Page 86 of A Grecian Getaway

“Everything is really wonderful. Thank you for doing this.”

Demetri squeezed her hands. “I am happy you like it.”

“I should take some pictures, so we have the memories.” She grabbed her phone and snapped a few shots of the venue, Demetri, and a couple of selfies of the two of them.

The waiter served them a delicious dinner that included calamari, Kalamata salad, fish, baklava, and many other delectable foods. Noelle was about to bring up their relationship, but Demetri excused himself before she got out the words she wanted to say. She looked around the venue. Everything was almost perfect. Say something. It’s now or never.While she waited for Demetri to return, the Greek song he had played for her at the club streamed in the background.Must be a popular song.

He came back to the table but didn’t sit down. She gulped.Just talk to him.Demetri kneeled onto the ground next to her and held out a whitepackage with a blue ribbon. Her heart beat fast.What… what is happening? The box isn’t the size of a ring box, it’s much larger. But why is he kneeling? Please don’t tease me.

“Take it, agapi mou.”

Agapi mou. He said my love. Lots of people say that in Greece, but this is the first time he’s said it to me.She cautiously took the package and pulled off the ribbon. As she unwrapped it, she found a stuffed wolf with a small box nestled in between the wolf’s paws. She looked up at Demetri. He looked at her with so much love in his eyes and motioned for her to open the box.Oh, my gosh.Tears trickled from her eyes. She opened it and found a beautiful solitaire diamond engagement ring.

“My little lamb, I love you very much and do not want us to be apart anymore. I want you to be mine forever, and I am sorry it took me so long to tell you. You are everything I have ever wanted. I have loved you since the moment I saw you looking for shells on the beach, but I let fear hold me back. I let fear control my future. When I lost my parents, I told myself then I would never get close to anyone else again because I feared I would lose them, too. A wise, yet bossy woman told me to live a life filled with love, and I want that life with you. I can’t imagine it any other way. Will you be my wife?”

Happy tears streamed down Noelle’s cheeks. “I love you too, Demetri, of course I will marry you,” she whispered as she swung her arms around him and kissed him hard.

“Demetri, this song. It’s so beautiful. It’s the one you played for me. Do you remember?”

He took her hands in his. “I am glad you like it, and I’d hoped you would notice it. I asked them to play it for you.”

“You did? But what is it about?” she questioned.

“When I met you, this song reminded me of you. It is called ‘Glass Walls’.” It is about a beautiful woman that a man wants but cannot have. He sees her in his dreams, behind a glass wall, but she is always out of his reach. He never allows himself to break the glass to be with her.”

“But that’s so sad. Does he ever get tobe with her?”

“At the end of the song, she sees him through the glass and breaks it for them so they can be together. You broke the glass for me, Noelle. Your love for me broke down my fears. And I am so happy you did. Your love healed me. I was always afraid of what love took from me, but your love made me realize how much there is to gain, to live for!”

“You broke the glass for me, too. I’ve never been happier than I’ve been with you, than at this moment. Before I met you, I never thought I would find someone I felt comfortable enough with to get close to them, be intimate with them, or even love them. I always hoped to find someone, but it never felt right or natural with anyone else. You were all of those things for me. Everything about you felt so incredibly natural. I don’t know how else to explain it. Loving you, being with you, it’s just right.”

Noelle was blissfully happy for the rest of their evening. She and Demetri danced, watched the fireworks, and as the clock struck midnight, shared another kiss. Shortly after midnight, they headed back to the boat to celebrate alone.

“I can’t believe we’re engaged!” Noelle smiled at Demetri as they stepped out of his car. “I wish I didn’t have to leave tomorrow.”

“You do not. Stay here. We are engaged now.” He locked his car, and they walked towards his boat, hand in hand.

“Demetri, I have to go back. I have work, and I’ve got to get things in order before I come here to stay. I can’t believe I am coming to live here! You know, I told Sophia I would be happy anywhere you were. And that’s the truth. But oh, I have to figure out what I’m going to do here when I come back to stay. Wouldn’t it be awesome if my boss let me continue to work here? It’s probably not possible. Do you think anyone will hire me? I don’t speak Greek!”

“Eh. I think you should stay.” He said with a pout. “Do not worry about finding a job. You are a smart woman. There are plenty of people who speak English here and eventually, you will learn more Greek. I am sure someone will see your talent and hire you. Now I think we should talk about you staying.”

“I think you should take me inside... and ravage me before I leave. You won’t see me for a while. So you better get your fill,” she teased as she ran down the dock and inside the boat.

Demetri called out, “Why do you always run down my dock?”

She went to the upper deck to the hot tub.

Muffled sounds permeated up the stairs and Demetri called out, “Agapi mou, where are you? Why are you hiding from me?”

“Agapi mou.” I love he calls me little lamb, but “my love”? That is definitely my new favorite.She sank into the water and waited.I hope he finds my clothes scattered on the stairs and gets here soon!She giggled from the excitement and anticipation of what was to come.This will be the first time we make love as an engaged couple. I can’t believe I’m engaged to him! Gah! I’m so happy I could scream!

When he appeared at the top of the stairs, he began stripping his clothes from his body as he walked towards the hot tub.

“The little lamb has been very naughty, making her tired wolf search all around for her. I think maybe she needs to be punished.”

“If you must,” said Noelle with a wide grin. She opened her arms to welcome him into the swirling hot water.

“Mmmm, so many wonderful ways to punish you. But tonight, we make love.” Demetri pulled her close.

---