“We’ll see Simon, for now I think we’ll just stay with Carol.”
“Your sister took me in when I had nowhere to go David, she is such a dear.”
“I know Simon, but you belong with us, you’re family.”
“Thank you.”
“Dinner’s ready!” Carol calls from the dining room. Simon and Jack head off to eat while David stays back with June.
“Simon told me that he’s really your father. I’m so glad you still have family honey and he’s such a good man.”
“I think I always felt a connection to him, I just didn’t know it was that close. David I can’t stop thinking of April and May. I think I’ll miss them forever. Why couldn’t they just love me? All I ever wanted was to love them.”
“I don’t know honey, maybe they’ll find peace where they’ve gone, maybe that’s what death is for.”
“I hope so.”
“June,”
“Yes David?”
“Let’s go eat with our family.”
David kisses June and then the two of them walk hand in hand toward the dining room.
40
Christmas Day, 12:56 p.m.
In the foyer of the Manning Estate stands an impressive twenty-five foot tall Christmas tree. The tree holds over five-thousand lights and beneath it rest a notable amount of gifts. The house is not quite full of family and friends because a house of this size is never full. It is just too big.
In the living room, decorated with a smaller tree, are Carol, Al and Simon on one sofa, while Jack, Kelly and Cathy sit on the other sofa across from them. David and June Manning sit cuddled together on a loveseat looking at everyone as they revel in their newly-wedded bliss.
“So Davey when are you and June leaving for your honeymoon?” Al asks.
“After New Year’s Day, then it’s hello Hawaii for a month.”
“June you were such a beautiful bride, a Christmas Eve wedding was a good idea.” Carol says.
“Thank you, David and I didn’t want to wait another day to get married.”
“What are you going to do now that you’re no longer Mr. Smith?” Jack asks.
“When we get back we’re going to take a more active hand in running the Davenport Foundation. We’ve cleaned out all of Marco’s people and replaced them with the list of people Blake recommended in his will. They’re doing good work, but June and I are going to shift the foundation’s resources toward more child-related charities. We’ll especially be looking into helping those charities and organizations that find missing children. Mr. Smith may be dead, but I’m not.”
June smiles as she takes David’s hand. “We’ll also be turning one of the bedrooms into a nursery.”
“June dear, are you saying that you’re pregnant?”
“Yes Simon, David and I found out a few weeks ago. We didn’t want to say anything until after the wedding. Only Carol knew because she’s my doctor.”
The family and friends rise up to hug and kiss the newlyweds.
“How far along are you?” Asks Kelly.
“Carol says I’m three months pregnant.” June says.
“Three months?” Al says in surprise. “Davey, when you came back you and June didn’t waste any time getting reacquainted, did you?”
David grins. “No Al, we surely did not.”
Cathy smiles up at June. “Are you having triplets Ms. Davenport? Oops, I mean Mrs. Manning.”
“No sweetie…but we are having twins.”
“Are you joking dear?”
“No Simon, they’re twin girls.” David says.
“I looked at that ultrasound very carefully and determined they were girls, but it’s a bit early to be one-hundred percent sure.” Carol says. “But then I did a CVS test and confirmed it, they’re both girls.”
“You’re not thinking of naming them…?” Al starts to say, and David nods.
“Yes. We decided to name them April and May, and we’re going to love them to death.”
“It’s sweet, but spooky.” Kelly says.
“It’s what June wants; I think it’s fitting somehow.” David says.
The phone on the wall buzzes and Simon answers it. After a moment, he puts on the speakerphone.
“It’s the front gate for you David.”
“Yes Paul, what is it?”
“Merry Christmas David, you have more guests to see you.”
David looks perplexed and turns to June. “I thought Dr. Meyer and Mrs. Johnson weren’t coming by until dinnertime honey?”
“I invited more guests. It’s Alison and Frank.”
David gives June a questioning look and then speaks to the gate guard.
“Paul please let them in, thank you.”
“Sure thing David and thanks again for the Christmas bonus.” Says the tinny sounding voice from the intercom.
“You’re welcome Paul,” David says, while still looking at June. “Honey why did you invite Alison and Frank here?”
“I have something I need to say to Alison in person.”
“Honey I…”
“Yes David?”
David shakes his head. “Never mind. You say whatever it is you need to say to her. Please just remember that it is Christmas and that there is a child present.”
June smiles brightly at him. “Oh David,”
A few moments later, Alison and Frank are escorted into the room by one of the maids. The two of them stand in the doorway, grinning awkwardly at everyone.
June goes over to the couple with David at her side.
“Welcome to our home and thank you for coming, Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” The couple says back.
“Mr. Brooks, I’m June Manning and I want to thank you so much for everything you did.”
“You’re welcome,” Frank says shyly.
“June, you’re Mrs. Manning now? When did that happen?” Alison asks.
“Last night actually,” June says.
Alison touches David on the cheek. “You must be so happy.”
“I am Alison. You two also look happy.”
“We are, and we’re planning to marry on St. Valentine’s Day.”
David smiles at Frank. “I’m happy for both of you.”
Alison looks about nervously. “June…I was surprised when I got your message asking me to come by, I, I didn’t know what to expect.”
“I have something to say to you.”
“What June?” Alison asks, fearing the worst. This is the woman whose man she tried to steal as her own. Alison tenses for a barrage of invectives.
June reaches out and takes Alison’s hands. “Thank you for keeping David company.” June then smiles her biggest smile.
Alison is touched by June’s grace and sheds a tear.
“Thank you for being so understanding. I thought you were going to put me in my place.”
“This is your place Alison. You and Frank are always welcome here. David and I consider you our friends.”
Alison wipes away more tears and looks at David. “I see why someone might choose her over me. June, Frank and I would be happy to be your friends.”
“Then go inside with the rest of our friends. It’s Christmas!”
Frank and Alison join the group in the living room while David and June stand in the doorway looking in.
David kisses June on the cheek. “That was very sweet and classy of you.”
“I thought it was time we made peace.”
A maid appears at the door with a big bowl of guacamole dip and a question.
“Pardon me June, but where would you like me to place the dip and chips?”
June smiles mischievously and points toward Alison.
“Place it right next to her please Kari.”
David laughs and takes June in his arms.
“Miss Mouse, you’d better behave.”
“I will if she will.” June says. “I will if she will.”
p; Wells, Donald, Double or Nothing
Double or Nothing Page 30