Chapter 11 Betrothed

Chapter 11 Betrothed
Keith and Elizabeth went strong for a year; Davina and Darren were also going strong for a slightly smaller amount of time. Elizabeth was amazed that Davina was still with Darren, she normally got bored of the guys she dated and dumped them immediately. Darren was different he was a little quirky and maybe that was what Davina needed, normal men just were to normal and bored her.

Elizabeth really liked Darren too; he was so sweet and seemed to really care about Davina. He was also so kind to Davina’s friends. Elizabeth and Keith had been on a few double dates with Davina and Darren; Keith got along with him great which Elizabeth also liked.

Davina was so happy, and it made Elizabeth happy that Davina was happy. Elizabeth had never seen Davina so happy. Davina in turn was happy to see Elizabeth so happy. Davina had grown tired of seeing Elizabeth in bad relationships, and always in pain.

Elizabeth was excited to go out to celebrate her one year anniversary with Keith, but he was keeping her in the dark about his plans. One of the things she loved about Keith is how he was always surprising her. Keith had gotten her a beautiful gown to wear so she knew that they were going to an upscale place. This aided her in getting ready for the evening.

She took a few hours to get ready and as usual was ready late; Keith by now was used to it though so it was not a problem. He was patiently waiting for her at the door, holding her jacket. When she came out he walked over to her and held out her jacket to help her put it on.

Keith drove them to the restaurant Delirious. Elizabeth was excited when she saw the sign she had always wanted to go to this restaurant. Keith parked the car, went over to Elizabeth’s door and opened the door for her, and then he guided her to the front doors.

When they walked through the doors into the restaurant Keith was staring at her like he was trying to read the reaction on her face. Elizabeth looked around the restaurant was beautiful, Keith went over to the hostess to let her know they were there for their reservation.

The hostess got their waiter who then brought them to their table. They walked right past all the tables; Elizabeth was confused which amused Keith. Elizabeth smiled noticing his amusement they continued following the waiter, who brought them into the private room in the back...

Elizabeth walked through the door, and was shocked to see her mom, Davina, Darren, and all her friends standing there.

She turned to Keith and said “Why is everyone here it’s not a birthd...” she trailed off as she saw Keith get down on one knee.

“Oh my God!” exclaimed Elizabeth.

Keith had a speech prepared, he began “Elizabeth I have done a lot in my life, a lot that has made me happy and rich.” everyone chuckled “I never felt like anything was missing until I met you, and I knew you were what was missing. This past year has been the best year of my life.”

Keith pulled a velvet box out of his pocket and opened it, to display a platinum wedding band with an eight carat diamond surrounded by a cluster of pink diamonds.

“Elizabeth Belle Waller, will you marry me.” Keith asked.

Elizabeth was crying now when she answered through her tears “Yes. Of course.”

Keith took her hand in his and placed the ring on her finger, then got up off his knee and hugged Elizabeth.

“I love you so much.” Keith said.

“I love you so much too.” Elizabeth returned.

Everyone was so happy for them, they all went up to them to congratulate them and look at Elizabeth’s ring. Everything was happening in such a whirlwind Elizabeth felt like she could not catch her breath.

She was talking to Davina, who could always read her face easily, Davina asked “Are you OK?”

“Yea I am great, I am so happy.” She looked down at her finger where the ring was “I just cannot believe this is happening, and this ring is so beautiful. I can’t believe how well he did picking it out for me.”

“Well he had some help.” admitted Davina.

Elizabeth playfully hit her arm “You knew?”

“Well we all knew I just knew the longest.” Davina confessed smugly.

“Oh wow, you can keep a secret. Well the two of you did a great job picking out this beautiful ring.” Elizabeth got hyper with happiness and said giddily “That I get to wear, until I die. Oh my God.”

Davina was laughing when Keith walked over to them and asked “Hey what is so funny?”

“Elizabeth was just telling me how happy she is.” Davina confided.

“Oh yea.” Keith wrapped his arm around Elizabeth’s shoulder and kissed her on her head. “Me too.”

“Awe you guys are so cute.” Davina cooed.

“Thanks.” responded Keith.

“Maybe you and Darren are next.” offered Elizabeth.

“Maybe, I am not in any hurry.” said Davina. “So I will be your maid of honour right?”

Elizabeth was taken aback and replied “Well I don’t think we were going to start planning our wedding right now.”

“Right but I am the maid of honour right?” Davina asked again.

Elizabeth chortled then confirmed “Yea you will be my maid of honour.”

“Awesome. You are going to have the best bachelorette party.” She turned to Keith and said “Sorry.” Keith smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders.

Davina skipped happily over to Darren and she sat down beside him. Elizabeth and Keith were staring after her giggling

“Wow Davina made this about her in record time.” Keith mused.

“Well only she could.” cracked Elizabeth. “So is there dinner tonight because, I am starving.”

Keith laughed “Of course there is dinner.”

“Oh good.” Elizabeth was glad to hear it.

Keith was staring down at her, and Elizabeth turned and looked back at him, he gave her a beaming smile. Elizabeth in turn was looking him deep in his eyes and it made her feel the outpouring love she held inside for him, she smiled knowingly back at him. Elizabeth tilted her head upward and Keith brought his face down on hers and then they kissed.

