Welcome to Serenity

Yes

Ty's POV:
"Okay, so how do you want to tackle this?" I ask Cal as we walk inside, followed by a confused Annie and a barely awake Kyle.

"I think we should invite her friends over. We can decorate the porch with streamers, candles and flowers." Cal suggests, as we walk to the kitchen.

"I'll ask her as she walks up to the house. We can set up candles along the path to the porch. We can get Dana Sue and Helen to drive her so she doesn't suspect a thing" He continues as we stand around the counter.

"We have two hours to pull this together. Kyle, I'm putting you in charge of entertaining Katie while we set this up." Cal delegates roles as Kyle smiles and nods, approving of the fact he got the easiest job.

"Ty and Annie, can you nick to the store and pick up streamers and balloons?" He asks as I glance back at Annie, who nods.

"Can do." I agree.

"Okay. I'll call Helen and Dana Sue and get them in on the plan. They will keep Maddie distracted at the Corner Spa. Then I'll go pick up Katie and Paula." Cal organises as he writes us a list of what we need to get.

* * *

We wander through the grocery store, grabbing red balloon hearts, fake rose petals, and silver streamers to hang around the porch.

"This should be enough." I laugh as we approach the register.

"Ooh, this is so cute. When are you two getting married?" The cashier asks as Annie tries not to laugh.

"This summer, after we graduate." I play along, slinging my arm around Annie's shoulder.

"Congratulations. I wish you guys the best." They say as Annie squeezes my hand, but doesn't say anything.

* * *

"Tyler Townsend!" Annie exclaims as we climb into my car.

"What?" I ask innocently.

"Why would you go along with it? We could have just told them they were for your Mum and her boyfriend." Annie asks.

"You know you enjoyed playing along too." I poke her arm playfully as she rolls her eyes.

"Just a little."

"There's the spirit!" I laugh as I start to drive back home.

* * *

"A little to the right. To the left more. No, to the right just a smidge. To the left-" Annie commands as I move a streamer along the wall.

"Do you want to come up onto this ladder and give it a go?" I grumble as she giggles.

"Okay, that's good." She laughs as I climb down.

"Are we done with the streamers?" Cal calls out as he finishes lighting the candles, a last minute idea from Katie.

"All done." I confirm as he gives me a thumbs up.

Annie grabs the bag of fake rose petals and sprinkles them over the path.

"We are all ready to go." She states, as Cal smiles nervously.

"Second thoughts?" I ask as he shakes his head.

"Never. I am about to start a new chapter in my life. I think I am entitled to a few pre-proposal jitters." Cal laughs as he pulls me into a hug.

* * *

Annie and I sit inside with Katie, Nana Paula and Cal until we hear Kyle run through the front door.

"They are just down the street." He calls out, entering the room with a huge smile plastered on his face.

"That's my cue." Cal and I stand up as I walk him over to the porch.

"Wishing me luck?" He asks as I shake his hand.

"You won't need it." I respond as he pats me on the shoulder and walks down the path, just as Dana Sue's car arrives outside the house.

I watch as Helen climbs out of the back seat, followed by Mum, who is wearing a black blindfold.

Helen quickly high fives Cal as she and Dana Sue usher me inside. As they go to spy through the lounge room window, I gently push open the front door so I can see Mum and Cal.

"She's here?" Annie whispers as she appears beside me.

"She is. Now shush." I smile as we watch Cal take off her blindfold and get down on his knee.

"Maddie Townsend." We hear him say as she looks around her front garden, amazed.

"Cal, what is all of this?" She asks smiling.

"Maddie, you opened up your heart to me, gifting it to me, only asking of me to not break it. And I promise, if you'll have me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to live up to that promise." Cal holds her hands in his as I watch tears start to drop down my Mum's cheek.

"I love you. And I promise I will always love and appreciate you and the gorgeous family you have." He says, getting slightly choked up.

I glance down at Annie who is wiping tears from her eyes. I wrap one of my arms around her shoulder and pull her to my side, as I smile down at her.

"Maddie, will you do me the extraordinary pleasure of becoming my wife?" Cal asks, pulling out Nana Paula's engagement ring that she gave to him for Mum.

"Cal, I love you so much. Yes!" My Mum cries as she pulls him into a hug and I slowly close the front door.

* * *

"Did you all set this up behind my back?" Mum asks as we sit around the dinner table.

"I needed a little help." Cal smiles as he looks toward Kyle, Annie and I.

"Thank you." Mum whispers, kissing my cheek.

"No problem." I smile as she cups my head in her hand.

"I love you, Ty." She replies, smiling sweetly as she turns back to her fiancé.

* * *

"Annie, will you at least look at me?" I hear Dana Sue ask in a hushed tone, when I walk outside to take out the trash.

"Annabelle Lenore, please! I am your mother." Dana Sue pleads as I see them fighting by her car.

"Who else's mother are you? Did you pop out any more kids that I don't know of?" Annie spits back as I watch Dana Sue's expression change from despair to anger.

"Annie! Don't you dare talk to me like that!" She yells as Annie crosses her arms.

"How do I even know that you're my mother? Couldn't you have just lied about that aswell?" Annie asks angrily as tears stream down her face.

"Annie-"

"No! Just leave me alone." Annie interrupts. Dana Sue reluctantly walks back inside as I place the rubbish in the bins.

"Ty?" Annie calls out as I start to walk up the porch steps.

"Can we go for a drive?" She asks, sniffling.

"Sure."

************************************
Happy New Year!

Anyways, please follow, vote and comment! I hope you are having a lovely day where ever you are in the world! 🧡