Chapter 13 - THE PROPOSAL BY THE WATER
Daniel proposed on a quiet Sunday afternoon.
We were at the same waterfront park where we'd met again after the terminal.
Lily and Grace were feeding ducks with Natalie nearby.
Daniel and I sat on a bench.
He looked nervous.
I noticed immediately.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You're doing the thing.”
“What thing?”
“The thing where you pretend you're calm while looking like you're about to give a speech to the entire cruise industry.”
He laughed.
Then reached into his pocket.
My heart stopped.
“Claire.”
“Oh.”
He smiled.
“That's a new response.”
He opened a small velvet box.
Inside was a simple gold ring.
Not enormous.
Not extravagant.
Beautiful.
I began crying.
Daniel took my hand.
“I know your life didn't go the way you expected.”
His voice trembled.
“Neither did mine.”
He smiled.
“But meeting you changed everything.”
I squeezed his hand.
He continued.
“I don't want to rescue you. You've already rescued yourself.”
Tears streamed down my face.
“I just want to build a life beside you.”
He swallowed.
“Claire Bennett, will you marry me?”
I laughed through my tears.
“Yes.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Then slipped the ring onto my finger.
I kissed him.
Behind us, Lily shouted.
“MOMMY!”
I turned.
She was pointing at us.
“DANNY KISSED YOU!”
Natalie burst out laughing.
Grace clapped.
Daniel smiled.
“Apparently, the announcement has been made.”
I laughed.
And for the first time, the idea of marriage didn't frighten me.
May you like
It felt like a choice.
My choice.
