Ghost Writer

Chapter 8

Epilogue

"I found us a venue. It's called Snug Harbor. The Great Hall is open during our time frame. August 3 – 5 is available. Here are the photos." Kate showed them to her.

Angela nodded approvingly. "I like it."

"They offer us a menu for the reception and to set up and clean up. The cost for that is $21,000."

"Ouch!" Angela balked at the price.

"Getting married doesn't come cheap, Elle."

"That's apparent," Angela replied. "But if you like it, I say book it. So now we have a date and place, we can begin working on invitations. Have you found your friend yet?"

Kate shook her head. "No, not yet, but I have time." She was still hopeful.

"So now we need dresses, rings, and other things. Good thing it's in late summer. By the way, are we going to Michael's place in Berlin again this Christmas?" Angela asked. "He has a new apartment. He told me he got that promotion and even has a new girlfriend."

Kate smiled. "A girlfriend? We're definitely going then. I'll start the planning. Perhaps a different hotel this time."

"He lives in the Samariter Quarter now, so search for a hotel there," Angela advised.

~oo0oo~

"Hotel Kiez Pension looks nice, well, nicer than the last place. It even has free breakfast," Kate told her. "The airfare is still a killer at $2,717 each. Getting to Berlin isn't going to be cheap."

"It's a good thing my girlfriend is rich then." Angela kissed her to shut up any snappy comebacks.

"Yeah, lucky you," Kate remarked after they broke from the kiss. "I arranged for another five days. Did you get time off work?"

Angela nodded. "I did. It seems sending a wedding invitation to everyone helped in that regard."

"I've already gotten a few RSVPs saying they'll come. I still haven't found Maddy yet. That's my friend. You ready to move into our new place?"

"I'm all packed. I only need to fill a suitcase with clothes, and I'm all set." Angela looked at all the boxes stacked up everywhere. "I see that you're ready, too."

"Just one more week, and we'll be there. The appraisal came in well above the purchase price, and the home inspection only found a few minor things, so we're all set. I paid for it in cash. Actually, it was a check, but it cleared, so everyone is happy.

"I've even arranged for movers to move us, both of us. Let's hope they show up, or we're screwed," Kate told her tiredly.

~oo0oo~

"That went off without a hitch. I need a break. Is there anything in the fridge?" Kate asked and plopped down on one of two sofas.

"There's what we brought with us, which isn't much," Angela replied. "And I have to go to work tomorrow. Got to get used to a new way of getting there."

Kate closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Great, we either go shopping or eat out tonight."

"We have to eat out anyway. We haven't unpacked the kitchen yet." Angela heard Kate moan. "And we need to check the mail." She heard Kate moan even louder.

"There's an Italian place, a BBQ, and a Five Guys within easy walking distance," Kate said as she looked at her laptop. "Also, a Korean place and a Japanese place. And a Chipotle."

Angela thought about it. "I feel like a burger tonight."

"Works for me." So they went to Five Guys, where they each had a burger, fries, and a drink.

~oo0oo~

"Berlin, here we come," Kate told her. They boarded their plane for the long 13-plus hours of flying to reach Berlin. Angela slept on the plane, where Kate got a little sleep.

"This is different," Angela commented as she put her carry-on bag on the bed. "It's better."

"Since it costs $155 a night, it had better be." Kate put her carry-on on the bed.

Indian Express turned out to be close to their hotel. It was even within walking distance, so they ate there that night.

After making love that morning, they had breakfast in the hotel before taking a taxi to see Angela's brother.

"Michael!" Angela was so happy to see him. She hugged him, and he hugged her in return.

They entered his apartment and met his new girlfriend straight away. "This is Emma. Emma, this is my sister Angela and her friend, Kate."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Emma." Angela stepped up and gave her a hug. Kate smiled and hugged her.

"I did get your wedding invitation, but sadly, I won't be able to attend. I have to work," Michael told them.

"That's okay, I understand. Will Mom and Dad be here?"

Michael shook his head. "Not this time, no. They decided to go to Paris for Christmas."

"Good." Almost immediately, Angela realized she'd screwed up. "I mean, it's good they're going somewhere."

"Nice save, Sis," Michael said dryly and grinned at her. He clarified for Emma. "My sister is a lesbian, and our dad doesn't approve."

Emma looked at Kate. "So you're not just a friend then?"

"No, I'm her girlfriend and soon-to-be wife."

"I see. Interesting," Emma commented.

"Oh, we brought you your Christmas presents. And we brought one for you, Emma." Angela and Kate gave them their wrapped presents.

