Page 89 of Broken Hero
She flits around the room and quickly glances at me. “Er no, I'm gonna leave it. Let's go for a drink.”
“Don't you have anything that creases?”
She shakes her head. “Nah, it'll be fine. Come on, let's go and meet the others.”
I frown. I want to unpack, get settled. “I’ll come down for half an hour, but I want to unpack soon.”
“Yeah, yeah, no problem. Whatever.”
She hurries me out of the room as though there is something urgent happening. What is with her today?
We meet in the bar - Jack and Robyn are a little late - I’ve got a feeling there will be a lot of that this weekend. I smile to myself. I'm so happy for them that they have this - they're getting married! One day, I hope that I'm so lucky that I get to spend the rest of my life with the man that I love. I look over at Dec to see him watching me. His face doesn’t give anything away. He looks away and takes a large gulp of his drink. Is that whisky? Jeez, he’s on the hard stuff early.
I stand up to make a speech - as the head bridesmaid, I am responsible for the fun this weekend.
“Everyone! I wanna make a speech.”
Everyone quietens down and Dec steps forward. “Actually, me too. Can I go first?”
I practically faint over in shock.He wants to do a speech? How much whisky has he had? Unlike his brother, being the centre of attention is not his thing.
“Er, yeah, I guess...go ahead.”
He comes to stand by my side, facing everyone. “So here we all are, and we’re all going to have an amazing time, I'm sure of it. I couldn't be happier for Jack and Robyn. My brother can be an annoying pain in the arse at times, as you all know.” Everyone laughs and a couple of agreements. “But in general, he’s a decent guy, and I couldn't wish for anyone better for him than my new sister-in-law because she is amazing. I love her and her son, and I'm so happy they're going to be part of our family.” He glances at me quickly. “I also have to thank Jack because if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be doing what I'm about to do right now.”
He sets his drink down on a small table nearby and turns to me. Taking something out of his pocket, he bends and kneels on one knee before me. What the hell is he doing? Wait...he’s kneeling. He’s down on one knee! My brain takes a while to compute what is going on until he brings out a small square jewellery box from his pocket.
What the hell?
“Sophie, I know I have a lot of making up to do to regain your trust, but if there was any doubt in your mind that you are what I want, then hopefully, this will wash away those fears. You see, there is only one woman that I want beside me for the rest of my life - I'm looking at her. I will stop at nothing to make you mine forever. I love you so much, I'm sorry I let you down - but marry me, and I will make sure every day that it was the best decision of your life.”
My mouth drops open. I stare down at him. Not only is everyone in our group silently staring at us, but some others surrounding us have stopped their conversations and are watching us too. He’s proposing to me? He wants to marry me? This is crazy.Isn't it?
But, isn't he all I’ve been thinking of these last two weeks? I know he’s it for me. What the hell? This may be a crazy thing to do, but at the same time, it is a no brainer.
“I love you too, Dec. Yes, I’ll marry you.” He punches the air, stands up and grabs me, lifting my feet clean of the ground as everyone cheers.
He speaks in my ear. “Thank you. Thank you, I love you so fucking much. You won’t regret this.”
I look at him, his eyes filled with unshed tears. “I love you more.”
“Wanna fucking bet?”
He sets me down and kisses me, and oh, does he kiss me - in front of everyone as though he doesn't give a shit, so un-Dec like, but so likemyDec - the one I know. He grabs my hand and slides on a stunning engagement ring which fits perfectly.
“It fits - I have tiny fingers. How did you know it would fit?”
He looks up at Robyn, and she grins at us. “You tried on her engagement ring.”
I did, I remember now. I guess she told him her size because her ring fitted me.
“So, you ready to do this thing?”
I look up at him. “What do you mean?”
“You said you'd marry me, right?”
I stare at him like an idiot, not quite sure where he’s going with this.
