Chapter 25
CHAPTER 25
C helsea kept pushing Stella away from the table as she tried to finish wrapping Christmas presents. Most of the time, her cat sat on the lanai’s outdoor furniture, but whenever something as exciting as ribbons and tissue paper appeared on the dining room table, it was too much temptation to resist. With a determined swat of her paw, Stella sent another ribbon spiraling to the floor.
“Stella, you’re incorrigible!” Chelsea laughed, scooping up the ribbon for the third time. She tied it neatly around a box and set it aside, finally giving up chasing the inevitable.
The scent of roast chicken filled the house, mingling with the aroma of rosemary and garlic. The chicken had been roasting for the past hour, and Chelsea had prepared mashed potatoes, sautéed green beans with almonds, and a cranberry-walnut salad to accompany it. The warmth from the oven combined with the twinkling Christmas lights made the house feel cozy and festive.
But despite the cozy setting, a knot of worry had taken residence in Chelsea’s stomach. She hadn’t seen Steven much lately—he’d been distant, busier than usual, and it was hard not to let her mind wander to darker places.
The last conversation she had with Maggie replayed in her head, where she had confided her fears that Steven might be pulling away, that he might even be thinking of ending things.
Maybe tonight is the night he’ll tell me , she thought, her stomach tightening with anxiety.
She put the wrapping paper away, and as she set the table for two, glanced at the clock. Steven would be arriving any minute now. She always looked forward to their evenings together, but tonight felt different—there was an inexplicable flutter of nerves in her body, a sense of foreboding that she couldn’t shake.
She shook her head, laughing at herself. It’s just dinner, she reminded herself, though the thought did little to ease her worries.
A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Chelsea hurried to open it, her heart skipping a beat as she saw Steven standing there with a warm smile, holding a bouquet of deep red roses.
“For the lady of the house,” he said warmly as he handed her the flowers.
Chelsea blushed as she took them. “They’re beautiful, Steven. Thank you.” But even as she smiled, a tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered, Are these goodbye flowers?
Steven leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping inside. As he entered the house, Stella trotted over, tail held high and began winding around his legs in a display of unusual affection.
Chelsea watched in disbelief.
“She’s never like this with anyone but you. Usually, she hides under the bed the moment someone new walks in.”
Steven knelt to scratch under Stella’s chin, and the cat purred loudly, clearly pleased with the attention.
Chelsea shook her head in wonder as she took the flowers to the kitchen, filling a vase with water.
Or maybe she knows this might be one of the last times she sees you here , she thought, her heart sinking at the idea. She had been trying so hard to push these thoughts aside, but they kept creeping back in, uninvited and relentless.
“You’re making me look bad, you know. I’m the one who feeds her,” she called out as she arranged the roses in the vase.
Steven followed her into the kitchen.
“Something smells amazing,” he said, his voice carrying a note of appreciation.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Chelsea replied, placing the vase of roses in the center of the table. “I might have gone a little overboard with the sides.”
“I am starving actually,” he said. “How much longer until it’s ready?”
Chelsea smiled. “Perfect timing, because it’s ready right now. I’ve got a bottle of white wine chilling next to the table. Would you please do the honors?” she asked.
“Gladly,” he said, finding the corkscrew on the table.
Chelsea filled the salad plates and then brought them to the table, as Steven filled their glasses with Pinot Grigio.
Steven ran to Chelsea and pulled out her chair.
“Thank you,” she said, her stomach turning more by the second.
When they were finished with the salad, Chelsea took the plates to the sink and then filled two dinner plates with the chicken, potatoes and green beans.
Dinner passed in a comfortable rhythm, filled with laughter and easy conversation, but Chelsea couldn’t fully relax. Every time Steven’s gaze lingered on her a moment too long, or his voice softened with what seemed like hesitation, she wondered, Is this it? Is he about to tell me it’s over?
The roast chicken was tender, the potatoes creamy, and the green beans had just the right amount of crunch. But despite the delicious meal, Chelsea found herself barely tasting any of it.
When dinner was done, Steven walked to the entrance to the lanai and looked at the sunset on the horizon.
“Shall we take our coffee outside?” Chelsea suggested, glancing toward the lanai, where a gentle breeze was rustling of the palm fronds.
“That sounds perfect,” he agreed. Steven gathered the dishes, insisting on helping her clear the table despite her protests.
As she brewed the coffee, her hands shook slightly, and she had to take a deep breath to steady herself.
