Justice (Counsel #2)

by Shenda Paul

  "I need to brush my teeth," she protests.

  "Nothing about you could repulse me." I kiss her again to prove my point. "Now drink your tea, and then you need to get ready. We're going on a date."

  "A date? This early?"

  "Darling, it’s ten-thirty," I reply, amused by her look of horror and the way she throws the sheets aside only to realize that she’s naked.

  "Adam! Why did you let me sleep so late?" She rummages around for something to wear, but I stop her.

  "It's the weekend, you're allowed to sleep in, and it's my fault you were tired anyway. Just don't expect me to stop or regret keeping you awake."

  Pink blooms in her cheeks. "I don't want you to," she says.

  "That's an easy promise to keep." I kiss her lightly before handing her the cup.

  .

  .

  I cast yet another surreptitious glance at Angelique. She asked about our destination several times since my announcement, and my response each time had been, ‘wait and see.’ Then, shortly after leaving home, she grew quiet, turning her attention to the passing landscape instead, no doubt looking for clues. Her mouth lifts now as she turns to look at me.

  "Are we going where I think we are?" she asks, eyes bright with anticipation.

  "We are," I return her smile.

  "Did you bring my kite?"

  "I brought a kite," I tease.

  "What's wrong with my kite?" she challenges, her mouth forming a delicious pout.

  "I thought we'd try mine. Would that be okay?"

  "Yes," she responds eagerly. The nervous knot in my stomach tightens as we enter the park.

  "We're flying the kite first?" Angelique questions when I carefully remove it from the trunk.

  "There's no guarantee the breeze will hold," I explain.

  "Shouldn't we take the blanket and picnic hamper?" She comes over to help.

  "We’ll get it when we return the kite. Would you mind getting my phone from the car?" I ask to distract her.

  "It's not there; you probably left it at home," she tells me, returning empty-handed.

  "It was in my pocket all along. I'm sorry," I feign contrition, and Angelique shrugs off my apology with an easy smile.

  "Shall we see if we can get this thing airborne?" I extend my hand in invitation while ensuring that the kite remains hidden from her view.

  "Hold the spool and let it out slowly," I instruct when we’ve found what I determined is a good spot. I handle the kite, careful to obstruct Angelique’s view of it for as long as possible as we prepare to launch it.

  "Watch it take off," I call out when it catches the breeze.

  My heart thunders in my chest, the sound reverberating in my ears like a rushing train as the kite takes to the air, lifting higher and higher until its long, lettered tail is fully unfurled. I turn with bated breath to watch Angelique’s reaction. She stares at the words swaying above us, her lips parted in astonishment. Her grip on the reel loosens, and I race to wrap my arms around her waist and gently extricate it from her trembling fingers.

  "Will you? I whisper, placing a kiss behind her ear. She tears her gaze from the sky and turns in my arms, her eyes limpid pools of emotion, cheeks dampened by tears. I brush them away before reaching for her left hand to kiss her ring finger before flattening it over my rapidly racing heart.

  "Can you feel that? That's what you do to me. I love you, Angelique; marry me…please?"

  "Yes…yes—I love you too, Adam… so much," she winds her arms around my neck and reaches up to meet my lips. Many moments and several passionate kisses later, we draw apart to watch the kite and the words to my proposal gracefully undulating in the air.

  "Should I reel it in or let it float away?" I ask.

  "I'd like to keep it, please. I love that you asked me this way."

  We watch the kite float high above us for a while; my arms wound tightly around my fiancée as she silently mouths the words.

  "I can’t believe you said yes," I murmur in her ear.

  "I can’t believe you asked." She turns her head to kiss me under the jaw.

  "We should go," I eventually announce.

  "Shouldn’t we stow the kite and get the hamper?" Angelique looks at me quizzically when, with the kite safely secured under my arm, I lead her away from where the car is parked.

  "I want to find a suitable spot first; it will save me from lugging the hamper around," I explain.

  "Oh!" she gasps as we round a bend and our destination becomes apparent. "When did you arrange all this?" she asks, looking awestruck.

