Affairs of the Heart

A Happy Day

A few weeks later, Sara had taken Hayley and Emily to the zoo for the day while Stevie stayed at home with Aaron. Aaron was taking a nap while Stevie made some tea; she decided to sit down, relax and write in her journal.

As she was heading back upstairs, the doorbell rang. Stevie rushed to the door so Aaron wouldn't wake up.

She opened the door and was surprised to see Richard standing in front of her. "Hello Richard." She said.
"Hello Mrs. Buckingham. May I come in?" Richard said nervously.
"Sure. Is everything okay?" She asked as she let Richard walk into the house.
"Yes, everything is fine. I just...I just wanted to talk to you about something really important." Richard said as Stevie led the way to the living room.
"Would you like something to drink?" Stevie asked.
"No. No thank you, I'm fine." Richard replied.

They sat down in the living room and Stevie noticed how nervous Richard really was. She also began to become nervous.

Richard took a deep breath and said. "Mrs. Buckingham...I...I wanted to asked you something really important."
"Okay...go on." Stevie said as she took a sip of her tea then she placed her cup down the coffee table in front of her.
Richard took another deep breath and said. "Mrs. Buckingham...I really love and care about your daughter. Ever since I met her, I felt an instant connection and, now I can't imagine my life without her. Before I met Sara, every other woman I have dated were just not what I was looking for. They were all so boring and self absorbed. Then Sara came into my life and has made me so happy and I fell in love with her. I know we have only been together a few months but I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Mrs. Buckingham...I want to ask Sara to marry me but...I wanted to ask you for your daughter's hand and for your blessing."
Stevie sat there stunned for a moment then she smiled with tears rolling down her cheeks. "Oh Richard...you have shown my daughter so much love and you treat her so well. I can tell how much you love Sara and how much she loves you. You have my blessing Richard."

Richard smiled and stood up; Stevie stood up too and hugged him. "Thank you Mrs. Buckingham!"
"Please...call me Stevie...or mom." Stevie said with chuckle.
Richard pulled away and said. "Okay...mom."

They went back to sitting and Stevie asked excitedly. "So, when are you going to ask her?"
Richard chuckled and said. "Tonight after dinner. I'm going to make tonight really special for Sara."
Stevie smiled and said. "Thank you for making my daughter happy Richard." Her smiled faltered and said. "When Lindsey...when Lindsey passed away, I didn't think there would ever be happiness again for my family."

Stevie had tears rolling down her cheeks. Richard stood up and moved to sit next to her and hugged her to comfort her.
Stevie sobbed in his arms until she was calm again.

Stevie pulled away and said. "I'm sorry Richard. I...I still have my bad days and well, I am happy you want to marry my daughter but, I wish Lindsey would be here to see it."
"No, it's okay. Don't be sorry." Richard said. "I wish I would had the chance to meet him. He sounded like an amazing father and person. Sara tells about him all the time."

Richard stayed for a few more minutes then left to get things ready for his dinner with Sara.

As soon as Richard left, Aaron woke up from his nap and Stevie rushed to get him.

Stevie lifted him from his bassinet and carried him in her arms. "Hi baby boy. Did you have a nice nap?" She said as she rubbed his back gently.
Aaron rested his head on her shoulder and began to calm down.

Once Aaron was more awake, he began to baby babble. Stevie laid him down on her bed and began to play with him and speak to him.

"Oh yeah...then what happened?" Stevie asked with a chuckle.
Aaron smiled and was kicking his legs excitedly. Stevie smiled and spent some time with him.

Soon after that, Sara arrived back home with her sisters and they all gathered in Stevie's bedroom to tell her about their day.

After spending hours with Stevie, Sara excused herself to get ready for her dinner date with Richard.

"Where are you heading to?" Stevie asked pretending not to know what was going on.
"Oh! I'm sorry mom. I forgot to tell you that Richard is taking me to dinner tonight." Sara said with a smile.
Stevie kept her poker face on and said. "Oh that's great! Do you know where he is taking you?"
"No. He just said that he had a surprise for me." Sara said. "I don't know what on earth it could be but I'm excited!"

Sara left to get dressed and Stevie couldn't keep the smile off of her face. "Oh baby girl. Things are about to change for you. I'm so happy for you Sara." Stevie said to herself.

Hours later, Sara rushed into the house and straight to Stevie's bedroom.

"Mom! Mom!" Sara cried out.

Stevie was putting Aaron to sleep when Sara called out for her. Aaron opens his eyes and began to cry. Stevie stood up and walked towards the door.

Sara rushed in and met her halfway and said. "Mom! Look!" Sara showed her left hand and Stevie saw the huge diamond ring. "Richard asked me to marry him! I said yes! Of course you already knew he was going to ask me!"
Stevie smiled wide and hugged her daughter. "Oh my baby girl! Yes, he came to me to ask for your hand in marriage and for my blessing. I'm so so happy for you Sara."
Aaron was still crying a little and Sara took her baby brother in her arms. "Hey buddy! Don't cry! It's happy day! I'm getting married." Aaron calmed down and looked at his big sister with sleepy eyes. Sara chuckled and gently patted Aaron's back. Sara then she looked at her mother and said excitedly. "Oh my goodness! We have a wedding to plan!"