Title: 'Smooth sailing...or is it?' [Chapter 9]
Sequel to 'Boy was I wrong'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 9
Josh and I have returned to the apartment. It's almost 10pm. I held off telling him about Amy. I didn't want him to lose concentration during his working hours or worse, while he's driving.
"Ok, you can tell me now." Josh announces as he closes the apartment door behind me.
"What?" How could he know? Is he talking about the same thing?
"Oh come on. You've had the 'I-know-something-you-don't-know' look all day long. So just spit it." Wow, am I that obvious?
"Ok fine..CJ and I went out to lunch right? Just a few blocks from work.Well, anyway, guess who walks into the café?" I ask.
"Who?" Aw, he's no fun. I'm sure he wouldn't bother to actually guess. I might as well tell him.
"Amy Gardner."
Josh's eyes just popped out. Not in a good way.
"Amy??? I told her to stay away from you! I'm going to kill her! I'm going to get a restraining order.Are you okay? What the hell did she do? Why are you only telling me now? Donna, you should have told me.." This man is out of control! He's going faster than a roller coaster.
"Joshua!!" I shout to make him stop his motor-mouth.
"What?!" He shouts back.
"If you'll stop going off like a bullet train and just let me explain.She didn't see me. I was coming back from the restroom when I saw her and I quickly hid behind a plant which was pretty near where CJ was seated."
"What? Why did you do that for? You don't need to hide every time that woman is around." Now he wants me to seen by her. Am I in love with the nuttiest man or what?
"She was headed towards CJ and I just panicked and hid, that's all. Anyway, she invited herself, as usual, to sit with CJ and started discussing about the family health bill. All the while, CJ said nothing. And then all of a sudden CJ just blew up at her!"
I continue telling Josh every word CJ used and Amy's reaction like it just happened a minute ago.
"Wow.." Josh pops his eyebrows up and his jaw is a little hanging. He slowly recovers and his lips break into a smile.
"Remind me to send CJ the hugest bouquet of flowers.No, let's give her a huge dinner.. Like invite everyone and throw a party in her honor." There he goes getting carried away again.
"Yeah, I don't think she'd appreciate a commendation as such.." I say.
Josh just gives me a content smile. He looks so gorgeous with that smile on.
"Joshua..?" I ask seductively.
"Yeah?" He doesn't seem to get the hint.
"What do you say, we have a party of our own.just the two of us?" I start walking slowly towards him.
"What? What's the point in that?" I'm going to be married to a silly, silly man.
I start undoing his tie as I reach him. "I can think of several points." I say as I lean in and kiss the side of his neck.
"Ah, I see what you are getting at.." Finally!
~~~~~~~~~~
The weekend just past and it's already Monday now. We have been fully occupied with work, wedding plans and moving house as well. I'm telling you I'm going to completely collapse after the wedding. Well, maybe I'll save some energy for the honeymoon which by the way, I have no clue where I'm going off to. Josh wants it to be a surprise for me. I keep telling him I don't want any more surprises and I want to be organized for the trip. He refused saying that he'll get someone else to the do my packing. He's such a stubborn man. I would definitely snoop and find out where we are headed to but I just don't have that kind of time anymore.
"Hey Donna, you have a minute?" CJ asks me as I just pass some notes over to Carol.
"Yeah, I can spare a few minutes." I say and enter her office.
"I was just wondering if you want your wedding dress back?" Huh? Oh, yeah! I left it in CJ's place since that night when...Well, when that woman was in Josh's apartment.
"Oh, I completely forgot about it." I was so distraught then, I don't even know where I chucked it.
"Yeah, I even only just noticed it at a corner. So, do you want me to bring it for you?"
"Probably not a good idea. It wouldn't be safe with my fiancé trying to steal a glance at it." I recall Josh trying to get me to show a picture of the dress.
"Oh alright..anyway, I just noticed it last night and I opened the box to have a look at the dress.hope you don't mind."
"What? Of course I don't mind! So, did you like it?"
"Donna it was so beautiful! Gorgeous!! So gorgeous that I'm wondering how it could possible be eight hundred dollars."