  "I've been planning it for quite some time," I admit, kissing her temple.

  "Champagne, Mr. Thorne?" Alain, a waiter from Maurice’s bistro, offers as I lead Angelique to the table set in the gazebo. Guy, our second waiter, relieves me of the kite and the small package I’ve surreptitiously retrieved from my pocket.

  "Champagne or would you prefer non-alcoholic wine, Darling?" I ask Angelique, who’s still staring around in amazement.

  "Champagne, please. It's a special occasion," she says turning to smile up at me.

  "A momentous occasion," I clarify as I pull out her chair. Alain returns to set a silver tray containing two filled glasses and a small, silver domed dish on the table in front of me. He informs us that lunch will be served in half an hour and then departs to where he and Guy have discreetly set up a serving area.

  "Angelique," I say, kneeling before her, "you’ve made me incredibly happy. Thank you for the honor and trust you've bestowed on me. I promise to love and cherish you, always, and I can't wait to marry you." I lift the dome and remove the ring from its box before sliding it onto her finger.

  "A perfect fit," I smile, grateful for Grace’s help. "If you don't like it, we can exchange it."

  "It's beautiful—perfect, Adam…" Her voice catches as she stares down at her hand wrapped in mine.

  "Darling, don't cry. I’m ecstatic, and I want you to be too."

  "I am… I just never… and this is so extravagant…"

  "It’s a symbol of my love and commitment, Angelique; nothing, in my view, could be too much. Now, may I kiss my future wife?"

  .

  .

  It's six by the time I leave our bedroom to allow Angelique privacy to finish getting dressed.

  We’ve had a wonderful day. Soon after I presented Angelique with her ring, Alain and Guy returned to serve us a delicious lunch. I couldn't contain my joy at her delight in everything—the beautiful location, the pretty table setting, and the food. She became emotional when spotting the centerpiece of blush pink peonies, but it was the ring on her finger that consistently drew both her attention and mine. Angelique was, and still is, positively glowing with happiness, gazing at her hand frequently as if checking to see that she’s not dreaming. I understand the reaction; it's the same thing I do when watching her sleep in my arms. And now, the sight of my ring on Angelique’s finger fills me with a deep sense of happiness and pride, and if I’m honest, a good dash of possessiveness. She's officially mine, just as I am hers; I no longer have to obsess about losing her to someone else.

  I had, of course, bought her ring from Tiffany's on Fifth Avenue, the place I visited with Dad on our trip to New York after learning of Adam Winston’s existence. I remember how dismissive my seventeen-year-old self had been when he told me that every discerning woman would treasure a piece of jewelry from the iconic store. He’d laughingly responded that I'd understand when I finally meet the woman meant for me. I must remember to tell him he was right.

  Angelique and I returned home from Larz Anderson Park late in the afternoon. I carried her up to our bedroom and made love to every inviting inch of her. Just seeing her hand bearing my ring splayed over my heart as I moved in her brought me undone.

  I watch now as she descends the stairs, struck dumb once again at the sight of her in the red dress she'd worn in
New York. I manage to pull myself out of my stupor in time to meet her at the bottom step.

  "I truly am the luckiest man alive," I tell her, bringing her hand to my lips.

  "That’s good because I’m the luckiest woman alive," she responds with a deep blush.

  "Where are we going?" Angelique asks as we drive out of the garage.

  "We're meeting our family at The Menton," I inform her, both amused and warmed by the fact that she didn't even blink when I said our family. I can't wait for her to see just how complete the gathering is.

  "I’ll get your door," I tell Angelique when, a short while later, we pull up outside the restaurant.

  The maître d’ greets us warmly. "Your party’s already seated, Mr. Thorne. Let me show you the way," he says.

  "Thank you; could you take care of this for me, please?" I hand him the package I’d surreptitiously snuck in. Angelique casts it an interested gaze but, thankfully, doesn’t question me about it.

