Chapter 175
Chapter 175
***Six months later***
“Stewart Industries Landmark building construction was completed today. The twenty-story building boasts retail, commercial, and event space. The impressive building has already become a hallmark of the city with a silver tower as its crown. Glass windows glisten in the sun. And anyone in the city can enjoy the gorgeous public park that surrounds it. It is a gorgeous and shining collaboration of the best and freshest minds in the city. William Stewart has named the structure, ‘The Conrad Tower,’ in honor of his beloved late grandfather. The city awaits now for the building to open and for all the new opportunities it will create. This has been Susanne Winters for Channel 16 news.”
They all cheered and toasted the completion of the building, gathered around Will and Emma’s living room.
“Here’s to The Conrad Tower!” Will raised his glass. “And to all the people that helped make it possible! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you all. Thank you.”
They raised their glasses and took a sip of their drinks.
“It’s been an amazing few months,” Alex said, walking over towards Emma. “We’ve been happy to be a part of this journey with you.”
“Will, Alex and I have been working on a special surprise for you. We started months ago, and everything is finally ready,” Emma gushed.
“A surprise?” Will asked. He set down his drink, his eyes darting between his best friend and girlfriend.
“It’s been hella hard to keep this quiet,” Sabrina said. “They’ve been working so hard.”
“We all had a hand in it,” Jess added.
“But it was all their idea,” Spencer continued.
“What was?” Will asked.
“This.” Emma handed Will an envelope. He gave her a confused look but opened it. Inside was a fancy invitation.
You are cordially invited to Stewart Industries First Annual Benefit Ball.
“A ball?”
“It’s great publicity for the company and a great way to give back to the city,” Sabrina said. “The proceeds are meant to go to a different charity each year. After this year, you’ll get to choose. But this year, we choose for you.”
Will felt a tightness in his chest and couldn’t trust himself to speak. He cleared his throat.
“What charity is it?”
“It’s a center that helps those who have been victims of child abuse and neglect.” Emma smiled. “It’s called Little Wings.”
“Wow,” Will said fighting back the emotion that threatened to overtake him. “This is amazing.” He continued to look at the invitation.
“There’s more,” Alex said.
“Come on, guys,” Will choked back his feelings. “Are you trying to make me cry?”
“We set up the Conrad Stewart Foundation. Each year it will award a full scholarship to a deserving student wishing to pursue a career in business at the university, as well as an internship after graduation. The winner gets announced at the ball. The applicants are all invited. Five partial scholarships will be awarded as well.”
“This is exactly what Pop would want. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Emma went up and hugged him. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Alex and I have everything already taken care of. The ball will take place in the ballroom at The Conrad Tower in one from now.”
“Jason asked that we let him take care of our outfits, of course,” Alex winked.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Will’s heart was full. His grandfather had always wanted to give back to the city. Conrad loved his city and it had been his dream to leave a legacy behind. His friends had done that for him, and it was something he would never forget.
Invitations for the ball had gone out to the cream of the crop. A who’s who of Queensbury City was on the guest list. It was the talk of the city. Thanks to Sabrina, it was the social event of the year. News outlets, society pages, and celebrity gossip bloggers couldn’t stop talking about it. The city was buzzing was excitement. It was alive with hope and promise. Something that had been missing for long time.
The day of the ball had arrived. Jason was all a flutter.
“Oh, I feel like the Fairy Godmother,” he tittered. He had gowns and suits already selected. For Jess, he picked a stunning gold dress. It was gathered around her shoulders with a plunging neckline and high thigh split. He kept her makeup neutral and opted to have her hair out and poofed in its natural state. The yellow against her darker complexion glowed.
Sabrina’s feisty and in-your-face attitude deserved a red dress. It was strapless with a sweetheart neckline. The mermaid silhouette complemented her amazing figure, and the drama at the bottom gave it the perfect flair. A matching bold red lip and gold jewelry completed the confident look.
Emma’s dress was a gorgeous sky-blue ball gown. It was fitted around the waist and flowed down to the floor with an elegant sweeping training. Tiny crystals embedded throughout gave it an ethereal sparkle. It was a true Cinderella gown.
“You all look so amazing! Each of your men have suits that match, but of course you two are the belles of the ball!” He looked at Sabrina and Emma respectively. “I had matching garments for your children prepared, but I understand they won’t attend.”
“Thank you, Jason. But you’re right. The babies are staying at home with their nannies. We’ll be out late and don’t want to keep them up,” Emma said. “You’ve out done yourself,” she said as she admired herself in the full-length mirror.
“You sure have,” Sabrina said.
“I feel like a goddess,” Jess added. “You’re the best Fairy Godmother I’ve ever had!”
