by Sienna Grant
“He’s still your father, Stefano.”
Matching my position, he leans in until he’s just millimetres from my face, he whispers…
“He lost that right when he told me what happened between him and my mum.” He lifts his coffee cup to his lips, draining the cup. “Conversation over.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to ruin your birthday.”
Reaching across the table he cups my cheek. “You could never ruin my birthday, but I don’t want to talk about him. I don’t want my father to come between us.”
“That will never happen.” The warmth of his palm on my hand is comforting, “I promise.”
Wrapping his fingers around mine, he lifts my hand to his mouth, resting his warm lips against my knuckles.
“Why don’t you tell me what you see in the future, princess.”
“You.”
“Good to know we’re on the same page.” He smiles wide. I love his smile - it’s seems so long since I’ve seen it.
“Well, considering you’re all I’ve really wanted since I was fifteen years old, it doesn’t come as a surprise. Does it?”
“This is probably the best birthday I’ve ever had. You know what would make it even better...?”
“What’s that?” I ask curiously as I feel a small crease form between my eyes, as he reaches inside his jacket into his pocket
“This.”
My tummy does somersaults as he pulls a small velvet box out. He can’t be asking what I think he is. Nervously, I pick up the large glass in my shaky hand. Take a tiny sip of the red wine, to take away the sudden dryness that’s coating my mouth. He slides his hand across the table and opens it up. Setting the small box down on the table, then closely watches my reaction.
“Open it.”
“Shouldn’t it be me buying you presents? It is your day today.”
“I have everything I could ever want - today, tomorrow and the rest of my life.”
With shaky fingers, I snap open the box, sucking in a gasp, before slowly opening the lid. Sitting inside the red velvet is a ring, with three huge diamonds. Diamond encrusted shoulders at each side, sitting on a platinum band. I almost forget to breathe. Covering the shocked gasp coming from my mouth with my free hand, tears instantly spring to my eyes.
“Past, present and future.” Stefano says simply, in a gentle tone.
“What?” I gaze longingly at him, while I feel a tear sliding down my cheek.
My teary gaze is fixed on the beautiful three diamonds.
“It’s a trilogy ring, I thought about getting a ring fit for a princess, but I thought this would fit us better. The three stones represent us, past, present, and future. You’re everything to me Laura. My life isn’t worth anything without you beside me. Marry me. Be my queen?”
Reaching across the table he swipes the moisture away with the softest touch of his thumb. I lean into his hand as the biggest smile forms on my mouth, filling my face. His expectant gaze makes me realise I still haven’t answered him yet.
“Is that a yes?” He asks, dipping his head to look into my eyes….
“Yes.” A squeal bursts from a frantic nod to confirm my answer.
Jumping up from his seat, he comes around to my side of the table. Dropping to his knees before me and taking my face gently in his hands, he plants a hard kiss to my lips… I pull away gasping.
“Yes, Stefano.” I say leaving a breath between us, “Of course I'll marry you.”
I don’t realise anyone is watching us, until I hear the clapping from the other diners in the restaurant. As I look around, everyone is staring right at us, smiling. I know a blush is covering my cheeks, I have to fan my face to cool it down. I hide my face in my hands, as I hate being the centre of attention.
Stefano pulls my hands away with a big, happy smile to match mine. Lying my palm in his, he takes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger. I can’t stop looking at the sparkling diamonds sitting on my finger. All I can think to myself, is that this is more than I could have ever dreamed of. Stefano calls over the waiter and orders champagne for us.
In no time at all, the waiter brings over a fresh bottle of champagne, popping the cork. Stefano doesn’t take his eyes from me once. Even when the waiter bids us congratulations and pours the bubbly into our glasses.
“Are you happy?” My husband to be asks me.
“More than happy.” I reply, staring lovingly into his chocolate orbs.
With a wide smile he holds up his glass and proposes a toast.
“To us and our future, princess.”
THE END…. (Or is it?)
About The Author
Sienna Grant is a 41-year-old married mother of three children from the UK. She loves reading, but her secret passion was to one day write her own book, so when she had to give up work, she decided to put pen to paper and jot down some ideas. After friends had pushed her to go for it, she took their advice and opened her up to a whole new world.
Picking up the Pieces was her debut novel and is book 1 of the Broken Series.
Author Links
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSiennaGrant
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sienna.grant.18
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/156
13594.Sienna-Grant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsgrant
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorsgrant1
Books So Far
Contemporary
Broken Series
1 - Picking Up the Pieces - Book 1
2 – Mending the pieces (Novella coming soon)
Soulmates Series (available now)
1 - Soulmates - Chris & Taylor
2 - Infinity - Adam & Darcy
Soulmates 2.5 - A Christmas Novella
3 – Kismet – Todd & Kaden
4 – Forever - Aidan
The Hearts series
1 - Heart & Soul
2 - Love & Hope
3 – Aaron
4 - TBC
Standalones
Teen fiction.
Why Me?
Meant to Be
Suspense
The Fight of My Life
Starting Over
Fractured Heart
Co-Authored Books
One Special Love With Abby Gale
Forever Plan With Jennah Thornhill