Orlando
While we had declared our love and sort of agreed to get married, I thought it might be best to actually ask Amaya. First, though, I wanted to see her parents and ask her father for her hand. It was old-fashioned, but I think most southern families still appreciated the ceremony and gesture of formally asking for a daughter’s hand in marriage.
It just so happened that Linaya’s graduation meant a Journet family celebration and their parents coming to Savannah. The party was held at The Promenade, of course, and I thought that was a good time to pull her parents aside.
Knowing full well it wouldn’t do to steal the limelight away from one sister to put it on the other, I focused my efforts at the party itself on proving what a good catch I was for Amaya. I made a toast, I brought Mrs. Journet coffee, and I danced with Amaya’s grandmother. She was surprisingly good at the Macarena.
But before I had a chance to ask Mr. Journet if we could talk, he approached me. “Mr. Daniels, can we have a word?”
He was shorter than me by a few inches and had the kindest eyes I had ever seen, but I still found myself swallowing a lump in my throat upon hearing those words. I could only nod in agreement. We made our way out to the hallway as guests were leaving and laughing their way outside.
“Yes, sir?” I tried to look nonchalant, but was pretty sure I failed at that.
“Amy May tells me you’ve gotten pretty serious in the last few weeks.” He crossed his arms at his chest.
“Yes. Yes, sir. We have. She’s like nobody I’ve ever met before and I sincerely hope I make her as happy as she makes me.” Try to smile. Don’t look like a creep. Relax, Daniels, relax!
“Amaya has always been an odd mix of free spirit and business-like. Like she’s not entirely sure of who she is. But we’ve noticed a change in her over the past month or so. She’s more driven but also more relaxed. It’s like she’s finally comfortable in her own skin.” He licked his lips before he continued. “I would guess I have you to credit for that?”
“I can’t claim that, but I can say that she has helped me become more comfortable in my own skin. She’s a wonderful woman.” It’s now or never. “I do love her, sir.”
He smiled and clapped me on the back. “I can tell. You’ve bent over backwards today to show it not just to her, but to the entire family. Yai especially appreciates it.”
“Mr. Journet—”
“Call me Emil.”
I nodded. “Emil. I would like your permission to ask Amaya to marry me. If she’ll have me. And you approve. And your wife approves. And Yai. I think Linaya would approve.” Did that cover everyone? Why was I rambling?
Laughter filled the air and Emil put his hand out towards me. I took it eagerly. “Of course! Linny has already filled in with what Amaya hasn’t told us. I’m happy to give my blessing to you, Orlando.”
Relief washed over me. This was it. I could officially propose to Amaya now. “Thank you, sir. Of course, please not a word to Amaya until I can arrange a proposal.”
He placed a finger to the side of his nose. “Mum”s the word!”
The next morning I went to McFarland’s jewelers to pick out a ring. They were the oldest jeweler in Savannah, nestled in a shop off Ellis Square, and were distantly related on my mother’s side. If there was a ring unique enough for Amaya, it would be there.
I perused the displays while chatting with Nathan McFarland, the patriarch of the family. Each and every diamond ring looked like the one next to it. “Isn’t there something else? Maybe not a diamond? Maybe an antique?”
“Show me a picture of this girl, son,” came the weathered reply.
Several photos were on my phone and her social media and I scrolled until I found my favorite. Amaya in a fuchsia dress flowing out from behind her. Her eyes were crinkled almost shut and her mouth was open in a riotous laugh. She didn’t hide her joy, but wore it for the whole world to see.
“This is her. Amaya.” My heart swelled with pride upon showing her off.
I flicked the screen to show a better photo of her face. It was a lovely shot of her looking right at me over her shoulder, her tanned skin close to glowing in the fading sunlight. Brown doe eyes gazed right into the camera and the corners of her full lips were upturned. Maybe this was my favorite picture of her.
“Ah, yes, I know just the piece,” Mr. McFarland said, tapping his temple. “Wait one moment.”
He disappeared in the back for a few seconds and came out with an ornate navy blue box that looked like it was older than him. “This was made in 1844 by my grandfather Alexander. It’s one of a kind.”
The box was opened to reveal a gold ring shining bright with rubies. Small red jewels flanked the sides of the ring and in the center were gems arranged to look like a flower. It was stunning. He pulled it from the box and handed it to me. The blood-red rubies glinted in the light and I was mesmerized.
“If I were to turn Amaya into a ring, this would be it.”
Old McFarland nodded. “Precisely.”
The ring, however, was approaching two hundred years old and had been in the family all the while. “If it’s been in the family this long, why sell it?”
“Grandfather had it made for his sweetheart, my grandmother. And you know, my grandmother and your great-grandmother were sisters. So truly, it’s keeping it in the family.” His eyes twinkled as he winked at me.
“It’s perfect. But I have to ask how much it is.” I winced, knowing I wouldn’t like the price tag and hoping I could talk him down – for family.
Thankfully, he was willing to negotiate and with a little finesse, and a free event at The Promenade, I walked away with the perfect ring for the perfect girl. Now I needed to set my plan in motion.
On Monday, I popped my head into Amaya’s office. “We had a last minute event come up for Friday.”
Her face wrinkled up. “Friday? Really? What is it?” She averted her gaze to look at the calendar on her laptop.
“I think you’ll like it. It’s a proposal. Very sweet couple,” I told her, inwardly high fiving myself.
Her head tilted to the side and she looked back up at me. “Someone booked for their proposal? That’s interesting. Has anyone done that before?”
It was so hard keeping the huge grin from my face. “Not that I’m aware of.” I shrugged in an effort to look calm while my insides were screaming that it was me.
Amaya went back to the laptop. “Well, they booked for six. Want to grab a late dinner afterward?” She beamed up at me as I came fully into the room.
I bent down and kissed her lightly. “Absolutely.”
Before I could leave the room, though, she spoke again. “I don’t see any files for this, babe. What are the names? What kind of set up? Will this be inside or in the garden?”
I swallowed and turned back to her. “Um, what would you do?”
A blank stare met me face on. “It’s not about me. It’s about this couple. What do they enjoy? Are they outdoorsy? More upmarket? Would she appreciate romance or not?” She pulled out a paper and passed it to me. “Didn’t you get any information on them? How did I miss meeting this guy?”
Don’t panic. Do not panic, she can smell fear.“He, uh, emailed me. I’ll just forward that on to you and you can get what you need.” I could feel the beads of sweat on my brow. I hadn’t planned this through as well as I had thought.
“Perfect. Make sure he signs that contract, though.” She blew me a kiss right as her phone rang. She winked as she answered and I turned from her doorway.
I made up a fake email address and emailed the ‘details’ to myself, which I then forwarded on to Amaya’s email. Within minutes, she had emailed my fake account with a slew of questions, again with the reminder to sign the contract. Her mind for business was incredibly sexy.
By the end of the day I had hopefully told her everything she needed to know to set up for her own proposal in the garden of The Promenade – complete with candles, a petal-lined walkway, and even a rented horse that would look like a unicorn. Because she deserved the most magical evening I could give her.