Page 44 of Scrooge

“Alright, alright, we get it. You can stop now. Jeez, that almost looked real,” her sister sasses, and we pull apart. I keep Haylee close, not yet ready to release her. She is a little breathless, looking up at me, wide-eyed, confused, shocked, and I dare say, she is seeing the exact same emotions on my face. I always had plans to propose today. I even researched what to say, having never thought about it before. But when the moment arrived, I wasn’t sure I should. Sitting here at this intimate family dinner, her parents watching on, it was so genuine that I didn’t want to tarnish it with any fakeness. But… we have an agreement, and so I went for it. Then when I got down on one knee, it all became very, very real, and now, with the taste of her on my lips and the feel of her in my arms, the lines have officially blurred. That is something I don’t have time to process right now.

“Sorry,” Haylee says, to me or her sister, I am not sure.

“It’s all good. I took a photo so you can post it to socials,” Jillian quips, and I see Haylee blink a few times, almost like she is coming out of a trance. I loosen my hold on her, and she lowers back down to her feet, but I keep one hand around her back, still needing to touch her in some way.

Jillian thrusts the phone to us, and I look over Haylee’s shoulder and see the photo. Me on one knee, the big diamond extended, the look of shock on Haylee’s face. But that is not what makes me pause. It is the look on my face. The one that is purely happy, stress free, entirely in the moment. The wrinkle that I usually have between my eyebrows is nonexistent. I have never seen myself look like that ever—I have never felt like that ever. So… content.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe it!” Haylee’s mom, Wendy, says, pacing back to the table with a bottle of champagne that looks like it has been stored in her cupboard for the better part of a few decades.

“Jillian, don’t just sit there, get the glasses,” Wendy scolds her older daughter, and Jillian huffs before standing and grabbing some glasses from a nearby cabinet.

My heart pounds as I see her father looking at me, and I roll my shoulders back. Haylee’s face pales when he walks back into the room, regret filling my bones that I didn’t ask him for permission. The thought I disappointed him runs through my mind, and I hate it.

“Well, this is a surprise,” he says, and I give him a small nod as I squeeze Haylee’s middle, needing her to anchor me.

“Open the bottle,” Wendy tells him with a wave of her hands. She is now flustered as Haylee’s father rips the foil from the bottle.

“You alright?” Haylee asks me quietly, as her dad and Jillian pour the glasses of champagne. I look down at her, grabbing her hand and lifting it, and we both look at the ring. It is a monster. I have no idea about diamonds, but I wanted it to be big, and even though the price was astronomical, I didn’t hesitate for her.

“I’m good,” I assure her, keeping a hold of her hand, and I see her swallow roughly. Our kiss was intense. She is a very good actress because it felt real. Itwasreal. For me, at least. But as her father hands us each a glass of champagne, I feel bereft that it is all fake.

“Congratulations. You have our blessing, and we look forward to welcoming you to the family, Alex,” he says kindly. I should have asked his permission. To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to go through with it, but when I got here, saw her painting, was made welcome by her and her family, it just felt like the right time. Now I wish I had asked him beforehand. Made it right. Traditional. But even though I didn’t ask, I’m glad I have his approval.

“Yes! Oh gosh, so exciting,” Wendy gushes, and we all lift our glasses and cheers before taking a sip. I hear Jillian groan before I see Haylee spit her mouthful back into her glass, and I swallow mine quickly before I cough.

“Oh, oh no…” Wendy says, her face souring as she looks at her husband. “I think we left that one too long, dear.”

“Anyway!” She claps, a wide smile back on her face. “Let’s get some photos in front of the fire!”

Jillian rolls her eyes, and Haylee gives her mom a soft smile.

“Sounds great, Mom,” Haylee says, sounding less than enthusiastic about it as she steps away from the table, holding my hand and leading me to the living room, where the kids have already taken up residence, finding our celebrations too boring.

We stand in front of the fire, and I snake my arm around her waist as the others all grab their phones and get ready.

“You alright?” I ask her, wondering where her head is at.

“You could have warned me,” she says, and I look down at her, spotting her biting her lip.

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” I admit. “Do you like it?” I ask, because I have never purchased jewelry for a woman before, but I would hope that she does.

“It’s beautiful. Heavy.” Putting her hand out, looking at the rock that now adorns her finger, I suck in a breath. It feels good to have put it there.

“Smile, you two!” Wendy coos, and we both straighten, our smiles instant.

“So, this will probably make the media a little crazy?” she asks, and heaviness settles in my stomach. Again, I hadn’t thought about that.

“Probably. Just use Dan. I’ll have security at the shop tomorrow,” I tell her, wanting to alleviate her fears, and she looks at me like she is trying to figure me out.

“What?” I ask, hearing her mom and dad chattering while still taking photos of us.

“Nothing… just… I think your nickname is starting to have less meaning.”

I think about her words as I take in the sweet and nervous look on her face. Like she might have been afraid to say anything about my nickname again after the last time.

“Really? What should my nickname be now?” I ask her, keen to hear her thoughts, and as she smiles wide, I know I’ve said the right thing.

“Fiancé,” she says with pride, and I smile, something I now do more and more around her.

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