Winter's Role, page 27
Bill, and everyone else at the table, looked at Jessie in surprise. “You sure, Jessie? I’m going to put you to work for a couple of hours. That’s why none of these heathens will volunteer anymore.”
Jessie nodded. “That’s fine. I was just thinking last night…I got to spend a lot of time with Nancy back in the spring. It would be nice if you and I got to know each other a little better.”
“Well, if you’re sure? That would be fine with me. Steph? You don’t mind if I commandeer Jessie for a few hours do you?” he asked his daughter, not wanting to take Jessie away from her. He was quite aware of how little time they got to spend together.
Stephanie, who was busy with a piece of wheat toast, looked over at both of them. Shaking her head, she said, “I don’t mind. It sounds like a good idea, actually…You and Jessie getting to know each other.”
“Well, I guess it’s settled. I’ll be ready to leave in about ten minutes. I’ll meet you at the front door,” Bill said, standing up and grabbing his cup of coffee. Leaving the kitchen in search of Nancy, he smiled to himself at the thought of spending time with Jessie. He’d wanted to get to know her better, too.
After Bill left, Jessie noticed that everyone was looking at her. “What? Did I do something wrong?”
It was Steve who answered. “No. It’s just…Dad only opens the store for about four hours on Christmas Eve. He doesn’t really need anyone to help. He just likes to get a head start on things, like dusting the shelves and inventory.”
“Oh. So…what you’re saying is that he wasn’t kidding when he said he was going to put me to work?” Jessie asked, catching the joke.
“Pretty much, yeah,” he answered. They’d all learned years ago to never volunteer when Bill asked them to go to the store.
Stephanie sighed. “I’ll go with you. I don’t mind helping out for a few hours.”
Jessie almost panicked. She really needed the time alone with Bill. Trying to keep it casual, so Steph wouldn’t suspect anything, she shook her head. “That’s okay. I mean…didn’t you promise your mom that you’d help her with the candy, today?”
Stephanie shrugged. “She’ll understand.”
“No. It’s okay, really. I really would like to spend some time getting to know your dad. Just…me and him,” she said, hoping that Steph wouldn’t become suspicious.
“Well, okay,” Stephanie agreed easily. Jessie seemed to be going out of her way to get to know her family, and that made her insanely happy. Giving her time with her dad was no big deal.
Jessie smiled as she stood up to get her coat. Leaning down, she kissed Stephanie on top of the head. “Thanks, Babe. It’ll only be a few hours, I promise.”
Stephanie looked up at her and caught her hand before she could walk away. “Have fun.”
Jessie squeezed her hand and smiled. “Oh, I will.”
* * * *
It was Christmas Eve, and Stephanie’s entire family was gathered in the living room. Dinner was over and all the dishes had been cleaned up. The kids, all five of them, were running around, practically bouncing off the walls. They were so excited that Christmas had finally come, they couldn’t sit still. After helping Stephanie, Rachel, and her sister’s in law clean up the kitchen, Jessie had wandered out to the living room. Sitting down on the couch, Stephanie squeezed in between her and Rachel a few minutes later, and sat as close as she could, holding her hand. It felt really nice, Jessie thought to herself, to just sit and watch the festivities with Stephanie. It reminded her of when she was a kid and her parents were still together. Her grandparents, both sets, would come over on Christmas Eve and they’d hand out presents and eat till they couldn’t eat anymore. Then, her parents would send them off to bed. When they woke up Christmas morning, there would be more presents from Santa all over the living room.
When Nancy and Bill came in and sat down, Steve began passing out the presents. He gave the kids their gifts first, knowing how excited they were. Then, he passed around everything else. Before everyone could begin opening their gifts, Bill raised his wine glass and began to propose a toast. But, as luck would have it, the doorbell rang at that precise moment. Nancy, who was sitting closest to the entry foyer, got up and went to answer it.
A few minutes later, Jessie was absolutely floored to see not only Theresa and Brian, but her mom and dad, walk into the living room. Jumping up, she waded through the crowd to hug all of them. “Oh, my Gosh! What are you guys doing here?”
