Entering the room, Jon found her already awake and wearing nothing but the sheet from their bed and a smile brighter than any sunshine. Making his way over to her, she accepted a sip from his Starbucks container and rubbed his hand over her bare belly.
“Hey. I heard voices. Who were you talking to?”
Mocking the pretentious gentleman who’d just left, he answered in his best long, drawn-out French accent. “Monsieur Tremblay.”
“Why was he here?”
“I asked him to come. I had a few questions before I signed the documents.”
They’d never gotten around to discussing the documents further after having fallen asleep in each other’s arms, and when he woke up this morning, Jon took it upon himself to let her sleep in and did just that. Removing the cup from her hand, he placed it down on the nearest surface and ushered her towards the en suite.
“Now to more important things.”
“Wait… what?”
“Shh.” he tapped her lips. “We have lots to get done today and someone I know slept for most of it.” She playfully nipped at his finger. “Don’t you start that. Go shower and don’t worry about making yourself all beau-t-ful,” he mussed her hair, ‘cause you already are. I’ll be waiting outside.”
Catching his wrist when he turned, she drew him closer, releasing the crumpled sheet as she did. “I need some help washing my back.”
“Nuh-uh. I know your little tricks.”
“I have some new ones. Come….” she winked, pulling on the hem of his shirt, “I’ll show you.”
“If I didn’t know better, Ms. Moretti, I’d say you are trying to take advantage of me.”
“Ya know, soon you won’t be able to call me that.”
Checking his watch, he smiled. “Twelve hours, to be exact.” Spinning her around, he playfully slapped her ass. “Now scoot. And don’t be long.”
Lathering up her hair, she thought about the last words he said to her. What did he mean by them? More so, what was he up to? Eager to find out, she didn’t linger like usual, instead she hurried through the formalities.
While he waited for her, Jon continued to check things off his to-do list. If he wanted to pull off his surprise, he would need some help. Calling the select few he knew he could trust, he gave each of them a task. He was still on the phone with Jeanie when Ariana joined him. Smiling, he pointed at the dining room table, where three rather larger oval cases sat. Each one containing an array of wedding bands.
Off to the side, on a smaller rectangular palate draped in black velvet, were two platinum rings. Judging by their sizes, they were—his and hers rings. The larger one caught her eye first. Platinum with a thicker band, the ring was ensconced with miniature Fleur de Lys. Like those that appeared on the Canadian only French Province flag. It was otherwise known as the Heraldic Lily. The smaller of the two rings, also platinum, was delicate yet simple. The intertwining design reminding her of her tattoo.
“Thank you, Jeanie. I’ll see ya soon.”
Shoving his phone in his pocket, Jon joined her at the table. “So?”
“Do you know how much I love you?”
“I think so but keep telling me.”
Picking up the rings he had chosen for himself, she held it between two fingers. “Do you know what these are?”
“Wedding rings?” he teased.
“Ooh, you have brains, too. I like that in a man.” She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m serious. Do you know what the designs stand for?”
“Fleur de Lys or Heraldic Lily. That is why I chose it. Every time I’ll look down at my hand, I will see you and where you are from. It will remind me of your grandmother, who loved you more than anything in this world. Just as I do. And of the beautiful little girl you are about to give to me.”
“Have I told you how much I love you?” she repeated.
“Hmm. I think you may have mentioned it before.” He picked up her ring. “Do you like this one? If not, pick whichever one you do.”
“It’s perfect. They’re perfect.”
“One more thing. I can check off the list.”
“What list? What are you up to?”
“Did you not ask me to marry you last night?”
“I did.”
“Well, what are you doing after the show tonight?”
Pausing, Ari bit at the side of her finger and shrugged. “Getting married?”
“Man, you catch on quick.”
“But…”
“I’ll tell you all about it in the car. We are late.”
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
Just as he had at their previous two stops, Felix had the black SUV ready and waiting for them as they walked out the frosted glass doors of Beaumarchais Jeweler. Jon placed a hand at the small of her back as she climbed into the back seat. Once Jon took the seat next to her, Felix closed the door, rounded the car, and took his seat behind the wheel. He didn’t bother asking where to next, he just smiled into the rearview mirror and pulled away from the curb.
In between stops, Jon explained what he had planned, and she could honestly say, the love she felt from this man today, words could not express. He had her in total awe of what he was doing. No man had ever come close to the feelings she had for Jon. To date, it was the most romantic gesture he had ever done for her. More than any song he’d ever written for her. Or about her. And according to Jon, they weren’t done.
Pulling up in front of Immaculate Conception Church, an identical black SUV sat waiting. With a quizzical expression, Ariana tilted her head at Jon.
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing I haven’t told you already.”
“Who’s in the car?”
“No one. It’s waiting to take me back to the Bell Centre.”
“And where am I going?”
“To lunch with Cara and, if you want, the spa. I took care of everything else. Telling Cara, I left that one for you.”
“Chicken!” she laughed as she stepped from the backseat and out on the sidewalk.
“Damn straight. I still have a job to do tonight.” Jon laid a hand on Felix’s shoulder. “We shouldn’t be long.”
“Yes Sir.” Felix nodded, closing the car door, and walked over to the waiting car.
Ariana stood outside the Church looking up at the majestic cathedral. Over a hundred years old, the Church had been part of this small community and her family for a very long time. The nuns would allow Ariana to attend school there if Sal could not take her with him out on the road. She spent many a Sunday mornings sitting in the pews attending Mass with her grandparents, Cara, and Max. As the years passed and she grew older, she drifted from the weekly ritual, but always found her way back when she could.
Walking the short distance from the car, she realized it had been a long time since she’d been inside. Her memory of that day vivid as if it were yesterday. She had her father’s funeral from this Church. It had been his only request to be buried alongside her mother. Religion played an important part in her mother’s and grandparents’ life, this Church in particular. Both attended school and married here. Having been here with her when Sal died, Jon knew it would be just as important to her.
“You, okay?” Jon asked.
“Yeah. It’s just been a while. Lots of memories and all.”
“I know.” He pressed a kiss to her temple, “Father Gaetan is waiting.”
Fingers linked, they walked hand in hand through the ornate doors and to the next step towards the rest of their lives together.
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