A Christmas Memory

Chapter 14

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Jason pulled the car up to the curb in front of the tall building on the street that they both knew so well.  Jason helped Courtney out of the car, and held the door to the building open for her.  She led the way to the staircase.  "I could walk this blindfolded," she said as she grabbed his hand behind her and led him up the rest of the stairs, knowing what was coming, but not sure of what to expect.  She stopped him at the landing on their floor.  "Just what, may I ask, are you planning here?"  

Jason pushed past her but continued to hold her hand as he led her down the hallway to their loft.  "Courtney, we're not even two seconds away, and you can't just wait?"  They stopped in front of the door to the loft and Jason opened it slowly.  The door opened all the way to a beautifully set up cande-lit dinner for two.  Soft music came through the speakers.

"Jason, you...oh, my gosh."  Courtney was in awe that Jason would think of such a romantic thing to do, but then again, he always surprised her.  Jason handed her a red rose and helped her into her chair then sat down himself.  Almost automatically, the door to the loft opened and a man dressed in a white chef's coat placed two dinner trays in front of them.

"Thank you, James."  Jason opened both of the trays as James left the loft.  The dinner was their favorite - chicken pot pie.  Courtney smiled.

"Thank you so much, Jason - you really thought of everything!  This is an even better surprise than I thought," she leaned over the table and kissed him.  They both enjoyed their dinner, and right when they were through, James walked back in and cleared the trays away, bring in new ones, which Courtney guessed were dessert.  Jason lifted her tray and she gasped.

"It's beautiful!!"  Courtney picked up the small silver ring - a red ruby with three diamonds on each side.  "Oh, my--!!"  Jason smiled at her obvious delight.  She jumped up from the table and threw her hands around his neck.  "You are the best husband ever.  Thank you so much."  She leaned down and kissed him passionately.  "Will you please put it on?"

"Sure," Jason replied.  He slipped it on her finger, and it looked beautiful with her engagement ring and wedding band.  "Hey, if this is how you're going to react every time I give you jewelry, I could get used to this!"  They laughed as he pulled her in for another long kiss.

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After they had finished the dessert that James had set in front of them, Jason stood up from his chair as Courtney's favorite slow song came on.  "Mrs. Morgan," he put his hand out for her.  "Could I please have the honor of dancing with you?"

Courtney laughed and placed her hand in his.  "Of course you can."  

They danced for many songs, and didn't even realize that Courtney's phone was ringing.  She started to pull away when Jason pulled her back.  "Come on, do we have to?  Tonight?"

Courtney nodded but then thought of something.  "It could be about Caroline."  She ran over to the phone.

"Hello?"  She gave Jason a sorrowful glance, but it turned into horror as she stared straight ahead in disbelief.

"She's GONE?"