.
Tickets are selling…”
“…and I’m kissing the woman I love.”
She relaxed against him, relishing the firmness of his arms around her, and still amazed at what a difference one summer could make in her life. “And then I’ll take photos of everything I saved,” she continued, “and create a real book. There are on-line services that do that. Each play can have its own album.”
“Got it all figured out, huh? Love your positive thinking, honey, but there are bound to be flops along the way. You won’t like creating souvenirs for those plays.”
“So I won’t!” She grinned and took a step back. “I understand that success can be a sometime thing in your world, so make hay while you can. We’ll never starve, Doug. I’ve seen that you’re not a spendthrift, and you know I love my career. I can’t see ever giving it up, so we’ll have that income to depend on.”
She felt his pause. “What about kids, Jen? We’ve never even discussed having a family.”
“Kids?” she asked, totally flabbergasted. “I am so not ready! I barely have enough time to help with my own sisters and brothers! Ask me again later on—
