They woke up around nine and got downstairs to have some food. Mrs. Stewart loved to sneak a peek to Gail's ring finger and she smiled every time she noticed how Holly and Gail blushed. She was happy her daughter will have partner who is good and worthy of her. She loved their dynamic and she and her husband were very in favor of this couple.
''After breakfast we can go and see your dad Gail.''
''Sure. I think that would be fine…''
They got ready and put the cat in her transporter. They felt a bit guilty to leave her in the car, but she couldn't go with them. In the hallway she runs into her mother and some of her parents' friends. Her mother went home to change and freshen up. Today her look was less formal, but very much in her too strict style. She had white shirt, navy blue pants and high heel shoes. Her hair was up in a perfect bun and she had her golden glasses on. Steve came to her and Holly and hugged Gail.
''Hi, how are you?''
''I'm fine… Did you see him?''
''No, I just came here.''
He turned to Holly…
''Hey…''
She nodded…
''Hey, Steve…''
''How are you?''
''I'm fine… And you?''
''I am fine too. Tracy will be here in a few minutes.''
''Nice… If we miss her, tell her I said hi…''
''Sure…''
He turned to Gail and took her hand…
''Let's see him…''
Holly's dad was talking to him and checking his results.
''Mr. Peck you are a lucky one. The bulled didn't cause any trouble.''
''I am lucky… I feel very happy to be alive.''
''And I hope you will take advantage of this second chance.''
Steve, Gail and their mother entered the room. Gail was in the back having trouble approaching his bed. She was not sure if he knew about Holly and should she tell him.
''Hi Gail… Why so far?''
She approached the bed and her father opened his arms.
''Come here you big softy…''
He hugged her and she sobbed into his chest.
''I'm alive Gail and I have every intention to stay alive….''
He took her hands and saw the ring…
''How long was I out?''
''Just few hours….Why?''
''You have a ring on your finger and I had no idea you were dating…''
''Dad...''
Mrs. Peck tried to end this conversation..
''That can wait...''
''I want to meet him…''
''Dad…''
''Is that person here?''
''Yes…''
''Bring him in…''
She took a deep breath and got off the bed… She went to the waiting room and found Holly and Tracy together.
''My dad wants to meet you….''
''What?''
''He saw it…''
''Oh…''
Tracy was confused…
''What did he see?''
Gail lifted her hand and Tracy was speechless...
''Is this?''
''Yes, it is…''
''When?''
''Last night…''
''Oh, that is amazing!''
''Let's go Nerd… It's time for truth…''
''O.K.''
Gail entered first and Holly got in after her… Her father looked at Holly and then he remembered how he knew her.
''Oh, I'm sorry… If I knew that I would receive a visit from such beautiful lady, I would have shaved or something else…''
Mrs. Peck huffed and turned her head…
''Now, Dr. Stewart, what brings a chief forensic pathologist in my room? I am still alive…''
Mrs. Peck didn't see that coming. Holly was not some good for nothing girl and she worked pretty close with the department. She was someone who could put her in trouble if she made complaint that she behaved bad towards her. She was not some small doctor, she was authority.
''I'm not here to recover your body… I'm here to be introduced to you as Gail's fiancée…''
''What? You and Gail? My girl is dating you?''
''Yes, Sir… Me and Gail…''
''Heh… Who knew? I heard at one of conventions that you were taken, but no one knew who was the lucky man. And now I learn that the ''lucky man'' is my own daughter… Who knew?''
''Now you do…''
''You must pardon my surprise. Gail never said she was into girls… But I had my doubts…''
''Dad…''
''Well, I had them…''
Steve smiled at his father and his unusual reaction….
''You know. I was almost sure she would come home with that McNally girl. There was some bad blood and tension between them. I honestly believed that would get resolved in the sheets.''
Gail snorted and Holly looked at the floor trying to control her laughter.
''It did get resolved in bed… But with Nick…''
''All of you together?''
''No, two of them…''
''Oh, that explains it…''
''What?''
''You suddenly letting go and deciding to test the waters.''
''It wasn't like that. I didn't decide to become a lesbian. Holly and I were friends and we bonded over things. It took us months to get to the relationship moment. And I am happy dad. I am finally in a relationship where I am loved and wanted. Where I am the only one for the person I'm with. We are having so much fun and love dad… I never felt that close to someone and happy…''
''Now there is no doubt… You are glowing Gail and I'm glad. Dr. Stewart is an expert who is very young and accomplished but she seems like so much more than her title and work…''
Gail smiled…
''She is piece of work…''
Even Holly smiled at that…
''Well, Dr. Stewart, my girl seems very smitten by you… You must me some eight world wonder…''
''I am not… I'm just very much in love with her…''
''So, when is the big day?''
