Generations: The Long Game

The Proposal

2024

Mia open the velvet box and presented it saying, "Sweetheart, sometimes two broken hearts find each other. They heal each other. They protect each other. They love each other. You are the light and I am the darkness, and I know now you cannot have one without the other. Charlotte, I loved you even before I knew I was capable of loving. You made me feel when I was not sure I wanted to. You and the girls are the family I was made for, and I will spend all the days of my life loving and protecting the three of you. It would be the greatest privilege of my lifetime if you would be my wife."

Charlotte's face was covered in tears. She still didn't really understand what was happening. Her mind was reeling. Mia's words were so beautiful and she knew she wanted this too. Her voice came out soft and melodic, "yes, Mia, I will be your wife"

Mia picked her up and pressed a hard kiss to her lips as she twirled her around. She spoke to Charlotte while continuing to kiss her after every three or four words. "I bought this ... house because... you loved the little village... so much every time...we came here ... and the girls ... will have so much ... space, and I know ...we will have to ... work out a few things ... but when I ... saw it ... I knew it was ... our home."

Our home. Charlotte like the sound of that. She knew they would make it all work out, but she had so many questions. They stopped kissing for the moment, and Mia explained that she wasn't leaving again. Her search for her father wasn't over, but she wasn't willing to put their life on hold any longer for a man who walked out on her. She was offered a position in this area, and then her realtor found this old English manor, and the minute she saw it she could envision the girls playing in the garden, and her and Charlotte padding around making waffles on the weekends. She bought it on the spot.

"What about ..." Mia completed her question, "work and school? I know. The good thing is we are kind of on the furthest edge of the village, so we are only about forty minutes from the nursery and the girls school. Also, we don't need to sell the house in town, so on days you and the girls need to stay in town I can work from home and stay with you there." She replied. "Sweetheart, I know you have more questions and we have some logistics to work out, but can we put a pin in it for right now? I really want you to see the rest of the home."

Mia showed her most of the rooms on the first floor, and as they were about to head up stairs Mia said, "wait, I forgot there is a spacious lounge on this floor as well." She slid the double wooden doors open and Charlotte was shocked when all of their family and friends yelled surprise. Lynn and Lucy ran up to them and hugged them both. Little Lucy asked, "Mia, did Mummy say yes?" Mia looked at her lovingly and said, "yes, Mummy said yes!" Everyone seemed to be waiting with bated breath because their was an uproarious shout of congratulations that followed.

Charlotte couldn't believe everyone was here. Her mum and dad, everyone from the nursery, her brother and sister and their families, and Jack had brought the girls. Jack had congratulated them and then took Mia to the side, while Charlotte mingled with the rest of their guests.

"Jack, thank you for bringing the girls," Mia said." Today wouldn't have been right without them." Jack looked down and said, "Mia, I am glad you and I have gotten on with each other the way we have. It will be good for the girls to see their three parents as a team." Mia's mind was blown for a second. Did he just refer to her as Lynn and Lucy's parent? Jack went on to say, "I am glad they have you. I mean Char too. I don't really think I have ever seen her so happy. Not even when we first started. Anyway, I am going to be off. See you guys on Wednesday night and congratulations, Mia." With that he left through the front door and was gone. Mia stood in the foyer for a few moments thinking about what Jack must be feeling. She wouldn't be able to bare it if Charlotte were to move on from her. She shook the thought from her head and returned to the party.

Everything had gone off without a hitch and no one had blown it by slipping up to Char. When Mia returned to the party she saw Char on the other side of the room and it looked like Marjorie was crying and about to hyperventilate from excitement.

Reece nudged her with his elbow and said, "you set the bar high, you know?" Mia chuckled. They both knew Marjorie would be looking for a ring now. She was so glad that she and Reece had each other again. She wished Autumn were closer to forgiving her, but she knew she had no right to ask that of her. "Thanks for getting Carly this morning," Mia said. "I knew Char would want her here." They gave each other a knowing glance. The apprentice definitely would have blown their cover.

Mia made her way back to Charlotte, and she saw that the girls were hanging out with Carly. All was well in Mia's world. She had family and friends again for the first time in years. A smile spread across her face as she watched Charlotte showing off her ring. It was a custom setting Mia had worked very hard to help design. It was a 5.5ct rose cut black diamond with a green diamond halo, and the band was embellished with black diamonds. When Mia slipped it on her finger, Charlotte was once again reminded of the many times Mia had given her black roses.

As their last guest left, Mia told Charlotte that Carly and Lynn were asleep in Lynn's room so she had told Reece they would just drop Carly at home tomorrow. She kissed Charlotte softly before scooping Lucy up, careful not to wake the small girl. It never ceased to amaze her how much the child looked like Charlotte. After she tucked her into her own brand new bed, she joined Char in their room.

A shiver went up Mia's spine when she saw Char lying on the bed sleepily waiting for her. The woman was absolutely gorgeous, and she couldn't believe she was all hers.