Emotional Healing and a Happy Ending

The next evening as they sat in a restaurant reviewing the work issues of the day Rob noted Daniella was feeling subdued.

“Had a hard day, Daniella?”

She sat silently plucking up courage and hoping this was not the end of the line for their friendship. Then looked up with tears forming in her eyes.

“You know who I am don’t you Rob.”

Rob nodded concentrating on the food in front of him. She waited for him to say more but he began to eat.

“I’m the girl you referred to at Richmond High and I think you figured that out on our first meeting but said nothing and have been playing this friendship game ever since. Why are you doing this?”

Rob looked up and smiled.

“I love you Darlene or Daniella whichever one you prefer but if all I can get out of you is your company for the rest of my life, I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with that.”

Daniella pushed her food away and stared at him.

“So, you know that genetically I could be classified as black in a white skin, and I’ve suffered from childhood with prejudice from both the black and white communities. It has taken me years of counselling to deal with the stress I’ve been under from childhood, and I couldn’t put any child I produce through what I’ve been through. So that’s why we can only be friends if you are still willing for that.”

Rob shrugged.

“Well Darlene I don’t care what you are ethnically as I genuinely love you and would love any children you produced if you ever consented to marry me but if that’s not my lot then you’ve not going to get rid of me because of such a small thing as ethnic identity. I commit myself to a person not a race and I’ll be with you for the rest of your life if you let me. Besides that, the attitudes in our world are quite different to what they were in your parents’ growing up years and most people are very comfortable with inter racial marriages now.”

Darlene stared at Rob for a long time.

“Are you serious about that you foolish man?”

“Yes, I am Darlene.”

She pulled her plate back in front of her and began to eat silently and Rob finished his meal. Then she spoke.

“Please don’t call me Darlene Rob I’m Daniella now. Let’s get out of here and go and talk somewhere. I’m still trying to process your reaction to my story, and it was quite stressful revealing this.”

Soon they had paid the bill and entered the car and Rob turned to Daniella before engaging the engine.

“Where do you want to go Daniella.”

“Let’s go to my apartment and talk.”

They talked until late into the night. Daniella agreed to go with Rob to his parent’s home to share Christmas with his family. She felt quite secure in the assurance his parents would not be intruding into their relationship and asking questions and there would be so many people there that it would be almost impossible to really get into a conversation outside the crowd.

Rob pressured her into contacting her own family. They’d raised her and given her opportunities in life that had resulted in a successful career, so they deserved some appreciation from her despite them having to deal with painful comments from their own community and the tension this had caused within her family as she grew up. She resisted this but Rob said he wanted her to do this for him.

Daniella felt the need of Rob’s strength and tentatively reached out for his hand. She felt an electric current pass between them and felt at peace then turned her face toward him and Rob smiled as he recognized this as an invitation to kiss her. He slowly advanced toward her, and she closed her eyes in anticipation. It was quite late when Rob unwound himself from her mumbling that they both had to be at work early in the morning. Both struggled to get through the next day because of the few hours of sleep they’d had the night before and Rob suggested that they skip their usual night appointment that day and get some needed sleep. Daniella agreed.

But that weekend they spent the days hiking in the mountain’s an hour’s drive from the city and paused to raid their backpacks at the top of the mountain looking for food and water. They sat in silence while they ate looking out over the forests tapering off in the horizon. Finally, Daniella spoke.

“What does future hold for us Rob. I’m still a little confused but happy you know all about my background and still want to be friends with me.”

Rob turned and pulled her close to him placing his arm around her and she thrilled at his touch.

“We can still be friends in a marriage Daniella. That’s what I want most of all but it’s up to you. We can go on like this forever or better still have the closest relationship possible and that’s in marriage. Of course, I want children, and I don’t care what colour they are but if you feel uncomfortable with children and I understand your feelings because of your childhood experience then there are ways to deal with that too. So, you tell me what the future holds Daniella, and I’ll abide by that.”

Daniella sighed. She’d fought with her childhood fears long enough and it was time to let them go. She drew close and put her head on Rob’s lap looking into his eyes searching. What she saw was safety and a lifetime of happiness. She closed her eyes to think, and they were there in silence for what seemed forever. Maybe she was being selfish and not thinking of what may happen if children came along but the feeling of security with this man was just too powerful. She spoke at last.

“Rob if it really is your wish to spend the rest of your life with me then that’s what I want too.”

