49. Sean
Irealized at the hotel that Astrid is the one.
Okay, technically, I realized she was the one months ago, when that car ran her off the road and I ran over to make sure she was okay. It took all of one second to look at her and know that there was a connection far deeper than anything I could ever explain, and these last few months have proved that.
My heart always knew. But my brain worked slower.
In the days after announcing our official relationship status, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Us together just makes sense. We’re like pieces of a puzzle. There is no doubt that we fit together perfectly, and there’s no benefit in waiting and keeping us apart. Everything that has happened between us has already proven that point. She’s my lucky charm, and I can’t afford to lose her.
Its always best to take what you want when you want it. That was my attitude about my career, about everything in my life. And Astrid is no exception. If anything, those words feel even truer. Because if you really want something, if it’s that important to you, then you should be willing to protect it and do whatever it takes to keep it, at all costs.
I check the time on my phone. Any minute now and Victoria will be here to drop off Violet. I tap my fingers against the countertop as I sit in the kitchen, waiting impatiently for Violet to get home.
I’ve wanted to go look at rings for a while now, but I realized that I also wanted to make Violet a part of the process. Because as much as I love Astrid, Violet does too.
The second Victoria drops her off, the plan is to get in the car and go to the jeweler. I check the time again. They’re expecting us this hour, so I really hope Victoria is not late.
And right on cue, the doorbell rings. I push back my chair and hurry to the door.
“Oh, Sean,” Victoria says, her lips turning down over the words. “You’re home.” She sounds surprised. “Or is your little girlfriend too afraid to see me?” Her eyes light up at the thought.
I let out a heavy exhale. Leave it to Victoria to make things more difficult than they need to be.
“Did she leave you already?” Her lips quirk upward.
“Violet,” I say, ignoring her mother. “Go inside, okay?”
“Oh-kay. Bye Mommy!” She runs inside and I wait until she’s gone to continue on. “Astrid is working. Thank you for dropping Violet off. We’ll see you next week.”
Victoria snorts. “I didn’t realize you considered freeloading work.”
I grip the door with enough force that I’m afraid my fingers might splinter the wood. I can’t let her see how much it bothers me. She’s just doing this to get a rise out of me, and if I refuse to give her the attention she’s looking for, maybe she’ll just disappear back to whatever skyscraper she crawled down from.
“No, not going to defend your new toy? Makes sense.” She turns to leave. “I wouldn’t bother either.”
“Victoria,” I call after her.
She turns around slowly and grins, clearly thinking that she’s won.
“If you can’t speak about my future wife in a respectful manner, please have your parents pick up Violet next week.” And with that, I slam the door closed.
I don’t let Victoria’s doubt-laden words about Astrid bother me, even despite the surge of frustration and anger coursing through me. It is infuriating how confidently people can make assertions about what I would or wouldnt do, especially in matters of the heart. But I refuse to let others define the course of my relationships.
And I’m determined to get my version of revenge.
“Where are we going, Daddy?” Violet asks when I tell her to get in the car.
“It’s a surprise, baby.”
We pull up at the jewelry store not more than thirty minutes later. The place is pristine. The glass countertops showcasing the diamonds within.
“Mr. Daniels,” the sales person greets us. “And who is this?” He bends at the knees to be closer to Violet.
“I’m Violet,” she says.
“It’s nice to meet you, Violet.”
I place a hand on her shoulder, preparing to steer her towards the engagement rings, but she beats me to it.
“We’re looking for a ring,” Violet says, confidently.
“Oh, okay, let me show you the options.”
The sales person leads us over to a section towards the back of the store. Here, the lights are soft, and instead of standing to look at our options, he takes us to a plush sitting area where the options are brought to us, along with a single flute of champagne and an apple juice.
Violet takes her juice. “That one.” She points to the biggest diamond.
I laugh. Not only because of her expensive taste, but because it’s the one I would’ve picked too.
“Well. It’s decided. We’ll take that one.”
We leave a short while later, ring boxed and Violet struggling to keep the secret already.
She won’t have to wait long, though. Neither one of us can wait. And the idea of proposing feels right. There’s no point in waiting. There was never any point, and I hate that it took me this long to realize it. We are clearly meant for one another. And nothing will hold us back— she is the one, and it is time to make it official.