Paula looked over at her. “You don’t think it would be encroaching on Chase’s territory against his wishes, do you?”
Virginia shook her head. “The man didn’t say he never wanted to see you again. What better time to get things going again than on Christmas Day?”
“But he’s never bothered to call me,” Paula complained. “I miss him like crazy, but maybe he doesn’t miss me.”
Virginia rolled her eyes. “You haven’t called him, either, may I remind you. Does that mean you’ve stopped caring?”
“No, but I did try to call him once. When I got his voice mail, I hung up.” Paula frowned. “At least he would have seen that I called.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t leave a message, so it doesn’t count.”
“I didn’t want to sound desperate or like I was some kind of stalker,” Paula suggested, though she knew that sounded lame.
“Oh, please, girl!” Virginia said. “I’m sure that whatever Chase thinks of you, he’d never believe you were desperate or a stalker. It’s obvious that you could have any man out there you wanted, yet you chose Chase even after he flaked out on you. That should tell him something.”
“He didn’t flake out.” Paula quickly came to his defense. “Sheldon got exactly what he wanted, the chance to make me look bad in Chase’s eyes. Chase only reacted the way anyone would have by questioning if I was really in this for the right reasons. I should’ve done a better job convincing him how much I love him.”
“I think you did a great job of that,” Virginia said. “Don’t put this on yourself. Chase has to know that you’re anything but a phony. You can’t help but show the real you. I’m sure that when you see Chase on Christmas, he’ll understand and not give you a chance to back out the door.”
Paula could only hope she was right. She didn’t even want to think about ringing in the New Year without Chase. Anything less would be unbearable. He held the key to her heart; she couldn’t imagine anyone ever being able to take his place.
On Christmas Eve, Chase went to the cemetery to visit Rochelle’s grave. He had done this for the last two years, wanting to be with her in spirit at a time that was once so important in their lives. Also, this time he wanted to let her know that the torch had been passed to another woman as wonderful as she was. He was sure that Rochelle was up there rooting for him and Paula to be as happy as they had been.
After saying his piece, Chase laid three long-stemmed yellow roses against her headstone. They were Rochelle’s favorite flower. He heard some rustling, and Chase turned around to find Monica standing there.
“Hey,” he said.
“Your dad told me I’d find you here,” she said softly.
“Yeah.” Chase glanced at Rochelle’s headstone. “I needed to come here.”
“I know.” Monica met his eyes. “She understands.”
He nodded. “Thanks for coming.”
“That’s what friends are for.” She paused. “Next time you can bring someone even closer to you.”
“I’m not sure—”
“It’s okay,” Monica said. “I believe Paula can handle these things. No matter what happens with you two, she wants to be a part of every aspect of your life, and that includes supporting you when you visit Rochelle’s grave.”
Chase’s eyes watered. “That’s good to know.” He would surely need that kind of support from the woman he loved.
“Let me buy you a cup of coffee, and we can talk about the New Year’s Eve party we’re giving.”
“I’d like that,” he said. “But Christmas comes first, and I’ve got some plans of my own.”
“Oh, really?” Monica’s eyes opened wide. “I’d love to hear all about them.”
“Then you will.”
Chase immediately turned his thoughts to Paula and what he had in mind for her Christmas gift.
Chapter 23
Paula helped Isabelle make a sweet-potato pie. It had been their Christmas Day ritual ever since she was a little girl, and Paula enjoyed the bonding experience. She hoped to pass it on to her children someday. Would Chase be their father? Paula got a warm feeling at the thought. They could be a happy family, if only Chase would open up his heart to her again and allow their love to blossom.
Maybe when I visit him later today, we’ll patch things up and start over.
“How are those potatoes coming along?” Isabelle asked as she rolled out the crust.
“They’re almost ready,” Paula said, checking them with a fork.
“Good. Together we’ll make this a perfect dessert on this day of blessings.”
Paula eyed her with a raised brow. “Do you know something I don’t?”
