28. Nick
Nick
The gates to my parents’ estate swing open. I feel a mix of excitement and nerves as we drive up the long, tree-lined driveway. Ava is sitting in the passenger seat, her hands resting on her lap, her eyes wide as she takes in the sprawling grounds.
“This place is incredible,” she says, her voice filled with awe.
I nod, forcing a smile. “Yeah. It’s a lot.”
“I had no idea your family was this wealthy,” she says with a laugh.
“This was our second home,” I joke. “They moved here full time and sold the house in San Diego a few years ago.”
“It’s stunning. Just beautiful.”
I can tell she’s nervous, and I don’t blame her. She thinks we’re here to tell my parents about the baby, and while that’s part of it, there’s so much more she doesn’t know.
When we pull up to the house, my parents are waiting for us on the front steps. My mom is beaming, her arms open wide as she rushes over to hug me.
“Nick!” she says, her voice warm. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You too, Mom,” I say, hugging her back.
My dad shakes my hand. “Nick.”
Then they turn to Ava, their eyes lighting up.
“Ava!” my mom says, pulling her into a hug. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“You too,” Ava says and hugs each of them.
We head inside. I can feel the tension in the air. Ava is nervous, her hands trembling as she grips mine.
“Are you okay?” I ask, my voice low.
She nods, forcing a smile. “Yeah. Just … nervous.”
I squeeze her hand, trying to reassure her. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
“Why don’t you show Ava up to your room,” Mom says. “Your father and I have an errand to run.”
Ava looks like she’s been given a stay of execution.
They rush out of the house without another word.
Ava looks at me with confusion. “Was that weird?”
I laugh. “No. Come on, I’ll show you to our room.”
I lead her upstairs and down a long hallway. I push open the door to my old room.
“Wow,” Ava says as she steps inside.
It’s enormous, with high ceilings and a balcony overlooking the gardens. The decor is masculine—dark woods and deep blues—but elegant.
“You lived here?” she asks, her eyes wide.
“Summers mostly,” I say.
“This is bigger than my whole apartment.”
I leave our suitcases in the closet. I am anxious to get to the surprise I’ve been planning, and I know there are others waiting.
“Why don’t I give you the grand tour,” I suggest.
“I’d love that! I think your family brought Jessie here once, right?”
I nod. “Yep, summer between junior and senior year.”
“He talked about riding horses on the ranch. I had no idea your home was the ranch.”
I laugh. “Back then it was more ranch. My parents didn’t want to mess with the animal thing. They have a few horses in the stables, but that’s it. Back then, it was a working ranch with cattle and the whole deal.”
“This is incredible.”
I have butterflies in my stomach as I give her a brief tour of the living room and kitchen. She doesn’t question it when I avoid the hallway that leads to what my parents refer to as the entertaining room.
I take Ava out to the backyard. She walks beside me, her eyes wide as she takes it all in—the gardens, the pool, the sweeping views. I can barely focus on anything but her and the ring burning a hole in my pocket.
“This place is insane,” she says, laughing. “I mean that in the best way.”
“I know.” I squeeze her hand. “But you haven’t seen the best part.”
We walk down a path lined with trimmed hedges, and I feel my heart racing. Just around the corner, the gazebo waits. I have planned everything, while Ava thought we were just going for a visit—a moment that would change everything.
My parents helped me out. I came clean about lying to them about the engagement initially. They were all too willing to be a part of the real deal.
“There’s something I want to show you,” I say.
She looks at me curiously but lets me lead her down a narrow path bordered by mother’s prized roses. As we round the corner, her eyes land on the gazebo. It’s exactly how I envisioned—candles flickering everywhere, rose petals scattered across the floor in deep reds and pinks.
“Ava,” I say softly.
“Oh my God,” she whispers, taking it all in.
I guide her to the center of the gazebo and watch as she turns in a slow circle. Her face is lit up with surprise and joy, and it’s more than I could have hoped for.
“Nick,” she says, looking at me with wonder. “Did you do all this?”
“My parents did the actual decorating,” I admit, feeling nervous now that we’re right here.
“It’s beautiful.”
“There’s something else.”
I take a deep breath and drop to one knee. Her hands fly to her mouth when she realizes what I’m doing.
“Ava, you’ve brought so much light into my life.
You’ve made me want to be a better person, and I’m so grateful to have you by my side.
I love you more than I thought was ever possible to love another person.
I don’t want to waste another minute pretending we’re engaged.
I want us to really be engaged. Will you marry me? ”
“Yes!” she says, her voice breaking with emotion. “Yes, yes!”
I slip the ring onto her finger, a perfect fit. She pulls me up and throws her arms around me, laughing and crying at the same time.
“I can’t believe this,” she says breathlessly. “You’re sneaky, Nick.”
“I like surprising you.”
