Grandpa Baron chuckled. He’s one of those types of guys that the media likes to call a ‘business mogul,’ which basically means that he owns enough companies, or parts of companies, that he’s got a bunch of money and nobody can really pin him down in one industry. But all that meant was that he was used to being in charge, and he wasn’t a man to mess with. “I should hope so. I made it very clear I would not tolerate any trash talk about you two in my house. By the way, before we get to the speeches, I’ve got an early gift for you two. I’m kicking you out.”
“Say what?” Stefan said, his eyes narrowing. “You’ve got a funny definition of a gift, Grandpa.”
I could see Stefan’s hand clench underneath the table, and I reached over, putting my hand on his thigh. “What do you mean, Grandpa?”
Grandpa Baron’s eyes narrowed for a minute before Grandma Em slapped him on the arm, unable to hold back her laughter. “Stop it, Baron. You’re giving your grandson a stroke. See the vein in his forehead throbbing?”
Grandpa Baron’s face broke and he laughed softly. “You’re right, Em. When I say kicking you out, I mean that I’m sending you both back to school. I’ve got a friend at SSU who is holding two slots open for you, and I happen to own an apartment building near campus. Now, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. You’re still both going to have to put in the sweat work, but here’s the deal. I checked with SSU, and they’ll let you keep your credits from your one completed semester at NSU. So, I’m giving you both four and a half years, full ride. Of course, you’ll apply for scholarships and things, but Em and I will cover your living expenses and any gap. If you can both graduate in that time with at least a 3.0 GPA, I’m offering Stefan, and you, Bella, if you want, a position in my company. I’m not getting younger, and it’d be nice to know that Livingston Investments will stay in the family.”
“And if we get a 2.9?” Stefan asked, and Grandpa Baron’s smile grew slightly hard.
“Then you’ll have to find your own jobs. And if you drop out, you get nothing, of course. Don’t give me an answer tonight if you don’t want. SSU’s application deadline isn’t for another few weeks.”
I looked at Stefan, who was still looking a little stunned by the generosity of Grandpa’s offer. He turned to me and whispered in my ear, “Well?”
“I want to take it,” I whispered back. “I’m yours forever, Stefan, but I’d like to have my degree too.”
“It’ll be hard, taking care of Rylan and being students,” he said. “But I’ll be there for you.”
“I know,” I replied, patting his thigh. I looked up at Grandpa Baron and Grandma Em, giving them my best smile. “Thank you, both of you. We don’t need to wait. We’ll take it. We can talk details later.”
“Thank you,” Stefan echoed. “It’s almost the best birthday gift I could have.”
“What could be better?” Grandma Em asks, and Stefan clears his throat, standing up. “Stefan?”
Stefan held his hand up, getting everyone’s attention. “Excuse me, everyone? I have a few things I’d like to say. First, thank you all for coming. I know Rylan was the superstar, but it feels good having you all here. Second, I’d like to extend special thanks to Grandpa Baron and Grandma Emily. They’ve opened their home to us, and their generosity seems to know no bounds. Grandpa Baron offered, and Bella and I just accepted—we’re going to go back to school. So Dad, Evelyn, you guys can relax on that front.”
Terry and Mom, seated across from each other, raised their glasses in a toast, and Terry wished us both good luck there in a hearty voice. After we all toasted, Stefan continued. “Now, I just told Grandpa that it was just about the best birthday present that I could get, which of course confused the hell out of Grandma. She wondered what could be better. Well, I’ll tell you.”
Stefan turned to me, his eyes burning, and I felt my heart catch in my throat as I realized what he was doing. “Bella, we’ve loved each other for years. And while what brought us together was traumatic, I’d go through it all again to have you by my side. If I’d change anything, it would be to learn from my mistakes and not be so damn hard-headed. Bella, you’re the love of my life, the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. So . . .”
Stefan got down on a knee after moving his chair, and reached into the pocket of his tuxedo jacket, taking out a small diamond ring. He took my hand, his eyes locked on mine. “Bella, would you marry me?”