Page 62 of Diverge

“I’m happy for you guys, truly. I’m glad you worked it all out and came to your senses.” I poke fun at them because ever since they’ve been together, they’ve been joined at the hip.

“Thank you, Billie.” Michael smiles. “Congratulations on quitting your job! I’m surprised you lasted that long to be honest. The way you would talk about it had me hating your job.” He laughs, and we all laugh together.

“Yeah, thank you, it was time.” I nod as I feel Finn’s arm slide around my waist.

“She’s her own boss now...” He looks at me and winks. “It’s a huge turn-on.”

Grace makes a gagging sound. “Save it for the room, Finn. Honestly, it’s disgusting.” I feel heat rise to my cheeks as he kisses me tenderly.

“You’d better get used to it, Gracie,” he says as he looks deeply into my eyes.

“Excuse me, I’m going to go throw up.” Grace excuses herself, and Michael laughs, following her.

“Let’s maybe keep the PDA to a minimum around the family?” I say with half a smile. Finn grabs me by the waist and kisses me passionately, with tongue and everything.

“After the years we’ve spent apart, I will always hold you close. I don’t care who is around,” he whispers in my ear, sending a tingle down my spine.

“Come on, you two love birds, let’s take a seat.” Mr. Mackenzie gestures for us to sit. We take a seat around a large rectangular table located in the middle of the restaurant. We mingle with the guests, talking to people we have known most of our lives, catching up on life and everything in between. The entrées and mains are served as we all eat, drink, and laugh together. When the mains are finished and the table cleared by the restaurant staff, Mr. Mackenzie stands and raises his glass.

“I want to make a toast.” He stops and looks around the table. Everyone quiets down and focuses their attention on him.

“Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate my daughter, Gracie, and her soon-to-be groom, Michael.” He pauses for a moment as he looks at Grace.

“My dear Gracie, you’ve grown into such a wonderful, smart, and caring woman. I couldn’t be prouder as a father. I want you to know that you will always be my baby girl, no matter how old you are. I will always see you as the little girl who clung onto me when she saw a spider or a mouse.”

The guests laugh as he continues.

“I will always be there for you in the good times and the bad, no matter the day or the time. If you need me, I will be there but now, so will Michael. I’m overjoyed that you have found such a strong and intelligent young man to call your partner in life... one word of advice from a seasoned father to the young couple, don’t expect marriage to be fifty-fifty.

Marriage will almost always be one person giving more than the other. Some days it might be you, Gracie, giving more, and some days it’ll be you, Michael. Every morning you wake up, you have a choice, and that choice should be your partner. Every day, you need to choose your partner. Marriage takes work, and it’s easy to forget to put in that work when life gets in the way.” He raises his glass.

“Congratulations to you both on the next chapter in your lives as a couple... to Gracie and Michael!”

Everyone cheers as the chatter returns, filling up the restaurant once again. Finn’s fingers lace through mine as I take a sip of my champagne. I look over to Finn, who is now pulling at his tie, and I notice small sweat beads rolling down his temple. Worry floods through me as I turn my body to face him.

“Are you okay?” My voice is laced with concern.

“I think I just need some air,” he utters. I helped him up as we both walked outside into the small garden. His hands reach out and grabs on to the post nearby to steady himself, the worry swirling like a whirlpool in my stomach.

“Should I call someone? What’s wrong?” I rub his back as he loosens his tie even more and shakes his head, slumping over.

“No, no, I’m fine,” he says through shaky breaths.

“You don’t look fine, Finn.” My mind races. “Should I get you a glass of water?” I ask.

“No...” He grabs on to my hand. “Don’t leave me.” His plea sounds almost desperate. He tries to stand up straight, and, in that moment, the blood drains from my face as I watch him fall to the floor in front of me.

Dropping to my knees, my hand rushes to his cheek.

“HELP!” I scream as loudly as I can, panic pooling like thick blood in my throat.

“SOMEONE, HELP!” I turn to the restaurant and wave to grab someone’s, anyone's, attention, not wanting to leave Finn’s side.

Mr. Mackenzie spots me and immediately rushes outside, phone in hand, already dialing 000. There are now multiple people standing around, watching with hands covering their mouths, faces etched in concern. I place my two fingers on his throat and sigh in relief as I feel his pulse still beating.

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