They were lost in the moment but the applause from their friends brought them back to reality. Elizabeth buried her head into Keith chest “I forgot that there were other people here.”

“That’s alright so did I.” Keith assured her.

That made Elizabeth feel better. Everyone took their seats when the waiter informed them that they would be bringing dinner in. Elizabeth’s mom sat beside her, she had seen her when she walked in to the room but had not seen her again until they sat down.

“Hey mom.” Elizabeth greeted her, and she reached over and hugged her “Where did you go?”

“Hi baby, I was here, in the room. I was talking to some of your friends while you were busy.” her mom answered.

“Oh I see. Thank you for coming tonight I really appreciate you coming from so far for me.” acknowledged Elizabeth.

“Are you kidding I would not miss being here to see my daughter get engaged.” her mom burst in to tears.

“Aww mom don’t cry.” Elizabeth hugged her again.

Her mother sobbed “I am sorry, I am just so happy for you. I am so happy to see you doing so well. I love you so much.”

“Aww, I love you too mom. But you got to stop crying you’re going to make me cry too.” Elizabeth disclosed as her eyes started to well up.

“OK baby. I am sorry.” her mom grabbed a Kleenex and wiped her tears away then blew her nose. She tried stifling her tears. Elizabeth looked over at Keith who was talking to one of his friends.

Her mom interrupted her asking “So do you want to introduce me to your fiancé?”

Elizabeth lit up at hearing that, it was the first time she heard someone call Keith her fiancé. Elizabeth tapped Keith’s arm to get his attention, he turned to her and said “Hey.”

“Hey.” Elizabeth gestured toward her mom and said “Keith this is my mom and mom this is Keith.”

Keith held out his hand and Elizabeth’s mom shook it and they exchanged pleasantries. Her mom and Keith talked throughout the night. At one point Elizabeth’s mom asked Keith if he worked for the same boss, and explained how she had heard such horrible things about him. Elizabeth had to explain to her that Keith was the boss therefore the person she had heard all those rumours about.

Her friends and family had a great time at their one year anniversary celebration. Elizabeth could not believe that Keith had pulled it off without her having a clue and all her friends hid it from her too.

On their way home Elizabeth confessed “My mom heard those rumours from her friends that you were just a huge douche bag basically. I am her only child so she warned me about you, she never thought to find out if the rumours were true or not.”

“And she asked you to quit?” asked Keith.

“Yea. I thought I told you that.” Elizabeth responded hesitantly.

“Thank you for not listening to her.” acknowledged Keith.

“Yea I stayed but after a couple of months I was going to quit.” Elizabeth pointed out.

Keith chuckled “Yea, because you were an assistant, not a very good career move for a licensed lawyer.”

Keith got serious when he said “Hey I was thinking since we are going to get married, maybe we should move in together. What do you think?”

Elizabeth’s grin was huge on her face when she answered “Yea but should we move into my place or yours?”

Keith was nervous to answer her as he did not want to offend her, Elizabeth laughed out really loud. Keith was confused which only made Elizabeth laugh harder.

Elizabeth regained her self-control and explained “I was just joking my place is a crap hole, and let’s face it you are way too big for it.

Keith smirked and concurred “Yea I was thinking that you move into my place.”

“Yea I would love to live with you; this is the best one year anniversary ever. I love you so much.” responded Elizabeth.

Keith squeezed her hand “I love you too.”

Over the next month Elizabeth slowly moved all her stuff over to Keith’s place. It took much longer than she thought it would have. She had to sort through her stuff because she had to get rid of a lot because Keith had everything they needed. She thought it would be easy to do but whenever she came across something she always found that it had a sentimental value to it and she had a difficult time giving it up.

Then her wardrobe was an even bigger problem because she loved all of her clothes and absolutely refused to give anything up, but there was not enough room for all her clothes at Keith’s place. After a lot of arguing Keith finally caved in and agreed to turn one of the spare rooms into a closet for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth felt obliged to compromise once Keith gave up a room to give her a closet. Elizabeth threw out almost all of her stuff; she only kept the most sentimental items she owned along with her clothes.

Elizabeth had finally finished packing her stuff she had everything in the truck that she had rented. She was standing in her empty apartment and was surprised when she felt a loss. She was having a difficult time coming to terms with why she was feeling this way. Keith came in, he was there to help her pack, and he had just placed the last box in the truck when he had come up to get her.

Keith came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her; she reached up and held his arm. He kissed her then asked “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know I just feel ... I don’t know I guess sad.” Elizabeth tried to explain.

Keith tried to understand, but he couldn’t “Why?”

“I don’t know.” Elizabeth said.

“OK.” Keith responded.

“It is just weird. This was my place, my own place. I got it on my own, I lived in it on my own, and now I am leaving.” Elizabeth tried to explain.

“Sounds like you are going to miss your independence.” Keith said.

“Yea. Don’t misunderstand I am so happy to be living with you. I am just also sad.” Elizabeth replied.

“I understand.” Keith lied.

Keith just held Elizabeth until she was ready to leave.