The Final Chapter
Hazel
“Dad, is everything okay?”
Two days had passed since the Tom and Charles incident. Ben was still at Rachel’s and Hazel had phoned to tell her everything that had happened. Damien was at work but he kept phoning to make sure that she was okay. Charles had said that he was fine with going back but Damien refused and said he was more than happy to work that day.
“I’ve got good news, Haze.”
“Yeah?”
“We got Tom. And not just Tom, but his entire gang. And we’ve managed to uncover a lot more information about them then just what they’ve done to you, Damien and Charles.”
“What do you mean, Dad?”
“I mean, they were involved in more things than we realized. And because of that we were able to arrest them for more than just a robbery. They may all be given ten years in jail.”
“TEN!” Hazel couldn’t believe it.
“Yeah. It might even be more if we get more information – which is very possible. And they’ve all been given restraining orders so even when they come out, they are not allowed near any of you.”
Hazel felt relief washing through her body. She hadn’t realized just how tense she was until that moment. “Oh, Dad, thank you so much. This is such good news.”
“It is. Will you tell Damien? I was going to call him but I think it will be good coming from you. And get him to phone Charles with the news.”
“I will, Daddy. Thank you. Seriously, I cannot thank you enough. I’m sorry I didn’t come to you sooner. Thank you for helping us like this.”
“Oh, Hazel, I would never let anything happen to you. And Damien… he’s a good guy, despite all the things he has done. I have always thought that. Now that Tom and his gang are away, the two of you can concentrate on finally moving forward. And you can stop looking over your shoulder whenever you go anyway. Now, before I go… your mom will kill me if I forget to mention that we’re having a lunch on Sunday again. Please come, and invite Damien, too.”
“We’ll be there, Dad.”
Hazel immediately called Damien to tell him the news.
“That’s the best news ever. Ah, your father is awesome.”
“He certainly is.”
“It must run in the family.”
“Are you flirting with me, Mr. Carson?”
“Always. So, what are you up to today then? While I slave away at work.”
Hazel scoffed. “You mean, while you read books?”
“Hmm… maybe.”
“Well, I think I’m going to treat myself to a nice bubble bath this morning. And then I’m going to fetch Ben and spend the rest of the day with him. This is the longest I’ve been without him and he must be wondering where I am. Oh, and before I forget – we’re invited to Sunday lunch.”
“I’ll be there.”
Hazel spent the next few days in a sort of happy bliss. Ben thankfully didn’t ask any questions and seemed happy to have spent so much time with Rachel who more than likely spoiled him like crazy. Hazel promised that the next time she would take Willow and give them time to themselves.
On the day of the Sunday lunch, Hazel was excited because it was the first time the whole family would be reunited with Damien around and she knew that it must be quite a big deal for him, too.
“Hey, you,” he said when she opened the door. “You look beautiful.”
Hazel was amazed that he still managed to make her blush. She was only wearing black jeans, a white shirt and black and white Converse sneakers, but he was looking at her as if she was wearing a ball gown. She called for Ben who came running out to greet him.
“Ben, I like what you’re wearing.”
Again, he was wearing pajamas. It didn’t help that he looked so cute so everyone kept buying him more. This time there were monsters all over.
“Thank you. Monsters. Look.”
“Scary!” Damien said.
“No!” Ben laughed because the monsters were so comical and not scary at all.
“Well, come on then guys, I’m taking you today.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have a set of wheels now. Come on, let me show you.” Damien took her to a blue Ford Fiesta parked outside. It wasn’t new but it looked to be in good condition. She looked quizzically at Damien.
“Charles sold it to me. I mean, I couldn’t really pay him just yet but I’m paying it off monthly. It runs really well.”
“Wow, Damien. It’s perfect.”
“And the good news doesn’t end there. I found a place to stay. It’s not far from here. On Porter Street. It’s an apartment block called La Villa. It’s small but it’s good for now.”
“I know La Villa. I had a friend that lived there once. It’s a cool place. Damien… this is amazing. I’m just loving all this good news. I hereby declare this ‘Good News Sunday’ – what do you think, Ben?”
“Monsters!”
They all laughed. He was still transfixed with his pajamas.
When they arrived at the house, Hazel noticed quite a few cars parked in the area, which was odd because it was normally such a quiet street.
“Wow, someone here must be having a party,” she said to Damien.
“PARTY!” Ben exclaimed.
“Oh dear, I shouldn’t have said the P word. Ben loves parties.”
They knocked on the door and Hazel’s mom opened the door with flushed cheeks and a wide grin.
“Hi, Mom. You look happy today. Or have you been hitting the wine already?”
