Chapter 16
Before
Oliver and I had been dating nearly nine months before I invited him to Sunday brunch at Marmee’s house. It was the first time I’d introduced her to one of my boyfriends.
Ava, Constance, and Marlowe often goaded me for my lack of transparency when it came to my love life, speculating the reason most of my relationships failed to launch was that I didn’t give them the proper boost. I made no attempt to enmesh my romantic partners into the other aspects of my life: work, family, friends.
Constance provided a slew of subconscious reasons for my tendency to construct walls, some of which rang true more than others.
When it came to Marmee, the reason I’d never introduced her to my past lovers was purely out of respect.
Sunday brunch was sacred. I only missed the meal when I was traveling.
Otherwise, rain or shine, in sickness or in health, I made it a point to visit her, and the last thing I wanted to do was cloud our time together talking about men, or worse, forcing uncomfortable conversation between my newest boyfriend and my grandmother.
With Oliver, things were different. He’d moved into my apartment after only six months of dating, a logical decision considering we spent almost every night together and I resented the trek out to his place in Brooklyn, the lease for which was due to end.
He worked as a salesman for a wholesaler.
Occasionally, he’d work from the apartment, but most of his time was spent in an office building in Midtown.
Once a month, he’d travel to various locations to meet with colleagues for conventions or team-building exercises.
At first, the business trips felt like a gift.
I understood the seriousness of our relationship, and the gravity of my feelings toward him, when I started to miss him.
I’d wait impatiently by the door, always eager to see him and whatever kitschy souvenir he’d brought back—a shot glass from Chicago, a magnet from Baltimore.
That stabbing pain in my chest was what prompted me to finally introduce him to Marmee. I wouldn’t dismiss my feelings as I had so many times before. I was in love.
When we arrived, Marmee was in the conservatory, sitting beneath a shiny pane of glass, absorbing as much sunlight as possible. The weather was unusually warm for late fall. Sun-drenched soil scented the air.
“Marmee, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Oliver, behind me, squeezed my hand as we approached. “This is my boyfriend.”
Marmee repositioned herself in the chair, raising her chin. Even in her old age, her beautiful features caught my attention, especially in the sunshine. Blue and silver gems glittered across her fingers as she raised a hand toward him.
“Nice to meet you, young man,” she said. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
We made eye contact, and I gave her a polite smile to acknowledge the lie. I’d never even mentioned Oliver’s name to her before, despite the fact that we’d been dating for several months. Again, Marmee and I always had more interesting topics to discuss.
“The pleasure is completely mine,” Oliver said, taking both her hands into his. “Tippi has told me all about her childhood here.”
He stared in bewilderment at the botanical gardens that surrounded us, the same look of amazement on his face I’d seen from other friends throughout the years. The blooming flowers and large green leaves were hypnotizing.
Marmee stood shakily, leaning on her crow-crowned cane. “Should we move inside and get to know each other better?”
Mrs. Wilson presented cucumber sandwiches, pimiento pinwheels, and a kettle of Earl Grey tea.
We sat in the parlor, surrounded by Marmee’s most beautiful belongings; on the rare occasion guests came over, she always brought them to this room to show off.
Venetian glassware. Hand-painted portraits.
Priceless photographs taken by some of the most influential artists of her generation.
Such displays were commonplace for me during my childhood but often left others speechless. Including Oliver.
After we finished our meal, I gave him a tour of the house.
A personal one, not only showcasing the beautiful rooms but also revealing my memories in them.
Countless movie marathons in the cinema room.
Rounds of pool played in the billiard room.
The way I’d torture myself with thoughts of ghosts and hauntings before falling asleep in my bedroom.
“This place is unbelievable,” he said, as we wandered back outside. “What part is your favorite?”
“I’d have to say the cinema,” I said, my eyes landing on the large fountain before us.
It was made of dark stone, the material carved into the shape of birds banded together.
At the top, a spray of water trickled down.
The concrete around the base was beginning to crack. “I’ve always loved the fountain, too.”
“Beautiful,” he said, taking it in.
“I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere else. Something about it feels magical,” I told him. “I love that there’s this symbol of beauty welcoming people into the house.”
