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“Not as much as you should,” Maggie says.
“So, you’re all in favor of it, then?”
They nod, all smiling and watching me with eyes full of pride and congratulations.
“We should help you plan the proposal,” Maggie says.
“I already have it planned.”
“But it should be romantic,” Maeve says.
“It’s bloody romantic,” I shoot back at her. “I’m a romantic man.”
“He may be a lot of things, but I’ve never known Kane O’Callaghan to be romantic,” Shawn says with a laugh. “So, you’d better tell us what you’ve planned, so we can tell you if it’s romantic enough.”
I glare at my brother but tell them about the exhibit and how I plan to execute the proposal.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Keegan says in surprise. “Maybe you’re a romantic, after all.”* * *“This is a surprise,” Sherri, Anastasia’s mother, says the next afternoon. I asked if I could meet with not only Anastasia’s parents but her siblings, as well.
“Thank you for meeting me on such short notice.”
“You’re always welcome here,” Ed says as he slaps me on the shoulder and gestures for me to follow him to the living room, where Amelia, Wyatt, and Archer are already sitting.
Archer looks exhausted. Haunted, if truth be told. I don’t think Anastasia has talked with him since the night he got drunk at the pub and passed out in my guest room.
Amelia smiles and stands to offer me a hug before we all sit, the five of them all watching me and waiting for me to talk.
“Would you like something to drink, dear?” Sherri asks.
“No, thank you. I asked you all here without Anastasia present because I’d like to talk with you about my relationship with her. And how I would like things to move along going forward.”
“Isn’t this something you should just talk to Daddy about?” Amelia asks with a sly smile.
I shake my head no. “Traditionally, yes, but in this case, I think speaking with her whole family is appropriate. Family is important to both Anastasia and me, and I know that she and I consider how our decisions will impact those we love.”
I shift in my seat. “I’m completely in love with Anastasia. It’s impossible not to be, as far as I’m concerned. And I’d like to ask her to marry me.”
“I have some concerns,” Amelia says, surprising me. “Not about you as a person, but about the situation. You live on an island, and Stasia’s made her home in Bellevue, where her business is. Would you ask her to give up her career so she can live with you?”
“That is a speed bump, but not one that we can’t figure out. Anastasia will do as she pleases, as we all well know. I won’t ask her to give up her career, no. She loves it as much as I love my job. We will figure out a way to make it work for both of us.”
We spend the next hour speaking about plans and intentions. I didn’t expect them to necessarily just smile and say, “go ahead!” but I also didn’t consider that I’d be given the third degree.
But I should have. Because this family is thick as thieves, and they stick together. They stand up for each other, the way my family does.
“We like you very much,” Sherri says with a kind smile. “And we enjoy your family, as well. I think it’s lovely that you wanted to speak with all of us today.”
“Be that as it may,” Ed says thoughtfully, “if a man is considering my daughter for a wife, it needs to be about more than our families getting along well. I need to know that you’re going to step up to the plate every day, Kane, not just on the easy days. There will be times when you’re exhausted, frustrated, angry. Or perhaps one or both of you is sad. Troubled. Marriage is about those days, too. And it’s not always sexy.”
“You’re right.” I rub my hand over my neck, trying to pull my thoughts together. “Anastasia deserves someone who always has her back, no matter the circumstances or the mood, and that’s the truth of it, Mr. Montgomery. I know there will be times of struggle, but she’ll never have a moment of doubt when it comes to my loyalty or fidelity. Or my love. I’ll care for her until my dying breath. I love her, the good and the bad. She’s funny and smart. Dedicated. Hardworking. She’s also stubborn and moody when she doesn’t feel well.”
I smile. “I know this: her love and dedication to her family are admirable. I’m proud of her. I miss her when she’s not by my side. She challenges me and gives me a fresh perspective on things. I’ve already had the same conversation with my family because marriage changes the dynamic in relationships.”
“I take it they gave you the go-ahead?” Archer asks.
