The Next Chapter (Sequel to A New Story)

24 ~Maria & Daniel~

"Yes, yes, I understand, Kass. I get it. Yes, I understand. We'll talk and I'll get back to you ASAP." Daniel hung up the phone and sighed, his eyes squeezed shut and rubbing at the bridge of his nose. He didn't see Maria walk in.

"What are we talking about?" she asked as she approached him, wrapping her arms around him from behind.

Another sigh and he placed his hands and arms over hers around his waist. "That was Kass." He turned in her arms to face her. "Promise me you'll let me finish what I have to tell you before you respond, okay?"

Maria frowned now. "Okay."

"I have an opportunity, and I know we've both taken a step back and haven't been taking any meetings or making any major plans, but... this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and—"

"What is it, Daniel?"

He took a deep breath. "I need to go away for a few days, for readings and a screen test."

"What's the project?" she asked again. This time he could hear a little more annoyance in her voice.

"I need to keep this one a secret, just until I get through these meetings—"

"Our wedding is next Saturday, Daniel. Please tell me this won't interfere with—"

"No, absolutely not. I swear I will be back by Saturday. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing will keep me from being here to marry you next Saturday. I promise this will be a good surprise, sweetie—if everything works out."

"You promise you'll be back?"

He took her face in his hands. "I promise. I love you, Maria, nothing will keep me away from you next Saturday."

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Friday evening came quickly. The rest of the household was doing their best to keep Maria busy while Daniel was gone. There wasn't a lot more to do for the wedding—the ceremony would be at the Registrar's Office in one of the small rooms they had for such occasions. The small group of people who would be in attendance had all made it into town that morning.

Only the groom remained absent.

Maria stood on the balcony of her bedroom, looking out to the north, watching the severe storm that was rolling in, and for headlights coming down the lane. The last she had heard from JP, Daniel's flight had been delayed out of New York and now with the storms coming, she was getting more and more worried.

A knock at her bedroom door caught her attention so she stepped back inside from the balcony. "Come in!"

It was her two favorite teenagers, and tagging along with them was her favorite university student. "Good evening girls, shouldn't you all be in bed or something?"

"We were worried about you," Ella said as they came in and crowded around her, hugging her from all directions.

"Oh, I'm just fine girls, see?" She said as she held her arms out and attempted her bravest smile.

Anna squeezed her tight. "Daniel will be here, Mom, I know it. He promised, and he doesn't break his promises."

Maria sighed and melted into the embrace of the three girls. "You are right, love. But sometimes things out of our control cause us to break our promises. Like this nasty storm on its way in.

"It's okay, Mum, I'm sure he'll make it through," Alex encouraged her mother.

They had missed the action outside until a clap of thunder made them all jump. Maria chuckled. "Come on, girls, let's all sit by the fire and stay warm." Maria ushered the three girls over to the fireplace where they curled up around her on the settee.

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A few minutes later, they were engaged in an animated discussion when a voice from the doorway made them all jump.

"Ah, and there are all the lovely ladies of my life."

All four gasped. "Daniel!" Maria exclaimed as she jumped up and ran into his arms.

"I'm soaking wet," he chuckled, but didn't release her from his own hold.

"I don't care," she said in a muffled tone from where her head was buried in his chest.

He held her close against himself and whispered to her as he rocked her back and forth. "I promised you I'd make it back to you in time."

"I know, but the storm, and your delayed flight—I was so worried."

"Well, I'm here now," he said with a smile as he waved the three girls over to join the hug. Once they were all around, he continued. "And I return with good news."

That made Maria's head pop up. "What kind of good news?"

"The kind that means soon we'll be doing some traveling and adventures together as a family."

"What does that mean?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"It means that they have offered me, and I promptly accepted, the role of Captain Rutherford in The Void!"

Maria gasped. "No! Really?"

He nodded. "It's why I had to keep this trip so secretive. I was trying my best to not tell until I knew for sure if it would work out. I've been working on this for months."

"For months!?"

He nodded, slower this time. "Yes," he started, then sighed. "It's what my meeting was for that morning—the morning that you..."

"Oh, Daniel," she whispered, placing a hand on his cheek.

Daniel smiled down at her for a moment before turning to the girls. "It's getting late, girls, and we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Can I give goodnight hugs all around and send you off to bed? I'd like to have some time to chat with Maria before we both head our separate ways to get some rest before tomorrow."

The girls all agreed and gave hugs to Maria and Daniel before heading to bed. Daniel then took Maria's hand and motioned toward the settee in front of the fireplace. Before long, Maria settled into Daniel's side, curled up with his right arm wrapped around her shoulders, his left arm crossed over him so he could rest his hand over hers. He leaned down and kissed her on her forehead and smiled. "So, where were we? Oh yes, so—I went, did some screen tests, script readings, I think my avid love of the book helped—"

"So, this means we'll be on set together?"

He nodded. "Mm-hmm, they're already discussing how to work out lodging details for our circus."

She sighed, a deep contented sigh. "I can't believe I get to spend the rest of my life with you."

"I'm going to remind you of that in a few years when you grow tired of me."