“It was Stephanie’s idea,” Julie said, releasing Jessie so that JD could hug his daughter next. “She called me weeks ago and set this up. Nancy and I have been talking back and forth, working out the logistics.”
Turning to look at Stephanie, who was now standing next to her, Jessie hugged her, too. Shaking her head in amazement, she asked, “What did you do?”
Stephanie shrugged shyly. “I just wanted us all to be together this year. I thought it would be nice if your family could be here, too.”
“You don’t know how hard it’s been to keep this a secret,” Theresa said, hugging her and then Stephanie. “You almost caught me on the phone with Steph a few times at the office.”
Jessie shook her head in amazement. “I’m so glad you’re all here.”
Vince came in from the dining room with four more fold out chairs. “Here you are, everybody have a seat.”
As they all took their seats, Lisa handed each of them a wine glass, and Bill, looking around the room, began his toast again. “This year, I’d like to make a toast to family. We’re especially blessed this year to have five more members to add to our joy. Merry Christmas, everybody.”
“To Family,” the group said together.
Then, the gift opening frenzy commenced. Everyone took turns opening their gifts, so that everybody could see what they’d received that year. Jessie had been wondering what Stephanie could possibly do to top inviting her family here. She really didn’t think that anything else was necessary, but apparently, Stephanie didn’t agree.
When it came her turn, Stephanie turned to look at her. “Jessie,” Stephanie said, reaching behind her for a small box wrapped in red paper. “This year has been absolutely wonderful. I started a new show, and just when I thought I was going to spend my summer being bored out of my mind, you shook my hand and introduced yourself and my life changed forever. You have no idea how much I love you, but I was hoping that this might…be a start?” She handed over the box shyly and waited as Jessie opened it.
“You didn’t have to get me anything, Sweetheart. Bringing them here…You’ve already done enough.” After unwrapping the box, Jessie pulled the top off and gasped when she saw its contents. Inside, was an exquisite sterling silver and diamond bracelet, made of interconnecting hearts. “Oh God, Steph…It’s beautiful. Thank you.” She pulled it out of the box and put it on.
Stephanie, who was blushing slightly, said, “I’m glad you like it.”
Jessie smiled and leaned over to kiss her. “Thank you. I love it.” As she released Stephanie, she grabbed an envelope off the table next to her. “I guess it’s my turn.” Licking her lips nervously, she handed Stephanie the envelope. “This is something I’ve been working on for a while. I’ve been waiting to tell you about it so that I could do it in front of everyone.”
Accepting the envelope, Stephanie looked at her curiously as she opened it up. Inside, were two pieces of paper, each a different color. She pulled both out and looked at her quizzically. “Jess?”
“Read them,” was all Jessie said encouragingly, nodding and watching her intently.
Stephanie opened the off-white piece of paper first. As she read the letter, she looked back up at Jessie in wonder. “Jessie, this is…this is a recording contract?”
Jessie nodded. “Yeah. The entire band has signed on. I’ve been waiting to tell you. I wanted to talk to you first. You know, to make sure you’re okay with…my moving out there?”
“Well, of course I’m okay with it, Jess! I’ve been hoping you’d decide to do that,” Stephanie answered enthusiastically.
Jessie smiled at her and said, “Go ahead, open the other one.”
Still in shock, she opened the light green piece of paper next. Reading this one, she reached over and hugged Jessie. “Oh, my God! You…you’re starting a record label? Jess! When did you do all this?”
“I’ve been working on it for a while. Dad and I came up with the idea. He called a friend. You remember Cliff?” When Stephanie nodded, she went on, “Well, they flew into town to see the band play a few weeks ago. We sat down and talked and decided to make it happen. Cliff has a studio and equipment, Dad and I are going to help as producers and talent scouts and the band is going to be the first one on the roster.” She shrugged as if it were no big deal.
“Wait a minute, the band? Jess…the entire band’s moving to LA, too?”
“Yeah, that’s what Lacy and I were talking about that night at the restaurant; the location for John’s studio and our rehearsal space.” She smiled at how excited Stephanie seemed to be. “Lacy’s retiring from movies and becoming our booking agent for the label.”
