"Surprise!" A chorus of loud, jubilant voices greeted Madeline as she walked into the sunlit expanse of Ken's ceramic-tiled living room,
which was decorated festively with hot pink and red balloons, vivid
arrangements of exotic, tropical flowers and a massive, professionally
made banner bearing the words, "Congratulations, Ken and Madeline."
An awestruck Maddy nearly collapsed into Ken's arms as he
instinctively wrapped them around her waist and kissed her temple.
Scanning the gathered crowd, she noted some familiar faces, including her
beloved nieces and nephews, just before her parents rushed over to
welcome her.
"Oh my God, Mom! Dad! When did you guys get here?" She kissed
and hugged each of them tightly, before her three youngest nieces
squealed for her attention. "My girls!" Maddy exclaimed. "It's so good to
see you!" She knelt down to embrace three year-old Sofia, six year-old
Julianna and eight year-old Alexa. As usual, they looked absolutely
adorable in matching white eyelet dresses with pink sashes and
coordinating sandals.
"We got in this morning," Joseph replied excitedly, "You're good
friend Elyse picked us up at the airport."
"Let me see your ring, honey!" Mom requested happily, before Maddy
held out her left hand. Taking it in her own, Monica gasped with
admiration. "Oh my God, Ken that is positively magnificent! I've never
seen anything like it before!" she complimented.
"Well, nothing but the best for my girl," Ken replied smiling as he
and Maddy exchanged a knowing wink.
"By the way, Mr. Lockheart, I take it you were in on this?" she teased
him.
"Damn right!" he laughed, just as his parents came over to embrace
both of them.
"Congratulations," Paula said. "Madeline, it's a pleasure to welcome
you to the family," she added, pecking her future daughter-in-law on the
cheek, before Carl did the same.
"Oh my gosh, the pleasure is all mine," Maddy assured them.
"And we feel the same about you, Ken," Mrs. Rose stated
affirmatively, reaching up to hug him. "It's been a long, long road, but
we're so pleased that you and Maddy have found your way back to each
other. We're so proud of both of you!"
"Thank you, Mrs. Rose," Ken responded genuinely.
"Hey uh Ken, pretty soon you'll have to get used to calling us Mom
and Dad," Joseph teased.
"That's great with me!" Kenny laughed, just as Bonnie and Brian ran
up and threw their arms around him.
"Daddy!" Their unbridled excitement was evident for all to see as
their father knelt down to talk with them. It warmed Maddy's heart to
witness such a joyful reaction to the news.
And as the moments unfolded, so did endless surprises as Maddy
encountered one beloved family member and friend after the other while
she happily maneuvered through the assembled crowd. Even Elyse had
been stunned by the presence of Lyle and Daphne, who'd rented a minivan,
along with Cassie, her husband, David, and son, Matthew. Though
the seasoned small aircraft pilots would've preferred to have taken a
commercial flight, they'd generously agreed to share the drive and the cost
of the vehicle with the aerophobia sufferers.
The group had arrived on Ken's doorstep late Friday evening, where
they'd hung out unobtrusively, enjoying the pool and easy access to the
beach, while Ken kept Maddy away with tales of work obligations and a
parent-teacher conference at Bonnie's elementary school. Though she'd
thought it strange that such an event would take place on a Friday night, a
trusting Maddy had gone to Baja Café for dinner with an unsuspecting
Elyse and Billy, followed by a movie at the Premier Theater at Muvico
Palace.
Monica had perpetuated the charade as late as that morning, brushing
off Elyse's inquiries with feigned condescension as she fabricated a story
about Lyle and Daphne having to take a Noon flight. Likewise, she'd kept
Maddy's good friend in the dark about Vanessa and the girls, and Vince
and the two boys-all of whom had taken the Noon flight from Philly to
Fort Lauderdale, where Ken had graciously arranged limo pick-up back to
his home. Determined to execute the surprise flawlessly, Mrs. Rose
believed that the fewer people who knew, the better; judging from her
daughter's reaction, her decision had been vindicated. It thrilled her to
witness an elated Maddy interact with her cherished siblings, cousins,
nieces and nephews.
