When You Least Expect It

by Sandra Leiper

  She walked to the car and gave Ray and the girls some privacy. She noticed how animatedly they were speaking, and wished they’d been able to be like that during breakfast. She was exhausted from trying to keep the conversation going, and Ray hadn’t been much help.

  He came to the car and looked so happy he was going to explode. “They liked you!”

  “What did they say?”

  “That they liked you and you seemed nice.”

  Amanda was astounded at how men could take such a small statement as, ‘she seemed nice’ and run with it. “That’s good. I liked them too, even though they were quiet.”

  “Yes, but one day you’ll look back on this day and wish for the quiet again. Except for Glenda, they’re really loud and outgoing. They just have to get to know you first.”

  Amanda smiled, doubting it. “I’m happy to have met them and to have it go well. At least they didn’t hate me.”

  “See, I told you!”

  Amanda laughed at him. “You’re so funny, Ray. What’s up next?”

  “I thought we’d go to Old Port and go on the Lighthouse Tour, then stop for a lobster roll for lunch.”

  “That sounds fun. I love lighthouses, and well, we don’t see much of those in Texas.”

  Ray laughed. “Not much need for them I guess. Lighthouses it is!” He gave her a quick peck on the lips and happily drove to their destination, feeling on top of the world.

  ~~~

  Amanda woke up with a start, then smiled and stretched lazily when she realized where she was. She wondered what Ray had in store for her today, her birthday. He’d been so excited yesterday that he could barely contain himself.

  She got up and padded into the kitchen to look for him. She was amazed to find balloons, flowers and a ‘Happy Birthday Mandy’ sign waiting for her. “When did you do all this?”

  Ray came in the living room. “Wait! I’m not done! I was suppose to bring you breakfast in bed!’

  She curled up against Ray’s chest, visibly touched. “Ray, this is so sweet. How long have you been up?”

  “Hours. I already went shopping, put all this up, and now I have chocolate chip pancakes ready for you. Do you want to go back to bed?”

  “And miss all this birthday ambience? No way. Let’s eat in here. She settled on the sofa and looked around at her birthday stuff. There was the hugest bouquet of roses she’d ever seen, of all different shapes and colors. The balloons were colorful and again, abundant. The room lit up like a rainbow with so much color in it. She loved it.

  He brought over her pancakes and she dug in. “Everything is wonderful, Ray, thanks so much. So what else do I have in store for me today?”

  “Well, we’re going on a little trip. Boston!”

  Amanda clapped her hands like a little girl. “We are? That would be great, Elisa will be so jealous!”

  “I thought you might like to see just how close it really is. It’s just a short car ride and the best nightlife ever. I think it’s the perfect place to celebrate today.”

  Amanda wolfed down her food and shot up off the couch. “Then let’s get this party started. I’ll be ready in just a few.” She ran in to shower and change, singing to herself. “Happy birthday to meeee…”

  Ray smiled and reached into his pocket, fingering her present. He was nervous about giving it to her, but couldn’t wait. He hoped he could actually wait until dinner as planned. He looked around at the room, and could easily imagine being able to spoil Amanda like this every day. He would love it; live for it. She just had to say yes.

  ~~~

  Amanda immediately fell in love with Boston. The skyline alone was amazing. She loved the architecture, the history, and especially the Charles River. Ray drove her threw Boston Common, and past Fenway Park. It was a beautiful city.

  “Elisa is going to love it here, Ray. It’s such a big city, filled with life, and people; and I hope opportunities for her and Tom. She’s going to love living so close to the water.” Amanda was busy taking picture after picture so that she could show her.

  Next, they went to Fanueil Hall, a market place with a lot of little shops and restaurants and outside vendors. She loved the cobblestone streets and the autumn leaves falling around her. “This is so different from Texas…”

  Ray loved watching her as she experienced everything, taking it in for the first time. It was as if she was trying to memorize it, to store it in a place that she could recall it whenever she wanted to.

