Chapter 23
It was the night of the party and there was a sense of excitement permeating throughout the house. Miriam was true to her word. She’d found Vicky a fabulous gown and had her own personal beauty team on hand to help with her hair and makeup. Vicky was a little uncomfortable with Miriam spending so much money on her but Miriam had told her she got more benefit out of it than anyone since she’d always wanted to have a daughter but was unable to conceive after Jason. This gave her an opportunity to fawn all over her and live out a dream she never thought she’d be able to live out. Miriam had also hired a nanny to come over to the house to watch Angel so that Vicky wouldn’t worry about her and have a good time. There was knock on the Vicky’s door. There was just a makeup artist helping Vicky apply final touches. Vicky politely excused herself for a moment to answer the door. When she opened it there stood John Rutherford. Vicky hadn’t seen him since they’d gotten in from the airport. “May I come in?” Vicky nervously stepped aside to allow John to come into her room. “I can understand why my son is so smitten with you. You look extraordinary.” Vicky smiled and nervously bit her lower lip “Flattery will get you everywhere Mr. Rutherford”. “Well, I’m hopeful that it does at least with you tonight. Otherwise, Jason may kill me. I won’t say that you and Jason weren’t a shock because it was a shock. I’m sure you are aware that just a few short weeks prior to meeting you we thought Jason’s life was going to take a different path. I’m not a man who likes change very much and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this one. I also don’t know how much of the conversation you heard that night but there are some things you need to know. First, I’ve had a background check done on you as I do anyone who comes into my life or of those that I love. Honestly, I was pretty impressed with what I found. You haven’t had the best hand dealt to you but you seem to have made the best of it. Angel is a prime example of that let me tell you. That little girl has stolen my heart. Second, I don’t give a damn about your pedigree. What I do give a damn about is that you make Jason happy. It seems like since he met you that you’ve done a good job of making him happy until the night you left. He’s been miserable and making everyone around him miserable too. Since I’m being honest, there will be people who think you aren’t good enough, there will be people who will question your motives, and yes, there will also be people who won’t approve that you are a black woman. Make no mistake if you and Jason decide to do this it won’t be easy. He may lose friends and business acquaintances over it. However, I’ve always taught Jason to do what he feels is right. If you are his 'Ms. Right' then so be it. Jason and I may fight….” John now turned to look directly into Vicky’s eyes then smiled at her. We may even fight a lot but we are Rutherford men. We take care of our own. And it seems like that now includes you and Angel”. He walked up even closer to Vicky, then bent over and kissed her on the cheek.” Mr. Rutherford then stepped back and pulled a small black velvet box out of his inside tuxedo jacket. He handed it to Vicky “Please open it. Consider it a peace offering.” Vicky looked curiously at the black velvet box then back at Mr. Rutherford. When she opened the box there was a beautiful platinum and diamond necklace with matching earrings. Vicky had to cover her hand with her mouth to keep from screaming. “Oh my goodness, Mr. Rutherford this is too expensive there is no way I could accept this from you”. John took the necklace out of the box and began to put it on Vicky. “You can and you will”. After he fastened the necklace around her neck he kissed her again on the other cheek. “Now, I have a date with the most beautiful woman in the world. I’ll see you at the party”. And with that Mr. Rutherford was gone. Vicky sat starring in the mirror for several more minutes wondering maybe just maybe some fairy tales do come true. She was starting to believe that maybe they do.
Vicky hadn’t realized that the makeup artist was still in the room until she asked if she’d like her to finish touching her up. Vicky nodded. She wanted to look her very best for Jason and she wanted to make him proud.
Chapter 24
Jason made it to the party. If it had not been his parent’s anniversary party he would have tried to figure out a way to skip it. Celebrating marital bliss
