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 MarNoWriMo 2009. Book 3 Endurance Series. |
Bride to Be Chapter 24 THE LAST FEW MONTHS had flown by. Anna was finally returning to the office after her eight-week maternity leave, having given birth to a precious little girl, Kaci. Her return was a significant moment for the team, and Megan, also pregnant, was due to give birth any day now. To celebrate these milestones, Megan had set up an impromptu welcome-back party in the big cafeteria in the new office space, a space that not only symbolized the company's growth and change but also held personal significance for the team. The room was filled with joy and anticipation, a testament to the love and support within the team and the exciting new chapter they were embarking on in the new office space. Calvin stood in the doorway to the bright cafeteria, watching Lisa climb the ladder to hang the Welcome Back sign for Anna at the back wall. Long, rectangular tables covered with pink flowers lined the serving tables, and each smaller dining table had a pink-and-white bouquet as a centerpiece. The room screamed girl. Megan held the edge of the sign, her baby bump growing by the day. As he observed the pair, profound thoughts of marriage and kids filled his mind, causing the corner of his mouth to quirk upward. He'd been contemplating these thoughts for months, and after meeting baby Kaci, he had a sudden realization. There would never be a perfect moment in their busy worlds to pop the question, not in the grand style he had convinced himself the proposal needed to be. It was time to stop waiting for the ideal moment and move forward. Calvin's steps were purposeful as he approached the women, his determination radiating with every stride. He was on a mission, a mission to make Lisa feel as valued and vital as she truly was. His life had been a monotonous cycle since his breakup with Jules, a relationship that had left him feeling unfulfilled and stagnant. Then Lisa Green walked in, injecting a much-needed spark. But it wasn't enough. Only one thing could turn his good fortune into perfection--her. Calvin was determined to make his intentions clear to Lisa, to show her how much she meant to him. With every calculated step, his heartbeat quickened to a thunderous rhythm that drowned out all other sounds. Lisa hung the last corner of the sign and descended the steps, her movements quick as she reached the gray tiled floor and looked up to admire her work, crossing her arms over her chest. He knew that move well. Calvin smiled and slowed his pace, only a few feet separating them now. Anticipation built like a symphonic crescendo, slow, purposeful, and then powerful, just like him. If he counted to three, he knew Lisa would relax her stance and be satisfied with her work, and then he would be standing right behind her, ready to make his move. "Looks good," Megan said. "Yes," Calvin began, "it does." Lisa hung the last corner of the sign and descended the steps, her movements quick as she reached the gray tiled floor and looked up to admire her work, crossing her arms over her chest. He knew that move well. Calvin smiled and slowed his pace, only a few feet separating them now. The room was filled with joy, and Calvin couldn't help but feel a surge of love for Lisa, a feeling that was so intense it made his heart race. He longed to take her by the hand, lead her to his office, and continue the morning's activities. But he knew there were more important matters at hand. "So, does Anna have any idea, or were you two able to hide it?" Calvin asked, the curiosity in his voice unable to disguise. Megan laughed. "If she knows, don't look at me. I didn't mention it." "Ah, yes, but that doesn't mean Corey didn't," Lisa said, shaking her head. "It still amazes me that those can never seem to keep a secret from one another." Calvin had heard stories about the closeness between Corey and Anna, a friendship that went back to childhood. At any party or gathering he'd ever attended in Endurance, the two friends would always manage to wind up in a corner and be thick as thieves, usually plotting something or even annoying one another as if it were just part of their friendship. Their bond was so strong that it often made others feel like outsiders, but Calvin admired their connection. It was this kind of bond he hoped to have with Lisa —a relationship built on trust, understanding, and shared history. "If he told her, he kept that to himself," Megan said, though the softness in her voice and less convincing tone hinted that her husband might have confessed to the party the second he'd been informed. Other employees filed into the cafeteria, gathering in small groups and chatting as they awaited Anna's arrival. A quiet hum filled the room. They had only moved into this office space two weeks ago, and the satisfaction of seeing his plans coming to fruition sent a warmth of pride washing over him. The new office space was not just a symbol of growth and change for the company, but also for his personal life. He hoped to build a future with Lisa there, all while taking Grayburg Corporation to unimaginable new heights. With renovations eighty percent complete, they moved the majority of the new staff in-house. There were just two pieces of the puzzle of his life to put into place, and with any luck, one of them would happen today. One piece was his proposal to Lisa, and the other was asking her to move into his house as soon as construction was finished. There was no way he would move out of Lisa's house, to his, without her. Piper and Abby Brady came through the door from the cafeteria to the adjoining kitchen, carrying trays of food. It really was a brilliant idea, thanks to Lisa, that they added the small kitchen to the place. It made perfect sense, given all the events the company held each year, aside from the launch parties. "Here we go," Lisa said, moving toward the pair and relieving Abby of her load. Calvin followed behind Lisa and Megan, but moved to the doorway as the four women set up the long table with Abby's catering. He checked his watch and knew Anna would be pulling up soon, probably with Nolan in tow. The anticipation for Anna's arrival was palpable, and Calvin could feel the excitement in the air. Nolan was as overprotective about his wife as a man could be. Calvin smiled, knowing there was a time not long ago that he would've thought Nolan was over the top, but since his relationship with Lisa had come into play, he understood how precious having an equal partner in life truly was. From his vantage point, Calvin could see most of the front parking lot, due to the enormous glass windows and two doors that aligned most of the front