CHAPTER 18 PIMM'S & PLANS
They walked up to the back of the building to find her brother John waiting in his father's car. It was a luxury sedan of its day, about the size of a yacht.
Johnny got out upon seeing them exit the building. He called to Grace: "Over here! Gracie! Hey!" Oliver smiled at her as they walked toward Johnny. She
looked at Oliver grinning and said with a laugh: "What? What are you grinning about, Mister?" He smiled and said: "Ooooooh…'Gracie'." He smiled at her
and tugged her hand toward him. "Oooh. . . . " he laughed playfully: "Another detail about the very proper and very private Miss Farrell. 'Gracie.' How very
informal. So cute." He squeezed her hand. He was smirking playfully . She smiled at Oliver and said: "Okay. They call me 'Gracie'. You, however, must always
call me 'Grace'. I am your Grace." He smiled back at her and said:"You certainly are." She called back to John: "Okay, simmer down, Mister. Keep your shirt
on!" Johnny laughed heartily, apparently an inside joke between them. The joke between them was that once when their mother was in New York City with
them, she had said this to a cab driver after a theater date. Their upper-crusty, Main Line Philadelphia matron and mother had used that very phrase in Mid-
Town Manhattan - both to their horror and their delight. It never, ever failed to make them laugh. Liz had explained to them afterward: "When in Rome…"
They found her casual vernacular hilarious, because her diction and grammar were all exacting. Slang was decimated. "It doesn't mean a thing, if it
doesn't have that swing…" They would buckle over at the hilarity of their mom. Poor John was stuck trying very hard to be neutral and not notice his two
grown, adult children suppressing their laughter at his 'funny Liz'. Back at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, Oliver and Grace were greeted by Grace's
younger brother and best friend. "Hi, you two!" John said as they got up to the car. Grace immediately hugged him tightly. She beamed at her brother
and then at Oliver: "Oliver, this is my brother, John." The two men shook hands as Grace continued: "Johnny, this is my Oliver." Oliver loved to hear her say
'my Oliver'. As she said this, he looked over at her as he was meeting John. Grace was smiling at her brother. Oliver said: "It is truly nice to meet you, John.
Thank you so much for getting us today." John returned with: "The pleasure is all mine, Oliver. Grace told me a lot about you. All of it good. This is Dad's car,
mine will barely fit me and Claire at the same time." Oliver laughed. John continued: "Seriously, though, the pleasure is mine, and it is truly a fun prospect to
see Gracie in our mother's crosshairs for once. Usually, she is all over me and Claire..." John laughed and said to Grace: "She is going to be all over you.
Hahahaha! Sis! HA!" Grace laughed at this herself and countered with: "Oh, John, you know Mom doesn't meddle! . . ." and she laughed with her brother.
Their mother was known to do a little meddling, but usually in good faith. Elizabeth Farrell had one aspiration in life and that was that her children were doing
well and were happy. However, when they were younger, she could be a bit overbearing. Since Grace and John were adults and could advocate for
themselves, she had calmed down. Grace chalked it up to her mother being anxious that her children were leaving the nest. It took some doing to get
Elizabeth Farrell to feel at ease with her daughter living in New York when she first went to work at the estate. Grace was smart enough to keep her mother
informed and to call her frequently. She also missed her mother. She was used to seeing her every day. Then, she moved to New York, and amidst a bustling
and busy estate, an even more crazy city – Grace found herself a bit homesick and missing her mom. She got along very well with her mother and genuinely
enjoyed her company. She knew that her mother was always in her court and that she could trust her implicitly. Grace loved her loved her very much, and
Grace loved her. They rarely – if ever – argued. Even during Grace's teen years – there were very little disagreements as Grace was
a serious student, and what is there to fight about? Grace was a good girl and she was a good student, she studied ballet and music. Nobody ever had to prod
her to get to a lesson. She was the first one there and the last to leave. She never gave her parents a hard time – except – when she fought with her father
about driving. At first he was against it, but she methodically pled her case and proved to him that she was capable. She called him out on "being sexist!". At
that exchange, Johnny had simply closed his book, whistled, and left the room. "Oh, Gracie…godspeed." he had said in passing. Her father obviously allowed
her to drive, even encouraged it, at least after a while. Her interest in the business, in learning about and driving the trucks, the whole package of running a
business was born in those moments. She also felt that she had to prove herself to herself, and God help anyone who thought they were going to stand in her
way. There were many conversations between John and Elizabeth Farrell about their "Strong-willed…" "She's unconventional…" and "our smart and pretty
Grace…" They were concerned that she would never find happiness domestically and would end up a powerful businesswoman who was all alone in the world.
