It's Bliss (34 page)

He gazed down at her radiant, flushed face and smiled. “You don’t have to give me a final answer yet, Lora, but I’ll be waiting on pins and needles until you do.” He held her close for a few moments, his breathing uneven, then bent down and kissed her forehead and then once more her lips, but this time with the mixed emotions of the evening: fear, anger, protectiveness and—love.

He pulled away abruptly and walked to the door. “Goodnight, Lora.”

“
Goodnight, Arly,” she answered in a soft breathless voice.

Stepping out onto the porch, she watched him until he opened his car door, then she yelled, “Thank you for rescuing me tonight, Arly. You’re my hero!”

Tuesday morning, Sheldon awoke earlier than usual, feeling an excitement that three months ago he would have thought impossible. If it weren’t for the loose ends he had to tie up today and the class he had to teach, he was certain that the day would drag by unbearably.

By 5:00 p.m. he was home trying to make a snack for himself, unable to eat a full meal because of excitement and nervousness. His life had already changed, but after tonight, he hoped and prayed that it would change even more. Since Bliss had declared
her
love, he was almost one hundred percent sure—but there was that small doubt that kept niggling at him now and then.

Could a beautiful young woman like Bliss—would she—?

-

There was also excitement in the Bliss household. Margaret made homemade strawberry ice cream, and Henry and Bill took turns cranking the non-electric ice cream freezer. Matilda made crisp sugar cookies to go with the ice cream.

Everyone tried—not always successfully—to act nonchalant around Billie since no one, except Will really knew if or when Sheldon would propose.

After all, Sheldon Ackerman had been a bachelor for so long—would he be amenable to a different kind of life? Nevertheless, the ice cream and cookies were a celebration.

Up in her bedroom at 6:50, Billie’s excitement had unnerved her to the point that her hand was shaking, making it an ordeal to apply lipstick.

She stood back scrutinizing herself, hoping that she looked as nice as she wanted to. She had bought a special dress for tonight, a filmy, summer cotton that she found at one of the Fall sales. It was pale cream with tiny, covered buttons starting at the v-neck and ending at the v-shaped line three inches below the waist. The skirt flared out in a circular fashion. She wore gold and pearl earrings and a small bracelet of the same. Her hair hung loose upon her shoulders. She shook it nervously. Taking a deep breath, she ran downstairs, wanting to be the one to answer the door.

Just as she reached the last step, the doorbell rang. Her heart leaped up into her throat as she walked to the door. She opened it and there stood Dodds, looking so handsome it nearly took her breath away. He wore a gray, summer sport coat over a light, casual shirt and dark gray pants. In his hands he held a crystal vase with one white rose. They gazed at each other in wonder.

Recovering finally Billie invited him in.

Sheldon could scarcely take in the sight before him. Bliss’ lustrous auburn hair, hanging loose upon her shoulders stood out gloriously against the pale cream of her dress. Her soft brown eyes, sparkling with happiness, held his. Then his eyes moved to the dress, noticing the lovely, slim curves of her body that were so distinctly revealed by the form-fitting dress. He tried to say something, but his voice caught, and the only thing that came out was a husky whisper.

“
Bliss, you’re so beautiful. Are you just a dream or are you real?”

“
I’m very real. Do you need to pinch me to make sure?”

He smiled and shook his head. Shifting his weight from one foot to the other he finally said, “May we go into the library?”

“
Yes. I warned everyone to stay out of sight because I didn’t know where you wanted us to visit.”

Billie closed the library doors and turned to Sheldon, looking at him expectantly. He explained that the library held a special place in his heart since it was the place where they had had their first meeting for Project Success.

Then he handed her the rose.

She searched his deep blue eyes and saw an expression in them that sent a thrill through her, knowing that the one, white rose meant something very special. “Thank you Dodds,” she whispered.

“
Sit down, Bliss.” He led her to one of the couches, then took the rose and set it on a table. Sheldon’s face became serious, then he knelt on one knee before her, his eyes searching hers.

“
My dearest Bliss, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Her eyes filled with tears of joy. Without the slightest hesitation, she replied, “Yes. Oh yes!”

A film of moisture blinded Sheldon for a moment as he fumbled in his coat pocket, bringing out a small, velvet box. He opened it up and handed it to her. “As I told you, this ring belonged to my mother.”

Billie blinked away the tears and, her hand shaking slightly, took the box from him. She studied the beautiful old ring, gasping in delight. On a gold band, large fire opals flanked each side of the very large pinkish diamond.

“
It’s the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”

A look of relief flooded his face. He took the box from her and pulled the ring from its housing. “It probably won’t fit, but let’s try it.” He pushed it gently onto her left finger.

“
It fits perfectly, Dodds,” she exclaimed with excitement.

“
It does, doesn’t it?” he said with amazement. He stood, pulled her up, and put his arms around her waist. “I love you, Bliss.”

“
I love you too, Dodds,” she said, standing on her tip toes and putting her arms around his neck. He bent down, his lips gently touching hers, savoring the warm softness until he could stand it no longer. He pressed his lips into hers with the merciless ardor of pent-up longing and the passion of many lonely years. When reluctantly they pulled apart, he covered her face with kisses.

“
Oh, Dodds,” she said breathlessly, “do you realize that you really did what you said you’d do? You proved to me that romance is not dead.”

He smiled in happy triumph, “I did, didn’t I?”

“
And do you realize just how
romantic
our whole relationship has been?”

“
Yes, starting from the beginning when you wrote that silly note, telling me that it was my fault.” They both laughed.

Sheldon turned serious. “Let’s sit down, Bliss, we have some decisions to make—like when can we be married?”

