They retired to the lounge for coffee and Mrs. Ferrier said, "Jacqueline, tell us about yourself."
The conversation died as if someone had thrust a knife through its heart. They all knew that the interrogation had started, and Jacqueline's acceptance or rejection was hanging in the balance. They waited with baited breath. Jacqueline had a suspicion that this would happen sooner or later, and she was thoroughly prepared. 
"I'm one of two children, and my younger brother, Calvin, who is at college, is still staying at home. Both my parents are alive and working, but coming from the middle-class suburb of Sunstreak, my parents could not afford to send me to the college of my choice, which was Bollinger's Academy, to study as a fashion designer. I applied and was lucky to be accepted and awarded a scholarship that is awarded to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Fashion design has been my passion since I was six years old, and it hasn't changed. 
"During my school and college years I made clothes, and sold them to everyone. I saved that money and after graduation, opened my first Atelier in downtown Bossville. It grew from there and I moved to a much bigger space in midtown. I opened my first retail store not so long ago, and plans for the second one are well under way. In the meantime I'm designing my first runway show, to which you are all invited, and you will have front row seats. 
They had listened to her without interruption. 
"Wow! You're like Laurent. 
Work...work...work. When do you have fun?" Marcel asked. 
"Work is fun," Laurent and Jacqueline answered simultaneously. 
"Wow, they sound like twins," Marcel said.
"But seriously, we make time for fun. Work permitting, of course. My favorite pastime is swimming in the ocean. There's nothing better to clear one's mind," Jacqueline said. 
I love this girl. She has my blessing to be a part of this family. She's creative, hardworking, driven and pretty,  Tom Ferrier thought. 
Gosh, I wish I had half her drive, Gayle thought. 
The perfect match for Laurent. They're like two peas in a pod, Marcel thought. 
She's not bad, Mrs. Ferrier thought. 
"I would like everyone to call me Jacky, please. And now it's time for presents," Jacky said while handing a big white box with lilac flowers to Mrs. Ferrier. 
"Open it," Marcel said impatiently. 
"Don't be rude Marcel, it's personal. Don't listen to him, mom," Gayle said. 
"I don't mind," Jacqueline said. 
Mrs. Ferrier opened the box and, from between the delicate tissue paper she lifted a beige shift dress and matching long-sleeved coat. On the lapel Jacqueline had pinned a gold lizard brooch with ruby eyes. 
"It's beautiful," Gayle gasped 
"Thank you, Jacky. How did you know?" Mrs. Ferrier asked bewildered. 
"I tortured some information out of Laurent about your favourite colour, dresses and jewelry. I even begged him to fetch me a dress from your wardrobe in your townhouse so that I could get your exact measurements. That outfit is from a new fabric in our range that's going into stores next month. I returned your dress and Laurent swore me to secrecy, but I'm sorry to have let the cat out of the bag. Now he's going to torture me."
"He so much as lay a finger on you, and he's a dead man walking," Marcel jokes. 
"Thank you, my hero," Jacqueline said.
Mr. Ferrier, your present," she said as she handed him a wooden box with intricate carvings on the outside. 
When he opened it, his jaw dropped. A beautifully handcrafted wooden pipe with an ivory tip, reclined on a black velvet cushion. It was a limited edition item, and he remembered having had a similar pipe. The company which manufactured it had gone out of business years ago and since he had to contend himself with having to buy mass produced pipes, which wasn't the same. 
"Jacky, where did you find this?” Tom asked, genuinely surprised. 
"When I opened my first store in downtown Bossville, I did not have enough money to buy new furniture, so I shopped at the second-hand stores and I found good pieces at bargain basement prices. When Laurent told me that you enjoy pipe smoking I phoned a few of them, and one of them had dug this up from somewhere. It is brand new but I had to remove the damaged packaging to wrap it."
"Thank you, Jacky. This is one of the best presents I have received in years."
"My pleasure. And as for you two, she said, addressing Gayle and Marcel, I did not know you'd be here, otherwise I would have brought you something. But all is not lost. Gayle, our latest maternity range is in stores, and I would like you to stop by anytime so that we can fit you out "
"Thanks, Jacky, I was about to go shopping anyway. The baby is growing so fast nothing fits me anymore."
"And what do I get?" Marcel asked impatiently. 
"You look like a man who could do with a pair of SpongeBob socks," Jacqueline answered with a glint in her eyes. 
"Yikes, just what I needed," he said.
"Enough already, Jacky can do with some fresh air," Laurent broke in.
"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Ferrier for your kindness in inviting me into your home. It is beautiful, warm and homely, and I love it here. Dinner was excellent and I hope to leave here with a few extra pounds around the waist."
Laurent took her hand and walked her outside. The sky was black with a few stars dotting the canvas. 
"They love you already," Laurent said as he pulled her close to protect her from the chill. 
"They're wonderful people, and we'll get along just great," she answered. 
They stood looking at the stars, drinking in the fresh air and kissing until their lips were almost numb.  
-•-
Inside, the rest of the family sat with suppressed smiles on their faces. 
"Mother," Marcel broke the silence, "I think you'd better keep that outfit for the wedding. Dad, we will have to get you a new suit, and Gayle you'd better hurry with this pregnancy. Our daughter will have to be a flower girl."
They burst out laughing, guessing that his prophecy might be right on target. 
-•-
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