CHAPTER 25
Bosco, having dropped off Sophie and Grace at Sophie's office, arrived at the station earlier than usual, causing a stir among his fellow officers but everyone refrained from remarking on it. He was a little more unpredictable these days.
Faith was the only one brave enough to comment on his good mood without fear of retaliation. "So, things goin' good with you and Sophie?"
He paused in his whistling to grin at her. "Couldn't be better."
"We are talkin' about more than your sex life, right?" Faith couldn't resist teasing. Any time Bosco was in this good a mood, it had to be related to his sex life.
The picture of Sophie in that black thing still fresh in his mind, he immediately sobered. "What brought that on?"
Faith got the impression she'd stepped into dangerous territory. "I'm just sayin' every relationship you've had that put you in this kind of mood was contained to the bedroom."
"Well, this isn't," he insisted. For the first time since he'd known her, Bosco regretted the many times he'd boasted of his encounters to his partner.
Trying to joke him out of his bad mood, Faith commented, "What? Don't tell me you haven't spent the night with her."
He didn't need to answer, Faith could read him like a book. He was glad they were the only ones in the car.
"You haven't slept with her?!" she almost shrieked. This was one for the record books.
"You don't need to make it sound like a crime," he confirmed defensively.
Faith still in a state of shock seemed to babble with no consideration to what was coming out of her mouth. "It's just hard to believe. I mean, it's you - Mr. God's Gift to Women - and you're just sittin' there tellin' me the woman you've been seeing for months hasn't been in the sack with you? And you're still seein' her?"
"You don't need to make her sound cheap," Bosco interrupted quietly.
Faith continued as if he'd not spoken at all. "I mean she was pregnant when you met her and then the baby came so that's understandable but it's been a good six months or more since she had the baby and I figured by now you two would have - "
"FAITH!" Bosco shouted to shut her up and get her attention. It worked. "It's more than that and you know it."
He refrained from adding that sex outside of marriage went against Sophie's religious beliefs. In this day and age, he'd been flabbergasted to hear her say that but given her beliefs, wasn't surprised. Truth was, he was a little pleased. He sort of wished he could say the same thing about himself but he couldn't change the past so he wasn't going to dwell on it.
She hadn't responded to his outburst, compelling him to add, "Besides, I want to take her out. I just need to find someone to keep Grace."
"Why don't you ask Em?" Faith was quick to suggest.
"Emily? Your kid? She can't take care of Grace!" Bosco protested.
"Why not? She's certainly old enough." Faith remarked. She often found it hard to believe how mature her eldest child was. She had no doubts that Emily could watch Grace for a few hours.
"You really think she would?" Bosco asked minutes later, having given the idea some thought.
Faith pulled out her cell phone, dialing, and handing it to Bosco. "Ask her."
After making arrangements for Emily to watch Gracie later that week, Bosco managed to talk Sophie into letting Emily stay with Grace for a while so they could go out - alone.
Handing the phone back to Faith, he realized he had just made a formal date with Sophie - something he'd never done before -and he wasn't sure what to do.
CHAPTER 26
The next days flew and Bosco thought about taking Sophie to one of the hotels downtown that had music. He knew she liked music so he figured he was safe in doing something so neutral. He was nervous. He felt like it was his first date.
He'd picked up Emily from Faith's, promising it wouldn't be too late bringing her back.
Grace took to Emily immediately and after Sophie left countless instructions, he finally got Sophie into his car.
She obviously had taken extra care with her appearance. He'd seen her dressed up before, going to work but tonight was different. She wore simple crepe black pants, a dusty rose colored satin camisole thing covered by a fitted lace jacket that emphasized her curves, falling lower in the back than the front and topped with a velvet wrap to ward off the evening chill. She had styled her hair in big curls which were held back from her face with a jeweled vintage headband, once again, effectively setting off her eyes and peaches-n-cream complexion. As Faith had described her once, she had the uncanny ability to look classically elegant - almost what one would see on a cameo pin.
The car was silent as they drove. Unable to come up with anything better, Bosco stuck to the music thing. He hoped it was a good idea and thought it was until they got there.
Immediately after walking in the bar, he spied everyone. Faith, Sully, Davis, Taylor, Doherty, Doc, Carlos and Kim sat at a group of tables that had been rearranged in order for all of them to sit together. It seemed they all had the night off.
He tried to direct Sophie to the opposite side of the room before she saw them. He was too late. Holding her hand, he grudgingly followed behind her as she greeted them and took one of the remaining two empty chairs offered.
"Do you want something to drink," Bosco asked, leaning over her shoulder, arranging her wrap on the back of the chair.
Sophie glanced at him. "Juice."
"Juice?" Bosco questioned, expecting her to add on to her answer.
"Yes," she turned her attention back to the gathering of goofy-grinned faces. "What?"
"Don't worry about them, Sophie," Faith answered. "They're just not used to behaving themselves in public."
Sophie knew it was more than that. "Is something going on I should know about?"
Glances were exchanged.
Bosco returned with the orange juice for Sophie and soft drink for himself and she dismissed the goofy looks.
"So, Sophie, we hear through the grapevine, you like music," Sully leaned forward. "What do you like?"
Sophie glanced at Bosco. Did he talk about her at work? "Just about anything."
"You sing?" Sully pressed.
This time she did stare at him. What had he been saying? "A little."
Sully rubbed his hands together. "Great. Let's hear you."
"I don't think - " Sophie began, still staring at Bosco, who was just as stunned as she at the onslaught of questions.
"Not any good?" Carlos interrupted. "We thought so."
Although she knew she was being baited, Sophie let the remark get to her. It was an unspoken dare. She glanced at Bosco. He looked ready to knock a few heads together.
Bosco was past knocking a few heads together. He was ready to pull his gun. How in hell did they know he and Sophie would be here tonight? He was about to suggest leaving to her when Sophie stood.
"Any requests?" She asked before winding her way to the grand piano.
The pianist nodded and said a few words to his band mates before the opening notes of "The Very Thought of You" floated through the bar. Out of courtesy, conversations quieted and then halted altogether when Sophie's voice, floated through the room. It was combination of innocent sensuality and deep emotion made all the more so since Sophie seemed unaware of her effect. It was clear to anyone listening that she not only heard the music but felt and appreciated it as well.
Bosco was sure he had the same slack-jawed expression that everyone else did. The only time he'd ever heard her sing was the few minutes it took for her to put Grace down for the night. And that was nothing like what he was hearing now.
Faith leaned over. "Damn, Bos, you said she liked to sing; you didn't say she could sing."