"What a waste!" they had actually said in one exchange after Grace had decided to move to New York. John Farrell had been the one to bring the reality back
to a true level with Liz. "The story with Grace isn't finished, Liz. You know our girl. This is a chapter." Her parents worried. They kept in close contact. They
wanted her to find her way; to stop running. That was it, though. There was no friction with Grace and her parents. Now in the back of her father's car with
Oliver, she was getting a bit nervous herself. John said from the driver's seat: "I hope you two don't mind if we swing by Claire's and pick her up? She isn't far
from Mom and Dad's." Oliver said "Of course not, John." He was glad to have the extra time and the extra person to defray the attention on him and Grace.
Grace felt exactly the same way. She and Oliver exchanged a look and squeezed each other's hand. Oliver smiled at her, leaned over and kissed her cheek.
John said "Hey! I saw that! I'm tellin' ma!" and Grace laughed, Oliver laughed too. Grace said: "Please keep your eyes on the road, or I'LL tell ma!" They all
laughed and it broke the ice. Johnny was a funny guy, always joking – very witty and fast. He was the extrovert where Grace was the introvert. He was very
well-liked and was in residence at the University of Pennsylvania. He was a G.P. His fiancé, Claire, was also a student at UPENN, she was studying Chemistry
and was going to be a schoolteacher with a focus on middle and high school education. She was very smart and absolutely loved kids. She also loved the
Periodic table, her studies in the lab, and a certain John Farrell, Jr. Grace had only met Claire a few times before Johnny proposed to her. They had set the
date for the fall after Claire got her degree and graduated. That was roughly two years in the future. Grace liked her. She was a smart and nice woman; Grace
was finally allowing herself to think of Claire as a sister. She found that she liked the idea a lot, and Claire was so on par with Johnny. She thought to herself:
"Finally!" because Johnny was a nice-looking and personable guy from a wealthy family. He had many girls fall for him, but Claire was the only girl HE fell for.
Suddenly, there was this "pretty girl from the chemistry lab…" Then it was "That pretty girl Claire! from the chemistry lab…", and then it was "Claire" and
then: "my Claire". Grace had never had a sister before and she was happy because Claire was good for Johnny, and they seemed to be genuinely in love.
Grace would tease her brother and say: "Claire is a saint already, Johnny, if she is going to put up with your jokes all the time…." She made him laugh with
things like this, they teased each other good naturedly. John said as he was driving, after he and Grace had laughed about something silly: "Oliver, I will tell
you all about Grace and show you her corny toys and dolls. She had ballet shoes for every year of her life. Mom saved most of them. Such an odd little girl
you've got there, Oliver. I hope you know that." Oliver chuckled, looked at Grace and said: "I need to see those, you know.", and he kissed her hand. Grace
said: "Thanks a lot, Johnny. Now, I'm REALLY telling ma!" and they all laughed again. Johnny, in falsetto voice said: "In what vernacular do we say 'ma',
young lady? This is a civilized household." Grace grabbed Oliver's wrist, laughing at this, and said: "Johnny, please stop!...Oh!" she continued to laugh.
