Cry, my beloved people

Yes and yes Part 107

"Here they are,"  Tracey said as Linette and Gregory entered the living room at Theresa's house.

"He's a jolly good fellow, he's a jolly good fellow......"  Donavan started and the rest fell in to form the choir.

"Congrats!  Donavan said, shaking Gregory's hand.

"Awe, let me see your ring!"  Anne cried.

"It's awesome!"  Theresa exclaimed.

Tracey gave Linette a side hug.  "I'm so glad for you, you are such a great couple."

"That's no lie, it's awesome!"  Christa said and hugged Linette.

"I would like to know who the next couple will be to get engaged,"  Bruce said with a lifted brow.

Everyone looked at the group of men, waiting for an answer.

"Probably you," Linette laughed.

"The music is so nice, let's dance."  Gregory said, taking Linette's hand when "Take a chance on me," started to play.

"You're sleeping here tonight,"  Paul said when the rest of the guests left.

"Thank you, that was awesome, you organized your own surprise party."  Gregory laughed.

"Well, somebody has to congratulate the lucky couple on their engagement.  What better way to share it with your best friends."  Theresa said with a huge smile.

"Thank you so much," Linette smiled.  "You are the best," then she hugged both of them.

"We can see my dad tomorrow at ten."  Linette texted Gregory on Monday night.

"I'll be at your place at nine,"  Gregory answered.

"Are you nervous?"  She asked when he arrived.

"Yea, I'm not sure what to expect.  I'm going to ask him to marry his daughter, luckily he can't kill me."

"That wasn't supposed to be a joke, was it?"

"Not really, but it's kind of ironic, I think it'll work out just fine.  We're taking a positive step, don't we?"

"That's true."  She said with a nervous smile.

His hands were folded on the desk in front of him.  His hair was greying on the sides.  There was a trellis window between them, but both of them recognized the sparkle in his grey-blue eyes when he saw his daughter: "Linette!"  He cried, "I'm so glad to see you."  Then his eyes filled with tears.

"Dad!"  Linette cried as her eyes became blurry with tears.  Gregory side hugged her and held her for a moment.  "Dad, this is my boyfriend Gregory, he was there for me all the time.  He helped me when I thought I had no hope and gave a new purpose to my life."

"Please  to meet you Gregory, and thank you for being there for my daughter."  He said, wiping his tears with his handkerchief."

"How are you doing dad?"  Linette asked.

"I'm good since I started reading the Bible and talking to my friends here, I found that even when you think things are really bad, there is some hope on the horizon.  Look at you, you turned into a beautiful woman and you've got a good looking and supporting boyfriend at your side. That is something to be grateful for."

"I am grateful for that."  She smiled at Gregory and gave him a sideways hug.

"I know it's a lot to ask, but do you think you will ever be able to forgive me?" He asked.

"Yes."  She said swallowing at a lump in her throat, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Thank you."  He said, wiping the tears with his handkerchief.  "I love you.  Gregory, please promise me you will take good care of her.  She is all that I have left."

"I will." Gregory said,  "and I would like to marry her if I can get your consent."

"That's a surprise, what can I say, you took good care of her for two years already, so I suppose it has to be - yes."

"Thank you, it will be my pleasure to take care of her because I love her." Gregory smiled.

"And I love him more," Linette said with a grateful smile.

                                                                     THE END