Dearest Matilda,
I love you so much. I never believed in love at first sight until that day in the dance place. Since that day, every day as been better than the last because you’ve been in my life.
You’re my best friend, my soul mate, my love. Marry me, Matilda. Make me the happiest man on this earth and be my wife.
Alec
I stare as a tear slides down her beautiful cheek. She wipes it away then looks up at me. Her smile, goddamn, her smile is everything.
I slide the little box over to her and smile, hoping like hell she likes it. “Open it.”
As she lifts the lid from the box, I get into position. Watching her expression is going to be the best part of this. Inside the small cardboard box is another box. This one is wrapped in velvet. Her mouth opens, then closes.
“Open it, love.”
When she makes no move to do that, I take the box from her hand, slip the black velvet box from its home, and pop open the lid. I look into her eyes. She’s crying a lot now. I hope they’re happy tears.
“You’re the love of my life. I can’t believe how lucky I was to stand next to you at that stupid dance class.”
Finally, she laughs.
“Call it fate or just incredibly good luck, I love you with all my heart. Marry me. Please?”
“You’re proposing to me while we’re naked? In bed?” She’s not angry though; she’s smiling from ear to ear.
“It feels right to do it now.” She nods. “Are you gonna answer me?”
“Yes, Alec. Of course I’ll marry you. I love you so much.” Sliding the ring from the box, I reach for her left hand. It’s shaking. Giving it a little squeeze, I slip the ring on her finger.
“It fits.” She sounds surprise. “And a ruby. It’s perfect.”
I bought the one that spoke to me. It’s an oval ruby. The band is covered in small diamonds to make it sparkle, like my girl does. “It reminded me of your hair. And when you wore the red dress at the wedding. You claimed you didn’t look good in red, but you do. You took my breath away when we ran into each other in the hallway at the church and I caught my first glimpse of you.” Then she asked me to zip her up and seeing all that skin sprinkled with freckles, well, I was a goner.
“I love it. Rubies are my favorite stone. I have earrings that belonged to my mom this same shape.”
It was meant to be. I know how much the loss of her mom has impacted her life. We’ve talked about it a lot recently. This past month, we’ve learned a lot about each other.
“Do you want to call your dad? Tell him the news?”
Her eyes are back on the ring. “I do. But can we wait a little while though? I want this to be just between you and me for a bit more.”
I get that. “Sounds good to me.”
Still nude, I make Matilda a Christmas breakfast of cereal and English muffin.
What?
If I’d known she was coming, I’d have restocked my fridge. She seems to be fine with it. “Is Olive Garden open on Christmas Day?” I ask, biting into my muffin.
“Doubtful. And, honestly, I hope not. I hope they gave their staff the day off.”
“Do you still want our reception at The O.G.” I smirk at my question.
“They cater. I checked.”
“So, you were thinking about our wedding?”
“Notourwedding, per se….”