I'm so amazed that I completely forgot about the dress and not to mention, the fact that Toby is paying it! Everything went haywire that night that I practically blanked out all the events that happened before that from my head.
"Yeah.."
"Yeah what? Donna, this is a Paulette Pearson design, and it's not a simple dress. Is there a reason it's so cheap? Is it because of the media?" CJ asks me.
I don't want to lie to her. Besides, I only promised Paulette I won't mention it to Toby.
"No. CJ, Paulette told me that Toby told her to let me get any dress I desired for the price range I specified and he'll pay for the rest of it."
"What?!!" As expected, CJ is just as shocked as I was.
"Yeah, I tried to say no and return the dress but Paulette talked me into it. She said it brings some form of happiness to Toby and I shouldn't take it away from him. She made me promise not to breathe a word to him so you better keep this to yourself! I haven't even told Josh about it."
I should tell Josh about it. I didn't think about it before which is why I haven't told him. With all that we have learnt, I know now that I should tell him everything no matter what it is or how trivial it is.
"Tobias Zachary Ziegler never ceases to amaze the hell out me." CJ says still looking stunned.
"What did I do?" Gasp! Why does this always happen? Toby always walks in at the worst possible moment.
"Oh, we were just discussing the President's speech today morning. Great job!" CJ saves the day as usual.
"It was a radio address.It really wasn't all that great.."
"Well, I thought it was..So you need me Toby?"
"Yeah..Just wanted you to have a look at these." Toby comes in and hands some papers to CJ. That's my cue to leave.
"I'll see you guys. Going back to my desk." CJ nods at me as I leave.
~~~~~~~~~~
Josh and I are back at the apartment now. It's past midnight. Josh and I are getting ready for bed.
"I'm gonna have to leave around noon on Wednesday Josh, don't forget."
"What? Why??" When will he ever give a different reaction when I remind him that I have to leave work early or take a longer break.
"You're mom's coming Josh! I need to pick her up from the airport. Unless you want to walk off during the middle of your meeting with Senator Houseman at the Hill and drive to the airport, you will have to deal with me leaving at noon."
"But you'll be back right?" Sigh!
"Yes Josh, I'll come back as soon as I drop your mom back here."
"Well, that's fine then." Yeah, like I would do otherwise if I don't receive your approval.
"So, is everything going as planned for the wedding?" Josh asks me. Ah, I should tell him about Toby and my dress.
I explain to Josh what Paulette told me about Toby.
"Wow, that's unexpected." He says.
"Tell me about it. I really didn't want to accept the dress but I did after Paulette persuaded me. But now I feel guilty when I look at Toby. How am I going to thank him? He did go through a lot of trouble for me not to find out about it."
"Well, you'll find some way to thank him. I'm quiet amazed myself actually. I'll be looking at Toby in a different light from now...which I'm not sure I'm entire comfortable with." Josh smiles. I absolutely get what he says.
~~~~~~~~~~
It's Wednesday already. I'm currently waiting at the airport for Josh's mom to arrive. The last time I had seen Ruth was when Josh left the hospital after the shooting. I have spoken to her several times since then, updating her on Josh's progress. I've also spoken to her since we got together and after we got engaged. I know she's absolutely thrilled about us being together. I was pretty nervous at first being that I'm not Jewish but not once did Ruth bring that up. She is indeed such an amazing lady.
"Donna!" I look up to see Ruth coming my way.
I quickly walk towards her and give her a big hug.
"Hi Ruth!! It's so nice to see you. You look lovely."
She does look great for a sixty something lady. She's a fit, small framed woman. She's somewhat shorter than me and has left her shoulder length hair go gray. Which I think suits her perfectly showing her wisdom.
"Thank you dear but you are the one who looks like a glamour girl!" I laugh at her statement.
"Let me get those bags for you." I take Ruth's bags and head towards the car. We catch up on the wedding and her life in Florida.
"Donna, so how does this hotel look like? Where will the actual ceremony be?" Ruth asks me just as I start the car.
She's referring to the Belveder Hotel where we will be having the ceremony and the reception.
