Chapter Thirty-One

Almost a year later

" TRACY, I'D LIKE to know where the hell Jimmy is, " Dana said as she flitted from one end of the restaurant kitchen to the other like a fly trapped in a lampshade. It was a Saturday and Tracy was busy preparing for the commitment ceremony and private party to be held at Café De Marco later that evening for Ridley and Dana. " He should have been here ten minutes ago and he needs to get started on the salads and appetizers."

Tracy stepped in front of Dana and grabbed her shoulders. In a firm, yet controlled voice she said, " I've had just about enough of you. You've got to get out of here before I kill you. Jimmy isn't due for another fifteen minutes and when he does get here I won't have you harassing the poor guy while he's trying to work. A lot of that stuff is already done and we have plenty of time to finish the rest."

" I know, but..."

" Uh-uh, no buts and not another word." Tracy wagged a finger in Dana's face. " You've got nine toes over the line and you'd better get up those stairs before that last toe goes over. And don't let me see your face in this kitchen again. The next time I see you, you'd better be in the restaurant with Ridley. It's going to be a wonderful party and if you're not happy with the way it turns out, you can fire me tomorrow, unless I decide to quit before then."

Dana started to protest, but the look on Tracy's face made her stop. Even though she could see Tracy was dead serious, she laughed to lighten the mood. " See that window? Keep your eye on it and if you see any pigs flying by you'll know you're going to be fired. Of course, if you do decide to quit..."

" Don't tempt me. Now, go and leave me alone or I swear I will quit and I won't wait until tomorrow. I have tons of work to do and you're getting on my last nerve, the one that was frayed when you came down here to pester me." Tracy pointed at the door. " Out with you! "

" All right, I'm going. Did someone put the sign on the door? "

Tracy glared at her. " Dana! For Christ's sake! We're not morons. Everyone knows we're closed tonight. No one has a reservation and the signs been there for weeks. Now, get upstairs and enjoy your special day with that gorgeous girlfriend of yours before I kill you."

" Uh-oh, I can see I've overstayed my welcome." Dana backed out of the kitchen and headed upstairs to her apartment. Tracy was right. She should rest for the big event. As excited as she felt, she had no business getting in Tracy's way or interfering with any of the preparations.

" THERE YOU ARE, my love." Dana found Ridley perched on the edge of the bed. She was surprised to find tears streaming down Ridley's cheeks. She sat close to her. " What's the matter? I haven't seen you cry for ages."

" Your father..." Ridley dried her eyes.

" What did he do? " Dana asked with alarm. " Did he say something? "

" It's not what you think. I'm crying because he made me happy. We were talking and he told me he could see how much we love each other and he... he thanked me for..." Ridley blew her nose. " He thanked me for making you happier than he's ever seen you. He never said a word to me before about us being together and now he went and said something like that."

" Maybe he's coming around after all, " Dana said.

" It seemed hard for him to say."

" It was, believe me." Dana kissed Ridley on the cheek.

" The rest of your family has been wonderful."

" Yeah, we're lucky, aren't we? Speaking of my family, where are they? "

" They were getting antsy so I suggested they go out and walk around South Street. They'll be back in a couple of hours."

" Did your mother call? " Dana asked.

" Yes she did. She and Aunt Jean will be here by five. She said to tell you how much she enjoyed meeting your parents yesterday and she also told me she invited your entire family to the shore next summer. And they said they'd come. And Donna and Wayne want to bring the kids."

" That house won't know what hit it, " Dana remarked.

" And your mother invited my mother to Chicago. It seems they hit it off. They talked about going shopping and to some of the museums and restaurants."

" Are you serious? That's great."

" That's not all. Our mothers were talking about having a big family Thanksgiving next year in Chicago, " Ridley said. " Your mother insisted."

" She loves big family dinners. What did your mother say? "

" She said yes and she seemed overjoyed." Ridley studied Dana with a curious look on her face. " By the way, where have you been? I hope you weren't downstairs bothering Tracy."

" Yes, I was, but she kicked me out." Dana crossed her arms, stuck out her bottom lip and pretended to pout. " I won't go down there, again."

" You'd better not. Just leave her alone."

" You should have seen the look she gave me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead on that kitchen floor right now instead of sitting up here talking to you." Dana's face brightened and she quit the pouting act. " Ridley, honey, the buffet's going to be luscious."

" Of course it will, but you need to stay out of their way and let them do this for you. This is your big day and you aren't in any condition to run the show."

" You're right. I'll behave myself, " Dana promised.

" You don't have to behave in every way." Ridley touched Dana's cheek and fell into those familiar eyes. " I'm sorry we can't be legally married."

" So am I, but that doesn't change what we are to each other. We're married in our hearts and no one can take that away. Besides, I don't think we're going to have to wait that long. The laws are changing and the day is coming when we'll no longer be denied equal rights. I'm sure of it. Until that day, I say to hell with anyone who doesn't like it."

" If the law does change, will you still want to marry me? " Ridley asked.

" You bet, cutie." Dana kissed her.

" Karen's friend is a lesbian and an Episcopal minister. She's hearing our vows tonight and she's giving us a blessing. That has to count for something." Ridley put her arms around Dana and nibbled at her lips while her hand wandered. " I love you with all my heart. I should have had enough of you, but I still want more."

Dana took Ridley's hand and pressed it to her breast. " We don't have time and my family could come barging in on us any minute. That's all my father would need to see."

Ridley nipped at the tender skin on Dana's neck. " Promise you'll make it up to me? I'm available tonight and I've got nothing better to do."

" I'll ignore that last remark and I promise, my love."

" Hey, I almost forgot, " Ridley said, changing the subject. " Your father wanted me to give you a rather strange message. He told me to tell you that you owe him a wedding dance. Does that make any sense to you at all? "

" It does. It makes all the sense in the world."