Johnny was, of course, doing a very bad impression of their mother. Johnny and Grace were also a force, often a team in dealing with their parents, always -
without a word ever spoken – they had always covered for each other. No questions asked. Grace had MANY times let him in the house after curfew through
her room and then helped him sneak back to his. Their parents were puzzled that he HAD been in by curfew. Grace and John would share everything, they
were best friends as siblings, she was protective of John and he was protective of her. They would lend each other cash if they needed it, no fighting about it,
always repaid. Or not. Who cared? They would exchange books they were reading, magazines, records. If Grace went to a party or social event, she would
always bring home for John a slice of cake, or whatever was served as dessert. She loved her funny, joking, and sweet little brother very much. He had her
back then and he had her back now and forever. Grace would always have a close relationship with Johnny. Oliver liked him too, knowing that he was a loyal
and good brother to his beloved made him like him immediately. He was a joker, but under all of that, he adored Grace and it was obvious that she adored
him, too. Oliver smiled to himself. This experience of family was new to him. It had been many years since he was a part of anything remotely like what he
had just seen between Grace and John during their short ride to get Claire. Claire was waiting for them on the front step of her parents' large Tudor revival
home, a robust mile and a half from Grace's parent's home. Excusing himself for a moment, "Hang on whilst I escort the young lady to our carriage…." John
quickly hopped out to walk her to the car, he kissed her on the cheek and opened the door for her. She dipped down to say hello to them, smiling: "Hello, you
two! Thank you for getting me." She got in and John shut her door. He got into the driver's seat, and he introduced Claire to Oliver. "Nice to meet you."
"Thank you, you as well." Claire said "Hi, Gracie. I hope John hasn't been too much today…" Grace laughed a little and said "Claire, he has been very well
behaved so far. I cannot speak for the rest of the day." Claire smiled at John. Oliver commented on how pretty the houses were, how quiet and private the
streets seemed. There were a lot of old-growth trees all through the neighborhood. He commented on some of the much older homes – some dating back to
the mid-1700s. "Wait till you see our childhood home, Oliver. It should be a cave, it's so old." Johnny said as they passed a particularly old out building on
a local farm dating to the late 1700's. Grace and Johnny and Claire were so used to the historic sites all over their childhood homes and the nearby regional
area, they sort of took them for granted. Having Oliver see them for the first time made them remember just how special their town was. Bryn Mawr was a
beautiful place, surrounded by more beautiful and historic places. It is still that way today. As they wound around the streets and saw all the rolling hills and
spacious estates near the Farrell's house, Oliver squeezed Grace's hand. It was almost as if he wanted to let her know that he liked this place. He
was mentally filing it all away for future consideration. Grace squeezed his hand back and kissed his cheek. She whispered: "We are nearly there. The house is
on this road…on the left…..the third house is ours…." Oliver leaned in to hear her, and watched the houses and properties pass the window. He watched the
left side, counting properties, waiting for the Farrell house to come into view. After rounding another curve, the house came into view. It was situated off the
main road, back on the spacious property. The drive led to the brick and mortar Colonial that was an actual Colonial home. It was updated and built on
through the last century and a half, and it was comfortable, spacious and generous. There were sections of the house that were unchanged from its build date
in 1752. For instance, there was a set of stairs in the kitchen with a hand-made door and hand-forged nails and strap hinges. The steps led to another portion
of the house on the second floor. The door was usually kept closed. It was also in the part of the kitchen that held the brick hearth and had all of the original
forged and wrought-iron andirons, gates and cookery sets. The Farrells had all of it, and lovingly restored all of it to gleaming perfection. The rear portion of
their kitchen was original timber, brick floor, and the massive hearth. There were rolling hills on the property itself, years ago they had a couple of horses, but
now the Farrells saw no reason to keep animals. Their household was quiet and peaceful. There was a reason Grace had previously retreated to her family
home. There was a very old spring house on the property. It was Grace's retreat as a child. The cool, dark building was made of stone, built into the earth. On
the hottest days, that spring house would be 55 degrees. Like its name implied, It was built over a spring, which still ran strong. Oliver was in awe of the
stately and somehow welcoming home from the outside, before they even stepped foot inside. He could see the immaculate house, so well-kept – every
window sash intact, every stone tucked and pointed, original hinge work, a hand-wrought railing on the steps and fences. It wasn't as gigantic as the estate of
