From the back, Ford called out. “Prepare yourselves, people. I suspect there will be a lot of singing while we watch the Nazis get taken down.”
Her heart flared, and she flung her arms around Seth. “The Sound of Music?”
He nodded and hugged her back. “You said it’s one of your favorites, right?”
“At the very top of the list.”
Then the movie began with sweeping views of Austria’s beautiful mountains, and music that was just as majestic filled the air and her heart. Julie Andrews appeared on screen and filled Mara’s soul with that glorious voice.
She gripped Seth’s hand as the music called to her. Then she was singing, with many of her friends joining in with the iconic songs.
The movie pulled her in, as it always did. She laughed when Maria found the frog in her pocket and the pine cone on her chair. Joy filled her as the children learned to love music and find fun in the city they’d never explored.
When Maria returned to the abbey, Mara’s heart ached with sorrow, and Seth hugged her to his side.
When Captain Von Trapp found Maria in the gazebo, her heart filled again, knowing that the scene would ease the ache. The song, “Something Good”, always reminded her that good things happened when you followed your heart and your dreams. There was something incredibly romantic about the scene. Maria’s gaze filled with love and hope, the deep timbre of the Captain’s voice, the soft lighting all worked together to make the scene just about perfect.
Then the screen went blank after the first verse. She groaned and turned to see what had happened. Except Seth stood and took her hands to lift her to her feet.
Lights flickered around them, but she couldn’t tear her gaze from Seth’s soft smile.
Then he dropped to one knee. “Mara Evans, like Captain Von Trapp, I’ve found my something good.”
She gasped, and her eyes filled instantly with tears.
Seth held her hands. “You’re full of good and joy. Your heart is tender and filled with compassion. I love how you spread your love with your treats and your songs. You helped me deal with my past and face my future. A future that will be filled with love and fun. I love you more than I knew was possible, Mara. I want it all. A marriage, kids, a kitchen we share in the good times and the tough times. I want to have you at my side while I stand at yours. Together, we can do anything. What do you say, Chaos Machine? Will you marry me?”
She flung herself at him, and he rose to catch her in his arms. “Of course, I’ll marry you, Seth. I love you so much.”
He slipped a beautiful ring onto her finger. Diamonds were embedded around the band, meaning she could wear it when baking. “It’s beautiful.”
“Just like you.” Seth kissed her finger and then whirled her in a circle. He squeezed her tightly while he whispered his love in her ear. “Forever, Chaos Machine. Forever.”
She nodded, wanting to make a Mr. Dirty comment, but the surrounding cheers finally penetrated.
Laughing, she pulled back to see her friends cheering. Ford grinned and pointed at the screen. Instead of Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, the screen was filled with a video chat showing her dad and her brothers, who laughed and applauded.
Overwhelmed, she pulled Seth down for a kiss. “I can’t believe you did all this. You’re an amazing man, Seth. I love you so much.”
The next kiss wasn’t nearly as soft or sweet.
Then Clark whistled on screen. No one could whistle like Clark. Laughing, she broke the kiss, but kept her arms around the man she loved. The man who was now her fiancé.
Clark grinned at her. “Keep it PG, sis. You’re surrounded by friends and family.”
Her face flushed, but she didn’t really care. Her family knew she loved Seth, and they all approved.
Tate grinned at her. “I hear you chose a romantic movie, Seth. Maybe should have been the Rocky Horror Picture Show. She can be a bit of a horror, you know.”
Mara tried to scowl at her brother, but she couldn’t manage it. She was too happy.
Seth kissed her hair. “We’ll wait until you arrive to watch that one.”
Ford popped a bottle of champagne and offered the two of them the first flutes.
On screen, her family held up their own beverages. Her dad held a champagne flute of his own while most of the others held a beer.
When everyone held a glass, Ford lifted his. “Congratulations. Seth, you’re almost good enough for my baby sister.”
