"Well, no longer." He went down on one knee. "Amy Thelwell, will you do me the extreme honor of being my wife?"
"Oh my God!"
"Say yes!" The crowd demanded.
"Oh my God." Dragging her right hand away, she covered her mouth, blue eyes huge.
"Will you?"
"Of course, you moron."
He grinned at her and produced a stunning square cut diamond. As soon as he slid it on, the crowd erupted in cheer.
Leanne waited until Charles got up and then she lifted a hand to quiet the clamor. "It's not over yet. At the last port, we picked up Charles and Amy's parents and a few of their closest friends and Captain Sturgess is about to perform the ceremony."
"What!" Amy swiveled her head to stare at Leanne.
"Here they come." Leanne grinned as the group came walking up the steps. "As an acknowledgement for this romantic gesture, the Princess is paying for the ceremony. The bride and groom will be changed and dressed, and cake and champagne will be on the house or the ship rather. You all get to witness the culmination of something that started at Ellisville Elementary almost two decades ago."
*****
"Darling, you pulled it off." Benjamin handed her a plate of frothy wedding cake. "Did you see the look on Amy's face? She was overwhelmed. And a honeymoon in Paree. That's the proverbial icing on the cake." He gave her a side hug, all the time glancing at Christos warily.
"We pulled it off. Just a tiny sip of champagne for me. My jailor is watching closely."
Benjamin laughed a little shakily, eyes flying to the still silent Christos.
"I'm sure he's doing his best to look out for you."
"You're sucking up. Go away."
Bending to kiss her on the cheek, he hurried off.
"Don't even think of saying anything about the tiny bit of champagne I sucked down." She warned when he rose.
His brows lifted. "I was just going to add my piece to what your assistant said. Very well done. Tasteful and romantic. Quite the ending for a wonderful show." Taking her hand, he helped herup, grinning at her confused expression. "The only problem I had with it was that it was not us starring in that particular act."
"A Valentine's Day proposal?" She scoffed. "In front of hundreds of people? You wouldn't dare."
"No." Hauling her into his arms, he kissed her upturned face. "My proposal will be done in private. As I have been doing for the past dozens of proposals."
"You're exaggerating."
"Perhaps. It seems that way." His eyes narrowed when she pressed a hand to her stomach.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's just..." She bit her lip. "I feel dizzy. And nauseous."
"How long have you been this way?" He demanded as he scooped her up.
"Just now. While I was on stage."
She closed her eyes as he cursed beneath his breath.
"One day." He said harshly. "One fine day, I'm going to murder you."
"Please don't shout at me. I can't bear it right now."