"Thanks," Michael said and put the gifts under the tree.

"Yes, thank you." Emma put hers beside his.

"We have to go out to eat if we want anything. My kitchen is bare," Michael told them.

"You've at least found a nicer place." Angela looked around. "Bigger, too."

They spent the entire day with Michael and ate out for dinner.

During the next three days, they toured the city again. Then they headed home.

~oo0oo~

Angela's boss came up to her desk. "I got your invitation. Katherine is a woman's name, isn't it?"

"It is," Angela confirmed.

"The woman at the party. I get it now. Congratulations, Angela. I'll be there with my wife."

"Thank you, sir." Angela was glad that he approved.

"Okay, people. Who is he, and what was he doing there?" He paced around the room. "Let's get to work!"

~oo0oo~

It was three months later.

"I love our new place," Angela told Kate the second she walked into the space. "How's the book coming," she asked as she sat beside her.

"Pretty good, I think. Gina seems to like it. I think I'll be done right before our wedding," Kate said, closing her laptop.

"Really? You're getting good at this. What's this one called?" Angela asked.

"Storm Warning."

"I'm detecting a theme here. Storm Front, Storm Warning," Angela commented, and Kate smiled at her.

Kate glanced at the clock and began to get up. "I need to start work on dinner."

"Need any help?" Angela asked.

"Oh, all I can get," Kate replied. Angela smiled, got up, and joined her in the kitchen.

~oo0oo~

The cold of winter had finally given way to the warmth of spring. Angela came home grumbling and took off her heavy coat. "If this is spring, I'll eat my hat."

Kate looked up from her laptop. "You haven't got a hat."

"I'll go buy one and eat it. Satisfied?" Angela sat next to her on one of the sofas they had. "What are you doing?"

"Looking for a dress. I hope if I like it online, I'll like it when I get to the store."

"Any luck?"

"No, nothing yet." Kate was feeling kind of defeated and worried.

Angela patted her hand. "It's a good thing I already have my dress."

Kate perked up a bit. "Ooo, may I see it?"

"NO, it's bad luck to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding. Besides, I left it at work where it'll be nice and safe."

Kate rolled her eyes, not believing her. "I'll bet you didn't."

"I'll bet I did. Ten bucks say I did. So put up or shut up."

"You're on." Kate shook her hand. "If it's here, I'll find it, and since we don't own a car, you can't hide it there." She eyed her. "You didn't buy a car, did you?"

"No, I didn't buy a car. What would I do with a car when I can take a taxi everywhere," Angela retorted. "The damn things are everywhere. Have you seen our streets lately? It's filled with taxis." She calmed down somewhat. "So what's for dinner."

Kate looked like a deer in a headlight. "Dinner?"

Angela sighed. "Sounds like we're eating out again."

"I'm sorry. I got wrapped up in writing. I almost finished two chapters. TWO in one day."

"That's good, but I'm hungry, so put the laptop down, and let's go eat." Angela got up and took Kate with her.

~oo0oo~

It was almost time to get married. Kate and Angela had scheduled their ceremony for tomorrow. Kate tapped SEND, which sent Gina the last chapter. She celebrated by going to the pool, leaving Angela a note telling her where she would be.

She'd finished swimming laps when suddenly Angela joined her in a bikini. Angela kissed her. "Hi."

"Hi yourself. I finished my book, so I decided to take a swim."

"You finished already? That's wonderful, Kate! We should celebrate. Go out to dinner someplace fancy for a change."

"You twisted my arm. Just let me relax in the pool a little longer."

They chose Eleven Madison Park as their destination and had to wait an hour for a table, but it was worth it. They both had wine and filet mignon. Angela raised her glass. "Here's to you writing book number two. Just two more books to go."

"Thanks, I'm pretty proud of it too." Kate touched her glass to hers and drank.

"Can you believe it? We're getting married tomorrow."

Kate raised an eyebrow. "Getting cold feet?"

"ME? Never. It's a dream come true for me. I wish my parents would be here for it. They haven't RSVPd or anything, have they?"

Kate shook her head. "No, they haven't. But we have space for them if they do show up."

~oo0oo~

"You look gorgeous," Kate remarked when she came out of the dressing room wearing her wedding dress.

"Me? You're breathtaking, Kate. I love that dress."

"Thanks." Kate looked at the clock. "It's almost time. She took a peek. "That's a lot of people. Most of them are yours."

"Really?" Angela peeked. "That has to be almost the entire office." She was amazed.

