Page 120 of Paradigm

“You want to ask her here?”

“We met here,” she said with a little smile. “She loves it here. I love it here. I planned something for tomorrow night to give us enough time to really enjoy our vacation and to celebrate with you and your wife.”

“And Eline knows that you’re asking me for her hand in marriage?”

“She doesn’t know that I’m asking, no. But she’s mentioned that she’s not traditional at all unless it comes to this and that she wants to have your blessing. Her mother’s, too. I was hoping I could talk to you first, and maybe you could warm her up for me?” she asked, crossing her fingers.

He chuckled and said, “Arlowe has a question for us.”

Arlowe’s eyes went wide because she assumed that Eline would be with her mother, but when she turned, following his gaze, she only saw Eline’s mom and not her girlfriend.

“She’s in the bathroom,” Mrs. Claasen explained as she moved to stand next to her husband. “Were we right?”

“We were. She wants to do it here.”

“Here? In this house? Now?”

“In Amsterdam. I made a whole plan to go to a special spot for us, but I wanted to talk to you two first.”

“Well, I suppose that makes sense, doesn’t it? What did you tell her?” Mrs. Claasen asked her husband.

“Nothing yet.”

“And you love our daughter?”

“More than anything,” Arlowe replied.

“You’ll make her happy?”

“God, I hope so.”

“Then, you have my blessing,” Mrs. Claasen replied and turned to Eline’s father.

“You have mine, too,” he said.

“Really?”

“Yes, but we have to work on your Dutch, Arlowe. Last time we all talked on the phone, you sounded like you were trying to speak French, German, and Spanish all mixed together instead of Dutch.”

“Don’t give her a hard time. She’s trying,” Eline’s dad said.

“Trying what?” Eline asked.

“Dutch. She’s trying to learn Dutch.”

“She practices every day,” Eline shared proudly, looping her arm through Arlowe’s. “She’s getting better.”

“Thanks, babe,” Arlowe replied with a little laugh.

“Well, the food is done. Let’s eat,” Eline’s father said.

◆◆◆

“Arlowe, why are you rushing me? We’re just going to dinner. Are you starving or something?”

“No, and I’m not rushing you; you’re taking forever.”

“You told me to dress up,” Eline argued.