Chapter 29
CHAPTER 29
E lla
“You haven’t told me where we’re staying,” I said as we sat on the plane.
“You’ll see when we get there.” Graham winked with a smile. “Just go with the flow, Ella.”
We landed in New York and climbed into the limousine that awaited us outside the airport.
“A limo? Fancy, Dr. Malone.” I grinned.
The driver pulled up to the Ritz Carlton, Central Park. Graham helped me out as two men ran over and grabbed our bags from the trunk. After checking in, we took the elevator to the top floor. The door opened as Graham swiped the keycard, and I stepped inside.
“Oh, my God. The Royal Suite?” I looked at him.
“Yep.” He wrapped his arms around me from behind. “You’re a queen, and I thought the Royal Suite was fitting.”
“Your bags, Dr. Malone,” the bellman said.
“Thank you.” He pulled some cash from his pocket and handed it to him.
“Enjoy your stay. If you need anything, let us know.”
I walked around the suite, taking in the luxury of it all. Walking into the bedroom, I threw myself on the king-size bed.
“This is amazing.”
Graham climbed on top of me, his body hovering over mine. “You’re amazing.” His lips met mine. “We have to get ready for dinner.”
“Do we have to eat?” I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Yes. I made reservations downstairs. Don’t worry. We have plenty of time to break in this bed. And believe me, we will be breaking it in a lot during our stay here.”
Graham made good on his promise. After an elegant dinner, we went to the lounge, had a couple of drinks, and headed to our room, where we spent the rest of the night making love.
We started Friday morning down at the spa, getting a couples massage. Then we toured some museums and shopped on Fifth Avenue, where he bought me a Birkin bag that I saw in the window. We went to Alice’s Tea Cup for lunch, went to my favorite bakery in Chelsea, grabbed some dinner, and returned to the hotel.
I had never felt happier as we lay in bed, wrapped in each other’s arms.
“Thank you for the birthday Birkin bag.” I smiled.
“Anything for you, babe.”
“So, what are we doing tomorrow?” I asked.
“I have plans for us.” A handsome smile crossed his lips.
“Like?”
“It’s your birthday and a surprise. So, you’ll have to wait and find out.”
“I can’t believe you planned this entire trip. Did my family help you?” My eyes narrowed.
He chuckled. “No. Do you think I’m not capable of planning something special for the woman I love?”
“No. I know you’re more than capable.” I kissed him.
I awoke the following morning to tiny kisses all over my body. A smile crossed my face as I opened my eyes.
“Happy birthday, baby,” Graham said.
“Thank you,” I moaned as his mouth explored my breasts.
“I thought we’d start the morning off with this.” His tongue slid down my torso. “And this.” I gasped when his mouth reached down below and erotically explored me.
Pleasure filled my body as I orgasmed. His body hovered over mine as he thrust inside me. My nails dug into the flesh of his back as he swiftly moved in and out. Rolling me on my side, he thrust inside again. Moans escaped our lips as our bodies orgasmed together in perfect sync.
After showering and getting dressed, we headed downstairs to the restaurant for breakfast. His phone dinged.
“Who texted you?” I asked.
“One of my friends I used to work with at Mount Sinai. I told him we were in New York. He wants to meet for drinks later.”
“That’ll be fun. I can’t wait to meet him.” I grinned.
After breakfast, Graham took my hand, and we walked down the street for a while, taking in the city's beauty. He led me to where the horse and carriages were.
“Dr. Malone?” the coachman asked.
“That’s me,” Graham said.
“Your carriage ride awaits.”
“You planned this?” I asked as he helped me into the carriage.
“Yes. I thought a ride through Central Park would be a nice birthday surprise.”
“You are such a romantic. How did I get so lucky?” I wrapped my arm around his as the carriage started moving.
“I’m the one who’s lucky.” He kissed my lips. “You can stop here,” he told the coachman.
Graham climbed out first and held out his hand. “Let’s go for a walk.”
In the distance, I could see the Cop Cot Gazebo, beautifully decorated with a floral arch and a banner hanging across it.
“I wonder what’s going on over there.” I pointed.
“I don’t know. Let’s go find out.”
When we approached the gazebo, I gasped when I saw my family gathered and sitting on the wooden benches.