"I didn't know," he responded as the song ended to thunderous applause and Sophie made her was back to the table.
"Damn," Davis muttered.
"Okay, so I was wrong," Carlos stated. "She can sing."
"That's an understatement," Doc added.
"You take lessons?" Doherty asked as Sophie took her seat.
"Damn," Davis repeated. He couldn't seem to get anything else out.
Sophie, embarrassed by the attention, colored slightly, answering, "No, no lessons."
Taylor studied her skeptically. "You've never had lessons and you can sing like that?"
Sophie shrugged in response. She had never given much thought to her singing ability. She just considered it a gift and left it at that.
Bosco leaned over, whispering, "You got any more surprises?"
That small smile he adored broke across her face. "You knew I could sing."
"Not like that I didn't." He took her hand, twining their fingers and raised it to his lips, forgetting for a moment they weren't alone.
"Sophie, we're all dyin' to know where you two met," Kim asked suddenly and received sharp looks from everyone else around the table, prompting her to add, "What? Everyone's just as curious as I am!"
Sophie turned her attention to Kim, trying to smooth ruffled feathers. "It's fine. Actually, we met in church."
There was moment of silence before the outburst.
"What?"
"In church?"
"Bosco goes to church?"
"I knew it had to be divine intervention."
Sophie had expected the response and glimpsed at Bosco, who was trying to look insulted, before explaining the full chain of event of their first meeting.
When Sophie excused herself to call Emily and check on Grace, Bosco had the opportunity to discover how his plans had been found out.
"You need to watch who's standin' around the corner when you're makin' plans, Bos," Faith advised, looking at Ty.
"You did this?" Bosco asked.
"Hey, all I did was suggest a location that I heard had music, " Ty said, throwing up his hands, trying to look innocent and failing miserably.
"What's wrong with Hagerty's?" Bosco asked, referring to a bar in the neighborhood of the firehouse and station.
"We like a change in atmosphere sometimes," Doherty commented.
"Yeah, it broadens the mind," Ty added.
"Besides, we like Sophie and we never get to see her," Kim added.
"I'll tell her to come around more often," Bosco said sarcastically, seeing Sophie making her way across the room.
"She's sleeping," Sophie said when he inquired.
As they were preparing to leave, Sophie volunteered a ride to Faith, since Bosco had to take Emily home, assuring her she was not a third wheel. Sophie bid everyone a good night and promised to bring Grace by the firehouse soon.
CHAPTER 27
Sophie made good on her promise over the next few weeks and often brought Gracie to the firehouse to visit while cultivating a friendship with everyone, especially Alex and Kim. Gracie appeared to have every firefighter and policeman wrapped around her finger.
Then Bosco had taken her and Grace to meet his mother. That had been quite the adventure. Before he had a chance to introduce Sophie and Grace, Rose Boscorelli had accused her son of having a child and not even having the decency to tell his mother she was a grandmother until the child was almost fully grown. Sophie had had to bite her lip; Gracie was barely eight months old, hardly fully grown, and then she had hurried to explain that Bosco was not Grace's father. Only after studying Grace carefully for any sign of the Boscorelli genes had Rose accepted Sophie's admission. Then she had proceeded to announce she had every intention of spoiling Grace as every grandchild should be. Sophie had been shocked that a total stranger would take to her daughter in such a manner.
Sophie and Bosco spent more and more time together, alone, with Gracie and with people they both worked with. They had no secrets between them. Bosco had opened up about his past, being raised by his mother, the trouble with his younger brother. Sophie had listened and remarked how soft his heart was. He had scoffed at that. His heart was anything but soft, ask anyone he worked with. Sophie had taken his hand and stated, "The softest hearts have the strongest shells," and then admitted she had read that but he saw the truth of the statement and realized that Sophie could see him better than anyone. She saw all his imperfections and she still loved him in spite of it.
Life was grand.
CHAPTER 28
Faith picked up the small black box. "Bos, what's this?"
"Nothin'" he tried to reclaim the small box before she opened it.
Too late. He waited for the explosion. The silence was worse.
"Is this what I think it is?" Faith asked stupidly.
"Well, what do you think it is?"
"It looks like an engagement ring. Is that what this is?"
Bosco remained silent, eyes on the road, looking at the passing traffic.
"Bosco?" Faith pressed. "Did you get this for Sophie?"
"No, I got it for you. Was hopin' you'd leave Fred and the kids." She wasn't going to let it go. "Of course, it's for Sophie."
"How long you been plannin' this?"
He shrugged in response. He wasn't exactly sure when he'd started to thinking about marriage. Probably about the time he'd taken Sophie and Grace to meet his mom.
When Faith pulled the ring out for a closer look, he warned, "Careful, Gracie's ring is in there also."
"Gracie's?" Faith questioned, looking in the box and finding the tiny ring.
Uncomfortable, Bosco squirmed. He hadn't intended to say anything to Faith before talking to Sophie. "Yeah. I can't ask one and not the other."
Faith finally understood. He was asking both Sophie and Gracie to marry him. She smiled at him, saying nothing.
"What?" he asked, noticing her smile. He hated that smile. "Stupid idea?"
"No, very romantic," Faith tucked the rings into the box and gave it back to her partner.
Bosco couldn't tell if she was serious or just enjoying the fact she got him squirming. The silence in the car was maddening. "What?"
Faith shook her head as if to clear it. "Just wondering what happened to the glory-seeking, womanizing, egotistical, hot-headed cop I used to know."
He bristled at the description. "I'm the same person," he insisted.
"No, you're not. You're still a good cop but you're not the same. You've got a reason to be doing this, not just because you're angry and you can take that anger out on anyone who breaks the law. You have Sophie and Gracie now and it's for them that you're doing this. You're starting to see that it could be them in the people we deal with and try to help," She paused, watching his expression. "When you gonna ask her?"
He shrugged. "Can't seem to find the perfect time or place."
"Bosco, it doesn't have to be the perfect time or place; it just has to be perfect between you and Sophie. Nothing else matters. Trust me, ask her the next time you see her."
Bosco just hadn't expected that the next time he would see her would be at the station.
Sophie was waiting, playing peek-a-boo with Gracie when he and Faith checked in. Sophie didn't appear at the station often, usually waiting across the street outside or at the firehouse for him. Considering she was still in a suit, he assumed she had come straight from work. "Soph? What goin' on?"
Sophie stuffed the cloth diaper they'd been playing with in the bag and stood. "Everything's fine. I just wanted you to see this. Is it okay for you to -"
"Yeah, it's fine," he interrupted. "What should I see?"
