You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

Chapter 30

Finally, after some chaotic days, Dean and Chrissy were packing for their trip to see Dean's parents. With much persuading to Jeanne on Chrissy's part, Dean's youngest children would also be joining them on the trip.

As they were packing, Chrissy ran out of space in her suitcase and went to put a few things of hers in Dean's luggage like she had on all of their recent trips.

"What the hell are you doing?" he stopped her.

"Just putting a few things in your bag. Mine's full," she giggled.

"Oh, fine. Let me do it. My clothes are in a certain order."

"You lie!" She laughed, "Look, I'm not looking for my Christmas present. I'll just put my clothes in and walk away." She flung the lid to get the suitcase closed, and a small velvet box came barreling out.

Dean grabbed it quickly, but he wasn't quick enough. Chrissy gulped as her face turned red, "Now look, honey... It's okay if you aren't ready, but with recent events, I didn't want to miss my chance. Life's too short. I had it all planned out... How I would take you to our favorite restaurant and then on the drive home, I'd take you for ice cream... We'd be in the car, and I'd tell you how much you mean to me... How much you've always meant to me. How I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. How I love Jamie like my own. How fate keeps pushing us together..." Dean was growing teary eyed, "Then I'd open up this little box, and say, 'Chrissy, I love you. Will you marry me?' And with any luck, you'd say..."

Chrissy interrupted, "Yes..."

"What?" Dean seemed caught off guard and confused.

"I would say yes..." she threw her arms around Dean and hugged him tightly. "So, are you asking?"

Dean cleared his throat and got down on one knee, "Chrissy," he grinned, "I love you. Will you marry me?"

"Dino, I love you too. Yes, I will marry you."

They embraced for a moment, "Do the children know?"

"Of course. The girls helped me pick out the ring, and the boys know too."

"Shall we go tell them it's official?"

Dean smiled and took Chrissy's hand, leading her down to the den, "Kids?" Dean said.

Eight heads turned to look at them.

He held up Chrissy's hand, "It's official!"

They all jumped up off the couching, squealing and cheering. It was Craig, the oldest and wisest, that said it best, "Finally!"

That night, Dean and Chrissy laid together in bed, "Holy shit..." she murmured, "We're engaged."

"Are you happy?"

She paused, "I am, but it's also this sense of relief in a way."

"Huh?"

"I had regrets, and there were a few times I thought I had missed the chance with you."

"I was there too, honey."

"Nonni said years ago that we'd end up together, and I wanted it to be true for so long."

He hugged Chrissy tightly as they both drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, all ten of them were on a flight to see Dean's parents. Upon arriving at the house, Angela spotted the engagement ring on Chrissy's finger and shrieked. She hugged Chrissy tightly and whispered, "You've always been part of the family, but now it will be official!"

That evening Angela and Chrissy sat together enjoying a glass of wine, "Chrissy, I miss the wine you and Maria used to make."

"I still remember how Nonni and I made it. I told Dean that we need to start making it again."