Chapter 14
Kate sniffed and hugged Olivia tight.
She didn't need an answer. They’d both asked the same question. And she held her wordless and sobbing. Kate happy. So happy. And at the same time, upset that Olivia had broken down, more than she’d ever seen, apart from when Zoe was born.
“Come here,” she whispered, kissing her forehead through a gap in her fingers.
Olivia’s hands slowly slid down, and Kate kissed her tears and cupped her cheek.
“I love you.”
Olivia wouldn’t look at her.
“I love you more than I can describe.”
Olivia sniffed.
“One day I’m going to write you a wonderful letter and tell you how much.”
And a smile, tiny, broke on Olivia's lips.
“I’ve been trying to ask you for days,” Kate continued, sensing her speaking released the tension in Olivia. “I never had the right moment with a ring ready, or the kids not waking up.”
That got a quiet laugh.
Olivia wiped her eyes.
“Here.” Kate brought out a tissue. She always had one in her pocket. Someone, large or small, always needed it. And she gave it to Olivia to dab her face.
Now that she was drier, Olivia looked up with those large brown eyes, inky eyelashes still wet with tears.
“When did you find it?” Olivia whispered, touching the silver ring on her finger.
“I picked it up as we were leaving.”
When Bea pointed out her presents, her eye had caught on the small gift that hadn’t been there the night before. She’d put it in her pocket, the same size and shape of the box she’d carried around for days. And like a bolt of lightning, she’d realised what it must be.
“I went into the bathroom as soon as we arrived, hoping...”
She was going to cry now.
“...Hoping it was the same thing I've been carrying around for you.”
She’d opened the gift. Yes, she’d guessed at the content. She hadn’t guessed at the letter though, and she’d stared and stared at the words that were so Olivia. Careful. Considered. It broke her heart while making it grow twice the size.
Then she couldn’t help grinning.
“Please marry me,” she said, more sure of the words now.
The smile that Olivia gave, which glistened with tears, she swore she’d never forget. Those seconds were the long kind that linger in memory. Even though Olivia’s nod was quick, that moment filled a day. And their kiss that followed could fuel her a lifetime.
They gazed at each in the quiet morning, most of Oxford tucked away indoors with families, and just the two of them along the river.
“Would you like to try it on?” Kate asked, holding the ring.
Olivia took it from her, pinching the ring with her fingertips of both hands and gazing at the gem.
“It’s beautiful,” Olivia said.
“If it’s not comfortable...”
But Olivia slipped it on, perhaps a little large, and they both stared at it, the gold glowing against Olivia's complexion.
“I want to try it,” she said, a smile lifting her face.
“We can get a necklace or something...”
Olivia nodded, and her expression relaxed at last.
Kate looked around, the frosted fields and gentle flowing river absent of people.
“I want to remember exactly where we were for this.”
On the stone bridge. Not as far as the Isis pub.
And...oh. Perhaps still in view of Geeta’s house.
If anyone had been looking across the river, they might have seen them.
In fact, was that people scuttling up the garden, back towards the bungalow?
Someone in red clothes shuffling up the lawn, and another in a bright Christmas jumper?
She really needed to get her distance vision checked.
“Does yours fit?” Olivia asked.
“Mine?” Kate looked down and automatically twirled the ring back and forth. “Perhaps a little loose.” She grinned. “Nothing that your mother’s delicious cooking and food portions can’t fix.”
And Olivia laughed.
Then her smile wavered. “We should get back. I think dinner was nearly ready.”
“We should,” Kate agreed. “And before my knees seize up on this cold ground.”
They cuddled close the whole way. Olivia’s elegant fingers threaded over Kate’s arm and Kate's fingers over Olivia’s, so that shining rings rested side by side.
Geeta had left the door on the latch, and they quietly walked down the hallway, the walls covered in pictures of Nicola and Geeta’s honeymoon, and photos of Charlotte and Millie and Jelly Bean, and Kate and Olivia and kids too.
They broke out into the large room at the back, and chatting and laughing cut into stunned silence the moment they entered.
Nicola clearly knew. She crossed her arms and looked straight to their hands.
Geeta pressed praying fingers to her lips.
Charlotte looked like she was about to burst. Millie grinned from ear to ear.
Satinder reached for her glasses. Ralph held his finger to his lips trying to keep Bea quiet, Olivia's brother holding her on his knee.
Even the babies stared at them silently.
“Oh, come on,” Millie scoffed suddenly, “like either of them would say no.”
There was a tut from Olivia. A whispered admonishment, “Millie!” from Charlotte.
Followed by more silence, and people leaning, waiting for the answer.
Kate looked to Olivia, then, “We’re getting married,” they said together.
And the whole bunch erupted into a cheer. Geeta rushed forward and embraced them both.
“Congratulations, you two!”
Olivia’s mother gazed from one to the other and back again while the others crowded around.
“Show us,” Millie said before tutting. “That’s so fucking tasteful,” she said with a big grin.
“Congratulations,” Charlotte beamed, Zoe still in her arms.
“Never doubted it,” Satinder said, her voice breaking a little.
“And it happens we have a lot of food to celebrate,” Geeta said. “Getting engaged at Christmas is becoming a family habit.” She smiled, before turning to Nicola to stroke her cheek and kiss her.
Kate turned away for politeness, and to gaze at Olivia. Who’d first been her lawyer, before they’d fallen deeply in love. The woman she adored most in the world, and woke up to every day, with their baby alongside. The one her kids often turned to. And now, her fiancée.
“Merry Christmas,” Kate said.
“Merry Christmas,” Olivia replied.
THE END