She smiled mysteriously. "Stay here."
She walked about three feet away and knelt down, standing Gracie on the floor.
Gracie smiled at him, the few teeth she had gleaming. Holding onto her mother's finger with one tiny hand, her other arm held out from her body for balance, she took a tiny step toward Bosco. And another. And another. Letting go of her mother's finger, she toddled the remaining steps to Bosco's outstretched arms as those in the station curious enough to pause in their duties erupted in applause at her accomplishment.
"I thought you said she was too young to walk yet," Bosco said, looking every bit as if he had just taken his first steps, as Sophie moved closer to him.
She held out Gracie's pacifier. Gracie leaned out with her mouth open to take it before playing with the radio at Bosco's shoulder. " I thought she was but sometimes they surprise you. She did that at the center today; they immediately called me down."
"I wanted to talk to you about something - come with me," he said suddenly. He didn't wait to see if she followed.
Sophie slung the diaper bag over her shoulder and hurried to catch up to Bosco, who was weaving in and out of the crowded hallway. "Bosco, what are you doing?"
He led her to the empty briefing room and placed Gracie on her lap.
CHAPTER 29
Unknown to Bosco, Faith had seen him leading Sophie to the empty room and guessed what he was up to. Moving closer to the plexiglass windows, she shortly drew a crowd of other officers as word quickly spread that Bosco's 'friend' was in the building. The 'friend' that had caused the sudden change in the hotheaded officer and everyone wanted a peek at her.
"What in hell is going on?"
Faith turned just in time to step in front of the captain before he barged in of Bosco. "Sir -"
"Who is that woman? What's Boscorelli done this time?" His trouble with Bosco seemed to be never-ending. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. He started to step around Faith and try to correct Bosco's mistake once again.
Faith was a little more adamant as she again, blocked his path. "Sir! The woman Bosco is with is Sophie, sir, and I believe he's trying to propose to her, sir."
The captain was only half-listening to Faith. "Propose what?"
Faith tried to maintain respect for her superior but he was causing her to miss the real action. "Marriage, sir."
The captain finally seemed to understand what he had been about to interrupt and stared at Bosco and the woman with as much interest as everyone else seemed have.
Bosco had stopped his pacing and now stood before her. Even Gracie was still, content with her pacifier, on her mother's lap.
The crowd of officers held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
CHAPTER 30
Sophie sat patiently. She knew that when Bosco was trying to talk about how he felt, the best thing was to remain silent. He would eventually get around to what he was trying to say. So far, they'd covered that he loved her and Gracie and Sophie felt the same about him, that Sophie was different from any woman he'd ever known and he never wanted to cause her or Gracie any pain or grief. And then he stopped and just watched her.
Working for attorneys, Sophie was used to having to search for real meanings in long speeches so she sat waiting for him to say something more. Not that having the man she loved tell her he felt the same wasn't enough; she was just confused at what brought it on. Surely not Gracie showing off her first steps.
Bosco moved and Sophie concentrated on giving him her full attention. He stepped forward and set an open jeweler's box on the desk before her. The white gold ring flashing against the black velvet.
Sophie met Bosco's gaze.
Bosco braced his arms against the desk. "Marry me?"
She remained silent so long that Bosco wasn't sure she heard him. Either that or she was trying to let him down easy.
"Yes. Oh, yes," he heard her whisper and letting out the breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding, took her hand, placing the ring on the appropriate finger. She leaned forward to kiss him. "What about Gracie?" he asked just before her lips touched his.
She sat back. "Gracie?" What was he talking about?
He focused his attention on the chubby-cheeked girl. "What'cha say, Gracie- girl?"
Gracie paused in her vigorous workout on her pacifier to smile at him from around the thing before resuming.
He glanced at Sophie. "Is that a yes?"
Sophia's control left and tears streamed down her face as Bosco took the tiny ring, slipped it onto Gracie's finger and leaned forward to kiss her soft curls.
"Love you," she whispered before his lips covered hers.
For the second time in an hour, the stationhouse exploded in applause.
Bosco and Sophie jumped apart at the outburst realizing the small crowd had witnessed the proposal. Sophie saw the humor and joy in the situation before Bosco but it didn't take long for him to realize it didn't matter. Even Gracie was squealing in delight around the pacifier still clutched firmly with her teeth.
It was going to be a while before he could live this one down, Bosco knew, but he wouldn't have changed anything. Sophie was going to marry him.
Despite her reservations on public displays of affection, Bosco pulled her into his arms again.
EPILOGUE
The bride wore a cream-colored vintage style gown she made. Draped in lace, chiffon and delicate pearls, she was the very image of romance down to her shoes which she had adorned to be just as unique. The groom wore a black tuxedo - for his bride, of course. Their daughter wore a simple rose- colored dress she was constantly clutching between her hands, her Shirley Temple curls dancing in her excitement.
The ceremony was small and simple, a handful of witnesses and close family, both bride's and groom's.
Bosco had been with Sophie on the numerous occasions she would telephone her family. And he had been with her when she'd telephoned them to inform them of her impending wedding and invited them to the ceremony. To her surprise, they accepted and plans were made for their flight and hotel arrangements.
He had been with her at the airport, holding Grace in one arm and Sophie in the other. She had admitted to being nervous about seeing them again; it had been so long and they had never met Grace. To say the reunion had been a tearful one was an understatement. Whatever their differences were when Sophie moved to the city were forgiven and forgotten.
He had stood back with Grace, while Sophie embraced her parents and sisters, waiting for his official introduction as Grace's father. The adoption had been finalized a few days earlier. Not that he needed an adoption proceeding to know Grace was his daughter but now his name was on the birth certificate instead of the 'unknown' that was previously listed where the father's name was to be. Everything was legal and official.
The bride and groom said their vows before Pastor Thomas Howell and exchanged the simple matching band inscribed with the partial verse from Song of Solomon 2:16, 'I am my beloved's.'
And they were.
A reception was held at a hotel banquet hall after the ceremony. Already trimmed for the holiday season, the flowers of roses, lilies, gardenias and ivy only added to the festivities and romantic air. Who didn't love a holiday wedding?
Watching her from across the room, Bosco once again lost himself in the woman who was now his wife. The vintage dress she wore suited her. Fitting snugly through the bodice, it fell in soft folds from a raised waistline, almost to the floor. Simple and chic.
"I think we lost him again, guys."
He heard Davis remark to Sully and Jimmy, and forced his mind back to the conversation at hand. "What?"
