Page 229 of Billion-Dollar Attitudes

"What question?" Amy asked, grabbing my arm.

"His permission to marry his daughter! If that's alright with you," I asked, locking a loose tendril behind her ear.

"Oh, God, yes, yes, Mitch!" Amy hopped up and down and motioned for her family, calling, "Papa, Uncle Antonio… come here!"

Chapter Eighteen

Amy

A Week Later

Excitement bubbled inside me as I hastily gathered my damp hair into a messy bun while sitting at my new vanity. Today would be a day to remember as my parents had planned an engagement party for Mitch and me at the charming Bella Vita. The venue held a special place in our family's history since my mom had discovered that the restaurant's owners were her distant cousins while planning my graduation celebration there.

With her signature charm and persistence, my mother managed to convince them to close the restaurant to the public for the day, ensuring our celebration would be a private affair, free from any unexpected surprises. The anticipation of our engagement party at the intimate Bella Vita, surrounded by the warmth and love of family and friends, filled my heart with joy as I dabbed moisturizer onto my face, preparing for the unforgettable moments that lay ahead.

Glancing at the baby monitor, I noticed Ava was still taking her morning nap and went off in search of Mitch. I descended the bungalow's creaky wooden steps into the dimly lit basement, drawn by the faint shuffling sound. The air was musty, and I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering slightly. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I spotted Mitch standing by an old, worn dresser. He was bent over, peering into one of the open drawers with a furrowed brow.

I crept closer, curious about what had captured his attention. My foot caught on a loose floorboard as I approached, and the resulting creak echoed through the basement. Mitch jumped, startled by the noise, and in his haste to turn around, he dropped something on the floor.

I watched as he quickly scooped up the object, but not before I caught a glimpse of the shimmering diamond ring that had clattered to the floor. My heart skipped a beat, and I blurted out, "What are you doing, Mitch?"

He appeared embarrassed and flushed, looking at me sheepishly. "I didn't intend for you to discover it like this," he confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just got this ring back from the jewelers. You weren't supposed to see it yet. I was planning to propose to you for real at the party in front of our friends and your family." He gestured towards the ring, a nervous smile playing on his lips. "It's an heirloom diamond that's been passed down for years on my mother's side of the family. My great-grandmother was Sicilian."

As he spoke, I couldn't help but feel a warm glow spread through me. The thought of Mitch going to such lengths to surprise me was incredibly touching. Still, I couldn't resist teasing him a little. "So, you planned to surprise me at the party this afternoon with this very special ring?"

"I knew you'd be expecting the wedding set we looked out the other day."

"Well, I guess the surprise is on you this time," I said, giggling, reaching out to take his hand. As we stood there, surrounded by the dusty relics of the past, we shared a quiet moment of connection that bridged generations, bound by the love that had brought us together.

Mitch paused and locked eyes with me, seemingly trying to read my expression. Then, after a moment, he confidently stepped back and knelt down, holding the diamond ring up in front of me. The sunlight streaming through the basement window illuminated every angle of the gem, causing it to shimmer like a sky full of stars.

"Amy," he began, his voice filled with emotion. "You are the love of my life, and I can't imagine spending another day without you by my side. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and Ava's mother?"

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the man I love kneeling before me with vulnerability and devotion. My heart felt overwhelmed with joy, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Mitch, I love you so much! Yes, I will marry you as I promised before, and I will stand by your side as we raise our daughter."

As he slid the ring onto my finger, I marveled at how the diamond seemed to come alive. The stone's fire and brilliance seemed to mirror the happiness that radiated through me, filling every corner of my being. Our love was like that diamond, forged through time and pressure and as unique and precious as the gem now adorning my hand.

We stood there, basking in our happiness until Ava's cries from upstairs suddenly pulled us back to reality. Exchanging a glance, we knew we had to hurry. Our daughter needed us, and our new life together was beginning.

Hand in hand, we raced up the basement stairs, eager to attend to Ava and start our day as an engaged couple. Despite the unexpected nature of the proposal, I couldn't imagine a more fitting moment, a perfect reflection of what we’d been going through.

Not long after, Ava was sitting on our bed wearing her ruffled pink dress with a matching bow in her hair, playing with her teddy bear. Mitch had just finished tying his tie. As I slipped into my tea-length dress, I giggled and asked, "Can you zip me up?"

"My pleasure." Mitch's hand brushed over my thick curves and lingered a bit at the small of my back when he pulled me in for a kiss. "You look beautiful, Amy!"

There was a knock at our door. "It's Bob, my new bodyguard. The limo must have arrived."

The moment we walked into Bella Vita Italian Restaurant, I was swept away by an intoxicating blend of flickering candlelight and the heady aroma of roses. Something was magical in the air that late afternoon, an energy that made my pulse race. The Rosedale crew had come together, dressed to the nines, their laughter and excited chatter filling the room to celebrate our engagement. Papa, the ever-exuberant host, greeted Mitch and me with a dazzling grin, his theatrical gestures making it clear we were the stars of the show.

"Let's welcome our guests of honor!" Papa bellowed, initiating applause from everyone.

Ava jumped and started to squall. "You scared the baby, Papa."

"Giuseppe, Giuseppe..." Mum clicked her tongue and lifted Ava from her baby seat, rushing to comfort her.

"The place looks amazing, Mum!” I whispered, glancing around.

Outside, beyond the restaurant, the enchanting garden played host to a talented ensemble, their sweet melodies wrapping around us like a lover's embrace. Mum had outdone herself. Sparing no expense, the decor was a breathtaking sight, each detail meticulously chosen by skilled decorators who had spun a gossamer tapestry of elegance with their cascading fabrics, shimmering fairy lights, and intricate flower arrangements.

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