Page 45 of The Library on Plum Island
“You have your doctor with you, your brother, and friends all sitting there with pensive looks on their faces,” Arthur observed. “The last time you did this to us, it was to tell us that you’d bought that blasted boat of yours and were taking a year off to sail around the world.”
“You’re not considering doing that again, darling?” Victoria looked worried at Alex. “Especially so soon after being so sick again.”
“No!” Alex hissed impatiently.
“You didn’t buy that jet, did you?” Arthur asked. “I told you it wasn’t a good investment, and there’s a reason we didn’t buy it.”
Daniella felt herself relax as she realized the Blackwells may be a powerful family, but they were just like any other family, and it was obvious that they were very much a part of their children’s and extended family’s lives. Her heart squeezed as she thought of her own parents and how much she missed them, even though they’d been gone for fifteen years. Daniella turned to see Harriet, Dawn, and Ethan all watching Alex intently. They, too, were curious to know why Alex had called the meeting and were letting his parents play their guessing game as to why they were all there.
“This isn’t about me sailing around the world. I’m not in any trouble; my boat hasn’t sunk, and I’m not buying a jet!” Alex growled, his voice resonating with frustration. He blurted out, “I wanted to let you all know together that I’ve asked Daniella to marry me.”
A collective gasp echoed through the room before it fell into a heavy silence, and everyone, except for Jennifer, Harley, and Sam, gaped at Alex. Daniella started to feel decidedly awkward at that moment. Doubt over their plan crept back in while wondering. While everyone seemed frozen in a gaping suspended animation with their eyes pinned on Alex, Daniella wondered if she and Emily could quietly sneak away.
CHAPTER 10
Waytogo,dumbo!Alex braced himself, waiting for a barrage of questions that were about to hit him like a machine gun of words that would get fired off in rapid succession as soon as the shock wore off.This is not how I wanted this conversation to go.But his parent’s questions and suspicions would’ve snowballed, and he’d never been able to get a word in.
“May I?” Sam took pity on Alex, giving him a reassuring smile.
“Please,” Alex said and turned to see Daniella looking at him wide-eyed. He reached out and took her hand. He was pleasantly surprised when her fingers curled into his, making his pulse go wild. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Daniella said softly, and she gave a nervous laugh. “I’m not sure I’d have handled that any better. Your parents went from warm and fuzzy to daunting in one second.”
Like pouring water on Gizmo in the Gremlins!Emily added.
Yes, my whole family can become gremlins pretty quickly,Alex agreed.
He turned as Sam started talking, and Harley stepped up to support his uncle as they told the story.
I’m going to go talk to Shay and Reef,Emily signed.
Okay, sweetheart.Daniella let Emily go.
“You know, we could join the teens, too,” Alex told her, eyeing the door. “Then just slip out the doors and head to the beach before anyone knew we were gone.”
“Trust me, I was tempted to do just that a few minutes ago,” Daniella admitted.
“Do you want to make a break for it now?” Alex whispered.
“I wish we could,” Daniella told him. “But we have to face everyone, so we may as well do it now and get it over with.”
“You’re right.” Alex sighed. “I’m sorry I blurted it out like that. But my parents…” He rolled his eyes. “They can come on so strong.”
“I think they’re great,” Daniella told him. “I must admit to having felt so nervous about meeting them and was pleasantly surprised to see they were normal parents.” She smiled and shrugged. “You know, just rich, powerful ones.”
“Trust me, my parents are just like any other parents,” Alex assured her. “They can nag, support, scold, and they can still make my siblings and me feel like sixteen-year-olds when we’ve done something wrong.”
“You’re lucky to still have them,” Daniella pointed out.
“Yes,” Alex agreed with a nod. “I know. I’m sorry about your parents.”
“It’s been fifteen years, and I still miss them every day,” Daniella admitted.
“When my father had his first heart incident,” Alex told her, “I’ve never been so frightened.”
“When this is over, I don’t mind doing a consult for your dad,” Daniella offered.
“I’ll let him know,” Alex said. “I’d appreciate that.”