“God, Jess, this is fantastic!” Stephanie said, hugging her.
“So, you’re finally going to move in with my sister?” Steve couldn’t resist asking.
“Actually…” Jessie blushed, biting the inside of her cheek. She hadn’t intended to do this in front of her parents and Theresa and Brian, too. But…the time had come, and she wasn’t going to let anything stop her. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I have one more thing.” She turned to look into Stephanie’s eyes. Swallowing hard, she focused on the gorgeous woman in front of her. “Stephanie, this past year has been the best of my life. Nine months ago, Mr. Mason assigned me to baby sit the lead actress in a TV show he was producing. I really didn’t want to do it, believing that she was going to be some spoiled rotten diva. But then, one Monday morning, you walked through the door of my office and everything just…clicked into place.” She reached over and brushed Stephanie’s hair back from her face. “Before I met you, I never had a direction. No plans. I just…floated. I can’t, for the life of me, imagine my world without you in it, now.” Sliding off of the couch, she landed on one knee. “I spoke to your dad this morning, and he gave his blessing.” Reaching into the pocket of her jeans, she pulled out a small ring box. Opening it, she held it up for Stephanie to see. Looking into those beautiful green eyes, she said, “Now that it’s legal in the US…Stephanie Renee Winters, would you do me the great honor and privilege of agreeing to be my wife?”
Stephanie was stunned. Looking at the ring, her hand flew to her mouth, shaking. “Jessie…this is the ring. The one we saw in…in Greece?” The ring was a carat and a half Princess cut center stone diamond with pave-set diamonds and two Princess cut side diamonds, all set in a white gold band. She’d fallen in love with it from the start, but it wasn’t something you bought for yourself. And she hadn’t felt right, buying it for Jessie. Truthfully, she’d never brought up the subject of marriage because she was afraid it would scare Jessie off. Living together, yes…but marriage?
Jessie nodded, smiling at her. “Yeah.”
“But…how did you? When did you?”
“It was the only thing you mentioned more than once that you liked. I called the store and spoke to the owner that afternoon, while you were shopping,” Jessie explained patiently.
Tears of happiness running down her face, Stephanie gasped, “Oh, Jessie…yes. Oh God, yes.” She hadn’t expected this. In all the time they’d been seeing each other, Jessie hadn’t given her any indication that she was really ready to change things beyond what she’d said two nights before. They’d talked about it, but Jessie just kept saying ‘when the time was right, they’d know.’ At the time, Stephanie had thought it was Jessie’s way of stalling. But now? Looking into her blue eyes, she could do nothing more than repeat herself. “Yes, Jessie. I’ll marry you. But…what about your house, and…?”
Jessie pulled the ring out and, her hands shaking, slid it on Stephanie’s left hand ring finger. “I love you,” she said, as she kissed her. When she released her, she smiled and shrugged at the question. “We’ll worry about all that later.” She reached up and brushed Stephanie’s tears away with her thumb. “I get you for the rest of my life and that’s more than I ever hoped for. I told you before, I’d give up everything I have if it meant I could spend the rest of my life with you.”
“But…”
She shook her head. “No buts. I love you and that’s all that matters.”
“God, Jessie…I love you so much. I would be proud to be your wife,” Stephanie whispered into her ear. Wiping her face with a tissue that had appeared out of nowhere, she sniffed and looked around. Her mother was crying, too. As were Julie and Rachel. “I’ve wanted this since I met you.”
“I know,” Jessie whispered back. “Sorry it took me so long.”
“It doesn’t matter now.”
Suddenly, Katherine was by their side, tugging on Jessie’s sleeve. When Jessie turned her head to look at the girl, she asked, “You gonna marry Aunt Steph’nie now?”
Jessie laughed and hugged Katherine with her free arm. “Yes, Sweetheart. I’m gonna marry your Aunt Stephanie now.”
Katherine jumped up and down and clapped her hands. “Yeah! Now I got Aunt Steph’nie and Aunt Jessie!”
