‘Yeah, I didn’tthink that part through!’ Nathan laughed and looked around. ‘How about that picnic bench?’
Lisa didn’t want to seem ungrateful when Nathan had gone to the trouble of packing the blanket, but knew she would almost certainly get a numb bum on the ground. ‘Do you mind?’
‘Of course not.’ Nathan shook the blanket off and carried the basket to the table.
They had a drink and admired theview before Nathan began unpacking the picnic. It looked perfect. Nathan had thought of all Lisa’s favourites – even Maltesers and the white chocolate marshmallow bears she had discovered in the supermarché and grown a little too fond of were put on the table. Once everything was laid out, Nathan put his hand back inside the basket.
‘Wait, there’s something else.’
Lisa noticed his Adam’sapple slide as he swallowed and the slight clench of his jaw.
‘What is it?’
With an apprehensive smile, he took out the last of the items from the basket. It took Lisa a moment to realise that he was holding a ring box. It was black with a velvet covering. Tears welled in her eyes. Her heart thudded in her chest and she was pleased she was sitting down.
All of the tension gone fromhis face, Nathan smiled, knelt on one knee before her, and opened the box. The beautiful solitaire diamond on a gold band glinted a rainbow of colours in the sunshine. ‘Lisa, will you marry me?’
The sight of Nathan on one knee, at what looked like the top of the world as blue sky, mountain peaks and tall pines stretched out before her, was overwhelming. It was more beautiful than she couldever have imagined. And it was just the two of them. Personal, intimate and perfect. The baby kicked as if to jolt her in to not keeping its daddy waiting. Lisa replied on a sob, ‘Yes! Yes!’
Standing, Nathan slid the ring as far as he could onto her finger.
Almost perfect.‘Oh, my fingers are swollen with the heat.’ Lisa couldn’t believe it.
Nathan stopped trying to push the ring furtheron and smiled. ‘That will do!’
Lisa stood as he swept her into a hug and they both cried happy tears.
