“Thank you,” I said, hugging my mum and dad.
“You’re more than welcome, Angel,” my dad replied. “That boy loves you very much.”
I looked up at Seth, smiling. “I know he does.”
We all walked towards the table and sat down. My dad brought over some meats and Seth poured everyone some wine and juice for Julia.
I was smiling from ear to ear. I didn’t know what I had done to deserve this, but I certainly wasn’t complaining. It was only then I remembered Seth’s strange behaviour. “So this is why you dragged me to the bushes?” I asked a little too loudly. Everyone chuckled; even my mum had a grin on her face. Luckily my dad was out of earshot getting some more meats.
“I have to blame this one on your mother, Angel. I had to do something to keep you away from the house.”
Jack did an almighty belter of a laugh, as my mum playfully scowled in Seth’s direction. “Well, if it bares me a grandchild in nine months time, I won’t complain.”
“Mum!” I shouted, burying my head in my hands. Why did I look forward to coming here, again?
Mindy showed up about five minutes later, which was nice. Everyone sat at the table, couple by couple. It was lovely just to sit there chewing the fat and enjoying the beautiful warm evening. The food was perfect and the wine was flowing. It was one evening that I would never fail to remember—in more ways than one.
We got to the end of the meal, when everyone was smiling at Seth and me. “What’s going on?” I asked suspiciously.
“Angel, I have a confession to make,” Seth began. “This wasn’t just the surprise.” Getting up from his seat, he offered me his hand. I took it, wondering what on earth he has up his sleeve.
He walked me towards the Gazebo and we took the two steps onto the landing. Everyone was standing by watching, all with smiles brightly lighting their faces. It was only when Seth faced me and got down on one knee that my brain kicked into gear.
I covered my mouth in shock as everyone around us laughed. “You all knew about this?” I asked, turning my attention back to Seth. The look he was giving me was one of complete adoration. I immediately melted. I knew exactly what my answer would be, even before he asked me. I have never been sure of anything before in my life. There’s just no escaping this anymore. Angelina is finally in love—finally met a man who she wants to spend forever with.
“Angel,” Seth began, taking my hand. “When I first met you and you were really quite rude to me…” He stopped as everyone laughed, and I rolled my eyes.
“I knew I would never be able to let you go. Your laugh, your smile, and the way you twiddle your hair when you say you’re bored—they’re just tiny examples of the things that made me fall in love with you. Your kind heart, the love you have for your family, and the way you make me feel treasured beyond belief, are just a few big examples of why I fell head over heels. The list could go on, but my knee is starting to hurt a little.”
He showed me that big cheeky grin of his again and I couldn’t help chuckling. Everyone was either laughing or crying—or both—by now, as he motioned for Jack to hand over something. He diligently complied as I spied the red velvet box Seth now had in his hands.
“I know I’ve made a few wise choices about things in the past and I know I’ve been certain of those choices. But I’ve never been more certain of anything more than I am right now. I never want to be without you, Angelina. I now realise just how insignificant it all was without you in it. The day I met you was the day Seth Jacobs breathed life into the world. Please say you’ll make me the happiest man in the universe. Angel, will you marry me?”
He opened the box up in front of me and I gasped at the beautiful twinkling diamond staring back at me. I could hear my mum sniffling in the background, and in the corner of my eye, my dad wrapped his arm around her in comfort.
Gazing down at my beautiful Seth, I could see his eyes dancing in the candlelight. There was really only one way to answer the most important question of a man’s life.
“I don’t have to answer that,” I said, giving him the best cheeky grin I could muster. He grinned just as devilishly at me with a slight hint of water in his eyes.
“Angelina!” my mother scorned.
“It’s okay,” Seth said to my mother. “That means yes.” He looked at me a minute, his eyebrow raised. “It does, doesn’t it?” he asked with a look of worry for a moment.
“Of course it does, now get that bloody ring on me, Seth,” I demanded. “I want to kiss and hug my fiancée.” He did as he was told and everyone clapped and cheered.