15. Antonio
Antonio
Isit in front of Ophelia’s three sons at Remington’s penthouse apartment.
I was a little shocked at how well they all took the news of my relationship with their mother when we told them a few months ago.
Though I guess I shouldn’t have been because they adore Ophelia and only want what’s best for her.
It took me a while to come to terms with it, but I now fully embrace the notion that I am what’s best for her. No one could ever love her better or harder than I do, and in the grand scheme of things, that’s what’s important.
The lads sit on the wide couch across from me, Helix with his new baby boy, Nicholas, sleeping soundly on his chest. Ophelia had been honored and had cried for days when Nicolette asked her to be in the delivery room with her and Helix for the birth.
She’s just as enamored with her new grandson as she is with her seven-year-old granddaughter, Reece, who has now started calling me Papa Bear.
I love the two little treasures as well and have gladly taken on the role of honorary grandfather to them both.
“So why have you called this little meeting, Antonio?” Remi asks with concern. “Did something else happen with J.P.?”
I shake my head. “No, nothing like that. He’s completed his stint in alcohol rehab and even wrote your mother a very nice apology letter and promised not to bother her again. He’d apparently been spiraling for quite some time, and as far as I know, he’s no longer drinking.
“That’s good to hear,” Phoenix says with a gleam in his eye. “Did you knock up our mother or something?”
Helix swats him. “Shut up, weirdo. Mom has had a hysterectomy.”
I chuckle at them before turning serious, rubbing my hands up and down the legs of my khaki pants.
“No miraculous pregnancies to report, but it is about your mother and I.” They share knowing glances, and I’m sure they know this is coming.
“Your mum is a grown woman, so she doesn’t need anyone’s permission, but I wanted to let you all know of my intentions to ask Ophelia to marry me. ”
No one explodes. No one is outraged. They all look… pleased, and I feel the tension ebb from my shoulders.
“Couple questions,” Phoenix says, lifting one finger, and I turn my attention to him. “You’re not into any weird shit, are you?” His brothers groan, but I decide to teach the lad a lesson.
“Besides shrimping?” They all stare at me blankly, and I give them a wink. “It has to do with toes. You can look it up on Urban Dictionary for a more complete description.”
Remi glares at his younger brother. “Why would you even ask that, Phe?”
I continue in a casual, musing tone. “Ophelia does enjoy a little voyeurism, but I take her to a sex club for that. I can assure you, it’s very classy and upscale. The bondage rooms are some of the best I’ve ever seen.”
Remi holds up one hand and closes his eyes.
“Please. Stop. I assume you’re just fucking with us because my brother is acting like an idiot.
” His eyelids lift to reveal brown eyes that are so much like his mother’s.
“I think I can speak for all of us when I say you have our blessing. Mom deserves to be treated like a queen, and you definitely do that.”
The other two brothers nod, and Helix asks, “Did you get a ring already?”
I pull the box from my pocket and hand it over. “It was my mum’s. Da sent it to me because I wanted to add some diamonds to it. It’s a claddagh ring, which symbolizes love, friendship, and loyalty.”
Helix opens the box, and their reaction tells me everything. “Damn, she’s going to love this,” he says, and the other two nod.
“I plan to take her to Ireland so she can meet my father. I want to ask her there.”
“Perfect,” Remi declares, rising to his feet.
His brothers follow suit, as do I. They all shake my hand and congratulate me, and Remi pulls me into a surprising hug, which he’s never done before.
“Thank you, Antonio. I’ve never seen my mom so happy.
” He pats my back and takes a step back. “Welcome to the family.”
***
I approach Ophelia from the side, taking in the utter beauty of the woman who will hopefully agree to be my wife in a few minutes.
It’s July, so the weather is mild in Ireland.
She’s wearing a soft-green casual linen dress that hits her at mid-calf and a long cream cardigan over it.
With the lush green of the meadow, she stands out in contrast, but that’s no surprise.
Ophelia always stands out to me. She’s the center of my world.
Her eyes are closed and her face is tilted up to the sun as the wind blows her clothing and hair around her. I’m transfixed.
When she opens her eyes, she looks surprised to see me. “Sorry, I was just enjoying the day. It’s so beautiful here, and I love your da.”
I let out a short chuckle. “He absolutely adores you too.” We’ve only been here for one day, and Da already thinks of her as his daughter.
Excitement courses through me, and I decide the perfect time is now. The perfect setting is right here. And I drop to one knee in front of her. Ophelia gasps and covers her mouth with both hands when I pull the navy velvet ring box from my pocket.
“Antonio…”
I smile up at her. “Ophelia, I hope this isn’t too soon, but I’m not getting any younger here.”
She throws her head back and laughs, and it’s the best sound in the entire world. “Neither am I. Please continue.”
Taking her left hand, I kiss her ring finger, blessing the spot with hope and love.
“You already know I love you, but I’ll never stop telling you.
You are the absolute love of my life, and if you’ll agree to be my wife, I promise to cherish you and serve as your foot warmer till the end of my days. ”
Her smile is brilliant, and it gives me a bit of brain fog. I had a lot of other things to say, but for the life of me, I can’t think of what they were because my woman is nodding and saying yes over and over.
When I slide the ring onto her finger, she cries. “This is so beautiful. Is it a family piece?”
“It was my mum’s. Da gave it to her on their wedding day, and he sent it to me with his blessings for our marriage.” I stand and cup her face. “You’ll really marry me?”
The love shining from her eyes almost sends me back to my knees. “It would be my honor.”
I sweep her up and spin us around in the deep green grass as we laugh happily. “God, I fecking love you,” I say into her hair.
“I love you too, Antonio Walsh, and I promise to make you the happiest man in the world.”
My lips brush softly against hers.
“You already have, love. You already have.”
THE END