“I told you, Dad. I got stuck here because Elijah dropped me off and my car’s in the shop. Julie has Jamie at the park and she doesn’t have the time to bring her back to my place.”

Dr. Thompson sighed. “I’m exhausted, Charity. Have you tried Margaret?”

“You know she doesn’t drive in America. Wrong side of the road, remember?” She threw her hands in the air. “You going to tell me you can’t pick up your grandchild?”

“Fine! Go tell Maxine. I’ll meet you at my car.” Charity’s father knew nothing of his impending surprise.

Charity exited the hospital and ripped off her visitor’s badge. She’d already told Maxine and the woman had cleared her father’s schedule.

Charity and Dr. Thompson took off to the park in his Jaguar.

 

Scott zipped his Jaguar towards the park as he looked for a parking spot. “Must be some sort of function happening nearby. Either that or Jamie has more pals than we thought,” he said.

Charity grinned. Her father wasn’t used to having to find a spot, he had the best one at the hospital, and basically valeted everywhere else. “Why don’t we park and walk the rest of the way. Exercise’ll do you good. Margaret said you don’t have to wear the heart monitor anymore.” Charity could see the crowd in the distance. She spotted Elijah’s Boxster a few rows from the lane they were driving in. She hoped her dad wouldn’t notice.

“One less thing to worry about. I detested that thing.”

He parked and they walked through the field. As they approached the baseball diamond Jamie came running towards them with her unsteady gate. Margaret arranged for face painting for the kids. Jamie was an exotic cat and behind her was a boy whom she didn’t recognize, but they seemed to be having a blast.

“We’re having a party!”

Scott looked around in confusion as he recognized people in the crowd. Charity was afraid he would be ticked when he realized what was happening. He stood, stunned and, surprisingly, amused.

Margaret came walking towards him. The crowd began cheering and singing ‘Happy Birthday’. Everyone was wearing Red Sox caps and there were three hotdog stands set up. Bottles of red wine were flowing.

“What’s going on here?” Scott asked nobody in particular.

Charity slipped her arms around her father. “We’re all here to celebrate you, Dad. Life deserves a little celebration now and then. The carnival theme was Margaret’s idea. Happy birthday. I love you, Dad.”

He hugged her back. “Thank you,” he whispered. Then he turned to Margaret and swung her around. “You are one amazing woman, Miss Margaret Bennet!”

Margaret pulled the festivities off beautifully. The hotdog carts were identical to the ones they had at Coney Island. Charity would find out later that they were actual carts from Coney Island. She hired the symphony orchestra through some friends she had at Tanglewood. A couple of the members came from the Boston Pops. It was rare for them to ever play with an outside group. Margaret had managed to talk them into playing for the event.

“It’s perfect. I love you.” Dr. Thompson kissed Margaret. A little too passionately.

Jamie cleared her throat and loudly yelled, “Yuck!”

Everyone burst out laughing.

There were players on the baseball diamond. It was a combination of retired MLB players and some of his closest friends from med school. He hadn’t seen many of them in years. “How did you manage to get everyone together?” he asked Margaret.

“I tried to include all of the things you like, Scott.” She slipped her arm through his. “I attempted to keep the crowd medium sized but so many people wanted to join in the celebration. Please tell me you’re surprised.”

“Surprised and a little overwhelmed.” He smiled. “I thought we were doing something intimate for my birthday. I had a little something planned. I was going to turn the tables and give you a gift.”

“Whatever you had planned can wait for another day.”

Scott looked at Margaret directly. “I don’t want to wait another day. I know you said you didn’t want to get married again. You’ve made that clear but I want to see if you’d reconsider.” Scott reached in his jacket pocket. In his hand, he held a black velvet box and opened it. A dazzling emerald ring sat on a cushion of gold silk. “With this ring I promise my love to you.” He slipped the ring on Margaret’s left ring finger.

Margaret teared up. “I love you, Doctor Scott Thompson. I’d gladly spend whatever bit of forever we have left, together.”

Everyone began clapping and cheering.

Charity noticed Hal Jaworski speaking with two young women and the little boy she had seen earlier. They all had smiles on their faces and Hal looked more alive than Charity had ever seen him. He approached her.

“Thanks for inviting me, Charity. I never knew what this family thing was all about. Did you know I have a grandson? Of course you knew.” He laughed. “Finally, I have someone to leave my money to, in addition to the cancer institute. You put a smile on this old man’s face. It seems to be your specialty Doctor Charity Bennet.” Hal gestured towards Elijah and Scott.

“It’s easy with a husband like Elijah. As far as my father goes. He’s found someone to put a smile on his face. We all make mistakes and learn from them, Hal.” Charity looked over at Julie and Simon talking quietly together.

Elijah came over and shook Hal’s hand. “I need to whisk this wonderful woman off, apologies.” Elijah slipped his hand in hers and led her to Jamie Lynn, his mother and Charity’s dad.

They sat at a picnic table eating hotdogs and sipping expensive wine. Except Jamie, she had grape juice.

“I can’t think of anything that would make this day any more magical than it is. There isn’t a cloud in the sky.” Scott smiled.

“I agree. The sky is clear except for that hot air balloon that appears to be coming this way.” Margaret smiled.

“You didn’t.” Scott saw the balloon getting closer.

“I wanted to do something unexpected and over-the-top. I always dreamed of floating away with the man I love. Are you game?” Margaret asked.

“I’m not about to say no in front of all these people but I’m sure you planned it this way.”

“Think of it as the beginning of our journey together,” Margaret said.

“I’m scared to death of the things but as long as I’m with you, I’ll be fine.”

Scott and Margaret kissed before they hopped on board.

“Me next. Me next.” Jamie was amazed.

“Maybe someday, Peanut. You have to have your feet firmly on the ground before you can take the risk to fly away.” Charity and the rest of the crowd waved farewell to Margaret and Scott.

Charity slipped her arm around Elijah’s waist. He placed his hand on her belly and smiled as Jamie ran up beside them.

“I don’t know how long I can hold back the good news. I want to share our happiness with everyone,” Elijah said.

“Let’s allow everyone to relish in the happiness they have now. When the time is right it’ll be icing on the cake.” Charity smiled.

“I love you, Charity Bennet.”

“Me too?” Jamie chirped.

“You too, little princess.”

Life was good. The future seemed incredibly awesome.

 

~ THE END ~

SAVING FOREVER 7

Julie & Simon’s Story

Book Seven:

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