Page 78 of It Happened Duo
Once the champagne arrived, we all drank and toasted the graduates. When it came my turn, I beamed. “Maisy, Mom and I wanted to get you something special to wear and remember us as you set out on your amazing adventure, so family will always be with you.” A lump caught in my throat as I handed over the gift and couldn’t say another word.
I remember her eyes, so young when our father passed away, and now I looked at her all grown up. A young woman bound for great things.
She opened the box and gasped, finding a sterling silver heart locket from Tiffany’s. Inside was a photo of us kids with Mom and Dad taken several years prior.
“Thank you,” was all she could manage, crying as she came around the table to hug us both. “Love you guys.”
She put it on, and it looked lovely. This was just a day full of tears all around, but I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Rex waited until we were through to make his toast. “Here, here. What a special day for Maisy and Sophie. Best of luck with your future endeavors.” Rex ended simply. I thought that was it and almost drained my champagne glass when he continued.
“But if you’ll all indulge me, I have one more toast to make.” He turned to me with one hand raising his glass, the other hand pouring more into my glass. “To Chelsea, who has a birthday this week.”
I’d almost forgotten. I’d been too busy to think about it, or to plan anything. Leave it to Rex, proving how he made me a priority in his life.
“To think this time last year, I didn’t even know you existed, Sweetness. But I do now. This will be my first time celebrating your birthday with you, and, God willing, I’ll be there for every birthday for the rest of our lives. Happy birthday, Chelsea.”
“Yes, happy birthday, to my Chelsea-Sunshine girl,” Mom gushed and clapped.
Right then, the wait staff brought a peach piewith lit candles on it and sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to me.
“I had your mom bring this for you especially,” he said and squeezed my hand. But he didn’t need to say a thing; I recognized her signature cutouts of hearts in the top layer of the piecrust.
“What? How did you two manage to sneak this by me?” My eyes darted between them as they both shrugged, acting innocent, and mum about it all as more tears falling mixed with my laughter and caused a smile that hurt my cheeks. The moment was truly special with most of my loved ones all around me.
“Speech, speech,” Sophie’s father called out, a stout man with a jolly laugh. Her mom was more subdued, classic opposites.
“I don’t know what to say. Just thank you. You all bless my life in so many ways. Rex, I can’t wait for a forever amount of birthdays together. And Maisy—” I paused, recalling something from the past. “Dad always had a saying about happiness, the trifecta something or other. Remember?”
“Have people to love, something you love to do, and something to look forward to and you’ll always be happy,” Mom supplied.
“Yes. That was it.” I nodded, and thankfully the food arrived, saving us all from more cheers and tears.
Before leaving, we all ventured out onto the rooftop Viewing Deck, a prime spot to overlook New York City. The sun setting, the lights, and incredible views ofManhattan provided a beautiful venue for celebrations of all kinds.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Rex came up behind me, resting his hands on each side of me at the railing, and kissed the top of my head.
“This place will forever be special considering you proposed to me here,” I reminisced.
“The second time I proposed, the one that counts,” he corrected me. “Best day ever. The day you agreed to be mywife.”
I loved Rex’s sultry voice every single time he said that word, churning it over in a deep tone with a growl that vibrated into my soul, as if calling for it to rendezvous with his. We both loved each other, both happy with our work and things we loved to do, and we had our wedding to look forward to. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had managed to achieve the trifecta for happiness, according to my father.
Suddenly, Rex took my wrist and latched something onto it. Twinkle lights turned on over our heads, revealing a diamond tennis bracelet sparkling under the shine—as if he coordinated this moment—and I wouldn’t put it past him to have done so.
“Don’t you dare say it’s too much. I get to spoil you, remember?” He chuckled. “And it was either this or a little two-seater Mercedes, but I figured I’d start here for your first birthday with me.”
“Rex! You spoil me, like always.”
“Not spoil. I prefer the wordtreat.I’ll always treat youto fine things because you deserve it and I love you. All I ask in return is that you love me back with your whole heart and soul.”
“That can be arranged.” My heart beat faster for this man, and I turned in his arms, linking my lips with his. But it didn’t last long enough, with the girls bounding up to us.
“Sorry Rex, but we’re stealing Chelsea away,” Maisy announced and pulled at my arm.
“Yep. Time to party and dance for Maisy’s last night in New York City.” Sophie shimmied her body.
“Go on,” Rex gave me up. “Be safe and have fun.”
