After Shock- Ellie's Chance

by Vikki McCombie

  “I’ll pray he receives the offer.” Her sister kept waving her hand around as they made their way to baggage claim.

  Something brilliant flashed in the light. Ellie squealed. “Let me see your hand.” Connie held it in front of her. A gorgeous oval diamond in a channel setting circled her ring finger. “Connie, you’re engaged.”

  Her sister smiled smugly. “More than that.” She looked at Brad standing beside her. “We’re married.”

  “What? When?” she huffed. “Why wasn’t I invited to your wedding?”

  Brad interjected, “Our pastor performed the ceremony yesterday in his office. Since this is a second marriage for both of us, we didn’t want a wedding. The church is giving us a small reception when we return after the new year.”

  Jason extended his hand to Brad. “Congratulations. I wish you many happy years of wedded bliss.”

  Ellie blinked several times to keep the tears away. “I’m so happy for you.” She pulled her close. “Brad is a true angel. I’m so pleased he found you.”

  The baggage carousel started moving. Bags dropped onto the conveyance, and Brad grabbed a large hot pink suitcase then withdrew the handle. “This is it. We made everything fit into one bag.”

  Soon, the luggage was stowed in the back of Jason’s SUV, and they turned toward Virginia Beach. On the drive, Ellie sat in the back with Connie, and they chattered like two school girls.

  Jason pulled into his driveway and parked, and in a flash, they were inside. He’d cleared some of his clothing from the master bedroom, so Connie wouldn’t have to climb stairs. His thoughtful concern for her sister melted her heart into a puddle of deep, rich chocolate.

  Once their luggage had been carried to their room, Jason gave them a tour of his house, then they returned to the kitchen for drinks and snacks. The front door opened, and Brian and Zach entered fist bumping and high-fiving each other. Jason stood. “Hey, guys. Why the excitement?”

  Both boys grinned ear to ear. “We got in,” they declared in unison.

  Jason grabbed each boy’s hand and shook it. “That’s fantastic, guys. I’m not surprised. Congratulations, well deserved.”

  Ellie moved to Zach’s side and wrapped her arm around his slim waist. “I’m so happy for you. You’ve played soccer since you were three. You’ve worked hard for this. Come, meet your Aunt Connie.”

  Zach bounded to her and reached to give her an enthusiastic hug, but he must have remembered she was still recovering. Instead, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “It’s so good to finally meet you. Sorry I couldn’t be at the airport to greet you.”

  Connie smiled. “I’m so happy to see you at last. And congratulations on making the team.”

  The boys grabbed cans of soda and munched on chips and dip while everyone talked about the holidays. Ellie loved seeing her son with her sister. Brad fit right in with Jason. Since he was prior Navy, they had a lot in common.

  The doorbell rang, and Jason went to answer it. He returned in a few minutes with his daughter, Samantha and Lynda. Their friend had offered to pick Kelly up from school. Ellie introduced her sister and her new husband to Lynda.

  They were a merry group, laughing and joking with each other. After an hour or so, Lynda stood. “As nice as this has been, I need to get home. Russ and Mark will have dinner ready for us. He offered to cook. Who am I to refuse?”

  Once Lynda and Samantha left, Jason drove them to Gino’s for pizza and fun. Ellie looked around the table at all the happy, smiling faces and her heart bubbled over with unmitigated joy. She was so blessed to have her sister with them for the holidays, and they were staying until January second.

  The following day was Christmas Eve. Ellie and Connie spent the day baking cookies and pies for the next day. Connie seemed to have plenty of energy, but Ellie still made her sit at the counter and ice the cookies instead of standing. Although she insisted she felt stronger and better than she had in years.

  At four that afternoon Jason and Brad returned from their mysterious errand. Brian and Zach now had their driver’s licenses, both having completed their class. Jason had taken both boys so they could take the test the morning before. They offered to run to the store to pick up more butter since they’d run out of it from all the baking.

  Jason had told her he had purchased a late model SUV for Brian for Christmas. Ellie had a different surprise for Zach, one she hoped he’d love. While she’d have loved to get her son a car, it just wasn’t in the budget.

  At six o’clock the doorbell started ringing, and before too long everyone had arrived for their get together. Jason had offered his house since it had the large media room for the kids.

  Veronica and Jefferson had just announced the previous Sunday they were expecting a baby in June. When she removed her coat, Ellie spied her cute little baby bump. Evidently, it had been a complete surprise since they hadn’t thought she could have another child, but the good Lord had other plans.

  Russ and Lynda brought in several large trays of cookies to add to the abundance Ellie and Connie had prepared that afternoon. Although with all the kids, of which three were teenage boys, the cookies would go fast.

  Last to arrive were Cam and Emilee. Katie had on an adorable ruffled red organza dress with white tights and shiny black shoes. Ellie couldn’t resist that sweet little one. She would have loved having a daughter, but being single, it wasn’t possible.

  Brian and Zach led the kids to the media room where Jason had set up the TV to play The Polar Express for the younger children. Kelly wanted Sarah and Samantha to go to her room instead of watching the movie. Although she was only six, the two older girls always included her whenever they were together.

  At seven o’clock, they all gathered in the great room for their gift exchange. Ellie took a seat on the sectional with Connie. Lynda joined them while Veronica and Emilee controlled their little ones.

  The men passed around the gifts to the kids. Ellie stepped away and joined Jason in the kitchen. She whispered, “Did Cam bring Dolly?”

  “Yeah, she’s in a basket in the laundry room, sleeping. Are you ready to give her to Zach?” he asked.

