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When we approached the guard shack at the entrance to Casa Palacious, I held my finger to my lips, indicating to the guard not to say anything. As I nodded to a masked Meagan sitting beside me, he gave me a thumbs-up. By now, all the guards at the gate were used to our antics and the goings and comings of our group. They had long ago learned not to ask prying questions unless the circumstances warranted it.
We drove along the lane, passing a pond and vineyards as we made our way to the secluded cabin. The air was crisp and smelled of jasmine as the sun began to set and cast its orange hues on the rolling hills against the backdrop of San Diego in the distance. "I smell jasmine! Are we at Guy's hidden cabin?"
"What? How did you know!" I was gob smacked. How did she know about the cabin? Guy had only been back here once or twice since he bought the place... until recently!
Meagan laughed merrily, removing the mask, "I have my ways."
"Tell me! I have a right to know. This was meant to be kept secret!" I uttered with a mix of anger and hurt, thinking Guy had given away my surprise.
With a rosy hue to her cheeks, Meagan recounted how she once wanted to take a scenic drive, so she drove around the estate in her car, mindful not to go on the highway out of fear of being arrested.
"Did you go in?" I asked, taking her hand.
"Nope, I didn't even get out of the car. I was afraid someone would catch me driving and all hell would break loose. So, what are we doing here?” She glanced at me quizzically. “If you've got your mind on getting some lovin’ out here... I'd love to, but we can't until after tomorrow's check-up with Dr. Rodriguez... just to be on the safe side."
I chuckled and pulled her close. "No, Megs. I have something else in mind, something better than sex..."
"I never thought I'd hear you say that.” Megs giggled, holding my hand as I unlocked the door, and we stepped inside. "Wow, this place is something else."
The cabin was cozy and inviting. A fire was burning in the hearth, and blankets were folded over the armchairs. I led Megs to one of them and handed her a mug of hot cocoa.
"It feels like déjà vu without the rum. Do you remember..."
"When you had me over and served cocoa?" I chuckled.
"Yeah," Megs giggled, sipping the steaming drink. "Who fixed this anyway?"
"I had it delivered," I explained.
"This place is awesome. I had no idea. But you didn't bring me out here to sit by the fire and sip hot chocolate," Meagan said, wrapping her hands around the mug. "We must have just missed whoever it was because this is still hot... So, tell me the truth, Chase. What in God's green earth are we doing out here?"
With a slight smirk, I walked behind where she sat so she wouldn't notice me take the engagement ring from my pocket. I had quickly picked it up from the jeweler while she was finishing the grant.
"Chase! Where are you? I'm ready to explore this place!" Megs spun around, eager to absorb all the sights and sounds.
"We can do that later. You have a question to answer first." I slowly sank to one knee, holding the diamond ring between my thumb and forefinger. Tears welled in Meagan's eyes as I spoke softly, "Meagan, you're the most amazing woman I know. You are kind, loving, and beautiful. Nothing else matters when I'm with you."
I paused for a moment and brushed away a tear that had escaped down her cheek before continuing. "We've been through so much together already. I want to spend every single day for the rest of our lives discovering more about each other and building something wonderful." Then, taking her hands in mine, I asked quietly but firmly. "Will you marry me?"
Meagan gasped, and tears streamed down her face as she nodded slowly. I slid the diamond ring on her finger, relieved beyond all imagination that she had accepted my proposal. Then, with a trembling hand, she brought mine up to her lips and kissed it before throwing her arms around me in an embrace.
"Yes! Yes, Chase... of course I'll marry you!" She said between sobs of joy.
Meagan couldn't stop looking at her ring. Thank God, she loved it. "I can't wait to show Ariel and Amy."
I was just glad she had said yes and was so happy to be spending the rest of my life with her and our child. I kissed her cheek as she looked up at me and smiled, "But why are we here at this place. It's cool and all, but..."
Suddenly the door burst open, and Guy and Ariel rushed in wearing big smiles. Clearly, they had been listening outside the door the whole time. Meagan's face lit up as she launched into her brother's arms and then hugged Ariel.
"We knew you'd say yes," Guy said with a huge grin.
"Congratulations, Meagan, and you too, Chase!” Ariel whispered, wiping away a tear of her own, "I'm so happy for you..."
Meagan's eyes lit up with joy as she and Ariel admired the sparkling ring in the warm, flickering firelight. "It's so gorgeous," she murmured, holding out her hand to take it all in. She glanced over at Guy and Ariel who were smiling ear-to-ear, and suddenly knew they had something to do with this special moment. Giggling, Meagan asked them both if the hot chocolate and fire were their doing – which, of course, it was!
I took her hand, saying, "There's more. Guy and Ariel aren't just here to celebrate with us. Guy has something to tell us.... well, really, just you."
We huddled together as Guy explained to his sister how — "Now that you've said yes, Meagan.” He went on in detail how he was giving us the cabin and the surrounding ten acres as an engagement gift, and continued, "but the remodel and decorating will be up to you and Chase." Guy explained how the vineyard keeper had lived in this home when it was first built. However, ever since its sale, it had been left to deteriorate — although, due to the excellent workmanship, the place was in good shape, it just needed modernizing. “Oh, and Cookie can stay at the stable for as long as you like.”