“I can’t believe you grew up in a place like this,” he said, looking across the grounds. “Makes me feel like I’ll never be enough for you.”
I stepped forward, draping my arm across his shoulders. His woodsy cologne aroused my senses. I pulled him closer, planting a passionate kiss on his lips.
“Don’t ever feel like you’re not enough.”
Oliver smiled, his eyes narrowing as his cheeks flushed. He took a deep breath.
“I suppose this is the perfect moment.”
“For what?”
Oliver was no longer standing. He knelt in front of the bird fountain, a small box in his hands. My stomach seemed to plummet to my feet, anchoring me in place. I kept staring at him, blinking as though this entire image would disappear.
“Tippi, from the moment I met you, I felt a connection I didn’t know was possible,” he said, a visible sheen in his eyes. “The more time we spend together, the more I think we complete each other.”
He opened the box.
I knew the piece of jewelry inside well. A square-cut diamond with small sapphires on either side. For years, I’d admired that particular ring from Marmee’s vast collection.
“Oliver,” I said, almost breathless. “It’s my favorite…how did you…”
“I have a confession to make. This isn’t my first time meeting Marmee,” he said. “I had the pleasure of meeting her earlier this month. When she gave me her blessing.”
My eyes searched for her. I thought she might be standing just a few feet away, watching, but it was only the two of us, surrounded by an otherworldly beauty, the sunlight overhead making the jewels in my grandmother’s ring glitter. The intimacy of the moment overwhelmed me.
“In case you haven’t put it together yet,” Oliver said, “I’m asking if you’ll marry me.”
My hands were shaking. He slid the ring on my finger, and it felt like I was slipping into a new life, a new world, yet still surrounded by the hallmarks that kept me grounded and safe.
“Yes.” The word slipped out without thought, without permission, as though I’d lost agency over my body and mind. My heart was taking over.
He stood quickly, sweeping me into his arms. He spun me around, my skirt billowing outward. He kissed me, and for several moments, it was just the two of us together with the promise we’d made.
When we walked back inside the house, Marmee sat in the Reading Room, her hands pressed together, an encouraging smile on her face. She wrapped her arms around me and whispered, “All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy, my dear.”
Only then did I feel warm tears welling in my eyes.
Getting Marmee’s involvement for the engagement was only the beginning of his elaborate proposal.
When we left her house, Oliver insisted on stopping by our favorite Italian restaurant for dinner.
Even on a Sunday, securing a table without a reservation was rare.
I was surprised when the hostess escorted us to the back right away, passing the crowded dining room of linen-clad tables.
When she opened the door to the back room, that’s when the shouting began.
“Surprise!”
A cacophony of voices rang out, although Ava’s was the loudest. She stood at the front of the crowd, the makeup around her eyes smudged with fresh tears. Behind her stood everyone else. Constance and Marlowe. Preston. My content manager and friends I’d met through social media.
I looked at Oliver, amazed. “Did you organize all of this?”
“I had a little help,” he said, nodding toward my trio of closest friends.
“Let me see it in person,” Constance said, reaching for my hand immediately.
I splayed my fingers. The diamond and sapphires sparkled beneath the low-hanging lamps.
“It’s gorgeous,” Constance said, caressing the jewel with her thumb.
“I love it,” I say. “You’ll have to pry this gem out of my cold, dead hands.”
“Totally perfect,” Marlowe said, squeezing my waist.
“Were you surprised?” Ava asked.
“Completely.” I looked back at Oliver, beaming. “Even more now that I know all of you knew.”
“This is the type of thing you only do once,” Oliver said. “I had to make sure I didn’t mess it up, so I asked for their input.”
The comment perturbed me. This wasn’t the first time Oliver had proposed, but the second. I shook the thought away as quickly as it appeared, vowing to make the most of the moment.
Ava wrapped her arm around my waist and pulled me forward until I was facing the rest of our guests.
“Everyone, we’re here for a very important reason.
The unbelievable has happened. My best friend, Tippi, has found the one.
” Her voice cracked on that last part, resulting in encouraging claps and sentimental whimpers from the crowd.
“For as long as I’ve known her, Tippi has insisted this would never happen.
After a while, I started to believe her.
Until she met Oliver, and everything changed. ”
She looked back at him, smiling.