Chapter 80 – Happily ever after

GABRIEL.

This day was going to be an experience that we would be sure to remember for many years to come. I suggested to Kira that it would be a splendid plan if we traveled to Hollow Peak to pay her family a visit. They would be so happy to see us together... all three of us. As the Christmas season drew closer, this time of year was an especially meaningful and joyous time. It was like a circle closing.

As I pulled up to Kira’s family home in Hollow Peak, I could see the excitement on their faces from the window. Kira’s mother rushed out of the house to us, extending her open arms and giving us both a warm and loving embrace. Upon seeing us, she expressed great delight and joy and welcomed us warmly into her home.

We stepped inside the cozy living room, where a warm fire was burning in the fireplace. The inviting and delectable aroma of freshly baked cookies and holiday treats filled the entire room. Mrs. Reed had a hard time containing her enthusiasm when we sat down on the comfortable couch, as she had insisted.

“I’m so happy you both could make it!” she exclaimed. “I just knew that the love between you two will prevail, especially with Maddie in the middle of it all. And with the winter holidays around the corner, we have so much to look forward to!” she continued with enthusiasm in her voice.

As Mrs. Reed took some time to prepare some tasty treats, Kira and I had the opportunity to talk with the rest of the family. We shared stories about our families, discussed our work, and caught up on all the different things going on in our lives. There was no mistaking the joy that Kira’s family felt to have us in their home.

“I wish Granny was here to enjoy being with us. But I’m sure she’s watching from up there and lending us a hand.” Kira suddenly spoke.

We all nodded in agreement, feeling Granny’s presence with us.

“She is honey. In spirit she is!” Mrs. Reed said. “So, Maddie, would you like some desert?” she continued.

“Yes,” she giggled.

“Gabriel? Would you accompany me to the kitchen? Help me with the desert?”

As soon as I followed Mrs. Reed into the kitchen, she turned to me. “Ok, we are alone now. I know everything that moves around here, Gabriel. How come you bought a house in Hollow Peak and you haven’t even told us?” she asked, folding her hands.

“I am sorry, Mrs. Reed. I intended to. But I didn’t have the time. I barely arranged the place for Kira to see,” I excused myself.

Suddenly, she went quiet. But not for long.

“You are actually here to show Kira the house and give her the good news?” she asked.

“Of course”

“Why didn’t you say so in the first place? Let’s have the desert and then you two can go. I am keeping Maddie here so you can have time alone”

“I also have another surprise,” I said and pulled out of my pocket a little black velvet box.

“Don’t tell me that is…”

“It is indeed!”

At that moment, Mrs. Reed was speechless. She had her enormous eyes fixed on the ring in the box.

“Wow, Gabriel! Are you going to ask my daughter to be your wife?” she asked, overcome with excitement.

“I intend to. And what better place to do it than our new home?”

***

“Wow, this place is amazing! I mean, I knew you were doing well for yourself, but I did not know you were living in such a beautiful house. And here, in Hollow Peak?” she asked, amazed.

I smiled.

“Yeah, it’s pretty nice, isn’t it? I bought it a few months ago.” I said.

“You bought it? You didn’t just rent it?”

“No, I actually own this place now. And the best part is that we’re going to be living here.” I finally gave her the good news.

Kira looked at me, stunned.

“Wait, what? We’re going to be living here? Me, you and Maddie?” she asked like she didn’t believe me. She turned to face me with a look of shock and disbelief on her face. “Oh my god, this is incredible! Is this really ours? I can’t believe it! How did you buy this?”

“Yes, Kira, this is our new home. I bought it for us to live in.” I reassured her.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

“I don’t know what to say. This is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I can’t believe you did this for us.”

“I did it because I love you, Kira. This could be the start of something magical if we begin our lives together in this wonderful home.” I said fixing my eyes on hers.

“I love you too, Gabriel! And I can’t wait to tell Maddie about it. She would be so happy,”

“We will tell her together,” I said.

“Tell me what?” a sparking voice came from the door.

Me and Kira turned at the same time to see our little daughter standing in the doorway with an enormous smile on her face. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were with her.

“Did you think you would pop the question without me?” Mr. Reed asked and smiled.

“What question?” Kira asked and turned to face me. She wanted to smile, but she was also curious.

“Maddie?” I called our little daughter, and she bounced like a live doll right next to us. A wink from Mrs. Reed made me realize she knew.

“Yes Daddy, what question?” she giggled.

“Maddy…” I said and raised her in my arms, while I took out the velvet little box again. Kira’s eyes widened in amazement. “Will you do me the honor of giving me your mother’s hand in marriage?”

Kira’s eyes widened as she heard the words. Like she had a feeling that this moment was coming, but it still caught her off guard. Her heart was racing as she looked into my eyes, trying to take everything in.

I saw Kira's body trembling with emotion and then heard a sob escape her throat, revealing that she was crying out of joy. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she placed her hands over her mouth to muffle her sorrowful cries.

As she composed herself, she finally found her voice and looked deep into my eyes.

“Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes.”

Her words were barely audible above her gasping sobs, but I heard them loud and clear.

I embraced her warmly, enclosing her in my arms as she shed tears of joy and happiness. That instant, I realized that my entire future lay with her and that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with no one else but her. As I embraced her, I knew I would remember and cherish every moment we spent together for a lifetime.

“I love you, Gabriel Bates!”

“And I love you, Kira Reed!”

“And I love you, Mommy and Daddy!”

The End.