Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) (29 page)

“When are you going to propose?” She wiped a tear from her cheek. John told them his plans and Janet clapped.

“Now you keep your mouth shut, Doug.” Janet pointed her finger at her husband. “He doesn’t keep secrets very well.”

“I’ll keep this one,” Doug promised.

After a couple of more hugs from Janet and a couple more handshakes from Doug, John drove home. It was as if the weight of the world was off his shoulders. That was one of the hardest things he ever had to do. He still had a couple of hours before Stephanie would be home. She’d texted him that she would pick up supper on the way home. He definitely had time to get some of the plans started for Stephanie’s party.

John called his mother first. She cried and insisted the party be held at the house. Stephanie wouldn’t suspect anything when he suggested going to his parents. Nanny Betty was shouting in the background for Sean to get her a pad and pen. It was menu planning time. John chuckled as he hung up to Nanny Betty and his mother arguing over food choices.

The next few calls were to his brothers. James was on beverages. Ian and Nick were going to make sure the house was decorated. Aaron and Mike were helping their mother and grandmother with the food. Keith was going to help James with the drinks. John thought about possibly getting the party catered, but Nanny Betty would bite his head off for even thinking about it.

As John ended the call with Stephanie’s mother for the third time, his phone rang right away. The number wasn’t familiar.

“Hello,” John answered.

“Is this John?” A female voice asked.

“Yes,” He answered.

“This is Marina,” She said. “Stephanie’s sister.”

“Hi,” John said.

“Mom called me about the party and the surprise.” Marina giggled.

“I thought she might.” John chuckled.

“Well, I just wanted to let you know, I’m moving home the same week, but since there’s going to be a surprise party, I want to keep it from Stephanie,” Marina said. “I come in the day before the party. I’m staying with mom and dad, but if you need any help just text me.”

“That’d be great.” John was even more excited about the party. “She’s going to be so happy you’re home.”

“Me too.” He heard the smile in Marina’s voice. “I think the engagement might take precedence, though.”

“I don’t know about that.” Stephanie really missed her sister and her nephew. Marina gave him some great ideas of how to propose. John wanted it to be something she’d never forget.

“I’m glad my sister found you, John.” Marina’s voice cracked. “I wasn’t as lucky in love, but I know she won the jackpot. The only good thing to come out of my relationship was my son.”

“I’m the one who won the jackpot,” John said. “I know you’ve had a hard time, but I firmly believe things happen for a reason.” John heard Danny babbling in the background. Marina told him she’d keep in touch and ended the call. His heart hurt for her. John didn’t know the full story, but what he did know pissed him off. At least she still had her family, and if Stephanie agreed to marry him, Marina would have his big crazy family too. His brothers despised men who treated women the way Marina was treated. There was also that spark he saw between James and Marina. Things happened for a reason.

John was going to pull out all his hair. Shopping with Jess, Kristy and Isabelle the next day was a cruel and unusual punishment. They took him to so many jewelry stores, he lost count. Then equally painful, trying to get them to agree on the same ring. John was beginning to regret asking for their help. He was never going to find a ring for Stephanie.

The ring he imagined didn’t seem to exist. He’d described it to every jewellery store they entered but no luck. Marina texted him periodically to check his progress. It was almost embarrassing to say he still had no ring.

At yet another store, John received a text. He swiped the screen. It was Marina again. When he opened the text there was a picture attached. It was the ring.

“John, come on,” Jess yelled from another Jewellery store door.

“Wait! Look at this.” John held up his phone. To his surprise Jess, Isabelle and Kristy squealed.

“That’s it.” John sighed. He tapped Marina’s number. She’d spent all day showing jewelers the sketch of the ring John sent her. She finally found it. She texted the information of the jewelry store. Marina was going to bring the ring with her when she returned home. The size wasn’t even a question because Marina wore the same size ring as Stephanie. John thanked her and ended the call.