Rob looked down at the upturned face and marvelled at her beauty and she was willing to share that with him forever? Better not delay the important question then.

“Daniella Bowen, would you make me the happiest man on the planet by marrying me?”

She answered softly.

“Yes, my dear Rob and I promise to make you the most devoted and loving wife, but I don’t want a big public wedding please. Just a registry office wedding as I hate all that publicity.”

Rob laughed and pulled Daniella up off his lap to kiss her.

“I’ve waited for this a long time Daniella and even imagined it as a high school introverted student which may surprise you. I knew it was you the first time we met at the social welfare office and wondered why you’d changed your name and felt jealous of this unknown Mr. Bowen who I’m grateful doesn’t exist. But we will have to talk about the wedding. I may compromise on the registry office event so we can be together as man and wife quickly, but we are going to have a huge reception as the administration and staff will expect to have a part in this as we are loved by them and of course my family would never forgive me if they were not included in some way. I’d also like it very much if you’d make peace with your own family and invite them too. I’m very grateful to them for nurturing you and giving you a chance in life despite the stress this caused all of you and I’ll welcome them as part of my family too. So, think about it because if you do this it will add to my happiness and memories of our uniting together with all the pictures we will have as memories.

Daniella sighed. She was desperately happy with Rob’s proposal and would do anything to please him now.

They were married at the registry office that coming week with some of their closest associates and Rob’s proud parents who were disappointed they hadn’t been able to shower a giant wedding on their son and his radiant bride who they came to love quickly.  They were there to witness that brief ceremony. Darlene’s parents did not attend the ceremony with the excuse they were unable to get out of their work obligations on the assigned day.

So, Rob took time off and made the long trip to where the Brown family lived and begged them to attend the reception which was to be held close to where they worked in the city a month later. They were non-committal having been wounded by their daughter taking a different name after leaving home to pursue a career after graduation.

Rob insisted on inviting all the social workers and administrators who he had to work closely with and despite his protests his parents paid for the hire of the hotel venue and the banquet provided by hotel catering staff. The reception was a resounding success and praise, and presents were showered on the newly married couple.

Darlene now Daniella by choice saw her parents standing outside the venue watching those arriving warily. They felt they would be out of place in what they thought would be a white gathering but were amazed to see a virtual united nations of attendees from among the social workers attending. It was a struggle for her, but she left greeting those arriving at the venue and went to bring her parents into the fellowship of attendees taking them to Rob standing at the door greeting everyone. He shook their hands warmly and thanked them for taking time to be at this happy occasion. Rob spoke.

“Darlene, please settle your parents at a place at our table and introduce them to my parents who are hovering around there. Leave me to greet people at the door and spend time with your parents.”

He turned to her parents.

“You have made me very happy to grace our reception and I’m thankful to you for producing such a wonderful woman who I’m proud to have at my side.”

The elder Brown smiled as he took his daughter’s hand and Mrs. Brown took the other.

“So, you use the name Darlene for my daughter. That makes me very happy.”

“I’ve loved her from my high school days when she was known as Darlene sir so that name is very familiar to me.

The two elder Browns went off proudly with their daughter to the place prepared for them and felt glad they’d made the effort to attend. They found the Pritchard’s easy to talk to and were suddenly at ease in this environment. It was important to them that their son in law accepted them and their daughter for who they were and resolved to rebuild the relationship between them and their daughter. Perhaps she’d tell them someday why she’d changed her name. That had hurt them deeply.

Darlene now Daniella clung to her man as the speeches were delivered and was proud as he stood to give his response. It was light-hearted and laced with good natured humour. On impulse as the MC was about to close the evenings program Daniella stood and the MC paused in surprise to recognize her. She poured out her heart in thanks to her parents for the efforts they’d made to see she got a good education ignoring the realities of tension in their home as she emerged from childhood then turned to her husband. She bent down and kissed him on the forehead and the audience hooted in approval. She addressed Rob directly.

“You are the kindest human being I’ve even encountered in all my working years, and I feel overwhelmed you’d have waited and chosen me to be your wife. I’ll never leave your side and know that I can make you happy for the rest of your life. Thank you, my wonderful husband, for your love. I feel fulfilled now.”

There was thunderous applause as Rob rose and enclosed her in his arms turning to address the audience.

“I’ll love and cherish this woman for the rest of my life and am resolved to make each day a day of joy for her.”

Conclusion.

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