Jeb, you wise old bird! Much have you seen and much have you gone through. But you never gave up. Your patience has paid off at long last and Brenda wants to be the woman for you, in fact she is the woman for you. Right now, you're out together and hopefully you enjoy yourselves

Tonight, where it doesn't stop

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The restaurant they chose for this evening was a small but fine one. It disposed of a gallery that was directed to the sea, thus creating a fine and special ambience for the guest. They sat on a candle-lit table and enjoyed a good dinner. Not only Brenda but also Jeb had dressed fine this evening. He seldom put on a tie but when he did, it truly made him look as the fine gentleman that, in his heart, he had always been.

The tremendous evening sentiment poured its beauty over them too. Brenda put it in words: "It's fantastic this afterglow, all the more that we can enjoy it together. And it's so fine that Theresa and Kevin don't have to leave this evening already. It seems that even heaven wants to say hello to us, now that we're almost about to start a new life."

Jeb, not only quite and unshaken, but also content to the deepest of his inside, agreed. "And this is true for all of us. You don't know the whole story, but I promised Theresa not to tell it until she will unveil the secret to Garrett. By now, I can assume that she did. Shall we leave now and I can tell you while driving home?"

They were still on the road when Brenda made her comment: "I can hardly believe it. Certainly I didn't have a doubt about Garrett and Theresa, but this beats even my best hopes. I have now good confidence for Annie. This way, she has really a chance to find her way. You know, she too has to leave a past behind."

Jeb nodded: "I think, this way or another, the two young people will make their way. Right now, they help each other like we do, but in a time not so long from now, they will start living their own lives. Whether they choose to live it together, remains to be seen. Even while I sincerely hope that they will, I admit this is no more our business. The only business I'm in is called Brenda." She gladly took the compliment and answered simply in her sincere way: "Thank you!"

Finally, they arrived at Jeb's home that was now nicely shaded from the last evening light. The brightest stars were shining already, when they stood on the balcony and watched the giant moon rise above the ocean's horizon. The clouds were vanishing more and more and there would soon be a starry sky twinkling from above.

A deep joy crept slowly into their hearts. Both of them looked back on a long life; a life that didn't always offer the straight and easy way. They knew all to well how one can be hurt when having to struggle on the long and winding road. So this was very probably the reason why they appreciated this lovely evening so much: It was as destiny had at last rewarded the two of them who never gave up in a lifetime, not even in their darkest moments, but had always looked forward instead. Gone were the days of sadness, now that they too were about to leave the past behind.

After a few minutes in precious silence, Brenda offered Jeb what was on her mind. "You have a wonderful son, you know that?" Jeb answered thoughtfully: "I almost gave up hoping that he would ever be again the way you see him now. After Catherine's death, it was as if he'd stopped living. I never really could do more than trying to make him drift along with his fate. Only Theresa could light again the fire in his heart. I honestly think he's learned a lot with what he had to go through."

She remained silent too for a moment but then she continued: "This might very well be the case, for I owe your son really a lot. First it was because of him that you came into my life, then he's cared for Annie just the same way Jason would have, I'm sure of that. But there's another thing too: It's a story that you don't know yet. I had to talk to Garrett a few weeks ago because I found out that we have been connected for years already without knowing it. It's a very sad story, yet Garrett was the one that brought it to an end with words of comfort and hope. Thanks to him it's over now but I think telling it right away would spoil this lovely night. You're not angry with me if I save it for another day, are you?"

Jeb looked at her for some moments and then smiled quietly: "Brenda, don't worry and don't be afraid of what I'm telling you now: I know the whole story!

Garrett told it to me a few days ago. Even now I can only apologize to you. Had I known all that before, I should have taken so much more effort to comfort you. I am completely with my son on this one, just thinking that we've had enough painful days now. And I see well that he was the one who ended your pain. If I was ever asked what it takes to do something really great then I would remember what Garrett did: Going out to the sea in a big storm and risking his life in order to save another was truly great and honorable.

But forgiving your husband for what had happened was even more!

I know my son, Brenda and please believe me when I say that he wholeheartedly meant it: He is sorry for you, he is sorry for Carl and somehow he knew that forgiveness alone was the key to get out of this tragedy. He forgave you but it wasn't only for your sake. It was for the sake of us all. Without it, we wouldn't be here, happily standing where we are now.

Trust me and don't worry any longer, Brenda. It's all over, it's all over now. Throw your sorrows into the river of time and let it carry them away from you. Let's look ahead now, you and I, for we have still quite a splendid way to go. Together that is!

She stared at him, first with a little bit of fear but in the end, she felt nothing but relief. For the first time in so many years of hidden sadness, she was now sure there were no more reasons left to feel down. Brenda's soul was well aware that the question she finally asked was actually unnecessary:

"You're serious with what you've said, Jeb, aren't you?"

The answer was unnecessary as well, however it made Brenda happy to the bottom of her heart when she heard Jeb say: "Of course I am. All that matters is that at long last, it turned out to be well and right for you."

The starry moonlit night encircled them slowly and gently. Brenda held Jeb's hand for a long time and at last, they fell into each others arms. Jeb's voice was low and quiet: "Sometimes I think what a pity that we didn't meet earlier, my sweet Brenda." Whereas she looked into his eyes, as deeply as never and confidently she said:

"You know, that would have been impossible. But nothing will stop me now from loving you, for every year, every day and every single moment that still lies ahead of me.

As long as I breathe, it will never be too late to kiss you, Jeb Blake!"

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Love does not count the years

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Goodbye Brenda and Jeb! After such a long time of waiting and hoping, you have truly deserved it. May many fine moments fill your heart with joy while we go on tonight, where it keeps going on.

To be continued.