The lake house - Part 5

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Chris showed up a few hours later to help finalize the setup. He was utterly surprised to see Kathy there with detective Hanson. Kathy introduced James as her friend, and Chris immediately realized what was going on there. No wonder Kathy had been so scarce. He could clearly see by the way they spoke to each other that they were more than friends.  

He was happy for her. Although Kathy and Chris were very close, they each had their own lives to live. He and Sandy had been married for nearly ten years, and Kathy had become such a part of their lives. Kathy hadn't been in a proper relationship since he'd known her and frankly it never bothered him. He was her business partner and Sandy was quite happy with that. Sandy was not the jealous type and she knew they had become like brother and sister. 

The lake house looked absolutely stunning when they were completely done. The house seemed so open and friendly and the interior were rustic and fit in with the environment perfectly. Chris proudly put up the FOR SALE sign in front of the house, and they all drank a glass of champagne on the finished house. 

Even if Chris had to say it himself, this house was one of the best projects he had worked on, and he himself wouldn't mind buying the house.  He didn't care if King George himself was murdered here.  

The estate agent showed up a few minutes later and she expected quite a few people to the open house. She had not seen the finished product and assured them that they did a brilliant job. 

James helped Chris to set up the wooden bench under the tree, and Kathy had her own little ceremony there for Susan. It was quite sad, and Kathy felt more attached to this house than any other house before. After they were done, all three of them packed up to leave, because they never attended the open houses.  James went back inside to have one last look and to speak to the Estate agent. 

While they waited for James, Kathy congratulated Chris on a job well done, and he invited her and James for dinner that evening. She told him that she would ask James and let him know. He gave her a brotherly hug and whispered in her ear that he wished everything will work out for her. 

James gave his details to the estate agent and he put in an offer on the house. It was worth a try and he didn't really have anything to lose.  James and Kathy left shortly after and he didn't tell her anything. She asked him about dinner and he gladly accepted.  He would really like to get to know Kathy's friends, seeing that he was becoming part of her life very quickly. 

They left for dinner just after six and met Chris and Sandy at the Mariner restaurant. It was Kathy's favorite and she and Chris often ate there for lunch. Kathy introduced James to Sandy and even Sandy was impressed. They had a lovely time and Kathy and Sandy laughed more than eating. Chris and James got along great, and he fit right into their little family.  Halfway through dinner, James's phone rang and he excused himself. Kathy was used to it and explained that it was probably work.  

James came back a few minutes later looking rather happy, but didn't say a word. Kathy didn't want to ask what the call was about, and assumed that it was about a case he had been working on. They finished their dinner, and greeted each other like old friends after which they all went in their different directions. 

Kathy was a little tipsy and invited James to come home with her. His whole being screamed to enter the house with her, but instead he held back.  He kissed her on the cheek, thanked her for the evening and used work as an excuse not to stay over. Kathy understood although she felt a little rejected.  He promised her that they could spend the weekend together and she giggled when she closed the door behind her. 

James had a lot to do the following day. He went to work early and after finishing off a few things, he drove straight to the estate agent. She had quite a few offers on the lake house yesterday, but James won the bid. He signed the paperwork, and felt like he could jump through the roof when she phoned him a few hours later to tell him that Kathy accepted the offer and that his loan was approved. 

He phoned Kathy and she sounded upset that the lake house was sold. She told him that she secretly hoped that it wouldn't because she loved the place and he assured her that there would be other houses. He told her that he would pick her up that evening and that they were going away for the weekend.  Kathy was quite surprised with the romantic tone in his voice, and even though he didn't tell her where they were going, she didn't really care. As long as she was with James, she felt safe. 

James bought some steaks to grill that evening and enough ingredients to keep them alive through the weekend.  He packed his car and just after six he stopped to pick up Kathy.  He kissed her and asked if he could blindfold her because he wanted their location to be a surprise.  She laughed and felt very aroused at the gesture. In her heart she was sure that James was the right man for her and she knew that her father would have approved.  

They drove towards the lake house, and about ten miles out, James asked her to put on her blindfold. He wanted this to knock her off her feet and he was sure it would. He wanted this night to be special, and he spent the whole afternoon to get everything ready.  He put up fairy lights on the deck and it looked stunning.  

He parked the car and took Kathy around the house onto the deck. She felt very special and no one has ever treated her this way. 

She started crying the second he removed her blindfold. She was overwhelmed and in his arms in a matter of seconds. 

"How did this happen?" she asked through the tears.  He told her everything, and she kissed him before he even finished speaking. 

They had an awesome weekend and on Saturday night while they lay in bed, James asked her to marry him. She was in his arms before she could answer and he just assumed that it was a yes. 

She phoned Chris the next morning to tell him the news, and he was overjoyed for her. He was astonished with the news that she was getting married, but even more when she told him that James had bought the lake house. 

She invited them all for lunch and Sandy was overjoyed to finally see the house. 

They had a wonderful afternoon and had the whole wedding planned at the end of the day.  There was no reason to wait, and they decided that they would get married exactly three months from this date. 

Kathy wanted a small affair, and didn't want anyone else invited except her closest friends and James's family members.  Sandy promised to help her find a dress and a venue, but Kathy wanted to get married right here at the lake house.  

This lake house had brought her more love and affection than any other house ever did and there was no other place in the world where she would rather be. 

It was a beautiful ceremony and six months later Kathy announced unexpectedly that she was pregnant. They were expecting a little girl and she wanted to name her Susan.  

Susan played a bigger part in their lives than they ever expected and her memory would live on forever. 

-The end-