Chapter 15
Philadelphia
Friday 12th December, 1873
"At last the first week is over" said Colleen as she as she met Angela in front of the University.
"They weren't so difficult in my opinion" replied Angela as they started heading towards home.
"Yeah, it wasn't that bad! Only those questions about tuberculosis were tricky" replied Colleen"I'm bored with studyin'. I don't feel like sittin' for four more exams"
"Now don't be a pessimist! Today's exam was the most difficult remember? The next ones have more friendly and easy topics" said Angela, trying to cheer up Colleen.
"Yeah... it's silly having exams on Saturday as well however... We have ta go to the Post Office" said Colleen, turning back from her way home to walk towards the telegraph office.
"Why" asked Angela.
"To see if ma answered, sayin' if ya can come home with me for Christmas or not" replied Colleen.
"Oh yes, you're right! I could check if mine answered, as well" replied Angela as they arrived at the Post Office.
"Good afternoon, miss" said the officer behind the desk.
"Good afternoon. I'd like to get my mail" replied Colleen.
"Sure miss. What's your name please" he asked again.
"Colleen Cook" Colleen replied.
"A telegram arrived for you Mrs. Cook" he said giving her the telegram.
"Thanks" she said as she made way for Angela in front of the desk.
"I'd like my mail as well, sir" said Angela.
"Your name miss"
"Angela Walker" she said.
"Here's a letter and a telegram for you miss" he said.
"Thanks a lot sir" she replied as they left the office and started walking towards home.
Colleen read her telegram and smiled.
"What does it say" Angela asked her.
"Here, read it" said Colleen, as she handed Angela the paper.
Dear Colleen,
It will be our honor to have Angela here with us for Christmas, if her parents agree with the idea. We'll find a place for her to sleep don't worry. Good luck for your exams! See you next week!
Your mother
"It's great! Now let's see what my mother says about it" said Angela as she read her telegram.
"So" asked Colleen as Angela stopped reading.
"She lets me come with you" she cried in excitement"Oh I can't believe it"
"Neither can I really" said Colleen as they arrived home.
"So Col" said Angela after they changed clothes in their rooms and went back downstairs"would you like us to study together"
"But Angie, you read out loud when you study, an' I can't concentrate" replied Colleen.
"Well, I could read the book out loud, and you listen. It's like being during a lecture, but I feel lonely upstairs alone"
"We could give it a try. Come on, let's start" said Colleen.
Boston
Friday 12th December, 1873
"Hurray! That one's done" said Mary as soon as she exited the examinations' room.
"It was the most difficult" replied Matthew as Alex and Tom exited the room.
"How did it go for..." started Mary, only to be abruptly halted by Alex who had more important matters in mind.
"Hold on! Did I understand well during the exam! You got engaged" she shouted pointing at the ring at Mary's hand.
Both Mary and Tom blushed and Matthew and Alex looked at them, waiting for an explanation.
"Uhm, yes, we got engaged" said Tom.
"WOW" cried Alex as she hugged Mary.
"Congratulations my friend" said Matthew as he shook hands with Tom.
"This is great news" said Alex.
"Uhm listen, I'm starving. Can we go and eat" said Mary.
"We have to go to the library. You two go by yourselves" said Tom.
"Okay 'honey'" replied Mary, as she and Alex went to the Cafeteria.
"Oh come on tell me! I'm dying to know" Alex said as they sat both down.
"So, we went to dinner at Bob's. He was dressed very elegantly with a brand new cravat and a new hat! We ordered different dinners. I had roasted beef, and he ordered roasted chicken... oh and we drank a bottle of wine as well! Tom ate like a pig, and it was very funny seeing him act like this! We talked a lot while we were eating about many things. We started recalling little adventures we had when we were younger, like when he fell off the chair at school and broke his nose, or when he broke my doll and I hated him! You remember them, don't you"
"Sure I do! I was in your class when you were little! I even remember that time when you and Tom were running against each other, then he fell and you won that race, and didn't even dare see if he was hurt" teased Alex, recalling the scene, many years back.
"But he had just broken my doll! I hated him at that time! And when you came first at school and beat Robert for the first time! You didn't congratulate him, even if he came second! You were too proud" teased back Mary.
"Oh well, I had worked very hard for it! But let's not recall any more memories or we'd stay here for days! So, tell me about your engagement" said Alex.
"OK! After dinner, he paid and we exited. He suggested we go to Chadwick's for a walk, and I agreed. While walking among the trees, he suddenly told me to stop, and I thought something had happened. Then he came in front of me and bent down on one knee, just like Shakespeare style, he held out his hand, and in it was a box with the ring inside it. He was blushing and started saying...
'Mary... would... would you... like to... marry me?'
... at that moment I was completely speechless. I just stared at him for nearly a minute, then I said...
