Their Treasure [COMPLETED][UNEDITED]

Sixty One - Nathaniel

"Nate! They sent another photo!" Artemis called as she came running over to me. I released the sheep whose foot I was inspecting as I looked up to her

"Hey baby" I pulled her into my arms as she shoved the phone to my face "oh wow, they're getting so big!" I smiled, moving the phone away from my face so I could properly see the picture of the twins

"I know! It's so cute! i can't believe they're going to be almost a whole year soon, they're adorable" She babbled on about the babies for a little while before her alarm went off "I have to go to work, okay? Love you!" She beamed, grabbing one last kiss before bounding off to the truck. We've always been strong, but since the Caribbean trip i took her on last year after her nieces were born it was like we were unstoppable, my god it was a good trip. She was so excited to see everything, completely immersed herself into the culture, it was like she'd left her past and then carried positivity along with the brightness back over here.

And now here I was, planning how to propose to her. I was trying not to be suspicious over it, but a constant state of paranoia looked over me. Today i was going to ring her mamma's to let them know I was planning to propose - kind of ask for their blessing, if they refuse ill ask her anyway - she can decide for herself if she wants to decline, it's more of a formality

And then im meeting up with some of the guys at the bar, three of my closest friends to be exactly. I wouldn't be proposing until our two year anniversary - which was still a few months away - but I wanted to give myself time to plan and prepare.

I finished up with the sheep I was dealing with, darn thing had managed to step on something sharp so I dealt with that before feeding the ones on my roster and doing the other odd jobs until lunch, when I'd arranged to call with Ginevra and Eleni, and sure enough, when Montana clocks hit one, they rang

"Hi! Thank you for calling" I smiled easily as they set the phone up. Atlas and Basilio heard my voice and perked up, both smiled at the camera

"Not a problem! What did you want to ask?" Eleni asked as she held baby Luna in her arms

"Hi Nate!!!" Atlas grinned

"I wanted...kind of your blessing really. I wanna ask Art to marry me, and I'm kind of... letting you know?" I sounded unsure of myself, but hell - those women scared me. They just grinned and faced each other

"You want to marry my sister?!? Gross"  Aléxandro, one of the triplets made a noise of disgust from the other side of the screen

"Sorry Alé, but unfortunately I do" I played along with him as his face came into frame, along with his older brother - Evander, Emiliano's twin.

"You want to marry her?" Evan grinned. Emiliano was sat next to him and I smiled at them both. Emiliano came to the farm a short while back and he was a huge help. It gave him a confidence boost too, we were planning for him to come back soon.

"Well I have to ask first, if she says yes then I will. But it's top secret so you can't tell anyone" I emphasize my words so they don't go and tell her

"Nathaniel, we will need to see a full plan of this proposal and then a copy of your ten year plan after the wedding before we 'bless' you." Eleni grinned and I smiled back, nodding

"She's kidding. We'd love for you to marry her!" Ginevra playfully swatted her wife, who was glaring at me and shaking her head.

"Of course. I'll sort it. Thank you! See you at Christmas" I said my goodbyes and hung up. The bar was next, my three best buddies were already there and waiting

"No Art today?" Hunter teased as I walked in and slid into the booth with a smile. I hadn't told them what I wanted to meet them for.

"Nope! She's working today." I grinned, I'm so proud of her for going after what she wanted.

"The tough life of a sugar momma, she got money to spare for a second?" Jax teased, causing a playful eye roll from me. Art had recently been given a nice pay rise alongside a promotion within the zoo

"Nope. She spoils me and only me, sorry dude" I chuckled. It was all joking, I respected the hell out of Artemis' job. I saw her at work once, she loves the carnivores and my god it's a hard job.

"Why are we here then?" Lawson asked, leaning towards me

"I want to propose to her. And I might need your help" whoops and cheers rang out from our table, Hunter ordered a round of drinks.

"Big news, when'd you decide?" Lawson beamed, he was the only other one of us who was married so I knew he'd understand the anxiety.

"I always imagined a future with her-"

"We know, the second you got back from that date you were already planning your future, head over heels dude" Jax chuckled, i remembered that night. One of the best 24 hours of my life.

"I mean the second she ruined your shirt with a slushie, you were obsessed." Lawson pointed out.

"Anyways. I'm not going into details, but one day the other week, I just knew I had to propose, and propose soon. I want to marry her so fuckin badly" Hunter chuckled at my enthusiasm as I took a swig of my soft drink

"Down boy. So what's the plan, you asked her pops yet?" He asked, leaning forward and taking a drink from the tray the server just laid down

"I asked her mamma's, yes. And I have a half plan? I don't know. That's why I needed your help...I'm thinking i kind of recreate the first day we met, call her to the market or somethin' with some excuse. I'll have already told her I'm taking her out for our anniversary dinner - to not raise any suspicion. I need to figure out how I'm going to get her from the market to the field we had our first date in. And then in the truck bed, I'll spill wine on my shirt - I saw a company that does waterproof lettering on shirts - and when she's wiping it off she'll realise what it says, I'll do my speech and bam!" I reveal

Silence

"Damn, that's good. Mils would've loved that from me! So what do you need from us" Lawson spoke first, referencing his wife

"A camera man, one of you to keep her company until I show up, and another to make sure everything is in place at the field" Smiles from everyone

"Shotgun Cameraman!" Hunter slammed the table with his hand, his childlike joy spread across his face. "You guys know I'd love that job." He pleaded his case, and I nodded

"Jax, you good with keeping her occupied that day? And Lawson can you be in charge of making it all run smoothly?" Nods in agreement from both my friends made me relieved. Good, that's sorted. Now to actually get it all ready, and work out the fine details.

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Posted: 24.06.24

Sorry for the time jump!!! Double update today so keep your eyes out!