of the building. Nolan was a wise builder who saw the potential in the original layout and did his best to preserve some of its design elements as a testament to this building's history. Calvin spotted Anna's silver SUV pulling into the parking lot, with Nolan's truck right behind her. "They're here," he called over his shoulder, excited to go and greet them at the door. If he pulled Nolan aside for a moment, his friend could create a diversion so Calvin could propose. There was no better time than the present. As he moved past the cafeteria and small meeting room, past the reception area, he could hear the distinct tapping of Lisa's heels on the classic gray-and-white ceramic tile. Lisa caught up and grabbed his hand. "I know she's been here before, saw her office and everything, but somehow today feels like a homecoming." Calvin wrapped his fingers around her soft hand and squeezed. "I love that thought. That we've built this place together, and celebrate one another. I always hoped Grayburg would have that family atmosphere." And then it hit him like a lightning bolt straight from the skies above. He stopped walking, turned to face her, and tugged her hand. Just like that, in the entryway of Grayburg Corporation, Calvin pulled her into his arms and looked down into the sweet face of the woman he loved and admired more than anyone else in the world. "Lisa, I know this year has been a whirlwind, what with Penny and Edward, then the expansion, and our relationship almost blindsiding us both. Things might seem like they've happened so fast, but the truth is, everything we've shared has led up to this moment." "Cal?" she whispered, all breathy and filled with passion. Heat shot through every time she said his name that way. He wanted to kiss her, but knew if he didn't ask her now, the moment would disappear. "I love you, Lisa. There is nothing more I want out of life than to spend every day with you. Will you marry me?" He watched as tears filled her eyes. The sound of the entrance doors opening crept into the space between them, surrounding them, pulling the energy from the room, as if time had stopped. And he waited. From the corner of his eye, he could see Nolan and Anna standing still just inside the building, but he couldn't look in their direction. Doing so would break the moment, and he'd be damned if he let it slip away. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lisa nodded. "Yes?" he asked, needing clarity, wishing she'd say the words he longed to hear. Lisa nodded again and laughed. "Yes, Cal. Yes, I'll marry you." He pulled her tighter before his mouth claimed hers, hard and demanding. When she melted into him, excitement for their future took on new meaning. Her arms looped around his torso, her fingernails digging into his back, before the cheering erupted and he pulled back. "I knew it!" Anna said, rushing forward and hugging Lisa as Nolan followed, a big smile on his face. "It's about time," Nolan said. "Congratulations. I see there's a lot to celebrate today." Nolan clapped Calvin on the shoulder. Calvin turned and noticed that most of the employees who were in the cafeteria had emerged into the hallway. "I've spent months working on your dress," Anna confessed, "and I cannot wait to show it to you!" Lisa laughed. "I should be disappointed that I didn't get a say in the design, but I'm positive I'll love what you've come up with." Everyone headed into the cafeteria. Anna stopped just inside the doorway. "Oh, you guys. You didn't have to do this." "Of course we did," Calvin said. "It's not every day the head designer and team lead come back to work from maternity leave." Everyone gathered around, congratulating Lisa and Calvin and welcoming Anna back to work. Nolan stepped up beside Calvin. "What an eventful day." Cal nodded. "That it is." "Well, do you want more good news, or would you rather wait a day and take all this in?" Nolan asked. Calvin turned and looked at his friend. Good news could only mean one of two things. Either the expansion at the warehouse was moving along faster than expected, or his house was almost completed. His heart leapt at the thought of being able to call that ranch-style house home, to take Lisa there, and start this latest chapter of his life. "Well? Don't leave me in suspense." Nolan laughed. He reached into his front pocket and produced a keyring. "All done." Calvin's eyes bulged, and he shook his head. "You're serious?" "As a heart attack. I fudged the timeline with you about when the cabinets were being delivered. They came early, we finished early, and from the looks of it, the timing couldn't be more perfect." Calvin stared at the keys in his hand, a sense of pride washing over him. "I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you enough for all you've done for me and my family." "Hey, think of it as looking out for each other. Because your family did me a solid and ensured my girl would stay here. Just knowing Anna gets to shine and do what she loves, all from our own private haven, is thanks enough," Nolan said, his gaze transfixed across the room on his wife, who was chatting and smiling, enjoying all of the attention the employees showered upon her. "A two-way street," Calvin said. "Definitely. Besides," Nolan began, "My business is booming and a lot of that has to do with you." "I appreciate that. I had a plan; you were the guy who found everything I was looking for and put it all in motion." "I admit I was shocked coming up to the door to see you proposing," Nolan said. "I thought you had an extravagant plan in mind once the house was finished." Calvin laughed. He'd shared a lot with his new friend. "That was the plan." Nolan looked at him. "So what changed?" "You." Nolan's jaw dropped as he gaped at Calvin, his eyes narrowing with a furrowed brow. "What the hell, Calvin. What could I possibly have done?" Cal laughed again. He loved these conversations with Anna's husband. Nolan always had a refreshing take on things, always went straight to the point —no extra beats, just constant forward momentum. "I intended to wait until the house was complete, do it all up in style, but I couldn't stop thinking about you, Anna, and Kaci, and how hard it was to find that perfect moment when life is constantly moving. I just couldn't keep putting it off. The only thing waiting had done for me was wasted more of my time, time that I can't get back, time that I could be spending with Lisa as my wife." "Well, I'm happy for you both. And I'll just warn you now, Anna is going to go into overdrive and make you both crazy. Don't say I didn't warn you." "Looking forward to it." WC: 2381 Written during NaNo 2025 |
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