Page 106 of Dating For December
Cillian
Neither of us could wait until next Christmas, which is why the house that once seemed too big is now cramped with half-unpacked cardboard boxes. Ava spends every night here anyway. It seemed ridiculous not to just bite the bullet and ask her to move in.
My views on marriage and lasting love have been well and truly reformed. I have the black velvet box in my suit pocket to prove it.
‘What time is everyone coming?’ We invited her parents, siblings, my mother, and my brother – yes, you heard me right – as suspected, Alex is my brother. They’re coming over for housewarming celebratory drinks tonight.
My mother apparently has someone she wants to introduce us to, a neighbour of Ava’s parents. It’s been a tough few months for her, but Alex and I made sure she didn't have to leave the family home, which coincidently, is more like a family home than it ever was when we lived there as a family. The place is overflowing with friends, and laughter and even animals these days. My mother is happy. And it only makes my own happiness so much sweeter.
Dad sold the family business and retired to Portugal with Irene. He had no choice given that neither of his sons wanted anything to do with it.
Alex’s relationship with his mother is fragile to say the least, but he remains close with Cyril, the man who was a better father to him than our father could ever have been.
I drop the last box on the varnished hall floor and drag the back of my hand over the sweat beading my forehead. My eyes are drawn to Ava’s stunning ass, sculpted by a pair of indecently decent cut off shorts.
‘Not until six. Phoebe will be back by then too.’
True to her word, Teagan takes Phoebe two weekends out of every month, which works well for all of us. I get to ravage my beautiful girlfriend – soon-to-be fiancée – in every room in the house.
I debated waiting for our family to arrive, before deciding that I wanted this moment just for the two of us.
Ava’s loading books onto the shelf I cleared out for her last Christmas.
She turns around the same second I drop to my knees.
Our eyes meet and her mouth parts into a tiny O.
I reach into my pocket and produce the box, flicking it open with my thumb to reveal the stunning solitaire nestled between the silk lining.
‘Ava Jackson, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. You waltzed into my office and waltzed into my life, turning the whole thing upside down with your huge heart, sunny smile, and stunning legs.
You’re everything I never knew I needed. You make me a better man.
Will you do me the enormous honour of becoming my wife?’
Her hands fly over her mouth, and she squeals, ‘Yes.’
