by Molly Sloan
Caleb’s entire face lit up. “Really?” He kissed her. “Because I’ve been thinking about the same thing.”
Shocked, she looked up at him. “You have?”
“Yes. For weeks now I’ve been realizing that I’m falling in love with you. But, you are so strong and independent and have…” looking around at the ruins, he corrected himself… “had a business and a life here. I would never dare to ask you to leave it to make a life with me.”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Yes. Ava, would you consider having your next adventure with me? As my wife?”
She blinked in shock and surprise for a moment. Looking around at the wreckage of Bobo Flamingo’s, and thinking of the miracles that occured to spare so many lives together last night, Ava looked into his eyes and saw her future. She saw marriage and children and growing old with someone. These were all the things she’d wanted, but never thought she’d find.
A grin broke across her face. “Well…” she looked down and away. “Being your wife would certainly be an adventure.” Looking back up at him, the grin broke into a smile. “Yes, Caleb. I’ll marry you.”
And, standing there in the rising smoke and ash, they kissed, to seal the deal.
Epilogue
“Can you see me? I can’t see you. ” Caleb was pushing buttons on his computer screen, but it looked black to him.”
“No, but we can hear you. Try clicking on the red button next to the camera icon.”
Caleb tried that and the image of six people appeared in squares on the screen. “I can see you now.” It looked a bit like that old television show The Brady Bunch. All that was missing was the maid Alice in the middle square.
“We see you, too.”
“Thank you for agreeing to meet me over video conference. I am still in Havana. I got my visa extended and have been here for the past six months working on a project.”
Howard Simpson, the family attorney was one of the people onscreen. “We understand, Caleb. As you know, your parents Gordon and Susie set up a trust that contains your portion of the inheritance from Elliot Enterprises. It’s called Project C.A.R.E.. In order for you to receive your portion of the money, the Board of Directors here needs to be convinced that you are mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with great wealth.”
The Chairman of the Board, Frank Martin said, “So, tell us, Caleb. Now that you have been to the country of your birth, what do you intend to do with the money? What is ‘The Plan?’”
Caleb cleared his throat. “When I first arrived in Havana, I discovered that my birth father is a retired firefighter. I met his former colleagues, and was impressed with their dedication and personal sacrifice.”
The men on the Board all nodded.
“The thing is, I’m sure you have seen photos of the cars in Havana. It’s like something from the fifties.”
“Yes, we’ve seen the footage.”
“Well, the fire department is just as outdated. They don’t have enough personnel or equipment. Often, they can’t respond to a second call if the trucks are already at a fire. Lives and property are literally being lost.”
“So your plan is to update the Havana fire department?”
“Partly, yes.” Caleb didn’t think this was going very well. They all looked so stern! “I have more, though.”
“Go on.”
“While I was here, I met a family friend, Ava Martinez. She has a nightclub here in Havana called Bobo Flamingo’s. Over the summer, it was set on fire by an arsonist who was angry about some things that had happened in the mid-90s in the Castro regime. Ms. Martinez is in the business of giving small loans to impoverished women who want to start businesses to support their families. I want to expand that funding to the United States.”
The men were nodding.
“Specifically, my plan is for the Board of Directors of Elliott Enterprises to create a charitable foundation funded at $100 million U.S. dollars that will be chaired by Ava Martinez. This foundation would focus on three areas of improvement. First, it will provide small business loans to women of Cuban descent who are in the United States and also women in Cuba who wish to start businesses to support themselves.”
Caleb saw happy, smiling faces, so he continued. “Ms. Martinez is starting the Maria Martinez college scholarship to help young girls get an education. Education is the fire that burns down the walls of poverty and abuse. The foundation will also review applications for three scholarships each year for Cuban girls whose desire is to go into business. Finally, the foundation would also provide grant funding for Cuban fire departments and training for first responders, starting with the Havana fire department. I’ll chair this committee and serve as President of the Foundation. ”
Howard Simpson asked the question they were all wondering. “How will Ms. Martinez get legal status to emigrate? As you know, it is more difficult now to get a green card.”
Caleb smiled as he answered, “She will enter the U.S. as my wife.”
The men all smiled. “I see.”
“Yes. ”
“All right. Is there anything else you have to say?”
