Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL BENEATH THE ROSEBUSHES
Luca proposed in the garden.
The same garden where Sofia had planted three rosebushes.
It was late spring.
The air smelled of fresh grass.
The evening sky glowed pink above the mansion.
Sofia had insisted I wear a blue dress.
I didn't understand why.
When I stepped outside, I found Luca standing beside the roses.
He wore a dark suit.
His expression was nervous.
I smiled.
“What's going on?”
He took my hand.
“Emily.”
My heart began pounding.
He looked toward the roses.
“Almost a year ago, you stood beside my daughter when everyone else was telling her to sit down.”
Tears filled my eyes.
He continued.
“You didn't care who was watching.”
“You didn't care what Vanessa threatened.”
“You cared about Sofia.”
He smiled softly.
“And somewhere along the way, you taught me how to be the father she needed.”
I shook my head.
“You were always her father.”
He nodded.
“But you reminded me to listen.”
Then he knelt.
I covered my mouth.
He opened a small velvet box.
Inside was a diamond ring.
“Emily Carter,” he said, “I love you.”
His voice trembled.
“I love your courage.”
“Your kindness.”
“Your stubbornness.”
I laughed through tears.
He smiled.
“And I love the way you make this house feel like a home.”
He took a breath.
“Will you marry me?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
Luca laughed.
“Really?”
I smiled through tears.
“Yes, Luca.”
He slipped the ring onto my finger.
Then stood and kissed me.
Behind the rosebushes, Sofia shouted:
“SHE SAID YES!”
We turned.
She was sitting in her wheelchair, grinning.
Luca laughed.
“Were you hiding?”
Sofia nodded proudly.
“I helped plan everything.”
I walked toward her.
She held out her arms.
I hugged her.
Then she whispered:
“Does this mean you can stay forever?”
My eyes filled.
I looked at Luca.
Then back at Sofia.
“It means we're going to be a family.”
May you like
She smiled.
And for the first time, I believed it completely.