“Well girls, looks like we’re done.” John was ecstatic over the ring, but even happier he was finished shopping with his cousins. John had the perfect ring, and in less than a week, he’d be proposing to the most beautiful, kind and loving woman in the world. Hopefully, she’d say yes.

John was distant the last couple of days. Stephanie wasn’t sure what was going on. She’d walked in on him a few times talking on the phone and he’d end the call. Stephanie asked him several times if anything was wrong, but he said it was just something with work.

Stephanie tried to call Marina all day, but she didn’t answer. Then she called her mom to see if Marina was okay. Her mother told her Marina was probably busy at work and she’d have to call her later because she was busy. Her mother was too busy to talk to her.

John told her they were going to his parents for supper, but she really didn’t feel up to going anywhere. Her birthday was in two days. She was turning twenty-eight. For some reason, it was depressing her. Maybe because she was working so much and John was getting home late from work. The last couple of days they hardly spent any time together.

Stephanie and Sandy had become closer over the past few weeks, but Sandy brushed her off today. Sandy had meetings all day and wouldn’t be home until late. Even Donna was too busy to have tea with her today. Stephanie even tried calling Kim.

A week ago, Stephanie and John sat down with Kim and Brad to talk things out. She didn’t want to be enemies with them. Especially since they were spending so much time with Sandy. Kim was happy for them. Brad had cleared up everything about Erica. He’d never told Erica he was still in love with Stephanie. He’d just said he didn’t want to get married. Erica had turned that into Brad still being in love with Stephanie. He’d apologized for the way things ended and was happy for her. Everything in her life seemed to be calm and relaxed. She was still worried it would all come crashing down around her.

She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. John had something to do for Nick. That meant she had the whole house to herself. It was lonely. John was off, and usually they’d spend the day together. When he said he’d be gone all morning, she was hurt. She didn’t tell him because well, it was silly. Stephanie tried texting her sister again. She just needed to talk to someone.

“Hey, Beautiful.” John walked through the door.

“Hey.” She sighed.

“What’s wrong?” John raised his eyebrow and pulled her into his arms.

“Nothing. I just missed you all day.” She hated whining.

“You don’t have to miss me anymore today.” He kissed the top of her head and she melted into his embrace.

“Do we have to go to your parents tonight?”

John tensed. “Well, yeah. I mean, they’re expecting us, but we can try to get out early.” Why was he stammering over his words?

“I guess that would be okay.” Stephanie cuddled tighter into his arms. John always made her feel better.

The car ride to his parents’ place seemed awkward and quiet. Stephanie really wanted to leave early. John held her hand most of the way on the ride there. He was distracted just before they left, and his phone rang every ten minutes. If it wasn’t ringing, he was getting a text. It kind of pissed her off. He was supposed to spend the afternoon with her. Either way he promised they wouldn’t be staying too late.

They pulled into the driveway. The house looked dark with the exception of the light over the front door. John walked around the car to open her door. He grabbed her hand and almost ran toward the house.

“Are you sure they’re home?” It was strange that none of the family’s cars were in the driveway. Supper at the O’Connor’s was usually all hands on deck.

“I’m sure.” John opened the door and motioned her to go ahead of him. Stephanie walked into the living room. The sudden burst of light didn’t startle her as much as the loud chorus of voices screaming “Surprise!”

Stephanie jumped back against John.

“Happy Birthday, sweetheart,” He whispered into her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Oh my God. This is why everyone was acting so weird.” Tears filled her eyes. “I thought everyone was ignoring me.”

“Nope! Just trying to pull off a few surprises.” John whispered and kissed the top of her head.

Stephanie wasn’t even sure who hugged her because as soon as one set of arms let her go, another embraced her. She looked around as much as she could in between the hugs and happy birthdays. A huge banner with ‘Happy Birthday Stephanie’ hung above the fireplace. Balloons and streamers were all around. She glanced at John. He leaned against the doorframe with a huge smile on his handsome face. He was pretty proud of himself. A loud whistle made her jump. Stephanie turned. Aaron was in the middle of the room.

