The Rock Season (29 page)

Stevie

Once Aaron accepted his invalid status and let us take care of him, things were great. For the next month, the boys and I worked on school, they helped their father on the apartment, and I helped Shireen around the house and with cooking. Aaron busied himself with the Internet sales for work, which Schroeder was happy to be through with, and he made good on his promise to help me get my novels out to publishers. He was really getting into it, even doing research on self-publishing.

“Stevie if one of these publishers doesn’t pick up your novels, we are doing this ourselves. I’ll get these babies formatted, we’ll have a professional cover done, and Kindle Direct Publishing here we come!” He was so enthusiastic. It warmed my heart.

Working so closely with Patrick and Peter was wonderful. They were both really bright and liked to argue. We had a lot of fun putting on debates for Government and Economics. Peter was really interested in a career in law, but Patrick wasn’t really sure what he wanted to do. Both of them had applied to UC Berkeley and St. Mary’s in Santa Clara and were anxiously awaiting their results.

“Where would you guys prefer to go,” I asked one afternoon.

They looked at each other and shrugged. “Peter wants to go to St. Mary’s but I really want to go to Berkeley. We figured we’d see where we get accepted and then decide.”

Patrick was looking at his brother with not a little bit of worry. What would they do if they weren’t accepted together?

“Would you go separately?”  

They shrugged. “I guess, if we don’t have a choice we’ll have to.”

I had to think that they’d do well either way. Aaron was hoping they’d go to Berkeley because that’s where he went, but after everything that happened this year, he just wanted them to get accepted.

Shireen and Ryan and the boys met with the D.A. a week before Christmas to give their depositions and prepare for trial. They came home a mess. They were angry and resentful that they were  going through this whole ordeal.

“I just want to get on with my life,” Patrick said.

I could tell he was having a hard time being home schooled. The boys didn’t go out much, except for Peter’s dates with Gretchen. Patrick worked at the store whenever he got a chance, just to get out of the house. They were also worried about how the trial was going to affect their swim season. Tensions were getting higher and Ryan knew that keeping them busy was only half the battle.

One afternoon he asked me to go with him to Home Depot and I knew he wanted to talk.

“Stevie,” he started once we got in his truck. “Do ye think the boys will be able to go back to school at the semester?”  

I pondered how to answer him. “They’ll be completely caught up with their classes. They’re actually ahead of their classmates. At least that’s what Gretchen said when she was over the other day while we were working.”

Ryan thought about that for a minute. “Good. That’s good. I’d really like for our household to have some normalcy, d’ye know what I mean?”  

I laughed. “What’s normal, Ryan? I don’t think you’ll ever have quiet with teenagers in the house.”

“Don’t I know that. It was rough when it was just Aaron! Now with these two! Bloody hell! But Aaron has always been there, thankfully.” He was quiet for a minute. “I’m so glad you’re here for him now, Stevie. He loves ye very much. We all do.”

I felt my cheeks flush. “Thank you, Ryan. I feel blessed that you all have taken me in. And I absolutely adore your son. He’s been very good to me.”

He smiled at that and nodded. “As well he should, love. But ye’ve been just as good for him. He’s been through a lot, had to take on too much, and alone through it all. Until he met ye. He was never unhappy, not really. Just seemed like he wasn’t fulfilled. Now I see him look at ye and he seems like he’s found his peace.”

I thought about that for the rest of that day and the next. I wished I could show him just how much having him in my life meant to me. I asked Shireen what their plans were for Christmas since it was coming up in just five more days.  

“Well, I guess I’ll be cooking a turkey,” she said, laughing. “I’m afraid I’ve been really spoiled with our mothers here. Usually Grandma McShane takes care of Christmas.” She was looking around the kitchen.

“I’d be happy to help, Shireen, if I may be so bold as to invite myself.”

She turned on me. “Oh, Stevie. You are part of this family, girl! Of course we want you here. And I’d love the help.”

We spent some time making plans and I was excited to share them with Aaron. Just then Shireen got a text on her phone and she smiled mischievously.

