Chapter 298 Planning a Marriage Proposal
Chapter 298 Planning a Marriage Proposal
Aria's lips curved into a smile when she heard this. She walked over and ruffled Jasper's hair, praising him, "Really? Jasper, you're amazing!"
Getting praise from Aria made Jasper incredibly excited. He nodded vigorously, "Of course."
After everyone brought the dishes to the table, they started eating.
Throughout the rest of the first lunar month, Arthur came over almost every day to spend time with them. He even took them to several places, and his relationship with Aria grew closer with each passing day.
After the first month ended, the temperature gradually warmed up, and the days shed their festive atmosphere, returning to peaceful warmth.
Although Arthur had stayed over a few times, Aria still wouldn't agree to let him move in.
Arthur understood what Aria was thinking and didn't push it, but a plan was quietly forming in his mind.
There was something that couldn't wait any longer.
He wanted to plan a heartfelt proposal, and to keep it perfectly hidden, he needed Jasper's help.
One day after school, Arthur specially took Jasper to a dessert shop. While eating cake, he quietly shared his plan.
"Jasper, I want to propose to your mom. Would you be okay with that?"
Although they were father and son by blood, this fact hadn't been revealed yet, and he was actually quite nervous inside.
Jasper usually called him Uncle Arthur. Though they were close, being a father versus being an uncle was different.
So he had to ask what Jasper thought.
Jasper paused mid-bite of his cake and looked at Arthur. "Uncle Arthur, do you really like Mom?"
Arthur was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Jasper to ask this question. Meeting his eyes, he nodded seriously, "Of course. I really like your mom. I want to take care of you both. Would you be okay with that, Jasper?"
As Arthur asked Jasper this question, his hands unconsciously clenched tight.
Although he and Aria were in an open relationship now, he still wanted to ask Jasper's opinion—after all, this was his son.
Jasper listened to Arthur's words and fell silent for a moment, then nodded, "Yes, I would."
Jasper's simple answer made Arthur's heart settle, and he broke into a smile.
"Good. Then can you help me think about how to propose to your mom?"
Jasper's eyes instantly lit up, and his little head kept nodding, "Of course I can."
So the two of them, one big and one small, put their heads together and started planning how to propose and how to keep it secret.
Over the next half month or so, the two used various excuses to secretly prepare.
At first, Aria didn't think much of it, just feeling that the two had a good relationship. But gradually she noticed something was off. She tried asking Jasper about it, but Jasper cleverly dodged the question, only saying it was a little secret between him and Uncle Arthur.
Seeing this, Aria didn't press further and just nodded.
From setting the plan in early spring, half a year flew by in the blink of an eye.
To make up for the regrets of that previous marriage, Arthur personally handled everything for this proposal—whether it was ordering the dress, checking venues, or coming up with creative ideas, he oversaw it all himself.
Fortunately, Jasper helped throughout the process. There were several times they were almost discovered, but he helped cover it up.
Finally, after half a year of preparation, everything was ready, and Arthur set the date for the proposal.
Valentine's Day.
On Valentine's Day, Jasper coaxed Aria into wearing the dress Arthur had chosen.
Aria felt it was a bit too formal.
"Jasper, isn't this a bit too much?"
Jasper shook his head directly, "No way! It's Valentine's Day today. Uncle Arthur said you need to dress up nicely because he's taking you on a date."
Over the past six months, Arthur had won Jasper over completely, and Jasper often spoke well of him in front of Aria.
Looking at Jasper, who so easily took Arthur's side, Aria felt a bit helpless, but there was nothing she could do—after all, this was his son.
Aria paused at his words. Seeing Jasper's serious expression, she could only nod.
Just as they finished talking, Arthur arrived.
Today Arthur was also dressed unusually formally in a black suit. His upright posture made him look even more handsome in this outfit.
Seeing Arthur so formal, Aria raised an eyebrow slightly, "Does Valentine's Day really need to be this... formal?"
Aria couldn't find the right word for a moment and could only put it that way.
Before Arthur could speak, Jasper said, "Yes, Mom! I saw many uncles and aunties dressed up really nicely today. My mom should dress up beautifully too."
Jasper's sweet words quickly won Aria over.
Arthur chimed in, "That's right. Are you all ready?"
Though Arthur seemed to be asking Aria, he was actually asking Jasper.
Jasper quickly nodded, "All ready, Uncle Arthur. Let's go!"
Aria also responded softly, "Ready."
Arthur reached out and took her hand, saying gently, "Let's go then."
The three got in the car and set off, driving toward a private estate by the river on the outskirts of the city.
Aria noticed the direction the car was heading but didn't ask. Today she'd just see what surprise these two had prepared!
From Jasper's behavior, she could tell that the two had definitely prepared a surprise today.
After arriving at the estate, Arthur helped Aria out of the car while Jasper helped arrange her dress from behind, looking like a proper little guardian.
"Let's walk around first."
Arthur held Aria's hand, and the three slowly strolled along the riverside, watching the sunset and evening glow.
Aria immersed herself in the peaceful scenery, still not noticing the hidden surprise.
The sky gradually darkened, and countless tiny stars climbed into the night sky.
Jasper suddenly stopped and turned around seriously, "Mom, the real surprise is up ahead."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jasper ran ahead.
Aria was led forward by Arthur's hand, and the scene before her eyes suddenly came into view.
The riverside terrace was surrounded by layers of flowers of all colors, with champagne roses and white bellflowers forming a huge heart-shaped sea of flowers.
A violinist slowly began playing a gentle melody, the melodious tune drifting on the wind.
Aria stood frozen in place, suddenly understanding what these two were planning to do today...
Arthur released her hand and slowly walked to the center of the heart-shaped flower sea.
The usually composed and steady man had years of guilt and heartfelt love hidden in his eyes.
He had never given her a proper wedding or proposal before. Now he just wanted to make up for everything he hadn't given her.
Their previous marriage was just a piece of paper, with no sense of ceremony at all. This was his biggest regret.
While planning all this over the past six months, he kept thinking that fate had been good to him, willing to give him this chance to make amends.
He would cherish it well and love her for the rest of his life...