  I wanted our engagement celebration with our family to be special, without attracting too much public attention, so I booked the private dining room. The large space has been specially arranged to provide a sense of intimacy for our group, and that’s where we’re going now. Only our parents knew of my plans to propose, and because she accompanied Grace and me to Tiffany’s, Sharon also knows. By now, due to my text message, Mom is aware that Angelique’s accepted, and she’s no doubt informed Dad and Grace, who would probably have told Sharon. Cait and Matt, however, are still in the dark, believing this evening’s gathering is to surprise Angelique with her mother's visit.

  Six pairs of eyes turn our way as we’re ushered in—Mom and Grace are predictably teary-eyed. Angelique turns her head to me in astonishment. "Happy engagement," I whisper, gently propelling her forward.

  "I can't believe you're here… How …" She asks, crouching down before her mother.

  "Adam brought me," Grace says, cupping Angelique’s cheek. "Congratulations, A Stór. I'm so happy for you."

  "You knew?" Angelique asks and then looks up at me.

  "We'll tell you all about it once we’re all seated," I promise my confused fiancée and help her to her feet as Mom and Dad hurry over to congratulate us.

  "Wait…you're engaged?" Cait asks in an accusatory tone.

  "We are," I proudly announce.

  "And you didn't tell me?"

  "I'm telling you now," I tease.

  "Ugh! You're impossible," she complains, all but pushing Dad aside to hug me. " I'm thrilled for you, big brother."

  "Thanks, Sis," I whisper into her hair.

  "Congratulations, Son." Dad gives me a warm hug, and when he releases me, Matt grasps my hand.

  "Congratulations… I'm happy for you—both of you," he says with no sign of his early reservation.

  "Thanks. I really appreciate that," I return warmly, just as Mom tears herself from admiring Angelique’s ring to embrace me.

  "I've dreamed of this for so long, and I could honestly not wish for a more lovely daughter-in-law," she tells me tearfully. My voice catches as I thank her, realizing, once again, how different my life could have been if it hadn’t been for her.

  Angelique still looks somewhat bemused when we’re seated, but further explanations are halted by the arrival of two waiters bearing champagne. After everyone’s been served, Dad surprises me by standing up to speak.

  "Angelique, Adam, your mothers have nominated me to express our congratulations and love. We’re overjoyed that you’ve found happiness together.

  "Adam recently told his mother that he believes he'd been waiting for Angelique all his life. My son has always been strong in his opinions and beliefs, but I’ve never seen him as passionate about anything or anyone as he is about you, Angelique. I believe he’d willingly walk through the gates of hell if that’s what it would take to keep you happy and safe.

  "And Adam, Grace said that, even as a child, Angelique had a loving and forgiving heart; that she, like her beloved father did, always puts the needs of others ahead of her own. Grace also said that in the short time she's had to know you, Adam, she's come to understand that you would protect her daughter from anything and anyone.

  "We, your parents, believe you are meant to be together, that the troubled road you each have traveled to find the other, painful as it has been, has strengthened your love and commitment. We wish you nothing but happiness and assure you of our continued love and support, always. Congratulations!"

  "Hear! Hear!" Matt calls out enthusiastically as Dad raises his glass in a toast. Everyone at the table echoes his sentiment. I can tell Angelique’s as overwhelmed as I feel, so I lean over to kiss her cheek before rising to respond. I thank Grace and Rory for bringing Angelique into the world, and I thank her for accepting me, reassuring her again that I’ll cherish Angelique always. My throat constricts when I thank Mom, Dad, and Cait for welcoming me into their family, for making me a Thorne and for their unstinting love and support. I thank Matt for being my friend and for always having my back.

  And finally, I thank Angelique for bestowing on me the honor of becoming her husband, "soon", I add to everyone's amusement; and then, ignoring our audience, I cup her face and kiss her passionately.

  Conversation after that continues to be lively. The women spend ages gushing over Angelique’s ring, and she listens with increasing wonderment as I tell how I called Grace the week before, and how I then made arrangements with the director of the care facility. I tell her how, instead of spending the day with Dad, I flew to New York and then returned to Boston on a chartered flight with Grace and Sharon. Grace, in turn, tells how she helped me choose the ring.