"Oh, it's simply lovely. Actually the President suggested the place as it's just about 3 miles from The White House and it has the most beautiful reflecting pool. It just glows at night and with the evening ceremony I think it'll be just splendid."
"Oh, that's great dear. How will it be decorated?"
"Oh, mainly white and red roses.There'll be a rose petal isle and little white lights and candles. The ceremony will be facing the pool which will be lit as well."
"That sounds beautiful!!" Ruth exclaims. I hope it will. I actually didn't really decide much on the decoration as I couldn't come up with just one final idea. Margaret made the final arrangements for that. So if it doesn't turn out that nice, she'll get all the blame!
"I hope so!!" I reply with a big smile.
"Donna, if I haven't told you before.I want you to know how happy I am that I'm going to have you as my daughter-in-law. I couldn't pick anyone better if I tried to. You are just perfect for Joshua. From the first time I spoke to you on the phone during the campaign in Manchester, I knew there was something special about you. I just didn't know what exactly, but I do now."
That was the sweetest thing! I'm getting all 'emotional' as Josh calls it. I should pull myself together so that my eyes won't be all blurry.
"That's really sweet Ruth. I'm really glad that you will be my mother-in- law. You've given birth to and raised such a wonderful son that I can't imagine my life without and I will never know how to thank you for that.even though he can be a handful sometimes.." I giggle at the end.
"Oh, you don't have to tell me Donna. I really don't know how you put up with him and I'm his mother!" Ruth joins me in laughter.
"But seriously, I knew you were the only one for my son after Rosslyn. I will forever be grateful that you stuck by his side at every moment. I was just hoping and praying, that idiot son of mine would come to his senses about you!"
"Yeah.he did, thank god. But it took me longer though. I had all sorts of doubts in my mind. Not about him but about the situation we were in." I say.
Ruth doesn't know about the rape and nor does my family. I decided to keep it that way and Josh agreed. No use getting everyone else worried about me or looking at me differently unless it is absolutely necessary.
"Wow, it's almost empty in here." Ruth says as we enter the apartment.
"Yeah, we sold a bunch of stuff that we didn't need and moved the rest into the house. We just have essential stuff here."
"Oh, I can't wait to have a look at the house! If it's everything Josh described it to me, it would just be a dream."
"Oh, it IS a dream, Ruth. If my boss wasn't all that demanding, I would be able to take you there right now. But he can't seem to function if I leave him for longer than twenty minutes!"
"I don't doubt that at all Donna. That's alright, I'm too tired anyway. I'm probably going straight to bed now. Flying takes everything out of me."
"Ok then, the guestroom is all made up for you. There's not much food here but I made a few sandwiches that I kept in the fridge for you. There's some soup as well that you could heat up and."
"Donna, Donna.don't worry about me. I'll make myself at home. I know where everything is. You go back to work before my son starts bugging the President!" Ruth places her hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah, I should. Well, if you need anything at all, you can call Josh's office or my cell phone. We'll try to be back as early as possible. Then we'll go out for dinner and take you on a tour of the house!"
"That sounds just perfect, dear." Ruth smiles.
"Great, I better get going." I give her a quick hug and prepare to return to my impossible boss.
******************************************************************
It's great seeing my mum again. She looks really happy and lively compared to the last time I saw her. Well, I guess that was expected being as I was in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound.
Donna, mom and I went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Then, we took mom to our new house. She was beyond overwhelmed when she saw it.
We just returned from the house and are back at the apartment.
"Would anyone like some tea? I'm going to make a cup for myself." Mom announces. She could never live without her nightly cup of hot tea before going to bed.
"Oh, I'll make it for you, Ruth." Donna offers.
"Nonsense dear. I can make myself a cup of tea. I want to move around anyway. So, who else wants some?" Mom rushes to the kitchen before Donna could even manage to take off her coat.
That's my mom. She never wants someone else to serve her if it's not absolutely necessary.
"No thanks, Ruth. I'm going to have a shower now actually. The two of you should relax on the couch and have tea." Donna gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and exits the living room.
I think she left on purpose. Mom and I haven't spent any time alone since I got back from work. I doubt we'll have anymore alone time with Donna's family coming tomorrow and all the wedding celebrations starting at full force. Donna's great that way. She senses these things and even before I realize it.
