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“I have already met you and made myself clear,” Greg snarled.
“I don’t appreciate the tone you’re using with my son,” my dad said.
“Your son? He’s James Hendersons son,” Greg snapped.
“No. He was born a Henderson, but my late wife Lilly and I raised him from birth. He’s a good man. And if you could see past your hate, then you’d realize that, too. Your daughter is an amazing woman, and she sees the man Colton is, too. We all do. Can we all really be wrong?” Dad asked.
Greg looked around then stared at Annabella. “Is this really who you choose?”
“Yes, Dad. I love him. If you give him a chance, you will see he’s everything you always said you wanted in a son-in-law,” she said.
“And if I don’t accept him?” he asked.
Dad said, “Then you’re a damn fool because you’re breaking your own child’s heart. Can’t complain about Hendersons being assholes if you’re going to be one yourself.”
Damn, Dad. I never asked you to say that.
He wasn’t holding anything back, and from the look on Greg’s face, it had hit home. First his fists clenched, and then his expression softened.
“I never wanted to be anything like James.”
“Dad, you’re not. You just got caught up in the hate. It’s time to let it go. He’s gone, and Colton and his siblings shouldn’t pay for someone else’s wrongs,” she said.
Greg reached out and hugged Annabella. I could see his eyes tearing up. “I’m so sorry. I never should’ve spoken to you like that. You didn’t deserve it. Can you forgive me?” he pleaded.
“Dad, we can leave it all in the past. Let’s not ever talk about it again,” Annabella said.
Greg released his hold on her and said, “I have to, at least one more time.” Then he walked over to me and said, “I would like to try this again, if you don’t mind.”
I nodded. “I agree.”
He extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Greg Montgomery. I’m the father of the most amazing daughter anyone could ever wish for.”
“Hello, I’m Colton Marzoni, a man who loves your daughter with all of his being.”
“Welcome to the family, Colton,” he said.
I heard crying from Annabella and Barbara and noticed they were hugging. So far, tonight was going as planned. But it wasn’t over yet.
There was a private chef on board as well as waitstaff. We spent the next couple of hours eating, drinking and most of all, laughing and getting to know each other. The sun had set and the moonlight reflected off the calm ocean. I looked over to Jack, who had been waiting for my signal. I gave him a nod, and he picked up a champagne glass and tapped on it with a fork. Everyone turned their attention to him, which meant their eyes weren’t on me.
“I just wanted everyone’s attention for a moment. If it weren’t for one person, tonight wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you, Colton,” he said, raising his glass in my direction.
Everyone turned to look at me, and when they did, their mouths fell open. I was on bended knee holding my Tiffany box towards Annabella. She looked the most stunned of all.
“Annabella, I came to Boston to learn about my past, but what I found was my future. I love you with all my heart. If you’ll do me the honor of becoming my wife, I promise to spend the rest of my life bringing you as much joy as a sunny day at the beach.” Opening the box to reveal a two-carat diamond, I asked, “Annabella, will you marry me?”
She nodded. “Colton, yes, I’ll marry you.”
I slipped the ring onto her finger, got up, and pulled her into my arms, kissing her. The others applauded wildly. When we broke our embrace, my dad came over and congratulated us, giving Annabella a kiss on the cheek.
“I finally have a daughter,” he said. “My Lilly would’ve loved knowing you.”
She smiled and said, “Thank you.”
Then her parents approached. Barbara hugged us both and then looked at the ring, nodding appreciatively as she inspected it. “Wow, you chose well. And I’m not talking about the ring,” she smiled.
Greg hugged his daughter and then turned to me.
