Malibu Nights--Part 10 (The Conclusion)
By Nancy F. Thysell (the Nifty Lady)
This story follows immediately after Malibu Nights--Part 9
###
Saturday, 4:30 p.m.--Chris Martin's Bungalow
John Gage pulled up in front of the quaint bungalow and put the Land Rover in park. He grabbed the bouquet of red roses from the passenger seat, straightened his tie and headed for the front door. He waited nervously for Chris to answer the bell.
Chris opened the door and smiled brightly at her guest. "Hi Johnny! Come in!"
Johnny returned her smile and with a flourish, presented her with the roses. "Hi sweetie! These are for you."
"Oh! Johnny! They're gorgeous! Thank you!" She reached up on her tip toes and kissed him on the cheek first, then their lips found each others as Johnny wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.
"Oh my!" Chris sighed when they finally came up for air. She looked down at the almost crushed bouquet. "What's the occasion?"
"Oh, I thought we'd celebrate your freedom," Johnny joked. Chris gave him a confused look.
"Freedom?"
"Yeah, from your plaster prison!"
"Oh yeah!" Chris giggled. JoAnne DeSoto had taken her to have the leg and arm casts removed that morning. It had felt so good to have them removed that she didn't even mind the rigorous physical therapy regimen that had been scheduled. Chris' first order of business had been to treat herself to a long, hot bubble bath. She couldn't remember enjoying anything so much for such a long time.
They moved into the living room and Johnny sat down on the couch while Chris found a vase for the roses. She returned a few minutes later and placed the vase on the coffee table so she could continue to look at them. She sat down beside him and cuddled up close.
"Thank you, Johnny. They're lovely. I've never been given roses before," Chris confessed. Johnny looked at her in surprise.
"Really? Well, if I'd known that, I would have brought you some sooner. You deserve roses." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"Oh, you're just saying that," Chris said, disbelieving.
"No! I'm not just saying that. Chris! Don't you know how special you are?" Johnny was incredulous. Chris shook her head. "You are so sweet. I think you're wonderful. Don't you know that?"
Again all Chris could do was shake her head. She was finding it hard to believe that anyone could feel that way about her. She felt so naive. She found it harder to believe that someone like John Gage could feel that way about her. She still figured that he would want to be with someone more like Pam Forester.
Johnny stared into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts and feelings. He saw the confusion and doubt in those beautiful blue eyes.
"Oh sweetie," he said softly, "Don't ever doubt that." He leaned over and pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently.
"Oh, Johnny," Chris moaned happily. She didn't think she could be happier. Then Chris pulled back from the embrace. She didn't want to be tempted beyond her ability to say "no."
"If we're going out tonight, I think we'd better get going, don't ya think?" she asked breathlessly. Johnny nodded. He couldn't deny the passion he was feeling but he had promised himself that he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his relationship with Chris either. They'd both know when the time was right. He stood up and helped Chris to her feet.
"Well, let's go. I didn't wear a tie for nothing!" he said with a grin.
"Okay. I wouldn't want you to waste all that effort," Chris teased. She grabbed her crutch and Johnny escorted her to the Land Rover for a romantic dinner.
###
Sunday, 11:30 a.m.--Station 51
Roy DeSoto backed the squad into the truck bay. As he and Johnny were getting out, Captain Stanley came out of his office and asked them to come in.
"What's up Cap?" Roy asked as Hank motioned for the men to sit down. He waited for both of them to be seated.
"The DA's office called while you were out on that last run. They have a list of charges against Chandler a mile long, including attempted murder on you two and Chris. He feels certain that they'll get a conviction and be able to put Chandler away for a very long time."
"Well, that's a relief," Johnny muttered. Roy had a feeling the Captain wasn't telling them everything.
"What else?" Roy asked.
"They want all of you to be available to testify against him."
"All of us?" Johnny asked, worried about Chris.
"I'm afraid so. You and Chris, being the initial victims, and basically the only eyewitnesses, will be their most viable witnesses. Roy and Mike are being requested to make themselves available during the trial."
"Do they know when they're going to trial?" Roy asked.
"The DA, uh, his name is Peter Van Arden, will be getting the trial dates tomorrow. But he expects it to be scheduled in the next four to six weeks," Captain Stanley informed them.
"There's no chance of Chandler getting out on bail is there?" Johnny wanted to know.
"No. They've already had a bail hearing and he was denied bail."
"Thank God for that," Roy commented. Johnny nodded his head in agreement.
"The DA's office will probably be in touch with each of you before the trial date. Well, that's it."
"Thanks Cap." Roy said.
"Yeah, thanks. Look, should I tell Chris?" Johnny asked.
"I think the DA's office will contact her directly. But it probably wouldn't hurt for you to give her a call," Hank surmised. Johnny flashed his infamous grin.
"I guess I'll go give her call right now," the younger paramedic replied. It was as good of an excuse as any to call Chris. He looked at his watch and determined she should be at home. He practically ran to the day room leaving his partner in his dust.
"Anything I should know about there?" Hank asked Roy of the departing figure.
"He's in love," Roy commented with a grin to his captain. Hank didn't seem surprised.
"Terminal?"
"Could be but then this is Johnny we're talking about," the older paramedic replied. Hank chuckled in agreement.
