Epilogue
Emma
I'm excited about date night tonight. Normally we do simple stuff like pizza or an outdoor picnic, but today early in the morning, Tristan set me aside and asked me to dress nice for our date.
I love to please him, so I said yes. It took me a while to find the right dress at the mall two towns away, but I found it.
It's a beautiful red number that fits me like a glove. I just know he's going to want to tear it off me and ravish me as soon as he sees it. We might not even make it to the restaurant. I won't be disappointed if that is the case. I'm finishing my hair when he knocks softly on our bedroom door.
That's unusual for him, but I go with the flow when it comes to Tristan.
"Come in."
"Are you ready, my queen?"
"Yes, I am."
I stand up and twirl for him. My smile is bright, and I marvel at how gorgeous he looks with a suit on. He looks like a model. We've been together for two years, and he still takes my breath away.
"Let's go then. We don't want to be late for our reservation."
We make small talk on the drive over, sharing our days with each other. It's a comfortable routine that settles me each and every day when we're finally together after work. I love this man so much, sometimes I want to scream it from the rooftops.
Except Storyville doesn't have many high-rises where I can scream at my heart's content. This place where we're going P’tit Paris is on the fifteenth floor of Rousseau Paradis, a hotel built around some hot springs in Storyville. I wish we were staying the night this time.
I might say something to Tristan so that we can make it happen. My parents are babysitting Buddy so we don't have to worry about him. When we get to the hotel, the valet personnel take Tristan's keys and help me out of the vehicle.
This almost feels like a special occasion, but we don't have any anniversaries coming up that I know of. Tristan offers me his arm, and I take it as we walk inside the hotel. When we reach the fifteenth floor we are greeted by a beautiful hostess.
"Welcome, Mr. Carlton. Miss Mathews. Your table is ready."
She walks us towards an area I've never seen before and opens the French doors leading to a beautiful balcony that faces the hot springs. Tristan helps me to my seat and sits across from me.
"I didn't know this area existed. How did you find out?"
"I have my sources."
"Sneaky."
"Why this tonight? Did I forget something?"
"Can't a man want to wow the love of his life every once in a while?"
"I mean, yeah. But this is next-level luxury and I don't think I've done anything to deserve it."
His gaze darkens, and he takes my hand from across the table.
"You deserve every wonderful thing that comes your way, Emma. Don't ever doubt that."
He's so serious when he says those words that I don't dare disagree with him.
"Thank you, Tristan."
"Anything for you, my queen."
We eat our wonderful meal and as the night grows late I see that Tristan is a little bit anxious.
"Everything okay?"
"Yes, I'm just waiting for something."
At that precise moment the waiter comes and places a bottle of champagne on ice and serves two glasses, one for each of us.
"I want to make a toast, if you'll let me, my queen."
"Of course, Tristan. The floor is yours."
"This toast is more like a love letter to you.
I fell for you the moment you showed me how kind and caring you were.
After that night I never had a doubt that we'd be spending our lives together.
It's been two long years, and I know that I've made you wait longer than you should, but I wanted to make sure everything was perfect when this moment came. "
He rises from his seat and kneels in front of where I'm sitting. I see him pulling something out of his fancy jacket and realize it's a ring box. I take a deep breath and put my hand over my mouth so as to muffle the gasp that is coming out of me.
"Emma Matthews, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"
I jump out of my seat and pull him up with all my strength.
"Tristan! Oh My God, of course I'll marry you!"
I grab him by the lapels and place a steamy kiss on his lips. He's not done, though. He takes my left hand and places a simple solitaire diamond in a silver band on my finger. As soon as he's done, I jump on his arms and kiss him deeply once again.
When we're done kissing, we take sips of our champagne. Before I sit back down, he holds me tight.
"Come on, I've got another surprise. Bring your champagne glass."
I follow him through the restaurant until we're at the edge of the dining room.
Then he screams 'She said YES' and everybody starts cheering and there's confetti that I have no idea where it came from.
When things calm down I see people coming over to congratulate us, and I realize my whole family is in the restaurant and a lot of our close friends are here as well.
My sisters and my mother form a group and come to fuss over the ring. I watch as my father shakes Tristan's hand and congratulates him profusely. I knew they loved him, but this show of support is amazing and fills my heart with joy.
We make our way to my family's table and take our seats. And that's how we spend our first moments as an engaged couple. Basking in the joy of our amazing family and friends and excited about all the possibilities to come. I lean towards my fiancé and whisper in his ear.
"I love you."
"I love you too, my queen."
The End