“Okay everyone. Let the girl breathe.” Aaron chuckled. “Before we get this party started, there are two presents Stephanie has to open right away.” Aaron pointed to a huge sheet draped in the corner of the room with the word Surprise written across it.

“Just pull it down. Your first surprise is behind that sheet.” Nick said. Stephanie stared at John. He nodded. She slowly made her way toward the sheet.

“Wait! Is someone going to throw a cake in my face when I pull this down?” Stephanie narrowed her eyes at Aaron and Nick. They were jokesters, and she didn’t know what they were up to.

“I promise you nobody is going to shove anything in your face,” Keith she trusted almost as much as she trusted John.

Stephanie grabbed the sheet in her fists. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and gave it a hard yank. It dropped to the floor and she opened her eyes. Marina stood there holding Danny. Stephanie gasped and wrapped her arms around her sister and nephew.

“That’s why you weren’t answering me.” Stephanie cried as she pulled back from Marina.

“Sorry, it was a surprise.” Marina laughed. “Before we talk, your other surprise is right here.” Marina pointed to three balloons floating up from the table behind her. Each balloon had a small envelope attached to it.

“What’s this?” Stephanie asked.

“They’re numbered. You’ve got to open them in order and read them out loud.” Marina stepped away as Stephanie pulled off the first envelope. She opened it and read it aloud.

“Happy Birthday My Love, I Love you with all my heart.” She looked around, but John had disappeared. Marina nodded for her to continue. Stephanie pulled off the second envelope. “Pull off the next envelope and turn around.” She grabbed the third envelope and turned around. John was behind her.

“Open it and read it.” He smiled. Stephanie quickly opened the envelope.

“Stephanie, you’re the love of my life and although this is your birthday, I’d like you to give me the best present in the world and be my wife.” Stephanie gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. She looked up from the note and John was on his knee holding a red velvet box.

“Will you marry me, Stephanie?” John’s voice was shaky. Stephanie couldn’t find her voice. Tears streamed down her cheeks. John was staring at her. “I don’t know if crying is a good sign. You’re kind of scaring me, sweetheart.”

Stephanie took his hands and pulled him up.

“It’s a good sign. These are happy tears.” She laughed. “I love you so, so much and yes, I’ll marry you.”

John slipped the ring on her finger and Stephanie stared at her hand. The gold band was simple with a sparkling diamond in the center surrounded by smaller diamonds. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Soon they were surrounded.

“Another one bites the dust.” Mike roared from the other side of the room.

“We get to have a bachelor party.” Nick chuckled.

“Strippers.” Aaron hooted and quickly turned away when he got a stern look from Nanny Betty.

“Can I get everyone’s attention?” James shouted. The crowd quieted down as Keith and Ian stepped forward with trays of champagne. Stephanie beamed at John. She loved this man so much and now he was going to be her husband. Forever.

“I’d like to say Happy Birthday to the beautiful birthday girl, and congratulations to my brother and Stephanie. Bro, you have a gem there. I’d like to wish you guys a long and happy life together. Cheers.” James held up his glass. The crowd followed suit and a round of congratulations went around the room.

Stephanie pulled Marina aside once the excitement had settled a little. Danny was in a playpen with James’ son Mason. They eyed each other curiously. They were almost the same age. Stephanie laughed as Mason passed Danny a block. Danny didn’t seem to want it at first but took it cautiously. Soon the two babies were giggling and babbling as they passed the blocks back and forth.

“When do you go back?” Stephanie really didn’t want to know.

“I’m not.” Marina grinned.

“Really?” Tears filled her eyes. Again. At this rate, she was going to be dehydrated before the night was over.

“I’m home for good.” Marina’s boss wanted her in Newfoundland to ensure everything was on track. She’d be working from home until the office opened. So until she found a place to live, and a daycare for Danny, she’d be staying with their parents.

