by Nicole Smith
As it happened, they managed to get out of her place within fifteen minutes. Beth thought she might have set a new land-speed record getting to William's house. And by his worried yelps, decided that maybe she didn't need to go quite so fast.
The florist shop had a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers, in yellow, orange, pink, and white waiting for her. Beth drove carefully to the Grainger house after strapping the flowers in the vase against the set with the seatbelt.
When she walked in carrying the flowers, Betsy came running forward to take them.
"Why, they're lovely, Beth! Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. Is everyone already here?"
"Almost, but Sam and Anna had a last minute thing with Josh. They should be here soon. Oh, and Mr. Christopher isn't here yet."
"Okay, great. So what can I do to help?"
"You can just sit right down here in the living room and wait for the others to arrive. We've got everything handled in the kitchen." Betsy stopped talking and then shifted the flowers so she had a hand free to pat Beth on the shoulder. "You're looking well, really well."
Beth felt puzzled by the comment, but only said, "Thanks."
Within moments, Maggie was walking toward her, a strawberry half-eaten in her hand. Waving a juice-stained hand around, Maggie said, "Finally! I was beginning to wonder if you guys, if you, that is, were going to show up."
Then Maggie came over and hugged Beth tightly. "I'm rooting for you," she whispered.
Beth pulled back. "What? Maggie what do you..."
"Gotta go finish the strawberries. Cutting them up, that is, not eating them," she said and gave a sparkling laugh as she left the room.
Beth sat there debating on whether it would be rude to start drinking right away. But her attention was next taken by Cody, who walked by in the hallway, and looked in giving her a thumb's up when he saw her.
He was followed by Eric, who glanced at her and turned a bit red, as he gave her a quick little wave.
Julia walked in with a glass of wine. "Here. I thought you might like this. It's a really good white zinfandel. Beth...I should tell you that I...well...I know...."
"Hello everyone!" Sam said as he carried Joshua in, with Anna coming behind him with a large covered casserole. "Could someone watch Josh while I grab the other mac and cheese?"
He set Joshua down and dashed off back outside. Anna headed for the kitchen. "I'll be back soon. Thanks you guys, for watching him."
Joshua walked over to Beth and said, "Gotta phone?"
Julia said, "I'd better get back in and finish setting the table. I'll just leave you two."
Beth sipped her wine and met Joshua's hazel eyes that were staring at her quite seriously.
"Nephew, what do you want with my phone?"
"Gonna fix it."
"Hmm. And will it work after you fix it?"
He shrugged.
Sam walked in, carrying a casserole.
"Sam, does he play games on the phone? He was asking for mine, so if it's okay?"
"No! Uh, that is, probably best not...ah, you see..."
"Daddy. Josh fix Aunt Bethie's phone."
"No, I really think not, son. But if Beth will take you into the study, I think Uncle Eric left you some new chips to play with."
Josh grinned and took off running down the hall. Beth laughed and stood up to follow him.
"Thanks Beth. I'll be in for him in a minute. And Beth...Are you okay? Are you happy?"
"What? Of course I am. Never better."
He gave her a broad smile. "Good then. Good for you."
She walked away feeling like she'd entered the play without reading the script first. In the study, she found Joshua on the floor with what looked like computer chips spread around him. "Josh, where did you get these?"
"Unc Eric brings chips."
"Oh. They let you play with...chips?"
He nodded. "See? Matchie-matchie game."
She realized then that he was making stacks of chips that she had to assume matched. How he could tell they matched was beyond her.
Josh handed her a few chips and she stared hard at them. They just seemed like lines on board to her.
Josh pointed his finger along board. "See? Pathway. See other chip? Same pathway."
She stared at him and he grinned at her. "Good job, Josh," she said faintly.
"There you are," Frank said, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. His chef's apron had a few spills as well. "Where's William?"
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't he come with you?"
"Why would he come with me?"
Frank lowered his voice. "It's okay. I know."
Beth's eyebrows rose. "You do?"
"Sure! Nothing much gets by me, you know."
"Right. Okay then."
Sam came in at that point and Beth excused herself. She was beginning to have a sneaking suspicion that a certain fashion designer mother just might have spilled her guts to someone. Either that or the world had gone slightly mad overnight.
She took a few more sips of wine. Then she headed for the large kitchen at the back of the house. It was filled with people fixing food or chatting or feeding kids. Sam walked in behind her with Joshua. As she glanced around she realized that everyone was in there at the same time. Perfect, she thought.
"Excuse me," she said. Nobody noticed her. "Excuse me!" she yelled.
Dead silence fell.
"I just have one question for all of you. Is there anyone here who doesn't know about William and me? Is there anyone who doesn't know our secret?"
And behind her, she heard William's voice, projecting across the room, "You told them we're getting married?"
Pandemonium erupted.
* * * *
"Hold it, now just hold on here," Beth heard her father say loudly.
Everyone got quiet again.
"I thought we'd tell them when we were together, you know, not today," William said.
"I didn't tell them, sweetie, you did. All I asked was if they knew about us being together, that's all."
