“Yes, that.” He paced, like in the early days of me working for Uncle Ray-Ray’s when he was trying to keep a tight schedule. “I can’t wait until tonight. Angel and Luca should be about to board their flight, and if you call them right now—”
“Okay, I get it,” I said. “But you’re sure you don’t want to wait? You rented a tux for tonight and everything.”
“I didn’t rent it,” he said. “I bought one because the rentals smelled like pepperoni and Axe body spray, but yes, I’m doing this now. She got me a Christmas present and not just any present. The woman bought me one of the originals of the Hawaiian shirt Al Pacino wore inScarface. She won it in a bidding war at Sotheby’s! And I didn’t get her anything because we said no presents and now I look like a dick and I have to get this over with before I have an aneurysm anyway. And I’m tired of waiting, okay? I just want that silly ring on her finger and to know I put it there.”
I looked to Isaac, who nodded. “Makes sense, honestly.”
Teddy twirled his pointer finger, like he was calling it a wrap on this little talk. “Let’s do this in one take, people.”
I fumbled for my phone and quickly FaceTimed Luca, because I knew he was more likely to pick up than Angel.
After just one ring, Luca’s face filled my screen. He wore sunglasses that took up half his face and a fur stole. In the background, I could hear gate announcements and crying babies.
“Sunny?” he asked. “We’re just about to board. I’m on the upgrade list and I’m ninetypercent sure they have an open seat. You would agree that I should take it even if Angel doesn’t get upgraded, right? As a Christmas gift to myself.”
Behind him, Angel rolled his eyes.
“No time for that,” I told them both. “Angel, listen, your dad is flipping out and he’s going to jump out of his skin if he doesn’tpropose right now, so it’s happening and he wanted you to be here for it, but, like, obviously, you’re not, so...”
Angel squealed and Luca edged in closer to talk to me. “Flip the camera around, Sunny! We’re there virtually! Good luck, Dad!”
Teddy walked ahead of me and pumped both fists in the air with two thumbs up.
“You guys can see okay?” I asked as we walked back into the living room.
“Perfect,” Angel said just as Luca said, “Please be cognizant of the lighting. I’d hate for them to be backlit.”
“I’ll do what I can,” I whispered as Teddy marched right up to Steph, who was still perched on the armchair tapping away on her phone.
“Give me that,” Teddy said and plucked Steph’s phone right out of her hand and threw it onto the chair.
“Okaaaay,” Steph said, suddenly noticing the way everyone’s attention had turned to her.
“Stephanie Noel D’Arezzo.” Teddy sank down to one knee and I squealed as quietly as I could, as Isaac’s arms snaked around my waist and his chin rested on my shoulder.
“Fucking Christ, Theodore,” Steph said.
“Shit, that’s my bad knee,” said Teddy as he switched from one knee to the other.
“You’re wearing Homer Simpson pajama pants,” Steph told him.
“And you fucking love it,” he said through gritted teeth.
Tears began to roll down Steph’s cheeks as she nodded. “I hate that I do.”
Teddy glanced over his shoulder to Kallum and Winnie and Grace. “Sorry about the language.”
“Her first word wasshit,” Kallum said as Winnie slapped his biceps.
“That’s not true. It’s fine, Teddy,” Winnie said as she motioned for him to turn back to Steph.
He nodded and took Steph’s hands in his. “I have loved you since the moment I caught you watching me eat a turkey leg. I worship you, Steph Noel D’Arezzo. You make me better in every way, and I love every facet of you. I love the stunningly terrifying woman who makes men quake and I love the soft gooey center that yells at nature documentarians for not intervening when a cute little seal is being hunted by a polar bear.”
“You’re not supposed to tell anyone that,” Steph said as she wiped away a tear. “And I’m still inmypajamas.”
“I love your pajamas. I hope we grow old together and sit in bed in our pajamas like the grandparents inCharlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Steph nodded. “Only if you never make me retire.”
