Chapter 30
Spring break was approaching fast and everyone at school was getting ready for finals and the prom. The teachers were ready for the break, as were the students. A week away from all of the stress was what everyone needed. Holidee was with Rip, Rebekah, Tom, and Zeke, as usual. Crix arrived home to find Mer there.
“Hey. I thought you worked today.”
“I did. I do. Something came up.” Crix raised an eyebrow as he set his bag down.
“What kind of something?”
“Oh, just something with work.” Crix looked at Mer.
“Obviously. Do you mind sharing details?” Mer hesitated. She walked into the bedroom. Crix followed her. She started putting some clean clothes away in the dresser drawers. “Mer?” He set a hand on hers and she stopped. They sat on the edge of the bed.
“My boss wants me to go to Australia with him for a week during spring break…for research.” Crix didn’t say anything. “He made it sound pretty important and, well, fun.” Crix stood up. “I know you probably won’t want me to go, but, Crix, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. The only time I’ve left Georgia was when I went with you to visit Gregoric and Katre in Ohio. I mean…this is Australia! Down under. Do you know how amazing this is?” Crix was still silent. Mer stood up, getting angry at his silence. “Look, it’s only a week. I won’t be gone that long. I’m sure you can manage the house and everything without me.” She pulled out a suitcase and started looking through her clothes. Crix sighed heavily and turned towards her.
“Australia? Are you sure you have to go?”
“Crix, he asked me to go.”
“Can’t you deny his request?”
“He’s my boss.”
“Exactly.” Mer stopped looking through the closet and glared at Crix.
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve met the guy before and I just don’t know if I like the thought of you going to Australia for a week with your horny boss.”
“Crix, he’s married.”
“So? Has that stopped him from hitting on you?”
“Crix-”
“Look. All I’m saying is that I think his intentions aren’t just about research.”
“If you don’t want me to go, then I won’t go.” She slapped her suitcase shut and started putting clothes away again. “But I must tell you that he invited you along too.” Crix felt the guilt grow inside him. He knew how much this trip meant to Mer.
“And if I went, where would Holidee stay?”
“She could stay here. She’s seventeen and more than capable of taking care of herself.”
“She’s not staying here alone for a whole week.”
“Well, she could stay with Zeke and his dad.”
“Great. So I either let my wife go to Australia with her hot boss, or I let Holidee stay with her boyfriend and his dad, who works pretty much everyday.”
“Or she could stay with the Hakebers.”
“Oh! I can see that! ‘Rodge, would you mind if my kid stays with you for a week?’ C’mon Mer! The guy thinks I’m manipulating his children for revenge!”
“Fine. I won’t go. I’ll just call him and tell him to take someone else because my selfish husband doesn’t trust his goddaughter with anyone else! You have to let her go sometime, Crix. She’s almost eighteen and she’s building a school, for Pete’s sake!” Mer picked up the phone to call her boss. Crix groaned.
“No. I’ll go with you. I’m sorry for yelling.” She put the phone down and hugged Crix.
“Oh! We’ll have so much fun! I can’t wait! This’ll be like our own little vacation!” Crix smiled at her excitement. “And my boss said he’d bring his wife if you came.”
“Let me call Mac.”
“So, wait. You two are going to Australia for spring break and I’m staying at Zeke’s house? Why can’t I go with you?”
“Because, Holidee, it’s a business trip and you weren’t invited.”
“That stinks. You better take lots of pictures.”
“We will. Are you sure you’re fine with staying with Zeke and his dad?”
“Yeah. I’ll be fine. You two just have fun and behave.”
“Same goes for you. I don’t want to come back and find out you’re pregnant.”
“Crix-”
“Crix has a point. You make sure that boy of yours controls himself.” Holidee rolled her eyes.
“If Zeke and I had any intentions to sleep with each other, we could’ve done it already. We’ve had plenty of opportunities.” Crix and Mer stared at Holidee as she laughed. “Relax, guys. Nothing will happen. Okay? Don’t worry about me. You just have fun.”
“We will.” Mer looked at Crix’ grim face. “Won’t we?” Crix looked at her and nodded. “You have fun too.”
“I will. I think we might all go to the beach house for a few days. It’ll be a nice break.”
Spring break came and Crix and Mer left on a plane to Australia. Holidee packed a bag and went to stay with Zeke and Mac. They greeted her with love, as usual. She walked inside and put her bag in the spare bedroom she slept in when she stayed there for Christmas Eve two years ago. She walked back outside. Zeke was helping his dad with his work. Holidee pulled on some work gloves and a work belt and walked over to help them. Mac stared at her in amazement.
“Now, aren’ you a sight, lassie?” Zeke laughed at his dad’s expression. “Ye come ta pull yer weight?” Holidee smiled and lifted a piece of metal out of the truck and threw it on top of the rest. Mac smiled at her. “Ladies shouldnae be doin’ dirty work.”
“Well, then ye be wrong there, sir, ‘cause I’m no lady. I’m a lassie.” Mac laughed loudly at Holidee’s Irish accent. Zeke smiled at her and they continued working.
After they finished with the work and ate dinner, Holidee went upstairs to take a shower. Mac went onto the porch to smoke a pipe and Zeke joined him.
“Dad?” Mac looked at his son and raised his eyebrows to answer. “Um, I thought maybe I could take Holidee to the beach tomorrow.” Mac took the pipe out of his mouth for a few seconds.
“For wha’ purpose?” Zeke looked at his feet and then into his dad’s green eyes.
