Copyright 2010 by Wren Phoenix

“My sister is not going to believe this.” She looked down at her ring. It was so beautiful, but it was more than just the ring. It was the promise that she truly valued.

“Sometimes I don’t even believe this!” Michael said, chuckling.

“I know! It’s so sudden, but it feels so–right! I know that I was meant to be yours, your wife. It’s like I’ve known it since we first met. How can I feel so sure about this?”

“I don’t know, hon, but I feel it, too.”

Jenny smiled at that, and relaxed in the comfortable seat.

“Maybe we are going too fast. All I know is that you make me feel like I’ve never felt before. You’re fun to be with, you accept me for who I am, and who I want to be, and you face life head on and honestly. You’re truly the man of my dreams, and I’m so afraid that I’ll wake up from this wonderful dream.”

”It’s not a dream, Jenny. I’m so in love with you that I want to post your picture on a bulletin board, just so I can go past and see you looking at me every morning.”

She giggled. “I love you, too.”

“I never want to let you go. Do you really want to stay with your sister, or do you want to come home with me?”

“More than anything, I want to go home with you! I want to be with you always, but Diane might need me to stay with her, so I may have to help her.”

They pulled into her driveway, and once again Michael opened her door and offered his hand. Jenny stood and kissed him soundly.

“This is going to be such fun!” She said, as she stuck her arm in his.

“You’re easy to please, sweetheart.”

“Lucky for you, eh?” They both laughed. As they began to climb the stairs, Jenny’s sister opened the door.

“So, young lady,” Diane said in mock seriousness. “What do you mean coming in this late?”

With her lower lip stuck out and her best “puppy dog” expression on her face, Jenny walked up to her sister.
“Sorry, Mother!”

“Well? What were you-Holy crap, girl! That’s some ring!”

Jenny giggled and blushed as she held out her hand to stare at the ring again. “I know! I couldn’t believe it! I tried to tell him it was the thought that counts, but he said that this should say what he thought of me!”

Diane reached up and kissed Michael on the cheek. “Thank you for making my big sister so happy!”

Michael blushed. “I’ll always try to make my lady happy.”

“And I promise to always do my best to do the same, my love.” She kissed him, again. She turned back to her sister. “Diane, we plan to get married sometime in June, depending on our schedules. I also have a list of available dates for my surgery, and the doctors need to know our plans.”

“Let’s go in and see what the future looks like.”Diane suggested as she shivered. “It’s pretty cold out here.”

“I don’t know,” Michael said, as he cuddled up to Jenny. “I feel quite comfortable.”

Jenny seemed to agree.

“Well, I am freezing my cute little bottom off!” She smiled. “Get in here!”

“Yes, ma’am!” Michael said, laughing.

They hung their coats and went in to the living room. Jenny turned to Michael.

“Excuse me, honey; I need to go change, okay? I’ll be right back.”

“What are you going to change into?”

“Your wife . . . eventually.” She smiled, and kissed him. “Honey, I’ve been in these clothes too long, and I want to get cleaned up. Diane will take care of you, okay?”

“Are you sure? She seems so . . . mean, ya know? Does she bite?” He looked around the corner, smiling.

“Hey, I heard that! And yes, I do!”

Jenny giggled.

“Gulp! Hurry back, you might need to save me!” He kissed her quickly and headed into the living room.

“You’re a big, lovable troublemaker,” Diane said, with a smile. “We’ll get along just fine!”

He chuckled. “Speaking of getting along, I’ve just had an idea. If you aren’t too busy, would you like to come out to my place tomorrow? My father had a large collection of cars and trucks, and Jenny gave me the impression you might be interested in seeing them. I’d also like to get to know my future sister-in-law better.”

She smiled at that. “A bunch of fancy exotic cars, huh? Okay, I’m not doing anything except the last of my homework, and I can do that tonight. Sure, I’d love to!”

“I hate to disappoint you, but my dad collected much less unusual vehicles. There are very few sports cars in the collection.”

“Now you’ve got my interest! I wouldn’t miss it!”

“Great! I have to see what Jenny’s plans are for tonight, so we’ll have to talk to her, okay?”

“Her plans are going to be spending time with you! It’s pretty easy to see that you two are meant for each other in a way I can dream of.”

Sure enough, when Jenny came down, she held a suitcase in front of her.

“Michael, would it bother you if I stayed with you?”

“Bother me? You can always stay at our house, my love.”