"Oh," he said. "That's different.
"Yes, it is."
"Young lady," Ed Carter said, moving through the crowd to stand in front of her. "Are you telling me you've been dating this man here?"
Beth nodded.
"And now you're saying you're getting married?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Sir, I'd like to speak with you in the living room. Now, if you don't mind," Ed said.
"Of course," William said, and he turned to follow Ed, after squeezing Beth's hand.
When they were gone, Beth glanced around at the others. "Who was it? It had to be you, Mother. You told everyone?"
"Oh no, darling. I'd never do that. I only told Maggie."
"And I only told Eric."
"And I just told Sam."
"Well, of course I told Anna."
"I found out when I heard you guys talking in your office the other day. I accidentally overheard you. And then I told Cody."
"And I clearly made the mistake of telling Dad, but I had to stop the whole blind date surprise."
"Then Dad called me. Hi, Beth. I'm Holly and this is Jason and our son Harry."
"And then Frank called me since I'm married to him."
Beth realized her mouth was open. "You guys are fricking amazing. Out of all of you, only Anna and Betsy didn't gossip. At least you managed to confine it to family."
"Yoohoo!" They turned as one to stare through the screen door...at Maelynne. "I hear that felicitations are in order," she said with a triumphant smile.
* * * *
William was listening attentively to Ed Carter's speech about his concern over the age gap, when he heard a voice he despised. Jumping up, he left a completely started potential father-in-law and ran into the kitchen.
"I thought I'd stop by and bring you good people one of my special pies for your big gathering. And I was just about to knock, when I heard Mr. Christopher say that he was marrying Beth. Ha
ve I got that right?"
William was appalled to see Maelynne stepping into the kitchen with her smarmy words. "What are you doing, Maelynne? What do you want?" he growled.
"Why, I think you know what I want, Mr. Director. I want a part in that play. I'll keep quiet about you two if I get the part. It's that simple."
Everyone looked at William, who could feel the blood pulsing through his veins. "You are a despicable woman. I'm surprised they haven't run you out of town on a rail. As God is my witness, for as long as I'm alive, you will never, ever, appear in any play I put on. Spread your gossip. We don't care. We're getting married because we love each other and scum like you don't matter one whit to us. Now, begone!" he roared and pointed at her.
She stumbled backward and then turned and ran out of the house.
The kitchen erupted in cheers and applause. And Ed walked over in the middle of it all to shake William's hand.
"You have my blessing sir, you surely do," he said with a grin.
Beth hugged her father and then William grabbed her and kissed her. It was the best moment of his life.
* * * *
The pork loin was tender, the macaroni and cheese creamy, and the baked stuffed apples were the hit of the day. Josh regaled them all by telling them how many of everything there was on the table. One hundred and seventy-five green beans, eighteen apples, eighty-five strawberries. Everyone laughed...except for his parents. And Eric, who appeared fascinated.
Beth sat next to William filled with a deep contentment. It was better this way, having it all out in the open. Even if it meant she had to start hearing immediately about wedding plans from her mother. This time Sophia was determined to put on a wedding with enough lead time, as opposed to Maggie and Eric's, so she'd already made Beth promise not to elope or get pregnant.
"Where will you get married?" Holly asked. Beth really liked Holly and looked forward to spending time with her in the city.
"Well...I'm not sure," Beth said. "I don't really have any friends left in Philly, except for my sister, Rose, and I don't know if William would rather have the city..."
"William would rather we get married in Sully Point, if that's okay with you," he said.
"Really?"
"Yes. We already talked about having a second home here. It only makes sense. Besides, we don't need all the paparazzi and everything we'd get in the city."
She smiled at him tenderly. "Getting married here sounds perfect." She glanced over at her mother. "If you keep that tablet out at the dinner table I will confiscate it, Mom. We have plenty of time for all the details."
Sophia frowned at her daughter but put the tablet away.
Holly and Jason's new adopted son, Harry, was a quiet child but he watched everything, and Beth had caught him grinning a few times.
William told everyone about the progress on the Playhouse, and that they should be finished in time for the play. They discussed breaking ground on the amphitheater during the coming summer.
It was a great day, and by the time it was over, everyone was well-satisfied. That night she and William went back to her apartment and made slow, sensual love. As she fell asleep in his arms, she felt like life couldn't get more perfect.
Chapter 8
Monday morning found Beth at work in the office and William at the Playhouse, making sure everything was ready for the rehearsals that would start later in the day. She was startled to see Charles Zimmerman standing in her doorway around lunchtime.
"Hey, pretty lady. Feel like heading out for some lunch?"
"Uh, no. I already have an engagement."
"Oh. I thought we could go through the play, you know, get a head start before this afternoon."
"We'll be fine. I really do have to go meet someone for lunch, however. See you later on?"
"Sure, sure. But at some point we'll need to, you know, practice."
Beth frowned. "That's what rehearsals are for."
"That's not what I meant. The kissing. We should definitely practice that."
She felt oddly uncomfortable. Like she was hearing something she didn't want to hear in his words and tone, yet also thinking she must be misreading him.
