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Everyone cheers and offers her congratulations.
“Finally!” Mom says. “I’m so happy this nightmare is coming to a close.” She steps forward and squeezes Oakley’s shoulder.
“He managed to avoid jailtime, which I’m not personally happy about,” I add. “But he’ll be on probation and working on his community service for a long while.”
I pause, taking a moment to look into everyone’s faces. “I still can’t believe we’re actually all together right now.” I swallow down emotion. Oh great. How am I going to do this if I’m already feeling it? “I appreciate you coming to celebrate this resort, which is, in my opinion, the best one yet.”
“Here, here!” Milo says, stretching onto his side in the grass, propped up by his arm under his head.
Oakley’s grin is full as she sits up to a crossed legged position.
Celebrating our Longdale location all together as a family was the reason for the gathering—at least that’s the reason Oakley was told. The whole family, except Henry, had seen it already, but we hadn’t been all together here until today.
And everything worked out with our schedules. The Longdale High School football team had a bye this week, and Oakley didn’t have a clinical to go to like most weekends lately.
“Henry. Dude. I gotta be honest,” I say. “I didn’t think you’d actually come.” There are snickers as Henry offers a small smile as he scratches at his trimmed beard.
“It’s only been six months since our grand opening, so not bad.” Oliver offers, pushing Henry to offset his equilibrium.
Henry still doesn’t say anything, and frankly, I can’t wait any longer. “The Longdale Lake resort is not the only reason we’ve gathered today,” I say, my eyes trained on Oakley’s.
“No, it is not,” Gabriel says with a laugh, moving his dark blonde hair off his forehead before taking a long drink from his water bottle.
Oakley looks at Gabriel and some of the others before returning her perplexed gaze to mine.
“Oakley, my darlin’, will you please come with me?” I don’t wait for her answer. It only takes me a second to stand in front of her, my hand extended.
The family hoots and hollers with cat calls. Oliver gives an ear-splitting whistle. And Oakley just sits there, her mouth dropped open.
“Please, Oakley?” I ask, my heartbeat strumming through my head and ears. I know what will happen as soon as she takes my hand—the busyness that will occur as the family sets up for the after party. I also know the clock is ticking and if we don’t hurry, we’ll miss our chance to have this happen at the right moment.
Her mouth twists to one side, but her eyes are dancing as she accepts my hand and stands. We start jogging, hands interlocked, and the rest of the family stands, staring as we pass. I lead her to the pathway to my place.
“Alec?” Oakley is giggling as she runs. “Where are we going?”
I don’t answer, just return her laugh. I like being able to jog up the path to the cabin with very little pain. I like glancing back at her to see her excitement. Has she figured out what’s happening now?
We reach the top, to the spot where we used to stand and look out over the lake and surrounding beach and trees. We catch our breath as we, hand in hand, take in the glow of the peachy purple sunset.
After a moment, I step to a shrub and pull out two fabric bags I stashed behind it earlier.
I’m pretty sure she knows what’s going on now, but nerves still shock through me as I go down on one knee.
“Oakley Edwards, you add sweetness and spice to my life.” I open the drawstring of the first one to show her favorite candy.
Her beautiful face shines. “Can I eat one now, or am I supposed to wait…?”
“Whatever you’d like, my darlin’.”
She grabs one and takes a bite. “Mmmm. It’s been too long.” She’s still chewing when I open the other bag and slip out the ring box. She nearly chokes when I open it and turn it towards her.
“You can’t do that to me!” she says in between coughs, her hand flying to her throat. “I wasn’t prepared. The cinnamon burned my throat and then you show me the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen.”
I can’t help my laughter as I remove the ring from the box and slip it onto her finger. “Will you be my bride, Oakley?”
I stand and she jumps on me, full on baby koala style, clinging to me with all her might.
“Yes! I’m so in love with you, Alec.”
