Tomorrowmorning, we’ll head off to relax and enjoy beingMr. andMrs. inHawaii, since it’s one of the remarkably few states thatDaisyhasn’t been to yet but always wanted to visit.Themorning after we get back, the celebrity will post her video.Everythingis ready to go, but getting to this point has been exhausting.Fun, yes.We’vehad a blast doing it together.Butexhausting.
IgiveDaisya nudge because her breathing against my chest is sounding a little too relaxed. “Remember, no falling asleep during the ceremony.”
Shegives me a playful swat. “Hey.Ionly did that one time.Andit was at the end of a very long day making coffee mugs for earrings, not during me pledging to love you forever.”
“True.ButitwaswhileIwas telling you how perfect you are.”
Shepulls back a bit so she can look up at me. “Inmy defense, we were on the couch, your thigh makes a great pillow, you were skimming your fingers along my hairline and jaw, and you were using a soothing voice.Ican’t be held liable for falling asleep under those conditions.”
“It’sa reasonable defense, andI’msure no judge would hold you accountable.”Shegrins at me, andIadd, “Oh, guess what?Igot a call from work on my way here.”
“Pleasedon’t tell me they need you to come in today.”
Ichuckle. “No.Theywere telling me that they aren’t going to make me the team leader over my old team.”
Afterthe spy missionDaisydid with me where we copied the contracts and got them toJace, theCSAworked with theSECon a joint operation.Formonths, they worked to gather all the information they could on everyone involved.Whichmeant thatTadkept his jobfor a long time.Ithelped, though, thatIgot the job inRiskManagementinstead of him.
Jacecame to me for help several more times, too.SomemissionsIhad to do on my own, and someIdid withDaisy.Allwere collecting more information so they could build a very solid case.Andwhat they found was that it wasn’t only that one client.Therewere several.Theyfound that my old boss,Rickard—the one who endorsedTadforRiskManagement—was in on it, too.Hewas funneling the sketchy clients toTad, knowing he could trust him when it came to shady accounting practices.TadandRickardweren’t arrested until just over a week ago.
Oncethey arrestedRickard, my boss inRiskManagementtold me the position of team leader in my old team was vacant and he thoughtIshould apply for it.Iwas stunned.Hesaid that he was impressed not only with my knowledge and skill, but howIbacked up my opinions with facts, and how much he could trust that things were in good hands whenever he was gone and asked me to be in charge.
Neverin my life didIthink someone would say how impressed they are at my ability to be in a leadership position.It’ssafe to say that my entire life has been better withDaisyin it.
Iloved myRiskManagementteam and hated the thought of leaving them, but couldn’t pass up applying for the team lead position over my old team.
“Oh,Ollie,I’mso sorry.”
Asmile spreads across my face. “They’regoing to make me the team leader overRiskManagement.”
Daisypractically jumps in excitement, then wraps me in a hug before pulling back and saying, “What?How?”
“Well,”Isay, “it seems that my boss’s boss was in on it as well.”
Daisypulls her head back, eyes wide.I’mpretty sure that was exactly whatIdid whenIgot the call. “So, wow.Hugeshake-ups at your firm.”
Inod. “Itsounds like no one even saw the director’s arrest coming before it happened.Theyimmediately asked my team leader inRiskManagementto take over as director.”
“WhichleftRiskManagementwithout a team leader.”
Inod. “Andmy boss said they need me inRiskManagementmore.Sothey told me that ifIwant the job, it’s mine.Idon’t even think they finished that sentence beforeIsaid ‘Iwant it.’Possiblytooenthusiastically, because it made him laugh.HesaysIstart as soon as we get back from our honeymoon.”
“Iam so happy for you!”Daisysays and gives me a kiss.
“Iam so happy for me, too,”Itell her asIgive her a smile thatIfeel with my whole body. “ButIwould be even ifIdidn’t get the job.Today,Iget to marryyou.Andeveryone we love is here to celebrate with us.”
Shesmiles back, andIknow she’s feeling it down to her toes, too. “Doyou think we forgot anything?”
Inod. “Probablyso.Itwouldn’t be a wedding otherwise.Doyou think the animals are ready?”Acouple of our friends are supposed to go pick upRoiandPrinceCharmingand get them here right before the wedding.Theyhave important parts to play.
“Asready as they’ll ever be.”Daisyshrugs. “Imean, they’ve done it right in practice a good six out of ten times.”
“I’mpretty sure sixty percent is still failing.”
“Now, see?”Daisysays. “Thisis where math fails.Atthis point, you’ve got to have hope and faith that it’s going to be perfect.”
That,Ido have.
IthoughtI’dbe nervous.HereIam, standing under the floral arch in my tux, my groomsmen at one side of me and the bridesmaids at the other, facing a room full of people, about to give the vowsImemorized, andI’mnot nervous at all.
