Chapter Thirteen
The next day Valentina woke up early. She had a lot of preparations to make for the party. Yesterday night she had informed her parents about her talk with Brody and her decision to move in with Brody. Her mom was very happy while her dad wanted her to get married as soon as possible. Valentina wasn't so worried. She knew that eventually Brody would propose and she would marry him. So, it was better to go with the flow and enjoy the moment with each other.
Before Benny woke up she took a shower and went downstairs for coffee. Without coffee who could think straight? Brody was still asleep and she didn't wake him up. Yesterday night they had lost track of how many times he wanted her.
She was a little sore but after a warm soaking bath, she felt better. Yesterday they'd already stocked up the bar. The menu was made kid friendly too since the whole family was invited.
She made a simple ranch dressing and placed it in the refrigerator. Then she went ahead and chopped veggies like cucumbers, carrots, snap peas, cherry tomatoes and celery sticks for the Crudité try. She prepared a meat and cheese board with four types of cheese and four types of meat, all nicely cut into bite sizes. She had bought ready to fry chicken spring rolls yesterday, which she prepared. Next she made a batch of deviled eggs and stored them in the refrigerator.
Brody woke up and after giving her a passionate good morning kiss, made coffee for both of them and then made sandwiches for breakfast. He made Benny's milk and went to wake him.
Benny came down after drinking his milk to check whether his mommy ran away or not. "Mommy," he squealed and came and wrapped himself around her leg. She picked him up and went to take a break. Brody came over too. He cleared the living room and arranged the large tables that had come in from grandpa's house for serving food. He assembled the recyclable plates, bowls, cutlery, glasses, paper napkins, sauces and condiments on the table. He set bottles of sparkling water, cider or soda as well. Valentina had prepared cut out lemon and lime slices in small bowls which he placed on the table. Benny helped him enthusiastically as Valentina was made to sit and take a break.
Brody also brought in a few flowers and ferns from outside and arranged them nicely around the rooms. Satisfied with their handiwork they came and slumped down beside her. They munched on the sandwiches that Brody made for breakfast.
While Brody went upstairs to give Benny a bath, Valentina prepared the marinade for the meat and vegetables. She chopped them into bite sized pieces and skewered them and left them to freeze.
Brody came down to help her while Benny sat with a fruit salad in front of the TV to watch his cartoon. Brody prepared an s'mores platter and a fruit platter. He made lots of lemonade for those who wanted it. They had bought lots of cupcakes and brownies yesterday from the bakery. Brody got puff pastry pizza twists, meatballs and hush puppies, mini cheese burgers and asparagus cigars from the restaurant in the marketplace. Grandpa, uncle Rob and his dad were bringing the champagne and Brittany was bringing the cake. Her parents and Chase were also invited.
They had made a nice banner reading 'Home Sweet Home' which Brody strung in the living room. He brought in fresh green plants and placed them on either side of the entrance.
Valentina made some porridge and went to feed Benny. She sat with him, relaxing while Brody massaged her shoulders. "You're the best thing that's happened to me sweetheart," he said,"I don't know what good I did to deserve you."
She leaned into him, caressing his cheek lovingly. Benny climbed in between them lying sprawled all over them. She smiled with happiness. She loved this life with the man she loved.
After sometime, she went to shower and get ready while Brody got Benny and himself ready to welcome the guests.
The party was a hit. Everyone welcomed her to the family. They enjoyed games and Brody gave everyone a tour.
When all the food disappeared and the cake was cut and served, everyone sat down in the living room to chat. The kids were in the entertainment room watching a Disney movie and enjoying their pieces of cake.
Suddenly Brody went down on one knee in front of her. Holding her hand he said,"Valentina for the last three years I've loved you and only you. I know I can't live without you and today you have proved to everyone that no one could be a more ideal life partner for me than you. Since you too feel the same for me, let us seal our lives together forever. So will you marry me, sweetheart?" He asked, taking out a small blue box.
There was a pin drop silence in the room as they all waited with bated breath for her answer.
"Yes, Brody," she said as he placed the beautiful diamond ring on her finger. It sparkled with the lights reflected on it. Everyone cheered amidst 'awws' and 'woos'. Everyone congratulated the newly engaged couple. They were glad that finally they were together after years of heartbreak.
Their women already started planning their wedding. Brody wanted the wedding in two weeks. Valentina wanted the wedding ceremony at the swimming pool area under the white gazebo. Brittany wanted to design her wedding dress. She wanted Brittany to be her matron of honour and Brooklyn, Briella, Alexia and Ivory as bridesmaids. All the children would be flower girls and ring bearers following little Benny.
Everyone left excitedly. Her mom had tears in her eyes at the happy news. Her father hugged Brody tightly, "I'm happy that my daughter found such a loving family and such a loving man to cherish her for the rest of her life. God bless you, son," he said. Chase congratulated them and they all left.
Valentina had made small thank you cards last night and small paper packets filled with dry fruits and nuts as party favors.
They would clean up later. Benny wanted to sleep, so after putting him to bed, they both went upstairs to their bedroom and relaxed in each other's arms discussing their wedding, their likes and dislikes, their ideas and dreams for their wedding. After all their wedding would happen only once and both their dreams should be fulfilled.
