24. Chapter Twenty-Four
When Alesandra gets to the family photos with my parents and hers, Pappa knows his cue and I anxiously wait for him to give it.
“Viktor, you dropped something.” He points to the ground near my feet.
“Oh thanks.” I mutter, bending down to pull the velvet jewelry bag out of my back pocket. I pull the ring out and grasp it between my fingers. Sweat beads on my forehead. In theory I was much cooler when I proposed in my head.
Calliope goes to walk away, awaiting the next direction from Alesandra, but I grasp her hand, pulling her back to face me. I didn’t plan out what was going to happen if she walked away from me, what my Plan B would be.
When she spins around I’m down on one knee with my great grandmother’s ring held out to her. The diamond, framed in a halo of rubies glints in the setting sun. The butterflies take hold of me, fluttering in my stomach as I now have to speak.
“Oh, my god.” Her hands cover her mouth as realization sets in.
“Skatten Min, I know that we haven’t done anything traditionally, or at all the way you would have liked it to go. But the universe knew better. You are elskan min, my soulmate, and you came into my life to make it better. I can only hope that I do the same for you. This liten b?nne is going to make our lives complete, but only if I have you as my wife.” I take her hand in mine. “Calliope Miller, will you marry me?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” She launches herself at me, knocking me off kilter. I catch myself and stand, pulling her to me.
I whisper in her ear, “You will forever be my treasure, Calliope Miller.”
She crashes her lips to mine, as the camera clicks and flashes over and over again. Pulling away I remember that we do have an audience. Mamma has tears in her eyes.
“Oh Calliope! I’m so honored for you to have this ring! You will be the fourth Karlsen woman to wear it! This ring has seen many happy marriages and I wish it to bless yours for a lifetime of happiness.” Mamma pulls Calliope in for a tight hug, her own mother joining them, all three with tears in their eyes .
Alesandra is snapping hundreds of photos and I make a mental note to give her a large tip for all of her extra work due to my surprise proposal.
Harry comes up to me, “I saw another article this morning. I looked into it. It’s not related to the other ones, this guy was just going off what the other articles said, he shouldn’t be a problem anymore.”
I nod, watching my girl get doted on and showing off her ring.
“Congratulations man, I can tell this is the real deal with you two. I’ll make sure you’re front page news.”
“Thanks. We really appreciate you.”
Pappa and Mr. Miller come over to me, pulling me away from Harry.
“Welcome to the club, son. Proud to have you as my son-in-love.” Mr. Miller slaps me on the back.
It’s a club I’m damn proud to join.
I’m already thinking of how I can get Calliope to city hall tomorrow.
Viktor Karlsen is off the market
Photos from Alesandra at the farm of the engagement and baby announcement
You read that right ladies. Viktor Karlsen is officially off the market. He and his girlfriend got engaged at the Cozy Farm last night, and Houston Gazette has the exclusive.
During a family photo shoot to announce their baby coming this fall, Karlsen dropped to one knee, proposing to Miller with a four generation vintage engagement ring.
Karlsen started by calling Miller, Skatten Min, which translates to my treasure, a nickname he had given her on the first night they met at TRNDZ, a local bar here in Houston’s historical district. While it’s true their relationship did start as a one-night stand, until Karlsen hit Miller in the head with a puck, their love for each other shines brighter than the sun. He told her, “life will be better with you, and complete when our child comes to the world this fall”.
Viktor Karlsen and Calliope Miller have given exclusive rights for interviews and photos to Houston Gazette.
Congratulations to the happy couple and the Houston Havoc family!
Photos provided by Alesandra Photography.
This article is a better one than the others that I’ve woken up to recently, it’s also getting a much more positive response than the other ones. Now that the record has been set straight numerous times, fans have started to troll the other tabloids that are spreading false rumors about us, calling for a cancellation of the outlets that are out to make Calliope and I look bad.
Ken is thrilled with all the positive press from this article and has been inundated with requests for interviews from Calliope and myself. They all want to know about our relationship and the baby.
I will happily tell anyone who wants to listen about my love for this woman.