course, but Oliver was astounded by its beauty and antiquity. In England, he could see a lot of very – very old buildings. He had seen the French and Italian
towns, Greece, Rome, ancient towns and countryside villas – all of them charming. But for America, this was as old as it got. He was impressed with their
entire aesthetic and he found himself liking Bryn Mawr already. It was almost as if he – without knowing it – had allowed himself to slow down and take it all
in. As they approached the front door, Grace's father opened it, Elizabeth Farrell behind him. Together they said: "Well! Look at this! Hello!" Grace kissed her
father on the cheek. "Hi, Daddy." "Hello, honey." John Farrell looked at Oliver over his daughter's shoulder and smiled at him. Oliver was smiling, too. Grace
pulled back and said: "Dad, this is Oliver Havens." Oliver and John shook hands, John Farrell said: "Hello. Oh, we've met! It is very nice to see you – again…"
They chuckled…Oliver said: "Oh, that's right – we've met before!" John smiled at him. Johnny said: "Hey, are we taking this campaign inside, or are we
serving drinks out here?" John Farrell laughed and said: "Yes, of course,,,,please, do come in! How silly of me." Liz soon chimed in with: "Welcome all of you,
please do come in!" The group made its way into the foyer, John Farrell said hello to Johnny and Claire. Small talk, excited chatter. "Hello Claire, nice to see
you, dear.!" They both liked her. Claire smiled and said: "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Farrell, for inviting me." Grace hugged her mother hello and said: "Hi,
Mom, thanks for doing this…..you are very sneaky." Grace kissed her mother's cheek and laughed lightly. Liz pulled back, smiling at Grace and said: "Well,
apparently not sneaky enough." She too smiled at Oliver over her daughter's shoulder. Liz then said to Oliver: "Well hello Oliver, so nice to see you in person!
Welcome to our home." She kissed Oliver's cheek and patted his hand. Oliver produced a bouquet for Liz. She made a fuss. Flowers were trimmed and put in
a lead crystal vase for the table. (The single rose was trimmed and put in a small vase, per their plan, in the kitchen, out of sight.) Grace gave the bottle of
cognac to her father from their bag. "This is from Oliver, Dad." Oliver broke in: "It is from us. It's a small token…thank you for hosting us all today, John…you
too, Liz…" And he smiled at Grace. John Farrell accepted it from her and said: "Why, thank you so much. We shall have some later...I love a nice cognac!"
Oliver said: "This is quite a beautiful home, John, Liz. You must show me some of its secrets later." John smiled at him and said: "Oh yes, of course. I would
love that, in the meantime however, I would like to offer you both some of Grace's mother's punch? She only makes it on special occasions and holidays, and
if I do not offer it to you aggressively, she will be miffed at me for the entire day. However, today, it is a bit different, perhaps it is the finest punch yet – made
with Pimm's and a good gin….lots of fruit to cover up the mischief…" Grace said: "Dad, how about if I get you both some punch?" Claire said; "Gracie, I'll help
you." Grace said: "Thanks, Claire…Oliver, please dear, keep my father out of trouble as long as possible. After that, just turn a blind eye…" John Farrell
laughed at his daughter's quip. "Oh, that one…she thinks she knows a thing or two about her old man." He clapped Oliver on the back. Oliver smiled at him
and said: "I love Pimm's…I haven't had a taste of that in years…how lovely." Grace turned to get their drinks, Liz said to Johnny: "I'm so pleased that you and
Claire could get here today! Both of you, on the same day! Just lovely. Grace is here, and Oliver…what a wonderful day!" Oliver was taking all of this in. He
was smiling and enjoying their company. Grace quickly returned with a tray and drinks. Oliver leapt up to help her, taking it from her and placing it on a
nearby serving buffet. "That looks lovely, dear." He said to her. Claire soon followed with extra glasses and napkins, and some Hors d'oeuvres. Johnny leapt up
to take the tray from Claire. Grace smiled at how nicely they afternoon was going so far, and Oliver quietly asked: "Should we give the chocolates to Claire
and Johnny?" Grace smiled at him and said: "I had almost forgotten. Yes, let's!" It had been a long time – if ever – that he had been in such a small, family
group before. In a private home. His bodyguards were 100 miles away in New York City. This was all new to Oliver. He enjoyed the freedom from prying
eyes. He liked that all of them treated him normally. Oliver was famous, he was a celebrity, he was a billionaire. He was in love with Grace Farrell – and that
was all that mattered to her family: that he was in love with Grace. They all knew that Grace was head over heels for Oliver, too. Johnny asked Oliver: "So,
Oliver, ….you have a slight accent, right?" Oliver loved how blunt and inquisitive Johnny was. Everyone else in the room fell silent, waiting for Oliver to answer
Johnny. He thought for a moment, smiling back at Johnny, he said: "Well, I was born in Liverpool, England. I left England at 12 years of age, so, I have
always thought I had lost the accent…ha!…I guess not." He smiled. Johnny said: "Its only on certain syllables. Almost undetectable." Grace produced the box
of Asher's chocolates for Claire and Johnny, handing it to Oliver first. He handed the box to Claire. "These are for you. It is ever so nice to meet you both."