  Angelique is overjoyed when she learns that her mother will be here for nearly a week and that I've arranged for her and Sharon to stay at a local facility. Just before dessert, a waiter hands me the scroll of paper tied with a red bow that had been in the package I gave the maître d’ earlier. I thank him and turn to take Angelique’s hand.

  "Darling, Mom, Dad and I have a present for you," I say, handing it to her. She unfurls the pages carefully and stares at them in bewilderment. I lean forward and pull them close so we both can read. Mom and Dad smile broadly while everyone else looks on curiously as I explain. "These are copies of plans I asked Dad to draw up for the plot adjoining our home. This, here, is the layout for a private garden for each of ours and Cait and Matt’s residences," I explain, pointing out the designated areas, "and this space is a communal garden. See?" She nods slowly as comprehension sinks in.

  "And this area, marked in red, now belongs to you. This is the title deed." I hold up the second document. "It’s a vacant building and a small parcel of surrounding land."

  "Adam…" Angelique immediately starts to protest.

  "Let me finish, please?" I ask, and she nods mutely as I pull the last two pages forward. "These are duplicates; one is for you, and the other is for your mom. They’re copies of plans to convert the building into a home for her."

  I look up at Grace before continuing. "Dad's made sure to incorporate everything required to accommodate your needs, Grace. It will be your home, not a facility, and Dad’s generously offered to do the building works as a wedding gift from him and Mom to Angelique and me."

  She stares at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. Angelique appears as dumbstruck as her mother, so I reach for her hands.

  "The property is yours to do with as you please. You know my feelings about having family close but, ultimately, it's your and your mom's decision."

  I can tell they’re both overwhelmed and probably in a state of shock, so I try to reassure them. "There's no need to discuss this tonight. We have plenty of time before your mom returns to New York," I add, relieved when Mom quietly addresses Grace, allowing me to concentrate on Angelique. Everyone else very diplomatically turns away.

  "It's a gift, Darling, and like the ring, it’s just a physical manifestation of my lo
ve," I tell her cupping her uncertain face. "Let me love you in every way."

  Chapter Sixteen

  Much of Monday is spent catching up on paperwork. When I tell them, Jodi and Bec are thrilled by the news of Angelique’s and my engagement. They demand details of my proposal, of course, and, as a jest, I say I don’t kiss and tell. I renege only after several pleas from Bec and Jodi’s increasing threats of inflicting bodily harm to provide snippets of information about our lunch at Larz Anderson and Grace’s surprise presence at dinner.

  "I didn’t think you had it in you, Thorne," Jodi playfully taunts.

  "I did," Bec instantly responds, eliciting yet another witty remark from Jodi.

  "Okay, enough banter at my expense, Maddox—let’s get back to work," I intervene, unable to hide my amusement.

  I leave work early, eager to meet up with Angelique and Grace as arranged.

  "Are you ladies ready?" I ask, leaning down to kiss Grace’s cheek.

  "We are," Angelique says, still clinging to my arm after greeting me on arrival. She’s looking so incredibly beautiful and happy that I can't help but kiss her very tempting mouth once more.

  "I can't wait to see your place, Adam; Angel’s told me so much about it," Grace says, her excitement practically bubbling over.

  "I can't wait to welcome you to our home," I correct her, glancing pointedly at Angelique because I intend discussing her living arrangements very soon. There's simply no way I can have her return to her apartment now.

  "How wonderful!" Grace exclaims after I explain the doorway to the atrium linking our home with Cait and Matt’s. She's been extolling the building’s virtues since we entered the elevator in the garage. She seemed intrigued when I pointed out Cait and Matt’s entrance a short distance from ours, but now, having learned of the connecting doors, I can tell she finally understands how serious I am about having my family close.

  "The building’s big enough to have accommodated Mom and Dad also, but they chose to stay in the area where they grew up. Their decision means we have much more space than we need," I inform her.