SMOKE AND MIRRORS

by

PiperMerlyn

Epilogue

The Chapters

INTRO

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

Vanessa Bender shifted in her seat in the car. Joe had told her he'd borrowed his mom's car for the night when he'd come to pick her up. She looked down at the white tea-length dress and wondered if she'd overdressed for a Valentine's Day dinner.

"You look fine." Joe reached out and clasped her hand in his free one as he drove. "You look beautiful."

Vanessa swallowed hard and smiled at him. "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." She couldn't remember if she'd ever actually seen him in a suit before. The dark blue pinstripe made his eyes seem all that much bluer. "Where are we going?"

"A special place."

Vanessa was content  with her hand in his, as she watched the scenery pass by. After a moment, she frowned. "Joe, where are we going? I don't know of any restaurants near your house."

Joe grinned over at her. "I said a special place. I didn't  say a restaurant."

He pulled up into the driveway and helped her out of the car. He pulled a scarf out of his pocket and went to blindfold her. Vanessa took a step back. "Joe?"

"It's a surprise."

Vanessa smiled and let him tie the scarf loosely over her eyes. She heard him unlock the door and then felt him take her hand. She followed him as he led her through the foyer, past the stairs and when he turned left, she realized he'd taken her to the dining room. He helped her get settled in a chair and then she felt his hands at the back of her head.

The scarf fell away and she stared, thoroughly surprised. Candles everywhere flickered, making shadows dance on the walls. A small bouquet of pale pink roses sat in a crystal face in the center of the dining table. "Oh my..."

Vanessa's gaze drifted to the  perfectly set table and then to the glitter rectangular box resting on her plate. She picked it up and looked at Joe. "What--?"

"Open it."

Vanessa took a deep breath and removed the lid of the box. Nestled in cotten was a silver charm bracelet. Small charms dangled from the links--a small pink heart, a silver magnifying glass, an artist's  palette  with a brush, a tiny rose, a cell phone, and a charm that looked like a computer monitor with attached keyboard. "Joe--"

Joe grinned. "A heart for Valentine's Day, a magnifying glass for me, the artist's palette and the computer  for what you love to do, a cell phone to keep in touch and a rose just because."

Vanessa smiled and felt her eyes fill with tears. She picked it up and handed it to him. "Please, put it on for me."

Joe fastened the bracelet around her wrist and then leaned forward to kiss her. "Happy Valentine's Day."

When he would have stepped back, she pulled him close again. "I have something for you." She handed him a small square box. "Here."

Joe arched an eyebrow and opened the box. Inside was a key ring. He gave her a startled look and then took the keyring out to find it had three things hanging off the key ring. Two were shiny silver and although he wasn't much into astrology, he recognized the symbols for his birth month and hers. The third thing hanging off the key ring made his heart clench. "Vanessa--"

"She's a part of you." Vanessa touched the clump of metal. She'd asked Frank to get it for her to go on the keyring. At first Frank had shied away from the idea, not so much for taking from his brother in secret but just having to remember how the melted keys had gotten melted together. "Iola is a part of your past. We both tried to ignore her, tried to forget that and look what happened."

"Vanessa--" Joe swallowed hard.

"You loved her. And I am so honored and touched that you love me with that same fierce devotion." She pulled him close and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Happy Valentine's Day."

                                                The End

Let the author know what you think of this story

Home   Library   Authors   Rogue's Gallery   Vehicles   Chums   Message Board  Rap Sheet  Links  Contact

Disclaimer