Author's Note: Here is the last chapter. I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I hope you don't think it too simple an ending. Please review! It keeps me going. Thank you - Love Carol

Chapter 18

One week later on a bright December Saturday afternoon in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, Michael James Ross and Rachel Elizabeth Zane were married. Their best friends Donna Roberta Paulsen Specter and Harvey Reginald Specter were their Matron-of-Honor and Best Man, respectively.

Rachel was dressed in a designer gown which bore colors of the rainbow on the bodice and through the ruching on the skirt of the mermaid style gown. The groom dressed in a black tux complimented her gown by wearing a teal blue bow tie, cummerbund, and pocket square. Accompanied by showers of birdseed and "against the rule" white rice, Mike and Rachel hurried into the limo on the way to the reception venue at the Plaza Hotel.

Donna, dressed in that teal gown in which straps had to be sown, had her husband's Best Man jacket thrown over her shoulders so she would not freeze in the December air as they waited for Ray to pick them up and take them to the venue. Their children were in the good hands of Donna's mom back home in West Chester. Harvey looked spectacular as always dressed in the identical black tux as Mike's only with a yellow tie, cummerbund, and pocket square. As they rushed into their seats in the back of the car that Ray was driving, he passed a note back to Harvey. It was from his mom's special nurse at the hospice.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Specter:

I tried to reach you earlier on your cell phones. I could not reach you, so I called your home and spoke with . She informed me that you were participating in a very special wedding today and would probably not be available all day. Your brother was also not available as he had to be back in Boston yesterday. I talked with him earlier to pass on this sad news. He wanted me to inform you that he will be in Manhattan tomorrow morning.

I hate to inform you that your mother, Lillian Specter, died in her sleep during her late morning nap. She had been animated only moments before and wanted you to know that she was very proud of you and your brother and that the last few weeks of her life had been the happiest she had ever had. She had always loved you and wanted you to know that.

Please come to the hospice tomorrow to pick up your mother's possessions and make funeral and burial arrangements.

Thank you for the pleasure of serving your family. We are sorry to pass on this sad news.

Sincerely

Elizabeth Markham, R.N. M.S.N.

Donna had read the letter silently as they rode to the reception. She looked at her husband who had turned away from looking at her because he did not want her to see his tears. He still found it ironic that all his life he had waited for his mother to drop dead and he thought he would not bat an eyelid. However, in the last four months, he would give all his money away just to see her cured so she could continue to watch her grandchildren grow up and Harvey to make up to her all the damage that had been done when her immediate family had been broken.

"Harvey?" Donna asked. She took her left hand and urged him gently to turn to look at her. She thumbed a tear away which happen to fall down his cheek. Then much to her surprise, Harvey buried himself in his wife's arms looking for solace and consolation from the bad news.

Donna just held him for a few minutes and then right before Ray signaled they were at the Plaza. Donna said, "We're here, Harvey. I could make excuses for us if you want to go home. I'm sure that Mike and Rachel would understand." She rubbed his back and then he rose from her embrace.

Wiping a hand under his nose and brushing away the fluid from his eyes, he took his proud stance and said, "No way, Mrs. Specter. You are not using this bad news to escape my dancing with you in my arms all evening. I wouldn't leave you to this crowd. You may not come back."

Donna laughed and then kissed Harvey. "I'll always be back. You know that."

As Ray handed her out of the car, Donna turned to watch as Harvey had put his jacket back on, buttoned it and looked around at the crowd standing around snapping pictures as he rose from the car. He took one look at heaven and blew a kiss upwards.

He said quietly so no one heard not even his wife, "That's for you mom and dad. Now you can both be together again...forever."

THE END OF THIS ADVENTURE.