“What is going on? Mom. Dad? Oh, my God.”
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.” My dad hugged me.
“Happy birthday, my sweet girl.” My mom hugged me.
“What are you all doing here?” I smiled.
“We’re imposing on your little love fest,” Nicholas hugged me.
“Happy birthday, sis.” Willow walked over and hugged me.
“Did you do this?” I looked at Graham.
“Maybe.” A smirk crossed his lips. “Did you really think your family would let you spend your birthday without them?”
“I can’t believe you’re all here. This place is beautiful.” I stared at the floral archway, the banner that read Happy Birthday, Ella, and the rose petals scattered over the wooden floor of the gazebo.
My Uncle Conner walked over, turned me around, and hugged me tight. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Uncle Conner.”
“Ella.” I heard Graham’s voice from behind. When I turned around, I saw him down on one knee, holding up a beautiful diamond ring. My heart started racing. He took hold of my left hand. “You are the woman of my dreams and the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I love you so much, baby. Dr. Ella Kind, will you marry me?”
Tears filled my eyes as I stared at the love of my life. “Yes, Graham. I will totally marry you!” A bright grin crossed my face.
He slipped the ring on my finger, stood up, and spun me around. My family shouted and clapped as we kissed.
“You planned this whole thing?” I smiled.
“I can’t take all the credit. Your family played a huge part in making this proposal perfect.”
“I love you so much, Graham.”
“And I love you, babe.” He smiled as he spun me around.
After my family congratulated us, I looked at my dad, who stood there with his hands tucked into his pants pockets and a smile.
“Daddy.” I walked over to him.
He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tight. “Congratulations, sweetheart. I couldn’t ask for a better man than Graham to be your husband. I love you.”
“Thanks, Dad. I love you, too. Grandma Barb isn’t here?” I asked.
“She couldn’t make it.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yeah. She’s fine.” He kissed my forehead.
“Okay, everyone. Listen up,” Shaun said. “Five o’clock at Ascent. Don’t be late. Cocktail hour starts at five, and dinner will be served at six-thirty.”
“Cocktail hour?” I cocked my head at Shaun.
“We’re celebrating, Ella. Not only your birthday but your engagement.” He winked.
We spent a few hours with my mom, dad, sister, and brother before heading back to our hotel and getting ready for the restaurant. As I was in the bathroom, doing my makeup, Graham wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“Aren’t you happy I talked you into letting me buy you that dress yesterday?” His lips pressed against the side of my neck.
“I am. You knew about the party, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I knew.”
I turned around in his arms and tapped his nose with my blush brush. “Thank you,” I softly spoke.
“For what?”
“For making me the happiest woman on the planet.”
“I should be thanking you for making me the happiest man on the planet.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “Listen, Ella. I don’t want to wait a year or two to get married. If I could marry you tonight, I would. But I know you want the wedding of your dreams, and I want to give you that.”
“I do. Besides, all of our friends would be hurt if we didn’t invite them. Don’t worry. We don’t have to wait a year. I’ve seen my family pull off weddings in three months. It can be done. We’ll set a date when we get home.” I smiled.
We arrived at Ascent. The place Shaun rented for a private family party catered with amazing food, alcohol, and a DJ.
“Let me see that beautiful ring again.” Claire smiled, grabbing my hand. “It’s stunning.” She hugged me. “I’m so happy for you and Graham.”
“Hey, you two.” Lily walked over, holding the baby.
“Let me see that beautiful girl.” I smiled, taking her.
“Now, there will be two weddings coming up in the family. Do you think our fathers can handle it?” Lily smirked.
“No. I don’t.” I laughed. “Graham doesn’t want to wait, and honestly, neither do I.”
“Then don’t. Adrien and I aren’t getting married until next year, and I think that’s too long to wait for another Kind wedding.”
The restaurant suddenly silenced as my dad went up on the stage. “Can I have everyone’s attention? I want to wish my beautiful daughter a very happy birthday and a huge congratulations on her engagement to Dr. Malone. Life is family, and family is life.” He held up his drink.
“CHEERS!” My family shouted.
Everyone started singing Happy Birthday as my mom carried a beautifully decorated birthday cake.
“Make a wish, sweet girl.” She smiled.
“It already came true.” I blew out the candles.