Claire smiled at him and said: "Thank you both! I love chocolate. Do I have to share this with John?" They laughed. "I'm kidding. I know I don't have to share
with John." More laughter. It was superficial. It was mundane. It was a delight. Oliver thought it was, anyway. Oliver was seated in a comfortable wingback
chair, and Grace sat on the arm of it, her arm on his shoulder. They settled in for a nice afternoon. Oliver, who was truly enjoying the punch, said to Grace's
mother: "Liz, I must say – I haven't had a Pimm's in years. This is delicious. You must tell us how you make your wonderful punch. We will have this in New
York, I promise you! I cannot believe I had, well, forgotten about it…" Liz said: "Oh Oliver, I am so happy you like this! I wasn't entirely sure, but I
thought, maybe a nice nod to your lovely England is in order." She was smiling at him. John Farrell watched the niceties unfold. He added: "Oliver, I had never
heard of Pimm's before. Liz brought it home and told me all about the various things one can make….absolutely delicious…" Oliver laughed lightly and said:
"Though this is a drink from my lovely England," he was quoting Liz, "I certainly never tasted it until I was grown and had the occasion to visit my parents.
They live in England, still. In the country, near Oxford." Grace knew this and was secretly hoping to spare him the pain of having to talk about Albert. Liz
picked up Oliver's thread and asked him about his parents. "I had no idea, Oliver…um.. your parents…are they….independent? Are they…like…John and me?"
Liz was trying to ask their ages without asking their ages. Oliver laughed lightly, completely understanding the question she hadn't asked: "They are
well and independent. My father is 72, my mother is 68. They are both well, relatively speaking. They have a small country estate, but they have others run
it. They are essentially retired. I write to them every month, but I've not seen them in over two years."
Liz said: "My, over two years. That is a long time." Oliver replied: "Yes, you're right, of course. It is too long a time to have not seen them." The room got
quiet. Grace kept her arm around his shoulders. Johhny said: "Do you think you will travel there any time soon?" Again, Johnny was blunt and Oliver could
see where Grace got her moxie. Her entire family was direct and they all spoke plainly. Plainly in that they just came out with it. Oliver thought to himself:
"Well, I had better get used to it!", he smiled to himself. He answered Johnny's question: "I want to see them someday soon. I have not made plans, though,
at the moment." His true plan was to take Grace there someday. Liz continued: "I do hope you see them soon, dear Oliver, time flies by so quickly!" Oliver
chuckled at this, thinking that she was not only right, but this entire day was a time slip. He had never traveled to a place he was nervous about so quickly.
That was always the way, he thought. Yet, his nerves were calmed almost immediately upon Johnny picking them up, in meeting Claire, in how relaxed and
friendly the family was – not only toward him – but, toward everyone. They were a happy group and they were thrilled for Grace and him to be
together and meeting the family. Oliver also had an inside track on things, everyone was complicit, except Grace.