Holly smiled at him and at her dad in the corner…
''I leave that up to you and the one smiling in the corner… That is my father….''
''Oh, your dad saved my life…''
''And my mom too…''
''Your family is invading mine…''
''It seems like that…''
He smiled…
''I like it… You are a nice girl doctor…''
''Holly, please call me Holly…''
''I must say you gave my daughter beautiful ring. It must have cost you a fortune.''
''No, it's my grandmother's ring. My mom took it off her finger and gave it to me to propose to Gail. It was a tradition…''
''Oh, that is a nice thought Holly…''
''Dad, are you really O.K. with this? I know it's not easy to accept…''
''Gail, I always knew you will not marry like we wanted you to, I just never knew in what way your choice would be different. I am surprised it is a woman, but I see you are happy and you honestly believe she is the right choice.''
Gail nodded at him.
''Baby, it doesn't matter what I think or anyone else thinks. She is the person you will be coming back home to. Only you matter…I remember how I loved coming back home when we first got married. We were so happy and in love…. I wonder what happened to that woman? Don't let it happen to you…''
He smiled at his daughter and her fiancée and saw his very angry wife…
''Honey, come over please…''
Elaine being a good wife in the eyes of the others came closer to her husband. He took her left hand and took off her engagement ring. Her eyes went wide. She was shocked by her husband's move. That was very expensive ring. It was her pride and joy. Peck family was very rich and they were always very generous with their gifts to the ladies. Since Alex was raised by his father's brother and wife, they took him in as their own son. Alex grew up having everything and having so much to offer to the others. Helen Peck had the most beautiful and expensive engagement ring in the early forties. It was made of three big square cut diamonds and white gold. Elaine was so happy when she got that ring. She loved it from the second she saw it on the older woman's hand. She believed it would always be hers. And now, her husband was giving it to THAT woman. She was very angry at him and at Gail. She knew better than to make a scene in the hospital.
''Holly, this was my aunt's ring… I was raised by her. My mother died when I was a baby and she gave it to me when I went to propose to my wife… I believe that tradition your family started could be carried on in our family too… Since Gail is bringing the daughter in law to the house first, I believe that it is just that you get the ring….''
He took Holly's hand to put the ring on it and then Gail coughed…
''Dad, I think you already put the ring on someone's hand… Now it's my turn….''
''Oh, you're right… I'm sorry… Here you are…''
Gail took the ring and held it for few seconds.
''You are lucky one Nerd. Most of my life I was never allowed to touch this ring and now it will be on your finger until you pass it to one of our children's future spouses….I can't wait to see you where it until the day it's time to pass it on… I can't wait to put another ring over it and make you mine officially. I can't wait to be yours Nerd. I can't wait for the rest of our lives… So, since I accepted to be your wife, I hope you will accept to be mine…''
''I do… Off course I will marry you love…''
''One thing… Are you going to be using both last names?''
Gail looked at him?
''What?''
''I would love my grandchildren to be Stewart-Peck…''
''We didn't get that far dad…''
''Well… I'm leaving the hospital in five days…. We can have a wedding in a month?''
''That soon?''
''You are already living together Gail….''
''I know, but it's not enough time…''
''Than, make time…''
''I agree with Gail's dad… Make time and your mother and I will help with it all. It can be in the garden.''
''Sure… Under the arch she planted few years ago. Now it's perfect and roses will be in full bloom.''
''Our wives can deal with the details.''
Gail didn't dare look into her mother's eyes. She knew that at that moment her mother really hated her. She took Holly's hand and felt at piece. Her father and Steve were her biggest support.
''So, my baby sister is getting married! Cool… I never believed I'd see this day…''
''That makes two of us Steve….''
He went to the hallway and found Tracy.
''They are getting married in a month.''
''Wow, that is fast…''
Holly and Gail got out of the room and Tracy hugged them….
''Officer Peck, just so you know, you are buying tonight and Penny…''
''Why?''
''Well, our friends know they have to be there at seven tonight… The rest is on you to tell them…''
''You didn't?''
''Oh, I did…''
''What Gail?''
''We have to tell we are getting married…''
''Oh, that… Well, that will be fun…''
''It will…''