The Leap Year Proposal

Chapter Thirty-four

Eight months later

‘A bit more to the right,’ Spencer called.

Everyone shuffled about a foot to the right and Ellie watched as the proud parents beamed with happiness and gazed down at their baby daughter, their love for her shining in their eyes.

‘That’s it. That’s the shot.’ Spencer, who considered himself a half-decent amateur photographer, had been persuaded to take the photographs at Luciana’s christening. Ellie surveyed her boyfriend, who seemed to be enjoying his role. Hard to believe they had only met eight months before.

‘She’s gorgeous, Anouska,’ she said as Anouska jiggled baby Luciana, who flashed a gummy smile, chubby little legs bicycling beneath the heavy christening gown as she tried to wriggle out of her mother’s grasp.

‘Here, let me,’ Todd interrupted, scooping Luciana out of her mother’s arms. ‘It’s our turn for the photos anyway. Spencer, we were photo number eight, weren’t we?’

Spencer nodded.

As they stood on the lawn, which by some miracle they hadn’t sunk into, despite the rains of the past week, Spencer said, ‘Are you ready for your Marlon Brando moment?’

Todd chuckled.

They stood together as Spencer snapped away, taking shot after shot of the godfather and the baby who had won a place in everyone’s heart. Anouska hadn’t even thought twice about who should be godfather. Todd was already a member of the family in every way that mattered.

‘Right, Jess, you and Mark are next,’ Ellie said. Spencer had put her in charge of the running order of the photos. Well, he had handed her a list, which was virtually the same thing.

Jess and Mark posed for a photo together, then Jess settled Luciana in her arms and Spencer told them which way to stand.

‘He’s getting very bossy,’ said Zach.

Ellie laughed. Since February, despite the distances that separated them and their various commitments, the girls and their partners had met up on several occasions and fortunately had all got on really well together.

‘He is.’ Ellie smiled. ‘I think it could become a vocation for him.’

‘Yeah, or he could set up a joint graphic design/wedding photographer business.’

‘Indeed.’ Changing the subject, Ellie asked, ‘So, a proud moment for you, Zach?’

‘Absolutely. I have to confess I didn’t think I’d ever be a dad, what with Anouska working so hard all the time and never staying in one place, and me being married to the bistro, but I’m absolutely loving being Luciana’s father. I’m also glad Anouska agreed to hire someone to manage the day to day so she can take her full maternity leave.’

‘Me too. Shows you how much things can change from one year to the next.’

‘Too right. Talking of changes, I hear you guys are making some.’

Ellie let her champagne slide down before answering, ‘Yeah, Spencer asked me to move in with him. The removal van’s booked for a few days before Christmas. Then we’ll look for a house next year, maybe in North Berwick.’

‘Very nice. We’ll definitely be visiting. And how’s the new job going?’

Ellie knew she was gushing but couldn’t help it. ‘I love it. It’s what I’ve always wanted and I have so much autonomy it’s unbelievable. I’ve only been doing it six months, but already I’ve brought in quite a few measures that have made a big difference, or so I’m told.’

‘That’s great news. It has been quite a year for you.’

‘It certainly has,’ Ellie said, unable to prevent herself from drawing a comparison between now and this time last year. Thank goodness she had finally seen Scott for who he truly was, and thank goodness Faraway Shores Travel had decided, at her suggestion, that their new director could be Edinburgh-based after all.

Jess came over after Spencer had taken their shots; Mark had been waylaid by Todd.

‘So, how are the wedding plans coming along?’ Ellie asked.

‘Good, thanks. Too many of them, mind you, but I think we’re getting there. After much debate, we’re having it in a mountain resort in Valle D’Aosta in Italy. Not too many guests. It’s some trek up those mountains, but the setting of the lake at night with the Alps reflecting in it is incredible. Once I saw the pictures my brother had taken on holiday there, I knew I didn’t want to get married anywhere else.’

‘Sounds really cool.’

‘It is. I can’t wait to marry Mark there on New Year’s Eve.’ Her whole face lit up as she spoke.

Ellie laughed. ‘Well, you did say you wanted to be married this year.’

Jess smiled. ‘I like to go after what I want, and at least I got first dibs on the date of the wedding, after Mark hijacked my proposal.’

Ellie laughed. ‘I still can’t believe he did that. What are the chances?’

‘Chances of what?’ Anouska, in a classy, just above-the-knee fitted rose gold dress looked incredible for someone who’d given birth only two months before.

‘Mark proposing when Jess was about to,’ Zach explained. ‘Right, ladies, we’re being summoned again. I’ll leave you three to chat.’

‘Oh, remember you still have to send me the hotel details for the wedding so we can book,’ Ellie told Jess, who nodded. Ellie watched Anouska, who seemed distracted by the sight of Zach holding his daughter high over his head, then bringing her down to his face and kissing her. Luciana gurgled in glee before he repeated the process.

‘Anouska, are you guys going to make the wedding?’

‘Wouldn’t miss it. I’ve already asked my mum if she can take Luciana that weekend.’

Jess’ forehead creased. ‘Have you ever been apart from her?’

‘No, but there’s a first time for everything. I can’t bring a screaming baby to a wedding now, can I?’

They all admitted that wasn’t perhaps the best idea.

‘But your mum could come to the wedding and look after Luciana there, if you like. There’s plenty of room at the hotel.’

‘Are you sure?’ Anouska’s eyebrows scrunched together. ‘I don’t want my darling girl ruining your big day.’

‘Whose big day?’ Mark cut in.

‘Ours.’ Jess entwined her fingers with Mark’s. ‘I was just saying Luciana should come too.’

‘Definitely.’ Mark nodded. ‘The more the merrier.’

‘Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask you both,’ Jess said, turning to Ellie and Anouska.

‘What is it?’ Anouska asked, raising a finely plucked eyebrow.

‘Will you two be my bridesmaids?’

Ellie flung her arms around Jess. ‘Of course we will. Right, Anouska?’

‘Of course. We can’t say no, can we?’ Anouska grinned.

‘No,’ the others all chorused.

‘I’m not having any flower girls, though. Perhaps if Luciana was a bit older, she could have auditioned,’ Jess said.

‘Yes, although she might have stolen the show,’ Mark put in.

‘Hey!’ His fiancée nudged him with her elbow.

Anouska cleared her throat. ‘I also have an announcement to make.’

Jess and Ellie both wore quizzical expressions as they waited for Anouska to enlighten them. ‘Zach and I are getting married next year, on the twenty-eighth of February, in Dunrobin Castle in Scotland. And naturally you’re all invited.’

‘Oh, Anouska, I’m so happy for you both,’ Ellie exclaimed.

‘A wedding in a Scottish castle. I can’t wait. How romantic,’ pitched in Jess.

Anouska put her arms around Jess and Ellie. ‘Group hug.’

And right there, right then, Ellie knew they would be friends for life.

Todd appeared beside them, Spencer trailing behind him. ‘OK, you lot, let’s get a shot of the three couples together, and Luciana, of course.’

As they arranged themselves into their pairings, Todd took the camera from Spencer and clicked away. ‘Just one more,’ he said. ‘Right, done.’

When the couples moved apart again, Ellie’s eye caught Spencer’s and he grinned. How she loved this man. She couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with him. She just hoped he’d take the initiative and propose to her at some point, because she didn’t think she could wait another four years to ask him!