“Our house? Do you really mean that?” She looked completely shocked.

“Sweetheart, you’re my fiancée. As far as I am concerned, you could move in anytime. I love you, with all of my heart. Why would I want you to be anywhere else?”

She rushed into his arms. “I don’t deserve anyone as wonderful as you. You’re beyond perfect. I love you so much! I promise, I’ll try to be the best wife that ever was!”

“I just want you to be the best Jenny Tallon there ever was. Everything else will happen as it happens, love.”

“Are you sure you’re an only child? Have you ever considered cloning?” Diane asked.

Jenny held Michael, possessively. “Sorry, sis. Remember two things. One of a kind, and MINE!”

“You’re just a poop, and you never learned how to share, sis.”

“Well, that’s true, I guess.” She stuck her tongue out at her sister, who returned the gesture. Soon they were both giggling like little girls, while Michael chuckled at the fun they were having. How could anyone doubt that Jenny was a woman?

They settled in at the computer. Jenny logged on, while Diane and Michael pulled up chairs from around the table.

“I’ll have to see if I can get a leave of absence. According to my Doctor, I could possibly return to work in 2 weeks, but more likely 3 weeks after surgery. He recommends no sex for at least 6 weeks after surgery. If we want to get married in June, I should have the surgery in mid to late April. Check the list for me Di. What dates are available in April?”

“He had several at the time he made this list, hon.” Diane compared the list to a calendar. “I know you want to be available as long as possible. . . I think you are looking at the last week in April, about 2 months away.”

“All right. At the very latest, I’d like to have the surgery before the tenth of May. If it is that late, the wedding would probably be at the end of June, is that cutting it too close?” The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became. “What if there are complications? Maybe we should plan on the surgery in early April, just in case.”

“How well do you get along with your supervisors?” Michael asked, hoping to calm her. “Do you have someone you get along with particularly well? How badly are they likely to need you? How important are you to them?”

Jenny did relax as she considered his questions. “I get along with everyone just fine, and I think what I should do is talk to my immediate supervisor, and have her verify that my leave would not be a problem. I’m only a first year substitute, so I’m not really very valuable to them, yet.”

“All right, so I think you should talk to your supervisor Monday, and see how he or she reacts. We can start to make plans then. Now, about tomorrow. . . “

“Tomorrow?” Jenny asked. “What’s going on tomorrow?”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Diane over to see the collection, and the house. I thought you might enjoy showing off our home.”

“You make that sound so wonderful! Of course I don’t mind! It could be great fun; I haven’t seen the collection, either. We’ll make a picnic out of it, okay?”

“You want a picnic, in the warehouse. Right, as you wish, Milady.” He made a showy bow.

The ladies giggled. Michael agreed to pick up Diane in the morning, in his Porsche 911. She had never ridden in one before, and was very excited.

Michael put Jenny’s bag in the “trunk” of his car, and then opened the door for her. She gave Diane a kiss, then gracefully got into the car and buckled herself in. Jenny was so excited that the trip to her new “home” passed very quickly.

When they arrived home, Jenny asked Michael where she could put her clothes. They spent a pleasant hour clearing some of the drawers for her and packing some of Michael’s mother’s clothes, then built a fire in the huge fireplace and sat down to relax. He noticed that there was a message on the answering machine. He hit the button, and heard his lawyer, Dave Roberts.

“Michael, a board meeting has been suddenly arranged for Monday afternoon. I’ll be ready for it, but you need to be mentally prepared. Be calm; do not fall for any provocations. I’m sure he will try to antagonize you, but do not respond! Let me handle things, all right? I’ll talk to you Monday morning, have a good weekend.”

“Are you all right?” Jenny asked.

“Yes, this is nothing. I have faith in David, and I know that this will work out.” He smiled, and cuddled up to her. “Hey, sweetie, you wanna neck?”

“No thanks, I’ve got one!” She giggled, and then began to laugh as he tickled her. It quickly became more intimate, and they kissed and hugged each other for some time.

“I want to . . . oh, Michael . . . I . . . I love you, so much! “

“I love you too, but we can’t, yet. I promise, my love, I will love you with all my heart and more, but we have to wait, sweetie.”