Most importantly, she was overcome with genuine relief and gratitude
for her youngest child's long-awaited engagement and subsequent
marriage to her Prince Charming. As a concerned mother, she'd spent
infinite hours in quiet contemplation in the Church sacristy, praying
earnestly for God to grant Madeline her heart's desire, to send the
absolute right one into her life-a man who would love her
unconditionally, faithfully and eternally.
And God willing, Monica would always add a special plea for her own
health and ability to witness the blessed event before ever joining her
dearly missed sister in the next world. While it saddened her that Maria
wasn't physically present to partake in the festivities for her favorite niece,
she knew beyond a doubt that her presence-along with their mother,
Madeline, and the rest of their departed loved ones, was filling the room
with an undeniable peace and welcome reconciliation.
"Excuse me, everyone," Ken suddenly piped up, clearing his throat.
"Does everybody have a glass of champagne or Asti? I know this is
technically a barbeque but it's still a celebration, and I want to make a
proper toast."
As Maddy walked up beside him, he placed an arm about her.
Looking around the room, she saw a multitude of happy faces beaming
back at them, including Carolyn, Robin, Elyse and Billy, Audrey and her
husband José, Damian and Laura, Greg and Vanessa, Vince and Lori,
Louis and everyone who'd supported, loved and guided her over the
years.
It was especially gratifying to watch all of the kids interact so easily,
welcoming Bonnie and Brian as if they'd always been a part of the family.
The teenaged twins, Tommy and Ava, were immensely enjoying their
roles as unofficial babysitters, happily tending to their two younger
siblings as well as their cousins, both new and familiar.
"A long time ago," Ken began, "I agreed to hang out with a beautiful
woman in a nightclub in Somers Point when she refused to be a fifth
wheel and tag along with two other couples to Atlantic City."
Everyone laughed as Ken kissed her on the forehead. Just prior to the
toast, Mom had relayed Carmen's good wishes; now happily married to
her college sweetheart, she was living in Colorado and unable to join
them, though she planned to come to the wedding. Maddy had noted how
strange and wonderful it was that the most seemingly inconsequential
decisions could have such a dramatic impact; little did she know back then
that one weekend getaway to Ocean City, New Jersey would lead to such
an amazing spiritual journey and the realization of an eternal love.
"Well you all know Madeline," Ken went on, "Nobody makes her do
anything! But lucky for me, she wanted to stay at Key Largo and dance
with me. In fact, if I remember correctly, she basically threatened to leave
if I didn't shut up and dance!" His tone was playful; the appreciative crowd
lapped up the story as they listened with genuine interest.
"That's very true!" Maddy confirmed, smiling.
"But within minutes I realized just how fortunate I'd been to run into
such an incredible woman," Ken continued seriously, turning to gaze into
her eyes for a moment. "And before the night was over, I knew I was
going to marry her eventually, though I have to admit, I didn't think it
would be sixteen years later!"
The room erupted into laughter again as he planted a quick kiss on
her lips. "But I'd do it all again in a heartbeat if it meant arriving at the
same outcome," he added.
"Me, too," Maddy whispered, overcome with emotion. Kenny just
smiled at her as he raised his glass.
"So," he stated exuberantly, "Here's to the priceless gift of second
chances, the power of forgiveness and the grace of God that can conquer
even the most stubborn human flaws. I am so incredibly thankful and
humbled that He's brought Madeline back into my life and given us an
opportunity to begin anew, surrounded by the love of our family and
friends. And I promise all of you right now, I plan to spend the rest of my
days making her happy. For some reason, even though I was unbelievably
dumb in the past, God saw fit to lead us to this place, to bring us back
together. And I will never, never take this precious gift for granted."
Every face in the room was misty as they witnessed a miracle unfold
before their eyes, renewing their faith and filling them with indescribable
joy.