Whispers of the Heart

Chapter Ten

One night in London, Christopher finally made up his mind on something he had been bouncing around in his head for months. He wanted to make sure that it was perfect, and he knew exactly when to do it. There was an exhibit in London of his work coming up the following week. So he decided to include a special moment for him and Abby to have in front of all their friends and admirers.

The week leading up to the exhibit Christopher was extremely nervous, and he struggled with keeping his emotions in check so that Abby wouldn't pick up on what was going on in his head. There were a couple of times when she almost found out, but he was able to fib well enough for her to not question further. He stood in the bathroom and stared at his reflection, the ring he had bought a month earlier resting in his hand. His heart pounded beneath his chest as he thought about the next night, the night of the exhibit.

He put the ring back in the red box it came in, then splashed his face with cold water, and told himself to get his shit together. Abby was asleep in their bed, and he gazed at her, his heart skipped a beat and he smiled, thoughts of their future swirled in his brain. He knew that they were going to have a spectacular and crazy life together, and he could not wait.

...

Night of the exhibit.

Christopher took Abby to a wonderful restaurant in the heart of London. They sat at a table by a huge fish tank with tropical fish swimming around. After they got their drinks and dinner, they made their way to the exhibit. The work being showcased that evening was based on Christopher and Abby's reunion and the love that blossomed over the last year. Each piece was a memory that he and Abby shared.

With a glass of champagne in Abby's hand, she walked with Christopher around the exhibit and took in each painting. Abby continuously had her free hand over her mouth as she gazed at each one. She turned her head to look at Christopher on multiple occasions and he just smiled and chuckled at her. As Abby turned a corner, she stopped suddenly and gasped.

Christopher watched her as she took in the scene in front of her. Before her were renditions of their childhood together, when he left for Europe, the first episode of her show, and their reunion. The last one was a painting he did of their future. She turned and saw Christopher down on one knee. He took Abby's hand and looked her in the eyes.

"Abby, we have been friends all our lives. We know everything about each other. Now we know there is more to find out. Ever since I realized that you were the one for me, that we were destined to be together, I've wanted it to never stop. I love you; Abby and I want to live my life with you until I die." Christopher pulled out the little red box he had been holding. He opened it and pulled out a gorgeous, simple, half-carat, heart-shaped engagement ring.

"Abby, my best friend, my love, will you...marry me, and be my wife for as long as we live?"

"With all of my heart, yes!" Abby gasped and covered her mouth, tears started to form.

Tears ran down Abby's face. She held out her hand and Christopher placed the ring on her finger. Christopher looked up at her and stared into her eyes, then stood up and pulled Abby into his arms and kissed her passionately and deeply. Everyone in the gallery clapped their hands, whistled, and hollered their congratulations. Abby and Christopher laughed and held each other. As the night drew to a close, and they said their goodbyes to everyone, they walked out of the gallery; arm in arm, and into their future.  

The End.