Everyone in the room turned to look at Shirley.
Vicky walked out of Jason’s embrace and over to her. She wrapped her arms around her tightly, “Thank you thank you thank you. I love you so much Aunt Shirley. I don’t know how I will every repay you. However, I’m just curious, why didn’t you say something to me?”
“Don’t thank me. Thank your mama. I have to believe she had more to do with this than me. Everyone knows I’m not good with technology. I didn’t do much but find a voice-mail. And, I didn’t want to give you or anyone else false hope. So, I called John Lucas instead and told him.”
John Lucas interrupted, “She made my job a lot easier. I have no doubt that we would have won this case but the ideal is to win it before you enter a court room. Ms. Martin provided me with not just a smoking gun, but a nuclear bomb.”
He played the recording and went on to explain the chain of events that led to Ryan giving up his parental rights and withdrawing his petition from the court.
Everyone listened intently until Sandy noticed the ‘Breaking News’ along with a photo of Senator Ryan Carter scroll across the screen.
“Shh..shh..turn the television up.”
Franklin found the remote and turned it up as the local anchor was reporting the breaking news.
‘In a stunning and surprising turn of events, Senator Ryan Carter just released a statement confirming that he is withdrawing from the Minnesota gubernatorial race. He did not specify what led up to this decision only that it was deeply personal and asked that we respect his family’s privacy. Speculation is running rampant as Senator Carter was embroiled in what could only be described as a nasty custody battle over his three year old daughter.”
Jason had heard enough, “Turn it off. Ryan Carter is officially done affecting my family. John Lucas, I just have one bit of unfinished business if it’s okay with Vicky.”
Franklin turned off the television. Vicky didn’t know what it could be but she was sure whatever it was she would be fine with it.
“I want you to draw up adoption papers for Angel.” He looked into his baby girls eyes before turning to his wife for her approval, “I would like to officially become her father.”
Her hands flew to her throat as her eyes filled with tears. But, she wasn’t the only person in the room with tears in their eyes, “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything except marrying you.”
“Angel couldn’t have asked for a better father than you.”
“And, I couldn’t have asked for a better wife and daughter. Can we get hell out of here?”
Epilogue
Two years later
Vicky was thankful that the weather had decided to cooperate. As a matter of fact, it did better than cooperate. It was a beautiful Indian summer. The sun was beaming and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Angel’s fifth birthday party was in full swing. A circus theme in the backyard was Jason’s idea. He’d hired a magician, a clown, a mime, there were people on unicycles, and at the end of the night there was going to be a fireworks display.
Although, Vicky was more confident and comfortable in the world of the wealthy, she still thought this party was over the top especially when Chuck E Cheese probably would have been just as fun. Still, everyone seemed to be having a good time.
But, if throwing this party for Angel is what makes them happy then Vicky was fine with it too. Angel was running around playing normally with all the other children. With therapy, her limp had almost disappeared.
Jason, his father, Franklin, John Lucas, and some of the other fathers were standing around the barbeque grill talking.
John Lucas didn’t want to bring it up but didn’t want Jason blindsided “So, I hear Ryan Carter has started an exploratory committee to test the waters for another run for the governorship. If he runs, all the craziness from a couple of years ago could come back up.”
Ryan Carter and his ilk didn’t faze Jason any longer, “I don’t give a rat’s ass what he does. If it comes back up, we’ll deal with it.”
John Rutherford tapped Franklin on his shoulder, “Well, we could always run someone with morals and integrity against him, somebody like Franklin.”
Franklin almost spit out his drink, “Oh no. Not me. Politics is definitely not in my future.”
Jason teased him, “I don’t know my friend. We could use somebody in the governor’s mansion to clean up that budget.”
They all enjoyed a laugh at Franklin’s expense.
Vicky was sitting on the other side of the patio next to the pool with Aunt Shirley, Miriam, and some of the other moms.
So much had happened over the last couple of years. Angel was now Angel Rutherford but the most surprising, Aunt Shirley and John Lucas were dating. And, the most disappointing was that Franklin and Sandy never got back together. He was still dating April. However, he never brought her around when he thought Sandy might be around too.
Speaking of Sandy, she still hadn’t arrived yet. It was unlike her to be this late. She said she and Roman were coming.
Sandy started dating Roman Benton shortly after she quit CkR International and moved to Atlanta. It was such a small world. She’d met him during an early morning run in their neighborhood. According to Sandy, they literally ran into each other. Roman was a nice guy, Vicky had always held out hope that Franklin and Sandy would get back together. Neither of them had been the same or seemed as happy since they’d broken up.
There just didn’t seem to be any spark between Franklin and April. Not to mention, she couldn’t put her finger on it, but something always bothered her about April.
However, Roman was nice but more importantly seemed to really care about Sandy. Yet, something seemed off there too. At the end of the day, they were both her friends so she would support them no matter what.
It was as if Vicky conjured them up. Roman and Sandy magically appeared walking arm in arm into the backyard with a ton of balloons, a couple of bottles of wine, and carrying a big gift box for Angel, “Hello everybody!”
Franklin saw them as soon as they walked through the door. Sandy still made him take a breath every time he saw her.
“It’s about time you got here!” Vicky was about to get up from her chair to hug her friend.