“These dresses are my own design. With you three wearing them, I’ll finally be able to realize my dream as a fashion designer!”
“How amazing!” Emma went to hug him, but he put his hands up to stop her.
“Oh no, darling. No smudging my masterpiece. Now get going. Your princes are waiting. And they look good enough to eat if I do say so myself.”
Before they took off, Emma grabbed Jason’s hands.
“Thank you, Jason. For everything.”
“You’re welcome. Now go. Enjoy your night.”
The women piled into their waiting limousine, and they were whisked off towards The Conrad Tower. A red carpet led from the street to the door of the building. The sides were lined with flashing cameras, news crews, and people vying for a soundbite from all of the celebrities arriving. Emma’s heart soared as she stepped out of the limo. So many months of hard work had led to this. Years of suffering and turmoil had led her and her prince charming to their ball. After everything they had been through, it was time to snatch their piece of happiness.
“Who are you wearing?” a fashion blogger shouted at them.
“These gowns,” Sabrina said with a flourish. “are original designs by up-and-coming designer Jason Fiorelli. He’s incredibly talented.”
“Our escorts are wearing him as well,” Jess simpered, loving the limelight.
“He also designs for children,” Emma added.
Every few steps they were stopped, someone asking them a question, requesting a photo, or an autograph.
“This is fun!” Jess laughed. “I could get used to this!” They continued walking and found their men up by the door, being interviewed by Channel 16 news.
“This was a true labor of love,” Spencer could be heard saying. “Everyone involved in this building put a little of their soul into it. The Conrad Tower will become the soul of the city, so it only seemed fitting.”
“And The Conrad Stewart Foundation will uphold the legacy of this city. It will give back to those who will continue to improve our home,” Alex added.
“My grandfather loved this city. He would be very proud,” Will finished.
“Thank you very much, gentlemen,” the reporter concluded. “Enjoy your evening.”
“Yes,” Will said, having caught sight of Emma. “I believe we shall.” Alex and Spencer followed his eye line and saw their respective partners. “You look beautiful,” Will walked up to Emma and kissed her hand. Behind them, Alex and Spencer also gushed over their partners. But the world had fallen away when Will looked at her. She was a vision of loveliness. Like his dreams come to life.
“You look pretty good yourself,” Emma blushed. Will offered her his arm and together they went inside. They danced the night away, mingled with the city’s elite, and overall had an amazing time. Later in the evening, they were all seated for dinner. The scholarship was awarded to a young man who would be the first in his family to attend college.
Then it was time for Will to make a speech. The crowd praised him with thunderous applause when he took the podium.
“Thank you,” he said as they simmered down. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming to our first annual event. This has been a magical evening for me, and my loved ones and I hope you all feel the same. To our scholarship winner, I look forward to following your progress throughout your schooling, and to seeing your graduate and hopefully becoming a part of the Stewart Industries family.” The boy’s family applauded, followed by the rest of the room. After they settled again, Will continued. “This has been a difficult year for me for personal reasons, but I have the people at that table there,” he pointed to the table he had been sitting at. “To thank for getting me through it. Years ago, I was in a bad way and did not understand that surrounding yourself with positive people was the best way to get through life. Of all the lessons my grandfather taught me, it was the one I couldn’t seem to grasp. Until now. All he ever wanted for me was for me to have a good and happy life, filled with love and laughter. I’d like to let my Pop know that I have that now. But there is one thing he wanted me to have above all things. And that was a family to love of my own. I have my beautiful daughter, who is the light of my world. And her mother. My amazing girlfriend, Emma Wells.”
The crowd let out a collective, “aww,” at his sentiment. Emma blushed.
“However, there is one more step I need to take to achieve that happiness he wanted for me. The happiness that I finally understand that I deserve.”
He walked down from the podium back towards Emma.
“Will, what are you doing?” she giggled. But then promptly gasped and began to cry as he got down on one knee. “Oh my God.”
“Emma Skye Wells. You have seen all the parts of me. The light and the dark. As I have seen all the parts of you. Being without you is like being without air. I can’t do it. I love you with all the strength of my soul. Please do me the honor of allowing me to walk this life with you as your husband.” From his pocket, he pulled out a box. Inside that box was the ruby ring Conrad had gifted her long ago. Tears stung in her eyes as she looked at it. “Emma, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she whimpered, holding out her hand. He slipped the ring on her finger and the ballroom roared with celebration. Balloons and confetti fell from the ceiling and Will captured Emma’s lips in a passionate kiss filled with love and promise. Filled with hope and possibility.
Neither knew what the future would bring. But they knew, that from that day forward, they would face it together.
The End