Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL THAT ALMOST DIDN'T HAPPEN
Enzo proposed on a rainy Thursday.
Which was appropriate.
Rain had been falling the first night I met him.
Rain had covered the windows when Victor Sloane entered Vincenzo's.
Rain had followed us through some of the worst moments of our lives.
Now it fell softly against the windows of Sparrow.
I was closing the restaurant when Enzo arrived carrying a paper bag.
"What's that?"
"Dinner."
I raised an eyebrow.
"You're bringing food into my restaurant?"
"Your kitchen is closed."
"That's a dangerous argument."
He smiled.
We sat at our favorite table.
Inside the bag were sandwiches from the little deli near the waterfront.
The same deli where we'd eaten lunch during one of our first quiet afternoons together.
I laughed.
"You remembered."
"I remember everything about you."
We ate.
Talked.
Watched the rain.
Then Enzo became strangely quiet.
I noticed immediately.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Enzo."
He sighed.
"You're very difficult to surprise."
I stared at him.
Then noticed the small velvet box beside his plate.
My breath caught.
He stood.
Walked around the table.
And knelt.
"Clara Bennett."
My eyes filled.
He smiled nervously.
"I had a speech."
"Of course you did."
"It was excellent."
I laughed.
"Then why aren't you giving it?"
"Because now that I'm here, none of it seems important."
He took my hand.
"When I met you, I thought I understood what it meant to protect someone."
His voice trembled.
"I thought power could solve everything."
I shook my head gently.
"You've changed."
"Because I wanted to become someone you could choose freely."
He opened the box.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
Elegant.
Beautiful.
Nothing excessive.
"Will you marry me?"
I stared at him.
Then at the ring.
Then back at the man who had once frightened me simply by walking into a room.
Now he looked terrified.
And I loved him for it.
"Yes."
His eyes widened.
"Yes?"
I laughed through tears.
"Yes, Enzo."
He stood and pulled me into his arms.
I kissed him.
He laughed against my mouth.
Then the front door opened.
My mother walked in.
Followed by my father.
Marco.
Isabella.
Rachel.
And half the people who had helped us rebuild our lives.
I stared at them.
"You planned this?"
Enzo looked guilty.
"Possibly."
My father approached.
He looked at the ring.
Then at Enzo.
For a moment, the room went quiet.
Daniel Bennett had spent years fearing the Moretti family.
Now his daughter was marrying one of them.
He extended his hand.
"Take care of her."
Enzo shook it.
"I will."
My father shook his head.
"No."
Everyone froze.
Daniel looked at me.
"Let her take care of herself. Just stand beside her when she needs you."
Enzo smiled.
"That I can promise."
My father nodded.
"Then welcome to the family."
I began crying again.
Enzo kissed my forehead.
And outside, the rain continued falling.
May you like
But for once, it didn't feel like a warning.
It felt like a beginning.
