Slowburn

Chapter 34

         Once we anchored we could still see the Boston skyline in the distance and only water opposite that. It was really nice. "Let's take pictures then?" Grace asked while the brothers were in conversation. I stood and handed her my phone. I have the newest Iphone so my camera is worthy of an engagement video. 

Although those phones are expensive I got the black Friday deal, and it was my Christmas gift from both my parents and my brother. It was awesome of them to do.

         I lifted my flowing navy cover dress and stood at the tip of the boat posing for several pictures, and when that was done I looked at them and thanked her. "Let me take some of you. You look so pretty" I complimented her. She looked down at herself and waved me off. "Oh thank you, this is nothing. Maybe one picture though" she smiled sheepishly at me. 

I encouraged her to work it on that deck. I took a few of her facing the camera, but then I needed her to turn away. I glanced back at Rocco to be sure he was ready. He gave me a curt nod letting me know he was. 

"Grace, turn around and face the view...yes, like that. Hold it" I told her. I snapped a picture, but switched to video and started filming.

        Rocco appeared in front of me and I took a few silent steps back to capture the full view of them both. "Good?" Grace asked if I had taken the picture. "Perfect" I told her, then she turned around. Rocco was down on one knee with a black velvet box opened up for her to see the ring. She gasped and covered her mouth. Completely shocked. 

"Grace, there is no doubt you're the love of my life. Will you make me the happiest man and marry me?" He asked her in a more even voice than I expected since he'd been fidgeting earlier. The scenery was beautiful. 

A sunny sky, sunrays making everything glow. Both of them were in all white, which stood out in stark contrast to all the blue behind them, with the oceans glistening surface and light sky. 

"Oh my god, yes" she was already crying. Rocco stood up and slid the ring on her finger. She glanced down at it and smiled wide, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. He held her to him and kissed her deeply. I recorded it all.

        Dante started clapping and I cheered for them before shutting the video off and clapping too. Grace was wiping tears and kept looking up in shock at her fiance. "You knew?" She asked us. I chuckled, "Of course, sorry our friendship started out with a lie" I teased her. 

There was something easy going about the girl in a way I hadn't expected, and I enjoyed her company so far. She laughed and rushed over to show me the ring. My jaw dropped. 

It was a Tiffany's pear shaped halo engagement ring with a diamond platinum band. It had to be one or two carats and it was stunning and shimmering in the sunlight. "Wow, this is beautiful. Just wow" I shook my head. 

"Do you like it baby?" Rocco came up behind her and hugged her. "Yes! I love it. Oh, don't make me cry again" she hugged her hand to her chest like she was hugging the ring. 

        Renzo and Dante both walked over and looked at the ring. I think they'd already seen it though. Dante hugged Grace to congratulate her while Renzo clasped his brother's shoulder. "Congrats, man" was his most sincere acknowledgement. I ended up hugging Grace and Rocco too, even though these people are practically strangers to me. 

I was just so happy for them I had even wiped away a couple of stray tears. "Don't mind me," I laughed, "I'm just an emotional person."

        "I have another surprise honey" Rocco rounded his wife and took her hand. I looked at Dante whose eyes went wide. "Oh my gosh, you forgot didn't you?!" I whispered to him. He smiled at me sheepishly and rushed off to go light the candles. "Give us just a moment" I hurried to the back of the boat that led down into the private stateroom cabin.