“Besides, I missed everyone. I missed home.” A tear ran down Marina’s cheek. Yep. Marina and Stephanie were both big babies.

“I’m so glad you’re back.” Stephanie hugged Marina.

“Me too.” As she released Marina, James walked by.

“James, you remember my sister?” Stephanie grinned.

“Of course. It’s nice to see you again.” James smiled at Marina.

“Marina, you remember James.” Marina shook his hand. Then pulled her hand back and her cheeks flushed. Interesting. James quickly excused himself.

“Isn’t he gorgeous?”  Stephanie whispered in Marina’s ear.

“Aren’t you engaged?” Marina reached down to kiss Danny’s head.

“He’s a widower.” Stephanie nudged Marina with her shoulder.

“I know, Stephanie.” Marina groaned.

“Not all men are like Marc.” Stephanie put her arm around Marina.

“I know that Steph, but I’m nowhere near ready for dating. So don’t start any matchmaking.” Marina warned. John walked up behind her.

“Would you mind if I dance with my fiancée?” John kissed her cheek.

“Not at all.” Marina smiled as John pulled Stephanie out to the dining room. It had been turned into a dance floor. Stephanie scanned the room. Aaron was dancing with a girl she’d never met. It was obvious they knew each other very well. Aaron had one hand on the girl’s ass and the other she couldn’t see. According to John, the girl was Aaron’s flavor of the week. Nick was dancing with another girl she’d not met. Mike was dancing with Jess. They were doing everything to annoy Nick and Aaron.

“I love you.” John pulled her into his arms as the music slowed down. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I love you too.” John placed a soft kiss on her lips.

“Thank you for everything, John.” She rested her head against his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart

“Thank you for saying yes,” John whispered into her ear.

The party started to wind down. Cora bragged about being right again. Nanny Betty made her promise to take care of her grand-son. She got several suggestions from Aaron and Nick on how to celebrate their engagement. John chased them off with threats of showing some naked baby pictures to their dates.

She lost sight of John for a few minutes but found him talking to Kurt in the kitchen. John was holding a large brown envelope in his hand. They were deep in conversation and didn’t notice her come in.

“Something wrong?” Stephanie asked. Kurt congratulated her then left the kitchen.

“This was sent to the police station by Marc’s lawyer.” John’s body was ridged.

“Do we have to end the night with bad news?” She groaned.

“Actually there are letters in it from Marc to Marina, your parents and you.” He held out the envelope. She stared at it like it was going to bite her. Opening it could cause a lot of drama if it was bad news. She sighed and took the envelope from John.

Inside there were three smaller envelopes. Each one was labelled with names. One for her parents, one for her and a larger one for Marina. Stephanie pulled out hers. She opened it and began to read. The letter was a long apology. Marc was in rehab and making amends to people he hurt. He hoped someday Stephanie could forgive him for hurting Marina. He wouldn’t be bothering them again. He’d sent Marina documents giving up all his parental rights.

Stephanie read it several times before it sunk in. She searched for Marina and her parents. She found them talking to Sean and Kathleen in the living room. Stephanie gave her parents their letter and held out Marina’s.

“I don’t want it.” Marina snapped.

“I think you need to read this.” Stephanie held out the letter.

Marina shook her head. “I’m done with him.”

“Honey, you need to read it.” Janet took the letter from Stephanie and placed it in Marina’s hand. “We’re here with you.”

Marina opened the envelope. Her hands were trembling. James was standing off to the side. His eyes glued to Marina. Really, interesting. Marina read Marc’s letter. When she finished she looked up.

“He’s not going to bother you again, Rina,” Stephanie said.

“You’ll never have to worry about him coming after Danny either.” Doug pulled Marina into his arms.

“Is this real.” Marina held up the documents. Stephanie assumed they were the papers dissolving his rights. “Are these papers real?” Marina didn’t seem to believe what was happening.