The three men stood grinning at him. Jimmy spoke up first, just to rattle his cage a little more. "We were just thinking of going to kiss the bride."
Bosco leveled his gaze on the fireman. It was well known how protective Bosco was of Sophie and Grace. "Just try it," he muttered before joining his wife and daughter.
*******************************
"Bosco," Sophie whispered, her gaze centered on something across the room. "look."
Bosco followed the direction of her gaze and couldn't help the surge of pride at the sight.
Gracie, decked out in her rose colored dress, cream ruffle-bottomed bloomers peeking out from beneath the hem, lacy ankle socks and patent leather shoes, stood completely still, with the exception of her vigorous workout on her ever-present pacifier. Before her, seated at a table, Sully was listening with half an ear to Ty and Alex, sipping at the glass of punch before him. Other than a cautious glance at Grace, he gave no indication that the child was even present. Taking a few steps closer, Gracie suddenly popped out her pacifier, and grinning, held it out to Sully. Her token of friendship.
Cautiously, Sully held out his hand to receive the offered slobber-coated thing, and then gently laid it on the table before resuming his observation of the festivities.
Clearly not the response she had expected given that she'd just offered her most prized possession to her new friend, Grace proceeded to politely climb up and settle herself on a startled Sully's lap. She spied Ty and Alex smiling and watching her with interest, she gave them what Mommy said was her prettiest smile before reclaiming her 'suckie' and making herself comfortable on her friend's lap.
Sophie and Bosco watched the scene with a bit of embarrassment and great amusement over Grace's presumption. Sully looked slightly uncomfortable; Davis and Taylor were desperately trying not laugh and egg the child on.
"Well, I can't say she'll make many enemies," Bosco commented, glancing at his wife. "Shall we rescue him?"
Gracie spied her parents approaching and proudly smiled around her pacifier.
Bosco apologized to Sully. "Grace seems to think all she needs to do is smile and she'll get her way."
"You mean she doesn't?" Sully asked, feeling more comfortable with the little girl who was struggling to climb from him onto the table.
Sophie moved the glass that Gracie was reaching for as Bosco tried to take the child from Sully. Grace scrambled back into Sully's lap, just before Bosco managed to grab her.
"Bosco, she's fine, go be with your wife; I don't mind." Sully waved him away and sat Grace on the edge of the table before him, playfully pulling at the pacifier in Grace's mouth, earning squeals of laughter from the little girl. Bosco and Sophie had been dismissed.
****************************
"You're happy, aren't you, Bosco?" It was the first time Faith has been able to approach her partner alone.
What brought that on? Bosco studied Faith a moment before answering. "Yeah. Why you askin'?"
"I wasn't really askin' just makin' sure. You look happy." Faith watched her own spouse keeping their son from finding trouble as eleven-year old boys were prone to do. Her daughter had appointed herself as Gracie's nanny for the day and rescued a piece of cake the child was attempting to grab from ending up everywhere but where it should.
"You sure you don't mind taking Gracie for a few days?" Bosco asked again. He asked that at least once a day since Faith and Fred had made the offer.
"Bos, you're not taking Gracie with you and Sophie." She watched Emily run after the giggling bundle of energy. "Besides, Emily and Charlie have been looking forward to having her there."
"She's just not been away from us for so long," he worried.
"Bosco, she'll be fine. Now shut up before your wife hears you." Faith noticed Sophie making her way over to them.
The newlyweds automatically intertwined fingers. Faith wondered if they made a conscious decision to do that or was it so right and automatic that it just happened when they were together? She suspected the latter. She discreetly moved away, giving them a moment of privacy.
"Love you," he whispered next to her ear, his breath tickling.
Smiling, she whispered back, "You too. Happy?"
"Not really," he answered nonchalantly. "Now I have the old ball and chain to put up with."
Squeezing his hand, she confirmed. "Yes, you do, until your dying day."
"Which won't be for a long, long time," he said, bringing their entwined fingers up to press a kiss to her hand. He knew she worried when he was on duty but she also knew being a cop was part of him and she accepted it.
The music which had been playing during the reception suddenly stopped and everyone's attention was drawn to Faith who stood near the refreshment table.
"Being Bosco's partner for so long, I was elected to come up with something special to commemorate this occasion," She turned her attention to the newlyweds. "We hope you enjoy what we've prepared and hope you'll forgive us if you don't."
The lights dimmed, leaving the glow of the Christmas lights and Sophie threw a silent question to Bosco who, holding Grace, only shrugged. What was going on?
Faith nodded to Sully who had situated himself at the piano. Sophie recognized the tune as her favorite arrangement of 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' at the same time the pictures flashed on the screen which had been dropped from the ceiling.
Sophie gasped. Many of the photos she recognized. She had taken them. They were snapshots really, everyday things: Grace with Bosco, Bosco alone, Gracie with Jimmy, Alex and Ty and the guys from the firehouse and precinct. Many she didn't recognize and didn't remember them being taken, especially since she was in them. Sophie with Gracie and Bosco in the park, Sophie and Bosco alone and together, with friends at work and play.
Sophie watched the screen, overwhelmed at the outpouring of friendship reflected on the screen, both for her and Bosco.
The music switched to Sophie's favorite, Pachebel's 'Canon in D', and the images became more personal. Snapshots of Grace's baby dedication just a few weeks prior, when she'd refused to leave Bosco's arm and he'd willingly stood with Sophie before the congregation holding Grace; her favorite picture of Bosco and Grace asleep on the sofa and various photos from the wedding: the ring exchange, heads bowed in prayer, the first kiss as husband and wife.
By the time Sully played the last note and the lights brought up, Sophie was wiping the tears as Faith raised her glass in a toast finishing with, "You compliment each other and prove love will work wonders on anyone - even Bosco."
Sophie later discovered it had been Faith's idea to have anyone and everyone taking candid photos of Sophie, Grace and Bosco on a continual basis - almost to the point of setting up surveillance on them. When Faith asked if she didn't think something was going on when so many pictures were being taken, Sophie had to admit she'd not noticed many times that a camera was even around.
She was saved from further comment by her husband wanting to dance with his wife.
With his wife in his arms, Bosco remarked that Faith had many times said his outlook on life would change one day.
"And?" Sophie prompted.
"It did."
"How?"
Bosco was silent for a moment before answering, "It must be you."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Being an incurable romantic, did you really think it wouldn't have a happy ending? I want to thank everyone who encouraged me as I wrote this. Going through a rough time personally, writing this was an outlet for me, allowing my imagination to soar. I hope, for a time, it allowed everyone to believe in happy endings.
