Chapter 27

Once Thomas was feeling better, the happy couples went ring shopping. In the meantime, another couple had been added to the mix. Rick had met a lovely woman named Cleo and after a whirlwind romance, they had decided to get married, too.

"Something's definitely in the air or the water," TC commented.

His wife laughed and good-naturedly poked him in his ribs.

Finally, Janet and Jack's last night on Oahu had arrived. They were headed back for the mainland the next morning. A combined good-bye and congratulations party was being thrown for the three couples at the King Kamehameha Club. A good time was being had by all.

The men were congregating by the bar and trading Navy stories. The women were at various tables, talking about weddings, babies and anniversaries.

An hour into the party, some of Thomas' relatives from the East Coast arrived, including his mother Catherine, his cousin Karen and her husband Don. Thomas took pleasure in introducing them to his friends, and he especially enjoyed introducing them to Lily and Terri. While Catherine asked to spend time with her granddaughter, Karen joined in the wedding conversations and Don joined the men to talk about whatever the topic was at the moment.

Terri was thrilled to learn that Thomas' relatives would return for their wedding.

"Are you kidding?" Karen said. "We wouldn't miss it for anything. We will definitely be here."

"We're getting married at sunset on the beach outside of the estate," Terri happily shared. "It won't be for several months because we want everything to be perfect, and besides, we have to go to Santa Monica to attend the wedding of my best friends, Janet and Jack, first."

"I'm sure it will be," Catherine said, joining them as she carried Lily to the table. "And I know this precious girl is going to have a very special part in that wedding."

"She definitely will," Terri agreed.

"She's going to be my flower girl," Cleo spoke up. "Rick and I are getting married about a month before Terri and Thomas."

"You must take lots of pictures," Catherine instructed her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

"I will," she said.

Catherine talked to Janet and congratulated her on her upcoming nuptials.

"Thank you," Janet said.

When Karen asked to see the ring, Janet gladly obliged.

They had picked out a two carat princess cut engagement ring that fit Janet's slim finger perfectly.

"It's beautiful," Karen gushed.

Catherine agreed.

"Thank you."

"How come you're not getting married here?" Karen asked.

When Janet explained about her ordeal, the attractive brunette nodded.

"I'm sorry. I did know about that. Thomas mentioned it when he called. I hope I haven't dredged up bad memories for you. That's the last thing I want to do on such a special night."

"You didn't," Janet assured her. "I'm fine. We will have some of the Island with us, though. We bought Hawaiian wedding rings with our names engraved in Hawaiian and we're ordering leis for our wedding."

"Sounds lovely," Catherine said.

"We think it will be," Janet said. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to find my darling husband-to-be."

As Janet went off in search of Jack, she was pleased to note that she really was fine and couldn't be happier about their upcoming move and wedding.

After a long night of partying and saying fond farewells, the couples danced one last time to a popular Island song. As they swayed and moved to the music, Janet thought about the good memories she would take with her. She only hoped she would be able to leave the bad ones behind.

She didn't know it, but Jack was thinking the same thing. He loved Janet so much. He wanted to make everything right in her world, but he knew it wouldn't happen all at once. She still needed time. He was willing to give her that, knowing they were on, what he believed, to be the right path. At long last.

The next morning, the trio heard the beep of the horn. Thomas was taking Jack and Janet to the airport and then driving Terri to the estate, where she would stay in one of the guest rooms in the main house until their wedding. Janet and Terri had packed up everything they owned and had given notice to their landlady. As they looked around one more time to make sure they hadn't left anything behind, Jack opened the door.

"Haven't we done this once before?" he asked and then grinned.

"Yes, we have," Janet said, shaking her head.

"It's too early for you to try to be funny," Terri commented, as she scooted by him before he could playfully hit her.

The trio looked at the apartment once more before Janet told Jack to go ahead and close the door.

"It's time for our future to begin," Janet said. "And we all have so much to look forward to."

As Terri reached Thomas so they could share a good morning kiss and Jack made himself comfortable in the back seat next to the love of his life, they couldn't have agreed with Janet more.

This time, the future would be everything they wanted it to be. And more.