Emily found her heart racing at the smooth sound of Nicolas’s voice.
“I bet you’re sitting there with the most dumbstruck look on your face, Em,” he began with agood-naturedchuckle, and he was right. She was staring at the stage with her eyes bulging out in pure shock.
She tried to look for him, but he was nowhere to be found. Only a pain-stricken Darcy was seen professing his love to Elizabeth, but as predicted, she turned away from him.
“I’d love to see that expression of yours, but it’ll have towait until later,” Nicolas continued, still out of sight but never out of mind. He always made sure of that. “You see, I contacted your mother a few days ago asking where your most cherished spot is because we hadn’t discussed something like that before. She told me it was right here. At theThéâtre NationaldeChaillot. It’s the place you’ve spent many days watching thePride and Prejudicemusical repeatedly. A Jane Austen fan indeed.”
She chuckled lightly at his commentary.
“I wanted to bring you somewhere special in light of an occasion reflecting the same spirit,” he said firmly as if it had been a lifetime belief of his.
What does he mean?
The music halted abruptly and Darcy and Elizabeth, who had reunited without Emily realizing, gracefully left the stage after taking a bow.
The screen of a projector lit up on the stage. Emily set aside the popcorn and was at the edge of her seat.
Hand flying to her mouth in mortification, she watched as a video clip of her fromyearsago started playing. Her features were young and she could see the rookie thirst for success in those brown orbs. She remembered the essence of the interview before the old her even got a word out.
“What would you say makes a great proposal? The one from this movie you’ve starred in has gotten great reviews for arguably being the most unique one ever. Do you have any personal favorites from a film?” the female interviewer inquired as she inched forward to move the microphone in front of the young actress.
Past Emily stared into the camera. “I think what makes a proposal great is how much thought is put into it matching the couple’s identity. How it reflects the bond they share as a whole. It should also take the female’s preferences intoaccount. Some may like a big extravagant proposal while others would love the simple wake-me-up-from-my-dreams-to-propose kind of event.”
“Are you referring to that scene from the recent RachelMcAdamsmovie…what was it called again?”
“About Time.”
“Yes! Is that one of your personal favorites?”
“Yup, it’s a memorable one. There’s also the translation scene fromLove Actually, the street proposal fromWhen Harry Met Sallyand my all-time favorite is fromPride and Prejudicewhen Darcy asks Elizabeth to ‘end his agony’ by accepting his hand in marriage,” young Emily replied with stars in her eyes and hands clasped.
“That sounds lovely,” the interviewer remarked with a low chuckle, and as she opened her mouth for the follow-up question, the video paused.
From the side of the stage, another person made an appearance. However, this time it was no performer.
It was Nicolas. Her Nicolas.
He’d reappeared on stage, holding a microphone in one hand as he locked his eyes with hers.
“I know you have these fantasies of a perfect proposal and I’m not sure if learning about them is going to be enough, but I’ll still try.” He took a shaky breath before giving her the most heartbreaking smile. “I’ll try because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be the main character of this movie called your life. And I want you to be the best part of mine. With the well anticipated happily ever after, of course. For us to love, cherish, and grow old together. Because I love you that much, Emily. More than words could ever explain.”
Without even realizing it, her eyes had filled with tears. Her heart was about to burst out of her chest as she stoodup and began to fan herself. Even her mouth had gone completely dry.
“All I want in life is a chance to keep making memories with you,” Nicolas’s voice lowered to a whisper as he began walking off the stage. Emily was full-on crying at this point. He incited a sob from her when he lowered to prop himself on one knee, disposing of the mic to the side.
Reaching into his coat pocket, he drew out a black box, which he opened to reveal a ring. The band was crafted from rose gold alloy. Gemstones lined the sides of it, and in the center lay the biggest diamond.
Nicolas’s eyes shined with depths of adoration. “With that being said, Emily Pinault, will you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?”
She hiccupped.
“Again,” he added.
The only thing that could be heard was the beating of her own heart.Answer him, Emily!
Nicolas waited patiently, tilting his head. “Well?” he prodded, “will you marry me?”
“Y-Yes.”
