Chapter Sixteen: Announcement Part II

"Now we just have to break it to my dad," Calvin said dryly as he polished off the last of his drink. He had remained at the Bakers' for a while longer, getting to know Liz's parents a little better. Despite his harsh, suspicious questions at first, Liz could tell that her father was warming up to Calvin and had even begun to like him.

"I think you should probably get it over with tonight," Charlie commented from his seat on Liz's other side. "It'll be easier to argue with him if he's tired."

Liz sent him a sharp look. "And you would know this why…?"

Charlie grinned. "Anne told me never to pick an argument with her father in the morning, because he can get all fired up and plow on for hours and hours."

Despite himself, Calvin laughed. "You've got that right," he agreed through laughs. Then he sobered and focused his attention on Liz. "Are you ready tonight?"

She fiddled with her glass for a moment before looking up. "Yeah, let's just get this out of the way." She pushed back away from the counter and stood to follow Calvin as he made his way out to the black SUV he'd driven over.

"Good luck," Charlie called after his twin.

"We won't wait up, honey," Kate assured her daughter as she pointedly guided her husband towards the stairs. "Good luck."

For Liz, the trip to the Boulders was all too short, but she felt comforted by Calvin's presence. When they pulled up outside the cottage, he got out and opened her passenger-side door, taking her hand in his and leading her up the steps. Most of the house was dark and quiet, a sign that the rest of his siblings were already asleep. A flickering source of light led them to the back deck, where Jimmy and Sarina sat out on a couple of lounges, stargazing. Calvin took one look at Liz, breathed deeply and squeezed her hand reassuringly before pulling the back door open and joining his parents out on the deck.

"Dad," he said firmly, "We need to talk."

Jimmy jumped a little at Calvin's voice, but swung to face him. "Ah, yes, about the wedding. You're not nervous, are you? You already did the hard part, but I always knew that Rachel would say yes."

"Dad, that's what we need to talk about," Calvin put in hastily. "Rachel never said yes, because I didn't ask her. I'm marrying Liz Baker." On cue, Liz, who had followed discreetly in his shadow, now came forward to where she could be seen in the flickering candlelight of the tiki torches.

"Wha-?" Jimmy asked in confusion, glancing between them. "You mean you asked…? But why? I had a bride all picked out for you, Calvin, one who would be advantageous to your position and help provide for you until you finish your schooling… why did you choose another one?"

"Dad, I know you were thinking about what's best for me, but the method you chose to use is so last century. Liz is the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with, not Rachel." When his father looked about to raise more objections, Calvin's face set in stone. "I'm not going to change my mind, Dad. I'll elope if you force me to that, but I'd rather marry with your blessing."

Jimmy stared at his son as though seeing him for the first time. He apparently could find nothing to say in light of his son's newfound streak of independence. Sarina, however, stood and embraced Liz. "Calvin?" she asked her stepson, "Do you mind if I steal Liz off for a few minutes?"

His eyes flickering in uncertainty, he nodded, reluctantly releasing his hold on her hand. Liz followed Sarina back into the house, where the older woman turned to face her. "You know, I don't think I can ever say in front of my husband how glad I am that Calvin chose you instead of the Zimmerman girl." Surprised, Liz could not prevent a smile from crossing her face. "Jimmy's never understood that his children may not want what he has in store for them and it annoys him when they alter the plan. His attention to making everything run perfectly has made Murtaugh Enterprises so successful, but he can't see that his children can't be treated the same way." Sarina smiled a little more. "I hope you and Calvin are happy. And don't worry what Jimmy says. He'll come around in time."

Feeling happier than she had since she and Calvin had decided to tell their families, Liz allowed Sarina to hug her a second time before both women rejoined Jimmy and Calvin outside.

Yay for Sarina. I liked her again in this chapter. And don't worry, Jimmy comes around soon enough. Review please!