Chapter 15
“Tizzy we need to talk. We can go to a café, but I really think either your place or mine is better.” Grant asked
“Your place is fine. You are right we need to talk and coffee on your balcony sounds ideal.” Tizzy agreed.
Once again they drove in silence and when they entered the penthouse they still had not spoken a word. Their clasped hands and the looks they exchanged were their only communication.
Once inside the unit, Grant made the coffee. Even within the confines of the apartment he refused to let her out of his sight. Still unable to believe, that she was truly there and still unable to comprehend the change in her. He had seen beauty in the ‘plain Tizzy’, but now he found perfection.
They carried their coffee out to the balcony. Once again they began to clear the misconceptions and set new ground rules for their life together. No more running away - that was the first commandment. When the sun had set and the chilly night air made its presence felt, they went indoors. Her engagement ring was back on her finger. Happiness now resided in both their eyes.
When the doorbell rang, Grant went to open the door, and found Becky and Roger walk in looking sheepish. Then just as he had done earlier that evening, they too, froze.
“Tizzy? Is that really you?” Becky asked
“Phew! What happened to our ‘plain Jane’? And I am meaning that in the nicest way.” Roger whistled
Tizzy smiled.
“You both should be sacked over this.” Grant exploded at them, still smiling.
“On the contrary, we were thinking, we have earned a promotion.” Becky laughed back.
Then looking at Tizzy’s engagement ring, Becky said, “Grant if I was you, I would not go for a long engagement. She needs a wedding band to secure that ring in place.” She joked but there was seriousness in her eyes as they met Grant’s.
“Is a week too long?” Grant question was his reply.
“A week, oooh” And then she was hugging and kissing them again. Roger was still too stunned by the change in Tizzy to say anything.
“And we are in desperate need of a matron of honor and a best man.” Grant said
“We’d love to.” Becky said “Is Peter giving you away?” She added looking at Tizzy.
“Yes, he is. Becky you should have told me. How long have you know?” Tizzy asked
“That you and Grant had a thing for each other; since I came back to work last week. That Peter was your grandfather, since the night he came and spoke against Grant. He followed me after I left your place, and had coffee with us. That’s when he told us everything.” Becky revealed
“You mean, Peter was in Tizzy’s bad books because he spoke ill of me.” Grant felt strangely elated at the thought.
Tizzy smiled, but before she could tease him with her reply, the door- bell rang again.
“Someone please reassure me that I did not organise a party tonight, and forget all about it?” Grant laughed
“Peter, Betty, what are you both doing here?” Grant was surprised to see them.
“When Becky said she was coming over, we could not miss out on the excitement now could we?” Betty said bubbling with joy.
“Well, we thought we would come over and give you the good news. The wedding is on Sunday. Everything has been organised, except the wedding outfits. Grant can you spare Tizzy from work for the rest of this week; we have a lot to do starting with the wedding dress etc. I need her for all of that.” Betty asked
“ Grandee, it’s r..really busy at work and I have caused enough delays. I might take a couple of afternoons off and work the fittings around that.” Tizzy said
“No you won’t, you are going to take the time off as your Grandmother suggested.” Becky cut in “I can manage our work. If there is an overload, I’ll bring the urgent stuff over. Beside I don’t want anyone at work to see you until the wedding. Let’s just say, it’s going to be sweet revenge on Sunday.” Tizzy knew this was a reference to all the people who had passed what were once very hurtful ‘put downs’.
“I agree with Becky, you should take the time off. It will also give you a chance to be with your grandparents.” Grant said. Then looking at Betty he continued “Betty are you sure the entire office is not going to be too many people. There is almost a hundred staff in all. I would have taken time off, but I have several things to settle before the wedding.” Grant asked
“Nonsense, I have catered for a thousand in the past. If Becky can give out the invitations at the office, all things will be running on target.” Betty replied.
“Grandee I hope you haven’t ordered a bride and groom too?” Tizzy laughed
“Don’t laugh Tizzy, she almost did. I had to remind her, that Grant and you exist and have already taken those roles.” Peter added and watched with pleasure as everyone found the humour in his comment.
