by Beth Rinyu
The back of my hand covered my mouth as I looked over at Gabe, who looked just as shocked as me. “What the hell?” Gabe exclaimed.
“Well, my little plan worked.” Sylvia smiled as she approached us.
“Sylvia! What in the world is going on? How could you have made everyone believe you were dead?” I snapped.
She shrugged. “Well, something had to be done so you two stubborn mules could see you belonged together.”
“You are unbelievable! Don’t you even care how upset everyone was over thinking you were dead?” Gabe reprimanded.
“Your father was in on it! I must say…I did think you’d be a little more torn up over my untimely demise.” She sighed loudly and raised an eyebrow at Gabe.
I chimed in. “What about Joey? I had to tell her you died. Do you know how hard that was?”
“I bet you didn’t know your daughter was such a good secret keeper, did you, Faith?”
“What? Joey knew you were still alive?”
“Yup, she did! She wanted the beautiful princess to end up with the handsome prince just as much as I did. And voilà! I was hoping for a little bit more of a From Here to Eternity moment, but I know what a prude you can be, so this will have to do. Aren’t you two gonna welcome me back to the land of the living or at least thank me for showing you the error of your ways?”
“I just...I just can’t believe you’re alive.” I ran my hand through my hair, trying to overcome my shock.
“Oh, and I still plan on giving the inheritance out early. I won’t renege on my deal.”
“Funny you should mention that, because I was just telling Gabe I don’t want any money. I got something out of this deal that’s worth more than anything money can buy.” I squeezed Gabe’s hand and rested my head on his chest. “So go ahead and give it to the nuns.” I tried to hold back my giggle.
“I will do no such thing! You will take that money, and I will not take no for an answer. Think of the beautiful wedding you can plan with all that cash.”
“Sylvia!” I warned.
Gabe had just opened up about his feelings. The last thing I wanted was for him to get all freaked out over the prospect of marriage. I planned on treading lightly with baby steps where we were concerned.
“Well, I’m back from the dead. Don’t I at least get a hug?” She took one last drag of her cigarette and threw it in the sand.
“Grandma, pick that up!” Gabe scolded.
“All right, all right! I will, but get over here and give your grandmother a hug. Faith, you too!”
We strode over to her, and she threw her arms around us, grabbing each of our faces in each of her hands. “Look at you two, such a beautiful couple! I see lots of beautiful great grandchildren in my future.”
I shot her a reprimanding gaze. I didn’t want Gabe to get scared off by Sylvia’s grandiose plans she was conjuring up, even though I was a little hopeful of that same future she perceived.
“Speaking of beautiful children…where’s my Joey?”
“She’s in the hospital,” Gabe answered.
“The hospital?” Sylvia gasped.
“Yes, she had to have an emergency appendectomy,” I replied.
“Why on earth didn’t anyone tell me?” Sylvia threw her hands in the air.
“Because we thought you were dead…remember?” Gabe retorted.
“That’s no excuse! Come on and take me to the hospital. I want to go see my little doll baby!” She rushed off the beach as Gabe and I lagged behind.
Gabe shook his head and let out a frustrated breath. “Why do I get the feeling she’s going to outlive all of us?”
“Because she probably will.” I giggled. “And I really hope you didn’t get all freaked out over her talk of marriage and babies.”
“Why would I?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I just know your stance on life-long commitments and children, and I don’t want you to think I’m pushing you into anything.”
We stopped walking, and he gripped my shoulders, pulling me into him. “You of all people know I’m totally honest, and when I told you I found the right girl I meant it. We may be total opposites, but I know in my heart there’s no one who is more right for me than you. I love you, Faith, and that’s not a word I throw around lightly.”