“No…don’t you get up. It looks like a lot of work. I have to be honest I didn’t think you’d make it until this weekend. I expected that the newest member of your family would have arrived by now.”
Jason walked over just in time to overhear Sandy. He bent down to kiss his wife, “Hey Sandy…I know. This little boy or girl is definitely taking their sweet time getting here. But, we’re ready, hey Roman. Let me take that box from you. Would you like a beer?”
Roman held up the bottles, “Actually, I was hoping we could have some champagne to celebrate. I brought a few bottles and some sparkling white grape juice for you Vicky.”
Vicky looked curiously at Sandy, “Champagne? What are we celebrating?”
Sandy held up her left hand, “We’re engaged! That’s why I am so late. Roman proposed to me tonight!”
“Omygosh! My goodness…congratulations.”
Jason wasn’t that happy and didn’t think Vicky was either. But, he still slapped Roman on the back, “Congratulations. You’re going to have your hands full with Sandy but she’s an amazing person.”
Roman looked lovingly at Sandy, “Yes she is. And, I couldn’t be happier that she accepted my proposal.”
Vicky touched Jason’s arm, “Jason.”
He looked down at his wife’s face, “Yes?”
“My water just broke.”
“Are you sure?”
“The pool is over there and I haven’t been in it, but it’s wet over here. So, I’m pretty sure it’s my water bag.”
After a moment of pause, there was a flurry of activity. “Okay…okay. I’ll go get the car.”
Miriam yelled over to John, “It’s time! It’s time! The baby is coming.�
�
John, Franklin, and John Lucas also came running over.
Aunt Shirley chimed in, “I’ll go get your bag.”
Vicky’s face scrunched up in pain as she felt the pangs of her first contraction, “Owwwww!”
Jason came back to her. He was panicked, “Are you okay?”
“No! I’m in labor! Pleeeessse get the car.”
Miriam came back with the bag, “John Lucas and I’ll stay here with the kids to finish up the party. Then, we’ll meet you guys at the hospital.”
The contractions were coming fast and hard, “Jaaaassooon!”
*****
Four hours later….Jason came out from labor and delivery looking exhausted but proud. “Mom and baby are perfect. John Kincaid Rutherford II is healthy and strong.”
There was a strong feeling of relief that flowed throughout the room. Everyone exchanged hugs, John and Miriam hugged each other, Shirley and John Lucas, and Sandy and Roman.
Franklin went over to shake his best friend’s hand before Jason pulled him in for a hug too.
“Congratulations, my friend. I have the Cuban celebratory cigars in the car.”
“Thank you…god-father.”
Franklin looked truly touched. He would do his best to live up to the title.
Jason smiled proudly, “Next year’s birthday party for Angel and now John II is going to be something else. I’m going to get back to Vicky. They’re cleaning the baby up but you guys should be able to see him in about thirty minutes.”
Sandy was nestled into the crook of Roman’s arm so she felt his phone vibrate. He answered the call since it was from his assistant.
Roman had a disappointed look on his face, “Sweetheart, I’ve got to get to the office. There seems to have been an emergency at one of my overseas plants. I’ll call you and give you an update.” He kissed her goodbye and waved off to Jason before they both left the room, “Congratulations Jason! We have a lot to celebrate.”
Seemingly unable to wipe the proud smile off of his face, Jason responded as he left the room, “Yes we do and yes we will.”
Jason waved everyone off as went to be with the love of his life.
Everyone in the waiting room was still so excited to see the newest member of their family. It was almost thirty minutes exactly before the nurse came out. “If you want to see the Rutherford baby he’s ready. But, we can only do four at a time.”
Sandy volunteered to wait. Franklin did too. It was the first time they’d been alone together in over two years.
There was an uncomfortable silence. She decided there was no point to there being this much tension between them. He was happy and she was getting married. It was time to let it all go. She decided to break the ice.
“I’m so happy for Jason and Vicky.”
He was actually surprised she spoke to him, “I’m happy for them too. And, I guess congratulations are in order for you as well. Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you.”
“He’s a very lucky man to have you. Any man that was smart enough to make you their wife would have been a very lucky man indeed.”
She smiled at him and in a brief moment of honesty spoke softly, “There was a time when I had hoped that man was you.”
Somehow he’d managed to be just a touch away from her, “One of my biggest regrets is not being able to be the man for you. If I could go back in time, I’d do so many things differently.”
Franklin caressed her cheek and pulled her face to his before lightly kissing her. It felt…right. All the hurt and pain they’d caused each other in that moment was gone.
Sandy broke he kiss, “There is a part of me that will always love you.”
They pulled away just as John Lucas came out of the nursery beaming, “I thought I’d better come and let one of you see this baby. I don’t think anyone is going to be able to get John, Miriam or Shirley away anytime soon.”
Franklin motioned for Sandy to go ahead, “I’ll visit with him after you.”
Sandy hesitated as if she wanted to say something more but then thought better of it, “Take care, Franklin.
“You too, Sandy.”
Thank You
I hope you enjoyed the final chapters of Jason and Vicky Rutherford’s life. They’ve finally reached their version of ‘Happily Ever After’.
However, they’ll never really be too far away. You’ll still get a glimpse into their lives as I continue to delve further into the lives of Franklin Roth and Sandra Catchings. Please look out for their story, The Battle Within, Early 2015.
LOVE, LIFE, and VOWS Page 15