"Well, I can't say I'd be sorry to see him settle down. Might make him more careful on the job."
"I hear what you're saying Cap." Roy smiled as he stepped out of the office.
###
Two months later, 4:00 p.m.--Los Angeles County Courthouse
A small group of people left the building together consisting of Roy and JoAnne, Mike and Beth, Johnny and Chris, and Hank. Johnny drew in a deep breath and released it slowly.
"Man! Am I glad that is over," he said gratefully. The rest of the group concurred their agreement.
"I can't believe they only gave him two life sentences," Hank grumbled. "He deserved more!"
"Yeah, they should have thrown him under the jail," Mike observed.
"I'm just glad to know he's going to be behind bars for a very long time," Chris declared.
"Well, how about we all go to dinner to celebrate the end of this?" Roy suggested.
"Sounds good to me!" Hank agreed. Soon the entire group was on their way to a quiet Italian restaurant off of Sunset Boulevard.
###
That same evening, 10:30 p.m.--Two Guys from Italy Restaurant
Hank Stanley leaned back in his chair and rubbed his full belly.
"Well, Mike, that wasn't as good as your spaghetti but it was close," he commented with a satisfied smile.
"Thanks Cap. I take that as a real compliment, coming from you," the quiet engineer rejoined.
The seven people had enjoyed a wonderful repast and had been unwinding from the day's event at the court house.
Johnny stood up and addressed the group, "Well, Chris and I are going to take our leave now."
"Oh you are, are you?" Roy asked skeptically. He couldn't put his finger on it but there was something about Johnny's demeanor that had him curious.
"Yes we are. Say goodnight >Gracie'," Johnny quipped.
Johnny got a chorus of "Goodnight Gracie" from the entire table and everyone laughed. Chris rose from her chair and they made their good byes. After paying for their share of the check, Johnny guided Chris out to his Land Rover.
Once they settled in the vehicle, Johnny pulled onto Sunset Boulevard and turned right, heading west. Chris surmised that they were headed back to her place until Johnny turned the vehicle toward Santa Monica.
"Where are we going?" she finally asked.
"You'll see," Johnny replied with a sly smile.
"John Gage. What are you up to?" Chris was becoming curious.
"Patience, my dear. Patience." Johnny wasn't about to give away his surprise.
Johnny steered the Land Rover into the parking lot near the Santa Monica pier. Chris couldn't understand why he would bring her here. He came around to help Chris out of the vehicle and together they made their way to the pier. The proprietor of the carousel came forward when he saw the young couple.
"Good evening Mr. Gage," he greeted them. Chris looked up at Johnny expectantly, still wondering what was going on.
"Good evening Mr. Hansen," Johnny responded. "Is everything set?"
"Just as you requested," the man replied. He gestured with his hand to the building's entrance to the carousel.
"Johnny what have you done?" Chris felt bewildered as Johnny led her inside the structure without another word. They boarded the carousel beside the same carriage that they had ridden in on the night they had met. Chris gasped as she saw a dozen roses and a bottle of champagne on ice waiting for them. She looked at Johnny in wonderment as she sat down. Johnny popped the cork on the champagne and pour them each a glass.
The motor suddenly came to life and the music began to play as the carousel began it's journey. Johnny clinked his glass to Chris' and smiled. Chris took a sip of the liquid and giggled.
"It tickles my nose," she said giddily. Johnny took a sip from his glass.
"Go ahead. Drink it," he urged.
"John Gage, you're not trying to get me drunk are you?" she teased.
"No ma'am," he said innocently and then drained his class. Chris sipped her drink again. It tasted sweet and dry and the bubbles still tickled her nose. When she finished it, Johnny took her glass and placed it on the floor of the carriage.
"Now what?" she asked as Johnny took both of her hands in his. He gazed lovingly into her eyes.
"Chris, will you marry me?" he asked ardently. Chris caught her breath. Had she heard him correctly.
"What?" she whispered uncertainly.
"Will you marry me?" he reiterated. Tears sprang to her eyes as she realized what Johnny had asked.
"Oh yes! Yes I'll marry you!" she cried as she threw her arms around his neck. He held her affectionately as she buried her head against him. When he felt her regain her composure, he gently eased her away from him. He gently wiped her tears from her face with his handkerchief.
"Okay. Now, I have something else for you," he said gently.
"What?" Chris asked eagerly. Everything had been so wonderful she couldn't imagine anything else. Johnny reached in his pocket and removed a small jewelry box. Chris found herself breathless as he opened it to expose an engagement ring.
"I hope you like it," he said as he removed it and placed it on Chris' ring finger. Chris looked at it in awe.
"Oh, Johnny! It's exquisite!" she responded with the tears pooling in her eyes. "I love you so much!"
"I love you too, sweetie. You've made me so happy," Johnny told her as he pulled her into his arms and kissed his fiancee for the first time.
The carousel whirled. The music played. And Johnny was finally engaged.
THE END
Author's Note: I want to thank my friends Tina and Audrey for all their help through this saga and all the readers who encouraged me to continue my "Malibu Nights" story. I must say I've been surprised at what an epic it turned into but I've really enjoyed writing it and appreciate everyone's patience as I finally bring it to a close. So, I sigh heavily as the story ends (about time isn't it?). Thanks Marcia! -- Nancy ;-)
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