CONGRATULATIONS Jason00 (pt 2)! Yes! A good (and large) cleanup crew could, of course, I probably sped up the process a bit for story purposes :) Like you said, she was afraid. Afraid of the people that captured her, that they would figure out her new identity, find that she contacted Christopher, and did who knows what. Besides, if wouldn't be as romantic as this, right?
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"Hurry, they're going to start arriving soon!" Sue exclaimed, bringing a plate of hors d'oeuvres into the living room.
"They're just your friends, no one important. I think they'll understand." Carla replied, following behind her daughter with another plate.
"They're important to me! That's why I invited them." She replied.
"Alright, alright, we'll be ready." Carla said, going back into the kitchen for more.
Soon, the doorbell started ringing and lighting up, and people started streaming in. Everyone came, Jack, Bob, Myles, Josh, Mya, Maddy, Troy, Shane, Amy, and Tara, even D and Donna. It was everyone that was important, who meant something to Sue and Jack.
"Hey, so how's the virtual desk job working out?" Jack asked D shortly after he arrived.
D laughed. "Boy, I am so jealous of you! It's not. I'm going crazy, constantly sitting at home!"
"He's always trying to find miniscule reasons to get out of the house." Donna added, chuckling.
"Retirement doesn't look good on you at all." Jack said, laughing.
"Just wait a few years yourself, you'll see." D exclaimed.
"Well, I won't be chaining myself to a desk, I can tell you that!"
"Oh? What did you have in mind?" D asked, curious.
"Sue and I have been talking about a few things. We'll share them with you when we're ready."
D chuckled. "Keeping everything mysterious?"
Jack nodded and laughed.
Just then, someone clinked a glass a couple times. Everyone looked up at the noise. It was Bob. Mya was next to him, waving to get the Deaf people in the room's attention as well.
"Hello everyone." Bob said. Mya interpreted. "I was going to wait until Christmas Day, but as I was waiting, I realized I couldn't wait." He said, smiling at Carla. "Carla, can you come over here?"
Confused, Carla followed his request. "What are you doing?" She asked quietly.
He smiled, ignoring her question. "Carla. I've known you for a year almost to the day. We might've butted heads at first, but you nursed me back to health when I was sick, and forced me to stay here with family against my will, both of which I will be eternally grateful. What I'm trying to say is, Carla, will you always be there to nurse me back to health, to butt heads, to make wonderful meals together? Will you marry me?"
Shocked and surprised, Carla put her hand to her chest, mouth gaping open. Once she finally regained consciousness, she smiled widely and nodded. Bob smiled as well as he slid an engagement ring on her finger.
Sue knowingly smiled, walking up to her Mother.
"I-I'm engaged!" She exclaimed to her.
Sue nodded, still smiling widely. "Yes you are."
"You're engaged!" She stated.
"So am I!" Mya added, still interpreting. Everyone laughed.
"Here's where your ring went. Bob borrowed it for that." Sue said, handing her Mom her missing ring, nodding towards the ring that had now replaced it.
Carla smiled, taking the ring, then looking back at Bob. "I'm sorry I got mad at you that day."
Bob shrugged. "I knew you were going to. You never like losing anything."
"No, I don't. But when I get back what I lost, along with something new and better, I always love it more!" She said.
The couple stood across from each other, inches apart, then finally, they kissed. Everyone around them smiled widely.
"Best Christmas party ever!" Maddy exclaimed.
"TRUE-BUISNESS!" Mya replied.
?-? LISTEN TO: Christmas Valentine by Francesca Battistelli
"I think Bob giving his Christmas gift early makes me want to give you yours early as well." Jack said. It was now late, everyone had gone home, and Carla and Bob were putting a few things away in the kitchen. Nothing pressing to do, the couple was sitting on the couch.
"Oh? It can't be an engagement ring, because I really like the one I have right now." Sue said, admiring the ring she had received 6 months prior.
Jack chuckled. "No. This is it." He said, handing her a small box.
She looked at him, then opened the gift. "Oh no." She said, smiling widely when she saw the contents. It was another key.
"Now this one," He said when she looked at him. "This one comes with this."
Sue looked at what he was leaning around the armrest to reach, and laughed. It was a small wooden box, similar to Adrianna and Christopher's box, but different. It was her very own.
"I thought you'd want to start your own treasure box." He said, handing it to her.
Sue smiled, opening the box with the key. It was currently empty, but she could think of several things that would be going into the box the next morning. "Thank you."
He smiled. "YOUR WELCOME."
"I think Maddy was right. This is the best Christmas ever."
"I think she was talking about the party." Jack clarified.
Sue shrugged. "Well, I'm talking about the whole Christmas season. There's not much that could top this. An amazing, happy ending case, spending Christmas with you, My Mom and Bob, what could be better?"
"DON'T KNOW." Jack signed as he put his arm around her. "It has been a perfect Christmas. And Christmas hasn't even come yet!"
Sue smiled as she settled in next to Jack. She couldn't wait to see what was in store for them, Christmastime or otherwise. Whatever it was, it would be magical, and she couldn't wait.
THE END