"Right, well, like I said...rehearsals. Now I need to leave. Good-bye."
He looked her up and down once, and then left.
She immediately sagged against her desk and was surprised, not realizing just how tense she had been until that moment.
"You're being silly," she told herself aloud, and gathered up her handbag.
Lunch was a quick sandwich at the deli and then a race to the house to meet William. They'd decided to keep their luncheon routine even if they didn't have to sneak around anymore. Beth had been amazed by the energizing effects of good sex in the middle of the day.
When she got to the rehearsal in late afternoon, she was ready for the read-through and excited to be starting. William had them all sitting in a circle, and Beth noticed briefly how Charles shifted his chair closer to hers after a while.
William gave them all notes on various scenes and they were packing up to leave when Charles leaned close to her.
"So how about we go get dinner and read lines after? As husband and wife, we need to have a good rapport with each other and we barely know each other right now."
"I'm sure we'll get that in rehearsals."
He gave her a smirk. "You clearly haven't done many plays."
"Not many, but some."
"Well you need to know your leading man, especially if you're soon going to be kissing me...a lot."
"The play only calls for--"
"Ah, but as a lead character, I will have to be sure that we get the kiss just right."
She stared at him. "What the hell are you saying?"
"Nothing, pretty lady. Nothing at all."
He stalked off the stage and she stood there looking at him, feeling completely confused and depressed. This simply couldn't be happening to her again!
When William came up to her and put his arms around her, she stiffened for a moment. "You scared--you startled me," she said.
"Ready to go? I thought we could get something from the Diner."
"William, if you don't mind, I think I need a night alone. My head is killing me, and I'd like to just go to bed."
He looked into her eyes and frowned. "You do look pale, my love. Come on. I'll drop you off at home. Do you have any medication for this?"
"I think so. Mostly I just need to sleep it off."
"Okay. Let's get you to your apartment. I'll miss you tonight," he said, giving her a hug.
"I'll miss you too, but I'd be miserable company."
They walked off the stage and William took her home, walking her upstairs and helping her find something to take for the headache. He gently kissed her lips and then left.
Beth turned away from the door and wandered around the living room, finally sinking into the cream brocade chair. She knew she was being silly. She should talk to William about the way Charles had acted and what he'd insinuated. Only, it was rather nebulous. He was an up and coming actor in the city. Surely he wouldn't have gotten the reputation he had if he did stuff like this. Was it her?
Sighing, she realized she actually did have a headache. She took the pills and decided that she'd have to tell William tomorrow. Somehow having made that decision, made her feel better. She went to bed and fell deeply asleep in minutes.
* * * *
William drove away from Beth's and headed for the Diner. He was in the mood for a French Dip sandwich. Once he'd placed his order, he was interrupted by Charles Zimmerman sitting down across from him at his booth.
"Mr. Christopher, I'm glad I ran into you. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your giving me the part."
"You're welcome, Charles, but you were right for the role."
"Speaking of that, sir, I wonder if I might mention something to you."
"What would that be?" William asked, nodding to Mary Jo when she brought him a glass of iced tea.
"It's the actress you've got playing Corie. I was surprised you picked an unknown to play opposite me."
"Oh?"
"Then I heard all these ridiculous rumors that you were having sex with her and that's how she got the part."
William sat up straighter, frowning.
Charles waved a hand. "Don't worry, I didn't believe them. And I'd certainly never go spreading that kind of thing around back in the city."
William's eyes narrowed.
"I just wanted to let you know that I'll be doing extra rehearsals with Beth, just the two of us. I'll have any problems in our chemistry fixed up in no time." He gave William a conspiratorial smile. "After all, the bottom line here is that the play is a success, right?"
"If you and Beth have agreed to meet together..."
"Yeah, she was all for it."
William felt an icy spike down his spine. "Good. I'll see you tomorrow then, Charles. I see my dinner headed this way."
Charles left and William sat glaring at his sandwich. "Mary Jo!" he called out.
The waitress came rapidly to his table. "Something wrong?"
"How does the Chef expect me to eat this when it's so rare? I've told him before to throw it on the grill. Take it back."
"Right you are, Mr. Christopher. It will only take him a minute to fix."
"Never mind that. I'm leaving."
"Oh, Mr. Christopher! I'm sure we can find something you'd like..."
"No thank you. But I'll pay for the dinner, so give me a check."
"It's on the house," she said quietly.
"Very well." He rose from the booth and strode out of the restaurant uncertain of just what was going on.
Could Beth be looking forward to private rehearsals with that gigolo? Why hadn't she mentioned it to him?
He drove to his house muttering. When he got to his bedroom, he stopped and stared at the bed. He missed her terribly. But what if...what if it had been obvious to her today, being there with a younger, handsomer man, that he was ten years older? And that she could get any man she pleased. Could she be re-thinking the engagement? She'd never once asked for any time apart from him. He would have thought she'd like him to be with her if she was sick, to soothe and comfort her. But she'd asked him to leave...
He finally went to bed, but he tossed and turned all night.
