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Forty-Five
Petra
I can hardly believethe changes in our lives. I love living here—not just with Weston and Callum, but also with my dad, of course, and Bing, and all of the household staff. Rather than seeming like an episode ofThe Gilded Agewith servants running around staying out of our business, everyone seems more like a big family. Bing and Bess—who brought us coffee and Bing’s bear claws on our first visit—live together in another part of the house, and they are as cute together as can be. I’m quickly becoming good friends with Bess, and I must say it’s nice to have some female companionship.
Bing seems like the big brother I never had, and I love him for it. The way he cares for my dad is a beautiful sight. He’s never bossy or obtrusive, but he watches Dad carefully to see if he’s getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and eating. Bing manages countless issues all day long. Dad’s comfort is Bing’s mission in life, and his affection for the man is as heart-warming as it is heart-breaking. We’re all headed for some unbelievable grief.
My dad is such a kind person. He listens to everyone and always has something interesting to contribute to a conversation. He has a brilliant mind for business and knows about each of his employees on a personal level. I’ve noticed how he seems to be sleeping a lot less lately, and yet he appears to be comfortable. He must be taking fewer pain pills, though I can’t imagine why.
“Are you guys ready to head down to dinner?” I ask. It’s been about eight weeks now since we’ve moved in, and it’s an adjustment for Callum to let someone else do most of the cooking. He still can’t resist puttering in the kitchen and often adds something to our meals, but the day-to-day cooking is done by Bess. He spends his days at work researching and cooking, so you’d think he’d have his fill of it, but he loves it. Bess never minds having him in the huge kitchen, and Bing can be found in there baking as well when he has the time.
“Let’s do it,” Weston answers. “I’m starved.”
“I hope she hasn’t over-salted the sauce,” Callum grumbles.
I give him a playful pinch in the ribs. “That wasonetime.” I smile when I realize he’s laughing. He was just kidding. Bess is a talented and proficient cook, even if she’s not quite at Callum’s level.
When we get to the dining room, my dad’s face is incandescent. He looks so happy I wonder what on earth is going on. As soon as we sit down, he raises his wineglass and says, “I need to make an announcement. So, cheers to great news!” This is out of character. I haven’t seen him drink anything alcoholic since we arrived, but we all raise our glasses to him questioningly. He takes a sip and sets down his glass, saying, “My, that tastes like ambrosia.”
Dad looks at all of our attentive faces and says, “I saw my oncologist this week, and today I heard back from him. Apparently, the treatment I received in Switzerland was asuccess after all. It was a somewhat delayed reaction, but he feels strongly that less stress and a better attitude contributed greatly to my body’s ability to heal itself with the help of their new drug. I am not one hundred percent cancer-free as yet, but the tumor that’s left is miniscule, and it’s shrinking. If it does not disappear completely, at this point it’s small enough to remove surgically without compromising my health.”
We all gasp and cheer in delight. Everyone is shouting their congratulations as I jump out of my chair and throw my arms around him. Tears are streaming down both our faces. He pats my back and laughs happily as he cries with me. We’re a mess, but a more relaxed one than ever before. I eventually untangle myself from him and return to my seat.
“So, now that I know I have a chance of being around for a good many more years, I’m wondering if you fine young people might consider filling up the house with more residents.”
“Huh?” I ask. He needsmorepeople?
“Babies, Petra. You and Bess are obviously hopelessly in love with your partners, and it’s time to make some new lives. Make this old man the happiest person in the world and let me watch your beloved children grow up. If you want to get married first, we can arrange that, and I’d love nothing more than to proudly walk you down any kind of an aisle you choose. I know the logistics might take some arranging and need to be worked out, but in these modern times, I think just about anything is possible.” He laughs heartily and adds, “This is Chicago. If I have to pay off a judge to marry the three of you, so be it!”
Five sets of eyes are staring at him, and as he waits for a reply, he raises his eyebrows. “Have I overstepped? Oh dear. If so, I’m terribly sorry. I was so excited when I discovered that I actually have a future, I started planning it without consulting anyone else.”
As if on some unscripted and silently acknowledged cue, Callum and Weston rise from their chairs and turn to me. Dropping to one knee, they look at me and ask almost in unison, “Petra, will you marry us?” and they look at each other and clasp hands, asking again, “Will you also marry me?”
When all three of us cry out, “Yes!” simultaneously, the table erupts with cheers.
My father toasts to our engagement with a huge grin on his face, and I can’t help babbling, “This is the best day of my life! My father is going to be okay, and I’m going to be married to the two most amazing men I’ve ever met. I never expected any of this, and it’s all happening at once!” Thank heaven for linen napkins because I’ve produced enough happy tears to fill the swimming pool out back.
Bing and Bess seem to be having their own private whispered conversation while we all carry on. Finally, Bing clears his throat and asks, “Jameson, do you think you could do double duty and act as my best man as well as walking Bess down the aisle? You are so important to both of us, and I wouldn’t want to deprive her of the honor of your services. You are my true family, and I can’t imagine anyone who deserves being called best man more than you.”
“I feel the same way, Jameson,” Bess says. “You are the best. I would be so pleased if you could do me the honor.”
“It would bemydistinct honor to do that,” he says. “And you know I love you both. But I haven’t heard of any wedding plans.”
“I actually proposed to Bess last night, and we were going to announce it at dinner this evening. We were preempted by your fantastic news, though,” Bing says with a laugh. His whole face seems alight with joy, and Bess has never looked more beautiful.
Everyone cheers again and shouts, “Congratulations!”
Bing turns to Bess and bestows on her the kind of passionate kiss you see in movies. Whew! Atta boy, Bing!
“Well, that’s settled nicely then,” Dad declared in a self-satisfied voice. “I guess you all aren’t exactly put off by my declaration of the need for children around here.”
“Not at all,” Callum answers for all of us. “Actually, Weston and I have been planning to speak to you and ask for Petra’s hand the old-fashioned way, and we’ve been trying to work out how to propose to her in a super romantic way, but… this works too.”
“I’ll say,” I laugh. “That was plenty romantic for me, and I doubt there is anything you could call old-fashioned about this family. We are gloriously… us.”
“We should all go ring shopping together,” Bing suggests laughing. “Let’s do it tomorrow. The jewelry stores won’t know what hit them.”
I realize I have something to discuss with Callum and Weston—not here at the table, where everyone would probably want to weigh in on it—but maybe tonight. The idea is thrilling. “A June wedding sounds like fun. Howdothree people marry, though?” I ask the table. “And do we want to make this a double wedding?”
