Epilogue
Making an ending to the story
(yeah, I know, but don't be sad, okay? You're gonna love this)
About three weeks after the viewing, we finally got the key to the house. The old owner accepted the offer of fifteen million immediately, but the transfer of the money, the papers and all that took some time to get done. I guess it is logical with the amount of money.
It took another few months to have hired the staff we wanted and needed, and of course for us to be totally settled in. It is strange to think that at the start of the summer I was still living at my parent's home. When we were finally settled, we held a dinner party for the families, so everyone could come to check the house out. Everyone has been waiting for that moment, believe me, reader, the families have been buggering us about it a lot.
I think that especially pops and nana are happy because we practically live next doors to them now, and since the dinner party, they are visiting us quite a lot, at least four times a week, but I do not mind, I love to have their company. Mom also comes at least three times a week. It must be empty at their home now that I am not living there anymore.
Who would have ever thought that I, Frances Houseman, a seventeen-year-old girl, would found the life she has ever dreamed of, finding the love of her life, and would be buying a palace of a house together with him? Yes, reader, I am sometimes very surprised about my own life, especially because I am still so young, but I am so very happy with who I am, and with what I have, I would not want to change it.
But let us go on now, I get way too sappy lately when I start to talk about Johnny and our lives, not to mention our baby. I, also, do not want to keep you in tension for too long either.
It is the day before my eighteenth birthday, December the fifteenth, and I am five months far with my pregnancy. I am showing belly already, and I am getting fuller as well. Johnny love it, well of course, what else is knew, right, reader? His lust is nearly unsatiable, it is crazy really.
I smile as I lay my hands on my belly while I look outside. We do not know the gender, Johnny does not want to know until the baby is born, I do not really mind. I was sitting in the parlor, relaxing a little, mom was just here, but he had to go, dad would be taking her out for lunch today. It is very cold outside, which is logical because it is December after all, but a walk on the beach is out of question.
Christmas is very soon already, we have been buying a lot of presents for everyone, even for the staff, yes it is a tradition my grandparents do too, and I want to follow that up. They work so hard for us, I think they deserve to get something back. I turn a little and look at the beautiful Christmas tree they have been putting up in here, there is one in the living room as well.
Yes, I know, I am Jewish, but I love Christmas, the feeling of it, giving presents, being with family and friends. It is actually my favorite holiday, how weird it may sound, besides, Johnny would not understand Hanukkah. My parents, and grandparents never wanted to let Lisa and me being left out from all the other kids at school, so they started to celebrate it, hence where my love for it comes from. It is truly the best time of the year.
I see Charlotte coming, she is my personal maid, Johnny hired her for me, while I told him I did not need one, but he did not had any of it. I smile at her, she bobs her head a little as she smiles back at me.
"You need anything, ma'am?"
"I'm good, Charlotte, you know you can call me Baby, right?"
"I know, but it feels strange if I do."
"Do you have a lot to do today?"
"Not much anymore. I just wanted to check on you, to see if you need anything, ma'am."
"That's very sweet, go finish what you were doing and then take some time for yourself. I'll call if I need anything."
She bobs her head again and walks away. I inhale deeply, she is really good at her job, but it still feels a little strange. Also, I never would have thought I really would become like mom and nana. Pops has been right all along. I used to see myself as a humble little girl who would never live in a huge fancy house just because I do not want to show the world how rich I am. I guess life turns out al ittle different as what I used to think.
The doorbell went off, I wonder who that could be. Hubert opens the door to the parlor from the kitchen, I look up at him with a smile. Hubert is our butler, well, he is also Johnny's personal one at that. He is the last one we hired, and it was Johnny's idea as well.
To be perfectly honest, dear reader, Johnny had taken charge of hiring the staff, and making their contracts and all that. He is doing an evening course for business management, and Ron has made him a partner last month, so he could teach Johnny everything there is to know about running the company. I cannot wait until I finally can go to college next autumn.
"Your driver, ma'am."
I see Gio coming inside and my eyebrows go up, why is he here?
"Gio, what brings you here?"
"The boss told me to come and pick you up, ma'am."
"Why? It's almost lunch time, isn't he coming home for lunch?"
"He said it is a surprise, he's waiting for you."
"A surprise? Why? My birthday is tomorrow."
"You will see, I can't tell you anything."
I smile and I give him a nod, then I look at Hubert.
"I will get your coat, ma'am."