"Here you go son." Mom hands me a full mug and sits on the couch opposite from where I am seated.
"Thanks mom."
"So, Donna tells me you're surprising her on where you're taking her on your honeymoon."
Ah, nosy mom makes an appearance finally. I was wondering where she was all this while.
"Yes mom. And I'm pretty sure what your next question is so I'm just going to tell you. Just make sure you don't slip it out to Donna." I lower down my voice a bit.
"I won't Josh. I know how to keep a secret. You've got me confused with your father." That's right. Dad did have a tough time keeping secrets except when it comes to work stuff of course.
"Okay. I'm taking her to Hawaii. We didn't want to go anywhere out of the country coz we only have about five days off, counting our wedding day. Plus we are leaving early on Thursday and Friday which is more than what we can afford to leave work for."
"Oh, that's wonderful dear. Do you have any tour planned? Where are you going to stay?"
"Well, no big tour. Just probably some sight-seeing nearby. I booked a cabin sort of place at a private beach. So, there won't be heaps of people around." Actually, I lied about the sight-seeing. I doubt Donna and I would be going outdoors much if you're catching the drift.
"That's sound nice. You two can finally get the rest you both very much deserve. So, you think she'll like Hawaii?"
"Hah! I'm sure of it. She used to keep bugging me about going there and tells me that sending their assistant's to Hawaii is what bosses do!" I laugh and mom joins me.
"Yes, that sounds like Donna alright. I guess she was right after all!" Mom says in between her laughter. I guess Donna was right!
"Josh, I want to you to know how happy you have made me by making this wedding possible. I have hoped and prayed for so long that you would have a happy, wonderful life with someone you love and now it's all happening. I'm so thankful that you have Donna in your life. You found 'the one' which is such a rarity. I did too and I can tell you first hand that you will be forever bewildered with the fortune you have found."
"I know, mom. I'm glad I'm making you happy."
In fact, I don't think I have seen her this happy, truly happy since...since before Joanie died.
TBC....................
Sequel to 'Boy was I wrong'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 9
Josh and I have returned to the apartment. It's almost 10pm. I held off telling him about Amy. I didn't want him to lose concentration during his working hours or worse, while he's driving.
"Ok, you can tell me now." Josh announces as he closes the apartment door behind me.
"What?" How could he know? Is he talking about the same thing?
"Oh come on. You've had the 'I-know-something-you-don't-know' look all day long. So just spit it." Wow, am I that obvious?
"Ok fine..CJ and I went out to lunch right? Just a few blocks from work.Well, anyway, guess who walks into the café?" I ask.
"Who?" Aw, he's no fun. I'm sure he wouldn't bother to actually guess. I might as well tell him.
"Amy Gardner."
Josh's eyes just popped out. Not in a good way.
"Amy??? I told her to stay away from you! I'm going to kill her! I'm going to get a restraining order.Are you okay? What the hell did she do? Why are you only telling me now? Donna, you should have told me.." This man is out of control! He's going faster than a roller coaster.
"Joshua!!" I shout to make him stop his motor-mouth.
"What?!" He shouts back.
"If you'll stop going off like a bullet train and just let me explain.She didn't see me. I was coming back from the restroom when I saw her and I quickly hid behind a plant which was pretty near where CJ was seated."
"What? Why did you do that for? You don't need to hide every time that woman is around." Now he wants me to seen by her. Am I in love with the nuttiest man or what?
"She was headed towards CJ and I just panicked and hid, that's all. Anyway, she invited herself, as usual, to sit with CJ and started discussing about the family health bill. All the while, CJ said nothing. And then all of a sudden CJ just blew up at her!"
I continue telling Josh every word CJ used and Amy's reaction like it just happened a minute ago.
"Wow.." Josh pops his eyebrows up and his jaw is a little hanging. He slowly recovers and his lips break into a smile.
"Remind me to send CJ the hugest bouquet of flowers.No, let's give her a huge dinner.. Like invite everyone and throw a party in her honor." There he goes getting carried away again.
