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"Did I share with you the latest numbers for the company?" he asks, a hint of pride in his voice as we begin to arrange plates and silverware on the table.
"No, but I’m guessing they’re good," I reply.
"Better than I ever imagined," he admits, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "We've managed to secure some huge contracts in Europe, and our revenue has nearly doubled."
"Wow, that's amazing," I gush, genuinely impressed by his achievements. "You deserve every bit of success, Roland." Especially as I know he’s doing much to improve the lives of those around him and helping to set up new business ventures for young entrepreneurs.
"Thank you, Maddie," he says, reaching out to squeeze my hand briefly before returning his attention to the task at hand.
"All right, everyone, dinner's ready!" he announces a few moments later, and the four of us gather around the table laden with delicious dishes. Gina has the day off, but she cooked most of them in the days leading up to today. Roland and I have cooked up some of our favorites.
"Yummy!" Carmen exclaims, her eyes wide with delight as she takes in the spread before her.
"This looks fantastic," I say.
"We’re a good team," he replies, winking at me.
We sit down to eat, and before long, Damian asks, "Can I have some more mashed potatoes, please?"
"Of course," Roland says, passing the bowl to him. "Eat up; there's plenty to go around."
"Thanks," Damien mumbles, his mouth full as he digs in with gusto.
"Slow down, kiddo," I tease him gently. "I don't want you getting a stomachache on Christmas."
"OK, OK," he relents, grinning sheepishly at me before taking a more measured bite.
As we continue to feast and chat about everything from Roland's latest business ventures to Damien's newfound interest in photography, I can't help but marvel at how far we've come since I first walked into this apartment as Carmen's nanny. And despite the challenges we've faced, I couldn't be more grateful for the incredible life we're building together.
As evening falls, the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree cast a warm glow over our cozy living room. Roland and I sit on the plush couch, watching Damien and Carmen giggle as they attempt to build a gingerbread house together.
"Here, Maddie," Roland says, handing me a beautifully wrapped present with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I think you'll love this."
"Thank you," I reply, excitement bubbling within me as I carefully untie the ribbon and peel back the wrapping paper. Inside lies a small velvet box that sends my heart racing.
"Open it," he urges, his voice slightly tense but full of anticipation.
Lifting the lid, I find a breathtaking engagement ring nestled within the soft fabric–a dazzling diamond surrounded by delicate, intertwining bands of gold. My breath catches in my throat, and I can't help but stare at the stunning piece of jewelry.
"Roland... is this...?" I trail off, unable to articulate my thoughts.
"Will you marry me, Maddie?" he asks, all traces of his typically brash exterior melting away to reveal the vulnerability beneath.
"Yes!" I exclaim without hesitation, tears welling up in my eyes. "A thousand times, yes!"
"Finally!" Damien chimes in, grinning from ear to ear. "It's about time you two made it official."
"Wedding," Carmen shouts happily, though I don’t think she grasps what that is–beyond a big party.
As Roland tenderly slips the ring onto my finger, I'm struck by the profound depth of love and trust that's grown between us. From enemies to lovers, nanny to partner, we've navigated our fair share of challenges–but there's no one else I'd rather face them with. The road ahead may be uncertain, but we'll forge our path together, side by side.
"Here's to a lifetime of love and adventure," Roland murmurs, his voice thick with emotion as he leans in for a passionate kiss.
"Cheers to that," I whisper against his lips, knowing that whatever the future holds, we'll face it together.
