Wildflowers

Chapter 29

Chapter: 29

We exit the rooms and we don't talk the entire walk to the restaurant in the lobby. Patrick gives the hostess the last name and she leads up to an outdoor table in a courtyard. I see Patrick's dad and his girlfriend, Julia sitting there looking any some leather menus. He's wearing a grey suit and a white button down with a navy ascot and she's wearing a printed wrap dress and some pearls, her blonde hair is pinned up in a twist in the back.

'Hi, everyone I'm glad you could make it' Julia says getting up and giving me a hug and smiling at the others.

Her and I have gotten pretty close because I spent so much time at their house. 'I love your, dress Julia, its Diana Von Furstenberg right?' I ask her.

'Good eye Jo, it is and thank you it's new and I love your dress, but you always looks so stylish' she says with a smile.

'Mr, O'Neill how are you?' I ask him.

'Jo, please call be Robert, you know that and I'm good. Shall we sit guys?' Robert says, smiling.

Patrick pulls out my chair for me and I sit down next to Julian and then he sits down next to me. Dave does the same and he sits down next to his dad and Darcy next to him and Patrick.

'Get whatever you want my treat. This is a weekend for celebration because well we have some news' he says smiling and taking Julia's hand.

'I've asked Julia to marry me and with a stroke of luck she accepted' I smile 'Oh my god, congratulations! I say leaning over to give her a quick side hug.

'Congrats you guys, Dad I'm just glad you're happy' Patrick says smiling and his dad smiles back like he was hoping he would say that.

'Thanks son, Jo it means a lot that you're happy for us' Robert says and I smile.

Dave and Darcy give them their congratulations but Dave doesn't seemed thrilled.

'Julia you have to show me the ring' I tell her and she beams.

'Isn't it gorgeous?' She says showing me the gold ring with a large diamond in the middle with little diamonds around it making a circle, almost like a flower pattern.

'Its perfect' I tell her smiling.

'Maybe you'll have one soon?' She says with a wink and I blush.

I turn to look at Patrick who is cool and calm looking. 'I'm sure that is a ways away, I mean we're still in high school' I say with a smile.

'Oh please, it's the 70's who cares about that' Julia says and I smile.

The waiter comes around and Robert orders an expensive bottle of champagne for the table we also order some small bites as appetizers. We have small talk until the waiter comes back and pops the bottle and pour it into glasses.

Robert holds his glass up 'To family, new and old' he says smiling at us 'Cheers' we all clink our glasses together and he gives Julia a peck on the lips and Patrick leans over and does the same. Dave just kisses Darcy on the cheek.

The appetizers come and we eat them quickly. I knew I should have eaten before leaving home but I was in such a rush to get here. I pop an olive in my mouth and laugh at a joke Julia made. I look over at Patrick and it was good to see him smiling.

The waiter comes by and takes out orders. Patrick and his father get steaks, Darcy and Dave get chicken and Julia and I order the shrimp because I have been here before with my mother and it was delicious.

'So Darcy, Jo what are your plans for after high school?' Robert asks us.

'I want to work with my father at the church. He does such amazing work and there are so many lost souls to help' she says looking at me.