A Spark of Hope

Chapter Eleven: Surprise - Part One

As the chopper rose off the ground, her stomach did a flip-flop. She grabbed Gabriel's hand, and he let out a nervous laugh.

"Don't worry; the funny feeling will soon go away."

The chopper flew up to the summit of the mountain, slightly in front of the steep face and flew alongside it for some time. Carron was mesmerized by the beauty of her surroundings. Soon they came to a huge, high waterfall. The chopper landed on a green patch of grass where wild mountain lilies grew by the stream. She was assisted out the helicopter and escorted to the creek. The pilot lay down a thick blanket, a picnic basket, a big bag and flew off.

"He's leaving us here?"

Gabriel chuckled, "For now." He led her arm in arm over to the blanket where they sat down.

"Wow, you have outdone yourself. This is amazing," Carron was looking around at the Lilies by the stream. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. When she opened them, Gabriel was on his knees in front of her, holding a small black box. "Gabe!" gasped Carron.

"Carron, would you do me the incredible honor of marrying me?" He opened the box that displayed a beautiful heart diamond ring. The sides had small blue colored diamonds set into the band.

Carron threw herself at him, embracing him in a heartfelt hug. He lost his balance and fell backward. She kissed him on the face over and over again. He laughed and laughed.

"Yes, I will marry you."

They sat up, and he slid the ring onto her finger, "A perfect fit."

Their lips locked and they kissed for a while.

The rest of the day was bliss. They ate a little more, packed up their picnic site and went on a long walk upstream. Late afternoon, they headed back to the waterfall. Gabriel turned to face Carron, "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do, what sort of question is that?"

"Till death?"

"Yes. Gabe what-"

He put his finger to her lips, "Shhh. Now for the rest of the surprise."

He bent down and opened the bag the pilot put on the ground earlier on and pulled out one shoot. A strange sound escaped Carron's throat.

"Don't worry, you'll be safe."

"You want me to skydive off this mountain with you?"

"Not skydive, paraglide. Besides, you will be attached to me. I will do all the steering, all you have to do is enjoy the view."

Carron paced a bit, biting her fingernails, her nerves getting the better of her, "And what about the picnic stuff?"

"The Pilot will come back to fetch it. He let out a chuckle, "Don't worry, you'll be safe. This is not the first time I have done this you know. More like the 20th time."

Carron stopped biting the tip of her nail, stopped pacing and gawked at him, "Really?"

"You are stressing for nothing. You'll love it, you'll see."

Gabriel got the gear ready and strapped Carron to himself and gave her a few instructions. She nodded in sheer nervousness, and soon they were running and then jumped off the cliff, sailing through the sky.

Gabriel was right, this is amazing, thought Carron. The scenery was fantastic and almost better than the chopper ride. Eagles were flying around them.

"I could get used to this," she shouted.

"See, I knew you would love it."

The sun was busy setting and gave off brilliant colors. Some parts of the earth looked like gold.

As they got closer to the ground, Carron could see a dam with lights floating on it and people gathering. Gabriel steered the shoot towards the people. Carron recognized most of them. It was her family from all over and Gabriel's family, the ones she had already met. A few friends and a few unfamiliar faces.

Just before touchdown, Gabriel shouted in ecstasy, "She said yes!"

The people started clapping. The clapping carried on until way after touchdown. After Gabriel had unhooked her from him, people surrounded them, congratulated them and hugged them. The woman wanted to see her ring. Carron thought she would burst with glee. She couldn't remember ever being this happy.

After a long while, they were handed a glass and escorted to a small stage where Gabriel picked up a microphone and started talking. The guests stood around.

"Thank you all for coming so far to celebrate this big day with us," he leaned over and kissed Carron on the side of her head. "Thank you to my fiancé for saying yes. Should you have said 'no,' this evening would have been a bit of a disaster."

Everyone started laughing. Carron pulled a face.

"To my lovely fiancé, boy I am not going to get tired of saying this, thank you for saying yes. May our days together be like heaven on earth. May we grow more and more in love with each other as each day passes."

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Here, here!"

"Please mix, mingle and meet someone you don't know. Food will be served in the dining room behind you at 19:00. My future bride and I need to freshen up."

"In separate rooms chap," someone else shouted.

Gabriel tipped his wine glass and replied, "Of course."

He turned to go, "No wait, I would like to say something."

"She speaks," someone from within the crowd said.

"Get used to it mate, the woman always have something to say," everyone laughed.

Carron ignored the comment and turned to face Gabriel, "Thank you for a fantastic day. You are one amazing man and never in a million years, did I think I would come across someone like you."

"Here, here!" someone shouted.

Gabriel escorted Carron through their guests and into the hotel. They walked down a long corridor and up some steps. He opened a door to her room and handed her the Key Card. She walked in and thought she was in paradise. Her room had sunk in carpets, a Jacuzzi overlooking the forest. It had ferns and roses and candles all around the bath. The bed was huge. A gentle love song started playing. She turned around, and Gabriel grabbed her and swung her around. Let's dance a while.

They waltzed to a few songs and then sat down on a cushy sofa. "Wow, you have outdone yourself today. Where did you come up with all these ideas?"

"Thank you. I got a few tips from a few professionals and had a few ideas of my own."

"Today must have cost you a fortune!"

"It was all worth it. I have been saving for a while."

"How did you put all of this together without me noticing?"

"Quite easily actually. You have been busy with your exams, so you were distracted most of the time."

Carron let out a deep sigh. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. A few minutes later Gabriel cleared his throat. Carron sat up and faced him, "There is one more surprise I have for you. It will also be a surprise for all the guests."

"Another one? What is it?"

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