30. Michael
I keep checking my pocket to make sure I haven’t forgotten it, and each time I feel it there, I get more excited, nervous, and happy.
“You’ve got this, man,” Peter says, patting my shoulder. “Although I don’t know why you think you need me. You know she loves you, and you love her, and,” he throws his hands in the air, “I have never seen two people more in love.”
I nod, rubbing my sweaty palms against my pants. “I need you for moral support.”
He laughs.
“You’ve got this, Michael. Think of it like a case. A meaningful—
I shoot him a look that has him apologetic immediately.
“Savannah is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Cases pale in comparison, and this has to be perfect.”
When he doesn’t respond, I look around the room. In the ample space that would sit twenty people—there is a dim ambiance with candles that smell like peony and jasmine. The chandelier light still shines, but it is a dull yellow to give an impression of the spotlight, which is where our table stands.
The table itself is the best that the restaurant has to offer, and there are roses around it.
I sent my driver to get Savannah because I wasn’t sure I could hold myself back after seeing her. Meanwhile, I dragged Peter from his house.
“The woman I love,” I mutter. “The woman I want to spend the rest of my life with,” I whisper.
He pats my shoulder again. “I know. I know you will make my sister the happiest woman alive.”
“Yes, I hope I will.”
My phone beeps, and it’s a message from the driver informing me that he is ten minutes away.
“Alright.” I clap my hands. “She’s on the way. I don’t need you any longer, Peter, so I’m going to need you to scram.”
“Wow,” he lifts his arms in mock exasperation, “is that how disposable I am?”
I still shoo him off and point him towards the back door. Peter gives me a thumbs-up before exiting.
It takes several minutes, which feels more like a lifetime, and then she walks in.
And the woman I lay eyes on, is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
From her hair, shiny and sleeked back to reveal her neck in all its glory, to the shiny silver drop earrings that hang from each perfect ear, and then the simple silver necklace that rests perfectly on her collarbone. She is an exquisite sight.
But the dress…
The dress, my goodness.
My heart stops and I am unable to breathe.
“You like?” She says shyly.
I am unable to respond until I can wrap my head around it all. “You look absolutely amazing.”
Savannah does a one-eighty, and I am in awe once again of her beauty and grace.
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on,” I say, crossing the room to meet her. “I don’t even think I should be here right now. Instead, there should be a light—just one, aimed right on you.”
She laughs, and the sound is lofty and light. “You flatter.”
I shake my head. “I am but a man who is helplessly in love with his woman. Please,” I take her hand and kiss the back of her palm. “Come sit.”
I pull the chair out for her to sit, and then I gently push it in.
“Will you have some champagne, madam?”
Savannah nods. “Yes, fine, sir. I will.”
Taking the champagne flute, I pour some with a flourish.
She takes a sip.
“I want to kiss you right now and taste the champagne on your lips,” I say with a longing sigh.
She makes a noise that I like very much…something like a humming sound.
I take my seat.
“Isn’t it weird?” I ask.
“What?”
“How we fell in love? Most people don’t fall in love the way we did.”
“You mean how it took me being framed for murder to bring us closer? She says. I should write a book about it.”
I laugh. “I think that is a brilliant idea, you should do it.”
She goes silent, but her eyes glisten. I know they are happy tears, so I don’t reach out to brush them away. Instead, I take her hand.
“I know I have said it before, but I love you, Savannah Richmond. I love it when you challenge me, unwilling to let go of the matter until you have the last say. I love the fire and the passion in your eyes, and the times when they soften as you look at me tenderly. I love the way that you make me a better man. I love how we make each other whole.”
She looks at me so appreciatively and knowingly.
I reach for the box in my pocket with the other hand, and she gasps when I place it on the table.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“I hope so,” I say with a laugh.
I open the velvety box and bring out a diamond solitaire ring.
Savannah gasps again. “It is so beautiful, Michael.”
“To match your beauty,” I say romantically.
I get out of my chair and get down on one knee beside her.
“I was going to wait until we had dinner but as you can see, I am very impatient about making you my wife. Savannah Richmond, will you make the happiest man by becoming my wife?”
“Yes,” she says, sniffing and nodding. “I will marry you, Michael.”
I slip the ring on her finger, and it fits just right.
With a gentle smile, I kiss the tears that fall down her cheeks. Then I slowly rise from my kneeling position...my eyes not leaving Savannah’s. I take her hand so she stands, and then I reach out to cup her face tenderly, conveying much in a simple touch.
“I love you,” she whispers.
“I love you.”
With a soft exhale, I close the distance between our lips, and they meet in a tender, passionate kiss. Time, as always, loses its potency in the silent affirmation of our commitment. I open my eyes to look at Savannah, smiling when our eyes meet.
“Congratulations!”
We break apart from the slow clapping that startles us, only to see that the intruder is none other than Peter.
“Peter? Look we are engaged!” Savannah exclaims.
He gives her a cheeky grin. “I brought your fiancé here, and let’s just say I was so eager to hear you say “I do” that I forgot to leave.”
“Well, now you really have to leave,” I say.
“Wait, I can’t stay? Can I join you for dinner? I can pull up an extra chair, there’s plenty of room at the table.”
When I gently tilt Savannah’s face to mine and press my lips against hers, he gets the message.
“Alright. I’ll see myself out. The lonely bachelor whose only happiness is that the two people he loves the most in the world are engaged will see himself out.”
We watch him, laughing as he leaves with his shoulders slumped, and then silence…as we find our way back to each other.
“You know, I still haven’t thanked you for making me talk to Peter. Coercing me, actually,” she says.
I shrug. “I am so happy it all worked out. So, do you still want dinner or…” My eyes tell her the rest.
The End.