“I like the sound of that.” I smiled, unable to resist grazing his lips. “I’m so happy. Thank you for allowing me to believe in fairy tales again.” I looked up at the sand dune in the distance to find Sylvia standing at the top, waving her hand, motioning for us to hurry up. Yes, our love story had all the elements of the perfect fairy tale, but instead of a fairy godmother, we had a chain smoking, spitfire grandma who didn’t need a magic wand to create a happily ever after. Instead, she used her domineering stubborn ways to make it all come together perfectly…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Epilogue 1
Gabe
Two months later
After a little perseverance on my part, Faith had finally enrolled back in classes to finish up her degree. These past two months had been the best of my life. I realized now that I’d never really truly been in love with anyone until Faith came along. I had changed so much thanks to her and as much as I hated to admit it, I owed my grandmother everything for allowing me to see just how much Faith really meant to me. I sealed the deal during a moonlight stroll along the beach, which included my mother’s engagement ring. Faith could hardly get her reply out through her tears, finally getting in an incoherent yes before nearly knocking me over and smothering me with kisses.
Faith had been down for the past week over the outcome of her court date with Joey’s father. She was hoping he’d have a change of heart for Joey’s sake, but he was steadfast in his plan, giving up all rights to Joey so he could live his new life with his girlfriend and new daughter as if Joey never even existed. Faith was devastated and even more upset when she had to break the news to Joey. I couldn’t understand what kind of man would write his own kid off like that? Joey was such a great kid and she deserved so much better than that.
Faith was spending the afternoon with her sister, who was in town visiting, while Joey and I went out for lunch to discuss some important business. I couldn’t help but smile at Joey’s bulging eyes as she sucked her milkshake through her straw.
“That was really hard to get out!” She giggled.
“I can see that.”
While we waited for our food, she filled me in on her new teacher and all of her new friends. She had just started the first grade. Faith had taken her out of the Catholic school she was in and registered her in public school, and Joey couldn’t have been more excited.
“And I get to wear what I want to this school. No more icky uniforms.” She crinkled her nose and took another sip of her milkshake.
“So, Joey, I have to ask you something really important.”
She sat on her knees and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, giving me her full attention.
“Soon your mom and I will be married.”
“Yup, and Mommy said I get to wear a princess dress!” She smiled widely.
“I love your mom very much.”
“Yes, I know that, silly head. You’re the prince and she’s the princess. Remember?” She giggled.
My smile broke free. She was so damn adorable. “And, I love you very much too.”
She flashed me a toothless grin. “I love you too, Mr. Gabe.”
“Well, I wanted to see how you would feel if I adopted you?”
She twirled her hair around her finger, looking totally confused. “What’s that mean?”
“When your mommy and I get married, I’ll be your stepdad.”
She zealously nodded. “Yes, yes, you will, but you’re gonna be a nice stepdaddy, not like the mean old stepmom in Cinderella.”
A lighthearted chuckle escaped me. “No, I will not be like the stepmom in Cinderella, and no matter what happens I will always be there for you for whatever you need. But
I want to make it official by adopting you, which means you’ll have my last name just like your mom will.”
Her mouth opened wide and she slapped her hands on the sides of her face. “So you’ll be my daddy and not a step one?”
I nodded.
“Yes, I want you to dopt me! Can we do it right now?”
I smiled over her enthusiasm. “It takes a little bit of time, but I promise you it will happen.”
“So, then I get to call you Daddy?” Tears streamed down her face. She jumped out of her seat and threw her arms around me. “Thank you, Mr. Gabe.”
“No, thank you, Joey. You’re a great kid.” I hugged her back and kissed her on the top of her head. “Oh! I almost forgot something.” I got down on one knee and reached into my pocket, pulling out a ruby ring, which was also Joey’s birthstone. “Joey, will you be my daughter?”
Her face lit up and her smile was contagious. She nodded and giggled as I slid the ring down her finger. She laughed even harder when the older couple sitting next to us began to clap.
“Wow! Now I got a ring just like Mommy,” she exclaimed, looking down at her finger. “And it fits me perfectly! Just like Cinderella.”
“That’s because you’re a princess.”
She hugged me tightly, and I hugged her back. I grabbed my dinging phone from my pocket to find a text from Faith.
Faith: Well?
Me: She said yes.
Faith: Congratulations LOL. Did I ever tell you how happy you make me?
Me: Every day.