'Y... yes Tom! I... I do!'
... then I finally kissed him" finished Angela.
"Tell me the rest" said Alex.
"There's no more to say. The rest... is history"
"Oh come on tell me" Alex insisted.
"And why should I"
"Because we're friends, and because you'd tell me if you had nothing to hide" said Alex with a teasing voice"Did you do that thing I think you did"
"No, I didn't. So, let's talk about you now" said Angela changing the subject"Are you excited about Sunday?'
"Sure I am! I didn't sleep at all last night" said Alex cunningly.
"Oh, if it comes to that, I didn't sleep either"
"So you DID do the thing you said you didn't" replied Alex, pleased she had gotten Mary in her trap.
"I DIDN'T MAKE LOVE TO HIM LAST NIGHT" shouted Mary, just then realising that everyone was looking at her.
Alex burst out laughing upon seeing Mary's shyness.
"What's so funny" said Mary.
"Oh, nothing" Alex replied as Carlos came to their table.
"Buenos días Miss Parker, Miss Hunter. Cosa happened Miss Hunter" Carlos asked.
"Oh nothing Carlos, don't worry. Dos coffees and an apple pie, por favor" Mary replied.
"En seguida" he said as he left their table.
"You learning Spanish" asked Alex.
"Just a few words. So, you anxious" asked Mary.
"Don't be silly. It's obvious. Did Tom say anything about me"
"What did you want him to say about YOU? He talks only about me! Remember he's my fiancé now"
"Oh come on! I mean, did he tell you anything about Mat having something planned for tonight"
"He said that Mat had told him something, but he didn't want me to tell you anything, because he was sure I'd ruin the surprise" let out Mary.
"So he DID tell you and Mat DOES have a surprise! Oh I'm very happy! Ah Mary, Mary! Sometimes you amaze me! How come you have such a long tongue?' teased Alex, glad she had once again gotten what she wanted"so, what does Matt plan to do"
"Oh, no. That I'm not telling any more! Oh, gracias Carlos" said Mary as he placed their coffees and apple pie on the table.
"De nada" he said, leaving them alone again.
"So, how did you find the exam today" asked Mary.
"Very easy! I was expecting it to be much more difficult! Let's hope the remaining nine are on the same standard"
"Sometimes I forget with whom I'm talking" sighed Mary.
"Why? What do I have of so special" asked Alex confused.
"Besides Matthew" joked Mary.
"Oh come on be serious"
"You're always studying, you never go out! I wouldn't be surprised if you classified in 1st Place this year! You're the brightest of us all"
"But we haven't done all the exams yet"
"Time will prove me right"
"Speaking of Matthew again, have you met his father? Tom told me he arrived yesterday" asked Mary.
"No, I haven't met him yet. When I went at Mat's home this morning, his father was still asleep. But Mat said he'd present me to him before he leaves again"
"Still can't believe Byron Sully is Mat's father! I wish to meet him" said Mary.
"Me too" said Alex, as Mary finished her pie.
"Uhm listen... have you seen that guy again, what was his name... Smith... or something" asked Mary.
"No, I haven't seen him, but I have a bad feeling about this. He used to come and talk to me every day, but now, he like, disappeared. I feel like something's going to happen"
You're right!
"And she finally said 'yes'. Lucky man" said Matthew, as he and Tom sat down in the library.
On their way to the library, Tom had told Matthew everything about his date with Mary.
"I thought she was going to refuse. She didn't answer immediately, but just stared at me for nearly a minute, and I felt like an idiot in front of her" said Tom.
"Did ya tell Mary 'bout my plan" asked Matthew.
"Yes, I did, but I told her not to tell Alex anything, so don't worry"
"Ya told Mary ALL my plan! But she'll tell everythin' ta Alex" said Matthew shocked.
"Hey, wait a minute! If Mary promises not to tell, she won't tell! She's not an idiot"
"It aint that! Alex has a way ta force ya say things ya never imagined you'd say"
"For example" asked Tom confused.
"Oh... I don't have an example at the moment, but it doesn't matter! If Alex wants ta know what I'll do Sunday night, she'll get it out of poor Mary, an' I'll be ruined" said Matthew sadly.
"Oh, but maybe Alex doesn't WANT to know" said Tom.
"Yeah, I hope ya're right. Did Mary tell ya anythin'... if Alex loves me"
"Well, no! She doesn't know" said Tom, making a great effort not to tell anything to Matthew"So, how are you going to meet"
"Well, I'll go at her home, an' then we'll go to the... opera" said Matthew.
"Oh Mat. I still can't believe YOU are going to the opera! It's horrible" teased Tom.
"Ah, love is blind my dear Tom. If love wasn't blind, Mary would never have chosen ya" teased back Matthew.
