by Annie Pelle
Ethan hugged her and they went to find Stan. “What’s the next step?” Ethan asked Stan. Stan had some paperwork for Ethan to sign and then the process could begin. After the paperwork was signed Stan excused himself to another appointment. Ethan took Rachel back inside the warehouse.
“Rachel…” Ethan began “I want you to be heavily involved in this project.”
“How so?” she questioned confused.
“I know this is a big empty ugly warehouse now but I have big goals for this place. But I wanted you here today so that this can be our dream.” Ethan pulled her close. “A romantic spot this is not but I hope you won’t care too much…. Will you honor me by becoming Rachel Hayes and loving me forever and always and let me love you forever and always?”
“Yes, I would be incredibly honored to be Rachel Hayes and to love you and be loved by you forever and always. I love you Ethan.” Ethan slid the ring on her finger and leaned over to kiss her.
“When did you get a ring?” Rachel said examining it with her hand. “What does it look like?”
“This ring is my grandmother’s ring. My grandfather and grandmother were married for fifty-two years and when her and I spent all that time together she gave it to me to give to the woman I love and wanted to marry. It is a diamond engagement ring. I have something else for you too. Hold out your arm.”
Rachel was crying but still held out her arm. Ethan fastened a fine gold linked chain around her wrist. “This bracelet is gold and the rings are linked together. There is a birthstone for your birthday and my birthday. We will add our children’s someday and any other charm that we choose to remember something special.”
“Ethan, I’m completely overwhelmed. I love you.”
“I love you.” He answered
“I have something to tell you.”
“Okay”
“I hope I can do this without crying. That first time you came to my house and brought me ice cream, I told you some concerns about if we got married. Do you remember?”
“Yes, I remember your concerns.”
“Well, I don’t have those concerns anymore. I’m sure things will come along that will take some adjusting too but your love has given me confidence to know that we can get through those things together with prayer.”
“We will have God as the priority in our family and that will help us deal with anything that comes our way. In fact, let’s start now…Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for leading our lives and leading us to this place. Help us to always put you first in our relationship and lives. Please bless our family as it starts and through the changes to come. In Jesus Name Amen.”
“So who are we telling first?” Rachel asked “And who is going to marry us since you are the preacher? And when are we getting married?”
“Your family, someone we decide on and I have no idea.”
“What?”
“We will tell your family first, since my parents are on a plane. We will have to decide on who marries us and I have no idea when we are getting married because I doubt that the groom gets much say in that.”
“Should we go to my parent’s house now and tell them?”
“I’m ready for that. Let’s call Robin and see if they can meet us there.”
Ethan and Rachel were still walking over the property when they met a teenage boy.
“Hi” he spoke shyly “Are you lost?”
“No” answered Ethan “I’m buying this building.”
“What for?”
“I plan to remodel it into a youth center.”
“Yeah right.” the teenage scoffed “We’ve seen those start up before and then they shut down.”
“Well, I don’t think this one will.” Ethan answered truthfully. “I’m Ethan Hayes and who are you?” Ethan held out his hand to shake hands with the teenager.
“Malcolm” he said and shook Ethan’s hand
Rachel choked and gasped while Ethan chuckled a little. “Malcolm, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to meet you. This is Rachel, my fiancée”
“Hello Malcolm”
“Hi” he said shyly
“Malcolm,” Ethan started “do you live around here?” Ethan pointed in the general direction of the building
“Sure” he answered.
“If I come back tomorrow afternoon, can you meet me here about four?”
“I guess, why?”
“I may need to hire you. Can you give this card to your mom or dad and have them call me tomorrow?” Ethan handed Malcolm a business card
“Sure, my mom can probably call you.”
“What is her name so I’ll know who I am talking to?” Ethan asked
“Mary” Malcolm answered.
“Fabulous.” Ethan answered “If you get tied up tomorrow and can’t come, just call any of those numbers and someone can get me a message if I can’t answer. Deal?”
“Deal” Malcolm answered then turned to walk away.
Ethan watched him walk away and then turned to walk Rachel back to the car. Ethan was chuckling hard as they got closer to the car.
“That was incredible Ethan.” Rachel laughed also. “I’m simply amazed at God sometimes.”
“Me too. I believe I will be hiring my first employee for this organization.”
“Could be.” Rachel agreed “Thank you Lord”
“Amen” Ethan ended
“Will you go back with me tomorrow to meet with him and hopefully one of his parents?”
“Yeah, sure. We need to call Robin.”
Ethan pushed the number for Robin and handed Rachel the phone. “Hi Robin. We are going to mom and dad’s, can you meet us there?”
“I guess so.”
“Great, bring Tom with you. We should be there shortly.”
“Okay, we will leave now. Bye.”
“See you.” Rachel said as she hung up. Ethan took the phone from her and dialed her parents number then handed the phone back to her “Hi Dad. Are you busy?”
“Just reading the paper.”
“Is it alright if we come to see you?”
“Sure.”
“We will be there shortly.” Rachel handed the phone back to Ethan “Do you think they guessed at why we are gathering them all together?”