“Well, sir, that’s where I want to…” Zeke’s voice trailed off as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black velvet box and handed it to his father. Mac put his pipe back in his mouth and took the little box. He opened it to reveal a shiny silver ring. It had a dolphin wrapped around an ocean blue stone on top of the ring. The stone would turn different blues and greens in the sunlight. The band of the ring was solid sterling silver except for two spots near the dolphin, where the silver was weaved to meet the dolphin. They were Celtic knots. Mac studied the ring for a few minutes but didn’t answer. Zeke looked at him nervously as he handed him the box back. “Do you think she’ll like it? I know she likes dolphins and the stone reminded me of her eyes…I thought the Celtic knots would match her necklace…”
“She’ll love it.” Zeke’s eyes beamed.
“Really?” Zeke took a deep breath. “I hope she’ll say yes.”
“She will, lad. She loves you. It’s in both yer eyes.” Zeke smiled.
“So does that mean you approve?”
“O’ course I approve! I fell in love with yer lass the moment I laid eyes on ‘er. She’s e’rything I wanted in a daughter. And now, I’ll finally get one.” Zeke smiled and stood up as he put the little box in his pocket. Mac stood up and clasped a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Yer make a fine husband and father, Zeke. But there’s one condition I have for ya.” Zeke looked at his dad. “That I have a lot of grandchildren.” Zeke smiled and hugged his dad. Then he walked inside the house as his dad sat back down and continued to smoke his pipe.
Holidee woke up the next morning and walked downstairs to eat breakfast. Zeke was already up and showered, sitting at the table, reading the paper. Holidee smiled and kissed his cheek from behind before she opened the fridge for mi
lk. Zeke put the paper down and smiled.
“Morning, sunshine.” Holidee grabbed the milk and smiled.
“Morning.”
“You ready for today?”
“Why? What’s today?” Holidee grabbed the cereal and poured some into a bowl with milk.
“I’m taking you to the beach.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Where’s your dad?”
“Working.”
“Oh.” She took a mouthful of cereal and milk. “What’re we going to do at the beach?”
“Just think of it as a little date.” Holidee smiled.
“Okay.” She took a couple more bites and then put away everything she got out. “I’ll go take a shower then.” She walked out of the kitchen and Zeke went back to reading the paper. Holidee appeared back in the kitchen later, dressed in a blue and green cami and jean shorts. Zeke was wearing dark khaki shorts with a green button up shirt that matched his eyes. He smiled, stood up, and kissed her.
“Ready?”
“Yeah. Let’s take my car. I wanna feel the wind in my hair.” Zeke smiled.
“Okay.” They drove over to Holidee’s house and picked up her car. Zeke drove as Holidee laughed at the wind as it dried her hair. They arrived at her beach house and walked inside to get some things. Zeke packed a basket of food and a blanket. Then they headed out onto the sand. They laid out the blanket and food and had a picnic for lunch. Holidee kicked off her sandals and let the sand squish between her toes. Zeke watched her as the sea breeze whipped her hair away from her face. Her eyes were closed, enjoying the sunshine. It couldn’t have been better weather.
After they finished eating, they took a walk on the beach, talking about school, graduating, the Oceain School, their friends, and their future.
“So, I thought I had better go to college for a few years if I’m going to be an English teacher.”
“Who said you’re going to be an English teacher?” Holidee smiled.
“Because that’s my favorite and best subject.” Zeke smiled back at her.
“Sounds like a brilliant plan. Hopefully you’re not gone for a long time.”
“I’m gonna go somewhere local. Around here. So I can be with you.” Holidee blushed slightly. Then she ran into the ocean and started splashing Zeke. “Hey!” They both laughed as they got into a water fight with each other. Holidee’s hair was dripping wet as were her clothes, but she didn’t care. Zeke finally caught her in his arms and pulled her close to him. She smiled up at him and he gently kissed her lips. Then he whispered in her ear. “Ta me chomh doirte sin duit.” Holidee had her eyes closed as she felt his warm breathe in her ear.
“What does that mean?” His forehead touched hers.
“It means I love you very much.” Holidee kept her eyes closed, enjoying Zeke’s arms around her. Then he slowly started to turn. Their foreheads were still touching as Zeke began to sing softly in her ear.
This, my maiden did a hear.
From thy true lips came a promise.
I will hold ye in my strong arms here.
Your eyes will never have to fear.
Come, my pretty maid,
And be my own.
Seek thy heart, that thine own has made.
Do not weary, for I have prayed.
Now listen, dear maiden, to thine own heart be true,
And leave not this question unanswered,
From which comes from my own heart true,
Then he whispered, “Can we be but one, not two?” Holidee opened her eyes. Zeke had let go of her and held open a little velvet box with a ring inside. She put a hand to her mouth as he slowly lowered his body deeper into the water to kneel.
“Will you marry me, Holidee Galygin?” Holidee was speechless. Thoughts raced in her mind as she stared down at the man she loved, holding a ring out to her, asking her to be forever his. Then she slowly took her hand away from her mouth and nodded her head.
“Yes.” Zeke’s smile stretched clear across his face and he stood up to put the ring on her left hand. Holidee stared down at it, still speechless. The stone glittered like the ocean. “It’s beautiful, Zeke.”
“I thought you would like it. The stone is my favorite. It reminds me of your eyes.” Holidee looked into his green irises and smiled.
“I love you.” She kissed his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I love you too.” They held each other in the ocean for several minutes, just staring into each other’s eyes. Holidee could hardly believe this was real. She thought she was in some kind of dream, but when she woke up the next morning with the ring still on her hand, she knew her dreams had turned into reality.