Not long after Lalique and Perry announced their engagement Arlene informed Lalique that she was leaving to go back home to Garden City. She thought it would be just too awkward to live with Lalique. After all Pres Everhart might occasionally show up at Lalique's with his brother. Even if they had mutually agreed that the romance was over, they had not really parted on good terms. Bluewater Village was a very small town and very close to Pleasantview where Pres had rented a small house. All of Pleasantview shopped at Bluewater. It was more than likely she would encounter him while shopping or dining.
Explaining that while she was okay with the breakup now that she realized she and Pres were incompatible, Arlene wanted to start over somewhere else. Besides, Perry and Lalique were going to be married soon and the kids would have two parents to care for them. Alain and Desiree no longer needed the very close supervision they once had with a nanny.
Lalique was actually flabbergasted when Arlene and Pres had called it quits. Right after Arlene first found out Ray's true identity his brother Perry had told Lalique about his undercover work. She had thought Arlene would be overjoyed and things would all work out. Only a week or two later had come their split. When Arlene told her that she just didn't feel the same about Pres Lalique didn't know what to make of it. In her opinion he was the same man and she didn't understand Arlene's quick dismissal of him now that she'd learned he was on the police force instead of being possibly on the wrong side of the law. Lalique knew that she wouldn't blink an eye if Perry were to confess that he was not an attorney but, in fact, his job was shoveling whale poop on the bottom of the ocean. She'd probably just sign herself and the kids up for scuba diving lessons in preparation.
Having grown fond of Pres as Perry's younger brother Lalique felt bad for him. Arlene was adamant though, the relationship was over. She even admitted that, once she'd let Pres know her true feelings, he'd seemed to lose interest in her just as quickly. Shrugging she told Lalique,
"There's someone out there for me, I know it. It just isn't him. I thought he was such a sexy bad boy, so tough and yet soft with me. Instead he's a cop with a conventional life planned. Dull. If he'd stayed undercover it would be different--I could help with his work. But no, he says he'll never do that again, that he hated it. I don't like cops anyway, they always try to give me tickets when I'm not even doing anything wrong."
"Well, he couldn't have done such a good job playing that part unless he had a bit of bad boy down deep. A man shouldn't have to be a felon to attract you, Arlene," Lalique muttered. She knew she should just shut up but, honestly, Arlene's behavior was perplexing to her. How could Lalique have known her all this time, lived in the same house as her, yet not realized that under the soft and sweet persona she projected she was rather insensitive and superficial. It kind of gave Lalique the creeps. Why, she didn't even seem to be grieving about the end of what had been an important relationship for her, but rather she seemed slightly resentful and definitely impatient to move on.
"Oh, well," Lalique thought to herself, "Mom always says it takes all kinds to make a world."
The older twins had been prepared that Arlene would someday be leaving, but now that the time had come, and rather quickly, they were very upset to see her go. She was more like a big sister than a nanny, and they loved her. They were quite tearful, although the little twins didn't really know what was going on, and even Arlene's eyes were moist. After she said her goodbyes, the taxi honked and then, just like that, Arlene walked out of their lives, never once looking back. They did not know if they would ever see her again.
Before Alain and Desiree could cry too much more about the loss of an important and beloved presence in their lives, a week later Perry's parents showed up to stay at their house for a few days. Philip and Rhonda Everhart had planned to stay at a hotel, but Lalique asked them to stay in the guest room (Arlene's old room), so they all could have more time to get to know one another. It would be busy around the Flynn house for the next week or so, but the twins were fast making friends with their new grandparents. Both the senior Everharts seemed to be old hands at dealing with toddlers as well so Lalique and Perry stole some time alone to play a video game and talk.
Perry now took the opportunity to press his advantage in regard to the wedding.
"Honey, with my folks here we could marry now and they could stay with the kids while we go on a short honeymoon," he coaxed, "That way they won't have to go home and then turn around and come back for the wedding in three months. And we'll have them to keep the kids since Arlene is gone. Mom's gone nuts over all four of them."
She didn't give an answer yes or no so he continued to convince her the next day as he prepared the grill for her. There would be a cookout that afternoon.
"We'll see," Lalique smiled as she brought the food out, "You can mention it to them today and see what they think."