“Probably” he laughed “Let’s go and get the suspense over with.”
“You’re crazy.”
“It’s too late to back out now. I have your acceptance on tape and it is evidence in a court of law.”
“When I first heard your voice on my business line, I never imagined that this short time later I’d be happily engaged to you.”
“I told you…you impressed me from the first phone call. And when I found out you were a member of the church I had just been called too, I made it my goal to find you.” Ethan kissed her again. “Come on sweetheart, we have some people to surprise.”
Ethan pulled in from the Hale’s house with his fiancée a short time after proposing to her. “Tom’s car is here. What about your brothers?”
“They are probably here too.” Rachel answered.
“Okay” Ethan helped her up the stairs at the front of the house.
Rachel opened the door and called out “We’re here.”
“We are in the living room sweetie.” Pearl answered back
“Lead the way” Rachel directed
“And so it begins…” he laughed
“Oh you.” She laughed with him. Ethan guided her into the living room. “Hi everyone.” Rachel said “Who is here?”
“Your sister and brothers, Tom also and us.”
“Good. We have something to tell you.”
“Could this have something to do with the rock that is weighing your hand down?” Robin asked
“Yes, it does. Ethan has proposed and I have accepted.”
“Congratulations!” Ethan and Rachel were mobbed with hugs and well wishes. Eventually they sat down so the wedding plans could begin.<
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“First of all, Jacob you are mighty good at keeping a secret.” Ethan stated “I’m impressed.”
“It was tough. A week is a long time to know something that no one else knows.”
“Why did he know?” asked Rachel
“Because I asked his permission to marry you.” answered Ethan.
“You did?”
“Yes, he did. I was very glad to give it. I asked him a couple of questions and received good answers and I gave my permission. Well, blessing is more accurate.”
“Rachel?” asked Robin
“Yeah?”
“I told you so.” Robin stated
“What?”
“I told you so.” Robin repeated and Rachel blushed and nodded.
“What does that mean?” Pearl asked
“It means I knew they were going to get married after that first dinner we had here with Ethan.”
“That may be sweetie, but you weren’t doing anything about it so I did it for you.” Jacob announced proudly
“I knew it.” Rachel exclaimed. “We figured that out just recently.”
“Ethan didn’t do a very good job of hiding his attraction to you during that dinner. So, I encouraged a little.”
“Jacob!” Pearl exclaimed “You are embarrassing Ethan.”
“No, he is right, Pearl.” Ethan stated and then squeezed Rachel’s hand. “I did have a hard time hiding my attraction to her. She probably thinks I was just curious to see if she would spill but that wasn’t it.”
“That is what I thought. I knew you watched me that night. But, Dad, how did you know I would take the “bait” so to speak.”
“I knew that once I mentioned that Ethan had a need, you would do your best to see that it was met. It is what you do best.”
“See, I told you.” Ethan commented to Rachel as he kissed her.
“This is not pick on Rachel day.” She joked “It is my engagement day.”
“Well, actually…” Ethan stated watching Robin try to not show her left hand
“Don’t you dare, Ethan.” Robin exclaimed and Tom laughed
“We didn’t plan it, Robin. It just sort of worked out that way.” Ethan apologized
“No way.” Rachel exclaimed “Why didn’t you tell me on the phone?”
“Because I was still amazed.” Robin answered “But yes, I have an engagement ring too.” Robin showed her hand and was then mobbed with hugs too.
“This has been quite a week.” Jacob announced proudly
“You were good at keeping secrets.” Tom agreed
“Yes, I am. Between you two, I got lots of free lunches this week.”
“People at church are going to think we do everything together. They will assume we are going to get married on the same day.” stated Rachel.
“No, that won’t happen. I want Ethan to marry us.”
“I’d be honored too.”
“We have two weddings to plan.” Pearl announced “I’m calling for help. Someone bring me the phone.”
“Mom, relax.” Rachel said quietly “It will actually be easier, same florist, same caterer, two different days.”
“That’s my Rachel” Ethan announced proudly “Organized”
“Oh you.” Rachel elbowed him gently
Ethan’s phone rang and he checked the display and handed it to Rachel. “Just answer, Hi dad.”
“Hi Dad” she announced happily
“Congratulations sweetie and welcome to the Hayes family.” Marcus said “Tell Ethan, congratulations too. I can’t talk to him right now, they are calling my name. I love you.”
“Bye” she said handing the phone back to Ethan. “He had to go give his speech but he said Congratulations. I take it that they knew?” asked Rachel
“Yep, I told them after church as we said our goodbyes.”
“Ethan?” Pearl asked “Do we need to work with your father’s staff to plan your wedding?”
“Probably to some degree, yes. And it will be easier to find a date if you work with Mom and his staff. He will clear his schedule for the most part, but there are some things he can’t change.”
“I’ll talk to them Mom, we will figure out some dates.” Rachel said confidently
“I can’t wait to go dress shopping with both of you. When do you want to go?” Pearl asked excitedly
“I’m not going shopping until this cast comes off which isn’t until late next week.” Rachel stated “Then I’ll be thrilled to go.”
