Knowing she was settled in her new apartment downtown and doing well at work, I nervously decided the time had come for the next step. I’d spoken with everyone in my family. I wasn’t sure who was more excited, MJ or Mom. Now I needed to get Enzo’s blessing. Nothing I’d done up to that point was as frightening as making that call. When he answered his phone, I took a deep breath.
“Hey, Enzo. How are you?”
“Everyone is well. Is Vicky okay?” his voice hesitant.
“Yes, she’s fine. Promise. Do you have a few minutes?” I asked.
There was a beat of silence before he answered, “I do. How are you guys doing?”
“Good. All good.” I paced in a circle, trying not to sound nervous, knowing I had a fight on my hands.
“Miles, why don’t you just ask me.”
“Ask you?”
“Yeah, the question you called me for. Go on. I’m listening.”
Here goes nothing.
“Enzo, I’m in love with your sister,” I started but he interrupted.
“We know that. Get to the next part.” He wasn’t gruff, but he wasn’t friendly either. I could hear Corinna in the background warning him to be nice.
“Okay, well, I’d like to ask your blessing. I want to ask Vicky to marry me.” I quickly added, “Not now. Only when she’s ready. I just want her in my life always, and I want her to know that. I was lost without her. And I’ll wait as long as she needs.”
I held my breath as the minutes ticked away. Finally, he said, “You have my blessing, Miles. I couldn’t imagine her with anyone else. But you know what will happen if you ever hurt her, right?” I heard another stern warning from his wife.
Blowing out the breath I’d been holding, I said, “I’ll never hurt her intentionally. She’s my whole life.”
He grunted. “Then tell her to call us when you propose. Good luck, my friend. My little sister is all grown up. Doesn’t like to be told what to do. She’s enjoyed her independence. You may have a long wait on your hands.”
“I’ve never wanted to hold her back. It’s why I let her go before. But now I can’t live without her, so I’ll wait forever if I need to, as long as she promises to be mine.”
“Good answer,” Corinna yelled in the background. We hung up, and I turned the Tiffany blue velvet box in my hand.
“God, you’ve brought her back to me. I need a little help here, please.”
The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park was the perfect place to propose and I had it on good authority that my extra special surprise for Vicky would work in my favor.
Mom, Dad, and MJ were close by waiting for my cue. I had spoken to MJ about the possibility of Vicky not being ready for this next step, so she was prepared.
“Daddy, I appreciate you not treating me like a kid and including me in this decision,” she’d said to me earlier in the week. There was no way I’d do this without her agreeing. She was over the moon and had to corral her excitement whenever Vicky was with us.
That night, as Vicky and I walked hand in hand through the Garden entrance, I nodded discreetly to the attendant, who knew about my plansthanks to a connection Leyla had. She said that even though love wasn’t for her, she was happy to help me find my happily ever after.
“Oh, look, there are still a few blossoms on the cherry trees,” Vicky said in awe as we passed by. “We just missed them. Next year, we’ll have to be sure to bring MJ to see them.”
With the same wonder that she was looking at those fragrant trees, I was looking at her. Every plan she made included MJ. I wanted to get down on one knee and beg her to marry me right then and there. But I held back somehow.
We walked deeper into the gardens, with me guiding her to the spot I wanted to reach. It was a beautiful spring night, the scent of blooming flowers filling the air. When we arrived at the place I was told was perfect, I stopped and pulled her back.
She looked down at our hands with a smile. “Tired of walking already, old man?” she teased.
As I looked down at this beautiful woman, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. Seeing MJ and my parents nearby, I held my hand out for MJ to come to me. It was only right that she was a part of this proposal.
“MJ?” Vicky exclaimed, her brows pulled together in confusion.
I bent one knee as her eyes widened and her hand flew to her open mouth. Holding out the Tiffany-blue ring box, I wanted to kiss her and propose at the same time, but the kiss would have to wait.