“Stevie, dear, would you please go tell Aaron what we’ve decided about Christmas? I need to make a couple of calls and I want to know if turkey is ok with him.”

I smiled and gave her a mock salute before going off in search of my savior! I found him sitting in the front room in front of the picture window with his laptop, a place he was most comfortable these days.

“Hey you,” I said, wrapping my arms around his shoulders from the back. He smiled up at me and I kissed him. “Your mom and I were just making plans for Christmas.” He set the computer aside but looked far away. I came around to sit beside him. “What’s going on,” I asked him, quietly.

“I was just sitting here thinking of how glad I am that I see the doctor next week. I can’t wait to get this cast off. There’s so much I need to do. So much I want to do.” He played with my fingers absently. “I want to take you to some shows, I want to take you to dinner, on vacations… I can’t wait to resume our…” He drifted off, smiling at me.

“I want that, too. But just because you have your cast off, doesn’t mean you can go crazy. You’re probably going to need physical therapy and you might have to wear a brace-”

“I don’t care about that. At least I’ll be able to get around. I’m tired of being stuck in this house. I’m not used to all of this time to do nothing, you know? I make things happen, I take care of business. You know what I mean? But at the same time, I feel like this was a blessing.”

 I frowned at him and touched his forehead. “You feeling ok, McShane? This doesn’t sound like-”

“It’s made me slow down and appreciate things. I don’t know that I did that before. And you know what I’ve been most grateful for?” I shook my head, curious for him to go on. “You, love. You being here has given me so much strength. I can’t wait to return the favor.”

 It was then I noticed the wrapping around his chair on the floor. I started to pick it up and he shook his head, holding out a small, red velvet box.

“Leave it. This is for you, Stevie. Happy Birthday.”

My eyes filled with tears as I took the box gently in my hands. I didn’t dare open it. “What is this? How-”

“I’ve been doing a little recon. I remembered that you said you were going to be 28 in a couple of months, but I couldn’t get into your purse to check out your new ID. I texted Maryland and what do you know? She’s just a bounty of information! We’ve been plotting…a little.”

I heard a noise behind me and turned to find the other four McShanes at the doorway smiling as well as Maryland and Mike!

“Well, go ahead, girlfriend! Open the damn box!” I couldn’t see and I was shaking so bad I almost dropped it.

Aaron reached out to steady me with his hand. “Hey, love, it’s ok. Please. Open it.” His smile was nervous but reassuring. I looked around at our witnesses, completely overwhelmed.

McShane

If she didn’t hurry up and open that box I was sure I was going to pass out. I’d been holding on to it for a week or so now and I couldn’t wait any longer. I had planned to take her out after I got my cast off, but I wanted to do it like this. I wanted her to know how serious I was. In front of both of our families, I was going to ask her the most important of questions.

Her delicate fingers finally found the lip of the box, and with shaking hands, she pried it open. Inside the tiny box was the Claddagh my grandfather gave my grandmother. She’d sent it to me from Ireland ‘in case I couldn’t wait until she returned.’ This particular Claddagh was platinum and my grandfather paid a pretty penny for it back in his day. I was hoping this beautiful woman would now wear it for me.

She was gazing at the ring and biting down on her lower lip. I cleared my throat and spoke.

“The Claddagh ring symbolizes love, friendship, and loyalty; three things you have shown me in the time you’ve been in my life. The tradition of the Claddagh ring is that a young woman who is single would wear it on her right hand with the tip of the heart towards her fingers. If she were in a relationship, she would point the heart towards her wrist. If she were to become engaged to be married, the ring would then be moved to the left hand and the heart would be pointed toward the fingers. When she and her husband shared their vows, tradition says that he would then turn the ring so that the heart would point towards her heart forevermore. Stevie, love, I would very much like you to marry me, but I will leave it up to you how you would like to wear the ring.”

Her eyes were wide as she looked up at me and then back down at the ring. “But Aaron, this is your grandmother’s ring-”

“And she sent it to me for this express purpose. I love you, Stevie Nann Wilson. Will you agree to become my bride? Or at least take this ring as my promise to you that one day I will make you my bride?”

