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Mom's friendship with Ellen McKenna was civil, mostly thanks to Ellen's kindness. Ellen walked with a newfound confidence, got asked to re-join the book club, and, best of all, she wasn't under my mother's thumb any more. She was enjoying a partial retirement, often appearing in the social media campaigns Arya kept planning. She loved the bakery too much to stay away.
Arya was in her last trimester of her pregnancy and we still couldn’t keep our hands off each other. The sex was ten times better with her pregnancy hormones.
I’d felt the baby kick a few times, and it was a magical experience.
Overall, we were over the moon. Arya and I were finally building a great life together.
“Excuse me everyone,” I gently tapped my champagne flute with a fork. We were having a party to celebrate the opening of the Woodlands Surgical and Rehabilitation Center. Since all of our nearest and dearest people were here except my parents, who couldn't bear being in public, I had a surprise for Arya.
“I just wanted to say thank you for coming out to support the opening of this center. You all know I grew up in Bardstown and it’s always been a dream of mine to come back here and work in the community that raised me. I want to thank some special people in my life who are here tonight, for their support. My grandparents, Grace and William, who have practically raised me and most of all, show me what true love and support are. I couldn't have done this without you. My dear Shiloh – thank you for keeping me on my toes. My dearest friends, Mason, Ellen and Regina. Thank you for keeping me grounded. Finally, there's Arya. Arya, would you come up here?”
She looked surprised, but the shock quickly cleared from her face and she walked gracefully up to the small stage next to the dance floor. She didn’t enjoy being the center of attention, but everyone clapped and celebrated her as she made her way.
I took her hand, gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and she blushed.
“I love this woman so much,” I said to the crowd. There were a lot of “awws” that trickled through. “I’m so glad she’s here today on this special occasion. As you know, she spent some time in New York at a very prestigious culinary school and she's a force to be reckoned with in the bakery world. This area is lucky to have her.” I paused to look at her beautiful face, glowing underneath the low lights.
“I’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to ask her something. I hope everyone doesn't mind if I ask her now,” I said, getting down on one knee. Arya gasped in shock, her hand flying to her mouth.
“Arya. I’ve known you for a lifetime–mostly as the little sister that Mason wouldn’t stop complaining about,” the crowd chuckled. “And I never thought for a second that one day we would be here. That we would be having a child together. That we would be planning our happily ever after. You are everything I have ever wanted and so much more. Who knew that my greatest happiness was right under my nose all this time? So, please, would you do me the honor of marrying me? I can't imagine another day without you.”
I pulled the small velvet box from my pocket and opened it. She was shocked once again as she looked at my grandmother’s engagement ring. It was an antique and had a classic design with a large, round solitaire diamond on an intricately designed platinum band. She looked over at Grace, both of them with tears in their eyes.
She looked back at me, didn’t say anything for a second, and just stood there with her hand in front of her mouth. Huge crocodile tears threatened to splash out. I was nervous. Did I mess this up?
But then she seemed to come back to earth.
"Yes!” she exclaimed. “Yes, a hundred times yes, Tristan. I will happily marry you.”
Her voice was a little shaky and rough with emotion. I took her hand, kissed it, and slipped the ring on her left ring finger. I stood on my feet and wrapped her in the biggest hug I could.
We kissed, and the crowd cheered.
I led her to the dance floor, and the DJ turned a slow song on as we shared our first dance as an engaged couple.
“I can’t wait to marry you,” she said, smiling at me.
“We can do it tomorrow,” I said, teasing. “Tonight even. Didn’t I mention I have access to a private jet? We can go to Vegas right now.” I playfully grabbed her hand, pulling her from the dance floor, but she yanked me back, laughing.
I was only half joking. I was eager to finally be her husband.
“No, no,” she said. “I want to wait until after the baby comes. I want to dance, drink, and enjoy my wedding without a human being growing inside of me. And I kind of think I want a big wedding.”
I would do anything to make Arya happy, even wait to do the big wedding.
"But," she said, as she thoughtfully bit on her lower lip, "Maybe we can run to the courthouse and get married officially before our little one arrives? And then have a big party afterwards?"
I laughed heartily. “Of course,” I said, kissing her deeply. "We can get married as many times as you want."
"I love you, Tristan."
"I love you too, Arya. After all we've been through, we've finally made it."
We kissed like no one was looking; this was the kiss that would be our forever.
Love always wins.
The End
