Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL BENEATH THE APPLE TREES
Vincent proposed on a Sunday afternoon.
No photographers.
No guests.
No elaborate performance.
Emily was in the garden trimming roses.
Vincent approached carrying a small wooden box.
She looked up.
“What is that?”
He smiled nervously.
“Something I've been trying to ask you.”
She laughed.
“Vincent, you're frightening me.”
He shook his head.
“I'm frightening myself.”
Then he knelt.
Emily froze.
“Emily Carter,” he said softly, “the first time I saw you, I recognized something from my past.”
Her eyes filled.
“But the woman I fell in love with is the person standing in front of me.”
He opened the box.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
“You are brave. Kind. Stubborn. Brilliant.”
Emily laughed through tears.
“And you taught me that a man can spend his whole life being feared and still know nothing about being loved.”
His voice broke.
“Will you marry me?”
Emily covered her mouth.
“Yes.”
Vincent stood.
She threw her arms around him.
He laughed.
Then kissed her.
Later, Emily sat beneath the apple trees looking at her ring.
Vincent sat beside her.
“Happy?”
She smiled.
“Very.”
He took her hand.
“I wish your mother could see this.”
Emily looked down at the silver bracelet.
“She can.”
May you like
She smiled through tears.
“Somehow, I think she can.”