They heard the music start, and together, arm in arm, they walked down the aisle. They stood opposite each other and said, "I do," when it was time. Then they kissed, and half the place erupted in applause.

They ate dinner, cut the cake, and stuffed each other's faces with it. Then they danced, and all too soon, it was over.

Side by side, they stood at the door handing out Thank You for Coming cards when suddenly, there stood Alexis.

"Alexis, you made it." Kate was amazed. She knew she had RSVPd, but she was actually there.

"It was a lovely wedding. Congratulations to you both," Alexis said and smiled.

"Phone." Kate held out her hand. "Give me your phone and unlock it." Alexis did what she asked, not understanding.

In about a minute Kate handed it back to her. "There, now you have my name, address, and phone number. If there's anything you need, call me or just come by. Anything at all, even if it's only to talk.

"Perhaps to walk you down the aisle when that time comes if your dad isn't out of prison yet. Speaking of prison, how's he holding up?"

"I don't know exactly. I see Dad once a month, but I don't know." Alexis sighed. "Prison is changing him. He's not the quiet, fun-loving dad I was used to."

"Prison can do that to a person. It's not a resort. There isn't going to be much for him to do."

"I suppose." Alexis raised her phone. "Thank you for this."

"I mean it, Alexis. If there's anything you need, just call me. Alright?"

"I will," Alexis told her, accepted her card, and left.

"MOM, DAD, you made it." Angela was stunned to see them.

"My only daughter was getting married. I still don't approve, but I'm happy for you if you love her," her father told her.

Angela squeezed Kate's hand. "I do, Dad, I really do."

"The wedding was lovely," her mother said and hugged her. "Even if you both were wearing wedding dresses."

"Thanks, Mom." Angela felt tears starting. Perhaps her dad had mellowed a little.

"Here's a card. It's a thank you for attending our wedding." Kate handed each of them a card. "Don't forget to sign our guest book."

Angela's boss's boss was next. Olivia Stone was in charge of the entire office. "The wedding was lovely. The two of you looked amazing."

"Thank you," Angela replied.

"You'll be requesting time off for the honeymoon, won't you?" Olivia waited for them to reply. Instead, they both looked at each other.

"Honeymoon?" Kate's eyes widened when she realized she hadn't even thought about it. "Oops!"

"I'll get back to you about that," Angela told her. Olivia smiled, accepted her card, and left.

"I can't believe I forgot all about the honeymoon!" Kate felt terrible about it. "Now, what do we do?"

Angela rolled her eyes at that. "Plan a honeymoon, what else?"

They went home, took the dresses off of each other, and made love to one another for hours. They wore each other out.

~oo0oo~

Kate was working on her next book when there was a knock on her door. She forgot to look out the peephole and opened the door, surprised at who she saw. "Alexis?"

"Can I come in?"

"Please do." Kate stepped aside and let her enter. "What's up?"

"This is nice. It's not the loft, but it's nice." Alexis spent some time walking around looking the place over and ended up in front of the windows that offered a view.

Kate joined her and stood there looking out. She didn't say anything, giving Alexis time to tell her what was troubling her. It was evident that something was.

Alexis started to talk to her. "It's Dad."

"Oh?"

"He told me to stop coming to see him. He doesn't want me showing up anymore. I don't know what to do, Kate."

"Prison has changed him that much?"

"He was cold and harsh with me." Alexis began to sob. "I don't know what to do."

Kate hugged her, guided her to one of the sofas, and sat beside her. She kept an arm around her and let her cry.

Alexis finally calmed down. "I'm sorry. I didn't know where else to go."

"I'm glad you came. You're welcome here anytime." Kate hugged her again. "Now tell me exactly what he said."

~oo0oo~

Angela breezed through the door. "HONEY, I'M HOME! I always wanted to say that. Alexis?" She spotted her straight away.

Alexis started to get up. "I should go."

"Nonsense. You're staying here for dinner." Kate got up and went to the kitchen, where Angela joined her with a questioning look.

"She had an incident with her dad and ended up here," Kate explained.

Angela went back into the living room and moved to the sofa where she sat next to Alexis. "You came to the right place, and you are staying for dinner."

~oo0oo~

Alexis became a weekly visitor and stayed for dinner each time she came over.

Then suddenly, she didn't show up for a month. Kate answered the door and saw Alexis standing there. "Alexis, come in. It's been weeks since you've shown up. I was starting to worry about you."

"I'm so sorry about that. I, um, met someone."

"You met someone?! Tell me about him. It is a him, right?" Kate wanted to know everything.