Everyone laughed at Katherine’s obvious excitement over having Jessie join the family and Jessie kissed Stephanie one more time. Still shaking, she stood up and pulled Stephanie up off the couch too. Before they knew it, they were both engulfed by hugs and congratulations from everyone.
“Stephanie!” Julie said, reaching her first, “I can’t believe Jessie finally got around to doing this! Congratulations!”
“Thank you, Julie! I’m so excited,” Stephanie said, hugging Jessie’s mother. When the hug ended, Julie caught her hand to look at the engagement ring. “Wow! Jessie did good!” she said, admiring the ring.
Looking fondly over at Jessie, who was busy being hugged by Stephanie’s brothers and their wives, she turned her attention back to Julie. “I can’t believe she bought this one. I hadn’t realized she’d even noticed that I was looking at it.”
“Well, she does have a way of rising to the occasion and surprising us all, sometimes,” Julie said, more proud of Jessie in that moment than she could ever remember.
“All right, Julie,” JD said, shaking his head at his ex-wife as he waited his turn to congratulate Stephanie, “Let me get my hug in, too.” When Julie finally stepped aside good-naturedly, he pulled Stephanie into a huge hug. “Congratulations, Stephanie! I hope it was as big a surprise as Jess wanted? She’s been planning this whole moving to LA thing for a while, you know.”
Returning the hug, Stephanie said, “I had no idea she was planning anything like this, JD. I’m so happy!”
“You two deserve to be happy,” he answered her. “Enjoy it.” He kissed her on the cheek and made his way over to Jessie. He pulled her into a hug when he finally managed to reach her. “Congratulations, Jess! You told me you were surprising Stephanie with the record label, but my God! You never mentioned that you were proposing, too.”
“So you didn’t know about this, either?” Julie asked, coming to stand next to her ex-husband. She eyed him critically, waiting for his answer. She didn’t like the fact that Jessie was going into the music business like JD, but there was nothing she could do about that now. She also knew that JD was aware of the fact that she didn’t like it. Still, in the interest of Jessie’s happiness…she could be quiet.
JD looked at her when she asked the question. “I honestly had no idea, Julie. Jess said she wanted to get out to LA permanently. That’s what we worked on. She never mentioned that she was going to propose.”
Jessie rolled her eyes. It was time to stop them before they got into an argument or something. “Mom, Dad…I didn’t tell anyone.”
“Yeah…not even your best friend,” Theresa said, stepping up to them and joining the conversation. She play slapped at Jessie’s arm. “You could have told me, Jess. Instead, you just let me keep on badgering you about making things more permanent with Stephanie.” She shook her head.
Jessie laughed. “I wanted it to be a surprise, T. Nobody knew.”
“You didn’t tell Lacy, did you? I know you’ve been talking to her a lot, lately. If you did…” she said mock accusingly. She wasn’t really angry about it, but it would hurt her feelings if Jessie had told the blond her plans and hadn’t shared them with her, too.
Jessie hugged her. “I swear to you, T…I didn’t tell Lacy. No one knew about this ahead of time.”
“So, how did you manage to pull this off without anyone suspecting?”
“You told me a long time ago,” Stephanie said, coming over to them and interrupting, wrapping herself around Jessie. “Jessie never tells anyone anything about herself she doesn’t want them to know. She can be a freak that way, sometimes.”
“Hey!” Jessie said, laughing at the way everyone was going on about how she’d managed to keep the proposal a secret. “If I’d told anyone what I was planning, all of this wouldn’t have been much of a surprise now, would it?”
Stephanie kissed her on the cheek and tightened her grip on the slim waist. “I’m glad you kept it all a secret, Jess. This has been the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
Jessie smiled back at her and everything around them just disappeared as she fell into Steph’s eyes. “I promised you that everything would fall into place,” she said quietly.
“And you’ve never lied to me,” Stephanie said, agreeing with her. She wanted to kiss Jessie again, she really did. But, with both their families there, she thought that probably wouldn’t be the best thing to do. Especially since what she really wanted to do involved ripping Jessie’s clothes off and kissing her all over.
