“
Wow Geni, that’s an awesome gift - one that will give back again and again.” He thought a moment. “I started to think she might not go this year, with school, a wedding, relocating, all of that, but she’s already mentioned it, already working on the program. She amazes me. This will be twelve years for her.”
“
I know, Matthew told me it falls during holiday from university and he will be going too. Who knew?” she said and smiled.
“
I think you should go,” Andy told her after a while.
“
To camp? Surely you jest!” she laughed out loud.
“
You laugh,” he smiled, “but you go one time and you’re sucked in for life. I mean it. Nathan is coming again this year to help start the music program and this will be my third year. It’s a life changer, Geni.”
“
I’m going to tell her at dinner tonight,” Geni said, changing the subject.
After they landed, Andy had a car waiting to take them to White
’s.
Matthew and Carlee met them in the lobby at eight. It didn’t matter that it had only been a few days since she had seen him, when Andy hugged her she squeezed back and said, “I’ve missed you.”
Matthew loved their relationship.
Carlee talked to him a lot about her relationship with her dad. And he knew that Andy had been there for her ever since her mama died, for anything, and everything she ever needed. He thought about the relationship that he shared with Andy, and it made him miss his own dad.
Matthew reserved a table in the back corner for them and made a special request of Cook for the dinner special that evening. He made the chicken and spinach dish that he had for his date with Carlee, it was one of his favorites and he wanted to share it with them. Andy ordered wine, and they settled in for a nice evening. After the meal, Damon Ware came by to say hello.
“
Damon, my Mom, Genevieve Davis, I think you’ve met my future father-in-law, Andy Stevens, and you know Carlee.”
“
It’s nice to see all of you.” He kissed Carlee’s cheek. “I hope Cook treated you well, I understand it was a ‘special’, special this evening,” he said and smiled. “We think of Matthew as family here,” he said placing his hand on Matthew’s back. “Enjoy your stay.”
Matthew ordered dessert for them, and Geni settled back for her announcement.
“
Carlee, I have a surprise for you,” she said.
“
I love surprises!” she giggled in reply.
Geni slid a
large manila envelope across the table to her. Carlee picked it up and opened it, pulling the contents out. She read the information carefully. It was a contract, and she was trying to process it. Finally, she looked up.
“
Geni, this is so generous. I don’t know what to say. Thank you.” Carlee rose and went to her, and hugged her.
“
That’s all you need to say, my dear; no other words are needed.” Geni patted her hand.
At the end of the evening, they all said good night. Matthew’s brothers and their wives would arrive the next day. Geni and Andy went to their rooms, and Carlee and Matthew returned to the flat. As they drove, Carlee was quiet, deep in thought. Matthew picked up a coin from the cup in the console and handed it to her.
She smiled,
“What’s this for?”
“
Your thoughts,” he laughed, but knew them.
“
I’m thinking of the potential and promise that piece of land holds. It’s an awesome gift. A great memorial to a great man,” she said.
Friday morning
, Matthew worked and Carlee rode to White’s with him. He took her to the kitchen, and Cook had coffee and scones ready for her to take to Andy’s room. Matthew called a kitchen helper to go with her.
“
Room service,” she laughed as she knocked on the door.
“Good morning love,” he said as he kissed her cheek. “This is a nice surprise,” he said, referring to the coffee. “Do you think Geni might be up?”
“
She sent Matthew a text a while ago. Should we invite her to join us?”
“
We should. That would be nice.”
Carlee dialed her number.
“Good morning! We’ve got coffee, and warm brown sugar scones in Papa’s room if you’d like to join us.”
“
I’ll be there in ten minutes,” she said. “Thank you!”
They chatted while they ate and waited for Matthew to complete his shift.
Andy made arrangements for a limo to meet Thomas, Brian and their families at the airport.
When his shift was over, Matthew came up to shower. They all gathered in Andy’s suite before joining together at Six for dinner. Matthew had Cook prepare a special family meal for them. As the evening went on, Matthew had something to share.
“
We’ve chosen a date,” he told them. “Carlee’s spring break begins March sixteenth. There will be a wedding in London on the twenty-fourth.”
“
Because of timing we are planning it backwards,” Carlee added. They all laughed and waited. Knowing the two of them, nothing would be shocking.
“
We’re planning the reception on Friday evening, before the ceremony. The wedding will be very small, intimate,” she said, with a smile, “early on Saturday morning. Matthew spoke with the manager, and we will have both the reception and the wedding right here at White’s.”
Everyone loved the idea.
“Carlee has to fly back Monday or Tuesday, depending on her workload, to complete the semester. My break starts Monday but I’m not gonna go back, I’ll stay and work.” Matthew said. “We’ll honeymoon later, after camp. I’ve already asked, and both Brian and Thomas will be my best men,” he laughed.
“
And Jenna and Marissa will be my ‘best women’,” Carlee said with a smile.
Excited chatter filled the table as they talked about a wedding.
Later that evening, Andy and Carlee bundled up to go for a walk. He needed some time alone with her. The area around White’s was quiet as they strolled. They walked a while, not talking much at first.
Finally, he took her hand
and led her to a bench. “Whatever you want, the wedding is my gift to you. Tell me what I need to reserve, do, pay for,” he laughed.