“Only one other thing. When I began this project, I had no idea what it meant to be selfless. But, in the past six months I have met people who have made the ultimate sacrifice for others. I’ve learned of firefighters who lost their lives saving strangers. Parents who sacrificed their marriage to save their child. I have seen love that endured time and distance. My life would have been so very different, and I am grateful to the four parents who made my life possible. I intend to spend the rest of my life giving back for the life that I was privileged to be adopted into. That’s all I have to say.”
“All right Caleb. We will discuss this as a group and give our decision to you shortly.”
A flicker of worry crossed Caleb’s face, until Howard Simpson leaned toward the camera and said, “Honestly, this is just a formality at this point. Your plan is impressive, and I’m confident the Board will approve it.”
“Are you sure you want to do this, man? There’s still time to call it off.” Gina was helping Caleb tie his tie.
“Some best man you are. Aren’t you supposed to be encouraging me?” He laughed. She looked adorable in her woman’s version of the suits Caleb’s brothers were all wearing.
“Oh, you’re right. What I should be doing is warning Ava. She has no idea what she’s getting into, marrying one of the Elliott brothers.”
From the other side of the dressing room of the newly rebuilt Bobo Flamingo’s, Eden said, “Hello! We can hear that. We’re right here!”
Caleb was so grateful that his family had flown to Cuba for his wedding. His mother had absolutely fallen in love with Ava the moment they met. And, the meeting between Susie and Gabriella was like a movie scene. There hadn’t been a dry eye in the house.
Just then, Joey stuck his head in the room and said to Caleb, “The priest said we have about five minutes, Boss. Everyone ready in here?”
Caleb was more ready than he’d ever been for anything in his life.
“Stop! You’re going to mess it up!” Salima was doing the last touches on Ava’s hair. Her long locks were piled high in ringlets that cascaded down her shoulders. A freshwater pearl crown sat atop her head, with a sheer lace veil that trailed behind her. The off-the-shoulder, cream colored dress highlighted Ava’s strong shoulders and smooth mocha skin.
Although she could hear Salima, she wasn’t listening. This was a dream come true. Looking across the room, Ava saw not one but two women who were about to become her mothers. Susie and Gabriella were laughing and sharing stories about Caleb as a boy. It doesn’t make up for the loss of my own mother, but it comes close.
“I have a gift for you,” Salima said, with a twinkle in her eye.
“You’re the maid of honor! I’m supposed to be giving you a gift!”
“Look outside.”
Ava carefully made her way over to the window
of the club. Standing outside, waiting below the glass and stone wall next to the entrance was a stunning black horse attached to Salima’s best carriage. Stefan was at the reins, waiting to take the bride and groom off after the celebration.
“Salima! Oh my gosh…” she started to tear up, but didn’t want to mess up her makeup so she started fanning her eyes. “Thank you so much.” She hugged her best friend, and began to feel so emotional about leaving her. “How will I ever live without you?”
Salima just grinned and said, “Facetime.”
Ava’s heart was racing faster than if she’d just sprinted a mile. She wasn’t nervous. No, not at all. She had never been more sure of anything in her life. She was excited. This moment, right now, was the beginning of a new adventure, and Ava couldn’t wait for it to begin.
The wedding march began to play, and everyone in the club stood to face her. On one side of the room were Caleb’s friends and family. His brothers were groomsmen, and Gina was the “best man.” Salima was the maid of honor, and it was fun watching the two women walk arm and arm down the aisle. Gil the Flower Boy was literally the flower boy, as he tossed rose petals down the aisle. He was also Gil the Ring Bearer, today. The bridesmaids were Astrud, Michele, and Mariah.
On the other side of the room, Ava’s side, were the women she’d given loans to, and so many of the people she’d grown to know and love over the years. The room was packed with people who loved her.
As she took her first steps into her future, with Ramon holding her arm, Ava looked ahead and saw Caleb standing and facing her. Her heart was afire for this man, and the future they would build together.
Also by Molly Sloan
Free copy of Beholden to You
About the Author
Molly Sloan is a second-generation Irish-American who traded her early modeling career for public relations. After 10 years’ developing business strategy, branding and crisis communication for some of the world's largest companies, she is living her dream of being a writer. “I love the psychological motivation behind the characters and exploring the emotional and intimate sides of relationships,” says Molly, “my books are an escape, I hope readers think so too. Every book is a standalone story with a happy ever after ending.” Molly lives in Oregon with her hot husband of 20 years and her little black kitty.
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