Underworld Ties

A Proposal to Remember

The evening air was electric with excitement as Bobby prepared for a special event at Mercer Distilling Co. He had decided to host a community gathering to celebrate the success of **Detroit Gold** and his latest venture, **River Spirit**. The tasting room was filled with friends, family, and loyal customers, all eager to raise a glass and share in the festivities.

As the night progressed, Bobby felt the familiar thrill of being surrounded by people he cared about. But tonight was about more than just business; it was about love. He had been planning this moment for weeks, and his heart raced as he glanced over at Nicole, who was mingling with the guests, her laughter brightening the room.

"Alright, everyone!" Bobby finally called out, tapping his glass to get everyone's attention. "Can I have your attention, please? I have a little announcement to make!"

The crowd quieted down, eyes turning toward him, some murmuring in curiosity. Bobby took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He spotted Nicole, her beautiful curls bouncing as she turned to face him, a smile lighting up her face.

"First off, thank you all for being here tonight. Your support means the world to me," he began, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him. "When I started this journey, I never imagined it would lead me to such incredible people, and especially to one amazing woman—Nicole."

A chorus of "Awws" echoed through the room, and Nicole blushed, her cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink. Bobby couldn't help but smile at her reaction.

"I've had my share of ups and downs," he continued, pacing slightly to keep the energy flowing. "But through it all, one thing remained constant: Nicole has been my rock. She's been there for me through thick and thin, and she's the reason I strive to be better every day."

He glanced around the room, noticing his friends nodding and grinning, a few even whispering encouragement. "Now, I know some of you might think this is a little cliché, but bear with me. You see, Nicole, you make me laugh harder than anyone else. You've seen me at my worst and still stuck around—like that time I tried to impress you by cooking and almost burned down my kitchen. I mean, who knew a simple pasta could turn into a fire hazard?"

Laughter erupted from the crowd, and Nicole shook her head, both amused and slightly embarrassed. "You were lucky I was there with the fire extinguisher!" she called out, her voice teasing.

"Exactly! And that's why I need you in my life," Bobby said, grinning. "So, I thought about how I could show you just how much you mean to me. I wanted to do something special, something that would make you feel as amazing as you truly are."

As he spoke, he began to reach into his pocket, feeling the small velvet box nestled there. "So, with all my friends and family here to witness it, I'm going to ask you something very important."

The crowd leaned in, their excitement palpable. Bobby dropped to one knee, holding the box tightly in his hand. "Nicole, you've changed my life in ways I didn't think were possible. You've shown me what love is and how it can lift you up. Will you marry me?"

Gasps filled the room, and Nicole's eyes widened, tears forming as she covered her mouth in shock. "Oh my God, Bobby!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of disbelief and joy.

"Yeah, that's right! I'm asking you to be my partner in crime forever! To put up with my crazy adventures and my terrible cooking!" Bobby added, trying to lighten the moment, knowing how important it was to keep the mood fun.

The crowd erupted with cheers and applause, encouraging her to answer. Nicole knelt down, tears streaming down her face. "Yes! Yes, of course, I'll marry you!"

Bobby slipped the ring onto her finger, beaming with joy. "Thank you for saying yes! Now we can officially start planning our wedding, and I promise to let you do all the planning while I handle the liquor!"

More laughter erupted, and Bobby stood up, pulling Nicole into a tight embrace, lifting her off the ground as the crowd cheered them on, some whistling and shouting "Congratulations!"

As they shared a kiss, Bobby felt a wave of happiness wash over him. They had come so far together, and this was just the beginning of their next adventure.

"Now, let's celebrate!" Bobby shouted, raising his glass high. "To love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness!"

Everyone raised their glasses, and the room filled with joyous clinking as they toasted to the couple. The night flowed with laughter, dancing, and stories, cementing the memory of this special moment in their hearts forever.