Philip and Rhonda were all for his plan--Lalique had to wonder if Perry hadn't been doing a number on them for days whenever she wasn't around. And so it was that in a very few days and with a crazy whirl of activity, they pulled together a very small, casual but lovely wedding. They enjoyed the wedding cake out on the deck in back. Only the kids and Perry's parents were in attendance. Errol and Olivia were on vacation in Cannes, France and Lalique knew Olivia would not be happy that the wedding had gone forth without them. She decided she would deal with that later. The only ones who were as happy as the bride and groom that day were Alain and Desiree. Later Lalique and Perry took a break, while still in their bridal duds, to feed Brett and Noelle and the fond look in Perry's eyes as he attended to Brett made Lalique love the man more than ever.
That night was a quiet evening with the family gathered around, including Rhonda and Philip. After the kids were all safely in bed, the adults enjoyed banana splits and felt no guilt at all. Too much sugar late at night for little ones, right?
When she and Perry retired to their bedroom Lalique felt herself wrapped in a contentment she'd never known before. Except for one small thing. Perry wanted to adopt all four children to give them his name. Lalique had no problem with that. But she knew John Lassiter would never agree to Brett and Noelle being legally Perry's children. For now, she intended to enjoy her honeymoon and think about the rest later. Perry knew she was worried about telling John their plans and his hand closed over hers, so strong and warm.
"Why don't you let me tell him, man to man? John and I have known each other professionally for years. I've even played golf with him from time to time. I think I can get him to be reasonable.
"Ha! Anyway, I can't put it off on you. He'd expect me to tell him myself."
"All right, you can tell him, but I'll come along."
When Lalique still looked unsure Perry said,
"I don't want you dealing with him alone, Lalique. I mean it."
That was his "I have spoken" voice which occasionally irked her but actually this time Lalique found it easy to cave. She didn't really want to be alone with John either, especially not in this case.
"All right, but let's forget about it until we get back from Belle Isle," she smiled.
He kissed her; a quick hard kiss, and then his lips came back gently and lingered a long time before he broke away. Lalique felt breathless, as she always did when he kissed her and Perry raised one eyebrow and smiled,
"Not a problem, Mrs. Everhart."
The newly married couple left the next day for their romantic four day island honeymoon. It was hard for Perry to get away from work right then, but they planned to take a longer trip when the time was right.
Next blog update: The Brothers Everhart - Prince Ch. 13 Pepper and the Women
With Desiree and Alain in grade school, Lalique and Arlene now had the task of helping them with their homework. They took turns so Lalique on this day was coaching Desiree while Arlene was in the twins' bedroom helping Alain. Desiree was an avid bookworm while Alain was the more physically active twin.
Toddlers Brett and Noelle were able to feed themselves once the food was brought to them in their high chairs. They jabbered a lot and when the adults couldn't understand, Alain or Desiree translated.
The day Alain brought home his first A+ report card he exploded into the kitchen to show Lalique, who was properly impressed. Desiree had invited schoolmate Melinda Howard to supper. She was a little jealous and hoped she would receive her first A+ soon. Alain quickly seemed to develop a crush on Melinda, but she seemed oblivious.
The babies had learned to walk and talk but there was so much more to discover. They were both even more active children than their older siblings had been at that age. Each day was a learning adventure so Lalique had re-installed the safety gate at the top of the stairs.
Christabel Smith and Randy Hanzlik were two more children who came over for a play-date which included playing a video game in Lalique's bedroom and a fried chicken supper. When Alain again began to brag during the meal about his exploits on the playground and his talent at games Lalique surmised that he also had a thing for Christabel. At least he was keeping his new found interest in girls universal, rather than specific.
It was late spring and after almost a year of seeing Perry regularly and spending the Christmas holidays together Lalique had to admit to herself that she was crazy for the man. She couldn't decide if she'd fallen in love with him in spite of--or because of--the alpha male aspect of his personality. He could be overwhelming and intoxicating and every day she learned more about him. It only added to her immense admiration and respect for him, not to mention the killer physical attraction she felt whenever she heard his deep voice. Below that naturally arrogant yet charming exterior was a warm, highly intelligent and kindhearted man, not unlike her own father. He was still unfailingly patient and loving with the kids. In fact, he was throwing out little hints now and then that he might ask her to marry him. Lalique decided to go to her mother for counsel.
"Let's go upstairs to Melanie and Gareth's den--it's more private and they're gone for the weekend to Raleigh for an arts seminar at the University. Your father and I are taking care of the children. Monique can play in here with us and Scarlett is still at school," Olivia told her.
Lalique explained that she was unsure what to do about her relationship with Perry.