They sat on the couch, holding hands, smiling, looking deep into each other’s eyes. “When do you think we should be married, Dodds?”

“
Next week. You see, my Bliss, if we are going to have a whole passel of children, we had better get started.”

Feeling her heart swell with joy, she exclaimed, “You’re right, Dodds, how about two weeks from now? I only want a simple wedding in the backyard.

The weather in middle September will be wonderful—warm and balmy. Is that all right with you?”

“
It’s more than all right. I thought you would insist on a couple of months to prepare for it, so I decided to bargain for a week to start with.” He was so excited, he stood, picked her up, and swung her around.

When he set her down, she looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “We’re really engaged?”

He laughed. “Yes, we are!”

For the next hour, they were lost in each other, sharing their hopes and dreams, and joyfully planning for the future.

Once again, Billie looked at the ring on her left finger, aware of the unfamiliar feel of it. “Let’s go show them my beautiful ring. I wish I could have known your mother, Dodds. I feel privileged to wear it. I’m dreaming, I know I am, but then as I feel my ring and look at into your eyes and see and feel your love, I know that I’m not. It’s real!”

“
It’s even more unbelievable for me, Bliss., after all these years of bachelorhood.”

“
Oh, you know what, Dodds?”

“
What?”

Mother and Aunt Tilly must have had a feeling you’d propose tonight.

They made homemade ice cream and sugar cookies.”

Sheldon’s eyes lit up, realizing that his appetite had returned. “Great! Let’s go tell your family. In fact, I’d like to find a way to tell the whole world.”

Wednesday morning early, Billy picked up the phone and called Lora.

While the phone was ringing, she admired her ring and sighed.

A sleepy voice said, “Hello.”

“
Oh, Lora, did I wake you? This is Billie.”

“
No, my alarm just woke me.”

“
When can I come over, Lora. I have some wonderful news.”

“
You have?” she asked eagerly, the sleepiness gone. “How about 11:30 this morning?”

“
Good. See you then, Lora.”

At 11:40, Billie and Lora were seated at the small table, smiling at each other. “After you tell me your news, Billie, I have some for you.”

Billie’s eyes lit up even more. “I’m anxious to hear.” Then she held out her left hand. “Dodds and I are engaged.”

Lora squealed. “You are? I’m so happy for you! The ring—it’s very unusual, but beautiful.”

“
It was Dodds’ mother’s”

“
It was? Oh,” she sighed, “how very special.”

“
Now, tell me your good news, Lora.”

“
Arly asked me to marry him.”

“
He did? I’ve suspected he liked you, Lora, but marriage?”

“
Well, he asked me for the wrong reason.”

“
Oh? Tell me about it. Tell me everything from the beginning.”

“
I will, if you’ll tell me everything.”

So the two girls, now feeling like old friends, exchanged their unusual stories, each giving to the other the interest and empathy that only friends can give.

As Billie stood up to leave, she asked, “So when do you think you will be able to give Arly an answer?”

“
I don’t know for sure. We need to date and get to know each other more.

He wants to take me to Springfield to meet his family.”

“
Wonderful! Are you going?”

“
Not until I slim down like you, Billie. The clothes you gave me are getting looser gradually, but not fast enough. I’m embarrassed to let his family see me overweight. I didn’t used to be like this.”

“
He has fallen for you just as you are, Lora.”

“
Did Professor Ackerman fall for you when you were still overweight?”

“
He says, as he looks back, that he fell for me almost from the start, but didn’t realize it.”

Lora smiled. “We both have wonderful men, that’s for sure.” Her face became serious. “But no way am I going to meet his folks until I’ve lost some more weight.”

-

Early Wednesday morning, Sheldon called all the DeePees and invited them to dinner at the club at 6:00 p.m., informing each one or them that he had an important announcement to make. The squeals from Molly Bittle almost deafened him, she was so excited, but he refused to tell her another word until they were all together. He had shared his plan with Bliss the night before, making sure she could attend, and had requested she wear the lovely dress she was wearing when they got engaged.

The phones between Molly Bittle, Sharon Ozog, and Nettie Newman were buzzing. Their discussion was peppered with excitement and curiosity.

However, they were sure they already knew what the announcement would be.

When Sheldon and Billie walked into the country club dining room at 6:05 p.m., everyone was already there. Sheldon grinned from ear to ear as he and Billie, hand in hand, walked over to them.

“
I want you all to meet my fiancee, Billie Bliss.”

Molly Bittle squealed, Sharon and Nettie smiled, and the men all clapped.

“
Will wonders never cease!” exclaimed Robert.

“
I know you’re acquainted with three of these people, Bliss, but I would like you to meet Nettie’s husband, Don; Dr. Ozog’s wife, Sharon; and Dr. Bittle’s wife, Molly.”

Billie smiled. “I’m so pleased to meet all of you.”

They all encouraged Billie to call them by their first names now that she would soon become one of the DeePees. Then Billie held out her hand for all to see her ring, explaining who it had belonged to. They were effusive in their compliments as well as their congratulations.

The dinner was excellent and the conversation consisted mainly of general questions directed at Billie and Sheldon. After dinner, they all retired to the lounge for their after dinner-coffee and conversation.

Sheldon knew it was coming and Nettie was the first to ask. “Now that we’re in a private room, it’s time to divulge all, Sheldon. You’ve been closemouthed and mysterious long enough. You owe it to us.”

Billie looked over at Sheldon, puzzled, and he explained, “Small bits and pieces of our relationship came out now and then, and Nettie, Sharon, and Molly tried to find out more, but I could only promise that one day, maybe you, Bliss, would tell them yourself. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like us both to tell our story. Is that all right with you?”