It had been a month since dad passed away, and all of us had stayed back at the Kennish house to support mom and each other. Emmett and I, following our usual Sunday routine, were at the Loose Park, strolling at getting refreshed by the fresh air. Bay, Travis and Angelica had joined us this time, so we walked in our troop along the rose garden.
"Daphne?"
I turned around to place the familiar voice. It was Mingo, in his smart suit and attractive looks. After med school ended, Mingo, my first ever long time boyfriend, offered to collaborate on opening his firm that provided athletes with coaching and orthopaedic services. For a year, it worked, but was constantly interspersed with fights and disagreements, repelling us away from each other. When we broke up, I moved to Japan for a change at Emmett's persuasion.
"Hey," I greeted, "how are you?"
"I'm okay. Introduce us?" He said, looking towards Emmett.
"Oh, of course. Emmett, this is Mingo, Mingo, meet my boyfriend Emmett."
"Nice meeting you" Emmett signed, which was reciprocated by Mingo.
"Um, do you mind if I borrow Daphne for a minute?" Mingo asked the both of us.
Emmett gave a slight nod, and walked back to the Kennish-Barnes.
"So, what's up?" I asked
"I know this isn't appropriate, but I really have to tell you this."
He paused, waiting for me to interrupt. When I didn't, he continued, "I don't think my feelings for you ever went away", he signed as he spoke.
"What?" Came a voice from behind me. It had a heavy "deaf" accent, and I looked behind my shoulder to see Emmett.
Emmett stormed past me and pushed Mingo at the shoulder. Mingo retaliated, and a part of me just thought it was reflex, but they soon got into a proper fist fight, with Mingo clearly overpowering Emmett. Trying to break them apart, I called out to Bay, who sent Travis rushing towards us.
The fight ended with Emmett having a black eye and cheeks scratched and Mingo having a few bruises on his face.
"You really think I'd come back to you after this?" I barked at Mingo, still trying to process the event.
"You know who started it," he protested.
"Oh, you deserved it."
We returned home and I headed to the kitchen to grab an ice pack for Emmett while he sat in my old room. We sat on the edge of my bed and as I dabbed his cheek with the pack, he stared in my eyes, and then put his hand in his pocket to fish for something. Out came a little blue velvet box. He slid it across the bed and asked me to open it.
I was slightly disappointed when I saw a cream coloured paper folded neatly inside. Opening it up, I read its words, only to bring a few tears in my eyes.
"We've been best friends since we were eight, and I kept thinking why you would choose all the other guys over me. When I broke up with Bay, you were my voice of reason. You've helped me through everything, and every time I see you, I'm mesmerized by your determination, your strength and your beauty.. I'm a lucky guy to have you as my girlfriend, but I'd be luckier to have you as my wife."
I looked at Emmett as I finished reading his letter, but found him kneeling on the floor, holding up a gorgeous diamond ring.
I cried and laughed together, nodding my head vigorously. He smiled, took my hand and kissed it gently. Then, he slid the ring down my fingers.
As he released my hand, I held it up to admire how beautiful it looked, and gestured Emmett to stand up. Taking his face in my hands, I kissed him passionately, for now, we weren't just dating. We were engaged.
The news broke out to the entire house quickly and was well received by hearty hugs, questions and pecks on our foreheads. Kathryn, Regina and Bay were hyper-excited, and were even happier when we told them we'd be married in a week.
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the diamond necklace Kathryn had gifted me on my 22nd birthday. My mind went to how none of my dads, neither John nor Angelo would be here to walk me down the aisle. As I thought of the time Angelo died, I saw Regina at the door from the mirror. I turned, and as she approached, she told me how beautiful I looked in the dress.
"Ready?" She asked
"Yeah"
And with that, I linked my arm in hers, and we walked down the aisle. After all, she'd been both my mom and dad for a big chunk of my life.
The ceremony ended, and as Bay said, it was the most beautiful ceremony she'd ever witnessed. In the evening, after a few dances, the photographer asked Emmett, Bay, Travis and me for a picture. As I bounced Angelica in my lap, she signed, 'I want a wedding like yours.'
Bay, sitting next to us, signed, ' And you will be the most beautiful bride that day.'
