Witch of Two Hearts

2. The proposal

The excitement I felt began to build as he kept speaking.

“I have fallen madly in love with you. I can’t picture anything in this world that would ever make me happier than to spend the rest of my life with you by my side.” He pulled a little black box out of his jeans pocket.

As he fumbled to open the box, allowing his nerves to show, I took a moment to really let this man soak in. He’s muscular, but not so muscular that you think he’s a regular gym going type of guy. He’s always dressed elegantly. Even tonight, this party is a casual party, but he’s still dressed nicely. He’s wearing a button down long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up ever so slightly. His hair isn’t long but the length it does have is nicely combed like he took the time to fix it up nicely. He is always neatly shaven; I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with even a five o’clock shadow. He’s wearing jeans, but they’re dark blue with no fading or holes in them. He’s even wearing casual dress shoes.

His bedroom is always neat. He makes his bed as soon as he gets out of it every morning. He has a whole wall that is covered in books that he has read. Even his bathroom is always spotless. The few times I’ve spent the night with him here I’ve felt a little out of place. I’m not a messy person, but I am always afraid to brush my hair in his bathroom and accidentally leave a strand or two of hair on the floor or something. He’s never made me feel like I need to think that way, but the way this whole house is makes me feel like I must be on my best behavior for cleanliness.

When he got down on his knee, I prepared myself to answer him. I know my life will forever be different if I move into this house with him, but he’s absolutely right. This year has been the happiest year of my life. Being with him has made me feel so safe, so loved, so happy and thinking about how our future would be together made me legitimately excited.

“Vivian Ashvale, will you marry me?” He finally asked.

Without any hesitation I found myself jumping up on that little platform in front of the banister with him and once I was safely up there, I jumped into his arms and kissed him.

Admittedly, a small piece of me was a little worried I was going to knock us both off the thing. But, there wasn’t anything that could keep me from being in his arms at that moment.

“Yes!” I finally yelled when our lips parted.

The sound of the crowd hooting and hollering faded. In that moment it was just us. I couldn’t be happier as he slipped the giant diamond onto my finger.

Eventually, I jumped down and was joined by my sister who was jumping with excitement. We may be twins, but we look nothing alike. Her hair is short, straight and naturally red while mine is long, wavy and naturally brown. Her eyes are bright emeralds while mine are a desert sand. She has a petite body and frame while I am a little curved.

She was wearing a white dress that flowed down to her knees that was bouncing around with her. I was wearing a long red dress that made it a little harder to jump around. Not to mention the heels I was wearing, I was afraid I was going to bust the heel clean off.

My sister was the only one that was jumping with clear excitement, though. I looked over at my mother and my aunt and though I couldn’t really read the expressions on their faces I could at least tell that it wasn’t excitement.

“So?” I said as I walked over to them with Fawn.

“So… Um…” Lucy looked nervous. I’m not sure why, but I was trying to pretend that I wasn’t getting irritated. “Sera!” She said quickly passing the torch over, “What do we think?”

Mother just looked at me. She didn’t look happy or angry, she almost looked sad.

“I just want you to be happy, I guess.” She finally said.

“Happy, you guess?” I asked, absolutely failing to keep the irritation out of my tone.

She looked at me with apologetic eyes, “I just worry that this is all a bit too soon. It’s only been a year. I mean, what do you really know about him or his family?” She looked over towards Alaric and Morgana who were clinking their champagne glasses and sipping. There was a short-lived glimpse of disgust on her face that was replaced with worry.

Trying my hardest to not make a scene, I softly replied, “I guess it’s good I don’t need your permission then.” And then I swiftly turned and walked away.

I had no interest in staying around to hear more. I was going to enjoy my night, it’s my birthday and I just got engaged! Why would she pick tonight, while I’m surrounded by a bunch of people, to say that to me?

I started walking away from the party. Sure, I have been in this house several times but it is so damn big I have no clue where I am going. All I know for sure is I need to get some fresh air.

I’m not entirely sure why, but i was drawn to the stairs. Without really questioning myself I obeyed and headed up even though I knew it was away from the door. I know Alaric’s room is up stairs, but I’ve never taken this way before. I’ve never even been on this side of the house.

At the end of the hallway I ended up in, there’s a door that almost seemed to call to me. Why I went to it and opened it? I couldn’t tell you.