The darkest days were behind them. Carrie had been laid to rest, Emily was exceeding expectations and was to be released from the hospital in the next several days, and her family worked to establish a new normal.
Rex couldn’t get any more time off work for now, and Monica dreaded his departure on Saturday. She’d remain in Pennsylvania for a minimum of another week, as everyone worked together to help Matt adjust to his new role as a single father.
Today, however, was a day or relaxation. She and her mom had plans for a day of pampering to rejuvenate their spirits while Emily’s other grandparents spent the day at the hospital, which left the men to their own devices.
Monica sat in the passenger seat of her mom’s car. “What do you think Rex and Dad will do all day?”
“I’m sure they’ll find a way to stay busy.” Mom dropped a wink. “You’re a brave woman leaving your man alone with your father for the whole day. Your dad and I had been married for two years before I made him face that.”
Monica laughed. “Rex can hold his own. I have faith in him.”
“He is good for you.” Jane’s voice adopted a tone as soft as her cashmere sweater. The way he looks at you, is how your father looks at me. That’s the love every girl deserves.”
A warm shiver caressed her. “I love him too.”
“Will there be wedding bells anytime soon?”
“We talked about it.” A lump grew in her throat and she rubbed her eyes. “That was before the accident. I don’t know now. It feels wrong thinking about it so soon after Carrie’s passing.”
“Oh honey, Carrie would be ecstatic for you.” Jane extended her arm over the console, and covered Monica’s hand with hers. “When you ran out that door in September, Carrie came down with the biggest grin on her face. She said, ‘I give it two months before she’s engaged.’ Don’t put your own life on hold because Carrie’s can’t continue.”
She swallowed but the lump refused to dislodge. “It’s so hard.”
“I know, love, but if anything, her passing should teach us never to take life for granted and to enjoy every day to the fullest. And you, my dear, are not living life to the fullest until you’re married to that man. It’s obvious to everyone he’s the half that makes you whole.”
“He really is, Mom. I never understood that, and I never felt I was missing anything until I met him. Then suddenly, whenever he wasn’t around, a part of me was empty.”
“Then hold onto him and never let him go.”
She chuckled. “He has to ask a certain question first.”
“He will soon. I feel it in my blood.” Jane returned her hand to the steering wheel.
“We’ve never talked like this before, have we?” She swallowed her regret. “We should more often.”
“Yes, we should. When you moved away so young, I compartmentalized you as a teen on the threshold of being a woman. Now, here you are, all grown up and I don’t know when that happened, but I am mighty proud of the woman you turned into.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
***
Rex sat on his bed twisting his ball cap in his hands. His nerves teetered on the edge, and his stomach was in knots. How many other men had gone before him, nervously awaiting the talk with their prospective father-in-law?
He was confident Ron approved of him, but that didn’t change his anxiety level. Sucking in a deep breath, he sought peace, and he repeated the process until his nerves steadied. Now or never. He slowly walked down the steps, praying the entire way.
Ron relaxed on the sofa watching the remaining morning news when Rex walked in. “What are your plans for today, son?”
Rex fidgeted, unconsciously twirling his thumbs. “I was hoping I could have a talk with you, sir, and depending on that outcome I’d like you to run an errand with me.”
A spark lit in Ron’s eyes. “Perhaps we should go out to my shop.”
“Okay.” Rex gulped, willing this to soon be over.
They walked to the shop, which was an oversized storage shed that had been converted into a woodshop. Ron closed the door behind them. “What would you like to talk about.”
All the words Rex had rehearsed fell to the floor. He stumbled several times before forming a sentence. “This may not be perfect timing, but I can’t wait any longer. I love your daughter, sir. She is my world and the meaning to everything in my life. With your permission, I would like to ask her to marry me.”
“Was that so hard?” Ron beamed. A gleam of mischief sparkled in his eyes.