She leaned into him and he gave her a squeeze.
“Will you give me away?” she asked.
“
No,” he said quickly, and she turned to look at him.
“
But I will walk with you to join Matthew. I’ll give him your hand to share you with him,” he smiled as he said the words. “You were mine first; I’m selfish like that.”
“
There’s is something else I want to tell you, I’ve already talked to Geni and Matthew. His mission in the next few months is to find a new place for the two of you to begin your life together. I’ll make the down payment. It’ll seem hard with him here and you at home, but with the Internet and pictures I’m sure you will be able to find something. It’s my wedding gift, and after you find something you want, I’ll send a big bow because I know you like presents,” he laughed.
“
Papa, I love you so much.”
“
My sweet, sweet girl,” he said, “I love you more than I can ever begin to tell you. My world…” he said.
~ ~ ~
On Saturday morning, Matthew left early. He was due in line for the procession at 8:30. The ceremony would begin at 9:30. Andy was having the driver pick up Carlee on the way.
They made their way to their seats with much excitement among them.
Geni was emotional, but not near as much as Carlee. This was a beginning for her and Matthew, her love and pride were evident. Andy sat between them, Thomas and Angela, and Brian and Melia were to Geni’s left as the procession began. They called his name; “Matthew Aaron Davis,” and as he crossed the stage, the bunch of them yelled.
Afterward, they gathered again at Six. A private dining room was decorated with a congratulations banner and balloons awaiting their arrival. The staff all gathered to congratulate Matthew. The family dined, reminisced, and talked of the future.
Thomas and Brian left Sunday evening. Andy and Geni were staying until Tuesday. Carlee was staying through Christmas. She and Matthew would fly back on the 27th. There were things Matthew needed to take care of at home, and he would help get Carlee back to school. He would fly back in time to start his teaching position at the University.
With wedding and relocation plans, Carlee decided to keep her school load light.
She would determine how to go forward after she met with her advisor when she returned.
Matthew worked the lunch shift on Monday
, and Carlee spent the day with Geni and Andy. On his break, Matthew made a call. A friend was helping with a surprise for Carlee later. Matthew came up to shower after his shift and the four of them went out for pizza.
As they prepared to leave the restaurant Carlee said
, “We’ll celebrate Christmas with you when we come home. Geni, you will come won’t you and we’ll have a New Year’s celebration!”
“
I would love that,” she said.
“
Me too,” Andy said. “Well young people, our flight in the morning is early. Carlee, I will talk to you once we land.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “I love you, sweet girl,” he whispered.
She squeezed him and whispered back
, “That’s how my mama always said it.”
“
I know,” he said, and he squeezed a little harder.
“
I love you too,” she said, as she kissed his cheek.
In the car as they drove, Matthew told Carlee, “I have a surprise when we get back to the flat.”
“
What a coincidence! I have one for you too,” she laughed, cocking her head to peer at him out of the corner of her eye with a playful grin.
“
Oh, come on now,” he laughed. “I’m serious!”
“
And you think I wasn’t?” she teased.
Matthew parked the car and took Carlee
’s hand as they entered the building. At the door, he wrapped his arms around her. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“
I am. Are you?” she laughed, and it was a throaty, seductive sound.
“
Stop it! You’ll ruin my surprise!” he teased and stuck the key in the door.
It was dark, and when he flipped the switch nothing happened.
Carlee stepped in from the hallway. “It’s OK,” he said. “Wait here just a minute. The lamp must have gotten turned off. OK,” he said, “Now flip the switch.”
And when she did a little Christmas tree lit up.
“Surprise!”
“
Oh, Matthew, how sweet! When did you have time to do this?” He loved the happy sound of her voice.
“
I went to my friend Michael’s last week and decorated it. He and his wife Deborah brought it in for me this evening.”
“
I love it!”
“
Now,” he said. “Tell me about your surprise.”
“
I’ll have to go get it ready. Are you sure you want it now?” she teased.
“
I think so,” he said. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I do.”
“
OK then, I’ll be right back,” she said over her shoulder as she left the room.
She was gone a few minutes;
“You’ll have to unwrap your surprise,” she said from the other room and Matthew laughed.
When she reappeared, he was speechless.
It was red, and lacy, trimmed in white marabou. It laced up the front and when she told him, “I’m one of Santa’s helpers, tell me what you want for Christmas,” he scooped her up and ran with her in his arms to the bedroom.
Sunday morning was cold. They bundled up and Carlee grabbed her iPad and they went out for a walk. They made their way to the bakery on the corner for espresso and pastries.
“
I’ll have a Venti espresso with extra soy milk and one of those big apple things, please,” she told the girl behind the counter. “I’m starving,” she told Matthew.
“
She’s starving,” Matthew said to the girl taking the order with a chuckle. He looked at Carlee and shook his head, and then laughed as he placed his order.
After they
took a seat, Carlee took a bite of the apple turnover and pulled up a site on the Internet. She turned the screen so that Matthew couldn’t see.
“
Have you ever had an eye exam?” she asked him out of the blue.
“Yes,” he replied, looking puzzled.
“So you know they switch the screen thingy and say ‘this, or this’ and you decide which is better, right?”
He nodded, and laughed, having no clue where this conversation was going, but he loved her kooky humor.