13. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Gene

L ilah has been a bit short tempered with me on the days after Christmas, which is really unlike her. She's usually very sweet and sassy with me and I'd like to have that girl back. I talked to Connor about marrying his sister and he seems to be on board.

Now he's helping me get everything ready for New Year's Eve so that we can exchange our vows just before the clock strikes twelve. Mayor Hoffer even offered to officiate, and I appreciate his participation. His mother, though is driving me crazy with all the preparations.

That woman is just not hearing my 'small and intimate' ceremony. Still, the most important thing is that my reluctant bride participate as well. Which is why I'm proposing tonight at Pascale's. A small, but intimate French restaurant that serves as one of the fancy places to take a date on Woodland Falls. The owners are the parents of the Fire Chief.

We're driving towards the restaurant when Lilah starts huffing and puffing.

"Lilah, are you okay?"

"I don't see why we couldn't bring Connor with us."

"I just wanted us to spend some time together, just us. Doesn't that seem nice?"

"Mmm phh."

"I think you'll like this place. You've tasted Mrs. Pascale's food before when she donates to the school fair."

"Yeah, it's good, I guess."

The icy cold between us feels like a giant barrier and I'm scared I might set off some fireworks if I do or say the wrong thing. There's valet parking and the gentleman helps Lilah out of the car. I give him the keys and grab her hand but she slips away and walks a bit faster towards the door.

We're seated immediately and there's already a bucket with champagne on the side of the table and rose petals are scattered around the table. My bride to be, though, looks impatient.

"Lilah…"

"Gene…"

I go grab her hand again and she pulls back.

"Say what you need to say, Lilah."

"I need to know what your intentions are with me."

I try to contain my laughter but it just bursts out of me. All heads turn to us and Lilah is furious.

"Gene, it's not funny. We're sleeping together. I could be pregnant right now." She whispers-shouts.

I get up and fish the little box out of my pocket. I walk over to Lilah's chair and bend on one knee.

"Lilah Castle, you are the most wonderful woman that I've ever met. You've helped me and supported me when my life was at its worst and you never asked for anything in return. I love you with all my heart."

One look at her tells me the fight has gone out of her and now she's sitting with her hand on her heart, listening intently to what I'm telling her.

"I've already asked Connor for your hand in marriage and he said he gave us his blessing. Now I'm asking you. Lilah, will you do me the honor of being my wife? To spend the rest of our lives building a future together where we can grow old and take care of one another for the rest of our lives?"

"Oh I'm so sorry, Gene. I didn't know. I've been so mean to you lately."

"I promise to be more communicative moving forward, but you haven't really answered my question. Will you marry me?"

"I love you, Gene. Of course, I'll marry you."

She gets up from the chair where she's sitting and pulls me up so that she can bury herself in my arms. Exactly where she's meant to be. I give her a smoldering kiss and she almost swoons right there in my arms. The people around us applaud and the waiter comes open up the champagne.

We toast to our future and I'm glad I finally see her with a huge smile on her face that matches mine.

"Oh, I've got so much to plan. What a hassle."

"Don't worry about that. I've got Mrs. Hoffer on it."

"What?"

"Let's just say it's going to be a short engagement, sweetheart."

New Year's eve comes and I'm glad they don't remove the Christmas decorations in Woodland Falls until after the next day. The colors all around us give off that holiday season vibe, you know, the one that brings magic and love into our lives during these times.

Our ceremony took place in the gazebo at Woodland Falls Park, but now I'm dancing with my bride at one of the large rooms in City Hall.

We're rudely interrupted by the major, who wants to cut in my dance with my wife. I frown but don't make a fuss. I don't want to ruin my wife's perfect day. I go back to my table and keep a close eye on them. They seem to be having a conversation.

The mayor's mother sits next to me and offers me a flute of champagne. I take it and realize I'm probably going to get a lecture. I want to be dancing with my wife, damn it.

"I don't know how you did it, Gene, but you've got yourself one amazing woman. And she doesn't want you for your money or fame."

"Lilah is too pure and good to worry about those things. She's focused on giving Connor the best life possible and getting ahead in this world. I admire her so much for that."

"You really love her, don't you?"

"I do."

"I've talked to my sons and we're gathering a group of volunteers to help get the Williamson property back on track."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I want to help, and so does the rest of Woodland Falls. Not everyone will forget as easily as some of us, but when they see the good you are doing – I've been told about your many visits to social services and doing pro bono work – they'll come around. Just be patient."

"Thanks, ma'am."

"Looks like you're bride is done with my son."

I look towards the dance floor and see my beautiful Lilah surrounded by a group of people. She's very charismatic and now some of the friends she used to have have started to come back to her. She still stands by me, though, so they can't say anything bad about me in front of her. I walk up to the group and try to get inside where she is laughing with someone.

"Excuse me, Excuse me. I'd like a word with my wife."

Lilah's face lights up at my use of the word 'wife' and starts moving towards me. We find each other and her delight is palpable.

"Is it too soon to leave?"

"Yes, Gene, it's too soon."

"Want to dance some more?"

"I'm hungry. Let's sit down and have something to eat while I tell you what the social services told me today."

I sit down at our table and plop her in my lap. She giggles, but doesn't move away from the spot. A server brings us some food and I start feeding my beautiful wife.

"I love you, Lilah."

"Mhmmm." She answers, her mouth full.

"Keep chewing, I want your belly full when we leave for our honeymoon."

She swallows and puts a hand up when I'm about to give her more food.

"It's not going to be easy to get the Mcallisters to live with us. It might take six months to a year."

"Did you tell Connor?"

"Yeah, he's really down about it. Mrs. Stillman says she'll try to find another family for them in the meantime. They do get to do their community service helping with the Youth Center project."

"That I did know. It will keep them out of trouble, for sure."

"Are you sure it's okay if I take those online classes? I want to be able to be a guidance counselor in the center."

"You can do anything your heart guides you to do, wife."

"I love you, Gene."

She opens her sweet little mouth that looks like sin and I start feeding her again. When it's time for the New Year's countdown we stare into each other's eyes and then kiss like it was the first time. I don't remember when I wished it, but having a family with an angel is definitely marked on my list as done.