The Douglas Farm
About a week later, Oliver was standing in the middle of his living room, anxiously waiting for Lisa to be ready for their big evening. He had worked hard on a special surprise for her and he just couldn't wait to show her.
"Are you almost ready, dear," he called out to her.
"I'll be there in a minute, dahling," she called back. Oliver sighed in excited impatience and resorted to pacing around the living room. At least the extra time would give him a minute to reflect.
Boy, it certainly had been a hectic first few days after Eb and Lisa's return home, but finally everything seemed to be returning back to normal. Lisa's sprained wrist was finally healed, Eb was able to remove his bandages, and they were all back on the farm where they belonged. To Oliver, everything was the way it was just supposed to be.
Better than normal, Oliver thought. Everything's perfect. A lot had changed since they all arrived home back from the hospital, even if it had only been a week.
The first and foremost biggest change was the fact that Oliver was no longer the angry, tense person he had been before the dreadful accident. He had come to realize quickly that his farm would always be there when he wanted to be, but the life of a person was very fragile and could be snatched away at the blink of an eye. He now knew that every moment with his beloved wife and loyal friends were precious, and should not be taken for granted. Therefore, he resolved to not waste his time and energy on losing his temper with them, but instead laugh with them and enjoy their company for as long as he could.
This in turn led to even greater changes around the Hooterville valley. Due to the disappearance of Oliver's nasty temper, everyone seemed to be much more at ease than before, especially the residence of the Douglas Farm. Oliver, Lisa, and Eb were much closer and Oliver enjoyed the company of his friends much more than he had before. For the first time in a long time, everyone seemed genuinely happy.
I never realized how destructive my attitude had been, Oliver thought as the serene look that had been on his face a second ago gave way to a troubled frown. Because of my foolish actions, everyone I cared about suffered.
It pained Oliver greatly every time he rethought that, which had happened a lot in the past couple of days. He still couldn't believe he had been that blind to his own actions. And it almost cost the loss of all his dear friends and even worse, his own wife. Fear rose up in him as it did every time he thought of how easily things could have gone differently. Why, if Eb hadn't arrived at just the moment he did, Lisa could have been…
Oliver shook his head violent as if to clear himself of those thoughts. He knew he would have to come to terms with what nearly took place sometime, but not tonight. Tonight, he just wanted to be with the woman he loved.
Speaking of which, he thought as he glanced at his watch.
"Lisa," he called out once more.
"Yes, dahling," he heard someone her say from behind him. He jumped a little in surprise and turned around to face her.
"Honey, I…" Oliver began to say, but as soon as he caught sight of her, he was at a loss for words. She was wearing an elegant pink evening gown that seemed as if it was made for her. Her hair was swept up delicately on top of her head and the elegant diamonds she was wearing seemed to give her a heavenly glow. She looked incredible.
"Lisa," he said in a sort of breathless tone, "you look absolutely beautiful." Lisa beamed.
"Thank you, dahling! And you look very handsome as well," she replied. She grabbed her fur coat that was lying on the sofa and walked over to Oliver's side.
"Shall we go," she asked him.
"Um….yes, yes we shall," Oliver replied, still captivated by her appearance. Still not able to take his eyes of her, he offered her his arm and led her out the front door.
As Lisa began to head toward the car, Oliver gently led her away from it.
"Olivah, vhere are ve going," she asked, confused.
"You'll see," was his only reply. Lisa looked at him warily, but followed him anyway. Before she knew it they were standing in front of the barn.
"Vot are ve doing at the barn," she asked.
"Close your eyes, I have a surprise for you," Oliver replied.
"Vot kind of a surprise," Lisa asked, still unsure of the situation.
"Lisa, please just close your eyes for me," Oliver pleaded with her. Lisa hesitated for a second, but decided to humor him and close her eyes. Oliver took her gently by both hand and led her into the barn.
"Okay, open your eyes," he told her. As soon as she did, she gasped in surprise and delight. Before her, the barn had been emptied and set up to look like an elegant restaurant (or as elegant as a restaurant can be in a barn). There were beautiful satin drapes hanging from the walls to cover the tools and such, and in the middle of the barn there was a lovely floor rug with a small, intimate table set for two atop of it. The table was covered with an elegant silk table cloth and candles, fine china, wine, and a single rose adorned the top of it.
"Oh Olivah," she said incredulously. "This is beautiful!"
"You like it," Oliver asked. "I wanted this night to be with just the two of us," he explained. Just then, Eb walked in wearing a very fancy butler suit.
"Good evening," he said with a thick, over-exaggerated French accent. "I am Pierre and I will be your head waiter this evening. Follow me to your table. This way," he said as he walked over to the table with Lisa and Oliver following closely behind. Oliver was about to escort Lisa to her seat, when Eb interrupted him.
"Madame," he said as he offered her his arm. Lisa smiled and took it. He guided her over to her seat and held the chair out for her.
"Thank you, Pierre," Lisa said with a slight giggle. Oliver smiled at Eb and took the seat across from her. Eb slapped around a napkin for show and hung it from his arm in a waiter's fashion.
"Tonight's meal will include caviar, Lobster Newberg, shrimp cocktail, white wine, and for dessert, chocolate mousse," he announced. "Dinner will be served momentarily." Eb then took an exaggerated bow and exited the barn.
"Crazy kid," Oliver said good-naturedly with a smile. Lisa giggled.
"Dinner sounds delicious, however," she replied. "How did you ever set this up?"
"It took some doing," Oliver admitted, "but I wanted the best for you tonight. My only regret now is that no one but I will get to see how beautiful you look."
"Oh Olivah," she said with a shy smile. Oliver smiled lovingly in return. He was about to open his mouth and say something, but just then, Eb reappeared.
"Dinner is served," he announced, still in a thick French accent, as he balanced two trays in his hands. He placed one in front of Lisa and the other in front of Oliver and lifted the lids simultaneously.
"Voila," he exclaimed as he revealed the delicious looking entrees he had promised before.
"Oh Eb, this looks delicious," Lisa gushed.
"Thanks," Eb replied, momentarily losing his accent. "Uh, I mean, thank you, Madame," he amended himself as he thick accent returned. He quickly poured the wine and exited the barn, knowing well in advanced that Oliver desired to be alone with his wife.
"Vell, vot shall ve to toast to," Lisa asked as she raised her glass. Oliver thought for a second.
"To new beginnings," he finally said, "and to undying love." He raised his glass and clinked it with hers. Lisa smiled.
"To undying love," she said. She was about to take a sip, but Oliver stopped her.
"Oh, wait a minute," he said. He reached over the table and looped his arm with Lisa's. Lisa grinned and together they took a sip out of their respective glances. After the toast was finished, Oliver leaned over the table and gave Lisa a gentle kiss.
"I love you," he said as he sat back down.
"I love you too," she replied. For a moment they just sat there and looked into each others eyes, saying nothing but communicating a million emotions nonetheless.
The rest of the meal went on splendidly. Oliver and Lisa talked and talked the night away as if they hadn't spoken to each other in years. They shared everything they had neglected to in the past couple of months; and for the first time in quite some time, both truly felt connected to each other. Oliver never wanted this evening to end.
But the sooner dinner is over, the sooner I can give her her next surprise, Oliver thought excitedly. He couldn't wait to show her and Eb what he had in store for them, but he was sure it was something that would change all of their lives forever.