  They ended up at Quincy Market, which had delicious smells wafting throughout. She bought a few trinkets to take home to the kids and Hilary and then Ray said they had to leave.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I reserved a hotel so we have to go check in.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know. I didn’t bring enough clothes!”

  “Yes, you did.” I snuck some in my own bag.”

  Amanda laughed. “You really are a sneak.’

  They found their car and drove to the Hyatt on the Charles River. It was a beautiful hotel at the edge of the river, and their room was on the tenth floor. Amanda was overwhelmed as she stood on the balcony of the hotel and watched the sailboats go by, and took in the skyline. She loved it. “Ray, I don’t even know what to say. This is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.” She had tears in her eyes as she turned to hug him. “Thanks so much for all this. It’s almost like a dream.”

  Amanda’s tears confused Ray. “Your welcome, Mandy, but why are you crying?”

  “I’m crying because I’m happy. I’m happy to be here, with you. I’m happy because I’m getting to experience things I never have, or ever thought I would. What seem like the simplest gestures to you, Ray, are huge to me. My life has never included luxurious hotels facing the water, or lobster rolls. It’s …” She was at a loss for words. She’d never be able to explain to him how she felt. They were from different worlds, and she doubted that he understood hers.

  It wasn’t long before they took advantage of the King sized bed in their room. Amanda clung to Ray as if for dear life, never wanting to release him, never wanting this day to end. She wanted time to stand still, for them to be able to be together, just like this, forever.

  Ray, startled by Amanda’s intensity at first, was soon lost in it; surprised by the places that she could reach, not physically, but in his soul. She was like no one he had ever been with before. Soon, they both lay spent, dozing off into a contented sleep.

  Ray awoke with a start. He looked at his watch and groaned. They were going to be late for their reservation. He gently kissed Amanda awake. “Wake up, birthday girl. It’s time for dinner. We have to hurry or we’ll be late.”

  She woke up slowly, and stretched like a kitten. “Okay Ray. I suppose it’s time to put on my new dress?”

  “It is, now hurry.”

  She ran in and quickly dressed. She came out of the bathroom in record time. “How do I look?”

  Ray looked up from where he was tying his shoes. The simple black dress she had picked made her look elegant. She took his breath away. “You look spectacular.” He went over to her and hugged her. “I will be so proud to be with you tonight Amanda, and every night that you allow me.” He gently kissed her, anxious to ask her; to give her the present.

  They came back to reality when the phone rang. Ray insisted Amanda answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Your limo is here ma’am.”

  “It is?”

  “Yes, ordered by Mr. Knight.”

  She raised her eyebrows at Ray. “Thank you.” She hung up the phone. “We’re taking a limo?”

  He loved the look on her face and hoped he could put it there often. “Why, yes, birthday girl; only the best for you.”

  “Cool!” Amanda could not hold back. “I love today!”

