Page 110 of Her Dom's Secret Past

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When May finally rolled around, I knew I was pretty good. At last, the past was simply that—the past for both of us. On rare occasions I’d remember my ordeal, but John was always there to hold my hand and let me cry if I needed to.

On May fourteenth, he took me out to dinner in the city. It was twelve months to the day since we met. It was all candlelight and champagne. The food was out of this world, although when I thought about it later I couldn’t have told you what I ate. John looked amazing. He’d worn his tux again. I had on a slinky evening gown I’d designed and made. I thought I was super sexy and super-hot.

It was lovely to sit and reminisce about our time in the villa. We toastedRollyand hoped he was enjoying a life filled with apples. We had a wombat on the property that John had christenedRollyJunior because he had become friendly and always expected apples whenever he spied us. He would barrel down the track on his stubby legs when he heard us coming, expecting to be fed.

We finally reached our desserts.

John had some sort of dark chocolate cylinder with smoked hazelnut praline and salted caramel ice cream while I indulged in a classic Paris-Brest filled with hazelnut praline cream. When my plate arrived, it had a little tiny box alongside the pastry. I stared at it, puzzled, then at John. He shrugged his shoulders, as I picked it up and opened it. Then I almost burst into tears.

Nestled inside was a beautiful engagement ring.

A huge round diamond in a swirl design set atop a yellow gold band and on either side were four channel-set princess-cut diamonds. I couldn’t speak, I was actually lost for words. John reached across the table and took my shaking hand. He took the ring and placed it on my finger. I peered at him through a haze of unshed tears. This man meant the world to me.

“Say you’ll marry me, Ana. I love you so much.”

I could only nod, my throat blocked from my emotions.

I heard applause and swiveled my head around. The staff were circled around us and all beaming as they clapped. Themaître’dpopped the cork on another bottle of champagne and filled our glasses.

“Congratulations. On behalf of the staff, we are honored that you chose our restaurant for such an auspicious event.”

John thanked him and I smiled up at him. Then I took a mouthful of the cold champagne to moisten my dry throat. I held my hand out and watched the diamonds sparkle and gleam in the light from the candles on our table and the soft overhead lighting.

“Do you like it? I had it made from the same place as your collar and bracelet so they all match.”

“Like it? I love it! Oh, John, it’s absolutely beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you. I knew from the first moment I saw you that you were my woman. Since that day I found you again, my life has been complete.”

“I do love you, my Sir. Love you more than heaven and Earth.”

I had no idea how we got home. It was as if I were in sub-space, I was floating on air. It was totally unexpected, but I was unbelievably happy.

Of course, when our friends found out, they insisted on throwing us an engagement party at one of the local restaurants near work. It was a wonderful night.

Planning for the wedding took precedence over everything as far as I was concerned, but I had Becky and Charlie to help. John and I had decided on getting married on August thirtieth. It was the anniversary of when I moved in with him. I had no ideas for my wedding gown—imagine that! A wedding dress designer who couldn’t come up with an idea for her own wedding!

Stacy came to the rescue.

“Belle? Can I show you a few designs?”

“Of course, Stacy. Come in.”

She put a design board on my work table and stepped back. She seemed very nervous for some reason as I examined it and immediately fell in love with one of the gowns.

“This one is lovely, Stacy, it’s … ethereal. I love it!”

She blushed and said, “That’s my favorite too.”

Stacy still appeared uneasy but she took a deep breath and said, “I knew you were having trouble coming up with designs for your own gown. I hope you don’t mind, but I had these few ideas and I drew them up.”

I was rather teary to think she had designed these with me in mind. “I was hoping you’d choose the same design as I liked best. I sorted through fabrics and came up with these.”

She added swatches of the fabrics and laces she’d chosen as well as the tiny crystals like stardust. I could see it would be perfect. It would flatter my curves and look amazing. I hugged her.

“Stacy, this is truly wonderful. I’m honored and would love to wear it. I’ll leave you to make it.”

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