Chapter Nine
In the car en route to Tanna's house, the four of them discussed the day. Nick and Drew told Brian and Tanna about what had happened in the Water Park, and Tanna told Drew and Nick how she and Brian had spent the day.
When Brian parked the car in front of Tanna's house, Drew and Nick started down the street towards the ravine.
As they turned to corner, Tanna turned to Brian. "Well, seeing how you'll have to wait for them anyway, do you want to come in?" she looked at the house. "It looks like no one else is here. I'll make some coffee, if you want."
"Sure, if you don't mind." answered Brian as they crossed the street and walked up the front steps.
"So where are we going, again?" Nick asked as Drew led the way down a flight of wooden stairs.
"There's a meadow down here that I wanted you to see. It's really beautiful." Drew gestured down the path ahead of them.
"Sounds good. I just couldn't remember what you'd said." Nick nodded thoughtfully. They walked hand-in-hand down the gravel path. When the passed the bench shaped like two people and a dog, Nick asked about it.
"I'm not sure what it is." Drew frowned slightly. "We'll have to remember to ask Tanna later."
They were approaching the entrance to the meadow when something dark flashed across the path in front of them. They both stopped and looked in the direction that it had gone.
"It looked like a rabbit." Nick said after a moment. "I feel as if I should be chasing it, wondering what sort of important date that it's late for." Drew understood the reference to Alice in Wonderland, and laughed along with him. "It was probably a date with you." Nick said softly, when they had stopped laughing.
"I'm glad that you're not chasing after it." Drew said. "I like you right where you are." She slipped her arms around his waist.
"Good, because I do too." Nick returned the favour.
They walked onto the meadow just as the first stars came out. Drew looked up and made the silent wish that she would stay that happy forever. They crossed the meadow in silence.
Nick sat down on the platform that held the benches and leaned against the railing. Then he pulled Drew down to sit in front of him so that he could put his arms around her. When she was settled, she turned her head and planted a kiss on Nick's chin.
"Ooh, you're prickly!" She giggled and ran her hand over his jaw line. He turned his head slightly and kissed her palm.
For a long time, they sat silently, pressed against each other, and absorbed the beauty of the place.
"You were right about this place being amazing." Nick whispered, eventually. "But it's beauty pales in comparison to you."
"Oh, Nick!" Drew smiled and wrapped his arms tighter around her.
T - Gone to a late movie. Rachel is at Mary's. A package came for you, on dining room table - XXOO, Mum.
Tanna read the note that she had found in the front hall. "I wondered where they'd gone. Cool, we won't have to whisper."
"Yeah, that's good." Brian looked uncomfortable.
"Who would send me a package?" She mused as she picked it up. "There's no return address - strange. Let's see what it is."
Before Brian could protest, she had unwrapped the package and was opening the box. She gasped when she saw the dress she had thought that she would never own. When she pulled it out, a small white envelope fell to the floor. She stooped to pick it up. Tanna opened it and read:
Because beauty is priceless and you looked beautiful in it. Have the time of your life at the wedding. Just think of me occasionally, okay?
Love,
Brian
Tanna's eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. She looked up and met Brian's eyes. She saw there uncertainty, and nervousness. She walked over to him and took his face between her hands.
"That is the most wonderful, amazing, sweetest thing that anyone has ever said or done for me. Thank you." She gave him small kiss, then hugged him. After a moment of standing there, stunned, Brian lifted his arms and hugged her back.
"Do you like it?" He asked softly.
"Do I like it? I love it! But whatever possessed you to buy it for me? Wasn't it terribly expensive?" Tanna picked up the dress and looked at it wonderingly.
"I'm glad you like it. I bought it because it made you look radiant, and the look on your face when you read the price almost broke my heart."
"So it was a pity gift?" She looked up sharply.
"Did I say that? No. It most definitely not a pity gift." Brian's voice raised a little.
"Okay, I'm sorry for even thinking it." Tanna looked suitably chastened.
"I forgive you." His voice took on a lighter note. "Now how about that coffee you promised me?"
They made the coffee and sat drinking it (well, Tanna had cocoa) until Nick and Drew came back. Drew saw the dress on the table and asked about it. When Tanna explained, Drew raised her eyebrows at Tanna and hugged Brian with a comment about how sweet he was. Nick smiled at Tanna and gave Brian a slap on the back in congratulation.
Tanna was just pouring coffee for Drew and Nick when Drew asked about the 'people bench' that they had seen.
"Oh, that's a memorial to the husband of the woman who lives across the alley from us. A drunk driver killed him. I guess that they were good friends with David's family, so Dave's father built the bench in the guy's memory. He's an architect." She explained.
"That's neat." Nick said.
"David's dad built that!?" Drew asked incredulously. "But look how ugly his house is!"
Tanna shrugged. "I dunno. I was about three when it happened, so I'm not sure."
A little while later, as Drew and Nick were finishing their coffee, Tanna's parents arrived home. Tanna thanked the other three for coming as they put their coats and shoes on.
"Remember to bring your skates tomorrow," Nick said as he tied his shoe. "We're going skating."
"Sounds good. See you tomorrow!" she waved as they got into the car and drove off.