by B J Richards
"Hold on, hold on. Why did Anne go to you and not to me?" Nathaniel asked, not knowing how to handle a gift this rare and valuable.
"I’m Annabel’s cousin, remember? Who also happens to be the Curator at the Hall… and the one who helped find the treasure along with your fiancé. And I’m the only one with the key. Plus, she wanted it to be a surprise… get it?"
"I really don’t know what to say,” Nathaniel stammered.
“Well, first of all you say thank you to Mrs. Billamore, who’s sitting in my grandmother’s garden, thrilled to be at your wedding. And secondly, when your ancestors gift you something, you don’t complain. You shut up and accept graciously."
Sandra could see how flustered Nathaniel was. He barely knew what to say. Finally he joked back, "Is Sandra my ancestor now?"
"I'm your distant cousin. That's close enough. But the gift is from Jonas, Philip, Annabel and Anne."
Nathaniel nodded and smiled. "This is truly beautiful, Sandra. I'm sure Josephine will love it," he said and pulled her into a tight hug.
"You have to let go now, or Jo will kill me if I'm not there when she walks down the aisle."
***
A few minutes later, in the company of old family, friends and his new Billamore family, Sandra watched as Nathaniel said "I do" to his one true love. Slipping the ring onto Josephine’s finger, her jaw dropped, beaming at the sight of the amazing diamond.
Sandra stole a quick look at Josh who was staring right back. Exchanging smiles, they watched as Nathaniel embraced both of his identities without even knowing it. He was being a Murphy and a Billamore at the same time. Sandra thought it was what Annabel would’ve wanted if she’d had a chance to see into the future, years ago.
***
Later at the reception, Sandra explained the ring to Josephine and how Anne Billamore had insisted, saying it was what Annabel and Philip would’ve wanted. And what Anne wanted, too.
“This is for you, Annabel,” Sandra heard Josephine say as she kissed Nathaniel for the umpteenth time after she was officially Mrs. Murphy.
“Does that mean you believe in ghosts again?” Sandra asked.
“You bet this beautiful diamond ring I do!” Josephine exclaimed and both Nathaniel and Sandra laughed.
And without them knowing, on the other side of town in the museum, the Carrigan painting smiled broadly, too.
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