Warning: This chapter is labeled under the category, FOF, or in other words, Full of Fluff!

The Douglas Farm

Oliver stared at Lisa and waited anxiously as she savored the last bite of the chocolate mousse they had had for dessert. Finally, as she swallowed her last bite and put her fork down, he couldn't contain his excitement anymore. He leapt out of his chair and nearly knocked it over in the process.

"I have a surprise for you," he said quickly as he tried to regain his composure. Lisa's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Really? Vot it it," she asked.

"Yeah dad, what is it," Oliver heard a voice ask him from behind. He turned to see Eb entering the barn wheeling a small cart, obviously prepared to clear the table for them.

"You'll see," Oliver told the both of them with a mysterious smile on his face. He then rushed past Eb and out of the barn to go retrieve it. Both Eb and Lisa looked after him with skeptical looks on their faces before shrugging and returning to what they were doing.

It wasn't until Eb was done clearing the table that Oliver returned with a square package wrapped in beautiful gift paper.

"I'll just get out of your way," Eb said as he began to wheel the cart with the used china out, but Oliver stopped him.

"No, no Eb, don't go," he said. "This gift is for you too."

"Really," Eb asked with child like excitement.

"Yes," Oliver replied with a smile. "Here, take a seat." Oliver pulled out the chair he had been sitting in across from Lisa and ushered Eb into it. Eb sat down and watched as Lisa began unwrapping her gift. She tried to tear off the lovely wrapping paper as carefully as possible; therefore it took her some time to reveal the gift. But once she finally did, she sat staring at it in awed silence, for inside the beautiful wrapping paper was an even more beautiful gift.

It was a jewelry box, made out of the finest wood she had ever seen. It was dark brown in color and had intricate hand-carved designs all along it. On the top of the lid, her name was carved beautiful in fine cursive. She slowly opened it to reveal a velvet lined interior and several compartments to store her many jewels safely. All together it was simply breath-taking.

"I had it made especially for you, my love," Oliver explained. "Do you like it?"

"Like it," Lisa asked in astonishment. "Olivah, I love it! It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen!"

"Obviously you haven't looked in a mirror in a while," Oliver responded sweetly. Lisa smiled in a flattered manner.

"Oh Olivah," she said as her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink. Oliver smiled in return.

"And you haven't seen the best part yet," he said excitedly. "I had them add something special for you. Look on the inside of the lid."

Lisa picked up the box and held it more towards the candlelight to view the inside of the lid. She was surprised to find writing in it.

"Read it out loud," Oliver requested. Lisa cleared her throat and began to read.

"And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty, and beauty stayed his hand. And from that day forward, he was as one dead." Lisa looked up at him in a slightly confused manner.

"Dahling, that's beautiful, but vot does it mean," she asked.

"It's a reminder of what you did for me. You killed the beasts that dwelled within me, the beasts that made me think that this farm was more important than you. You saved me from myself, Lisa, and I don't ever want you, or myself, to forget it," he explained.

"Oh Olivah," was all she could manage to say. Tears of joy began to form in her eyes.

"Now, just a minute. Before you start getting all teary-eyed, there's one more thing you have to see. Then you can feel free to cry," he said with a smile. "Read the bottom of the box."

Lisa moved around the compartments in the box and peered inside to see more writing on the inside. She sniffled slightly and began to read.

"To my dahling Lisa. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight. For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with the passion put to use in my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death."

Lisa could no longer contain the tears brimming in her eyes. They began to fall freely as Oliver walked over to her side and leaned down beside her.

"Lisa, I made the grave mistake of just assuming that you knew how much I loved you. I promise I won't let that happen again. And if ever I forget to remind you, or if ever you can't feel my love, I want you to read this box and know that these words will hang true until the end of time," Oliver said to her. Lisa stared at him for a while, speechless and overwhelmed with her emotions. Finally she spoke.

"Oh dahling, I love you so much," she said as she threw her arms around him. "With all that I am."

"I love you too," Oliver said seriously, reveling in the feeling of her in his arms. Finally after a few seconds they pulled apart and Lisa wiped away the tears from her eyes.

"There's just one more thing," Oliver confessed. "But this surprise is more for Eb than anyone."

"It is," Eb, who had been watching the scene it sentimental silence, said as he straightened up in his chair.

"Yes, uh, darling, would you remove the bottom of that box please," Oliver asked Lisa. Lisa pulled the box toward her and gently removed the bottom of it, revealing it to be a false bottom. Her eyes grew wide with surprise as she reached in and removed a document.

"Thank you," Oliver said as he took it from her. He smiled and handed them over to Eb. Eb looked at him questioningly.

"Go ahead, open it," Oliver prodded. Eb shrugged in compliment and unfolded the document.

"Read it," Oliver said.

"This hereby certifies that on this day Eb Dawson officially of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Wendell Douglas, and hereby certifies him as their legal son," he read in disbelief. Eb looked up at Oliver for assurance, his eyes as wide as saucers.

"See, it's signed by a judge, a notary public, and me. It's all official," Oliver explained with pleasure.

"Oh Olivah, do you really mean it," Lisa asked as she leapt up from her seat and joined Eb's side to look at the document. Oliver nodded.

"Yes darling, I really do. We now officially have a son!"

Eb stood sitting perfectly still for a few more moments, still not able to believe that his dream of belonging to this family had actually come true. Finally, he got up slowly and walked over to the front of the Douglas's and stared at them for a second more. Not able to contain himself any longer, he threw his arms around them both and began to cry softly.

"Oh thank you so much," he said softly. "Thank you."

"The pleasure was all ours," Oliver responded as he hugged Eb back. He looked over to his wife and was delighted to find her weeping with joy. The new family stood holding each other fondly for a brief moment until Eb pulled away and began to run out of the barn hurriedly.

"Eb, where are you going," Oliver asked.

"To Drucker's store," Eb responded. "Maybe if I get there in time, he'll put out an extra in the morning paper." And with that, Eb ran off. Oliver and Lisa laughed.

"Oh Olivah, you made him so happy," she said with a joyous sigh. Oliver kissed her softly on the cheek and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"I'm glad," he said happily. "Come on, let's get to bed."

"And vot do you propose we do there, Mr. Douglas," Lisa asked teasingly. Oliver smiled coyly.

"I can think of a few things," he responded. He bent down toward her and softly kissed her lips. Then, completely neglecting the mess they had in the barn, Oliver and Lisa happily went off to bed.

Alright, alright, I know I'm a sap for throwing those two quotes in there, but I couldn't help it! They are so beautiful and I always wanted to use them, so I just did! Please forgive me! Ha ha! Anyway, so again for the delays and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please keeping reading and reviews are greatly appreciated! Thank you!