Stop it , she scolded herself silently. Maybe he’s just been busy. Not everything has to mean something terrible.
Soon, they settled on the lanai, steaming cups of coffee in hand. The horizon was painted with shades of pink and orange, the setting sun a perfect backdrop for the evening. Stella, true to form, had followed them outside and was now perched on the edge of Chelsea’s chair, eyeing Steven with what could only be described as something other than feline admiration.
“You know, cats don’t normally fall in love with peopleoften. They tolerate us, but Stella seems to adore you,” she said.
“It’s mutual,” Steven said, petting Stella again.
For a moment, they sat in silence, simply enjoying the peaceful scene before them. Chelsea watched Steven, wondering what was on his mind. He seemed deep in thought, and the knot of anxiety in her chest tightened. She tried to focus on the beauty of the sunset, but her thoughts kept circling back to the uncertainty that had plagued her for weeks.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Steven reach into his pocket. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched him pull out a small velvet box. Here it is, she thought, bracing herself for the worst. He’s going to say he needs space, or that he’s not ready for something serious.
But before Steven could say anything, Stella suddenly pounced, landing right in his lap and nearly causing him to spill his coffee.
“Whoa, Stella! What’s gotten into you tonight?” Steven exclaimed, clearly startled.
Chelsea burst out laughing, though she couldn’t help but wonder if Stella’s strange behavior was some kind of omen. “She really likes you, Steven. I think you’ve officially won her over.”
She watched as Steven tried to shift Stella off his lap, her nerves on edge. She forced a smile, trying to hide the tension building inside her. Maybe Stella’s as anxious as I am, she thought, feeling her heart race.
Finally, Steven cleared his throat, his expression serious as he turned to her.
“Chelsea, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he began, his voice steady, but Chelsea could hear the emotion behind it.
She held her breath as he opened the velvet box, revealing a beautiful, vintage-style ring with a delicate band and a sparkling diamond at its center. Chelsea’s breath caught in her throat. Is this really happening? Her mind raced as she tried to process what she was seeing. This wasn’t a breakup—it was the exact opposite.
“Steven…” Her voice was barely a whisper, her heart now pounding for an entirely different reason.
“Chelsea, from the moment I met you, my life has been brighter, happier. I can’t imagine spending another day without you by my side. Will you marry me?”
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Chelsea’s eyes filled with tears, her heart swelling with love and relief. All her fears and doubts melted away as she looked at the man she loved.
“Yes, Absolutely, yes,” she whispered, her voice trembling with joy. “I will.”
Steven slipped the ring onto her finger, his hands steady despite what must have been adrenaline coursing through him. As soon as the ring was in place, Stella, as if satisfied with the outcome, settled down on Chelsea’s lap, purring contentedly.
Chelsea laughed through her tears, wrapping her arms around Steven as he pulled her close. “I think Stella approves,” she murmured against his shoulder. “I can tell because she’s insisting on a group hug,” she said, feeling the weight of all her worries lift away.
Steven kissed the top of her head. “I don’t mind if you don’t,” he said, holding on to both Chelsea and Stella.
As they sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the sun finally dipped below the horizon, casting the lanai in a warm, golden glow. The world outside was peaceful, but inside, Chelsea’s heart was full of love and happiness. She knew that this moment would be one she’d cherish forever.
The doubts and fears that had clouded her thoughts for weeks were now nothing more than a distant memory. In their place was a deep sense of contentment, knowing that the man she loved wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Steven gently pulled back, cupping her face in his hands as he looked into her eyes.
“I love you, Chelsea. More than I can put into words. I can’t wait to start this next chapter of our lives together.”
Tears welled up in Chelsea’s eyes again, but this time, they were tears of pure joy.
“I love you too, Steven. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
Stella, who had been contentedly purring on Chelsea’s lap, stretched and settled more comfortably between them, as if sensing the peacefulness of the moment. Chelsea laughed softly, wiping her tears and running her fingers through Stella’s fur.
“Looks like Stella is just as happy as I am.”
Steven smiled, pressing a kiss to Chelsea’s forehead. “She’s a smart cat. She knows what’s good for us.”
As they sat there, basking in the afterglow of the proposal and the warmth of the setting sun, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them—and, of course, Stella.
Chelsea closed her eyes and thought of Carl. She could feel his presence and loving approval cover her body. She was certain that because of it, her future with Steven was blessed beyond measure.