Page 16 of California Love Songs
Crystal laughed. “It would be an honor.”
Howie and Herschel came back into the kitchen. Howie looked stunned. Herschel was visibly calmer. He glanced over at the girls and gave Mila a thumbs-up. She looked so lovingly back at Herschel that Crystal’s own heart began to ache. She took her place next to Erin at the table, hoping that no one else could sense how much she longed to be sitting beside Damien.
The noise rose as everyone sat down and filled the space with laughter, a lot of voices talking at once, and the clatter of plates and silverware. The aroma of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee mixed with the scent of pancakes. Everyone began to dish up, and Finn gently teased Damien for his choice of fresh fruit, green tea, and those plant-based pancakes that sat beside Betsy’s fat blueberry pancakes on the table. Damien took it all good-naturedly.
In fact, he looked especially peaceful this morning. Crystal wondered if he’d made a breakthrough with his new music.
Loyally, she helped herself to a plant-based pancake, then reached for the maple syrup.
Finn, always the jokester, continued to tease the others while buttering his toast. Archer looked a little sleepy-eyed as he reached for the juice. Crystal knew from Tessa that Arch was working overtime in the gym to maintain his muscle strength for his starring role in the action blockbuster Shock Tactics. Everyone thought it would propel him into even greater stardom. Crystal wondered if Tessa was secretly worried about garnering even more attention as a couple than they already did. She was so private and humble. And yet her own star was shining brightly as she rose through the ranks as a new and hotly collected artist. Crystal was still confounded by how two people who’d led such different lives had been able to find enough common ground to share them with each other.
She couldn’t help but compare their situation to her and Damien. He, with his worldwide stardom and well-traveled outlook. And she, preferring to remain close to home. Again, she wondered if he’d meant it when he told her he was thinking of changing his ways. Could Damien Davenport, international rock star, ever really be satisfied with a quieter life in his hometown?
Into the chatter came the sudden and unmistakable sound of a fork tapping on a water glass. Crystal snapped out of her reverie to see the fork in Mila’s hand. Uncharacteristically, Mila cleared her throat and said, “Hersch has an announcement to make.” Her eyes were shining so brightly as she turned her gaze to him that Crystal felt a lump come into her throat. She couldn’t wait for Herschel to share the happy news with the rest of the family.
Herschel stood, straightening his already smooth shirt and looking a little nervous. He cleared his throat and then said, “I’m delighted to tell you all that Howie has given his permission for Mila and I to marry.”
Everyone started to shout out their congratulations. Only when there was a slight pause did Finn speak up. “Not so fast,” he said, looking serious.
Crystal whipped her head around to stare. Surely he wasn’t about to protest?
Mila looked too shocked to speak and Hersch’s coffee cup stalled midway to his mouth.
Finn said, “Erin made us watch enough Jane Austen movies for me to know you have to ask for permission to propose. You have to do that bit before the marriage bit. Am I right, Mom?”
Betsy laughed in delight. “You are. You can’t make the wedding announcement without a proposal first.”
Herschel swallowed audibly. Crystal’s heart went out to him. The Davenports were so used to teasing one another that they couldn’t imagine how flustered he’d be feeling at this important moment.
Mila grinned. “They’re right, Hersch,” she agreed.
“But I already proposed,” Hersch said, sounding desperate. “And you said yes.”
He glanced around, but no one stood up for him. Not even his bride-to-be.
“Doesn’t count,” Nick said, joining in. “You have to propose now that the bride’s father has given his permission.”
“What, h-here?” Hersch stammered. “In front of everyone?”
Nick crossed muscled arms. “Absolutely.”
Hersch shrugged and finally smiled. Entering this family would require him to embrace his most playful side—which everyone knew he had, of course. They’d all seen the video of him singing “Happy Birthday” to his mom on her sixtieth. From space, where he’d even managed to bake her a cake.
And so Crystal watched, amused and delighted, as Herschel Greenfield, in ironed slacks and button-down shirt, bent on one knee in front of Mila Davenport, who was obviously loving every second.
“Where’s the ring?” Finn heckled.
Damien quickly said, “Why don’t you use my signet ring?”
But to everyone’s surprise, Hersch gave a small smile. “No need.” He pulled a small red velvet box from his pocket.
Mila gasped as he opened the box. It was obvious she hadn’t been prepared for this part. No doubt she’d planned to go shopping with Hersch, but he’d beaten her to it. Crystal only hoped he’d guessed right. Mila was notoriously picky. What if she didn’t like his choice?
The momentary silence that followed was enough to capture everyone’s attention. The room seemed to pause, as if the universe itself had momentarily shifted. Suddenly the moment turned serious.
“Mila,” Hersch began, his voice a mix of awe and nerves, “I’ve traveled across the stars, looked down on Earth, and seen things most people only dream of. But nothing compares to the feeling of being with you. I want to spend the rest of my life here on Earth, with you—right here, in the middle of all this chaos. Will you marry me?”
The family had fallen silent, eyes wide in surprise, and Crystal felt the lump return to her throat. She could tell Mila was surprised in the best and most happy of ways. She looked around at her parents, her siblings, and then back at Hersch. Her smile grew, and without a word, she nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.