  “Definitely. He’s wanted another dog ever since he played fetch with Marlee and Farlee.” She sighed. “Of course, a dog isn’t quite as exciting as a car would have been, but maybe I’ll be able to afford one for graduation.”

  He lifted her chin. “He’ll love her, and he told you he understood why you couldn’t get him a vehicle. I feel a little bad about giving Brian one. I wish you’d let me get Zach one too.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll tell you what. How about you agree to marry me, and then the guys can share the SUV.”

  She laughed. “Oh, right. Quit teas—” She gasped as Jason dropped to one knee. “You’re not kidding, are you?”

  He pulled a small, red velvet box from his pocket and flipped it open. “Ellie, you’ve given my old, tired heart new life. When I met you, I functioned well enough, but I didn’t have any joy in my heart. Then you came along with your sassy attitude and blew me away. I love you, sweetheart. Will you take my hand and join your life to mine and be my bride?”

  Tears filled her eyes. “Oh, Jason. Of course I’ll marry you.”

  “Then let’s get this ring on.” He slipped the sparkling diamond platinum ring over her knuckle, then kissed her finger. Standing, he pulled her into his arms and held her close. Raising her chin, he touched his lips to hers and her soul took flight.

  Love was in the air. First, Connie arrived married to Brad, and now, they got engaged on Christmas Eve. She reveled in Jason’s kisses, taking this sweet private moment before they joined their friends.

  Her life was now richer than she’d ever imagined. When she looked back on that first meeting with Jason, she thanked God for giving her a champion. She’d been so cynical and closed off until Jason entered her life and showed her God’s redeeming love.

  He released her. “Now, let’s get Zach’s puppy and tell the others our exciting news
.” He retrieved the basket. Then hand in hand they returned to the great room.

  Zach glanced their way when they entered. His eyes widened when he saw the basket and a little nose sticking out. “Mom, a puppy. Brian, look. It’s a puppy like Marlee and Farlee.” He reached inside and the animal sniffed his fingers. “What a little sweetie.” He cradled the puppy in his arms. “A pink collar.” He glanced at his mom. “Does she have a name?”

  “The breeder calls her Dolly, but you can change it if you’d like.”

  The puppy tried to crawl up his shirt. “Dolly, no.” The little dog yapped. “I do believe Dolly is perfect, don’t you agree?” And the adorable puppy yapped again. “Thanks, Mom.” He glanced at her hand as she scratched Dolly under the chin. “Wow, is that what I think it is?”

  Jason slipped an arm around her waist. “Your mom has agreed to be my wife. I hope you approve?”

  He grinned. “It’s about time.” He called out, “Hey, Brian, come here and bring Kelly with you.” Jason’s son and daughter came over. “Hope you’re ready to have a new brother. “Your dad has asked my mom to marry him, and she said yes.”

  Brian grinned. “This is sooo lit.” He looked at Ellie. “Congratulations, and welcome to our family.”

  Kelly took Ellie’s hand and looked at her, her round, brown eyes shining. “If you’re marrying my Daddy…does that mean you’ll be my new mommy?”

  Ellie knelt in front of the darling child. “Would you like me to be your mommy?”

  Kelly nodded then threw her little arms around her neck. “Oh, yes, please. There’s nothing I want more for Christmas than a new mommy.”

  Ellie stood with Kelly wrapped around her with Jason’s arm supporting them. Zach put his arm around her, then Brian stood by Jason. She looked around the room at all her friends, at her sister and her husband, and her heart overflowed with emotion.

  Their friends smiled and cheered. Her sister beamed and blew her a kiss. Brad mouthed congratulations. Then in the middle of them all, stood Lynda glowing as bright as any star in the heavens. Her friend started clapping, and soon everyone had joined in, wishing them many happy years.

  What more could she ask for? She had friends who uplifted her, a man who would stand beside her in good times and bad, and three children to love, but best of all? She now had God…at her side.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Vikki McCombie started her writing career when a story invaded her mind and would not leave.

  Over the last eight years, she has written more than a dozen novels and is presently working on her next. Look for more books in the near future because she has lots of characters shouting, “write my story next.”

  Vikki is a romantic at heart, so all her stories end in a “Happily Ever After.” She also writes under more than one pen name, so look for her sensual historical romances, writing as Vikki Vaught.

  For more than a decade, Vikki has lived in the beautiful foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with her beloved husband, Jim, who is the most tolerant man in the world to put up with her when she is in a writing frenzy.

  When she is not writing or working her day job, you’ll find her curled up in a comfortable chair reading her Kindle, lost in a good book with a cup of tea at her side. She also enjoys walking her little dogs, Marlee and Dolly, who have captured her heart!

  Website: http://www.vikkivaught.com/home.html

  Email: mailto:vvaught512@aol.com

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  Amazon Author Page: http://smile.amazon.com/Vikki-Vaught/e/B008EE7TG2/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1433778387&sr=1-2-ent

  Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5208041.Vikki_Vaught

  Other books by this author:

  Writing as Vikki Vaught:

  Lost Pleasures Found

  Love Sneaked In

  Turned Around by Love

  Lady Overton's Perilous Journey

  Miss Kathleen's Scandalous Baron

  The Viscount’s Salvation

  Miss Millington's Dilemma

  Writing as V. L. Edwards:

  To Live Again

  Writing as Vikki McCombie:

  A Christmas Miracle for Veronica

  A New Beginning for Nanci

  Cameron's Shocking Christmas Revelation

  Lynda's Christmas Joy

  Christmas Surprises, Volume 1

  After Shock: Ellie's Chance