Bosco, having dropped off Sophie and Grace at Sophie's office, arrived at the station earlier than usual, causing a stir among his fellow officers but everyone refrained from remarking on it. He was a little more unpredictable these days.
Faith was the only one brave enough to comment on his good mood without fear of retaliation. "So, things goin' good with you and Sophie?"
He paused in his whistling to grin at her. "Couldn't be better."
"We are talkin' about more than your sex life, right?" Faith couldn't resist teasing. Any time Bosco was in this good a mood, it had to be related to his sex life.
The picture of Sophie in that black thing still fresh in his mind, he immediately sobered. "What brought that on?"
Faith got the impression she'd stepped into dangerous territory. "I'm just sayin' every relationship you've had that put you in this kind of mood was contained to the bedroom."
"Well, this isn't," he insisted. For the first time since he'd known her, Bosco regretted the many times he'd boasted of his encounters to his partner.
Trying to joke him out of his bad mood, Faith commented, "What? Don't tell me you haven't spent the night with her."
He didn't need to answer, Faith could read him like a book. He was glad they were the only ones in the car.
"You haven't slept with her?!" she almost shrieked. This was one for the record books.
"You don't need to make it sound like a crime," he confirmed defensively.
Faith still in a state of shock seemed to babble with no consideration to what was coming out of her mouth. "It's just hard to believe. I mean, it's you - Mr. God's Gift to Women - and you're just sittin' there tellin' me the woman you've been seeing for months hasn't been in the sack with you? And you're still seein' her?"
"You don't need to make her sound cheap," Bosco interrupted quietly.
Faith continued as if he'd not spoken at all. "I mean she was pregnant when you met her and then the baby came so that's understandable but it's been a good six months or more since she had the baby and I figured by now you two would have - "
"FAITH!" Bosco shouted to shut her up and get her attention. It worked. "It's more than that and you know it."
He refrained from adding that sex outside of marriage went against Sophie's religious beliefs. In this day and age, he'd been flabbergasted to hear her say that but given her beliefs, wasn't surprised. Truth was, he was a little pleased. He sort of wished he could say the same thing about himself but he couldn't change the past so he wasn't going to dwell on it.
She hadn't responded to his outburst, compelling him to add, "Besides, I want to take her out. I just need to find someone to keep Grace."
"Why don't you ask Em?" Faith was quick to suggest.
"Emily? Your kid? She can't take care of Grace!" Bosco protested.
"Why not? She's certainly old enough." Faith remarked. She often found it hard to believe how mature her eldest child was. She had no doubts that Emily could watch Grace for a few hours.
"You really think she would?" Bosco asked minutes later, having given the idea some thought.
Faith pulled out her cell phone, dialing, and handing it to Bosco. "Ask her."
After making arrangements for Emily to watch Gracie later that week, Bosco managed to talk Sophie into letting Emily stay with Grace for a while so they could go out - alone.
Handing the phone back to Faith, he realized he had just made a formal date with Sophie - something he'd never done before -and he wasn't sure what to do.
CHAPTER 26
The next days flew and Bosco thought about taking Sophie to one of the hotels downtown that had music. He knew she liked music so he figured he was safe in doing something so neutral. He was nervous. He felt like it was his first date.
He'd picked up Emily from Faith's, promising it wouldn't be too late bringing her back.
Grace took to Emily immediately and after Sophie left countless instructions, he finally got Sophie into his car.
She obviously had taken extra care with her appearance. He'd seen her dressed up before, going to work but tonight was different. She wore simple crepe black pants, a dusty rose colored satin camisole thing covered by a fitted lace jacket that emphasized her curves, falling lower in the back than the front and topped with a velvet wrap to ward off the evening chill. She had styled her hair in big curls which were held back from her face with a jeweled vintage headband, once again, effectively setting off her eyes and peaches-n-cream complexion. As Faith had described her once, she had the uncanny ability to look classically elegant - almost what one would see on a cameo pin.
The car was silent as they drove. Unable to come up with anything better, Bosco stuck to the music thing. He hoped it was a good idea and thought it was until they got there.
Immediately after walking in the bar, he spied everyone. Faith, Sully, Davis, Taylor, Doherty, Doc, Carlos and Kim sat at a group of tables that had been rearranged in order for all of them to sit together. It seemed they all had the night off.
He tried to direct Sophie to the opposite side of the room before she saw them. He was too late. Holding her hand, he grudgingly followed behind her as she greeted them and took one of the remaining two empty chairs offered.
"Do you want something to drink," Bosco asked, leaning over her shoulder, arranging her wrap on the back of the chair.
Sophie glanced at him. "Juice."
"Juice?" Bosco questioned, expecting her to add on to her answer.
"Yes," she turned her attention back to the gathering of goofy-grinned faces. "What?"
"Don't worry about them, Sophie," Faith answered. "They're just not used to behaving themselves in public."
Sophie knew it was more than that. "Is something going on I should know about?"
Glances were exchanged.
Bosco returned with the orange juice for Sophie and soft drink for himself and she dismissed the goofy looks.
"So, Sophie, we hear through the grapevine, you like music," Sully leaned forward. "What do you like?"
Sophie glanced at Bosco. Did he talk about her at work? "Just about anything."
"You sing?" Sully pressed.
This time she did stare at him. What had he been saying? "A little."
Sully rubbed his hands together. "Great. Let's hear you."
"I don't think - " Sophie began, still staring at Bosco, who was just as stunned as she at the onslaught of questions.
"Not any good?" Carlos interrupted. "We thought so."
Although she knew she was being baited, Sophie let the remark get to her. It was an unspoken dare. She glanced at Bosco. He looked ready to knock a few heads together.
Bosco was past knocking a few heads together. He was ready to pull his gun. How in hell did they know he and Sophie would be here tonight? He was about to suggest leaving to her when Sophie stood.
"Any requests?" She asked before winding her way to the grand piano.
The pianist nodded and said a few words to his band mates before the opening notes of "The Very Thought of You" floated through the bar. Out of courtesy, conversations quieted and then halted altogether when Sophie's voice, floated through the room. It was combination of innocent sensuality and deep emotion made all the more so since Sophie seemed unaware of her effect. It was clear to anyone listening that she not only heard the music but felt and appreciated it as well.
Bosco was sure he had the same slack-jawed expression that everyone else did. The only time he'd ever heard her sing was the few minutes it took for her to put Grace down for the night. And that was nothing like what he was hearing now.
Faith leaned over. "Damn, Bos, you said she liked to sing; you didn't say she could sing."
