A/N: THIS CHAPTER IS A CONTINUATION OF THE LAST ONE. IT'S SWEET AND EMOTIONAL, BUT DOES THAT REALLY SURPRISE YOU? PLEASE READ AND REVIEW. OF COURSE, I DON'T OWN THEM, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO.
CHAPTER 39: AS GOOD AS IT GETS
As the party went on the friends talked about how hard it was to keep the parties a secret from Woody and especially from Jordan. Jordan was watching Woody , he looked so happy. She walked up to him and politely pulled him away from a few guys from the station. They went into the kitchen, "What's wrong Jordan?", Woody asked, a little confused. "I want to apologize for earlier. I kinda overreacted.", she admitted, sheepishly. "No, really?", Woody chuckled. He took the ring out, "Do you want it back?", he asked grinning. She nodded. "Then you'll have to wait.", he replied, dropping the ring back into his shirt pocket.
They came back out into the living room where Cal was standing in the middle of the room, holding two beers. He handed one to Woody. He looked up at Jordan who reluctantly nodded. "Just one.", she added, picking up her own. "I just want to wish my big brother a very happy birthday.", Cal started, getting a little emotional. "There were a few times in the last year where I thought I had lost my chance to tell you how important you are to me. And how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. I'm glad we got a second chance. Happy birthday Woody.", Cal said raising his beer. "Happy birthday Woody.", the guests replied.
"Here, it's not much, but I thought you should have it.", Cal said, handing Woody a small box. He opened it, finding his fathers watch inside. "Cal, this was Dad's. I thought it was broken. Thanks.", he replied, his voice cracking a little. "I had it fixed for you, Happy Birthday.", Cal said, giving his brother a hug. "I have something for you too, well you and Jordan.", Woody exclaimed. Calvin and Jordan looked at each other with surprise.
"I'll be right back.", Woody said as he, Max and Garret disappeared into the bedroom. Cal nudged Jordan, "They're not doin' something weird in there, are they?", he chuckled. Jordan giggled and elbowed Cal in the side. Nigel put a blindfold on Calvin and Bug put one on Jordan. "I don't have to kiss you, do I Nige?", Cal laughed. "Only if you want to mate.", Nigel joked. The entire room erupted in laughter.
The three men returned from the room, "Okay , you can take off the blindfolds.", Woody stated. There was Woody, sitting in his chair with his braces. Jordan gasped, "Oh Woody.", she knew what he was about to do. "What happened?", Cal asked. "Shh.", Jordan commanded, pointing at Woody. Max handed Woody his crutches, Garret stood on the other side. Woody was nervous, he had only tried this twice before in therapy with the arm crutches and both times he fell face first onto the floor mat. "Ready?", Garret asked. Woody situated himself and nodded. They helped him to a standing position. Jordan's hands flew to her face as tears streamed down her face. Cal stood there and silently let a few tears escape. "Wait.", Woody exclaimed, smiling. "You ready?", Max asked. "Yeah.", Woody replied. They stayed right next to him as he took one step, Garret steadied him, then step two and three. He stopped, out of breath.
Jordan ran up to him and cupped his face in her hands. "I can't believe this. I am so proud of you.", she said, kissing him. "Way to go Woods." , Cal complimented, patting his brother on the back. Woody swayed, Jordan grabbed him. "Will you catch me if I fall?", he asked grinning. "You've always been there to catch me when I fell. Now it's my turn.", Jordan replied, looking up at him with amazement.
"Now I have something to give you, but before I do, I need you to know, this might be as good as it gets Jordan. The doctor said I should get stronger, but they don't think there will be much more improvement.", Woody stated sadly, looking down at his braced legs. "Woody that doesn't matter to me, it never has. As long as I have you, I don't care about anything else. I love you no matter what. Okay?", she said looking up into his eyes. "Okay. Your surprise is in my shirt pocket.", Woody said, nervously looking down. Jordan took out a small white envelope, and on it was written:
It may not be on bended knee
Instead your face to face with me
With hope and faith that all goes right
We'll try a dance on our wedding night
Jordan looked up in disbelief. "Well open it.", Woody demanded, his face beaming. She put her hand in the envelope and pulled out a beautiful heart shaped engagement ring, instead of the friendship ring she was expecting. She grabbed Woody and squeezed him. "Well will you marry me, he asked, sweat dripping from his face, "Please answer Jordan, I need to sit down.", he huffed. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Yes, YES!", she screamed, hugging him. Max and Garret helped Woody back into his chair and out of the braces. "You all knew about this, didn't you?", Jordan asked her friends. "We knew about everything else, but we had no idea Woody was going to propose.", Lily confided. "Congratulations Luv.", Nigel said, hugging Jordan. "We're all so happy for the both of you.", Bug added, as they all took turns hugging the happy couple.
Max went to hang up a banner that said Congratulation Jordan and Woody, between the other two banners."You knew Dad and you didn't tell me.", Jordan playfully scolded. "Of course I knew Jordan, and it's a family trait, keeping secrets. Congratulations Sweetie, you got a great guy here. You be good to him.", Max said, hugging his daughter. "I will Dad, I promise. And thank you.", she replied happily. "Welcome to the family, Son.", Max said, his voice cracking a little as he bent down to hug Woody. Woody felt a wave of emotion hit him, he could barely speak. "Thanks…….Dad?", he replied questionably. Max nodded letting a tear or two fall.