“Yes,” her mother agreed. “Let us lap the tree down there –” She indicated to a large oak tree that the path split around. “—and then return to the carriage.”
“Already?” her sister moped.
“Do not pout,” her mother corrected. “It is not proper.”
Sophia’s insides seized. Panic rose. She looked around the park, noting the happy couples, the families, the dogs that barked, the birds that flew, everything one would expect to see today, saving the one thing she was desperate to see.
They continued to walk. Sophia’s nerves continued to rise. They reached the oak tree and started around it, only for her father to come to a sudden stop.
“What on earth…” He looked across the grass lawn to where a single gazebo sprouted from the ground. It was by a small pond, placed so that one could sit beneath the shade and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape in peace.
“What is it?” her mother asked.
“I am not sure…”
Her sister perked up. “Is that…”
Sophia followed her father’s gaze, and when she found what it was that had him startled, a smile reached her lips and her heart swelled so that she thought it might burst.
“I knew he would come,” she said to herself. “I knew it.”
“Knew what?” her mother asked her. “Who is that?”
She ignored her mother as she walked off the path and started across the lawn. Her heart continued to flutter, her smile continued to grow, and even the sun seemed to somehow shine brighter than it was.
“Sophia!” her father called. “Where are you going?”
“Sophia!” Her mother was next. “Oh, watch the grass! It might stain your skirt!”
There was already a dozen or so people gathered around the gazebo, no doubt wondering what was going on inside. They chatted among themselves, looking for answers. More people from across the park started to filter toward it so that by the time Sophia came close there were at least two score.
Inside the gazebo is what held Sophia’s focus.
There was an orchestra set up inside; they were yet to play, but they had their instruments ready. And standing on the steps, watching as Sophia came to him, was none other than Gabriel. He wore a light suit, his hair combed, his face clean shaven. And his eyes shone so that even the sun appeared weak by comparison.
This was for Sophia. This was Gabriel’s way of showing how much he cared.
“Sophia!” the voice of her parents came from behind, but she did not turn around. She continued until she was right at the base of the gazebo.
Gabriel did not walk to her. He stayed on the steps, smiling down at her. And even when she reached him, he took a moment. His eyes scanned the crowd, waiting for them to quieten and pay attention. And then, once they did, he turned and indicated to the orchestra to start playing.
Sophia pushed her lips together to keep herself from laughing at what was a rather ridiculous scene. Gabriel saw it and rolled his own eyes at himself before taking the final step, crossing to Sophia, and reaching for her hand.
She gave it without hesitation.
“I wasn’t sure that you would come.” Her smile split her face in two, and she wanted not just Gabriel, but everyone to see it.
“That you even thought for a moment that I would not…” He rested his other hand on top of the one holding her hand. “That’s my fault. That I put you in a position where you would question how I feel about you…” A shake of the head and he squeezed her hand firmly. “I don’t want to ever put you in that position again.”
“How you feel about me?” She cocked an eyebrow at him. “And how do you feel about me, exactly? I think it’s about time I heard you say it.”
“Is this not enough?” He gestured to the scene of which they were apart; the gazebo in the park, the orchestra playing behind them, the crowd that gathered around and watched.
“You know that it isn’t.” She still smiled, because she knew this was all part of it.
Gabriel exhaled as if to prepare himself. And he made sure to hold Sophia’s gaze the entire time, unblinking, those eyes boring into her so it was as if their souls connected. There may have been a crowd around them but, in that moment, it was just those two. Together at last.
“I’ve been lying to you, Sophia,” Gabriel began. “Since I first met you… and not just lying to you, but to myself. You know of my upbringing, not much different to your own. How strict it was. How rigged and cold. And you know that rather than succumb to it, I pushed and fought it back, determined to live a life that was opposite to how I was raised.” He laughed softly at the notion. “I wanted to be a rake. I wanted people to think that I did not care.”