"I didn't know," he responded as the song ended to thunderous applause and Sophie made her was back to the table.
"Damn," Davis muttered.
"Okay, so I was wrong," Carlos stated. "She can sing."
"That's an understatement," Doc added.
"You take lessons?" Doherty asked as Sophie took her seat.
"Damn," Davis repeated. He couldn't seem to get anything else out.
Sophie, embarrassed by the attention, colored slightly, answering, "No, no lessons."
Taylor studied her skeptically. "You've never had lessons and you can sing like that?"
Sophie shrugged in response. She had never given much thought to her singing ability. She just considered it a gift and left it at that.
Bosco leaned over, whispering, "You got any more surprises?"
That small smile he adored broke across her face. "You knew I could sing."
"Not like that I didn't." He took her hand, twining their fingers and raised it to his lips, forgetting for a moment they weren't alone.
"Sophie, we're all dyin' to know where you two met," Kim asked suddenly and received sharp looks from everyone else around the table, prompting her to add, "What? Everyone's just as curious as I am!"
Sophie turned her attention to Kim, trying to smooth ruffled feathers. "It's fine. Actually, we met in church."
There was moment of silence before the outburst.
"What?"
"In church?"
"Bosco goes to church?"
"I knew it had to be divine intervention."
Sophie had expected the response and glimpsed at Bosco, who was trying to look insulted, before explaining the full chain of event of their first meeting.
When Sophie excused herself to call Emily and check on Grace, Bosco had the opportunity to discover how his plans had been found out.
"You need to watch who's standin' around the corner when you're makin' plans, Bos," Faith advised, looking at Ty.
"You did this?" Bosco asked.
"Hey, all I did was suggest a location that I heard had music, " Ty said, throwing up his hands, trying to look innocent and failing miserably.
"What's wrong with Hagerty's?" Bosco asked, referring to a bar in the neighborhood of the firehouse and station.
"We like a change in atmosphere sometimes," Doherty commented.
"Yeah, it broadens the mind," Ty added.
"Besides, we like Sophie and we never get to see her," Kim added.
"I'll tell her to come around more often," Bosco said sarcastically, seeing Sophie making her way across the room.
"She's sleeping," Sophie said when he inquired.
As they were preparing to leave, Sophie volunteered a ride to Faith, since Bosco had to take Emily home, assuring her she was not a third wheel. Sophie bid everyone a good night and promised to bring Grace by the firehouse soon.
CHAPTER 27
Sophie made good on her promise over the next few weeks and often brought Gracie to the firehouse to visit while cultivating a friendship with everyone, especially Alex and Kim. Gracie appeared to have every firefighter and policeman wrapped around her finger.
Then Bosco had taken her and Grace to meet his mother. That had been quite the adventure. Before he had a chance to introduce Sophie and Grace, Rose Boscorelli had accused her son of having a child and not even having the decency to tell his mother she was a grandmother until the child was almost fully grown. Sophie had had to bite her lip; Gracie was barely eight months old, hardly fully grown, and then she had hurried to explain that Bosco was not Grace's father. Only after studying Grace carefully for any sign of the Boscorelli genes had Rose accepted Sophie's admission. Then she had proceeded to announce she had every intention of spoiling Grace as every grandchild should be. Sophie had been shocked that a total stranger would take to her daughter in such a manner.
Sophie and Bosco spent more and more time together, alone, with Gracie and with people they both worked with. They had no secrets between them. Bosco had opened up about his past, being raised by his mother, the trouble with his younger brother. Sophie had listened and remarked how soft his heart was. He had scoffed at that. His heart was anything but soft, ask anyone he worked with. Sophie had taken his hand and stated, "The softest hearts have the strongest shells," and then admitted she had read that but he saw the truth of the statement and realized that Sophie could see him better than anyone. She saw all his imperfections and she still loved him in spite of it.
Life was grand.
CHAPTER 28
Faith picked up the small black box. "Bos, what's this?"
"Nothin'" he tried to reclaim the small box before she opened it.
Too late. He waited for the explosion. The silence was worse.
"Is this what I think it is?" Faith asked stupidly.
"Well, what do you think it is?"
"It looks like an engagement ring. Is that what this is?"
Bosco remained silent, eyes on the road, looking at the passing traffic.
"Bosco?" Faith pressed. "Did you get this for Sophie?"
"No, I got it for you. Was hopin' you'd leave Fred and the kids." She wasn't going to let it go. "Of course, it's for Sophie."
"How long you been plannin' this?"
He shrugged in response. He wasn't exactly sure when he'd started to thinking about marriage. Probably about the time he'd taken Sophie and Grace to meet his mom.
When Faith pulled the ring out for a closer look, he warned, "Careful, Gracie's ring is in there also."
"Gracie's?" Faith questioned, looking in the box and finding the tiny ring.
Uncomfortable, Bosco squirmed. He hadn't intended to say anything to Faith before talking to Sophie. "Yeah. I can't ask one and not the other."
Faith finally understood. He was asking both Sophie and Gracie to marry him. She smiled at him, saying nothing.
"What?" he asked, noticing her smile. He hated that smile. "Stupid idea?"
"No, very romantic," Faith tucked the rings into the box and gave it back to her partner.
Bosco couldn't tell if she was serious or just enjoying the fact she got him squirming. The silence in the car was maddening. "What?"
Faith shook her head as if to clear it. "Just wondering what happened to the glory-seeking, womanizing, egotistical, hot-headed cop I used to know."
He bristled at the description. "I'm the same person," he insisted.
"No, you're not. You're still a good cop but you're not the same. You've got a reason to be doing this, not just because you're angry and you can take that anger out on anyone who breaks the law. You have Sophie and Gracie now and it's for them that you're doing this. You're starting to see that it could be them in the people we deal with and try to help," She paused, watching his expression. "When you gonna ask her?"
He shrugged. "Can't seem to find the perfect time or place."
"Bosco, it doesn't have to be the perfect time or place; it just has to be perfect between you and Sophie. Nothing else matters. Trust me, ask her the next time you see her."
Bosco just hadn't expected that the next time he would see her would be at the station.
Sophie was waiting, playing peek-a-boo with Gracie when he and Faith checked in. Sophie didn't appear at the station often, usually waiting across the street outside or at the firehouse for him. Considering she was still in a suit, he assumed she had come straight from work. "Soph? What goin' on?"
Sophie stuffed the cloth diaper they'd been playing with in the bag and stood. "Everything's fine. I just wanted you to see this. Is it okay for you to -"
"Yeah, it's fine," he interrupted. "What should I see?"
