CHAPTER 13
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
I know the song Jeremy sings is not from the 1870's and Bobby Sherman did not record it. That credit goes to Joe Cocker. But in my mind, I can hear Jeremy singing this song to Candy. It is so touching and beautiful. So, I thought it appropriate for this story.
Candy is in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on her special menu for supper tonight. Lighting the candles, she looks over the table to be sure it meets her approval. Tonight has to be just perfect. It is her and Jeremy's first wedding anniversary. She has worked hard today getting everything ready. She has fixed all of Jeremy's favorite foods, sent Molly and Christopher over to Biddie's for the night, and primped so much in front of the mirror that she is sure Jeremy can't find any fault with how she looks. Now, she is waiting for Jeremy to freshen up and change out of his work clothes. She goes over to the cabinet and puts the bouquet of daisies that Jeremy brought her into a vase and sets it between the candles on the table.
Jeremy enters and exclaims, "Wow! Candy, you have really outdone yourself tonight. Everything looks beautiful, especially you." He wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her lips.
"Why thank you, kind sir," Candy answers as she gives a little curtsy and puts her arms around Jeremy's neck. "You look beautiful yourself." They kiss again. "Now, go ahead and sit down and I'll get our plates."
When Candy places their plates on the table, Jeremy jumps up and holds Candy's chair for her. "Thank you," she says as she sits down.
While sitting down himself, Jeremy asks, "Where's the kids? Are they not going to join us?"
"No, they're staying at Biddie's. I wanted us to be alone tonight." Looking at Jeremy she adds, "Unless you want them here."
With a wicked little look on his face he comments, "Alone? Oh Candy, you know I'm happy to be alone with you. Kids? What kids?" They both laugh.
Holding hands, Jeremy asks the blessing. "For this food we're about to receive, may we truly be thankful. Lord, thank you for letting Candy and me make it through our first year together as husband and wife. For the most part, it has been a wonderful year. We did have to go through a horrible rough patch for several months, but with your help and guidance we came through it and are closer and more in love than ever. Thank you for bringing my beautiful wife back to me. I love her so much. She is my life. And thank you for your many blessings. Amen."
Candy squeezes Jeremy's hand and repeats, "Amen."
After enjoying their meal and dessert of chocolate cake, Candy starts to clear the table. "Candy, you don't have to do the dishes right now, do you? I mean they can wait til later, I'll even help you with them, if I can have you all to myself right now." He takes her hand and raises it to his lips as he kisses her fingertips.
Setting the plate back down Candy says, "No, they can wait. I'm all yours, Mr. Bolt."
"Good," he says as he takes her in his arms and begins dancing. "I wish we had some music, but let's just pretend there's some playing."
"All right," she replies as she lays her head on his shoulder.
After dancing for a little while, Jeremy begins to sing softly.
You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
Can't you see
You're everything I hoped for
You're everything I need
You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
to me
Can't you see
You're everything I hoped for
You're everything I need
You are so beautiful
To me
As Jeremy chokes up on the last line he adds, "I love you, Candy." He takes her face in his hands and with his thumbs he wipes her tears away. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, but I'm very thankful God brought you into my life." Their lips meet for a sweet tender kiss before it turns into a deep passionate kiss.
"Thank you, Jeremy. That was lovely and I am so blessed. I love you." She wipes his tears away with her thumbs and they kiss again.
"Candy, I meant every word of that song. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Not only on the outside but the inside too. And I do need you. I need you so much."
"I need you too, Jeremy. You're my everything."
Jeremy then takes Candy's hand and leads her into the parlor where they sit on the settee. They kiss before Jeremy takes a small box from his pocket. "I hope you like this," he says as he hands it to Candy. "Happy Anniversary, Candy."
Candy eagerly opens the box and gasps. "Oh Jeremy, I don't know what to say. It's beautiful."
Jeremy takes the brooch from her hand. "These stones are mine and your birthstones. And this one is for our little one that didn't make it into this world. These places are for the birthstones of our other children when we have them." He fastens the brooch on her dress.
"Jeremy, I love it. Thank you so much." She leans over and gives him a kiss on the lips.
"You're welcome so much," he chuckles. "Candy, I know we will be putting stones on this brooch for our children. Don't give up hope. All right?"
"I won't. I know we'll have children some day." She takes a small box from her pocket and hands it to Jeremy. "I hope you like your gift, too. Happy Anniversary, Jeremy."
He opens the box and finds a pocket knife inscribed with Jeremy Bolt on it. "Candy, you shouldn't have, but I'm glad you did. This is the nicest knife I've ever owned. My name is a nice touch. Thank you. I love it."
"You're welcome." They give each other a tender kiss. "Jeremy, I have another present for you."
"Another present?" Candy, you shouldn't have gotten me anything else. The knife was enough."
"Oh Jeremy, it's all right. This one didn't cost me anything."
"So, it's something you made then?"
"Yes, it is. And I enjoyed every minute of it. I think you'll really love this one." She goes over to the desk and removes another small box from a drawer. She hands the box to Jeremy nervously. As he starts to open the box, she begins biting her fingernails.
Jeremy opens the box and sees a tiny pair of white knitted booties. A puzzled look is on his face as he says, "Well, they are pretty Candy, but I don't think they'll fit my big feet," he chuckles.
"They're not suppose to fit your big feet silly," she giggles, "but they will fit the little feet of the baby we're going to have."
Jeremy is confused. He looks at her questioningly.
"Jeremy, I'm pregnant. We're going to have a baby!" she cries excitedly.
Jeremy is stunned and starts stuttering, "C-C-Candy?"
"It's true, Jeremy. I found out last week and I was dying to tell you. But then I thought what better anniversary present could I give you than this. I hope you're not upset with me for not telling you sooner."
Jeremy shakes his head as to clear his thoughts. "No, I'm not upset. And you're right. This is the best present you could ever give me." Taking her in his arms he says, "Thank you, Candy. For everything. I love you and I love our little one too." He pats her stomach.
"Jeremy, you told me that we would be happy again some day. I had my doubts. I didn't know if I could ever be happy again, but you were right. You have made me the happiest that I've ever been. Thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me. For loving me. I love you with all my heart."
"I love you too, Candy. I could never give up on you. You mean too much to me." They kiss. "Hey, didn't I just tell you we'd be putting birthstones on this brooch?" he laughs.
"Yes, you did," she giggles.
As he takes Candy's hand to retire to their bedroom, he kisses her fingertips and says, "Those dark clouds that have been hanging over us have finally disappeared. I see nothing but blue skies for us from now on. Seattle blue skies."
THE END
