Among The Roses

Chapter 43: Plans

Chiara felt like she was floating on a cloud. 

Had it really happened? Had Drew really (sort of) discussed buying her an engagement ring? Had they really broached the topic of getting married?

She was back at her cottage, changing clothes and grabbing what she'd need for her day of work when there was a knock at the door.

Drew was standing there, holding some narcissi that he must've cut from the round fountain flower bed in front of the house.

"Hello," she said, smiling at him as she opened the door wider to let him in. "What are you doing? I just said good bye to you ten minutes ago at breakfast."

"I know, but I wanted to talk to you privately and give you these beautiful, erm, daffodils? That you planted and grew in my front garden that I nicked for you," he explained, holding them out to her like a gift.

Chiara laughed and accepted the yellow and white blooms, putting them in a clean milk bottle that was sitting on the counter.

"Well, thank you, they're gorgeous. You must have a very talented gardener indeed," she teased. 

She gestured to the sofa. "What did you want to talk about that couldn't wait until evening?" she asked, sitting next to him.

He balled his hands into fists against his thighs, and Chiara knew he was nervous.

"Well, you know what we talked about last night?" He gave her a piercing look. "I hope I wasn't wrong not to get the ring and kneel and be all romantic and such?" He bit his lips together. "I didn't think you'd want all that. Was I wrong?"

Chiara shook her head. "No, you were absolutely right," she assured him. "I'm not really into all that. I do love growing things and flowers," she said, gesturing to the beautiful blossoms that now sat on her kitchen table. "But I don't need violins and chocolates and such."

"So, even though we haven't known each other that long, you'd consider--you'd consider marrying someone like me? Being my--my wife?" His voice was hopeful.

"What do you mean, someone like you?"

"You know, a wanker, a tosser, a--a--an unreliable person who's frequently thoughtless and unkind, someone you fight with, who doesn't really deserve a person like you?"

Chiara stared.

"You should be with someone like Ned, everyone knows that," Drew continued. "But you didn't shut me down completely last night, so--" he glanced at her again. "Maybe next year--? This year needs to belong to Mara and Luke, you know?" he explained. "They've been planning for so long, they deserve to have their own year."

"Next year sounds fine," Chiara agreed with a smile. Maybe in the spring?"

Drew's face split into a huge grin. "I was thinking in the rose garden, here at Langton. Could you maybe move some things around, make a little place for people to sit, for us to walk or whatever?"

"Or whatever," she repeated with a laugh. "Absolutely I could do that." She nodded. "It would be a lovely and perfect place for a wedding, especially since it's where me met, don't you think?"

Drew nodded as well. "Ace," he said happily. "It will be brilliant, I think. How about May? That's spring, isn't it? It isn't summer yet, is it?"

Chiara laughed, and Drew didn't mind at all that she was laughing at him. "Yes, the first day of summer is the day of the solstice, around June 21st or 22nd, the longest day of the year, you know? Spring is between the equinox, around March 21st or 22nd, which is when there's an equal amount of day and night, and the solstice."