She smiled mysteriously. "Stay here."
She walked about three feet away and knelt down, standing Gracie on the floor.
Gracie smiled at him, the few teeth she had gleaming. Holding onto her mother's finger with one tiny hand, her other arm held out from her body for balance, she took a tiny step toward Bosco. And another. And another. Letting go of her mother's finger, she toddled the remaining steps to Bosco's outstretched arms as those in the station curious enough to pause in their duties erupted in applause at her accomplishment.
"I thought you said she was too young to walk yet," Bosco said, looking every bit as if he had just taken his first steps, as Sophie moved closer to him.
She held out Gracie's pacifier. Gracie leaned out with her mouth open to take it before playing with the radio at Bosco's shoulder. " I thought she was but sometimes they surprise you. She did that at the center today; they immediately called me down."
"I wanted to talk to you about something - come with me," he said suddenly. He didn't wait to see if she followed.
Sophie slung the diaper bag over her shoulder and hurried to catch up to Bosco, who was weaving in and out of the crowded hallway. "Bosco, what are you doing?"
He led her to the empty briefing room and placed Gracie on her lap.
CHAPTER 29
Unknown to Bosco, Faith had seen him leading Sophie to the empty room and guessed what he was up to. Moving closer to the plexiglass windows, she shortly drew a crowd of other officers as word quickly spread that Bosco's 'friend' was in the building. The 'friend' that had caused the sudden change in the hotheaded officer and everyone wanted a peek at her.
"What in hell is going on?"
Faith turned just in time to step in front of the captain before he barged in of Bosco. "Sir -"
"Who is that woman? What's Boscorelli done this time?" His trouble with Bosco seemed to be never-ending. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. He started to step around Faith and try to correct Bosco's mistake once again.
Faith was a little more adamant as she again, blocked his path. "Sir! The woman Bosco is with is Sophie, sir, and I believe he's trying to propose to her, sir."
The captain was only half-listening to Faith. "Propose what?"
Faith tried to maintain respect for her superior but he was causing her to miss the real action. "Marriage, sir."
The captain finally seemed to understand what he had been about to interrupt and stared at Bosco and the woman with as much interest as everyone else seemed have.
Bosco had stopped his pacing and now stood before her. Even Gracie was still, content with her pacifier, on her mother's lap.
The crowd of officers held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
CHAPTER 30
Sophie sat patiently. She knew that when Bosco was trying to talk about how he felt, the best thing was to remain silent. He would eventually get around to what he was trying to say. So far, they'd covered that he loved her and Gracie and Sophie felt the same about him, that Sophie was different from any woman he'd ever known and he never wanted to cause her or Gracie any pain or grief. And then he stopped and just watched her.
Working for attorneys, Sophie was used to having to search for real meanings in long speeches so she sat waiting for him to say something more. Not that having the man she loved tell her he felt the same wasn't enough; she was just confused at what brought it on. Surely not Gracie showing off her first steps.
Bosco moved and Sophie concentrated on giving him her full attention. He stepped forward and set an open jeweler's box on the desk before her. The white gold ring flashing against the black velvet.
Sophie met Bosco's gaze.
Bosco braced his arms against the desk. "Marry me?"
She remained silent so long that Bosco wasn't sure she heard him. Either that or she was trying to let him down easy.
"Yes. Oh, yes," he heard her whisper and letting out the breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding, took her hand, placing the ring on the appropriate finger. She leaned forward to kiss him. "What about Gracie?" he asked just before her lips touched his.
She sat back. "Gracie?" What was he talking about?
He focused his attention on the chubby-cheeked girl. "What'cha say, Gracie- girl?"
Gracie paused in her vigorous workout on her pacifier to smile at him from around the thing before resuming.
He glanced at Sophie. "Is that a yes?"
Sophia's control left and tears streamed down her face as Bosco took the tiny ring, slipped it onto Gracie's finger and leaned forward to kiss her soft curls.
"Love you," she whispered before his lips covered hers.
For the second time in an hour, the stationhouse exploded in applause.
Bosco and Sophie jumped apart at the outburst realizing the small crowd had witnessed the proposal. Sophie saw the humor and joy in the situation before Bosco but it didn't take long for him to realize it didn't matter. Even Gracie was squealing in delight around the pacifier still clutched firmly with her teeth.
It was going to be a while before he could live this one down, Bosco knew, but he wouldn't have changed anything. Sophie was going to marry him.
Despite her reservations on public displays of affection, Bosco pulled her into his arms again.
EPILOGUE
The bride wore a cream-colored vintage style gown she made. Draped in lace, chiffon and delicate pearls, she was the very image of romance down to her shoes which she had adorned to be just as unique. The groom wore a black tuxedo - for his bride, of course. Their daughter wore a simple rose- colored dress she was constantly clutching between her hands, her Shirley Temple curls dancing in her excitement.
The ceremony was small and simple, a handful of witnesses and close family, both bride's and groom's.
Bosco had been with Sophie on the numerous occasions she would telephone her family. And he had been with her when she'd telephoned them to inform them of her impending wedding and invited them to the ceremony. To her surprise, they accepted and plans were made for their flight and hotel arrangements.
He had been with her at the airport, holding Grace in one arm and Sophie in the other. She had admitted to being nervous about seeing them again; it had been so long and they had never met Grace. To say the reunion had been a tearful one was an understatement. Whatever their differences were when Sophie moved to the city were forgiven and forgotten.
He had stood back with Grace, while Sophie embraced her parents and sisters, waiting for his official introduction as Grace's father. The adoption had been finalized a few days earlier. Not that he needed an adoption proceeding to know Grace was his daughter but now his name was on the birth certificate instead of the 'unknown' that was previously listed where the father's name was to be. Everything was legal and official.
The bride and groom said their vows before Pastor Thomas Howell and exchanged the simple matching band inscribed with the partial verse from Song of Solomon 2:16, 'I am my beloved's.'
And they were.
A reception was held at a hotel banquet hall after the ceremony. Already trimmed for the holiday season, the flowers of roses, lilies, gardenias and ivy only added to the festivities and romantic air. Who didn't love a holiday wedding?
Watching her from across the room, Bosco once again lost himself in the woman who was now his wife. The vintage dress she wore suited her. Fitting snugly through the bodice, it fell in soft folds from a raised waistline, almost to the floor. Simple and chic.
"I think we lost him again, guys."
He heard Davis remark to Sully and Jimmy, and forced his mind back to the conversation at hand. "What?"