"Yeah, I don't think she'd appreciate a commendation as such.." I say.
Josh just gives me a content smile. He looks so gorgeous with that smile on.
"Joshua..?" I ask seductively.
"Yeah?" He doesn't seem to get the hint.
"What do you say, we have a party of our own.just the two of us?" I start walking slowly towards him.
"What? What's the point in that?" I'm going to be married to a silly, silly man.
I start undoing his tie as I reach him. "I can think of several points." I say as I lean in and kiss the side of his neck.
"Ah, I see what you are getting at.." Finally!
~~~~~~~~~~
The weekend just past and it's already Monday now. We have been fully occupied with work, wedding plans and moving house as well. I'm telling you I'm going to completely collapse after the wedding. Well, maybe I'll save some energy for the honeymoon which by the way, I have no clue where I'm going off to. Josh wants it to be a surprise for me. I keep telling him I don't want any more surprises and I want to be organized for the trip. He refused saying that he'll get someone else to the do my packing. He's such a stubborn man. I would definitely snoop and find out where we are headed to but I just don't have that kind of time anymore.
"Hey Donna, you have a minute?" CJ asks me as I just pass some notes over to Carol.
"Yeah, I can spare a few minutes." I say and enter her office.
"I was just wondering if you want your wedding dress back?" Huh? Oh, yeah! I left it in CJ's place since that night when...Well, when that woman was in Josh's apartment.
"Oh, I completely forgot about it." I was so distraught then, I don't even know where I chucked it.
"Yeah, I even only just noticed it at a corner. So, do you want me to bring it for you?"
"Probably not a good idea. It wouldn't be safe with my fiancé trying to steal a glance at it." I recall Josh trying to get me to show a picture of the dress.
"Oh alright..anyway, I just noticed it last night and I opened the box to have a look at the dress.hope you don't mind."
"What? Of course I don't mind! So, did you like it?"
"Donna it was so beautiful! Gorgeous!! So gorgeous that I'm wondering how it could possible be eight hundred dollars."
I'm so amazed that I completely forgot about the dress and not to mention, the fact that Toby is paying it! Everything went haywire that night that I practically blanked out all the events that happened before that from my head.
"Yeah.."
"Yeah what? Donna, this is a Paulette Pearson design, and it's not a simple dress. Is there a reason it's so cheap? Is it because of the media?" CJ asks me.
I don't want to lie to her. Besides, I only promised Paulette I won't mention it to Toby.
"No. CJ, Paulette told me that Toby told her to let me get any dress I desired for the price range I specified and he'll pay for the rest of it."
"What?!!" As expected, CJ is just as shocked as I was.
"Yeah, I tried to say no and return the dress but Paulette talked me into it. She said it brings some form of happiness to Toby and I shouldn't take it away from him. She made me promise not to breathe a word to him so you better keep this to yourself! I haven't even told Josh about it."
I should tell Josh about it. I didn't think about it before which is why I haven't told him. With all that we have learnt, I know now that I should tell him everything no matter what it is or how trivial it is.
"Tobias Zachary Ziegler never ceases to amaze the hell out me." CJ says still looking stunned.
"What did I do?" Gasp! Why does this always happen? Toby always walks in at the worst possible moment.
"Oh, we were just discussing the President's speech today morning. Great job!" CJ saves the day as usual.
"It was a radio address.It really wasn't all that great.."
"Well, I thought it was..So you need me Toby?"
"Yeah..Just wanted you to have a look at these." Toby comes in and hands some papers to CJ. That's my cue to leave.
"I'll see you guys. Going back to my desk." CJ nods at me as I leave.
~~~~~~~~~~
Josh and I are back at the apartment now. It's past midnight. Josh and I are getting ready for bed.
"I'm gonna have to leave around noon on Wednesday Josh, don't forget."
"What? Why??" When will he ever give a different reaction when I remind him that I have to leave work early or take a longer break.
"You're mom's coming Josh! I need to pick her up from the airport. Unless you want to walk off during the middle of your meeting with Senator Houseman at the Hill and drive to the airport, you will have to deal with me leaving at noon."
