Singing at the O2 with Michael Bublé was the ultimate dream come true not only for me but for Nan too. He was such a gentleman and the audience were insane. The following Sunday, I wake to find a note on my dressing table.
Charms,
Inside the wardrobe is a gift for you, my special girl. Open it up and join me at our secret place xxx
He is just the cutest. I find a white box tied with red ribbon, inside is a beautiful White long sleeved blouse, with a burgundy maxi skirt and matching belt. Of course it fits me perfectly Nathan always pays attention to detail. Our secret place isn't really a secret. Fenton House is a 17th century merchants house with a beautiful walled garden in Hampstead, we have been there a few times and it's always just been us so we refer to it as our secret place. He took me there originally because he knows I'm fascinated with old houses and anything that reminds me of being in a Jane Austen novel.
When I arrive in the gardens I spot him sitting on our bench, he hasn't seen me so I take a moment to watch him. His soft brown curls are poking out of his beanie hat; he is wearing my favourite t-shirt and a wooly grey cardigan. He looks peaceful just watching the world go by. It's surprisingly warm today considering its February with the sun beginning to break through the clouds; I have a really good feeling about today I think to myself. Nathan takes me in his arms and dips me back, kissing me gently. "Someone's happy" I say smiling up at him. "Extremely happy, Charms" he says setting me back on my feet. "I knew that dress would look lovely on you. I thought we could eat inside and then take a walk round the grounds. Sound good to you?"
"Lead the way, Mr Hart" I say slipping my arm through his.
We have a quiet lunch over looking the grounds. Nathan is talking but I'm distracted just like I usually am in a place like this. "Emily, are you listening to me?"
"Sorry I got distracted, what was you saying?" I ask giving him my full attention. "Let me guess you were daydreaming about Mr Darcy and I asked if you are feeling better?"
"I wasn't daydreaming about Mr Darcy, why would I need to when I have you and yes I am feeling better. I must have had a bug or something" I have been sick quite a few times in the last week but I'm sure it's nothing. He signals for the bill. "I thought we could go for a walk" he says reaching for his wallet.
"I'd like that" I reach up and kiss his cheek to distract him while I slip money on the table as the waiter comes over and takes it away. "Hey, this was my treat" he sulks. "It's always your treat Curly, so this one is on me. Come on let's go for that walk"
We wonder aimlessly until Nathan leads me to sit down, pulling my hands towards him he takes a deep breath. "Emily, you are the sweetest, kindest most generous woman I know and I have been so lucky to get a second chance with you. I wake up everyday to your gorgeous face and thank my lucky stars, you blew me away from the moment we met and I knew right then I would give anything for you to be mine. I am captivated by you; you're strong, independent and determined; you make me a better person. Don't get me wrong you're frustrating at times, hard to read and a little closed off but I wouldn't change you, because you see I have fallen madly in love with you, more than the first time which I didn't think was possible. I love you, I've always loved you and I always will. Emily, nothing would make me happier than to spend the rest of my life with you by my side, I was going to wait a while but I don't see the point. This is what I want. We are a team you and me, you're my best friend, my partner in crime and my family but I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"
He is down on one knee holding a simple but elegant ring waiting for my answer. Nothing comes out. I am speechless and completely shocked; this wasn't what I was expecting. I look into the face of this wonderful man I love and I know I have found that person I want to share everything with, I couldn't imagine my life without him. My Nan is right I do have so much love to give and he deserves my love. I don't realise I'm crying until he reaches up and wipes the tears from my cheeks. "Please don't leave me hanging much longer Charms, my knee is starting to hurt" he teases. "Oh I'm sorry, come sit next to me" I say laughing through my tears. "Nathan, I am so blessed to have you in my life, you make me happy every day. I love you and yes I will marry you" He slips the ring on my finger and kisses me passionately before jumping up on the bench and shouting at the top of his lungs. "Get down before they kick us out" I say tugging on his jeans. He climbs down and pulls me into an embrace. "Come on, let's celebrate!"
I haven't stopped grinning or looking down at my hand, Nathan looks like he has just won the lottery or something. "Why did you choose this ring?"
"Don't you like it, Charms?"
"No, I love it! It's the sort of thing I would pick myself it seems old and full of history"
"It is old it belonged to your Nan, your Grandad gave it her when they got engaged, she gave it to me about two weeks ago. I wasn't planning on proposing yet; I wanted to wait till we had been together at least a year. I didn't think you would say yes if I asked to soon but your Nan said there was never a right time to ask, if you said no then you would always say no. She told me the longer you had to consider it the more you would have convinced yourself it wasn't a good idea, that I need to take you by surprise so you would be instantly confronted with your feelings. You work better under pressure"
"Wow, you guys sure talk a lot about me when I'm not there. But she is right that's what I always do, talk myself out of things. I knew looking at you down on one knee, offering me your heart that I had found what I had been searching for. A love like my grandparents and someone I can run away with" I say leaning into him so I am whispering in his ear. He turns his head and softly places his lips on mine, his kisses still ignite that fire deep in my belly and I'm sure they always will.
We get home and tell Nan the good news; she is sitting in her chair and begins to gently sob. "Mary, what's wrong?" Nathan asks as we both kneel beside her. "I'm just so happy for you both and so thrilled you chose to do it sooner. You are going to have the best marriage I just know it, look after my girl won't you?"
"Alway's, Mary"
"I love you both very much and I wish I could celebrate with you but I am terribly tired. I will just go up to bed. Goodnight my sweethearts" She gets up slowly from her chair and hugs us both. "Night Nan, I love you" I say watching her leave the room. "Would you care to dance with your future husband?" I will never be able to resist his smile, knowing that it is just for me.
YOU ARE READING
The Sweetest Feeling
Romansa"You look good, I've missed your face" he says. "I've missed you too" I say daring to look up at him. He is staring right at me. He touches my hand and a spark surges through me, by the look on his face I know he felt it too. It's a tight space an...