Tizzy was not at all hungry, but everyone else insisted on going out for a meal. They settled on a Thai restaurant that was on Peter’s list of ‘good ones’. He promised them the best ‘satay chicken’ ever. And so they set off in their respective cars.
While driving, she once again offered to go in to work. Grant refused to look at that option any more. She had not even taken one day from her annual leave in five years. He said it was time to take it now. He would bring back whatever she needed from her work.
The food was indeed delicious, but neither Grant nor Tizzy had the appetite to eat. Every time Grant looked at Tizzy, the butterflies in her stomach flew hither thither.
Grant was in no better shape. By the time the dessert menu came around, everyone had given up on asking the two of them to eat anymore. They finalised the wedding arrangements and then came to the honeymoon. For an instant, Grant saw alarm in Tizzy’s eyes and then she looked away.
“Sorry to disappoint you all, but that is one arrangement I am looking after.” Grant took over the situation completely. He would have loved to go to secluded island on the Great Barrier Reef. But in that setting, with Tizzy looking the way she did, even a saint would have difficulty keeping his promise. He was a mere mortal, so totally in love with her. For him it would have been impossible. And neither did he want to pressure her in anyway.
The rest of the evening was passed deciding other arrangements, but the wedding dress and now the honeymoon were taboo subjects.
Becky and Roger left soon after dinner. Tizzy offered to go home with Betty and Peter, but Grant would not hear of it and insisted on driving her himself. Tizzy had agreed to stay on at Peter and Betty’s place until the wedding. The three felt they needed the time together. And Grant too, felt it would be better if Tizzy did not stay alone.
On the drive home, Grant did bring up the subject of their honeymoon. “Tizzy is there any place you especially want to see?”
“Grant we don’t have to go anywhere. I am quite happy to just sit on your balcony and watch the world go by” Tizzy replied.
“No way!. Between your grandparents, our work, and our loving friends, the phone will never stop ringing. No we need to get away if we want time to ourselves.” Grant said
“In that case, I’d like to see ‘your’ Hayman Island” Tizzy replied.
“My Hayman Island? How did you know I wanted to go there? The only reason I have hesitated in suggesting it myself, is because, I don’t want you to think I am pressuring you in any way.” Grant said
“I heard you talk about it when you returned from the conference. Roger had said something about ‘you should go with a woman’ and you replied, ‘Not just any woman. That place is for my bride.” Tizzy reminded him
“You remembered. I didn’t realize that you had even heard that. You are the only one who had never shown any interest in my conversations.”
“Maybe my problem was that I was always too aware of you, of what you were saying, of what you were doing. I wish I could have let the past go a long time ago. I have wasted so much time” Tizzy lamented.
“Are you sure you are ready to
let the past go now Tizzy?” Grant asked. He wanted her to let go of it in every way.
“Can we take one day at a time Grant. I know I am fine about going to Hayman Island, but beyond that I don’t know.” Tizzy replied honestly
“In that case, Hayman Island it is. And you take all the time in the world. We have the rest of our lives now.”
“Grant, I am truly the luckiest woman in the world” Tizzy said with teary eyes
“Not half as lucky as I am to have found you” with equally sincerity.
Suddenly Tizzy reached out and clasped his hand with hers and raised his to her lips. He left his hand in hers for the rest of the journey home, gently unraveling his when the gears needed to be changed.
The Ferrari stopped in front of the gate. This time it opened automatically. Grant drove and parked beside Peter’s car.
He came in briefly but declined the offer of coffee. Five minutes later he said goodbye to Peter and Betty and left. Tizzy saw him to the car. It was only when he had opened the car door, did he lean over, and raising her chin with his finger, kiss her lightly. But that too was enough to set Tizzy’s heart beating so fast that she felt her heart would explode.
Grant had intended a quick peck on the cheek, but found he was kissing her instead. It had taken a mammoth effort to pull away. What had gladdened him was the fact that it was he, who pulled back, not her. And when he saw the love in her eyes, he knew, all they needed was time and everything would work out. He was sure of it.
As Grant drove away, he looked in the rear view mirror. Tizzy stood in the same spot as she watched him drive away. Even as he turned into the street, she was still standing there.