  Ray laughed as they headed out the door. He couldn’t wait to get to the restaurant. He was taking her to the top of the Prudential Center. The view from there were awesome, and especially at sunset. Knowi
ng how much Amanda loved sunsets, he hoped it was especially beautiful today. It was the one thing he had no control of, and it was imperative it be perfect.

  ~~~

  Amanda had loved everything so far. The limo ride had been everything she could have hoped for, the restaurant even better. It was exquisite! The walls were windows, with a magnificent view wherever you looked.

  She had ordered the lobster, and Ray the prime rib. He’d also ordered a bottle of champagne that popped open loudly, making Amanda laugh out loud.

  When they’d eaten every bite, Amanda announced she was stuffed. “This was great Ray, thank you.”

  “There's more. I've arranged a special dessert that they made especially for you, birthday girl.”

  Again, Amanda was pleasantly surprised. “I never knew what a romantic you were, Ray. You’ve really outdone yourself.”

  “I aim to please, darling,” Ray drawled. The server came over and asked if he was ready for the dessert. Ray paled and said yes.

  Amanda, noting the scared look on Ray’s face, asked if everything was all right. “All the blood has drained from your face.”

  Ray was flustered, but quickly recovered. “I’m terrific.”

  Soon, the baked Alaska arrived, flaming, with several of the restaurant employees trailing behind singing happy birthday. The maitre’d stood before her, holding a covered silver platter and brought it over to Amanda. “Miss?” He opened it and showed her the little velvet box that was sitting alone on the tray, with a tiny blue ribbon.

  Amanda’s heart stopped. She looked at Ray, her eyes frightened.

  “Open it, Mandy.”

  She gingerly lifted the box, and opened it, stunned to see the beautiful engagement ring that sat in it. It was a large princess-cut diamond with two sapphires on either side. She immediately started crying, but couldn’t take her eyes off it, afraid to look at Ray. When she finally looked up, he was kneeling in front of her. He took her hand and gingerly rubbed her ring finger.

  “Amanda, you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. Today, your birthday, I wanted to give you a gift that you could have a lifetime. That gift is me. I want to give you a life filled with more days like today, more love than you could imagine, and someone who would take care of you for once, who would cherish every moment he had with you. Someone who felt so lucky to have found you, in that crazy unconventional place known as the Internet, but without it, we wouldn’t be sitting here today. Give me this chance, Mandy. Give me the chance to make every day perfect for you.” He kissed her ring finger. “This finger looks naked. Should we put the ring on?”

  Amanda smiled at him through her tears. “Yes, Ray.”

  He took it out of the box and slid it on her finger. It was beautiful and brought tears to both their eyes. “Marry me, Mandy. Give me four years here in Maine. If you don’t like it, we’ll move back to Texas, California, or Hawaii for all I care. I just want to be with you.” He looked at her, willing her to say yes.

  Amanda didn’t know what to say. How could she say no? How could she say yes? She thought about her new rule, the rule about making decisions solely based on what she wanted, and she knew that what she wanted was Ray. “Yes. Yes, Ray, I’ll marry you.”

  They hugged and the restaurant broke into applause. The violinist played for them and the maître’d offered his congratulations, along with a complimentary bottle of champagne. He popped it open and poured, leaving them alone to talk.

  “This was totally unexpected Ray. What if I had said no?”

  Ray laughed. “I knew that was a huge possibility, considering the move and all. But, I had to try, Mandy. I wanted to push us to make a decision. We’ve talked about it to death, it was time to try and make it happen.”

  “Well, smarty pants, I guess you’re getting your way. I’ll try it out, Ray. As long as I can go home when I want, and have a room for Alex, and still let my kids know I’m there for them, even though I’m so far. Although, Boston is so close! You were smart to show me that before asking me.” She looked at her newly dressed finger. “It’s perfect, Ray. It’s something I would have picked.”

  “It looked like you.” He looked down at his own finger. “I guess we’ll have to get one for me. When do you think this might happen? What kind of wedding do you want? Do you think a big family extravaganza, or a courthouse wedding? Las Vegas? Anything you want, just tell me”

  Amanda thought about her last fiasco wedding and wanted no part of that again. “I’m thinking Las Vegas. We can keep it small and simple, maybe our kids if they want; or maybe just us.”

  “Sounds perfect! Who needs the headache of involving anybody else?”

  Amanda was lost in her own little world. She was thinking about how the kids were going to react to this. Marrying this man, the one she met on the Internet, and moving a million miles away. She doubted it was going to go over too well. She would deal with that when she got home, for now, she was going to finish enjoying her birthday. “We should eat that baked Alaska; it looks wonderful.”

  They dug in, holding hands, giggling and laughing like school kids. Amanda couldn’t keep her eyes off her ring; and Ray couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She had said yes! As cliché as it sounded, she had made him the happiest man on earth.

  ~~~

  Amanda’s plane ride was quiet and she was deep in thought. She and Ray had decided that they’d marry soon, that she’d see Alex off to school, then move to Maine. It seemed absurd to try to rent an apartment; it was expensive and locked her into a lease. She’d come home for a week to ten days when it came down to Elisa’s wedding to help with the last minute details. If she had to fly down to the U of A for anything, she’d be able to do it. Ray had said that she wouldn’t need to work right away; she’d be on ‘stand-by’ for her kids until everyone was adjusted to this new situation.