Isabelle smiled. “Not that I’m aware of. What I do know is that Christmas is a true blessing in and of itself. If you believe in the spirit of it, then you know anything is possible.”
“You mean like Chase and me getting back together?”
“Every couple has bumps in the road, child. It’s no different with you and Chase. The man loves you, and you love him. Sheldon’s vengefulness and immaturity can’t change that.”
“I love your optimism.” How could she not? After all, Isa had passed much of that on to her in every aspect of her life.
“It’s up to you and Chase to work things out,” Isabelle said, putting the plated pie crust in the refrigerator to chill. “The fact that you’re planning to see him this afternoon will go a long way in that regard.”
“And what if it doesn’t?” asked Paula. “I don’t want to make a fool out of myself.”
“You could never do that. Chase may be stubborn just like you, but he’ll respect that you’re reaching out to him. All it will take is him looking in your eyes to know that he’s the love you’ve sought all your life.”
Paula walked over and hugged her. “And you’re the best grandmother anyone could ever have.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Isabelle kissed her cheek. “Now, let’s finish up this pie so we can go open us some gifts before folks start to drop by.”
Paula flashed her teeth. “One pie coming right up!”
They heard the bell ring.
“Looks like company’s already here,” Isabelle said.
“I’ll get it, Paula said, drying her hands. “It’s probably just Virginia coming by to see what I thought of her gift.”
She opened the door and was startled to see Chase standing there. He had on a topcoat and was holding two gift-wrapped boxes.
Chase gazed at Paula as she stood in the doorway. She was as beautiful as ever, like an angel sent back to earth to rescue him. The sparkle in her eyes told him all he needed to know. He wondered how he could have ever doubted her.
“Hello,” he said, clearing his throat.
“Hi.” Her voice shook.
“Can I come in?”
She stepped aside.
Chase walked through the foyer into the living room. He saw the Christmas tree decorated and lit, with a generous amount of gifts around it. His nose picked up the scent of fresh coffee. He faced Paula. “I wanted to call, but…”
“It’s okay,” she said graciously.
Chase didn’t necessarily agree, wishing he had picked up the phone just once. “I needed to do some soul-searching.”
Paula favored him with a toothless smile. “I understand.”
Isabelle came in from the kitchen. “Merry Christmas,” she told Chase sprightly.
“Merry Christmas, Isa,” he said and held out the bigger box. “This is for you.”
She took it, gushing, “You shouldn’t have.”
“I wanted to get you something. When I saw it at the mall, I felt it was the perfect gift for you. Hope you like it.”
“Do you want me to open it now?” she asked.
“That’s not necessary.” Chase glanced at the tree. “I think you have some other gifts that should be opened first.”
“All right,” Isabelle said. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
“No, s
tay,” he requested and turned to Paula. “Here’s your gift.” He gave her the small box. “You can open yours now.”
Paula gazed at him thoughtfully, sighed and pulled off the ribbon. She meticulously tore off the gift wrap, revealing a white box. Chase felt his heart rate speed up, knowing this moment would change everything forever between them.
Taking the lid off, Paula saw a batch of uncut diamonds of different shapes, sizes and color. She put her hand inside and pulled out a diamond ring. She gazed up at Chase wide-eyed.
He took the ring from her. “Look familiar?”
Paula gasped and looked over at Isabelle. “It’s yours…”
“Not anymore, child,” Isabelle said happily.
Chase connected with Isabelle’s approving eyes and nodded. It was time to make this official. He got down on one knee and took Paula’s hand, placing the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit.
“Paula, will you marry me?” Chase asked, keeping his tone steady even as he quivered inside.
Paula stared at the ring, enthralled, before looking down at Chase. “Oh, Chase…”
“Paula…” He drew in a deep breath. “It was something I’d planned to do before now, but things got in the way for a moment there. That’s over now. I love you, Paula, and I want you to be my wife. If you’ll do me the honor of allowing me to be your husband, I’ll be the happiest man in the world.”