Faith: Well, I’m telling you again. Thank you for being so good to me and my baby girl. I love you more than you’ll ever know and can’t wait to be your wife.
Me: Love you too. I’ll see you in a bit.
Joey took a seat and let out an annoyed breath. “Was that my mommy?”
I nodded.
“Doesn’t she know you’re on a date? Jeez!”
My life was so different now, but in a very good way. Thanks to a girl named Faith, who had more faith in me than anyone that I could change. We were total opposites, but together we brought out the best in each other, and together we would bring out the best in Joey.
Epilogue 2
Faith
Ten months later
Sweet, succulent wisteria hung from the trellis overhead, permeating the warm summer air. The crescent moon coupled with the white fairy lights entwined around the large pillars provided the perfect ambiance for my fairy tale themed wedding. If someone had told me a few years ago that one day I’d be in this beautiful vineyard celebrating my marriage I would have laughed in their face. Yet here I was, Mrs. Faith Samuels. Me. The sex toy peddling, hot mess from not so long ago married the perfect, handsome, intelligent, hunk of a man whose arms I was in on the dance floor. I resisted the urge to pinch myself a few times, still in disbelief over the whole thing. I rested my head on Gabe’s shoulder.
My wedding was exactly how I had envisioned it ever since I was a little girl, right down to the exquisite facility hosting the event, which seemed so out of my league at one time, but like always, Gabe made that a reality.
So much had happened in this past year since Gabe and I had gotten engaged. I had three more classes until I finally had my degree. The adoption papers were finalized, and Mr. Gabe was now Daddy. It warmed my heart every time I heard Joey call him that. We had just moved into our brand-new home, and it was more than I could have ever dreamed of. Since I refused to be a kept woman, I worked for Gabe from home, allowing me to be there for Joey when she got home from school and never miss out on a school function again.
Sylvia was a huge help with planning the wedding. I only had to reel her in about a half dozen times when she started taking over, but I knew she meant well. She’d been glowing the entire night as she whisked around the dance floor with her wedding date, Norman. They’d met at a funeral a few months back, and the two had formed a close companionship, and knowing Sylvia, they were probably doing more. Thankfully, she spared me the details.
It was hard to believe Joey had just finished the first grade. Time was flying by, and I hated that she was growing up so fast. I’d never seen her so excited as she was about today. She couldn’t wait to wear her beautiful baby pink toile dress, and of course she had to get a tiara to go along with it.
“Do you think we can make one just like her?” Gabe bent down and whispered as we both glanced at Joey gliding across the dance floor combining a little bit of her ballet and ice skating moves.
“Nah, she’s one of a kind.” I laughed. “But I’d be happy to make another kind with you.” I stared up at him and swept my hand up the side of his face. “Maybe a handsome little boy with beautiful hazel eyes and a big heart, just like his daddy.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.” He smiled and his lips swept mine.
My stomach still tingled every time he kissed me. I was hoping it was a feeling that would never go away.
“But whatever happens, I’ll be a happy man as long as I have you and Joey.”
I closed my eyes and pulled him as close as he could possibly get to me. It was as if I’d been baptized into a different life. All the guilt I’d been harboring since the day I found out I was pregnant was gone. Any doubts over my parenting skills were diminished, and the two annoying voices that constantly battled in my head had become mute. The neurotic Catholic princess was finally in her happy place the day she married her handsome Jewish prince…and I was pretty certain they would live happily ever after.
~The End
Author’s Note:
I hope you guys enjoyed Faith and Gabe’s story. This was so much fun to write. These characters were a break from reality while I was stressing over my son being away at boot camp. Writing has always been a form of therapy for me and Faith, Gabe, Sylvia and Joey were the best stress relievers around when I needed one most.
Thank you to all of my faithful readers who have been with me since day one, supporting me, and all of the new ones I picked up along the way. I’ve met so many awesome people during this book writing journey, and I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. So whether you’ve read every single one of my books or just this one…THANK YOU!!
I would love to hear your thoughts on Faith and Gabe’s story in a short review. Just a few lines mean so much to us authors.
