Ok this shout out goes to Koons41 for the message I was sent. Koons41 sent me a message congratulating me on 200 reviews and I was super excited about reaching that many reviews so it was awesome that someone actually congratulated me on it.

Chapter Twenty-One:

Mack's P.O.V

Startled and pleasantly surprised squeals rose from the crowd, and after multiple seconds, Lela was squealing as well.

"Wait." She declared, stopping abruptly. "Why are we squealing?"

Lela was the only one who couldn't see what we could. Her black and red handkerchief was still tightly bound around her skull.

"Why are you squealing?" Tanner asked, gently picking at the knot he'd tied the hanky in.

Lela shrugged.

"Actually I don't know. Everyone else was squealing so I kind of just joined in. Can I take the blindfold off now?"

With a sharp breathe in, Tanner removed the fabric, returning Lela's sight.

Now she could see what we could.

Lela's chocolate brown eyes widened and she stumbled towards the end of my porch, her slim fingers covering her mouth, that was forming an O.

"Oh Tanner." She whispered, barely audible.

Spelled out with seashells in the soft sand were the words

I LOVE YOU LELA

Lela began tearing up.

"Tanner this is amazing." She gasped, tears escaping her eyes sockets.

No one could stop themselves from grinning, and soon we were all smiling like idiots, beams plastered to our faces.

Even Butchy was moved by how sweet the gesture was.

Somewhere in the time we were all admiring the set-up, Tanner had disappeared.

"Tanner?" Lela called, spinning in a small circle. "Where did you go?"

A few moment later, Tanner returned from inside the house, lugging a large sack with him.

"Where did you get that?" I asked, pointing towards the sack. "And what's in it?"

"I'll answer that question after Mack." Tanner answered, moving back over to Lela.

"After what?"

This time, Tanner ignored me.

He opened the sack to reveal at least nine more dark pink balloons, and removed a sharp stick from the pocket of my jacket he had on. He held the stick out to his girlfriend, who accepted it wearily.

"Pop them." He instructed.

Lela beamed and proceeded to stab one of the balloons. It burst and pink and purple glitter sprayed everywhere. Lela giggled in delight.

"GLITTER!" She squeaked, jumping up and down and clapping her hands. Just like we all had when Lela had made Tanner pinky swear, everyone laughed at how cute Lela was.

With over exaggerated excitement, Lela popped balloon after balloon, some with the stick, and others with her foot. When all the balloons were popped, Lela laughed and laughed and it was so refreshing to see her happy instead of vomiting her guts up or crying.

"I think you missed something." Tanner whispered.

"I did?" Lela looked puzzled.

"Yes, you did."

Lela stared back at him, then at the empty sack.

"Are there more balloons?"

"No, you missed something that came out of the balloons."

"No I saw all the glitter." Lela insisted. Tanner laughed.

"I'm not talking about glitter." He swallowed hard and knelt down, propped up on one knee.

His fingers scrubbed the ground until they locked around a small object.

My eyes strained to see what he was holding, even though I had a pretty good idea.

Tanner pushed a diamond ring up between his thumb and his index finger and Lela screamed.

Everyone gasped in perfect unison.

"Lela." He bit his lip. "I love you more than I love my own family. I love you more than I love the perfect wave or my surfboard. I love you more than amazing weather. I love you more than my hair or spray tan. I'd skip the ultimate night out with all my friends just to spend five minutes alone with you. It isn't a question between spending the day with you and riding a forty foot wave. I'm so excited about learning to ride a motorbike, not because it's something I've always wanted to do but once I've learnt it will be one more thing I can do with you, and I love our lessons because it gives you an excuse to put your arms around me. If I had it my way it would be you and me and no one else forever. I bought this ring and all these balloons yesterday morning before we left the hotel while you were a sleep, wanting this moment to be special and planned but not actually thinking of doing it for a long time, months or maybe even years from now. But when you told me you were pregnant, I realized it had to be done. I snuck out and set up these shells while you were in talking to Mack. I was freaking out in there that Butchy was actually going to press us to go outside because than you see the surprise but I guess it wouldn't really matter. I'd get down on one knee in front of your furious brother who wants to see my head on a stick if I had to. I don't care Lela. Nothing is ever going to stop me from loving you. So now I'm going to ask you something. Lela, will you marry me?"

The tears falling from Lela's eyes were unstoppable. She opened her mouth to reply three times but nothing came out. I kept waiting for her to check how Butchy was taking all this but she didn't.

She didn't even glance in his direction.

"Awww Mack." Brady cooed, tapping my face.

I hadn't even realized I was crying myself.

I would have been kind of embarrassed if Struts, Giggles and Chee didn't have tears streaking their faces as well.

Lela opened her mouth a fourth time, but again closed it with no words formed.

"You don't have to say anything Lela." Tanner assured her. "Just say yes."

Lela closed her eyes and more tears fell, and I began to wonder if she was crying because what Tanner said was so beautiful or because she didn't know how to say no.

I could tell I wasn't the only one thinking this. Worried looks settled over everyone's faces, including Tanner's.

After what seemed like never ending silence, Lela bit down hard on her thumb.

"I'm sorry Tanner." She whispered. "But I can't marry you."

His face completely fell.

Well there you go. Like a million of you wanted, Tanner proposed but probably didn't get the reaction you all wanted. Nine reviews for an update!