Page 112 of Third Time is the Charm
“This means you will officially be…” He kissed her lightly as a playful smile crept over his face. “Mrs. Intolerable.”
Beth laughed, her eyes lighting up with his ridiculous yet loving joke. The laugh and his love spread throughout her whole body as she pulled his face down to hers, claiming the kiss she’d desired.
They had both been proud and prejudiced, but finally the passionate love between them had persevered through it all.
Finally.
Epilogue
“Oh my God, Beth!” Jane’s concerned voice picked up the phone. “Are you ok? I’ve been waiting for you to call.”
“Hey,” Beth answered hoarsely. Her throat overworked from the emotional events of the past day. “Sorry I couldn’t talk last night; I’m ok, just trying to wrap my head around everything. How’s Charles?”
Jane sighed. “Hurt and upset, but not surprised. He just got back; he’s been at his parents all morning. I think they’d come to terms with the fact that they haven’t really known Caroline for a while now; it was hard to accept, but it was the truth. She is still their daughter, and Charles’ sister, so I think that at this point, they are just hoping she will get the help that she needs; maybe someday, she will be better…”
Oh, Jane. The ever-hopeful one.
Beth felt tears coming to her eyes at the thought of her sister. Soon they would be back in the same city, together again, figuring out life and marriage together. She couldn’t help the wave of anticipation that ran through her at the prospect; she missed her sister so much.
“Are you sure you’re ok? I mean, I know Darcy said that you weren’t injured.”
“Yeah,” Beth answered thickly. “I wasn’t hurt. Darcy was the one who was actually grazed by one of the bullets, but he’s fine. Just emotionally, it was a lot last night.”
“I can imagine,” Jane empathized.
“Truthfully, yes, I was in shock that she actually tried to shoot… tried to kill me. But, afterward, I think what was hardest to believe was that it was all finally over.” Beth let out an ironic laugh, still wondering how being shot at wasn’t the most unbelievable thing to her. “I don’t know how to explain it. Caroline, and this whole thing, has just been plaguing us for so long – tormenting us for so long – and to think that it’s finally done; she’s finally gone for good…”
“I can’t imagine…” Jane said softly.
“When Darcy came up here and we began to work things out between us, I think mentally I just prepared myself to have to deal with her games forever. I think I prepared myself for all of these obstacles that in one night – with one shot – were eliminated.” Beth toyed with the remaining pieces of fruit on her plate from the breakfast that Darcy had ordered them. He’d suggested they eat first and then went to shower while she called Jane.
“I know things haven’t been easy for the two of you; I feel like so many extrinsic influences were working to keep you apart that you couldn’t focus any energy on what you had between the two of you. I’m glad that those complications are gone.” Beth could hear the tears that were surely falling from her sister’s eyes. “I just want you to be happy, Beth and, while I saw how mad and upset he makes you, I also saw how happy you were with Darcy.”
“I feel like now, we finally get to be happy…” Beth agreed softly, hearing the shower water turn off.
“I miss you,” her sister said. “Do you think you both will come down to visit soon? Dad and mom seemed to think you would. Especially mom – it was kind of weird…”
She hadn’t told Jane about the conversation with her mother.Another story for another day.
“Well, that’s another reason why I was calling you…” Beth cleared the residual sadness from her throat. “We’re moving back to New York.”
“What?!” Jane exclaimed. “I don’t understand. What about your job?”
“We’re coming home. Darcy donated the funds for Pat and Colin to expand the Center into New York, and Colin offered me the position to head up the office there if I wanted.”
“Oh my God, Beth! That’s amazing! I’m crying –” Jane broke off and Beth heard the small sobs of happiness from the other end of the line. Jane’s excitement reignited her own, tears beginning to stream down her face just as Darcy walked into the room, concern immediately overwhelming his face.
“Are you ok?” he asked softly coming over to her side.
“Yeah,” she murmured. “Jane’s crying… because we’re… coming home...” Her words came out thick over her own emotion, but her explanation relieved Darcy, who kissed the top of her head before walking back into the bedroom to put some clothes on.
“I’m sorry, Beth…” Jane choked out. “I’m just so happy.”
Beth laughed through their waterworks. “It’s ok, but I haven’t even told you everything yet.”
“There’s more?!”
“We’re engaged.” The news effectively putting a pause in their coherent conversation for a few minutes as they cried and laughed in happiness together.
