Kaleidoscope

Chapter Fifty-Nine

It was 5:30 in the evening when Brad got the call he had been waiting for. He received an offer from the same hospital in Chicago where Jen worked. He wrestled with wanting to call her but needed this to be in person. In the meantime, she had also been accepted to hospitals in several other cities and was only waiting on Brad to give them answers. She was leaving in two days to go home for the wedding, and she hoped he would get news soon so they would know where they would be living or even if they would be together.

He met her at the airport with a huge bouquet of roses. She threw herself into his arms, almost causing the roses to fall, and kissed him passionately, oblivious to the crowds surrounding them.

"I have missed you so much," she said when she had untangled herself from his arms.

"Not as much as I've missed you," Brad said in reply.

"Oh, are we going to have a competition?"

"Let's call it a tie. Now let's get your luggage. And I hope you've gotten something really special for our honeymoon."

"You'll just have to wait and see," she teased, as he took her bags and headed for the parking garage. They talked non-stop about the wedding, Jen waiting to see if he had any other news to share. She didn't want to ask, knowing he would be disappointed if he hadn't heard from any hospitals yet.

He pulled into her driveway and couldn't keep it to himself any longer. He took her hands in his and said, "I've received an offer."

Jen's eyes bulged waiting for him to continue. I'm going to be working at..." and he paused. Jen punched him in the arm, and he blurted out "your hospital." The scream in the car caused the neighbor watering his lawn to look up in alarm. Jen mouthed, "It's okay," to him and leaned over, taking Brad's face in her hands. Looking deeply into his big brown eyes, she merely said, "I will love you forever, Brad Thornton. Now, take me inside so we can share the news with my mom and Theresa. I know Mom was hoping we'd both end up back here, but I think she'll be happy for us."

Jen climbed the back steps while Brad rolled her suitcases up the ramp. The kitchen was dark with no signs of life. Her mom's car was gone, but Theresa' van was there. She called out, "Hey, Sis," where are you? Where's Danny?"

Theresa came down the hall from her room wondering what all the shouting was about. Danny came bounding down the stairs when he heard all the commotion. He threw his arms around Jen and gave Brad a warm handshake. Kisses were in order from Theresa to both of them.

"So, what's all the excitement about? It can't be that you're that happy to see us."

"Well, I am happy to see both of you, but we have some great news."

"You're pregnant!" said Danny.

Jen punched him in the arm and told him to be quiet.

"No, Brad has some news. I'll let him tell you."

"I got a job at Jen's hospital. We're going to live in Chicago."

Theresa and Danny congratulated them just as Rose walked in the door. She had been working late and wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Jen broke the news and was delighted to see a smile creep across her mom's face. She was truly happy for them. She had a newfound purpose in her life with her new job and no longer depended on her children to make her happy. She could now be happy for them.

"This calls for a celebratory dinner. Call your dad and see if he can meet us someplace."

Jen paused, not sure she heard her mom right. Could something be happening between the two of them? Tom had never been the first name out of Rose's mouth unless she was berating him. Jen took advantage of the situation and called her dad immediately. She told him the news and asked him to meet for dinner. The family of five would be together again—not in therapy.

"Do your parents know, too, Brad?" asked Rose.

"Yes, I told them two days ago."

"What, you knew two days ago and didn't tell me?" Jen exclaimed, her mouth in a pout.

Brad leaned over and kissed away her pout, explaining that he wanted to tell her in person.

Rose called the restaurant and made reservations for 7 o'clock for the seven of them. Danny had called Kim to be a part of the celebration. Once again, Theresa drove with the van, impressing Brad immensely.

Tom was right on time, and he looked exceptionally handsome and happy. He gave both Jen and Brad hugs, and they all went for dinner to celebrate. Tom even ordered champagne for the occasion. Throughout dinner, the girls slipped into wedding talk while the guys talked about jobs, school, golf and all the other manly things men discuss. Rose looked over at her family and felt a deep sense of satisfaction for where they were today compared to two years ago. They had come a long way, but there was still work to be done. She knew she had to come to a decision about Tom and not leave him hanging. They were still going to their sessions with the therapist, and she was learning more and more about herself and her relationship with others. The introspective Rose had finally emerged.

The day of the wedding arrived ushering in a bright blue cloudless sky and temperatures near 70 degrees. The girls all gathered at the Foster house for pictures and then proceeded in a limousine to the church. Rose looked stunning as Mother-of-the-Bride and Tom held back his tears as he walked his oldest child down the aisle. Jen was dazzling and took Brad's breath away. There was a collective, silent gasp when the guests saw Kim come down the aisle followed immediately by Theresa. In matching dresses and hairstyles, they could hardly be told apart. Beauty times two.

The priest met them down at the altar for a beautiful ceremony, while the photographer snapped away. Their album would be a treasure forever of the happiest day of their lives.

At the reception, all eyes were on the bride and groom as they danced their first dance. Then the hankies came out when Jen danced with her dad. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. After dinner, the D.J. cranked out all the wedding favorites, and Jen was shocked to see what a good dancer Brad was. Theresa got out on the dance floor in her wheelchair and rocked to the music with the rest of them. And a few of the young bachelors took notice.

Jen and Brad went upstairs in the reception hall to change into their going away clothes. They had chosen St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands for an abbreviated honeymoon since they each needed to get back to their jobs. They planned to move into Jen's apartment until they could find something a little larger in anticipation of the company they were sure to get now that they were in Chicago.

Danny couldn't take his eyes off Kim the entire reception. He knew he was in love, but wanted to wait until he was absolutely sure of her feelings before he put himself out there. He would let the summer play out to see if she felt the same way before declaring his love for her. But, it would take all the strength he could muster to keep it to himself.