Dream Lover (17 page)

“Hey Mom,” John said, interrupting his mother, “Why don't you and Dad come and taste some of the food that yours truly catered.” He kissed Liz on the cheek then escorted his parents in the opposite direction. He looked over his should and winked at Randi and she mouthed a silent thank you.
             

She turned to a chuckling Liz and shook her head. “The woman
never
stops.” It was no secret that Sondra Parker tried every chance she got to meddle in her daughter's love life, or lack there of she'd always remind Randi.

Liz smiled at Randi. “You know Sondra means well.”

“Yes, but I wish she would...” Randi's voice trailed off as she noticed a man enter the gallery. Liz looked in the direction that Randi was looking.

“That's Spencer Gray,” she whispered.

“Do you know him?”

Randi shook her head. “Only by his work and reputation. His photographs are amazing. His uncle is also the owner of the magazine I work for.”

He stopped to ask someone a question. They responded by pointing in Liz and Randi's direction. He turned and locked eyes with Randi. She quickly turned away.

“It looks like he's coming this way,” Liz murmured next to Randi.

“I think I'm going to go and find John and my parents.”

“Don't you want to meet him?” Liz asked, puzzled by Randi's stranger behavior.

She shook her head glancing over her shoulder to see him coming straight towards them, still looking at her. “I'm sure he is coming to ask about one of your pieces so I'll let you handle your business.” She gave her another quick hug then quickly disappeared in the crowd.

By the time Spencer Gray reached Liz, Randi was out of sight. He looked over Liz's head clearly searching for the woman who'd just been standing with her that he'd only caught a glimpse of.

“Mr. Gray,” Liz said interrupting his thoughts. He looked down at her and smiled.

“You know who I am?”

Liz turned slightly and looked around. “Evidently, your reputation precedes you.” She stuck out her hand. “I'm Elizabeth Wheeler.”

He shook her hand and replied, “Then you are the woman I am looking for at the moment. I would like to buy one of your sculptures.”

The art show was a complete success. Anjelah Martin was so pleased that she offered Liz exclusivity of her gallery to display her artwork for the next two months.

Liz was elated. John had taken her, along with their families out to celebrate after. Several hours later they'd returned to Liz's apartment to have a celebration of their own.

They were sitting at the kitchen table the next morning after cooking a wonderful breakfast together. John was once again impressed at how her cooking skills had improved. “I can't wait to see how you fare at making dinner.”

“You will get your chance to experience more of my new culinary skills soon enough,” she teased, smiling at him.

He winked at her over the rim of his mug as he took a sip.

She looked down into her cup of tea. “Johnny, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

He placed the cup down, looking at her concerned. She appeared nervous. “What's up Peaches?”

“Well...it's just that we've been dating for two months now and you've been spending quite a few nights over here lately.” He saw her blush. He was amazed at how timid she could still be, as brazen as she was in the bedroom.

He simply nodded as she continued. “I just thought maybe you should leave some clothes over here.”

He stared at her for a moment then asked, “Are you offering to clear a drawer out for me Lizzie?”

“I figured it would save time for you in the mornings to just get dressed here and not have to go back to your apartment.”

He stared at her for several more moments before standing and holding his hand out to her.

“Let's go for a ride.”

She looked at him as though he'd had a moment of insanity. Here she was trying to have a serious conversation with him. What was he doing?

“Let's go for a ride?” she repeated.

“Yes, Elizabeth. I have a gift for you.” She knew he was serious, so she took his hand.

They didn't speak much on the drive. She looked at him confused when they arrived in a neighborhood lined with full trees. They stopped in front of a massive two story white house, with black shutters. John got out and went around to open the door for Liz. She was in complete awe of the house, but she was still wondering what they were doing there.

They walked up the sidewalk and she glanced at the sold sign in the yard as they walked past. John opened the door and stepped back allowing Liz to enter first. She turned to him as he closed the door and sauntered over to her. He took her hand and kissed her cheek. “Let's take a tour of the place.”

The massive seven bedroom, four-bathroom house was spectacular. The master bedroom had French doors that led out to a balcony. The kitchen was complete with the best appliances.

