My family couldn’t have been any happier, especially Lexi. Of course, they were best friends so now they would be sisters-in-law. How great for them. They’d felt like sisters for years so now they truly would be.
My mom wasn’t exactly thrilled about the destination wedding, but she was excited about a trip, so it would be fine. My grandmother, Avery was the one I worried about the most. I paid her a visit shortly after we got home because I wanted to be the one to tell her.
“Grandmother, I have some news for you.”
In her own way, as only she could do it, she said, “Well, Justin, I hope it’s somethin’ excitin’ ‘cause this ole gal needs some excitement in her life.”
“Well, I think it’s pretty exciting and Grandmother, you’ll never be an old gal in my book.” My heart was doing its little race thing like it was competing at Churchill Downs for the Run for the Roses.
She winked at me and asked, “Well, darlin’ you gonna tell me or are you just gonna grin at me and make me guess, ‘cause I’m quite sure it has somethin’ to do with that pretty gal of yours?”
“As usual, you’re right Grandmother. Terri and I are engaged and are planning to get married. I wanted to tell you myself, because we’re not going to get married in Charleston. We’re going to do a destination wedding. We’re getting married in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai at the St. Regis resort. And please tell me you’ll be there.”
She rolled her eyes at me, of all things. “Well, my word Justin, I said I was old, not dead. Of course I’ll be there darlin’. I wouldn’t miss it for the world! Hawaii huh? I guess that means I’m gonna have to get myself a new bikini!”
It was just like Avery Middleton to say something like that. I gave her a big hug and a kiss. “You just made my day!”
“Oh lawd Justin. There surely must be something lacking in your life if this ole gal just made your day,” she said as she winked at me.
“You’re incorrigible Grandmother.”
“Oh don’t I know it. And the good thing is I’m allowed ‘cause I’m old!” she chuckled.
********
Terri and I had decided on getting married in Hawaii and then honeymooning in Bora Bora. That way, the family and guests could stay on at the St. Regis if they wanted and we’d move on to Tahiti and have our private honeymoon. In three weeks, a group of my parents’ friends would be hosting an engagement party for us. We thought it was appropriate timing because it was almost a year to the day of our car accident. We both thought about how far we’d come and how fortunate we’d been. We had so much to give thanks for, but mainly for finding each other.
Things just kept getting better. John Remington called to say he had great news. Crazy Destiny buckled when she was presented with all the other nurses’ and doctors’ testimonies saying how I’d been complaining about her harassing behavior. The Human Resources team gave her the opportunity to resign. If she didn’t, they would move to terminate employment and she would have this on her record wherever she would attempt to gain future employment. Destiny immediately resigned and signed all the legal documents to that effect. She admitted to trying to break into my house and slitting Terri’s tires as well. She would no longer be a problem for me at work.
I wanted to have a celebratory dinner that night and Terri agreed. She also had some celebrating to do. She had just closed on two of her first homes as Terri Mitchell Real Estate. One of the properties was for Margaret, the elderly woman she’d been helping. Terri had located the perfect patio home for her in Mount Pleasant and Margaret had fallen in love with it. She was going to the attorney’s office for the closing, and then to the bank. Afterwards, she’d swing by her house for some clothes and head this way. She said she’d be here around six thirty so I made reservations for seven thirty at Broad Street Cafe, one of our favorite places to eat.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Terri
I left the attorney’s office and went straight to the bank to make my first deposit as Terri Mitchell Real Estate. I was giggling I was so excited.
Walking out of the bank, I was digging around in my purse when I heard this voice behind me.
“Ms. Mitchell?”
“Yeah?” I stopped and turned.
“You don’t know me and you’re going to think this is crazy, but you need to get in your car and come with me.”
“What?” My heart instantly began thumping in my throat, so loudly that I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to hear him talk.
“Please, let’s get into your car and I’ll explain. It’s not safe here.”