HARD WORK

HARD_WORK_85

It started with a feeling, then you had me dreaming
Now you never leave my side
So can you give us a try?..

Maxine had gone all out in planning this proposal and to say she was nervous was an understatement. Things were going well between her and Nicole regardless of everything the had transpired in the last couple of months.

' She loves me and has forgiven me for my mistakes. She will definitely say yes. Unless -'

' Okay. Okay go wash your face. They should be here any minute and I don't want you looking like ill prepared '

For a fourteen year old, Regean spoke sense. He had helped Maxine plan this whole proposal and kept reassuring her that all would go well. Like he currently was doing.

' Are they here?'

Maxine asked returning from the bathroom.

' Yeah. So get in position. '

Maxine nervously fixed her outfit. She had on a pink three piece suit with a white shirt. Pink was Nicole's favorite color. Nicole walked into the house with Raina and Rani. They had gone out shopping.

' I'll take those'

Nicole looked at him suspiciously but handed him the bags and he walked away. He quickly placed them on the stairs much to Nicole's agitation.

' Why do you ask to help Reggie if you will just put them on th-'

Regean cut her off

' Relax and follow me. I'll take them upstairs in a minute. Come mma!'

Nicole beamed at being called mom. She wondered where Maxine was to witness this beautiful moment. After all she complained to her about his behaviour since the death of his mother. Regean had isolated himself and never spoke unless spoken to. Nicole had tried therapy but he went once and refused to go again. If she tried to force him into talking it always ended in a fight and slamming if his bedroom door. Till Maxine started coming over and spending time with him.

' Aunt Nicki stop day dreaming and let's go.'

Rani and Raina followed behind them. They too were in on the surprise. It was their idea that Nicole take them shopping while Maxine prepared the house.

' What is this babe?'

In her dining area, her dinner table was set romantically for a party of five. With a gift on each assigned seat. The girls and Regean sat down and Maxine pulled a chair out for her at the end of the table.

' What's going on guys? What's the special occasion?'

' Nothing. We're just having a family dinner.'

Maxine played the waiter for the night. Nicole noticed her nervous behaviour but dismissed it. They quietly had dinner and when they were done, Maxine became the host.

' Before we dessert, I'd like you all to put our attention on the miniature boxes with our individual names.'

The girls each got butterfly necklaces with something engraved on them but would not let Nicole see what it said and Regean got a watch with engraving on it and he promised she would see it later. Nicole opened her gift bag to find a not that read later.

' Really?! Do you guys have an inside joke or something?'

Maxine returned from the kitchen with dessert and handed Nicole her's first. To her surprise when she removed the lid, she found a tiny box instead of  the dessert on her children's bowls. She pulled out the box and found another note inside. Which read :

' Your children and mother have all said yes. Now will you beautiful, do me the honors of being my wife?'

When she lifted her eyes, Maxine was on a bended knee next to her with the ring in between her thumb and finger. She noticed how shaky her hands were and thought it cute that she was nervous.

' Yes.'