Chapter 15 Kari took a shower and got dressed.  She made her way back into the living room where Matt and Gil sat talking.  She made her way over to her suitcase to put away her things.  Sitting on top of her bag, was a small square gift.  She picked it up and inspected it, reading the tag that said, "To: Kari  From:  Jeff". She smiled slightly as she pulled the wrapping paper from the small box.  Tears filled her eyes as she opened the box and pulled out the contents.  It was the cross necklace that she had given Jeff so many years ago.  Wrapping her hand firmly around the necklace, she turned to Matt and Gil to ask, "Where is he?"   "He’s out on the back porch.", Matt said as a smile formed on his face. Kari made her way to the back door, stopping to catch her breath as she saw him standing at the edge of the porch, staring into the distance.  It had been easy to put away her feelings for him when they were apart, because she didn’t see him.  But seeing him standing there in front of her, all of those feelings rushed back to her.  He didn’t take his gaze away from the scenery as she stood beside him.  They both stood there silent like that for a moment.  "There’s nothing more beautiful, huh?", she asked breaking the silence. He turned to look her in the eyes, but not before noticing that she was holding the necklace in her hands.   "Why did you give this back to me?", she asked.  "It has protected me for all of these years.  I figured that if I couldn’t be with you, at least you would have it to protect you.", he said as he fought to keep the tears from filling up his eyes. It was at that moment that she realized just how much she did love him.  It suddenly didn’t matter what had happened or the months that they had been apart; all that matter was she was there with the one man who loved her more than anything.  It was the best feeling that she had ever felt.  Kari was so overcome by her emotions that she couldn’t say anything. "Kari, I’m sorry.", Jeff started but was interrupted. Kari placed her finger on his lips, silencing him.  Staring lovingly into his eyes, she moved towards him to where her body was touching his.  She then kissed him - a very strong and passionate kiss. Jeff smiled, "I love you, Kari.  I always have and I always will." "I love you too, Jeff.", she said as he pulled her into a tight hug.   "I want to explain.", he began but was again, interrupted. "There’s nothing to explain.  Let’s just forget about all of that and just concentrate on now - on the rest of our lives.", she said. He smiled and kissed her again.  Then, hand in hand, they walked back into the house and into the living room.   Gil and Matt looked at the couple and smiled before Matt blurted out, "Can we PLEASE open presents now?" They all laughed.  Kari looked over at Gil.  She had never seen such pride and happiness on his face as she did at that moment.  Finally everything was as it should be. One year and one month later, Jeff and Kari were married in a small ceremony in Gil’s backyard.  Just as the couple said, "I do.", snow began to fall.  It was a very fitting end for Jeff and Kari - or a very fitting beginning to the rest of their life together. THE END                        Last Chapter ..*.. Chapter Index ..*.. Home