“I know,” she said, smiling, but with tears in her eyes. She flopped back on the sofa. “I just can’t believe it! I feel like Cinderella, and my handsome prince is so amazing! It’s almost too good to be true, and-“

He suddenly leaned over and kissed her, with all of his passion. “It’s real, my love. I give you my heart, and all that I am. I love you like no one before. You’re mine, I’m yours, and everything is right for us. I will marry you, and you, my lady, will be my love forever more!”
She looked at him lovingly, her bright blue eyes shining with tears, and he was overcome. He kissed her again, and they knew it would be forever.

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The next morning, Michael showed up at 8AM to pick up Diane. He held open the door for her, and she quickly buckled her seat belt as he walked around and climbed in.

“This is very nice! I love the heated seat!”

Michael chuckled. “If they weren’t heated, I would never have bought the leather seat option. Brrr! Just the thought makes my butt cold!”

Diane giggled. “You’re not like I had imagined you at all. I really thought you would be more stuffy and formal.”

“Oh, I leave him in the closet on weekends.”

Diane laughed.

“You’ve got to remember, I’m just a little older than your sister." Michael said. "I’ve had to do a little bit of growing up since my parents’ plane went down, but being around pretty girls brings out my good side.”

“I can see how that could happen,” she said, pleased that he had called her pretty. Jenny was gorgeous, and the way he grouped the two of them together felt nice.

“Your sister has made me feel good again, Diane. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her. Part of that goes for you, too, my future sister-in —law. If there is anything I can do for you, just ask. I will always do my best to help you.”

“I like that,” Diane admitted. “Unless you know of a part time job, I’m really doing quite well.”

“What do you do?”

“Lately, it’s just school. I want to get my MBA, eventually. That’s still years away. I was working for a temp agency, doing secretarial and receptionist work, but there are so many people out of work, it can be hard to get an assignment that lets me go to school.”

“What’s your GPA?”

“As of now, I think it’s a 3.8 something.”

“That’s damn good, if you’ll pardon my language!”

“Jenny and I have always done very well in school.”

“I knew about Jenny, but I have to admit, I am impressed! Let me do some talking tomorrow. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll do my best!”

“Jenny’s right, you are pretty wonderful.”

“Naah, I just clean up nice. Here we are.” He pulled into the garage and closed the door. The heaters kicked on as soon as the door had fully closed.

“This place is freaking huge!”

“Well, this is just the attached garage. Oh, you meant the house!”

She laughed.

“We’ll need to go out to the warehouse to see the collection. I turned the heat on out there before I left this morning-It is normally off over the weekend. I have two guys who take care of the cars, starting them, keeping them running and such. They only work on Tuesday’s and Thursdays, as they are both retired. I really need to get someone to train with them in case anything should happen.”

“Would you consider a girl?”

“Of course, why would that be a consideration?”

“I think I’d love to try it, if that would be okay?”

“If that is what you want, of course I would be interested. To tell you the truth, I was going to talk to my assistant about creating an internship for you at Tallon, Inc. I am very interested in an MBA candidate with excellent grades!”

“Wow! From nothing to two interesting opportunities in one car trip.” She looked thoughtful. “Do you think I could do both?”

Michael looked surprised. “I truly hadn’t thought about that. I would worry about overloading you. When you can, give me your class schedule, and we’ll talk about it. I’ll see if my executive assistant, Lisa is available, to get her thoughts as well.”

“What in the world is taking you two so long? Your breakfast is getting colder!” Jenny stepped out to hug her sister and gave her fiancée a quick kiss.

They stepped inside, and Michael was surprised. Jenny had been busy, and the kitchen felt “alive”, in a way that it had not since his parents’ passing. There were eggs, bacon and pancakes on the table, along with a jug of orange juice and another of milk. It looked and smelled delicious!

He turned to kiss Jenny, and she kissed him deeply in return.

“Get a room!” Diane said, laughing.

“I . . . have a home,” Michael said, in an exaggerated way that made the ladies laugh. “It hasn’t felt like one for some time, but today, it is wonderful.”

“Are you going to do the ‘little homemaker’ thing, Jenny?”

“As a matter of fact, I don’t plan to, Sis. I have a career, but I thought I’d spoil you two this morning.”

She sat down with a cup of coffee.

“However, understanding that this is going to be a very busy household, I did want to discuss getting a housekeeper, at least part time. This is something that I’ve been thinking about, but I realize that it is very much your decision, Michael.”

“No, sweetie, this is OUR decision. I have no objections to it, though. I do want to make a suggestion, however.”