“A bit of both really. Good to see you all. Come on in.”
Hazel noticed that her mother was beaming at Damien. She wondered then how much wine she had consumed already because she wasn’t acting completely like herself. Her voice was a bit high pitched like she was about to sing a song. Hazel looked at Damien and shrugged.
“Whatever she’s on – I want some,” she whispered to him.
He took her hand as they walked and she wasn’t sure if it was because he was nervous at seeing the whole family again. That’s when Hazel noticed that the house was strangely quiet. The house was never quiet.
“What’s going on? Mark and Theresa not here yet? I could have sworn I saw the car. Ha! Maybe they’ve gone to the other party down the road. How funny would that be?”
Her mother didn’t say a word. Just kept on walking. Hazel was starting to get a little confused.
“Mom? Earth to Mom.”
They turned the corner and entered the living room. Nobody. Not a soul. Her mother was still walking and not saying a word. Then she signaled for them to follow her outside. Hazel turned to look at Damien who was grinning from ear to ear. What was going on? Then, as they stepped outside she almost screamed in fright as a huge bunch of people jumped out and screamed “SURPRISE!”
Hazel looked around. She was suddenly so completely overwhelmed. Everyone was there. Her father, her brother, Theresa, their kids, Charles, Rachel, Leo, Willow and a man and a woman with two kids that she didn’t know.
“What? What is going on? It’s not my birthday? Is it?”
She looked around at everyone and then at Damien. She was confused. Had she entered some weird time warp where it really was her birthday? Damien took her hand.
“Nope. It’s not your birthday. Although, I’m a little worried that you don’t know that yet. I think you need some wine. But… with everything that you’ve been going through we thought it would be nice to put a little something together for you. With all the people that love you. And to tell you that we’ll always be here for you.”
“What? You were in on this?” Hazel punched him and everyone laughed.
“Of course! Your mother and I have been planning it for the last few days.”
“Whoa! I had no idea.”
“Finally!” her mother exclaimed. “Damien, you have no idea how many times we have tried to surprise this girl over the years. She always finds out. Great teamwork. And thanks to everyone for not saying a word.”
Hazel could not believe it. She felt the tears streaming down her face with happiness.
“Mommy, why are you crying?” Ben asked, tugging at her leg.
She reached down and picked him up, hugging him tightly. “These are happy tears. I have so much happiness inside of me so there is no more space for the tears. So they’re all just coming out of me.”
His eyes widened and he touched a tear falling down. “Wow.”
Hazel went around and hugged every person that was there. When she got to the people that she didn’t know she wasn’t sure what to do.
“So you’re the lovely Hazel,” the man said.
And as he spoke she knew he was. She could see it now. “Wesley?”
“The one and only. We’ve been dying to meet you. This is my wife, Christie. And these are our two kids, Ashley and Sarah.”
“Oh, they’re beautiful. I’m sorry, I’m so overwhelmed at the moment. I don’t even know what to say. I’m normally a lot more talkative.”
“This will help.” Christie handed her a glass of wine.
“Oh, thank you. Judging by this I think we’ll be great friends.”
Hazel spent a bit of time talking to Wesley and Christie and she took an immediate liking to them. Wesley was like Damien in a lot of ways and completely different in others. But it was obvious to see how happy he was that his brother was back in his life. Their parents had died when they were young and they were the only family they had left. She was delighted when she discovered that they were also teachers. They seemed to have a lot in common with her.
The kids were all running around and getting to know one another and at one stage, Hazel just stood against the wall and watched everyone. It was complete chaos. That’s when she thought of all the cars parked outside and realized that she was at the party.
“Hey, Haze.” It was her mother who had hooked arms with her and was watching the madness unfold. “Isn’t this lovely? I love it when the house is like this.”
“It’s a complete mad house here. I love it. The neighbors, I’m sure, aren’t so happy. Everyone is so loud. I swear it’s like they’re all trying to do outdo each other. Thanks for this, Mom. Seriously, it’s the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me. You and Dad have been so good to me.”
“Don’t thank me. It was all Damien’s idea.” They watched then as Damien was talking animatedly to Mark and Wesley. It was a very happy thing to watch. Then her mother clapped her hands eagerly. “OK, who’s ready to eat?” she yelled and everyone ran to get a place at the table.
Hazel laughed as they all found a seat and waited eagerly for her mother to bring out the food. Everyone wanted to help but she refused. This was the part that she liked best – feeding her guests and making them happy. The kids all sat together at a separate table and were already tucking into their food as they had been served first. Hazel groaned at the thought of the mess after the party – especially since most of the kids decided not to use their utensils.
