Wayne and Grace were able to spend the rest of the Thanksgiving weekend entertaining her parents. On Friday they drove into San Francisco and played tourists for the day, hitting all of the important landmarks. After a late lunch/early dinner at a seafood restaurant in Ghiradelli Square, Grace and her mother decided to do some shopping. Wayne and Mr. Van Pelt decided to walk along the waterfront agreeing to meet up with the ladies in 1 hour. They were finally starting to feel comfortable with each other. Mr. Van Pelt could tell that Wayne was a good and honorable man, who would always be there for his daughter. But that did not mean he was going to let him off the hook.
"So Wayne, I guess this is where I ask you what your intentions are toward my daughter?"
Wayne blushed bright red and started to stammer. "Well, sir, I mean, um, I love her very much, and um, I'm hoping to you know convince her that, well that, you know we have a future together and…"
Mr. Van Pelt chuckled. "Calm down. I can see how much you love her, and how much she loves you. What exactly does this future look like? Dare I say it, does it include marriage?"
"Well sir I was kind of hoping to talk to you about that this weekend."
"To me? Don't you think you should talk to Grace?"
"Well, yes of course. I have everything all planned out for that, but I wanted to make sure I had your blessing first. I know how important family is to Grace, and I would not want to start our lives together on the wrong foot with you."
"Yes, well, speaking of family, I can't help but notice that you don't mention yours. Even on a holiday."
Wayne took a deep breath and filled Mr. Van Pelt in on the details of his family and childhood. The whole time Wayne was talking, Mr. Van Pelt listened intently, never saying a word. When Wayne finished, he put his hand on Wayne's arm and said "Son, my respect for you just grew immensely. I can't imagine how hard you must have worked to overcome all that and become the fine young man I would happily entrust my daughter to." When Wayne did not respond he continued. "In case you missed it I just gave you my blessing."
Wayne started beaming. "Thank you sir. I promise you won't regret it I will love and cherish your daughter till death do us part."
Mr. Van Pelt laughed. "Just remember that when the minister asks you at the wedding."
They had turned back toward the landmark where they were to meet up with the ladies when Wayne stopped short. "I forgot about something, or rather someone. What will Mrs. Van Pelt think?"
Mr. Van Pelt who had gotten a little ahead of Wayne stopped and turned back toward him. "I'll tell you a little secret. She's been planning the wedding ever since the first time you called her with the update on Grace's condition. I think she will handle it just fine."
The two men arrived at the meeting place just ahead of the ladies. As the women approached they could not help but notice that the slight tension that seemed to exist between the two men was gone. As Grace walked up to Wayne he immediately drew her into his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips, seemingly unconcerned by the fact that her parents were standing just a couple of feet away. Even after he broke off the kiss, he did not release her and they stood cuddled together enjoying the ocean breeze as Mrs. Van Pelt showed her husband what she bought. It suddenly occurred to Wayne that there was something pressing against the small of his back. He released Grace and as she pulled away he noticed a box with the name of a bakery emblazoned on it in her hand. As he reached for the box, she turned away from him and held it out of his reach. "Oh no, that's for later."
Mr. and Mrs. Van Pelt watched from a few feet away. They could not have picked a better match for their Grace. It was obvious from Wayne's reaction to Grace's shooting that he would be strong for her when she needed him to be. But the last couple of days also showed that they could have fun and enjoy being with each other. Law Enforcement was a noble profession, but it was also one that could be hard on spouses. An officer's spouse needed to be just as committed to serving the community as the officer. If not, they would never understand the sense of duty their loved one felt which could lead to feelings of resentment. Grace and Wayne were both officers. They understood the sense of duty and commitment that the other felt. Now if only they could overcome this rules thing.
Later that night as they were getting ready for bed, Grace came up behind Wayne and put her hands around his waist and laid her head on his back. "So you and my dad are getting along?"
"Yeah. We had a long talk while you were shopping."
"Oh, what about?"
"I told him about my folks and my childhood. He was actually quite understanding." Wayne took one of Grace's arms and pulled her around so she was in front of him. "Funny thing was, he said pretty much the same thing you did." At Grace's questioning look he continued. "You know, about how far I've come being something I should be proud of."
"Oh, well I guess like daughter like father then."
"Yeah. Now can we change the subject? I really cannot do to you what I have planned if we are talking about your parents."
The next day was the last full day they would have to spend together. They drove over to the Pacific Coast Highway and just drove south stopping at every viewpoint they came to. They had packed overnight bags and found a small out of the way bed and breakfast just outside of San Francisco. They would have just enough time for a leisurely breakfast in the morning before the Van Pelt's would need to head to the airport.
As Grace stood watching her parents go through security, she could not believe how grown up she suddenly felt. The last time she had seen her parents she felt so much like their little girl. Now, here she was, over 1 year at a very impressive job halfway across the country, and in a very stable, grown up relationship. She was officially an adult. She laid her head to the side onto Wayne's shoulder, now if only they could overcome this rules thing.