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“Shouldn’t we head straight to the reception?” Lorelei asked, worrying about being late.
“Daniel and Lorelei are going to be taking pictures for at least a half an hour of just the two of them. I think we’re good.”
“Okay. Sounds great. You know I love driving along the scenic route with the wind blowing in my hair.” It was nice, she thought, to be riding with her guy along this beautiful stretch of road.
Daniel turned toward her and flashed her a brilliant smile. The look on his face seemed a bit mysterious, as if he had a secret no one else knew.
A few minutes later Daniel slowed the car down. There was a sign at the side of the road. For all the years I dreamed of being loved.
He kept driving down the road until another sign popped up. I now know you were the answer to all of my prayers.
Goosebumps popped up on Lorelei’s arms. “Daniel. Do you think these signs are for Micah and Faith?”
He shrugged and kept smiling.
Two seconds later, another sign. You are more precious than rubies.
Lorelei sighed. It was her favorite verse from Proverbs. She sensed a man had set up these signs. Whoever he was in love with was a very special and fortunate woman.
A half mile down the road there was another sign. Come away with me and be my bride.
Lorelei’s breath caught in her throat. This was all so achingly romantic. It was making her heart soar.
Daniel wasn’t saying a word though. He seemed underwhelmed by the roadside messages. Maybe it was just a girl thing? She felt like swooning right there in the car. But he was unfazed by it all. Lorelei let out a little sigh. If Daniel didn’t see this as romantic, perhaps she didn’t know him as well as she thought she did. A feeling of disappointment shot through her. In the distance Lorelei could see another sign, this one larger than all of the others. As soon as they were close enough to see the sign, Lorelei let out a gasp and covered her mouth with her hands.
Lorelei, I will love you for forever and a day.
Her entire body was shaking. She wasn’t sure if she was seeing things. Was it really her name on the sign? Daniel was pulling over to a little area of the beach by the sign. He parked the car and jumped out, reaching the passenger side within seconds. He opened her car door and held his hand out and gently pulled her from the car.
“You made all of those signs?” she asked him, her steps a bit wobbly as she exited the car. She couldn’t imagine why Daniel had done all of this for her. It was Micah and Faith’s special day after all.
Daniel grinned at her, nodding. “I did, Faith.” He took her hand and led her to a patch of grass overlooking the beach and the ocean. It was a tranquil, isolated spot. But she still had no clue why they were here when the reception was about to start.
Suddenly, Daniel was on his knees. She watched as he dug around in his pocket and pulled out a wooden box. He looked up at her, his hands trembling a little as he popped open the wooden box to reveal a gorgeous, brilliant diamond sitting inside. “Lorelei James. You entered my life like a flash of lightning on an ordinary day. When I think back on that day, what impresses me the most is your ability to give me a second chance. You forgave me. You trusted me enough to allow me in to your home. Despite what you’ve been through, your heart is full of goodness. It shines for everyone to see, Lorelei. You’ve changed my life in the past few months. You’ve made me a better man. When I imagine my future, it’s not just mine I’m dreaming about. It’s ours. I actually never thought I would find a love like this. I really imagined I’d grow old by myself. I was resigned to being the uncle and never a father to my own kids. God sure had a surprise for me up in his sleeve. He knew you were about to come into my life. He knew all of my dreams were about to come true.”
Lorelei was crying and laughing and murmuring thanks to the Lord for this epic moment. She was so surprised and overwhelmed and deliriously happy. All of her dreams were coming true right before her eyes.
Daniel held the ring up towards her. “Sweetheart, I can’t imagine my life without you. I see my future every time I look in your eyes. I love you. More than words can convey. Will you marry me, Lorelei? Will you take this journey with me and be by my side for the rest of our lives?”
Lorelei nodded enthusiastically. There was a huge lump of emotion sitting in her throat. “Yes! Yes!” She somehow managed to get the words out of her mouth. “Any day. Any time. Anywhere. I’ll marry you, Daniel Donahue. It would be an honor to be your wife.”
He reached for her hand and slid the ring on her ring finger. The diamond twinkled on her hand, brilliant and beautiful. “It’s gorgeous!”
Daniel stood up. “I tried to find something as beautiful as you are, but it just wasn’t possible.”
Lorelei’s mind was racing. She bit her lip. “Oh, Daniel. I’m so happy, but I don’t want to take any of the limelight from Micah and Faith. Perhaps I should put the ring back into the box for the reception.”
“Don’t worry, Lorelei. We’re not stealing their thunder. I have full approval of Micah and Faith to do this on their special day. They actually encouraged me to do it today. And Micah came with me to pick out the ring.” He winked at her. “This is fully sanctioned by the bride and groom.”
“Oh, how wonderful,” she said, reaching up and placing a triumphant kiss on her fiancé’s lips. “Your family is so incredibly generous, Daniel.”
“They love you, Lorelei. Almost as much as I do.”
Those words settled inside her heart, giving her a heartwarming feeling about this new life she was about to embark on. For so long she had wanted a family of her very own. And now she had one. It would be full of loud voices, family celebrations, weddings, birthdays and endless amounts of love. Her heart was bursting with happiness.
“Oh, I can’t wait to share our happy news with them.”
“Me too,” he said, dipping his head down and placing a kiss on her temple. “Let’s just stay here for a little bit longer so we can revel in this moment. Just the two of us. Because you know once my family finds out we’re engaged there will be complete pandemonium.”
