by Love, L. J.
“Oh, thanks Adrian. You guys excuse me, let me just go check that out.”
“Take a scotch and soda with you so you have something to offer the one you pick out when you bum his cigarette,” Adrian said, winking at her.
Rebecca winked back and walked over to the bar.
“Thanks for that,” Aurora said, taking his hand over the table.
“It’s nothing, darling.”
Just then the dance floor came to a standstill as the band introduced a singer and everyone applauded. She walked up to the microphone and spoke.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We are the Alpharetta Jazz Orchestra and we would like to play our next song for you as it has been requested by Mr. Adrian Guyton.”
Adrian took Aurora’s hand and led her out to the middle of the dance floor as the opening chords to La Vie en Rose began to play. She smiled at him and he pulled her close and they began to dance. The singer belted out the words with a passion enraptured Aurora’s heart and she swooned against him.
“You know this is one of my favorite songs don’t you?”
“Of course I do. That’s why I chose it.”
“So tell me how you know that you make me see life in rosy hues.”
“That’s because every time I hold you I can feel your heart beating.”
Aurora laughed at his answer and followed as he turned them around again on the dance floor.
“Will you marry me, Aurora?” Adrian whispered into her ear.
“What?” she said, shocked, and stopped dead in her tracks.
Adrian let her go and looked her in the eyes as he sank to one knee in front of her. He dipped into his pocket and pulled out a black ring box. He opened it and asked her again.
“Aurora Aldridge, will you marry me?”
“Yes, Adrian. I will marry you.”
Around them applause erupted loudly as Adrian slipped the square cut diamond ring onto Aurora’s finger. She helped him up from the ground and they kissed deeply. Soon their family and friends had surrounded them, offering congratulations. Andrew and Rebecca, Aurora’s parents, Tom and Crystal and finally, Alan and Rayna.
“I am very sorry for how we got started out, Aurora. I honestly know that you are the right one for Adrian and I know you’ll make each other very happy. I, in hopes of making peace, will try my best to be on my best behavior at all time.”
“Thank you for that, Alan, I know we’ll come to appreciate each other.”
***
Later that evening, Adrian and Aurora sat under one of the tables in a corner, holding each other and kissing madly.
“Reminds me of when I used to build forts when I was a kid,” Aurora said.
“I know. I just got tired of everyone watching our every move.”
“I know. We really took over your dad’s party, didn’t we?”
Adrian laughed and held her tighter. The band had already packed up and the servers had cleared the buffet. Only a few people were still meandering around under the marquee.
“You look amazing tonight, by the way. I can’t wait until the day I can call you Mrs. Guyton but right now, all I want is to get you out of that dress and make love to you.”
Aurora smiled and as the last server turned off the final lights and the chandelier in the tent, she replied, “Well then, what are you waiting for?”
The end.
About the Author:
L.J. Love is an ex-corporate executive who now lives and writes full time in San Francisco. Please visit her on Facebook.