Forbidden Disclosure(64)

“Katherine, if you were my daughter I’d never let you out of your room. You are simply the most beautiful young woman that I’ve ever seen. We should hurry up though; Rosie is in the shower and will tend to the horses soon.”



“Okay let's go. Carl, thank you.” Her slight blush made her even more breathtaking.





Katherine had the photos sent to a computer that Carl had taken her to. She was able to create a beautiful border and write on the covers. She trimmed them up with scissors, slipped them in the cases, and then carefully wrapped them up. This would be a Christmas she would either be very happy with her gift idea, or scared to death that maybe her voice wasn’t good enough to be recorded. She didn’t know which. But it was all she could give. She couldn’t believe that she’d gone as far as to title Daniel's CD the way that she did.



What was I thinking? Maybe it’s too soon. Maybe Daniel will be offended with my words. I can't believe I asked him to marry me on a CD case! If he doesn’t say yes, I’m going to feel like a fool. I shouldn’t have written titles on the cases.





On Christmas morning, Daniel thought he woke Katherine up, but she’d been lying there awake for hours. Her stomach was a wreck. Katherine’s mind was swarming with second thoughts.



“Merry Christmas, my love.” Daniel kissed her face. Today’s the day! God, I hope she says yes…Maybe it’s too soon for her though.



“Merry Christmas, sweetheart. You look so cute when you wake up on Christmas morning.” Katherine kissed the tip of his nose, then climbed out of bed. She walked over to the dresser to pull some clothes out.



“No, no, no. On Christmas morning we all go downstairs to the tree in our pj’s. None of us get dressed until after breakfast. It’s tradition!”



“I love it!” Katherine put her clothes back up and grabbed a pair of pj's out of the drawer. They certainly couldn't go down there as they were.



“Come on, hot stuff, let’s go on downstairs. My father is always the first one awake. He still gets up to turn on all the lights, and you’ll soon see that he acts like a little kid on Christmas.” Daniel laughed and thought of his father with love.



“Okay I’m all set to go. I just want to brush my hair real quick.” Katherine went inside the bathroom and shut the door. She had hidden the wrapped CD’s in the cabinet, underneath some towels. She slid them in her pocket.



Daniel was waiting by the door for her. He took her hand, discretely felt for the box in his robe pocket, and then led Katherine down the steps.



Rosie had made the coffee, and she greeted them with just as much excitement as Francesco did when they came down the stairs. The tree was so elegantly decorated and huge. Francesco had soft carols playing, and a toy train was circling underneath the tree. There were lots of lights everywhere.



"Merry Christmas, my family!" Francesco's voice boomed loudly. "Sit down, my sweet Rosie. I have something for you."



Rosie sat down on the sofa and patted the cushion for Daniel and Katherine to come sit beside her. Francesco handed her a beautifully wrapped present.



"Francesco, this is so elegantly wrapped." She slowly took off the paper, trying not to tear it. She opened the hinged case and saw a breathtaking sapphire and diamond necklace with matching earrings. Rosie sucked in her breath. "Francesco..."



"Rosie, I have something else for you too!" Francesco reached under the tree and picked up an envelope with a bow on it. He handed it to Rosie.



She opened the envelope carefully and pulled out its contents. "Francesco, I don't understand."



"Rosie, that's our itinerary for Paris. I thought you'd enjoy going to France with me. I want to show you the world and this is the best place to start!"



"Francesco! This will be so exciting! But you spent way too much money on me..."



"You are the light of my life, my sweetness. I'm allowed to spoil you as much as I want."



Rosie threw her arms around Francesco and held him a moment before bending down and picking up two boxes for him.



Daniel had to smile, as Francesco had the biggest grin. He did indeed resemble a little boy. He wasn't as slow and careful at unwrapping his presents. Rosie had knitted him a navy blue pullover sweater that looked professionally made. She had also given him two pairs of blue jeans. In the second box was a pair of sneakers.



"Rosie! I don't have things like this! I'm going to put this sweater on right now!" Francesco did just that. He also took off his slippers and put the sneakers on. Everything fit perfectly. Daniel smiled at his father as he stood there in bright white sneakers, the new knitted sweater, and black silk pajama bottoms.