I nod at Hubert, who walks away as I went to the hallway with Gio. I wait for Hubert to come with my coat, my scarf, gloves and woolen hat. He assists me with putting it on, and went to the door to open it for us.
"Thanks, Hubert, I will see you later."
"Have a good time, ma'am."
I smile as I went outside with Gio, Hubert bows shortly and closes the door. I take Gio's arm and we walk to the door. I see the limo standing ready, I start to frown when I let Gio's arm go and he opens the door for me to step in.
"Why the limo?"
"You'll see, ma'am."
I am getting really curious now as I step in. Gio closes the door and steps it to depart. I look outside as we are on our way to the city. I see we are going to Central park. Aha, I think I know what it coming. Hmm, am I going to get the special mini durum on the special place? Oh, goodie, it has been some time since I had those mini durum. Johnny wants me to eat healthy because of the baby, but all I crave is greasy stuff. I had my tantrums already, believe me it is a weird experience, and I cannot even control them either, but Johnny finds them adorable somehow.
Gio parks the limo and steps out. I wait until he opens the door and helps me to step out. I look at him and see him smiling, then I look around to see if I can see Johnny anywhere, but I do not see him, he might already be at the special place.
"Where's Johnny?"
"He's waiting, let me escort you, ma'am."
"All right, otherwise Johnny will kill you, he has become very protective over me, and he's very careful as well when it comes to me."
"He loves you a lot, it's good to see him like this."
I smile at Gio as he close the door and locks the limo. Then he offers me his arm. We walk slowly to the bridge as I look around. It is snowing. Everything looks so white and Christmassy. I love it, it is so beautiful. When we arrive at the bridge, I see Johnny standing at the wall. He looks very dashing with his tuxedo on. Why is he having his tuxedo on? I cannot keep my eyes off him, he is so handsome, and his smile when he sees me. I take a deep breath and hold it as he extends his hand to me. He gives Gio a nod who steps back.
"Why are you all dressed up?"
"I wanted to look good for you"
"You always look good."
He chuckles and leans in to give me a soft kiss. It is really cold out here.
"Why didn't you just told me that you wanted lunch at our special place?"
"Because that's part of the surprise."
"Are we going to eat the mini durum?"
He chuckles again as he sees my expression. He turns a little and lifts his other hand up to show me the plastic bag. Oh goodie, I have longed for these, and now I really want to eat them. I look back at his face.
"They're getting cold."
"They're nice too when they're cold."
I giggle as I went to the wall.
"You want to sit on top of the wall? I would like to see the view in this weather."
"That's too dangerous now, Baby, and it's wet, and really cold, and you're pregnant. I've arranged something else for you."
He offers his arm as I look back at him. I giggle and went to him, taking his arm, giving him a kiss on his cheek. He is so very gentlemanlike right now, I really love it. He nods at Gio who smiles as he watch us walking away from the bridge. I see his special smile, and I feel a rush of happiness going through my body. He is perfect, well to me he is. He turns his head to look at me.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Baby."
I smile as I look around, where is he taking me? I know we are still in the park, but at the other side of the bridge. Then we stop walking, and I look at the bench that is standing beneath a big tree. It is a dry spot, and I see he has made the bench look very cozy and comfortable. I let his arm go and hold my gloved hands ove rmy mouth. This is so romantic! He has quite become the romantic over the last months, and I really am loving that part very much.
He is watching my eyes, I look at him and see his smile. He is so considerate when I see him extending his hand. I lay my gloved hand on his and he guides me to the bench. I squealed a little as I sit down on the soft pillows, chuckles as he is watching me. I look at him with a huge smile. I could sit here forever.
"You're too good for me."
"I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"You're so romantic nowadays."
"You make me so, Baby."
I giggle as I watch him sitting down next to me. He gives me the plastic bag to hold, and I watch him taking a blanket. He lays it over out laps. He moves a little closer and lays his arm around me. I smile as I give him a kiss, then I turn my head to look at the view.
A sound gasp escaped from my mouth as I see the view.
"You gasped just like that the first time you sat on the wall."
"It's so beautiful."
I whisper it. The view is really like a painting, just like it is when you sit on the wall at night. Only now you can also the bridge in the view, and the lake is frozen, snowflakes that are slowly falling down, the white on the trees. I am mesmerized by it, Johnny keeps watching my face with his special smile. I must be sitting ere with a silly smile on my face. I do wonder how this view will look like suring sunset. He takes the bag from me and takes a mini durum out. I turn my head and see him holding it up.