"Very funny" replied Tom"So, anything you want to ask me before tonight"
"As if you're the expert in such matters! No thanks, I have everything under control"
"By the way, smart man your father! It was great to meet him. You look like him you know"
"Thanks! I'm proud to hear you say that" said Matthew.
"My mum would like him to make her a table for the dining room. Do you think it's possible"
"Why didn't ya ask him? I'm sure he'll take a break for Christmas. Tell your ma ta contact the 'Furniture Specialists', an' they'll arrange"
"Thanks! Oh my god! Only five minutes to go before the next exam, and we haven't revised anything" said Tom as he opened his books.
"An' he says Alex is a book worm" said Matthew under his breath, looking at his friend reading frantically.
Matthew had already studied a lot at home and wasn't in the mood to study anything at the last minute. He was too anxious, not because of the exam, but because of his date with Alex. Did she really love him as his grandmother said? Would she accept to marry him?
Boston
Sunday 14th December, 1873
He knocked on the door and a maid opened it.
"Good evening. You must be Mr. Sully" she said.
"Yeah. I'm Matthew Sully. Is Alex ready ta go" Matthew replied.
"Here I am" she said from behind the maid.
Matthew's jaw dropped. He had never seen a more beautiful lady. She was elegantly dressed and her hair was in a different hairstyle. She was breathtaking. He didn't even move to offer her his hand. Just remained there staring at her.
"Mat! Are you OK" she asked.
"Uhm... yeah! I'm fine" he managed to say.
"I didn't know that dress would have such an effect" she said as she placed her hand on his arm and they moved away.
"It's not the dress. It's you" he said.
"So, where are we going" she asked.
"To the... opera" he said.
"OPERA! You must be kidding" she cried as she stopped to look at him.
"No I aint! We're goin' ta the Opera! Ya said ya love it" he said.
"Oh, but I do! It's just, that I have only gone there once! Oh, Mat, thanks a lot" she said.
"You're welcome" he said as they resumed walking.
They entered the Opera House and watched a beautiful performance, for Alex, but not so beautiful for Matthew. During the performance he snored twice, and Alex had to nudge him each time.
"Oh, it was fantastic" said Alex as they left the Opera House.
"Yea, I agree" yawned Matthew.
"Oh sure! You slept all through the performance! I had to wake you up twice" laughed Alex.
"Oh well, at last it's over. So, we go an' eat? I'm famished" said Matthew.
"Me too" replied Alex, as they went towards Bob's Restaurant.
They sat down at a table in the corner of the restaurant. The waiter immediately took their orders, and they were left to sip on their wine and look into each other's eyes. No-one was sure what to say exactly, and they found themselves talking about... the weather!
Finally their food arrived and they started eating.
"So, when are you leaving" asked Alex as she put a piece of meat in her mouth.
"Well, today it's Sunday an' we finish exams on Friday. Then I spend Saturday packin' an' see I have all the presents, an' then leave on Sunday mornin'" replied Matthew.
"And when will you be back" asked Alex, dreading the answer.
"So, we start again on..."
"... Monday the sixth" supplied Alex.
"Right. Well, I guess I'll be here on Sunday mornin' then"
"I'll miss you" said Alex.
"Me too" said Matthew as he took her hand in his across the table.
"How did you find this week's exams" asked Alex.
"They weren't that difficult, even if I mixed Law no 32 with Law no 50" replied Matthew as Alex burst out laughing.
"How could you mix those two? They're different" she said.
"It's easy for ya ta say! I'm sure ya'll be the first of the class" he said.
"Oh, you're sounding like Mary now" said Alex irritated.
"It's the truth. Why, who do you think will win"
"Well, I think Ivan Turner will come first" she replied.
"Nah! He'll come second, you'll see" he said.
"And what place do you think YOU'll get"
"Me? Out of two hundred students? I guess I could place with the first fifty" he said modestly.
"Oh, you're being a pessimist as usual"
At that moment Matthew saw the person he had been looking for all through the evening.
"I... I think I've seen someone I know. You mind if I leave you for a few minutes" he asked.
"Oh yes sure! I'll finish eating in the meantime" she replied.
"Thanks" he replied as he left the table and went towards the front door.
"You want a rose, sir" asked the man holding the roses in his hands.
"Well, exactly I'd like you to make me a favor, sir" replied Matthew as he pulled the man by the sleeve and went outside, so as Alex would not turn and see them.
"How may I help you" the man asked.
"I'd like you to give a special rose to my girlfriend while we're getting out" replied Matthew.
"The roses are all the same. I don't have special ones" said the man.
"Oh but you'll have a special one" he said as he took a rose out of the man's hand and took out a ring.
Matthew placed the ring inside the rose, in a way that it couldn't fall, but that a person would be able to see it.
"Oh, now I understand! You want me to give her this rose, with the ring inside" asked the man.