“Of course, honey. “

“There is an old house in the back that was formerly the servant’s quarters. It’s a very nice little place, and I’m thinking that Diane could move in there, and you two could sell the house in Royal Oak. That way you would both have the privacy you need, but still be close. “

“What a wonderful idea!” Jenny said, as she hugged Michael. Diane immediately wanted to go look at the house.

“How about this.” Michael said. “We’ll bundle up, go look at the house, and then walk on back to the warehouse from there.”

“I’ve got lunch and a blanket packed, so we can relax in the warehouse.” Jenny said.

“Great! Now you need to understand, the servant’s house is closed up, and has no heat. It’ll take a while to get everything turned back on, but you can get an idea of what it is like.”

They walked out to the driveway and proceeded back to the small but cozy little house. As they walked around inside, Diane became very excited.

“Oh, this is so perfect! It’s just the right size for me, and it’s actually closer to school than I was before! This would work out quite well!”

It took a real effort to drag her away to the warehouse, but in the end, it was just too cold to stay in the little house for long. With the promise of warmth, Michael led them to a long brick building with many skylights. They went in and to everyone’s relief, it was comfortably warm inside. There were several cars, and Diane made her way down the row with a happy expression, always talking to the cars as though they were people.

“Oh, look at you! Such a beautiful lady! I can tell you are very special girl,” she said as she stroked an old Willys. It was purple with green flames and a straight axle front suspension that was lifted a bit. The sides had a green and blue logo that declared the car was the “Ballbreaker”.

“Uhm, Jenny, I didn’t realize your sister was a little . . .”

“It’s okay; we all know she’s crazy. She has always loved cars and trucks, even boats and snowmobiles. If it has a motor, she is in love.”

“This could take a while, then. I’m glad you brought food!”

Michael knew he would have enjoyed going through the collection with Jenny, but listening to Diane made it so much more fun. She was just naturally funny, and she made several insightful comments that showed him she really was a car nut. Jenny was really impressed when they found a 1988 AMC Eagle station wagon, similar to hers, and then they found a very rare 1981 Sundancer, an Eagle convertible, and a 1981 Eagle SX4, a small coupe.

Diane was surprised. She hadn’t thought anyone enjoyed the AMC cars. Michael assured her there were several more, as his father had been quite fond of the brand.

“Wait until you see the Pacer.” He had always loved the odd black car, one of his father’s most treasured vehicles. When she saw it, she had to hear it run. It rumbled with muffled menace, and was very intimidating. Michael promised her a chance to actually drive it when the weather improved.

They feasted on a re-warmed bucket of the Colonel’s best fried chicken, biscuits and an assortment of sides. After cleaning up, they headed back to the house and watched some TV by the big fireplace. Jenny sat on the couch with Michael, holding his hand. Diane curled into a large, comfortable recliner and looked around.

“This is such a beautiful place, Michael,” Diane said.

“You have no idea how much more beautiful it is with the two of you here.” He kissed Jenny then turned to Diane. “This place just feels so much more like home, now. I’d really like it if the two of you would seriously consider moving in here with me. Until the little hose is ready house is ready, Diane, there are a great many guest bedrooms here in the main house. You could stay here until spring, and we could open up your place then, if that’s okay with you?”

“Hmm. I can stay by myself in a decent, suburban house, or live in a mansion with my big sister and her fiancée. Wow, tough choice. How about both? We’ll need to get a truck to move out of the old place, and we could take our time, packing and getting ready then.”

“Or I could hire some movers to take care of all that for you,” Michael suggested.

“The only problem with that, Michael, is that there are things we would want to keep separate, special pictures and mementos that we would want to have with us,” Jenny said.

“Well, how about a mix. You go through, pack up clothing and the things you treasure, then we’ll rent a small truck to move that stuff here. Once you are done, we hire movers to get the big stuff and put it in the warehouse, and you could put your place on the market. You don’t need to rush anything, so you could take your time and make sure everything is taken care of.”

“I would want to have everything done before I have my surgery, though.” Jenny said, thoughtfully. “I don’t want to worry about anything like that while I recover.

”Of course not,” Michael agreed. “I don’t want you to worry about it at all.”

“It really wouldn’t take that long to move our personal stuff,” Diane added. “We could do it a bit at a time, forget the small truck, throw our stuff in your Eagle, and by the end of the month, let the movers come in.”

“However you want to do it is fine with me. I just like the idea of having the two of you around. This is so much better than being alone.”

“Michael, you are never really going to be alone again, sweetheart.” Jenny cuddled up even closer to him, and gave him a hug.

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To be continued...