Page 75 of More than a Memory

Darcy had opted to wear a mid-thigh beige sweater dress that hugged her body and brown leather boots with a chunky high heel that came just above the knee. She wore her hair loose and had added a bright pink lip and dark eyeshadow. Her large gold hoop earrings sparkled and contrasted strikingly against her red hair. Her injuries had completely healed, leaving no visible signs of her harrowing rescue.

Annie and Darcy donned their coats and headed out into the cold night. They were the first to arrive and were seated at a large high table with bar stools, which could seat up to eight. Soon after, Sam and his family entered, and as soon as he spotted Darcy his face lit up with pleasure. Reaching her side, he plopped down on the stool next to her, slinging his arm across her shoulders as he kissed her on the lips.

“Hey beautiful,” he said in a husky voice.

“I thought you’d never get here,” she teased.

“Really? Are we late?”

“Don’t listen to her, we just got here ourselves,” Annie chimed in.

The waitress arrived with menus, then took their drink orders and left them to peruse the food selections. After the waitress returned with their drinks, Darcy said “I would like to make a toast. Here’s to Sam, the love of my life, who, by the grace of God, is healing, healthy, and getting stronger every day. And did I mention that he is all mine!?”

A chorus of cheers and the sound of clinking glasses ensued.

Sam then spoke. “And I have a toast of my own. To my incredible family and extended family, and to this wild, magnificent creature sitting next to me that I get to call my girl, thank you for everything. My life would be barren without you all!”

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a tiny black velvet jeweler’s box, causing Darcy’s jaw to drop.

“Now, I have an announcement to make. Darcy has agreed to marry me, and I’ve been waiting to make it official at a time I could share it with all of you,” he said, opening the box to reveal a beautiful gold ring with a sparkling brown oval diamond in the center, encircled by smaller clear diamonds, with a diamond-encrusted gold band.

“I’m speechless! It is so beautiful, Sam,” Darcy said, holding out her right hand so he could slip the ring on to her finger while wiping her eyes with her other hand.

“Welcome to our family!” Casey said joyously.

“Now I can call you Aunt Darcy,” Clare added. “Are you guys going to have babies?” she asked innocently.

“Clare!” Casey admonished, her cheeks turning pink.

“What? I was just going to volunteer to babysit!” she replied.

Everyone laughed, with Sam sharing that they were hoping to add to the Parker/Morgan clan for sure and that they would be thrilled if she would be their babysitter.

They all enjoyed the ease of being with trusted friends and family and took great comfort in being together. As Sam looked at the faces of those sitting around him, who would always have his back, who loved him unconditionally, he felt such gratitude in his heart. The only person missing tonight to complete the circle was his best friend Gabe.

“I propose another toast: To my comrade who could not be with us tonight due to the fact that he is presently sacrificing himself to all the adoring women throwing themselves at him the entire evening. Here’s to Gabe!”

Everyone laughed and raised their glasses and had a drink in his honor.

* * *

The following Monday morning, Darcy was busy tying up loose ends and filing reports. She was required to submit to the FBI all documents and files that she had made on the Cohen case. She would more than likely be called in to testify as well. She was currently working on just that, organizing and clarifying details in her records so that it made sense to anyone else reading it.

A warrant had been issued for Conrad Cohen, and he was charged with conspiring to steal trade secrets. The prints Darcy had lifted from Liam’s house had produced a match to Cohen’s hired henchmen, so Cohen was also charged with contracting a murder for hire and obstruction of justice. He was taken into custody but had paid the million-dollar bail that had been set and was out awaiting trial. He had entered a not guilty plea. No surprise there, thought Darcy.

She was so engrossed in her work that she was surprised by Liam and Gina entering her office together. They appeared happy and rested and were holding hands…a good sign, Darcy thought.

“Hi, Darcy. We were in the neighborhood and thought we would drop in to share my news,” Gina said.

“Please, come in, have a seat,” Darcy said, pulling out two chairs for them.

Gina glanced at Liam, who smiled encouragingly. “Well, I am officially divorced. Since I didn’t ask for anything, Conrad signed off on the dissolution, so I’m a free woman,” she said happily.

“I am so happy for you!” Darcy exclaimed. “Wow, that was pretty fearless of you to walk away from guaranteed financial security.”

“I didn’t care about that. I just wanted out!”

“Well, that is admirable, and I totally get it. As the saying goes, all the money in the world can’t buy you love or happiness.”