Her mother brought out all the dishes and Hazel noticed that her brother was eying the roast potatoes. She caught his eyes and squinted at him as if to say ‘don’t you dare’ and he just squinted right back at her. They were just about to start dishing up when her mother spoke up.
“Now I can already see Hazel and Mark eying those roast potatoes. This is a big group of people so everyone is only going to get two potatoes each. Mark, Hazel – you can’t be greedy this time.”
“Ah, Mom, you know I deserve three and Hazel only needs one,” Mark announced, his eyes on the potatoes.
“What? This is my party, which means I should actually get four and you should get none. Yes, I think that is only fair. I’m your little sister, after all, you should be looking out for me. What do you think, Mom?”
Her mother was looking around the table. “Actually, I just counted and I think I miscalculated. You can only get one each. Maybe one and a half if some people are willing. Sorry about that, but there is plenty other food for you to enjoy too.”
“One and a half! That’s nothing!” Mark said. He sounded like a little child.
Hazel was giggling, “Ah you see… that’s what you get for being greedy. Mark, I think you should give yours to me. You’re looking a little chubby these days.”
“Chubby? I will never be chubby. And anyway, I will gladly put on weight if it means eating more of these. Gladly!”
“You two are ridiculous! You know that? Shame Damien, look what you’ve gotten yourself into. It’s too late for Theresa. Save yourself.” Her mother announced and then burst out laughing. “I’m only kidding. As if I wouldn’t make extra. Silly children.”
And with that she ran to the kitchen and came back with an entire bowl filled with more roast potatoes. Everyone burst out laughing and her and Mark immediately went in for them first.
After dinner and dessert, when everyone was full and sitting back with a cup of coffee, Damien got up and walked to the front of the table. Hazel watched in confusion as he cleared his throat and then got out a piece of paper. His hands were trembling slightly. Just then her father made a clinking sound with his spoon against a glass and everyone went silent.
“Can I have everyone’s attention? I’m sorry… I wrote some notes down because my memory is awful when I’m nervous and I am so nervous right now. Uh… firstly, thank you so much to possibly the best family I have ever met. I’m very grateful for everything that you have done for me, Robert and Angela. And Mark – thanks for not kicking me out when you saw me again. You’re all amazing and I promise you that I will do everything to make sure that I never break your trust again.
"Thank you also to my amazing brother and his family and to Charles – who already feels like family to me. I will definitely be coming around to say thank you to each of you individually because you’ve all played a huge part in making me who I am today. I’m still learning and I’ve got a long way to go but, damn, you guys are some good role models for me to have.”
Hazel was shocked to see how emotional he was getting.
“And, of course, to the lovely Hazel. The most amazing and beautiful woman in the world. Thank you for giving me another chance and for seeing something in me that I never saw myself. Thank you for trusting me, believing me and loving me – despite all my scars. There is, of course, another twist to this party. The real reason that I wanted everyone here. And for that, I’ll need my trusty partner in crime to help me. The boy with the coolest clothes. And someone who I am so happy to finally have in my life. Ben, can you come here quickly.”
Ben got up and ran towards him. Damien bent down and whispered something into his ear and then handed something to him. Ben nodded and then brought the box over to Hazel. He did it so carefully as if this were an important job for him.
The moment Hazel took the box she saw that Damien had walked up to her and had gotten down on one knee. She felt her hands shaking as he signaled for her to open it. For a while she just stood and stared at the box and at Damien – too shocked to do anything.
Then Ben yelled, “OPEN BOX!” and everyone burst out laughing. That was all the encouragement that she needed. She opened the box and inside was a ring. A beautiful silver ring. She examined it. On the outside was a tiny engraving of a Panda.
“Oh, Damien,” she whispered, “this is so beautiful.” She had no idea that he had been organizing this party and getting the ring. He had done so much for her.
Damien grinned and looked around. “I know this is a very private moment for you all to be in but it was important to me that you were all here. I want Hazel and all of you to know that there are no more secrets. This is the girl that I love. And I will love her forever. Hazel, little Panda girl, will you marry me?”
“Of course I will.” And then she reached down to embrace him and whispered in his ear, “Cute boy.” He laughed and whispered back, “Don’t tell the others. That’s the only secret we have.”
Ben ran over to hug them, not wanting to miss out on this big family moment. He saw the ring and he grinned. Then he pointed to himself. “Panda!”
THANKS FOR READING!
Authors Personal Message:
Hey beautiful!
I really hope you enjoyed my novel and I would really love if you could give me a rating on the store!
Thanks in advance and check the next page for details of my other releases. :)