"But you'll be back right?" Sigh!
"Yes Josh, I'll come back as soon as I drop your mom back here."
"Well, that's fine then." Yeah, like I would do otherwise if I don't receive your approval.
"So, is everything going as planned for the wedding?" Josh asks me. Ah, I should tell him about Toby and my dress.
I explain to Josh what Paulette told me about Toby.
"Wow, that's unexpected." He says.
"Tell me about it. I really didn't want to accept the dress but I did after Paulette persuaded me. But now I feel guilty when I look at Toby. How am I going to thank him? He did go through a lot of trouble for me not to find out about it."
"Well, you'll find some way to thank him. I'm quiet amazed myself actually. I'll be looking at Toby in a different light from now...which I'm not sure I'm entire comfortable with." Josh smiles. I absolutely get what he says.
~~~~~~~~~~
It's Wednesday already. I'm currently waiting at the airport for Josh's mom to arrive. The last time I had seen Ruth was when Josh left the hospital after the shooting. I have spoken to her several times since then, updating her on Josh's progress. I've also spoken to her since we got together and after we got engaged. I know she's absolutely thrilled about us being together. I was pretty nervous at first being that I'm not Jewish but not once did Ruth bring that up. She is indeed such an amazing lady.
"Donna!" I look up to see Ruth coming my way.
I quickly walk towards her and give her a big hug.
"Hi Ruth!! It's so nice to see you. You look lovely."
She does look great for a sixty something lady. She's a fit, small framed woman. She's somewhat shorter than me and has left her shoulder length hair go gray. Which I think suits her perfectly showing her wisdom.
"Thank you dear but you are the one who looks like a glamour girl!" I laugh at her statement.
"Let me get those bags for you." I take Ruth's bags and head towards the car. We catch up on the wedding and her life in Florida.
"Donna, so how does this hotel look like? Where will the actual ceremony be?" Ruth asks me just as I start the car.
She's referring to the Belveder Hotel where we will be having the ceremony and the reception.
"Oh, it's simply lovely. Actually the President suggested the place as it's just about 3 miles from The White House and it has the most beautiful reflecting pool. It just glows at night and with the evening ceremony I think it'll be just splendid."
"Oh, that's great dear. How will it be decorated?"
"Oh, mainly white and red roses.There'll be a rose petal isle and little white lights and candles. The ceremony will be facing the pool which will be lit as well."
"That sounds beautiful!!" Ruth exclaims. I hope it will. I actually didn't really decide much on the decoration as I couldn't come up with just one final idea. Margaret made the final arrangements for that. So if it doesn't turn out that nice, she'll get all the blame!
"I hope so!!" I reply with a big smile.
"Donna, if I haven't told you before.I want you to know how happy I am that I'm going to have you as my daughter-in-law. I couldn't pick anyone better if I tried to. You are just perfect for Joshua. From the first time I spoke to you on the phone during the campaign in Manchester, I knew there was something special about you. I just didn't know what exactly, but I do now."
That was the sweetest thing! I'm getting all 'emotional' as Josh calls it. I should pull myself together so that my eyes won't be all blurry.
"That's really sweet Ruth. I'm really glad that you will be my mother-in- law. You've given birth to and raised such a wonderful son that I can't imagine my life without and I will never know how to thank you for that.even though he can be a handful sometimes.." I giggle at the end.
"Oh, you don't have to tell me Donna. I really don't know how you put up with him and I'm his mother!" Ruth joins me in laughter.
"But seriously, I knew you were the only one for my son after Rosslyn. I will forever be grateful that you stuck by his side at every moment. I was just hoping and praying, that idiot son of mine would come to his senses about you!"
"Yeah.he did, thank god. But it took me longer though. I had all sorts of doubts in my mind. Not about him but about the situation we were in." I say.
Ruth doesn't know about the rape and nor does my family. I decided to keep it that way and Josh agreed. No use getting everyone else worried about me or looking at me differently unless it is absolutely necessary.
"Wow, it's almost empty in here." Ruth says as we enter the apartment.
"Yeah, we sold a bunch of stuff that we didn't need and moved the rest into the house. We just have essential stuff here."
