Chapter 440: This Foolish Man
Elsie’s eyes widened in surprise, a soft gasp escaping her mouth, "Niel..."
A few heartbeats before he asked her this scared question, this was exactly what her fleeting thought was about!
Yes, he was proposing to her!
Upon not receiving a proper answer from Elsie, Nathaniel’s heart pounded faster. He could feel more sweat clamming his hands, but he still held on to hers.
"I know we’ve just reunited," he said, voice carrying a hint of tremors as he looked straight into her eyes, "But please allow this foolish man to propose to you. Elsie, will you take me as your husband?"
Nathaniel’s words pulled Elsie out of her trance. She carefully assessed his expression, laced with a mix of anticipation and fear.
Even though she didn’t mean to, the worried look on his face tickled her heart.
Her lips drew into a smile, "Niel, I will. I will take you as my one and only husband. We—"
Before she could finish her words, the man had already sprung up and reached for her. His sturdy arms were wrapped around her figure, and her face collided with his chest.
Even through the fabric, she could feel the vibrations caused by his wildly pounding heart.
"Niel, you—"
Once again, he cut her off.
"E-Elsie... Thank you... Thank you..." his voice, albeit stammering, echoed clearly above her.
Her heart melted all over. With a bright smile that was hidden by his chest, she returned the hug while softly patting his back. His heartbeat remained loud, as if declaring his feelings again and again.
Elsie let Nathaniel embrace her, giving him time to calm down. She couldn’t help but chuckle, her eyes gleaming with pure happiness.
His rapidly thumping heartbeat eventually returned to its normal rate. She pulled away from him slightly, just enough to look at her silly man. The sight of his teary eyes enticed her to laugh.
"Don’t cry," she whispered while lifting both hands to cup his face. Her right index finger traced under his left eye, feeling a slight dampness, "So, you’ll cry harder if I refuse?"
He laughed shakily as she teased him. He covered the back of her right hand with his left palm. His eyes gazed into hers, "Well... maybe?"
His response received a playful smack on the chest from her. She laughed harder when his tiny smile turned into a silly one.
"But Niel, aren’t you forgetting something?" she asked, suddenly realizing a missing piece in his proposal.
He blinked, only to realize what it was once his eyes fell on her left hand, "Ah! Coming!"
Under Elsie’s curious gaze, Nathaniel looked behind her. Before she could ask anything, she heard a small voice piped from behind, followed by tiny footsteps padding across the stone path.
"Mommy! Daddy! The ring!"
Elsie turned around, surprised to see Lorianne appear from the doorway, her little bunny slippers crunched softly on the path. The little girl was holding a red velvet pillow in both hands, and a small ring box rested on it.
Elsie smiled through her tears, "Oh, my darling..."
Lorianne’s eyes sparkled as she hurried over to her parents, her pigtails bouncing, "Mommy! Daddy said I can help! Look!"
Nathaniel chuckled, his voice low with affection. Once Lorianne reached them, he brushed her head gently before taking the ring box, "Thank you, Lorrie. You did well."
Lorianne beamed, clutching the pillow proudly. She excitedly waited for the moment her daddy would put the beautiful, sparkly ring on her mommy’s finger.
Nathaniel turned back to Elsie while opening the box. Inside, a delicate ring caught the light. A pear-drop pale lavender-hued amethyst was encircled by a wreath of tiny, clear diamonds.
"I’ve carried this with me for months," he admitted, smiling faintly, "I kept waiting for the right time. Every moment feels right whenever you’re with me, but... I think having both our families will make it more special."
Elsie’s tears finally spilled, running down her cheeks. She nodded shakily, laughter and sobs tangled together, "Yes, Niel. This is the perfect moment. And I do, I want to marry you."
Nathaniel exhaled a breath, and it came out almost as a quiet laugh. He carefully slipped the ring onto her finger, "My love, you’ve made me the happiest man alive."
Lorieanne squealed as soon as Elsie wore the ring, "Yay! Mommy said yes!"
From the far doorway, a chorus of cheers and laughter erupted, startling the unaware Elsie. She saw her parents and Nathaniel’s as they stepped into view, all grinning widely.
"Mom... Dad," she stammered.
"Oh, my beautiful girl," Diane hurried to hug Elsie, "Congratulations, both of you."
Andrea laughed softly, "Looks like next Christmas might be a wedding instead."
"What if," Russell chimed in, "Our boy here wanna speed up the wedding? Who knows? In spring or summer?"
Leonard agreed, "Both sound fantastic! I don’t mind an autumn wedding too. Winter will be too cold."
Elsie looked at the four elders, half-laughing and half-crying, as Diane still hugged her tightly. She whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, "I had no idea you knew."
"That’s the point," Andrea teased gently, "We all swore to keep quiet. Even Lorrie did a good job."
Lorianne was practically dancing in place, "Can I be the flower girl? Please, please, please?"
Nathaniel bent down to pick the little one up. He grinned while patting her head, "How about being a ring bearer?"
"Lorrie can be both!" Lorianne puffed her chest.
The little one’s declaration caused laughter to fill the garden; warm and genuine, echoing softly beneath the glass roof. Outside, snow continued to fall.
"Come with your granda, Lorrie," Russell took Lorianne from Nathaniel, "We should give your dad and mom a moment. Wanna eat desserts, hmm?"
"Oh! Desserts! Okay!"
Lorianne immediately threw other things from her mind, only thinking of the yummy desserts on the dining table.
The elders slowly retreated with Lorianne, leaving Nathaniel and Elsie alone in the candlelit garden. He led her to one of the stone benches. They sat side by side.
"Niel, you really planned all this with them?" she turned back to him, cupping his face gently.
He nodded, "For weeks. I wanted everyone who means something to us to be here tonight."
Her lips trembled as she smiled, "You always know how to make things feel right."
"Only because it’s for you."
Nathaniel leaned down, letting his forehead touch hers, their breath mingling. The candles flickered softly around them as the scent of flowers filled the space.
Then, Elsie looked down at her hand, admiring the ring that gleamed softly under the light, "It’s so beautiful. Hehe, you didn’t have to make it this perfect."
She loved to see the amethyst being the centerpiece in her favorite lavender hue. This ring was far beautiful and more precious than she had ever imagined.
"I wanted to," Nathaniel said simply, "Because you deserve everything perfect, my love."
Her eyes softened. As she leaned in, she pressed her lips against his. The kiss started slow and gentle, before it deepened as it was filled with the promise of years they had yet to live.
Their love had found its way back, stronger than before, so they wouldn’t waste the future ahead.