"Yeah, that's right. Now, I'll ask ya to buy one, an' ya give me this one, as if we'd never met! OK" asked Matthew as he prepared to leave.
"Yes, sure. I'll be waiting here, just where I was. She's a lucky lady" he said, pointing towards Alex, still seated at their table.
"An' I am a lucky man" replied Matthew as he left and went towards Alex.
"I'm back" he said as he sat down.
"Who was it" she asked.
"Oh... my... father's boss" replied Matthew.
"Are you sure he passes from here on his way" John asked Karl.
"Yes, he always passes from here" replied Karl.
They were seated on a tree branch waiting for their prey to pass beneath them. At that moment they saw a man approach.
"It's him" said John"Philip, Karl, get him."
Philip and Karl did as they were told. They jumped on the man as soon as he was beneath them and knocked him down. John jumped down from the tree behind them.
"Lift him off the ground" John said, pointing towards the unconscious man before him.
"John, please, don't do it" said Philip.
"Phil, how many times did I tell you not to ORDER me what to do" shouted John.
The man stirred in Philip and Karl's hands and finally opened his eyes, but couldn't see anything in the dark.
"Welcome back to the earth of the living" said John.
"Who are ya" asked the man, still held securely by John's friends.
"It doesn't make any difference who I am, but if you really want to know, I'm an old friend of Matthew, and if you live, tell him to leave her alone" John replied.
"What do ya want from me" the man asked again.
"Oh, nothing special... just kill you" said John as he fired his gun straight at the man's chest.
"Oh my God, you did it" said Philip as they let the man drop down on the ground.
"We'll leave him here" asked Karl.
"Yes, sure" replied John"Check if he's dead."
"He... he's dead... or at least, I can feel no pulse" said Philip.
"Good. Let's go."
Alex had finished eating, and they had also finished their wine. After paying, Matthew decided it was time to leave.
"Would ya like a walk at Chadwick's" he asked her.
"Yes, I'd love that" said Alex as they rose from their chairs.
They started going towards the door and they reached the man with the roses.
"I would like to buy a rose, sir" said Matthew as he handed the man some money, and took the rose.
"It's for you" said Matthew as he handed Alex the rose.
"Thanks" she said, but she didn't see the ring since it was dark outside.
When they arrived at Chadwick's, Matthew found a bench beneath a lamp post.
"Would ya like to sit down" he asked pointing towards the bench.
"Yes, sure" she replied.
They sat down and as Matthew had predicted, she started playing with the rose. Then her hands found something hard... At that moment Matthew felt his heart like a racing horse. She held the ring in the palm of her hand and looked at Matthew.
He smiled at her, took the ring from her hand, and took both her hands in his.
"Alexandra Parker, would ya give me the honour to become my wife" he asked.
She smiled her best smile. Her dream had come true after all!
"Yes, and it's MY honour" she replied as Matthew put the ring on her finger.
Matthew remembered he had once dreamt this scene. He tilted his head, his eyes drifting shut an instant before his lips touched hers. The kiss started out gentle, but as her hand slid to the back of his neck, his tongue slipped past her parted lips. He pulled her on his laps and his hands started caressing her back.
Matthew felt his body go on fire, and he knew that he had to stop or he would regret it. So, he gently ended the kiss as it had started and they looked into each other's eyes.
"Oh Mat! I thought you'd never ask me" she said, her hands still around his neck.
"I feared you'd not say yes" he said.
"It's the best Christmas present I ever got" she said.
"Remindin' of Christmas, I have to ask ya a question" he said.
"Tell me."
"I know that maybe it's too early, but, where would ya like ta live, here in Boston or..." he started but was interrupted by Alex.
"... if you're not against it, I'd like to go to Colorado Springs! I always preferred that type of life from the one I lead here" she said, much to Matthew's delight.
"Really" he asked as she nodded"Well, cause ya see, I was buildin' a house before I left, but I would like ya ta see it before I finish it, so as ya can decide as well an' give me some suggestions. After all, it will be your house as well."
"In Summer, I'll come home" she said.
"Sleeping of home, are ya tired? I'm nearly falling asleep, and tomorrow he has two more exams"
"I'm very tired too" she said as she rose from his lap and he rose behind her.
They started to walk hand in hand, heading towards Alex's home. Alex suddenly let out a cry.
"What's the matter" asked Matthew, who had been too busy kissing Alex's cheek to notice anything.
"There... there's a man there" she said, pointing at the ground in front of them.
They made their way towards the man. He was face down with outstretched hands and there was a pool of blood beneath him. Alex took his hand and checked for a pulse, while Matthew turned the man round to see his face.
"He's dead" she said.
"Oh my God" he said, staring at the man's face.
"You... you know him"
"He's... he's my father."
End of Chapter 15
