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"Well, I guess the surprise is on you this time," I said, giggling, reaching out to take his hand. As we stood there, surrounded by the dusty relics of the past, we shared a quiet moment of connection that bridged generations, bound by the love that had brought us together.
Mitch paused and locked eyes with me, seemingly trying to read my expression. Then, after a moment, he confidently stepped back and knelt down, holding the diamond ring up in front of me. The sunlight streaming through the basement window illuminated every angle of the gem, causing it to shimmer like a sky full of stars.
"Amy," he began, his voice filled with emotion. "You are the love of my life, and I can't imagine spending another day without you by my side. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and Ava's mother?"
Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the man I love kneeling before me with vulnerability and devotion. My heart felt overwhelmed with joy, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Mitch, I love you so much! Yes, I will marry you as I promised before, and I will stand by your side as we raise our daughter."
As he slid the ring onto my finger, I marveled at how the diamond seemed to come alive. The stone's fire and brilliance seemed to mirror the happiness that radiated through me, filling every corner of my being. Our love was like that diamond, forged through time and pressure and as unique and precious as the gem now adorning my hand.
We stood there, basking in our happiness until Ava's cries from upstairs suddenly pulled us back to reality. Exchanging a glance, we knew we had to hurry. Our daughter needed us, and our new life together was beginning.
Hand in hand, we raced up the basement stairs, eager to attend to Ava and start our day as an engaged couple. Despite the unexpected nature of the proposal, I couldn't imagine a more fitting moment, a perfect reflection of what we’d been going through.
Not long after, Ava was sitting on our bed wearing her ruffled pink dress with a matching bow in her hair, playing with her teddy bear. Mitch had just finished tying his tie. As I slipped into my tea-length dress, I giggled and asked, "Can you zip me up?"
"My pleasure." Mitch's hand brushed over my thick curves and lingered a bit at the small of my back when he pulled me in for a kiss. "You look beautiful, Amy!"
There was a knock at our door. "It's Bob, my new bodyguard. The limo must have arrived."
The moment we walked into Bella Vita Italian Restaurant, I was swept away by an intoxicating blend of flickering candlelight and the heady aroma of roses. Something was magical in the air that late afternoon, an energy that made my pulse race. The Rosedale crew had come together, dressed to the nines, their laughter and excited chatter filling the room to celebrate our engagement. Papa, the ever-exuberant host, greeted Mitch and me with a dazzling grin, his theatrical gestures making it clear we were the stars of the show.
"Let's welcome our guests of honor!" Papa bellowed, initiating applause from everyone.
Ava jumped and started to squall. "You scared the baby, Papa."
"Giuseppe, Giuseppe..." Mum clicked her tongue and lifted Ava from her baby seat, rushing to comfort her.
"The place looks amazing, Mum!” I whispered, glancing around.
Outside, beyond the restaurant, the enchanting garden played host to a talented ensemble, their sweet melodies wrapping around us like a lover's embrace. Mum had outdone herself. Sparing no expense, the decor was a breathtaking sight, each detail meticulously chosen by skilled decorators who had spun a gossamer tapestry of elegance with their cascading fabrics, shimmering fairy lights, and intricate flower arrangements.
As Mitch and I mingled with our dearest friends, Courtney, who had arrived home with Brad, was the first to catch a glint of my engagement ring. Her eyes let up with a mischievous gleam as she grabbed my hand. "Oh, Amy, it is so unique. Is this what you and Mitch picked out? It looks like an antique."
By now, all the gals were standing around, and as Mum pushed to the front of the crowd, I explained how I had happened upon Mitch in the basement and spoiled his surprise. "It was Mitch's great-grandmothers. And Mum, she was Sicilian."
Suddenly she yelled, "Giuseppe, come here! Mitch might be one of our distant relatives!" Mum grabbed my hand with her free one to inspect the ring while balancing Ava with the other. "What a way to find out!"
Martha, Ariel's mother who lived in Guy’s guest house, came out from a private room and congratulated me. She also offered to take Ava to join the other kids, being entertained with games, prizes, and a ventriloquist. I thanked Martha for her kindness and for looking after the kids so that we could celebrate. Martha collected Ava and her diaper bag and said, "I'm so happy for you, Amy!"
We all laughed, then clinked our glasses of Champagne in cheer. However, the evening was far from over, as the dining room soon filled with an array of steaming Italian delicacies. After we enjoyed our food, Papa stood up and made a toast to our future in grand form before Mitch, and I were the first to dance to the sound of “We Found Love.”
After a few hours of raucous celebration and several bottles of Champagne, as usual, the women ended up on one side of the room telling Mum about our safe house adventures. My mother was the best gasper I had ever encountered. She gasped and shivered time after time as each one of us told our story. Then weallgasped when Courtney told us about how she and Brad encountered a bear while hiking near their campground. “We dropped our backpacks and barely escaped with our lives while the bear feasted on the snacks inside!”
However, when we heard Agent Downing's name mentioned from the men’s side of the room, we joined them and listened for any snippets of information that Papa was revealing about the Rosedale saga. With cigar smoke swirling around his head Papa explained with expansive gestures how he and Mum were getting out of the lease on the apartment by purchasing the penthouse instead and that he was planning to sell the family business in Vail.
"Now that Amy and Mitch are settling down, Elana and I want to be a part of their lives and can’t wait to spoil our one and only grandchild, little Ava.”
"What about your brother, Antonio? Is he still around?" Chase asked as he pulled up a chair for Meagan to join in.
"No. Antonio flew back to Vegas the same day. But that doesn't mean he has abandoned us."
"How, so?" Guy asked, leaning closer and lighting a cigar of his own.
"Here's the update,” Papa said. “Agent Downing sent several videotapes from various places and a pile of photos of evidence. We don't have access to the real evidence.... yet!" He grinned mischievously. "I suspect there will be an extra, fee.... if we want any of that."
"Why would we want the original stuff, like the clothes Meagan was wearing when she was rescued after her kidnapping.... or the sign Amy held up during her ordeal?" Mitch asked.
"Oh, there are a hundred reasons! But, most importantly, to have a private lab do forensic testing. Or perhaps, we don't want that evidence around. Something that might implicate one of you!"
