As the aircraft's descent into LA began, Elle started to fidget. She was so revved up and agreed with Donovan when he said he's never seen her so agitated over nothing.
Then she disagreed.
"But it is something, it's something of immense interest to me - I want to see Hannah's face when she catches sight of the ring and it dawns on her that I'm to be her daughter-in-law."
"What about me?" he protested. "Am I relegated to second-base after serving as the means for you achieving that end?"
"No darling, you shall always be No. 1 - you are going to provide me with a total relationship for life. My affair of the heart with your mom is simply a mother-daughter relationship; the only difference is mine is with my mother-in-law. It's a bonding that sits naturally with women whereas it seems men only bond with their father and father-law to go golfing, drinking or have access to vehicles or accommodation superior to their own. Sadly in your case you only have your mom, your two sisters and me to go golfing or fishing with or to accompany you to a ball game."
That conversation immediately terminated in a prolonged kiss.
There were kisses again at the airport, Hannah diplomatically kissing Donovan first and kissing and hugging Elle for a similar length of time - so close in fact she must have been counting off the seconds.
Elle casually brushed back her hair, Hannah caught the flash of reflected light on the diamond and all hell broke loose - they having to assist Hannah to the nearest chair because her knees began giving out.
"Oh the answer to my wildest dreams - I'm going to have you for my daughter-in-law. Ohmigod!"
"Wasn't your greatest hope to see me married mom?"
"Oh yes, of course, darling, that too."
Donovan grinned and left them to enjoy their moment of emotional overflow, striding off to the news-stand to get that day's
Los Angeles Times
.
His mouth fell open when he reached the business section.
Donovan rushed back with the newspaper to Hannah.
"Mom - look at this; you didn't say anything and I was talking to Leigh earlier today and she didn't say anything: don't you people care?"
Elle was looking at a big picture of Roger's drawing of the building, the headline under it crowing: 'LA wins 'Apex Bleu!' from Frisco!'
"That's amazing," Elle said, stroking Donovan's arm and calming him. "Ohmigod, it says our firm came up with the concept that blew the socks off the French who arrogantly believe they are the center of the universe when it comes to design and flair. It says you and I were summoned to New York to meet the autocratic founder of the House of René, the aged extremely temperamental Madam René Roché..."
"How can they say that," snorted Elle. "She oozes power but has the charm of a lovely grandmother."
"Perhaps she needs that reputation as part of her business," Hannah said wisely.
Elle lost interest in the article, except to say it stated the French had appointed Business Uplift to continue the concept though the building internally which would miff the architects.
"We may gain good mileage out of this," commented Donovan, rubbing his jaw and smiling at his fiancée.
"It's already begun - media representatives descended on us this morning, and Roger had conducted several interviews, thoroughly enjoying the limelight. But the big news is you two are to feature in Sunday night's TV program 'LA Skyline'. I committed you to it - I thought of calling but decided you didn't need to be called about something you'd tell me to proceed with anyway. You are to go to the studio tomorrow to meet personnel and to brief them so they can prepare questions for presenter Lee Rhonda Hurst."
"That's fine, mom, excellent really. Was there anything else?"
"The only interesting call was from Duncan Barnes."
Elle noted Donovan tense.
"He wants to talk to you Donovan; you're lunching with him tomorrow. He's keen for you to agree to Elle working on projects for him on contract and says she can do it all without leaving our offices as it's her ideas he wants."
"Elle?"
"Sounds fine to me, Donovan but whatever you decide."
"Is that all you have to say?"
"Yes because his only interest is making money Donovan. If you decide to contract me to his organization make sure you attach a high price-tag on me."
Hannah said it was puzzling, why weren't American's in demand for conceptual thinking?
"I'm sure they are and in all sorts of fields Hannah, but the question is are they really free-thinkers or are they also absorbed about their reputations, the quality of their credentials, the fear of failure and worried about maintaining charge-out rate growth and profit margins?"
"Phew that's a heavy mix," Hannah chuckled.
"Which is the whole point," said Donovan, drawing an admiring glance from Elle. "I think Elle, in coming from a small country where the culture among many of the population is to think big while she has gone on to attained a rarified level of being a radical free-thinker. That Frenchwoman René came wanting to be impressed by Elle, having been told about her. Elle simply blew her away without seemingly trying to impress. It was a treat to see unfold."
"It's your mother you're talking to Donovan," Elle said. "You don't have to impress her."
"He knows that, Elle. It's just that he was blown away too."
"Oh aren't you guys sweet," Elle said, hugging him."
"I've booked to go to Sergio's," Hannah said casually as they waited in line for a cab.
"Oh not that barn of a place," Donovan complained.
"I was keen to go there but if you..."
"Its okay mom, perhaps we can find a quiet corner."
They ran into Leigh English at the door.
"Hi fancy seeing you here," Elle said kissing her. "Is Mike with you?"
"No just a bunch of us from work. Hi boss," she said, kissing Donovan.
"Really?" Donovan commented, peering at the notice in the doorway, 'Closed for private function'. You were lucky to get in."
"Luckier that what you think," Leigh smiled, taking him by the arm and marching him forward, followed by Hannah with a big smile walking arm-in-arm with Elle.
Every guest stood and clapped, with some cheering.
"Here he is, folk, our man of the moment and here she is, folk, the prettiest head with the most active brain that anyone could wish to meet - I give you our president, Donovan Seymour and our vice-president Shaynelle Jamieson although you know her as Elle."
There was more applause and Donovan and Elle could see their entire workforce was there with partners. This was an unscheduled office event.
As the noise died down Leigh took Elle by the hand and suddenly screamed, "Eeek! What's this? Guys it's an engagement ring!"
She looked at Donovan and he nodded.
"Guys our bosses have gotten engaged! That's what New York does to you."
"It's true," Donovan shouted, "The bar's open - anything you like."
Donovan went over to the manager and asked her to zap his personal card and charge all drinks all evening to that account.
He turned to go back to Elle but she was hidden by a circle of females. Before he could move off to the bar Roger arrived with two handles of beer.
"Cheers and my best wishes Donovan. It couldn't happen to a nicer boss."
"Thanks Roger - I'll be getting my best friend Andre Phelps to come home from Germany to be my best man but I'd like you to be groomsman - just a small wedding, towards the end of January."
"I'd be honored. Small wedding you say; I'm surprised Elle and your mother agreed to that."
"Er we actually haven't discussed the wedding yet."
"I see. Well mate, I have news for you but let's not worry about that this evening."
"Cheers!"
"Cheers, thanks Roger. What prompted the party?"
"All this media attention we had this morning and into early afternoon. We were talking about having a beer and then the women wanted in and then Hannah said no, let's have caterers bring in food and other drinks beside beer. And then a courier brought in the contract - Hannah signed and authorized me in writing to be the second signatory."
"We were given our two copies and the courier took away the two other copies - they had already decided we were getting the contract as it was dated and signed by then four days ago and couriered with delivery instructions. I guess if you guys had failed to impress in New York, delivery of the documents from the LA depot of the courier firm would have been cancelled."
"The whole of life hangs on a thread Roger. Don't worry about it; only give your attention to what you can influence."
Roger cocked his head and said that sounded like Elle talking.
"Actually at times Hannah is beginning to sound like her too."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Hell no Donovan. She'll make you into a better person - oops, I mean an even better person."
Many drinks later Roger told Elle that Donovan was expecting to have a large wedding and she seemed surprised, saying she'd decided to have a small wedding because that's what he'd want. Something must have made him change his mind.