The three men stood grinning at him. Jimmy spoke up first, just to rattle his cage a little more. "We were just thinking of going to kiss the bride."
Bosco leveled his gaze on the fireman. It was well known how protective Bosco was of Sophie and Grace. "Just try it," he muttered before joining his wife and daughter.
*******************************
"Bosco," Sophie whispered, her gaze centered on something across the room. "look."
Bosco followed the direction of her gaze and couldn't help the surge of pride at the sight.
Gracie, decked out in her rose colored dress, cream ruffle-bottomed bloomers peeking out from beneath the hem, lacy ankle socks and patent leather shoes, stood completely still, with the exception of her vigorous workout on her ever-present pacifier. Before her, seated at a table, Sully was listening with half an ear to Ty and Alex, sipping at the glass of punch before him. Other than a cautious glance at Grace, he gave no indication that the child was even present. Taking a few steps closer, Gracie suddenly popped out her pacifier, and grinning, held it out to Sully. Her token of friendship.
Cautiously, Sully held out his hand to receive the offered slobber-coated thing, and then gently laid it on the table before resuming his observation of the festivities.
Clearly not the response she had expected given that she'd just offered her most prized possession to her new friend, Grace proceeded to politely climb up and settle herself on a startled Sully's lap. She spied Ty and Alex smiling and watching her with interest, she gave them what Mommy said was her prettiest smile before reclaiming her 'suckie' and making herself comfortable on her friend's lap.
Sophie and Bosco watched the scene with a bit of embarrassment and great amusement over Grace's presumption. Sully looked slightly uncomfortable; Davis and Taylor were desperately trying not laugh and egg the child on.
"Well, I can't say she'll make many enemies," Bosco commented, glancing at his wife. "Shall we rescue him?"
Gracie spied her parents approaching and proudly smiled around her pacifier.
Bosco apologized to Sully. "Grace seems to think all she needs to do is smile and she'll get her way."
"You mean she doesn't?" Sully asked, feeling more comfortable with the little girl who was struggling to climb from him onto the table.
Sophie moved the glass that Gracie was reaching for as Bosco tried to take the child from Sully. Grace scrambled back into Sully's lap, just before Bosco managed to grab her.
"Bosco, she's fine, go be with your wife; I don't mind." Sully waved him away and sat Grace on the edge of the table before him, playfully pulling at the pacifier in Grace's mouth, earning squeals of laughter from the little girl. Bosco and Sophie had been dismissed.
****************************
"You're happy, aren't you, Bosco?" It was the first time Faith has been able to approach her partner alone.
What brought that on? Bosco studied Faith a moment before answering. "Yeah. Why you askin'?"
"I wasn't really askin' just makin' sure. You look happy." Faith watched her own spouse keeping their son from finding trouble as eleven-year old boys were prone to do. Her daughter had appointed herself as Gracie's nanny for the day and rescued a piece of cake the child was attempting to grab from ending up everywhere but where it should.
"You sure you don't mind taking Gracie for a few days?" Bosco asked again. He asked that at least once a day since Faith and Fred had made the offer.
"Bos, you're not taking Gracie with you and Sophie." She watched Emily run after the giggling bundle of energy. "Besides, Emily and Charlie have been looking forward to having her there."
"She's just not been away from us for so long," he worried.
"Bosco, she'll be fine. Now shut up before your wife hears you." Faith noticed Sophie making her way over to them.
The newlyweds automatically intertwined fingers. Faith wondered if they made a conscious decision to do that or was it so right and automatic that it just happened when they were together? She suspected the latter. She discreetly moved away, giving them a moment of privacy.
"Love you," he whispered next to her ear, his breath tickling.
Smiling, she whispered back, "You too. Happy?"
"Not really," he answered nonchalantly. "Now I have the old ball and chain to put up with."
Squeezing his hand, she confirmed. "Yes, you do, until your dying day."
"Which won't be for a long, long time," he said, bringing their entwined fingers up to press a kiss to her hand. He knew she worried when he was on duty but she also knew being a cop was part of him and she accepted it.
The music which had been playing during the reception suddenly stopped and everyone's attention was drawn to Faith who stood near the refreshment table.
"Being Bosco's partner for so long, I was elected to come up with something special to commemorate this occasion," She turned her attention to the newlyweds. "We hope you enjoy what we've prepared and hope you'll forgive us if you don't."
The lights dimmed, leaving the glow of the Christmas lights and Sophie threw a silent question to Bosco who, holding Grace, only shrugged. What was going on?
Faith nodded to Sully who had situated himself at the piano. Sophie recognized the tune as her favorite arrangement of 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' at the same time the pictures flashed on the screen which had been dropped from the ceiling.
Sophie gasped. Many of the photos she recognized. She had taken them. They were snapshots really, everyday things: Grace with Bosco, Bosco alone, Gracie with Jimmy, Alex and Ty and the guys from the firehouse and precinct. Many she didn't recognize and didn't remember them being taken, especially since she was in them. Sophie with Gracie and Bosco in the park, Sophie and Bosco alone and together, with friends at work and play.
Sophie watched the screen, overwhelmed at the outpouring of friendship reflected on the screen, both for her and Bosco.
The music switched to Sophie's favorite, Pachebel's 'Canon in D', and the images became more personal. Snapshots of Grace's baby dedication just a few weeks prior, when she'd refused to leave Bosco's arm and he'd willingly stood with Sophie before the congregation holding Grace; her favorite picture of Bosco and Grace asleep on the sofa and various photos from the wedding: the ring exchange, heads bowed in prayer, the first kiss as husband and wife.
By the time Sully played the last note and the lights brought up, Sophie was wiping the tears as Faith raised her glass in a toast finishing with, "You compliment each other and prove love will work wonders on anyone - even Bosco."
Sophie later discovered it had been Faith's idea to have anyone and everyone taking candid photos of Sophie, Grace and Bosco on a continual basis - almost to the point of setting up surveillance on them. When Faith asked if she didn't think something was going on when so many pictures were being taken, Sophie had to admit she'd not noticed many times that a camera was even around.
She was saved from further comment by her husband wanting to dance with his wife.
With his wife in his arms, Bosco remarked that Faith had many times said his outlook on life would change one day.
"And?" Sophie prompted.
"It did."
"How?"
Bosco was silent for a moment before answering, "It must be you."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Being an incurable romantic, did you really think it wouldn't have a happy ending? I want to thank everyone who encouraged me as I wrote this. Going through a rough time personally, writing this was an outlet for me, allowing my imagination to soar. I hope, for a time, it allowed everyone to believe in happy endings.