Chapter Three Months Later
three months later
. . .
Miles
When I saw Vicky at that wishing tree a few months ago, two things became clear instantly.
Living without her was no longer an option, and even if she wasn’t ready to marry right away, I knew I needed her like I needed my next breath.
Asking her to marry me someday was something I couldn’t delay any longer.
True to her word, Elena had opened up a spot for Vicky at her old office. There was no surprise that she’d started off with inquiries almost right away and was doing well with rebuilding her client list.
Knowing she was settled in her new apartment downtown and doing well at work, I nervously decided the time had come for the next step.
I’d spoken with everyone in my family. I wasn’t sure who was more excited, MJ or Mom.
Now I needed to get Enzo’s blessing. Nothing I’d done up to that point was as frightening as making that call.
When he answered his phone, I took a deep breath.
“Hey, Enzo. How are you?”
“Everyone is well. Is Vicky okay?” his voice hesitant.
“Yes, she’s fine. Promise. Do you have a few minutes?” I asked.
There was a beat of silence before he answered, “I do. How are you guys doing?”
“Good. All good.” I paced in a circle, trying not to sound nervous, knowing I had a fight on my hands.
“Miles, why don’t you just ask me.”
“Ask you?”
“Yeah, the question you called me for. Go on. I’m listening.”
Here goes nothing.
“Enzo, I’m in love with your sister,” I started but he interrupted.
“We know that. Get to the next part.” He wasn’t gruff, but he wasn’t friendly either. I could hear Corinna in the background warning him to be nice.
“Okay, well, I’d like to ask your blessing. I want to ask Vicky to marry me.” I quickly added, “Not now. Only when she’s ready. I just want her in my life always, and I want her to know that. I was lost without her. And I’ll wait as long as she needs.”
I held my breath as the minutes ticked away. Finally, he said, “You have my blessing, Miles. I couldn’t imagine her with anyone else. But you know what will happen if you ever hurt her, right?” I heard another stern warning from his wife.
Blowing out the breath I’d been holding, I said, “I’ll never hurt her intentionally. She’s my whole life.”
He grunted. “Then tell her to call us when you propose. Good luck, my friend. My little sister is all grown up. Doesn’t like to be told what to do. She’s enjoyed her independence. You may have a long wait on your hands.”
“I’ve never wanted to hold her back. It’s why I let her go before. But now I can’t live without her, so I’ll wait forever if I need to, as long as she promises to be mine.”
“Good answer,” Corinna yelled in the background. We hung up, and I turned the Tiffany blue velvet box in my hand.
“God, you’ve brought her back to me. I need a little help here, please.”
The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park was the perfect place to propose and I had it on good authority that my extra special surprise for Vicky would work in my favor.
Mom, Dad, and MJ were close by waiting for my cue. I had spoken to MJ about the possibility of Vicky not being ready for this next step, so she was prepared.
“Daddy, I appreciate you not treating me like a kid and including me in this decision,” she’d said to me earlier in the week. There was no way I’d do this without her agreeing. She was over the moon and had to corral her excitement whenever Vicky was with us.
That night, as Vicky and I walked hand in hand through the Garden entrance, I nodded discreetly to the attendant, who knew about my plans thanks to a connection Leyla had. She said that even though love wasn’t for her, she was happy to help me find my happily ever after.
“Oh, look, there are still a few blossoms on the cherry trees,” Vicky said in awe as we passed by. “We just missed them. Next year, we’ll have to be sure to bring MJ to see them.”
With the same wonder that she was looking at those fragrant trees, I was looking at her. Every plan she made included MJ. I wanted to get down on one knee and beg her to marry me right then and there. But I held back somehow.
We walked deeper into the gardens, with me guiding her to the spot I wanted to reach. It was a beautiful spring night, the scent of blooming flowers filling the air. When we arrived at the place I was told was perfect, I stopped and pulled her back.
She looked down at our hands with a smile. “Tired of walking already, old man?” she teased.
As I looked down at this beautiful woman, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. Seeing MJ and my parents nearby, I held my hand out for MJ to come to me. It was only right that she was a part of this proposal.
“MJ?” Vicky exclaimed, her brows pulled together in confusion.
I bent one knee as her eyes widened and her hand flew to her open mouth. Holding out the Tiffany-blue ring box, I wanted to kiss her and propose at the same time, but the kiss would have to wait.
“To answer your question, no, not tired of walking, but I don’t want to walk alone anymore, Vicky.
You own my heart, every single piece of it.
I understand you might not be ready for this yet, but I will wait for you.
Wait as long as you need. Just please tell me that someday that you’ll want to spend your life walking beside me and MJ,” I said, looking at my daughter whose eyes were watering.
Turning back to Vicky, I continued. “I love you, and I can’t imagine our life without you in it. ”
“Miles,” she said through a sob. “Yes, yes. There’s nothing I want more. Absolutely nothing. I want to go on this adventure of life with the two of you beside me.”
I couldn’t get her into my arms fast enough.
Her lips melted into mine, and I felt like I was in heaven.
Whispering words of love and adoration, she looked at me with wonder.
I kissed her lips softly again and again, and her eyes fluttered closed once more.
“I gave you my first kiss, and I want you to be my last. My first kiss, my first everything,” she whispered so only I could hear.
I adored when this woman blushed, knowing I made it happen.
“This is so romantic,” MJ said with a sigh. Vicky and I gathered her in our arms as she squealed with delight.
Vicky pulled away, fluttering her fingers on her left hand in excitement, her eyes going wide as I slipped on the emerald-cut diamond in a platinum setting.
“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered, as I kissed her again once the ring was on her finger.
Mine. She was mine.
The sun seemed to vanish in an instant, and suddenly the sky around us was filled with fireflies. I couldn’t have planned it more perfectly. I knew the moment she opened her eyes because of her gasp.
She stepped back, taking my hand with her. We were both looking up in complete awe.
“How did you do this?” she asked, reaching out to them.
“Honestly, I tried to time it right to see a few of them. I hoped it would happen because you love them so much. But this? This is just God showing off, Little Fairy.”
Watching her turn round and round in awe, she looked every bit of her nickname. She looked like a fairy straight out of my dreams.
Turning back to me and cupping my chin, she said, “I love you so much. You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world.
I can’t wait to spend my life with you. And I don’t want to wait, Miles.
You, me, MJ. We’re a family. When Ren is ready, if she’s ever ready, we can figure out the logistics of starting our business.
Hey, Elena did it in Rome and California.
Why can’t I?” Her eyes twinkled with that determination I’d seen in her before.
“You, my beautiful,” kiss, “talented,” kiss, “goddess of a woman, you can do anything you set your mind to. You’re going to be a great inspiration to our daughter.”
“Our daughter?” Vicky asked in a gasp, pulling me in for more kisses.
“Yes, your daughter. But do you need me to go back to Mimi, guys?” MJ asked with a smirk.
Chuckling, Vicky held MJ’s hand. “Listen, I’ll never take your mom’s place, but yes, I’d love for you to be mine. If you’ll have me.”
“Daddy told me a long time ago that God gave us the ability for our hearts to expand and love. I’d love you to be my mom, too. I love you so much.”
Vicky couldn’t speak, but we held each other tight as the fireflies danced around us, illuminating our new family.