"Oh, I can't wait to have a look at the house! If it's everything Josh described it to me, it would just be a dream."
"Oh, it IS a dream, Ruth. If my boss wasn't all that demanding, I would be able to take you there right now. But he can't seem to function if I leave him for longer than twenty minutes!"
"I don't doubt that at all Donna. That's alright, I'm too tired anyway. I'm probably going straight to bed now. Flying takes everything out of me."
"Ok then, the guestroom is all made up for you. There's not much food here but I made a few sandwiches that I kept in the fridge for you. There's some soup as well that you could heat up and."
"Donna, Donna.don't worry about me. I'll make myself at home. I know where everything is. You go back to work before my son starts bugging the President!" Ruth places her hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah, I should. Well, if you need anything at all, you can call Josh's office or my cell phone. We'll try to be back as early as possible. Then we'll go out for dinner and take you on a tour of the house!"
"That sounds just perfect, dear." Ruth smiles.
"Great, I better get going." I give her a quick hug and prepare to return to my impossible boss.
******************************************************************
It's great seeing my mum again. She looks really happy and lively compared to the last time I saw her. Well, I guess that was expected being as I was in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound.
Donna, mom and I went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Then, we took mom to our new house. She was beyond overwhelmed when she saw it.
We just returned from the house and are back at the apartment.
"Would anyone like some tea? I'm going to make a cup for myself." Mom announces. She could never live without her nightly cup of hot tea before going to bed.
"Oh, I'll make it for you, Ruth." Donna offers.
"Nonsense dear. I can make myself a cup of tea. I want to move around anyway. So, who else wants some?" Mom rushes to the kitchen before Donna could even manage to take off her coat.
That's my mom. She never wants someone else to serve her if it's not absolutely necessary.
"No thanks, Ruth. I'm going to have a shower now actually. The two of you should relax on the couch and have tea." Donna gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and exits the living room.
I think she left on purpose. Mom and I haven't spent any time alone since I got back from work. I doubt we'll have anymore alone time with Donna's family coming tomorrow and all the wedding celebrations starting at full force. Donna's great that way. She senses these things and even before I realize it.
"Here you go son." Mom hands me a full mug and sits on the couch opposite from where I am seated.
"Thanks mom."
"So, Donna tells me you're surprising her on where you're taking her on your honeymoon."
Ah, nosy mom makes an appearance finally. I was wondering where she was all this while.
"Yes mom. And I'm pretty sure what your next question is so I'm just going to tell you. Just make sure you don't slip it out to Donna." I lower down my voice a bit.
"I won't Josh. I know how to keep a secret. You've got me confused with your father." That's right. Dad did have a tough time keeping secrets except when it comes to work stuff of course.
"Okay. I'm taking her to Hawaii. We didn't want to go anywhere out of the country coz we only have about five days off, counting our wedding day. Plus we are leaving early on Thursday and Friday which is more than what we can afford to leave work for."
"Oh, that's wonderful dear. Do you have any tour planned? Where are you going to stay?"
"Well, no big tour. Just probably some sight-seeing nearby. I booked a cabin sort of place at a private beach. So, there won't be heaps of people around." Actually, I lied about the sight-seeing. I doubt Donna and I would be going outdoors much if you're catching the drift.
"That's sound nice. You two can finally get the rest you both very much deserve. So, you think she'll like Hawaii?"
"Hah! I'm sure of it. She used to keep bugging me about going there and tells me that sending their assistant's to Hawaii is what bosses do!" I laugh and mom joins me.
"Yes, that sounds like Donna alright. I guess she was right after all!" Mom says in between her laughter. I guess Donna was right!
"Josh, I want to you to know how happy you have made me by making this wedding possible. I have hoped and prayed for so long that you would have a happy, wonderful life with someone you love and now it's all happening. I'm so thankful that you have Donna in your life. You found 'the one' which is such a rarity. I did too and I can tell you first hand that you will be forever bewildered with the fortune you have found."
"I know, mom. I'm glad I'm making you happy."
In fact, I don't think I have seen her this happy, truly happy since...since before Joanie died.
TBC....................