"Do you believe he is a good man at heart?" Olivia asked. She herself thought he was quite a remarkable man, but she wasn't the one seeing him.
"Oh, yes! Of that I am sure."
"Then do you doubt his love for you?"
Lalique hesitated,
"He takes every opportunity to show me how much he cares and he's supportive and affectionate. It's just...well, I can't help wondering why he chose me."
"What?" Olivia said indignantly rearing up like a defensive mother bear, "Lalique I brought you up to have more self-esteem than that."
Lalique hastened to explain,
"Oh, I know I'm reasonably attractive and intelligent, but I come with so much baggage, Mom, and he's such a "catch", handsome with an important and lucrative job as assistant district attorney. And if he went into private practice he'd be equally successful. He's good at everything and anything; very accomplished. It's not even a struggle for him. So he could have anyone. When we go out I see the women drooling over him even though he pays no attention to them. Some of them are sophisticated society women. I'm thinking that he may want to go further into politics one day, though he says not. In other words he could have a woman with no past to be ashamed of and no children who would be an asset to his career."
"I can't imagine Perry making disparaging remarks, does he say it's important to him to marry the "right woman"? Olivia sounded incredulous.
"Oh, no! He says he knew I was the girl for him from the first time we met and he's always praising me and telling me he's proud to be with me. It's not him, I guess, well, I guess it's me. I love him so much, Mom, but I'm a little worried. I've always been on my own, been responsible for myself. I've been terrified of being hurt, so I was afraid to trust in something that might disappear, scared that I'd become dependent and then go to pieces if things went wrong."
Olivia knew that much of this fear stemmed from the time Lalique's old boyfriend, Devon, took off for New York when his book was published after college. Then when he returned and tried to get back with Lalique she was afraid to trust him. Eventually he married Lalique's old friend and rival, Grace Lassiter. John Lassiter's oldest daughter.
"Is there a problem with you having children that aren't his? Does he hope for a child of his own?"
Lalique shook her head,
"He's wonderful with the kids. And he was told when his wife got sick that he could not father a child, so he's not expecting that. I really wouldn't want another child with the four I have--well, no that's a lie--I'd love to have his child if he was able, but he seems at peace with that."
Olivia put her hand to her daughter's cheek,
"My dear, I can only tell you that which I have learned myself. With love there can be hurt and there definitely is always risk. The trouble is that the pain in love is mixed with the joy and the good. And there is no way to separate them out. You take them both or you get nothing at all.
Life itself is a gamble. I knew when I married your father that the odds were against us considering the way he'd lived his life up to that time, but we persevered. Our marriage has not been without problems, but always the good has outweighed the bad. In the end only you can decide if Perry is worth taking a chance on, it's your decision."
Lalique gratefully hugged her mother and headed to her car, parked in their driveway. As she drove back to Blue Water she mulled over the truth her mother had given her that love didn't promise freedom from all pain. She decided that to back away from Perry would be the stupidest thing she could ever do--and that was saying a lot since she'd done so many dumb things in her time. She didn't want to chalk up another mistake. Besides, she was addicted to him, it was useless to deny it.
Her fears had been allayed by Olivia just in time it seemed because it was a week later that Perry proposed.
"You might as well say yes because you belong to me, honey. I knew you were supposed to be mine from that first night I came here and we argued on the front porch. That's why I kissed you," he grinned confidently.
Lalique had to snicker a bit,
"Perry, honestly you are such a dictatorial, presumptuous, egotistical man--and you get away with murder. I ought to pinch your head off for saying I 'belong' to you when I haven't even answered your proposal. Really, it's a miracle that I love you," and she paused and said more softly, "But I really, really do, my love. So much I can't even tell you. Besides, you're a hottie and you love my kids. So, my answer is yes, I will marry you."
The always calm and controlled Perry put the ring on her finger and rose from one knee. Lalique could feel his heart beating like a trip-hammer when he pulled her up against him and softly kissed her eyes, the tip of her nose and then her mouth.
"I love you, Lalique," he said, "I'm going to make you and the kids so happy and keep you so safe you'll never be sorry. I swear it."
They didn't set a date but she knew he was ready to run off to Vegas with her at the earliest opportunity. They eventually decided a fairly small wedding, mostly just their two families, would be best and Lalique said she needed a couple months to plan it at least. Perry was so pleased with his new fiancee that he refused to argue about how soon it would be. So the plans remained tentative.
