“Am I not Mrs. Bennett? I don’t think her first name was Hailey.” I know it wasn’t, but maybe he doesn’t.
“This isn’t working,” he mumbles before dropping to one knee. “Hailey. Not Mrs. Bennett. Not Elizabeth or any of the other sisters who constantly natter away.”
I giggle. Guess Aiden doesn’t like the Bennett sisters much.
“I am trying to make a grand gesture to show you how much I love you.”
“Good job. I’m convinced.” And I am. Although I have had a few moments of panic in the past months since we’ve been dating, I am learning to trust in Aiden. Trust he won’t run off without a word. Pops also set me aside and explained some things about my mother, which helped a lot. But that’s a story for another time.
Aiden smiles and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a small black box. He holds it in front of him and pops it open. I gasp and cover my face with my hands. Is this really happening? I peek between my fingers. Yep, this is happening. Inside the box is a diamond engagement ring. And it is gorgeous – a round diamond mounted on a band of white gold.
He grabs my hand. “Hailey McGraw, will you continue to annoy me by making me watch Jane Austen films for the rest of my life?”
I stomp my foot, which has no effect considering I’m wearing ballerina slippers. “It was two movies!”
“I love you, Hailey. Say you’ll be my wife.”
I smile at him. “As if I could ever say no to you.”
“I’m not hearing a yes.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Aiden Barnes I will be your wife.”
He springs to his feet, but I hold out a hand. “But I have conditions.”
“Always with the conditions!” Suzie shouts.
I ignore her. “You will accept I am an independent woman and won’t try to boss me around.”
“Except in the bedroom.”
Pops groans. “We didn’t need to hear that!”
Aiden smirks and pulls me into his arms to twirl me around. “She said yes!”
“We heard!” Uncle Sid shouts back.
I slap him on the shoulder. “Put me down. I want to see my ring.”
“Such a girl.”
I don’t bother to respond. I grab the box from him and pull out the ring. I shove it on my finger and stick my hand out to admire it. “You done good, boy.”
Pops ambles onto the stage. “What do I always tell you, Babycakes? Love will out.”
“It sure will,” I say and throw my arms around him.
“Hey.” Aiden pushes us apart. “I’m the one she’s supposed to be hugging.”
“Young man, you have her for the rest of your life. I’m the one saying goodbye.”
My eyes tear up. “You are not saying goodbye to a daughter. You’re saying hello to a son.”
Pops nods. “I approve.”
I throw my head back and laugh because life is good. Not only have I found the love of my life, but Pops likes him. Nothing could ruin this day. Nothing.