Paula closed her eyes, squeezing out tears. When she opened them again, Chase knew he had his answer, but he still needed to hear the words.
“Yes,” she uttered emphatically. “I’ll marry you, Chase.”
His own eyes watered. “Yeah?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” She knelt down next to him. “I love you, too, and I’d like nothing more than to become Mrs. Chase McCord!”
“Thank you.” Chase wiped one of his cheeks. “Thank you, Isa, for providing the bridge between the past and future with your engagement ring.”
“It was always Paula’s birthright,” she said proudly. “I’m delighted to see it passed on to another generation as a gift of love for your life together.”
“I’ll cherish it always,” Paula cried.
“I know you will,” Isabelle said affectionately. “Now that we’ve gotten the hard part out of the way, will you two please kiss to seal the deal?”
“There’s no arguing with your grandmother,” Chase said, happy to oblige. “Not on Christmas.”
“I’m with you there,” Paula agreed. “Grandmother definitely knows best!”
Chase held her cheeks and put their lips together for a nice kiss before getting to his feet. He pulled Paula up. “Why don’t we try that again with less strain on our knees?”
She laughed. “It would be my pleasure. And something tells me that Isa would be the last person to object.”
Isabelle beamed. “No objection here. Kiss away and let your love carry you both to new heights.”
Chase doubted he could feel any higher than he did at the moment. He’d just become engaged to the beautiful woman he was prepared to spend the rest of his life with, and he was sure that Paula felt the same way.
As though to prove the point, this time she grabbed his cheeks, opened her mouth perfectly and passionately kissed Chase’s lips. He reciprocated, and the kiss was everything Chase could have asked for and then some from his wife to be.
Paula could hardly believe that Isa had conspired with Chase in parting with her own diamond engagement ring. It meant more to Paula than she could ever say to be able to carry on the legacy started by her grandfather. Equally heartwarming was the realization that Chase had overcome all doubts in asking her to marry him with a box of glittering Christmas diamonds. Paula knew she had found the right man for her and vowed to be the best wife she possibly could for as long as they lived.
In the excitement of Chase’s proposal and the sparkle in her grandmother’s eyes as they all sat around the Christmas tree, Paula almost forgot that she’d also bought Chase a gift. This seemed like the perfect time to give it to him. She reached under the tree and grabbed a box.
“I have something for you,” Paula said as Isa left them alone.
“What have we here?” Chase asked, eyeing the box.
“You’ll have to open it to find out.”
“Okay.” He lifted the lid and saw the diamond ring. The shock on Chase’s face was replaced by a broad grin. “You got me a ring?”
“Yes,” Paula said, taking a breath. “It was something I thought would be a unique and unexpected gift for a man of diamonds. I hope you like it. Merry Christmas!”
Chase removed the ring and studied it. It was black titanium, with an eighteen-karat-gold inlay and a round diamond as the centerpiece.
“I love it!” he exclaimed. “But this must have cost you a fortune.”
“Not really. I got a nice discount from a good friend of yours.”
Chase nodded smilingly. He tried it on and stretched his hand, spreading the fingers. “Fits like a charm. How did you know we’d…?”
“I just did,” Paula said. Never mind if her faith in the strength of their relationship had been tested. They had both passed the test at the end of the day. “Love has a way of always working itself out.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Chase uttered, a wide grin appearing on his face. He admired the ring again. “It’s one of the best gifts anyone has ever given me for Christmas.”
Paula beamed, gazing at her own sparkling engagement ring before meeting his eyes. “And you’re definitely the very best gift I’ve ever gotten, period!”
“That so?”
“Yes, it is so, and I’ll keep proving it to you time and time again.”
Chase moistened his lips. “Why don’t you start right now?”
“I’ll be happy to.”
Paula tilted her head and gave him a loving, passionate, Christmas kiss. She was in no hurry to pull their mouths apart anytime soon.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4301-3
CHRISTMAS DIAMONDS
Copyright © 2009 by R. Barri Flowers
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