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Her mouth spreads into a closed-mouth smile.
I clear my throat. “Thank you all for coming tonight to the annual Lyons Masquerade. I have spared you from the absolute mortification that was last year’s theme.”
“I liked last year’s theme,” Solomon grumbles from the crowd and Bridget shushes him.
“I appreciate you giving me a second chance to make it up to you all.” The crowd chuckles. “Theme notwithstanding, last year’s masquerade turned out to be the most important moment of my life. Other than my children being born.” I look into Sonia’s eyes once again. “It was the night I met Sonia Elaine Hill.”
Her brow is already knit together tight to keep fromshedding the tears glistening in her beautiful golden eyes. The smile only grows by the second.
I pull off my mask.
A moment like this requires us to be face to face.
“I hope you’ll forgive me for removing my mask. It will only be for the moment, I promise.” I look over at Sonia. “You too, sweetheart.”
She hesitates, then pulls off the mask, revealing her true face to me.
I remember a year ago how she refused to show me her identity. Now, I know all of her. There is no need to hide.
“Sonia and I had to overcome a lot to be together. Many of you know her as one of the managers around here at Lyons. Just one of our many hiccups. But when the universe calls out to you, you can’t let trivial things like the boundaries of being boss and employee get in your way.”
This is it. The moment.
I sink down onto one knee.
Part of the crowd didn’t see this coming, some shocked gasps resounding through the club.
“Sonia, the past year has taught me a lot. But the most important lesson was that even if you wait a single second, you have waited too long to tell people you love them. You have to start as soon as you feel it. I have spent every day since I met you loving you. Probably before that too.”
Sonia blushes, touching her cheek.
“You are the best part of me. You’ve shown me how to be a better man. And a better father. And I don’t want to spend another day of my life without you as my wife.”
“Oh my gosh.” A tear rolls down her face as she hiccups a laugh.
I open the ring box, letting the diamonds and rubies glitter like they’re somehow magic. Sonia’s jaw drops.
“Sonia. My swan. Will you marry me?”
There is an enthusiastic “aww” from the crowd.
She nods before she speaks. “Yes, yes, of course.”
I take her hand in mine as all the witnesses applaud.
Electricity shocks both of us, an intensity we have never known. Not since the beginning.
Knowing how precious both the moment and the woman in front of me are, I slip the ring onto her ring finger.
I can’t believe I’ve waited so long to do this. That it took me so long to figure my shit out. I can only be glad that somehow my soul waited for Sonia.
“I hope you like–”
Sonia grabs me by the face and pulls me into a deep kiss.
I slide my hand around her waist, pressing her to me, making it clear to everyone that this woman right here is all mine and will be forever.
The band begins to play some jazz number.