"Yes, it's a guy. I don't lean like you and Angela."

"That's fine. What we do isn't for everyone. So, what can you tell me about him? Is he handsome?"

"I brought you pictures." Alexis handed them to her.

"Ooo, he is handsome. He does treat you right, doesn't he?"

"He's nice. We haven't had sex yet, but it's only a matter of time."

"Just remember to use a condom. You're too young to be pregnant."

Alexis nodded. "I know, and we'll be careful."

"So tell me about him," Kate asked her again.

~oo0oo~

Alexis showed up one day, and almost immediately, she told her, "We had sex. It was great. I mean, I wasn't a virgin when we met, but the sex, oh, the sex! He ate my pussy until I came twice. Then he put on a condom and fucked me. And he ate my pussy again. It was amazing. I've never had my pussy eaten before, let alone twice."

"Do you love him?"

"I'm starting to. I hope it's not just the sex talking, though." Alexis was worried about it being just that.

"Only you can answer that. But it sounds promising. You are staying for dinner, right?"

"Yes, I'm staying for dinner. I'll even help you. I used to help my dad when we cooked."

"Speaking of your dad, have you gone to see him?"

"No, I haven't. I feel awful about that, but Dad told me not to come. It hurts, Kate, so much."

Kate hugged her. "I know it does, honey."

Alexis wanted to focus on Kate. "So, how goes the writing?"

"Pretty good. I finish a chapter roughly every three days and send it to Gina."

"Gina? Dad used to call her the Dragon Lady. She was always after him to send her chapters."

Kate chuckled. "Dragon Lady. I suppose I can see that. She strikes me as being all business. I don't even think she dates anyone."

"What are we making for dinner?" Alexis asked.

"I was thinking of coconut chicken curry. I'll let you cut up the pineapple. We only use fresh in this house."

Alexis smiled wide. "Bring it on."

~oo0oo~

Alexis showed up every month. Kate learned his name was Nick Castellanos. He was part Mexican and was a minor league ball player who played for the Hudson Valley Renegades. Nick was their starting second baseman. But he had high hopes of playing in the majors one day. Alexis said he was good, really good, but maybe she was biased.

Then she came one day and told Kate, "I think I love him. But there's a problem."

"What kind of problem?"

"He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. It's his big chance to get into the majors, and he asked me to come with him to Philadelphia. I don't know what to do."

"Has he told you he loves you?"

Alexis nodded. "On more than one occasion. I told him I loved him too, but I'm not sure I really meant it. I mean, move to Philadelphia? It's such a big move. What do I do, Kate?" Alexis looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"If you were engaged, it would be a no-brainer. You would move along with Nick, but you're not. At least not yet."

"Marriage? I'm not sure I'm ready for that either."

"When does he leave?"

"Immediately, like tomorrow." Alexis looked at her.

Kate blinked in surprise. "Wow. I can't tell you if you love Nick or not. I mean, really love him with all your heart. Only you can do that. But if do you love him, then move with him. If you break up, you can always move back.

"I'm a Yankees fan, personally. I always have been and always will be. But it sounds like now I'll have to follow the Phillies.

"Listen, I'm happy for you. It sounds like you've found someone special. Now, if only your dad knew."

"About Dad." Alexis took a deep breath. "I'll have to sell the loft out from under him. Grams has already moved out, and it's too big for me. I suppose I should tell him in person, that is if he'll see me."

"You're staying for dinner tonight. We have to tell Elle."

~oo0oo~

Almost two years had passed, and Kate and Angela were in Philadelphia to attend Alexis' wedding. Kate was giving the bride away. It might be unconventional, but it worked.

"I only wish Dad could be here," Alexis told her after the wedding.

"Save the pictures of the wedding. Maybe even send him a few," Kate suggested. "You were gorgeous in that dress, and I love the red hair."

"Thanks." Alexis ran a hand through her hair. "I thought it made me look more grown up. Orange wasn't doing it for me. I took a risk and cut it short."

"It looks nice, Alexis, it really does. Your own father might not recognize you."

"What are you calling the latest book?" Alexis inquired.

"A Raging Storm. I'm beginning to run out of names." Kate tells her. "The woman he loves is killed so he's Raging. Get it, Raging, Raging Storm?"

Alexis just stares at her. She got it alright. Her first 2 books were selling well so so should this one. It was a pity her dad didn't think of it. But then he was still in prison and would be for another 5 or so years.

She didn't want to believe he was capable of such a thing. But facts were facts and the jury had convicted him and he lost his appeal. Still it was sad.