Dear reader, this really feels as if I have landed in a Disney fairy tale.
Which girl does not dream of having such a gorgeous man that he could be a prince, that he is so romantic and takes you to a winter scenery when it is almost Christmas? Oh, and not to forget, having your favorite food with him to share together. I feel really blessed in life, and also spoiled of course.
I see him waiting for me to take it. With a little giggle I take it and he smiles as he keeps watching me.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
"Sweetheart, huh?"
"Yes! You're the sweetest in the world."
"Hmm."
I giggle a little as I look at him. He is still smiling and then leans in to give me a sweet kiss. I take a bite and enjoy the taste of it as I move myself closer to him and look at the view again. He is right, they do taste good too when they are cold. When I have nearly finished the mini durum, I look at him for another one, but I do not see him eating.
"You're not going to eat?"
"I love watching you."
"Now you're delusional."
He chuckles and gives me another kiss. He knows that I want another one, but instead of giving me one, he lays the bag down next to him. Then he moves the blanket aside and I see him kneeling in front of me. What is he doing? He gives me his special smile. I lay my hand on his cheek, still really wondering why he is kneeling in front of me. What is he up to? I watch him closing his eyes for a moment, I can see he is savouring the moment. Then he opens his eyes again, and I hold my breath when I see his eyes.
"Baby?"
"Yes?"
"Ever since the first day I saw you, I just knew you're meant for me. When dad told us about that period when I was eight, it all made sense to me. You're the one for me, the love of my life, I love you, and I will always love you."
"I love you too."
I feel a tear escaping my eyes. He lifts his hand up and strokes it away while he keeps smiling.
"You made me a better man, and I'm still growing."
"Where are you going with this? You praise me nearly every day, and I'm still hungry."
He chuckles softly about that, and he keeps smiling as he looks in my eyes. I will never get tired of his praises, or him telling me how much he loves me. But I am hungry, and I am so dreadfully curious. He sees my expression, chuckling once more.
"I thought I could hold a nice speech for you, but I can see you're way too curious and you're getting impatient."
"Well, of course, you made me curious, and I'm still hungry."
He takes both my hands now. I watch him taking a deep breath. Why is he getting nervous now? And why is he still kneeling in front of me? I know his knee can hurt him quite badly. Then he let a hand go and I see him taking something out of his pocket.
I let out a sound gasp when I see it is a little box coming out of his pocket. My hands go up to cover my mouth. Is he serious? Is he really going to propose? Why did I not had any clue of this going to happen? I thought he wanted to wait. He sees my eyes. I see his special smile appearing as he opens the little box. I see the engagement ring and right this instant I cannot keep it dry. I start to cry as I look from the ring to his face while I still am holding my hands over my mouth.
"Baby, will you marry me?"
I look in his eyes, I see them getting dark. I can see out future right in those two blue pools, and I start to smile through my tears. I do not want to keep him too long in suspense, and so I first nod my head, then I take my hands away.
"Yes."
I see his smile growing as he takes the ring out of the box. I quickly take my right glove off as I watch him putting the ring on my finger. This is so unreal. I look back at his face, then I grab his head and start to kiss him deeply. I am going to be Mrs. Castle, how amazing does that sound?
"I'm so happy, Baby."
"Me too, I love you so much."
"I love you too."
He sits himself down again as I put the glove back on, but not after I had one more good look at the ring. He did not over exaggerate with the diamond, it is not too small and not too big, with a few little ones around it, it is perfect, just like he is. I turn a little so I can look at him. I see his smile, and he looks so happy right now. I watch him taking out a mini durum. I put the blanket over both our laps.
He holds it out to me, I giggle a little as I take it while I look at his face. Then I hold it up to his mouth and he slowly takes a bite. I giggle again as he tries to keep the bite a little decent, he chuckles about my happy face as I eat the rest of the mini durum. He takes another one, but this time for himself.
I move myself closer to him and we both watch the view as we enjoy the food and each other.
And that, dearest reader, is truly one of the best moments in my life.
I call myself really lucky, and I have been admiring the ring a lot for the rest of that day, I tell you.
When Johnny announced our engagement to the families, we got overrun by hugs and kisses, but no one was really suprised about it.
We got married the next summer, after our baby was born, and before I would go to college.
And with this, my loyal reader, I got my happily ever after.
The End
P.S.: We got a little baby girl that we named Crystal Rose Castle.