Going Home

Part 143

The next morning as Grace and Josh exchanged presents with Margaret and Robert, Josh said into a brief silence. “Um, Grace gave me an early Christmas present last night.”

“Oh” Margaret said as she and Robert look at them with interest but unsuspecting of the nature of the news to come.

Looking at Grace, who gave him an encouraging smile, Josh said “we’re getting married.”

“Oh Josh” Margaret said with tears forming in her eyes. Over the years she had come to accept that she would missed out on such happy announcements that parents normally look forward to from their kids. Finding that she has not missed it Margaret was overcome with emotion.

Watching Margaret and seeing that she needed a minute to compose herself Robert took the initiative and smiling, he got to his feet and came over to give Grace a hug and a kiss. “Great news” he said and turning to Josh and hugging him he added “congratulations son, I couldn’t be happier for you.”

“Thanks Dad” Josh said.

Margaret, having got herself under control, also came over to offer her congratulations. She hugged Grace and said “Grace this is just perfect, I’m so pleased.” Then turning to her son she hugged him too and added “well now that’s a Christmas present we can all share, thank you.”

Smiling as he moved back Josh said “don’t thank me, this was all Grace.”

Surprised Margaret said “oh” then shrugging added“well I don’t care who did what, I’m just glad one of you had sense enough to do something. Thank you Grace.”

Smiling too, Grace said “my pleasure Margaret” before turning to look at Josh and adding “actually I think I’m the one who received the gift really.”

Shaking his head Josh just smiled and gave her a wink.

Later that day a similar scene occurred when they filled in Grace’s family on the new developments. And it was a testament to their growing understanding of Josh and Grace’s feelings for him that not one of those present even gave her a questioning look. Even her father, who was so wary in the beginning, did not comment nor ask if she was sure. And sitting on the couch later with Josh’s arm around her shoulders Grace smiled to herself as she considered just how far they had all come from when they first met Josh.

Noticing the smile Josh said “what’s that about?”

But looking up at him Grace just shook her head and said “nothing, just happy.”

Going Home

Part 142

Closing her eyes Grace waited for Josh’s response. She did not know what to expect. She really had no idea how he felt about marriage other than that he said it was fine with him if that was what she wanted. But that was not enough, she wanted him to want it too.

“What did you say?” Josh said in a quiet voice. He was certain that he must have miss heard her.

Opening her eyes Grace was worried but she bravely repeated her request “I want you to marry me.”

Josh was stunned but as her words sank in he was overwhelmed with emotion and unable to speak. So reaching out and pulling her into his arms he kissed her with an intensity that spoke volumes about how he was feeling.

Relieved beyond belief Grace wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back just. After a few minutes Josh lifted his head but held her tight against his body. Holding him just as tightly Grace whispered “Merry Christmas.”

“Thanks.” Josh said but the simplicity of his reply belied the depth of his feeling and his arms tightened causing her to catch her breath and giving Grace an indication of the emotion at play within him.

“My pleasure Josh” Grace said with a sigh as the tension she was feeling seeped away.

Easing back Josh looked down at her, his expression worried. He never thought he would get married at all. It was not something that he ever considered before but with Grace everything different. She was everything to him and he wanted them to be tied together forever. So he needed to be certain that she was certain and searching her face he said “you’re sure?”

Smiling Grace said in an emphatic tone “absolutely, I want this more than anything.”

And pulling her close again Josh agreed “me too.”

Going Home

Part 141

That evening Grace and Josh chatted to many of the locals as people came and went. Some they had met on their last visit, some Josh remembered from when he lived here as a teenager. As the night progressed Grace was glad that she had that talk with Josh earlier because she noticed that more than once he was referred to as Brendan.

Margaret was also aware of this and was relieved that Grace sorted it out earlier. Otherwise she would have been on edge all night worrying that Josh would be upset about it.

Later much to Josh’s surprise it was Grace who suggested a walk. Smiling Josh got to his feet and followed her outside. But once they were out of earshot of the house Grace turned to Josh and said in a stern tone “we are not going to the shed Josh.”

Grinning Josh turned to look at her in the moon light “really?”

“No” Grace said quietly.

Laughing Josh conceded “okay even though it is a perfectly good opportunity wasted, no shed. So where are we going then?”

“Nowhere in particular, just for a walk. I want to give you your Christmas present.” Then an idea presenting itself she said, “what about we go back to the tree?”

Looking down at her Josh shrugged. He was wondering what she was up to and what she could possibly want to give him out there. But happy to do what she wanted he said “okay.”

As they walked along Grace was getting more and more nervous. She had a surprise for Josh but she was not sure what his reaction would be, so needing to get on with it, as soon as they reached the tree she turned to Josh and looked up at him. With a serious expression she said “you know I love you right?”

Frowning because he did not know what was coming, Josh just nodded.

“And you know how you said our relationship could go where ever we wanted it to go?”

“Yes” Josh replied in a tone as serious as her expression.

“And you know how we talked about having kids one day?”

Impatient for her to get to the point now because she was starting to worry him Josh said in a rough voice “yes Grace I know all of that and so do you so what’s all this about?”

Taking a deep breath Grace gathered her courage and needing to get it out fast to relieve some of the tension that she was feeling she said “I want us to get married.”

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