I heard hushed tones coming from behind me, but the sound of my heart pounding was all I could focus on. That and the way the sunlight danced in Stevie’s hair through the window. It reminded me of the time we had our first conversation together. When she’d given me her name and completely stolen my heart, which now pounded out of control in anticipation of her answer.

Stevie slowly took the ring from the box and held it up close. She studied it with love and adoration, and then turned those both on me. I couldn’t breathe, let alone speak. Would she accept me and my crazy life, or would she-

Stevie slid the ring on her left ring finger, the heart pointed toward her fingers. She moved closer to the chair I was sitting in so I could lean forward and take her hands in mine.

“This way you can still run for the hills,” she whispered. “Well, once you get your cast off.”

I couldn’t laugh. I had to know.

“Does this mean… Will you please marry me, Stevie? Please?”

She burst into happy tears and threw her arms around my neck. Shouts erupted from the crowd that had now grown to include Schroeder and Callie. I held onto Stevie with all I had as she whispered, “Yes, Aaron! Yes, I will marry you! I love you,” against my ear. I pulled back and kissed her with all the emotion I had been holding back because I was afraid she’d, I don’t know. Run? Say no? But she didn’t. She loved me and had just consented to be my bride!

Soon we were engulfed in hugs and congratulations. My mom held onto Stevie the longest, weeping tears of joy.

“Stevie, we love you so much! I’m so pleased.”

Pops hugged her, too, followed by my brothers and Schroeder. Maryland and Mike made their way over to me. I shook his hand and fist-bumped Maryland.

“Nice work, McShane,” she muttered.

“Thanks. And thank you for being here. I couldn’t think of a better birthday present for her.”

My family finally let go of Stevie so she could tackle her best friend on the couch. I wanted to keep her in my sight, but I was quickly surrounded.

“Nice work, son,” Pops said as he clapped me on the back. “Always did like a proposal given on bended knee, but in yer case, I think ye pulled it off like a champ.”

I rolled my eyes and accepted his handshake. “Thanks, Pops.”

Dinner that night was the rowdiest yet! Maryland and my father hit it off nicely and the boys had lots of questions for Mike about his BMW. Since working on Stevie’s car, they’d become very interested in cars and were even talking about what they wanted after college. Mike was also giving them the scoop on St. Mary’s, where he’d gone to college. He’d already been attending when he and Maryland got married and he worked his way through school. He and I had a lot in common as far as my previous career was concerned. He’d been involved with several start-ups and had made a bundle before the market took a dive.

But nothing was more precious to me that night than watching my incredible fiancé as she sat with her chair as close to me as possible and never stopped touching me. I held her left hand in mine and admired the way the ring looked as though it was made just for her. She caught me staring several times and her smile was blinding. One of the times she leaned over and whispered to me, “I really can’t wait to get you alone. I love you, baby. Thank you. Thank you for giving me the greatest gift I’ve ever known, and I’m not talking about the ring.” She kissed my cheek and then sat back and took a sip of her diet coke.

“Well, you two obviously have a lot to discuss,” Pops said with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, we’ll hold off the grandmothers as long as we can to give ye both time to plan how ye’d like to proceed. Just know that whatever ye decide will be fine with us. And I mean whatever.”

I remembered what Pops had told me a while back, that he was fine if we eloped. I didn’t care if we got married by the Flying Elvises. I just wanted to make this amazing woman mine for life.

Stevie must have sensed what I was feeling because she gave my hand a squeeze. Then it was time for cake. Mom baked a lemon cake for Stevie. I discovered during my collusion with Maryland that lemon was her favorite.

When Stevie started to protest my new ally, I simply said, “I have two words for you…  Apartment Construction!”

She pressed her lips together and blushed, that lovely blush that spread so...

Stevie

After my delicious cake, the party moved to the living room where Maryland gave me some things she’d picked up in Alaska. We hugged and I got a little emotional.

“I really missed you! I can’t believe you are here,” I said to Maryland through my tears. I didn’t think I was ever going to stop crying, but these today were all happy tears. Maryland being here when Aaron proposed to me made this the best birthday ever. There was just one thing missing. Or one person, I should say.