19. Scarlett
CHAPTER 19
Scarlett
Six Months Later
A s I hang my coat and hand-knitted scarf on the hook behind the wooden front door, the warmth from the open fire in the living room that seems to be continuously smouldering now winter has hit with a vengeance is like a warm hug. I slip off my runners, noticing a splatter of red paint and a sprinkle of gold glitter on the laces, and leave them next to Ryan’s work shoes, a smile of familiarity spreading across my face.
‘Honey, I’m home.’
‘I’m in the kitchen, my love.’
My love . Two words I’ll never tire of hearing from Ryan’s lips. I’m not really one for terms of endearment and calling him ‘honey’ has become a bit of a joke. But there’s been no joking about the L word. He uses it in all sincerity at any and every opportunity.
Once I moved in with Ryan in the new year, it didn’t take me long to reciprocate. The accident and Christmas, selling my unit in Adelaide and setting up family day care saw us work through some intense emotions and sharing the mental and physical load brought us closer. Throughout the fallout of the Stephanie drama, Ryan has been a constant presence, offering a safe space for me to share my thoughts and feelings once my psychology appointments finished.
I follow the smell of roast chicken down the passage and round the corner into the kitchen where I pull up short. My mouth forms an O, and I’m momentarily speechless.
‘What on earth are you wearing, Ryan? It’s beautifully hideous and do you have one for me?’
Ryan’s standing proud as punch in the kitchen, dimples deep in his cheeks, grin as wide as the bay. He does a model’s pirouette and ends with a bow. That’s when I notice his footwear.
‘And I hope you have a pair of those for me too. I’ve never owned Christmas slippers.’
His eyebrows raise. ‘Really? You’re telling me, as the lover of all things Christmas, with a wardrobe of festive wear, you’ve never owned a pair of these?’ He lifts the tea towel on the bench to reveal a pair of knitted red and white slipper boots with patterns of reindeer and snowflakes.
When I step forward to grab them from the counter, he moves to stand in front of me, blocking my path.
‘Uh-ha, you have to wait.’ He playfully slaps my hands away from them.
‘Is that so? What are you up to, Nurse Ryan?’ I rest my hand on his chest, on the knitted jumper stretched across his shoulders like it shrunk in the wash. The sleeves are also ridiculously short, and I can’t help but smile at the silliness of it.
Six months ago, this guy would’ve sprinted away at the sight of anything remotely resembling Christmas, but now …
‘Never thought I’d see the day that you willingly wear an ugly Christmas jumper, complete with blinking lights and reindeer antlers. You are full of surprises.’ I slide my hands around his waist, stand on tippy toes and plant a kiss on his lips. ‘Urgh … and why does it smell like moth balls?’
I break free from Ryan’s embrace, and the repulsive smell overwhelms me, forcing me to cover my nose with the back of my hand, pretending to be disgusted.
Ryan chuckles and turns to the oven, opening the door. ‘All will be revealed.’ He removes a tray of roast veggies and places it on the bench. ‘A letter came for you today too. It’s just there on the end of the bench.’
‘Ohh. It’s probably just a bill. I’ll open it later. I’ve got other things on my mind.’ My fingers trace a slow path down his chest, finally coming to rest at the bottom of his jumper. ‘I’ve got to get rid of this jumper, Ryan. The smell … not good. Where did you get it from?’
‘Lilac, bless her. When she came in to get her wound dressing changed on that nasty gash on her shin, she gifted it to me. Said she found it when she was cleaning out an old wardrobe in her spare bedroom.’
‘And … sounds like there’s more to the story.’
‘Well, there is. I think you need to open the letter. It could be important.’
‘Is that right? Arms up.’
‘The letter, Scarlett.’
‘Party pooper.’
Theatrically, I grab the letter off the bench and stare at the handwriting on the front. It’s oh so familiar, with its curly cursive and the special way the ‘l’ in Scarlett loops. My heart misses a beat, and I pivot back to Ryan who’s looking somewhat sheepish, nervous.
‘Ryan, what is this?’
‘Open it.’
I slide my finger under the back seal, slip out a sheet of A4 paper and unfold it.