They all went into the dining room, the brunch was lovely, over-the-top with choices, and by 2:30 PM, the conversation was light-hearted, coffee and cognac
served, desserts aplenty. Grace was enjoying herself and had promised to show Oliver the 'nickel tour' of the very old house. He wanted to see her room, he
wanted to walk the house with her. Liz produced a few of Grace's old things, ballet shoes from her very first years, and the house filled with photos of Johnny
and Grace and many family shots of them as they grew up. There was a picture of Grace when she was about five years old in a ballet tutu and striking a
pose. Oliver picked it up and said: "Awwwww…Grace…" He looked over at her lovingly, comparing her to the picture: "you were such a precious little angel!"
She lovingly took his arm, putting hers through his and leaned her head on his shoulder. There were pictures of Johnny, too. Taken as he caught a fish as a
tot, or riding his trike on the drive out front, many school photos of them both. They all made Oliver smile. Grace asked him: "Are there childhood pictures of
you, love?" Oliver looked at her, raised his eyebrows and said: "I never really thought about it. I guess my parents might have a couple. We were very poor. I
am not sure we have any…but…if there are, I know my mother has them." Grace realized that this was now straying into the possibility of bringing up Albert.
Grace said: "I'm sorry." He smiled at her and said: "Grace, there is nothing at all to be sorry about. It was just the way we lived. You never have to be sorry
about that." He pulled her into him and kissed her on the temple. Liz had seen this, the tenderness between them. She felt very badly that Oliver had such a
rough start, but, also found herself very much in awe of the kind of person he was. He was driven. He was a genuine and true man. She knew about Albert.
She and Oliver had more than just a couple of conversations about 'things' and Grace, and the plan, and how to do it. They had even met for lunch
downtown. Grace had never had a clue. John Farrell and Oliver had also met and spoken on numerous occasions about this very day, Grace, his, (Oliver's)
intentions. He had also – after meeting with John Farrell for dinner one evening at his club – asked for his blessing in asking Grace to marry him. He was a
nervous wreck and he was determined to do things the right way. It was the proper thing to do, it was what he wanted and what she would respect very
much. He wanted her to know that her desires did not go unnoticed, that he honored her in every way. He also happened to be "hopelessly in love with her
and he could not – simply could not – live without her." Oliver had poured out his heart to John Farrell who had listened intently and smiled at Oliver as he
spoke. After Oliver had finished, John paused for a moment. He looked Oliver in his eyes and said: "Oliver, I know that you love Grace. I know that she loves
you – more than you probably realize. That girl used to come home to Bryn Mawr for a 48-hour stay because she was so in love with you, she said she could
just burst. It took a while to figure her out because in her usual fashion, she secluded herself….while secluding herself from you…"He shook his head and
chuckled at this, continuing as Oliver listened: "Those two – I mean Liz and Grace – thought I never heard a word, that I was off in my den not in tune with
my own daughter. Women." The two men laughed together at the comedy of it. John said to Oliver: "Oliver, ..look….you are a very old-fashioned man to come
to me and ask my blessing. I am in awe of your respect. Not only for me, but obviously for Grace. You two have a real thing. You two have true love. Please,
take care of it. Love needs care. You both need to tend it. I know. I have been married for 33 years to the same woman. I've never strayed, I am still in love
with my wife. We work at our marriage and our love survives and thrives. Liz is MY other half. So, I know how you feel. Know this about Grace: she is a
sensitive, strong-willed, smart and incredibly capable woman. If you meet her half-way, she will be right there with you. She saved my business from financial
ruin. She has one of the kindest hearts I know. She is my little girl and my only daughter. I loved her first, Oliver. I love her still. So much." He paused for a
few moments and then added: "She is Liz's absolute best friend. Those two are like peas in a pod. The two men contemplated this and each had their own
moment of realization that they were on the same page: They only wanted Grace to be happy, they both loved her very much. Each in their different way –
man her father, the other man her love. John said finally: "Can you promise me this? you aways treat her right? I mean, be her actual mate – never mistreat
her, never be unfaithful? That would destroy her. Can you promise me that? I just want my daughter to be happy, and Oliver, she loves you with all her heart.
