“Huh?” I looked up at Paolo, whose grin was almost as wide as my eyes.
“Right behind you,” he said.
I jumped from the chair and found my mother’s warm smile and big blue eyes. “Surprise, baby.”
“Oh my God.” We hugged tightly, and I couldn’t help but cry. I pulled away and looked at her smiling face, unable to really believe she was standing there. “But how? Is it safe?”
“Not to worry, Dakota, your father and I were very careful. But we won’t be staying long. Just a few days.”
I didn’t care. I was happy to see her, no matter for how many minutes, hours, days—whatever.
“Where’s Dad?” I asked.
She chuckled and pointed to a man about a hundred yards down the beach, standing under a tree. He wore a straw hat, dark sunglasses, and a blue Hawaiian shirt. I could tell from the way he stood that his eyes were scanning everything in the vicinity. I’d seen Paolo do it a thousand times.
My mother shrugged. “He’s a little paranoid. Just let him do his thing; I’m sure he’ll be over in a minute.” She looked at Paolo. “Oh, sorry.” She gave him a warm hug. “I can’t thank you enough for helping to arrange this, Santiago.” She said his name with a deliberate emphasis as if to tease him.
He bowed his head. “It’s my pleasure. Anything to make Julie happy.”
My mother looked back at me, beaming. “Julie. It’s a great name. And you look just,” she sighed, “gorgeous. The most beautiful bride-to-be ever.”
“Bride?” I asked.
Paolo cleared his throat, and my mother covered her mouth. “Oops. I just ruined the surprise, didn’t I?”
I looked at Paolo, then my mother, and then back again at him. “What’s she talking about?”
“I’ll just be right over there with your father.” My mother scurried away, with a goofy grin.
“Paolo?”
He stepped in and slid his arms around my waist. “I was going to propose tonight during dinner.”
Marriage. He wanted to marry me. I can’t say that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind, but I figured we would make that leap when the time came and things settled down and I was done with school and we had a house and…Crap. There I go again. Waiting for everything to be perfect. Idiot.
Of course I’d marry him. I couldn’t imagine life without the man. Having a house, job, and degree wouldn’t change that.
“I love you, Dakota. You’re everything to me.” Paolo’s voice was deep and sincere. “So, what do you say?” he pulled a small black box from his pocket. His dark eyes glowed with happiness and his usual confidence, which made me wonder.
“By any chance, did you plan a wedding for tomorrow?” I asked.
“No. Your mother insisted we give you a real wedding, which she insists on planning.”
I assumed there wouldn’t be anyone there except us four, but I loved the idea of having a proper dress, cake, ceremony…It was perfect. I had everything I ever hoped for.
I pushed up onto my tiptoes to reach his lips and gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll think about.” I wanted to see him squirm. Just a little.
He chuckled. “You’ll think about it?”
I grabbed my stuff and began walking toward my parents. “Yeah,” I called out. “I also want to make sure my dad doesn’t still plan on killing you.”
“That’s not funny,” he replied.
He ran up behind me and grabbed me by the waist. Our feet got all tangled, and I fell into the warm sand. Paolo came crashing on top of me.
I rolled over and Paolo sat on top of me, pinning me down. “Say yes or I’m not letting you go.”
“Are you insane? My parents are watching.” I expected my father would appear at any moment and kick the crap out of him.
Paolo glanced happily in their direction. “Let them watch. I’m not letting you up until you say yes.”
“Oh my god. You’re crazy. Yes. Yes! I’ll marry you. Just get off me.”
He grinned and pecked me on the lips. “Anything for you.”
THE END