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“That is none of your business. You will have to wait just like everyone else,” she grinned “Oh, this is going to be the best vacation ever.”
“The vacation starts after Valentina says yes. Right now my brother says he doesn’t need my help. I am not so confident that he has it all under control. What do you think?” Carlie asked Abby.
Abby shot me a look “Rick, you know you can’t do this alone. You’ve proved that to me a few times since I gave you the list.”
“I have always done what was on your list,” I stated firmly.
Abby chuckled. “I mean done them right. But you do get an A for effort. I bet you’re not even halfway through the new list I gave you.”
He shrugged. “I was going to work on it after Carlie left.”
“Oh, my. What are we going to do with him? Everything needs to be in place for tomorrow!” Carlie said.
“I know. I think you and I are going to need to take charge. What do you say, Carlie? Want to help me chip away at the to do list?” Abby asked.
“Hey, I’ve got this under control. I don’t need you ladies coming and…”
In unison they said, “Yes you do.”
“I’m the one who planned this!” I invited them all to make this special for Valentina. I knew how much family meant to her. Having them here was to show her that I love her for who she is, that I love her family and how we have all their support in getting married. But with them or without, I had planned on asking Valentina for her hand in marriage. This was all just a bonus.
“Don’t worry, Rick. We’ll leave you plenty of things to do. We’ll just take extra care with all the things a woman would appreciate,” Carlie said.
Abby smiled. “I like you already, Carlie. Welcome to the family.”
“Hey, I’m the one marrying into the family,” I reminded her.
“It’s a package deal,” Abby said. “Just like when you marry my mom, you get us too.” She turned back to Carlie and said, “Now, why don’t you and I have a seat and get started. And while we do, Rick can practice his proposal.”
“Practice? On you guys?” I chuckled. “Hell no. What I have to say, will be to Valentina. You will just have to wait.” It also was because I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to say. I’d written it down and tore it up so many times that I had lost count. The words I love you weren’t enough. Marry me wasn’t either. How can I put what is in my heart into words? Good thing I have till tomorrow to make it perfect.
“Can’t blame a girl for trying,” Abby giggled and sat at the table.
I handed Carlie the list as she sat beside Abby. “Aren’t you going to join us?” she asked.
“No. I can hear you both from the couch. I’ll finish what I was working on.”
Neither seemed bothered by my decision to step away. But the two women were talking so fast it became a blur. I ignored most of it, but occasionally, I heard my name and then laughter. They were enjoying this way too much.
That’s fine. You handle this. I have better things to think about. Like what she’s going to say when she sees me.
Abby and I had spent the last month planning out almost every detail, but no matter how many times I thought it through, and how perfect we made this, I still wasn’t sure Valentina was going to say yes.
If I could turn back the clock, and we were in our early twenties, I knew she’d say yes without hesitation. But now, I’m hoping that what we have will be enough. We had shared laughs, shared a bed, but beyond that, neither of us ever talked about our feelings. Abby said her mother loves me, and I believe that she does as well. But what if she is still harboring resentment for my leaving. Hell, I barely have come to terms with my actions myself, why am I thinking she’d have none?
Fuck. She never answered my text message about Boston. She might very well shoot me down.
Panic was starting to set in. I got up and reached for my phone.
“What are you doing?” Carlie asked.
“I need to speak to Valentina.”
“No. Don’t call her,” Abby said firmly.
“Why not? I’m not going to tell her I’m on the cruise. I just want to…” See if she will even answer my call.
“I told everyone this is a vacation and there are no electronic devices allowed during family time,” Abby said.