John, still holding Liz's hand, led her through an enormous
sunroom to the backyard. The yard was big enough for plenty of kids to run around all day and never get tired. There was also a large tree off to the corner. He led her to a shed under the tree. They went inside and he showed her around. It was completely finished with a sink, bathroom and small refrigerator.

She turned and looked at him.

“What are we doing here John?”

He pulled her into the circle of his arms. “I don't want to keep a few clothes at your apartment, Lizzie.”

She sighed exasperated. Then nodded, her curls bouncing around her face. “That's fine Johnny, but why couldn't you have told me that at my apartment. Why did you have to bring me out here?”

“I'm trying to tell you that I need more than a single drawer woman. I need to wake up with you every single morning. I want you to be my wife.”

She took a step back. “What did you say?”

“You heard me loud and clear Peaches. I want you to marry me, carry my children. I want us to build our family in this house.” He looked around. “This would be the perfect area for a studio don't you think?”

“You...this house? You bought a house?”

“I bought
us
a house, Liz. That is, if you'll say yes.”

“Yes!” she screamed, throwing her arms around his neck and showering him with kisses. He wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around. He gently sat her down then reached into his pocket. Taking a deep breath, he pulled out the small jewelry box. Dropping down to one knee, he opened the box.

She gasped as he placed the ring on her finger. As he stood she asked, “How long have you had it?”

“You wouldn't believe me if I told you,” he said smiling at her. Then he cradled her neck and kissed her, sealing their fate.

One month later.

Liz didn't know how she pulled it off. Within a month's time, they'd moved into their new home and planned a wedding. She was now about to walk down the aisle to marry her best friend.

In her sweetheart charmeuse gown, with a ruched bodice and pick up skirt with a sweep train and apple red long sash around her waist, she was the perfect June bride. They were having the wedding in the back yard of their home. With the help of their mothers and sisters, they'd transformed the back yard into a dreamland.

They'd chosen Randi as the maid of honor and Paul, John's sous chef, as the best man. Liz stood at the back door and Neil came and stood beside her. He'd been more than honored when she asked him to give her away.

“Ready sweet pea?” he asked offering his elbow. She looped her arm through his, looked up at him and let out a breath. “Ready Pop.”

The wedding march began and the guests rose in anticipation of the entrance of the bride. The doors opened and John felt a lump of emotion rise in his throat as he watched and eagerly waited for his bride to approach him. Her stepfather stopped in front of John and the minister and gently kissed Liz on the cheek. He turned to John, gave him a firm handshake,
and then gave Liz's hand to him.

He stared in complete adoration of Liz then leaned over and brushed a kiss on her lips. The minister cleared his throat. “We're not quite to that part of the ceremony.” The guests laughed as he gave an apology he didn't really mean.

They turned to face the minister and he began the ceremony. They exchanged vows and rings and soon the minister was pronouncing them husband and wife. “You may
now
-”

Before he got a chance to finish the traditional words, John had taken Liz in his arms, dipped her and gave her a kiss that garnered whistles and shouts from the guest.

The sunroom had been turned into a reception hall. A dance floor had been put in for guests to enjoy themselves. They had a wonderful time of dancing and dining on food catered by  John's restaurant.

After they'd spent a few hours celebrating in their new union, they were waved off by their guests as they got into a limo that would take them back to the city where they'd spend the night in a honeymoon suite before flying out the next morning to start their two week honeymoon in Hawaii.

When they arrived to their hotel room, John swept Liz up in his arms, causing her to giggle. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head onto his shoulder.

“How are you Mrs. Parker?”

“I'm wonderful Mr. Parker.”

He sat her down and kissed her the way he'd really wanted to kiss her at the end of the ceremony. She responded to him just as quickly.

He turned her around, undid the sash, and then unzipped her dress. They didn't waste any time undressing each other.

He picked her up again and carried her to the bed. As he laid over her, he gazed into her eyes. She reached up and gently grazed his cheek. He kissed the palm of her hand.

He was amazed at how things had unfolded. He won the heart of the woman he'd loved longer than even he realized. He would now spend the rest of his life loving and being loved by his best friend and dream lover.

Thanks for reading!

ISBN:
978-0-9857347-0-1

Published by Shan
t
é
Russ

Dream Lover

© 2012, T
é Russ
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imaginatio
n
or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.