“Do I get to go too?” Ethan joked
“NO!” Pearl, Rachel and Robin answered at the same time
“I was just kidding.” Ethan replied squeezing Rachel’s hand “I know the time honored tradition of the groom can’t see the wedding dress. I have officiated at a few ceremonies.”
“You are in big trouble.” Jacob laughed at Ethan
“I know, but it was great fun to see their reaction.” Ethan laughed “Anyway, I need to head to a meeting, are you ready to head home?” Once again, the couple was embraced by her family as they headed out the door as a newly engaged couple.
Chapter 13
“Ethan Hayes” he said as his phone rang Monday morning while he was at the church working.
“My name is Mary and my son Malcolm gave me this number to call.”
“Hello, I’m so glad you could call me.”
“What is this about?”
Ethan began to explain about who he was and the youth center he was going to open at the warehouse. He explained about how he’d met Malcolm the day before and what his plans were for Malcolm if his parents were amenable. Rachel and Ethan had agreed on some tasks they would like him to perform even before the center would be open.
Malcolm’s mom agreed to come with Malcolm to the warehouse today and meet with Ethan and Rachel. “I’m so thrilled, I can use all the help I can get.”
“Malcolm is a good kid. I know I’m his mother and I am biased but he is trying to stay away from the wrong crowd and do good in school.”
“I got that impression myself. We will see you later today.”
“Thank you Mr. Hayes.”
“Call me Ethan, and you are welcome.”
Rachel was working at home Monday morning when her phone rang.
“Hello”
“Hello, this is Jessica Hayes”
“Hi, this is Rachel”
“Honey, I’m so excited for you and Ethan.”
“I’m more than excited myself. I’m glad you called, we need to talk about dates.”
“Yes, and that is why I called.” Jessica agreed. Rachel gave her the list of possible dates they had discussed last night and Jessica said she would talk to her husband’s staff and narrow it down for them. Rachel and Jessica discussed a few more things then said their goodbyes.
Rachel’s phone rang almost immediately after disconnecting from Ethan’s mother.
“Hello”
“Hello fiancée”
“Hello fiancée. I just talked to your mother.”
“And I just talked to Malcolm’s mother, she is coming at four today with Malcolm.”
“Great”
“I’ll pick you up no later than three if I can wait that long.”
“Wait that long for what?” Rachel asked confused
“Too see my future bride.” Ethan responded lovingly
“Ohhh” she cried “You are going to make me cry.”
“Nope.”
“Ethan, something hit me this morning. Where are we going to live?”
“Is that something we need to decide now?”
“Right this second, no. But soon. I need a place that has specific requirements.”
“Okay, how about this….we can have dinner or a picnic at my house with your family. They can look it over and see if it will work.”
“That would be great. I’ll check with my family but does a barbeque on Saturday work for you?”
“Fabulous. I’ll talk t
o you later. I love you.”
“Bye Ethan. I love you.”
Ethan arrived at Rachel’s house at two. He went around to speak to Robin then let himself into the house. “Rachel” he called from the top of the stairs.
“I’ll be right up.” She answered. Ethan heard her clomping up the stairs with her bulky cast.
“Are you ready to get that thing off your foot?”
“This minute would not be soon enough. It itches all the time and my leg is going to look hideous when it comes off. It is a good thing it is still cool and I won’t be wearing shorts for a while.”
Ethan laughed at her grumbling “Rachel, my love, you need an attitude adjustment and I have just the thing for you.”
“What?”
“A little bird told me that you have a weakness for chocolate chip cookies.”
“Martha squealed on me.”
“Yes, she did. And I happen to love them myself so I stopped at the store…” he said leading her to the kitchen table. “Here” he said handing her a cookie from the bag.
“Yum” she said enjoying the cookie “These will change my attitude anytime.”
“Good to know. When I screw up and forget to call you I’ll bring cookies as a buffer.”
“I like how you think. But really, I’m going to try not to be that kind of a wife. Sure, I’ll wonder if you are late what’s wrong, but I’ll try really hard not to minutely follow your every move.”
“Rachel, honey, listen to me. There will be times that I can’t tell you who I am meeting with and if it is a person I’m counseling, I’ll have to keep the meeting subject confidential but I’ll always tell you where I’m going. There could also be times that it is vice versa and someone will want to meet with you and not me or maybe both of us together.”
“I know and I’ll learn as we go along. I want to be the best at supporting you.”
“You already are sweetheart.” He said cupping her face and kissing her. He hugged her tight then asked if she was ready to go. A few minutes later they were leaving her house after saying goodbye to Robin.
“So what did Mary say when you told her your plan?”
“She was silent for a while, then asked if I was serious.”
“What else did she say?”
“Not too much. You know me, I asked her a bunch of questions and then we talked about Malcolm some.”
“She said okay to hiring him?”
“Yes, if he is willing. I’ll hire her too if necessary.”
“To do what?”
“Assist him and me.”
