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“Oh, I see…” She thinks for a moment. “They’d love it here, but surely property is really expensive, isn’t it? Although I guess I could help them out. I could use some of the money you gave me…”
“Or not. That money’s yours, Livia. Everything I have is yours.” Her eyes widen, but I realize I’m getting ahead of myself. “I—I was thinking of building them somewhere here, in the grounds. I—I hope you don’t think I’m being premature, but I’ve had some plans drawn up already, for a three-bedroom house…”
“A house?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry. I noticed how much your dad struggled, and realized that getting from room to room must be difficult for him, so I found an architect who specializes in designing accessible properties. It’s all on one level, and open plan, with no steps for your dad to negotiate. Nothing’s finalized, though. Your parents can make any changes they want.” I twist my legs around, kneeling in front of her, and take her hands in mine. “Mick would take care of any maintenance issues, and Pat could keep your mom company, and help with your dad, if necessary.”
“And I could see them every weekend?” she says, her eyes sparkling.
“Yes.”
“But what about Mom’s work?” Livia’s happiness dims, and I pull her closer.
“She can give it up, if that’s what she wants, or at least choose her hours.”
“How? They wouldn’t have any money. The royalties from Dad’s books are minimal, and…”
“Hey… stop worrying. I’ll take care of it. Starting now.”
“Now?”
“Yeah. Your mom shouldn’t have to worry about earning a living, while she’s having to care for your dad, too. That’s a full-time job in itself, so I’ll set something up to make it easier for them… financially.”
“You mean, like an allowance?”
“Something like that.”
She blinks a few times, and even in the dim candlelight, I can see tears welling in her eyes. “Y—You’d do all that? For my parents?”
“I’d do it all… for you.”
She smiles. “It sounds perfect, Hunter. And really generous. But I think we’ll have a hard time persuading my mom to accept. If you suggested it to her, she’d see it as charity.”
I nod my head. I’d seen this coming, and to be honest, it couldn’t have gone better if I’d written a script.
“Do you think she’d see it as charity if I suggested it as your fiancé, rather than your boyfriend or your boss?”
“My fiancé?”
“Yes.” I twist around, reaching behind me into the bowl of shells, and I pull one out. Nestled inside it, exactly where I left it earlier, is the diamond ring I bought a few days ago, and as I turn back, Livia sees what I’m holding and gasps.
“You’ve got a ring?” She looks up at me. “You planned this?”
“I did. Say you’ll marry me? Please?” I take the ring from the shell, holding it out to her, and she offers me her left hand. “Is that a yes, babe?”
She nods her head, gazing into my eyes. “It’s a yes, please.”
I place the ring on her finger, and after a quick glance at it, she throws herself at me, water splashing everywhere as we kiss, and the lights across the harbor twinkle in the night sky.
The End