That girl has loved you for a long time. So, can you? Promise me all of that?" Oliver smiled at him. He looked at John and said: "I can promise you that. No
hesitation. I want only Grace. She is the love of my life. John, before I met Grace. . . let me clarify: many years - before I met Grace, I was with a woman
for several years. We were a part of the Monte Carlo yacht set, the wealthy idiots throwing themselves parties and into debt. Little did I know at the time, I
was a with a woman who wanted me only for my money. I was young – early 30s – we dated for six years, on and off. I thought I loved her. I then found out
that she'd been unfaithful to me. She had a long-term man in her life, they lived together. Her design the entire time was to marry me, divorce me, live in
ease happily ever after. I abruptly ended things with her. I came to the United States, built my estate in New York and swore off women. I was burned." He
took a breath. John sat and listened, nursing his cognac. Oliver continued: "I worked at the estate, I traveled till I didn't know what date it was or where I had
been the day before. I was running to escape it all.. It was the 20s. I also had other tasks and goals I was attending to in New York at the time. The estate
being built in itself was a gigantic project. I achieved a goal of education. I left home at 12, and I left school at 12, too. I made up for that when I came to
New York. The time flew by so quickly, the next thing I knew, five, or six?, years, had gone by since I was that young millionaire in Monte Carlo." He stopped
to look at John, he then said: "Enter William Gayle. Bill called me out of the blue to attend the Republican gala in New York one night. I wasn't even supposed
to be in town. My plans had been cancelled unexpectedly. I was honestly not intent on going, but I thought I would – at the last minute. While I was there, I
had the opportunity to hold the door for a young lady coming back from a lounge area. It was Grace." He paused here to smile. He looked at John and found
that he was looking back at him and had a thoughtful expression in his eyes and a smile on his mouth. Oliver continued: "I thought nothing of it until later in
the evening, I met her again, through Bill." John's smile faded at this memory of other players who were there that night: adding: "Oh, yes and our friend
was there being a pest." Oliver looked at him, registering that he was referring to Andrew. He looked at the tablecloth and said: "Well, I had to block him from
getting to her. He was a menace." He paused here for a moment. "Grace and I exchanged a few pleasantries and we parted. That was that. I had not seen her
again for over a year, when she walked into my office at the estate for a job interview with my office manager at the time, and then me. I recognized her
immediately." Oliver continued: "John, I want you to know that nothing untoward went on. I never looked on her as a romantic interest when she started
working at the estate. We just got to know each other at work, we found commonalities, she is a pistol – let me tell you." John laughed and said: "This, I
know!" Oliver went on to tell John: "You know, when she first started working at the estate, managing people and performing her job like a dervish who was
cool and collected, she – your daughter – actually called me into her office and had a chat with me about MY work demeanor and being.. well, miserable. . .
and downright difficult to work with. She was right. She was honest and she was not afraid of the big, bad bully Oliver Warbucks. She saw through me. I was
a bitter pill. Bitter about life. I was celibate, alone, secluding myself into a world of solitude. Does that sound familiar?" John nodded and asked: "How did that
work out for you? Secluding yourself? Did you think things through?" He was really asking, this is how John Farrell tackled life. It was logic after emotion for
him. He was a loving man and could understand how a betrayal like the one Oliver had suffered would make a man spiral into depression and mistrust for the
world. He was not surprised that it was his Grace who was able to break down the barriers. Oliver answered his question: "I was, like I said, miserable. I was
taking it out on everyone around me. Grace called me out on my behavior. I had to respect her. She never disrespected me, she was calm, but factual.
