Not Quite Perfect

Dakota and Walt had rushed home to find they couldn’t get back in the neighborhood, and the three of them were in a room down the hall.

Mary Frances and Burke had been diverted to the hotel when the hospital had discharged her and had finally retired in another room. Trent and Monica were in a conjoined room to the suite Mary and Glen were now in, and Monica was working on getting her some hot soup.

Mary’s only comment was “Mary Frances and Burke had better have separate rooms.”

Glen started to laugh. “You sound better . . . you look like shit, though.”

“So we’re being honest now?”

He leaned close to her on the bed. “I’ve never been more scared in my life, Mary.”

“This ranks up there for me, too.”

He kissed her hand.

“I didn’t see this coming, Glen. I probably should have, but I had no idea he was a hot mess inside.”

“I know . . . it’s over now. He’ll never be given the option to hurt you again.”

A part of her wanted him to clarify his prediction, but she didn’t want to know. Not yet.

Glen told her anyway. “They took him into custody.”

“He’s certifiably crazy,” she told him.

“I’m sure they will figure that out.”

She thought of her home . . . the dining room. “I can’t go back to that house.”

Glen gave a tiny shake to his head. “Done. You never have to go back.”

“But I—”

“But you nothing. I’ll take care of it. I’ll pack your stuff, hire a real estate agent . . . we’ll get it on the market.”

“And where will I live?”

“I’m taking you home with me.”

She stared at him.

“You already have a drawer there . . . why not half the closet?”

“Glen . . .”

“No. I thought I was losing you tonight. I thought your good-bye meant that was it. I’m being given a second chance here and I’m taking it. So unless you’re appalled at the idea of moving in with me, then this discussion is over.”

Maybe it was the medicine kicking in or her head still spinning from the day, but his plan sounded really good.

“And my clients?”

“There are people in need of counseling in Connecticut, too.”

“What about Dakota? Leo and Walt?”

“What about them? Jump on a plane.”

She started to shake her head.

“No.” He took both her hands in his and ducked until their eyes met. “I’ve fallen in love with you. So unless I’m completely alone in this feeling, I need to push this idea into your head.”

Adrenaline rushed through her veins with his words.

Then her inner counselor kicked in.

“It’s not uncommon for people to label affection as love in times of crisis. What you’re feeling might be fleeting.”

Glen shook his head. “That is not what this is. I thought of you every day I was in London. I leave you and can’t wait to get back. I look at my phone ten times more a day just hoping I missed the buzz in my pocket to find a text from you. I can’t think of tomorrow without you. I love you. It’s that simple.”

Mary felt a tear on her cheek.

She sat forward, ignored the pain in her shoulder, and kissed him. “You’re not alone,” she told him. “I kept thinking you were the wrong guy for me, and then you had to go and prove me wrong.”

Glen smiled and pushed into her kiss.

Her body whined and he instantly released his hold.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. We have all kinds of time for that later.”

Epilogue

“I can’t believe you’re getting married.” Mary stood beside Mary Frances wearing a mauve dress suitable for a maid of honor, while Mary Frances wore cream.

“Well, I can’t live in sin, now can I?”

Mary was positive the comment was meant for her. Mary Frances kept her opinions about Mary’s living arrangement with Glen to herself. After the crisis in California, true to his word, Glen had a moving company pack up everything she owned and ship it to Connecticut. Within a month, Dakota and Walt listed their condo and moved to a crazy big house in San Diego. A month into the move, Mary was well enough to miss her BFF and ask Glen to send a plane.

Adjusting to life on the other side of the States was made easier with an airport close by and a man who loved her at her side.

The network of marriage and family counselors Mary belonged to happily took her referrals of clients.

Here she stood, three months after relocating her life, putting the finishing touches of makeup on Mary Frances before she accepted a husband into her life. “You could live in sin . . . but my guess is that wouldn’t fly with the people on your Christmas card list.”

“Could you imagine the gossip?”

They both chuckled at the thought.

Mary sat back. “There. Perfect.”

Mary Frances looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled.

She really was a beautiful woman, made more so by the light inside her soul.

“Now, as much as I might not like your questions . . . I feel the need to ask if you have anything you need to know about your wedding night.”

Mary Frances started to chuckle, and then started to belly laugh. “Oh, dear . . . that is funny.”

“I’m serious.”

Mary Frances laughed harder.