  It seemed like an ideal plan to Amanda. She was unsure about living in Maine, if she’d like it, or would adjust well. The one thing she was sure about was becoming Ray’s wife. Although she had promised herself she would never again marry, this seemed right.

  Her concern right now was how to tell everyone. She could think of not one person beside for Blossom, who would be able to accept her decision and support her. She laughed, it even sounded ludicrous to her! Hey, I’m marrying the man I met on the Internet and moving thousands of miles away. Woohoo…I’ll leave behind everything I know and love, it’ll be great! She shook her head; she definitely needed a better way of presenting it than that.

  Her plane landed and she took off her ring and put it in her wallet. She didn’t want anyone to find out until she was ready to tell them. Elisa and Tom were picking her up; she wanted to tell the kids together. So, this was definitely not the time.

  To her surprise, Alex was with them. They’d drastically cut his hours since he changed to day shift, so he was around more these days.

  “Hey Ma, how was your trip?” He enveloped her in a big bear hug. “We missed you.”

  Amanda’s heart ached. “I missed you too, Al. I had a great time.”

  “Hi Mom.” Elisa squeezed her tightly. “Guess what? My dress is in. I waited for you to go for my fitting. Won’t that be fun?”

  “That will be too much fun. I can’t wait to see it.”

  She hugged her future son-in-law. “I went to Boston Tom. It’s beautiful there.”

  “I told you! I can’t wait to live there.”

  They picked up her baggage and decided to go to Nene’s for a bite to eat. As they sat around the table, munching on chips and talking animatedly about school, or the wedding, Amanda decided this was the time. Why put it off?

  “I have big news kids. She reached into her purse and pulled out the ring. “I’m getting married.”

  Amanda was not ready for the look of utter shock on their faces.

  “Wha-at? Elisa looked on the verge of tears.

  Tom was the first one to recover. “Will you be moving to Maine?”

  She looked at her
son who was still in shock. “Yes.”

  Elisa came unglued. “But why? Why would you do that right now, Mom? What about my wedding? Why would you leave us?”

  “I’m not leaving you, Elisa. I’m just moving. You two are moving on with your lives, I have to find a way to do the same. If I leave before your wedding, I’ll be back. You don’t need me; you and Tom are doing a fine job on your own. Whatever you do need, I’ll do. Alex, you’ll be gone by then. Coming home for the holidays will now just mean Maine.”

  “This makes no sense, Mom.” He couldn’t comprehend it. His mother was getting married again. Plus moving?

  “It does to me. I love Ray, and I want to be with him. This could be a temporary situation, but for now, we thought me moving there would be best. I can really use this change, and Elisa, it’s only two hours from Boston. When you move, you’ll have me there now.”

  Tom put her arm around his fiancée. “That’s great, isn’t it honey.”

  “I guess. When will you be married?”

  “Probably right after the house is sold.”

  Elisa was incredulous. “Before I do?”

  Amanda laughed. “Probably, Elis. But don’t worry; I’m not going to have a big wedding. We’ll probably go to Vegas.”

  “Are you going to invite everyone? If they come to yours, then they won’t come to mine. Mom, I don’t get this.”

  Amanda was getting a little irritated at the fact that she couldn’t see past her own nose. “Don’t worry; I’m not going to steal your thunder. I’m just going to get married. If you kids want to come, that would be great, if not, then Ray and I will just quietly do it. It’s no big deal, Elisa.”

  No one said anything after that. They quietly ate their food and eventually the strain became too great for Amanda. She started to cry. “Why can’t you be happy for me? I want to be happy, and I want you to be happy too. Why is this such a big deal? When you wanted to get married Elisa, and move to Boston, you thought about you and Tom and your life. Alex, when you wanted to go to the U of A, you didn’t even talk to me about it, it was just decided. Am I supposed to sit alone in El Paso, waiting for infrequent visits from you two? Is that what you want my life to be?”