It was Christmas Eve. Although Victoria had been to the hospital numerous times after the first visit, she insisted that she must go and see his parents. They were expecting her with open arms and a healthy body. Well one for two isn’t bad, is it?
“Something doesn’t feel right about this trip. Are you sure you’re okay to go Victoria?” Lance asked her.
“Yes, I am. I am looking forward to seeing your parents again.” Victoria said.
“I’m sure they’ll be just as excited to see you.” Lance said.
“Is everything packed in the car and ready to go?” Victoria asked him.
“Yeah, I believe so.” Lance said glancing at a box on the table.
“What’s that?” Victoria asked referring to the box.
“Oh, it’s just a little something I picked up.” Lance said putting it gently in his suitcase.
“For me?” Victoria assumingly asked.
“Maybe.” Lance smiled.
“You know I hate to wait.” Victoria said impatiently.
“You’ll just have to. Unfortunately for you my dear, I am.” Lance said as they walked out the door.
“Hey Brooke.” Victoria said passing her in the hallway. Brooke grabbed Victoria’s arm and dragged her into the ladies room.
“Don’t worry Lance, we’ll be right out!” Brooke said.
“Ugh! What was that for Brooke?” Victoria asked her.
“I’m assuming you haven’t told Lance.” Brooke asked.
“Well…” Victoria started.
“I take that as a no. When are you?” Brooke asked her.
“When the time is right.” Victoria said reaching for the door.
“When you’re on your death bed and there’s no cure?” Brooke asked.
“Don’t even start. I know I should have told him weeks ago. Every time I try we get interrupted and I look into those beautiful green eyes and I chicken out.” Victoria said nervously awaiting for Brooke to slap her. But she didn’t. Brooke knew that guilt was bad enough that a slap was too much for her to handle.
“You better tell him soon or will Victoria Lynne Monroe.” Brooke said.
“Don’t worry, he will know before Christmas is over.” Victoria said confidently. Those were the truest words spoken.
“Ready?” Lance asked when Victoria got into the jeep.
“Yeah, just a little girl talk. That’s all.” Victoria said smiling.
“Girl Talk? That lasts for twenty minutes?” Lance questioned her.
“You know us girls. Gossip, Gossip, Gossip!” Victoria said.
“Just remember, there isn’t going to be any snow in Mississippi, well the part where I’m from there isn’t.” Lance said.
“Aww. No snow on Christmas. What a bummer.” Victoria said.
“Well some us don’t get to live in Connecticut where it snows during summer.” Lance said playfully.
“It doesn’t snow in the summer. We just get a few flurries is all.” Victoria said timidly.
“A few here and few there, and soon you know it’s a blizzard.” Lance said.
“I’ll be so glad when Victoria gets here. I’ve missed her so much.” Stacy said excitedly.
“You really do like Victoria don’t you?” Diane asked her.
“Yeah. Why shouldn’t I? We’re about to become sisters.” Stacy said.
“Excuse me?” Diane asked and Jim walked into the room.
“Well last night when I called Lance he sounded really happy about something. He told me that he was planning to propose to Victoria on Christmas Eve night when everyone’s asleep.” Stacy said happily.
“That’s so great.” Diane said.
“But knowing Lance, he probably won’t wait until Christmas Eve night.” Jim said setting the table.
“They’re here.” Madison said walking towards the window.
“Remember, no one tell a word about the proposal.” Stacy said. Everyone looked at her knowing that Stacy couldn’t keep a secret for her life and she was telling everyone else to keep one.
“Hi everyone.” Victoria said carrying a few Christmas presents.
“Hey sweetheart. It’s so good that you’re back home… I mean here again.” Diane said. Lance glared at Stacy as if she told the family what she had promised to keep secret.
“How are classes going?” Jim asked them.
“We just finished our final exams for this semester. We’re here until the first week of January.” Lance said.
“Hi uncle Lance.” Beth said.
“Hey munchkin.” Lance said picking up her.
“Elizabeth! You know that Lance has had a long trip and doesn’t need to be lifting you up and down all night.” Madison said to her daughter.
“How’s Tom?” Lance asked. Tom was Madison’s husband until the beginning of last year when she had Tom leave the house when she found out that he had cheated on her.
“Tom and I are divorced. It’s best for the both of us. Beth knows about it, but I really don’t think she understands it though. It’s better this way so Beth won’t remember a lot of the pain that her parents went through.” Madison said.
“Are you still living at the house?” Lance asked.
“No, we both decided to sell the house. I’m living in a smaller house about ten minutes from here.” Madison said smiling.
“Do mom and dad know?” Lance asked.
“They know that Tom and I had separated, but as far as divorce, nothing has been said. Tom and I are waiting until after Christmas to tell that the marriage is over and we are going our separate ways.” Madison said.
“Hey Lance and Madison. What’s the big secret about?” Stacy asked them considering they were whispering to each other for ten minutes.
“Nothing.” Lance said as they walked to the living room.
“Victoria. Is everything going well with your writing?” Diane asked. They were all sitting down in the living room discussing what they had accomplished in the past year. It was an annual tradition for the Bass family since the year was ending in just a short few weeks.
“I am working on a book right now. It’s about adult issues involving very young teenagers. Tips in the book to help a mother and a father communicate with their children.” Victoria said.
“Lance, have you been doing any special projects that you haven’t told us about?” Diane asked.
“No, not really. Just working on getting a college degree right now.” Lance said. Then everyone explained what he or she had done, so on and so on.
“Where is everyone?” Victoria said coming down to the living room planning to read in front of the fire.
“They all went out to see a movie.” Lance said.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have loved to go.” Victoria said.
“I wanted us to have some privacy before we leave next week.” Lance said holding her hand.
“Lance? What’s going on?” Victoria asked when Lance started gently kissing her neck.
“I want to make love to you.” Lance said.
“In your parents house? I know your parents are okay with it, but I’m not.” Victoria said.
“Can I ask you something first?” Lance asked her.
“Of course.” Victoria said. Lance pulled out the box that Victoria had pointed to before they left. Lance opened the box up to her face and it was a beautiful engagement ring.
“Victoria Lynne Monroe. Will you marry me?” Lance asked her. Victoria was speechless. No words came to mind except…
“Yes!” Victoria said smiling. Lance slipped the ring onto her finger and she wanted to cry. Lance couldn’t find out about Victoria’s secret now, it would kill him. But if she doesn’t tell him soon, it might kill her first.
“What’s wrong?” Lance asked Victoria when she started breathing heavily like the times she had before.
“I…can’t…breathe!” Victoria said with her voice cracking and barely able to get a word out. Lance soon called the hospital and sat with Victoria until the ambulance arrived.
“Do you need anything? Water or a wet rag?” Lance asked her. She shook her head no. Victoria was getting very week to the point of not being able to keep her eyes open. When the ambulance arrived, Victoria was barely breathing and her eyes were shut tight. Lance was scared that the one woman he loved the most was about to leave him. But Victoria was strong and independent. She has been strong all her life. Why would this be anything struggle on her independency now? Numerous thoughts began rushing through Lance’s head. ‘What made her get like this’? Lance thought to himself. He asked that question in his head over and over again. But no conclusion came to him.
“You can ride in the ambulance if you like sir. But we really must be going.” The paramedic said. Lance jotted down a note and put it by the phone. He then rushed to the ambulance to be with Victoria.
Chapter 6
Chapter 8
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