Chapter Fifty Two
Reid
This restaurant was definitely a good choice.
Cool ambience, great food, crisp wine, and the perfect amount of privacy.
I am utterly shocked and elated that Caroline asked me to be Chloe’s dad.
I did not expect that to come up tonight, but it just reassures me of what I am going to ask her at the end of this evening.
“I am stuffed,” Caroline says, leaning back in the booth and throwing her napkin on the table. “I’m so glad I went with the flowy black dress or someone might think I got knocked up again.” She looks down and rubs her hand over her stomach.
“Did you save any room for dessert? I heard the chocolate cake here is delicious.” I give a little side eye to her.
“I don’t know if I can! I’m going to run to the restroom though, I’ll be right back.” I have never heard that girl turn down chocolate cake before.
The waiter comes to clear our plates and I make sure he is aware of the plan that was entered on the reservation. He said he knows exactly what to do and heads back to the kitchen. A few moments later, Caroline returns to our table.
“Feeling better?” I ask as she takes a seat.
“Yes, I had to break the seal. All of that wine is starting to get to me. You become a bit of a lightweight after this long of a drinking break.” She relaxes back in her seat across from me.
I notice the waiter coming back out to my right. Caroline follows my gaze, probably waiting for the check. “Wow, you were right… that chocolate cake does look good.”
I don’t say anything, as he gets closer.
“Wait, did you order dessert?!” She finally realizes it’s for us when he stops at the end of the table.
“I couldn’t help myself.” I smile and look up at the waiter. “Thanks for your help.”
“Anytime,” he says to me then turns to Caroline to place the large slice of cake with a sparkling candle on top. “And for the miss… I heard it was your birthday.”
“Thank you so much.” She glances down and back up at him. I don’t think it has clicked yet. The waiter walks away and she looks back at me. “Are you going to sing happy birthday to me or what?” she jokes.
“Actually, I have something better for you.” I reach into my back pocket and fish out the pear shaped diamond ring that has been floating around in there all night.
I couldn’t shove the whole box in my pants and get away with it, or I would have.
I slid out from the booth and onto one knee next to her, grabbing her left hand in mine.
I see it finally click as her eyes grow wide and she snatches her hand back from me to cover her mouth. She looks back down at the plate, both hands covering her face, when she realizes that the words written in chocolate sauce on the plate are not ‘Happy Birthday’.
“Oh my god, Reid.” She shakes her head, tears forming now.
“Now hold on, hold on,” I laugh, grabbing her hand again.
“Caroline Elizabeth Baker.” She grins from ear to ear.
“I am beyond grateful that the universe has brought us back together after all of these years. Sometimes God works in mysterious ways that we may not understand at the time, but I truly think that our paths crossed for a reason.” She nods her head in agreement, tears streaming down her face now.
“You are everything to me and I never thought that I would get that back. I love doing life with you and want to continue to make a million more memories together until we are gray and old in our rocking chairs on the front porch of our home together.”
“Okay, I get it! On with it,” she blurts out. Apparently not needing the rest of the speech I’ve rehearsed all week.
“Caroline. Will you please do the honor of marrying me?” I finally got to the point, per her request. My trembling hands are coming to a calm.
“Yes!” she yells out. “Of course!” She leans over and grabs my face to kiss me. I slip the gold band on her ring finger when she backs away, she hasn’t even looked at it though.
I finally stood up and blew the candle out with her, giving her another hug before sitting back in my side of the booth.
The other diners catch wind of what’s happening and slowly the whole restaurant has erupted in applause.
We wait for the room to die back down to a jazz lull in the background, as I grab two spoons for us to share the cake.
“This is absolutely beautiful.” Caroline glances down at the ring sparkling on her left hand now.
“I’m glad you like it… I had a little help from your friends,” I admit to her.
“When did you even pull this off?! I had no idea you were cooking this up,” Caroline asks, still not looking up from her hand.
“So, I didn’t actually have a vet conference to attend last weekend… I was actually picking up the ring after having it custom made,” I explain, hoping she doesn’t mind the small fib.
“Wow Reid, any other surprises up those sleeves of yours?!”
I pause for a moment. “Actually… I do have one more.”
She freezes. “Shut up.”
“No, really… come on. Let's go, fiancée.” I wink, grabbing her hand to escort her out of the restaurant.