Page 89 of A Table for Two
In her kitchen, they cranked up the music and started in on the brunch for dinner menu. Gabriel had asked if she minded him adding fried chicken, and she readily agreed. “Before that chicken hits the table, I’m going to need you to put about three of those wings aside for me to have later.”
“Whatever my baby wants.” He winked and continued moving to the music as he cooked.
They’d just finished with the preparations when the doorbell rang. Serenity hurried to answer the door. “Andrea!” Each woman let out an excited squeal as they hugged and rocked. “Oh my goodness. I thought you said you weren’t going to be able to make it this weekend.”
Andrea smiled. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“I’m more than surprised.” Serenity reached out to hug Andrea’s grandmother. “Hi, Ms. Della. Come on in. Everything’s ready.” She led them to the kitchen.
“Hey, big brother,” Andrea said, reaching for Gabriel.
Gabriel swung her up in his arms and kissed her cheek. “Hey, Sis. You look good.” He hugged and kissed his grandmother. “Hi, Nana. Have a seat.”
Both women sat at the kitchen table, and Serenity and Gabriel shared a look. She gave him an imperceptible nod.
He grasped Ms. Della’s hand. “Nana, remember the night I came to dinner and you were telling me how you and Grandpa fell in love? You said that if I found a special lady not to let my blessing pass me by.”
The older woman’s eyebrows shot up, and she divided a curious glance between Serenity and Gabriel. “What are you saying?”
He held Serenity’s left hand out and said, “Serenity and I are getting married.”
Andrea screamed and grabbed them both up in a crushing hug.
Ms. Della rose to her feet as quickly as her seventy-eight-year-old body allowed and followed suit. “Oh, I’m so happy,” she cried. “Wait.” She searched Gabriel’s face. “Does this mean you’re staying here?”
He nodded. “Can’t leave either of my favorite girls.”
Ms. Della’s tears made Serenity’s come faster. Their celebration was interrupted by the doorbell. Serenity wiped her eyes and went to let her three friends in. She was beyond excited to see Jon with Terri. Soon, laughter competed with the fragrant food as they fixed plates.
“Be right back,” Gabriel whispered to Serenity. “I left something at the house.”
“Okay.” He was gone and back in a flash, and another round of tears started when she saw her sister and brother-in-law, along with Gabriel’s three best friends and a woman she assumed was Glenn’s wife. Gabriel had introduced her to Glenn via a videoconference shortly after their reconciliation. She was further shocked when Pam’s family walked in behind them. She grabbed her sister up in a big hug. “What are you doing here?”
Chandra touched the ring on Serenity’s finger and winked. “Mom and Dad said to tell you congratulations and they’ll call you tonight.” Their parents had left for DC earlier in the week.
“You knew?” Chandra nodded, and Serenity turned her stunned gaze to Gabriel, who merely shrugged and smiled. The day couldn’t get any better. She went around and greeted everyone else.
Gabriel’s sharp whistle cut through the chatter. “Can we have your attention, please?” He waited until the conversation quieted. “Serenity and I have an announcement.”
He nodded her way, and she whipped her hand out, wiggling her fingers.
The room erupted in cheers and calls of “congratulations” and “it’s about time.” Everyone crowded around to get a better look at the ring. Serenity smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. But she didn’t care. Brianna tapped Serenity on her arm, and she hunkered down in front of the little girl.
“Can I be the flower girl when you get married?”
“You sure can.”
“Yay!Mommy, I’m gonna be Ms. Wheeler’s flower girl.” Brianna bounced up and down, then threw her arms around Serenity and hugged her tight.
“Okay, everyone. This calls for a toast,” Natasha said.
Official bartender, Dana produced bottles of champagne, and Darius helped her fill everyone’s glasses. Brianna held a flute of sparkling apple cider.
Natasha held up her glass. “To Gabriel and Serenity and Serenity’s Supper Club. Good food, great friends.”
Gabriel whispered to Serenity, “And a taste of passion.” He touched his glass to hers and, instead of sipping the bubbly, lowered his head for a kiss.
Serenity wrapped her arm around his neck and held him close, trying to infuse all the love she had for him in it. She’d risked it all this time, and won.
