Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“Thank you, everyone! You’ve made this the best day of my life!” Vivianne said as she made her way over to them, hugging and kissing each of them as the photographer continued to take photos.
Walking over to my mother, I leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Mom. You made this night so special. And thank you for the photographer. I wasn’t even thinking about that.”
She smiled. “Truth be told, neither did I. It was Mike who thought of it.”
My head drew back before I turned to look at my younger brother, who was hugging Vivianne. “Mike?”
Mom laughed. “I know! When he mentioned a photographer, your father and I were like, why didn’t we think of that? Luckily, Mike’s best friend, Ted—you remember him, right?”
“Yeah, I remember him.”
“His mother’s a professional photographer here in town.”
“That’s right! She always does the high school senior portraits.”
“Yep,” Mom said, once again laughing. It was clear she was beyond happy. “I called her, asked her for a huge favor, considering it’s Christmas Eve, and she said she’d be honored.”
I looked around at the candles, the lights, the flowers. “Mom, you guys outdid yourselves.”
She exhaled. “It was a group project, and to be honest, it was so much fun doing it all while trying not to let you or Vivianne see any of it.”
When Vivianne had made her rounds with everyone else, she came up to my mother. The two of them exchanged a hug. Mom drew back and looked at Vivianne, tears in her eyes. “I’ve always wanted a daughter, and I couldn’t have asked for a more precious one.”
Vivianne started to cry again, and Mom drew her into another hug. The two of them stood there for a few moments just embracing.
Dad walked up and hit me on the back. “Good job, son.”
“Thank you, Dad. Thank you for everything.”
He waved his hand as he said, “It wasn’t that much, and we all enjoyed doing it and being able to be a part of your special moment together.”
Turning to face him, I shook my head. “That’s not what I meant. I mean, yes, thank you for all of this, it’s beautiful. But thank you for being the best father anyone could ever ask for. You’ve allowed me to follow my dreams, and I don’t think you realize how happy I am.”
He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “I do, Ladd. All anyone has to do is look at you right now, and it’s clear as day you’re the happiest man on Earth right now.”
I felt the sting of tears at the back of my eyes.
Dad leaned in and said quietly, “There’s nothing wrong with showing your emotions, Ladd. Never hold them back. Ever.”
As if on cue, a single tear slipped free and rolled down my cheek.
Dad smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Dad. I love you too.”
Vivianne
My head was spinning, and it was the most glorious feeling in the world. I was engaged! Ladd had asked me to marry him in front of his entire family on the back porch of his parents’ ranch house in the most beautiful setting I could have ever imagined.
When I’d opened my eyes and seen the lights and the candles, then the fire down in the firepit, I’d been shocked by the beauty of it all. And the snow falling and the full moon lighting up the night sky only added to the romantic feel of the moment. But when I saw Ladd, down on one knee, my heart about burst from my chest.
“Okay, now hold out your left hand and let me get a picture of the ring!” said Laura, the photographer who was there to capture the memories. I hadn’t even realized she was there until her camera started flashing.
After the proposal, she started making photo suggestions. First, it was Ladd and me. Then us with his parents. Then one with his grandmother, and just his brothers. Then the entire family. Now she was doing shots around the firepit. The whole last hour had been a blur of happy moments, now caught on film.
Someone had brought out our coats, since Ladd and I hadn’t bothered. Whoever thought of grabbing them, I owed them big time. Once my adrenaline wore off, I began to feel the cold. And of course, Gus brought out Ladd’s white cowboy hat for the photos.
After she took a few more photos, Laura smiled. “I think I got everything. It will take me about a week to get them developed, what with the holiday, but I’ll call you, Nellie, once I have them ready.”
“That’s perfect,” Nellie stated.
“I’ll see you all tomorrow!” Laura said after packing up her things.
“It’s freezing out here!” Nellie called from the back porch. “You two get inside and warm up!”
Ladd took my hand and we quickly made our way back inside. Mike, Jason, and David blew out all of the candles and put out the fire while Gus and Lilith brought all the plants in that couldn’t stay out in the cold. Nellie unplugged the lights before coming in last and shutting the door.