Forbidden

Chapter Twenty-Six

Liz’s face went from amused to angry. Olivia had noticed that Mr. Landry quietly exited the room to allow them to hash it out privately and she had found a newfound respect for him for that reason.

“Engaged?” she repeated. “To a Journalism teacher?”

“You think his profession is funny?  What about you? Livin’ off my father’s income your entire life doing nothing but suck the life out of everyone in that house? But you’re right, Momma. You’re better than everyone.”

            Nick walked over and closed the door before returning to the argument.

“Mrs. Chandler, I have something to sa—“

            She held one finger up to him.

“I don’t want to hear a word come from your mouth. You’re a pedophile.”

“He’s not a pedophile mother. I’m eighteen and I pursued him just as much, if not more than he pursued me. Go ahead, Nick. What were you gonna say?”

            Olivia and Liz watched as he removed a piece of folded up paper from his pocket before reading it aloud to Liz.

“This is a letter your husband had written for me because he somehow knew this would happen. I tried telling him it wasn’t necessary but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I went to see him, Mrs. Chandler, in late November to ask for his blessing to ask Olivia to marry me.”

            Liz let out a laugh.

“Oh please. You expect me to believe that?”

            Nick unfolded the paper and began reading.

            “Liz, the man standing before you now is going to be our daughter’s husband. He was brave enough to come to me to ask my permission to marry our daughter and I said yes. He is an outstanding, smart, talented, caring man and I am honored to have him be my son in law one day. Sure, it was surprising that Olivia’s teacher of all people had come to me asking such a question but I believe that they belong together. He brings out a sparkle in Olivia’s eyes that I never want to burn out.”

            “You don’t have to accept it, Liz, but I do. If you’re reading this now, it means you have gone to the proper authorities to end their relationship which also means that Nick has lost his job. That’s okay too. I have already secured a place for Nick at my law firm for as long as he needs until he gets himself established in another school. It’s a great position with even greater pay so that he can support our daughter the way she deserves to be supported. Don’t push them away, Liz. They are your family now and in due time, you will be a grandmother. Do not take that for granted as I will not even be able to hold my grandchildren or watch them grow. You’re lucky and I wish that soon you’ll be able to see that.”

“Money can buy you anything in this world, but it can’t buy family and it can’t buy love. Olivia and Nick are your family now. Please start treating them as such. Please tell Olivia that I hope this letter somehow makes everything a little easier for her because I don’t want her to suffer a day in her life. Please tell her that I’m sorry that I have to watch her grow into a beautiful woman from afar, but that I’m always with her and I’ll always be with her. I love you both and I hope that this fighting ceases immediately. Take care of each other. Marshall.”

            Nick folded the letter back into its creases and wiped away the tears that had fallen with his sleeve. Olivia stood speechless with her mouth wide open and Liz looked stunned.

“Thank you Daddy,” Olivia whispered as she closed her eyes and felt the tears cool her flushed cheeks.

Liz pushed past the two of them and left the school and Olivia wrapped Nick in the tightest hold she could manage.

“I swear it’s like he’s still here.”

“He is, darlin’,” Nick said quietly as he stroked Olivia’s long blonde hair.

Mr. Landry had knocked on the door before pushing it open and taking a seat at his desk.

“Mr. Cereno, I’ve got some paperwork for you to fill out and then you can head up and collect the things from your room. Miss Chandler, you can go back to class.”

Olivia had started walking out of the room, feeling more peaceful than she had in a long time before Mr. Landry called out to her.

“Olivia?”

“Yes?”

“Congratulations, to the both of you,” he smiled.