Logical. I was truly humbled, but, not in a bad way at all. Humility is always a good thing when served to the right situation in the right way. Grace did just
that. She was extremely kind." He watched John's face, he could see the same look in his eyes that he could see in Grace's eyes at times. She was this man's
daughter alright. Oliver continued: "John, our feelings developed with little things. Little conversations. Seasons changed. We got to know more about each
other – just by the mundane. We traveled to other cities for meetings, Grace was fully prepared with her arsenal of information, her statistics, her business
acumen. In meetings together as a team – we had our own language, and cues, we were a fierce pair, and mostly because of Grace. She is the utmost
at eviscerating details and we would go into a meeting with heads of state and industry, and Grace would hand me a detailed and intensely-researched
dossier on each attendant. She was like a secret weapon, and believe me, a lot of businesspeople never thought for a moment that 'Oliver Warbucks' pretty
secretary' would also have a degree in mathematics and business. It used to make me laugh at them to myself. I digress. I started to really find myself liking
her a lot, I liked her whole presence. The way she carried herself, the way she treated the people around her. She treated the staff under her management as
equals – with respect, courtesy and true stewardship with some of the younger staff – especially the younger women. Her character was something one
aspired to be like should one ever grow up. She was uplifting and she just never quit until a job was done, plan completed, or a goal achieved. The
productivity at the estate office and the estate itself drastically improved, staff was happy, the house hummed. The office hummed. It dawned on me that
I missed her when she was away, or, when I was away. Oliver again paused to let his words echo into the hearth and leather chairs of his club's dining room.
He looked at John who was looking at him, waiting for him to continue: "One day, I finally allowed myself to acknowledge that I had feelings for her. Once I
allowed myself to open my heart a little, that was it. There was no going back. I realized I was in love with her." Oliver realized how much he was talking,
however, he said one more thing: "John, our – um, our – relationship has been entirely wholesome. Grace would never - nor would I – take, uh, liberties
outside of marriage." Oliver realized that he felt very warm and was probably blushing. "I don't know why, but I thought it was important that you know that
we have been exceedingly - um – respectful of our own boundaries. Steps should be taken in correct order – we talked about it and we both agreed with this
approach. There is no race to the top step….er, so to speak... I'm sorry, it's a terrible analogy. I am also sorry if I am being too forward. I want you
to know I am an honorable man. Your daughter is an honorable woman." John nodded and said: "You are both adult people. It's none of my business…but, I
do appreciate and respect you for telling me. Oliver decided to get to the point. He wanted Grace and this was indeed, one of the logical steps he needed to
take. He spoke slowly and clearly to the father of the woman he loved. "I love her so much, John. I want to marry her. I want to spend my life with her. I will
never mistreat her or be unfaithful to her. She is my love. She is my one and only." Oliver paused. John said: "Please, go on." Oliver said after a moment:
"She is my other half…quite seriously. I will sound very 'not British' when I say this, but I cannot see a future without her as my wife. I love Grace with all my
heart and soul, quite literally. My heart doesn't feel right and I cannot get a breath when she is away from me." He looked at John and waited for his reply.
John Farrell smiled at Oliver. He said: "Oliver, it's funny you should say that because I know from talking to my own beloved, beautiful wife, that our Grace
feels very much the same way about you, almost word for word, except you've exhibited far less tears." He looked at Oliver and took a breath. "Gracie cannot
live without you, Oliver. She has told me so herself." Oliver looked at him with surprise. A moment stood still. "John…do I have your blessing to ask Grace to
marry me?" It was not lost on Oliver in what he was asking of John. John was quiet for a few moments. He looked at Oliver and suddenly stood up and
extended his hand. Oliver stood up. John said: "Oliver, you have my blessing." He added: "Just so you know, you have Liz's blessing, too. She likes
you a lot and not because you are Oliver Warbucks the billionaire – she likes you because you make Grace happy and you love her." The two men shook
hands on their agreement. Oliver said to John: "Thank you, John. You have made me a very happy man." They sat down and finished their
talk and their evening. John suggested that he get in touch with Liz by phone and set up some plans with her, he would assist of course, but 'Liz would tan his
hide' if he didn't include her in this right out of the gate. They laughed over this, and Oliver did indeed call Liz the very next day. The rest, as they say, is
history. Well, history up to now.