She holds out her hand to look at the ring. “It’s stunning. I can’t believe this is really happening.”
“It’s happening. There’s one more surprise.”
She wrinkles her nose. “We have to tell your parents,” she says. “About the baby and the fake engagement.”
“I’ve already come clean about the fake engagement,” I tell her.
“Uh-oh, how did that go?”
“Actually, they were upset at first, but when I told them I wanted to do it for real, it was all good.”
She laughs. “I guess we’re going to double whammy them.”
“They’re waiting inside.”
“I thought they left?” she asks.
“No. Part of the surprise.”
“You are just full of them,” she giggles.
She has no idea.
I take her inside, leading her down the dark hallway. I push open the double doors and turn on the lights.
Surprise!
Ava jumped back. “What the hell!”
The room is filled with people—family, friends, and a few faces I don’t recognize.
“Congratulations!” everyone shouts.
Ava looks at me with wide eyes.
“It’s our engagement party,” I say with a laugh.
She looks at me and arches her eyebrow. “You were pretty confident I was going to say yes.”
“Yep.”
We’re quickly overtaken by her very large family all trying to get a piece of us.
Jessie is at the front, his arm around his wife, Lisa. Behind him are Amelia and her husband, along with Ava’s parents.
“You guys!” Ava exclaims. “You’re here!”
I watch as Ava’s family converges on us like a tidal wave, their excitement palpable. Jessie reaches us first with a big grin.
“Could you be any more extra?” he laughs, pulling me in for a bear hug.
“Extra is what I do,” I joke back, even as my heart swells seeing everyone here.
“You guys!” Ava says again, her voice bubbling over with happiness.
Lisa goes right for Ava’s hand, her eyes fixed on the ring. “Holy shit, this is stunning!”
“Yeah, let’s see it!” says Ava’s mom, Sue, muscling her way through and gently shoving Lisa aside.
Ava holds out her hand. “Isn’t it amazing? I can’t believe he pulled this off.”
Her dad gives me an approving nod while hugging Ava with one arm. “Good job.”
Amelia and her husband join the circle, and Amelia gives me a wink. “I told you Nick had something up his sleeve,” she says to Ava while they both laugh.
I’m swept into the chaos of embraces and congratulations.
“This place is incredible,” Amelia says.
I nod, forcing a smile. “Yeah. It’s a lot.”
Ava is swept away, leaving me alone with Jessie. I know what’s coming.
“Look, I’m just going to say it. Ava’s my baby sister. I’ve always been protective of her, and I’m not going to stop now.”
“I know,” I say. “I get it.”
“Do you? Because if you hurt her, if you so much as make her cry, I’ll?—”
“You’ll kill me,” I finish for him. “I know, Jessie. And you don’t have to worry. I love Ava. I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Good. Because if you do, you’ll have more than just me to deal with.”
I feel a surge of relief. “Understood.”
The room buzzes with laughter and conversation, everyone caught up in the excitement of the surprise. I glance around and spot Ava talking animatedly to Amelia and Lisa, her cheeks flushed with happiness.
My parents have really outdone themselves with the party. They hired caterers and a full bar. My mom never misses an opportunity to throw a party.
Ava looks over at me and grins, then mouths “Let’s do it!” with a little nod.
“Hey, everyone!” I call out. “Can I have your attention please?”
The chatter dies down as heads turn in our direction. Ava moves to stand by my side, snaking an arm around my waist while I do the same.
“First off, thank you all so much for being here,” Ava says. “You guys are amazing.”
“We have one more announcement,” I add, feeling a rush of adrenaline. Ava squeezes my hand.
Ava takes a deep breath and looks at me before facing everyone. “We’re having a baby!”
There’s a stunned silence that lasts only a heartbeat before the room erupts into cheers and applause. I laugh as someone—probably Jessie—lets out a loud whoop.
“We thought we’d give you all something else to celebrate,” Ava jokes, barely audible over the noise.
This time it’s my family who surges forward. My parents wrap us both in an exuberant hug.
“A grandchild!” Mom exclaims tearfully. “This is just wonderful.”
Dad’s booming voice echoes through the room. “Congratulations, you two! What great news!”
We’re swept up in another wave of hugs and joyful shouts.
Later that night, as the party winds down, I find Ava standing by the window, looking out at the sprawling grounds. She looks beautiful. I feel like I love her more with every passing minute. “Hey,” I say, stepping closer.
She turns to me with a soft smile. “Hey.”
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. “You okay?”
She nods, resting her head on my chest. “Yeah. Just a lot to take in.”
I kiss the top of her head. “I know. But you were amazing tonight.”
“Were you nervous?”
“Yeah. I wanted everything to be perfect for you.”
She smiles. “It was perfect, Nick. Thank you.”
“Thank you for taking a chance on this reformed man,” I say.