Scarlett, my love ??
These last six months haven’t been easy for you. Your life’s been uprooted, you’ve sold your house, left the city and moved in with me.
You’ve been instrumental in bringing down Stephanie and supporting the families, and dealing with a government department is no mean feat, all while dealing with the fallout of her bullying.
I love it when you come home and tell me all about your day with the kids and the oldies, the fun things you’ve done with them and what all your plans are.
I love it when you ask me about my day, listen intently, offer comfort and a kind ear.
I love it when you give me a head scratch.
I’m so proud of how you’ve lobbied the council, rallied the locals … and got Hanna on board with the childcare centre. Seeing your face last week in the council chamber as the vote was taken and the motion was moved will stay with me for as long as I live.
You are my life, the love of my life and I can’t wait to walk next to you, holding your hand through our years ahead.
Now … open the blinds.
‘Open the blinds?’ I frown and flick my gaze up to meet Ryan’s. He’s chewing on his bottom lip. ‘What are you up to?’
He bobs his head towards the back deck. ‘Go and see.’
As I press my palm to my chest, I scoot across the living room towards the curtains, poking my face through the slit and gasping in astonishment.
‘Oh, Ryan.’ My hand flings over my mouth, and I suck in a breath. ‘Oh, shit.’ I yank the curtains open and stare outside at the deck fully adorned with fairy lights, Christmas decorations from the farm and even a dancing Santa in the corner. But front and centre is a huge sign set against the blackened background of the night with bright LED lights spelling out: MARRY ME
I pivot to find Ryan right there. He places his hands around mine and brings them to his lips, kissing each knuckle, slowly, deliberately. The only sounds are the crackle of the fire and the crooning of Michael Bublé singing my all-time favourite carol—‘Away In A Manger’.
There is intent in Ryan’s eyes. My heart pounds.
‘I love you, Scarlett.’
Gulp . ‘And I love you, too. More than I ever thought possible. And thank you for being there with me, holding my hand, hugging me when it all got too much … and YES! I’ll marry you.’
With a swift movement, he’s kneeling on one knee. From his back jeans pocket, he retrieves a small black felt bag, opens it and pulls out the most quaint and classic engagement ring, holding it out to me.
As he slides the ring onto my finger, a high-pitched squeal escapes me, and I can’t help but tilt my hand to admire how the light dances off the sparkling stones—one aquamarine and a diamond on each side. My heart skips a beat.
‘Oh, Ryan. It’s perfect.’ I grab his hand and help him to his feet. ‘When … how … Does Lilac have something to do with this?’
As he slips his arms around my waist, his face lights up with the most beautiful, dimpled smile that melts my heart. ‘She gave me the idea when she jokingly handed over the jumper. A Christmas in July proposal sounded perfect, and together, we planned the details.’
‘And the ring? How did you know what size?’
‘Well, Lilac went into stealth mode and measured your other ring when you took it off to clean her bathroom. You left it on her kitchen counter, and she used a pipe cleaner to measure the size for me.’
‘You really have thought of everything.’ Leaning in, I press my lips against his, savouring the tender moment.
‘Nearly. Look up.’
I do as he asks. ‘There’s mistletoe hanging from the ceiling.’ I kiss him again, longer, deeper. ‘You have been a busy boy today.’
‘Not as busy as I’m going to be tonight.’ He spins me around, and we land on the couch with an ‘oomph’.
‘Is that right?’ I shuffle so I’m straddling his hips. ‘There’s not going to be any action if you don’t remove this smelly jumper.’
Like the speed of lightning, Ryan yanks the jumper over his head and flings it across the room, where it almost lands in the fire—which wouldn’t be a bad thing.
‘I can’t wait to make you Mrs Black.’
The intensity in his eyes leaves no room for doubt as they convey a powerful mix of love, sincerity and adoration. He has not only stolen my heart, but he is also my incredibly hunky confidant.
Inside me, there is a burst of excitement, longing, and anticipation as powerful as the lights on a lit-up Christmas jetty. There is not the slightest shadow of doubt in me.
‘It’s a deal, Nurse Ryan.’
The End
Want more Point Perry romance? Read on …